Somewhere in the back of her mind Natasha heard the story, but it wasn’t really registering, wasn’t doing anything to distract her now lift her mood.  The book was beautifully written, but it had a sadness about it, a melancholy, that made it apparent this was no longer the book they should be reading.  Something happier and funny, or maybe a mystery to solve; those would be better options.  Maybe after this session she would switch it out for next time.

She took the water whenever Clint offered, taking small sips so as not to overdo it, but while he enjoyed the heat much more than her, he seemed to also be minding it much more at the moment as well.  It wasn’t that she didn’t feel it, it just seemed so unimportant.

Eventually the cries of their tiny ward drew their attention, and it was probably a welcome distraction.  “I’ll come in,” she replied, getting carefully to her feet as well.  She had to close her eyes a moment and grip the back of the chair, but the dizziness passed and she joined him at the door.  “I can fix a salad.”  Food still wasn’t her top priority right now, but it had begun to register that while she hadn’t eaten much due to feeling ill, Clint just hadn’t eaten much, period.  She couldn’t let him neglect himself like that, not because of her.  “Unless you think you’ll need help?”