Prompt: Breath

From: avengers-tables .livejournal under 50-word prompt (yes, I do intent to use all 50 words)

Pairings: Clint/Darcy

Clint shot up in bed sharply, his breath caught in his throat and her name on his lips. "Darcy..."

Before his eyes, the nightmare flashed through his mind. Darcy, dead on the ground. Blood pooling around her. Enemies everywhere. His brother mocking him from the shadows, pointing out his flaws. Calling him a failure for not protecting Darcy. And Darcy, not moving, just gone...

Shaking his head firmly, Clint dislodged most of the nightmare from his mind. Beside him, Darcy rolled over and whimpered in her sleep but otherwise didn't move. Taking a deep breath, Clint released it slowly before taking another and another. When his heart no longer raced like a rabbit being chased by a hawk, he opted to risk laying down again.

Turning to face his lover, Clint silently wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her carefully against his body. Just feeling her pressed close, hearing her soft breathing, helped ease his troubled mind. Pressing his nose into her hair, he took a deep and soothing breath, one of his hands sliding up her back to cup the back of her head. She's breathing next to him in his bed; she's alive. The soft sound soothes him. Reminds him that she's safe.

"Clint?" Darcy's sleepy voice drew him out of his thoughts. He hadn't noticed the change in her breath, the slight hitch that always came as she awoke. It was always this soft sound that he loved to listen to. It was one of his favorite parts of watching Darcy wake up.

He didn't move from his position though, just held her a little tighter. "Nightmare."

Her hands slid up his back, uncertain. "I'm sorry..."

"It's alright," murmured Clint, pulling back enough to meet her eyes. "I just- I needed to hold you. I'm sorry."

Nodding, Darcy slowly propped herself up on one elbow, sliding one hand into his hair and kissing him softly. "Whatever you need."

"You," murmured Clint, his hands rising to cup her face. "I need you."

"You have me," replied Darcy quietly, covering one of his hands with her free one. "You have me for as long as you want me."

Pulling her tighter against him, Clint kissed her firmly and pulled her down so she lay flush on top of him. "Always. I always want you."

"Good," murmured Darcy, her forehead resting against his and her soft breath puffing against is lips, "because I don't want to let you go, either."