Summary: Living new lives as normal people, if people would say that Natasha Romanoff would have a son named Max and married, she would never believe it. But she did. The only problem was the only thing that introduced her to how the world is beautiful is gone. And she's dump all the hero business to the trash. But will she change otherwise when she and her son's lives are at stake? And for that matter, all of the Avengers?

A/N: Well this is back and I have to thank a very dear little fucker who I love so much for pestering me to continue this and together with your reviews! (Thanks you so muchhh) 3 And I got my muse back because of her yay. I've revised this, everything. And changed so much But I really hoped you'll like it! I apologize in advance for any mistakes Please R&R!

Rated M, just to be on the safe side.

INEVITABLE

CHAPTER 1

The afternoon closing in to evening as the sun sets and Natasha pulling into the driveway, grabbing two bags full of groceries, she got out of the car and proceeded to the house. The door quietly opens and she walks in, closing the door with her foot. She sighed softly as she walks towards the hall to the kitchen when she stops and heard voices.

"Tony, I am telling you, she's going to flip." Her eyebrow arched as she listened, if the Captain knew about that, then it would probably really flip, especially if it's something Tony has done.

"What? It slipped out, it was an accident." She could almost see him waving off the captain's concern as always. "Oh don't give me that look, relax babe, as long as no one tells her then it's all good."

She was ready to confront them about it when a little guy came running down with toys in hand and bumping softly into her. Disrupting her from her eavesdropping but she w0uld always stop for him.

"Hey mom, why are you standing here hiding?" the little guy asked as he scratches his nose then looks at her with his big blue eyes that she always seem to melt to. She couldn't help but give him a slight smirk.

"Hey Max, why don't you give mommy a kiss first then she'll tell you about it." She put the groceries down and pulled him into her arms, carrying him. She gave him a peck and he would always react with a grossed out face. He hugged her still and gave her a kiss back. "What took you so long?" he asked.

"Oh, you know… supermarket, lots of people." She shrugged, then grinned at him. "I got you those cereals you like so much though."

"Awesome!" he fist pumped in the air which was new and could only mean it came from his two new babysitters.

"Hey Nat," a friendly smile from the Cap as he went to take the groceries to the kitchen. "Didn't hear you come back." He remarked. Tony stood by the kitchen his arms crossed like he owns the place. "Yeah, a hello would've been appreciated." He shrugged as he moved, looking down at the bags, "What about donuts, Nat?"

"I was, but I heard you two talking." She said as she put Max on the counter and let him play there while she put stuff into the fridge and pantry. "Which by the way, was about?" she stole a glance to both, her eyebrow arched. She could only guessed it was bad.

"Nothing much, just-" Cap started explaining, awkwardly which always gives him away when he's lying.

"Absolutely nothing, I just spilled some juice on your carpet." Tony reiterated as he chewed on an apple she bought. "I'll take care of it though, gonna deliver a new one here first thing next morning." He shrugged it off as if it was a normal thing, and both could only roll their eyes at him.

Natasha took a while looking at him, studying him to see if it was the truth, knowing Tony there's more to that than what he's saying. She'd let it go for now, since they went through a day babysitting Max, though her son wasn't a handful, he's a ball of energy and she's not sure he runs out at all.

She glanced at Max and smiled as he was playing happily, "So Max, what did you-" she backtracked and moved closer to hear it better. And she did, it was clear what Max was saying.

"Take that Loki! Captain America's gonna crush you to bits and Iron Man will inci- inci…" he trailed off as he thought of the word. "Incinerate." Tony winked at him and Max grinned. "Incinerate you!" he finished and he does the actions, bashing the two figures together. He continued on with the other Avengers.

Steve sighed heavily and looked sternly at Tony, Tony was looking not even close to scared. Natasha was ready to strangle him there at the moment. She put the canned product down, and went to Max to put him down, "Go play in your room-"

"But-"

"Go play in your room, please." She said firmly, and Max knew absolutely that he couldn't do anything about it. He nodded and walked up to his room.

Once he was gone, she crossed her arms over her chest and looks at Tony. It was obvious who had done the damage, it's not that she doesn't trust him. But then she nods her head to the side, yeah she doesn't.

She looked from Tony to Steve waiting for them to say anything, it seemed that the captain wanted to start it off, but he pursed his lips in and looked at his lover in a manner that he's trying to butt out. Tony finally sighed and gave in. "Okay, I know about your stupid rule-"

"And yet you still told him about it-"

"I swear it wasn't intentional or anything-!"

"How the fuck do you think that I would-"

"It's true, trust me! Cap, back me up-"

"Oookay!" Steve threw his hands up and looked like a referee in the intense bickering of the two, which was normal for the avengers in the past. "Okay, stop with the bicker marathon…" he both gave them a glance. "Nat, he's telling the truth – don't even make that look Tony – he didn't mean to tell, it just slipped out and since Max kept asking about it… we just told him." He shrugged at the last one, which didn't make Natasha any calmer and only made her furious.

She huffed hard, not wanting to snap because she doesn't snap, not unless it came to very tight situations. "I leave you two to babysit and warned to never, ever tell him about that because you know I don't want him to get involved with those stuff." He hissed at both, her nails practically drawing blood on the palm of her hand as she controlled herself.

"We know that, and we're sorry about it-" Steve started saying.

"No, actually it might be a good time to tell the little guy about-"

"Don't you even fucking dare finish that sentence, Stark." She let out each word as if it was deadly as venom. Oh God, not that she actually believes, but she has for the past few months. "You guys are going to take back-" she swallowed hard, her hands gripping the edge of the counter as she did. "You're going to take it all back and tell him something else… tell him that… that super-what's his name is the superhero or something-"

Tony managed a chuckle. "Nat, I'm not going to tell the kid that we aren't real-"

"It's because we're not!" she tried so hard, but her patience is running thin. "Not anymore Stark… that was years ago, everything is different now." Every word felt like a clog in her throat. But it was all true, she had left that life, there's no need for them to keep on to it.

"I think he's right."

It was the cap's turn to speak, and though she thought he would side her on this one, she was mistaken. She shook her head, "Of course, the lovers side with each other, how fucking beautiful." She said, bitterness spilling from her mouth.

Steve gave her a hard look and shook his head, "No one's siding with anyone, Nat. I think Tony's right, because it is the truth, we're superheroes, always will be."

She kept silent as Steve seemed to get pumped up and she knew there was going to be more of it. But it is the truth, it was. Don't they get that it's all different now and they have normal lives, some of them might still be with SHIELD, but doing nothing too major, she knew.

"You can't just throw away responsibilities, you know the world will always be in danger, it might not be now, but it always will be, Nat." Steve continued reasoning with her, it might not do any good, but he just wanted that she was always on alert, always looking out for her family. And ready for whatever may happen.

Natasha turned her back and continued to stock groceries. She hated that they told him, unintentional or not, hated that they were superheroes, especially hated that the Cap is always right about these things. Captain fucking America. But everything about the Avengers, she put it in the back, locked up somewhere and she swore to never go back to it as soon as she saw Max's face the first time. She's a mother, and a bank clerk now. Nothing more.

"I don't want anything to do with it. Good luck with you guys when that happens." She stopped momentarily and continued after answering him. "I know you guys would be able to manage. Leave me out of it." She slammed the cupboard door harder than she thought. "Thanks for babysitting Max for the day." She quickly added, wanting the conversation over. She didn't want to kick both of them out if any of them further pushes the topic on. "Remind me to not call you guys when I need someone to babysit."

"Yeah, yeah, you're fucking welcome Nat." Tony chomped off the apple he was eating. Ignoring the shut up from the redhead. "These are delicious, remind me to remind you to buy these next time Steve." He pointed out to the blond.

"We have them at home, Tony." Steve just sighed. He was still hung up on their conversation, but they had already fought this over and over. He could tell that Nat was sick of it. "I guess we should be going now, Nat." a gentle smile rests on the captain.

She gave a small smile back at him, both had given that look of understanding for each other. They had always been such good friends and it was partly him that she had kept in touch with them, and occasionally putting up with Tony. "Yeah, I think so too. I'll go and tell Max." she left the kitchen and went up to Max's room.

Max's room was walled with blue and white stripes and a little messed up with everything that he liked, from toys to wallpapers and clothes, and mostly obviously superheroes. She sighed a bit seeing so much mess compared to this morning. "Max-" she stopped by the door seeing what he was doing, seeing him holding a stick with a string attached, he was clumsily trying to imitate an archer, but the stick always dropped down when he does. She felt her heart tighten just the sight of it, a sight she never thought but somehow did see ever.

"Max," she started as she pushed open the door more and walked in. "What are you doing?"

As soon as she walked in, it was too late for him to hide the bow and arrow that Uncle Steve made for him that day. He knew he wasn't supposed to show or tell any of what his uncles told him that day. But he just couldn't get it out of his mind. Real superheroes! He didn't understand why his mom never bothered to tell him about it since he really liked them.

"Mom, can you buy me a real bow and arrow?" he asked, his blue eyes hopeful even though he already knew it wasn't going to happen. "You know, the one that Hawkeye uses? He's really super cool and I wanna be just like him!" his excitement started to pump up just by telling her about it. He'd tell her more about the other Avengers later, since maybe she doesn't know about them.

She just stared as she saw him excited and talked about… them. This was what she was afraid of, if she had told him in the future he's bound to be wanting to be one. He's been so adventurous ever since he was born. She just want him to have a safe and normal life. One that she never had. She just gave him a tight smile as she shrugged a bit, "Come on, your uncles are going home. Time to say thank you and goodbye."

His shoulders slumped as he nodded and walked out of the room, with Natasha following behind.

"Uncle Tony! Uncle Steve!" he practically ran towards them and gave them both a hug. Steve and Tony beamed at each other, they always had been fond of him and babysitting him was one of the best times they've had in a while. Steve crouched down to carry Max. "Hey little guy, promise you'll take care of your mom?"

Max nodded, then made a salute to him, which made Steve really proud inside, and did the same. "Thanks for babysitting me… and telling me about the Avengers." The latter he leaned in for both of them to hear only for themselves. He'd never had much fun with his babysitters before, maybe it's because they're basically family.

"You're welcome kiddo." Tony ruffled Max's hair which Max doesn't like with everyone, but there's always an exception to it. "I'll tell you more next time." Tony attempted to whisper, but said it out loud instead and earned a raised eyebrow from Natasha. "Kidding." He shrugged at her.

Steve just sighed and put Max back down. "We'll see you guys again soon. Give us a call, you know what to do Nat." he turned back to her sternly. And satisfied with the nod, he smiled and waved once to both and they started walking out. Natasha and Max stood by the door, waving at them. "Okay sweetie, I'm going to prepare dinner so why don't you play a little before that?" she asked as she looked down at him. Max nodded and went back inside. She closed the door and sighed at how the day went from okay, to almost her worst nightmare.

The two gentlemen stopped by the sidewalk, all looking too bothered and tired. "Okay, here." The captain handed him a couple of bucks and Tony just smiled widely. "Oh babe, you shouldn't have." He wouldn't accept Steve's money if he didn't love or wanted to upset him. So he did. "I actually thought she'd ripped your head off or might have just thrown a dagger at you." Steve sighed. He knew Natasha well, and they've been through the topic long enough that they've had fights from it. Physical fights.

"Cap, you know how it is when Max is around." He reminded him, tucking away the money in his suit pocket.

"I'm worried for her though…" he said pensively as he looked over the house, then back at him. "It's been a year, and counting on to two… and I can still sense she's struggling so much."

"I wouldn't know how on earth she's dealing it. Max may be the only thing she's holding on to." Tony sighed as he took a step closer to Steve, holding him close. "But what I do know that I'd die when you leave me." He grabbed Steve by the back of his neck and gently pulled him into a long soft kiss.

Steve gave in easily and kissed him back. "Don't over exaggerate." He chuckled a little after the kiss.

"It's true." Tony said a matter-of-factly and waited for him to respond.

The blond stole a quick kiss before walking back towards the car, leaving a flustered Tony. A smug look came across his face, he always like it when he caught Tony off guard. "Come on grandpa, let's go home." He said as he went inside the car.

Tony smirked, opening the door he ducked in, "Oh, you're not going to get away with stealing a kiss oh captain my captain." He licked his lips seductively and hopped in.

"Oh boy…" was all Steve could say.

Stocking up the last of the groceries into the cupboard, she glances at the stove, where she waits for stew to boil. She took a spoon and scooped up a little to taste, and nodded as she felt proud and satisfied with the results. She hadn't cooked at all, but she's improved a lot from before, at least what she makes now is edible, and even delicious. She set up the counter top with two plates and the food. "Max! Dinner!" she called out as she waited for him.

Max came running, imitating Iron Man and bumped into his mother. "Sorry mom." He said, quickly standing up straight and behaved. Natasha didn't say anything and smiled instead, not wanting to scare him off. "Just don't bump into anything sweetheart." She said as she helped him up on one of the high stools, then she seated on the one besides his. They start eating.

They ate in silence, Natasha just felt suddenly tired and not wanting to deal with the Avengers thing with Max. Which she knew with him, it won't be long until he asks something.

"Mom?"

The grip on her spoon tighten as she ate. "Hm?"

"Do you know about the Avengers?" he asked her, he really couldn't help it anymore. He just wanted to know more of them and he couldn't wait until Uncle Tony comes again.

"No." she said simply and glanced at him, seeing a bit of sauce on his face, she took a napkin and wiped his face. "Max, I told you to eat properly."

Max didn't pay attention and just looked back at her, "Uncle Tony said that you…" he stopped, seemed to hesitate to continue.

"That what?" she asked, she doesn't want to hear whatever Tony said about them. "Whatever Uncle Tony told you Max, it isn't true-"

"That you and dad knew about them."

The words just weighed heavily in the atmosphere, and it was silent again. Max rarely talks about Clint, and it seemed to always surprise her and catches her off guard when he does. It took a while for her to breath and shook her head. "Max, listen to me. They – the Avengers aren't real, okay? Uncle Tony and Steve just wanted-"

"No!" Max suddenly raised his voice, and he knew that was bad, but his mom wasn't listening. And she always listening to him, why didn't she know? He pursed his lips tightly to keep from crying. He jumped down from the chair and ran from the kitchen, and up to his room.

Natasha closed her eyes and breathed out, feeling so exhausted and a headache coming. She suppressed tears and sob coming from her, it was one of those moments where you just can't do anything and you're so frustrated and helpless. She didn't want to cause hurt or pain, especially lie to him, but it was just to protect him. She drank a glass of water as she tried to calm herself, she didn't need to be weak, not ever, she needed to be strong and get through this.

"Dammit…" she bit her lip as the memories came crashing through her head, penetrating that wall she built, and she was left to remember them, bit by bit and the pain associated with it.

"Nat, hold on to me. You can hold on to me. We'd get through this and everything that will come our way." She heard him say, and she looks at him as her eyes began to blur, "I'll be your strength always…" and with that, she broke into his arms.

She missed him so much, that it sometimes hurt so much she couldn't handle and wanted to disappear herself, the pain was unbearable. The want to feel his touches again, his kisses, hugs. His stubbornness about everything, his calmness and patience when she's in rage, or just having another bad day.

When he'd get mad at her because she did something stupid, but she thinks of it otherwise, and they would fight. In the end, they would kiss and make up, sex was always great when after a fight they had.

His sweet voice and how he would call her so many shortened nicknames, which she sometimes hated but found it really cute when he was unique with it.

She missed him that was it. She missed Clint, just him, being there with her, with them. She tried so hard to find him, but he'd cover his tracks so well, even others couldn't. She's ashamed and regretted to have even fought with him the day before he disappeared. Deeply regretting the three words she so wrongly told him.

If she could turn back time, she would.

"Clint, you told me you'd quit!" she was in rage, good thing Max's room was opposite to theirs and both doors closed. "I thought we'd agreed that-"

"Nat, stop it. I am going to quit. I promise you." He told her as he approached but she backed away. "Just one mission more-"

"No, you betrayed me. You told me you'd quit. And you should have quit by now!" she shouted at him, her tears fighting the urge to fall down. "You don't know how I worry for you, and I don't give a fuck at how good you are, I still worry! Having no idea what missions you do, if you come back, if you got hurt-!" her tears finally fall down her cheeks as she looks at him, so helplessly.

"Shh…" he then pulled her into his strong arms, and she broke into him. "I know, and I'm sorry for that. Just one more mission Nat, and they'll let me go."

"I hate you…" she clutched tightly on his shirt, as if her life depended on it. It did, and she didn't know that after that, he won't be coming home at all.

Tony sighed happily to himself as he looked at the room, dimly lit, candles at the sides, the aroma kicking in and for an added touch, rose petals on the bed. He's such a great lover, he'd tell himself. And to think he hated this stuff before when he was sleeping with other women, he always thought of it as a complete waste of time.

And hey, they had a long exhausting day babysitting. Why not make it a relaxing celebratory sex?

But it was different for Steve, and he could only do what's very best for that sexy man. He poured champagne in two glasses and settled himself naked on the bed, waiting for Steve to come out of the bathroom.

He came out, fully clothed.

"Tony, why are you naked?" Steve's blushed face together with a confused one is just one of the things you couldn't resist about him.

"Oh, you know, payback for that kiss you stole earlier." He shrugged. "And why you are fully covered I have no idea. Come on babe, take it off."

The blond blushed deeper and shakes his head as he approached the bed. "No?" His attempts at teasing Tony was one that he was still working on. He'll get there.

"No?" Tony raised his eyebrows in a sexy manner that always turned Steve on. "Do I have to do it myself soldier?" he said as he kneeled on the bed, coming closer to Steve. He presses himself to Steve's body and grabs his head to push down for a kiss when a voice interrupts them.

"I know this may not be an appropriate time sir." JARVIS started, his voice crystal clear inside the room. "But someone is here to see you."

"Fucking timing JARVIS." He told the AI, and looked up to scowl at him. "You know well I don't see anyone unless there was an appointment." He snapped at the AI, he just wanted to have a relaxing night to his tired day.

"I know that sir, I told him that but he wouldn't take no for an answer." JARVIS replied calmly, which ticked Tony off at times. "And he's in a rather tight and bloody situation."

Tony and Steve looked at each other, trying to figure out what JARVIS had just told them. "JARVIS, what the hell are you-" the doorbell rings and the elevator doors open, and the next sound they heard was a thud on the floor. Steve quickly went out to check, Tony grabs his robe and puts it on, and followed Steve.

The sight he saw wasn't something he never expected, ever. The look on Steve's face said the same thing. "Fuck Barton, what the actual fuck." He muttered mostly to himself. Steve was already holding him, looking closely at his wounds, and there were so many. Bruises, cuts, deep gashes almost every wound Clint may have it. He wouldn't even have recognized him if not for his bow and arrows.

"Hey fucker," Clint winced through his battered face, mustering up a smirk, but failed and instead he coughed blood. "Missed me?" his words slurred out of his mouth. The whole thing took for a minute to sink in before they started moving. Steve carried Clint and into the sofa, Tony already going to the first aid kit and quickly went back to them. "Steve, he needs a hospital."

Steve knew that of course, but he needs to be treated now. "Yeah, I know." He nodded, he'll be trying his best. But he knew they would really need a doctor.

"JARVIS, try calling Bruce Banner and see if he's in town."

"Calling…" They both waited, while Steve still mending to Clint's wounds. Clint tried to stay conscious but he's slipping out. And he just wanted to say something before he does. "S-ste…" he coughed out blood again as he attempted to speak.

"Clint, buddy, try not to speak at all." He told him, as he worked on fast. But a weak hand stopped him for a second, "N-nat…" he shook his head. Steve wasn't sure what he meant. "Nat's fine, we went there today, we babysat Max and they're just fine-"

"Don't… call." Clint looked at Steve and held on to his arm for his life and those words.

Steve was indeed going to call Natasha after making sure Clint was out of danger, and he didn't know why he wouldn't want to see her, especially if it'll make Natasha very happy.

"Don't worry, I won't tell her." He said as he continued. "I won't, Clint. I promise." He said as he saw the other unconvinced. "Now, stay still and don't say anything."

Tony heard their brief conversation, and felt conflicted if he would actually call her or not. He decided it would be best if she didn't know about it, for now.

Natasha woke up with the sounds of thunder and rain, she felt whisk of the rain and wind from the opened window. No wonder Max had snuggled closely to her, it was really cold. When she got out of bed she hugged herself closely as she closed the window. She pulled the covers closely to them, and taking in Max for a tight hug. Despite the coldness, it was warm in Max's room, must be because they spent so much time here than their bedroom. It was only the two of them now and it seemed stupid to sleep separately.

After a few minutes, she tried to sleep again, closing her eyes but somehow she found herself wide awake. She suddenly felt restless and anxious for something, and the storm outside didn't help at all.

She found herself thinking about him again, as she hugged her son. Thinking about their happy moments, reliving them all. She had never given up on him, she would only ever say he disappeared, not dead. He's still coming back, he always does.

"I'm going Nat. Don't worry, I'll be back in one piece."

She's holding on to that still, still clinging to hope that he was out there, alive. And god forbid, hurt and in pain. He's safe, and it was all she could hope and pray for. She turned outside as she saw light come inside the room, she didn't even realize it was dawn the rain had ceased by then, until she watched the beautiful sun rising.

Something caught her eye outside that seemed to shine as the sun hit it, a few times now, and she was going to ignore it when she caught sight of the whole thing. A small thing, and it was lodged to a tree. She couldn't believe her eyes as she got out of bed and walked to the window and looked closely.

And she was right, there it was, lodged to the tree.

An arrow.

She knew that she should be somewhat relieved or happy seeing the familiar arrow, but somehow she doesn't. And her anxious, restless feeling just escalated and she didn't like it at all.

She felt scared rather than happy to see it.

And that isn't good.

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ps. gunna edit this a few days after 3