Natasha turns at the whisper, her hands resting on his chest as she examines him once more. “I won’t,” she promises - because, for now, she’s staying until the dark crescents around his eyes have receded at least a little.
She’s never had this before, someone needing her as he does right now, and she’s more content than she possibly should be to be back in his arms again. Burying her face in his shoulder, her fingers curl slightly in the front of his shirt. “Clint, they’lll… they’ll come for me.” The words are soft, almost inaudible, but she can’t keep them in.
No matter how much she wants to simply stay here with him, unbothered by the passing of time.
Clint held her close, knowing that she probably won’t keep the promise she just gave him, making him realize once more that he was holding onto something he could never be sure of. All he knew was that Natasha was his life, his soul, everything he counted on. She was the reason for his sweetest dreams and losing her was the topic of his worst nightmares.
The words, they hurt him and he knew that they were true. She wasn’t really talking loudly, but he knew full well to read the expression on her face, even though it was quite dark in here. Her warmth and her breath on his skin made him realize how much he needed her and how vulnerable he was when it came to the other agent.
“Don’t be scared, Natasha.”, he said quietly, knowing that she would never tell anyone, even if she was scared. Clint knew her, knew her more than anyone else, but he also knew that she was one of the strongest people he knew.
“I’m with you, Natasha. I’m not leaving you. Come what may… I will protect you..”, he whispered, knowing that she won’t agree, but right now, all that counted was her body against his own and her fingers curled into his shirt. He would protect her with his life. He knew that.
Natasha burrows closer, eyes closed as she relaxes in to Clint’s hold. There’s no one else she would allow to do this for her, and it’s only seeing him without his barriers that have allowed her own to weaken. In the morning, she’ll be back, she promises herself. This is the part no one is supposed to see.
She shakes her head vehemently, knowing what he means when he says ‘come what may.’ They both know what’s coming for her, and she will not allow him to lay down his life for her. Shifting a little, she presses her mouth to the curve of his throat, head resting against his shoulder.
“I was always going to come back to you,” she admits, not looking up at him. “Not because you would protect me - although I know you will, even if I fight it - but…” She trails off, not wanting to go there quite yet. “You could come away with me. Before morning.” While she knows the answer, she can’t help but offer.
bannerandbarton reblogged this from inheritorofmemories and added:
Clint looks at her, he’s not that big of a mind, really, but he understands a lot. And so he understands what she’s...
inheritorofmemories reblogged this from bannerandbarton and added:
Natasha rests her hands on his chest, fingers twitching slightly with the need to make him understand - well, that and...