Here we go! Hope y'all liked the last chapter, I loved it, but I love any cute Clint so it doesn't count!
Natasha's turn! As always. read Clint first!
Disclaimer; don't own marvel.
"He's been fine, actually." She replied to her bosses question, slight shock in her voice. "Been back to his normal self, been running alot. Getting stronger."
"But has he been shooting?" He asked curiously, his eye not being taken off the trainee's sparring on the floor below the balcony they were currently on.
"I don't know." She sighed, turning to lean against the railing with her arms folded. "The bow has shifted positions a bit, but I don't know if he's going for it then cowarding out or if he's actually taking it and training."
"We need him shooting." He sighed, and she nodded.
"I know, Fury. But he's fragile. Just give me more time, ok?"
"You don't have that." She looked to him in confusion, "Your new mission starts in two days time."
She sighed and nodded, pulling a dummy grenade from her belt and throwing it to the training floor, watching the newbies scramble to either cover it or run from it.
"Cap?" She asked softly, noting Fury nod from the corner of her eyes.
"Cap. Barton will be sent out too."
She looked to him in shock at that, shaking her head.
"He's not ready Fury. He's sloppy, still hurt, mentally and physically. He'll be killed!"
"He's off suspension soon. He's getting back in the field weather you like it or not." Fury said in his 'that's final so shut up about it!' voice.
"I don't like it. And it's not happening." She turned and left the arena, not giving the director a chance to reply.
She wasn't going to let Fury send the best agent in SHIELD to his death.
He'd be given a new handler, and she knew he'd be fine given time. But not now.
Something about leaving him while he was still hurt just didn't sit right with her.
She was an agent though. Missions came first.
She sighed in relief when she finally made it to the apartment door, plenty of paper shopping bags being held in her arms. The apartment desperately needed supplies! Clint was going on a little binge of everything lately, all healthy stuff thank god, but she found herself shopping nearly every day.
"What do you want for dinner, Clint?" She called when she entered the apartment, placing the bags on the kitchen counter.
She frowned a little when there was no reply. He'd usually come out to see what she got.
She glanced at the living room and noticed he was there, asleep possibly.
"I'm driving down the road, I get the feeling I should have been home yesterday~" Clint Barton, world famous marksman, credited with multiple murders, singing country songs..? She smirked a little and went over to him slowly, trying not to let him know she was there just yet. "Country roads~"
He was actually a damn good singer.. It was a shame to stop him, but she had to give him a bit of a scare! So she used her bracelet to turn the music off, setting the aids to his normal hearing volume.
The look of confusion on his face as he lifted his arm to look at his own bracelet was priceless!
Him jumping about ten feet in the air with shock was even more so!
"God damn it, Tash!" He yelled, standing now with his hand over his heart. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Kinda easy when you have your hearing off." She laughed, trying to calm down from the fit of laughter him jumping so quickly gave her. She was way too easily amused when it came to him!
When calm enough, she walked back to the kitchen, not expecting to see him over, helping to unpack the grocery bags. She hit his hand away.
"Ah nah! You go relax, birthday boy." She grinned, pushing him back towards the sitting room.
"Ah come on! The one time I wanna help and you're pushing me away?" He laughed, and she stopped pushing.
He never helps.. But on his birthday he does..?
That sneaky fucker..
"You only offered because you knew I'd say no, huh?" her spy voice was on, and he smirked and winked at her. She shook her head in amusement and went back to the kitchen. "You just keep singing there, farm boy."
She heard his grumble and smiled a little at it. She should know not to bring up the farm, but it was too easy to rile him up over it!
"So how's Fury."
She fell silent for a moment, not thinking he knew that she went to Fury once a week. She chuckled under her breath then, it was stupid to think that. He was her mission right now, and he knew they checked in once a week on missions. "He's Fury."
...May not seem like an answer, but it described how he was perfectly!
"I picked up a suit for you." She said after a few minutes, packing away the last few things from the bags. She glanced over to see him looking over the sofa at her, confusion on his face.
He wasn't going to like where this was going..
"Like, a new SHIELD one? I thought I was getting that next week." He pouted in curiosity, which was true. They went to get him fitted for one the other day since his old one was completely destroyed.
She couldn't help but smirk at him. He was going to throw a fit and she was going to enjoy it so much when he did!
"Steve and Tony are taking you out tonight.." She nearly sang the words to him, and his eyes grew wide.
There it is!
"I am NOT wearing a monkey suit!" He complained, hands covering his eyes. "No no no no no! Not happening!"
"Awh come on!" She laughed, going over to sit on the end of the sofa. "It's just for a few hours! They're really looking forward to it!"
"And what do I get out of it..?" He mumbled, peaking through his fingers at her.
He should wear those tight t-shirts more often.. Those muscles were something!
"Tony paying for drinks all night, possible Iron Man/Captain America fight." She shrugged, patting his leg then with a grin. "And if you play really nice, you can have a birthday kiss, ok?"
He grinned at that, nodding as he sat up on his elbows. "Sounds good!"
"Great! I'll call Banner and let him know to come over for that kiss!" She smirked, patting his cheek before getting up once more to go start dinner.
She smirked a little more when she heard him growl, the bracelet lighting up with a Brad Paisley song, so he was gone to his little world again.
Who knows, maybe he'll get one if he plays nice..
"I can't figure this damn thing out!" She raised an eyebrow when she heard that, seeing a tie being flung from his toom then. What was that about? AH! He never wore suits!
She was in within a second, tie in her hand and a smirk on her face. "Never do one before?"
He shook his head, arms folded as he pouted. She grinned a little, he looked so damn uncomfortable but the navy suited him really well!
Even though she did have to threaten him into it. Stark was actually doing something nice for once, so it had to be done!
"Come here you baby." She laughed, and he did as told. She held a small smile on her face as she did up the tie, taking her time so it looked perfect. "You look pretty sharp.."
He smiled shyly at her words, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Reckon I'll score tonight?"
"Hmmm maybe," She chuckled, smoothing out the tie and fixing his collar when done. "Just not off the street, and don't bring them back here please."
"No promises." He smirked, kissing her cheek as a thank you before going to the mirror to fix his hair. "Welcome to join us if I do, though."
"Keep dreaming, bird brain." she laughed, leaving the room then. He needed some male bonding time, and she needed a night to herself! Otherwise, both of them would end up killing eachother.
It wasn't long before there was a knock on the door, so she went to open it for Steve and Tony. Of course Tony already had a drink in his hands!
"So where's this birthday boy!? I have strippers in the limo for him!" Tony grinned, stepping in and glancing around, grinning at how his handy work turned out.
"That better be a joke." She sighed, oddly finding a bit of jealousy coiling in her gut.
"Think I'd get away with that with good ol' Captain America here!?" Stark pouted, and Natasha had to grin at Steve.
Rogers just smiled and nodded in agreement. "He tried. Trust me. I owe him one go of my shield now."
"How come he got away with it!?"
Natasha looked to Clint in confusion before she copped he was looking at Steve. She grinned a little, the suit thing was really annoying him!
"Tell ya what, you find one to fit those muscles, then we'll talk." She smirked, and he pouted. Cap would be pretty uncomfortable in one.
"Here. These should fit you." She watched as Tony threw some shoes at him. Good thing he remembered them! It looks like they started early so she was convinced Clint would go without the dress shoes!
"Well, Tash really did think of everything." He chuckled, sitting on the arm of the sofa to pull on the shoes before smiling at his partner. "Y'sure you don't wanna come?"
"You need a guys night out." She smiled, fixing his collar once more when he stood before walking the three men to the door. She smiled and patted his cheek. "Come back in one piece please."
"I always do!" He grinned, winking at her before running off after Tony and Steve.
He jumped on the captains back and the man just laughed as he carried Clint down the stairs.
She smiled to herself as she watched that. She had some nights out, even in the Red Room, they were given some time together. But Clint? She had to wonder if through it all he ever had a male bonding night like this.
Cards, yeah, he had Tony and Steve over alot for that. But this was good for him!
She closed the door when they were out of sight and sighed to herself. He looked well tonight, she should get him in suits more often!
Now for a night of packing for her next mission.
Her current one was doing just fine on his own..
The diary fell before she realised what it was. The leather book had fallen down from the top of the wardrobe when she pulled down a duffel bag.
The neat writing of her partner was the only way she realised it was something personal.
Of course, though, personal meant nothing to her!
So she immediately forgot about packing, got changed into her pyjamas and a dressing gown, poured herself some red wine, and sat curled up on the sofa to read.
She shouldn't be intruding in his privacy like this, but it was a rare chance to get inside her partners mind, she couldn't pass it up!
The first page wasn't his usual handwriting. It seemed sloppier, almost bad enough to be illegiable.
But she made it out eventually.
'We got out. I don't know how, but we did! Now there's a circus and these amazing guys and I'm warm and fed and Barney did all of this for me! I'm learning how to use a bow tomorrow, I can't wait for that!'
Well this book is really old! All the way back to his circus days?
Her eyes were a little wide at that. Why did he keep it so long?
She kept reading and there was everything, things she didn't even know about him too!
Eventually, sometime after the beating at the circus, each page started with the same two words 'Dear Barney,'.
Did he really miss his brother that much..?
There were so many things in this, like how bad he felt helping her steal from his hero, how scared he was his first few days at SHIELD, the rambles after she shot him and left him for dead, all the dark thoughts and horrible feelings.
This was how he stayed so positive around everyone. This was his way of getting everything out and not blowing up at people. He spoke to his older brother, the one person who was there for him through that horrible time he called a childhood.
As each page was turned, from the time she shot him, it got progressively darker, until the time he lost his hearing. He started making jokes after that.
What changed then..?
She didn't have to wonder for long, the one sentence stood out and made her grin a little.
'She smiled at me, not in the condensing way she does when she slams me on the mat, but in a nice way, she has a nice side, Barney!"
All those dark thoughts were because she was a bitch. She was so glad she changed her ways, even if it was just so he'd feel better.
She smirked a little at one page, settling in a little to read this story!
'Dear Barney,
WAIT till I tell you about Budapest!'
She glanced to the door with an eyebrow raised when she heard some noise. Seems like they're finally back!
She hurried to his room and replaced the journal, that little memory would have to wait till another day!
When she went to the door, she smirked at what she saw. Looks like someone had a good night..
Steve was helping her partner down the hall, Clint looking well and truly legless as he stumbled and hiccuped his way along.
"The power of love, is a curious thing~!" Oh lord.. He was singing again.. The poor neighbours.. "Make one man weep, make another man sing~!"
"I think we broke your partner." Steve said with an amused grin when he spotted her, and she had to nod.
"More than a feeling~! That's the power of love~!" He cheered when he saw Widow at the apartment door, she sent him a smirk.
"Seems like you did." She held a hand out and he gladly took it, standing to attention then to salute Steve.
"You have completed your mission, Captain Rogers!" He said in a deep, commanding voice, Steve just smirking at him, and she was so very tempted to face-palm. "You may now go off to find that wench who slapped me! Bring her to my quarters!"
"Was someone a handful with the ladies?" Natasha laughed, his arm now slung around her shoulders. Poor guy would be sore in the morning!
"Not exactly.." Steve laughed, rubbing the back of his neck as he watched Clint. "It was a biker guy with long hair. He'll have a bruise tomorrow. It was a full force punch."
"Oh please! That was a woman!" Clint defended with a pout, and Natasha rolled her eyes. That happened once before aswell.. How could he not tell these things apart!?
"I'll get some ice on that. Come on in." Barton looked at her when she invited Steve in, and his eyes told her he was probably about to pass out!
"Ms. Romanoff.. I do believe you are seducing me." He grinned, she just managed to catch the slurred words as she led him to his bedroom.
"Oh lord so much." Surely even this drunk, the sarcasm dripping from each word would be noticed!
"Clothes off, Barton." She smiled when they were in the room, sitting him on the bed before she went to his dresser.
"Yes ma'am!" When she looked back at him, she laughed a little, he was struggling with the first button. She was infront of him in an instant, a soft smile on her face as she helped him, pyjamas sitting next to him.
"Looks like you had a good night." She said softly, her eyes on her hands though as she helped him.
She noticed a nod, which was as good as anything considering how drunk he actually was. He was warm, and his pulse was pretty quick, hopefully just a side effect and no illness.
He was out of his clothes and into pyjamas in a time that was a little longer than expected, but she was hanging his suit up anyway after tucking him into bed.
"I'll bring you in some painkillers and water. You'll be dying tomorrow." She was smiling to herself as she finished hanging the suit, no tie in sight though, probably thrown out the second he got a chance.
"Thank you, Tash.." She heard him whisper as she left, going to get the pills and some water.
She made sure Steve was alright while she was gone, she found him just relaxing in the living room with a magazine.
When she got back, Barton was pretty out of it on the bed, nearly asleep, but he needed to take these. He jumped a little when he noticed her but swallowed the pills with some water anyways.
He just had to sleep it off! Give her an excuse to have a lie in tomorrow too.
"Nat.." He whispered, catching her wrist to stop her from leaving when she turned.
"What's wrong?" She whispered back with a worried frown, the sound of his voice making her think he was actually hurt.
Without another word, he carefully pulled her down and captured her lips in a soft, gentle kiss.
Wide wasn't even the proper word to describe her eyes.
What the hell was he doing!?
Why was this happening!?
Why was she not beating him senseless for this!?
Why was she enjoying this..?
Why did this actually feel so right...?
Her heart.. Why was it beating this fast..?
She surprised herself by responding to the kiss, her eyes slipping closed as she let her mind shut off and let herself enjoy the moment.
This was the most comfortable, the most right, she's ever felt in her life.. But this wasn't right, was it?
Her hand was cupping his cheek by the time they finally broke apart, and she gave the tip of his nose one little kiss before pushing him back to lie down.
She couldn't stop the little grin that spread across her face.
"Goodnight Clint.. Happy birthday.." She whispered, tucking him in once more before turning to leave the room.
"Love you, Tash.." He whispered when she reached the door.
That made her pause and her heart beat that much faster.
For once, those three words rang true in her mind. He said them so many times, and usually they'd just be shrugged off, but this time.. Those three words sunk into her heart and managed to drag up the feelings that have been hiding for years.
As she turned off his light, the words "Love you too, little Hawk." finally escaped her lips.