The tent was cold, everything was cold – I, in particular, was very cold. I had just woken, I hadn't even opened my eyes yet but I automatically cuddled into my sleeping bag. "Clint?" I whispered, "Are you awake?"
"Yeah"
"It's freezing"
"Well, yeah Manda, we're in the Scottish isles"
"This better be worth it"
"It will be"
Slowly I blinked open my eyes to see him lying beside me, "I'm freezing" I grumbled.
He sighed, "Come here"
"Clint Barton if you are stupid enough to think for one second I'm getting out of this sleeping bag you are sorely mistaken." He rolled his eyes, and unzipped his sleeping bag, "What are you doing?"
"Coming to heat you up" he crawled across the small tent, unzipping my sleeping bag half way and squeezing in beside me, before awkwardly zipping it back up. I couldn't help but laugh as we shuffled around to get comfortable again. Thank God the sleeping bag was too big. Our legs were tangled together, Clint lay on his back and I lay on my side, cuddled up against him, his arm around my back, his other hand on top of mine, that rested on his chest.
"How much longer?" I asked, still sleepy.
"About an hour"
With some stupid amount of effort, we shuffled to the door of the tent and pinned it back. Now with our heads at the tent door, we lay on our stomachs, looking out over the beach that started a little way off. It was all but pitch black. Clint wrapped an arm around me, drawing me close to his side. "Once it's daylight I'll make breakfast" he said softly.
I yawned, "Okay. I'm going to go back to sleep though, so wake me once it gets good."
He laughed quietly but nodded, he kissed my temple, "Of course Manda"
I folded my arms tight and used them as a pillow. Clint huddled as close to me as possible, trying to pull the sleeping bag around me as best he could. Very soon I was asleep again.
XXX
"Amanda, Amanda" I was gently shook awake, "Wake up sweetheart"
"Hmm?" wearily i opened my eyes and leant up on my elbows, looking at Clint, "What?"
"Have a look" he said, nodding ahead of him.
I looked out. The landscape that had been bleak and dull was now bursting with colours, and our trip to the Isle of Arran finally felt justified. Vibrant yellows, pinks and pale blues stretched out across the sky, to be reflected in the calm waters. Purple clouds were smeared across the coloured sky. The silhouette of the Holy Island was a low, dark smudge just under the horizon. I stared, wide-eyed, open mouthed. "It's beautiful"
"I know" he grinned, "So, was it worth it?"
I laughed, "Okay, yes, yes, it was worth it"
"What did I tell you?" he smiled.
"Okay, okay"
Clint rolled over to lie on his side. He brushed my hair back from my face, gently pulling me down to kiss his him. "I told you - it was – beautiful - here" he said softly between kisses.
"And I'm – glad – you did"
He rolled onto his back, pulling me on top of him. "So maybe we could do more trips like this?"
"Hmm, only if we're staying in a hotel next time"
He tutted sarcastically, "Oh alright then"