To Go Unseen (A Natasha Romanoff Story)

53 [hospital room]

Clint looked dead. He had bags under his eyes and his shoulders slumped and his smile was too slow. He didn’t glow anymore and Natasha didn’t know what happened to her sweet archer as she sat in the hospital room alone with him, studying his face. He looked at her and let out a tired breath and offered a smile.

“What are you gonna do if Steve and I go back?” He asked. “You don’t really want us gone that badly, do you?”

“Clint, I want to handle it,” she replied and frowned. “It’s complicated and it’s something I have to do-”

“Alone?” Clint interrupted and she could hear the resentment in him. “You’re keeping Barnes with you,” he accused.

“That’s not what I was going to say,” she said. “I just mean it’s something I have to do and you’re not a part of it, is all.”

“Fair enough,” Clint replied and he looked down at the ground, hunching with his forearms on his knees and his knees spread apart. Natasha searched him and read his language, not sure what to say.

“Things aren’t like they were before,” she said quietly, as much for her own sake as for his, and he shifted a little and let out a breath.

“Tell me about it,” he grumbled.

“I love you, Clint,” Natasha continued. “You’re my best friend.” Clint looked up at her now and she could have been mistaken, but it looked as though he was blinking away tears from his tired eyes.

“Where did I go wrong?” He asked quietly and she swallowed.

“Aren’t you happy to be my friend?” She asked and Clint made a face.

“Of course, of course, but Tash… I just wonder,” he admitted.

“No questions,” she replied after a long moment. “Remember? No questions.”

Clint looked at her.

“Is that a warning or an answer?” He asked.

“Maybe it’s both,” she replied.

With this chapter, To Go Unseen has now reached 60,000 words. :) -BlitheBells