The battle had been fought and won, but the war was far from over. The portal was sealed; for now, the war criminal Loki of Asgard was being returned to his planet in chains. But Natasha had always been a realist. Sooner or later, she knew that a mistake would be made, and Loki would slip through someone's fingers.
Natasha, however, kept her analysis to herself, no need to rain on anyone's parade just yet. It had been months since Thor had beamed himself, Loki and the Tesseract back to their home planet of Asgard, and life had turned to pretty much to what it had been pre alien invasion. Except of course for the public knowledge of the Avenger's team and the organization S.H.I.E.L.D.
Other than the public exposure, life had returned to normal. Black Widow was still in demand, and Natasha was once again travelling the world, gathering intel, infiltrating major crime organizations, and kicking ass. Natasha's most recent mission landed her in Prague. Many hours, and many bullets later, Natasha had captured and subdued a major Mafioso of the Czech mob, and was bringing him back with her for interrogations. While she was organizing his transfer, she had to stay in the city to insure the secure transport of the subject.
She had always loved this city. She was native of Russia, and though she couldn't remember her parents, she was told that she had visited here once with them. But that was back when her name was Natalia, back when she was just a normal girl. Her whole life had changed in the fire that had burned away any remnant or normalcy. But that was a story for another time.
Other agents had arrived in the city an hour prior to collect the subject, and Natasha found herself in the city, with time to kill.
As she stood over the Charles Bridge in Prague, admiring the city, she heard the light and quickstep of someone approaching. The angle of approach suggested that they were specifically headed towards her. Automatically Natasha's training kicked in, muscles becoming taunt and ready for combat. Slightly turning her head, she used her peripheral vision to scout out the incomer.
Male, about six feet tall, muscled, and headed this way; lean, but definitely a threat. She estimated he weighed about two hundred and twenty pounds. She slightly shifted her weight, preparing for him to attack from behind, but then she caught sight of his face.
She turned, leaning her back against the edge of the rail, a smile spreading across her face. The man approaching her was none other than her partner Agent Barton, otherwise known as Clint or Hawkeye.
He stopped a few feet away, "You're getting really good at this whole spy and detain gig Romanoff; heck, they may not even need me anymore."
"Very cute. What brings you to Prague? I didn't know you were posted here?"
"I had some time to kill, heard you were here. I thought I'd drop in." Clint shrugged, with a smirk on his face.
"You have seemed to develop a habit of following me to my different outposts," Natasha sighed, "Is there a reason for that?" she questioned, arms crossed over her chest.
"Well, we make a good team, and we haven't worked together since the invasion on Manhattan. I figured we could use some time working together again, I think that is when we are both at our strongest." Barton rationalized.
Although Clint's analysis was logical, Natasha couldn't help but feel as though there was some unspoken motive behind his visit. Ever since she had ripped Barton away from the mind control of Loki, things had been different between them, and it was a little unsettling.
With the nature of their jobs, it was hard to have downtime. Dating was sort of out of the question, and there were also all the secrets they would have to keep from any person that got close to them, that wasn't a part of the organization. It was natural, at least everyone else thought so, for Clint and Natasha to gravitate towards each other, but Natasha didn't want this complication to grow further.
She trusted Clint with her life, but she didn't trust anyone with her heart. She had grown up in a lifestyle where love and thoughts of marriage and family were fantasies for children; now was not the time to become deluded and caught up in anything that could potentially risk her effectiveness on the job.
Barton was the best partner anyone could want. He was strong, agile, and smart. They would throw themselves in front of a bus to save the other; that was their job, their partnership. Natasha had never had relationships outside of her job description; it was too messy, too complicated. Barton had dug Natasha out of countless sticky situations, and vice versa, and she didn't want to risk their success as a team by playing happy couple.
Barton, however, didn't seem to be troubled by the questionable circumstances, and possible consequences.
"We hadn't seen each other in a while," Barton sighed, sensing her apprehensiveness, "I just figured we could both use some R&R, and we both have a couple of days off. We have been going non-stop since Manhattan. I heard you were here, and I know that this city is special for you, I thought we could just use our off time here, together."
Clint stepped forward, "I mean, after everything that has happened, we have to stick together, you and me. We both know this whole thing with Loki isn't over. The others may be fooled, but we know better." Clint said lowering his voice. "I know you have been thinking it too. We are stronger as a unit, and S.H.I.E.L.D. has had us working apart."
"Everything they do is for a reason, Barton." Natasha replied, eyes serious. "Honestly, I wasn't planning on staying here in Prague. This is the first down time I have had in months, I was planning on heading back to New York to – "
"To what, train more? Earn your fifth black belt in Tai Chi? Go shooting at the gun range?" Barton sighed exasperated, "That isn't a break."
Clint was now standing right in front of her.
Natasha looked away towards the horizon, not wanting to make eye contact.
"I know you think us being together is risky," Clint began, "but I also know you are feeling the same pull that I am –"
"Barton –"
"Let me finish. I know that you don't like the idea of us being together, but ever since that night in your apartment, I can't stop thinking about you." Clint whispered.
Damnit. Natasha's mind flew back to that night. She had had too much to drink, and was a lot more talkative about many subjects then she would have liked. Clint and Natasha were talking about the future, a subject that Natasha never brought up willingly, and one thing led to another. They had only kissed, but a line had been crossed.
Ever since that night, it seemed like everything had fallen out of balance. Natasha had since thrown herself into work, not coming up for air. That is, until now, and Clint had still found a way to pin her down, and force her to relive the night she wished she could take back.
"I don't mix my business life with my personal life Barton. You know that." Natasha said, making hard eye contact. "I had too much to drink that night, and made a mistake, that's it." Her blue eyes like steel.
Clint stared at her for a moment, not saying anything. He looked out over the water; the sunset was casting colorful patterns all over the water.
The silence between them was so absolute, that Natasha started to feel unsure. Clint was the closest thing she had to family, and she didn't want to push him away. But before she could even take a breath to say anything, Clint grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her to him, and in an instant, his mouth was on hers. Natasha was automatically conditioned to try to escape his grip, but Hawkeye had one hand securely holding her face to his, while his other arm was wrapped around her waist, pressing her body against his own.
Natasha was surprised by the passion she felt blooming inside of her, and before she knew it, Clint had backed her up against the bridge, his hands roaming her body, skimming all parts of her.
Natasha was amazed by how quickly she allowed reason to fall away, and how quickly she head her own arms wrapped around Clint's body. Natasha had experienced lust and sexual tension, but this was on another level. For once in her life, she silenced her doubts, and followed what her body craved.