Authors Note: Trouble in Paradise… (rated for violence and what not)
Ch. 11
With more time this year Khaleesi had been able to work on her gift to Clint at her own pace. His limited amount of clothing was dwindling and certain articles had seen better days. He would never openly complain but his jacket was poorly lacking. She'd taken it upon herself to make him a new one. It was closer to Asgardian styles but she knew he wouldn't mind. It would hit him just above the hip lined with warm wool. It's color a dark almost black hue.
She'd taken to working on it while he was sleeping to help keep it a mystery, he tried numerous times to be sneaky and find out what his present was early. She'd slapped his hands playfully and sent him on his way as he attempted to peek in the doorway of their room. Working until it was much too late she yawned against the back of her hand, sewing needle pinched between her forefinger and thumb. Stretching her back it gave a sharp ache.
A hot bath would be a wonderful end to her evening she thought as she rubbed her hand into the small of her back. Thinking she would ask Clint to find her a more comfortable chair to do her sewing in tomorrow. He had gone to bed not long ago and she found him sleeping already as she walked through their chambers to grab her long night gown. Testing the water with her fingertips before getting in she gave a contented sigh at how the hot water felt against her skin. The tub was large enough for two people and deep enough that sitting on the bottom the water came up to her chin. Dunking underneath the water she held her breath and opened her eyes gazing up at the collection of lanterns hanging above the tub, sending splintered shards of light in every direction. She enjoyed the weightless feeling it brought. Suddenly she saw a figure walk beside the edge of the tub. Rising up she wiped the water from her eyes. "Clint…" She said blinking her eyes. There was no reply and Khaleesi frowned. She could see the entire expanse of the bath, turning her head over each shoulder she saw no one.
Oh well, the light must be playing tricks on me, she concluded. Laying back she put her arms on the lip of the tub feeling the cool air evaporate the water on the skin or her arms and face. She closed her eyes and let herself relax. She could hear the owl outside in the tree's hooting its eerie call.
The water relaxed her tight muscles and lulled her into a faint sleep the scent of the lavender bath salts hanging in the air. Khaleesi felt the faint sensation of fingertips ghosting through her wet hair, trailing to the side of her neck pressing ever so lightly. Giving a soft moan she smiled eyes remaining shut. "Don't stop that feels good." The fingers continued their menstruations massaging her temples and sliding down her neck touching her shoulders with a firm grip. Her hand come up feeling the hand against her face taking a loose hold on their wrist.
When she touched the wrist the firm touch softened and stilled, as if waiting for something. The mirrored ceiling above the tub cast the shards of light from the lanterns down across the floor in haphazard shapes and patterns, its stained glass leaving blue and green spots on the floor. The reflection harbored secrets, the hand stroking her shoulder was streaked in grime. The fingers long and free of calloused marks, it was connected to a leanly muscled forearm and bicep. Ivory skin, smeared with dirt.
Khaleesi let go of the wrist and let her hand fall into the water eyes drifting open slowly for just a moment. She stared sleepily towards the open doorway. The broad shoulders connected with the arm in question lay bare and held painful looking wounds. Streaks of burns flaring across the chest and neck having yet to heal and finally a curious head tilted to the side. Mouth set in a firm hardened expression. Emerald green eyes sending a heated gaze downward, his eyes widened at the sound of her voice again. "I had a dream last night Clint, I forgot to tell you…" her voice trailed off as she let her eyes close. "There was a child…with beautiful dark hair and he had such a sweet.." her voice cut out as the hand gripped her throat so suddenly she jerked upwards. It squeezed with such force she thought the fingers would pierce her flesh.
No noise escaped her throat; her lungs could find no purchase. The water splashing out the sides of the oval shaped tub as she thrashed adding force behind the feeling of being lifted up in the air like a rag doll. The floor rushing up to meet her as she was slammed down coughing raggedly and sputtering up water she laid on her stomach trying to get her bearings. She looked up as she took big gulping breaths of air. "Clint…Cint….CLINT!" She finally was able to scream. The lanterns above the tub swayed from side to side above her. The only evidence on the floor beside her, the muddy foot prints near the tub, she found she needn't scream long.
Clint was dreaming he was standing on the beach the sun still a distant memory beneath the horizon he could hear the gulls crying sharply. The wind picked up and bit sharply against his cheeks. Why was he out here? He didn't remember coming outside. Distantly in the wind he could hear a scream, straining to hear it over the waves he looked up in the direction of the house. After a moment he could hear his name. It was faint at first and then it rose into full volume as he shot up in the bed. He was awake and half way down the hall before he knew what he was doing. He heard the voice again. "Clint! Clint!" Drawn out and ragged sounding. He was running at a dead sprint before he heard it a third.
When he reached her he wasted no time in sweeping her up off the floor looking around the room and seeing nothing. She clung to him desperately voice hiccupping. "There's…The...Someone…He here" Clint took a slow cautious step backwards. His sharp eyes looking for anything out of the ordinary as he finally turned and left the bathroom. "Clint…Did ..you hear me? There's someone here." She said her voice growing more strength. He made his steps quicker. "I heard you Khaleesi." He ground out through his teeth. No shit someone was here, he thought angrily.
When they reached their chambers he set her down on the bed bunching up the comforter around her, she'd begun to shiver her lips trembling. "Are you hurt?" He said holding her face in his hands. She shook her head yes then no. "I don't know…I don't " He pushed his lips into a hard thin line. "Stay right here do you understand me? Do not leave this room no matter what okay? Even if you hear me call out to you….I will come back. I promise." Clint grabbed his knife off the bedside table. He ignored her shouts as he ran out of the room and out of her sight.
