Clint and Dot spent the rest of Saturday night and all of Sunday together. He let her take him to the botanical gardens in D.C.

Clint thought she looked like this beautiful, ethereal creature among the countless flowers with her wild curls and her long sundress.

Every time she caught Clint staring at her Dot's cheeks would flush pink. It never ceased to amaze him. He wondered how he could have such an effect on her. It was her that was driving him insane but in the most blissful ways.

The more time they spent together the more he felts hers. The more felt protective of her.

When he had witnessed Dot's boss treating her like shit….

Clint had made it a point to purposefully never hit a woman.

That being said, Diana had almost pushed him to his limit.

He had no idea how Dot put up with that witch day after day. She was supposed to be in an environment where she should be encouraged and valued. Not degraded and made to feel worthless.

Clint thought Dot was so brave to submit a proposal with the threat of the wicked witch of the west looming over her.

From Sunday they spent their evenings together. Whenever she got home from work she would text him to come over and they'd settle in for the night. They rotated between cooking and grabbing takeout. Every evening they would settle on the couch, nestled together, and watched something.

She even persuaded him to watch Hamilton on Disney+. He had to admit it was surprisingly good, considering theatre was not in any way his thing. The added bonus was watching Dot get so excited or so emotional at certain parts. She was completely enthralled with the musical, and in between, she would add the actual historical facts. Or go over the top with the singing and the dance moves. Clint thought it was adorable.

He felt confident that Dot was becoming more relaxed and comfortable around him. Even if she couldn't stop blushing.

Though to be honest, he didn't ever want to make her stop blushing.

Even Nat could see how happy he was. She said life in D.C. had suited Clint better than they had expected. Nat gave her approval. He knew she missed him, but she knew being in D.C. and being with Dot was doing him better than being in New York.

The thought made him question his future. In the fleeting moments, he thought about his future. Being in active duty with the Avengers was slowly slipping away. The thrill of going out on missions and dealing with the crazy, unexpected shit, didn't excite him as it once did.

And he didn't know what to make of that.

A few times before he found himself slipping into sleep at night, he could see a new future for him just before sleep consumed him. He could see a green lawn and a house with a wrap-around porch. He could see lazy Sundays going hiking or sitting in and reading. He could picture a house filled with photos, laughter, and music.

Always right before sleep took him, Dot's face hovered in his mind before he drifted off.

The thought frightened and excited Clint. It felt right but too early. He didn't dare express any of this to Dot. The last thing he needed was her to run screaming in the opposite direction.

He still had to tackle the enormous hurdle of telling her who he really was.

A knocking on his balcony door roused him from his thoughts. Looking up he saw Beth standing there with a smile on her face.

Curiosity made him get up and open the door.

"Come with me. I think if you're going to be with Dottie, you're going to need to see all sides of her." She smiled like it was an inside private joke.

Beth nodded her head in the direction of Dot's apartment.

Clint had to be honest, when Beth had been hanging around more he was super nervous that with her being a super fan of the Avengers she would recognize him.

But when the time passed either she wasn't the super fan Dot made her out to be, or Clint was more forgettable as Hawkeye than he thought.

Either way, he wasn't complaining.

He had been presented with the same problem when he and Dot first started going out in public, but so far, fingers crossed no one had spotted him.

Apparently, the baseball hat and the shades did work.

Though he wouldn't be able to use either on Saturday evening so Clint just had to pray.

Following Beth into Dot's apartment, he paused on the threshold taking in the sight before.

"What the hell?" Clint muttered to himself.

Tacked on the walls were long stretches of white butchers' paper. Some of them had writing on them, some didn't. Papers and various books were scattered on the floor. In the middle was Dot standing in front of the paper with different colored markers in her hands. Her back to them.

"This is what it's like being involved with a historian. She is a visual mapper." Beth said as she closed the door behind them.

Clint waited for Dot to say something. When she didn't he turned to Beth who had taken a seat on the couch and picked up her phone.

"Oh, she can't hear us. More often than not when she does this she has her music on. So she has her headphones in." Beth informed him.

"Does she do this often?" Clint asked taking a seat on the couch.

"Often enough." Beth said "She did it both times when she was writing her thesis for undergrad and grad school. Imagine coming back to your apartment after classes and seeing your walls turned into something out of a serial killer movie." She chuckled "Which actually was appropriate because her undergrad thesis was about the formation of the serial killer culture."

Beth gestured to Dot, still oblivious to them "But she's doing something right because she got top marks on both of her papers. She's eccentric but she's ours." Beth winked at him.

Clint felt himself grow warm. He could get used to the idea of Dot being his.

"Plus it's better for her to figure everything out here in her own space without that bitch watching her the whole time." Beth angrily rolled her eyes "Dottie told me you had the pleasure of meeting Queen Diana."

"I did." Clint's face scrunched up in fury thinking about Dot's boss.

"Good response." Beth commented, "The first time I met the woman I swear I was this close to socking her in the face."

"Me too." Clint smiled at Beth.

She nodded in approval at him before going back to Dot.

"Right now she's this is just her mapping out her ideas for her proposal. She goes through all the pros and cons. On what could work visually or would snag the exhibit. Once she picks a topic all this will get scrapped and she'll start again with her topic." Beth explained to him.

"You and I are in for a very few interesting weeks." She joked with him and he cracked a smile.

Beth was silent for a pause before she turned to Clint, giving him her full attention "She's been really happy. The happiest I've seen her in a long time." Beth paused again "You're good for her." She gave Clint a soft smile.

Clint instantly felt himself turn pink.

"Thanks." He managed to get out.

"But still, fuck this up and I will come after you," Beth added casually like it was a normal afterthought.

Clint smirked. He liked how forward and honest Beth was.

"Noted, but as I said before I have no intention of screwing this up."

"Good to hear." Beth gave him a careful, calculated look.

Before Clint could form a response, he heard movement. Glancing back at Dot he watched her turn around and let out a scream at seeing him and Beth and on her couch.

"Seriously Beth?" Dot glared at her best friend. A hand on her chest to calm herself.

"What? He should see what he's getting himself into." Beth shrugged.

Dot continued to glare at her.

"What he's still here!" Raising her voice "He didn't run away at learning your new eccentricity."

"Gee happy day. Thanks for that." Dot's voice was coated in sarcasm as she pulled the headphones from her ears and maneuvered over the stacks of papers and books to get the couch.

"Hello!" Dot smiled at Clint before bending down to lightly kiss him.

"Ah to not be desperately single." Beth sighed going back to her phone.

"Whatever happened with Mike?" Dot sat down gently on Clint's lap.

"It was going great until date number three when he said his idea of a good time was doing coke before he came on the date." Beth deadpanned.

"Oh Christ." Dot gasped, her eyes wide.

Clint shook his head in disbelief. At least he was doing miles better than that guy.

"I know. It seems like all the good ones are taken." Beth sighed as she glanced the two of them over.

"You'll find someone." Dot soothed.

"I mean Emily Dickinson never married and she became a famous writer." Beth offered "Things worked out pretty good for her."

"Honey she ended up going insane and became a total recluse." Dot said to her.

Clint snorted, jostling Dot.

"Oh well…there's always eHarmony." Beth said.

"There you go." Dot joked "I don't know maybe Clint could set you up with one of his friends." Dot grinned wickedly at him.

Jesus no.

"All of my friends are nuts. I don't think Beth would be able to stand them for more than five minutes." Clint laughed.

He tried to imagine who he could even set Beth up with?

Thor maybe? But he didn't know if he was still with Jane or not? Plus that added the pressure of long, long, long-distance.

He couldn't see Steve meshing with Beth. Sam? Maybe?

Vision, just no.

"I'm sorry have you met my best friend Beth?" Dot motioned to her best friend.

"Crazy person. Just uncertified." Beth smiled and waved at Clint.

He snorted again.

Yeah, he could see Sam...

"I'm not a good a matchmaker. I still don't know I managed to catch your eye." Clint grinned at Dot and saw her turn pink.

"Smooth." Beth chuckled.

"Come on you guys want to grab dinner?" Dot suggested.

Clint and Beth nodded.

"Aw taking pity on the single friend by letting her third wheel. Thanks you guys!" Beth mocked getting up.

"Anytime love." Dot smiled.


Clint and I practically spent the whole week together. Whenever I came home from work I would text him telling him he could come over, if he wanted to I mean...

He always did.

We'd eat dinner and veg out. It felt comfortable and homey having him around. I wasn't sick of him so that was a good sign.

He even put with my eccentric way of mapping out my ideas for my proposal. Now and then he put in his opinion when I asked him. I wanted to be mad at Beth for bringing him into my apartment on Thursday and showing him my weirdness but she was my best friend.

Also, I needed her.

It was currently Saturday, and after my lunch with Pops I came home and found her sitting in front of my front door.

"Let's do this." She beamed.

Even after endless amounts of pestering, Clint would still not tell me what he had planned for us. All he said was prepare to eat and to get dressed up.

That was it.

So Beth and I surmised a fancy dinner would be an option.

Beth was always telling me to play to my strengths to feel confident.

That meant me going retro. We both agreed I had to wear my favorite vintage style dress.

My sleeveless yellow dress with black and white swirls, fitted at the waist then flared out to fall naturally. The butterfly skirt puffed out enough and always looked amazing when I did a spin. The neckline was V-neck but modest enough not to show too much.

The dress was a dream.

And it made me feel beautiful. It was my go-to when I wanted to look classy with just a hint of sex appeal.

I felt it was a dress Marilyn Monroe definitely would have been proud of.

The dress was then paired off with my satin, gold peep-toe heels and a black clutch.

The outfit choice was easy. My hair was going to be the bigger issue.

We had deiced on dry finger waves to frame the left side of my face and give me a timeless old Hollywood vibe.

Beth first had to straighten my untamed curls. Then using a one-inch curling wand had to pin each curl and set it with a light hairspray. After the curls cooled they then had to be carefully taken down and teased before setting with hairspray.

This whole process took two and a half hours.

And that's why I loved Beth. Because she would waste her Saturday night to help her best friend turn into Cinderella for the night.

Once the hair was perfected and tamed. We did light makeup focusing primarily on a sharpened winged eyeliner and meticulously applied deep red, matted lipstick that Beth had assured me would stay on the whole night no matter what I was doing.

She added the last bit with a wink. Naturally, it made me turn as red as my lipstick.

Everything completed we carefully put me into my dress. Once I was zipped in and strapped into my heels did I stand up.

"Holy crap babe. You. Look. Fucking. Fabulous." Beth clapped out in emphasis. She even gave me a wolf whistle.

"Come on you need to see yourself!" Beth gushed pushing me towards my hanging mirror.

I paled when I saw myself in the mirror. Full product completed.

"Holy shit." Gasping out as I took myself in.

I looked amazing. I mean I literally looked drop-dead beautiful.

"You look like Hedy Lamarr." Beth bounced up and down next to me "I mean if Hedy ever rocked a side-parted finger wave, but you get my drift." She beamed.

"Am I sure this is me? Dottie?" Gently touching my hair.

"It is you. All fabulous you." She smiled like a proud mama "If Clint does not fall at your feet I will legit throw him out the window. Avenger or not."

That got a laugh out of me.

"God I'm so nervous. I have no idea where we're going." Wringing my hands together.

The doorbell sounded.


Clint had never been one to get nervous about a date. But tonight he felt like a total mess. He wanted, needed everything to be perfect.

Earlier he had video called Nat to get her opinion on what to wear tonight. It did not help matters one bit when Stark, Steve, Sam, and Wanda joined in on the discussion.

Nat really needed to start taking her video calls in a more private place with fewer interruptions.

He felt a headache coming on when he had five different voices giving their input on what he should wear for tonight.

Nat could see Clint's nerves were starting to get frayed. He watched her grab her tablet and sprint out of the room. He could hear his friends protests in the background.

Once Nat had settled into her quarters, because they both knew no one would bother her there, did they finally manage to get back on topic.

In the Nat had persuaded him to settle on the dark blue suit with a black handkerchief. After that was settled he showed her the peonies he would be giving Dot.

Nat nodded in approval.

"You need to stop stressing. From what you've told me she is going to end up loving this night." Nat tried to ease him.

"I need everything to go perfect for tonight." Clint got up and began to pace in his apartment.

"Why does it need to be perfect?" Nat calmly asked.

"I'm telling her. Tonight. When we get back." Clint stopped his pacing and stared into his laptop.

His best friend was silent for a moment before asking "Are you ready for this?"

"I am." He nodded "I just hope she is." He sighed and ran a nervous hand over his neck.

"Which is why everything needs to go perfectly." Clint groaned as he sat back on his couch in front of the laptop.

"Clint this isn't going to be easy or simple, but as long as you show her you care, and you're honest. Then hopefully it will turn out alright." Nat said in honesty.

"If you keep stressing about everything needing to be perfect you'll be a bundle of nerves the whole night and it will ruin the evening for the both of you." Nat told him.

He let out another sigh. He knew she was right.

"Now, go get ready." Her lips turned upward into a smirk "Let me know how everything goes."

"I will. Thanks Nat." He said in earnest.

She gave him a brief smile before signing off.

Clint scrubbed his hands over his face.

He hoped after night, Dot would still be in his life tomorrow.


"Jesus on time again!" Beth exclaimed glancing at the clock "Guess they teach punctuality at superhero school."

"Can you open the door, I still have to put on my earrings?" But my hands started to shake a little. Closing my eyes I took a deep breath.

Everything would be okay. Just calm down.

"No problem, but don't be nervous. This one, he's a good egg." Beth smiled at me.

"Have fun tonight lovie!" She hugged me tight before grabbing her things.

"Thank you for everything!" Calling out as I picked up my earrings.

Sneaking close to the slightly open bedroom door I eavesdropped when I heard Beth answer the door.

"Come in, no I'm not the new live-in footman. I was just helping her get ready." Beth joked and I heard the door shut.

"Damn son! I have to say you clean up quite nicely." My lips quirked upward when I could hear the smile in her voice.

"She'll be out in a second. You two kids have an amazing night. Oh, also I should warn you, if you don't fall to your knees at the sight of her I have permission to drop kick you out of a window." Beth said.

"No she doesn't!" Calling out from my bedroom as I fastened my gemstone teardrop earrings.

"Your hair took us two and a half hours. I am entitled to say that." Beth called back and I could hear Clint laughing.

"Bye loves!" Beth said before I heard the door open and close.

"Is it safe to come out?" Joking as I fastened my second earring and grabbed my black shawl.

"It is now." Clint joked right back.

Sucking in another breath I smoothed down my dress once more and gave a gentle pat to my hair.

Well here goes nothing.

Holding tightly to my clutch and shawl I slowly opened my door and came into the living room.

Clint's back was to me, studying the new additions I had made to my exhibit proposal wall.

Even from his backside, I could tell he looked good.

Glancing down I saw more flowers in Clint's hands.

This time peonies.

My favorite. He remembered. Of course, he did.

"You didn't have to get me flowers." Gushing as I walked forward.

Turning around I saw that Clint was about to respond but stopped short when he saw me. My skin crawled as my insides itched as his eyes roamed over me.

"Holy shit." He breathed when he saw me.

Inwardly I cringed.

"You're gorgeous." Clint softly said as his eyes poured over me.

"Really?" Self-consciously touching my hair, "It's not too much?"

"It's-Jesus Dot you've rendered my mind blank." Clint laughed and shook his head.

Depositing the flowers on the coffee table in three long strides Clint had me gathered in his arms. Thanks to the heels I didn't have to stand on my tiptoes when he kissed it.

The kiss made me dizzy and thrilled at the same time. It was long, steady but Clint's pace was quick. I felt everything ten times over. My hands grabbed at the front of his suit, needing to steady myself so I wouldn't topple over.

When the need for air became too great I had to break away. Both of our breaths were coming out in rapid pants. Staring into Clint's eyes I saw his pupils were dilated, larger than before.

It made my stomach curl in on itself. My body grew flushed.

"You like the outfit. Noted." Attempting to joke but my voice came out raspy.

Clint came back and pressed a series of quick kisses onto my lips.

"I love the outfit." He breathed low as his eyes studied my face once more. The tone of his voice made my stomach curl once more.

"You don't look half bad yourself." Smirking to him as my eyes trailed down.

To be more precise he looked drop-dead sexy in his dark blue tailored suit and crisp white shirt. To complete the effect, a small black handkerchief was tucked in his suit pocket to match his dress shoes.

I was trying my best not to drool.

He looked he should be in a freaking Calvin Kline ad.

"Good to know the lipstick can hold it's own." Lightly joking trying to cut through the muddled passionate tension that settled over us.

Clint beamed "Good because I thoroughly intend to do this-" He leaned forward and kissed me gently before breaking away "As much as I possibly can tonight."

My heart sped up just a bit.

"Great." Breathing out as I felt myself grow warm.

After one more kiss, Clint stepped back.

"As much as I'd love to stay here and keeping kissing those soft lips, we don't want to be late for dinner." He smirked and I blushed.

I would not be surprised in the least if I looked like I had a sunburn by this point.

"Let me just put these in water." Grabbing the peonies off of the table.

Holding the bouquet under my nose, I breathed in the wonderful scent.

"Thank you." Giving him a warm smile before I disappeared into the kitchen. Putting the flowers in the glass vase I came back to the living room.

Clint was casually standing in front of my bookshelf but the way that suit framed his body…

All thoughts flew out of my head.

Glancing over his shoulder Clint caught me leering at him.

"Like what you see?" Raising his eyebrows with a cocky grin.

Swallowing I said "I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer. No need for your ego to grow larger." Raising my head in an air of haughtiness.

After I grabbed my clutch and my shawl I said to him "You said something about dinner?" Trying to act seriously.

Clint laughed, "That I did." Extending his arm to the door "Let's be on our way." After locking up my apartment we made our way out of the building, hands intertwined as we headed for the metro.


Walking with Dorothy on his arm to the metro felt like a dream.

No…it felt like a scene out of a movie with the way she was turning heads with her stunning beauty.

Of course, she was oblivious to all of it.

When Clint first saw her his mind completely and utterly blanked.

Christ, she took his breath away as cheesy as that sounded. He felt like she stepped out of an old Hollywood movie.

Her swing dress was so sexy and hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was perfectly crafted. He could see why Beth had said it had taken them two and a half hours to do it.

And her lipstick.

Oh God when he saw her red lips.

Clint was surprised it took him so long to launch himself at her.

A full minute.

What a disgrace he was.

But truly when Dorothy stood there smiling at him, Clint was struck down dumb.

He could tell she felt self-conscious. The way her hands moved over her dress and hair, asking if she looked alright.

When he kissed her he could feel the passion in it. All the way from his head to his toes.

Clint knew Dot could feel it too.

His suspicions had been confirmed when the kiss was broken and he saw Dot's enlarged pupils.

It spread something through him.

It made him want to stay in her apartment with her the whole night and forget everything he had planned.

But she was too beautiful and too special to be kept to himself, so off they went to dinner.

He had managed to keep all of his plans a secret, dispute Dot's thorough prodding.

Which is why when they showed up for dinner and he saw the excitement on her face at where they would be dining he knew he had done something right.

"Fiola Mare!" She gasped "Are you serious?" A huge grin on her face "Do you know how difficult it is to get a reservation here!"

"Well, I was able to pull some strings." Clint smiled down at her. Internally heaving a sigh of relief that Dot approved.

"Clint this place is so expensive!" Dot protested, her smile turning to a frown "We could go somewhere else." Clint saw her fret.

"Babe this is a special night. Don't worry about anything." He gently smiled at her and kissed her lips.

"Come on. I'm starving." He said after they broke away.

Leading Dot inside the restaurant they were greeted, then led to a secluded table with a small votive candle and a small container of flowers.

"Oh gosh, it's so romantic here." Dot gushed as Clint pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit down, noticing her blush from the gesture.

Clint sat down across from her and watched her eyes dart all over the place.

"Do you like it?" He asked, his tone under laced with nerves.

"It's wonderful!" She bit her lip in a smile "A few people at the museum have been here and they said it's amazing. Especially the lobster ravioli."

Clint smiled back at her. Watching the dim lights and the votive candle flames dance across her face.

It made her look more beautiful.

They both looked over the menu. When the waiter came Dot ordered the famous lobster ravioli while he ordered the diver sea scallops.

"This is already wonderful Clint." Dot took his hand after the waiter left "I think you mean to thoroughly spoil me." She teased him.

"I have every intention to spoil you." Clint winked before kissing her hand "You deserve it."

A new blush spread over her cheeks.

"Cheeky." She giggled.

They chatted until their dinner arrived. Clint waited until Dot took the first bite of her food before he dug into his.

"Oh my God." Dot moaned after biting into her food "This is freaking amazing." Covering her mouth with her hand like a lady.

"Good huh?" He laughed and as he began to eat his own food. The scallops were very good.

He had been wary of picking this restaurant, but after Stark kept suggesting it, did Clint finally give in.

Clint was going to get it the next time he talked to Stark and told him that the place was a perfect choice.

"Here you have to try some." Dot suggested, lifting her fork to his mouth.

"Damn that is amazing!" Clint heartily agreed as he swallowed the ravioli.

"I cannot wait till I get to work on Monday and get to brag about the fact that I got the chance to dine here and eat their famous lobster ravioli." She grinned at him, sounding a bit smug.

"You should take a matchbook home with you and display it on your desk." Clint devilishly grinned, feeding into her pettiness.

"I should!" Her eyes went wide with excitement.

Clint laughed to himself and noted to swipe at least two matchbooks before they left for their next destination.

After dinner, they ordered the grand chocolate cake which they split. It was one of the best desserts Clint had ever had.

"Okay, I don't know which is better, this or the ravioli." Dot gently wiped her mouth after the dessert was finished.

"Hmm tough call." Clint mused as he slipped his credit card into the holder and waited for the waiter to pick it up.

"Oh this place is simply wonderful." Dot sighed in content "Thank you so much for dinner." She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Well, the night's not over yet." Clint grinned "Want to take a walk?"

When they left the restaurant, with three matchbooks between both of them, Clint led her on a stroll through D.C.

"This evening has been simply perfect." Dot kissed his cheek as they walked the streets "Thank you."

Clint smiled to himself, knowing what he had planned next. Luckily they arrived soon enough.

"We've stumbled upon The Kennedy Center!" She gasped "Oh look at the Hamilton signs!" Beaming like a child on Christmas Day.

"Looks like the show is about to start." Clint mused with a smirk.

"It does indeed." He watched her sigh with an air of disappointment.

"Well let's go then." He tugged her along to the doors.

"What? We can't go in there without tickets." She said, "Oh maybe they'll let us into the gift shop!" She exclaimed, "I could always use another shirt." She giggled.

"No, I'm thinking of something different. Let's go see the show." Clint simply said.

A frown crossed Dot's face "But we can't see the show without tickets."

Clint released her hand and went into his jacket "Oh you mean like these?" He responded by pulling out two tickets to the musical.

He watched her face blank and go pale. Dot's eyes darting from him, to the tickets, to the theatre.

"No, no." Dot stumbled out shaking her head.

"Hmm they do say Hamilton. Unless you wanted the Phantom of the Opera." He joked with her.

For some long few moments, Dot stayed silent, and as the seconds passed Clint felt himself grow hot with panic.

Was this a mistake? Maybe this was too big?

"Clint I can't accept this." Tears pooled in her eyes. Clint took a step forward and rubbed her arms, wondering why she was upset.

"These-I know how expensive these tickets are. I told you. I can't accept this gift it's too much." Dot muttered as she continued to shake her head.

"Dot-" Clint tried to speak but she continued.

"Why would you do this for me? I…I don't understand?" Looking up at him in utter confusion. It broke him to see her so lost at someone doing something incredible for her.

Clint's lips raised into a smirk and brought Dorothy close "Because I wanted to give my girlfriend an experience she never thought she would have. That's why."

Dot's eyes grew wide as she stared at him "Girl—girlfriend." Stuttering in a whisper.

"Yes. Girlfriend, if she wants the position." Clint put up a lighthearted front, but inside he was sweating.

An agonizingly long couple of seconds passed before Dot crushed her lips to his and he became lost in her.

They were in their own world until out of the background he heard someone shout at them "Get a room!"

Super annoyed, Clint broke the kiss and was about to bite back when Dot beat him to it.

"Fuck off!" She yelled at the passing stranger in anger and irritation before guilt and surprise came over her features "Sorry that slipped out!" She yelled in apology.

The stranger just shook his head at them and kept on walking.

Clint turned back to Dorothy. After a second of staring, they broke out into laughter.

"You never cease to amaze me." Clint joked kissing her briefly again before pulling back, "Come one." Holding up the tickets "We've got a show to catch."