Who: Valkyrie and Natasha When: A couple weeks ago/pre-Nat's vacation Where: Town then Obstacle course What: Getting to know each other Rating/Warnings: None, really. Status: Complete once posted
Natasha couldn’t deny there had been some trepidation when Bruce had informed her that Valkyrie was here, she knew all about the woman from Bruce’s time on Sakaar and had to admit there was a certain amount of jealousy mixed in with the anxiety. But she knew how much her husband loved her so pushed that away and focused on meeting Valkyrie with no expectations. She found her to be a good humoured, bright woman who was strong and upfront. In time she was sure they would get along well.
In order to help that happen Natasha had decided to offer to show her the obstacle course in the woods, it was something she might enjoy. She sent the message and they arranged to meet in town so that Natasha could show her the way.
***
Valkyrie wasn't about to step on anyone's toes, she was close to the Hulk side but they'd spent years training together and surviving, though there had been no deeper feelings. She was grateful for his company there. She hadn't really known Bruce for a long time before she'd been brought here. Days or hours in comparison, so she was still figuring him out here.
Nat had proved to be a good thing for him, she'd decided, though she missed the big guy, she was happy he was happy. It was a change from anything that they'd experienced. It made agreeing to meet the woman to explore this obstacle course easier.
She arrived on time, though casually dressed in sweats and a tank top. The summer sun felt good on her skin. She was glad they hadn't been sent home, she'd learned nothing good had happened. “You ready?” She asked, resting a hand on her hip.
***
Natasha would definitely be pleased to know that Valkyrie thought she was good for Bruce. They were good for each other, but it was always nice when others saw that too.
When she saw the other woman approaching she smiled and gave her a nod, “Absolutely, follow me” Natasha was dressed similarly in casual clothing for working out. Most of her wardrobe consisted of those kinds of outfits, working at the gym kind of required it.
“How are you doing?” she asked as they walked.
*** Valkyrie shrugged a little, “as well as anyone can, I think. It is not Asgard, but it isn't bad.” She let her arms fall as they walked.
“Trying to not drink this place out of alcohol is an interesting endeavor. At least Sigrùn makes something close to brew from home.” It was a really, really old habit to drink like there was no tomorrow. Did it really matter since she couldn't really get drunk anyway?
“Madison Valley is an adjustment. And yourself?”
*** “There are definitely worse places to be” Natasha agreed, she’d made her home here and was happy with the life she led. But she knew even for herself it hadn’t been like that to start with.
“Ah of course, you Asgardians are harder to get drunk than Russians” Thor was the one person who could always drink Natasha under the table.
“If there’s anything we can do to help, you only need to ask” Natasha told her, “I’m good now I know my life here isn’t going to be taken away. That was one of the worst things this place has done.”
*** She was coming around to being grateful to be here. She hadn't asked if anyone knew her fate, it wasn't her place to know, but she did wonder if this place was better than her fate would be. The loss of Asgard stung still.
“I take it Russians are hard to get drunk?” She looked at Natasha with a bit of an arched brow. “I wasn't as well versed in Midgardian, well anything, as Thor was and the Big Guy really wasn't big on conversation that in-depth.” She didn't really apologize for her lack of knowledge, she was too proud for that, but she admitted she had very little clue about this place.
Valkyrie tried for a way to verbalize her thoughts on that that didn't start with an apology, fingers raking through her hair as she thought, “I spent a very long time on my own.” She said carefully after a minute, hoping Natasha would get what she didn't say, that she really wasn't great on leaning on others. “That seemed like a pretty cruel stunt this place pulled.”
*** Natasha couldn’t say she knew Valkyrie’s fate to tell her anyway, though she wished she did. If she could offer even a small peace of mind to the other woman she would have.
“Oh, sorry, my fault, I should have known that” Natasha said, “But yes, Russians are hard to get drunk. They make an alcoholic drink called vodka so it kind of goes along with that, I was born in Russia” she explained, “And Thor is one of the only people to ever drink me under the table”
Natasha nodded, “I understand. It takes time but it will get easier. And of course Bruce and I will just bug you constantly so you get used to having us around” she smiled before sighing, “Yeah it was, most of the time the things that happen aren’t like that”
*** “No, it's fine. I was on my way to Midgard when we were attacked, but it was my first real visit here. I was off a long long way away from even Asgard for a very long time. I'm picking things up but cultural differences are still pretty fast.” She grinned a bit.
“Sounds my kind of people.” A laugh as she stretched, “drinking is a good hobby. Or well, I guess, if you're capable of handling it.” Valkyrie kind of smirked.
“I'm probably need that, though you'll never hear me admit that again. I was in Sakaar to avoid a lot of things, and that meant people too. Being alone is a habit now.” She nodded, “hopefully that won't happen again.”
*** “Well if you need any help with that I can offer my assistance, I know it can take a while to get used to the nuances of a new culture and this one is pretty unique thanks to the number of different places people are from”
Natasha laughed, “That is definitely a deciding factor” she agreed, admitting to herself she was probably far more out of practice than she used to be.
“In that case I am taking that as permission to break you of that particular habit. You wait we’ll make you a social expert in no time” she grinned, “Don’t worry we’ll start small, weekly dinners with us shouldn’t be too painful”
*** Valkyrie looked at her for a moment then nodded. “I would not be opposed to it. I am not settling in easily and it’s hard to know if it’s just me or what knowledge I’m missing.” she laughed a little, things were so weird. Back home she knew what she was about - scavenging things and people, drinking - it was much easier.
“Weekly dinners, huh?” she teased as she smiled, though, genuinely pleased people were willing to look after her. She was a little abrasive and a little rough cut, but she was good people under it all.
“Shouldn’t be too painful? That wording worries me a little, you know.” Valkyrie stopped at the edge of the clearing and nodded. “Though, I do not think I will ever be a social expert.”
*** “Of course, like I said anything we can do to help we will. And helping you get to know all the intricacies of the culture here is definitely something we can help with. We’ll get you settled, I promise”
If anything Natasha could call on her old training to help Valkyrie, she may as well put some of those lessons to a good use.
“Sorry again. I just mean it’ll be easier to practice your social skills on us first before we work up to including others” Natasha smiled, “Never say never”
*** “That would be great, thank you Natasha. I can’t exactly be a loner here, it seems like it would not work out terribly well.” she smiled a bit a she pushed her hair out of her eyes.
Valkyrie tucked her hands into her pockets and looked at the woman. “I will take any and all help you offer. I do not wish to withdraw into seclusion here, I’ve done that enough with my life.” she smiled.
“I am happy, of course, I look forward to these dinners.”
***
“No and with most of our lot it’s not an option either” Natasha told her with a wry smile.
“We’ll change that don’t worry, old habits are hard to break but not impossible and you have support here. No matter what” she promised.
“So do I, and I think you’ll do far better than you think” Natasha added confidently. Valkyrie had a strength to her which Natasha recognised, she would be just fine.
***
Valkyrie smiled a little. “We’ll see. Though you are probably right. I am capable of adaptation. Just like the rest of my people, we might seem to be stuck in our ways but we do adapt.” she laughed softly then looked to the course. “Alright, then, shall we?”
She gestured to the course, “This place looks like fun. Was it here originally or did someone build it?” she cocked her head towards it, amused, because she didn’t have such things back home. It was mostly thrown into the training head first and go.
This looked more relaxed.
***
“I have no doubt you’ll succeed” Natasha said before nodding in agreement, “Yes let’s”
“A group from another place built it, they’ve gone now but everybody who uses it looks after it” Natasha told her, “It’s a good workout and fun at the same time. It’s sometimes more crowded than this but everybody I’ve met here has been friendly and you can get a fun competition going” she grinned.
***
“This place is a wonderful little secret then.” she smiled at the woman then back at the course. “Alright then, might as well get a good run in and see what it’s like.” she gave the course a good look, too before smiling.
“Well it’s nice to see everyone helps take care of it, at least.” humans were strange - one minute they got along, the next they didn’t. It was a little like home, though after lots of centuries and years, everyone was pretty settled into their ways.
***
“It is” Natasha agreed, “We’ll do a practice run and then make it a little more interesting” she suggested, knowing Valkyrie would most likely beat her but that it would be fun nonetheless.
“Generally there’s a good sense of community here, we’re all stuck in the same situation so I guess there’s a level of understanding” Natasha knew it wasn’t perfect and there would always be awkward and less friendly people but overall it was a nice place to be.
*** “I keep being surprised - I spent so much time apart from others that a community is.. Both wonderful and strange.” she laughed softly before shaking her head and heading to the start of the course.
“Perfect. I like how you think. I’m glad we met.” she said before looking to the course and nodding. She would likely beat Natasha but she wouldn’t try to do so, she’d check herself enough to keep pace and learn this course.