Many many thanks to all of you who keep coming back to read about this happy place! I'm so happy you enjoy it. Writing this little world of Clint and Natasha's is such a joy for me and I'm so glad I can share it.

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Timeline: This oneshot directly follows "Friends" (chapter26)

Takes place in May. Wind is 3 year old. Isaac is 5 months old. Steve and Bruce are both visiting.

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Welcome to the fluff fest.

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Bruce awoke to chirping birds and quiet voices floating in through the window screen. The mid morning sun bathed his room in perfect contentment. He remained horizontal, head still nestled in the generous pillow, and breathed peacefully. There were smells of honeysuckle, breakfast, and coffee. There was earth and sky and happiness. That last one in particular he couldn't so much smell, but he could hear it outside his room and he could feel it as deep as his bones.

It was the most perfect transition from sleep to consciousness, dream to reality that Bruce had ever had. After basking in that pleasantness, he finally roused himself from bed.

Exiting the bathroom clad in a t-shirt and sweats, Bruce wandered comfortably down the hall. It did not feel like he didn't belong here and that put him so much at ease. Stepping over a few toys and a small pile of twigs, he made his way past the front door that was open, swinging almost imperceptibly in the perfect May morning. Rounding the corner into the kitchen he found the coffee atop the counter was still hot and he poured himself a generous mug. He only ever allowed himself one cup a day, so he chose the biggest one he could find. Blessed coffee in hand, he headed out to the porch.

Natasha was there, seated on the topmost step, her back resting against the pillar, legs stretched out across it. She greeted him with a smile. She too held a mug of steaming coffee between her hands. Baby Isaac was laying on his stomach on a blanket at the bottom of the steps. Natasha was keeping an eye on him as he grabbed at the toys in his reach and experimented with movement. "He can roll himself off of everything." Natasha said as Bruce settled into one of the porch chairs.

"So you're keeping him at the lowest possible elevations?"

"You go it."

Their words faded away as Bruce's attention came to rest on the two men and the child who were now playing out by the tree line. He wasn't sure what they were doing, but Wind was laughing hysterically and running back and forth from Steve, to his father. Hens foraged on the edge of the woods, not far from the ruckus. The highest branches swayed calmly in the breeze. The dogs chased squirrel off from the garden. His gaze circled back to Natasha, seated on the step. She was looking down at the baby, eyes fixed on him, a tiny smile printed on her face.

The two of them sipped their coffee wordlessly for a while, comfortable in each other's company. Bruce closed his eyes and took in the peace. He'd wanted nothing more than this for months. He'd been so tired.

Steve and Clint eventually made their way over. Wind was riding on Steve's shoulders and Mars trotted beside Clint. Arrow stayed behind, dutifully keeping a look out for the offending squirrel.

"Did you get any breakfast, Banner?" Clint asked as he came up the stairs, kissed Natasha, and then hopped up on the porch rail. Steve put Wind down and the boy immediately crouched down to investigate whatever his little brother was doing.

"Not yet."

"Well, there's a bunch of stuff. Sausage, eggs, fruit, bread. Nat and I stocked up for the coming of the metabolism apocalypse."

"Don't look at me," Bruce said, "I only eat like Cap after going green."

Steve smiled sheepishly. "You'll have to cook up some more eggs. I polished off what was in the pan."

"I think I'll be alright." Bruce assured him, with a laugh.

"You guys have any interest in carpentry, construction stuff?" Clint asked.

"Never really gave it a try before," Bruce said "but I'm pretty good with math, so..."

Clint gave him an incredulous look and turned to Steve.

"Not so much as toy boat." Steve said.

"Ok then." Clint sighed. "Well I've been thinking about tackling the attic, maybe making it a livable space for when the boys are older. I've been studying up and I've built a few chairs. Between the three of us, there's maybe 50% competence. You guys wanna see what we can do while you're here?"

"Why not?" Steve nodded.

"I'm in." Bruce said.

"If you destroy this house, I will call Stark in to fix whatever you did."

"Can't let that happen." Clint said. "We'll tread carefully."

Steve nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Bruce got up and went inside. They could hear him chuckling lightly all the way to the kitchen.

. . .

After Bruce ate, showered and got dressed he took Isaac from Natasha. She was the baby on her lap and was attempting to read as he grabbed at the book in her hand. She'd fed him and he was showing signs of sleepiness.

"He's all yours," Natasha had said, handing the child over to Bruce. "If he falls asleep, he doesn't usually wake up if you put him down."

"I don't mind holding him." Bruce said.

"Well, if you've got him, then I'm gonna go. We need more straw for the nest boxes. And Clint promised Wind we'd do s'mores tonight. So I need to get chocolate, marshmallows and...something."

"Graham crackers." Bruce offered.

"Right."

"First time for me and the three year old."

"They're good."

"So Clint tells me. ..I'll be back in a couple hours. Got a few other things to do as well and no drive is a short drive out here. Message me if you need anything."

"Thanks, Natasha."

She grabbed what she needed from inside and drove off in the jeep. Bruce watched it disappear down the gravel drive and into the trees.

Steve and Wind had gone off into the woods, followed by the dogs. Clint was up in the attic beginning the nascent stages of his project; clearing spiderwebs, etc. That left Bruce alone on the porch, swaying back and forth with Isaac on his shoulder. The baby was indeed ready for a nap because he rested his head against Bruce almost immediately. Very soon, his breathing became steady and deep. He was asleep and Bruce couldn't help feeling pleased with himself. He sat down in one of the chairs and put his feet up. He closed his eyes and breathed along with the baby. The day was so beautiful and the peace was all encompassing.

Eventually Clint appeared on the porch and joined him in one of the chairs.

For a while they listened to the light breeze and enjoyed the scent of honeysuckle that it carried.

"There's lots of woods out there," Clint said, nodding toward the trees. "You thinking about making things a little greener while you're here?"

"With kids around?"

"You really don't trust him?" Clint asked. "After everything?"

"It's not worth it." was all Bruce said, not looking at him.

Clint couldn't argue that. He could only guess at the demons Bruce still carried around.

"But honestly," Bruce eventually said, making eye contact this time, "he's been so calm since I got here. He doesn't need it. ...I don't need."

Clint nodded. It felt good to hear that and to know he could give that to his friend.

"The little guy seems to like you." Clint smiled, indicating his son passed out on Bruce's shoulder.

"He's quiet." Bruce said.

"Not always." Clint chuckled.

"No... the other guy. He's completely quiet. Like he's sleeping."

"That ever happened before?"

"No."

He looked over because of the note in Bruce's voice. He was looking up at the sky as he patted the softest rhythm on Isaac's back. Clint could see where a tear that had found its way down Bruce's cheek and the smallest hint of a smile on his lips.

. . .

Steve emerged from of the woods carrying a huge bundle of sticks and twigs in his arms. A few seconds later, he was followed by Wind, tramping along, holding onto two branches that dragged behind him.

Bruce was out looking at Natasha's garden and turned to greet the pair. He had put Isaac down in his crib some time ago and the baby was still napping the day away.

"We got kid-ning, Unko Boose." Wind said, showing no signs of the shyness he'd displayed the day before. He had indeed "warmed up" as Natasha had promised.

Steve stifled a big grin. Bruce crouched down to the child's level. "Kindling?"

Wind nodded vigorously. "Yeah!"

"Good job, buddy. We're going to have such a good fire tonight."

"Where should we put these?" Steve asked the boy.

Wind led the way. "Fi-uh pit." he said confidently.

The two men exchanged grins and followed him.

To the opposite side of the house from where the vehicles were parked there was a little scorched area in the grass, a glorified fire pit. Around it were a five adirondack chairs. Clint had mentioned that he'd been trying his hand at some carpentry and the evidence was beside the house. There were piles of saw dust and scrap wood, and work benches, but no power tools, measuring equipment, hammers, or nails in sight. Up against the house, was a large plastic trunk with a lock on it. Weather proof and child proof.

"Barton built all of these?" Steve asked rhetorically, sounding very impressed. "I'd say that's more than 50% competence."

Wind pulled his two branches into the ashy fire ring and then climbed up on one of the chairs. Bruce sat down next to him while Steve set his haul down in the grass.

Behind Wind's chair was a stack of fire wood with a rake leaned up against it, and a pile of bricks. Bruce assumed the latter was intended for encircling the fire pit at some point.

Clint came outside and leaned over the porch rail. "Banner, what'd you say we dust the cobwebs off your Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills?"

"Oh, I don't think so. That's more than just cobwebs."

"I show my jitsu!" Wind exclaimed, standing up suddenly on the chair.

Steve started laughing. "That's low, Barton."

Clint grinned. "You don't want to disappoint him, do you, Banner?"

Bruce rolled his eyes and then turned his attention to the boy. "You wanna spar with me?"

"Yeah!"

"Alright, let's go spar." Bruce said with a chuckle as he lifted himself out of his relaxing chair.

. . .

At dusk, after dinner, Natasha, Bruce and Steve sat on the steps watching Wind chase fireflies in the grass while Clint was getting the fire going. Bruce held Isaac and tried to make the stoic baby smile. So far he'd only elicited a vague smirk. Steve had gone with Natasha to make sure the hens were locked safely in their coop for the night and now they sipped beers and chatted about the goings on in New York. The occasional bat flitted back and forth above them, snapping up as many flying insects as it could. There was no moon that night and stars were appearing one by one. Natasha smiled at the sight of her little son hopping around chasing the glowing bugs, and knocking into Mars who followed his erratic movements too closely.

As crackling of fire soon began to mingle with the night crickets and the dim sky became completely dark, they moved towards the side of the house.

Natasha had no trouble toasting the perfect marshmallow and agreed that s'mores were indeed delicious when she took a bite of her very first one. Clint helped his son roast his first marshmallow. The boy bounced on his toes while encircled in Clint's arms. Both of his hands wrapped tightly around the stick, while his father guided him through the process.

Once he put a s'more together for Wind and had him situated, he set to work preparing his own dessert. Banner traded Natasha the baby for a marshmallow stick and took his turn too. Clint couldn't help noting his poor progress from the other side of the fire.

"Oh come on, Banner!" he groaned as Bruce lost yet another marshmallow to the flames.

"Y'know, I didn't have the most outdoorsy childhood, guys."

"Neither did Cap."

Steve shrugged, keeping his eyes on the almost perfectly golden marshmallow on the end of the stick twirling slowly in his hand. Wind giggled uncontrollably at uncle Bruce's repeat failure. He was now sitting on one of the chairs, his legs out in front of him, feet hanging off the edge, and making a mess of reveling in his s'more. Clint laughed as he brought a flaming marshmallow to his lips and blew out the little fire.

"And you're lighting them on fire!" Bruce protested.

"Yes, but this is on purpose." Clint said and he popped the lump of char into his mouth.

After eating two s'mores of his own, Steve rested easily in his chair. He smiled up at the stars and enjoyed the smell of campfire.

Flames flicked up into the darkness and sent the floating embers disappearing amongst the stars. Eventually all four adults were sitting quietly around the fire, relaxed in their chairs. Wind, covered with sticky marshmallow, was half asleep on Clint's lap. Isaac had fallen asleep in Natasha's arms.

"Ok." Clint, said. "I'm gonna get this guy cleaned off and in bed. Come on, bud." He lifted the three year old onto his shoulder and got up.

Natasha got up too and followed him inside.

Bruce and Steve stayed right where they were, just enjoying the peace. Natasha was the first to return. Clint came out a few moments later, with four beers. He handed one to each of them and sat back down. Arrow got up and came to lean against his legs. Clint rubbed his scraggily ears as the dog rested his head on his lap.

Clint sighed a deep content sigh.

They all felt the same.

The friends got to talking, their voices carrying quietly over the warmth of the fire. After a while, Steve stopped adding logs and they watched it burn down as they spoke together about anything.

Bruce was expounding on his latest project with Stark when Clint rose from his chair. He meandered around until he hovered in front of Natasha. Her hand hung down and her fingers carelessly brushed the wrinkles on Mars' head. Beer can in one hand Clint held out the other to Natasha. She looked at him with an expression unique to her, and took his hand. Once she was up, Clint, still seeming to be listening to Bruce, led her outside the circle of chairs. He kept looking up at the stars and out toward the trees as Bruce, now seeing the odd behavior, began to lose his train of thought.

"Need to be somewhere?" he finally asked with a curious smile.

"Well, we don't often have babysitters."

"We are sitting." Steve agreed.

Bruce chuckled. "You kids have fun."

Clint raised his beer to them and then turned and melted into the shadows with Natasha.

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They walked through the trees, following the path worn by four years of wanderings.

Despite moving under the cover of darkness, they felt free to speak in normal tones. They were not hiding from anyone. This was their home and such a perfect night was uninhibiting. They laughed and held each other. They acted like the teenagers they'd never had the opportunity to be.

The two fell silent when an owl made its presence known in the forest. They listened, becoming apart of the night. The bird hooted hauntingly, but did not give up it's location. Clint smiled as Natasha leaned against him. She loved the sounds, the night, and him.

When they returned to the house, Steve was still there, just watching the embers glow.

"Bruce in bed?" Clint asked.

"Not sure, but he went in."

There was a momentary awkwardness. Steve felt it acutely and rose from his seat. "Guess that's me."

Clint smiled. "Thanks, Cap.
"Goodnight, you two."

"Goodnight, Steve." Natasha said.

Steve went in and Natasha turned back toward the fire with Clint. She tucked her head against him. He put his arm around her. They stayed like that until the embers stopped glowing.