Chrysalism

-chapter twenty-three-

New York, New York. July 5th, 2017. Compound Courtyard, 12:48 PM.

Natasha jogged slowly as she came around the corner into the gardens, towards the concrete bench she saw Malone studying on through the compound security feed. The words she planned on saying running through her head, Natasha praying it would work. As the path straightened out, she saw Malone just as she was on the video, curled up with her textbook and headphones, looking lost to the world. Natasha took notice of Bucky's dog tags hanging around her neck, and she couldn't help but smile. They were undoubtedly in love, you could see it for miles, and while Natasha worried the mission might put a strain on them, if all went well, the joy of having her brother back would smooth over any rough patches that would come afterward. "Hey," she called as she approached Malone.

"Oh," Malone looked up and removed her headphones, "hey Nat."

"Care to join me? I'm just on a little run."

"Uh - no," Malone laughed. "I'm not a runner."

"Come on, it's just a lap."

"Nat-"

"Come on, it'll help you study better. Clear your mind a bit," Natasha grinned, gently pushing Malone's shoulder.

"Oh, alright," Malone sighed, standing and setting her books down. "Hey, wanna see a trick Loki taught me?" Natasha nodded and stepped back. Malone smirked and closed her eyes, concentrating as gold sparks flew. When they cleared, Malone was no longer in her blue jeans and Berklee sweatshirt, but athletic leggings and a loose t-shirt. She smiled as she tied her hair up, Natasha looking impressed.

"So, wardrobe magic? That's his specialty?" Natasha joked as they took off in a soft jog in the courtyard.

"Well, not exactly. It's just a plus."

"What else has he been teaching you?"

"Oh, little of this, little of that. Mind-reading, that illusion thing where there's two of him, a few self-defense spells," Malone was already panting a little. "It's like having a magic Mr. Miyagi."

_

"What the hell happened to one lap?" Malone yelled, Natasha, running ahead of her as she stopped to hold a cramp in her side.

"I take laps around the compound, love, not the courtyard!" She called back with a laugh.

"You could have warned me!"

"I'll tell you what," Natasha smiled as she jogged back to Malone. "This workout can be done, if you come to show me some of that 'safety magic' you've learned tonight. Maybe we can get you a few stand-bys for, you know, just in case."

"I'm gonna have to get you back for this one way or another," Malone sighed, "so, you're on."

Natasha slapped Malone's shoulder as she took off running again, and Malone turned to the front door of the compound. She heaved the door open, coming face to face with a stunned-looking Tony and Rhodey.

"Natasha?" Rhodes asked. Malone nodded, sweat streaming down her face, still holding her side. "Ha, yep. I learned the first time, don't trust a word that girl says."

"Agreed," Tony chuckled, tossing Malone an orange. She caught it but looked at him confused. "It'll help, trust me."

She nodded and made her way over to sit in front of Steve at the long glass dining table, where he sat in front of books and an iPad. He laughed when he looked up and saw Malone, red-faced and looking annoyed. "The hill?" He asked, never looking up from his notebook.

"Yeah," she sighed, shoving an orange slice into her mouth. She craned her neck to look over at his notebook, where he was sketching a picture of a large bird, she didn't know what type, landing on a dock. "I didn't know you draw."