Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

By the time Yelena found out her mother was visiting it was too late, she was already in the tower.

“Hey, there’s a woman in the kitchen. She says her name’s Melina and she’s made pancakes. Are they safe to eat?” Bob nudged her awake. “I mean, I’ll probably be okay, but the rest of you-”

“WHAT?” Yelena bolted awake so fast she startled Bob. He hustled after her to the kitchen.

“There she is.”

“Mom?”

“My baby.” Melina reached out and Yelena folded herself into her mother’s arms. She kissed her daughter’s forehead and cheeks. “My baby.”

“I can get dad?” Yelena sniffled.

“No no, not yet. He’ll get loud. Let’s just eat breakfast.” She kissed Yelena again and wiped the last tear from her cheek.

“Who’s your cute little friend?”

“This is Bob. He’s been genetically experimented on, like the rest of us. Bob this is my mom.”

“Nice to formally met you ma’am.”

“You can call me Melina it’s okay.” She put another couple of pancakes on his plate.

“Good morning.” Bucky greeted cautiously from the doorway.

“пиздец.” Melina looked at him wide eyed. “I knew you were here, but it’s different seeing you in person.”

“Sorry?” He put his hands up.

“You’ve never been around Bucky before?” Yelena found that hard to believe.

“She had a different super soldier to keep track of.” Bucky shrugged.

“Would you like some pancakes?” She had pulled herself together to ask.

“No thank you ma’am just coffee for me, want a cup?”

“Sure.” He eased past her and got the coffee machine running.

“We’ll have to enjoy the quiet while we can you know this is going to summon John.” Bucky sighed.

The four of them continued in peace, Melina making another batch of pancake batter. Bucky waiting for his coffee, and Yelena and Bob enjoying their pancakes.

Sure enough, John appeared when the coffee was almost done.

“Pancakes?” Melina greeted him.

“Uh, maybe in a little bit? I can take over for you if you want to eat?” John was visibly confused but politely offered to help.

“That’s sweet, sure.” Melina handed him the spatula.

“John, mom, mom, John, He’s our Жопа.”Yelena gestured. That earned a laugh from Bucky.

Ava joined them next, she got a mug of coffee, a plate of pancakes, and a kiss before she fully noticed the stranger in their kitchen.

“Oh, hello. Melina?” She made a very educated guess.

“Good morning Ava.” Melina greeted her by name as well. Ava observed their guest for a little while before coming to conclusion.

“I know you’re adopted, but there is a family resemblance. It’s in the shape of your faces and the way you move around.” She gestured between Yelena and her mom.

“That’s nice to know actually, she was always a daddy’s girl.”

“I am too.” Ava smiled.

“Fuck.” Alexei swore startling Bob and John a little.

“Любимый.” Melina got up to greet him.

“Come here my Beautiful Tigress, My милая. I’ve missed you.” Alexei enveloped his wife in his bathrobe. “милая.” He repeated. “Why are you here in our tower?” He took her face in his large hands.

“I have some important errands to run. They put me in the neighborhood.”

“And you thought you’d break in? It could have been dangerous.”

“Yes, yes you are all very dangerous.” She shook her head at the team who were all in various states of pajamas. “All it took was sweet talking the most dangerous one of you and making him pancakes. And there were no questions asked.”

“I’m easy, what can I say?” Bob blushed and curled in on himself a little.

“You were all easy. If he’s not worried why would the rest of you be?” Melina pointed out.

“Are we in danger?” John asked, eyeing his pancakes.

“No, I really have things to in New York and I do just want to see my family.” She squeezed Alexei.

“The Iron Maiden has gone soft.” Bucky gave her a half smile.

“As soft as the Winter Soldier.”

“За здоровье.” He raised his coffee mug in cheers.

Chapter Text

“It’s that sweater Val’s stylist tried to get you to wear.” The sweater in question was a thick burgundy crew neck. It made Alexei look more like an eccentric professor and less like someone who had spent a considerable amount of time in a Russian prison.

“I was saving it for a special occasion.” He informed his daughter.

“It doesn’t look half bad actually.” 

The family was going to spend the afternoon together. They’d visit Natasha and go out for dinner. 

While Yelena had been to her sister’s grave many times, this was a first for both her parents. She let them take a moment.

“I couldn’t bear to be here without you.” Alexei reached to hold Melina’s hand. She leaned into him and took a deep shuddering breath.

“I didn’t care what would have happened to me if we ran. But they would have made it worse for you. What they were going to do was bad enough.” Melina wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“I know.” Yelena hugged her.

“I wanted to. Run. I wanted it to turn out different.”

“You did your best. And Natasha died to save the world. So I think you did pretty good.” Yelena reassured her. Alexei stepped closer to pull the women in to his arms. 

“And you’re here to keep it safe now.”

Before they left Yelena cleared a space for a new brightly colored little plastic pony next to the sun bleached one she had left months before.

They walked through the park after the cemetery and Alexei spotted a familiar face.

“Voróbushik! Come meet my wife!”

Oh no. Yelena cursed internally.

“Hey guys!” For a second Kate tried to hold Lucky back, but it was a loosing battle. She let him go so he could beat her to their friends. 

“Ohohoh, who’s the softest boy in the world come to bring my spirits up?” Alexei picked him up to hold him like a baby.

“Mom this is my friend Kate, Kate this is my mom Melina. She’s here for a few days.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Ah look at the dark haired beauties. Like father like daughter eh?” He nudged Yelena who did her best to not look like a deer in the headlights. “We’re going to drink our feelings.” He leaned into Kate conspiratorially.

“I can come by and check on your hangovers tomorrow.” Kate smiled. 

“You don’t have to, we’ve got good strong Russian blood.” Yelena wanted to hurry the interaction along.

“She makes Yelena nervous and we all pretend we don’t know.” Alexei fake whispered to Melina. 

“OKAY nice to see you, I’ll text you later, we have to go eat dinner so we can start the drinking.” She tried her best to bodily move Alexei along. 

“I have business tomorrow afternoon but morning or evening I’ll be in the tower.”

“Sounds good!” Mercifully Kate collected Lucky and let them move along.

“Yelena.” Melina cooed when Kate was out of earshot.

“No.”

“You have a pretty little girlfriend.”

“No, we’re just friends.”

“But you don’t deny she’s pretty?”

Yelena sighed heavily and dragged behind her parents making both of them laugh.

-----

It was a few minutes after they left before John spoke up 

“Hey can I say something?”

“What?” Ava asked knowing full well it was going to be something weird.

“Okay maybe it’s a question.”

“What?” Bucky asked.

“She’s hot right? Like that kind of scary hot?”

There was a brief pause before.

“Oh yeah, she’s hot.”

“Objectively.”

“How did Alexei manage to charm her?”

“He didn’t.” Bucky explained. “Not at first anyway. It was all a cover, but it was all above board. Legally they’re married, and Yelena and Natasha were formally adopted. As far as the charm goes, plenty of women like dumb asses” He gestured at Ava “They were just lucky.”

For a split second Ava looked offended before shrugging and sighing.

-----

“Ava, Ava let me in.” Yelena crept into her room just after 1AM.

“What?”

“I thought we could have a sleepover? It would be fun.” Ava raised her eyebrows, but didn’t say anything just then. “They make so many eyes at each other. Mama won a drinking contest at the bar and dad said he was going to to give me a baby sister.  Your room is the farthest from his.” Ava motioned for Yelena to come in. “I brought my pillow and blanket.” Yelena was clearly more than a little drunk herself.

“C’mon.” Ava fluffed her blanked and Yelena climbed in and got comfortable.

“I’m not mad.” 

“At me?”

“No, not at you. Not at her. Mama.” Yelena took her time trying to get comfortable.

“Ah.”

“She was a victim like the rest of us. Maybe worse. I want her to have peace.” Yelena mumbled and struggled to get comfortable. “I want you to have peace. I’m sorry I’m drunk.” 

“It’s alright.” Ava spooned her to hold her still, and it seemed to work.

“I’ll be better tomorrow.”

“I know.”

“Goodnight Ava I love you.”

“I love you too, get some sleep.” No sooner had Yelena fallen asleep than someone else came to join them.

“Hey?” Her door eased open. “Can I?” John whispered.

“Shhh. Yes.” Ava shushed him and rolled a little to reveal Yelena.

“Oh?” 

“She was anticipating what you’re probably here about.”

“I can stay with Bob?”

“If you want. Otherwise the bed’s big enough.” She watched John’s silhouette in the doorway turn slightly and then turn back. He gently slid under the blankets on her other side, and kissed her shoulder before settling down.

In the morning Ava managed to wiggle herself out from between the two blondes to go to the bathroom. She came back to bed to find they had filled in the gap she had left and Yelena was now breathing softly against John’s neck. With no need to rush she tried to pick which side she’d take. In the end she spooned up against Yelena again to doze a little longer.

Chapter Text

The Thunderbolts had perfected lazy mornings, adding Melina made little difference.

“Hi? I brought some Gatorade?” Kate had let herself in. She and Joaquin had their own security fobs at this point much to Val's annoyance.

“Aren’t you sweet. Lena’s asleep.” Yelena was curled up against her mother looking smaller and younger than ever.

“Aw.”

“We made sure she got breakfast and drank plenty of water. I’m relieved to see how much her teammates care. I might want that Gatorade though.”

“It's all yours.” Then something seemed to occur to her. “Wait, wait hold on!” Kate disappeared down the hallway. “Don’t tell her!” she returned with a guinea pig. “She never lets me take them out of the room.”

“A guinea pig? I didn't know there were guinea pigs?” Melina was surprised.

“She rescued one after a mission and then needed to get him friends. Oh, hi Bob.”

“Hey Kate, are we jail breaking the boys?” Bob was excited. He turned around and headed right back down the hallway. He came back with the other two friendly pigs. “Sometimes we take them out when she's gone and let them watch TV. I don't know if they like it, but they don't dislike it. That and it’s just nice to have something small to cuddle.” He tucked Chip under his chin.

“I can imagine.” Melina ran her hand through Yelena's hair and it made Bob smile

So the three of them talked quietly for a while, until Melina had to leave for the afternoon.

“I'll be back for dinner, if something changes I'll let you know. Now which one of you will take Yelena? I don’t want to wake her. It’s half my fault she’s so tired.”

“I could but I promised I'd go grocery shopping with Alexei when he gets back from jogging with John.” Melina picked up on Bob’s tone right away.

“Kate? C'mon.” Melina encouraged. So Kate traded her a guinea pig for Yelena. “Oooh I want to hold a pig. Oh come here baby.” Melina rocked Napoleon a little. Kate settled onto the couch Yelena, still asleep, readjusting to pull her closer with an arm around her waist.

“Do we like her?” Melina asked Bob as they brought the guinea pigs back.

“She's great, it's nice to have someone else not raised in a lab to help us even out. She and Yelena bicker a little but it's never mean. If Kate didn't pass Ava's standards she would have scared her off a long time ago.”

“Good, I have to go meet some people to get some things. There's no danger, don’t worry. Can you keep a secret?” She asked Bob nodded and leaned in.

“Okay, when you're grocery shopping prepare for one extra person.”

“Besides Kate?“

“I'm bringing someone else back with me.”

“Oh okay. We'll be ready for another surprise guest.”

Chapter Text

Melina returned that evening as promised. Her first surprise slung across her back.

“For you Любимый.”

“A new shield! Thank you my love!” Alexei leaned down to kiss her.

“It’s not vibranium, but I think it’s better than nothing. And one more thing. You can come on out now.” A familiar face rounded the corner. “Don’t ask how, I’m not exactly sure either. I still have some contacts, we had to play things close to the chest to keep her away from de Fontaine.”

“Antonia?” Yelena almost whispered. The other woman cocked her head like a dog. “Is she alright?” She inched closer.

“For the most part yes, She has some fine motor control and memory issues but she can take care of herself. I thought she could stay with me for a while until we know the extent of it all.”

“We know each other.” Antonia sounded sure.

“Yes I’m Yelena, we trained together.”

“We did. Melina says making friends will be good for me. And this is the place to do it.”

“She’s right, we’ll hide you from Valentina so you don’t have to join the team.” Yelena held out her hand. Antonia took it.

Having learned their lesson from all their other guests they were prepared for dinner this time. That and Bob had taken Melina’s less than cryptic hint seriously. They had plenty of supplies to make pizzas.

Someone (Yelena) turned music up relatively loud and things devolved into playful chaos. Bob and Bucky would take turns distracting John while the other person added or removed something from his pizza. Ava and Yelena argued over order of toppings, did they go on the cheese or under?

“How much pizza have you eaten in your life anyway?”

“How many have you made?”

Kate politely tried to learn some Russian from Melina who knew why but was tactful enough not to bring it up.

“Say you are fond of someone, in Russian lots of things can be a pet name.”

“Wait, what does Varo? Vorobushik mean?” Kate was curious about what Alexei had been calling her.

“You got so close! Воробушек is sparrow.”

Alexei made it a point to snag ingredients and toppings as the were shuffled around the table to make sure Antonia got the opportunity. He explained them all whether she needed it or not.

“You want pepperoni Лисичка? Cured meat, very greasy, very good. Sprinkly cheese powder? I don’t think it makes a difference.”

Lucky who had been fetched mid afternoon was diligent about cleaning up anything dropped on the floor. When he wasn’t on hoover duty he was attentively sitting at Antonia’s feet.

“You can tell him to go lay down if he’s bothering you.” Kate let her know.

“No. I like it, he has a gentle face. I can pet him?”

“Of course! He might not be very smart, but he is full of love, and always wants attention.” She had barely finished talking when three separate Thunderbolts added Like John.

Post dinner everyone settled down enough to partake of the team’s favorite pass time. Snuggling up and paying at least some attention to a movie.

Melina settled herself between Alexei and Bucky on one couch. Pretty early on she reached over to rub the back of Bucky’s neck. Yelena was on couch two with Kate, Bob, and John. Kate warming up to the physical contact a little more every time she came over.

Antonia sat stiffly on the other couch opposite Ava.

“Come here it’s alright.” Ava leaned forward to pull the pillow she had been leaning against onto her lap. “I have gotten quite good at cuddling.” Antonia hesitantly lay on the couch, her head on the pillow Ava laid out for her. It took her a few moments to get comfortable. And even then she still wasn’t entirely relaxed. Not until Lucky left a disappointed Alexei to come and lay on top of her.

“I’m so sorry -” Kate started.

“It’s okay I like it.”

“Ava?”

“They’re still lighter than John, it’s alright.” So Antonia pet Lucky and eventually Ava tentatively reached to run her fingers through Antonia’s hair.

“I’m sorry.” Ava said gently.

“For what?”

“I shot you.” She reached for the freshest scar on Antonia’s forehead.

“I don’t remember that.”

“It wasn’t personal. I promise.”

“It’s alright.” Antonia took her hand briefly. “I understand. Now we can try again.”

“We can.”

---

The next afternoon, and their final full day Yelena wanted to make sure Antonia got to experience the team’s other favorite activity.

“Come on, come play with us. It’s how we initiate all our friends.”

“It’s true.” Kate agreed.

“Where are we going?” Antonia went along even as she asked.

“We set up a fake battlefield we can goof off in.” Yelena explained.

“Why?”

“All these super soldiers are like working dogs, if they can’t do what they’ve been bred to they’ll chew the furniture.”

“What?”

“We get restless and bored, and like to roughhouse and chase each other around.” Ava translated.

“Oh.” The very slight look of confusion did not leave Antonia’s face.

“PBS says play fighting is good for you.” Yelena continued.

“Are we baby animals now? Little wolves or something?” Ava jostled her a little.

“Awoo!” Yelena teased her back. The elevator doors opened and they were off, leaving Bob with Antonia.

“Pick a super soldier, you can get rough with them. It’s basically how John expresses affection.”

“I just want to watch for now.”

“That’s cool too.” Bob reassured her. “They won’t mind if you sit it out.” He made his way to his favorite counter top and patted the space next to him. She thought a second before joining him fully. “If you don’t want to talk about it it’s okay. But were you a Widow too?”

“I suppose.” She sighed. Bob nodded but didn’t press any further. They watched their teammates put the rough in roughhouse. “My father experimented on me, enhanced my memory. I can learn anything after watching it once, perfectly imitate people.”

“That sucks sorry. My dad didn’t experiment on me literally. But he fucked me up pretty good. The experimentation came later.”

“That sucks, sorry.” She repeated. Bob laughed a little. Antonia almost smiled. “Is that why you don’t fight?”

“I fight sometimes, other times I just don’t feel up to it.” He shrugged and she nodded. “I wasn’t groomed for it like they all were.” They were interrupted by Ava sprinting past them, John in hot pursuit. Just as he was about to close in she disappeared with only giggles left in her wake.

“Walker tag me in.” Bob held out a hand.

“Get her Bob!”

“Shit.” Ava hissed reappearing again mid stride away from Bob.

John pulled himself up on the counter next to Antonia. He watched her watch Bob chase around the room even if Ava wasn’t visible.

“He can sense her when she goes ghost. Says it’s the electrical impulses from movement.”

“That’s useful.”

“Look alive Belova! Oops!” He was a little late warning her. Bucky pounced with grace he no doubt picked up in Wakanda. “Now, Kate doesn’t like to hand to hand us if she can help it, but I bet you someone will be hit with a beanbag arrow while they’re distracted.” John leaned in conspiratorially. “Maybe I can find her first.” He slid off the counter and was promptly hit by something. “Hey!” He looked down at the sticky arrow expertly aimed at the center of his chest. This did get Antonia to crack a smile. John yanked the arrow from his chest and handed it to Antonia. “Be right back!”

A little while later a rumpled and slightly dazed Ava emerged from the faux rubble. She pulled herself gently onto the counter.

“Alright Darling?” Ava looked a little more worn than just playing would have caused.

“Are you alright?”

“Hm? Yes, I’m fine. I’m great. I just need a breather.”

“He didn’t hurt you did he?”

“No, no.” Antonia was still hard to read but Ava was sure she was looking at her with skepticism. She sighed. “Sometimes playing rough gets Bob- So when? He-”

“You’re sleeping with two teammates and you still can’t talk about sex?” Bucky dragged Bob out by a leg. “He’s fine he’s just being a pain in the ass.” He gestured to the man on the floor. “Bob caught her, they fooled around.” He explained.

“Oh.”