Authors note:

Hi everybody! It's been a long time since I wrote, approximately 5-ish years, so I apologise if I am rusty. I've also never done a Clint – Natasha fanfiction before so again I really apologise if it's a slow start up or if a few of my facts are wrong. I've just been obsessed with this paring ever since the first Avengers film. For all purposes the Bruce Banner – Natasha Relationship is void and so is the fact that Clint has a wife and children. Anyway I really hope you guys enjoy, and please leave a comment if you liked it or if you have any pointers going into the future!

The battle of New York was finally over.

The Avengers sat around the small table at the Shawarma restaurant, all with the same haunted and exhausted expression plastered across their faces. The kind owners of the small restaurant had been very willing to spare the remainder of the food left in the shop, even though there would be no sign of any food deliveries for at least a week due to the absolute carnage on the streets. One of the said owners was busy sweeping up glass and debris that had fallen from the windowpanes and ceiling. The only other noise was the chewing from the table.

"It's good, right? This was a good decision" Tony stated suddenly, filling the silenced air. Bruce nodded in agreement as he stuffed fist fulls of fries into his mouth. The 'other guy' had burned through a lot of energy during battle and therefore Bruce felt famished. More famished than when he was living in a poverty-stricken warzone at the other end of the world.

"Not like there was very much choice, every other building within walking radius is ash" replied Natasha, keeping a cool composure as she slid her eyes from her food to Tony. Even through the exhaustion and pain that was evermore present now that the rush of adrenaline was gone, her cool composure never slid. "But yes, it is very good"

"Are you not in a feasting mood?" Thor directed towards Steve whilst hungrily eyeing up his plate of meat and fries. The super soldier was sat hunched over, fist against cheek, almost falling asleep where he sat. He felt exhausted. More exhausted than when he had taken his troops into battle against Hydra. He also felt a little ashamed, as he was never the giving up and surrendering type. But for one fleeting moment after rescuing a large group of hostages and being blown up into the air by an alien grenade, he had seriously considered it.

"Appears I'm not really that hungry" Steve sighed while leaning back against his chair. He ran his hands through his golden locks and flecks of dried blood fell onto his lap as he did so. "Go ahead"

As Thor quickly grabbed the plate of food and began shovelling food into his mouth in a much messier way than even Bruce had, Natasha allowed her eyes to fall upon her partner. As blood soaked, sweaty, battered and bruised as he was, he was still the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. She allowed herself to drown in his image. His brown hair was matted with blood and dishevelled, his uniform was ripped in various places and some of those holes exposed the very red scrapes and cuts that littered his skin. His face was battered on one side and his left temple look like it had taken a beating all on its own. His lip was burst and dried blood caked his lower lip. She finally allowed herself to look at his eyes. Dark Blue. Hollow. Tired. Traumatised. Natasha shivered as the memory of his bright blue eyes came into her thoughts when he was under Loki's influence. When he was no longer her partner, but somebody sent to end her life. Something that had happened many years prior. But he had made a different call and spared her life and gave her a reason for being. If she had not managed to get the upper hand however during their fight upon the Helicarrier, there would have been no other call than death.

The only indication to her distress was the small shiver that raked her body and the slight hitch in her breathing, however he noticed it and his eyes snapped to hers immediately. Of course, he noticed it. They were so in tune with one another it was sometimes scary. As though they were the same person in two bodies. Not to mention he was the most observant person she had ever known, noticing things that others overlooked. Their eyes only connected for mere seconds but in those seconds a full conversation had been established and Clint had shifted his eyes to looking outside again.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm Okay. Are you Okay"

"I will be"

"So" Tony stated whilst cracking his knuckles "I have something to announce"

"So why haven't you yet" Clint asked, playfulness playing on his voice with a slight undertone of annoyance.

Tony laughed and all eyes finally looked at him "Woah okay there Legolas, I was going to TRY and ease you all into this slowly but seeing as you like it fast -" Tony wiggled his eyebrows at the statement, obviously meaning for it to be taken in a sexual way. Natasha in response rolled her eyes.

" – I am hereby asking you all to move into the formally known Stark Towers, which will be rebranded and named as the Avengers Tower!" Tony finished with hand gestures; excitement wide in his eyes. There was silence at the table for 5 seconds before a flurry of questions hit at once.

"Are you sure that's wise Tony? We would all be a vulnerable target in one area at one time, especially during the evening"

"Me and the big guy living in an enclosed space, high up, in the middle of the city? Tony that's a recipe for disaster"

"As nice as it would be to be a resident on Earth, my world also needs me, and my quarters is quite fitting"

Tony smiled as the other three Avengers quarrelled amongst themselves. Bringing up more questions and subsequently answering each other's concerns. Tony's smile only got wider.

"And what about you two? Are you going to be joining into this mini question war anytime soon?" Tony asked, gesturing towards his other 3 teammates. Natasha and Clint were staring at one another, having yet another silent conversation.

"What do you want to do?"

"We don't know these people. We know Shield. These new surroundings would be different to us"

"There nice people"

"I didn't say they weren't. Just that it would be impractical"

"HEY!" Tony stated, slightly raising his voice and waving in front of the two master assassins "Enough of that, use your WORDS"

Clint sighed and scratched the stubble on his face. He placed both elbows on the small table and the black widow had to remind herself that Clint was her partner in the field and nothing more. As she tried to not sneak a peak at his bulging muscles. Instead she stared straight at Tony, her icy glare boar straight into his soul. Tony was thankful when Clint began to speak so that he did not have to look back at the black widow. Truth be honest, she scared the living shit out of him. And he was certain that if he did not have his suit on at all times around her, that she would be capable of killing him 100 different ways within seconds.

"Are you sure you want to invite us to live with you and the others? Especially myself. Considering I was batting for the wrong team for a while there" Clint bit his lip hard, re opening the cut that was previously there.

"Clint –"Natasha replied sharply, before being interrupted by Tony

"Don't be stupid, you're a part of this team. None of that was your fault Barton. Plus, we need somebody to keep little miss fiery under control" Tony playfully added the last sentence, before winking at Natasha. This evoked only a glare.

"We would need to speak to Fury"

"Already done"

"We would need to grab our gear from the Shield base"

"Already done also"

"Don't you need to repair your building first? It took quite a hit during the attack. Especially after the other guy pulverised Loki" Bruce asked. He was coming around to the idea. As much as he couldn't see himself co-habiting with others, he knew every single person here could hold their own against the other guy. Plus, he trusted them like family. And trust wasn't easily earned.

"Again, Banner, already done. Benefits of being a billionaire" Tony rolled his eyes but didn't go into much more detail. "So, let's vote! Who's in?"

"It would be nice to have quarters here on Earth, so I could see Jane and my friends here" Thor mused to the room and himself "But I would not be able to reside for long periods of time. For Asgard needs me". Tony reached over and slapped his fellow Avengers bicep "That's understandable buddy! So, 1 for yes, Banner? Other guy?" Tony focused on the Avenger on his left.

Thor looked down at where Tony had slapped him and looked up confused. "Surely you are not in a sparring mood metal man? We have just been through battle"

Tony burst into loud laughter, which alerted the restaurant owner momentarily before he headed through the back to empty his dustpan for the 100th time. "No, No. It's just something friends do amongst one another. We will get you used to Earth's culture". In response to this Thor also began laughing, before punching Tony's arm back. Causing the billionaires arm to go dead. Tony winced and held his arm. "Banner?"

"I saw some of your plans. If you can guarantee safe rooms, including a lab and bedroom, that the hulk can be contained, I would be honoured" Banner smiled for the first time in a while. He had grown fond of Tony and saw the true heart and brilliance of the iron superhero.

Tony cheered "YES BANNER! It's already done. God this will be amazing. Cap?" Tony looked at the Avenger who tested him the most with almost childlike delight.

The captain sighed. Truth be told, he didn't really have anywhere to go except a very small apartment in Brooklyn. And as much as Tony Stark irritated the hell out of him, he could see himself living with his fellow teammates.

Ignoring Tony, Steve turned to Natasha. "What do you think?"

Natasha was caught by surprise. Sure, apart from Clint, she was very close to Steve. She admired how far he had come even despite his past, and the respect for authority that she also had. He was also very good looking on the eyes, and even though he was out of his time, his gentlemanly behaviour proved him to be a loyal and trustworthy team-mate. Clint scanned between his partner and Avenger team mate quickly and through slanted eyes. He felt himself become possessive over Natasha. She was HIS partner. Where along the lines did Natasha and Steve suddenly become so close that he needed her input to decide? Clint's mind began racing to several conclusions, but as soon as Natasha looked at him, he put all those possessive thoughts to the back of his mind. For no man could truly attempt to claim the Black Widow and live.

"What do you think Clint?" Her green eyes bore holes straight into his skull

"UM HELLO? Can't anybody speak for themselves? Does your boyfriend speak for you now Natasha?" Tony taunted. Clint felt Natasha stiffen beside him, but before she could resort to violence Clint answered calmly. "We're in"

Steve rubbed his face with the hand that wasn't sliced "I guess I am in too. But no funny business Tony"

"YESSSS!" Tony victory punched the air "Roommates! You're all going to love it. All the newest gadgets and nicest cars and weapons and-"Tony was cut off by the metallic scrape of a chair as Natasha stood up. Clint removed his foot that was blocking her path, and the black widow stalked out of the restaurant. Clint immediately dropped his empty wrapped that he had been clutching and went to follow his partner into the ruined streets.

"See you at home kiddies!"

So I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! I know it went into LOTS of detail at points, but I wanted to set the background and characters first. I have so many plans for this and I hope you all stick with me through the journey! Thanks again