It's even more hours before Yelena opens her eyes. Kate has fallen asleep leaning on the side of the bed, and I'm laying my head on the other side. I hear Yelena groan softly, and my head shoots up. She's so pale, and I can tell she's in a lot of pain. "You're awake!" When I say it, Kate jolts up as well. We both stay frozen, waiting for Yelena to wake up fully, holding our breath.
"Y/n? Kate? How?" Her eyes are glassy and her voice is a whisper.
"We followed you, idiot," Kate's voice is thick with tears.
"And Val's henchman has bad aim," I joke, and Yelena grins appreciatively.
"Why did you follow me?" She asks us, and Kate and I share a knowing look.
"Because you're my Lena," I tell her, feeling my emotions swelling up.
"Y/n," Yelena breathes, and fumbles for my hand. I squeeze tightly, trying not to cry. Kate grabs my other hand. We're like a literal love triangle. God, no wonder Yelena thinks I'm an insufferable flirt. I think cheesy shit like that.
"I can't say me too, cause I'm not allowed to call you that, but, me too." She sounds nervous, and I squeeze her hand supportively.
"Kate Bishop," Yelena reaches for her, and Kate hugs her gingerly. I sit back down and rest a hand on the bed next to Yelena.
"I told you I have your back," I smile at her as Kate pulls her chair up closer to the bed and sits down.
"And I have hers." Kate adds, making my smile grow wider.
"I'm glad. That would have been a boring way to die." Yelena grins slyly. I roll my eyes at her and she sticks her tounge out at me. I want to give her time to rest, but I need to know what was going on, so here goes nothing.
"What were you doing?" As I ask, Kate cuts me a glance, but I stand my ground.
"Making a deal." Yelena really thinks that's going to suffice.
"What deal?" I press.
"She would stop going after you two if I came back to work for her. I was to meet with an associate to prove I'd leave you behind. I should have known better." She's breathing hard as she talks, and a pang goes through me. Her lung is working too hard.
"I could have told you that was a setup," Kate scoffs, and I glare at her. No shit, sherlock.
"The important thing is they were never going to kill you unless you got in the way, and they think they've gotten rid of me," Yelena says, and I nod.
"Okay, you need to rest. No more talking," I command, and Yelena tries to object but I cut her off. "You literally can't breathe, stop!" To which she just rolls her eyes at me.
"Yelena, I'm gonna get my team together and brief them on the situation. Right now, my priority is your health, but when you're ready for it, I want to go after her," Kate's earnestness is admirable. She stands and caresses Yelena's cheek before turning on her heel and walking out. Yelena gives me a look, and I chuckle.
"She's very determined, our Katie," I remark, grinning.
"Our Katie?" Yelena asks, and I raise my eyebrows in warning.
"I just said no talking. And yes, our Katie. She's the only reason you're here right now. I froze," I admit. Yelena furrows her brow. "I saw you lying there, and my whole world stopped, Lena. I couldn't think, and there was so much blood. Kate had to tell me to pick you up, and she drove us back here. All I could do was hold you tight and hope you wouldn't die." At that, Yelena pats the bed next to her in invitation and I slide in to lay next to her. "I think I have to tell you something." I stroke her hair gently, trying to work up my courage. I can't even look at her, I just stare at the ceiling silently. After a second, she reaches over and turns my chin towards her.
"I know," she whispers, and kisses my forehead. Suddenly, I'm bolstered.
"You don't have to feel the same way. I know you don't do romance," I meet her eyes. "But I love you, Yelena. I've loved you for a long time now."
"I know," she repeats. "But-"
"You don't have to say anything," I cut her off, afraid. I tilt my chin so my forehead is against hers. "I just- I almost lost you, and I needed you to know." I pause for a second, then add "And I see how you look at Kate. If you do want romance, it doesn't have to be with me." We lay there quietly after that, foreheads together. I just hold her hand and let her digest what I've told her. Eventually, Yelena takes a ragged breath and breaks the silence.
"I can't give you what you want," she whispers.
"I know," I tell her, and put my arms around her. She hugs me back, and we fall asleep like that, the exhaustion from the past night's events finally hitting me. When Kate comes back, I wake up. I gently detangle myself and stand up to talk to her. "Have you slept?"
"I was about to go to bed, I just wanted to check on her," Kate's worried gaze never leaves Yelena.
"She's been sleeping for a while," I inform her. I shift my weight nervously before I finally spill. "I told her how I feel."
"What? What did she say?" Kate hisses, looking at me.
"It doesn't matter. But just so you know, if you want to tell her you like her, now's the time," I tell her, scribbling a note to Yelena on the whiteboard letting her know I'll be back when I wake up.
"I don't-" Kate starts, but I cut her off.
"Just trust me, okay?" And I walk out. If I'm not right for Yelena, I don't care. I just want her to be happy. That's what she deserves. If Kate makes her happy, so be it. I'll lose out on her too.
