chapter 7

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10:00 pm

Eleanor was pacing around her apartment with pages of paperwork clenched in her tired fists, Fury had left loads of research that he wanted her to examine and also on top of that Tony had given even more work to do for "the lack of work done this morning".

El was suited in a pair of fuzzy socks that depicted an owl and a raccoon, along with a pair of shorts that were too short to wear out and a large baggy tee that passed her hips in length. The shirt was a gift from her father, well she took it so to her it was a gift but in reality, she was just a thief.

A steaming mug of mocha sat abandoned on her nightstand along with the book that she was currently reading. But all that didn't matter now, not now that she was going to be a therapist to a literal killing machine. Now she was just trying to make sure she didn't die when trying to help him.

A knock came upon to door and in staggered a very exhausted-looking Natasha Romanoff.

"Oh my god, Natasha, are you ok? What happened?" Eleanor promptly questioned.

"Mission, locked out of flat. So tired, please let sleep," Natasha barely mumbled through thick eyelids and labored breaths.

"Oh, um, yeah of course come this way." With a hand under  her shoulder, El half-carried Nat to her bedroom where she laid her down and unlaced her shoes pulling them off.

Her utility belt was unclipped and left alone on the barren floor along with her shoes, suit and her weapons. Natasha was now wearing one of Eleanors t-shirts and shorts and was already nodding off. Eleanor walked off with a  small smile on her face but she was stopped by a voice.

"Please, stay. "

And that she did.

8:30 am

Eleanor stirred in her sleep, slowly becoming aware of the warm presence beside her. As her consciousness returned, she remembered the events of the previous night – inviting Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, to stay at her place after her apartment mishap. She turned her head and found Natasha's serene expression as she slept soundly.


Eleanor tried to suppress her surprise and anxiety about the situation. This was not a scenario she had ever imagined herself in. She carefully slipped out of bed, her mind racing about work and responsibilities. She needed to get ready, and fast.

Just as she was about to slip into the bathroom, Natasha's voice, soft but unmistakably awake, stopped her. "Where are you going?"

Eleanor turned back, her nerves evident. "I... I have to get ready for work. I can't afford to be late."

Natasha sat up, her hair cascading over her shoulders as she gazed at Eleanor with a mixture of amusement and understanding. "It's alright, Eleanor. You've got some time. I'll tell Tony to let you have a day off."

Eleanor, pretending not to hear the last sentence, glanced at the clock and let out an exasperated sigh. "Natasha, it's already past the time I usually leave. I can't believe I overslept."

Natasha's expression softened, and she patted the space beside her on the bed. "Come here."

Eleanor hesitated for a moment, then joined Natasha on the bed. She fidgeted, her stress still palpable. "I can't believe I'm letting this happen. I'm usually so punctual. I mean it's like my third day on the job and I've been late twice."

Natasha wrapped an arm around Eleanor's shoulders, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "You're allowed to have off days, you know. Even the most punctual people need a break sometimes."

Eleanor leaned into the embrace, feeling a mix of comfort and vulnerability. "I know, but I have so much to do at the office. I can't afford to waste time."

Natasha's lips brushed against Eleanor's temple in a soothing gesture. "Eleanor, sometimes taking care of yourself is the most productive thing you can do. And right now, you need a moment to relax."

Eleanor's resistance began to wane as she felt Natasha's warmth and heard her calming words. The tension in her shoulders slowly eased, replaced by a sense of reassurance. "I just... I'm not used to this. Having someone in my space."

Natasha chuckled softly. "I promise, I won't be here every morning to mess up your routine."

Eleanor let out a genuine laugh, feeling the knot of anxiety loosening its grip on her. "Thank you, Natasha. I needed this."

Natasha's arms held her a little tighter, and they remained in a comfortable silence for a while. Eleanor's thoughts began to settle, and she found herself appreciating the unexpected companionship.

As the minutes ticked by, Eleanor's sense of urgency diminished, replaced by a newfound sense of calm. She realized that sometimes, the best way to start a day wasn't by rushing through tasks, but by taking a moment to simply be present and share a quiet moment with someone who understood.

Eventually, Natasha broke the silence with a soft sigh. "You know, I'm not opposed to spending more mornings like this."

Eleanor turned her head to meet Natasha's gaze, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "I think I could get used to it."

With a contented smile, Natasha leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Eleanor's forehead. "Let's worry about today first. And remember, you've got a superhero's approval to take a little time for yourself."

Eleanor couldn't help but chuckle at that, feeling a warmth spreading through her chest. Maybe this unexpected morning with Natasha was exactly what she needed – a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there were moments of serenity and connection worth cherishing.

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