Natasha was not an optimistic person; she didn’t look on the bright side of things so much as she looked at what was likely, what was probable. She had grown used to living day by day, and to only being able to trust and rely on herself. Slowly Clint had changed that. He had given her something to live for instead of just being too stubborn to die; he had given her something to live for instead of just surviving. In Clint she had found someone she could trust, could love, could depend on, and with him she sometimes caught herself looking forward to the future instead of just living always in the now.

She was not an optimistic person, but what she was was stubborn. Clint had fought for her, and she would not let him drag himself down without a fight either. No matter how hopeless it felt at times, she would never give up on him.

When he pulled her into his arms it took a split second for her to settle. She was still getting used to being so open with him in public when they were just being themselves instead of playing roles. It felt good, though, and more and more she was coming to terms with just how tired she was of hiding. She had built up her Black Widow persona so well over the years that it was hard to let go and just be Natasha when there were others watching, but now like never before she found herself wanting that freedom.

Slipping her arms around his back, she let herself relax into the embrace. She felt him tremble and ran one hand soothingly up and down his back; heard his voice quiver and held him just a little closer. Complete honesty, that’s what he was giving her, and it meant a lot that he wasn’t trying to hide it away.

“All the time you need,” she whispered back. “And I will be with you, every step of the way.”