To Go Unseen (A Natasha Romanoff Story)

32 [hotel room]

Later that day, Natasha answered a phone call from Clint and she excused herself out into the hall to talk to him.

“Hey,” he said when she picked up. “I haven’t really gotten a chance to talk to you in a while.”

“I’ve been busy…,” she said and she paced up and down the hall, staring at her pink socks on the carpet. Then, she took a deep breath. She added, “I got a haircut.”

“Really?” Clint said. “You should send me pictures.”

“I dunno, I don’t really like it,” Natasha said.

“Aw, come on, Nat,” Clint said. “Give it time. I’m sure you look great.” Natasha rolled her eyes.

“Thanks,” she said, mostly because she didn’t want to explain further and she wanted to drop it.

“So, um, how have you been?” Clint asked. “You know, I talked to your boyfriend and he said you’ve been stressed out. Is everything alright?” Natasha frowned at the floor now and stopped pacing.

“You talked to James?” She asked.

“Yeah,” Clint said. “He called me. Guess he’s worried about you.”

“Oh…,” Natasha said.

“Well?” Clint said. “What’s up?”

“Just been sort of, um,” Natasha said. “Stretched thin, I guess. There’s a lot on my plate. It’s hard to explain.” She reached up and pushed her hair back and ran her hand down the back of her head.

“Yeah,” Clint said. “Of course, I understand.” Natasha smiled.

“Thanks, Clint,” she said. “You’re a good friend.”

“Look, uh,” Clint said awkwardly. “You sound okay. I called to check up and I guess you’re dealing, but, um…” Clint hesitated.

“Spit it out, Barton,” Natasha said and rolled her eyes with a smile.

“What’s going on? What’s happening with you?” He finally asked and Natasha stopped and her face darkened.

“You’re breaking your promise,” she accused.

“I can’t just never know, Nat!” Clint cried. “I’m worried about you now, too and all I’m getting is second hand information. I’m just worried”

“I know, Clint, but you promised,” Natasha said. “You promised me no questions. Ever.” Clint sucked in a breath and the other end of the line was silent for a while.

“Yeah, fine,” he said. “Okay, fine.”

“I can handle it,” Natasha said.

“Sure,” Clint said and then his voice softened. “I’m sure you can. You always do.”

“Don’t worry about me, please,” Natasha begged. “I’ll be back in DC before you know it.”

“Are you having fun?” Clint asked. “Or am I not allowed to know?” Natasha sighed. Clint waited a second, then added awkwardly. “It was a joke.”

“I know,” she said. Then, she added, “Yeah. There are fun parts.”

“Wow, sounds like a dream vacation. A few fun parts,” Clint retorted and Natasha smiled a little now.

“It could be worse,” she said. “I’m sure. Somehow.” Then, so he wouldn’t ask about it further, Natasha changed the subject quickly and asked him about how he was doing and if the dog was doing well and if he would be free when she got back to have a lunch or something. Clint chatted away and Natasha stopped and put her back against the wall next to the hotel room and listened to him until finally, they said goodbye and hung up and Natasha stared down at her phone screen and then looked up at the ceiling and sighed. She didn’t know why, but after having talked to him, she felt worse than she had before.