What if...? // K A T E L E N A

Chapter 21: Natasha?

Natasha Romanoff moved swiftly, her boots hitting the pavement in a steady rhythm as she weaved through the darkened alleyways. Every movement was precise, calculated. Her breath remained controlled, but her mind raced.

Someone was following her.

Arrows whizzed past her, striking dangerously close—embedding into brick, splintering wood, cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Above her, the sky cracked open in a violent burst of swirling energy. A portal ripped through the fabric of reality, spewing figures into the night like shooting stars.

The air vibrated with raw power, crackling like a storm ready to consume the city.

Natasha barely spared a glance upward—she had more immediate concerns.

"OH MY GOD!"

Kate Bishop's scream echoed through the air as she plummeted from the sky.

Kamala Khan saw Cassie's struggle to reach America and reacted instantly, her embiggened, glowing hands stretching out to catch America Chavez, who was unconscious.

"I got her!" Kamala assured, though she and America still hit the roof of a house, the force of impact causing it to collapse with a loud crash, sending dust and debris flying.

Cassie Lang shrunk at the last second, avoiding a painful landing, while Yelena Belova acted quickly, yanking Kate mid-fall and firing a grappling hook at a nearby building.

The rope caught, jerking them forward in a harsh swing. They crashed into the alley, rolling across the pavement in a tangle of limbs.

When the dust settled, Kate found herself pinned beneath Yelena.

Kate groaned. "My back..." She reached for her bow, only to freeze as her brain processed their position.

Yelena was straddling her, hands braced on either side of her head, the blonde's weight pressing down just enough for Kate to notice.

Yelena's brows furrowed in concern, her eyes scanning Kate's face. "Are you okay?"

Kate's breath hitched. She was hyper-aware of how close Yelena was—her warmth, her scent, the way her lips were slightly parted. Her gaze flickered to them before she could stop herself.

Kate's back hurt, they were in another reality, and she was thinking about how delicious those lips looked.

"I—I'm fine!" Kate's voice cracked embarrassingly, betraying her.

Yelena arched a knowing brow, leaning in slightly, amusement flickering in her expression. "Kate..."

"Y-yeah?"

"You're staring."

Kate sputtered. "I am not! I mean, you're literally on top of me! You're heavy."

Yelena's smirk widened. "Oh, come on, you like it." Her accent made the words hit even harder.

Kate opened her mouth to argue, but Yelena cut her off—by kissing her.

Kate's entire body tensed—her breath hitched, her mind short-circuited, and for a brief second, sheer panic took over.

Right here?! Right now?!

Her hands hovered uselessly in the air, her eyes wide open, her face red, and her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure Yelena could feel it through the kiss.

Yelena tilted her head slightly, moving her lips with just the right amount of pressure—firm, utterly in control.

Kate melted into it.

Right here. Right now.

Her eyes fluttered shut, her fingers finally finding their purpose, gripping onto Yelena's waist like a lifeline.

Her lips moved against Yelena's in a desperate, instinctive response, as if she was afraid to let go, as if she didn't want to.

A small, involuntary gasp slipped from Kate's mouth before she could stop it. The sound only seemed to encourage Yelena, who deepened the kiss further, swallowing every breath, every tiny noise Kate made.

It was overwhelming—fast, intense, almost dizzying.

Kate's mind was spinning. She could feel herself unraveling, her body responding in ways she hadn't expected. It was consuming, leaving her breathless, leaving her wanting.

Yelena nipped at her bottom lip, and Kate made a noise in the back of her throat, somewhere between a whimper and a moan.

And Yelena—Yelena liked it.

"What the SHIT?!"

The sharp voice sliced through the moment like a blade. Yelena broke the kiss, whipping her head around.

Standing at the alley's entrance, clad in her signature tactical suit, was Natasha Romanoff. Her expression was somewhere between disbelief and judgment.

Kate's soul nearly left her body. "Oh my God. It's Natasha."

Yelena scrambled off Kate and then pulling her up roughly. "Natasha?!"

Kate stared harder at Natasha, realization hitting her like a truck. In this reality, Natasha was alive.

"Oh my God. It's Natasha?" Kate repeated, her voice now a question. She glanced at Yelena, who glanced back at her.

And then both stared back at Natasha. Yelena only could mutter. "Natasha."

The weight of the moment settled over them, pressing heavy against the air. Now, she was also staring at the impossible. But Kate was still breathless from Yelena's kiss, still tingling with the aftershocks.

Natasha Romanoff, alive.

Meanwhile Yelena's heart pounded in her ears, the reality of their situation crashing down like an avalanche. They weren't just in another universe.

They were in a universe where Natasha never died. And she had just witnessed them kissing.

-

End.

Natasha: Kate, why is Yelena sulking?

Kate: Oh, I hugged a dog earlier, and she says I "cheated" on her.

Natasha: Yelena! You do realize you're being ridiculous?

Yelena: No, I am being betrayed.