Chapter Text
It was the little things for Kate.
Every little kiss, every little touch, every little word; all of it mattered.
She just didn’t know how to return it.
Kate consulted a friend of hers who worked at the local library about the issue. Well, not upfront. More like asking, ‘ Hey, you have any books on dating?’ at the desk and then checked out as many books as she could carry. Now here she was, sitting at her desk with books littering the area all around the defeated woman in the midst of it.
Valentine’s Day was only a few days away and Kate didn’t know what on earth she was going to give Yelena. What did Yelena even like? She never talked about such mundane things. Maybe how the rain was annoying, or maybe how that person was a bit sketch, but never about things she liked. Did Yelena like chocolate? Flowers? Big fluffy animals?
Kate really doesn’t know why she went to the library at all. It’s not like she was going to find a big book of gift ideas for your girlfriend, but she was expecting at least something more than the books she held in her hands. These were all cheesy as hell; they didn’t come close to what her relationship was like in actuality. And now Kate was panicking about her gift not being good enough.
Kate crossed off the last present idea on her list with a frustrated sigh, shutting the cover of a thick hardback book closed and shoving it aside so she could rest her head on her arms. She felt completely fucked.
It wasn’t like Yelena would dump her girlfriend of a year and a half over a shitty gift, but it sure felt like it. Kate wanted to create something meaningful like all those videos she’s seen on the internet, but she just didn’t have the materials nor the money. It was a frustrating ordeal.
With her head still resting on her arms, Kate sluggishly pulled a thin book covered in a layer of dust towards her. It took effort to lift her head up again, but she did nonetheless, opening the cover to meet with a white piece of paper folded neatly in half, a contrast to the yellow pages waiting to be read. An unexpected wisp of curiosity made Kate pick it up.
There was a brown wax seal with an L stamped on it, keeping the paper closed. Actually, there were quite a few pieces of paper judging by the weight of it. Did someone accidentally leave this here?
Kate knows she shouldn’t open it, but it is so tempting. What are the words that rest inside? How long has this been here? She had to read it.
Well.
What can she say? Curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
Kate slid a finger through the crease of the paper, tearing right through the wax seal. She unfolded the pieces of paper, eyes met with messy cursive. At the top of the paper the date was smudged, but Kate was sure she could make out a 2019.
May as well read it now, right?
To the eyes who see this particular letter, 06.11.2019
Out of billions of people, you are the one who received it. This must mean you’ve picked up ‘The Art of the Pale.’ I wonder why. Is it the title? Is it how thin the book is? Is it the yellow pages that have been read over and over and over again throughout the years?
I won’t pester you with my talk. I’m just here to deliver a message.
Write a letter.
To anyone, really. Write a letter to your father, your hero, your favorite teacher– you can even write a letter back to me. “Why?” you may ask.
Words on a page can mean the world to someone. A simple, “hello, how is your day going?” or a, “your smile brightens the sky!” could do much more than you can ever imagine. Tell someone how much you appreciate them. Tell someone why they are such an important person in your life. Tell someone their impact on the world through your eyes.
They might not be here forever. So tell them now.
- Lila ♡
Kate read over the last line over and over again, like it was an enticing line of poetry.
Tell them now.
Maybe she will.
“Kate Bishooop!”
“Yelena Belooova!” Kate mimicked, embracing the woman into a warm hug. Yelena kissed the top of Kate’s head through a smile, running her hand through her hair. Kate closed her eyes in delight, enjoying the soft fingers that caressed her scalp.
Add it to the list of the little things she does.
“How’s Lucky?”
Kate pulled away with a smile, nodding to the golden boy. “Ready to go on a walk.”
Yelena hummed, squinting her eyes at the animal. “Typical dogs,” she mumbled before putting on her best smile towards Kate. “Ready to get some coffee?”
Kate gasped, bringing her arm to her chest in feigned dramaticism. “I thought you’d never ask.”
With their arms interlaced, the two (or rather, three) walked to the coffee shop mere steps away from them. Linking arms may have been pointless given such a short walk, but it didn’t stop the warmth Kate felt when being near Yelena. It was comforting, knowing they were so close.
Yelena opened the door to the shop, unlinking their arms to let Kate and Lucky go through first. Kate bowed dramatically in thanks, not missing the roll of eyes Yelena gave her before she was up at the counter.
Yelena was so pretty when she ordered coffee. Her voice went down a tone, she always lent a smile to the employees, always thought about Lucky. Every time Kate brought Lucky along, Yelena always insisted he get a treat. And alas, here they were, ordering a cup of whipped cream for a dog with one eye.
Boy, was Lucky excited about his whipped cream in a cup. Yelena tried her best to suppress a laugh at the sight of Lucky getting the substance all over his muzzle; she crouched down and used two fingers to swipe the whipped cream off the top of Lucky’s nose. Kate smiled softly at the little gesture of affection.
Add it to the list.
Kate murmured a quick ‘ thank you ’ to the barista who delivered their drinks. It shouldn’t be a surprise to Kate that Yelena remembers her order by now– it was rather simple, but it didn’t stop the warmth of her cheeks. God, was she glad she didn’t turn red easily. She’d probably be teased for it constantly.
Kate motioned the hot drink to Yelena, the blonde reaching for it blindly as she wiped her fingers on a napkin.
“We go to park now, boy,” Yelena grinned, rubbing Lucky on the head. She looked up at Kate before pushing herself up, offering her arm out for her to hold. Kate took it gladly.
“Here.” Kate passed the leash to Yelena once they were outside. “One sec.”
Kate used her left hand to pull her scarf tighter around her neck, switching the coffee to her other hand so she could wrap the longer length of the scarf around the blonde next to her. Yelena tried to protest, but Kate ignored her comments; she wasn’t actively trying to take it off anyways. Kate pulled back for as much distance the scarf allowed and grinned at the unamused face inches away from her.
“This is unnecessary.”
“Come on,” Kate beamed. “You gotta stay warm.”
Yelena merely raised a brow before rolling her eyes. It was a battle they both knew she would lose. And besides, Kate is sure that the extra warmth is appreciated; she just wouldn’t admit it because she was ‘raised from the mighty grail of Russia.’
On the walk to Central Park, Kate brought up the fact that Lucky didn’t have a scarf of his own every two minutes. They were arm in arm and connected by a big wool scarf and Lucky was bare , she said. The dog has fur , Yelena retorted. But think about how he must feel embarrassed being so naked in front of all these clothed people , Kate whined. He is a dog , Yelena said. He does not feel embarrassment . You don’t know that , Kate fought back. If you looked closely, you could probably see Yelena’s eye twitch.
They ended up getting a scarf from a street vendor.
If anything, Lucky certainly looked happier. His scarf was red and gold, complimentary to the color of his fur. Kate seemed happier as well. And that was all that really mattered to Yelena.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
Yelena squinted at the brunette who was hiding her hands behind her back. “Are you regretting not bringing your gloves?”
“...Maybe.”
Yelena rolled her eyes with a sigh, motioning for Kate to come closer. “Give me your hands.”
“No.”
“Kate. Give me your hands.”
“It’s fine really, they’ll warm up when I get home and—”
“Kate, if you don’t give me your hands, I’m going to make you trade drinks with me.”
Kate let out a groan, taking her rather purple hands from behind her back and holding them out.
“This is because of your fucking iced latte,” Yelena accused, taking Kate’s hands into her warm ones and rubbing them together.
“Shut up. It’s good coffee.”
“It tastes the same when it’s hot!”
“It does not!”
Yelena grumbled, blowing a breath of hot air on the hands in hers. “At this rate, you’re going to die with an iced coffee in your hands.”
“I will not,” Kate huffed. “You’re just jealous that I have a drink that tastes good no matter the season.”
“Oh my god,” Yelena moaned. “Kate Bishop, you are going to kill me one day.”
“I thought we passed this stage.”
“You kill me in many different ways,” Yelena kissed the top of her knuckles. “And I think I’m just going to have to make peace with that.”
Kate grinned sheepishly, pulling her hands back to herself to stuff them in her pockets. Yelena slipped her own hand inside one of the pockets and interlaced their fingers together. The two shared smiles; the warmth in the small space was comforting when they saw their breaths curling and twisting into the sky above them.
The two women sat side by side in the chilly weather, watching Lucky play with the other dogs. It often looked like his scarf was about the fall off, but he sure proved the two women wrong every time. That dog seemed determined to make it his mission to not let it fall.
They eventually walked home hand in hand, mindless chatter emitting from their lips. It was evening, the sun setting to the ends of the Earth. They did their regular routine whenever one of them stayed at the others: take showers, borrow clothes, eat. Oh, and endless kisses scattered here and there.
Add it to the list.
As Yelena was taking her shower, Kate sat at her desk and looked at the unfinished letter that stared back at her. Without sitting down, Kate tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned over to begin writing.
In technical terms, perhaps this could be called a love letter. Yet in Kate’s terms, this was merely an appreciation letter. An appreciation letter of all the little things Yelena did. Warming up her hands when she saw them turn purple, kisses at the right moments, encouragement through their training sessions, remembering her drink orders; all of it. She loved all of it.
It was easy writing about all the ways she loves Yelena. Yelena took rather fast showers, but listing all the reasons she loves her girlfriend dearly? Even faster.
Kate gave her letter a once over before folding it in three halves and sticking it closed with a piece of tape. She wrote Yelena’s name on the outside of the paper before capping her pen with a stupid grin. This was truly going to be—
The shower stopped running.
Kate’s eyes widened. The brunette immediately sprinted to the black bag sitting on the chair in the corner of her room, placing the letter inside hastily before jumping on the bed and turning over to innocently pretend she was asleep.
She could hear Yelena start a sentence but cut herself off at the sight of Kate. Kate had to suppress a smile; if only she could add this to the list of things Yelena does.
Within minutes, she heard the click of a lamp and felt shuffling on the bed before a hand swept Kate’s hair across the pillow rather than letting it lay against her neck. She felt a kiss against her cheek and a soft ‘good night’ hushed near her ear before Yelena leaned back to settle into the mattress.
It was the little things.
Yelena woke up first.
She intended to do the usual routine whenever she stayed over at Kate’s: get up, brush her teeth, make coffee. However, it was quite the test of strength, trying to escape from a sleeping Kate’s grasp.
It was like a game of tug and war; Yelena bet Kate didn’t even know there was a pout and furrow of her brows when she slept. She held a death grip on Yelena’s arm as the latter tried to tug away, but she soon realized that unclasping her fingers from around her wrist was all it took to free herself from the prison of girlfriend’s arms.
Yelena huffed and ran a hand through her hair, taking the hair tie on the nightstand to pull it up. She checked her phone's notifications mindlessly, a hand rummaging around her bag for a change of clothes before she heard a ‘ crinkle.’
She looked over in curiosity, pulling out a folded piece of paper sealed with tape. Several pieces of paper, actually.
Yelena looked back to the sleeping brunette whose cheek was squished against the pillow. Was this from her? There wasn’t any ‘ from ’ on the paper, it just said ‘ To, Yelena. ’ It did look like Kate’s handwriting the more she stared, though. How long has this been here?
With a change of clothes, and a well deserved head scratch for Lucky, Yelena took the letter with her to the kitchen and tossed it on the counter. She poured coffee grounds into the coffee maker, refiltering the water, and turned it on like a pro before resting her face on the palm of her hand, eyes falling to the letter.
Perhaps she’ll read it as she drinks her coffee.
Speaking of, Yelena took the freshly brewed delight and took a refreshing sip, walking over to the big window parallel from where she was. She sat down in the armchair with a place of her coffee next to the side table; Lucky sat by her feet, resting his head atop of her toes as she set down her coffee and picked up the letter.
She inspected the words on the front for a long moment until she decided to carefully remove the tape and unfolded the pages.
Dear Yelena, 02.14.22
Hi. I don’t know how to start this off, really, so I’m just going to get right into it.
I really, really appreciate you. Is that weird to say? I hope not. But I really really do. You’ve made me feel comforted when I felt the most lost and wiped my tears when my mum went to jail. You’re such an amazing person, Yelena. You make me feel like it’s okay to be damaged goods, y’know? Everyone sees me as the girl who has everything but you don’t. You see me as Kate Bishop who’s a human being and also has shit going on in their life. And you make me feel like that’s okay. Each day, I adore you more and more and I want you to know that all the little things you’ve done for me? They were so much bigger than they seemed.
So, Yelena Belova. Here’s all the little things you do that make me fall more and more in love with you.
“Kate Bishop!”
Yelena pounced on the lump under the mess of sheets, a hearty laugh erupting from her lips. Kate shot up alert, a moment of confusion clouding her thoughts before processing that the attacker on top of her was just her girlfriend (who, for some reason, decided to disturb her rest.)
Kate blinked the spots from her eyes a few times before making an attempt to speak, only to be interrupted with a kiss that tasted of bitter coffee.
Yelena and her black coffee.
Kate returned it hesitantly, confusion still evident in her sleepy demeanor. Yelena perked up with a giggle, smiling down at the confused brunette under her.
“Hi.”
Kate cleared her throat. “Hi?”
Yelena rolled off Kate’s lap, settling down next to her. She wrapped her arms around the brunette’s waist, pulling herself up to fit her head just under her chin. “I found your letter.”
Kate’s breath hitched. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Yelena hummed, nuzzling further into the warmth of her girlfriend.
“What did you think of it?”
Yelena was quiet for a few moments in thought, nervousness slowly seeping through Kate until she saw the blonde lift her head up with a sleepy smile.
Yelena brushed the stray strands of hair out of Kate’s eyes before settling her hand down to cup Kate’s face. Yelena’s expression was soft, as were her lips.
Yelena’s kiss was gentle and sweet; Kate relaxed into it, fingers running through the ponytail of blonde hair. The kiss lasted for a long minute, neither of them wanting to pull away. Yet alas, Yelena departed first and Kate was greeted with an adoring smile that made her heart skip a beat.
“I love you.”
Kate’s eyes softened at the declaration, straining her neck up to leave a quick peck on Yelena’s nose. “I love you, too.”
“Happy Valentine's Day.”
Kate scrunched her nose with a pout. “Aren’t you going to say it to Lucky, too?”
“What?” Yelena huffed with suppressed laughter. “That dog doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“Yuh-huh!” Kate let out a whistle. “Lucky, come here!”
The jingle of the dog’s collar could be heard as he pranced into the room, jumping up on the bed. Kate gave him a head rub, before talking to him in her best baby voice. “Do you want to tell Yelena about your little girlfriend at the park or should I?”
Yelena turned to the dog and gasped, eyes going wide in disbelief. “Nooo!”
“Yup!” Kate grinned like a proud mother and scratched the dog under his chin. “He’s got action.”
The two fell into a comfortable silence, both petting Lucky, who was obviously having the time of his life getting all the attention. The three of them cuddled like that for a while, the sun getting higher in the sky as the minutes passed on through all the gentle kisses they shared.
“…Wanna go see Lucky’s new girlfriend?”
“Absolutely.”