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#ink.nat
inkblot-inc · 28 days
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Cruisin' For A Bruisin'
Summary: The crew is on a much needed (and definitely deserved) vacation from hero-ing about. It's important to remember that you can plan out a trip, but you can't anticipate everything that happens on said trip.
Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Mutant!TigerShark!Reader
[AU Masterlist] Arc 2: This is Part 1
Warning(s): This one's pretty wholesome for the most part, but I will say there are some descriptions of violence. Also strong language, but if you've been here long enough you know that-
Note(s): WELCOME TO ARC 2 BAYBEE! Jaws is back and I could not be any more excited to get back into this shit! As far as I can tell arc 2 is definitely gonna be longer than arc 1, but I hope y'all enjoy :3
Word Count: Skidding pass 2.9k
*squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit!
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It'd been a little over a year since you'd joined the Avengers. There were certainly a few incidents here and there, the biggest being the dismantling of the Red Room which, incidentally, led to Natasha reuniting with her folks.
It was certainly one way to meet your girlfriend's family, that's for sure...
Things seemed to finally take time to settle, at least for a little while.
It was newly June and you along with Natasha, Wanda, and Vision were set to go on the cruise trip you'd booked around Christmas time last year.
---
"How were you able to swing two months off mission calls, babe?" You looked up from packing your suitcase at Natasha's voice, a small smirk growing on your face.
You made your way over to Natasha before wrapping your arms around her waist. "Well, I'm still not greenlit to go out in the field for a slew of reasons, Wanda's only put on for specific assignments, Vision's her plus one, and you have, what? Three years' worth of PTO? We're in the clear, Natty. The team will be fine for a month or two."
Natasha let out a hum of agreement before she brought you closer for a kiss. "That- and you harassed Tony to figure it out."
You raised a brow in mock confusion, "I thought that part was obvious." Your mouth pulled into a genuine gleaming smile as you got a laugh out of Natasha as she wrapped her own arms around your neck. "You're a menace."
"Is that meant to be a bad thing?" Your lips met in another kiss.
"Never a bad thing."
As the two of you finished packing, you met up with Wanda in the Common Room of the compound, where she was talking with Vision. The atmosphere was sullen with only one set of bags on the couch.
"What's goin' on? Did they not have SPF50 at the Walgreens?" You set yours and Natasha's bags down before going to get the keys to the Quinjet. "I'm sure we could find robo-sunscreen on the way, man."
Vision looked at the back of his hand for a good second. "I don't think I would need protection from the sun, seeing as my skin is-"
You came and wrapped your arm around the synthezoid's neck, jangling the jet keys by his ear. "Joking! Again. If anything, we'll just cook eggs on you when you overheat like a copper pan. We aren't gonna be on an air-conditioned boat the whole time you know." And just like that, the light atmosphere you'd created sunk back down as Wanda and Vision looked at each other. You looked between the two in clear confusion, "Alright, what's the deal?"
Vision eyed Wanda for a bit longer before turning to look at you and Natasha, who just came into the room. "I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany the three of you on this vacation. I will be remaining on call."
You tossed the Quinjet keys to Natasha as she came further into the room. "That's ridiculous, we all sent in time off notices weeks before now. How'd this even come about?"
Vision let out a sigh, "Captain Rogers came to me with concerns of being understaffed during the next few months with the search for HYDRA operatives still ongoing; With Dr. Banner still off-world, Mr. Barton indisposed with his with his family, and Mr. Stark only expected half of the time, it is rather easy for me to see Captain Rogers' point. Out of the four of us approved for time off, it was determined that I would be the one to stay behind in case of emergency."
---
You'd spent the cruise enjoying each stop between Hawaii and French Polynesia, and it's been anything but a normal experience with you around as the agent of chaos.
Wanda made sure to get plenty of pictures to cement the new memories. There's photos of you "hugging" a manta ray, Wanda and Natasha relaxing on the beach in Bora Bora, several pictures at dinner, and even one of all three of you having an absolute ball watching one of the night shows in Samoa.
Your most recent picture was a group one after you laid on a blowhole in Savai'i. You almost gave the nearby family of five a heart attack, but it was still fun to do.
The last two weeks have been a welcome break for the three of you. Despite some of your more "peculiar" ways of having fun, this has been a freeing and relaxing time. No missions, no threats; a true vacation.
Wanda was currently in her cabin across the hall from yours and Natasha's on her nightly call with Vision. Next time he had to come, Steve be damned. Wanda was a good sport about it when Vision was called in at the last minute, but you all wished he was here as well.
Natasha had taken to video calling with Yelena as well, though they weren't as frequent with her being on her own mission.
You had your own time to talk with Yelena that mainly consisted of her cosigning whatever fuckery you were up to on your vacation.
Part of it might be just to get a reaction out of Natasha.....Which she always did-
It was wonderful to see Natasha just unwound and be less serious, Yelena is one of those people that just pulls it out of her.
Their Relationship had noticeably improved since they were brought back together last year, after learning more about each other that they hadn't had the privilege to learn before, having been separated for their most formative years.
-----
You and Natasha sat on the secluded deck connected to your cabin. The open air was refreshing as you let Natasha lean back into your arms, watching the sunset on the water.
"I'll be honest and say that I can't choose between Tahiti or Savai'i,"
You placed your head on top of Natasha's. "It's always going to be Enoka for me. It was so long ago, but can remember the views on the island as clear as day." Your words were less clear, almost like you were talking through your teeth. "The white sand beaches occupied by damn near everyone in the mornings, green peaks covered in flowers, the quiet that surrounded the deep waters at night... Seeing the sun make everything above me glimmer while it was up high in the sky. Those small "nothing" memories are one of the few things I haven't lost to time... I just wish I had pictures to show it to you."
Natasha slowly rubbed your forearm that was across her stomach as she encouraged your rare moment of open vulnerability. "Well that's why we're doing this. Making new memories closer to home..."
You focused on the soothing gesture as you thought of those same flickering pictures taken through a toddling interpretation.
In the morning you, Natasha, and Wanda were going to part from the cruise ship and make your way to where Enoka would be via a smaller, personal yacht (paid for by you, modified by Tony, who was convinced to do so by Pepper).
There's nothing that could ruin this moment for you. With two of your favorite people by your side, you were going to visit what's no more than a watery lump of land that once was your home and put it to rest for good.
-----
After leaving the cruise ship, Wanda focused on directing the three of you through the smaller crowds of people walking in the opposite direction away from the docks. "What's this boat called again? Delilah?"
Natasha unfolded the small piece of paper in her hand to reread the messy script, "The Blue Delilah. It should be near the end of the pier."
You grasped one of their wrists in each hand, "It's just up ahead!" Both Wanda and Natasha cringed slightly as you just barely missed bulldozing a group of people on your way to the boat that turned out to be a custom Sunseeker 76 yacht.
before the three of you boarded the yacht, a brown-haired man wearing thin rectangular glasses came up to the three of you with a gleam in his eyes. Your eyes narrowed at the camera in his hand before he even started speaking. "I'm really sorry to bother the three of you, but you're Avengers, right?"
You just blankly stared at the man while Natasha, while also on guard, she was more cordial when she addressed the man. "We're not exactly on duty right now, but did you want something?"
Wanda noticed that there was a dark haired woman not too far behind him simply staring at the yacht before looking toward the three of you. The bespectacled man, who began perspiring the longer you stared him down, jumped to answer. "I just wanted to get a picture with you guys, my wife and I are really grateful that you all are around to protect us."
The three of you looked at each other. While all of you weren't keen on taking pictures, the couple seemed harmless enough, Wanda read as much from both of their thoughts. The man, Graydon, was both nervous and excited; worried that he'd come off as a creep that was bothering them. His wife, Tara, had a similar train of thought in not wanting to bother the three public. Tara's mind was notably much quieter than her husband's; presumably the result of a calming tactic.
Wanda mentally relayed this to both you and Natasha before the three of you finished wordlessly discussing the matter. With Natasha nodding, Wanda spoke to the couple. "One picture wouldn't hurt."
Graydon's face lit up as he gestured for his wife to come closer, essentially saying they were in the clear. Tara came to stand on the other side of Wanda while Graydon went to find a passerby to take the picture on his camera. After he showed a willing older man how to snap the photo, he stood on the right of Natasha with a rather dorky thumbs up.
You left your mask on, put you arms over Natasha's and Wanda's shoulders and squinted your eyes a bit to give the illusion of a more positive emotion on your face as the brief flash irritated your eyes.
After the picture was taken, Graydon rushed over to the volunteer cameraman to see how it came out. Tara turned to Wanda with a small smile as she exited her personal space after a small shaking of hands. " Thank you for indulging us, and it really is a pleasure to meet you, Misty Red."
Wanda watched the dark-haired woman walk away in confusion. "Misty Red? Who's that?" Natasha raised a single brow while all you did was laugh at Wanda's expense.
Natasha's confusion didn't last long with her own deduction skills. "Apparently that's what the people are calling you," a slow smirk made it's way to Natasha's lips as you were still laughing, "I mean, it does makes sense." The redhead was the first to turn and make her way toward the ramp of the yacht.
"I can't decide if they made you sound like a wrestler or a porn star! I just-" You broke another bout of laughter.
Wanda's eyes narrowed at your juvenile line of thought as she crossed her arms. "It isn't even that funny, Jaws. You're just milking it at this point,"
You took a second to recover from your laughter, "It's funny to me. You don't gotta get it cuz I think it's funny. There's no shame in what you do, Wandy."
Natasha rose her shoulders as she continued to make her way onto the boat. "That's just what happens when you let the public name you."
Wanda almost felt the need to defend her lack of an alias, "I didn't think it had to be very high on my list of priorities!"
You lightly pushed the brunette forward and up the ramp to The Blue Delilah. "Uh huh, get on the boat, Misty Red."
---
When You, Natasha, and Wanda all made it onto The Blue Delilah, a smaller inconspicuous boat pulled off behind it at the same time, noticing that the yacht had a discreet Stark Industries logo. Their plan isn't clear at the moment, but it is clear that they're tailing The Blue Delilah. They follow a long way behind, but have their own tracker placed on the ship so they don't lose the yacht.
The three of you were on the private yacht for about four days so far travelling to Enoka.
Note: All citizens of Enoka have the location of Enoka ingrained in their brains, so Jaws always knows where it is. This is a similar practice for the inhabitants of a certain other living island...
As you got closer to the island, it was clear that it's not completely submerged, but it definitely looks different to how you remember.
The goal now was to see if there were any inhabitants on the island that were still alive and who survived the flood over a decade ago.
You didn't voice it, but there was a new sense of anxiousness and hope that started brewing in you at the prospect of going home.
Maybe there actually was a "home" there left...
-----
About a day out from the Island, the engine to The Blue Delilah seemed to stutter, so you went to check it out and before you reach the engine room on the back pad, you noticed large ripples from something that dove back into the water.
Soon after you heard sounds of a struggle on the yacht and booked it back to where Wanda and Natasha were.
There were two attackers engaged in fighting with the two women, four were on the floor unconscious already. It's rather bold for a group of six, well seven.
Jaws grabbed the arm of the seventh attacker that tried to sneak up on them and threw them over their shoulder.
The attacker you were dealing with was a woman and she had armor that stood out a bit more than the others; she had less of it, toned brown skin shown through the large gaps between the armor pieces, and the shoulders were a bit more prickly and menacing in comparison.
'Definitely their leader.'
You raised an eyebrow at the sort of reptilian bone mask obscuring most of the woman's face. "What, were you too good for Bleach?"
You can see the woman visibly squint behind her mask before she grabs two daggers from their place on her hips, "I know fuckin' Kisame isn't talkin' about me, "
Your own eyes narrowed at her retort. 'Well fuck you, too.'
With both of you having been insulted by the other, the two of you rushed each other. The two of you were essentially going blow for blow for a while before you knocked the bone mask off of your attacker's face.
It revealed more dusky brown skin, a few scars on her face and a tattoo of some kind under her right eye. The woman turned to face you fully, wiping blood off the corner of her lip. "You might be one of the more skilled pirates I've come across. It's a shame I consider your life past tense already."
Suddenly, the woman then tackled you off the yacht, knocking your breathing apparatus off in the process, hoping to hold you down and drown you herself. Her daggers reaching to slice at your now exposed neck.
Putting her knife up to your neck, she then notices the gills on each side of it, which throws her off.
It's then, underwater, that she gets a good look at you before her eyes widen considerably, confusing you.
"Y/n, is that really you?"
There's that name, your name. Hardly anyone called you by your given name when you were little, and you hardly cared, but...
"Ys tath uyo, Y/n?"
Your own eyes widen at the familiar language coming from this woman's mouth. Only one person would really insist on using it back then...
"Sienna?"
And with that one word, the woman threw her daggers to the side leaving them to float in the water away from the two of you before tightly wrapping her arms around your neck. You hug her back just so.
After the two of you pulled away, she almost immediately slapped you with a new fire in her molten brown eyes.
"Agh shit! Did you grow talons?!" It wasn't hard enough to actually hurt, but you definitely felt the woman's nails drag across your face.
"Ehrwe ni eth FUCK veah uyo eneb?! Y thugoth uy' DDEA lla heste rayse!"
Sienna went to smack you again before you held both of her wrists in your hands to keep her at bay, your eyebrows furrowed. "Y itd'dn eyrall cieded ot velae, ni cesa uy' omowesh trogof!"
Sienna shook her head as she struggled to get free of your grip, her dark locs waving wildly in under the water. "Elt og of 'em! Y vat'ehn retnotfog shit!" Sienna then began to try and kick at you to let her go, so you brought her into another hug as she resisted.
Her attempts grew more and more feeble as the power behind her punches to your chest fizzled out. It was only then that you realized she was crying.
Sienna's voice was raw and heavy with emotion, "Ehrwe ddi uyo og?! Y odloke nad Y odloke nad Y odloke lla rove rof uyo..."
You let her sob into your chest as you held her, floating in the underwater quiet.
"Y'm ghrit ehre, sersit."
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** footnote: I wanted to use a completely different script for the Enokan language being spoken, but I couldn't find a way to import it so that it was shown, so instead I made a simple code using typoglycemia (aka just unscramble the letters of each word). To make it so that it didn't look as clunky, I sometimes replaced (i) with (y). Some words that end with vowels may have an apostrophe that takes the place of the vowel. Apostrophes can also be found at the beginning of words with vowels for fluidity's sake. I didn't think swears should be scrambled cuz that just *looks* off to me. The point of these changes is to have this resemble a spoken language more than it is a blatant tactic to confuse you.
Here's a word unscrambler in case you need it
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inkblot-inc · 21 days
Text
Surf and Turf
Summary: After getting both groups acquainted with each other, it's time to return to apparently not-so-missing isle...
Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Mutant!TigerShark!Reader
[AU Masterlist] Arc 2: [Part 1] This is Part 2
Warning(s): Not much for this one, maybe keep you eyes peeled for strong language? It's a pretty tame chapter tbh
Note(s): We got another one for arc 2! There aren't as many interactions with our main three in this chapter, but that's cuz there's some other dialogue and exposition i wanted to get in there first. display some other relationships and whatnot. i hope you enjoy nonetheless :3
Word Count: a bit more than 1.4k
*squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit!
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Both you and Sienna made your way back up to the surface, climbing back onto The Blue Delilah.
While the two of you were underwater, Wanda and Natasha had incapacitated the last two “attackers” and managed to tie them up.
It really wasn’t a fair fight with Wanda there…
The squelch of your wet boots alerted both of them that you made it back onto the boat.
Noticing Sienna behind you, Wanda and Natasha were both ready to get back into it, but you stopped them before they could.
-----
You hold your hands out in a placating manner, “Alright alright, hold on just a sec! everybody can chill the fuck out”
Natasha raises a brow before lowering the gun in her hand. “Hearing that from you? Forgive me for my surprise but,” her gaze goes from you to the rather unwelcoming woman next to you. “Negotiating has never really been your thing, Jaws.”
Wanda nods along, moving all the assailants’ weapons to the opposite end of the boat out of reach. “I have to agree.”
A small sigh pushed past your lips, “Fortunately, I didn’t have to negotiate much at all,” you rested a hand on Sienna’s shoulder. “Natasha, Wanda, I’d like for you to meet Sienna; she’s my older sister.”
Both Wanda and Natasha were struck silent by this new information. Cuz how to you really respond to that?
Sienna kept her arms crossed as she stepped forward, “We can talk more when we arrive on Enoka.”
Your eyes widened as you finally had time to connect the rest of the dots and understand the implications of Sienna even being alive. “You mean Enoka is?-”
A bit of a warmer expression started to break through Sienna’s features as she addressed you. “Not without change, but she is alive and well, yes.”
---
You’d went back to steering The Blue Delilah while Sienna untied the other “attackers” that Natasha and Wanda had put out of commission.
The three of you found out that they were members of Sienna’s guard that patrolled the waters surrounding Enoka with her.
The six guardsmen, three men and three women, had warily introduced themselves at Sienna's insistence.
They largely kept to themselves as they were a group of few words... at least around the strangers they were keeping the company of, of which no one could really blame them. They saw no issue in having Sienna speak for them.
Sienna had mentioned that there were pirates that got a little too close to Enoka's jurisdiction lately, and the locals were particularly antsy at the number of potential incidents in the past few months.
Sienna had to up the number of patrols they went out on during the day due to this.
While you, Natasha and Wanda had no real idea who these "pirates" could be, independent or affiliated, there were plenty of desperate people coming out of the woodwork for answers and solutions in a post-Ultron world.
------------
While the three of you were getting the full explanation from Sienna and her guard, it was unfortunate that they’d essentially cut their patrol off early to bring you back to Enoka. If Sienna and her guardsmen had continued their patrol, they more than likely would have come across the smaller boat tailing The Blue Delilah from a good distance away…
-----
The sun was starting to set when you saw the first bit of land; vibrant greens mixed with stone surfaces and accompanied by beaches surrounding the edges. It was like the familiarity of it was fitting together long lost pieces to the abandoned puzzle of memories you had.
“It’s just been here all this time and I didn’t even know…”
Sienna came to stand next to you, “But you did know, Y/n. Your connection to Enoka was never severed, that’s evident in you knowing exactly where she rests. You’d know if the island was truly gone. Eth lyon equsont' Y veah ys hyw ti okot uy' os goln ot ocem ckab su."
You rubbed the back of your neck, unsure how to give a full enough answer. “I was a bit preoccupied…to say the fuckin’ least anyways.”
Sienna merely eyed you for a second, giving you another once over now that she was closer. "Esod sith veah githanny ot od whit eth wot ahnum mewno tath uyo bugorth whit uyo? Uyor necst 's citapullryra tenetccandor no eth hedraed."
You clear your throat suddenly at the abrupt mention of Wanda and Natasha. both of whom were more than alert while keeping an eye on your other "guests" by the back end of the boat. "Somewhat. I mean, it's more than a little complicated, but they've both helped me. A ton. And their Names are Natasha and Wanda...... Natasha 's eth ostyn hedraed tath alos spaneph ot eb 'm niirfrgeld, sersit."
You glanced toward the end of the main deck where you caught Natasha's eye. Once Natasha noticed your attention was on her, she turned her head to face you. She wasn't the closest one to you at the moment, so it wasn't out of place for her to keep an eye and ear out for you.
Natasha raised an inquiring brow at your continued staring before you sent her a sharp smirk with a wink. You kept your body half turned in her direction before focusing back on the conversation you were having with Sienna.
Sienna observed the small interaction silently before she looked away from you and out onto the water, taking a second to think before speaking up again. “Sey, lewl, Enoka 's chum mesrall athn uyo ghimt bremeerm foeber eth ofdol." She let out a sigh before she turned and put her hand on your shoulder to get your attention. “Let me steer this thing so I can take you to the entrance.”
“The entrance?”
“I told you Enoka was not was not without change after all these years.”
Once Sienna took the wheel, the yacht was guided halfway around the island where a larger summit was seen. Formed into the bottom of the smaller mountain was a cave covered by the growing foliage. The Blue Delilah was steered into it before the engine was shut off.
“Your boat managed to fit in here, but you all will need to walk the rest of the way to the entrance by foot.”
Natasha was still on the cautious side, seeing as only one of the strangers here seemed somewhat trustworthy. “How far is that exactly?”
Sienna spoke up at the front of the group, “Not egregiously so. Many choose to just swim back and forth, but seeing as the two of you are merely human, walking is about the only option for you. We should arrive within the hour.”
---
As all ten of you left The Blue Delilah, you all made your way through the cave as it became a progressively tighter space to walk through side by side.
You decided to get a few answers while on your way; multitasking and all that.
After a while of walking, you came to what looked to be a dead end.
-----
Sienna, still in front of the group, waved her hand over the empty space, revealing ripple in the space that started to resemble a portal.
“This gate will lead into Enoka. You will have to enter one at a time since you’ll be unidentified in the passageway. It needs to analyze your signatures separately.”
You sent a reassuring look to Wanda while you squeezed Natasha’s hand. They were both still very cautious surrounding this entire situation. For you there was this inexplicable amount of trust you had. Whether it be from the nostalgia and anticipation of seeing your where you grew up or genuinely not sensing any danger, you couldn’t differentiate.
First went Sienna, then three of her guards, then you, Natasha, Wanda, and then the other three guards.
---
On the other side was beauty.
The landscape was, in fact, very different from how you loosely remembered it, but the view was one in a million all its own.
Half of the inhabited environs were above water; cabins, huts, and the like were strewn about and the summits surrounding them all had bridges connecting overhead.
The other half of the Island was also visible, but it was underwater.
Underwater, but not abandoned.
The were homes and buildings that were brand new shining from under the surface.
A good amount of them were made out of ruins that were apparently repurposed after the flood, but most of them were completely new and sleek.
In a way, it was like you'd never left...
Just like your connection with the hidden isle was never broken, so to was it's connection to you.
This was Enoka, your homeland.
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** footnote: I wanted to use a completely different script for the Enokan language being spoken, but I couldn’t find a way to import it so that it was shown, so instead I made a simple code using typoglycemia (aka just unscramble the letters of each word). To make it so that it didn’t look as clunky, I sometimes replaced (i) with (y). Some words that end with vowels may have an apostrophe that takes the place of the vowel. Apostrophes can also be found at the beginning of words with vowels for fluidity’s sake. I didn’t think swears should be scrambled cuz that just *looks* off to me. The point of these changes is to have this resemble a spoken language more than it is a blatant tactic to confuse you.
Here's a word unscrambler in case you need it
33 notes · View notes
inkblot-inc · 3 months
Text
RCD: NYFW, FOMO
Summary: Knowing the sour history between Skitch and Natasha, we'll just have to see how they decide to interact with each other going forward, if at all; Fear Of Missing Out AKA Forget Our Missed Opportunities
Pairing: Jeweler!Wanda Maximoff x Metalworker!Reader
[Everything Else From the RCD Universe] [part 1] [part 2] [part 3] this is part 4
Warning(s): Oh there's definitely language in this one, I remember. There's also mention of past toxic relationships/friendships, but that's about it
Note(s): Here we are at the last part of The Fashion Week Incident, so let's cap it off baby, LET'S GO!
Word Count: a bit under 1k
ALSO: *squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit
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Again, Wanda and Natasha weren't the bestest of friends before that night. They were friendly acquaintances within the same circle of the fashion industry, so when Skitch tells Wanda about their history with Nat, she's rightfully standoffish toward the fashion designer on the last day of fashion week.
Skitch is kind of just over it and wants to enjoy the rest of fashion week with Wanda and just ignore that Natasha is there. They haven't let Natasha affect their life for so long that they just want to move on with everything.
Natasha, however, since seeing Skitch after all these years is definitely more remorseful and wants to bridge the gap between them and apologize for how she treated Skitch and how they cut ties so abruptly.
The actual runway presentation on the last day goes off without a hitch. After the show, Wanda and Skitch are both mingling again as per usual when Natasha eventually comes up to Skitch and asks to talk to them privately. Skitch brings Wanda along because anything that Natasha has to say can be said in front of Wanda as well seeing as Wanda knows about their past. The three of them do go outside of the venue for privacy, though.
Natasha releases a shaky breath before starting. "I was hoping that we can start fresh, and just put what happened behind us. I know things got ugly, and I'm not proud of how I dealt with things and how much of a bitch I was to you. I wish I reached out to you sooner,"
Wanda could feel her own eye twitch a little bit, "I'm ashamed of the person I was and how I treated you... if I could go back in time-"
That was where you were done just listening, "But you can't go back in time, Natasha- Fuck, NO part of that was an apology! That's what I want, Natasha. An apology. I can't help but think that that is outside of your reach to give me, seeing as I was never just ENOUGH! I was somehow not doing enough as a kid with 'nothing to offer', or I was overbearing enough to let me get arrested for protecting you!" At some point you stopped seeing the older woman dressed in finer fabrics and instead saw the ambitious college sophomore who never wore any outfit without one of your borrowed leather jackets. "Maybe if I'm MAD ENOUGH I'll be worthy of an earnest 'sorry' from you! I just!-...All I wanted was to finally be enough..."
Natasha's eyes continued to water as tears flowed down her cheeks. Her hand helplessly tried to reach out to you, her voice weak and strangled by overflowing emotion. "You were always enough, Y/n. I- fuck... I'm so sorry that I ever treated you like you were beneath me, that you were a nuisance, that I told you that you were 'wasting your time' while with working for Logan. Hell! I'm sorry that I resented you for putting your future on hold for my benefit! I'm sorry for acting like I was better than anyone and taking you and Logan and Annie and Kurt for granted... but you are enough, Y/n. You always have been. And I'm sorry that I made you feel any less than."
Your face is still stoic, but you can't help but let a few tears of your own fall at Natasha's words. "I know that now, but I didn't need you to tell me that anymore." You tightened your grip on yours and Wanda's clasped hands. "I've had the better half a decade to think and make my piece with your shit, Nat... And in time, I think-... I think I could forgive you. But I can't speak on behalf of the others at home you hurt, like Annie and Kurt, and I damn sure can't speak for my dad. You'll have to talk to them yourself to try to make amends... but consider this the olive branch. Don't snap it."
Wanda, who just found out about Skitch and Natasha's past together the night before, however, is a lot more hesitant to be as cordial with Natasha. She was there to hold Skitch while they cried recalling just how fucked their dynamic used to be, how small they felt after they got bailed out of jail. It was rare for Wanda to see Skitch's rays of sunshine so dim, but she could also feel that tiny shred of hope Skitch had in Natasha to show how much she's changed. Not reverting back to the way things were when they were young and the best of friends. But to have a new friendship built on mutual respect.
Wanda had yet to move as she simply stared at Natasha. "What I can't wrap my head around, is that Y/n went to jail for you, and you just let them ride that out?"
Natasha turned to Wanda, briefly wiping her face, "I couldn't even try to understand my own thought process with what happened that night and leading up to it. There was something about not wanting feeling 'smothered' by the affection of the people that cared about me and craving to be in the 'in' crowd. Wanting the space to make my own choices even though I was the most homesick I had ever been at that time. And pride, there was a lot of pride... too much of it where it wasn't justified, seeing as I cut off the people I wanted to be proud of me the most. I've never forgiven myself for how self-centered I was, nor will I try to justify it. I just hope that I'll be given the opportunity to prove myself to be a real friend to Y/n this time."
Wanda couldn't help but hope for the same, for the both of their sakes, but she would be right beside Skitch to make sure they weren't hurt again.
'I'm sure they are proud of you.'
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inkblot-inc · 3 months
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RCD: FWNB
Summary: This is the backstory between Natasha and Skitch, told during NYFW; Friends With No Benefits, also known as Fuckin' With No Bitch.
Pairing: (past) Natasha Romanoff x Reader, Jeweler!Wanda Maximoff x Metalworker!Reader (present, but briefly mentioned)
[Get Familiar With the RCD Universe] [part 1] [part 2] this is part 3
Warning(s): Toxic relationships (romantic and platonic), unrequited feelings handled poorly my dude, brief descriptions of violence, there's language in here bud, I remember typing it. This one is probably the most angsty now that I think about it-
Note(s): This thing right here is significant enough that I wanted to dedicate a seperate part to it.
Word Count: pretty sure we're past 1.5k here
ALSO: *squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit
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Let's get into some backstory, shall we?
Natasha and Yelena's dad, Alexei, was ex-military and friends with Logan, and both of them came to see Logan as their uncle and even another parental figure. Since Natasha and Yelena's parents weren't every engaging, they often went over to Logan's, where he looked after them. With Skitch being Logan's adopted kid, they of course got to know each other and become very close. Logan would also bring the three of them to work with him to keep an eye on them. Yelena and Skitch became very close, basically thick as thieves, while it was clear that Skitch adored Natasha.
It was like that when all three of them were in school years together. Yelena and Skitch were definitely a bit closer just because they were the closest in grade, but Skitch couldn't help but be drawn to Natasha; she had brains, beauty, talent, all of it. And they never complained while having to watch Natasha take her after-school dance classes before walking to TMD together.
it was on one of these walks to The Maker's Damned during high school that Skitch confessed to Natasha. She never gave a straight answer, but she did wind up full-on kissing Skitch before they could walk into the workshop.
Your brightness in your eyes could only be outdone by the shine of your smile. "So does that mean you feel the same way?"
Natasha simply rubbed your forearm while giving you a small smile. "Don't think too hard about it, Skitch."
Your eyebrows furrowed as your smile lowered a bit, "I mean.. alright," You opened the door to the workshop for Natasha to go through first.
"Thank you, Y/n," she left a quick peck on you cheek before entering and you couldn't help the dumb smile left on your face.
"Yeah..."
---
'don't think too hard about it,' became Natasha's all expenses paid ticket to your heart, your time, and your romantic attention. While you wanted to remember that nothing was officially set between the two of you, she almost set an expectation for things to go somewhere with all the new one on one time you had with Natasha that felt more like dates than just hanging out, the stolen kisses and makeouts before and after classes. Never anything more than that though...
Skitch's relationship with Natasha began to fray once Natasha got into college. Skitch already knew they weren't going to college themselves (they didn't really know what they'd do there, and they didn't think they'd make it into a good one anyhow), but regardless of whatever confusing fuckery Nat was playing with skitch, she was still considered family to them, and Skitch believed that they'd still be close.
This was not the case.
Natasha, who initially was in college for dance, was scouted to do modelling and made new connections and friends. Upscale friends. It's no secret that Natasha and Yelena's upbringing was far from cushy: they had everything they needed, and they worked for all the extra things they wanted. Natasha even worked a few hours at TMD with logan doing inventory last two years of high school for some extra cash.
But Natasha tried to bury that part of her life, going as far as ghosting Logan and Skitch and all the peoples at The Maker's Damned to focus on cultivating her budding career as a model. Weekly rendezvous and daily calls between Natasha and Skitch turned into once a week if the timing was right. Further down the line, Natasha used her connections to branch out into Fashion and design, creating what is now known today as the Romanova brand.
Natasha had become invested in her new friendships, even started dating some science buff she met in college named Bruce Banner. He was nice enough to start, but he was always just a bit pushy and so different from Natasha. Natasha and Bruce were off and on, and the last time that they ended things, Bruce showed up to Natasha’s apartment and got very aggressive with her. Skitch, who, at the request of Yelena, came to check on Natasha and hopefully patch the rift (she) made. Upon arrival, Skitch saw Bruce trying to force his way inside Natasha’s apartment and pulled him away. This escalated into an altercation between Bruce and Skitch, Bruce not knowing (or caring) who skitch was, got belligerent with them as well.
Remember Skitch's police record? yeahhhh.
Skitch wound up putting hands on the man, breaking his nose and arm while leaving several other bruises on him. Skitch wound up with a nasty gash on their cheekbone, and after getting them to the ground kicked them in the ribs a good few times. Bruce called the police on Skitch, where they were charged with simple battery, [they were able to deescalate the situation to get the incident charged as a misdemeanor instead of a felony]. The public story was that Skitch assaulted Banner unprovoked while he was at his girlfriend’s house, which Skitch was advised to agree to by Logan. Skitch spent six months in jail instead of the sentenced full year due to good behavior.
Skitch and Natasha subsequently had a falling out due to this incident once all three of them are at the police station, where Natasha was further agitated by Skitch showing up to her place unannounced. Nevermind the fact that she very well could have been in danger if Skitch wasn't there.
Logan walked out into the waiting room with Skitch after they gave their statement. "I'm gonna go see about some ice for your...everything, bub. We'll probably put it on your face first to get the swelling to go down." you slowly nodded as Logan handed you a towel to clean up your face a bit, "I saw the other kid though... Good work." He patted your shoulder before he walked off.
Natasha was fuming when she came back from giving her statement. "You Show up to my apartment, that I know I didn't give you the address to, and cause even more problems for me to have to clean up! Just abandon your schoolyard crush on me and leave me the fuck alone!"
You rolled your eyes as you felt a headache coming on. “Never mind the fact that your SISTER asked me to come by to try and check on you, but you've never had to worry about me taking up your precious space when you’ve made it abundantly clear that you don’t give a SHIT about me!”
You took a deep breath since raising your voice made pain shoot through your side. "I didn't just agree to plead guilty cuz I was trapped, Nat."
Natasha scoffed at that, "What, so you're going to jail for me now, too?"
You leaned back on the bench and looked The redhead dead in the eyes. "Who do you think is next on the list of every pompous ass like Bruce Banner if it didn't look like I acted on my own? Who do you think they're gonna wanna ruin next if they knew I was there out of concern for you..."
Natasha bites her lip as the realization sets in; Bruce was a golden boy with a promising future as a Doctor/Biochemist/whatever the fuck he wanted to be, with more than half of his advisors going to bat for him. Natasha's budding modeling career would be clipped at the knees with no effort, all her contacts would turn tail if you didn't say you acted on your own. Even now you were acting in her best interest. Even now You were still protecting her.
With that realization, Natasha got up and left the police station on her own.
'Thank you.'
You watched Natasha leave before banging your head on the wall you leaned up against, your eyes closed.
'You're welcome.'
and that was the last time You and Natasha saw or spoke to each other.
Yelena felt guilty as all hell knowing she sent Skitch to check on her sister and then wound up doing time trying to help her. She yelled and she screamed at Natasha for not sticking by Skitch when that's all they've ever done for the both of them.
"It isn't about love, it isn't even about infatuation or a chance, it was about giving a fuck, Nat! Y/n was there, because I asked them to go, and because I knew they cared that you were okay, which is more than they can say about you."
This incident is also what wound up straining Natasha and Yelena's relationship as well.
Yelena kept close ties with Everyone as she ventured into Coordinating and working as a Sieu Chef in New York. Skitch and the others keep up with Natasha through the public eye and Yelena's updates (that she doesn't get too much of).
There's not even a cosign on the Christmas card Yelena sends in the mail for Skitch and Logan every year. Even as one who believes in forgiveness, after getting out of prison, Skitch stopped thinking "what did I do wrong? How can I fix this?" and started focusing on working at The Makers Damned full-time, though the notion of Natasha leaving "the common people" for a more lavish, glamorous life and career still sticks with them.
Though you could say that Skitch not holding resentment for everyone who live lives like Natasha does led them to pursuing their relationship with Wanda...
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inkblot-inc · 3 months
Text
RCD: NYFW, FYI
Summary: Now introducing the first part of what I would like to call The Fashion Week Incident. You know something's gotta happen when you have what's supposed to be a "relatively lighthearted and enjoyable event", right?; For Your Information AKA Forget Your Intentions
Pairing: Jeweler!Wanda Maximoff x Metalworker!Reader
[Everything Else in The RCD Universe] This is part 1
Warning(s): it's pretty tame actually, but I'll do a quick disclaimer- I've never attended fashion week anywhere, so don't begrudge any inaccuracies about what goes on here alright? This is all fiction for funsies, we can let that go.
Note(s): Welcome to the miniseries inside an alternate universe! This storytelling is going to look a little different bud; I was going to write this in a traditional story narrative, but in my ever-evolving ways of writing shit, I've just let the brainrot take over and wrote things as they played out in my head...Not unlike the way I write my headcanons, except this is actually in the AU timeline. I hope y'all get ✨the vision✨ and enjoy :3
Word Count: Just shy of 500
ALSO: *squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit
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Concerning New York Fashion Week, Wanda is attending for the majority of the week because she is looking at all the designers' new releases and fashion trends that they're introducing for the season. It would make sense that Wanda takes notes on that in regard to her own designs. Skitch is attending as Wanda's plus one, but they are also just genuinely interested in seeing more of what Wanda does as part of her job.
The first few days are a little overstimulating for Skitch, but enjoyable nonetheless. being introduced to some of the people Wanda works with and just entering into a different circle of people was both nerve wracking and exciting at the same time. Though both Wanda and Skitch were happy when they made their way back to their room at the Greenwich hotel to unwind and just decompress from the days full of networking and social and vehicular traffic.
It was on their second to last day attending the runway show for fashion week. One of the designers that was called up next was called Romanova. Skitch freezes before turning to Wanda and asking, "Who's presenting next?" And Wanda responds with "Romanova, it's Natasha Romanoff's brand."
Romanoff.
It's like your head was in a fishbowl as that info sunk in. You suddenly felt much younger; the nineteen-year-old you were the last time you saw the person with that name.
Wanda was little distracted since she was taking her notes, but she later realizes that Skitch isn't nearly as vocal for the rest of the show (since they usually make smaller comments like about the clothes as they're being modeled). They aren't even as responsive to Wanda's own small comments, and she notices that.
Wanda doesn't know what's wrong, but Skitch definitely looks a little stiffer and the smallest bit uncomfortable watching the rest of the show. Wanda keeps a hand on Stitch's thigh for the rest of the showcase in a form of comfort to hopefully ease whatever feelings came about.
The mingling after the show starts up again and Wanda is talking to designers and Skitch sees the person that made them react so perfectly: Natasha Romanoff.
Skitch separates themselves from Wanda so they won't have to be around while she and Natasha talk. Again, Wanda senses their discomfort, but Skitch goes off on their own before Wanda can articulate her concern, so Wanda just keeps a concerned eye on them as Skitch drifts off to talk to other people they met earlier in the week, away from her and Natasha.
Wanda continues her conversation with Natasha as usual; they're not the closest of friends, but they are familiar acquaintances in the industry. Let's be clear though: Wanda's not daft. It's when Skitch walks away from the approaching woman that Wanda puts two and two together that Natasha was the reason skitch became uncomfortable. Though she's more concerned as to why now...
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inkblot-inc · 3 months
Text
RCD: NYFW, F2F
Summary: Tensions are a lil high and we get a few answers, but you gotta keep it cordial in a public setting, man; Face to Face AKA Favor to Fault
Pairing: Jeweler!Wanda Maximoff x Metalworker!Reader
[Everything Else From the RCD Universe] [part 1] this is part 2
Warning(s): Still pretty tame in terms of content and themes, but like I said last time, I've never been to fashion week so any inaccuracies about what goes on there. Please do forgive and just feel the fantasy mkay? Mkay.
Note(s): The way I was *this* close to throwing a SZA reference somewhere in this shit- but I didn't! I was soooo close tho. I coulda put the song in the header for this part even, but my brain had other plans😂. Anteeways, I hope you enjoy this one :3
Word Count: Well past 500 actually
ALSO: *squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit
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Skitch goes to get a bottle of water to ease their nerves about this whole situation. It's been forever since they've even talked to Natasha and they're beating themselves up a bit for still being affected by her, but they can't help it. They grew up together.
Skitch decides to suck it up and go back over to Wanda while she's still talking with Natasha. There was no reason for Skitch to feel guilty about being with their partner and they were going to enjoy the rest of their night. And maybe they wanted to be a little petty...
When Skitch comes back over and Natasha finally notices them, she also freezes momentarily. The difference between Skitch freezing and Natasha freezing is that her's comes with a paralyzing guilt when Skitch's presence fully registers. Natasha does good at hiding it, too. She was always good at hiding her emotions though.
"Y/n? It's been so long,"
You nod lightly, wringing the half empty water bottle in your hands. "Yeah, it has. Just about seven years yeah?"
Natasha fiddles with the watch on her wrist, "Yeah, a little over seven, actually...I didn't think this would be your scene. Fashion was never really your thing."
You move the bottle into one hand as throw an arm around Wanda's shoulder, rubbing your thumb over the fabric there. "Well, it wouldn't be usually, but I wanted to see another part of what Wanda enjoys. I've had a great time actually."
Wanda notices the change in your demeanor when talking to Natasha. You're usually so open and amicable toward others, but there's a latent heat behind your words when addressing the woman across from you.
Natasha's response comes out a bit awkward as her expression, while not having her usual stoicism, is caught between a smile and a grimace. "Well, that's good. I didn't know you and Y/n knew watch other," Wanda also notices how Natasha doesn't look directly at you for too long, preferring to look almost past you or at Wanda. "Y/n and I went to school together."
You purse your lip slightly as you nod along, "Yeah, for a good minute there yeah. I'll admit I thought you'd go into ballet after graduating college. Shows what I know though, huh?"
Something about that statement makes Natasha almost visibly flinch. If the three of you weren't standing so close, Wanda doubts she would have seen it. "I did do it for a little while, but I found that this is the career I wanted to stick with."
Natasha was almost grateful that her phone pinged in her hand. "Well, that's my cue. maybe we can catch up sometime?"
You nodded noncommittally, "Maybe yeah."
Wanda uses her thumb to shift the rings around on her fingers in a nervous tick as she watches Natasha all but rush to exit the conversation. "Do I have to ask what that was or?"
You leave a kiss on the side of her head in reassurance. "I'll tell you when we get back to our room, Wandy."
Skitch doesn't like messing with Wanda's nerves like that with having her wait, but It's a rather private topic of conversation. And an undoubtedly lengthy one at that...
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inkblot-inc · 7 days
Text
Where's Don Lino?
Summary: Our trio have some time to themselves since they're left to their own devices while Their presence on the living island gets is bring discussed.
Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Mutant!TigerShark!Reader
[AU Masterlist] Arc 2: [Part 1] [Part 2] This is Part 3
Warning(s): Getting into some more subtle notes of discrimination, but no violence....and strong language I'm pretty sure.
Note(s): We got another chapter for Arc 2 bud! Reading this back, I just think it's funny that every single body is uncomfortable with this situation except for Jaws. They're just vibing and going with the flow. Except that doesn't really work when the situation surrounding them requires Jaws to be more cognizant...Anteeways, I hope y'all enjoy :3
Word Count: Pretty sure we're approaching 2k
*squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit!
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Once you, Natasha, Wanda, Sienna, and the others make it to the heart of Enoka, you all are immediately taken to Sienna’s office.
It turns out that Sienna is now one of the “acting leaders” on the island, specifically the one in charge of the security of it.
Enoka essentially runs itself, she just has a number of people in charge of the maintenance of the island and the people living on it.
These acting leaders were going to take time to deliberate and come to a course of action in terms of your presence on the hidden isle.
The “acting leaders” make up something called the Council of Nine, which is basically their government on Enoka outside of Enoka herself.
With a warning from Sienna to stay out of trouble in the meantime, the three of you left the council room while she stayed to explain the situation in full to the others inside. Natasha’s gait was unusually hesitant as you walked. “So the island is…alive?”
You chuckled as you reached for her hand in a soothing gesture. “You can relax, Natty. Enoka hasn’t physically moved in centuries. Once we’re born, we’re taught that she uses all of the plants covering the land to speak to us, kinda like mini speakers everywhere. The council of Nine just carry out her will more directly.”
Natasha’s shoulders relaxed slightly as the three of you made it back out into the open air. It was a relief you were able to convince Sienna to let the three of you leave on your own without an escort. This way, the three of you could spend time together and actually make use of your vacation time.
You briefly squeezed Natasha’s hand before you took it upon yourself to put the wind back in all of your sails. “Now who wants to see some real cool shit?” Wanda nor Natasha were definitely more receptive to the lighter turn of events, what with your enthusiasm being as contagious as it was reassuring.
Even with all of the visible changes to Enoka, you are actually excited to show Natasha and Wanda around the parts that you do remember.
Remember the core of the cruise/expedition/vacation was based around getting closure on your previously thought to be GONE home.
So in a way we’re doing that just with extra steps-
The natural energon produced by the Enoka herself contained in all of the foliage is used as a medium for the living island to communicate through. Kinda like mini speakers all over the island.
You simply have to start listening…
Speaking of, there was fuzzy gibberish that Wanda was able to pick up on. The tone of it led the brunette to zone out from time to time as she attempted to understand what she was hearing.
You took them up to one of the summits called the Hollow Point, that has a cavern on the side of it. Inside the Hollow Point are a series of mines for iron, but the biggest area has a ceiling of glittering quartz geodes.
Once your stomachs began protesting the long exploration the three of you were on, you wound up being led back to the more populated area of Enoka to get something to eat.
The only problem with going further into the localized area of the island is that there were more eyes on the three of you.
Enoka is an island full of people with extra abilities and features, people born like you and Sienna; an island exclusively of mutants.
The citizens of Enoka see Wanda and Natasha as outsiders, yes, but they can also immediately tell that Natasha specifically is human.
Sienna was also not afraid to remind her of this on their way to Enoka.
You came across one of Sienna’s guardsmen as you walked down the beaten path. She seemed to be heading in the same direction the three of you were walking in. The woman was clearly still on duty with her silvery blonde hair and suntanned skin mostly hidden under her armor.
Wanda took the initiative to start a conversation by waving her hand in the other woman’s line of sight. “Excuse me,” The blonde glanced in Wanda’s direction, but didn’t really look at her. “Did you need something?”
Her accented voice was softer than any of you expected, but Wanda continued undeterred,  “Is there a place to eat down this way?”
The guardsmen didn’t respond right away, “Assuming that you want something on the surface,” She briefly eyed Natasha, “There’s a Brine-Baker down this trail on your right. You cannot miss it.”
Wanda gave a small smile, “Thank you…I don’t think we got your name before.”
The woman simply stared at Wanda before squinting.  “I didn’t give it.” There was a small upturn in her lips, “It’s Zal.” She turned to face forward again before taking her leave, effectively ending the brief conversation.
With the three of you making your way down to the Brine-Baker, your eyes widened at the building. “That’s what she was talking about. Come on, this stuff is great!” You almost dragged Natasha and Wanda into the establishment in your haste to get food to eat.
The BrineBaker’s hut was on the smaller side, but it was comfy enough. You found an empty booth for the three of you to sit at before looking at the menus that were already set in each booth. There were options ranging from saltfish, mussels, crab, shrimp, octopus, and even hagfish, to pretzels, salted caramel pies, dark chocolate tarts, and peanut brittle.
Natasha looked away from the menu, “I take it all the salted foods are why it’s called Brine-Baker?”
Having already chosen what you were going to get, you set your menu down. “Brine-Bakers are seafood shops/diners that specialize in serving dishes made with their harvest from the brine pools under Enoka in the deep sea. Brine Pool Farming is actually a profession here as far as I know, since you had a good few people on the island that were unaffected by the pressure of going so deep underwater.”
Natasha took another look at the menu with that explanation. “All these creatures get put in these brine pools? They have to be pretty big I imagine,”
You nodded along, “Sea creatures get big as hell the deeper you go, but they don’t last long in the pools, since they’re even bigger. We weren’t allowed to play anywhere near them as kids cuz we’d probably fuck around and ‘get stuck and die’.” You briefly chuckled at the familiar threat you heard as a child. “Once they’re in the brine pool for long enough, the salt forms a shell coating around them, preserving the creature inside. You just gotta pay attention when they’re ready to be taken out. It’s not as salty as you’d expect though, it’s just the way it’s prepared.”
Wanda closed her menu after picking what she wanted to eat. “Well, you learn something new every day.” She stacked all three of the menus on top of each other, “So are we all ready to order?” With the three of you ready, you called over an available waiter to take your order...
Not gonna lie, that food was scrumptious. And very filling.
After the three of you ate, you walked around the more isolated parts of the island since it seemed that you were still left to your own devices.
You were currently making your way through one of the denser forests. You wanted to see if there were any remaining flower fields on the surface that you could show Wanda and Natasha.
The fuzzy noise Wanda was hearing was louder around her as she zoned out once again. You and Natasha noticed this once again before both of you asked what was going on.
 Wanda’s eyes focus on one of the thicker trees with her eyes slightly squinted. “I haven’t stopped hearing this faint gibberish since we got here…”
Natasha stopped to listen out for said gibberish, “I don’t hear anything, and no one else seems to be around.”
You turned to look at the brunette with your brows slightly furrowed, “What kinda gibberish is it?” Rather than try to explain what she was hearing, Wanda just mentally projected it to you as best as she could.
{Solt hclid, --rwe ve-- u-- en--. Solt hclid,  Y 'ml---- --o rhee}
“Well It makes sense, since you can read minds and all…” The partial translation you were able to get just made you confused as you tried to piece the rest of it together. One thing was clear though, “Enoka’s calling out to you. She doesn’t project very often, since I don’t think there are other telepaths on this island that can reach her by themselves,”
Wanda attempted to digest what you’d just explained. It was one thing to have someone mentally project to her, as she hasn’t come across anyone else with telepathic abilities, but for it to be an entity that they were currently standing on threw her for a loop. And it presumably wanted her to respond.“Why would the island be calling out to me?”
To you, there were a few other things to consider, but you continued your musings aloud. “You’ll have to meet Her in person at some point. Both of you will probably,”
“Both of us?” Natasha watched as you gingerly picked a flower off of one of the taller exposed stems on the path.
“It’s cool that Wanda can hear Enoka directly, but neither of you are able to understand Her or anyone else on the isle because she hasn’t gifted you with her energon. All Enokan plants have it, but the sap from her main vessel should allow you to speak and understand the mother tongue. We should’ve brought you there first, really.”
Wanda and Natasha shared an uncertain look with each other before Wanda spoke up. “I don’t think that that’s a good idea, gup.”
You look back at them, confusion plain on your face. “Why not? You need to understand what’s going on if we’re gonna spend any amount of time here, and I can’t teach it to you two until you have that foundation. I don’t think you want me playin’ translator for all three of us.” You chuckled at that idea before you realized you were the only one laughing. “What’s up with you two?”
To you this was a simple problem with an even simpler solution:
Natasha and Wanda are suffering from a language barrier, you know how to get rid of said barrier,  so that’s what you should do.
Your excitement is what blinds you to most of Natasha and Wanda’s trepidation at even being on Enoka.
But why are these two so standoffish to be there even though they were just as adamant to go on this vacation? WELL there’s a number of reasons:
This was not originally part of the plan.
While they’re glad to actually visit your home, Natasha and Wanda exclusively have not had the most warm welcome from, not only Sienna and her troops, but also from the other citizens of Enoka.
The Enokan language is not just a cultural difference in language, but it also acts as a security for everyone that lives on this (again) hidden island.
Freely giving Wanda and Natasha a clearly exclusive buff is not a good idea, nor would they probably be allowed had that idea reached the ears of anyone else…
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** footnote: I wanted to use a completely different script for the Enokan language being spoken, but I couldn’t find a way to import it so that it was shown, so instead I made a simple code using typoglycemia (aka just unscramble the letters of each word). To make it so that it didn’t look as clunky, I sometimes replaced (i) with (y). Some words that end with vowels may have an apostrophe that takes the place of the vowel. Apostrophes can also be found at the beginning of words with vowels for fluidity’s sake. I didn’t think swears should be scrambled cuz that just *looks* off to me. The point of these changes is to have this resemble a spoken language more than it is a blatant tactic to confuse you.
Here's a word unscrambler in case you need it
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
Text
Sisters
Summary: [JAWS AU] Simply a little addendum I have around Jaws meeting Yelena (timeline wise, also known as the Black Widow Alternate). The brain's whirring right now aight- (first arc)
Pairing(s): Natasha Romanoff x Mutant!TigerShark!Reader, Mutant!TigerShark!Reader x Yelena Belova (platonic)
[JAWS AU Masterlist]
Warning(s): none that I can think of, maybe a language warning? Yeah we'll put that just in case
Note(s): There isn't any real dialogue here since this is more of my stream of consciousness to fill in some timeline details. Not really proofread cuz I'm really just talkin through text to speech and skimming for spelling errors💀. Hopefully it makes sense/is coherent at least, but since I was thinkin about this stuff, I’ll just add it to my list of dissertations o7
Word Count: more than 700, I know that much
*squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit
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Alright lets' go Black Widow Alternate!
(That really just means I'm talkin about how the events of Black Widow go down in the JAWS AU....at least the pertinent details. i.e What happens when we deviate from canon blah blah blah)
Because Civil War doesn't happen in the JAWS AU, The Avengers are still together as a team and are able to take down the Red Room in the original way Yelena intended (“I kept checking the news, expecting to see Captain America bringing down the Red Room” but that actually happens here). This still serves as Natasha and Yelena's reunion as they get in contact with each other via the pictures Yelena sent.
Because Natasha isn't on the run (again, no CW = no accords...atm, and no Ross), she's not really stressed in that way. Natasha more so has to grapple with her own guilt at leaving her sister behind to go through life in the Red Room without her to look after her and even not trying hard enough to look for Yelena after getting out.
Natasha tried not to look back after Budapest, remember now.
Natasha tries to deflect and justify this in her own mind by trying to detach herself and saying that she and Yelena were never really sisters, just like how they were never really a part of a family with Melina and Alexei.
It was just a mission.
Natasha continues trying to push the narrative that her years in Ohio are in her past and that she couldn't wait to put them behind her to forget them when she got out. Natasha doesn't actually believe any of this. Those years spent with Yelena, Melina, and Alexei were very real to Natasha and she looks back on those times with fondness and regret they couldn't have lasted longer. However, Natasha is of the school of thought that if you say something enough times, maybe you'll start to believe it. Maybe.
Yelena immediately calls bullshit on Natasha's "I'm allergic to you" attitude, but it doesn't make Natasha's attempts hurt any less. To be so close again but treated like something other. Natasha's continued trying to push her out of her life is what gets to Yelena, that paired with seeing the people in Natasha's "present" makes Yelena self-conscious in ways that make her uncomfortable and that she usually deflects with humor and sarcasm.
It's Jaws that continues to reach out to Yelena. Not in the traditional sense, but they've taken to including Yelena and going out of their comfort zone to get to know Yelena during the red room mission (very similar scene to the Yelena and Nat beer scene talking about their lives). Yelena was protective and just a bit teasing when she found out that Jaws was Natasha's partner for sure. The ice breaker between Jaws and Yelena boiled down to Yelena doing a trick shot off of Jaws' teeth into a vodka bottle....with a bullet.
Whether or not Yelena thought she would kill Jaws by shooting them in the mouth is up for discussion...
Part of Jaws' interest in Yelena is because she is in some way part of Natasha's life, and even they can tell that Yelena is important to her without a doubt. The other part of Jaws cultivates this relationship with Yelena because she passes the vibe check, and not once has she referred to Jaws as a freak or a monster, which is what usually happens when people meet Jaws for the first time. Yelena couldn't care less about it. Wildly intrigued for both the right and the wrong reasons, but still-
Natasha seeing her "past" and "present" coexisting together pushes her to face her own feelings of guilt and even inadequacy head on (thinking of the " It was real to me too" scene) to repair and rebuild her bond with her little sister. Natasha also apologizes for not looking for her after she escaped the Red Room and trying to reduce her time with Yelena to a bad memory she kept trying to forget.
Yelena's focus afterward is freeing the remaining widows, of which she knows she can ask for her sisters and the avengers help. She is undecided whether or not she wants to officially become an avenger, but it is not off the table. Yelena and Jaws have become close over the course of the red room mission and even after, which makes Natasha very happy.
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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After Jaws and Natasha get together, they totally flirt when the spar. Because it’s fun and they like to see if they can actually distract each other enough to get the upper hand. It tends to work better for Nat than Jaws but Jaws will never complain about ending up beneath Natasha. Even on the training mat.
I touched on this a bit here
Jaws is always happy to see Natasha on top of them, no complaints there.
For sure Nat distracts Jaws more, the distracting/flirty bit is more in her wheelhouse, so it's kind of a given. BUT- let's not overlook that there are times when Jaws has gotten the drop on Nat too 😌
Jaws is smirking down at Natasha, their hands holding her wrist to the mat. "You gotta be on your back sometimes Natty, take a load off."
Natasha merely raises a brow, "Enjoy it while you can, Tiger."
Jaws' head tilts to the side a bit, "I'll be enjoyin' it later too, maybe you'll even refresh my memory what it looks like to see you this way."
"I certainly will,-"
Steve stops hitting his punching bag, "Right here? IT'S NINE IN THE MORNING YOU TWO!"
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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Natasha totally dresses up on New Year’s Eve hoping to catch Jaws’ attention and it works very well. Jaws almost walks into a table of food because they’re too busy staring at Nat. Luckily Wanda was able to stop that with an amused snort.
Natasha knows exactly what will catch Jaws' eye too. Her acting coy when she finally meets up with Jaws during the party 🤭
Both Jaws and Natasha are standing by the open bar, Natasha standing behind the counter. "Do I want to know what that was earlier? You almost knocked over half of the refreshment table,"
"Yeah no, Sam just told me there was, uh, a chocolate fountain brought in for the party," they sporadically moved their hand gesturing to the table and the turn of events. "Got a little excited, you know,"
"I'm glad Wanda was there then. Wouldn't want you to ruin your suit. Very fetching by the way." Natasha reaches up to smooth her hand over Jaws' shoulder in a light motion, removing some imaginary wrinkle.
"Thanks, Stark is good for some things apparently," Jaws' eyes go to Nat's hand and move down her arm before taking in the rest of her outfit up close.
"See something you like?"
Jaws nods a few times with an off-tempo bounce, "Hell yeah- I mean- you look friggin' stunnin' tonight, Natty. Is that dress new? I definitely would've remembered you buyin' THIS"
"It was one of the things I bought for tonight, so I'm glad you like it, detka." There's more warmth in her eyes than there was before.
"I'm gonna like everythin' you wear, Natty. You buy anythin' else I should know about?"
Only one side of Natasha's lips turn up in her usual teasing smirk. She goes to lean up by Jaws' ear, "You'll have to wait until later before I can show you properly, rybka. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise."
Jaws eyes give a slow blink, their smile growing further on their face. "I do like surprises..."
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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Natasha taking Jaws for a ride on her motorcycle when she notices they feel a little cooped up in the compound. It’s a point where she’s confident she can handle Jaws and the drive she takes them on is pretty scenic anyway.
You already know Jaws is 100% down-
I would also say that the first time this happens is also pretty early on when Jaws joins, like before the saltpool was installed early.
Natasha and Jaws were getting close anyway, so this was just more one-on-one time between the two of them Y'know?
Nat probably doesn't have a destination in mind either. Just getting a change of scenery is enough to loosen Jaws up a bit.
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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Jaws being out and someone recognizes them from a picture with Nat. This person is a Black Widow fan and is like “what is she like?” And Jaws just goes on about how awesome Natasha is till Nat comes back from the bathroom
Listen! Jaws may not be a huge people person, but you bring up Natasha and they will rant and rave about her as long as you let them 😂
"I was gone for five minutes..."
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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Natasha would totally take free diving lessons so she could control her breath better while spending time with Jaws in their pool. That is if she didn’t already know it.
I imagine with her prior experience that Nat already had decent breath control, but she would definitely take classes specifically to improve how long she can be in the water with Jaws 😊
I could also see Jaws giving her pointers themself too 👌🏾
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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Natasha being like “Yelena wants us to watch Fanny while she goes on a mission but I’m not sure we have the time” and Jaws is so offended “that is our fluffy godchild! We have a responsibility to make time!”
If they don't have a mission or pressing business of their own, Jaws and Nat will always have time!
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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Speaking of Jaws playing Minecraft with Peter, you know they looked up a tutorial on how to make a widow logo on a banner to put it on their characters shield. And they named they’re sword Black Widow and their Armor pieces are named Scarlet Witch. Did they also make Peter install mods for their server so they could add actual pictures of Nat and Wanda to the painting frames in their base? Maybe but Peter won’t confirm that so there is no proof.
Me and you 'Non? We see each other-
Netherite Sword: The Widow's Claw
Netherite Helmet: Scarlet Wimple
I can just see Jaws giving Wanda and Nat a tour of their world so far and showing them all the customized features with a proud smile on their face T-T
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inkblot-inc · 1 year
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Natasha totally steals Jaws sharks shirts to sleep in after they get together.
Oh, for sure.
Natasha steals Jaws' shirts in general because they're comfy and they just about swamp her, but the shark graphic tees and commissioned jerseys are definitely her favorite to wear.
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