meet me at our spot | n.r x oc | ✓

16 - you're my hero, yelena belova

[stefaniya's pov]

"Very handy pockets, yeah."

I smile to myself, their bond reminding me of my own sister, who I now realize, not even Yelena knows about.

I miss her. I have no idea if she's even alive, let alone where she is. I just hope she's okay.

"He had widows implanted all over the world,"
Natasha tells Yelena. She gives Yelena one of the last Red Dust vials left.
"Melina will need to copy the formula, but you should be the one to tell 'em it's over."

A jet lands a few feet away, grabbing our attentions. The door lifts, revealing the Widows we had freed earlier in Dreykov's office. Yelena and I walk up to them.

"You came back for us,"
Yelena points out.

"We wouldn't leave you behind,"
one of the Widows speaks in Russian.

Yelena meets my eyes, pure joy written on her face. I tear up and a Widow pulls me in for a long-awaited hug.

"Thank you,"
Yelena says. She turns back around and whistles a long note to Natasha, who whistles back.

The Widows, along with Yelena, Melina, Alexei, and Antonia gather into the jet, but I run back out.

"Natasha, wait!"

Natasha turns back around, her vibrant green eyes meeting mine.

"You should hurry and go,"
Natasha says.

"I know, I know. I just--"
I breathe.
"Thank you. For this adventure. For... For everything."

Natasha smiles.
"You don't need to thank me for that."

"No, I do."

"Well, then... You're welcome."

"Will I-- Will we see you again?"

Natasha glances at the cars approaching.
"I'm not sure how long this'll take. But I'll find my way back to you-- you all,"
she adds with a stutter.

I smile happily. I take her hand and place my sister's necklace into her palm.

"Oh, Stefaniya, I can't--"

"I trust you to bring it back to me,"
I assure her.

We stand there, lost in each other's eyes until Yelena's shout brings us back to reality.

"Just kiss already, we gotta go!"

I laugh, so does Natasha.

"Your sister is a pain in my ass, Natasha."

"At least she's funny,"
Natasha shrugs playfully.
"Keep her safe for me, okay?"

"As long as you do the same for my necklace."
I lean in a press a kiss to her cheek.
"Please look after yourself, Natasha."

"You, too."

I reluctantly let go of her hand, giving her one last smile before sprinting to the jet. Yelena grabs my hand and pulls me in just as the jet lifts off of the ground. We collapse onto a seat and she leans her head against my shoulder.

"That was stupid of you,"
I scold Yelena.

"You're going to have to be more specific, Kotova,"
she laughs.

"Risking your life on that jet earlier."

Yelena shrugs.
"I did what I had to do. And hey, I'm alive, yeah?"

I hum.
"Hey, Lena?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Remember when we went to that convenience store? Back in Budapest after running from the Taskmaster?"

Yelena thinks for a moment.
"Yeah?"

"Remember how you said that you weren't the killer that little girls call their hero?"

"...Yeah," Yelena says quietly.

"Well, it's not true."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, I can't speak for the little girls around the world, but you're my hero."

Yelena chuckles. "You're not exactly a little girl."

"Okay, fair. But I've looked up to you ever since we were kids. You're my hero, Yelena Belova."

Yelena's glassy eyes meet mine.
"I am?"

"Of course. Don't you ever think otherwise."

Yelena sniffles and pulls me into a hug.
"I love you."

"I love you, too, dork."

She pulls away and gives me a smug smile.

"So, you and my sister..."

"I'll kill you for that, you know that, right?"

"I got you to kiss her, didn't I? And I'm your best friend, you would never."

"Don't test me, Belova."