Natasha didn’t like that look on his face, didn’t like seeing him look so downtrodden and beaten, and any mirth she felt at the situation vanished.

Stepping forward at his request, she held her hands out to accept the precious little bundle, but as Clint placed it in her waiting arms her body froze and she looked stricken. It’s just a kitten. Get ahold of yourself, she mentally berated herself as she adjusted the bundle in her arms. “It’s okay, little one,” she soothed, scratching the kitten between the ears with one finger. “Now that you’re all clean maybe he won’t mind as much if you sneak inside...”