I dropped Natasha back at the apartment and asked Tony to wait with her while I stepped out. There wasn't really much she could do on her own anymore without someone there with her.
"I'll be back soon Natasha, promise." I grabbed a slip of paper off the counter with some measurements on it on my way out.
"So," Tony started, "how's about we talk about some embarrassing stories. With Clint around I'm sure you've got some great ones."
Natasha laughed. Tony was extraordinarily good at making people laugh, even when they feel like they could never laugh again. That was the main reason I chose Tony to hang out with Natasha most times.
"Well let's have 'em then." Tony smiled
"I don't know Tony. I had a bad haircut once I guess"
"Come on, I KNOW you've got something better than that. How about something about Clint? He's not here to defend himself the timing is PERFECT."
Natasha smiled that gorgeous smile and began.
"Well, back when Clint and I first started socializing with our little group outside of SHIELD missions, Bruce had planned a little picnic. You were out of town with Pepper, so you wouldn't remember this, but Clint was getting ready when Steve came in to Clint's apartment through the elevator and saw him changing. Clint started yelling at Steve, and Steve turned so red I was pretty sure he was going to burst into flames. So anyway, Steve saw him changing, so Clint chased after him in nothing but his briefs. I'm still not sure how it happened, but somehow Clint managed to get locked outside and Steve said the only way he would be allowed back in is if he sat at the table with the rest of the group and ate a meal. So, that's why we like to have people check before stopping by."
Tony laughed and laughed and eventually Natasha began laughing as hard as Tony was. It had been a long time since she had laughed this hard.
"I'm not even sure why I told you that story. Clint would kill me if he knew!" Natasha giggled through her tears of laughter.
And, in general, Natasha wouldn't have told Tony this story, it was unlike her to act this way around anyone but Clint, but she needed to get her mind off of the horrible day she just had.
When they both stopped laughing Tony gave her a sideways look and held her hands. Not in a romantic way, not even in a Tony Stark mocking sympathy sort of way, in a genuine honest way. Then both knew she was going blind, they both new there was no way to fix it, but in that moment, on the couch in Clint and Natasha's joint apartment, that if either of them ever needed a laugh or a good talk, however out of character it may be, the other would be there.
In that moment Clint knocked on the door
Tony went to open it, and was surprised that he hadn't just opened the door himself.
"Sorry guys, I locked myself out, left the keys on the counter."
"Glad to see that you at least have your pants on this time." Tony said with a smirk.
Clint looked directly at Natasha.
"All I've done for you and this is the thanks that I get. I leave for thirty minutes and I come back to you sharing my darkest story with Stark." Clint stated with a grin. "If you weren't such a fantastic gal I'd have to rethink this next move."
Tony knew exactly what was about to happen and took a seat on a bar stool for the best view in the house.
Clint walked over to the couch, and Natasha stood up thinking Clint would kiss her eyes, as he usually did upon arrival home, but this time he knelt to the ground.
"Natasha I want you to close your eyes. I want you to close them and remember this moment by the way it feels." Clint placed a ring in her hand. She got a felt it on her fingertips. It wasn't a ring she had ever worn before. It was new.
"Clint what is happening" Natasha began as she started opening her eyes.
"Keep your eyes closed Tasha, and take it all in." Clint took the ring from her hand, and placed it on her left ring finger. "Tasha, I have loved you from the day I met you, and I want you to know that nothing will ever change that. You are beautiful, and smart, and sexy, and no one else could ever compare to you. I know that things are a little rocky right now, but I want to be with you forever in the good times, and the bad. I mean hell; every day is a good day as long as I'm with you. So Natalia Alianovna Romanova, will you marry me, and make every day for the rest of my life a great day?"
"Absolutely, Clint. I wouldn't want anything more." She cried as she flung herself into Clint's arms knowing that even though she could barely see him that he would always be there to catch her.
"To good days" Clint whispered in her ear.
"To good days" Natasha had never been happier.