At the age of sixteen, she determined that love did not exist. People who said they loved her said it only to manipulate and hurt her. She didn't need the false hope. It was entirely easier to just take the word as meaningless gibberish. Only children believed in love. And they sure as hell made sure she wasn't a child anymore.

So, now, at the age of twenty-two, she was speechless. She rolled out of their bed, sitting on the edge, unable to comprehend what he had just said to her. He meant too much to her, that was clear to her now. Should she leave? Could she leave? She always thought she would be able to, when the time came. But now, everything was so cloudy, nothing made sense. She felt such a mix of emotions, some she wasn't at all familiar with. She hadn't felt so much in years, maybe even a decade. She felt the need to run, but a longing to stay. Part of her wanted to curl up to him, and, God, she wanted to listen to that part. Another part, however, a much larger part, screamed danger. It told her to brace herself for pain.

"Nat?"

There was the pain. In his voice she heard pain, worry, and fear. She couldn't do this to him. Not after all they had been through. It was time for her to lay in the bed that was made for her over the last decade. She swallowed hard, and then turned back to face him.

A single tear was making it's way from his eye to the corner of his mouth, where she wiped it away with a thumb, and rested her hand on his face. He placed a hand over her's and gently kissed her thumb.

"I'm sorry if I said something…"

She laughed bitterly. Of course he would blame himself for her shortcomings. It was his nature, just like it was her nature to look for all of the ways out. But she was tired of looking for ways around this. She knew in the back of her mind that it would happen. The timing horrible, the place horrible, and the entire situation horrible. A ray of hope shone in her mind, though. She was secretly very grateful that it finally happened. A weight lifted off of her chest. She knew the consequences that awaited her, but she thought that they were ready.

She ran her thumb over his lips, and swung her legs back into the bed, nestling her body into his.

"I love you, too, Clint."