AURORA

Old Wounds

A/N: Aurora having a hard time, im so sorry about her.😭

Aurora's days had settled into a rhythm, her legal work interwoven with moments of tentative friendship and shared memories. The emotional weight of recent events had not fully lifted, but the presence of Mia, Wanda, and Yelena had become a source of strength.

Aurora sat at her desk, pouring over documents for a new case that had landed on her desk. It was a challenging one: a high-profile corruption case involving a major Parisian corporation. The evidence was murky, the stakes were high, and the media scrutiny was intense.

Mia entered the room, a stack of files in her hands and a determined look on her face. "Aurora, I’ve organized all the witness statements and cross-referenced them with the financial records. There are a lot of discrepancies."

Aurora nodded, appreciating Mia’s meticulousness. "Good work, Mia. We need to find a clear pattern of misconduct. If we can prove a deliberate cover-up, it’ll be a game-changer."

They spent hours combing through the data, identifying inconsistencies, and building their strategy. Mia’s support was invaluable, her keen eye catching details Aurora might have missed. Their collaboration was seamless, a testament to the bond they had developed.

Meanwhile, Wanda was striving to rebuild her relationship with Aurora. She wanted to show her sincerity, her willingness to make amends. She often joined Aurora and Mia for lunch, offering to help with their case whenever she could.

One afternoon, Wanda approached Aurora with a hesitant smile. "I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a walk in the park this weekend. I know things are still a bit strained, but I’d like to spend some time together outside of work."

Aurora hesitated, weighing her feelings. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, Wanda. Let me get my coat."

Aurora and Wanda went at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, a beautiful green space filled with winding paths, tranquil lakes, and charming bridges. As they strolled through the park, the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of chirping birds created a serene backdrop.

Wanda looked around, admiring the beauty of the park. "This place is beautiful," she said softly, breaking the silence. "Thank you for coming with me, Aurora."

Aurora nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It's a lovely spot. I used to come here with Natasha sometimes, sometimes because, you know... She was with you guys most of the time"

Wanda glanced at Aurora, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and trepidation. "Aurora, I know things have been difficult between us. I want you to know that I'm genuinely sorry for everything that happened. I’m working hard to change, to make amends."

Aurora took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "I appreciate that, Wanda. I can see you're making an effort, and I respect that. But it's not easy to just forget what you did".

Wanda nodded, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "I understand. I don’t expect forgiveness to come quickly or easily. I just want to prove that I’m different now, that I’ve learned from my mistakes."

They walked in silence for a few moments, the only sounds coming from the rustling leaves and distant laughter of children playing.

"Natasha meant a lot to both of us," Aurora said finally, her voice tinged with sadness. "Losing her... it left a hole that’s hard to fill."

Wanda’s eyes softened with empathy. "I miss her every day. She was more than just a friend to me, she was my family, my mentor. I know how much she cared about you, Aurora. I want to honor her memory by trying to make things right."

Aurora stopped and turned to face Wanda, her expression serious but not unkind. "I want to believe you, Wanda. I want to see the good in you that Natasha saw. But trust takes time to rebuild."

Wanda nodded, a small, hopeful smile appearing on her face. "I’m willing to wait, to work for it. I just want us to find some peace, for Natasha’s sake and for ours."

Aurora looked at Wanda, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. "Let's take it one step at a time. We can start by enjoying this walk and seeing where things go from there."

Wanda’s smile grew a little brighter. "One step at a time sounds good to me."
___
As Aurora was settling in with a book, there was a knock on her apartment door. She opened it to find Yelena standing there, looking somewhat apprehensive.

"Can I come in?" Yelena asked.

"Of course," Aurora replied, stepping aside to let her in.

They sat on the couch, a comfortable silence hanging between them before Yelena spoke. "I’ve been looking for apartments, but it’s been harder than I thought. Would it be alright if I stayed here for a few days while I continue my search?"

Aurora smiled, feeling a warmth in her heart. "You’re always welcome here, Yelena. Stay as long as you need."

That night, as Aurora slept, she was visited by a haunting dream. She was in a dark, shadowy room, and Natasha was there, her face a mix of sadness and pain.

"Aurora, why didn’t you save me?" Natasha's voice echoed in the emptiness, filled with a sorrow that pierced Aurora’s heart.

"I tried," Aurora replied, her voice breaking. "I tried Natasha."

Natasha shook her head, her image growing fainter. "Don't let go, Aurora. Don't let go...let go...."

Aurora woke with a start, her heart pounding, tears streaming down her face. She sat up, trying to steady her breathing. The dream was a painful reminder of the guilt she carried, a wound that had yet to heal.
___
The next morning, Aurora found Yelena in the kitchen, making coffee. "Morning," Yelena greeted, noticing the tired look in Aurora's eyes. "Rough night?"

Aurora nodded, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Bad dream."

Yelena placed a comforting hand on Aurora’s shoulder, knowing what is going on, she heard Aurora calling Natasha's name in her sleep. "Natasha wouldn’t want you to carry this guilt. She loved you, Aurora. We both know that."

Aurora smiled faintly, grateful for Yelena’s words. "I'm okay, thank you"

A/N: Traumatized 🙄