**Midnight Solace**

The moon cast its silvery glow over the quiet room, illuminating the soft curves of Ava Starr's face as she lay motionless in her bed. Her eyes, though closed, seemed to be aware of the darkness that had descended upon their team during their last mission. The failure still lingered, a heavy weight that pressed upon her chest. But she wasn't about to let it consume her, not now, not when she had a reputation for being a skilled S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Ava's stillness was a ruse, a deliberate attempt to feign sleep in hopes that it would deter any unwanted visitors. She had sensed Yelena Belova's presence in the hallway, the soft padding of her footsteps a gentle warning that she was on her way. Ava held her breath, willing herself not to move, not to make a sound that might draw Yelena's attention. But it was too late. The door creaked open, and Yelena slipped inside, her movements fluid and practiced. Ava felt a presence hovering over her, a shadow that loomed large in the darkness. She bit her lip, bracing herself for the worst. Instead of leaving, Yelena climbed onto the bed, her weight sinking into the mattress behind Ava. The older woman curled up into a ball, her body trembling with silent sobs. Ava's eyes flickered open, and she turned her head, surprised by the sight of Yelena's anguished face. For a moment, Ava simply lay there, unsure of how to react. She had never seen Yelena so vulnerable, so exposed. The younger woman's eyes were closed, her face scrunched up in a mixture of pain and despair. Ava's confusion gave way to concern as Yelena hesitantly reached for the blanket, pulling it over herself as if seeking comfort. As Yelena cuddled herself close to Ava's back, the older woman felt a pang of uncertainty. She had always maintained a professional distance from her fellow agents, but there was something about Yelena's posture, her entire being, that seemed to plead for comfort. Ava's gaze drifted back to the ceiling as she lay there, frozen in indecision. The sobs slowly subsided, and Yelena's breathing grew steady, her body relaxing into Ava's back. Ava waited, expecting her to get up and leave, but instead, Yelena seemed to have fallen asleep. Cautiously, Ava rolled onto her side, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She slowly wrapped her arms around Yelena, cradling her head in the crook of her elbow. To her surprise, Yelena didn't stir, her body lax and trusting. Ava's thoughts drifted back to Natasha, her sister, who used to hold her close when they were small. The memory was bittersweet, a longing that Ava hadn't realized she'd been carrying. As she looked down at Yelena, she felt a sense of recognition, a sense of shared experience. Without thinking, Ava snuggled closer to Yelena, her arms tightening around her. Yelena, still pretending to be asleep, nestled into the warmth of Ava's body. Together, they fell into a deep, restorative sleep, the tension of their failed mission momentarily forgotten. As they slept, Ava felt a sense of peace wash over her, a sense that she had found something unexpected, something precious, in the darkness of the night.