Archive of Our Own

Valentina wasn’t a fan of bands. She would say, with an elegant and slightly condescending smile, that her taste extended to classical music, a few operas, and famous pianists. Mozart was a constant in her office - the sonatas played softly during her most tense meetings, a sophisticated soundtrack for ruthless corporate decisions. Claudio Monteverdi transported her to another century when she needed inspiration, and even Celine Dion had a reserved place in her private playlist, although she’d never publicly admit it. Yes, she was a big fan of ballet pieces too, but only because of the orchestras. She had a classical, refined taste, cultivated over decades of privileged education and carefully curated cultural experiences. It was something she took pride in admitting.

Even though Mel wouldn’t stop telling her she needed to be more in touch with “current trends.”

“Val, you need to listen to Chappell Roan,” Mel insisted, waving her phone in front of Valentina’s face during lunch. “She’s amazing, and Pink Pony Club is literally an anthem.”

Valentina raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, observing the genuine excitement in her girlfriend’s brown eyes. At 24, Mel lived immersed in a world of viral TikToks, weekly-updated Spotify playlists, and artists whose names Valentina could barely pronounce. It was fitting for Mel’s age, Valentina rationalized. After all, when she was 24 - twenty-seven years ago - she also had her musical obsessions, though they were Chopin and Debussy.

“Mmm?” Valentina asked, frowning with an expression that tried to look casual but betrayed obvious jealousy. “What’s so special about this… Chappell Roan?”

“What?” Mel rolled her eyes dramatically, responding almost as if it were a personal insult. “She’s hot, sings well…” She paused deliberately, studying the micro-expression that crossed Valentina’s usually impassive face. A mischievous little smile began to form on her lips. “Why that face?”

“Nothing.” Valentina replied curtly, turning her attention back to the reports spread out in front of her, but her hands betrayed her agitation as they unnecessarily rearranged the papers.

“Oh, come on, Val.” Mel leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, clearly enjoying the situation. “You’re not jealous of a singer, are you?”

“I’m not.” Valentina answered way too quickly, her tone too defensive to be convincing.

“Okay.” Mel went back to looking at her phone, feigning disinterest while watching Valentina from the corner of her eye.

Valentina shook her head, trying to focus on the numbers in front of her, but her mind was somewhere else entirely.

Please. That Chappell Roan isn’t even that pretty. I could sing better than her. Maybe even dance. Her eyes narrowed as she imagined increasingly ridiculous scenarios. I could dye my hair red, or get fake nails. I’m more of a lesbian than her, I’ve been around longer. Her train of thought took an even more absurd turn: Oh my God, fuck it, I saw fucking Thanos up close. I bet she didn’t even survive the Blip.

Mel, still pretending to be absorbed in her phone, watched as Valentina ran a hand through her perfectly styled hair - another sign of nervousness she’d learned to recognize.

“You know,” Mel said casually, without looking up from the screen, “jealousy looks good on you. It brings color to your cheeks.”

“I’m not jealous, Mel!” she protested, clearly lying, huffing and letting go of the papers, which scattered across the table in a dramatic gesture that clashed completely with her usual composure.

Mel then moved closer to her, setting the phone down on the glass table with a soft click. Her hands found Valentina’s tense shoulders from behind, her fingers gliding over the expensive silk blazer before gently grasping her body, pulling her closer.

“Hey,” Mel murmured against her ear, her voice low and comforting. “You know I love being your girlfriend, right? I’d never trade you for Chappell Roan.” Her hands slid down Valentina’s arms, intertwining their fingers. “Or anyone else.”

“Mmmm.” Valentina sighed, allowing herself to relax against Mel’s warm body for a moment before turning in her executive chair. Their eyes met, and the tension in the air shifted completely.

Mel kissed her then - soft at first, then more insistent, her hands finding Valentina’s face, thumbs caressing her cheeks.

“We shouldn’t be doing this here.” Valentina murmured against her lips, but didn’t pull away. Her breath was unsteady, and she could feel her self-control dissolving. “Someone could walk in.”

“Then tell me to stop.” Mel challenged, her lips grazing Valentina’s jawline, trailing down to her neck.

That would be difficult. Valentina knew she could hardly resist when Mel was close, especially when she tried to take control of the situation - something that was happening more and more often. Mel had a particular way of tilting her head, of lowering her voice just enough so only Valentina could hear, of casually touching her arm during meetings. It was a dangerous game they played in the corporate hallways.

Their relationship was, in fact, an absolute secret. No one knew - not even the Thunderbolts. They had become masters of discretion: glances that lasted half a second too long, texts deleted immediately after being read, and “casual” encounters in the private elevator that led to Valentina’s office. It was exhausting sometimes, keeping up the façade. Valentina had to repress the urge to touch Mel’s face when she walked into her office with reports, had to pretend to be annoyed when Mel challenged her in meetings - when in reality, that boldness turned her on in ways she would never publicly admit.

During Thunderbolts meetings, they sat on opposite sides of the conference table, maintaining a carefully calculated professional distance. Valentina watched Mel speak with the confidence that had attracted her from the beginning, while pretending to be focused only on the numbers and projections. No one suspected that the most feared executive in the organization completely melted when her “employee” whispered her name in the dark.

It had all started with long nights at the office - reports that stretched into the late hours, meetings that ended when the building was already empty, and glances that lasted longer than professionally appropriate. Soon it turned into something more: fingers brushing when handing off documents, conversations drifting into personal territory, and then… Mel waking up in Valentina’s king-size bed, Italian silk sheets tangled around their bodies.

Of course, they had some rough moments in the relationship. The worst was when Mel felt insecure about Valentina’s connection with Sentry. It made her act out and betray Val in the worst possible way. It was awful. Mel still woke up some nights with the bitter taste of guilt in her mouth, remembering the look of absolute disappointment in Valentina’s eyes when she found out about the messages exchanged with Bucky. She thought she had lost Val for good - and her job.

But Valentina was willing to give her another chance - not out of pity, but because Mel had saved her life when everything fell apart. Valentina gave her more than that: a spot in the mahogany wardrobe, a toothbrush next to hers in the marble bathroom, and a delicate commitment necklace - a white gold chain with a small diamond that Mel wore under her work uniform, hidden but always present against her skin.

Mel liked this secret thing. She wasn’t complaining about being the “questionably young secret girlfriend of a billionaire.” Of course, it wasn’t about Valentina’s money - though the trips and dinners at fancy restaurants were a nice bonus to both the job and the relationship. It was about the power Valentina had. The admiration, the feeling of being seen, of being chosen by someone who could have anyone in the world - all of that made Mel love her irrationally, even though she still hadn’t said those three words out loud.

Some people didn’t understand how or why Mel was still around.

She didn’t expect them to understand, anyway. How could she explain that being Valentina’s best-kept secret was better than being anyone else’s priority?

“You always make things difficult.” Valentina murmured, but there was affection in her voice.

“I was thinking…” Mel hesitated. “If we could go to the Coldplay concert.”

She paused, watching the confused expression on Valentina’s face.

“The band, Val.”

“Of course I know Coldplay is a band, Mel.” Valentina replied, lying shamelessly.

No, she didn’t know.

“Okay.” Mel smiled, recognizing the lie but choosing not to confront it. There was something adorable about the way Valentina tried to pretend she knew pop culture. “So what do you say?”

“When?”

“Tomorrow night! They’re here on tour!” Mel said, her genuine excitement clear in her voice. “I already got VIP tickets for both of us.”

“You planned everything already, huh?” Valentina raised an eyebrow, an amused smile playing on her lips.

“Yes…” Mel hesitated, her confidence faltering for a moment. She played with the hem of her blouse, avoiding Valentina’s piercing gaze.

“Of course I love working for you and… sleeping next to you.” Her voice dropped lower, more intimate.

“But we’ve never had a real date, you know? A moment just for us that didn’t involve reports, meetings, or…”

She gestured vaguely at the office around them. “…all this.”

“Not that I’m complaining! I love what we have, it’s just that…”

Mel bit her lower lip.

“I just want to spend time with my girlfriend. For real. Without pretending we’re just boss and employee. Without looking over my shoulder to see if someone’s watching.” Her voice dropped to nearly a whisper: “I want to be able to kiss you without worrying if someone’s going to knock on the door. I want to hold your hand in public, even if it’s just for one night.”

Valentina felt the words make her body tremble involuntarily. Mel really knew how to break through the polished work façade she wore wherever she went - that mask of ruthless executive she used as armor. Her fingers lightly touched the younger woman’s waist, feeling the warmth through the thin fabric of her blouse.

“I’ve never seen such a dedicated employee.” Valentina murmured, her voice laced with double meaning. “Is all this just to be by my side?”

“Please, Val.”

Mel felt the proximity and instinctively glanced at the office’s glass wall, checking the hallway.

“Ask properly.” Valentina said, her eyes darkening with something beyond desire - it was power, control, the need to hear Mel vulnerable.

Mel swallowed hard, her heart racing.

“Doyouwanttogoonadatewithme?”

“Hm?” Valentina raised her brows, a playful smile beginning to form.

“Do you want to go on a date with me?” Mel managed to say it properly.

“Yes, I do, Mel.” Valentina’s answer came without hesitation, surprising even herself.

“I really want to.”

They leaned into each other, the space between them dangerously shrinking.

Valentina was ready to taste her girlfriend’s lips after exhausting hours of endless meetings - a little relief, finally. This concert would be good for her too; she needed a break after cleaning up the mess from the past few months and dealing with the New Avengers clinging to her like leeches, questioning every decision.

Their lips were inches apart when-

“What are you two doing?”

Yelena’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

The door opened abruptly, making Mel and Valentina pull away so fast that Mel nearly tripped over her own chair.

Valentina immediately resumed her professional posture, but her face was visibly flushed.

“Yelena.” Valentina said, her voice betraying only a slight tremor. “You should knock before entering.”

Mel tried to look busy, reorganizing papers unnecessarily, but her eyes completely avoided Yelena’s, who stood in the doorway with a curious and slightly amused expression.

“Sorry, did I interrupt something?” Yelena asked, her voice dripping with fake innocence as she leaned against the doorframe.

“N-no!” Mel answered nervously, her voice coming out higher than she intended. She cleared her throat, trying to regain composure.

“Sure? You two looked pretty close…” Yelena left the sentence hanging, her eyes dancing between the two women with barely disguised amusement.

“Mel was just helping me with some papers.” Valentina said, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

“With her hands on your waist?” Yelena raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying their discomfort.

“Interesting. I’ve never needed that kind of help.”

Mel felt her face burn, and she focused intensely on fiddling with the tablet.

“You came here just to test my patience, Yelena?” Valentina sighed deeply, massaging her temples. “Because if that’s the case, I can assure you it’s working perfectly.”

Yelena smiled, clearly satisfied with the reaction she had provoked.

“Actually, I came to talk about tomorrow’s mission, but that can wait.” She paused dramatically. “Especially if you two have… important papers to organize.”

“I’ll be unavailable tomorrow…” Valentina said thoughtfully, remembering the concert she had just agreed to with Mel. She tried to keep her tone casual, professional.

“I’m sure you can lead the team, right? If anything comes up, I can leave Walker in charge of communications…”

“He doesn’t even know how to turn the walkie-talkie on properly,” Yelena grumbled, making a face. “But it’s fine, I can handle it. It’s not my first time.”

“Great.” Valentina raised her eyebrows, clearly wanting to end the conversation. “Anything else?”

“Mmmm, nothing…” Yelena said, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt… you two.” She added with a meaningful pause. “Good to see you, Mel.”

“Hi, Yelena.”

Mel gave a brief nod, shaking her head as she tapped at the tablet with more force than necessary.

She watched the blonde walk out the door - but not before casting one last curious glance at the two women, a knowing little smirk playing on her lips. As soon as the door closed, silence hung heavy in the air for a few seconds.

“Do you think she…?” Mel began, sighing and finally lifting her eyes from the tablet.

“Of course not.” Valentina said quickly, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. “She doesn’t even remember what she had for lunch, Mel.”

She moved closer to the desk, resting her hands on the glass surface.

“Looks like the kisses will have to wait.”

Mel let out a long sigh, the frustration clear on her face.

─────── ⋅💌⋅ ───────

“So Yelena told me Valentina won’t be leading tomorrow’s mission.”

Bucky’s voice appeared suddenly behind Mel, who had been focused on her tablet.

He always did that - showing up out of nowhere like a shadow - and she nearly jumped in surprise this time. Her heart raced, but not for the reason Bucky probably expected.

“Yeah…” Mel replied without looking up from the screen, trying to keep her tone neutral.

She liked Bucky as a person, but she’d been deliberately keeping her distance ever since his interest had become a problem in her relationship with Valentina. And also… she just wasn’t into him the way he seemed to be into her. A friendship would be enough, if he could accept that.

“Looks like I’ll be spending time by your side during the mission too,” Bucky said, and she could hear the smile in his voice.

“We could share a car, if that’s okay with you.”

“Hm… I’m actually not going on the mission tomorrow either.”

Mel finally looked up, meeting that hopeful gaze that made her feel guilty.

“Oh.”

Bucky’s expression changed, clear disappointment in his blue eyes.

“Why not?”

Panic took over Mel.

She needed an excuse - anything that sounded plausible.

“I have a date!”

The words escaped before she could think of something better, and she immediately regretted the choice.

Bucky went silent for a moment, processing the information.

“A date?”

“Y-yeah.” Mel stammered, feeling awful. “It’s something… important.”

“Sure.” Bucky said, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Someone I know?”

Shit. Mel felt cold sweat at the back of her neck.

“No, it’s… someone from outside work.”

Bucky was quiet for a long moment, processing the information. Mel could almost see the gears turning in his mind, but he didn’t say anything.

“Good luck on your… date, Mel.” Bucky finally said, his voice carefully neutral. “You can call me if anything goes wrong, I’ll come rescue you.”

“Thanks, Bucky… you’re a great friend.”

“It’s weird that you and Valentina have plans on the same day,” he commented casually. “As if you two are never apart.”

“It’s just a coincidence.” Mel’s blood ran cold.

“Weird coincidence.” Bucky repeated. Then, as if he had come to some internal conclusion, he gave a short nod. “Well, have fun… both of you, on your respective dates.”

He walked off, and Mel could finally breathe again. Her hands were trembling slightly as she gripped the tablet.

No one suspected, right? She tried to convince herself, mentally replaying the conversation. She didn’t even tell Bucky she was going out with a woman. There was no way they could suspect it was Valentina.

It was all just a coincidence. A weird coincidence.

Mel looked toward the door he’d just walked through, a knot of discomfort settling in her stomach. Maybe she was being paranoid, but something about the way he said it… like he knew more than he let on. She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away.

Tomorrow night would be perfect. It had to be. They deserved a night just for them, away from curious eyes and uncomfortable questions.

Just a coincidence, she repeated to herself.

Nothing more.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

─────── ⋅💌⋅ ───────

Valentina was perfect. The black silk dress hugged her elegant silhouette-simple but sophisticated-exactly the kind of outfit she would choose. Mel wore a red dress that clung perfectly to her curves, the vibrant color beautifully contrasting with her skin. Still, her full attention was on the older woman who had been looking at her with a tender and possessive gaze ever since they left the house and all the way to the concert.

The feeling of Valentina intertwining their hands in public, not caring if anyone was watching, was absolutely wonderful.Mel looked around at the people nearby as they walked to the VIP area-couples, groups of friends, all immersed in their own bubbles of happiness. For the first time, they could just be one more couple in love among the crowd.

“Are you happy?” Valentina asked, leaning in to be heard above the buzz of the crowd as the show began.

“Yes… I’m really happy to be here with you, Val.”

Mel was finally able to kiss her-in public-without worrying again.

Valentina’s hands naturally moved to her waist, pulling her closer.

“I’m also really happy to be here with you, sweetheart.” Valentina said, smiling in a way Mel rarely saw-genuine and completely relaxed.

Soon the show really started. The lights went out, and the crowd roared in anticipation.

“So… what’s your favorite song?” Valentina asked, trying to seem interested as the first song played.

Chris Martin appeared on stage and Fix You began to echo through the stadium, golden lights washing over the crowd.

“I like ‘The Scientist’,” Mel replied, her eyes shining as she focused on the performance, humming softly.

“God, you’re so beautiful.” Valentina murmured into her ear, wrapping her arms even tighter around Mel’s waist. “I can’t wait to take that dress off you.”

“Let’s just watch the show first.” Mel laughed, kissing her quickly. “You promised.”

“I’ll listen to as many songs as I need to if it means I get to have you tonight.” Valentina said, her voice husky with desire.

“Vaaal.” Mel blushed, feeling the heat rising up her neck. “If you keep talking like that, I won’t be able to focus on Chris Martin.”

Valentina frowned, genuinely confused. “Who’s Chris Martin?”

“Seriously, Val?” Mel said, incredulous but amused. “He’s the lead singer of the band.”

She pointed to the stage where he was lit by spotlights, his voice filling the stadium.

Valentina followed Mel’s gaze, observing the man on stage with polite interest. “Ah. He’s… talented.”

Mel shook her head, laughing, and turned back to the show.

“Do you want something to drink?” Valentina asked as she grabbed a few of the gourmet appetizers laid out for VIP guests.

Mel nodded, accepting a cold beer as they continued watching the show.

Mel hummed along to a few songs, completely immersed in the experience, and Valentina’s hands naturally returned to her waist, her chin resting affectionately on Mel’s shoulder. It was perfect-just like Mel had dreamed it would be.

“This song is about you.” Mel said softly as the first notes began.

“Hm?” Valentina murmured, curious.

Yellow started playing. Mel turned to face her, and Valentina could feel how deeply Mel loved her through the intense look she gave her. The song filled the space between them, each word loaded with meaning:

Your skin

Oh, yeah, your skin and bones

Turn into something beautiful

Do you know

You know I love you so?

You know I love you so?

The words seemed to float in the air between them, and Valentina felt something shift in her chest-a feeling she had kept carefully locked away for so long.

“Mel.” Valentina leaned in, kissing her even more intensely than before, her hands finding the younger woman’s face. When they pulled apart, she whispered against her lips. “I love you too.”

Mel felt every fiber of her body freeze for a moment, like time itself had stopped.

Her heart pounded so hard she was sure Valentina could feel it through the dress.

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes-not from sadness, but from a happiness so intense she could barely process it.

Valentina’s fingers touched her neck delicately, wiping away a single tear that had escaped.

“Hey.” She murmured, smiling with a tenderness Mel had never seen before. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

“They’re happy tears.” Mel managed to say, her voice thick with emotion. “I… I’ve been waiting so long to hear that. I love you so much, Val.”

“I know.” Valentina said, her fingers gently stroking Mel’s face. “Nothing in this world will ever separate us, okay? You’re mine forever, pretty girl.”

“You knew?” Mel asked, surprised. “Since…?”

“Since you saved me from the Sentry.” Valentina answered, a shadow passing over her eyes at the memory. “You really know how to handle a gun.”

“I did that… for you. For love.” Mel said, her voice firm despite the tears. “I’d do it all again.”

“That’s why it’s so easy to love you, Mel,” Valentina murmured. “But I don’t understand how you fell for me. I’m not a good person, sweetheart. I’ve killed countless people and I don’t regret a single life I took.”

The vulnerability in Valentina’s voice was rare, almost painful to hear.

Mel held her face in both hands, forcing her to keep eye contact.

“Because it’s hard to love you,” Mel said, her voice filled with conviction. “Val, I’m not looking for a hero to save me or some fairytale prince. I don’t want to marry a perfect guy and live a miserable life next to someone I don’t love. I like danger, the things we do together… I like you and I’m not going anywhere. This is the life I want-by your side. With all your shadows, with all your demons. I choose you, Contessa. Always.”

Around them, Coldplay’s music continued playing, but the world had narrowed to that single moment of brutal honesty and unconditional love.

Valentina closed her eyes for a second, as if absorbing every word.

When she opened them again, something had changed in her gaze-acceptance, maybe, or surrender.

“You’re crazy.” She whispered, but there was admiration in her voice.

“Crazy for you.” Mel replied, smiling through her tears.

Valentina leaned in, kissing her again-this time more intensely, her hands moving down to grab Mel’s ass, pulling her even closer.

“The show’s almost over.” Valentina murmured against her lips.

“Mmmm, what do you wanna do next?” Mel asked, her breath unsteady.

“I booked a suite for the two of us nearby.” Valentina said, her voice husky with desire. “I want to see what’s underneath that dress.”

“I wore something special for you…” Mel teased, a provocative smile playing on her lips.

As they lost themselves in hot caresses, completely absorbed in each other, they didn’t notice the concert’s Kiss Cam had landed on them.

Suddenly, the crowd’s cheers turned deafening as the couple appeared on the giant screen, kissing passionately-and the stadium exploded with euphoria.

Mel instinctively ducked as she realized it, and Valentina pulled away abruptly, trying to step out of the frame.

Panic hit them like a cold wave as they stared at each other in horror and shame.

Shit.

The screen switched to another couple, but the damage was done.

“You think…” Mel stammered, her voice barely audible. “You think someone recorded that?”

“I don’t know.” Valentina said, swallowing hard. Her mind was already calculating the potential damage-social media, the press, the Thunderbolts…

“What do we do?” Mel felt panic settle in like ice in her veins.

“We go to the hotel. This is something to worry about later.” Valentina shrugged, trying to sound casual, but the panic was obvious in her voice. “I need a chardonnay and to get you out of that white lingerie.”

“How do you know I picked that one?” Mel asked, trying to distract herself from the looming disaster.

“Because it’s my favorite.” Valentina kissed her again, and Mel laughed nervously.

Maybe no one had filmed it, Mel tried to convince herself. It was only a few seconds on the big screen. No reason to panic, right?

But deep down, she knew the truth. Caught kissing her boss-one of the most powerful executives in the world-current CIA Director-at a Coldplay concert broadcast live…

The CIA Director in a secret relationship with her subordinate.

The most powerful woman in American intelligence compromised by a workplace romance.

Valentina being forcefully outed, with a controversially younger girlfriend.

The first lesbian CIA Director exposed on national television.

This wasn’t just a corporate scandal. It was a national security disaster.

Mel shook her head, trying not to think about the implications as she and Valentina walked away hand in hand, trying to keep up appearances.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ