"I'm not going to be bitter about this," Jessica said, leaning across the table with her drink in her hand.
"So you don't hate me?" Natasha asked.
"Of course not. I just want you to know what you're getting yourself into. You know, the long periods of self-loathing, the dramatics…"
"The insane jealousy," Bobbi piped in, winking at Natasha.
"The sleeping with, ahem, looking at other women," Jessica added.
Bobbi shook her head. "No, he doesn't see other women, or anything else for that matter, when he's around her."
"True," Jessica said. She snapped her fingers in front of Natasha's face. "Hello? Earth to Tasha?"
"Hmmm? Sorry. You were saying? Ragging on Clint? I've got fifteen years worth of stories…." She said with a small smile.
"Where's your head at?" Bobbi asked.
"I was just… wondering why Clint's not back yet," she mumbled.
Jessica looked to Bobbi with a concerned expression.
"Do you think I should go out there?"
"No!" Both girls shouted at once.
Natasha blinked. "I mean, make sure he's okay? That man is really dangerous and deadly, you know."
Bobbi frowned. "Natasha, honey. Didn't Steve talk to you about him? About how fake memories were implanted in your head to turn you against him?"
Jessica shook her head slowly, darting Bobbi a meaningful look.
"I'm just saying… he's not all bad. He's our ally, remember?"
"No," Natasha said quietly. "I don't."
"Well, he's a good friend of Clint's," Jessica said helpfully. "It'll be fine, I'm sure."
She nodded.
Bobbi grinned. "So, you and Clint, huh?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. It's complicated. And really, you guys want to talk about this?"
"Psh, I don't care," Jess said. "If you want him, take him."
"Want who?"
"Clint!" Natasha said, whirling around. "What was that about?"
"Ah, nothing really. I just owed him from the last time all the guys played poker."
She gazed at him with a frown. "You're lying."
"Trust me, it's fine," Clint said with an awkward smile.
"I do trust you," Natasha replied. "Him, I don't."
"How about I drive you home now?" Clint asked.
Jess nodded. "Yeah, it's getting late. Maybe we should all go."
"Good idea," Bobbi said.
Natasha wordlessly walked to his car and let herself in the passenger side after they all said their goodbyes.
She stayed silent the whole way home. Once they were in front of her townhouse, she spoke, so low that he could barely hear her, "You lied to me."
He sighed. "I guess this means we're not making out in the car."
She turned wide, serious eyes on him.
"Hey, can we not talk about him now?" Clint said with a groan.
"Fine. But no more lies," she said softly.
He nodded. "I promise."
"I need to know that I can trust you if we're going to be close like that again."
"I know. I'm sorry, Nat." He carefully brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "I promise."
"Okay."
"So, do I get to kiss you goodnight?" he asked, pouting playfully.
She smiled a half-smile, leaning in to kiss him softly.