Lost in the Mirror (Avengers Fan Fiction)

[ 18 ]

Delaney grunted as she hit the mat. Natasha had pinned her once again and showed no signs of easing up on the intern.

"I think you broke a rib that time." Delaney winced as she sat up.

"You want to go again?" Natasha held her hand out for Delaney. She took it and let the Widow pull her to her feet.

"Yeah." Delaney rubbed her palms against the legs of her spandex. She had decided to take the whole day off and do other things, things that would help her think. She spent the morning cleaning her office and her room, then she decided she wanted to train a little more. "I suck at this."

"Your biggest strength is your how strong you are." Natasha spoke as she moved to stand a few feet away. She rolled out her shoulders and started to stretch. "Your biggest weakness is the way you pull your hits like you're afraid to hurt me."

"Well I don't want to hurt you." Delaney told her.

"Don't be afraid of doing that, Delaney. I've worked with men three times your size. I'd be more afraid of you hurting Barton again." The Widow glanced over to where her best friend was. He sat off to the side with a pout on his lips. Delaney had hit him hard enough to cause a bloody nose so he had to stop to take care of it.

"I feel so bad for that." Delaney's eyebrows were drawn together as she looked to Clint. "I really am so sorry, Clint."

"Don't worry about it. You can pay me back with donuts."

"I will! Definitely."

"And you have good instincts." Natasha commented as Delaney brought her attention back to her trainer. As the two got back into sparring, Steve walked in.

"What happened to you?" He asked Clint.

"Delaney hit me."

The Captain brought his gaze back to the dark haired woman fighting the Black Widow. She moved with elegance and grace, executing every attempted blow perfectly like she had rehearsed it.

"Have you told her?"

"Hmm?" Steve looked back to Clint, raising his brows and shifting in his spot.

"Have you told her how you feel?"

"What do you mean?" Steve's blue eyes darted from Clint to Delaney to the door then back to Delaney.

"You know exactly what I mean, Cap." Clint chuckled softly. "You like her."

"That's crazy. De-Delaney's a friend." He shook his head. "Just a friend."

"Sure." Clint chuckled softly. Natasha blocked a hit from Delaney and kicked her feet out from underneath her. Delaney hit the mat, letting out a squeal of surprise as she did so. It had all happened so fast that she didn't see it coming.

"You aren't playing nice."

Natasha laughed softly and helped Delaney to her feet.

"I wasn't aware that I was suppose to. You want to call it a day?"

"Please." Delaney nodded her head, rubbing her back with one hand. "I'm going to be sore forever."

"You did good, Delaney." Steve complimented. He wore a gentle smile as she approached him.

"How much of that did you see? Because I did terrible." Delaney shook her head as she laughed.

"Don't beat yourself up over it too much. Romanoff's had years of experience."

"What time is it?" Delaney asked as she started to pat around for her phone. Then she remembered she had left in it in her office.

"It's a little past noon." Clint answered.