The Eternal Avenger: Book Two

Chapter Five: Collateral Damage

(Claray's POV):

I lay sprawled across the dining room floor, attempting to catch my breath. When we heard the car outside and voices coming closer to the house, Natasha and I both scrambled for clothes, laughing as we raced each other up the stairs. We made it to her room just as the front door opened.

"Honey, I'm home," Clint called from the entryway. Natasha opened the door slightly, looking down the stairs at the front door.

"You can uncover your eyes in your own house, Clint," she laughed. I pulled her back into the room and threw my shirt at her before Clint could look up and see her state. Her red hair was everywhere, some of it matted to her forehead with sweat. Other pieces were sticking straight up in the air. Most was just clustered around her head. I'm sure mine didn't look a lot better. Natasha grinned at me. "C'mon, принцесса. It's Clint. He's seen me change a million times." I grunted in response, sitting on the edge of her bed, running my fingers through my own hair. She walked towards me, and I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She slipped my shirt easily over her head. I was taller than her and I enjoyed oversized clothes, so she was practically swimming in it. I glanced from her face down to her bare legs as she approached. She traced her fingertips softly over my cheeks and kissed me on the forehead. "Jealous?" She whispered, teasing. I grabbed her hips firmly, pulling her down onto my lap.

"Mine," I grunted. She smiled, resting her head on my shoulder and nuzzling into my neck.

"Yours." She agreed. She moved off of my lap, walking over to the dresser, and rummaging through. She walked back over to me, holding a pair of sweats and an old t-shirt of mine.

"You had this shirt the whole time?" I unfolded it, staring up at her incredulously. "This was my favorite shirt!" I exclaimed. She smirked at me.

"And now it's my favorite shirt," she stated, matter-of-factly.

"How long have you had this?" She grinned.

"Remember our first official kiss? That night in the rain?" I frowned, rolling my eyes.

"No, I forgot." I snarked. Her smirk grew widely.

"That night." I laughed.

"Figures." I slipped the clothes on, despite Natasha's protests. Once we were both presentable – sort of – we made our way back downstairs, hand in hand. Clint grabbed me in a hug as soon as we entered the living room.

"Claray." His voice sounded choked, almost – full of emotion.

"Thank you, Clint." I whispered. He looked at me.

"You're thanking me?" He asked, surprised. I nodded and looked over at Natasha, who was now throwing Nathaniel up in the air repeatedly. The boy was screaming in glee.

"You took care of my girl," I said softly. I felt tears return to my eyes, but shrugged them away, staring up at the archer. He shrugged and shook his head.

"Nat has always had a home here, if she wanted it." He said simply.

"Hi," a cautious voice said from behind me. I spun around, seeing Laura standing there, unsure of what to do.

"You must be Laura," I said, smiling. She hugged me too. Natasha was watching me from the other side of the room. It was almost like she was afraid to take her eyes off of me, like I was going to disappear.

"It's so nice to meet you," Laura said as she pulled away. She glanced between me and Natasha, smiling. "We're all so happy to see you." I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. "Of course, you're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like. You're family." I was touched by her words, and knowing that they were genuine and heartfelt made me melt a little.