"Why don't you trust me?!"


Everything had changed after Avengers. She'd saved all of their asses (which she reminded them repeatedly on the way home) and was needed. They were a team, and her name wasn't going to be crossed off the list any time soon.

Thor left. Bruce crossed the planet. Steve went home. Tony started fixing up his tower, brushing the near-death experience off like it was a normal occurrence (which it was). That left her and Clint alone in S.H.I.E.L.D., both of them taking on missions and avoiding contact. Well, that was her plan anyway.

It was a big mission, with PROBABLE FATALITIES written loud and clear in the warnings. As soon as she accepted it, he was there at her door.

"Why would you accept it?"

"Why wouldn't I? I've been in worse situations, and this time I'll be fighting on the right side."

"You could die Tash!"

"We could die in any mission we take! Just being on this bloody helicarrier has a fatality warning!"

"This isn't the same-"

"How? Why do you even care?"

"Because you matter Tash! People actually give a damn, so why don't you start giving one back?"

"I do care! I'm not some sociopath like Loki, all incapable of emotions!"

"I'm not saying you're-"

"If that's not what you're saying, then just tell me what you are, Barton!"

The room went silent, their words stale in the air. Just one warm body left, curled up emotionlessly on her bed.

"Why don't you trust me?!"

"Because I don't trust anyone! You're not getting special fucking treatment!"

The slam of the door still resounded around her head. A look of hurt and hatred permanently etched on his face.

"You know what, Tash? Fine. Go on your stupid mission and get hurt. Lose your men. Just don't expect me to be here anymore to help you pick up the pieces. I'm out. Game over."

When she left that morning with a dozen soldiers, there was a single box on top of her bags. Expression indifferent, she fastened the necklace around her neck and prepared to come home with half the reinforcements she'd left with.

When Clint woke up the day after she returned, he found a single note next to his head. A smile graced his features, a smile that grew when he saw the arrow around her neck when passing in the corridor.

I trust you.


Author's Note

About as fluffy as I can muster. My version of the arrow necklace Natasha wears in TWS and how it got there.