Natasha was in her apartment, preparing dinner for herself, Wanda, and Pietro.
They usually took turns cooking, although—to be honest—the twins were much better at it. After all, they had learned to fend for themselves from a very young age.
Once they were seated at the table, the conversation flowed quickly.
"So, Wanda, when are we going to see Laplace?"
It had been months since Pietro was promised he'd get to meet Laplace, hoping he could awaken powers in him too. However, with one excuse after another, Natasha and Wanda had managed to postpone the visit. And Pietro's patience was starting to wear thin.
"Well… he's busy right now" Wanda said, trying to sound convincing. But the uncertainty in her voice gave her away—she had no more new excuses.
"That again?" Pietro raised his voice, exasperated. "Last time you said he was out of the country. Before that, that he went to visit his parents. You even said he was spending a romantic week with Gwen. Do you seriously think anyone's going to believe that?"
"That last one was true" Wanda replied, with a hint of pride.
Natasha stepped in at that moment.
"Don't worry about it."
"What do you mean, 'don't'?" Pietro asked, eyeing her carefully.
"Laplace said he'd be coming today," Natasha answered seriously.
Pietro's eyes lit up.
"Really? When?"
"After dinner."
Without wasting a second, Pietro started eating at full speed.
"Then let's hurry up" he said enthusiastically, hoping that would somehow speed up their guest's arrival.
But Wanda burst his bubble.
"It doesn't matter. If he saw we'd finish at a certain time, he'll come at that time. Eating fast won't change the future."
Pietro scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed.
"Well… I didn't get much of that, but time is complicated."
"In short" Natasha added, "even if we finish early, Leonardo won't arrive any sooner."
Pietro let out a resigned sigh. Still, he chose not to let that ruin his mood. He just had to wait a little longer.
Changing the subject was easy, and between laughter and jokes, they finished dinner.
As soon as the dishes were cleared, Pietro jumped to his feet. But Wanda and Natasha stopped him with a look.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"It's your turn to wash the dishes," they said in unison.
Pietro had no choice but to obey. As he scrubbed, he muttered:
"Wish I had super speed for this stuff..."
When he finished, he headed straight to the couch where Wanda and Natasha were watching an old series they both loved. He didn't even get to sit down. The doorbell rang.
Pietro rushed to answer it, hoping to see Laplace. But what he found on the other side of the door froze him in place.
"What is it? Isn't it Leonardo?" Natasha called from the living room.
"I-it's… L-Loki" Pietro stammered, pale.
At that moment, a figure emerged from behind the Norse god. It was Leonardo.
"Oh, Pietro. Sorry if I scared you, it's just me. I came to talk to Natasha" he said with a barely concealed smile. Clearly, he'd done it on purpose.
"And what do you need?" Natasha asked, appearing behind Pietro. Her eyes lingered on Loki for a second before shifting to Leonardo with suspicion.
"And why is there an evil Norse god at my door?"
"Why don't we sit down and talk about it?" Leonardo said, walking in as if it were his own home. Loki followed him silently.
Natasha sat across from them while Wanda and Pietro watched curiously from the background.
As soon as Loki saw Wanda, his eyes widened. He recognized her instantly.
"You! How dare you manipulate a god's mind?"
Wanda, unfazed, smiled mockingly.
"It wasn't that hard."
"You…!" Loki looked furious.
"Let's not talk about that" Natasha interrupted. "What do you need? And what's he doing here?"
"I'd like to know that too" Loki added, arms crossed.
"Well" Leonardo began, "my friend Loki needs a place to stay. I thought you could host him until next November."
Natasha closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
"And you think I'm the babysitter for your problem children?"
"Of course not. This will be the last time I send a 'stranger' to live with you" he said, with an ambiguous smile.
Natasha noticed the emphasis on the word but chose not to comment.
"Why me?"
"Because soon, he's going to help you. You and Wanda."
Natasha frowned. She could try to read him, but with Laplace, that never worked very well.
"And what does he think?" she asked, resigned.
Loki finally spoke:
"I don't know why I must stay here, but if there's an important reason, I will."
"Weren't you supposed to be arrogant and proud?"
"Precisely. I know how important I am. And if I'm needed, it must be for something big."
"Yep, that's the egocentric Loki I know" Natasha thought.
He had only spent five days on Earth before Odin returned him to Asgard. Just enough time to get to know him.
Leonardo changed the subject.
"Pietro, did you want something?"
"Can you give me powers too?"
"I can" he replied, and the young man's excitement overflowed.
"But not now. Come to my place with Wanda in a few days."
Pietro nodded immediately, almost trembling with excitement. Wanda and Natasha, on the other hand, exchanged a worried glance.
Happy for him, yes. But aware of the risks.
Leonardo looked at Natasha.
"Don't you want to ask me something?"
She stared at him, puzzled.
"I thought you'd want to analyze me or something."
Natasha sighed.
"I gave up on that a while ago. At least tell me who the next 'stranger' you'll send to live with me is."
Leonardo smiled, stood up, and headed for the door.
"Good question. Didn't think you'd ask."
Just before leaving, he tossed a name into the air.
Yelena Belova.
The name struck like lightning.
Dozens of memories flashed through Natasha's mind. Emotions she had locked away stirred suddenly. But she shoved them back down immediately.
She was an agent. She knew what to focus on.
Leonardo had said he'd come with her. And that was enough… for now.
When he left, Natasha turned to speak to Loki. But she stopped when she saw Wanda and Pietro with tense expressions, as if they wanted to ask something but were afraid of the answer.
She looked at them silently, until Wanda gathered her courage.
"Natasha" she said firmly, "speaking of taking care of someone… it's been over six months since you started taking care of us, hasn't it?"
Natasha understood instantly.
"So, sister…" Pietro began, "for six months you've..."
He didn't finish. Natasha didn't let him.
"I know what you're talking about."
She looked at them both. Her eyes were full of concern.
"Yes. It's been over six months since I've been with you. Technically… I should've gone back to work a while ago."
They both looked at her, surprised.
"That's it?" Pietro asked.
"What else would there be?" Natasha said with a smile, turning away.
The twins looked at each other. Smiled. And followed her.
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+20 chapters in advance on Patreon.
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(just delete the hyphen)
80 power stones = 1 extra chapter (cumulative)