All he wanted to do was sleep. He had assigned all of the Avengers, sans Thor, a room on the only floor not damaged by Loki's madness. And now someone was knocking on his own!
He opened the door and readied a snarky remark to the intruder, until he saw her. Natasha Romanov, also known as the terrifying Black Widow, was standing there in tears. Stark bit back any remarks and waved her in. He did not know what was coming. Normal Natasha he could handle. Teary-eyed? Not so much.
"I couldn't Sleep." She did not elaborate. He could tell that she had had a nightmare. It didn't take a genius to figure that out. She paced around the room in front of him.
"Natasha? Is there something I can do?" He was almost afraid of the answer, but something persuaded him to ask. She met his eyes.
"Hold me?" Okay, he wasn't prepared for that. All the same, he opened his arms to her. She stepped into his embrace and he noticed how small she truly was barefoot.
She rested her head on his chest and felt herself relax against him.
"I never get scared. I'm the Black Widow. I don't do fear. But… Loki…"
"I know. He messed with us all." She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, taking in the warmth and comfort he provided her. Her eyes began to droop and she knew she should leave but she didn't want to. His musky scent and warmth, although an unlikely source of comfort, was soothing all the same
At his own risk, he gently led her towards his oversize bed. She followed sleepily and willingly, climbing in and molding herself to his warm side. She shifted, getting comfortable with her arms around her unusual teddy bear, her hand resting on his stomach.
She was completely melted against him. She unconsciously moved her head so that it rested over his heart. She sighed and listened to his strong steady heartbeat and the low hum of the reactor. She yawned and felt a peaceful sleep began to take her in. She let it and her last aware thought was noting that Stark pressed a kiss to her hair.
He watched her sleep for a few moments to ensure that she was truly, blissfully asleep before falling into slumber himself.