Always You

Chapter 28: I'm Back

Maniacal laughter woke Y/N before Simmons bursting through their door could. Their eyes were barely opened when she jumped on top of them, hugging them as tightly as she possibly could.

"I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! PLEASE DON'T EVER LEAVE ME FOR THAT LONG AGAIN!"

Y/N was laughing now as she rolled and rolled with them in her arms. She was a bundle of joy and absolutely would not let them sleep any longer. "Oh my god get off me so I can at least get out from the covers and hug you properly."

Simmons released her grip on them and let Y/N slide out so that they could hug her back. "How've you been? How's Fitz? Coulson? Ward?"

Her smile beamed as she updated them. She and Fitz had finally made things official and were doing well. Coulson was great as always. Nick was strict as ever. Ward was loosening up, finally. Daisy was a sore subject.

"She's been talking about you nonstop. The amount of questions I've received in the past month from her have been enough to make me combust. I've tried to be nice but..." she trailed off. Simmons never liked talking about her friends in a negative way, but it was clear that Daisy had been overstepping her boundaries.

Y/N grabbed her hand, "I'll talk to Daisy so she stops asking you stuff. I'm sorry she's putting you in the middle again."

At the end of their relationship, Daisy had an issue with asking too much of Simmons. She thanked Y/N before continuing on with her updates. "Oh my god, and I have to tell you something! But you have to promise me you will not tell a soul."

Any gossip from Simmons was rare, so Y/N knew they couldn't ruin her trust, "Of course! Lay it on me."

She looked around as if someone may have snuck into their apartment and were eavesdropping. Finally, she whispered, "Maria likes Nat and is planning on asking her on a date when she returns."

Y/N's eyes lit up and their smile widened so far it could have stretched across the continent, "YOU ARE KIDDING! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR AGES!"

Simmons was laughing again, hard enough that she almost fell back on their bed had they not caught her arm, "I'm SO serious! She heard that Barnes left again and thought this might be the perfect time to swoop in. Do you think Nat will say yes?"

Now, Nat wasn't particularly tied to Bucky. They had a good relationship for a bit, but it seemed as though they were just too different. He came from a different time and his trauma was too deep to penetrate. The only thing was figuring out if she liked women or not.

Nat had made jokes before about dating women but never spoke seriously about it. She'd also never declared her sexuality or acted as though she wouldn't date a woman.

"I don't know. I don't think she'll be opposed! She and Maria have always been so flirty, but I thought it was just one of those things. God, I hope she says yes." Y/N responded.

Simmons put her finger in front of their face, pointing seriously, "Do NOT say a word to her though!" The pair laughed. Y/N would never break Simmons' trust because they knew they'd never be able to gain it back if they did. "And please don't say anything to Daisy about me either... I don't want her to think she can't talk to me. I just need her to stop asking so many questions."

They nodded. Simmons was more than a good friend; she was the best. "I missed you so much. Let's go get breakfast."

Y/N got ready as Simmons went and changed into more comfortable clothes. They'd checked their phone and hoped for another text, but there was nothing. It would be a while before they stopped wishing for her name to pop up, but in time they would.

They thought it might be time to finally open those messages from Daisy.

(10:48 pm)

Daisy
Nick told me you're coming home.
Can we please talk when you're
back?

(10:51 pm)

Daisy
Okay... He didn't tell me. I overheard
when I was going to meet in his
office but still.

(1:12 am)

Daisy
I'm sorry.

Y/N wanted to roll their eyes, but they also felt bad. Daisy was going through some sort of crisis. They weren't sure what it could be since it was coming so late after their breakup.

(9:23 am)

Y/N
Let's get coffee around noon.
We can meet during your break.

They'd have to get it over with eventually. Before they could even lock their phone, Daisy had responded.

Daisy
Yes. I'll see you at Starbucks
at 11:15?

Y/N
Sounds like a plan.

Can't give her any ideas though, they thought. The last time they'd seen her, she jumped forward and kissed them. But this was the start of a chain reaction that finally got Yelena to speak to Y/N again, oddly enough.

"Y/N!" Simmons yelled out from the kitchen as they sat down their phone and finished getting ready.

"Yeah?!"

"Do you care if Fitz comes to breakfast with us?!"

They smiled. The budding romance was cute and Y/N had actually missed Fitz as well. "Of course not! Just tell him he's paying since he's intruding!"

She laughed in response. Y/N decided to check in with Nat just to see how things were going. A quick phone call would suffice. It rang about eight times before Nat's voicemail would come through.

"Hey, just checking in to see how your day was going. I know you all are traveling again and just wanted to make sure you're all doing well..." They trailed off. "I miss you. Both, I miss you both. I hope you're okay. Call me when you get this. Or text me, whatever. Okay, bye."

They shook their head, god that was awkward. Even speaking to their best friend felt forced right now. Not forever, just for now, they reminded themselves.

Luckily, Nat texted back rather quickly.

(9:27 am)

Nat
Sorry, Yelena is telling me a story and
I didn't want to interrupt. You okay?

Y/N
Yeah, just checking in. I miss you guys.

Nat
I miss you. I know Yelena does too. We're
okay. Don't worry about us. I'll keep you
updated. Focus on you, okay?

Y/N
Will do, boss.

Nat
I hate when you say that.

Y/N
That's why I say it.

Focus on me. She's right. They knew that would be the last time they'd check in first. Leaving them be would be difficult, but it's what they needed, what Yelena needed.

Simmons yelled out, "You ready?!"

Y/N smiled as they shoved their phone in their pocket. "Yeah, let's get going!"