And just like that a shadow passed over Clint’s mood, and Natasha immediately regretted her question. She had imagined him stopping here between missions, figured he must have come back a few times for the people to know him, but she hadn’t anticipated that even his safe haven could hold some bad memories.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. Catching his hand, she stopped them and turned him to face her. “We won’t think about it any longer, and we don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to while we’re here, okay?” Squeezing his hand, she offered a soothing smile.

“This is our time, and we can do whatever you want. We won’t discuss work, it will be a true escape.” Raising her other hand to his face, she ran her fingertips lightly along his jaw. “If you want to talk, though, I am here to listen.”

She didn’t want him to think that she didn’t want to talk about the heavy stuff, that she didn’t want him to open up to her. On the contrary, she hoped that this trip would go a long way to healing him, and part of that would probably involve discussing his pain and his fears. She didn’t want to push him, however, at least not at first. “Anything you want, I’m here.”