The battle is over, but the war is far from won.

As Thor prepares to take his (adopted) brother home to Asgard, Clint stares coolly at Loki with his shades on and a set jaw in place.

Natasha, standing next to him, swings her body around so Loki cannot see what she says and murmurs in his ear how she's pretty sure he's going to get bollocked the second his feet touches Asgardian soil and Clint smirks, instinctively moving slightly closer to her as her breath touches his face and he can feel the heat from her body.

Natasha gives Banner his bag from Clint's car, and as she slides into the front seat she is happy to see the dark reminder behind Clint's eyes has temporarily gone away.

She knows he feels guilty that he was corrupted and manipulated, but as she places her hand on his leg when he starts the car, she knows that she is exactly the person who can excommunicate Clint Barton's demons. Because after all they've been through, it isn't a debt that keeps them at each other's side, ready to risk another day in battle if it means fighting for the other. This is beyond the superficial childish dream of a romantic, wistful love. This is trust and passion and the heat that comes between them as she pushes him back into the sweaty sheets later on as the sun sets on another day in their world. This is the stone cold knowledge that they are meant for each other, assassins who are evenly matched in everything from fighting each other to the makeup sex. Because this is a war, to keep the other alive and safe. This is perfection.