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HOW ROSALIE AND IRINA got together was really a funny story, or at least Yelena thought it was. They had just discharged Rosalie from the hospital and Herald had managed to cram everyone into his SUV. Marcus had offered to house her until Rosalie was well on her feet again and everyone stayed with her, making sure she was comfortable and safe until they began leaving one by one. Irina and Yelena were the only ones to stick around.

Rosalie gripped the sink as she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. She moved her head around, staring at the scarring and burns, the bald spots of hair and missing lashes. She gripped the sink harder as tears threatened to fall. "Rosie?" A knock on the door startled her.

Composing herself, Rosalie turned around. "Come in!" She called, hoping she sounded normal.

The door creaked open and Yelena's head popped through. "Just checking in? How are you?"

Rosalie paused. "...good. I'm good."

When she hesitated, Yelena stepped in. "Rosie..." She frowned. "It's okay not to be okay. Your hair will grow back, the doctors said."

"I-It's not that, Yelena," Rosalie shook her head. "Well, it is and isn't. It's hard to explain."

Yelena crossed the small room in two long strides, gripping Rosalie's hands tightly. "Then explain it."

Rosalie rolled her eyes, scoffing with a small smile. "I would if I could," She shook her head. "But, even I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm sorry, Yelena."

"Rosie, no!" Yelena gasped. "Don't apologize! There is no need!"

"...Yelena I-" A knock interrupted their conversation.

Irina poked her head around the door, softly smiling. But her face dropped at the sight of such serious looks on the other women's faces. "Oh! I am so sorry! I didn't mean to intrude-"

"No, Irina. It's okay," Rosalie shook her head, beckoning the woman in. She was done with the pity talk anyway.

"Oh...kay," Irina nodded slowly and pushed herself into the small room. "I was wondering what you both would like for dinner? I want to cook."

Her words brought a small smile to Rosalie's face. "You cook?"

Irina looked down at the ground, a soft blush forming on her cheeks. "Well...no," She admitted. "But I would like to try! It seems like so much fun!"

Rosalie tilted her head, a warm feeling growing in her chest. "I'll help," She offered softly.

Irina's head shot up in shock. "Really?"

"Yes," Rosalie nodded with a soft chuckle. "Lucky for you, I know how to cook. My mom taught me all of my grandmother's traditional dishes." A pain in her heart pulled at the mention of her mother.

Irina was practically bouncing. "Great! C-Could we start now?" She stuttered out of embarrassment.

Rosalie smiled softly. "Of course," She looked over her shoulder at Yelena. She ignored the disapproving look on her face. "Care to join us?"

Yelena shook her head. "No. I'm not one for cooking. But I can supervise."

"Thanks, Belova," Rosalie smiled as she was about to follow Irina into the hallway, she was stopped by a firm yet soft hand.

She looked back at Yelena, who was frowning. "I know you're just doing this to avoid talking, but you'll have to do so, sooner or later."

Rosalie huffed as she suddenly felt annoyed. She pulled her hand from Yelena's. "I'm not avoiding anything. I just want to cook with Irina. You're not my therapist, stop analyzing me." As soon as she turned to leave, she wanted to turn right back in apologize, but her pride kept her from doing so.

Cooking together was the first step. Rosalie had never had such fun in years. Cooking brought something out of her that she thought was long gone, but something about Irina amplified it.

Though Yelena was disappointed in Rosalie for ignoring her feelings, it did bring a smile to her face seeing how happy she was with Irina.

As her recovery continued, Rosalie found herself cooking with Irina nearly every night. She still avoided Yelena's prying eyes, choosing to stare at Irina's deep brown ones instead. She found herself unable to look away from them every time they were in the same room together. The caused a fluttery feeling in her chest, a feeling she hadn't had since she first met Yelena.

Rosalie had just finished bathing herself for the first time without being in excruciating pain. Irina waited anxiously outside the bathroom for her. "Well?" Irina asked as the door opened.

Rosalie was smiling wide, her hair wrapped up and her body as well. Irina was careful not to stare at her scars. "It was amazing," Rosalie sighed with content.

"You're getting better," Irina pointed out as they began walking to the bedroom.

"I feel better," Rosalie nodded. She stopped at the door, turning to Irina. "I appreciate you waiting out here fr me in case I drown," She giggled.

Irina's stomach flipped as the realization hit her. "I-It's not a big deal," She shrugged, hoping Rosalie didn't notice how nervous she suddenly was.

"Stop, Irina," Rosalie shook her head. "It means a lot," They stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Rosalie coughed, her face turning red. "I-I gotta change. Thanks again, Irina," She was quick to enter her room and shut the door.

Irina was left standing in the hall, absolutely and irrevocably in love. A small chuckle alerted her and she turned in a flash. Yelena stood leaning against the wall, a large smirk plastered on her face. Irina blushed. "Oh, don't look so smug," She shooed as she walked past to the living area.

Yelena followed close behind, chuckling even more. "That was cute,"

Irina's face was on fire. "Shut up!" She sounded like a little school girl, but she didn't care. Flopping on the old couch, Irina huffed, crossing her arms and staring at the blank TV. Yelena came to block her view. "Could you move?" She asked, annoyed.

Yelena shook her head, hands on her hips. "I'm good," She said smugly. "I want to talk about whatever that was in the hall. You have a crush, don't you?"

Irina's eyes widened. "No!" She screeched in protest. "I have no clue what you're talking about."

"Oh, really?" Yelena tilted her head, voice dropping. "Were you not just drooling over Rosalie just then?"

Irina groaned, throwing her head back. "I hate you, Yelena Belova."

Yelena clapped happily and promptly sat next to her. "I'm getting you two together."

"What? No," Irina shook her head rapidly. "She's in too much pain right now. And besides, she would never date me." She frowned.

"You're exactly what she needs," Yelena countered. "Don't you see how lonely she is? There's only so much a best friend such as I can do," The door of Rosalie's bedroom opened and Yelena smirked. "Rosie!" She called, rushing to the woman.

Irina, panicked and wide-eyed, chased after her. Rosalie looked slightly stunned as the two ran at her. "Yes?" She smiled innocently. Irina nearly melted.

Yelena stepped in front, blocking Irina. "I have to go out for a bit," She explained, clearly lying. "Are you okay with Irina...alone?" She leaned forward, smirking.

Rosalie's face turned crimson as she gulped. She couldn't look Yelena in the eye. "Y-Yeah! That's...that's fine by me!"

Nodding, Yelena moved to the side, looking over her shoulder at Irina smugly. "Great. I'll see you both in...six hours?" She thought of the top of her head. She figured that would be long enough for Rosalie and Irina to get together. She rushed off before either of them could stop her and once they were left alone, neither Irina nor Rosalie knew what to do.

For three hours, they didn't speak, avoiding each other in their rooms. When it finally came time to eat, they were forced to talk. Rosalie wrapped her arms around her torso as she stood next to Irina. "Chicken Parm?" She questioned.

Irina shrugged lightly. "I heard you talking about it. I thought it would be a good challenge. I have never made Italian food."

Rosalie was weak at the knees, and not because she had been standing longer than normal. "O-Oh...ok. Let's get started."

As soon as the cooking started, their nerves and awkwardness melted away and it was back to normal. They laughed and talked like nothing had happened. When the chicken came out of the oven perfectly, it was a celebration. Ignoring her pain, Rosalie threw her arms around Irina and cheered. Irina slid her hands around her waist to the small of her back, holding her in a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you!" Rosalie smiled, pulling back to look Irina in the face.

"I'm proud of us," Irina corrected, staring down at Rosalie with adoration. It seemed at that moment, they both realized their positions. In each other's arms, embracing. Rosalie gulped. Irina steadied her nerves. "I...I really like you, Rosalie." She spit out.

"You..." Rosalie gasped. "You do?" A small smile spread across her face. "I thought it was just me!"

Relief flooded Irina as Rosalie admitted her shared feelings. "Great!" She laughed. "Then...can I kiss you?" Rosalie felt her heart stop and her stomach flip in excitement. She nodded silently and Irina slowly pressed her lips to hers.

When Yelena returned, she couldn't be more proud and smug. "I knew it," She smirked.

Irina, arms wrapped around a sleeping Rosalie as they cuddled on the couch, shook her head. "Shut up,"

AUTHORS NOTE
it's been a while, huh? Anyway, here's a cute little flashback chapter after the pain of the last