Life Happens

Clint and Natasha

White. All around was nothing but white. "Clint? Clint is that you?!" A voice said from behind him. Clint turned around and saw him.

"P...Pietro?" Clint stuttered. He ran over to Pietro who was lying in a hospital bed looking deathly pale.

"What are you doing here? You've been gone for so long I thought I'd never see you again." Pietro said softly. "I've been here for so long... everyone's gone... I don't understand." Pietro voice got higher pitched it sounded familiar in a way... "Mom left us in the night." Everything started to turn dark around them. Pietro was no longer Pietro he was... Cooper? "I had no choice.. only the strong survive you know that. Lila had to go. Too weak. Easy kill."

"No!" Clint shouted as he stepped backwards.

"Wanda? Oh she was easier. So stupid. She willing let me kill her."

"Stop!"

"Tony? Oh please. He's pathetic. Give him enough drink and boom! His own tech killed him. Although that wouldn't be the first time it's been used against him.

"Cooper stop this isn't-"

"Right?" Cooper interrupted him as he stood up from the bed. "These are all the things you've done are they not?"

"No."

"No?! Are you sure Barton?" Cooper asked loudly.

"It wasn't me."

"Oh are you really blaming me for that Barton after all this time?" A voice said from behind him. Clint froze in place. "My precious bird is scared? Where is the strong, fearless man that I once knew?"

"In your god forsaken sceptre!" Clint shouted as he turned towards Loki.

"Oh that silly thing. Clinton we both know the truth. You wanted me."

"Don't you dare say that!" Clint shouted. He threw a punch at Loki but he was frozen in place before his fist could make contact with Loki's face. Loki smirked. He placed his hand on Clint's fist.

"You know what you wanted." Loki brushed his hand along Clint's arm and placed his palm and Clint's chest.

"Stop. Touching. Me." Clint growled.

"But we both know that you wanted me. Closer. Under you. Powerless. Begging you for more with little gasps of air as you pound harder and harder into me. You wanted to conquer me. Loki. Your prize for being the perfect killer."

****

"Clint are you ok?" Natasha asked as walked into his room. She walked through Clint's dimly lit room looking for the archer.

"Nat?" A small voice called out to her. She looked in the direction that Clint had called out to her. Huddled in the corner of the room was where she found him. Natasha ran over to her best friend and dropped to her knees in front of him. She slowly reached her hand out towards his face.

"Clinton? Clint? Please answer me." Natasha said softly.

"It's been three years. Three fucking years and he still plagues my life." Clint looked up showing his tear stained face. Natasha heart ached. She hated seeing anyone of her friends upset but Clint always hurt her the most. "When will it end? I thought I was ok. Done with him but no. He's still here." Clint said tapping his temple. "Like a tumour that never goes." He dropped his head back into his knees. "I just want it to stop." He whispered.

"It will stop. You've been getting better. What's it been? Six months since your last nightmare? It's getting better." Natasha said as edged closer to him.

"How can it stop when it's everything I ever wanted?" Clint shouted. "I wanted him! I got damn near close too. That's the bad thing." He stood up and walked over to the window.

"Clint what are you talking about?"

Clint stared out of the window looking at the early signs of sunrise. "When he took control... he made me feel... good? Special? Jesus I sound like a virgin. He would do things... said things. Then the touches. They started small and simple. A clap on the shoulder while he praised me. Then they got lower and they lasted longer. I couldn't control myself I... I..." Clint stopped talking as he hugged himself. "Germany. Just before you got him the first time. We were on our way there when I lost all control. I kissed him. And he kissed back. He said that we would carry on when we finished the mission. I know it didn't mean anything and I know I definitely didn't want that to happen but I did? It's Like I was battling myself yet he always benefitted from it." Tears began to fill up Clint's eyes.

Natasha pulled him into a hug. "Why didn't you tell me before?" She whispered into his ear as she rubbed his back.

"I was scared. I've never told anyone else. Not even Laura."