Chapter Text
Alexi had placed Remi down on a crate as she cradled the small kitten in her arms. It had began to fall asleep in the warm embrace purring happily. He began gathering his tools and some materials to make a cathouse for it with the intention of placing it further out on the property so Melina wouldn’t even notice.
As the night grew darker the temperature began to drop as the stars began to light the sky. “Are you sure you do not want to go inside?” Alexi confirmed for the 40th time. “No!!!” Remi whined beginning to get annoyed with the threat of the house looming over her.
Alexi tutted turning to Remi confused “What is so bad about the house?! Has it done something to upset you?” He asked playfully. Remi looked down timidly focusing her attention on the kitten trying to pretend she wasn’t just in the middle of a conversation. She began to wish she had listened to her mother and put some socks and shoes on now.
Alexi began cutting some wood to size as Remi placed the kitten down gently on some hay to keep it comfortable as it slept peacefully. She walked over to Alexi curiously watching him work. “Grandpa?” She said softly “hmmm?” He responded softly beginning to nail the pieces together.
Remi picked up some nails from the pile and began handing them to Alexi one by one as he needed them. “W-why is Nana afraid of him?” She asked quietly, “Why did she s-scream like that?” She looked at him sadness showing in her eyes.
Alexi let out a deep breath “Well- she’s superstitious honey, it was nothing personal” he explained. “What’s stupertitus?” She said butchering the pronunciation. Alexi thought for a moment before explaining “People who are superstitious believe in things that are not real or possible, for example magic- well uhhh-“ he said when he saw the expression on Remi’s face.
Although he does not understand what classified as magic at this point he didn’t Believe it wasn’t real. “Well say for example she is afraid of black cats because she believes that they are connected to evil witches who work for the devil- and if one enters the house evil does too. Not that the cat is evil it’s just an omen“ he said chuckling softly. Remi nodded slightly but she didn’t laugh with him.
The child’s thoughts began to race, what if her Nana was afraid of her. If she had magic did she work for the devil? Who is the devil? Sure he’s the most evil thing on the planet but does that mean she is too? Just as her breathing began to quicken her mamas voice sounded behind her. “Hours up- time to come home” Natasha said walking closer to Remi.
Remi froze for a moment she was far from ready to go back to the house just yet. If her nana was angry that she was bringing evil inside- what if she was the evil. Natasha immediately sensed that Remi was on the verge of a breakdown and rushed to her side only to be rebuffed.
Remi’s whole mood was off, she didn’t know who she wanted or could trust in the moment she just knew she wanted to be outside and nowhere near her grandma. When Natasha was unable to move her she crouched to her level. “This isn’t a request Remi I am telling you to do it! Right now!” She said sternly. Remi glanced over at the sleeping kitten then up at Alexi. “I stay here with grandpa!” She said defiantly.
Natasha didn’t miss a beat as soon as she heard a hint of defiance in Remi’s voice she clocked her with a fast swatt to the seat of her pants. Remi winced and threw her hands behind her defensively “Mama….” She whined. “Don’t test me Remi!” Alexi bit his lip not wanting to interfere.
When remi looked to him for help and received none she broke inside “I don’t want to go back to the house!! Everyone’s always yelling” she sobbed out her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. Nat but her lip trying to keep her voice at a calm level.
Keeping a tight grip on Remi’s forearms so the child couldn’t bolt Natasha pulled her closer “Remi. I’m sorry for yelling earlier, we all are, but you can’t stay outside just because everyone had a fight!” She said keeping her tone firm. Remis lip trembled as tears stained her face.
Nat let go of one of her arms so she could wipe her face gently “take a breath baby and listen to me, nobody’s arguing anymore, I promise” She said gently. Remi bit her lip and nodded. Natasha took her jacket off and wrapped it around Remi noticing how could she as she began to shiver. Remi had lost feeling in her toes a long time ago but she wouldn’t admit that.
Remi looked down and chewed her sleeve nervously before speaking up “I can’t go back if nana is mad at me… she thinks I’m evil…” She said sadly. “What nooo!! That’s not what I mean when I say that Remi!” Alexi said, “she thinks the cat is evil that it is telling her evil is coming!” He tried to explain as Natasha turned to Alexi “ my pogovorim pozzhe” (we will talk later!) she said through gritted teeth.
Remi quickly pushed herself away from Natasha backing up towards Alexi. “Don’t be angry with grandpa he didn’t do anything wrong!! It-it’s all my fault!” She said the lump in her throat tightening.
Natasha looked at Remi confused for a moment, “what’s your fault?” Nat asked. “Everything! No matter what I do everything goes wrong! I… I’m..” Remi couldn’t stop the new tears that began to fall. Natasha was growing tired and her patience growing thinner but she was trying to hold herself together. “D-defective” the child finally spat out.
Hearing that phrase knocked the wind from Natasha. Even she had underlying traumas left from the red room. She knew that defective meant you where where better off dead. Taking a deep breath Natasha edged forward but Remi moved backwards falling over her feet into Alexi.
Alexi was quick to catch her and steady her on her feet but the child clung to his arm almost trying to use him as a shield between her and Natasha.
Alexi looked at Natasha with sympathy he could tell she was not enjoying the situation. He lifted Remi into his arms letting her cry it out for a few moments. “Y’know… I do not believe you are defective, I don’t think you should use that word ever if you describe yourself okay-“ Alexi said gently but his tone was sincere.
Natasha watched as Alexi held Remi gently and comforted her as he had when her and Yelena where children. They had a rocky relationship but they loved each-other in their own way. Remi didn’t say another word just listened to Alexi as he whispered comforting words to her.
Remi sobbed into his shoulder calming slightly. “I think we are all just cold and tired right now, and if I know anything we get extra emotional when that is the case” Alexi said. Remi nodded weakly her sobs had quietened down and she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
Now came the hard part the handover- Alexi cringed slightly unsure at the reaction he would get as he began to hand Remi over to Natasha. The child went willingly until Natasha began to move toward the door. Her sleepy voice sounding out concern about the kitten they had named Jet. “But- what about jet?-“ she asked sleepily lifting her head off her mamas shoulder.
Natasha glared at Alexi knowing naming it would make it much harder to give it away. “I’ll make sure he’s safe” Alexi promised as he winked at Natasha. Nat shook her head playfully at him and took Remi back to the house.
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TBC?