Many thanks to everyone who has put my previous Avenger fics on their fav stories lists, much appreciated. :) However reviews do feed the Muse. :) This is unbeta'd all mistakes are mine.
Title: Linger
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Natasha/Clint
Timeline: slight AU, movieverse
Doing what she did for a living Natasha Romanoff never knew where she'd be. Milan, Los Angeles, Paris, Cape Town she'd always liked the nomadic aspect. Do the job; move on. Today she was lingering.
Monaco was a lovely place to linger in.
She and Clint had wrapped their mission early. Successful op for S.H.I.E.L.D; not the Avengers. The Avengers were still scattered to the four corners and beyond.
Natasha hoped the team wouldn't be reunited too soon.
New York City was still six months later recovering from Loki's destruction.
Every once in awhile the lunatic haunted Natasha's dreams. Last night had been one of them. However, watching Clint sleep had calmed her. Why men looked like little boys in sleep Natasha didn't know. The hardness of life vanished from Hawkeye's handsome features. With feather like moves Natasha traced Clint's right forearm careful not to wake him.
It still made Natasha shudder remembering how Clint looked under Loki's control. A killing machine...nothing more. Her nightmares often included dying at Hawkeye's hands as Loki laughed. Her fingers reached his right shoulder and she shoved the dark images aside. They were both still adjusting to their rekindled relationship both personally and professionally.
Trust is a hard thing to find.
Even harder to keep.
They'd both learned that the hard way.
Natasha had been surprised when Hawkeye had stayed and agreed to be her partner. The past was the past, but she'd thought he'd move on. Be freelance and aide justice where he could.
Maybe Hawkeye had found a sense of peace in this dysfunctional family the Avengers made.
She had.
The Black Widow snuggled down under the covers. Even in sleep Clint sensed her presence and wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. Natasha smiled and yawned. Through the hotel window the sun was just starting to color the sky.
Resting her head against Clint's chest Natasha felt her eyes close and soon she was asleep.
end