Chapter Text
She was shaking, sweating, and mumbling in her sleep. “No, no, please.”
Clint awoke at her voice cracking in the night, turning to see his wife stuck in her nightmare. He sat up quickly, careful not to startle her, or else she would start hitting.
He knew the drill.
This was not his first time dealing with her nightmares. After all the time they’ve been together, he had memorized how to calm her down, although he was not this good in the beginning.
The first time he witnessed her nightmares, he shook her awake and she punched him square in the nose. She woke up to his face covered in blood and she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Clint had figured out that it was wise to slowly bring her down from the nightmare, one sense at a time.
First: make sure she can hear you. “Natasha? Natasha, sweetheart, it’s Clint.”
She moaned.
Good, step one done.
Second: let her know you’re there, but not too quickly. He lightly grazed her skin with his fingertips, and she responded by curling her back. Perfect.
Now, more touch; get her in his arms and protected from the visions in her head.
He kept tracing her skin with his fingers until his moved on, slowly pulling her closer to him, her soft mumbles quieting down. He held her tightly to him, her face pressed against his chest, his arms wrapped around her, one hand running through her hair.
“I’m here, Natasha.”
Her breathing slowed, her eyes opening slightly. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, still coated in sweat. She closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath, “Thank you.”
“Anytime, lady red, anytime.”