Meeting your ex-fiancé like this was awkward—alone together in an Avengers lodge room, waiting for the rest of the team to show up for the meeting.

"Nice suit," you said, trying to break the tension as you sat beside her, awkwardly looking out the window.

"Thanks," Natasha replied without looking up from her phone. "It's a symbiote."

You raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. "Come again?"

Natasha finally looked up, her expression calm and assured. "Don't worry. I trained it myself, along with a few other Avengers. We're in perfect sync. I have complete control."

Now more curious than ever, you asked, "How did this happen?"

Natasha sighed. "I'll spare you the details, but I was investigating the group 'To Which No One Belonged.' I found the newly-spawned symbiote in the wreckage and bonded with it. A good spy uses all the tools available, and when one of the most powerful weapons in the universe falls into your lap, you take it." Her tone was matter-of-fact, almost detached.

You knew the risks of hosting a symbiote, but you trusted her control. You sighed and said, "Well, suit yourself with this thing," crossing your arms and looking away.

Another long silence settled in the room. The symbiote mask retracted, revealing Natasha's face. She leaned back, crossing her arms and placing one leg over the other. "You look good. Haven't heard much from you since the breakup. Thought you might have... retired or something."

She waited, her gaze steady, clearly expecting your reply.