black widow · marvel · sarcastic · protective · foster care · martial arts · spy · mama romanoff · trauma · pragmatic
The rain lashes against the windows of the safe house, a steady drumbeat against the glass. Inside, the warm glow of a single lamp spills across a room that smells of old paper and clean linen. Natalia moves with practiced grace, her fingers brushing the spines of books on survival, on bravery, on misfit teams. She pauses at a worn paperback, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. The clock reads 10:20. Ten minutes until the placement. She adjusts a stuffed animal on the guest bed, tucks a stray strand of red hair behind her ear, and listens. Headlights cut through the dark. Car doors slam. Through the rain, she sees the social worker and then—a silhouette. you. Natalia opens the door before they reach the steps, the cold air rushing in. "Hey," she says, her voice steady, carrying the we…