XXVIII. HOW TO PICTURE THINGS 

"What if we set a date. If it's not legal here, we'll go up to Canada and get married," Natasha says. They were sitting at the counter, discussing the wedding over coffee.

"How about November?" Amara asks. "We can get married in the snow."

"Won't you blend in?" Natasha asks.

"maybe," Amara says. "But I won't mind, because I'll be marrying you."

"Mmm," Natasha says. "I love you so much."

☾☼☽

They decided on November 25, a nice day, and it was mid-July. Amara had an appointment to get a wedding dress in early august, Nat's was in mid-august.

It would be a small wedding: Fury (would walk Natasha down the aisle), Clint, Laura, Maria, and Coulson would be there (if they wanted to come.)

Amara was seated on the couch, typing a strongly worded email, while Natasha was leaning against the doorway drying her hair with a towel. Amara wore black sweatpants and a striped crop top, Natasha was wearing black leggings and a sports bra.

"C'mere," Natasha says. "You're stressed out."

"I'm fine," Amara says. "People are idiots."

"Who specifically?" Natasha asks. Before Amara could reply, Natasha's phone rang, displaying an unknown number.

"Hello? Natasha asks, putting it on speakerphone and sitting next to Amara on the couch.

"Hey, This is Maddison, the girl from the bridge," She says, obviously crying.

"Hey," Amara says. "How are you doing?"

"Not great," Maddison says.

"What's wrong?" Natasha asks gently, placing a hand on Amara's thigh.

"My uh, grandma just passed away, and I don't know who else to call..." Maddison let out a sob. "I was wondering if I could stay with you until I can find a place?"

"Oh, honey," Natasha says. "We can't exactly disclose our address," She pauses.

"Why don't you pack up and meet us at that coffee shop on sixth," Amara says. Call us when you're on your way." Natasha nods.

"O-Okay, thank you so much," Maddison says. "I'll see you guys later."

"Of course," Amara says. "See you later sweetheart." They hung up, Natasha sighing.

"This girl deserves so much better," Natasha says.

"Fuck the patriarchy," Amara says. "Fuck bigots," She says.

"Preach!" Natasha says. "God I love you so much." She kisses her, resting her head on her shoulder.

"I love you too, Natasha."

☾☼☽

"We have a few rules: One, you can't have friends over. It's just a matter of safety and keeping our identity a secret," Natasha says as they sit in the cafe.

"Two," Amara says. "You won't pay for rent."

"What?" Maddison asks. "I have to chip in in some way."

"Nope," Natasha says. "You will pay us in Iced coffees from Dunkin donuts, and we will also pay to help you get top surgery, and bottom surgery if you need it."

"I can't let you do that," Maddison says. "It's unfair."

"Honey," Amara says. "We don't pay rent."

"What? How?"

"Our work pays for it," Natasha says.

"Ah."

"Three. Put the toilet seat down before you flush," Amara says. "It is better for your bathroom."

"Four, No disclosing your location to friends during and after your stay. It is a safety and security issue." Maddison nods.

"Also, we have a right to beat up anyone who deadnames or misgenders you," Natasha says.

"You now have two lesbian moms," Amara says. "Sign here."

"Thank you so much," Maddison says. "What was that?"

"It was a contract for all of those statements. We are required by our work to do that," Amara says. "Sign here," She points to a different document. "Hang on."

"Hi!" Clint says, running inside. "Sorry, I'm late."

"Who's this?" Maddison asks.

"Clint, Clint Barton," He says. "I'm here to make things official."

"Things?" Maddison says.

"We would like to be your legal guardians until you turn 18," Natasha says.

"If you want to," Amara says.

"Oh my god," Maddison says, a sob exiting her lips. "Thank you so much."

"Of course sweetheart," Natasha says.

That afternoon was filled with lots of tears and lots of hugs.

☾☼☽

The world wasn't kind to a biracial trans woman with two moms. Maddison was lucky as hell to have them. Amara and Natasha were in the kitchen singing along and dancing to some music. Maddison smiled softly, watching them.

"Mads!" Amara calls. "Get your butt in here!" Maddison stood, walking to the kitchen.

"Yeah, mom?" Amara's heart melted whenever Maddison called her that, and Natasha secretly loved it when she was called mama.

"We just wanted you to hang out with us," Amara says.

"Oh, okay," Maddison says.

"What do you want for dinner?" Natasha asks.

"I don't really care," Maddison says.

"Do you not care, or do you not feel like you deserve to choose?" Natasha asks. Amara jumps onto the counter and grabs a bag of chips, popping one into her mouth.

"That is the tea," Amara says.

"We could do wings?" Maddison says. "I used to get them all the time with my dad before he-" she stopped herself, preparing herself for a lecture, but none came.

"Wings are perfect," Amara says. "I'll order them now." Natasha kissed her on the forehead, before walking to get the phone.

Maddison had begun to notice the two's dynamic. They would constantly be touching in one way or another, Natasha absolutely loved Amara, just by the way that she looked at her. Amara would play with Natasha's hair a lot, and when Natasha sat in between her legs, she'd kiss her neck gently.

It was a love Maddison longed for, and a love that she never thought that she would get.