When dad gets back I try to spend some time with him, but he tells me, "I just want to be alone for a while princess. We'll hang out tomorrow." That stings a little; my dad has never blown me off before. I say, "Ok, daddy. I love you." Dad says, "I love you too, princess." He then heads down to his lab. I go back into my room and when I go inside I see Natalie sitting on my bed. I say, "I wish I was surprised, but I'm not. Just so you know I know if I hurt him they'll never find my body." She smiles a little and says, "While that may be true. I also wanted to say Clint told me he told you a little about our relationship and that you said you respected it and would never ask him to change it. Did you mean that?"
I nod and say, "I did. Even if this goes beyond a date, you've known him longer. You guys saved each other. I would never try to take that from you. I can see in both of your eyes that you guys are haunted. If your friendship helps you deal with it than I'm happy for you guys." She nods and says, "He also said you wanted to be friends with me. And considering Clint is my only friend I think I'll take you up on that offer or at least try to anyway. Unlike Clint I did study up on you and you are impressive, you are down to earth, kind, funny, and I think I need someone like you in my life. I think Clint does too. I'm not going to trust you completely in the beginning, but I think one day we can get there."
I smile and say, "Trust is earned and I'll do my best to earn it from you. And if this thing with Clint works out or it doesn't I want you to know that I'll always be your friend or at least try to be. The only friends I have are dad and Pepper so I could use some help in that department too." She laughs and says, "Well if we are going to try this friend thing, then you must call me Natasha. That's my real name or the name I use anyway. So Clint told me you did really good in learning those defense moves." I laugh and say, "Dance helped with that a little bit." She nods and says, "It does help you pick up the basics." We sit around and talk about my training session with Clint for a minute before she has to go back downstairs to help Pepper with the mess that was made today. Normally I'd help too, but I have to get ready for my date tonight.
It took me about an hour, but I am ready. My hair is straight; I have on black eyeliner, black mascara, pink blush, and red lipstick. The place we are going isn't too fancy so I have on black skinny jeans, a red tank top with black stars all over it, and red converse with black laces. I grab my little black purse and my phone and head down stairs. When I get there Pepper says, "Wow you look gorgeous. Where are you going?" I smile and say, "To meet up with a friend. Do you need me to stay and help? I can reschedule with my friend?" She shakes her head and says, "No, no. Go, you never go out unless it's with your father and you usually end up babysitting him. We have this under control, go have fun." I hug her and say, "Thank you. Call me if you need me for anything." I wave at her and Natalie, I mean Natasha and head out the door. I go to my car, it's new like all our cars, but it's nothing over the top or fancy like dad likes.
When I get to the restaurant I'm meeting Clint at I park and quickly make my way inside. I am legitimately right on time. I walk in and look around until I notice him in a corner booth way in the back. I make my way over and he stands up to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He says, "You look beautiful, but you looked just as beautiful in sweats this morning without any makeup." I smile and say, "And you were just as attractive this morning as you are right now, Agent Barton." He helps me slide into one side of the booth and then slides in right next to me instead of sitting across from me. I smile and ask, "Any reason you feel the need to be so close to me." He says, "You look way to beautiful tonight. I am not taking a chance in any guy here thinking he has a chance with you while you are with me." I smile and say, "Well if you play your cards right it man not just be tonight they don't have a chance with me." He smiles and says, "Oh darling I'm counting on it." I giggle at that he's sweet a little cheesy, but sweet.
Our night pretty much consisted of us telling each other our life stories. We both obviously leave some things out, like my powers, because it's only our first date, but I feel this connection to him that I've never felt with anyone before. The age difference will get us some judgment with him being 29 and me being 18, but it's less than 11 years, I'm almost 19, and mentally I'm on his level age and maturity wise. Plus my dad has sleep with girls with bigger age gaps than ours, so he can't judge. He is so cheesy, but its sweet and kind of cute. I definitely want this to go past tonight. We eat dinner and get dessert; he was impressed by how much I can eat. He thinks most women don' eat enough and are too skinny. After we finished eating he asks, "Want to take a walk?" I smile at him and say, "That sounds amazing." He nods and leaves some cash on the table for the bill and he leaves a good tip. That wins him some bonus points with me. It is always good to be good to those around you.
We start our walk off in silence before he says, "I like you and I want to see where this can go, but I need you to understand I'm a SHIELD agent. Sometimes I have to go off on missions and I will be unreachable for an undisclosed amount of time and you can't know where I am or what I am doing." I smile and say, "I want to see where this goes too. And I get that. This is your job I understand that. I'm not my dad I don't believe all government agencies are bad. Until SHIELD proves me wrong, I trust you guys. If I didn't I would have told dad about Natasha, but I think having her around is for the best right now." He says, "She told you her name?" I smile and say, "We had a heart to heart. I like her and we're going to try the whole friend's thing. We both realize we spend way too much time with arrogant men." He says, "Hey!" I say, "I'm just kidding." He rolls his eyes and says, "You better be." I gently nudge him and say, "Don't be such a baby." He just laughs and says, "So we're doing this?" I nod and say, "We are." We walk around a little while longer talking about random things. It was so nice and after one day I feel like I have known him my whole life.
He walks me back to my car and says, "Text me when you get home. We'll work out another day to learn more self- defense because if you're going to be with me and friends with Nat you just added two targets to the one you already have on your back. We will also discuss when our next date will take place." I smile and say, "Of course Agent Barton. Don't panic so much about those targets I'm not as defenseless as you think." He looks curious as he asks, "Do you have a suit too?" I say, "This particular secret feels like maybe third date material. Stick around that long and you might get the answer you are looking for." He smirks at me and says, "I plan to stick around a lot longer than that." I smile at him and say, "Good." We are now back at my car and I am leaning against it while he hovers over me. With reflexes so quick I almost miss it, he pins me to the door of my car and kisses me. It only takes me a second to throw my arms around him and kiss back. When we pull back I say, "Wow." He has this cocky smirk on his face as he says, "I know." I roll my eyes and say, "Good night Clint." He gives me a quick kiss this time and says, "Good night Melody. See you soon."
True to my word as soon as I walked into my house I texted Clint to let him know I was back home. The house was dark, so I'm assuming everyone is in bed. When I walk into my room I'm startled to see Natasha there. She smirks and says, "So how was it?" I laugh and tell her all the details of the date while I change into my pajamas and remove my makeup. After I finish telling her everything she says, "Wow for once Clint did good. I'm glad you had fun. I think he needs someone like you to balance him out." I smile and says, "He told me you both need someone like to me to balance you both out. Look how lucky you guys are you didn't get someone like me you got me." She nods and says, "He's probably right. And we are lucky, you are a good person. Now tell me how was the kiss." I say, "Don't tell him because his ego is already huge, but it was the best kiss I've ever had. No one has ever made me swoon like he does." She laughs and says, "I definitely won't tell him that. There would be no living with him if I did." I laugh and we spend the rest of the night getting to know each other and making fun of Clint. Having a friend and a potential boyfriend who are both government agents is kind of cool.
