Chapter Text
Recently, it occurred to Natasha that she was one of the few Avengers who couldn't fly.
It was kind of comical that she and Steve took up the task to train the new recruits when neither of them had the ability to fly like Wanda and Vision or were not typically equipped with some sort of tech that allowed them to fight in the air like Rhodey and Sam. Not that it mattered too much since training didn't always revolve around flight, but it was a detail she couldn't help but notice.
After running through a hiking trail near the compound several times for her daily cardio, Natasha was about to head inside when she noticed a red streak crossing across the sky above her. It was Wanda practicing her flying using her powers. The former assassin internally remarked that Wanda wasn't as mobile in the air compared to Vision or Sam, but the young woman had made a lot of progress considering the most Wanda could do at first was hover a few feet above the ground.
Wanda glanced at the ground and saw Natasha waving at her. She carefully descended and landed right in front of the redhead. "Hello, Agent Romanoff. Did you have a good run?"
"Natasha is fine. We're not on a field mission," Natasha said, lips curled into a lopsided grin. "And I did. Thanks for asking. Worked up a sweat."
"Natasha," Wanda tried, looking sheepish. It felt strange to speak so comfortably with her mentor, but she liked the way her stomach fluttered when those deep green eyes looked her way. "Did you see me flying?"
"I did. You've come a long way," Natasha praised. She bit back a smirk when she noticed a blush on Wanda's cheeks. "It'd be pretty cool if I could join you up there."
"At most, I could levitate you off the ground, but I can't do that and also fly at the same time. I'm unable to split my focus." Wanda was evidently disappointed at this realization, enjoying the idea of temporarily giving the ability to fly to someone, especially to Natasha.
Natasha saw Wanda's disheartened look and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, you'll be able to do it someday. Your powers are pretty damn amazing. Take things one step at a time." She perked up and smacked the underside of her fist to her palm as an idea popped into her head. "I've got a new kind of exercise we can try if you're up for it."
Wanda gave her a puzzled expression, tilting her head to one side. "What is it?"
"You can lift me off the ground with your powers, right?" When Wanda confirmed with a nod, Natasha continued, a grin on her lips that was borderline mischievous. "So it also means you can catch me midair as well, right?"
"Natasha, where are you going with this?" Wanda asked, eyeing the other woman suspiciously.
"I'm calling it rescue drills," the spy reasoned. She pointed to the rooftop of the compound. "I'm going to fall from there and you use your powers to stop my fall."
Wanda was stunned in place at the sudden absurdity Natasha was suggesting until it finally clicked Natasha was serious, prepping to launch a grapple hook. "Are you not going to at least wear a parachute?"
"Why would I? You're going to catch me, aren't you?"
"Yes, but-"
"Then it's settled."
"Natasha."
"Wow, your accent really comes out when you're exasperated. It's cute," Natasha commented casually, well aware Wanda was blushing without even needing to glance at her. "Anyway, it's still good practice to be able to use your powers on the fly, especially when anything can happen on a mission."
"You are reckless, Natasha Romanoff," Wanda said, sighing in defeat. "But you win."
"Great! Glad you finally see things my way and- Whoa!" A swirl of red surrounded Natasha's torso and she was lifted into the air and onto the top of the building. Natasha looked over the edge to the ground and saw Wanda looking back at her with a cheeky smile. "That was… a fun surprise."
Wanda shrugged. "No need to waste a grappling hook when you have me."
"That's true. I do have you," Natasha agreed with a smirk, hands on her hips. "Okay. Ready to catch me, Maximoff?"
Wanda gazed up at her, eyes flaring red with a smile.
"Always."