Bob hasn't really, properly been touched in awhile. A few lame bro hugs here and there. A handshake from the cab driver in Malaysia. A physical from a doctor's cold hands, before undergoing the medical trial that would change his life. But his childhood lacked so much in affection. So much.

And forget about skin to skin contact. He's had a few brief encounters while high that he doesn't care to remember, and he's never been in love. It was always about getting the next fix.

When Yelena touches him, it's like she touches his soul. Like he's clean, not damaged by his past. She reaches for him like it's the easiest thing in the world. And she touches him often, like she wants to.

The first time they made contact - her fingertips against his - he chalked it up to the randomness of the moment. Surely this woman wasn't actually trying to reach for him in the explosion, let alone hold his hand. He's disgusted with himself afterward - why had he caused her to relive such an awful memory? Always making it worse...always.

But Yelena touches him again. "Are you hurt?" A gentle grip on the shoulder, traveling up his neck. When he feels her - ruffling the soft baby hair on the back of his head - he freezes instantly. It takes every effort to give her a stiff nod. To look her in the eye. To not fall to his knees, overwhelmed with her warmth. "No, I'm fine, m'fine," he manages, his voice so thin it's barely there. But what he means is, "Oh, god. Please don't stop, Yelena. Ever again."

(part 2) (part 3) (part 4) (part 5) (part 6) (part 7) (part 8) (part 9) (part 10)

Original post

Building a headcanon on this headcanon...

One night they're really invested in the book and getting close to the ending, so Bob keeps reading to her during a late night dinner and afterward, when she's curled up on the couch.

Yelena's eyelids start to get heavy. "You know, I think this trick of yours is actually working."

Bob glances up from the page, marking the chapter with his thumb. "You're falling asleep?"

Yelena's voice is thick and raspy. "Yeah, I should go to bed, but I still want to hear the rest of the story."

Bob swallows. "I could, um...I could read the rest to you in bed. I-if you want."

Yelena blinks. She does want that. More than anything right now. "Yeah. Come on."

They shuffle into Yelena's bedroom, where she turns on a soft lamp and flops onto her mattress, burrowing into her duvet and arranging a fluffy pillow under her head. She lies on her side facing Bob, who shimmies up next to the headboard and clears his throat before resuming his place.

His voice is low and lulling, the most soothing sound Yelena has ever heard. She closes her eyes, letting its cadence and vibration wash over her.

It isn't long until she's peacefully dreaming. Bob notices her breath deepen, her body go soft, but he doesn't stop reading until the last page. He pauses, reveling in her beauty for just a moment before clicking off the lamp and making to get up.

The shifting sheets make Yelena stir.

"Bob," her voice emerges in the dark, and it's a small voice, vulnerable, almost a plea.

Bob stiffens, his heart skipping. "Yelena?"

"Stay," she says. "Please."

In the darkness, she can't see his lips curl into a smile. She only feels him sink back into the mattress, hears his exhale as though he was holding his breath.

"Of course," he says at last. "Of course I'll stay, Yelena."

It's Yelena who silently closes the distance between them, placing her hand on his chest.

But it's Bob who takes her hand in his. Threads his fingers with hers. Lies awake a little longer, wondering how the hell he got so lucky.

"I'll always stay," he whispers.

You know what I love especially about Boblena?

They're not just a slow burn friends to lovers ship. They speedran a whole damn soulmatastic romance movie arc with all the beats, when you think about it.

They: wake up holding hands in what would otherwise be described as a meet cute. Rather, it's a meet trauma bond.

Bob: Immediately feels safe and comfortable enough to tell her his trauma as a result.

Yelena: Comforts and defends him from John.

Bob: Literally dies to protect her without hesitation, is captured.

Yelena: Makes it her mission to rescue him, is devastated when she thinks he's gone rogue, and they fight.

Bob: Succumbs to the Void.

Yelena: Makes it her mission to rescue him again.

Bob: Opens a passage just for Yelena, letting his guard down for her again.

Yelena: Tenderly holds his hand and coaxes him into staying with her/alive.

Bob: Fights his own inner demon specifically for her/to protect her.

Yelena: Doesn't let him take the bait, makes it her mission to rescue him yet again. Holds him tenderly. Says they need to stay together indefinitely. Do you see what I'm getting at.

Like...who thought this wasn't a love story? Are they not the embodiment of love, and pretty damn romantic at that??

They're just one of the most unique ships and I adore them.