widows_kiss | Appointments Post

Not voluntarily.

[Which might have been a lie, but that wasn't the point.]

You want to go extreme camping. Now.

This isn't voluntary.

Soon as you've packed. Yes.

[Her gaze narrows on him a moment, because she is seriously contemplating arguing. Or booting him out and barricading herself in. Because as much as she loves him, sometimes he can be a real pain in her ass.

But he's got that look in his eye and she knows it all too well, so she huffs out an exasperated sigh and downs her lukewarm coffee before pushing herself to her feet.]

Why do I put up with you?

[She grumbles it as she pushes past him, heading for her room to dress warmly and pack.]

[He grins at her as she turns to go and pack.]

Because life would be so boring without me, sweetheart.

Don't you sweetheart me. [A pillow came flying at his head with deadly accuracy.] You better have packed me alcohol.

[He could have dodged it, absolutely, but in the interests of making her feel better, he let it hit him.]

Of course. Who do you think I am?

[She was still grumbling under her breath when she came back out a moment later, a bag tossed over one shoulder, dressed warmly enough to venture out into the mountains. Still, she looked less than thrilled at the prospect.]

You don't want me to answer that right now.

[He started sharing out the gear between them, the tent and supplies. They'd done this enough that they barely had to think about it anymore.]

Probably not.

Pepper's keeping an eye on things for us.

[Her hands didn't falter as she crouched to help him, taking her share of the supplies so they'd be divided up evenly. She flicks a glance at him from beneath her bangs.]

She'll let us know if they get back before we do?

[He gives a short nod.]

Yeah. She'll contact us on the journals.

[She huffs out a frustrated sigh as she finishes packing up her half of the supplies, making everything is there and secured for the trip.]

Fine. But when Coulson get's back, I'm officially filing a leave of senses report.

[He smirks over at her when she says that.]

Because those have always done so much good in the past.

They do when he's aware you've lost even more of the little you have left. I can't believe I'm doing this.

[She grumbles it, but there's not angry heat in the words, more exasperation than anything as she pushes to her feet and slings her sack over one shoulder.]

Yeah well, I've had a tough few months. Figure there had to be come side effects.

You know I wouldn't drag you if I didn't need it.

[If she didn't need it, more to the point.]

[She shot him a look that clearly stated he wasn't fooling anyone, but she also wasn't calling bullshit just yet. Because he knew her and he was right and being inactive here in the village while fretting about Coulson and James was going to quickly drive her mad.

So even though it was cold and still dark outside and that was the last place she actually wanted to be, it was action and effort and energy and she would take that because activity and exhaustion was better than sitting here worried and fretting.

And he knew her better than anyone, so he gave her exactly what she needed. Even if she'd bitch at him for it.]

As long as someone's here to get word to us if we're needed. [She repeats it, because she needs to. The fear of something terrible happening while she's gone is something that lingers.]

Come on, then. If we're going, let's go. before I change my mind and knock you out and leave you locked in a closet somewhere while I get some more sleep.

[He returns the look with a bland one of his own, placid and unruffled. Yes, she can see right through him, and he knows it, but these little deceptions are what let them keep going sometimes.

He fastens his coat and hefts the bags up onto his shoulders, taking a moment to adjust to the weight.]

I promise. They'll let us know.

[And he grins at her, opening the door for her.]

A fate worse than death.

[A scoff is the only reply she gives, because she's out the door ahead of him. She lets him lead the way once they get outside, because he would have planned ahead and had a destination - or at least a direction - in mind for them. Despite her complaints while packing up, she falls into step beside him, matching his pace with a silent sort of determination as they set out, falling into an old familiar rhythm at his side.

The next three days are filled with endless challenges and cold hikes as they make their way through the forest and into the mountains. They stop only long enough to set up camp at night and break it down at dawn, pushing each other at a brutal pace.

It's only on New Years Eve that there's a change of pace and they alter their direction early in the day so the sun still lingers low in the sky when they arrive at the hot springs. It's a welcome sight for Natasha, and though they take time to set up camp outside and eat a brief meal, there's one thing on her mind.

It's with a long groan of relief that she sinks down into the hot springs later that night, the stars overhead illuminating the area as the steam surrounds her.]

Okay that almost almost makes everything else worth it.

[It had been a pretty brutal trek, leaving them both exhausted and aching, too tired to do anything except set up and break camp, and keep walking. Definitely too tired to think or worry about what was going on in Luceti or back home, or in the past. That had been the idea after all.

Still, it's a definite relief to strip off and slide into the hot water, letting it soak the ache from his muscles.]

Oh god, that feels good.

[She lets her head loll back against the rocks behind her, her hair gathered up atop her head in an untidy knot, but she's too sore and tired to care about appearances right now.]

Mmmm. It does. But don't think this means I forgive you for all the rest of it.

[He moves to lean against the stone next to her, perching on the ledge that serves as a seat.]

I'll take my punishment like a man.

What, with much moaning and groaning?

[There is a laugh in her voice as she teases him, her head lolling to the side to peer at him with one eye. the other is closed as she lazes in the heated water, letting it ease the aches from her body]

Absolutely. I will complain and bitch until you get bored and forgive me just to shut me up.

[He smiles back at her for a moment before closing his eyes, letting out a soft sigh.]

There's always plenty of other ways to shut you up, you know.

Do you promise?

Mmm, I know you know every one of them already.

[That gets a laugh from as she lets her head roll back to a more comfortable position, her eyes still closed, although she lifted a hand to flick water unerringly in his direction, splashing him with her fingers.]

Well, I've had a lot of time to discover them. It's a good skill to have. You can be awfully noisy.

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