Chapter Text
‘Auntie Nat!’
Natasha laughed as the twins barrelled out of the house to hug her, followed by a man with a red face. Their uncle waved from the upstairs window before appearing in front of her.
‘Hey, guys.’
‘Did you bring Legos?’ asked Tommy.
‘Mm-hm.’
‘Do you want to see Sparky’s new trick?’
‘Let’s let Auntie Nat in first, boys,’ said Vision.
Pietro disappeared and reappeared in a second, no doubt off to clean up the mess the four of them had made. Natasha’s eyes flicked automatically to the photo of the smiling family and lingered on the happy witch. If only Thanos… This wasn’t the time to think about what-ifs. Natasha drew in a deep breath and returned her attention to the boys.
***
Tommy reemerged with Sparky in his arms. Natasha watched and chuckled as the twins showed her their dog’s new trick – roll over.
Yelena used to talk about getting a dog all the time… The boys’ voices became a backing track to Natasha’s thoughts. She shook her head to clear her mind, redirecting her attention to the present, and away from the sister who did not survive their training. She blinked and took the treat Billy was handing her.
‘Roll over,’ she commanded, steadying her voice.
Sparky rolled over. Natasha opened her palm to give the dog the treat.
‘Have you heard from Tony lately?’
Natasha turned to Vision. ‘No. Why?’
The half-man shrugged. ‘Haven’t seen them in a while.’
‘Looks like they’re completely off the grid then,’ replied Natasha. ‘They deserve some peace after everything.’
‘And you?’
‘Hmm?’
‘How are you doing?’
Natasha looked down. The boys’ voices left the room. Pietro followed.
‘Looking after the farm,’ she told Vision with a tight-lipped smile. ‘They… It still feels like they would come back one day, you know.’
Vision glanced at his family portrait. ‘I know,’ he responded with a nod.
I miss them. I miss the kids. ‘I love coming here and seeing the twins…’ she trailed off.
‘But they remind you of…’
‘Yeah.’
Half of the world’s population gone with just a snap of a finger. A mother blipped. An entire family blipped. My best friend sacrificed for a gamble… Natasha looked up at Vision, a sad smile on her lips. ‘Let’s go find the boys.’
***
Cold sweat and dampness. Her companions on most nights. Especially those filled with purple titans and purpler skies. She thought being away from the farm would help. It didn’t.
Her best friend had died for nothing. I let him down. I let them down… They were trying to bring Clint’s family back, and to bring Wanda back to her twins. I let everyone down… Stupid stone.
Natasha sighed. Most people she knew had either died or disappeared. Her team, one off-planet, one in the past, two off the grid, and one… dead. Had she not promised Wanda to look after the boys, she would have disappeared into space with Fury. The twins. They were her only purpose.
She pulled her blanket over her head.