BLACK & RED | NATASHA ROMANOFF X READER | MARVEL

8

(This chapter was added after initial order release.)

ALANA SOLOKOV POV:

Three weeks into my life as an Avenger, I was finally starting to feel at home. The initial chaos of adjusting to a new routine had settled, and I found myself fitting into the rhythm of the team.

Mornings began with intense training sessions. Sparring with seasoned fighters like Romanoff and Cap had become both a challenge and a privilege. Natasha's sharp movements and precise strikes were something to aspire to, and I often found myself staying after sessions to ask for tips.

One afternoon, I found myself in the common area, sprawled out on one of the couches with mission reports scattered around me. The compound was quieter than usual, with most of the team out on various assignments. I relished the moment of peace, even as I sifted through the endless paperwork.

"Hey," a familiar voice called out. I looked up to see Wanda Maximoff entering the room, carrying two steaming mugs. She handed one to me before taking a seat on the opposite couch.

"Thanks," I said, gratefully accepting the mug. The scent of hot chocolate filled the air, a comforting aroma that made me smile.

"How's the paperwork going?" Wanda asked, a sympathetic look on her face.

I sighed dramatically. "Riveting stuff. I'm learning so much about proper filing techniques and the importance of 'accurate timestamps." I mocked.

She laughed, a sound that always made me feel at ease. "It gets better, I promise. Or at least, it gets less boring."

I chuckled, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. "I'll hold you to that. It's nice to have a break, though. The past few weeks have been...intense."

Wanda nodded, her expression turning thoughtful. "I remember my first few weeks here. It's a lot to take in, and I had Pietro as well, to be fair. But you're doing great. Everyone can see it."

Her words were comforting, and I felt a warmth that wasn't just from the drink. "That means a lot. It's just...sometimes I wonder if I'll ever really fit in, you know? I still feel like there's a part of me that's..." I stopped.

She leaned forward, her eyes filled with empathy. "Lana, don't go there. You're free from them now."

I appreciated her reassurance, but a part of me couldn't help but feel the weight. Being apart of HYDRA my whole life. Being 'Al.' The ghost. The 'man' that my friends resented the most. These complexities that came with it made me feel like an outsider.

"Do you ever feel like your past overshadows who you're trying to be now?" I sigh, staring into the dark liquid in my avengers mug.

Wanda sighed, a shadow crossing her face. "All the time. I've learned that our pasts shape us, but they don't define us. It's what we do now that matters."

Her words struck a chord, and I felt a sense of resolve. "You're right."

She smiled warmly. "Exactly."

Natasha walked into the common area. She had a relaxed air about her, dressed in casual clothes instead of her usual combat gear. She noticed the spread of reports and shook her head with a smirk.

"Looks like you two have been busy," she remarked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Nope," Wanda chuckled, "Just her."

"Yeah. Just trying to keep up," I replied, gathering the papers into a somewhat organized pile, "I'm just about done either way.'

"How's your day been?" Wanda asked her.