widows_kiss | Appointments Post

[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.

[He flicks her back and then slides down into the water to swim a quick lap of the pool.]

You know you love it. You'd get bored if I didn't keep you entertained.

[She watches him swim from beneath dark lashes, a smirk curving across her lips.]

I never denied it. Why else do you think I keep you around, except to entertain me?

Because you occasionally need someone to draw fire? I don't know.

Well, you're good at that, too... [She muses this aloud for a moment, her voice thoughtful before she laughs, an impish grin stealing across her expression.]

You know I keep you around for far more than that.

[He turns in the water to return the grin and nods.]

Yeah, I know sweetheart. Don't even need to say it.

Yes, well, sometimes you're a bit thick-headed and I worry you forget. [Her tone is dry, but still full of affection for him. Her gaze is warm from his endearment, however, because she loves when he does that, rare occurrence that it is.]

Well, can't say I mind the reminder sometimes.

[He swims back over to her side, sitting back down next to her.]

[She shifts over until she's curled up against his side, letting her head dip to rest against his shoulder.]

So. Are you going to finally tell me what all this was about?

[He slides an arm around her, holding her comfortably against his side.]

Coulson's missing. Barnes is missing. Christmas was nice but... too many people around the whole time. I think we needed a break.

[She leans against him because yes, that's all been weighing heavily on her too. Especially James and Coulson's absence. It was a constant worry at the back of her mind, where they were, if they were alright, when they'd be returned. And in what state. She curls a little closer, a shiver slipping down her spine despite the heat of the water, letting her eyes close as she rests against Clint.]

There were a lot, I admit. Bit of a switch from previous years. Not sure what I think about that yet. [She'd rather enjoyed when it had been them, occasionally with Coulson thrown in, depending on where they were. Not that Christmas had been bad. Parts of it had been wonderful.

She tilted her head back to peer at him again.] And that's everything?

[He feels the shiver that runs through her and yeah, that tells him a lot about how much this is affecting her. This whole place, despite the comforts, seemed designed to drive the two of them crazy.]

Yeah, me either. I like these people for the most part, don't get me wrong, I just... I don't know. [He'd enjoyed Christmas but a lot of it had left him pretty drained.]

Oh hell no. That's just scratching the surface.

But it was easier when it was just the two of us, or three of us, doing what we knew how to do. It was simpler. [She finishes the thought for him, because she knows how he thinks. Especially when it's so close to what she's thinking as well.

She pokes him in the ribs at his answer.] Yeah I figured. Start spilling, Barton. I know all your ticklish spots if you don't.

Yeah. It really was. [She always knows how to put things into words when he can't. They worked so seamlessly together. It was safe.

He laughs when she pokes him, squeezing her for a moment.]

You wouldn't abuse poor little helpless me, would you?

[He's silent for a moment, contemplating everything that's been weighing on his mind recently.]

well, I got a mini-lecture from Steve about how sometimes you have to be in the thick of battle and how I could learn something about tactics. I'd be more annoyed but it's difficult to stay angry at him.

I kissed Saori.

That's hardly abuse. Just a little helpful coercion.

[His words about Steve have her straightening in surprise for a moment.] You? Needing to learn more about tactics? Granted, there are time you're a reckless idiot but that has nothing to do with how much you know, or see. What on earth brought that on?

[The second admission gave her pause as well, for entirely different reasons. She knew the name, although it took her a moment to recall anything more than her face.] Saori?

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