Hey all. This is another idea that floated through my mind today, so I thought I'd write it out. Maybe it's dumb, but I hope you give it a try. It may or may not get Clintasha-y. I haven't decided yet. It will start before the first Avengers movie, and I may go through the other Avenger films as well. Happy reading! Don't forget to let me know what you think at the end :)

2012-Before the Events of New York

Laura looked around at the house, wondering if she was crazy. Was she doing the right thing? She fingered her coat gingerly. He would probably hate her, and she understood. She just couldn't do it anymore. She felt like a fraud in this life for a few years now, but she was too afraid to be honest. She's sure he would have understood if she had just talked to him, but every time she thought of telling him, she'd freeze up and think about the consequences. She opened the front door, taking one final look at her home. Maybe it was the coward's way out, but she couldn't bear to see his reaction, to feel his pain. He had support. He'd be all right. He'd be better off without her. She stepped onto the porch and went down the steps, feeling her heart pounding. She was doing this, really doing this. It was terrifying but exhilarating. She hurried over to her car and pulled open the door, sliding inside. She put the keys in the ignition and paused for a moment. Her children would suffer the most because they'd never understand. She had left them letters too, trying to explain it wasn't their fault, that she loved them but just needed to follow her dreams as she would want them to someday. She started the car, feeling herself begin to cry a little. No looking back. That was the promise she'd made to herself. It was time for a clean break, a new life. She pulled out of the driveway and never looked back.

Clint

He stopped at home first before going to pick up the kids from school and pre school. He knew Laura wasn't fond of his work, and she wanted him to quit. He wasn't sure why he couldn't just offer her that.

"Hello?" he called, coming inside. It was quiet, too quiet. He looked around, puzzled. Laura was usually somewhere in the house and would come to the door when he came home.

"Laura?"

He stepped forward slowly, doing a survey of the place. She was not there. Perhaps she was outside. Then he realized her car wasn't in the driveway. How had he missed that in the first place? She must have just gone out for the afternoon. Was she going to pick up the kids? She hadn't said anything. He decided to enjoy the moment's peace. Sure, he loved Laura and the kids' noise, but sometimes he appreciated hearing his own thoughts for a moment without the pressure of life and death attached to it. He went upstairs to put away his work equipment. He securely stored his bow and arrows to keep them safe from Cooper, who was getting into everything it seemed. Lila was beginning to copy him. At six and four years old, they were like small monkeys just getting into trouble. Clint changed into jeans and a t-shirt, throwing a plaid long sleeve shirt over top and was adjusting it when he saw the note on the bed on top of some other papers. Frowning, he bent to pick it up.

Dear Clint,

I don't even know how to begin. For a while now, I have been struggling with what feels like everything. I lost my identity somewhere along the way of this journey we are on together, and a part of me really wants to get it back. Actually, all of me wants to get it back. I never knew how to tell you. I never wanted to disappoint you or upset you, but I've realized now that it's not fair to me to hide these feelings. It's not fair to you either. I know that if you were feeling this way, I'd want you to do something about it. I wouldn't hold you back. I'm not trying to condone what I'm doing here as I know it's a really shitty thing I'm doing to you and Cooper and Lila, but I just can't do this anymore, Clint. I can't. I know this is the coward's way out, but I'm already gone. I'm sorry that this is the only goodbye I could give you. I'm sorry I'm such a coward. I love Cooper and Lila, Clint, and I love you. I just can't be a part of this family anymore. I hope someday you'll understand. I've left divorce papers for you to sign, and when they're ready, there are letters for Cooper and Lila too. I'm sorry.

Laura

Clint stared at the piece of paper with the horrible words in his hand as he started to tremble. He read it again, and again. He sank down onto the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. Laura was gone. Laura abandoned them. Laura left the kids. Laura left him. He looked over at the other papers, not even wanting to read them. She had started divorce proceedings? She had signed them?! He felt betrayed and outraged. His blood was boiling. Then he felt incredibly sad. What was he going to tell the kids?

Natasha

She cracked her knuckles as she circled the punching bag. This was her new way of releasing all her anger and sorrow from her past. She was trying not to think about her upcoming mission. She was trying not to think about anything. She charged the bag, throwing her punches into it hard. She imagined every person who had ever hurt her as she swung and punched.

"I hope my face isn't on there," Fury's voice said behind her. She turned, smirking at him.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Don't stay too late," he warned, pointing at her.

"Me? Nah," she said, waving her hand. She heard Fury chuckle as he walked away. She stayed until it was after six. She was packing up when her phone rang. She smiled when she saw who it was.

"Let me guess, you bombed your mission and need me to clean up the pieces for you," she teased.

"Tasha, I need you," Clint said, his voice thick with emotion. She paused, feeling bad for teasing him now.

"Okay. When and where?"

"My place. Now," he answered.

"See you soon," she promised. They hung up, and she hurried out to her vehicle. He sounded distraught. She hoped nothing had happened to his family.

Clint's Home

He had picked up the kids from school, and they wanted to know when Mom was coming home. He had put it off, but they were insistent. He couldn't lie to them. He just couldn't. He had fumbled the delivery, though. Badly. He had no idea how to start a conversation like that. Now, they wouldn't stop crying. In desperation, he'd called the only other person he could ever rely on: Natasha Romanoff.

"Clint?" Nat's voice said as she came into the house. He met her at the door, steering her to the other room while Cooper and Lila were still crying with each other on the floor of the living room.

"What the hell happened?" she demanded. "Clint?"

He stood in front of her, feeling broken. He clenched his jaw five times to stop from crying himself before he could talk.

"Laura's gone," he said hoarsely. Nat's eyes reflected shock.

"What? Gone where?" she asked.

"She left. She said she can't do this anymore," Clint answered. Nat felt sucker punched. How could Laura do such a thing to her family?!

"Oh my God," Nat breathed. Then it hit her. "You told the kids? Clint, why would you tell them right away?"

"They kept asking for her. I didn't know what to say. I told them first that she was just out and would be back later, but they wanted to know when later, and I blurted it out. Tasha, I messed it up so bad," Clint said, his voice cracking now.

"Their mother abandoned them. It's messed up no matter what you could have said," Nat assured him. "But I think you should have waited a little. Come on." She went to where Cooper and Lila were sniffling and whimpering and sat on the floor with them.

"Hey, guys," she said. Lila crawled into her lap and buried her face into her stomach. Cooper sat and stared at her. Nat looked up at Clint, who didn't know what to say to make anything better.

"Mummy's gone," Lila eventually said, muffled by Nat's sweater. Nat picked her up so she was in her arms properly and hugged her tightly.

"I know, sweetheart, but it's going to be okay."

"How?"

"We'll figure it out together, okay?"

"Okay."

Cooper still hadn't said anything. In fact, he had stopped making any sound altogether. Nat recognized the shock in his eyes. Cooper was going to be a bit numb for a while.

"Do you wanna color for me?" Nat asked Lila, who nodded slowly. "Okay, go get your books and crayons." Lila untangled herself from Nat and ran off to find them.

"Cooper?" Clint asked, but Cooper didn't respond. The boy got up carefully and went to his room, closing the door behind him.

"He's in shock," Nat reasoned.

"Oh God, Tasha, I did this wrong, so wrong. I can't do this," he said, beginning to hyperventilate. "I can't be a single Dad, not with my career. I can't, Tasha, I can't. Five minutes alone with them, and I already screwed up!"

"Clint, breathe," Nat said, gripping his shoulders as he started panicking. He grabbed her hands with his tightly as she squeezed his shoulders.

"I can't."

"In through your nose," Nat ordered, and Clint obeyed. "Okay, now out with your mouth."

He sputtered and whistled, the air coming out in choppy chunks.

"You can do better than that," she said firmly. "Again." He reluctantly obliged, still not exhaling smoothly. She made him do it ten times before he was doing it more easily.

"Nat," he started after.

"No," she interrupted. "You have to keep it together. At least in front of the children. You can't be upset in front of them because it will only enhance their panic and emotions."

"What am I gonna do?" he asked. "Nat, what am I gonna do?"

"Color with me, Auntie Nat," Lila said, returning with two books and her box of crayons. Nat gave Clint a meaningful look to stop him from bursting into anymore tears.

"Sure, honey," Nat told her. She turned to Clint again. "We will talk once they're asleep, okay?"

"Okay," he agreed.

"Now go cook something," she ordered, releasing him. He did as he was told, walking like a zombie over to the kitchen. Nat got onto her stomach beside Lila on the floor and started coloring with her. She felt a bit panicked herself. How was Clint going to manage this on his own? She wasn't sure if she'd be the best support for him.

...

"Time to eat, sweetheart," Clint said to Lila, who jumped to her feet. She grabbed his hand and went to her seat at the table. Clint knew she was scared he was going to leave her too. He really hated Laura in this moment for doing this to them. Nat got up, groaning from the cramps in her legs and arms from being on the floor.

"I'll get Cooper," she offered since Lila had a death grip on Clint's arm after she had sat down.

"Okay," Clint agreed, sitting down beside Lila. She still wouldn't let go.

Nat gently knocked on Cooper's bedroom door. She heard stirring inside, but he didn't answer.

"Hey, buddy," she said. "You wanna eat?"

"Go away."

"You want me to bring you something?"

"I said, go away!"

"Okay," Nat replied, slowly backing away and returning to the table. Clint looked at her hopefully when she appeared, but she just shook her head. She sat on the other side of Lila and tried to eat. The pasta was sitting in her stomach like glue.

"I gotta feed your brother," Clint said to Lila. "Can you let me do that please?"

Lila gave him a solemn look, still hanging onto him.

"I'm coming right back. I promise," he added. Nat felt her heart break for this little girl, who reluctantly let go of Clint's arm. He stood and put some pasta into a bowl and went over to Cooper's room.

Lila pushed hers away from her and rested her chin on her hands.

"You okay?" Nat asked her.

"I'm sad," Lila answered.

"I know."

"You're not going to leave are you?" Lila asked anxiously. Nat considered this for a moment. She couldn't exactly commit, especially with upcoming work, but she didn't want to make Lila any more sad than she already was.

"I'll stay for a little bit," Nat replied.

"Okay."

Clint returned, sighing heavily. He set the untouched bowl on the table and put his head in his hands.

"Hey," Nat said, making him look up at her. "We'll get through eh? Whatever it takes."

Clint remain expressionless, but he gave a slight nod. Nat took what she could get. It was a start.

Should I continue?

If anyone is interested, check out my profile for more Avenger stories :)