Lights Down Low (Clintasha one shot)

Lights Down Low

The Avengers had finally retreated back to their tower after what seemed like weeks of fighting off robots. They could never catch a break. While the rest of Earth's Mightiest Heroes returned to their normal lives, Natasha sat in her room curled up on the floor, her head rested on her knees and tears in her eyes. She made sure to tell Jarvis to not let anyone in her room because no one on the team had ever seen the Black Widow show any signs of weakness ever. She was the toughest on the team mentally and physically without any "super" enhancements or radioactive blood. It was nice to have that image in a fight, especially when the opponent knew not to fuck with you unless they wanted their bones shattered, but feeling pressured to own up to that title all the time was stressful. Sure, she didn't take anyone's shit at any time, but everyone had emotions and Natasha just felt like she wasn't allowed to be anything other than tough and sarcastic.

Despite just a few hours after battling a fucking robot army, Natasha was already breaking down. She was starving and hurt but she didn't dare move from the darkness of her apartment. It was only a few seconds more that her sobs became audible, although she was trying to muffle them against her arm.

Clint was just passing by to grab a snack. His arms sure hurt a whole lot but he was used to it by now. Those arrows didn't shoot themselves. Wait, couldn't Tony just make them shoot themselves? That would make his job easier. Then again, that means he wouldn't be needed on the team. He decided to stop mumbling to himself about the soreness in his arms and deal with it. The best part about Clint was his hearing. Even he'd admit that to himself. And boy did he hear, he heard cries coming from Nat's room. That... couldn't be possible. Maybe she got shot and didn't tell anyone and was dealing with it herself? That's the only thing Clint could come up with on why she would be crying. He knocked on her door gently, the idea of food abandoning his thoughts. He heard a sniffle but the crying stopped. Okay. Now he was really concerned.

"Nat?" He knocked again, lightly. Nothing.

"Natasha please. I know something's wrong. Jarvis, open the door." Instead of Natasha replying, Jarvis did.

"I'm sorry Mr. Barton. Miss Romanov is busy at the moment."

"Bullshit. Override." Jarvis listened to that however. Almost as if Nat had only set it up so Clint could get in being his stubborn self. He closed and locked the door behind him, letting his eyes adjust before immediately spotting Nat and walking over to her. He knelt down in front of her. She was definitely crying, her red velvet hair was a mess and her green eyes were blood shot.

"Hey, hey, you okay Nat?" Clint put his hand on the side of her face hesitantly. She closed her eyes to try to stop the overflow of tears but it only made it worse as she shook her head, admitting defeat. Clint's heart broke. She weakly stuck her arms out, reaching for him. He quickly picked her up, her arms wrapping around his neck, and legs around his waist. He sat back on the bed with her on his lap and hugged her until she calmed down a little. Petting her hair and rubbing her back, he made sure she was comfortable. Maybe they could talk now.

"What's wrong Tasha?" Clint's voice was soft and low. She whined quietly before answering shakily.

"It's so hard being me all the time. Everyone expects so much from me and I can't do it anymore." Clint frowned.

"You're the strongest person I know."

"I don't want to be the strong one anymore."

Clint nodded. That makes sense.

"What can I do for you, baby?" That was it. Something in those green eyes changed. Clint called most everyone 'baby', the way most guys call everyone 'bro', but something about that made Tasha light up.