[It's not as rough as it could have been for Ava, because Tony didn't recognize her either, so she went into this knowing not to expect much. She can see that way unease widens Natasha's eyes, though, and it takes effort to not flinch away, like she expects to be hurt. (They were both so good at that, weren't they?)
Her phrasing catches Ava, eases things a little as Nat so clearly tries to avoid making her words cut, and that's a kindness that's new to her. So when she steps forward, Ava stays, and not like she's holding her ground, like pulling away is showing weakness, but like she trusts her. It's not a sentiment that's always worked out in her favor, but she still can't help wanting it to.
This time, however, it does. Not like the times that she's hugged her and could feel the discomfort on her skin. Ava thinks this is maybe the first time that Natasha has initiated contact herself and she exhales like a breath she was only half-aware that she was holding. She smiles at Natasha with warmth to her face.
She hasn't told her everything, of course. Not because she wants to keep things from her, but because it feels easier. Like it'll be easier for her to hear it in pieces instead of all at once.
She knows what was done to Natasha, remembers how hard on her the link between them is. So while she fully intends to tell her-- she just thinks it might be better not all at the same time.]
Thank you. And- I'm Ava. [Maybe thanking her for something as simple as believing her, as touching her, is a little odd, but she means it. And it's why she offers her name; the colloquial version of it, anyway. No last name, no puzzles that Ava herself hasn't entirely unraveled, but something to call her. And her fingers calm, and she holds onto that comfort.
It's strange, but this feels almost- easier, somehow.]
gosh sorry this took forever ALSO I'm totally hitting you up on the intro log
Her phrasing catches Ava, eases things a little as Nat so clearly tries to avoid making her words cut, and that's a kindness that's new to her. So when she steps forward, Ava stays, and not like she's holding her ground, like pulling away is showing weakness, but like she trusts her. It's not a sentiment that's always worked out in her favor, but she still can't help wanting it to.
This time, however, it does. Not like the times that she's hugged her and could feel the discomfort on her skin. Ava thinks this is maybe the first time that Natasha has initiated contact herself and she exhales like a breath she was only half-aware that she was holding. She smiles at Natasha with warmth to her face.
She hasn't told her everything, of course. Not because she wants to keep things from her, but because it feels easier. Like it'll be easier for her to hear it in pieces instead of all at once.
She knows what was done to Natasha, remembers how hard on her the link between them is. So while she fully intends to tell her-- she just thinks it might be better not all at the same time.]
Thank you. And- I'm Ava. [Maybe thanking her for something as simple as believing her, as touching her, is a little odd, but she means it. And it's why she offers her name; the colloquial version of it, anyway. No last name, no puzzles that Ava herself hasn't entirely unraveled, but something to call her. And her fingers calm, and she holds onto that comfort.
It's strange, but this feels almost- easier, somehow.]