Hearing Clint’s joking, carefree tone helped and Natasha took a few deep breaths, but as soon as he touched her he knew. Closing her eyes tightly, she swallowed hard and remained still, unmoving, even as he snatched his hand back as if it had been burned.
She didn’t want him to know, didn’t want him to worry, but hadn’t honesty been on of the things they had fought about last night? She couldn’t expect him to stop pretending to be strong for her while not offering the same in return. They worked differently, though; Clint needed to talk things through to truly deal with them while Natasha internalized everything, but while she might not want to talk about it, something he understood completely, she could at least be honest that something was wrong. Trying to lie to him now would only cause more damage.
“Okay,” she allowed, “Just... easy.” She didn’t want to be held, didn’t want to feel trapped, but a simple touch she could handle; it might even help.
no subject
She didn’t want him to know, didn’t want him to worry, but hadn’t honesty been on of the things they had fought about last night? She couldn’t expect him to stop pretending to be strong for her while not offering the same in return. They worked differently, though; Clint needed to talk things through to truly deal with them while Natasha internalized everything, but while she might not want to talk about it, something he understood completely, she could at least be honest that something was wrong. Trying to lie to him now would only cause more damage.
“Okay,” she allowed, “Just... easy.” She didn’t want to be held, didn’t want to feel trapped, but a simple touch she could handle; it might even help.