See Chapter one for Disclaimer
4_And THEN comes Marriage…
"You read the file this time, right?"
Clint snorted, even as he reached out to clasp Nat's had in his own. He tilted his head so the dark sunglasses he wore were nearly completely hidden by the baseball cap he wore.
"Why would I do that? You're the brains of the operation, I just shoot the arrows."
Nat internally rolled her eyes as she outwardly giggled and leaned close to whisper into Clint's ear. "You're still upset about that conversation I had with Laura then?" She concluded. "We were teasing you, Barton."
"Yeah?" Clint reached for a nearby door handle, gallantly holding it open for Nat, who smiled and stepped into the cool store. "Because, you know I have thin skin. Embarrassing me in front of my lady hurt me, Nat."
He entered behind Nat, leaning close to blow harshly into one ear. Nat acted like she liked it, then moved to the display in front of them.
She peered down in interest at the rings protected under glass, pointing to one at random.
"Lehet, Latni?" Nat asked in throaty Hungarian, and the shopkeeper nodded and unlocked the case quickly.
"hogy az egyik túl," Clint added brusquely, and Nat shot him a look, even as the shopkeeper nodded and pulled both rings out to inspect.
Nat turned slightly, placing the ring she'd chosen on one finger and using the light coming from the window to look it over. She maintained this stance as her eyes flicked quickly out the window to where two men where arriving at the shop across the street, just exiting a sports vehicle.
"Check it," Nat ordered softly in English, and Clint turned, still looking at the ring.
"Van egy mérete hét?" Natasha asked the shopkeeper, and he nodded and moved to check the back room.
"És ez egy hat méret?" Clint turned suddenly, and the shopkeeper nodded again.
"I'm a size seven," Nat muttered dryly.
"Well it's not for you, is it?" Clint snapped back, moving slightly to see better out the window.
Nat stopped, slightly surprised. "It's not –" She looked down at the ring Clint held in one hand.
It was obvious what it was for – and WHO it was for.
"Clint Barton," she hissed, but she had to pause, because the shopkeeper was returning with both rings in hand.
Clint snatched the one he was considering and held it to the light, in the opposite direction of the window – of the suspects they were watching. Or – SUPPOSED to be watching.
"Unbelievable," Nat muttered angrily, smiling at the shopkeeper and handing the ring back.
"But do you think she'll like it?" He asked, holding it out for her.
Nat internally sighed, smiled brightly and took the ring from Clints hand.
She was turned so that she could see the suspects enter the building, knowing that they had mere minutes to complete their mission before the men returned, but she gave Clint a few seconds, and really considered the ring in front of her.
It was simple, a thin, silver band with a medium sized princess cut diamond in the center. It matched Laura's tastes perfectly, and would look great on her finger.
"This is not the time, Clint," She muttered, but Clint grinned, because he could tell she liked it.
"Kiveszem!" Clint ordered cheerfully to the shopkeeper. Then he made a dash for the door, rushing across the street with Nat on his heels.
Nat had given the ring Clint had chosen too many seconds, as the duo was not finished tagging the car before their suspects reappeared, and they were forced to grab their weapons.
"I can't believe you!" Nat snapped as she grappled with one man for the car keys. "Ring shopping? On a work trip?"
"I was seizing the moment!" Clint called back as he was forced into hand to hand combat. "The exchange rates here are killer!"
"You could've waited until after the mission," Nat snapped, growling as a group of men poured out of the building in front of them. "You could've waited forever – really? Marriage?"
Clint laughed and pulled a knife from one mans side, throwing it with accuracy into another mans neck. "What are you always saying, Nat? If I like it, then I should put a ring on it?"
Nat unloaded her magazine and then paused – stopped fighting during a critical moment, to shoot Clint a disbelieving look. "Did – did you just mix me up with Beyonce?" She asked, and Clint made a face.
"Did I?" He shrugged, reaching to nock another arrow into his bow. "Whoops. Anyway, the sentiments the same."
"But now? HERE?" She repeated, and Clint shoved two men out of the way, leaping over the car to take cover.
"I think I've waited long enough, the ring was perfect, and did I mention the exchange rates?" He grinned, and Nat couldn't stop herself from smirking back.
"Besides," He added cheerily. "You don't argue with Beyonce!"
"Well, if you really want that ring, we'd better deal with these idiots before the shop burns to the ground," Nat pointed out, and Clint growled, raised up, and threw an arrow that landed perfectly, into the center of a car hood.
It hit something important, because it exploded, and the group of ten that Nat and Clint had been previously facing exploded.
"You go get that flash drive," Clint ordered quickly, and Nat felt a spark of surprise.
He HAD read the file.
"I'm gonna go buy my ring," Clint let his bow rest against one shoulder and marched across the street, his clothing torn and stained with blood, dirt on his cheek and limping slightly.
He was going to terrify that shopkeeper, Nat realized as she hurried towards the vehicle and grabbed the few things she was looking for.
She chuckled suddenly.
Because one didn't disobey Beyoncé, apparently.
5_Then comes…
Laura opened the front door of her and Clint's home and snorted when the door fell with a loud thud to the ground.
"You took the door off its hinges, I see," she called into the farmhouse.
A chuckle that came from upstairs was the only response she got.
Laura let herself sag against the side of the doorframe for a moment – just one.
It had been a long day – a long few weeks actually, and she was drained.
But at least she knew why she was drained, now.
And it was a good tired.
Well, maybe.
"Hey baby!" A duffle bag was thrown over the upstairs railing, and Laura sighed heavily, glaring at the offending bag.
It could only mean one thing.
"Mission?" She concluded, and Clint paused on the steps, grimacing.
"Last minute, very crucial," he began, but Laura waved her hand – the explanation was always the same.
"It's fine," she said. "You leaving soon?"
"About ten minutes," Clint followed Laura as she made her way to the kitchen, dropping a few bags on their kitchen counter and starting to unload them. "Long day?"
"Surprising day," Laura admitted with a smile. "But okay." She smiled wistfully at the two mugs in her hands, then placed them in the cupboard, closing the door with a loud thud. "Listen," She said seriously. "When you get back from this one – we need to talk."
Clint froze – he knew what that meant.
"Oh," He said, his voice small. "We do?"
"Yes," She nodded firmly. "As soon as you get home, it's VERY important."
"Okay." Clint nodded slowly. "Okay." He moved forward suddenly and pulled Laura into a tight hug, and Laura smiled and returned the hug tightly.
Clint held her for as long as he was allowed, then let her go with a chaste kiss. "I love you," He said seriously – before grabbing his bag and heading for the door.
Laura sighed heavily when she heard him fit the door back into the doorframe.
It was time for a NAP.
Nat knew something was wrong the second she caught sight of Clint – but she could also tell that Clint absolutely did NOT want to talk about it. So she waited and kept her mouth shut.
She didn't say anything during the debriefing, during the flight to, during the mission.
But finally, on the way home, Clint flying the jet and her stuck sitting next to him, running co-pilot, she couldn't stand it.
"Spill," She ordered, and Clint huffed.
"I think I'm getting fired," He admitted despondently, and Nat snorted.
"What? From the agency? That's ridiculous," She started, but Clint interrupted her with a laugh.
"NO not from the agency! They'd never fire me! No, I think Laura is going to fire me." His eyebrows furrowed. Nat blinked, confused.
"Laura fire you? From," She paused.
"From marriage!" Clint finished for her. "I know I'm not the best husband – I'm gone a lot, I leave projects half-finished, I have nightmares, I don't like doing dishes,"
"You did miss your guys' one year anniversary," Nat pointed out. "And you were late to your own wedding,"
"Well I'm not perfect!" Clint snorted. "But I didn't think she'd fire me for it!"
"How do you know she's going to fire you?" Nat asked reasonably. She wasn't really worried – firing Clint didn't sound like something Laura would do – and Clint WAS prone to exaggerations.
"She told me we needed to talk." Clint stressed. "That's totally code for break up, isn't it?" He sighed. "But we're married, so we can't just break up – she's going to fire me."
"I think the word you're looking for is," Nat tried to correct, but Clint hissed angrily before Nat could get the word Divorce out. Nat rolled her eyes.
"Well – is there a reason she's suddenly apparently reached this conclusion?" Nat asked. "Any big problems arise recently, any big changes or conversations?" She pressed.
"No! I didn't notice any problems!" Clint burst out worriedly. He was silent for a long moment, and then he sighed.
"We were talking about having a baby," he admitted grudgingly, and Nat shot him a look of surprise. Clint shrugged awkwardly. "I know you think that's crazy, what with our line of work-"
"Clint," Nat interrupted harshly. "Look at me."
And her best friend shot her a half-hearted smile, his eyes filled with anxiety.
Nat turned to look out the windshield of the plane, biting the inside of her cheek indecisively. Then she came to a decision.
"I talked to Laura – that night you got hurt and I tracked her down after she'd fled," Nat began. "I told her you weren't a pretty package – that you didn't come with the house, the kids, the dog. I warned her away from you – and she got back with you in full knowledge of the fact that you came with limited options, because of your job and who you worked for. Agents and Assassins don't get happily ever afters," Nat said, and Clint huffed, his hands tightening on the steering wheel.
"I believed that for all of us," She continued slowly. "Before I saw you and Laura together."
Clint turned to her, surprised, and Nat shrugged. "If anyone can do it, you and Laura can," She assured. "I've never known you to throw in the towel. Fight for her, you idiot."
Clint laughed. "You're my best friend," He said suddenly, and Nat smiled.
"I'm your best friend that's always right," She corrected. "So when you get home, you talk with your wife. And whatever she says, you fight for each other."
Clint nodded.
"I think you'd be a great father," she added after a moment, and Clint grinned.
"Well, I'll make sure you get the chance to be proven right," He said cheerfully, back in a good mood once more, and Nat smiled.
"Honey I'm home!" Clint called as he threw his front door open. Nat, standing behind him, holding both their duffle bags, rolled her eyes.
"Kitchen, babe," Laura's bemused voice called out. "Nat with you?"
"Duh." Clint rolled his eyes and followed the sound of his wife's voice, Nat a few steps behind.
They found her leaning against the kitchen island, her elbows on the countertop, her chin resting in one hand, the other rubbing her forehead tiredly.
Clint and Nat stopped just in the doorway and shared a look.
"You alright there?" Nat asked, and Laura looked up, shooting the two a tired smile.
"I've been better," She said ruefully. "Coffee?" She pushed two coffee mugs towards them. Nat nodded and took one stool, but Clint stayed where he was and planted his fists on his hips.
"I don't want nuthin till you tell me if you're firing me or not," He said stubbornly, and Laura raised her eyebrows, shooting Nat a look.
Divorce, Nat mouthed, and Laura straightened in shock.
"What? No! Clint – NO," She said quickly, eyes wide.
That wasn't what this was about then, Nat concluded, though she hadn't really thought so in the first place.
"Come drink your coffee," Laura coaxed, but Clint shook his head.
"You're not firing me?" He clarified.
"The opposite." Laura smiled. "Please? Your coffee?" Her voice lowered, she blinked innocently, and Clint looked suspicious but finally joined Nat at the counter. Neither of them reached for their mugs.
"What do you mean by the opposite?" He asked slowly, and Laura's smiled widened, tears filling her eyes. Clint half rose worriedly, but Laura waved him back down, letting a watery laugh loose.
"No, I'm fine, my emotions are just everywhere," she explained vaguely, and Nat's eyes narrowed.
"What I mean is," Laura took a deep breath to maintain her emotions, and then she very intentionally turned the coffee mugs in front of Nat and Clint. "Is that you're getting promoted. Both of you, actually," Laura smiled at Nat, then very slowly dragged her gaze down.
Nat followed her gaze and froze.
Clint was still grumbling, he hadn't noticed yet, so Nat grabbed his chin with one hand and directed his gaze where it needed to be.
On the coffee mugs Laura had placed in front of them, their mugs both decorated with black font, but reading different words.
Clint's mug read Daddy.
Suddenly someone was screeching, and Laura was being squeezed within an inch of her life, and Nat watched the couple hug, smiling for the best friends she'd ever had, even as her heart clenched.
She'd never have this – a family of her own.
She ran one finger over the words on her mug – Auntie Nat.
It had been something too impossible for her to believe would ever happen.
But Impossible wasn't a word that existed in the Barton's vocabulary, and without even realizing it, Nat had beaten the odds as well.
Laura and Clint were her family – just like their kids would be.
And she would be Auntie Nat.
It was the best role she'd ever been given.
This is the end! Unless someone tells me something specific they want to see - this is as all she wrote.
Thank you so much for reading, translations of the language Nat and Clint were speaking will be at the bottom! (It's hungarian, by the way. Hopefully.)
Review/Favorite?
Much Love,
~CLC~
Translations: (ISH)
Lehet, Latni - Can I see?
Hogy az egyik túl - And this one too.
Van egy mérete hét? - Do you have a size seven?
És ez egy hat méret? - and a size six in this one?
Kiveszem - I'll take it!