Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

3.) A Monster: Natasha Romanoff

NATASHA ROMANOFF - BLACK WIDOW

July 7th, 2017, Wakanda

Taking out my anger and energy on Wakandan punching bags only works for so long. Plus, Princess Shuri made it so the bags don't ever tear, which is disappointing. Watching them explode is pretty fun. I grab a towel from a rack and start wiping my forehead when I feel a vibration in my pocket.

Throwing the towel over my shoulder, I take my phone out and see that Steve sent me a message. Update on Bucky. Shuri found a breakthrough. The emotion behind this small amount of words is clear. I hope Steve can last a little longer without Bucky by his side.

I reply. That's great. Do you want to talk about it? I'm in the training room. A few seconds later, he answers: I'll be there.

I drop my phone back into my pocket as something red flashes in the corner of my eye. In a second, my knife and tasers are in my hands, but then I realize it's just my reflection. I look in the mirror, avoiding my own stare by glancing at everything else.

Over time, the blonde hair dye has worn off. I haven't bothered recoloring it since there's no longer a need to change my hair for a disguise. Wakanda is safe for me, Sam, Steve, and Bucky.

For now.

There's movement on the reflected surface and I quickly spin around, only to face Sam. Speak of the devil, I think, as I watch his arms go up in fake surrender.

"Easy, tiger."

My grip on my weapons loosen and I put them back in their holsters and pockets.

"Sorry, Wilson. I've been on edge."

He nods in understanding. "We all are." Sam gestures to the walls around us, "Even though we have no need to be."

"Old habits die hard," I reply. We smile. Since I enjoy scaring him, I throw a knife in his direction. It misses him by a few bare centimeters.

"Woah!" The blade is halfway into the training room walls. "Natasha! Are you trying to kill me?"

I give him a coy smirk and shrug. "If I was trying, you'd be dead by now."

"Can't argue with that," a voice says from the doorway.

We both turn to see Steve, arms folded as he watches us with a grin on his face.

I smirk. "Thanks, Rogers."

"Any news on Ja-Bucky?" Sam asks, patting his friend on the shoulder. The height difference makes their interactions hilarious.

At this, Steve's lips turn down at the corners. "That's why I'm here," he makes a pointed look at me. "Shuri made a 'breakthrough'." I notice the invisible air quotes Steve puts around the word. His voice sounds... bitter.

"What kind of breakthrough?" I take a seat on the bench, listening intently.

The sooner Bucky gets better, the more uplifted Steve will be, and the more of a chance we have to get back to fighting crime and patching up the Avengers.

Sam perches next to me and Steve sits down on a bench across from us.

"The good and the bad kind," Rogers states, running a hand through his hair. "Shuri said that in order to clear out all of the mental programming HYDRA did, she has to separate and get rid of the bad memories he has; the ones with trigger words and trauma in them." There's a slight pause as he takes in a deep breath. "However, Her Highness said that most of those memories contain me."

And now I can see why Steve looks so down, even more than before. He still can't shake the guilt, the same guilt I've felt radiate off of him ever since we met.

The guilt of being unable to save Bucky.

And now this...

"Steve." I look him straight in the eye. His gaze reluctantly meets mine. "It's not on you. Shuri's smarter than Tony, right?"

"Right," he replies.

"Then she can do this," Sam speaks up, interrupting me. I'd normally be annoyed, but this is a special case.

"As much as it pains me, I agree with Wilson. Bucky will pull through, and so will the Princess and Wakanda."

"Thank you." Steve says, "Thank you both. You're right, I'm sure Shuri can do it." He sounds comforted, and I draw him into a hug, patting his back.

"Get a room, you two." Sam snorts. I roll my eyes, we all know who Steve really cares for. What they don't know is that the words I said didn't really do much to reassure myself.

I pat Steve's shoulder one last time before pulling away. "You're welcome, Rogers."

You shouldn't be thanking me. Just as the three of us stand up to leave, I catch my reflection once again. I meet my own stare, causing me to flinch.

Because in the glass, standing there, I see a monster.  

A/N: Poor Natasha. She's been through so much. (That Black Widow movie better be good. I'm looking at you, Marvel.)

Next chapter will be in Tony's POV. Our struggling, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.

What do you think of Black Widow? Do you think that the MCU should explore her troubling backstory more? Comment your thoughts! :)

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