This isn't connected to any of my other Clint/Natasha fics. Very short post movie stand alone. Very slight spoiilers for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D tv series.

Title: Moving forward
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Clint/Natasha

After Phil Coulson's death Clint Barton had thrown himself into his work. Passed every test S.H.I.E.L.D had thrown at him. He was reinstated and took on as many missions as possible. Clint wasn't sure if it was to prove himself to S.H.I.E.L.D or let himself off the hook. After twenty missions Clint still felt the guilt. Not just for Phil's death but for all the other agents that had died in Loki's path.

Everyone told Clint not to blame himself. That this kind of mind control was something they'd never been up against before. Unknown territory that no one could've won against. Everyone that is except Natasha. Oh she told him the deaths weren't his fault; that it wasn't him. She also let him heal and grieve in his own way.

Six months later in between missions Clint and Natasha along with Cap were helping Tony rebuild Stark tower. Tony being Tony wanted his new home and headquarters to be perfect down to every specification. No matter how many times something had to be redone.

Now after an exhausting week of back to back missions and dealing with Stark headquarters Clint curled up with Natasha in one of the spare bedrooms. Barely past seven in the evening a movie Clint couldn't remember the subject or title of was playing on the blue-ray player. For the past few months Clint hadn't liked being idle; it gave him too much time to think. Too much time to remember. However, tonight was the first time that Clint didn't mind having nothing to do. Clint found Natasha's right hand and interlaced it with his.

"You okay?"Romanoff asked quietly not moving her head from it's resting place on Clint's chest.

"Yeah."Clint murmured. "Was just thinking of all that's changed in the last few months; good and bad."

"We shouldn't forget the bad but we need to concentrate on the good."Natasha replied. "Part of moving on."

"You make it sound easy; Tasha."Clint stated.

The Black Widow smiled sadly as she raised her head to meet Clint's gaze. She touched his left cheek with her free hand.

"Nothing about healing is easy."Natasha commented. "But it does make us stronger especially if we do it together."

Clint leaned down and kissed Natasha grateful more than ever to have her in his life. She'd changed him the moment they met. His life had never been the same and Clint wouldn't change any part of their partnership. Once the kiss ended Clint wrapped Natasha in an embrace so her head was once again resting on his chest. Together they watched an hour of the movie before falling asleep.

end