It Starts and Ends Where Love Began [Blackhill x daughter through the years]

17) Mother's Boxing

And Light Reflects Darkness

A/n I AM READING SO MANY GOOD BLACKHILL FICS ON AO3!!! RN IM READING GONE TO THE DOGS. YES! IM ONLY JUST READING THE FAMOUS ONE

Translations... at the bottom
Note: There is a conversation in russian that I will do with << >> which means it's in russian not english

MAY 20th, 2010

"Hey, bugsy," Natasha says, smiling at the camera.

"Привет, мама!" Sasha replies. Her smile reaching ear to ear and Natasha, though not as outwardly excited, recipricates its warmth.

"Очень хорошо, детка!" She says excitedly. She should be there, not Uncle Clint. "Русский или английский?"

Sasha squeals. "Русский!"

<<Alright sweet girl>>

<<I miss you, Mama. Finish your mission soon. Mommy is still gone.>>

<<I know, bug. And if I could be there, I would. In a heartbeat. But this is important. Wanna know a secret?>>

<<Yes! What?>>

<<I'm going to see Iron Man. But don't tell anyone! Not even Simon!>>

It's confidential, but Clint knows. And Sasha can know, she just didn't outright tell her. Sasha can know if she won't tell anyone.

<<Iron Man!? Really!?>>

<<Yes! But this is top secret spy stuff, don't tell a soul! Except Clint, Clint knows.>>

<<You trust me?>> Sasha's voice becomes quiet. It shakes a bit, but Natasha doesn't understand why.

<<Yes, of course!>>

<<Can you come home?>>

<<Darling, I will. Just a little longer. Mommy should get back. Soon.>> Natasha isn't actually sure, but she wants to be. "I hope." She says quietly enough that it shouldn't be received on the other line.

<<Oh! Uncle Clint is calling! I have to go to school now! Bye, Mama! Stay safe on your mission with Iron Man!>>

<<Of course.>>

⧗ⴵ🦅🛡

MAY 21st, 2010

Before Natasha walks through to get Tony to sign off his company to Pepper Potts, she makes a phone call.

"Hi," she breathes out, holding back a small sob. "Clint."

"Hey, Nat, what's up?" He already has an idea.

"I got to Stark, which means I should have a measure of time soon. Hopefully. Clint you have no idea what this means to me. Thank you, so so much. I'm trying to get this done fast but I have no idea. And with the evaluation, and Maria just gone, oh god. If you need a break maybe ask if Fury can take her? He probably will. She can skip school it's just Preschool."

"Natasha, relax. No of course I'll keep her, I love the rascal. Nat, you have work. Maria takes it when she doesn't have to, or shouldn't. This is not a reflection of you, and if it is, only how you're doing so well. I know you hate to hear this but this is on Maria. Wherever the fuck she is, this is not on you. Now, I think you're stalling. You have a job to do. Deep breaths." He takes an exaggerated inhale. "Okay, great. Now out. Alright, go get 'em tiger."