Hey! So not much to say here this time. As always thanks to my Beta thefrozencherryblossom
JessicaRavenBlade: I'm glad you like it :)
AlisonAPD: Ha, that's my approach on fanfics as well! There really should be more BlackFrosts out there...
Moriarty-assbutt: The babysitting leads lots of places I assure you. Also your user name is all kinds of awesome.
I don't own Marvel or any of it's works. I mean I'm still in school for heaven's sake.
CHAPTER THREE
Ask Bruce if you need anymore
"I cannot understand your human obsession with fiction. " Loki muttered, throwing A Tale of Two Cities onto the ever-growing pile of books. Natasha smirked.
"Any favourites? I thought you'd be able to relate to Macbeth."
"Perhaps in his ambition, but not in his methods. And of course, I would not have abused my power."
"I find that hard to believe."
Loki was about to reply when Tony burst through the door, his face hidden behind several boxes.
"Stark what is this?"
"I thought Reindeer games would like to experience traditional American cuisine, like Chinese and Italian food." Tony muttered as he dumped the various boxes on the nearest surface. Natasha rolled her eyes.
"I don't think Loki would be too into Dominoes."
"Which is exactly why I got Pizza Hut. Give me a hand with these."
"I was hungry anyway." Natasha muttered as she dished out the food.
"So, Odinson, are you more of a tomato sauce or barbeque sauce guy?" Tony asked as he piled up his plate.
"Laufyson. And I am not hungry." Loki mumbled as he picked up the next book on the pile.
"Aw, come on, I got all this, and you won't even take a slice?" Tony groaned as food tumbled out of his mouth, staining his shirt. Loki grimaced.
"You have no idea how much you resemble Thor at this moment."
"It's okay Tony. Pack up the leftovers; I'll leave some in with Clint later."
Natasha stalled for a few moments before knocking on the door. No matter how guilty she felt about avoiding Clint, she still did it.
"Come in."
She took a deep breath and was glad she did when the door opened- the smell of stale sweat and alcohol was overwhelming.
"Jesus, Barton, when was the last time you got this place cleaned?" She asked, wrinkling her nose at the stench. Clint shrugged from where he was slumped. Natasha recognised the signs immediately.
"Christ, are you drunk?"
Clint gave her a clumsy smile, as he made a "little bit" motion with his fingers.
Natasha groaned.
"Don't have time for this, Barton" She murmured as she lifted him up onto the couch.
"Sorry, Natalia."
She froze. Clint looked ashamed for a moment, then slurred an apology.
Natasha shrugged, proceeding to gather all the bottles from the room, both empty and full.
"How are those nightmares doing?" she asked, considering it the perfect time to ask, seeing as he wouldn't remember it in the morning.
"Not good. I keep seeing all the faces of the agents I killed Tash. I'm walkin' down the hallway, and they keep on passin' me. Every time I go speak to them, they start screamin' and then… then they die Tash. And then I realise it's me that's killin' them. That my hands are covered in blood and I…" He sighed as he lay back on the couch.
"I see Coulson and he walks up to me and says, that it's my fault, but that I can stop it, but I don't know how Tasha. I don't know how."
Natasha bit her lip as she sat down next to him. "Clint, I…"
"Nothin' you can do Tasha."
"I'm here, you know that right?" she asked cautiously, as she draped an old blanket over him.
"I know."
She half smiled then stood up.
"I left some food on the table for you." He didn't answer, just stared at her. Natasha knew what was coming and tried to leave before he could say it, but she was too slow.
"I love you, Tasha."
"I know Clint." She answered quietly as she closed the door behind her.
He only ever said it when he was drunk.
"You're not sleeping." Natasha accused, as Loki studied To Kill a Mockingbird.
"I do not need to sleep."
"Jesus, not you too." Natasha grumbled. She picked as spot on the wall as her target and then started throwing knives.
Loki peered over his book. "What do you mean?"
She laughed. "I've heard and used 'I don't need sleep' enough times to know what it really means."
"And that is?"
"Nightmares." She answered between throws.
"Ah. Is it that obvious?"
She walked over and plucked the book out of his hands.
"Sleep. You need to be on top form for your redemption."
Loki scoffed. "You do not honestly believe that I am going to redeem myself within these three months do you?"
Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Stark told me my time limit."
"'Course he did." Natasha muttered to herself as she gathered up her knives.
"You did not answer my question."
"What question?"
Loki stood up. "Do you honestly believe I'm capable of redemption?"
"'Course I do- everybody's capable of change. I'm living proof of that."
"Oh, so you are actually going to try and convert me to your ways?"
"Well I've never failed in a mission before." Natasha trailed off as she lodged a knife back into the pattered wallpaper.
"We're not so very different, you and I, Agent Romanoff. Both doing what we were brought up to think was right, until we reached a point where we realised there was no point." Loki mused as he pulled the knife from the wall, and threw it into the one opposite.
"Both capable of changing." Natasha answered back pointing a knife in his direction. "But there is one major difference between us" She said quietly, so much that she was almost whispering.
Loki walked over until their noses were almost touching.
"And what's that?" He murmured.
"You don't want to." She answered before abruptly turning away.
Loki smiled. "Agreed."
"The Captain will be over in five. Behave, he's not as nice as I am."
"Thank you for the warning."
Natasha stalked down the hallway, a shower the first thing on her mind. She felt sick… and slightly worried.
She wasn't worried about Loki's apathy or assurance that he would never change. Not even worried about his incredible accuracy with a knife.
She worried about her growing attraction towards him.
BTW there are virtual bonus points for those who can spot the quote I stole :D