waytodie | {Open

[from here~ ]

——

When he arrives, Jason will find Yelena leaning one arm against the counter of the food truck, chin propped in one hand as she watches the man inside the truck go to work on all the food she ordered. She knows how boys eat, and she is no shy eater, either. It’s a lot of food, and definitely enough to share.

She grins when she hears him approach and turns her head slowly to look over at him. “I got us a bunch of tacos, loaded nachos, empanadas, and some sopapillas.” It seemed like a good feast to her anyway.

Edited 2023-05-16 02:22 (UTC)

As promised, Yelena is waiting in the hotel room for her. She will know the exact moment that Kate arrives, she's sure of it, because there is really nothing subtle about the archer at all. That's okay, Yelena has enough subtlety in her work life, she could do with obvious, flat-facts in her personal life.

It is still strange to think she has one of those. A personal life. A social life of some sort, even. Very small and ultra-contained, and she still hasn't really moved outside of her general circle of former Widows and her fake parents– she's still a little bitter about that whole thing, actually– but something is better than nothing, and at least when they get together now it's not only because of a mission. Sometimes, it's a mission and it's family night.

Either way... she waits, and she's glad that Kate will never have evidence of the stupid way she keeps looking at her phone every time the next text is from her.

[continued~]

———

She goes completely silent for nearly two weeks. Her phone seems to be disconnected, no one really seems to have heard from her.

It’s probably pretty jarring to walk into his own flat, which he knows he left quite distinctly both empty and locked when he left it last night… to find a lithe blonde passed out on his couch. She doesn’t seem to notice the sound of the key in the door or the soft squeal of the lower hinge as the door is pushed open; she doesn’t hear the soft, light footsteps as he moves around either.

She looks at peace in her sleep, at least. It makes her really look her age. Makes her seem smaller, somehow. So still, quiet and relaxed in a way she never is when she’s awake. Like this, she could almost pass for a typical 20-something.

Almost.

She still has tactical boots on, a knife tucked inside of one of them. Her hair is swept up in a messy ponytail and has no less than three other blades hidden on her person somewhere.

The tv is on low, little more than a soft murmur of sound so the room isn’t completely silent. He can either wake her up or let her come to in her own time— depends on what he thinks is worth more: Letting Yelena actually get some sleep or finding out why she’s here.

Edited 2023-07-07 01:32 (UTC)

[Peter makes sure to grab the bottle of hot sauce he promised Yelena before he leaves, taking a quick moment to make sure he leaves his window unlocked so he doesn't lock himself out again. (And avoid that super awkward conversation with his landlord while trying not to reveal himself as Spider-Man, good times.)

Once satisfied that he has everything and is ready to go, Peter closes the window behind him, pulls down his mask, and swings into the night, repeating the address Yelena gave him in his head so he doesn't forget it.

For the time it takes him to arrive, Peter lets himself enjoy being alone, just him, swinging into the open air. There really isn't any feeling in the world like it.

He arrives in fairly good time, landing on a fire escape before knocking at the window he thinks is Yelena's, holding up the bottle of hot sauce, as promised. Otherwise, this will be awkward for Yelena's neighbors, oops.]

It's hard, it's like a knife in the gut, a literal pain she knows, to see the woman she considers her daughter in pain. And she can't make that pain go away, not like a kiss to a scraped knee or killing a Red Room agent who attacked her. This is beyond her ability to fix in any way, she isn't equipped for it.

She misses Natasha too, and she's proud of her, and she hates herself for not stepping in when she could have. And she's angry that Nat never called her for help. And she's furious that Red Room took everything from her girls and gave them a future that was destined to be filled with complexity and pain. She is so ill prepared to help with that.

Melina hadn't been prepared for hearing 'mom' or 'mommy.' How could she know the surge she would feel in her chest for her girls being hurt or being excited. They were so eager and smart and open to the world that she'd almost forgotten that the whole thing was a charade sometimes. She'd failed her mission because she'd loved her family.

"I know. I miss her too. So much it feels like part of me is gone and what's left just hurts."

1. Last night I thought his shirt said Yale... but this morning it definitely says Old Navy 2. It's gotten to the point where waking up in my own apartment is a surprise. 3. Midnight run for medical supplies ended several hours later with a lapdance, so I can't complain. 4. We are arguing over whose family is more dysfunctional... 5. Text her; assumed CR/misfires welcome!

»

Edited 2024-01-03 09:59 (UTC)

[»]

———

Yelena, true to her word, shows up at Steve’s that evening. She hopes he doesn’t ask why she is there, she isn’t sure how to put it into words. It’s just— he’s one of the few people that really knew her sister. The woman she had become in the years she had been apart from her. It’s complicated, but grief always is, isn’t it?

She's glad he is amenable to the idea at any rate. It’s better, not being alone, when she can afford the luxury of it.

She grabs one of the small throw pillows and hugs it toward her, “We should watch a movie or something,” she suggests, settling in the corner of the couch.

[05. i really don't think "get laid" will solve all of my problems...]

----

Oooh I like the 90 Day Fiance, they are CRAZY on that show Aaand the 1000-lb Sisters, they are HILARIOUS Sometimes you just have to have something on for noise, you know? No brainpower required.

[iv. Everybody makes mistakes. Also they let you text in ambulances now.]

–––

It is fine. I will come. But why are you IN the hospital? What happened?

[And, like- why does anyone think he needs a hospital? Do these people not know he is a super soldier? How bad does it have to get when someone with such accelerated healing needs a whole hospital trip?]

[5. Details are irrelevant. come bail me out of jail.]

–––

You are really unhelpful for someone asking for my help, you know?

Even if he says anything else, that will be the last text he gets from her because she has to go throw a new outfit on before heading down to the precinct to bail him out. She's always got some kind of bail money set aside because- well- that's just the kind of life she and those closest to her lead, okay? It's just smart planning, at a certain point.

In the kind of way only Yelena can manage, she swans in and charms the absolute hell out of the people dealing with the most boring aspects of this job. She makes a soft enough demand of getting him out on bail that it's almost impossible for them to deny her.

"Who are you in relation to Barnes, anyway, sweetheart?" the man she'd been discussing everything with asks as he taps some information into his computer.

She leans an elbow on the counter and props her chin in her hand, "Can you keep a secret?" she stage-whispers conspiratorily.

"Sure," he says, amused as he glances back up at her. "I'm good at that."

"We're in something of a.... how you say... situationship. Very complicated and messy, but... worth it," she emphasizes those words with a suggestive lift of her eyebrows, "if you know what I mean," she completes the thought with a quick wink sent his way.

He chuckles lightly and nods, "I think I do," he finishes up what he was doing and says, "Officer Robins will take you the rest of the way, ma'am."

The sun is already dipping in the western sky, the cafes of Saint-Denis coming alive with evening customers, as a cool elegantly dressed blonde makes her way along the sidewalk, paper bag of groceries in the crook of her arm, stopping outside one of the distinctive Parisian doors to get out her keys.

To her neighbours Anne Darceneaux was just a typical businesswoman, one whose work frequently took her away for long periods of time. Indeed, none of them had seen her for several years, until one day she had turned up again out of the blue, much to the delight of Pierre Thompion in the apartment across from hers who'd lingered on the landing this evening so as to try and flirt with his beautiful neighbour.

Brushing him off gently in fluent French, Anne unlocked her apartment door, hefting the bag of groceries as she closes it behind her, her gaze briefly catching on the mirror by the entrance, a sigh escaping her as she studied the reflection of Anastasia Petrova, a twinge of remorse making her break eye contact with the reflection after only a moment.

Six weeks now, six weeks of living another's life, of waiting in hope that the widow that she'd nearly killed years before might show up. She'd give it another couple of months, maybe tip off some more underworld contacts if that didn't work, but failing that she would be at a dead end.

Edited 2024-06-19 15:18 (UTC)

[ 2. Is that supposed to be a threat or flirting? It's hard to tell with you.]

Something else tonight would be good. Do you have any ideas? Places you want to visit or anything? New York does night life SO well, honestly.

[4. I really need you to explain "😩💥💳"]

haha I suppose I could see that He makes me feel old sometimes and I am not even that much older than him.... Oh, yes, you are much more clear about it than the sourpuss Mr. Lineface 😐 I'm not sure your bestie would know a joke if it punched him in the face

Edited 2024-11-25 09:21 (UTC)

[from here.]

I feel the same, moy soldat. It sounds strange to say, but I think in a way, my life really started that first da I snuck into your cell.

The holidays are a weird time for Daisy. With her former team - her family - kind of breaking off and doing their own thing between being busy as the Director of SHIELD, an agent out in the field, teaching at the Academy, going on a bit of soul searching, retiring or... going into space in her case, it means not everyone is aware of the holidays or in touch with each other and it's...lonely. There are familiar faces she recognizes out on missions or in debriefs, but they're not the same as the people she spent many years with saving the world. Or Yelena, even if they haven't known each other all that long.

Daisy likes Yelena and seeing she isn't at the holiday party, it makes her decision an easy one as she puts in a little face time, grabs some goodies, steals a sprig of mistletoe and some vodka before deciding to head to Yelena's instead. It's all without a text to let her know she's on her way so she kind of feels a rise of anxiousness for a moment, thinking that maybe dropping by is a stupid idea and Yelena won't hesitate to tell her so.

But. Maybe it isn't.

"Open up, I have presents!" It comes after a quick three knock pattern, to try and entice Yelena in opening up the door. "And it's cold!"

[1. My new workout goal is to have a body where after I commit a crime, the media posts my shirtless pics and everyone's like WOW]

That does sound like him, I will admit. Good. It would be very embarrassing for me if you were.

[1. You know, if you keep suggesting that I wear tight pants and leather, I might start to assume you have ulterior motives.]

I would like to to hear this list.

If there's one constant truth, it's that Alexei Shostakov is not doing alright. Not one bit. Adjusting to society after twenty years in prison had already been tough enough. Hunting down other Widows to free from the Red Room's control had also been tough, in a completely different way. Trying to navigate what was going on between him and Melina- if anything- had been a third tough thing. Then came that fourth thing in the form of turning to dust, losing more than five years as the world proceeded without him, then coming back to existence to absolute chaos. That was the final straw, really. That, and losing Natasha.

He found a home in America and spends most of his days watching TV, absorbing that very same culture he'd feigned to be part of in the 90s. His job just barely pays enough to cover the bills. When one has fallen so far, even getting out of bed in the morning is a chore, but he's no quitter. He keeps going, because there's still one person left of their little family who pays visits every so often. He can't let Yelena down.

Those visits are hard to predict, though. Right now, he's wrapped up deeply in a Seinfeld marathon (good, harmless, American fun), while trying to clumsily eat some leftover noodles straight from the take-out box. Red Guardian, ladies and gentlemen!

[2. You got mad when I tried to put you to bed, so I left you on your floor.]

I think you are correct. You know where my spare key is, if I am not out of the shower by the time you get here, yes?

Edited 2025-02-14 10:03 (UTC)

[3. I had a threesome with my hot neighbor and his girlfriend and by threesome I mean I heard them getting it on in their apartment and I was in my apartment eating ice cream]

I am not! If you met her, you would understand.

Edited 2025-02-14 14:55 (UTC)

[ooc; From the Parent Trap-'verse; after the big failed mountain cabin getaway & resulting heartbreak after... end of the week following these two threads]

––––

The last week has been rough. There is a lot swirling in her mind, still reeling from everything earlier in the week. Guilt has settled quite firmly between her ribs, and as a result, Yelena's mood has been... hard to read, at best, downright sour at worst. But it was all leading to this even harder day. Nothing could have prepared her for what she would witness that day.

The Thunderbolts– God, she hates that name, it is so objectively terrible– had been called to Cap's headquarters; some meeting of the minds about possible alien tech use in Greenland and a discussion of how to handle it, who should go, and if they might need to contact Captain Marvel or the Guardians for an assist.

She... barely remembers what was actually said because her focus had been on Sam and Bucky the entire time.
The tension that she felt spark like static in the room as soon as Bucky and Sam's eyes met across the room.
How awkward every inch of Bucky's body language was against Sam's seemingly very calm and ever-chill exterior.

Bucky was, somehow, quieter and frownier than usual.
He seemed like his attention was divided between the task at hand and something else.
Something around his eyes looked... blank, several times through the meeting- she's almost positive he was disassociating right in front of all of them.
He also wouldn't even dare to look at Yelena the whole time. Probably for the best, she isn't sure she could have kept herself contained if he'd tried to say a single thing to her.

Sam's stance showed a subtle shift when Bucky was near him. Usually, she'd noticed before, he faced him if not wholly, then he was still shifted toward Bucky, but that's all gone; it's not the most obvious cold shoulder ever, in fact it might be the most subtle one she's ever seen, but it's there in that tiny twist of his body toward the rest of the room, just that little bit away from Bucky.

To anyone- probably everyone- else in the room, Sam likely seemed... fine. Business as usual. He smiled. He joked. He laughed. He made plans and called shots. He was... perfectly Captain America-ing, in excellent form on the business front.

But his smile didn't reach his eyes.
His jokes didn't have the right amount of heart in them.
His laugh didn't sound as hardy as it usually did.

His arms were folded across his body most of the time, except when he was pointing to maps or similar.
His eyes were dull, and she didn't even know that could happen; his eyes always seemed a little bit like they were lit from the inside with starlight, but it was snuffed out now.
He was too well-focused on all of the business of everything, in a way that was more like seeking a hyperfixation to distract himself than anything else.

"Whatever you need, buddy," Barnes had said, at some point, in a voice so soft she could have missed it if she wasn't so goddamn focused on the two of them. He even dared to reach out and clap a hand on Sam's shoulder. "We're in your corner."

There was a smile on Sam's face, genuine, but not wide enough. Not bright enough. It didn't reflect in his eyes like it should have. "Thanks, pal," had come out of his mouth as smooth as ever... but he still pulled away from that hand on his shoulder, even if he played it off as getting Joaqín to come help him look at some coordinates.

The whole meeting had her stomach in knots. She barely spoke except when it was absolutely necessary. As soon as it was clear that whatever meeting they were having among all of them was over, and that some people were lingering in the way people often do when they don't want to be the first to leave? Yelena happily jumped to her feet and stomped out of the facility first.

––––

Back at her own apartment, she locks up behind herself and promptly flops down on her couch, greeted by Franny pushing her cold, wet dog snout right into Yelena's cheek. "Hey, baby," she murmurs softly. "You are so lucky you are a dog..."

As if she could understand her words, but was very confused by them, Franny tipped her head to one side, and then the other. Classic confused puppy face.

Yelena gave a single, weak, "Ha." of laughter, shifting her position on the couch to give her dog space to climb up with her. Maybe she'd be able to think of a way to set all of this right after a little sleep.

Valentina wants to fuck your father.

[ Dylan has no idea how any of this happened. One minute he was living it up in his last summer before college, badly hitting on the big man around camp and enjoying the time he had left as a free man. But there was no level of fun that could make up for the bullshit that ended up happening - especially how he's left being some kind of otherworldly creature whenever the full moon comes around every month.

So, a lot of people are dead or fucked up. He doesn't particularly feel like either, he thinks. But he can't start college now and he definitely can't go home, so when some rich lady figures him out and starts asking him to do things for her, he might aa well. A few years pass and hey, is he technically a spy now?

Who knows. All he really gets is the lines are starting to blur between the two shapes he can take because of working for Valentina, but he's okay with that, as long as he's useful and having an interesting time.

He's definitely going to have an interesting time today. The mission is dull as ever, but he's paired with a cute blonde with a great accent. He doesn't know much about girls or have non platonic feelings about them, but he knows this - everyone back home is going to be jealous. ]

So forget the mission, tell me about you. What incredible creature pushed you out and made you the painting you are?

@nomorefear

@just_one_shot

@so_no_plan

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From here https://crazycanoe.dreamwidth.org/1729.html?thread=289217#cmt289217

TFLN » 12/29/23