"That's because I could escape to visit Lau- Piper when it was obvious the two of you needed privacy," Yelena says, with a dismissive flick of her hand that mostly masks the squirm of discomfort when he names her family. It's not that she objects, exactly, but it's - complicated. Family is always going to be complicated. "And not just for sex."

She takes another bite of her cupcake, then adds, "I really am the little lost puppy everyone wants to take home, apparently."