Chapter Text
Growing up as a problem child, Kate had come to know the look of utter disappointment well. Even having become accustomed to it for years when she had done something her mother utterly disagreed with or even just being Kate. So, when it’s aimed at her with the intent to hurt and cause guilt, she wasn’t entirely surprised as she heard small insults and profanities coming from her mother as the cops maneuvered her mother into the back of one of their vehicles. That look which spoke in volumes and crashed her resolves is all it took for the brunettes to crumbles completely.
Her body sore and emotions teetering on the verge of a rampage, the archer could tell that her system was still in shock from her actions. She knew that she had done the right thing – despite being the one thing she swore she would never do. Even if it had been right, it still felt like she was in the wrong. Her mother would soon be behind bars. And it would be because of Kate.
Tears freely slipped down her cheeks as she stood there in the open, her eyes blowing wide when the police stepped towards her with no sign of Kingpin in their hold. Panic rose swiftly like a knife plunging through her chest that caused a shortage of breath in her lungs as she stood there. The voices of the police not quite penetrating the fog that had seemed to engulf her mind in its icy grasp as she could do nothing more than stare at the location where she had left the bulk of a man only minutes before out cold. She knew that with him free, her mother could still very much be put into danger.
With him alive, there was still a chance of him coming for Kate and making her pay for what she had done against him by using those close to her.
Having ripped apart his operation with the benefit of her mother walking away despite being behind bars, she knew that there would be a grudge held against her. And what better way to cause Kate harm than using the very woman who had given her life and raised her, against the young archer.
She knew that the grudge that had grown between her and her mother was great, considering their relationship after this. And thought she didn’t necessarily care on what her mother thought of her, the fact of the matter was that Eleanor had killed a living and breathing man for so little.
That hate, would grow. That urge to even the odds would blossom into something more that would push her mother forward onto revenge. Kate knew it would. She could feel it deep within her gut as she stood there terrified for her life and those she associated with.
Slipping heavy lids closed and taking a deep breath to calm her racing mind, the young archer tried to clear her thoughts while every so often drifting to the matter considering…
Oh god… Clint!
Snapping hazel green orbs open as she darted for the ice ring where the felled tree she had brought down only an hour before remained, Kate looked around frantically. Her eyes searching for the Avenger and Widow who had been fighting when she had fled to help her mother. Both were nowhere to be seen. The only thing that remained behind being those of the Tracksuit Gang who had served Kingpin – well, those who had been knocked out during the fight early on.
Panic stirred her blood once again as a blood-spattered hand reached up and buried itself in the ponytail of her curly hair. Her body trembling as she nipped at her bottom lip in worry as she jumped over the railing, her body turning here and there in search for the purple and black clothed Avenger.
“Clint?!” She cried out, her voice shaky and mind teetering along the edges of screaming when a hand grasped hold of her arm and pulled her backwards.
A scream tore from her throat as she was dragged into a body that was only a few inches shorter. Her mind short circuiting as another grabbed hold of the back of her neck and pushed her forward till her face was buried into a shoulder for her to cry on. She could smell the under hints of musk and something treading along cinnamon. A mixture of blood and something like citrus perfume clinging to the woman’s clothes as she held on tight during her fit.
Confusion was painted on the young Bishop’s face when she glanced up behind the Widow who held her, her arms immediately wrapping around the smaller woman who could very easily end her as she stared at the sight before her. The man who had become something of a father figure to her in the last week was standing there, mostly unharmed despite the few blood trails that dribbled from his temple.
Clint effing Barton was alive and well even though he had been hunted by the very woman who was keeping her ensnared in her hold.
And to her surprise, he had even taken to relaxing in the presence of the Widow – despite his face being cinched with emotions she was keen not to know. The look of worry could be seen through the haze of tears she fought against, her heart tightening in her chest as relief and guilt rushed through her from what she had done and what had been done against both Avenger and Widow. Red could be seen on parts of his uniform. But as she wiped at the tears that had won the battle of her will, she knew they were none threatening.
Through her fit of tears and crying into the shoulder of the Widow who held her, Kate could feel her head growing fuzzy with exhaustion as she buried her face into the woman’s neck.
It was a surprise that Yelena did not pull away for the next passing minutes. Remaining completely still as she held onto the young archer as she tired herself out, and even took to glaring down anyone and everyone who tried to approach them. It did not matter if they were friend or foe. If they came close, her immediate response was to glare with the promise of pain if they ignored her warning. Her hands had tightened on the young woman as her arms drew her closer, her chin resting comfortingly on the brunette’s crown as one hand petted the back of her hair in attempt to soothe her.
“Kate, I know it’s hard. But I promise you’ll be okay. You got us, kiddo.” Kate could hear Clint trying to reason with her, his hand resting on the top of her head as he shot a worrying look towards the assassin. They both knew she had no remaining family. And that no matter what happened between now and later, if Jack ever decided to take her in despite her mother’s betrayal, she would be an outcast. She had no one to turn to. It was only them, who remained.
“Katie?” Yelena breathed softly into the archer’s ear, careful not to jostle the younger woman as she pulled away slightly to cup the brunette’s face in the palm of her hands. Her eyes locking with the beautiful hazel green of the woman who had come to befriend her even though she had attempted to kill her hero. “Can you listen to me for a moment?” She spoke gently, her thumbs reaching up to wipe away the tears that pained her to see as the young archer who was so keen on being the happy go lucky type becoming a crumbling shell of who she once was.
When the archer could only nod her head in response while chewing at her bottom lip and splitting the flesh open ever so slightly, the assassin took her chance to snap the woman from her breakdown. “I know it hurts losing your mother. But you did the right thing. You saved lives by doing what you did, and…” Yelena could only pause as she gave the taller woman a gentle smile that could possibly bring her back to the Widow and Avenger. “Do you remember when you told me to sit and listen to what Barton had to say? To hear the full story on what had happened to Tasha?”
“Yeah…” Kate choked.
“I took your advice, malenkiy yastreb [little hawk]. Even if I did try to kill him while I listened.” Yelena chuckled, trying to make light of the situation even though she knew the severity of the entire outcome and what it could possibly do to the younger woman.
And it worked. A small laugh slipped past the brunette’s lips as she pulled away, wiping her tears and face with the sleeve of her costume. Her head hurt, the crying the fear of almost losing her mentor, and the guilt added to it. “That does not make me feel any better. But I will admit it is hilarious.” She mused, smiling even though it hardly reached her eyes as she attempted to calm the raging storm inside. She knew that crying would help no one. Least of all herself.
And no matter how much she wished for it, it could not fix what had already transpired. Nor would it help the simple fact that her mother would never forgive her for her betrayal.
It didn’t help, that turning your own mother in to the police was something of a bitch move. Especially when she was one of the richest people in New York. And the words she had caught from some of the officers who had taken her away had made the archer feel as if she was no longer welcome in the city she had been raised and born in. She wanted to get away. The news that would soon travel would end up painting a target onto her back as a backstabber to her own blood. Reporters would more than likely tell everyone that she was nothing more than a kid with a hero complex who so willingly turned in their innocent mother in attempt to become famous.
They always found ways to cover up the truth. And with recent run ins during the years, she knew that it was bound to happen despite it being false. With no proof, it was her word against theirs.
Anger ran deep through her blood as she stood there painting a carefree picture for the two veterans before her, a smile hiding away the pain and anger she felt as her body seemed to relax to keep them from noticing how much tension the young woman held within. The urge to step up to someone and smack them as hard as she could was something she had to fight. To vent her frustrations with half an idea to give into her instincts that screamed for her to hunt down Kingpin and end him once and for all.
But she knew that she was nothing like a killer. People seemed to enjoy pushing others to the brink. To watch as they turned into something they weren’t. And as Kate stood there watching as the two spoke on what was to happen, she knew that she was going to disappoint many who had their money on whether she would dirty her hands with the blood of her enemies.
The moment she ever killed in a means to vent her anger; she would become a monster just like her mother. To be a beast in the eyes of those she cared for. And though blood tainted the hands of the Avenger and Widow, she knew she would not disappoint them.
Everything would be okay. She would be okay.