Chapter 2

"Natasha!" Clint was yelling, it hurt her head.

"Natasha, c'mon, time to get up."

A muscular arm looped under her arms, the other under her knees, and began to lift her up and out of the now suddenly cramped and humid phone booth. Natasha opened her eyes and looked up at Clint, her vision slightly bleary.

His strong, stubbled chin was flexing with worry and Natasha could tell he was grinding his teeth; he did that when he was worried or frustrated. She closed her eyes again out of exhaustion and let Clint carry her to his car and loaded her into his back seat. The car interior smelled like coffee and just purely Clint, comforting Natasha. He stroked her hair, moving a soft red lock from her eyes.

"I was worried for a second there…" He murmured quietly, moving away and shutting the car door behind him. He jogged to his side of the car and started it up to drive to his apartment. Natasha listened to quiet jazz playing on the radio on the way there, being lulled by the combination of the engine's hum and gentle saxophones.

The car slowed to a stop and the car was shut off. She heard Clint get out of the car and move to her side, opening the door and lifting her out. He pressed a button on his keys, the car honking once to indicate it was locked. Clint trudged up the stairs for what seemed like forever until finally coming to a stop at his door.

Once inside, Clint dropped his keys on a side table, slipped his shoes off, and stumbled into his room where he unceremoniously dropped Natasha. He nudged her to move over and crawled in next to her. Natasha grumbled and shifted, wormed her way under the covers and sighed. Clint mimicked her and followed in suit, and even allowed Natasha to roll over into his chest.

The two fell asleep against each other, both eased into slumber by the sounds of heartbeats and their soft breathing.

...

Clint woke up a few hours later at some ungodly hour and mopped a hand over his face restlessly. He looked down at Natasha who appeared to be sleeping; her arms were wrapped tightly around his torso and he noticed one of his arms was around her shoulders. She was breathing slowly and evenly and he sighed with relief.

"Hey, Natasha? You awake?" Clint murmured quietly, making sure his partner was deep asleep. There was no answer, so he continued.

"I was really worried back there," he whispered hesitantly, "and I know you need a break sometimes," Clint sighed.

"I just…I don't want to lose you. When you called, I thought you were hurt or maybe worse," his voice was shaking with something, but Clint still pushed on.

"I can't imagine not working," Clint paused, "no, living without you, so please don't ever do something so stupid like that ever again, alright?" His voice cracked at the last word, and his body trembled for a moment.

I love you, don't leave me like this.

Natasha's eyes were wide open and misty as she listened to Clint's short speech, her face hiding against his chest. Her head was beating painfully with the makings of one hell of a hangover and her mouth was dry.

"I'm sorry, Clint," Natasha's voice hoarse from hours of drinking, and she cringed.

"I won't do it again, I promise."

I love you too.

Clint looked down at Natasha with watery eyes (he'll never admit this, however, to anyone) confusedly. She looked up and touched her nose to his gently and allowed their breaths to mingle. Clint pressed a soft kiss to her lips and she kissed back.

They continued gingerly kissing one another, sharing their worries without saying anything, until they were satisfied enough with each other to go back to sleep. They bother knew that no matter what happened to each other, no matter what kind of burdens where thrown their way, they would always have this, and everything would be alright.

And done! Sorry if either of them were out of character, I just wanted to get this point across without having to go to smooshy on their personalities. ||OTL Make sure to R&R guys, and thanks for reading! All constructive criticism is welcome, just don't be dicks. C: