Clint kissed Dot half a dozen times "goodnight" before actually leaving her apartment for the night. Before he left he actually remembered to get her number.

"Before I forget please put your number in my phone because we've lived next to each other for a month and a half, have shared fantastic kisses, and have been out on a date. Yet we still don't have each other's numbers." He chuckled handing her his phone.

He watched a blush spread on her cheeks "Touché." She said and pulled out her phone handing it to him.

He put his name and number in her phone. She handed him his phone back with a goofy smile on her face.

"What's with the smile?" He was curious.

"Let's just say I'm not in your phone under the names Dorothy, Dottie, or Dot." Giggling to herself.

Furrowing his brows he opened his contacts and scrolled through them trying to figure out which one she could be. After a minute of searching, he went back to the top of the list again.

Clint saw it then.

"Really?" He gave her an incredulous look.

"Alexander Hamilton." Rolling his eyes at her.

She broke down laughing. The musical sound made him smile.

"I couldn't resist." Dot beamed at him "You can change it if you want."

Clint shook his head "No I think I'll keep it like this Mr. Hamilton." Smirking at her.

He leaned down once more capturing her soft lips. Her velvety, full lips were never far from his mind after they shared their first kiss.

She felt like a drug to him. He kept craving more of her in every way.

Stepping back and breaking the kiss, he mentally prided himself seeing that he could still make her blush with his kisses.

"Goodnight." Giving her one last quick peck before he stepped back and made his way to his front door, keys in hand.

A smile twitched on his lips.

Tonight had been amazing. He had been so worried he would screw something up or come off as too weird but, no. It was a great date.

The only thing that put a damper on the whole night was Dot's self-doubt about him. He wasn't offended or hurt. He understood. She had been hurt and let down multiple times in her past when it came to the men in her life.

Clint would do everything he could to prove that he was different.

His fists clenched tight when he thought about the past men in Dot's life that caused her so much pain. Who caused her to doubt herself and her worth. The men who made her second guess her beauty and personality. Who made her feel guilty about wanting to wait for sex. It made him want to put an arrow through every single one of the men in her life that had caused her pain.

Particularly Ted.

When Dot first told him that she was a virgin he honestly didn't know how to react. But then she began rambling about him having doubts and worrying he wouldn't want her. After seeing the trepidation and anxiety in her eyes he knew he didn't care. It broke something inside of him when tears pooled in her eyes as she expressed she was worried that Clint would leave because he would become bored.

It did make him anxious though. He would now always be wondering if he took things a step too far or said something out of line, like tonight at dinner. Clint never wanted to make Dot feel uncomfortable. He wanted to make her feel safe and respected.

He wanted to talk to Nat about it, but he knew he shouldn't divulge something so private to Nat without Dorothy knowing.

For now, he'd let her dictate the pace and how far and fast things went. When she said stop, he'd stop.

It was common sense after all.

Clint wanted to make Dot feel less self-conscious, but he knew from personal experience it was easier said than done. Nat had been trying to for years in their friendship to show him his worth.

He was still struggling with it.

But Dot?

She had nothing to feel self-conscious about. He had to show her that.

But something else was gnawing inside of Clint.

Guilt.

Dot had already been so open and trusting with him. Yet he only told her the bare-bone basics about himself.

His past and real identity were holding everything back.

A part of him could see telling Dot about his past. About his life as an Avenger. But he couldn't predict how she would react.

She might hate him for lying to her. She might not understand and want nothing to do with him, or the spotlight that came with being involved with someone like him.

It wasn't like he was as well-known and recognizable as say Stark, Thor, or Steve. But if Clint told Dot and she still wanted to be with him, there was a good chance her whole life would be put under a microscope.

Only die-hard superfans have been able to recognize him as Hawkeye. Though there were few, it only took one before a crowd gathered. That was why he was reluctant to formally meet Beth. After Dot told him that Beth was an Avengers super fan he made sure to steer clear of Beth.

Not even counting the added danger that would come into her and her family's lives. Clint knew he would never be able to forgive himself if anything happened to her if they were both open and out about their relationship.

Clint forced his mind to stop.

He was already getting in way over his head. He really liked Dot, but they had only been out on one date. Though if tonight was anything to go by, Saturday would be an amazing time too. No matter what she had planned for them.

These serious topics were things to be brought up at a later date. Though…he wondered if the later date wouldn't be that far off with the way they had been connecting.

Clint wanted to do something special for Dorothy. To show her how much he cared about her. He pondered briefly when an idea came up. Then it took him an extra five minutes to gather his courage and pull out his phone bringing up his contacts,

When the call connected Clint asked straightaway, "Hey, Stark quick question. Do you happen to have any connections at The Kennedy Center?"


The whole day at work I felt like I was floating on air. My date with Clint had been the best first date I've ever had.

I felt like nothing could bring me down.

Until Diana came to my desk at exactly three o'clock and told me she had six extra boxes she had "forgotten" to tell me about that needed to be cataloged immediately.

There wasn't much I could do to say no.

Which is why when almost everyone left at five, I was still stuck in the back working on digitizing files and the items connected to them. I was halfway through box number four. By this rate, I would be lucky to leave work by seven.

I tried to be the bigger person. Tell myself that I was just paying my dues as the newbie and that everyone had to start at the bottom before they got anywhere.

But still, it didn't help Diana being a petty bitch just because my article got positive reviews. The better I became at my job the worse she became. She had hoped I would have gotten let go by now. Me still being here at the Smithsonian, proving her wrong pissed her off.

I fiddled with my phone for twenty minutes. Going back and forth on wondering if I should send Clint a text telling him I'd be back from work pretty late tonight.

Was it my job? I mean I didn't know if he had plans or if he was expecting to come over again. Not that I didn't want him to come over.

I worried about Clint. I hoped he didn't spend all day cooped up in his apartment. I mean I didn't know what he was doing in his downtime either, but I hoped he wasn't bored all the time. I mean maybe he was doing stuff during the day. Like remote work for the Avengers or…spy stuff. Maybe he worked with his bow and arrow.

Anyway, getting back to the current pressing topic.

Biting the bullet I sent Clint a quick message.

Me: My boss conveniently found some extra boxes that need cataloging. Six of them to be exact. I'm going to be here pretty late.

I sent the text before I had the chance to second guess myself and erase the message.

Sometimes during all my cataloging, I found some pretty interesting items that I didn't even know we had in our collections. It was cool to peek behind the curtains and see more than just the popular, advertised, hot ticket items.

My phone pinged and hesitantly I picked it up.

Clint: Do you need me to beat someone up? Who needs to get punched?

A smirk on my lips I rolled my eyes.

Me: No I still prefer to have a job. Not everything needs to resort to violence.

Clint: You're no fun.

Me: Then I'd find someone new.

Clint: Nah too much work.

That got a few laughs out of me.

Me: Glad to know my worth to you.

Me: Jackass.

Smirking I put my phone down and was determined to finish this box. I didn't even look at my phone when it dinged a few times.

I was proud of myself for being responsible.

Wrapping up box number four I let out a sigh and gave myself a break before starting box number five.

Clint: I know how to make the ladies feel special.

Clint: Wait you don't really think I'm a jackass, do you?

When I didn't respond he texted back

Clint: Your silence is now cementing the fact that you think I'm a jackass.

Me: Yes but you're an adorable jackass. Sorry I was finishing my fourth box. I'm taking a few minutes before I begin box five. If I hustle I might just get out of here by seven.

Glancing at the time however that proved doubtful.

Me: The Smithsonian has some pretty…uh let's go with the word interesting, items in its vast collection

Clint: Phew you're still speaking to me.

Clint: Really? Like what?

Me: I just got done cataloging our collection of Presidential Hair.

Clint:….that's kind of creepy.

Me: You're not wrong.

Clint: How many we talking about? Does the Smithsonian have a lock of every president's hair?

Me: Nope only 14.

Clint: Still really creepy. Are you sure you're working at a respectable place?

Me: Sometimes I wonder…

Me: But it can't all be Ruby Slippers and Abe Lincoln's top hat.

Looking back at box number five I let out a groan. It was time to get back to work.

Me: Unfortunately I need to get back. I'll text you when I get out of here.

Clint: Stay strong!

Smiling I clicked my phone off and got back to work.

When I cataloged the last file in box number six I let out a loud groan and banged my head on the table.

My eyes were strained from staring at the computer for so long. I was exhausted and starving by the time I left the museum at 7:39 in the evening.

Trekking to the metro all I wanted to do was go home and collapse on my couch. Pulling out my phone I texted Clint.

Me: Finally left work. On my way back home. So tired.

After a few minutes when Clint didn't text me back I put my phone away and put my earphones in. Maybe he was busy or out.

When I finally got home it was past eight in the evening. Walking up to my door I unlocked it and went into my apartment, dropping all my bags with a heavy sigh.

Closing the door I locked it and kicked off my shoes.

At least tomorrow was Friday.

Padding into the kitchen I made a quick dinner while keeping my phone close. Clint still hadn't texted back.

Whatever I wasn't going to be one of those clingy, obsessive women who were glued to their phone waiting for a guy to text back.

Instead, I opted to call Pops after I finished my rapid dinner. He was always the best soundboard for me to bitch when work has rough. He always listened. Towards the end of the conversation, I told him I would need a raincheck on our biweekly lunch on Saturday.

Pops was intrigued by this. After some prodding, I told him I had a date.

This got Pops all excited. He had been waiting for me to settle down. I kept reminding him that I was only 26.

Plus I couldn't even imagine the hissy fit he would have if he found out I was going on a second date with an Avenger.

By the time Pops had made his customary threats against this unknown man, saying that if he did anything to me he'd come after him with his shotgun, we hung up and it was almost nine.

Clint still hadn't responded. Rubbing a hand through my hair I decided I was too tired to care.

Opting for an early night I locked up the apartment and shut off the lights before going into my bedroom with my laptop to get ready for bed.

Hopefully, tomorrow would be better.


Clint had an unexpected busy evening, to say the least. At around seven Nat and the group had called him saying they needed intel on a former assassin turned Hydra agent he had been tracking on and off for years during his time with SHEILD.

The team believed they had pinpointed a location on the agent, but they needed more information before they went in. Apparently, the agent was now marketing black-market Hydra advanced weapons. The information session took longer than he expected. He had to put his phone on silent because he couldn't afford to get distracted.

If he gave his teammates the wrong information someone could end up hurt or worse.

When he finally signed off and wished the team luck on their mission tomorrow, Clint turned his phone back on and cursed when he saw it was past 9:30 at night.

He cursed again when he saw a new text from Dot at 7:45.

Alexander Hamilton: Finally left work. On my way back home. So tired.

Clint got up off his couch and went to the balcony doors. Sliding the door open he went out onto the balcony. Even with the blinds almost closed he could tell all the lights in Dot's apartment were off.

"Shit." He muttered to himself.

She had probably gone to bed. He could imagine her needing sleep after the long day she had.

He turned around and went back into his apartment. He grabbed his phone and sent Dot a text message.

Clint: You're probably sleeping. Sorry I only saw the message now. I had to help some friends with a small problem. I just got off the video call. Have a goodnight.

There was nothing more he could do. But that didn't make him feel any better.

Hopefully, Dot wouldn't be upset.


Sleeping like the dead I passed out and didn't wake up until my alarm clock roused me.

Grumbling I grabbed my phone and shut off the alarm as I sat upright. I saw I had a text from Clint that was from last night after I had passed out.

Clint: You're probably sleeping. Sorry I only saw the message now. I had to help some friends with a small problem. I just got off the video call. Have a goodnight.

I wonder what problem had come up. Most likely it involved the Avengers in some way, so I couldn't ask questions.

Guess I would know the answer if I saw the Avengers team on the news in the next 24 hours. Getting out of bed I went into the kitchen and put on my kettle and set to making breakfast.

My head was filled with worry.

I really liked Clint but I didn't know if I could keep lying to him about me knowing the truth about him. I wanted to just come out and say I knew. Maybe it would be better for us, but then again what if it wasn't?

Maybe the reason Clint wasn't telling me about his real-life was because he couldn't.

But something inside of me itched.

He didn't seem like he was in deep cover. If he was, then why would he get involved with me when he should be working.

A part of my stomach clenched inward when the question of when he would have to leave came into my mind.

He couldn't stay here living next to me forever. He had a job to do. The world needed him. He was a part of something bigger than…whatever I was feeling about him.

The kettle beeped bringing me out of my stupor. Pouring myself a cup of caffeinated green tea I quickly made and ate breakfast before going to my room to change for work.

All I had to do was get through the day and then I could spend the night with Beth. At least I could vent everything to her tonight.

Deciding to be lazy I put my curls in a bun and twisted it at the top of my head. Grabbing my bags I poured my tea into a travel mug before dashing out the door to catch the metro. While on the train I sent Clint a quick text.

Me: No problem. Hope everything is okay. Off to work.

I hoped I sounded nonchalant. Clicking my phone off I tried to put Clint out of my mind. With little success, however.

I was supposed to be excited about our all-day second date tomorrow. Not fretting about every little thing and putting us under a microscope. This wouldn't be a problem with a regular guy.

But that was the problem, wasn't it?

Clint wasn't a regular guy no matter how much he tried to be.

Especially around me. I knew that at least some of the things he had told me were the truth. But not all of it.

A part of me wishes that Beth had never seen him. That she never figured out that he was Hawkeye. I felt I would be so much happier about Clint and me if I was still blissfully ignorant about the facts of his double life.

The more everything twisted about in my head the more I felt myself getting sick. As much as I wanted to continue this façade with Clint I knew I couldn't. My mind wouldn't let me. Soon I was going to have to make a decision one way or another.


By universal mercy, the day passed quickly. Doubly thankful was that Diana didn't come up and corner me into staying late with more boxes to catalog.

Also to my surprise, Jude, discreetly, called me to his office. Thank God for the quietness otherwise, Diana would have had a huge hit.

He told me that proposals for new exhibits were due to end in three weeks, and he wanted me to consider submitting an exhibit proposal of my own for the museum.

To say I was stunned was an understatement. I was only 26 working in collections management. What were the chances my idea would be chosen to go on public display?

More importantly, I didn't have an idea. Sure, I had about twenty, but nothing concrete. Three weeks to put together a total bid. Could I even manage that?

Jude, seeing the panic overtaking my body told me to take the weekend and think about it. He liked the initiative I took with my article and wanted to put the kind of storytelling I used and transform it into a real-life exhibit.

I told Jude I would take the weekend to think about it and left his office in a daze. Thank Jesus Diana was not around for that, otherwise, I would be dead.

Jude must be crazy. There was no way I would be chosen to have my exhibit to be displayed. I didn't even have an idea put together. I knew submissions were currently being accepted before Jude brought it up to me, but I never thought of actually submitting a bid of my own.

There was also the fact that if I submitted a proposal and when Diana found out about it, she would literally make my work life a living hell.

In the off, off, off, way off chance I submitted something, and it was chosen I would be good as dead. I did not need that. Especially at the present moment.

But now I felt like I was between a rock and a hard place. Jude expected me to submit something now that he had addressed me about it. But if I did Diana would go nuts.

Damned if I do. Damned if I don't.

There were so many ideas I wanted to share with the world, but not at the expense of my sanity because of my current boss.

Well, more things to complain to Beth about tonight.

Speaking of tonight I double-checked to make sure she was coming over at six to begin takeout and movies.

Walking back to my shared office space with everyone I made sure to look distressed when passing by Diana as to not to look suspicious.

Wasn't that difficult to fake in all honesty.

By the time five o'clock rolled around I bolted out of work ready to take the weekend as a break and to momentarily push all the negative thoughts out of my skull. I would deal with everything later. That was the adult way of dealing with things right?

I made it home in relatively good time considering it was a Friday during rush hour. Coming into my apartment and dumping my crap on the floor it was almost 5:45. Sending Beth a quick text letting her know I was home, I quickly changed into jeans and a comfortable blouse.

I held my phone in my hand debating back and forth on texting Clint.

I hadn't seen him since Wednesday night. I didn't want him to think I was brushing him off.

But then again, we hadn't texted since yesterday. He never answered my text from this morning. What did that say?

Pacing back and forth in my living room, I pondered on what to do.

Deciding to just suck it up I pocketed my phone and went out onto my balcony where I stopped short finding Clint.

"Oh hi." Meekly getting out.

"Hi." He gave a nervous smile.

"I was just coming to say hi." Shuffling back and forth on my feet.

"Same. I figured you'd be home, but I didn't know what time Beth would be over, and I didn't want to text." He said.

"Me either. Beth will be here soon. I wanted to see you before my night was filled with takeout, Hamilton, talking about guys, talking about you-" Smirking at him "And watching Clueless."

A grin bloomed on his face.

"Really you're going to talk about me?" He sauntered over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Yeah, we're going to talk about how annoying you are." Smiling at him.

"No, I don't think that's true." Clint grinned cheekily.

Raising my hands in a W, I said "Whatever." With an eye roll, mimicking Clueless.

Draping my arms around his neck, I leaned forward and kissed him. It was long and slow. Like we were making up for the lost day.

When we broke away I stared longingly up at him.

"Everything go okay with your friends?" Gently prodding.

"Yeah, everything is fine. I'm sorry I missed your text." Clint apologized.

"It's okay. I'm glad everything is alright." Giving him a small smile. Though the fact that I knew he was hiding something dug at my insides.

"Are you excited about tomorrow?" Changing the subject.

"I am, though a little nervous." Clint joked.

"Why? What do you think I have planned?" Asking in innocence.

"With you, it could be anything." He laughed and I rolled my eyes in response.

"You'll have fun. I promise. I think, I hope…" Trailing off.

"You have such a knack for instilling me with such confidence on your behalf." He chuckled.

"I try." Beaming at him before leaning in for another kiss.

Both of us must have lost track of the time because the next thing I knew there was banging on my glass door.

Startled we both broke away and saw Beth staring at us with a cocky as hell grin on her face. I instantly flooded with embarrassment feeling like a teenager being caught by her parents.

Sliding the door open she said to us "Let me know when you're done sucking face so we can start our girls evening." That stupid smile still on her face as she slid the door closed and went into my living room.

"Oh God." Groaning out as I dropped my head to Clint's chest in humiliation.

"How did she even get into your place?" Clint asked.

"She has a key." Letting out a laugh.

Raising my head, I stared up at him "Sorry." Meekly apologizing.

Clint just laughed, "It's fine. She kind of reminds of my friends."

Beth would love hearing that.

"See you tomorrow at 11 sharp!" Pecking his lips before stepping out of his arms.

"It's a date." He grinned, leaning down kissing me one more time before letting me go.

A smile still on my face I turned around and went into my apartment.

Opening my door I shouted to Beth "You smug hoe!"

I could hear Clint's booming laughter as I shut the door closed. Going over to my couch I picked up a throw pillow and thwacked her a few times before giving up.