Archive of Our Own ^beta

‘The news is loving you guys. Nobody else is. There’s been no official call for Banner’s arrest, but it’s in the air.’ Hill says seriously.

Natasha just watches Clint as he flies, he’s outlined in the sunlight they’re flying into, chasing the sunrise across the globe, and the crook of his nose reminds her of Cooper in a way that makes her heart seize. Bruce moves against her legs and she starts, snapping her eyes away from Clint.

‘Where- where?’ Bruce stammers, his voice still shaking. He’s damp with sweat and his eyes are dark.

‘I don’t know.’ Natasha replies honestly and stands, walking over to stand behind Clint, and when she’s pretty sure Tony’s too occupied with pretending to be okay, she leans to his ear.

‘Clint, I need-’

‘I know, I know Nat.’ Clint replies, voice low. ‘I need them too.’

‘What are we going to do? There are no safehouses, SHIELD is-’ She cuts herself. There’s still a vivid pain from the loss- not the simple meaning of their jobs , their livelihoods , but their connection; how they’d started.

Clint is silent, waiting until she can say it.

‘We’re going to the farm.’

‘Yes, yes, Nattie, we are.’ Clint admits. ‘If you’re okay with that.’

Nat just nods, and just for a moment her chin drops and her lips brush the top of his head.

‘Hey! Lovebirds!’ Tony calls, and Natasha’s grip on Clint’s shoulder tightens. ‘Wanna switch out?’

‘No, I’m good.’ Clint calls back, as Natasha slinks back to the floor beside Banner. ‘If you wanna get some kip, now’s a good time, cause we’re still a few hours out.’

‘A few hours from where?’

Clint doesn’t look over his shoulder, but as he moves to flick the wing lights on he presses his middle two fingers to his palm. I love you. He trusts that Nat is watching, and she is, of course she is, and she feels, just for a moment, calm. 

They land at the farm a few hours of silence later. Natasha would love to say she slept, but everytime she shut her eyes she saw the man, the bag over his head. Then the gun would fire, and the bag would slip, it would be Laura, or Clint, or- she wakes with a start, Lila’s lifeless body burned into her vision.

‘Nat, Natasha, breathe.’ Bruce’s hand is on her knee. ‘It wasn’t real.’

It was. Nat wants to scream. It was. Mine was real. I killed a faceless man; he could have been anyone. He could have been my wife, my husband, my child. 

She’s trying to formulate some sort of response; to trace through whatever parts of her measured personality remained to paste on a happy face when the ramp lowers and she smells it. The country. Laura and Clint had had to drag her out there, the first time, but the moment she’d seen the house she’d fallen in love with it, and now it meant something more than the place they lived. It was where they raised their children, where they loved, and felt at peace, and just existed in such a tragic world of aliens and madness. And it smelt like freshly turned hay, and geraniums. 

They land in the East field, because Laura would never forgive them if they landed outside the kitchen window. Clint doesn’t hesitate to tuck his arm under hers and support her down the ramp, it’s their normal behaviour - whatever relationship the team decided to label them with they decided that they didn’t care. Or rather, they didn’t care enough to show them the relationship that mattered. 

‘What is this place?’

Natasha hobbles up the stairs and smiles at the lines of wellies outside the front door. Theres were six pairs now. The most recent was a tiny pair she’d seen in an airport shop two months ago and couldn’t resist bringing home to Laura in preparation.

‘A safe house?’ Tony asks, narrowing his eyes at the porch swing, with two tacked on extensions, one older than the other. The first Clint had done years ago after they’d got it and it had become clear the three of them couldn’t sit comfortably together, the second was after the children had been born and suddenly it needed to fit five. 

‘Let’s hope.’ Clint’s hand is still on the handle and Nat jabs him in the side to hurry him up. 

‘What are we-?’ He starts as the door opens, and Natasha just shakes her head.

Clint frowns slightly, adorably, in Nat’s opinion. ‘Are you-?’

‘She’s yours.’ Natasha murmurs, under the noise of the door shutting behind Thor.

Clint looks at Nat, and wants, more than anything, to scoop her into his arms and tell her she’s an idiot for thinking that Laura isn’t hers . Nat knows that, deep down, but it’s easy to hide behind short sentences when there’s a super solider, a god, a billionaire and… a man she’s been stringing along like a puppy standing behind them.

‘Honey, I’m home.’ Clint calls and Laura appears around the corner. She looks like a goddess; she always does. Her hair is loose, flowing over her shoulders, thickened and glossy from the pregnancy, her jeans are killer, hugging her in a way that Clint and Nat seem to notice in tandem. Similarly Laura’s eyes slide from Clint, to Natasha, to Clint, to Natasha to the boys standing behind them.

Clint takes the lead, stepping forwards. ‘Hi. Company. Sorry I didn’t call ahead.’

‘Hey.’ Laura responds, voice soft and homely. Clint leans down slightly and she kisses him gently.

‘This is an agent of some kind.’ Tony whispers loudly.

‘Gentlemen, this is Laura.’ Clint says politely.

‘I know all your names.’ Laura jokes, and Natasha wants to laugh out loud. Laura’s easy humour feels more healing than pain meds. 

They stare awkwardly at her. Laura is angled towards Natasha, wanting nothing more than to hold her. Natasha looks bad, worse than she has for a while, bags under her eyes, and thats not even mentioning the shadows that seem to be haunting her.

Then theres footsteps.

‘Ooh, incoming!’ 

Cooper and Lila barrel into the room.

‘Dad!’ Lila throws herself up into Clint’s arms, Cooper fastening his arms around his waist, not even grumbling when Clint ruffles his hair.

‘Hi, sweetheart! Hey, buddy! How are you doing?’

He’s too busy with his children to notice Tony leaning into Steve to whisper. ‘These are… smaller agents.’

Natasha frowns at that, wanting nothing more than to deck him. Or kick him out. Make him sleep outside so she could just hold the people she loves and the children they made-

‘Auntie Nat!’

Lila remembers their conversation, maybe recognising the boys, but still knowing they’re strangers and Natasha’s heart swells with pride and shame simultaneously. She lifts Lila up easily, leaning down with her other arm to pick up Cooper too, as he hugs her.

‘Mmm.’ He grumbles, stopping himself from saying the whole word. ‘I’m too old for that.’

‘You’ll never be too old for me to pick you up.’ She plants a kiss to his forehead, already feeling a million times better, then lowers Lila.

‘Sorry for barging in on you.’ Steve says politely, looking deeply, deeply confused.

‘Yeah.’ Tony adds snarkily. ‘We would have called ahead, but we were busy having no idea that you existed.’

Clint just shrugs. ‘Yeah, well Fury helped me set this place up when I joined. He kept it off SHIELD’s files. I’d like to keep it that way. I figure it’s a good place to lay low.’

Natasha takes their distraction to creep over to Laura, resting her hands on her stomach and feeling their child kick in response. 

‘Honey, I’ve missed you.’ Laura murmurs, voice low, her head lilting forwards as if to catch Nat’s lips.

‘Hows little Natasha, huh?’ Nat distracts herself by asking.

It was tradition in Laura’s family to continue the initial of names. Cooper, for Clint, then Lila, for Laura. Finally N- something undecided, for Natasha. Since Laura seemed to only call her Tasha, or honey, or sweetheart, and Clint called her Nattie, or Romanov it seemed fair to nickname the baby Natasha , and it had stuck.

‘She’s… Nathaniel.’ Laura grimaces guilty and Nat pouts, bending to speak to her son.

‘Traitor.’ She whispers. Then the door slams behind Steve. Thor stormed out. Damn, they should have seen that coming. 

Clint dismisses Steve, Tony and Bruce with a few vague words about a log pile and the moment the screen door is shut Laura rushes over to Natasha, cradling her face and planting kiss after kiss across her cheeks.

‘Laura. Laur!’ Nat squeaks, ‘Just-’ She intercepts Laura and captures her lips, trying to translate all of her feelings.

‘Welcome home, Tash.’ Laura whispers and Natasha presses their foreheads together.

‘Hey, birdbrain, get in here.’ She pats around until she reaches Clint’s hand and pulls him to her.

‘We’re safe now. It’ll be okay.’ Clint whispers, hugging Natasha tightly. ‘Let’s go upstairs.’

‘Shot? You got shot?’

‘It wasn’t a bullet.’ Clint tries guiltily.

‘But it was a shot!’ Laura glares. ‘Tash?’

‘It was a shot.’ Nat agrees and Clint pouts at her. ‘It was!’

‘And she… 3D printed your skin back together?’

‘Something like that.’ Clint lifts his shirt and Natasha wolf whistles.

Laura narrows her eyes, walking over. ‘I can tell the difference.’

‘No, you can’t.’

Laura runs her fingers over his skin. ‘I can. Nat?’

‘I know I can.’ Nat smirks, remembering how the party ended for them.

‘You guys?’ Laura looks between them, easily understanding the shared glances. ‘Really?’

‘Laura, you’re about to pop.’ Nat looks down at her stomach. ‘You’d be missing out wherever we were.’

‘Unfortunately true.’ Laura rubs her stomach. ‘I swear little Nate is an up-and-coming soccer star. That or he has a very long pitchfork in there.’

‘The second would be more useful around here.’ Clint nods out to the acres of farmland. 

Laura laughs. ‘You know one of us is going to have to break it that the others are going to have to share?’ 

Nat taps her forehead. ‘Not me.’

‘Seriously?’ Laura examines Natasha. ‘You know Bruce is going to be cut up he’s not sharing with you.’

‘You’re kidding.’ Clint’s jaw drops.

Nat just shrugs. ‘He looks at me like I’m either a therapist or something edible.’ 

‘You’re entirely edible.’ Laura winks roguishly.

‘Nat? And Banner?’

‘I’ll explain when you’re older, Hawkeye.’ Laura teases and Nat laughs at his confusion.

‘Don’t gang up. It’s awful when you guys do that.’ Clint groans. ‘And we still need to talk about it.’

‘What?’ Nat asks innocently, stretching out on the bed. 

‘Natasha, when you came in you looked… I don’t know, I haven’t seen you like that in years.’ Laura’s voice is low and she eases herself down on the edge of the bed. ‘What happened?’

‘I- I can’t. Clint?’ 

‘Ultron has these kids. Twins. The girl has freaky mind tricks- can make you see your worst memory.’

Laura pales as Natasha just stares at the ceiling.

‘I’m so sorry, sweetheart.’ Her hand fastens over Nat’s squeezing. ‘What can we do?’

‘I just need to be here, with you.’ Nat’s voice is low, filled with emotion. ‘I need a night in our bed, under a roof with our children, and when we go and fight I know who I’m going home to.’

‘Me.’ Laura takes Clint’s hand in her other, and lays both of their hands over her stomach. ‘And Nate. You’re both coming home to us.’

‘Yes ma’am.’ Clint grins. 

‘Amen to that.’ Nat agrees, and theres a soft knock on the door, then a fumble as it’s pushed open.

‘Mama? Can I call you mama now?’ Lila jumps onto the bed, piling onto Natasha.

‘Yes, honey. You did so well, with the boys. You were so so smart.’

‘Thank you! I remembered just like you taught me.’ Lila says proudly.

‘Well done.’ Natasha presses a kiss to the top of her head. ‘Now why don’t you run and find your brother and we can all make dinner together?’

‘Shpaghetti?!’ Lila asks, eyes wide and Nat looks to Laura, who nods.

‘Yes, sunshine, spaghetti.’ 

She runs out, wooping. 

‘All the kids in the world and we got the best.’ Clint grins.

‘Nah, we made the best.’ Laura corrects. ‘That was all us.’

‘Those kids are going to break hearts when they’re older.’ Nat giggles. ‘Oh God, the trail of broken hearts the Bartons will leave.’

‘Tasha!’ Laura rolls her eyes. ‘Don’t start. We have years before we have to worry about romantic problems.’

‘I don’t know, Cooper has been talking about Sarah Knight a lot.’

‘Sarah Knight?’ Natasha repeats, her nose wrinkling. ‘She can’t even spell romantic. He could do so much better.’

‘Nat, he’s 9.’

‘Still. Our son can do better.’ 

‘He’ll end up in the right place, just like us.’ Clint collapses down onto the bed beside Laura.

‘Took a while,’ She agrees. ‘But we got here.’

‘Never thought on our wedding day we’d end up with three kids and a kitchen full of super heroes.’ Clint sighs.

‘The kids, yes. Superheroes? I hoped we’d grown out of that by now.’ Nat frowns. ‘Retired, you know, quiet life.’

‘Quiet life?’ Laura repeats, shocked. ‘Don’t tell me The Black Widow is turning into a domestic goddess.’

‘You’re already a Goddess.’ Clint drawls. ‘But really, Nat? You’d be up for that?’

‘Maybe I wanna piece of all the action.’ Nat blushes.

‘Action?’

‘Dropping the kids at school, making pancakes, mowing the lawn. Everyday things, you know.’

‘I know.’ Laura shifts to lean on Natasha’s shoulder. ‘I’d love that, Nat. As much as you want to be home, I’ll buy flour for pancakes.’

Clint wiggles over, squashing them all together. ‘The more nights together in this bed, the better.’

‘я тебя люблю.’ Nat whispers.

‘We love you too, Tasha.’ Laura replies. ‘Now, which one of you is going to rub my feet?’

‘I-’ Nat starts, then she recognises the feeling on the back of her neck. She turns to the door, and visible just though the crack Lila left ajar is Bruce.

‘Shit.’ Her curse makes their head turn. Clint immediately stands.

‘Nat, I’ll-’

‘No. I can do this.’ Natasha stands, cracks her neck from left to right, and touches Laura’s stomach gently once more in goodbye.

‘Let’s go for a walk, Banner.’

Bruce is standing, shell shocked, in the doorway. ‘I-I-.’

‘Come on, outside.’ Natasha leads him down the stairs through the living room where Lila and Cooper are trying to unsuspiciously steal the TV remote. ‘Hey, kids, no more Frozen, okay?’

‘But M-’ Lila stops her whine as she sees Bruce.

‘It’s okay арахис, he knows.’ Nat soothes.

‘Mama it’s my favorite!’ Lila squeals, already halfway to pressing play.

‘And what does Cooper think about that?’

‘I wanna watch Mad Max.’ Cooper grumbles.

‘That is not an appropriate movie.’ Natasha crosses her arms. ‘You know this.’

‘I saw you and mummy watching it! It’s just cars.’

‘When you’re older, Coop. We can have a family movie night.’ Nat tries. ‘Please may you take your sister upstairs and read the Frozen book with her?’

‘Again?’ Cooper pouts as Lila jumps up and down.

‘Again!’ She shouts, already sprinting up the stairs. ‘Come on, Cooper!’

‘Let’s move, Bruce.’

Natasha opens the door and ushers him though. When they’ve started on a round of the East field, she starts.

‘How long were you watching?’

‘I didn’t mean to.’ Bruce admits, quietly. ‘I overheard Laura mention the Maximoff girl, and I wanted to know if- if you saw something as bad as me. Then you kept talking, and I didn’t understand- I wasn’t sure-’ Bruce stops himself quickly.

‘You weren’t sure about the nature of our relationship.’ Nat finishes for him. She’s never come out to anyone before. It was Laura, and then it was Clint, and that was it. They made their family. 

‘Yes.’

Natasha takes her time. She looks back to the house, sees shapes moving in Lila’s room upstairs, in their bedroom and knows that no matter what happens, she has somewhere to return to. 

‘We’re married.’

‘Married?’ Bruce repeats. ‘As is…’

‘Larua. Clint. Me. We’re together. The children are ours, all of ours.’ 

Bruce thinks this through. ‘Congratulations.’

‘What?’

‘You’re pregnant. I mean, Laura is- you’re having a baby, so congratulations.’ Bruce mumbles.

‘Really?’ Natasha’s face splits into a grin.

‘Yeah. Did you say… Natasha? For a name?’

‘Nathaniel.’ Nat corrects. ‘A little boy.’

‘Beautiful. You’re good with them.’ 

‘They’re the best. Lila is practically a human lightbulb and Cooper is easily the kindest, most honest person I know.’

‘How long have you been together?’

‘Years. On our way to ten years now.’ Natasha nods to herself. ‘Cooper came along fast, and we got married faster.’

‘You met in SHIELD?’

‘Yeah. I actually met Laura, first.’ Nat chuckles. ‘People usually think it’s Clint, or something- that we both met through him or- no. It was Laura. She was meant to be my translator when I first came to SHIELD, but I spoke perfect English so we just talked shit. I fell in love with her, and then we both fell in love with Clint, and he literally fell in love because he saw us together and fell down two flights of stairs. We got married in the middle of this field a year after he got out of the hospital with a broken arm from that fire escape, and Laura was 2 months pregnant with Coop.’

‘What was the wedding like?’

‘Small. Just us.’ Nat says regretfully. ‘It’s illegal, the three of us. Then it was illegal for Laura and I too, so Clint and Laura got legally married in a courtroom, with me as witness, then we all came back there and said our proper vows.’

Bruce is quiet for the entire long side of the field, then he says, quite quietly. ‘I’m sorry, Natasha.’

‘You don’t need to be, Bruce.’

‘I made you uncomfortable and I-’

‘I hid my relationship with Clint, let alone our relationship with Laura. It’s not your fault. You did nothing wrong.’

‘Will you tell the others?’

‘Honestly? I think they wouldn’t know if we all made out in front of them.’ Nat looks at him, then laughs. He joins in awkwardly. ‘I was worried about you finding out, because I knew how you felt. The others? I don’t care.’

‘This is going to be… interesting.’

‘I take it you don’t mean fighting a literal robot?’

‘No, I mean Tony Stark finding out about your marriage.’ 

They stroll back to the house in silence, Bruce almost feeling himself heal with the singing of the birds, and how the wet grass soaks through the bottom of his trousers. As they get close they see Lila waving from the top of the porch steps and when Nat returns the wave she leaps down the stairs, sprinting over to them.

‘Mama! I love it when you’re at home.’ Lila throws herself at Natasha, and Nat picks her up without thinking. ‘Mummy says dinner is ready.’

‘Spaghetti?’ Nat asks on cue.

‘Uh huh! Shpaghetti!’ Lila says happily, staring at Bruce with the honest, mildly terrifying gaze of a child. ‘You have pretty eyes.’

‘Oh, thank you.’ Bruce says abruptly. ‘I- uh, I like your bow.’

‘Thank you! You can have it if you like, I have another one in my bedroom.’ Lila takes it off the end of her plait and uses her place in Nat’s arms to pin it into Bruce’s hair. Natasha barely stifles a snort.

‘Beautiful.’ Lila says decisively, wiggling until Nat puts her down, then taking her hand and beginning to drag her back.

‘Thank you?’ Bruce says quietly, reaching up to touch the bow.

‘Don’t you dare take it out.’ Nat’s voice is nails. ‘My daughter gave that to you as a gift.’

‘Okay.’

‘Lookin’ good, Banner.’ Tony wolf whistles as he comes in laughing until Lila looks up at Clint and asks, quite loudly.

‘Why is he being mean to Uncle Bruce? You said people only made fun of people because they were jealous.’ Lila looks at Tony with wide eyes. ‘I have another in my room, I can run and get it if you like!’

She sprints up the stairs and Tony looks from the space Lila was to Clint, who shrugs. ‘What?’

Nat just sighs. It’s going to be a long night.

‘So, you’re going to save the world from this… murderous AI robot thing you created?’ Laura asks, eyebrows raised.

‘Of course we are, honey, we’re The Avengers!’ Clint declares, throwing his arms wide.

Laura sighs, passing him a beer as she passes. ‘Idiot.’ 

‘This is a fine place, Mrs Barton.’ Steve looks out at the darkness. Just darkness. No light pollution, just the stars stretching out from the porch where they all sit, the house silent, Lila and Cooper having gone to bed a few hours ago after a lot of bribery. 

‘Thank you, Captain Rogers .’ Laura replies and he laughs.

‘Okay okay, Laura .’

‘There we go.’ Laura pokes Clint, ‘I got the super soldier on my side now.’ 

She foregoes squashing onto the edge of the porch swing with Clint and Tony, and instead walks over to Natasha, leaning on the edge of her chair, giving Natasha the choice to move over just a bit, and when Tony is busy exclaiming how shocking it is Clint has two children that are only mildly feral she loops a finger through Laura’s belt loops and pulls her down half onto her lap.

‘That’s better.’ Nat whispers into Laura’s neck. 

‘Is this okay?’ Laura asks and she feels Nat shrug against her.

‘I’ve seen so much today, they can’t throw anything worse at me.’ Nat wraps her arms around Laura’s waist, cradling her stomach, lifting slightly to relive Laura of the weight of their baby. ‘Besides, maybe I just want to hold my wife.’

‘Softie.’ Laura mutters, leaning back into Natasha’s shoulder. Clint looks over at him, his eyes soft with affection.

‘Damn, you happy to share, Barton?’ Tony says and it met with three glares.

‘What?’ He holds up his hands in surrender. ‘I know guys who are into that.’

‘Jesus Christ, Stark. I’m heavily armed.’ Natasha threatens. ‘Leave us alone.’

‘Okay.’ Tony sinks into the cushions, cradling his beer. ‘My bad. So, Rogers, you like the quiet life?’

‘Yeah, I guess I could see this for myself.’ Steve admits. ‘It seems impossible right now, but maybe someday.’

‘I get that.’ Nat grins, leaning her chin onto the top of Laura's head, just reaching given Laura's position slumped across her. ‘But remember, everyday is all there is.’

‘Romantic.’

‘Didon, right?’ Bruce asks.

Nat flushes. ‘Maybe.’

‘She’s a nerd.’ Clint whispers dramatically. ‘She just hides it well.’

‘Okay, Mr Toolbelt.’ Natasha sticks out her tongue and Laura laughs.

‘He does look fine in it, baby.’

Nat nods approvingly, winking at Clint.

‘B-’ Steve starts to repeat it, but cuts himself of.

‘Okay, I’ll bite then.’ Tony looks between them. ‘Baby?’

Clint coughs, looking away, and Laura says quiet. They’re giving Nat the out, she knows this.

‘Maybe if you had two brain cells or a functioning heart you’d be able to put two and two together, tin can.’ She lands on finally, her tone wry and sardonic.

‘I think it’s time to turn in!’ Bruce declares, breaking the semi-awkward silence that broke out. 

Steve stands. ‘I would agree, thank you for your hospitality, Laura.’

‘Thank you for your grace, Rogers.’ Laura salutes jokingly. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’

‘Tony and Steve, you’re in the guest room. Bruce, you can take Nat’s room?’ Clint offers and Bruce nods. ‘Thank you.’

‘I can take the couch if Nat-’

‘I’ll be fine, Stevie.’ Natasha grins. ‘I’m sure I’ll find a bed to fall into.’ 

Steve coughs, turning red, but follows Bruce out. Tony trails out too, almost walking into the door as he stares at Laura. The minute the screen door is closed they burst out laughing.

‘Oh my lord, it’s worse than when Lila let it break in the middle of her school play!’ Laura wheezes.

‘Tony’s face!’ Natasha adds. ‘And Bruce’s distraction technique.’

‘Oh, that boy is too sweet for that team.’

‘Hey! That’s our team.’ Clint pouts.

‘Yeah, you’re married to a third of that team.’ Natasha giggles. ‘A solid thirty three per cent.’

‘Point three three.’ Laura finishes. ‘I want all the Avengers I can get.’

‘Well, you can have us.’ Clint doffs a pretend hat. ‘M’lady.’

‘So I guess your room is out of action.’ Laura pouts artfully, hands on her hips, standing beside Clint.

‘What a shame.’ Natasha jokes. ‘I guess the couch is calling my name.’

‘Oh, it’s broken.’

‘Broken?’ Nat repeats, eyebrow cocked and Clint nods solemnly.

‘Broken.’

‘I guess I’ll have to pull the truckle out from Cooper’s room.’

‘Oh he’s been having trouble sleeping recently.’ Clint says smoothly.

‘It wouldn’t be a good idea to wake him.’

‘Mr and Mrs Barton.’ Natasha sighs. ‘The lengths you’ll go to get me in your bed.’

Clint grins in his wonky way, holding open the screen door. ‘It’s our grand plan, baby, you know that.’

‘We’re out of toothpaste.’ Clint holds out the empty tube and Natasha pouts.

‘You mean, you used the last toothpaste.’

‘Theres more in the guest bathroom.’ Laura calls from her place lying spread eagle in the middle of the bed, a bowl of crisps balanced  on her stomach.

‘I’ll go.’ Nat scuffs Clint’s hair. ‘Dumbass.’

‘You love this dumb ass.’ 

‘Sure I do.’ Nat sighs, leaving their bedroom.

‘Hey Stark.’

Tony is sat on the edge of the bathtub in shorts and an AC/DC t-shirt Nat recognizes as one of Clint’s work shirts. 

‘Evening, Romanoff.’ Tony raises one eyebrow, and she knows he’s waiting to say something. She ignores him, rummaging around in the cupboard until she finds some toothpaste, and not the pink kiddy stuff Lila loves.

‘So a menage-a-trois.I wouldn’t have pegged you for that.’ He lands on finally and Nat almost bursts out laughing.

‘Stark, we have children, you understand that, right?’ She snorts. ‘It’s not some sort of clandestine arrangement.’

‘It was clandestine, actually.’ Tony points out smartly.

Nat shrugs. ‘To avoid a situation like this.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like you calling my marriage a menage-a-trois.’

‘Is it not? Technically?’ 

Natasha frowns. ‘I guess.’

‘Exactly.’ Tony fist pumps. ‘Two-for-two!’

‘Okay, okay, calm down.’ 

Tony grins, drops his toothbrush in the pot and narrows his eyes at her.

‘You’re happy here, aren’t you?’

Natasha immediately crosses her arms defensively. ‘It’s my home, Stark.’

‘I don’t think I’ve seen you properly happy before.’ He continues slowly and she shrugs.

‘My wife, my kids. They’re here. Even if I’m with Clint half my heart is always here.’ 

‘Do you want a lawyer from Stark? I bet Pep would help.’ Tony offers casually.

‘Why would I need that?’ 

‘You know, to make your marriage official, or whatever.’

Nat grins. ‘Thanks, but that’s not going to happen. Our marriage is official in the ways that count for us.’

‘Sure sure.’ He shoots her a thumbs up, then pauses by the door. ‘I bet the consummation was awesome.’

‘Stark!’ Natasha throws the toothpaste at him.

‘What?’ He tosses it straight back, then freezes, turning around. ‘Hello, small spawn.’

‘Mama, what does consummation mean?’ Lila asks, eyes wide, in her elsa nightdress, bunny teddy held right to her chest.

Natasha glares daggers at Tony and he flinches, practically running back to his room, but not before he hears Natasha offer.

‘I’ll tell you when you’re a little bit older. How about a story to get you back to sleep?’

‘Three?’

‘Just one, honey, you need your rest.’

‘Two? The best negotiation is compromis-ation.’ Lila stumbles out and Natasha sighs, scooping Lila up.

‘Grumps needs to stop talkin’ you to about his work.’  

‘That took a while, Clint’s out like a light.’ Laura whispers as Nat sneaks back in. 

‘Tony. Then Lila.’

‘Ah. Get in here.’ Laura wiggles slightly closer into Clint’s sleeping body and he mumbles in his sleep, throwing an arm around her.

‘I’m trapped now, come on.’ Laura reaches out and Natasha lets herself get pulled onto the mattress.

‘I love you, Tasha.’ She murmurs, pressing her face into Nat’s neck and linking their hands on Nat’s hip.

‘I love you too, Laur. I’m so happy I-’ Nat stops herself, and Laura waits until she’s taken a deep breath. ‘I pretended to fail, in there , to try and avoid my graduation.’

‘Oh, Nat.’ Laura says quietly, her grip on Nat’s hip tightening slightly, knowing theres more.

‘I guess I just- I knew that this is what I wanted: A family, a home, and you’ve given it to me.’

‘I love you.’ Laura repeats. ‘I’d give you the world on a silver platter if I could, we both would.’ She punches Clint lightly.

‘What?’ He rolls over.

‘We’re giving Nat the world.’

‘Sure, no problem, in the morning, though, right?’ He yawns, kisses his fingers and then pats Nat’s forehead. ‘Love you, Nattie.’

‘Love you too, Clint.’ Nat laughs softly and leans in, kissing Laura. 

‘Goodnight, Laur.’

‘Night, Tasha.’ 

Clint is gone when Natasha wakes up, and Laura has stolen the entire duvet and three pillows, propped between her legs and under her waist in an attempt at being comfortable.

‘Nat?’

So it was a failed attempt.

‘Slept badly?’ 

‘You know it.’ Laura would roll over, but can’t quite and instead sits up, laying one hand on her stomach. ‘Nate’s up too.’

She takes Nat’s hand and lays it over her belly, and Natasha feels the small kicks.

‘He’s a fighter, thats for sure.’

‘Nah, no way.’ Laura pats, patting her stomach proudly. ‘This kid is gunna be an artist.’

‘An artist?’

Laura rethinks. ‘Or an engineer. We need at least one of the three to get filthy rich, or we won’t get a nice retirement home.’

‘I’m sure we could bully Stark into buying one for us.’ Nat grins and Laura shakes her head.

‘No way, Mrs Barton, no more of this super hero co-living.’ She orders and Natasha laughs, carefree and unapologetic, feeling happier than she has in months just to be under this roof.

‘Yes, Mrs Barton, ma’am.’ Natasha wraps her arms around Laura from behind, letting the woman fall into her embrace. ‘Now, how come we both call each other Clint’s last name. That doesn’t seem fair.’

‘It does not Mrs Morse.’ Laura grins, taking Natasha’s hand from her belly and kissing the back of it, before resting it just on her collarbone.

‘Indeed, Mrs Romanoff.’ Nat wiggles slightly to make herself comfortable. ‘Why don’t you try and get some more sleep? I’m sure Clint can handle the kids.’

‘That’s funny.’ Laura yawns, already half asleep. ‘They’re a hand- hand…. ful.’ She manages finally her eyes shut and head lolling against Nat’s chest.

‘There we go.’ Natasha whispers, planting a kiss to the top of Laura’s head. 

‘This looks cosy.’

Natasha opens her eyes to glare (with love) at Clint. She knew he was coming upstairs, and she heard him opening the door, and let him watch them for a few moments before he spoke.

‘Shh, Laurs finally-’

Laura moves. 

‘Clinton.’ Nat practically growls. ‘You’re in my room the next time we’re home.’

It’s a threat akin to being sent to the couch. It was never actually Nat’s room. It was just Auntie Nat’s room for when people stayed over, or raised their eyebrows when they explained that yes, a single woman lived with a married couple and their three children. Natasha was a widow, that was the story they usually led with, if people asked. If they didn’t ask, they didn’t say anything- people can extrapolate whichever details they want from there, they passed the point of caring one and a half children ago.

Clint pouts perfectly and holds out his tray. ‘Peace offering?’

‘You’ll have to offer me more than coffee.’ Nat grumbles, but accepts it anyway, checking how hot the bottom of the mug is, then, satisfied, resting it on the top of Laura's head. 

‘I can offer you a lot more than that, honey.’ Clint winks roguishly, sitting back on one hip, ever the ex-carnie.

‘Hmm.’ Natasha is unimpressed, her eyebrow tracking up even higher towards her hairline.

Laura just groans, patting Natasha’s thigh vaguely. ‘Take it for me, Tasha, I’m about 2 months too pregnant for an orgasm.’

‘You can watch next time, love, but for now we’ve got-’ Nat points to the door and a moment later theres the sound of running feet.

‘Mama! Mummy! Daddy!’ Cooper barrels into the room, almost running slam into Clint. ‘Tony says I can have a ride in his suit!’

‘Oh hell no.’ Laura and Natasha say in unison. 

‘I’m going to go and fist fight a billionaire.’ Nat adds, lifting her mug and draining it, tapping Laura's shoulder.

‘Okay, I’ve got pancakes downstairs.’ Clint rushes over to help Laura up, letting Natasha wiggle out from behind her.

‘Mornin’ bud, I swear you get taller every night!’ Natasha scoops Cooper up over her shoulder, making him scream with delight.

‘Mama! I’m not that much taller! I wanna be tall like Thor!’

‘Yeah, yeah, just taller than your dad, right?’ Laura tickles Cooper’s feet.

Together they head down the stairs, Clint leading, rambling about how no, pancakes are a healthy breakfast and yes, he can cook other things . That just makes Laura snort. They both know he’s lying.

Steve is sitting at the kitchen table with Bruce, who offers a little wave as they enter. Tony is lying across the sofa, his feet propped up on a pillow.

‘No.’ Laura points at them. Tony immediately sits up straight and Natasha sniggers.

‘I’m going to miss this.’

‘A full house?’ Laura looks between the superheroes.

‘Sure.’ Nat grins, pouring herself another cup of coffee.

‘Well, we’ll have that soon enough.’ Laura groans as Nate kicks to prove her point. ‘I reckon one baby is about equal to a Bruce, an Iron Man and a supersoldier.’

Clint catches the end of their conversation. ‘If Thor had stuck around then maybe.’ 

‘So you guys have lived here long?’ Tony asks casually and Nat shoots him a look. ‘What? I’m just curious!’

Natasha is hyper aware of Steve. Bruce knows, Tony knows. Steve is a wild card. He’s all honour and traditional family values. Sure, The Barton-Morse-Romanovs believe in values of respect and kindness, but maybe not the traditional part.

‘We moved just before Cooper was born.’ Laura replies, not providing more information on who the we is. ‘To start a proper home, a family home.’

‘It’s certainly that.’ Tony raises an eyebrow at the washing on the line outside and Nat slaps the back of his head.

‘It’s a beautiful home.’ Steve takes over. ‘It just feels…’

‘Homely?’ Barton suggests with a smirk.

‘Sure.’ Steve shrugs. ‘I can’t imagine why you stick around the tower.’

‘There are some benefits.’ Clint’s eyes slide over to Natasha, and she can’t help but return the look. 

‘Nope, not before breakfast!’ Tony gags. ‘Cannot do romance before breakfast.’

‘Poor Pepper.’ Nat sighs, as Steve looks between them, then nudges Tony, lowering his voice.

‘They’re not together, Tones. He’s married.’

Tony narrows his eyes at Natasha, who shakes her head minutely. 

‘My bad. Just teasing.’ He corrects.

‘Well as penance for that, would you mind taking a walk to the garage?’ Laura asks, ‘Our tractor it just… it won’t start.’

Tony sighs dramatically, slapping his thighs then standing up. ‘Sure, why not. I’ll give her a kick.’

‘We’ll give you a shout when breakfast is ready!’ Clint promises, walking him to the door, offering a tough work jacket.

‘Shouldn’t this be your job?’ Tony pulls it on, lightly hitting Clint’s arm as he does. ‘Aren’t you the man of the house?’

‘Oh, trust me-’ Clint’s voice is low, and he cocks his eyebrow with delight. ‘-that’s definitely Nat.’

When Tony returns with Fury in tow Natasha almost bursts out laughing at the look on his face.

‘Mrs Barton, you-’ Tony shakes his head, pouting at her. ‘You’re something else.’

‘I know.’ Clint’s eyes are practically hearts as he looks at his wife and Fury clears his throat.

‘Bartons.’

‘Hey Grumps.’ Laura nods upstairs. ‘You have time to see the munchkins?’

‘No, I’m afraid not. Next time.’

‘They’ll be asking for you.’

Nat’s lips twitch upwards. ‘Hey.’

‘Romanov. Hill says hi.’

‘I say hi back.’ 

Fury takes a moment before sitting down, to look around, between them. He sees the family calender, marked with the dates Natasha and Clint are away, Cooper’s hockey matches, Lila’s school plays, Laura’s scans. He sees the framed photo of them, all three in white, Clint’s suit jacket slightly grass stained while Laura's hem is muddy, Nat just grinning between them as they each plant a kiss to her cheek. He knows. They know he knows. It’s just a Fury thing. Nat’s pretty sure he knows how the pyramids were made. 

‘She’s working on that leave you both requested. It’ll be done by the end of the week.’ 

‘Cheers.’ Clint slaps him on the back. ‘But first we have to like, take down a… robot? Is he a robot?’

‘He’s an artificial being.’ Tony corrects.

‘Is that not just a robot?’ Clint argues.

Bruce joins in. ‘No, he’s a physical representation of an AI-’

‘He’s easy to track. He’s everywhere-’ Fury cuts off their argument.

‘I’m going to finish reflooring the sunroom the minute I get back.’ Clint promises as Laura holds his hands, a few metres removed from the rest of the group outside the quinjet.

Laura and Natasha snorts, meeting each other’s eyes as it turns to laughter.

‘Hey! I will!’

‘Sure, Mr Toolbelt.’ Nat pats his shoulder supportively.

‘You’ll just find another part of the house to tear apart.’ 

Clint almost jumps for joy. ‘Actually, I was thinking the nursery-’

‘Just get back here in time for the baby to arrive, okay? Then we can think about the nursery.’ Laura presses a finger to his lips to silence him and he kisses the tip of it.

‘Deal.’

‘Yeah? I push out a human being and you paint a wall.’

‘Seems fair.’ Nat says amused. ‘We did do the hard work making him.’

‘I think I was also involved.’ Laura points to her stomach and Clint rolls his eyes lovingly.

‘Nat’s just phishing for credit.’

‘Credit I think I deserve!’

‘Sure you do, honey.’

‘Hey! You were pretty happy that day.’ Nat smirks proudly. ‘Don’t go back on oh baby, that was the best of my life now.’

‘Okay, okay.’ Laura holds up her hands. ‘Don’t torture me with memories. I feel like a beluga.’

‘You’re beautiful.’ Clint cradles her jaw. ‘More beautiful than the day we met.’

‘That’s because you were half-blind from that explosion, Clinton.’ Nat pushes him forwards slightly. ‘Just give her a goodbye kiss from me.’ 

‘You could-’ Laura tries, but Natasha shakes her head, feeling Steve and Bruce’s eyes on their backs. 

‘No, no I couldn’t. Go on.’ 

Nat can feel the rest of the team’s looks, but she can’t find the power to pull her own eyes from the way Clint kisses Laura, the way she returns, hands scraping through the back of his hair. Natasha can feel the hairs on the back of her own hair raise as she watches, knowing Laura prefers her long hair to Clint’s shorn neck; how she prefers to fist Nat’s hair and pull it back to reveal her neck-

Nat really can’t think about this now.

The second Clint’s lips leave hers, Laura hugs Natasha tightly, and just for a moment her lips brush the corner of Nat’s, finishing their journey by her ear as she whispers.

‘I love you, Natasha Morse. Natasha Morse-Barton-Romanov. My wife, my husband’s wife, mother of my children.’ Laura's stomach presses against Nat’s uncomfortably, but she wouldn’t change it for the world. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you more, Laur.’ Nat whispers back. ‘And I love him. So I’ll keep him safe.’

‘Yes. Yes you will.’