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The guys showered in the master bathroom. He used the little one connected to Lila’s room because Captain America and Iron man did not need to smell like Princess Elsa body wash.
Clint wrapped a towel low on his hips and opened the door. A pleasant surprise waited. He didn’t bother to ask how she picked the lock.
"I almost joined you but it didn't seem the right time."
He would have preferred one of their post mission showers together.
Natasha sat on the double bed with bent knees and feet tucked under her legs in one of Laura’s old robes.
He hated that ratty, blue thing. However, now, his hands itched to touch it.
"Thought you were lying down. I used up all of the hot water, sorry."
"Should have joined you."
He couldn't hide his body's reaction. She must still be out of it. Nat would never be this bold in the house.
“The world saw me with Loki, I’ve been compromised. I have to go underground and disappear.”
“And you assume I’ll stay?” She stood and closed the distance between them.
He’d dreamt of them running away together, escaping the sham of a marriage he was forced into.
“What are you saying?”
“That I’m running with you. If that’s the plan, as far as you want.” She slid both hands up his chest, lacing her fingers behind his neck.
“Are you out of your mind? I can’t ask you to do that.” Clint gripped her waist without thought. “I’m not worth it, Natasha.”
“You are to me.”
It became hard to swallow. She did that to him, made him feel like he was more than a weapon to aim, more than a means to an end, more than a paycheck.
“I almost lost you,” she whispered, caressing the new patch of skin Dr. Cho graphed, “I can’t do that again. You go, I go.”
Barton told Loki everything about his life; SHIELD, the farm, including Laura and the kids. But it wasn’t the family Loki threatened to harm when Clint tried to resist.
“Where can we go that we won’t be a target?”
“I’m working on new covers.”
“So, we disappear?” He rarely argued once she made up her mind. If the situation was reversed, he would go with her, no question.
"Cooper, give it back!" Lila shouted in the hallway.
Clint groaned and pressed his forehead to Nat’s, breathing in her scent before dealing with a wife and kids that only pretended to be happy he was home, because they finally got to meet their favorite superheroes. It was embarrassing the way Laura fawned all over Steve.
Obnoxious stomping and Cooper’s laughter got louder.
"Mom!"
"Kids, knock it off! I have to talk to your father. Go outside."
Pressing a kiss to her temple, Clint ducked back into the bathroom, threw on his jeans and listened. Natasha met Laura at the door.
"Thank you for the robe. Clint's still in the shower, I'll use yours if Bruce is done."
“You and Dr. Banner look so cute together.” Laura chided Nat.
Clint yanked the door open. Laura shut her mouth.
He greeted both women, tucking in his t-shirt. “Nat, you feelin better?”
“Yes, thank you. Excuse me, I’ll go use the other shower.” She hurried out of the room.
Hawkeye grabbed his flannel to join Steve and Tony outside.
“Hey, I wanna see your scar." Laura waddled over.
“No scar.” He said as she pulled up his shirt without asking. “See, can't even tell the difference, can you?”
He let her fuss, but wondered why she was still playing concerned wife without an audience.
Laura jutted her chin towards the hallway.
“If they're sleeping here, some of them are gonna have to double up.”
Clint laughed.
“Yeah, that's not gonna sell.”
"What about Nat and Dr. Banner? How long's that been going on?"
“Has what?”
Her condescending laugh grated his ears.
"Oh, you are so cute."
"Nat...and Banner?" His face pinched.
Clint didn't care if she picked up on his revulsion.
“I'll explain when you're older, Hawkeye."
He spoke five languages, plus ASL, yet she talked to him like a child.
"Oh, okay." He shot back.
Laura softened up when she noticed his mood change.
"It's bad, right? Nat seems really shaken."
"Ultron has these kids," he buttoned up his shirt, wanting her hands off of him, "and they walk with a big stick. Nat took a serious hit. Someone's gonna have to teach them some manners."
"And that someone being you?" Her usual contempt for his partner crept in.
He made a sound like that much was obvious and brushed past her, hoping the conversation was over, but Laura followed and continued her yapping as Clint sat and put on his boots.
“You know, I totally support your avenging,” fuck, here we go, “I couldn't be prouder, but I see those guys, those gods…”
“And you don't think they need me.”
“I think they do need you which is a lot scarier.”
Clint’s eyebrows shot up at the rare compliment.
“They’re a mess.”
“Yeah, I guess they're my mess.” He sighed.
“You need to be sure that this team is really a team, and that they have your back."
There it was. Her constant undermining of his and Natasha's trust in each other. It was tiresome.
He took a cue from the Widow’s playbook and put on a loving husband cover.
Clint smiled and half hugged Laura as if he agreed with her babble.
“Things are changing for us. In a few months time, you and me are going to be outnumbered.”
If only they were mine, he looked down at her sadly. Clint wasn't sure if he was cruel enough to leave the DNA tests on the bed when he left.
“Just be sure.” She used that tone like she did when reminding him to leave the toilet seat down.
Oh I'm sure, he thought.
“Yes ma'am." He said out loud.
Hours later, the Avengers were called to Sokovia to fight Ultron. The team lost two of their own amongst the thousands Ultron slaughtered.
Strike Team Delta sacrificed themselves to save a bus load of kids and more.
Their bodies were never recovered.
Laura Barton remarried less than a year later.