After the fall of General Dreykov, and the remnants of the Red Room still at large, Natasha first year at SHIELD is anything but healing. Labeled a traitor and a turncoat, Natasha tries to find her footing in a strange new world.
Whumptober 2024: Day 2 - Trust Issues
Warnings: food hoarding
Word Count: 1.5k (gif not mine)
Summary: Maria and Clint talk about Natasha. Clint realizes that bringing in a black widow may not be as easy as he thinks.
Masterlist
Whumptober Masterlist
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Clint yawns.
Maria throws a book at him and groans.
“I’m so bored,” he complains. “How do you do this?”
“That’s what you get, for bringing a stray home,” she rolls her eyes and throws her pen at him.
“They can’t keep me grounded forever right?”
Maria shrugs, “Ask Coulson.”
Clint throws them back at her and glances at the clock.
“I should probably go,” he sighs.
“Pick up time?”
He bows, “I am the chauffeur, am I not?”
“She’s not eating,” Maria tells him as Clint starts to walk away.
“What?”
He turns and eyes her closely.
“She doesn’t eat the food, haven’t you noticed? Not unless it’s packaged or clear liquid.”
She pauses.
“I don’t know what she does eat, have you been giving her food?”
Clint shakes his head.
“Only the occasional granola bar when I’ve eaten one?”
He pauses. “How do you know?”
Maria pauses.
“She’s been here two weeks, what has she been eating?”
“How do you know?”
Looking around, Maria opens the surveillance program on her computer, and rewinds to breakfast.
“Don’t tell Coulson I’m showing you this,” she growls.
Clint looks forward with interest, feeling voyeuristic at watching her.
He knew they’d be surveilling her, but had underestimated just how closely.
It seems stupid in hindsight.
The breakfast is delivered.
The blue tray pushed through a small opening on the floor, and Clint feels angry at how just like prison this must feel for her.
Natasha approaches it, and squats to look at the food.
She inspects the apple, and places it on the bed away from the other food. The scrambled eggs, she touches as though she’s looking for something; pressing them down; then looks at the juice box and places it next to the apple.
The tray gets pushed back, the rest of the cooked food untouched, and, after a moment, taken away.
“Breakfast she eats the most, or takes the most from, I guess.”
Clint keeps watching, but she doesn’t eat. The juice box gets drunk slowly, but the apple is placed inside the small side table drawer.
He glimpses one of the granola bars he’d given her, and he feels like an idiot for not noticing.
“Talk to her about it?”
He nods.
“Why’d you tell me? You don’t even like her?”
Maria looks at him, annoyed at the look.
“Just because I like her, doesn’t mean I want her dead.”
He looks away from the computer, Maria turning the program off.
“Clint, she’s not okay, traumatized black widows; don’t you think you’re out of your depth?”
He takes the criticism and thinks about Natasha’s face as he’d offered her a lifeline. The way she looked so sad and resigned to her fate, and the run and hide through Berlin.
“I’m all she’s got,” he shrugs.
Maria shakes her head, but says nothing.
“I’ve gotta go. I’ll chat to you later?”
He leaves without the response, mulling on her words, wondering just how hard this was going to be.
.
Clint waits, just as he promised as the door opens as Natasha steps out.
“I’ll see you in two days,” Olivia tells both the receptionist and Natasha at the door.
The receptionist nods, and gives Clint a smile, ignoring Natasha as she steps out and forward.
“Sorry,” Clint says ruefully, taking the handcuffs from Olivia.
Natasha holds her hands up, face blank, eyes glazed.
They step in line with each other, the walk back to the glass prison punctuated with Clint’s quiet words.
“I feel like you look when I walk out of therapy. Did it go okay?”
He pauses, “you don’t have to answer that.”
When there’s no words, he decides to continue talking.
He knows she doesn’t trust them; any of them. He really wants to know what she talks about in therapy. If she says anything at all or if Olivia just talks to her.
He wonders idly if he needs to talk to someone too.
Probably.
The last couple of months have been… intense, for lack of a better word and he wonders if, like Maria had said, he was out of his depth.
It was not the first time he thought it.
Natasha’s despondency was affecting him.
What did he know about defectors and a traumatised super spy?
He just didn’t want her to die.
Not by his hand, or her own.
“I like her though,” he continues.
“Give her a chance, if you can. She’s… not unlike you, in her background and maybe can help? She’s there to help.”
He mulls on his own words as he leads her a different way back. He’s right.
If anyone can help her; Olivia can.
Determined to show her a different part of the complex, they go through the kitchens, and Clint picks up two apples, throwing her one and then crunching onto the other.
It gives him time to think.
He’s going to need to touch base with Olivia, make sure that she is interacting, doing what was promised.
He could ask her what he should be doing too; for her, for himself.
Clint leads the way back with practiced ease, the silence allowing him to think.
As they enter the first round of checks, he smiles easily to the straight faced guards; then as they get deeper to the third and forth stations, it’s just Clint’s badge letting them in.
It seems to bolster Natasha, the less people around, she matches his steps and bites the apple. At the noise, Clint turns and smiles.
“You don’t eat much,” he observes.
Natasha shrugs and takes another bite.
He laughs at her sass.
“Do you not like the food?”
Natasha looks down.
He feels a little mean, talking about this after she’s just had 90 minutes of therapy.
He’s sure the sessions are not the easiest, and he can see the slight tremor in her hands, despite her trying to mask it by holding onto the apple.
They reach her cell and she steps inside the glass, holding her wrists out for him to release them.
He does.
Taking the cuffs away and pushing them into his pocket.
“Just think about it, okay? If there’s food you want or prefer, just tell me? I can help.”
Natasha looks at her feet and takes two steps back, the door closing and the glass sealing shut.
.
Despite her better judgement, Natasha continues to eat the apple. The constant hunger makes her feel on edge sometimes.
She’s so used to it, that until Clint had said something, she hadn’t given it much thought.
Sitting on the bed, legs crossed, she chews on it and thinks.
Therapy had been tough.
Though not for the first time, Olivia had called her out on things that she shouldn’t know.
Details about the Red Room that only the guards, the officers or widows knew, inner workings of the KGB and Red Room procedures like the trial of the silent knife and graduation.
And whilst Natasha hadn’t had another panic attack, it had been close.
The push to talk and baiting was tempting.
How did she know?
She knew she’d eventually have to talk, but for now, whilst she could hold onto her silence, she wanted to keep it.
It was the only control she had.
Her mind feels like a minefield.
Sometimes, she feels like once she starts talking, she’ll never stop; but the years of self preservation wouldn’t let her.
She sorts the known information, finishing the apple and swallowing slowly, closing her eyes on the onslaught of images and thoughts.
It takes her a moment to let the memory of the silent knife trial pass. The blood on her hands feeling so visceral and real she opens and closes her eyes just to check.
She breathes.
In.
Holds it.
And out.
It has become the easiest thing to do after therapy. To think and sort through all the things that were said, disclosed and asked of her.
After a day like today where she had had to do both debriefing and therapy, she knew that nightmares would be inevitable.
She just hoped that whoever was watching the cameras tonight was sleeping on the job.
Natasha breathes slowly again.
Starting with the image that comes first, she focuses as best she can on sorting real from not real. What they had said, what she had disclosed, information that still was secret and that which had become known.
They were still only on major players of the organisation; those that she knew had ties into the western world. People she had been sent after, political agendas. It was far easier to talk about than herself, though she had a feeling that was coming.
Her mind flashes to Dreykov and she bites the inside of her cheek, drawing blood.
Real or not real.
She tries to ground herself in this moment.
She didn’t trust them.
They knew too much.
She’d told them too much.
There was no going back now.
Natasha thinks of Maria again.
Always an ending thought.
The divulgence of knowing her birthdate.
Information known by a select few but, perhaps also could be found from intel files. It means that somewhere here there’s more intel on her; prior to her coming here.
What she wouldn’t give for that file.
Therapy conversations had given her pause.
It was difficult to think about without her mind flashing back; and she didn’t want to.
Hi! I’m inkandintel, and this blog exists so I can scream into the void about legacy, grief, SHIELD bureaucracy, and one emotionally brilliant girl I stuck inside the MCU.
📝 The Fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/65545498
Title: In the Event of Legacy
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Genre: Canon-compliant character study, emotionally grounded with hints of espionage, found family, and classified chaos
Rating: Teen & Up
Central Character: Estelle T. Dugan (OC, great-granddaughter of Dum Dum Dugan), all of the "main" MCU and Agents of SHIELD Ensemble
Summary: Estelle T. Dugan is the great-granddaughter of a Howling Commando. She’s not a weapon. Not a prophecy. Not a threat. Just a child.
Sharp-eyed, too observant for her own good, caught between the world she’s inherited and the future SHIELD wants to shape.
With S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers in her orbit, Estelle learns what legacy really means, and when even the smallest voice can change everything.
An MCU canon-divergence that blends mission reports, found family, and the quiet moments between explosions.
🗓 Currently in the Avengers 1 arc (2012) at about 80k words
🕰 Updates Sundays–Tuesdays @ 5:30 p.m. ET (maybe)
💬 Comments, asks, headcanons, and screams always welcome
Actually working on fic today, and it’s like “let’s do a book report about season 2 except filtered through a lens that’s real thirsty for Coulson and also uses quite a bit of british slang.”
Dean stood before the full length mirror on the wall, his lips turning into a disgusting scowl as he looked at his reflection. He felt so dirty, so cheap. For once he hated what being an omega reduced him to. How little control he had over his body when his mind and emotions were in a totally different place. A tear rolled down his cheek as he looked down at the ripped tank top that was still hanging loosely around his hips.
There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that his heart and soul belonged to Roman. A man who had weaved his way into Dean’s heart that was shattered beyond repairs, a man who had been Dean’s rock ever since Seth broke his heart and ruined his faith. Roman had gently yet expertly pieced him back together, made him feel alive again and after a year Dean was finally seeing himself hoping for a future he never dreamed off without Seth. Seth, who had been his mate, his alpha for so long, Roman had replaced him in Dean’s life in every form and way. Then why the fuck had his body reacted the way it did tonight…Why does he feel so fucking guilty and like his body had betrayed him in the worst possible way?
Lack of Alpha/Omega fics in recent months with Ambreigns genuinely pains my soul 😩 So here I’m at your service and I hope this idea is as attractive to you all as it is to me. Basically, this is the plot;
Dean and Roman are in a relationship but they are taking things slow. They haven’t had sex yet. A year has passed since Dean broke up with his old mate, his ex-Alpha, Seth. But now he has to face him in the ring again. For some reason during their match his body reacts in worst way possible and he gets all worked up, he’s fucking wet. Dean’s feeling disgusted with himself, like he has betrayed Roman and he doesn’t understand why his body reacted the way it did when he doesn’t love Seth anymore. Roman finds Dean self-loathing and after catching up to the actual issue, he tells Dean its his fault. He hasn’t been taking care of Dean the way Dean needs it. Maybe they have been taking things a little too slow, and maybe its time Roman reminds Dean of a new touch, of an alpha who’s perfectly capable of taking care of his every need.
So yeah, basically some hot steamy sex where Roman completely manhandles Dean and ravish his omega in the best possible way. And by the end of it Dean’s satiated to a point he doesn’t even remember who Seth fucking Rollins is 😌
I am blown away by how many have reacted to my stories, I am incredibly subconscious when it comes to my writing and to have you guys praise it really touches my heart. So I am putting out Broken Heart tonight, tomorrow night and Monday. I will caution you though this story is DARK, it’s not going to be fluffy until really the end. There are going to be dark and disturbing content, I kind of villainize the Wyatt Family (sorry any Wyatt Family lovers). This is my take on the Dean/Seth rivalry and make up because the actual rivalry and make up was horrible.
(gif not mine, credit in the watermark)
Emma couldn’t believe it, her whole world shattered in one night, losing her boyfriend, brother and best friend all in one shot. Now she’s on Smackdown trying to pick up the pieces but what happens when the brass want her back on Raw, and what happens when she runs into Seth again, can she keep her feelings bottled up or will passion take over.
TRIGGER WARNING: Violence, Sexual content and Language (it doesn’t get dark until the second part.)
Emma Ambrose sighed as she got out of her car and made her way to the building that was looming in front of her. She saw the sign that read Monday Night Raw was taking place there and then the names she saw under it. She bit her lip as she read Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns and looked away. Just seeing their names made her think about the night everything changed for all of them.
Dean and Seth were going for the Raw tag team titles and she could feel the excitement in the air. She slipped into their locker room to see Seth getting ready, a grin playing on her lips. She looked around quickly to see if she could find Dean but he was no where in sight. She moved over to where Seth was sitting and smiled when he lifted his head. He smiled back at her and got to his feet going over as he pulled her into a hug.
"I just wanted to come and wish you good luck, although I know you and Dean don't need it. You're gonna kick Drew and Dolph's ass and win those titles." She admired as he looked down at her.
"Thanks Angel, that means a lot coming from you." He said and leaned down pressing his lips against hers. She grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in harder. He in turn gathered her in his arms and pulled her against his chest as his hands moved over her hips gripping them lightly. Emma finally pulled back and rested her forehead on Seth's. "That's all the luck I need for tonight." He smirked and she pecked his lips once more before pulling out of his embrace.
"I should go but I will be down there for the match, I am not going to miss this." She replied as Seth showed her a toothy grin. She turned and headed for the door as it was pushed open to show Dean standing there. She smiled and pulled her brother into a hug. "Good luck tonight Dean, but like I told Seth, I don't think you guys are gonna need it." She chirped looking at him.
He smiled at her but she could kind of sense that something was off about him, she just couldn't put her finger on what it was. His smiled seemed a little tight to her but she chalked it up to nerves. This was his second title match since coming back from his injury. "Thanks Monkey, glad you are going to be out there with us." He said and she nodded leaving the room to go to her dressing room. Little did she know her night was about to change drastically.
She made sure she was wearing a Shield shirt before heading out and to the entrance meeting up with the guys. Seth smirked when he saw her shirt and she twirled just to show it off. "Nice, looks good on you." He said and she grinned right before the Shield music started playing as she headed out first with Dean and Seth behind her. It wasn't unusual for her to join them in their entrance whenever she was down at ringside for their matches. Being Dean's younger sister did have some perks, it made her a honorary member of the Shield because of it.
They all headed down to the ring and over the barricade, she watched them get into the ring and wait for the current tag champs to come down. She gulped and kept back close to the barricade as Drew and Dolph came to the ring. Dolph had been bugging her lately about going on a date with him and she hated being in his vicinity.
She watched as the guys glared at each other and then the fight was on. She was on the edge most of the match, biting her nails. She was surprised she even had nails left when she watched Seth hit his patent curb stomp on Dolph. Dean grabbed the ref that had fallen outside of the ring and tossed him back in so he could make the three count. The moment the ref slapped his hand on the mat for the third time Emma couldn't contain her happiness and she squeaked for joy. She watched as Dean and Seth embraced in the ring as she slipped in.
She waited for their embrace to be done and then Seth noticing her standing there walked over and pulled her into his arms. She smiled and hugged him right back as Seth whispered into her ear. "Thank you so much, I love you Angel," he murmured and she couldn't help but grin.
"You are welcome Seth, I love you too," she whispered right back but that's when things took a turn. She looked at Dean over Seth's shoulder and something was off about him. He seemed stiff as his eyes where trained on the both of them. She watched as he walked over and grabbed Seth's arm pulling him from the embrace.
She raised one of her brows at Dean but then her eyes went wide when he set Seth up and hit a dirty deeds on him. A gasp escaped her lips and she felt like she couldn't move as she watched Dean just start wailing on Seth. Her brain couldn't comprehend what she was witnessing and the hush from the crowd pretty much mirrored her shock. She heard snippets of what Dean was saying though and she felt sick to her stomach.
"You think you can screw my sister Seth! You think you can mess around with Emma and I wouldn't find out, you son of a bitch!" He yelled and slammed his fists down on Seth in repetition. Seth tried to roll away and ended up falling outside of the ring but Dean wasn't having that. He slid under the bottom rope and jumped down landing next to Seth. Emma finally recovered from the shock as Dean grabbed a chair and was heading in Seth's direction.
She quickly slipped under the bottom rope and ran over grabbing the chair in Dean's hand. She tried to yank it out of his grasp and she didn't see his hand coming towards her. She did feel however the stinging pain in her cheek and her body colliding with the apron. She gasped and crumpled to the ground holding her side pain written on her face. She thought she heard Seth swear and then the painful sounds as metal connected with flesh.
She heard a noise from the crowd and felt a hand on her shoulder. She flinched and looked up to see Roman kneeling in front of her. "You alright baby girl?" He asked and she bit her lip but nodded her head. Roman got to his feet ripping the chair of out Dean's hands as he was raising it to hit Seth again tossing it away. "What the hell Dean, what are you doing?" He ask as Emma rested her back against the apron watching the exchange.
"Did you know Roman, did you know?" He demanded and Roman raised an eyebrow at him.
"Know what Dean?" He asked bewildered making Dean growled as he pointed between Seth and Emma.
"Did you know that these two have been screwing behind my back!" He yelled making Roman groan looking down, which was all the answer Dean needed. Emma saw Dean grab the chair off the ground and this time he brought it down on Roman's back making her gasp out again. Roman not having seen it coming hit the mat and inhaled a breath. Emma could only watch as Dean started slamming the chair against Seth and then Roman's backs. He basically broke the thing almost in half then tossed it away.
He kicked Roman in the head and then reached down pulling up the matting that surrounded the ring. He grabbed up Seth who was barely moving and got him into position. Emma could only watch as Seth was given another dirty deeds but this time on the concrete floor.
Tears were slipping down her cheeks as Dean walked over to her grabbing her arm and yanked her to her feet. He let her go for a moment to strip off the tank he was wearing, his Shield tank and tossed it into the ring. Then he grabbed her arm once more and brought her over to the barricade. He jumped over dragging Emma over as she could only look at Seth and Roman laying on the ground. She was pulled up through the crowd as they were booing and screaming at Dean over what he had just done. He had betrayed his brothers, he had broken the Shield.
He pulled her through the arena and it wasn't until they got to the Shield's locker room did he finally release his hold on her arm. She glared at him wanting to know what the hell just happened. "Have you lost your mind, what the hell is wrong with you? Why did you just do that Dean, why did you just turn on your brothers?" She asked and Dean let out a dry laugh.
"My brothers, Seth wasn't exactly my brother when he started screwing you, Roman wasn't exactly my brother when he kept it from me. And you aren't much of a sister for fucking my best friend." He said.
"Fuck you Dean, what you did tonight was wrong and you know it," she replied and he got up into her face.
"No, wrong was you being a slut and not being able to keep your legs closed." He sneered and she brought her hand back smacking him across the face but it barely even registered with him.
"I hate you Dean, I hate you so much right now," she said as she turned around and ran out of the room. Her heart was breaking in her chest as she ran to the gorilla to see Seth and Roman being helped through the curtain. Seth was definitely the worse of the two and she ran over placing her arm under Seth's shoulder helping him walk.
"I'm sorry Seth, I am so sorry," she let out and Seth shook his head some as he reached up and cupped her face gently.
"This is not your fault Angel, you did nothing wrong." He said but Emma still couldn't help but feel like this was her fault. She helped Seth to the trainers and then left to go to her locker room. The moment she got into the room she yelled and slammed her fist into the wall next to her. She recoiled from the pain but it didn't nothing to quell the anger that was still flowing through her veins.
Emma shook her head from the thought of that night and sighed some. That had been the second to last night that she had spoken to Dean, five months ago. She hated how everything ended that night, the Shield was done, her relationship with Dean was done. Not to mention a few months later was her relationship with Seth as well.
Emma groaned as she watched another assault happening on Raw. Seth had been in the middle of a match when Dean came out of no where and just started pummeling him. Roman tried to come down and get in between the two but Dean just turned around and beat on Roman as well. Emma was fed up with this, she knew he was doing this because of her. She couldn't watch this anymore and she turned the tv off.
She heard a knock on her door and she got up going over to see Seth standing there. She pulled him into a hug knowing what she had to do. "I'm sorry Seth," she whispered out and Seth pulled back to look at her. He brushed some of her hair behind her ear and she had to bit her lip to keep from crying out.
"It's not your fault Angel," he said as she looked up into his eyes and finally she couldn't hold the tears in anymore. She moved back letting his arms fall from around her waist.
"I can't do this Seth, I can't be with you anymore." She said, it was breaking her heart to say these words but it's what she needed to do. She watched Seth as he reacted to what she said and it felt like a punch to the gut. He looked so confused and broken.
"Angel don't say that, we can get through this," he begged as he tried to reach for her but she shook her head stepping back again.
"No Seth we can't," She sighed as she turned grabbing her things and brushing past him into the hallway. She continued walking as Seth remained rooted in the spot she had left him. Her heart was shattering in her chest but she couldn't stop, if she did she would turn around and change her mind.
She got to the exit and saw Dean standing there as a growl ripped past her lips. She stalked over to him watching as he lifted his head probably sensing her coming. He had started to open his mouth when she cut him off.
"You win, I broke up with Seth, are you happy now Dean, ARE YOU FUCKING HAPPY NOW! I hate you, I don't ever want to see you ever again!" She yelled in his face not caring who could hear them. "Have a nice fucking life," she hissed and continued walking down the hall and to the exit. Her whole life had fallen apart and she was broken.
Emma once again shook her head as she continued on into the building. She had been summoned there to speak with Hunter and Stephanie and she could only imagine what the wanted.
She saw that some of the superstars had already gotten there and she hoped that she didn't run into the guys. She went right to the office knocking on the door and waited for someone to open it. She heard footsteps behind the door and saw it open to reveal Hunter standing there. He smiled at Emma and welcomed her into the room. She gave a small smile, wishing she knew what this was about. She walked over to the chair and took a seat as Hunter sat down in the chair behind the desk.
"So the reason I have called you here is simple Miss Ambrose, we want you back on Raw. Now I know what happened in the past but we need your talent on the Red Brand." He said as she opened her mouth to argue and she sighed some. "I know that you have had issues here but we can sweeten the deal for you to make the jump back. We can guarantee a Raw Women’s Championship match and win." He said and she raised her eyes to look at him. The current champ was Rousey, was he saying she would be allowed to beat Rousey.
"When do you have to have my decision by?" She asked him and he sighed almost upset that she hadn't said yes right away.
"We would need to know by the superstar shakeup, we would bring you back over then." He remarked and she sighed some running her fingers through her light blonde hair. She had dyed it when she had gone to Smackdown, something the higher ups hadn't been to pleased with but she needed the change.
"We need you to think on this Emma, we need your star power especially with Rousey stepping down." She heard as Stephanie came in from the other room and her head snapped up to look at them both.
She had heard the whispers about how Rousey wasn't going to be doing in ring competition after Mania but this was the first time she had heard someone confirm that. So that probably meant she was going to drop the title at Mania. Emma would be taking the title from someone else, most probably Lynch.
"I will think on it Hunter, that's the best I can give you right now," she said although the thought of being on Raw was making her stomach turn. The reason she had decided to go to Smackdown was because being on Smackdown meant she didn't have to see Seth every day. She wouldn't have to see the look on his face when he would glance in her direction. She wouldn't have to be around Dean either, but they wanted her to walk back in here like nothing had happened. How could she be on the same brand as her brother and ex-boyfriend.
"I guess that is as good of an answer as I am going to get right now, please thank on it long and hard Emma, it's what's best for your career." He insisted standing up which brought Emma to her feet as well. She nodded at them and headed for the door slipping out. The moment she was out of the room she rested her back on the door and sighed. She wasn't sure she could do what Hunter and Stephanie wanted her to do. It would mean having to face them again and that thought made her stomach churn.
She pushed off of the door and headed towards what she thought was the exit but apparently her feet had other ideas. Before she knew what was happening she was standing in front of Seth's locker room. What the hell was she thinking she mentally scolded herself. She couldn't do this, she couldn't be there.
She turned to walk away when the door opened to reveal Seth standing there in just a towel. She sucked in a breath as she saw his hair was dripping wet. He was probably getting ready for the night. She bit her lip as she saw the way his muscles rippled and dripped with water. She lifted her eyes to see him looking down at her intently, she saw something pass over his eyes and she broke.
She grabbed the back of Seth's neck and crashed their lips together. She felt him shocked for a moment but then he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and slammed her against his chest. Their mouths moved together as they backed further into the room, Emma kicking the door shut behind her. She jumped up while wrapping her legs around his waist and Seth let his hands drift down so that they were cupping her ass tightly. She let her fingers run through his hair and he moved them over to one of the benches sitting down.
She finally pulled her lips away and his instantly moved to her chest as his tongue ran along her neck leaving a trail in his wake. She moaned and arched her back into the touch grinding down into his lap. She felt his hands on her hips as they moved under her shirt setting the skin of her back on fire. She pulled back as he grabbed the hem of her shirt and lifted it over her head tossing it away. He made quick work of her bra as well. Then his lips attacked the flesh of her neck, biting and sucking on the skin. She rolled her hips down against his erection that was pressing up into her jeans through the towel.
She grabbed Seth's hair yanking his head back and smirked down at him seeing the lust that shined in his eyes as she pressed her lips against his once again. She felt Seth's fingers running over the supple skin of her breasts and she moaned once more. His fingers moved down from her chest over her stomach and started to undo the button of her jeans but that's when the lust filled haze left Emma realizing what she was doing.
She quickly got off of his lap and looked at him as he seemed confused for a moment. She couldn't believe she had let it get this far, she mentally scolded herself. She reached down grabbing her bra and quickly throwing it back on as she backed up. "We can't do this, I can't do this, this was a mistake." She said as Seth slowly got to his feet but she couldn't be there anymore, she had to get out of there. She threw her shirt back on and turned heading for the door, quickly opening up and running out.
"Emma wait!" She heard him call out to her but she refused to turn back around. She went around the corner squeaking as she pretty much ran into a wall of flesh. She fell back on her ass and looked up to see Braun Strowman standing there. But he wasn't the only one, Luke Harper and Eric Rowan were there as well. What was going on, Luke and Eric were on Smackdown.
She went to get up when Braun reached down and grabbed her arm yanking her off the ground, he then pulled her halfway down the hall before he stopped. Her eyes went wide and she tried to pull her arm free but he wasn't letting go. "Braun let go of my arm," she stammered but he gave her a sick grin, one that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. What the hell was going on.
"Well hello there, it's been a while hasn't it Emma dear," she froze when she heard a voice she hadn't heard in a long time. "You do look just as lovely as ever I see." He murmured trailing a finger along her shoulder and she tried to pull her arm out once more.
"Let my fucking arm go now Braun," she hissed but Braun shook his head at her.
"Braun can't let you go because you see we need you to come with us," said Bray and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. Was Bray fucking serious, after everything he had done in their past, he wanted her to come with him somewhere. That wasn't fucking happening, not in this life time.
"Emma!" She heard from down the hall and she turned to see Seth coming towards them. She felt Braun let go of her but before she could move she was grabbed from behind being yanked against someone's chest.
"Seth!" She cried and Seth looked to see Emma with Luke Harper holding her and his eyes darkened for a moment.
"Let her go Wyatt," he growled as Bray let a laugh out, one of his incredibly creepy laughs that always set her nerves on end. Emma watched as Braun moved away from the group and gasped when she realized what he was doing. She fought against Luke's hold on her as Braun made his way over to Seth.
"No, Seth run, go," she sobbed but Seth shook his head standing to his full height to take on Braun. But this was Braun Strowman we were talking about here. She kicked her foot back to try and get Luke to let her go but he wasn't budging. "LET ME GO YOU FUCKER, LET GO OF ME!" She yelled thrashing in Luke's hold and sensed a hand go around her shoulder. She felt a cloth of some kind go over her mouth. "No, stop, please," she gasped as she fought her hardest but the chemicals on the rag began to take effect and she felt her eyes start to droop. The last thing she saw was Seth being slammed against the wall before they closed shut and she passed out.
Seth had been surprised to see Emma here standing in his doorway. He had been even more shocked when she kissed him but it had felt natural, it had felt right. He hadn't realized how much he had missed kissing and holding her until she was there with him. He had enjoyed what they were doing so when she pulled away suddenly it took him a moment to get his bearings. He watched as she quickly left the room and grabbed the nearest pair of jeans throwing them on. He decided not to bother with a shirt before throwing on his sneakers and running out after her.
He headed down the hallway and around the corner before stopping at the sight. Emma was being held by Braun Strowman with the rest of the former Wyatt family standing next to him. What the hell was going on he thought but the sight of Braun holding Emma had him seeing red. He watched as Braun let her go but Luke moved up taking his place. He demanded that Bray let her go but he just laughed which he knew wasn't good. Braun headed in his direction and he wasn't going to cower to him. He fought against Braun the best that he could but Braun grabbed him throwing him into the wall and he crumpled to the ground. He heard Emma fighting against Luke but as the noises got quieter he got nervous.
Seth groaned as Braun lifted him into the air, slamming him back first into the wall. He fought against his hold and with a chuckle Braun finally released him as he fell back to the floor. He gasped as the pain hit him and he turned to see Emma unconscious being lifted into Bray's arms. "No, Bray you put her down right now," he said but as he tried to get to his feet he couldn't.
"Sorry that we can't stick around but we must be going now, be thankful that the newly reformed Wyatt Family decided to spare you Seth, see you around." He sang as he turned and headed down the hall with the rest of the Wyatt's, Emma still in his arms. Seth slammed his fists against the ground as he struggled to get to his feet. He heard more footsteps and then his name as Roman who had just gotten there came around the corner to find Seth laying on the ground.
"SETH!" He yelled sprinting over and wrapping an arm under Seth's getting him back to his feet. "Seth, what the hell happened?" He asked as they both gingerly made their way to Seth's locker room. He helped Seth down on the bench and Seth groaned out.
"I was getting ready for the night when I sensed someone was outside of my room. Emma was standing there and we ended up making out moving into the room. We almost hooked up before she came to her senses and stopped. She backed up and ran out of the room before I could stop her. I got dressed and went to catch up to her when I saw her being held by Braun. The rest of the former Wyatt family were standing next to him and Roman they took her, they took Emma." He exclaimed as Roman's eyes went wide in shock. "I tried to get to her but Braun kicked the shit out of me and Bray rendered her unconscious before picking her up. Then he told me that the Wyatt family were back as they turned and walked away taking her with them." He said running a shaking hand through his damp hair.
"Oh my god," Roman said as he rested back against the wall. "What the hell are we going to do now," he asked as he looked at Seth. Seth bit his lip and groaned as a stab of pain went up his spine.
"I don't know man, I don't fucking know." He couldn't believe he hadn't been able to protect Emma, it was his fault the Wyatt family had her. Roman looked at him and shook Seth's shoulder some.
"This is not your fault Seth, you did everything you could." He insisted as Seth sighed once more. "I don't know what we are going to do either but I do know one thing man, we are no match for them just us two." He remarked giving Seth a knowing look who glared at the ground some. He knew Roman was right but how the hell were they going to talk to Ambrose about this.
"How do you know he would even want to help us, I mean it is us after all. He hasn't talked to us for weeks now, the attacks stopped yes but we aren't exactly brothers either." He mumbled as Roman gave him another knowing look.
"We have to try man, this is his sister for god sake’s, he deserves to know." He replied and Seth knew he was right.
"Alright, we can ask him after his match tonight," said Seth sighing some while throwing on a shirt for the show.
He was on edge most of the night, his nerves pretty much being rubbed raw. He had been pacing around the room until Roman lost his patience and pushed him into a seat. They watched the show and Dean's match with Elias had been brutal to see. When it was finally over Seth jumped up and headed out the door with Roman in tow behind him.
They walked out from the curtain and onto the stage as Dean was still in the ring. They headed down and got in slowly not wanting to startle Dean. Sensing someone was in the ring with him Dean snapped his head up to see Roman and Seth standing there. He raised an eyebrow at them, what were they doing there. "What do you two want?" He snapped and Seth sighed some hearing the venom in his voice but he couldn't waver, he had to be strong.
"Dean, we need your help," said Seth and Dean scoffed some as he went to walk by them but Roman and Seth weren't having it pushing him back. Dean growled and moved further into the ring.
"Are you fucking serious right now, I'm not helping you guys." He spat as he slammed into Seth's shoulder before moving past them to leave the ring but he stopped in his track at Seth's next words.
"Dean, it's Emma," he blurted making Dean freeze in between the ropes. Dean moved back into the ring and right up into Seth's face starring him right in the eyes.
"What about Emma," he growled making Seth gulp some and look over at Roman for help.
"She was here tonight at the arena, I ran into her. She got upset and took off, I went to go after her when she was caught by the Wyatt family. Dean they took her, we can't leave her with them." He pleaded as Dean's eyes went wide for a second before they closed into a glare.
"You had better not be messing with me right now Rollins, I am not in the mood." He hissed stepping back and looked at them both.
"I'm not lying to you Dean, I would never lie about something like this. We need your help to get her back, Roman and I can't do this by ourselves." He said as Dean started pacing in the ring mumbling to himself. Seth looked over at Roman who had placed his fist out and moved over placing his fist next to Roman's. "Come on Dean, come on," he yelled as Dean continued pacing and stood at the side of the ring. He then turned around throwing his fist next to the guys as Seth and Roman both screamed out.
Seth went to open his mouth when he heard someone clear their throat and his head snapped to the screen to see the Wyatt family standing there. He growled and moved to the front of the ring grabbing the ropes glaring at Bray. "Well isn't this just a lovely picture, the Shield back on the same page and back together again. All thanks to little old me I would presume. I imagine Seth has told you the wonderful news after all." He replied as Dean and Roman moved to the front of the ring next to Seth. "Oh would you look at that, someone has come around." He teased as the camera panned down to Emma on the ground. "Come on Emma, say hi to everyone." He said as Emma's eyes snapped open and she looked around.
"SETH!" She cried out and Seth had to fight every urge to run from the ring and track her down right then and there. The fear he heard in her voice was breaking his heart.
"It's alright baby girl, we will get you back," said Roman and she nodded her head.
"WYATT YOU GIVE ME BACK MY SISTER RIGHT NOW!" Dean roared and Emma blinked when she heard Dean's voice right there along with Roman's.
"Dean?" She whispered out but it was still picked up by the mic making Dean growl out some.
"It's me Monkey, I promise we will save you, I promise you that." Replied Dean and she nodded her head. She felt someone reach down and grab her arm yanking her off of the ground and she cried out.
"DEAN, DEAN PLEASE HELP ME!" She yelled as she was pulled from the room making Dean growl and start pacing in the ring again.
"I swear to god Wyatt if you hurt my sister it will be the last thing that you do." He cautioned as Bray started laughing once more.
"I won't touch a hair on her head as long as she behaves herself, but now let's get to the real fun. If you want your sister back fight us. This Sunday is Fastlane, The Shield versus the Wyatt Family. You and your brothers get two more men to join you and come to the Wyatt compound where we will have an Extreme Rules five on five elimination match." Bray said and Dean smirked some glaring at him. "Who ever wins the match gets Emma." He replied.
"You're on Wyatt, you are so on," he remarked as the broadcast cut out and Dean growled pacing in the ring once more.
"Tell me your name," he said, "First middle last, for the recording." He was Ward, speaking to her, through the bars in her cell. The cage he had tossed her limp, unconscious body into when he was done frying her to bits. He must have fed and watered her at some point, but she didn't remember it. She just knew it had been over three days and she wasn't dead. So somehow he had made sure she was still able to function. Why? What else could he possibly want from her? He had beat her, in this cell, too. Her left arm was broken she was fairly certain, and at least one of her back teeth was knocked loose, blood pooling in her mouth, coating her tongue in its coppery taste.
She had stood strong when it came to the questioning before. It was hard, sure, painful, incredibly so. But she couldn't just give up on her friends, her family. If she spoke up, all of them would die, too. She couldn't live with herself, knowing that. Not that she was going to live much longer anyways.
She knew that because he had told her, out there, back in that room, when he had gotten frustrated with her lack of response, with her lack of acceptance of her fate. He told her all about how he had her sister, tucked back in one of these rooms, how he had designed this place just for Mer, to enhance her fire abilities. She had taken that information well, knowing that he hadn't designed this place against her. That he didn't know about her special skill set, either. She still held out a small hope, that she would get out of here, even if that light was fading too.
Asia look up through the wire bars of the cage she was in, looking up at her captor, who was standing there, old fashioned hand camera in his palm, pointed at her. "Asia Penelope Monroe," she replied, spitting out some of her congealed blood and spit combination to the floor. "Agent of Shield."
Summary: Natasha provides Clint with options and everyone does what they can to support him.
A/N: this part ends on a happy note, I swear.
Masterlist
Whumptober Masterlist
.
2013
NEW YORK
The bartender had left them alone at Barney’s final resting place, a small plot in the Witchita Falls cemetery.
Natasha hadn’t known what to do, and had left him sitting by his brothers grave.
She’d wandered off, then came back with some wildflowers, placing them on the top of the headstone, before sitting next to him.
“He’s dead, Nat,” Clint had whispered.
She didn’t know what to say.
Often so awkward in her own grief, she never knew what to do with Clint’s.
“I’m sorry,” she’d whispered back redundantly.
They’d stayed until night fell, ignored their phones and just sat.
Clint told some stories he remembered of his brother, and became quiet.
His sadness engulfing them both as neither really knew what to do next.
Natasha had expected a mission, a chase, something that involved action to find Clint’s brother. It felt strange that it was this… normalcy.
He came to a place; made a home, lived and died.
Coming out of New York that was so affected by aliens and strange happenings, the quiet town of Witchita Falls was peaceful.
She almost wanted a goose chase, something to put off this grief that she knew he was feeling.
“Do you think he was happy here?” she asks tentatively, not really knowing what to say.
“I don’t know,” he answers.
“Maybe? I think he probably knew he needed something, maybe stability, a home where he…”
Clint’s voice breaks and he covers his face.
She moves closer to him.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers, “I had hoped…”
And that was the thing, they both had allowed themselves to hope that he was alive and okay.
“I had hoped he’d be here,” she finishes.
Clint takes a deep breath.
It prompts her to do the same.
“Confronting the past comes with a price, doesn’t it?” he comments, leaning forward to trace the letters on the headstone.
“Yeah,” Natasha replies, watching him closely.
He shivers.
“We should go,” he tells her, looking at her closely.
His voice makes it clear that he doesn’t want to.
“No, not yet,” she nods.
“Yeah, okay, not yet,” he says slowly.
.
Clint decides not to go back to the tower. He can’t face Tony and uttering the words that it was all for nothing.
The hope he had, gone.
He doesn’t want anyone’s pity and he regrets asking for help. The vulnerability of it all making him feel exposed.
Finally alone, he lets angry tears fall.
Natasha returning the plane, he was thankful for her but all he wanted was to throw and shout and yell at the unfairness of it all. He didn’t want her to see that side of him.
He kicks off his shoes, enjoying the way they fly across the room.
Next his shirt, he throws into the wall.
Grunting, he hits the bench, his hand hurting but makes him feel marginally better.
He turns the shower on as hot as it go, and steps into the steam.
No matter how many times he turns it over in his mind, he can’t seem to believe it.
Barney is dead.
His brother, who gave him candy, stood in front of father to protect him, who took beatings for him; dead.
Clint can’t seem to comprehend it.
He doesn’t understand how.
Maybe it had been the reason why Tony hadn’t been able to find anything.
Maybe it was true.
He just… didn’t want to believe it; but… he did.
He thinks that if Barney was alive, he would have found him after the events in New York, he would have known Clint needed him.
But, his death. He’s dead and Clint didn’t even get to say goodbye.
What ifs play in his mind.
What if he went looking? Would they be friends? Would they have fought again?
The shower beats down and lets it’s flow over him, let’s it mask his tears and grief.
Barney is dead.
And he didn’t even get to say goodbye.
.
Natasha stops at the store, readying herself for the heaviness that’s bound itself to Clint.
She finds the candy he was talking about, though the story broke her heart, she recognises the ties to each other.
Wandering around, she lets herself grieve for the what ifs, of having her sister and his brother in the same room, of a wedding that likely won’t eventuate now the parameters can’t be met.
Pepper was right in saying that she’d set an impossible task.
Natasha breathes in, and out and lets the fantasy go.
She wasn’t even sure she wanted it anyway.
Maybe this is for the best.
Ringing and ordering Clint’s favourite pizza, she focuses on the next couple of days.
They used to hold little funerals for the girls that died in the red room.
It helped, she thinks, even if they were the ones doing to killing. A little tea candle that they used to steal, flowers they used to smuggle and someone would say something nice about the girl that had passed. They’d then put a drop of blood on the flowers, passing a knife around. She’s not sure who started the funerals, only that they’d continued on, helped as a way to mark the grief and the end of a life.
Maybe it’s what Clint needs.
On a whim, she picks up candles and flowers and then heads to the pizza shop.
.
“How does this work?” Clint looks at Natasha.
He’d said yes.
She’d told him a story of little widows grieving their friends and how a funeral for his brother might help.
In his sadness, he’d said yes.
Any way of saying goodbye was better than nothing.
Clint takes a breath.
Since finding out Barney was dead, he had not been a good friend or partner, off the back of aliens, life had just felt a bit too much.
Wallowing felt easier, letting grief engulf him whole.
He didn’t even realise that the month had passed.
Almost two.
Natasha’s suggestion, he’d hoped would help him, to be better; feel better.
Provide some closure.
Tony stands back with Pepper and Maria either side.
Steve already sitting on the chairs.
Natasha lights the candles.
The rooftop of the Avengers Tower lit by fairy lights, giving it a childlike glow.
“Sit,” she offers, “I don’t think this needs to be formal.”
“We used to have funerals for those that were gone, no longer of the world,” she starts, “and I think, everyone has different traditions, all over the world but perhaps the essence is the same.”
Clint nods at her as she looks over.
They’d talked about it, of course, what he wanted to say, disclose and share amongst his friends.
He hands a shot to everyone, filled with Barney’s favourite drink when he was younger.
“Barney was my older brother,” he pauses, swallowing, watching his friends as they watch him carefully.
“It realise I say this amongst a group of people, one of whom has a sibling,” he laughs.
“But having a sibling is like having someone who knows you and knows everything about you when you’re little, maybe when you’re older too.”
Clint doesn’t really know where he’s going with this, but he wants to try and explain to them how Barney was the best thing and the worst thing.
“You’re responsible for them, and tied to them, and, and this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.”
He takes a moment to compose himself, and raises the glass.
“Barney would think this is stupid, that he’s already in the ground, it’s nonsense to grieve. He’d probably wonder why would people who have never met him, want to come and grieve.”
Clint smiles.
“He was a bit clueless, my brother.”
Steve smiles back at that.
“He made my childhood bearable, and I will always carry the guilt that I couldn’t return the favour, then or now.”
Trying to smile, he looks to Natasha.
He feels tears well, unable to continue.
She smiles for him and nods.
“To Barney?” she offers.
Clint nods, and everyone responds in unison.
“To Barney.”
.
Natasha is glad it’s night, because conversation continues easily. The bonfire in the middle crackles and she leans back listening.
Steve and Clint exchange stories of childhood, Steve’s stories of his friend Bucky and Clint’s of Barney.
It’s the first time she’s seen him smile easily since they found out.
Maria nods and offers her a drink.
She shakes her head and holds up the lemonade she’d been holding.
“How’s he been?” she asks, sitting on the edge of the chair.
Natasha looks at Clint, his wrinkles alighting as he gestures emphatically about a story.
“I think this week he’s been trying, to be better, to be part of life. He was actually looking forward to this, I think. Maybe looking for a way to honor his brother.”
Maria looks at her.
“Any news on Yelena?”
Natasha looks at her feet.
“Uh, yeah actually. Tony’s been helping me find some solid leads and we think we’ve found a way to contact another Widow.”
Maria’s eyebrows furrow, “that’s good? Why do you look like that’s not good news?”
Natasha takes a deep breath.
“I was waiting, I want him with me, but..”
“You don’t want to rub in the fact that your sister is still alive when his brother is dead?” Maria finishes.
“Maybe,” Natasha mumbles.
“You know you have to tell him?”
“I know, but after this, yeah? Tonight is his.”
Maria takes a drink.
“How are you?”
Natasha’s question takes her off guard.
“I’m good,” she smiles, “feels like a while since we’ve caught up.”
Natasha nods.
“Maybe next weekend, if I’m still here?”
Maria smiles.
“I’d like that.”
.
Clint clasps Tony on the back.
“Thanks man,” he says sincerely, “I don’t know if I can’t ever thank you for finding him, but I’m glad I know. I wasn’t, but… I think I am. I had to know or I was left in limbo and the what ifs would have been worse.”
The words come out in a tumble.
Tony steps back from the bar, offering him another drink.
Clint shakes his head, holding up his beer.
“I found someone else,” Tony confesses.
Clint frowns, not sure he’s ready for any other blows.
“Gus?”
He leans over the bar and pulls out a photo.
“He owns a pub in Omaha.”
Clint smiles.
“He’s still alive?”
Tony dips his head, “yeah, he’s still alive.”
“How’d you know?”
Tony shrugs, “I found the police reports, who came to pick you up from the hospital after…”
Clint’s heart stutters.
“After their death?”
“Yeah.”
“I thought, maybe it could help to talk to someone else who knew Barney, maybe share some stories,” Tony finishes.
Clint is touched.
“Thanks Tony.”
He touches the picture.
“Thanks.”
.
Slightly drunk, they take residence in their room in the tower.
Clint strips, and Natasha changes into his shorts and T-shirt, as he climbs into bed, eyes closing.
“Nat?” he mumbles.
She turns off the light and turns into him, hugging him tight.
“Yeah?”
“Love you,” he finishes.
“Love you too,” she whispers, kissing the nape of his neck.
“Nat?” he says again.
She looks up, and he half smiles.
“We’re still getting married right? Even though he can’t be there?”
Soooo sorry I didn’t get this out last night, was exhausted from work and hadn’t finished it yet but here it is, This one isn’t a chapter story, it’s a one shot, a lonngg one shot but a one shot. I really hope you guys like it, I don’t think I will do a synopsis because it’s a one shot. (warning it’s over 6,000 words long)
(gif not mine, credit to helluvaclash )
TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENCE, SOME GUN PLAY, LANGUAGE AND SLIGHT SEXUAL MENTION.
Harper yawned as she rolled over, her head landing softly on her boyfriends chest. She snuggled in causing the large Samoan to chuckle lightly. "Harper, sweetheart, you have to get up, it's almost eleven." He remarked which brought a groaned from the blond as she cuddled in deeper with him. Roman sighed lightly, running his fingers through her golden locks, brushing the hair out of her face. He couldn't believe how lucky he had gotten as his gaze ran down her naked body.
"Don't want to get up," she pouted, peaking one eye open to look up at him. He playfully rolled his eyes and before Harper knew it fingers were tickling her sides making her squeak trying to move away from the offending digits. "Nooo, Romannnnn," she whined as she fought to get away but he had a steel like hold on her.
"Sorry baby girl, you brought this upon yourself," he said as his fingers continued to dig a little into her sides eliciting more giggles and laughs from the blond. "Do you give?" He inquired and she shook her head defiantly a smile playing on her lips. She gave a particularly loud squeal as he started attacking her with renewed vigor. She had tears falling down her cheeks from laughing so hard and her breathe was a little labored as well when she finally surrendered.
"OKAY, OKAY, I give, I bow down to my king," she replied looking up at him. Her cheeks were flushed and she could still feel the tickle after effects making her fidget a little.
"That's what I thought," he replied, leaning down and brushing his lips overs hers gently, but becoming more passionate as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She slipped over him and was straddling his waist when there was one knock before the door to their room burst open. Harper squeaked slamming her chest against Roman's seeing as she was naked as Roman brought up the sheet to cover her. They turned to see Dean strolling into the room but he suddenly closed his eyes and turned around. Seth who was behind him entered and then instantly went beet red as he scrambled to get out of the room as fast as possible.
"Dude, it's eleven in the morning, I don't want to be seeing that!" Remarked Dean as Roman rolled his eyes sliding Harper to her side of the bed as he stood up. He walked over and slapped Dean upside the head making the brunette yelp and glare at the larger man.
"Dude, it's called knocking and WAITING for a response before you enter the damn room." He growled out at him as Dean rolled his eyes some.
"Yea, that's to much work for me," he quipped as he walked over to the table in the room and sat down. Harper raised an eyebrow as she clutched the sheet closer to her chest and looked back over at Roman. He let out a groan before stalking over to Dean and grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt. He hauled Dean out of the chair and practically tossed him to the still open door.
"OUT! Until we tell you you can come in," he remarked causing Dean to huff and trudge out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him. Roman rubbed his hands down his face mumbling under his breathe about hurting a lunatic before turning to Harper. "Sorry baby girl, looks like our morning has been interrupted." He replied strolling over to the bed as he bent down to kiss her gently on the lips.
"It's okay, I will get dressed," she said as she slipped out of bed, grabbing her discarded bra and panties from the ground pulling them on. She pulled on a Roman tank and a pair of jean shorts falling back onto the bed. Roman walked over and banged on the door once to indicate everyone in the room was decent. Dean sauntered back into the room going back over to the chair he had occupied before, with Seth trailing behind him. Harper to her amusement saw that Seth was still a deep shade of red.
"I am soooooo sorry, I told Dean we should have waited outside but he said that nothing would be going on at eleven in the morning." Seth mumbled out, his eyes still trained on the floor. Dean reached over and yanked Seth down into the chair next to him rolling his eyes.
"What, most NORMAL people aren't active in the morning, damn you guys are lucky I am even up right now." He replied as Roman mumbled something under his breathe that caused Harper to giggle lightly.
"So what brings you two mor... fine gentlemen to our hotel room." Roman had started to say when Harper elbowed him lightly in the gut getting him to change his words.
"Architect over here demands that we get our ideas right for tonight's match." Dean said shoving his finger in Seth's face. Seth rolled his eyes batting Dean's finger away and sat up straighter.
"Well we are facing off against the Club tonight, we have to be prepared." Causing all of the guys to straighten up quickly. The Shield had been dealing with the Club for a few weeks now and it was starting to grate on all of their nerves. Harper stood up from the bed reaching for her purse as she slipped her feet into wedges.
"Well you boys have fun plotting the Club's doom," she replied as she walked over pulling Roman into a light kiss and then moved back waving at them as she left the room. She felt her stomach grumble and a bit of guilt flashed in her blue eyes as she still hadn't told Roman yet. Her hand drifted down rubbing at her stomach lightly and sighed, "soon, I promise," she whispered jumping some when her phone went off. She reached into her purse fishing it out and smiled giving a little laugh when she saw Renee's face light up her screen.
"Harppperrrrrr! Come have breakfast with me, I'm at the little restaurant next to the hotel." She sang making Harper shake her head some.
"I will be right there," she said as she hung up the phone and headed down the hallway to the elevator. She got on but before the doors closed three more people slipped on, three men. She moved over to the side as she pressed the button for the lobby. One of the guys, the leader she presumed looked over at her.
"Would you happen to be Harper Evans?" He asked and she thought about lying but she was a public figure and a WWE Superstar.
"Yup, that would be me," she replied some waiting for the door to open. Something about these men were giving her goosebumps and not the good kind.
"Girlfriend of Shield member Roman Reigns right?" He asked and she felt the hairs on the back of her neck lift just a little but she nodded her head all the same.
"Yup, Roman is my boyfriend," she said, putting emphasis on the boyfriend part hoping he would get the hint and leave her alone.
"I'm an old friend of Roman's, I was actually hoping to catch up with him while he's in town, but I guess I will have to catch him later." Something about that sounded more like a threat than a statement and it had Harper moving further away from them.
"I will let him know that you were looking for him." She replied as the doors to the elevator opened and she all but rushed out of there. She didn't stop until she got to the door of the restaurant as she pulled the door open stepping in. She headed to the table that Renee was sitting at and slid into the booth across from her. Renee smiled opening her mouth but her eyes went wide as she saw the look on Harper's face.
"Sweetie, what's going on, are you okay?" She asked and Harper sighed lightly, running her fingers through her blond hair.
"I don't know, I was in the elevator of the hotel when these three guys got on with me. I didn't think anything of it until one of them spoke up asking if I was well me and I said yes but he didn't stop there." She took a breathe before continuing. "He asked if I was Roman's girlfriend then said he was an old friend of Roman's but something just felt off about him, sketchy." She couldn't imagine Roman having hung out with someone like him but maybe they were old friends.
Renee scrunched her nose as she reached her hand over the table placing it on Harper's gently.
"This sounds sketchy as hell, you should definitely tell Roman about this as soon as possible." which made the other blond nod her head.
"I will mention it at the arena," she said as her stomach gave a lurch bringing Harper to her feet and heading for the nearest bathroom. She threw the door to the bathroom open rushed into a stall and emptied the contents of her stomach into the toilet. She wiped her mouth as she stood up flushing and leaving the stall jumping when she saw Renee standing there arms crossed over her chest. Harper looked down not able to meet the other women's eyes as she headed over to wash her hands.
"Are you okay?" She asked which made Harper crack as she felt tears falling down her cheeks. Renee's eyes went wide and she rushed forward collecting Harper into her arms and shushing her gently. Renee helped Harper out of the bathroom and back to their table sitting her back down in her seat. "What's going on with you, this is the third time I have seen you rush for the bathroom like that. Do you have a stomach bug or something?" She asked brushing some of Harper's hair out of her face.
"No, it's not that," she whispered which made the shorter blond furrow her brows for a moment before a gasp left her lips and she looked down at Harper in shock.
"Harper, are... are you pregnant?" She asked which brought more tears down Harper's cheeks as she nodded her head. "How long have you known? How far along are you? Does Roman know?" She asked and Harper shook her head some.
"I have known for a week now, I'm three weeks along and no Roman doesn't know." She whispered out. Renee sighed lightly as she pulled back, she lifted Harper's chin up so she could look Harper in the eyes.
"You have to tell him Harp, he deserves to know," she replied. Harper sighed some not able to meet Renee's eyes.
"What if he doesn't want this Renee, we have only been together a year, what if this isn't what he wanted. The Shield just keeps getting more popular and what about my career, I have only been wrestling three years." She said as all of the negative thoughts that she had been thinking since she found out came flooding out of her mouth.
"Sweetie Roman loves you, that man is head over heels in love with you, the way he looks at you I have to admit, I am slightly jealous. That man worships the ground you walk on and would do anything for you." Harper knew that but it didn't stop the growing fear in her chest. "Well I do know one person you have to tell, you have to tell Mark and creative about this pronto." She replied as Harper's eyes snapped up to look at Renee. She hadn't even thought of that, she had been lucky these past three weeks that she hadn't been scheduled for a match but that could change at the drop of a hat.
She watched Renee pull out her phone and dial a number that Harper knew well and balked when Renee handed the phone to her, quickly bringing it to her ear.
"Hello, Renee?" She heard and gulped some as she took a deep breathe and then spoke.
"No, it's Harper, Mark there's um, something I have to tell you, can we meet at the arena?" She asked as she gnawed on her lip waiting for his reply.
"Umm, I have a few meetings this morning but if you can get here before one I can squeeze you in." He remarked and she breathed a sigh, she had two hours to kill before her meeting.
"One works, thank you so much Mark, we'll you then," she replied as Mark hung up and she handed the phone back to Renee.
"Want to maybe tell Roman while we wait for his meeting?" Asked Renee which brought a swift objection from Harper.
"No, he's upstairs strategizing with the guys about their match tonight, they are in their element right now, I don't want to disturb that. I will go to the arena and have the meeting with Mark and then when Roman gets to the arena tonight I will tell him, I promise." She mumbled making Renee pull her into another hug.
"It's gonna be alright Harper, I promise, he's gonna be thrilled, I can just feel it." She said as Harper tried to smile the best she could, wishing she could join in her conviction but those nagging doubts just wouldn't go away.
"Come on, let's order some food, someone is eating for two now," she giggled as she touched Harper's stomach gently making Harper smile some.
The women enjoyed a nice breakfast together before they both headed over to the arena for the meeting with Mark. Harper felt like her stomach was tying itself into knots as they waited outside of Mark's office. She jumped as his door opened and after a raised eyebrow from Mark they both shuffled into his office. Harper was doing her best to look anywhere but at Mark as he sat down and folded his hands on the table as he waited. After a few minutes he sighed and leaned back some.
"Harper, you're the one that asked for this meeting," he reminded her and she flinched some at the annoyance in his voice knowing it was about to get worse.
"I ummm, have to tell you something, something that is going to effect my ability in the ring," she replied as she bit her lip some finally looking up at him.
"Oh no, it's not your knee again is it? It's not another tear, god tell me it's not another tear." He started rambling to himself.
"No, no, I'm not injured but it's something that will keep me out of action for at least nine months probably more." She said and he looked confused for a moment before a light bulb went off above his head and grew incredibly annoyed.
"Harper, are you pregnant?" He asked and she flinched once more at the sound of his voice.
"Yes sir," she stammered out, wishing she could be anywhere else at that exact moment.
"Well that is certainly going to be a problem," he replied as he pulled his phone from his pocket and punched in a number. She didn't know who he was calling until she heard a name and her entire body froze. He was telling Vince, her stomach giving a lurch and she had to fight the urge to bolt out of the room.
She listened to the one sided conversation with baited breathe, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall down her cheeks. When he was finally done she saw a look cross his face and her stomach flipped.
"Well, Vince isn't happy about this turn of events but seeing as there isn't much that we can do I am going to have to come up with a reason to get you off of TV. The difficult thing is we can't use our usual go around, it would put to much risk to the baby. I will mull it over and give you a call later okay." He said and she quickly stood nodding her head.
"Yes Mark, again I'm sorry about this, I really wasn't planning this at all." She mumbled and he sighed but nodded his head.
"I understand, you will probably appear on tonight's show but obviously not in a match or any kind of active situation." She nodded once more as both girls got up to head into the hallway. Harper wrapped her arms around herself, her body shaking some. Renee noticing this pulled her into a hug rocking them both gently.
"Come on, let's head to catering," she said as she wrapped an arm around Harper's waist and they both headed into the catering area. Harper plopped down into one of the chairs, her stomach still doing laps inside of her.
After a half hour Renee stood up slowly, "I hate to do this but I have to go to a announcers meeting in a few, are you going to be okay in here?" She asked as Harper's eyes scanned the room. There was a stage hand in there but that was about it. She tried to give Renee a reassuring smile as she nodded her head.
"Yea girl, I'll be fine, really, go to your meeting," she urged her and Renee looked at her for a second more before hugging her gently then heading out of the room.
Harper sighed and rested her head on the table, feeling comfort in the cool wood against her skin. She nearly jumped sky high when she heard a noise and groaned at herself when she realized it was her phone. She fished it out of her purse and pressed it to her ear. "Hi baby girl, what did you get up to while we were planning?" He asked and she bit her lip knowing she couldn't do this over the phone.
"I met up with Renee for some breakfast and then accompanied her to the arena for the night." She replied and she heard him chuckle making her raise one of her eyebrows.
"Oh my forever forget baby girl, did you forget to grab something?" He teased at her and she racked her brain trying to figure out what she could have forgotten and then groaned when she realized she had left her gear bag there. "I take it from your reaction you figured out what it is, don't worry baby girl, I will bring it with me when we head out." He said and she could just picture the grin on his face making her roll her eyes playfully. It felt good to be smiling, but as soon as that thought came the tension returned ten fold. She opened her mouth to say something when she heard a commotion outside of catering.
"Harper, Harp, baby girl, have you been listening to a word I've been saying?" He asked.
"Yea sorry, just heard a strange noise outside of catering, but it's probably nothing, Zack probably ran into a wall trying to take another selfie or something." She replied but as she was about to return to her conversation with Roman another loud noise startled her and she suddenly got the urge to hide under her table. She slid under as the door slammed open and she pulled her knees to her chest letting out a small whimper.
"Baby girl, what's going on?" She heard the tension in Roman's voice and tried to stay as quiet as possible.
"I don't know I hid under the table," she peered out and gasped as she saw the same three guys from the hotel elevator standing in the room. "These three guys just busted into catering, Roman I'm scared," she whimpered as she heard footsteps coming in her direction. She held her breathe as she waited for them to move on, hoping that they hadn't heard her.
"It's gonna be okay baby girl, I'm on my way there with Dean and Seth, it's going to be okay," he tried to reassure her, or maybe himself, he wasn't sure which. She wanted to reply back but the guy was standing right in front of her table, she could see his feet and she didn't want him to hear her. She prayed he would walk away and not decide to inspect the area.
He moved away and she breathed a small sigh that was short lived as she felt a hand grab her hair yanking her out and into the open. "Roman!" she screamed as the phone was ripped from her hand and thrown against the wall behind her, breaking into pieces. She whimpered as the grip in her hair got tighter and she was turned to see the guy from earlier.
"My apologies, I just realized that I never properly introduce myself before, must have slipped my mind. My name's Liam and these here are Ethan and Elijah." He smirked at her making her skin crawl. "I apologize for the approach but your boyfriend took something from me and I swore to him that I would repay the favor." He sneered at her. "I'm afraid I am going to need you to come with me." Harper knew she couldn't go with this man, if she did she probably wouldn't be seen again.
She felt a surge of adrenaline kick in and she ignored the gnawing fear in the pit of her stomach as she brought her foot back and kicked the guy that was holding her square in the family jewels. Elijah let out a yowl and released his hold on her hair and without even thinking she took off in the direction of the door. As she reached it she jumped at the three gunshots that sounded in the room and spun to see Liam holding a handgun into the air. Her breathe caught in her throat when he lowered his arm and pointed it right at her.
"Please don't shoot me, I'm pregnant," she cried as her hands went around her stomach in a protective manner. Liam felt giddy at the news as he stalked over grabbing her upper arm yanking her face up close to his.
"The next time you pull a stunt like that, the bullet will be in you." He growled in her face. She gulped and quickly nodded her head, she wouldn't risk the life of her baby. "That's a good girl," he said passing her over to Ethan as Elijah glared at her from the ground. He got to his feet and before anyone could react he slapped her across the face, Ethan's grip on her the only thing keeping her standing.
"You're lucky I can't do more than that bitch," he hissed in her face, as he hobbled away and a small smirk played on her lips. Liam walked over and Ethan handed Harper off as that grin was still on his lips.
"Let's go little girl," he said as she was yanked from the room and headed in the direction for the exit to the arena.
Roman chuckled when he had noticed she had left her gear bag here, shaking his head as he picked it up. He felt like teasing her a little bit and called her phone smiling when he heard her voice. He loved talking to her, being with her, he couldn't imagine not having her in his life. The smile was wiped off of his face when heard Harper whimper, every muscle in his body tensing. He could feel Dean and Seth's eyes on him as he started pacing around and talking to her. But the moment she screamed his name and the phone went dead Roman went into fight mode quickly.
"We have to get to the arena NOW!" Stated Roman as he grabbed the bags heading out of the room to the elevators. Dean and Seth followed close behind wondering what was going on but Roman was determined to get to the arena as quickly as he could.
Roman car screeched into the parking lot as he slammed on the brakes, barely hitting the guardrail but Roman didn't care. He jumped out of the car and made a beeline towards the arena with Dean and Seth hot on his heels. They were heading for the entrance when Dean noticed Renee and took off in her direction the guys trailing behind. Renee cried out and pulled Dean into a hug who hugged her back rocking them. "I don't know what's going on, I was in the middle of my meeting when a security guard burst into the room and ushered everyone out of the building. I thought I heard one of the guys mention gun shots," she replied.
"Did you see Harper, is she out here?" Asked Roman as he scanned around the area. Renee shook her head biting her lip some as Dean pulled her closer.
"No, I haven't seen Harper since I left her in catering, you don't think, Oh god, what if something happened." Renee sobbed out burying her head into Dean's chest and he rubbed her back gently.
Roman continued to scan the crowd and when he couldn't locate her he took off in the direction of the arena Seth in tow as Dean stayed back with Renee. As he neared the building a security guard stepped in front of him placing his hand on Roman's chest. "I'm afraid you can't go in there, we have a active shooter situation and no one is allowed in." Seth saw the vein in Roman's neck jump and knew that this wasn't going to end well.
"You don't understand, my girlfriend could be trapped in there." He insisted as he tried to get around the guy. Realizing the size difference he signaled over to a few of his colleagues who walked over to them.
"I'm sorry sir but we can't allow you to enter the building and we will restrain you if need be." Which caused a growl to rip past Roman's lips.
"I'd like to fucking see you try!" He growled and went to shove his way past the guards when Seth gripped his arm with the help of Dean who had joined them.
"Roman stop, big dog, you can't help Harper from jail." Urged Dean as he wrapped his arms around Roman grunting as he tried to get the big dog under control.
"Let go of me Ambrose" Roman hissed but Dean shook her head refusing to release his hold on the big dog. Roman fought for a few more moments but then settled down allowing Dean to remove his arms from around his shoulders.
"Someone's coming out!" one of the security guards yelled and all three guys heads whipped in the direction to see the doors to the arena opening. Roman watched as Harper was pushed out by someone he never wanted to see again. The growl that rumbled in his chest was animalistic as he went to go towards them.
Liam saw Roman heading in their direction and stopped them as he placed the barrel of the gun to Harper's temple. "I wouldn't move another step Roman, unless you want her pretty brains splattered all over the pavement." He yelled bringing Roman to a grinding halt. "I wouldn't want to see you lose your girlfriend and baby all in the same day." At the mention of the word baby Roman's eyes grew wide as they shifted over to look at Harper.
She saw Roman looking at her and she nodded her head biting her lip as she saw anger flash in Roman's eyes. "Let them go Liam, this has nothing to do with them!" He growled but Liam laughed pressing the gun harder into her skull.
"Oh but Roman, they have EVERYTHING to do with this, I told you Roman, I told you it was going to come back to bite you in the ass." Dean slipped away from the scene making a wide arch as Liam and his cohorts were paying attention to Roman. He knew he had to do this carefully because if he didn't, this was going to end badly.
Roman saw Dean moving around realizing what he had planned and knew he had to stall Liam as long as he could. "Please just let her go, you can take me instead, I'm the one that hurt you not her." Roman tried to bargain with Liam moving another step closer which wasn't the best move. Liam pulled Harper harder into his chest and pulled the gun away for a moment to shoot a warning shot into the air and then placed it to her head again. Harper whimpered as the muzzle of the gun burned her skin.
"That was your first and ONLY warning shot, next one goes into her skull." He snapped making Roman flinch, fear written on his face. "You stole my family from me!" He yelled glaring daggers at Roman.
Roman's eyes flitted over Liam's shoulder to see Dean almost right behind them and then quickly looked back at Liam. "I stole your family, that's a laugh, I SAVED your family from you." Roman remarked. "You drove your family away, you have no one to blame but yourself. If you had treated them with respect instead of abuse we wouldn't be here." Taking a deep breathe Roman went on, "now let my girlfriend go!" He growled as Dean was just about there.
"You son of a bitch! You took my wife and kids from me and now I'm gonna repay the favor, say goodbye." He snapped as he pushed the barrel harder into Harper's skull. Harper looked into Roman's eyes and whispered out "I love you." Roman felt his heart sink as he whispered back, "I love you too." Just as Liam was about to press the trigger Dean tackled into him. In that same moment Roman ran up wrapping his arms around Harper as the gun went off.
Roman lifted Harper up into his arms checking her over to make sure she hadn't been shot and breathed a sigh of relief pressing his forehead into hers gently. "Baby girl don't you ever scare me like that again," he breathed against her skin as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "Dean you good?" He called and breathed another sigh when Dean popped up off of the ground still holding Liam who had a pretty good gash on the side of his head.
"All good brother, how's the baby girl?" He asked as he shoved Liam into the direction of a police officer as Ethan and Elijah had been subdued as well.
Roman kissed the side of her head breathing her in deeply and felt the urge to never let her go again. "She's good, thank you Dean," Roman whispered out and Dean walked over clapping Roman on the shoulder and pressing a kiss to the side of Harper's head.
"You're welcome brother, glad you're safe Darling," he replied before jogging over to Renee pulling her into his arms. Harper snuggled into Roman's chest, never wanting to leave again as Roman hefted her up a little higher. The police determined that the arena was safe and everyone was allowed back into the building. Roman carried Harper in and to their locker room. He walked in and sat down on the couch keeping her cuddled in his arms. He placed one of his hands gently on her stomach and tilted her chin up with the other so he could look her in the eyes.
"Baby girl, why didn't you tell me?" He asked and she bit her lip wanting to look down but he kept his finger there.
"I was scared, I was afraid that this wouldn't be what you wanted. I mean we've only been dating a year and your career is going so well, I was afraid this would ruin things. I was afraid you would be angry thinking I did this on purpose." she rambled and he leaned down pressing his lips against hers for a moment.
"I would never ever be angry with you baby girl, I love you with all of my heart and I can't wait to have this baby." He beamed as she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down into a more passionate kiss. She moved so that she was straddling his waist as the kiss continued, Roman's hands roaming down her body to rest on her hips. Before anything else could happen however they heard a groan from the doorway and both turned to see Dean and Seth standing there.
"Isn't this how this damn morning started, although glad to see you aren't naked, don't think Seth's heart could have handled seeing that twice in one day." He laughed elbowing Seth in the ribs some who went beet red again. "And isn't this how that little situation you guys are in now started, although with her already pregnant it's not like she can get pregnant again." He mused making Roman roll his eyes some and allowing Harper to slip off of his lap and rest against his side.
"Do you know the sex?" Asked Seth and Harper gave out a bubbly laugh shaking her head.
"Seth, I found out a week ago and I'm only three weeks along, it's way to soon to be able to tell anything, the baby is about the size of a pea right now." As Seth nodded his head sitting down in a chair.
Dean walked over and sat down in the chair next to the couch and grinned at Roman. "You're gonna be a daddy, that is so awesome! I can't wait until this kid is born, I am going to teach it all about life. That kid is going to get the best lessons in life from Uncle Deano." He remarked as Harper and Roman looked at each other, worried expressions on their faces.
"Yea, please don't teach my child how to open a beer bottle with a pocket knife," remarked Roman making Dean groaned some.
"But that's the only way to do it, have to teach them young," he replied causing Roman to reach behind Dean and smack him upside the head. Dean glared rubbing the back of his head as Harper and Seth burst into laughter. "Really, that's how you treat the man that saved your girlfriend's life, see if I help you again," he grumbled out but still with a smile on his face.
As the night progressed the guys had to get ready for their match and Harper hung out with Renee before she had to go to do commentary. She was sitting in the locker room as the guys were gearing up, vests, boots etc. Roman walked over to the couch she was sitting on and held out is hand to her. She smiled and slipped her hand into his as she stood from the couch. "Baby girl, I want you down at ringside for our match," Whispered Roman making Harper smile.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for anything," she replied as she leaned up to kiss his lips gently. The guys headed to area they would be entering from and Harper waited behind the gorilla. When the Shield music blasted around the arena she felt the familiar goosebumps spread on her skin. It would never get old hearing that music play, never. When the guys had gotten into the ring and were squaring off with the Club Harper's music blared and she walked out to the cheers of the crowd. She could see the confusion on the Club's face, Aj raising an eyebrow in Roman's direction.
"What, you want to have your girl watch you get your ass handed to you, alright fine me with." Aj remarked as Harper had a smirk on her face. There was no way the Shield was going to lose to the Club, would never happen.
As the match went along Harper found herself hiding behind her hands, all of the blows seemed brutal and it was hard to watch. She watched Roman hit a spear on Aj as Dean and Seth hit double suicide dives on Luke and Karl and then get back into the ring. Harper smirked sitting up more seeing the Shield surrounding poor AJ grins on all of their faces. She watched as Roman gave the signal as Dean and Seth grabbed AJ up and propped him on Roman's shoulder and they performed their signature triple powerbomb. Then Roman dropped down covering AJ and got the three count.
The moment the ref gave the signal Harper hurried over to the apron and slide into the ring. She smiled as she walked over to Roman wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a light peck on the lips. She felt him hug her back but then he removed his arms and stepped back a bit. Harper looked at him confused as Dean walked by her and handed something to Roman. The air left Harper's lungs and a gasp tumbled from her mouth as Roman dropped down to one knee. "Baby girl I have been carrying this ring around for a month now trying to find the perfect time to give it to you. After what happened today though I realized there is no perfect time. Harper Marie Evans, I love you with every fiber of my being, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and there is nothing more that I want in this world than to be your husband. You are my best friend, my love, my soulmate, will you please make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?" He asked as tears started slipping down Harper's cheeks.
"Yes, yes Roman Reigns, I will marry you," she cried as he slipped the ring onto her finger and then gathered her into his arms swinging her around. Laughter bubbled out of both of them as the crowd cheered their approval. He finally placed her back down on her feet and kissed her lips a few times before he decided to do something else.
"You are the most amazing women I have ever meet and I can't wait to be your husband and to bring this amazing child into our lives, because guess what everyone, She's pregnant! He yelled out into the crowd as they burst into cheers and applause once more. Dean clapped Roman on the shoulder and then pulled Harper into a hug, Seth doing the same. Harper smiled hugging Roman knowing that life might throw them curve balls but as long as she had Roman she would always be safe and happy.
(sorry about how long that was, I tried to make it short as possible and still be me.)
