Howdy do!
Hungover Hawkeye!
And, just, yeah, warning, ok? Just... Warning. Y'all will see why, nothing too bad though, don't worry!
Have fun!
Disclaimer; Don't own anything to do with Marvel!
There was still a world.
Still birds chirping, still traffic blairing in the streets below. Still the annoying screams of the woman next door as she tried discipline her cats. Still bright afternoon light shining through his lids. Afternoon, he knew, becuase that's the only time his room got to see the sun.
If this was, in fact, his room. He pouted a little, not ready to open his eyes. But the pillows smelled like him, and as he wriggled around he found that one spring that always poked his knee.
Good. His room then. He made it home safe!
So, the world was still there, but his head really wished it wasn't!
He groaned and reached into both ears, pulling out his aids and rolling on his side. That took care of the sounds, and the only way to take care of the sun? Well, he could get the newbies to board up his window, but that would take too long and too much effort, so he just hid under the covers for now.
He was NEVER drinking with Stark again!
Though, since he had no idea where the billionaire wound up last night, he had a feeling he was in worse shape than Clint right now.
He gave a yawn, frowning at how much his mouth felt like sandpaper.
It was gonna be a rought training session.
...
Shit...
Training..
She was going to kill him..
Not that he moved though, he just stayed curled up as he listened to the thump thump of his head. The only sound he could hear right now.
How could he hear that and nothing else..? Was he even hearing it or just feeling it and imagining the sound..? He got deep when hungover!
He didn't know how long he was lying there, but he did drift back to sleep before the slow methodical tap on his arm made him jump.
Morse code. Nothing else was THAT precise time wise.
He smiled to himself. Natasha always found ways to communicate with him.
"Alive?" He eventually made out of the taps, though there were others so he guessed it was actually the end of a sentence.
"Wish I wasn't." He responded with a chuckle, glad he took his aids out cause even the movement of his chuckling frame killed his head a little more!
"Up then. Pain and break on table." Pain and break..? That can't be right! One of them needed to do the Morse course again... And he really guessed it was him!
He rolled onto his back and looked up at her, his breath catching a little.
Good lord what an amazing sight to wake up to!
Hair pulled back, dressing gown on, no make up, just Natasha with a caring smile.
Damn her for turning him to mush!
"Sign please." He whispered with a smile, her rolling eyes giving him a grin. If she was in this good a mood, it must be late afternoon. She was never happy in the mornings!
"Pain killers and breakfast on the table." Her amused smile made him realise she wasn't mad or anything. Always difficult to tell that through Morse code, it's why he never used it when deaf. That and more people knew sign language anyways. She grabbed his aids and took the liberty of putting them back in for him.
"Thanks Tash." He smiled when they were back in place, and she simply responded by ruffling his hair and getting off the bed.
"I'll give you five to wake up properly." She said as she left, softly closing the door behind her.
He grinned to himself and nuzzled the pillow.
Today was going to be a good day!
"How do you make this better than any American woman!?" Clint cheered with a grin before he shoved yet another pancake in his mouth, the amused laugh of his partner making him grin.
"They're not just an American thing, Clint."
He gave a sound of understanding and gulped down some coffee, feeling a hell of alot better since that was his third cup and the pain killers were finally taking effect. Another pancake was soon in his mouth.
When he left the room, he genuinely looked like death warmed up. It was a little after 2pm, so not as late as he thought, but still late by his standards.
What greeted him on the table was fruit, a fry up, a giant pot of coffee, pancakes, and of course a nice medley of all his pills!
20 minutes later, three apples, the fry, and two stacks of pancakes, he was happier than ever!
"Went hard last night, huh?" Natasha asked as Clint finally settled back in his chair, a happy sigh escaping his lips.
"Go hard or go home.. The amount of times Stark said that was in the millions."
"I don't think anyone's heard from him today." She chuckled, standing to go wash up his breakfast dishes.
He smiled as he watched her, his hands resting behind his head.
"Doesn't surprise me. Seems like we went a little mad." He smiled, his fingers messing with strands of his hair. He'd have to have a shower soon, something was sticky back there and it smelled like some sort of cocktail. "Don't remember past challenging Cap."
"You don't?" He heard his partner ask, and her tone shocked him. Surprised and.. And.. Well, something he actually couldn't place, something he's never heard from her before.
"Well, no." He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I must've forgot that guy can't get drunk. I bet my ass that he drank me under the table five times over."
"You were in quite the state." She whispered through a slight laugh, at least she seemed happy, he really couldn't tell since she was facing the sink and not him. "Your usual flirty self."
He laughed at that, his face actually going a little red. He couldn't even count the times he got a little too.. 'Friendly' with her when drunk.
"Is that why my cheek hurts?" He asked through a chuckle, rubbing the spot in question. "Did you clock me again?"
"Not this time, big boy." She had turned to grin at him, drying her hands on a tea towel.
He raised an eyebrow. That grin was never good.
"Girl in the bar?" He asked cautiously, and her grin just got bigger.
"Kind of.. Biker guy in the bar."
He groaned and let his head fall onto the table, gently banging it over and over. "How do I always manage that!?"
Her laugh and hand gently rubbing his back made him relax, smile even. "We'll get you some flashcards so you can tell the difference next time."
He growled a little at her teasing.
"Smart ass.."
The breakfast, the coffee, and now the shower had him feeling hangover free and actually pretty damn good!
It was evening time now, though he wasn't going to have dinner for a while. Not only did he just eat his own weight in food, but the hangover was kind of threatening to throw the food back up.
As he stood in his room, towel drying his hair, he couldn't help but glance at the closet. On the top shelf there was teh case he had tried so many times to take down again.
Sighing, he went over and took the handle once more.
He could do this, he had to do this. Natasha was leaving for who knows how long tomorrow so he had to be ready to be an agent again.
He placed the case on his bed and opened it, carefully lifting the bow from it. He smiled, he actually missed the damn thing!
From his bottom drawer, he pulled out a quiver of normal arrows, thinking he shouldn't really use the explosive ones in his apartment.
The room Tony set up for him was definitely one of his favourite features in the place.
Bows and arrows lined the walls, though he never used them, preferring to use his own. A workstation on the entrance side of the room meant he could work to his hearts content on perfecting both bows and arrows. There was a bar incase he got thirsty, a fridge, and a sofa. And, of course, at the end of the room, a fully mechanised trainging ground, the little computer screen by the door allowing him to select whatever difficulty of training he wanted.
He hadn't used it much, but this was the one room in the apartment he felt most at home.
Medium today, not too easy and not too hard, he had to ease back into it.
He watched for a moment as computerised targets ran around, some hiding behind artificial walls, others ontop of some that were made to simulate buildings. Next he'd probably find Stark installing JARVIS in the place..
He stepped up to the mark and necked an arrow, expertly pulling it back like he'd done a million times before.
Breathe. Focus. Breathe. Focus. Breathe...
And release.
He sent the arrow flying to hit a target as it began to run, and he couldn't help but grin when the time he'd usually have a flashback passed.
He was getting so much better.
With new found confidence, he began to fall into a rhythm. Knocking out target after target, all while standing in the one spot. Sure, he could mix it up and move around, but why over exert himself when all he was doing was getting his aim back?
One target at a time turned to two, turned to three. One arrow being fired turned to two, stepped up to four, stepped up to successive burst fire rounds.
He grinned when the last target fell, his score and time appearing on a monitor on the wall.
Too easy.
Hawkeye was back.
He jumped when he heard an applaud, necking another arrow and turning to aim.
It was Natasha, he knew that, but it still spooked him that he hadn't even noticed her.
"Easy tiger." She chuckled, advancing as he lowered the bow. "Pretty impressive."
"Kinda what I do.." He whispered, finding himself a little out of breath from his exercise. He had pushed it a little.
"Mmmmhm." She hummed, smiling as she took the arrow from his hand. He watched with a raised eyebrow as she examined it closely.
"Something I can help you with?"
"Not really. Just heard you in here and wanted to watch." She smiled, twirling the arrow in her hands.
He smiled and nodded, thinking for a moment then.
She showed him to shoot through three inch steel without breaking a sweat. Showed him how to take down someone twice his size without breaking a nail. She taught him how to hold up under interrogation, how to hold back demons, how to get the job done and leave it where the job was done. How to love..
But he never even thought about teaching her the one thing he could.
"Wanna try?"
"Try what?" She asked with an eyebrow raised, her mouth forming an 'o' shape when he held the bow out to her.
"It's easy, I promise."
He grinned at the shy smile she shot him, she took the bow regardless and stepped up to the mark. He went over to the computer and set it to the easiest mode, just standard targeted dummy boards appearing from the ceiling.
"Don't think you've ever let me touch your bow." She said with an amused smile, and he just shrugged.
He went up behind her and turned her to the position he always stood in.
"Difficult to draw back at first." He started, lifting her arm up and positioning her hand so the bow was upright.
"How the hell do you carry this around..?" She whispered, his grin widening at the shock in her voice.
"Used to it." He chuckled, one of his hands now over the one of hers that was holding the bow. Carefully, he reached down and took her right hand, the one still holding the arrow, and helped her neck it.
"Your body will naturally twist, just let it.." He whispered in her ear, helping her to pull back the arrow. Just as he said, both of them turned the same way, the correct shooting position.
"Fingertips should be by your lips,wrist in line with your elbow, better aim then.." He whispered as he watched her, shifting their arms a little so they were the way he described. "Then, pop.."
The arrow went flying, and she made a content sound as it dug itself into the dummy.
He grinned a little and drew another arrow from the quiver on his back, repeating the process three, four, five more times. Each time, it would find a different target on the body.
On the last one, he just handed her an arrow, staying close behind her but not guiding her this time. The arrow went right through the dummy's heart.
"Not bad.." He whispered, hands falling to hold onto her hips.
She looked over her shoulder at him, head tilting up a bit since he was slightly taller. She was smiling at him.
"Not a bad teacher." She whispered, a smirk spreading across his lips as he started to lean down.
"Oh, I could teach you a thing or two.." He whispered through his smirk, giving her one of her owns.
"Pretty sure you could.."
He had to stop himself, their lips just about to touch. He couldn't do this.
Slowly, he pulled away, rubbing the back of his neck with a grin, leaving his quiver by her feet. "Just leave it on the bench when you're done, alright?"
He left before she could answer, giving a sigh and rubbing his face with his hands once out the door.
"Dammit Tash.." He growled, moving so he could go sit on the balcony a while.
Maybe he'd be a little more sane when she was gone!
Hopefully he'd be a little more sane when she was gone..
He sat on the plastic chair on the balcony once out. He must have been training longer than he realised because the sun was now setting below the New York skyline. When these apartments first opened, he deliberately chose one with the best view. He sees better from a distance, no way he wouldn't have the best distance view in his home.
8:42. That's the time the sun starts to set around this time of year. Give or take 30 seconds.
SHIELD training at it's finest!
He sighed softly and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath then to relax.
As if on cue though, a pair of arms snuck their way around his shoulders, not giving him a moment to rest.
"What's up Clint? My face scare you?" She whispered, her chin resting gently on his shoulder.
"Oh it gives me nightmares each night." He chuckled quietly, his hand coming up to rest on her arms, his eyes glued on the sunset.
"Well believe it." She laughed, the sound so close to his ears better than any song he ever heard. "But I do believe you were about to start something in there.."
He paused at that, his brows furrowed in confusion. Did she actually want something to happen? Because he thought she made it pretty clear she didn't.
"Well.." He started, though he couldn't find the words.
She sighed gently and moved around to sit on his lap, straddling him would be the better term. He raised an eyebrow as her arms wrapped around his neck. God she was a confusing woman! What woman wasn't actually..?
"I didn't push you away, didn't smack you silly." She whispered, a slight pout on her lips.
What side of Natasha was this!? He'd definitely never seen it before! His hands went to hold onto her hips, just so she wouldn't slip off him.
"So why'd you stop..?" She whispered, this time alot closer to his lips though.
"You don't want that.." He whispered back, his forehead resting against hers now. "You made that pretty clear."
"That was then." Their lips were touching now, and it sent shivers down his spine. "This is different Clint.."
"Why?" Confusion was an understatement now. Damn that laugh of hers was infectious.. Confused as he was he couldn't help but smile at her.
"That was so many months ago, Barton.." She whispered softly, one of her hands moving up to play with the loose hair at the back of his neck. "Somethings change.."
"Like..?" He pushed, his throat going dry at what was happening. Definitely had to be a dream.
"Like, oh, I dunno.." She hummed, the fake hum she did when he was in trouble.
This time, there was no yelling, no anger, quite the opposite.
This time, there were soft lips on his, a gentle kiss, dare he say a loving kiss that melted his heart. And she was the one who started it.
One minute passed. He didn't care. Two minutes passed, he still kissed her. Near the three minutes, she finally pulled away for some air.
"Like maybe the fact I love you.." She whispered to his lips, and that definitely stopped his heart.
She loved him..
She actually loved him!
"Love you too, little hawk.." Swam around his head. Did something happen last night..?
"Nat.." He whispered in shock, and she just grinned at him.
"I know.." She smiled, her hand now running through his hair. "I know what I said before.. But dammit Clint, you're too much of a charmer sometimes.."
She loved him.
That thought made him reconnect their kiss, this time not as gentle, this one was full of passion, full of lord only knows how many years of pent up feeling.
This was one that he'd been holding back for too long, and as their tongues wrestled for dominance in the kiss, he felt a calmness he never knew existed wash over him.
"I know you love her.." Stark drunkenly slurred, both men barely able to hold themselves up. "But dude, it's a lost cause!"
"I dunno!" Clint laughed, hiccuping then so violently it nearly made him fall. He held onto Stark for support, Stark on him for the same reason. "Things seem d-d-different!"
"You're so stubborn!" Tony yelled, growling at the archer. "She doesn't love anyone!"
"Maybe! But I love her! Mark my words, she'll love me one day and you can be best man at the wedding!"
Her voice broke his memories from last night, dammit he never thought that day would be today!
"Clint.." She whispered his name breathlessly after what seemed like an eternity, though she still gave him little kisses. "One last night together.. I leave for who knows how long tomorrow.. Let's do this.. Come play.."
He words sent shivers down his spine, was this really happening?
Was she actually suggesting this?
He didn't dare ask in case she changed her mind, he simply stood with her in his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist.
He kissed her all the way to his bedroom, not giving her a moment to reconsider. Once inside, he kicked the door closed behind them and went straight to the bed.
Carefully, he lay her on the bed, climbing over her, hands either side of her head for support as he went about kissing along her jaw and neck line.
Her little sounds egged him on, a little mix of a groan and sigh, the best thing he ever heard. Well, so far.
His shirt and jeans were off in an instant, his bulge beginning to poke at the fabric of his boxers.
He expertly removed her shirt, leaving her in just her bra as he went to attend to her own pair of jeans.
"Clint.." She half moaned, half whispered, making him stop in her attack on her neck and his hands pause at their work. She cupped his cheeks and pulled him up to her, giving him a soft, loving kiss. One that made his arms weak.
"Not like the other times.." She whispered to his lips, her eyes scanning his own.
He knew what she meant. This wasn't the first time they were in this position, after all.
Nights they'd be too drunk to know what day it was, it happened. Times they were undercover as a couple, being watched in their apartment, it happened. It's happened easily five or six times before.
But they were always rough and fast, always with regret, always while having anything else in their mind, anything at all rather than the other person. They always spent three or four days not looking each other in the eye. They knew it was part of the job, but never liked accepting it. That's not saying it wasn't good, wasn't enjoyable during the time, but it wasn't love.
"Don't fuck me.." She whispered, and he could see the sincerity in her eyes. They were soft, the most beautiful green he's ever seen. How many days has it been since he looked at them..? "Make love to me.."
Those four words turned him on more than anything ever could.
With a smile, he nodded, his hands leaving her jeans to instead cup her cheeks, giving her a soft kiss that went on for as long as he could manage.
"I love you, Tash.." He whispered, his hands finally going to pull down her jeans. "So, for you, anything.."
And so began, what will forever be known as, the best night he ever had.
So began the night Natasha Romanoff proved her love for Clint Barton.
The soft 'click' of the front door was what stirred him from his sleep.
He groaned a little and pulled his eyes together before they peeked open. They had to adjust to the early morning light, but even while adjusting he knew his bedmate was gone.
He sighed softly and brought a hand up rub his eyes, sitting up in his bed then with a slight grunt.
It had been a rough night..
Sure, he went slow and gentle, he gave his all to Natasha. But the next three rounds definitely couldn't be classed as 'making love' at all.
He grinned at the memory as he glanced around, stretching his limbs to get rid of the aches.
5:33 am.. Her 'wheels up' was 6:50am. Good thing he snuck his gift into her bag, otherwise there was no telling when she'd get the little necklace! He had no clue when he'd see her again after all.
He paused when he spotted the stack of pancakes on the dresser, a note in Natasha's handwriting leaning against the glass of orange juice accompanying the breakfast.
He picked it up and read it over a few times, each time he did, his grin grew bigger.
"Clint,
Didn't have the heart to wake you. That, and I knew you wouldn't let me leave if I did!
Don't worry about me. I'll check in when I can.
Your new handler will be there at 12pm. Play nice, take your meds, be Hawkeye!
Love you, little Hawk. So much.
-Tash x"
Though, that wasn't the part that made him grin..
"P.S. Now THAT definitely reminded me of Budapest, big guy! ;)"
He laughed to himself and fell back to lie down, the note hugged close to his chest as he stared at the ceiling.
Natasha Romanoff..
It was always her.
Always going to be her who stole his heart.
He could never love anyone this much. He never wanted to.
He loved Natasha Romanoff, and that's all he cared about.