Magic & Desire (Clint Barton Fan Fiction)

Chapter 40

My stomach churned and twisted as I took out the notes I had written to Clint and Levi.

Clint was fast asleep but Ember, on the other hand, she was watching me curiously as I moved around the room. There were five minutes till midnight when Loki would teleport in and get me off of the island. I didn't have much time left.

I folded the note and placed it on my pillow, then pressed a soft kiss to Clint's cheek. He turned, however, and unconsciously tried to kiss my cheek. I softly kissed his lips and brushed my fingers through his hair.

My chest ached. It had been that way since this morning when I spent my last day with him. Most of the time, we were watching movies in bed or sleeping. It was a good final day.Ember meowed loudly and climbed up his legs, coming to rest on his stomach. I was shocked at the sight. She never liked to touch him. It was like she knew what was happening. I rubbed between her ears and gently kissed her head.

"Take care of him, sweetheart."

She purred underneath my fingertips.

•*•*•

I left the room I shared with Clint and went to Levi's room. I had to be more quiet with him. Unlike Clint, Levi was a light sleepier. I placed the folded note on the stand by the door and contemplated leaving right then. My vision blurred as I gazed at my long time best friend. I was leaving him. I was doing something I swore I'd never do. Levi was the only reason I survived HYDRA. Now I had to go without him.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and moved to his bedside. As I kissed his forehead, Levi woke up. Shit.

"Shy? What're you doing?" He glanced over to the alarm clock on the nightstand. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"I just.... I had a bad dream." I knelt down by his side of the bed and sniffled.

"What happened?" He moved to prop himself up on his elbow to face me.

"I.... I disappointed you." I whispered, my voice cracking as I leaned forward to put my head into his chest. "I'm so sorry, Levi."

"It was just a dream, Shyla. Don't worry about it."

"It felt so real."

This whole situation was almost surreal but it was happening. He rubbed the back of my head and kissed my hair.

"Do you want to sleep with me for the night?"

I shook my head, closing my eyes to savor the moment.

"Clint's gonna wake up if I'm not there with him." My hands trembled as I took his larger one in grip.

"It was just a dream, Shyla. It didn't happen."

I stayed close to him, letting him hold me with one arm while his other hand held mine firmly.

"I love you, Levi."

I could feel his breathing stop as I said those words. They were hard words to get out of me.

"I'll walk you back to your room—,"

"It's okay." I cut him off, shaking my head gently as I moved out of his grip. "I have to go to the bathroom and I think I'm gonna get something to eat."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No." I murmured gently. "Go back to sleep."

He nodded his head and settled back against his pillows as he watched me move towards the door.

"See you in the morning, Shy."

I clenched my teeth together and closed his door, squeezing my eyes shut as the tears became too hard to control. Leaning against his door, a quiet sob escaped my lips. I put my hand over my mouth, forcing myself to remain silent. I couldn't wake anyone else up.