So I was planning on just writing multiple emotional one shots about the Avengers, so I decided I might as well do it in the same story. I'm going to be posting a series of one-shots exploring the emotional and relational aspects of the Avengers. Let me know if it is or isn't working for you. I can't promise regular updates but I'll aim for weekly/biweekly, and I'll work my way through all the characters.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Avengers.

The sound of gunfire rattled through Clint's head. As it triggered in his consciousness, a cold dread soaked through him. His fingers clamped around the boy in his arms.

The machine gun was drawing closer by the second. In an instant Clint knew what he was going to do—what he had to do. A cold resolution accompanied by unashamed fear wrapped around his heart as he threw himself forward, turning his back to the gunfire, cradling the boy protectively in his arms.

Slam.

The bullets hit him with the force of a semi. Clint gasped, unable to feel or move as he hit the ground. His vision cleared just enough for him to see the red blood seeping through his clothing. Holes were gaping within him. Within his arms, the boy turned, unharmed, his shirt wet with Clint's blood. Before him, the child's face morphed into Cooper's.

"Daddy!"

His son screamed, grabbing Clint's shirt.

"Daddy! Daddy no!" Lila was running toward him, Laura just behind her. Clint tried to reach out to them. He couldn't move his arms, couldn't move his legs. Crushing pain weighed on his chest. He couldn't move. His lungs gasped for air as darkness crept into the edges of his vision. He could do nothing but lay there, begging for one more breath, one more chance to touch them.

"Clint!"

Clint Barton bolted upright in bed.

Deafening silence rolled through the bedroom. Clint blinked, taking in his surroundings. Moonlight shone through the window, creating shadows on the floor and outlining the trees outside. For a moment Clint sat there, breathing hard, staring into the darkness.

"Clint?"

Laura sat up in bed, gazing at him in concern. He rubbed his forehead, drawing a steadying breath.

"I'm okay." He eased himself back against the pillows. "Just a dream."

Laura laid back beside him, rolling onto her side.

"The one with Pietro?" she asked.

Clint swallowed. "The one without him."

Laura was quiet. Clint gazed at her. Her eyes shone in the moonlight, bright and perceptive. Under the covers, her hand found his and she interlaced her fingers with his.

"I'm okay," he said again, kissing her gently on the forehead.

Laura gazed at him quietly.

"You don't have to always be okay, Clint," she said softly.

For a moment Clint couldn't get himself to respond. The words caught him off guard and his throat was suddenly tight.

"All those years of fighting won't just go away in a couple months," Laura continued.

"I know," Clint said carefully. "I guess I just thought that after I retired, I wouldn't be afraid of not making it home anymore."

Laura studied him carefully. "You're a father and a husband. But you're also a fighter," she told him. "You can't just take that out of yourself. It's part of you."

Clint exhaled slowly and Laura wrapped an arm around him, her fingers tracing a scar along his side.

"Do you remember what I told you the first time I met Nat?"

Clint smiled into the darkness.

"You told me a lot of things," he responded jestingly.

Laura did her best to hide her smile.

"I told you that you couldn't fix her," Laura responded, returning to seriousness. "You could be her friend, you could help her learn how to trust, but you couldn't take away her past." For a moment they were both quiet as Clint thought back to a time that felt like a lifetime ago. It was funny, how Laura hadn't stopped being right since then.

"You can't change your own past either. You spent your life saving the world, Clint," Laura said finally. "Now you need to learn how to live in the world you saved."

Clint gripped her hand tightly in his own.

"Do you think I can?" he asked finally.

Laura pulled herself closer to him.

"I think part of you will always be Hawkeye," Laura said softly. "When you accept that, I think you'll be okay."

"And you'll be okay?" Clint asked, studying her.

Laura bit back a laugh.

"I've lived with you this long, I think I'll make it bit longer," she responded teasingly. "Now get some sleep, tough guy." She kissed Clint's temple. "It's your turn to get up with Nathaniel this morning."

Clint groaned, rolling onto his back.

"You couldn't have some mercy on your veteran?" he asked pitifully.

"That's what I gave you yesterday morning," Laura responded. "Now sleep," she ordered, squeezing his hand one more time.

Clint turned his head, watching as she pulled up the covers and shut her eyes. He kept his gaze on her for a moment, memorizing the way her hair fell gracefully about her shoulders in hopes that this time, he could dream only of her.

:) I apologize to Clintasha shippers, but I really love Clint and Laura. But there will definitely be some Clint-Natasha friendship sessions. Let me know if you liked it!