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Natasha never understands the walking disaster named Clint Barton. While all the media and pretty much everyone on this planet knows that they are 'a couple of assassins' as Tony had called them once, only Natasha is being treated like one.
All the fearful glares she got, she could swear it's in her teammates(minus Clint) sometimes they try to make a small talk or crack some jokes at her, like they're afraid she's going to snap their neck or something.
Frustrating, and not in any good way.
But with Clint, they all laugh and tease him with nicknames. They spend hours playing games with him. Invited him to a team movie night, well yeah she was invited too but no one dare talking to her at the event(again, minus Clint)
Then she realizes it.
They never get to know the Clint Barton she knows.
Clint Barton as a perfect recorded underground assassin, as a dead eye killer with an unparalleled aim, as a brutal masterless samurai and a lot of thing Clint never tells her.
They all know him as a loyal teammate, world best archer, only deadly with a bow and arrows on above, funny guy with quick mouth and a walking disaster.
This make her winces sometimes when thinking about it too hard, it's not like those are his fake persona. It's as real as another. And that scares her off.
They believe he will look after them, Natasha believes him too. And he will actually do that.
Then when time comes, whatever he likes it or not, when he has to stand against Natasha and everyone , they won't see that coming, can't prepare for something they think will never happen.
For Natasha, of course she stays put, hoping as hell it will never happen.
He redeemed her from her old life, giving chances to clear her red ledger, giving her a new life, a team Natasha want to call it family so bad it hurts.
If he finally thinks she doesn't deserve it, then she will gladly accept her fate.
The most dangerous killer is the one who can gain their victim's trust without trying.
That's why Natasha's whole body tremble with emotions she thought Red Room already took care of when her eyes land on the figure with painfully familiar gold and black suit.
Fear, sad and desperate. And some small relieve, he survives the snap after all.
"Clint" She calls him softly
Nothing. No respond.
"R-Ronin" Natasha trys again, wants to reach for him.
She couldn't, hand hovers at an empty space in front of her.
Clint stops whatever he was doing, his mask is slowly pulled off before he turns.
Natasha just realises she has been holding her breath.
"You're alive"
"No, no I'm not"