the Russian Widow

I am Natalia Romanova, the Black Widow, the little spider.

[crimsonblackwidow]

Try not to make me have to kill you, Akihiro.

[crimsonblackwidow]

Christmas

Natasha smiled to herself, and placed the letter back in the box. She picked up her own gift for Frank- a key to a fully stocked weapons bunker, and settled on the sofa, sending off a text and waiting for Frank to arrive.

[itsonlypunishment]

An hour after receiving Nat’s text, Frank finally showed up, and for once he wasn’t bleeding and near the edge of the death. Perhaps it was a Christmas miracle. He tossed his jacket on the back of a chair and plopped down on the end of the couch.

“Did you need something?” he asked, looking over at her.

[crimsonblackwidow]

“I read your letter.” She said, shifting closer to him on the couch. Natasha held out the key. “I’m sorry I didn’t write one of my own, but I thought you’d rather this. I’ll take you to what it unlocks tomorrow. ” The redhead ran a hand through his hair. “Thank you. Your words… Mean a lot. I think you wrote more in that letter than you’ve spoken to me in the whole of our relationship.”

[itsonlypunishment]

Frank shifted on the couch a little and rested his arm on the back of it. He took the key from her and ran his thumb over it. He could pretty much guess what it might be, but he didn’t want to ruin her surprise so he just slipped it in his pocket. 

He cleared his throat a little when she mentioned the note. He had, funnily enough, almost forgotten he’d even written it. He wasn’t sure what to say in response at this point. Writing it hadn’t been too terrible, but talking about it face-to-face was seeming impossible. 

“Well,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “…yeah.”

[crimsonblackwidow]

She smiled a little again, and leaned in to press a soft, chaste kiss to his lips. "We do not have to talk about it, I just thought you should know I did appreciate it." Nat curled into him a little, resting her head on his shoulder. 

"Do you have any plans for the day?" She asked, moving until one leg fell between Frank's. "I've informed him that if he disturbs me I will make Tony's life a living hell, which is enough of a threat to make even him behave."

Natasha smiled as sunnily as she was able to, honestly. "So you have me for the whole day, and most of tomorrow."

[crimsonblackwidow]

Christmas

Natasha smiled to herself, and placed the letter back in the box. She picked up her own gift for Frank- a key to a fully stocked weapons bunker, and settled on the sofa, sending off a text and waiting for Frank to arrive.

[itsonlypunishment]

An hour after receiving Nat’s text, Frank finally showed up, and for once he wasn’t bleeding and near the edge of the death. Perhaps it was a Christmas miracle. He tossed his jacket on the back of a chair and plopped down on the end of the couch.

“Did you need something?” he asked, looking over at her.

[crimsonblackwidow]

"I read your letter." She said, shifting closer to him on the couch. Natasha held out the key. "I'm sorry I didn't write one of my own, but I thought you'd rather this. I'll take you to what it unlocks tomorrow. " The redhead ran a hand through his hair. "Thank you. Your words... Mean a lot. I think you wrote more in that letter than you've spoken to me in the whole of our relationship."

[soldatzimy-archive]

+crimsonblackwidow

[crimsonblackwidow]

Perhaps.

[soldatzimy-archive]

Playing coy then? [smirks]

[crimsonblackwidow]

When have I ever uttered anything but the precise truth?

[soldatzimy-archive]

Huh. I could name a number of occasions. Unless you mean when you were with me. That’s a different story.

[crimsonblackwidow]

Of course.

[soldatzimy-archive]

+crimsonblackwidow

[crimsonblackwidow]

Well, and you?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Perhaps.

[soldatzimy-archive]

Playing coy then? [smirks]

[crimsonblackwidow]

When have I ever uttered anything but the precise truth?

[tastefullyslutty]

[crimsonblackwidow]

Yes, Frank?

[soldatzimy-archive]

+crimsonblackwidow

Natasha…

[crimsonblackwidow]

James.

[soldatzimy-archive]

How’ve you been?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Well, and you?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Perhaps.

[itsonlypunishment]

crimsonblackwidow replied to your post: [Text] Come over.

[Text] Come over.

[Text] Okay, give me a few. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

[Text] See you soon.

[crimsonblackwidow]

On the nightstand in Nat's bedroom there's a simple black box with a white bow on it. Inside the box is a handwritten note:

I don't know what to get you for Christmas. I never was any good at that kind of thing to begin with, and it's been a while since I've had to bother with it. Henry was easy to shop for, the kid likes music and computers. 

But you, I don't know what you want, Nat. I don't think material items are your thing. It's been months now, but I still feel like I don't know you at all, and sometimes I think it's my own fault. I know your own relationships haven't been roses and candlelit dinners, and I know you know that mine haven't either. I just don't know how to connect with you, and it pisses me off. I know it's not that hard to relate to someone, and connect with them and form a relationship, but there's just something that doesn't work when I try. 

You've mentioned that you never know what I'm thinking, and to be honest, sometimes neither do I. Sometimes I don't want to think, I just act. Even writing this and leaving it when I know you'll find it when I'm not around is difficult, and this is actually the third draft. 

I honestly don't know why you want to be with me. It's dangerous, and we both know that. I know you can take care of yourself as well as I can but still. I don't think I could handle being responsible for getting someone close to me hurt or killed again. 

I've had this constant feeling lately that I don't know how to describe. It's like I'm detached from everything around me. It's been like this since Osborn had Daken cut me to shreds. Maybe something didn't get patched up right when Morbius put me back together. 

...it scares me, sometimes, Nat. There's a part of me, this small little space in my head that thinks maybe all of this- everything I do, is for nothing. That one day someone will get the drop on me and it'll be the last thing I do and it won't have made a goddamn difference in the long run. I don't know how I got to this point and I don't know how to feel about it. 

You're the best thing that's happened in my life in a long time. (Well, since I got a hold of half of the Avengers armory, anyway.) 

But seriously, I feel like there's something more to look forward to than what I've had, and you know, that scares me too. I'm worried I'll push you away by accident so instead of talking things out like an adult, I just leave the house and stay out for days at a time and I know it drives you nuts. At this rate I'll end up losing you because I'm trying not to lose you. 

But no one ever accused me of having the best logic, I suppose. 

I didn't know what to get you for Christmas, so I just...decided on this. I hope it's enough. We can go out for steaks tomorrow if it's not. 

And, keep this between us, okay? No one needs to know the Punisher spend his Christmas holiday writing his girlfriend a love letter. 

--Frank

Natasha smiled to herself, and placed the letter back in the box. She picked up her own gift for Frank- a key to a fully stocked weapons bunker, and settled on the sofa, sending off a text and waiting for Frank to arrive.

[soldatzimy-archive]

+crimsonblackwidow

Natasha… 

[crimsonblackwidow]

James.

[soldatzimy-archive]

How’ve you been? 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Well, and you?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank, why is the rug by the fishtank damp?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank Castle, if you do not tell me who was in my home that merited you slamming their head against that fishtank I swear to god you will not be in my bed for a week.

[itsonlypunishment]

I didn’t bother to ask their name while I had their head shoved under the water, sorry, slipped my mind. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Who were they from, Frank?

[itsonlypunishment]

If I knew I would be there making sure they don’t come back. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Mmm. No identification? Tattoos?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank, why is the rug by the fishtank damp?

[itsonlypunishment]

I didn’t say I wish you’d made something else, all I said was I was craving meat. 

Have you checked the liquor cabinet? 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Where. Is. Tony?

[itsonlypunishment]

Someone had sushi today, that’s all I’m saying. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank Castle, if you do not tell me who was in my home that merited you slamming their head against that fishtank I swear to god you will not be in my bed for a week.

[itsonlypunishment]

I didn’t bother to ask their name while I had their head shoved under the water, sorry, slipped my mind. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Who were they from, Frank?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank, why is the rug by the fishtank damp?

[itsonlypunishment]

…

Is…something wrong?

[crimsonblackwidow]

I cook, and all you can say is you wish I had made something else, and Tony is not in the tank.

[itsonlypunishment]

I didn’t say I wish you’d made something else, all I said was I was craving meat. 

Have you checked the liquor cabinet? 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Where. Is. Tony?

[itsonlypunishment]

Someone had sushi today, that’s all I’m saying. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank Castle, if you do not tell me who was in my home that merited you slamming their head against that fishtank I swear to god you will not be in my bed for a week.

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank, why is the rug by the fishtank damp?

[itsonlypunishment]

We can buy the exact same rug. 

No need to get snappy. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

I like my rug.

Mm.

[itsonlypunishment]

…

Is…something wrong?

[crimsonblackwidow]

I cook, and all you can say is you wish I had made something else, and Tony is not in the tank.

[itsonlypunishment]

I didn’t say I wish you’d made something else, all I said was I was craving meat. 

Have you checked the liquor cabinet? 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Where. Is. Tony?

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank, why is the rug by the fishtank damp?

[itsonlypunishment]

Why can’t we buy a new rug? 

I was hoping for something with meat. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Because I like this rug.

Then perhaps you should go and hit something with a rock, so you can add it to your portion?

[itsonlypunishment]

We can buy the exact same rug. 

No need to get snappy. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

I like my rug.

Mm.

[itsonlypunishment]

…

Is…something wrong?

[crimsonblackwidow]

I cook, and all you can say is you wish I had made something else, and Tony is not in the tank.

[soldatzimy-archive]

+crimsonblackwidow

Natasha… 

[crimsonblackwidow]

James.

[crimsonblackwidow]

Frank, why is the rug by the fishtank damp?

[itsonlypunishment]

Just like how babies seem to puke more than they ingest, it’s one of natures mysteries. 

What’s for dinner?  

[crimsonblackwidow]

You’re getting the rug dry-cleaned.

I made vegetable curry. Unless you’d rather poptarts?

[itsonlypunishment]

Why can’t we buy a new rug? 

I was hoping for something with meat. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

Because I like this rug.

Then perhaps you should go and hit something with a rock, so you can add it to your portion?

[itsonlypunishment]

We can buy the exact same rug. 

No need to get snappy. 

[crimsonblackwidow]

I like my rug.

Mm.