His warmth, his steady heartbeat, the even rise and fall of his chest; they all worked to lull Natasha into a state that wasn’t quite sleeping, but much more relaxed than normal. Ultimately she stayed awake, though, determined to keep her promise, and to be there if Clint needed her, as soon as he needed her. She hoped he wouldn’t, that he could sleep soundly and dreamlessly this time.

Unfortunately that wasn’t to be.

She noticed it first in the increase in his heartbeat, then the tightening of his arms around her before he suddenly awoke, gasping for breath.

“Shh, it’s okay,” she soothed, her lips close to his ear, hand moving up to stroke through his hair. “I’m right here. Everything’s fine. I’m fine.” She didn’t know the details of his dream, but from their talk earlier she could only assume she had played a part in it.