It's a Spider Thing. {Peter Parker and Natasha Romanoff}

{21} someone who wasn't dropping off a fruit basket

THE TV DRONED ON in the background as Barney settled on the couch for the evening; Lucky was laid comfortably by his feet when the sound of a car door shutting came.

Immediately alert, Barney jumped to his feet, his body tense and ready for a fight as he thought over who it could potentially be this late at night- no one was scheduled to visit, which made it ten times more likely to be someone who wasn't dropping of a fruit basket. Being a gun for hire made a lot more enemies than it did friends. Listening out for footsteps, Barney reached for the gun hidden behind the couch cushion when the door opened; he paused at the sight of Natasha and Clint. They looked stern and unapproachable as ever walking inside the farmhouse- confusion moved across his face as he dropped the gun to the side so that it landed on the couch cushions.

"Is something wrong- what are you guys doing here?" a loud crunching sound rang through the farmhouse and blood spewed from Barney's nose as he reeled backwards, groaning from the impact.

Natasha barely flinched as she dropped her hand.

The bubble of anger that had been building in her chest since the Shield visit finally loosened while she watched the oldest Barton flail and fumble of the couch, eager to put distance between himself and her fist. He clutched at his nose, grimacing from the pain. "I think you broke it!" he winced.

"Good." Natasha stated, glancing back at Clint.

He was stood off to the side, casually leaning against the wall as Lucky trotted over to him in search of attention. He was clearly going to be of no help; typical, Barney thought.

"Why?" Barney growled out, still holding his nose.

Natasha stared him down, eyes venomous as she spat, "Hydra."

There was a moment of silence that descended on the occupants of the house as Barney paled- though it could have been from the blood loss. Shakily, he looked between the two agents, eyes searching their faces but coming up empty- no remorse, just raging anger and disappointment.

"Look. It was a gun for hire thing- a couple of weeks, tops. I'm not Hydra." He explained.

Natasha didn't respond so Barney turned to Clint, who levelled him with an even stare. He rubbed Lucky's belly while the animal sprawled on the floor quite happily, oblivious to the conflict.

"You've got to believe me Clint."

His younger brother frowned. "It was kids." He said in lew of a response. He'd thought better of Barney, that he'd have at least some kind of moral code.

"I didn't know it was kids at the time- that's why I left!"

What little patience the assassin had left finally ran out- Natasha hauled him to his feet by the front of his shirt, still eerily silent. Barney gasped in surprise at being manhandled before she grabbed him in a chokehold and slammed his face against the wall, smearing blood in the wallpaper.

He could hear her moving and then felt the barrel of a gun press into his side. "This could kill you. But I can do it much more efficiently." She warned.

Barney squirmed in her grip and grit out, "Why do you even care? I'm not Hydra-"

"Peter." Natasha whispered the name; her voice had been quiet yet it felt deafening to Barney as his blood froze in his veins at the mention of the teenager. She dropped the gun, letting understanding dawn on him like cold water being thrown over his head. He leaned fully against the wall as if he could no longer support his own weight.

He mumbled a quiet, "I didn't know, Nat."

"It was kids. And you didn't tell anyone Barney." She hissed, "How could-"

"I made a mistake, alright?!" He shouted. "Now I'm living with the consequences. I regret it, I really do." He took in a breath. "And I'm sorry. You know what that's like-" Natasha's jaw clenched at the comment while Clint's eyes narrowed accusingly. He looked as if he wanted to go a few rounds but was only just manging to restrain himself with the way his fists clenched together.

"Don't throw my past in my face. I know what I did." Natasha said, suddenly releasing him and stepping back. She let out a small breath. Despite the anger coursing through her; she believed him.

"Ever work for Hydra again and I'll shoot you myself." Clint announced bluntly.

Barney turned to face the duo again, wiping some of the blood from his face. Even he could admit they looked terrifying standing side by side with blank expressions before retreating out the door like they had never been there. He didn't doubt Clint's warning for a second as the door clicked shut.

-

It was late when the two adults finally arrived back at the apartment.

Most of the lights had been shut off except the kitchen; the distinct smell of pasta was in the air as the assassins traipsed inside, locking the door behind themselves.

Clint wandered into the kitchen, following his nose. Natasha hung up her jacket when he walked back into the living room with a sticky note and a small smile on his lips. "'Made some pasta, it's in the microwave if you're hungry.'" Natasha rolled her eyes at the way Clint's face lit up at the mention of food. "I'll warm it up." He mumbled.

She moved into the rest of the apartment, walking down the slight hallway to Peter's room to knock lightly on the door. Despite the lack of response, she still peaked inside.

The teenager was fast asleep, spread out like a star fish over his bed with the lamp still on and blankets pooled at his waist. Silently, Natasha lifted the blanket over his shoulders, glancing at the phone that was propped up on the bedside table to see the screen displaying a sleeping Harley Kenner who was hunched over the back of a swivel chair that was still slowly spinning.

A smile pulled at her lips as she wandered back out of the room and Peter nuzzled into his pillow. 

A/N

Barney, Barney, Barney. Welp.

Also writing this scene for Nat and Clint was super fun because I love Clint enabling Natasha's murderous tendencies when it's warranted and how laid back he is about Barney getting punched in the face. It's awesome. :)

Anywho! Let me know of any spelling mistakes! xoxo.