You are everything ⴵ [Natasha Romanoff]

Chapter 23

A/N: I hope everyone is having a great day!
Sorry I'm putting this up a little later than I normal I have just been a bit busy today. I'll upload other chapter straight after this one to make it up to you all! :)

Chapter 23
Claire's POV

Nat and I continued to sleep in seperate rooms to keep up appearances. Occasionally one of us ended up in the others bed after a nightmare. The comfort of Nat's arms was enticing. I tried to limit the times I ended up in her bed during the middle of the night. She didn't seem to mind but I didn't want to annoy her. The one night she came into my room at midnight made me feel like she was letting down more walls around me. I knew it would have taken a lot for her to give in and come ask for help. She felt so fragile and small next to me. I noticed she was slightly shaking. I held her against me all night so she knew I was there. She had thanked me in the morning with a sad smile. She again didn't want to speak about her nightmare but I would never pressure her to talk about it.

Tonight was different, we both always started in our own beds before seeking the other. Tonight I was sitting on Nat's couch in her room. I had been downstairs earlier with the rest of the team lounging around after dinner. Nat suggested continuing the conversation upstairs when I kept shivering. "Come upstairs with me, you're freezing sitting here" she had whispered in my ear while everyone was distracted. I just wanted to stay with her. The thought of going back to my bedroom alone was suffocating. I was just worried Nat might not want me here.

"Nat is it ok if I stay here with you the rest of tonight?" I asked.
Please say yes.
"I'm worried that I will keep you up if I have a nightmare, that's not fair on you" Nat answered sadly.
"Well I could just as easily wake you up from my nightmares" I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "I would rather be here when you have a nightmare any way, I wouldn't want you to be alone".
Nat smiled back at me but didn't say a word.
"It's okay, don't worry about it" Itried to play it off.
"Stay Claire" she whispered.
"I wasn't taking no for an answer anyway" I smiled back.

We climbed into Nat's bed together. I was already comforted by the sheets that smelt just like her. Having Nat in my arms at night or me being in her arms was such an amazing feeling. I just hoped it could be like this more often.

"Thank you for letting me stay" I said
"You can always stay with me Claire" Nat replied. "Did you just want to stay here or did something happen that made you want to sleep here?".
"No nothing happened, I just like being close to you, it's comforting". I answered.
"I like knowing your safe here with me" Nat said as she yawned.
"It's also nice that it smells like you in here and you're pretty good at cuddling" I smiled.
"No one would believe you if you told them" she smirked.
"No one else gets to know, that's just for me" I said wiggling in closer.
"I think I was only meant for you" Nat said with a slight hesitation in her voice.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked sitting up to look at her curiously.
"It's just how I feel. It's like nothing else compares to how I feel with you and about you. Like I've been waiting to find you. I know it might be soon to say something like that but it's just the truth" confessed Nat.
"I can relate to those feeling Nat. Like somehow everything else that's happened in the past led me to find you" I say looking in her eyes.

Nat gave me the most sincere and heartfelt smile I have ever seen. She pulls me back down into her arms. Sleep comes easily with Natasha's fingers combing through my hair.

In the morning I woke up alone. Disappointment hung in air. I sighed and rolled over to get out of Nat's bed. There was a note on the bedside table underneath my phone. It read:

My Claire,
I got called out on an urgent mission with Clint. I should be back tomorrow or the next day. I know you might be mad at me for not waking you but you were so peaceful and looked too cute laying there in my bed. I couldn't bring myself to disturb your peace and wake you up. Please forgive me for not saying goodbye. Message me if you need. I might not be able to answer straight away though. I miss you already. - N.

My Claire. She actually said My Claire again.

I was of course not mad at her but now I knew she could possibly be gone for 2 days and that was not something I looked forward to. I made my way downstairs looking for Kate and Yelena. I found the girls eating breakfast and joined them. They asked if I wanted to come with them later tonight for a movie night and sleep over in Yelenas room to which I said yes to.
I spent the rest of day trying to keep busy while I waited for Nat to reply to my earlier message.

Claire- hey Nat, I'm not mad at you at all. I would have loved to say good bye but I'll just have to wait to say hi when you come home. Be safe. Please message me when you can so I know you're ok x. -0948

Please just be ok!

I hadn't heard anything back yet and it was almost 7pm. I made my way to yelenas room with the snacks and drinks the girls asked me to bring up.
"Yay you're here, let's start the movie" Kate said excitedly.
"About time you got up here rosewood, I was starting to starve to death waiting for these snacks" laughed Yelena.
"Do you ever not think about food?" I smiled. "Where have you even been lately, we never see you anymore" Kate asked.
"Sorry guys I've just had a bit on" I answered.
"Come on Claire what's really going on? Is it a special someone? You can tell us." Yelena said.
To try cover up the truth I thought telling them part of the story would hopefully work.
"Sorry I haven't been meaning to ignore you girls, really I haven't. I've just been having some nightmares come back almost every night. I haven't really been sleeping and just been trying to keep busy to keep out of my own head" I confessed.

They both understood having had similar events happen to themselves. They didn't push anymore about where I had been lately to which I was thankful for. We watched movies and I had a fun night with my friends. Later on Kate and Yelena were both asleep on yelenas bed while I was wide awake on the couch. I couldn't help but think about Nat, not knowing if she was ok was driving me mad. I've never had someone in my life that is constantly in my thoughts. Just about everything I do or see reminds me of Nat in someway. I never realised I was missing a piece of you until I had Nat. Just as I started falling asleep my phone lit up.

Nat- hey Claire, I hope you're asleep right now. We're all good. Just been a very busy day. Looks like we might be gone a little longer than I thought. I'll try keep you updated. I miss you so much. -0018

I quickly sat up with my phone and replied.

Claire- I'm glad you're ok, I was starting to get worried. I hope you're not away for too long. I miss you too. -0018

Nat- you're meant to be asleep Claire. I know I don't want to be away from you any longer than I have to be. -0023

Claire- sleep over in yelenas room. Kate and Yelena are asleep, I can't get to sleep. -0024

Nat- I'm sorry I'm not there. -0024

Claire- Don't be sorry! You can't help it. -0026

Nat- I need to try get some sleep while I can. We will be moving in a couple of hours. -0027

Claire- that's ok. Please just be carful. Keep me updated when you can. Good night Nat.-0027

Nat- good night sweetheart. -0028

Sweetheart!

I smiled at the pet name and then fell asleep knowing that for now at least Nat was ok.