Trapped in her own Web

The Hospital, Part II

Natasha wasn't sure how long she'd been under, she kept fading in and out of consciousness. The sound of her own voice was what eventually shook her truly awake.

"Fuck," she croaked, certainly not the first time she'd used a profanity when finding herself in situations such as these but, definitely not the right word to describe her current state. The word itself was unintelligible and muffled and it took her a few seconds to recognise that her voice was raspy and hoarse, like she'd swallowed sandpaper. She winced at the sharp pain in her lungs and tried to lick her chapped lips only to feel the smooth edges of an oxygen mask placed firmly over the lower section of her face. "Ow."

There was another presence in the room, one she had not been aware of until it moved and made noise. The light hurt her eyes too much for her to open them and her senses were dulled and fuzzy. Sudden movement from the person set off an animalistic fear within her. A wave of panic rose in her chest, and she heard the various machines around her begin to mimic her heart rate.

There were very few things that the Black Widow feared, anything to do with being poked and prodded by people wearing masks was at the very top. Hospitals, clinics, medbays...all were part of her personal hell. They brought up memories that she would rather stayed firmly in the past.

She wasn't an idiot - she knew it was a stupid, irrational phobia, derived from the Red Room. She'd experienced her fair share of torture and brainwashing in windowless white rooms, though usually they were accompanied by other more colourful stains. Even required check-ins or post mission assessments usually consisted of Natasha stubbornly hiding out and putting the appointments off for as long as she possible could, and then terrorizing everyone with a foul mood and dark muttering in Russian. If she was injured on a mission, she usually treated it by nursing something strong (usually alcoholic) and watching shitty reality TV in her room alongside Clint who shared the same fear of needles, medical recommendations be damned. It drove Coulson up the wall and often led to comments and nicknames like worlds best babysitter and super nanny from other agents.

There wasn't enough money in all of Wakanda's economy, not enough money in the whole world for that matter, for Natasha Romanoff to stay in any sort of medical facility willingly. In this case, however, there wasn't much she could do.

"Hold still, Natasha." The person said above her. Natasha felt restricting fabric around her midsection tighten, and for a second panicked, thinking she was restrained for another round of testing in the Red Room. "Relax. You're out of harms way."

Natasha tested her wrists, biting back a whimper as she prayed they were not handcuffed to the bed she was laying in. "Natasha, stop it. Oh, for — Don't move. I am going to get help." She had no idea who the voice belonged to. She had no idea where she was.

Natasha urged herself not to make a noise as the tears spilled over, her throat closing up as she swallowed a distressed noise.  Fortunately, she didn't have to face whoever was coming in her weakened state. By the time the footsteps approached, now accompanied by another set, she had slipped blessedly back under.

Faint beeping is the first thing that penetrates Natasha's conscious. It's even and rhythmic and she finds herself lulled by it. That or it's the drugs in her system, she can feel them waring off but still feels heavy from the sedation. Her panic from before has faded slightly so yeah, definitely hooked up to IVs with medical pacifiers filtering through.

She tries to pry her eyes open but the harsh light above her makes them snap shut almost instantly. She feels a hand brushing her hair and she leans slightly into it. "Talia?" She tries to speak or at least nod her head but nothing works, her whole body feels so stiff. All she can do is groan. Apparently that is enough because she can already feel the person besides her joy. He gently strokes her hair and kisses her cheek. She feels him leave for a second and then appear again. "Can you open your eyes?" She tries and to her surprise finds the room darker than before, no more harsh light. She realises the person next to her must of turned the lights off. She smiles gratefully at him.

Although still pretty banged up and slightly out of it, Natasha feels so much better. The pain is still present and her limbs ache with a heaviness like exhaustion, but at least the oxygen mask is gone and so are several drips. The man besides her offers her a glass of water. She does an attempt at a nod and eagerly accepts it. He steadies her shaking hands and helps her bring the cup to her lips. She gulps it down greedily. Her throat feels parched and the cool liquid sliding down it feels heavenly. "James?" He nods smiling and she slowly reaches out to stroke his cheek. She's startled to find it wet and then notices he's crying. He grabs her hand and presses her palm to his lips.
"You're alive."
"I am." He starts laughing, the laughter soon turns to tears and he's sobbing uncontrollably clutching her to him.
"I thought you were dead, you were dead, your heart stopped beating. The doctors thought you wouldn't make it, but you did. You're here and you're alive."
"I'm here." His tears stopped and he was smiling. Smiling so big.
"We really ought to stop meeting like this." She snorted and then winced as her nose exploded in pain. She gently prodded it, definitely broken.

His face turned to one of concern but she waved it away. Everything was going to be fine now, she had him and he had her. She slouched back down onto the pillows and closed her eyes, no longer fighting the temptation of sleep. As she slipped back under she held James's hand, never once slackening her grip.

A/N Inspo from frontier on AO3. My apologies for being an idiot yesterday when I accidentally thought it was Thursday. I spent the whole day thinking everyone was in a different country/on holiday. So oops :)
On the plus side, Natasha's not dead (yet) and everything's fine and happy (for now). :)