✪ MARVEL IMAGINES ✪

Always and Forever | Natasha Romanoff x Reader

Word Count: 1431

Warnings: Endgame spoilers of course with some slight inspo from the first Avengers movie. Also has some platonic!Clint x reader

"I used to have nothing. Then I got this. This job... this family. And I was... I was better because of it. And even though... they're gone... I'm still trying to be better."

You hit the punching bag with force, the voice of Nat haunting your mind. You remembered her tearful confession to you and Steve, five years following the Snap.

"We found something. A chance- maybe..."

You remembered hearing the hope in her voice, hope that this "Time Heist" would work and hope that Clint would end his vigilante ways and rejoin the Avengers after he had lost his entire family in the Snap.

"See is you in a minute."

You remembered her smirk and the kiss she blew you as you prepared to time travel. God, how you wished that were true.

"Whatever it takes."

You remembered the motto Steve had said before the mission began, a motto she repeated when the three of you realized that someone would have to sacrifice themselves.

"If we don't get that stone, billions of people stay dead."

You remembered the feeling of dread in your stomach when you realized Nat was the one that was going to sacrifice herself. You remember the three of you fighting over the sacrifice play, but she had shocked you, disabling you from getting up off the ground, mouthing the words "I'm sorry," and you remembered her and Clint both jumping off the side of the cliff.

"Let me go...it's okay. Tell Y/N I love her. Always and Forever."

You remembered hearing her voice one last time as she urged Clint to let her go and her last I love you to you.

The bag you were punching flew across the room. Your knuckles were sore and bloody and you felt hot tears streaming down your eyes.

"Trouble sleeping?"

A male voice echoed in the empty gym. You looked up and saw Clint wearing all black, leaning against the door frame.

"I guess you could say that," you sighed as you picked up the punching bag and put it away. "What are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep either," he admitted as he walked towards you, grabbing a first aid kit on the way. "Kept thinking about Nat because it should've been me," he said, his voice faltering. "Let me help you," he said, gesturing to your hands. You sighed again as he began to unwrap your bandages.

"Why'd it have to be her, Clint?" You whispered, new tears threatening to fall. "Why'd we have to lose her?"

"I don't know Y/N," he responded. "But I know she wouldn't want us to mope." He pulled you up to your feet. "Let's get you to bed. The funeral's tomorrow." You simply nodded.

Once Clint had left after making sure you were comfortable, you sank into your bed, clutching her pillow. As you breathed in her familiar scent, you recalled the first time you met her.

10 YEARS AGO

You were a nervous wreck. It was your first day as a field agent for SHIELD and you had managed to get yourself lost. You had excelled at the training and the tests you had to take but your nerves had gotten the best you and now you were going to be late on your first mission. Frustrated, you ran into the nearest bathroom as an attempt to calm yourself.