After seeing the news about the Tracksuit Mafia's return and the masked figure wreaking havoc, Kate suited up. By the time she reached the crime scene, the police were already struggling. From the rooftop, she spotted the figure — precise, ruthless.
Slipping inside the building, Kate froze as she watched the masked fighter snap a man's neck. Her heart raced. That's not Yelena... it can't be. But the combat style was familiar — sharp, calculated, almost rehearsed.
Before she could process, an arrow whistled past her head. Reflexively, Kate fired back. Smoke. Silence. Then, from the ceiling above, a familiar voice cut through:
"Kate Bishop?"
"Yelena?!"
Yelena only smirked through her mask. "You shouldn't be here." And before Kate could question, a smoke grenade went off. When it cleared, Yelena was gone.
Back in her apartment, Kate nearly jumped when she found Yelena leaning casually at her kitchen counter. No weapons raised this time. Just silence.
"You broke into my place... again," Kate said, dropping her bow.
Yelena removed her vest, setting it aside. "Relax. I don't want problems between us."
Kate studied her carefully. "Then tell me who the masked figure was. Because I saw her kill someone."
Yelena hesitated, eyes flicking away, then finally spoke. "Antonia Dreykov. Taskmaster. Natasha and I fought her once. I thought she was gone."
Kate's throat went dry. "She copied me. Every move. Like she knew what I was going to do before I did it."
"That's her strength," Yelena muttered. "She learns. And she doesn't forget."
Before Kate could respond, Alexei barged in with all the subtlety of a brick wall. "Yelena! My little girl!" He crushed her in a hug, then noticed Kate. "Ah! Thank you for protecting her. I am Alexei, the Red Guardian!"
Kate blinked. "So... not a Captain America fanboy costume?"
Alexei gasped. "Fanboy?! This is Soviet glory!" Yelena rolled her eyes and muttered in Russian under her breath.
Kate laughed despite herself, tension loosening. For the first time, she felt like she wasn't just looking at an assassin — Yelena had people, a history.
That night, Alexei crashed on the couch, leaving Kate and Yelena in the bedroom. Neither could sleep. Yelena shifted, turning toward her.
"Do you miss him? Your father?" Yelena asked suddenly.
Kate blinked. "Every day."
Silence. Then Yelena pulled the blanket tighter. Kate, sensing the wall Yelena was putting up, reached out and tugged her gently. Their faces were close, too close, breaths mingling.
"You don't have to shut me out," Kate whispered.
Yelena let out a short, nervous laugh — uncharacteristic. "You're dangerous, Kate Bishop. You make people want to stay."
Before either could second-guess, Kate leaned in and kissed her softly. Yelena froze for half a heartbeat, then melted into it, pulling Kate closer.
When they finally pulled apart, Yelena smirked faintly. "Is that your New Year's resolution? Kiss an assassin?"
Kate grinned. "Only the ones who eat all my mac and cheese."
Yelena chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. And as fireworks cracked in the distance, they drifted into silence — not as enemies, not as partners, but something new, uncertain, and quietly inevitable.
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To be continued.
The Marvel universe served as the inspiration for this work of fan fiction. Marvel and its respective creators are the owners of all characters, sets, and aspects. I don't claim any ownership, and I didn't write this narrative with any intention of making money—it was just for fun. Any resemblance to actual individuals or events is wholly coincidental, and any original characters or interpretations are mine.