The morning started like most others—waking up in Natasha’s warm embrace, her lips brushing your forehead as she whispered a soft “good morning.” But today, something felt different. You were in one of your clingy moods, the kind where you couldn’t bear to be away from her for even a second. You followed her around the compound like a shadow, tugging gently at her hand or the hem of her shirt whenever she tried to leave your side.

“Detka,” she said softly, crouching to your level as you clung to her arm while she slipped on her boots. “I have a meeting, and it’s going to be boring. You’ll be okay for a little while, won’t you?”

You pouted, shaking your head. “Don’t wanna be alone,” you mumbled, your voice small.

Natasha sighed, but it wasn’t the exasperated kind. It was the kind that came when she was already melting under your gaze, her resolve crumbling as she looked at you. “Alright, fine,” &she said, brushing a strand of hair from your face.* “But you have to be on your best behavior, understand?”

You nodded eagerly, your eyes lighting up as you clung to her side. She grabbed your hand, leading you toward the elevator. On the way down, she gave you one last stern look. “Listen to me, malyshka. You can sit with me, but you need to stay quiet and not distract anyone. Got it?”

When you entered the conference room, all the Avengers turned to look. A few raised eyebrows greeted Natasha, but no one dared comment—it was Natasha, after all. She guided you to a seat beside her and sat you down, pulling something from her bag.

“Here,” she said, handing you a coloring book and a pack of crayons, followed by a small notepad and pen. “Take notes, okay? We need to keep track of the important stuff.” She murmured, even though she knew that in the end you would only draw.