Dancing in the Dark (for farmboyhawk)

[study_in_scarlet]

They didn’t get a lot of time off together, at least not enough to make a trip away worthwhile, so for this one weekend they decided to stay in the city and play tourist for the day.

They had started with a walk through Central Park before grabbing an early lunch at one of the city’s many street vendors and then wandering through the American Museum of Natural history. Natasha found the Hall of Minerals fascinating while Clint had gotten a kick out of all the dinosaur bones. They both enjoyed laying under the big blue whale with all the normal people.

Afterwards they went to a nice restaurant for supper, blending into the crowd of normal couples as best they could and Natasha actually forgot if she was playing a role or being herself as they finished their wine and shared their desserts.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely as they left the restaurant, stepping back into the cool night air. Nearby a busker played guitar and sang with surprising melody and soul, barely seeming to notice as people threw change into his open case, so caught up was he in his music.


Comments

[farmboyhawk]

It was difficult to not let at once all blood go south when Natasha passed him by definitely too close. Clint had to hold back hard from not at least teasing her in grabbing that perfect ass of hers shortly.

Somehow he managed to turn his head to the window instead, after he knew which cabin she had chosen and forced his thoughts away from whatever she might have planned. And yes, definitely her choice this time. Something in the way she had praised his behavior, left his hands shaking even a little more, and the familiar warm tickle down his spine started to settle.

He couldn't put a finger on it what it suddenly was that attracted him so much to a game he usually - literally - had to be wrestled and bound into. Usually that fighting was part of the game. Someone with the skill, the rhetoric and the duration to dominate him... Such a person was not only the only one he could accept to surrender to, it also was part of the whole appeal.

This... was different. This was about wanting to submit, to worship and obey. Maybe because last time he had been ordered around, that hadn't turned out so hot. He needed to lay control in the hands of someone whom he trusted with his whole being. He needed to learn to let go, that he had realized just an hour ago on that terrace. There was no other person he could do that with, than the woman waiting for him just a few meters away.

After he had put that confusion behind him, the rising urge to be with her was even stronger. He was on his feet as soon as the waiting time was over. He used one of the knocking signals common between them on missions too, to let her know it was him, before he entered, just shortly making sure no one noticed. People were busy with getting comfortable and making orders to the stewardess, luckily.

It was a challenge, definitely, two people moving somewhat freely in such a tiny room, but somehow he made it to squeeze inside as gracefully as possible and lock the door behind him. Then he leaned against it instead of pulling Natasha into his arms immediately, a silent but very clear sign he was more than willing to submit to her call.

[study_in_scarlet]

Once inside the tiny stall, Natasha impatiently counted down the seconds until she heard that familiar rap upon the door. Flipping the lock, she stood back to leave room for Clint to squeeze himself in. He looked flustered, a little edgy, but she knew exactly how to take that edge off.

Pressing herself against him, she kissed him long and slow, exploring his mouth with her tongue and threading her fingers through his hair. They couldn’t exactly take their time in here, but it had been hours since she’d kissed him properly, and there was always time for one kiss.

“Mm, very good boy,” she spoke against his lips, dropping her hands down between them to undo his belt and the fastens on his jeans.

[farmboyhawk]

"Fuck."

Just a whisper against the touch of her lips, but it carried all the built up excitement of the last minutes. Clint wasn't really surprised that he was already reacting to her when she was just busy with his clothes. As fast as this had to happen, it wouldn't be any less intensive.

Her taste on his lips, sweet and coffee, made him long for more. His hand already moved to her neck, the other around her waist, to pull her much closer, get inside her jeans, reclaim her mouth, all at once... He stopped himself before he had hardly touched her, another hard shudder running down his spine, the same reaction that her purred praise had provoked. It had been some time but he remembered quite well how the game worked. And taking part in it on his own for once, at least for the moment without any kind of restraints, added a whole new level of arousal and anxiety.

He wanted to please her... be good for her. Definitely.

Her lips were still close enough to tease her with the slightest touch of his tongue, his nose gently bumping hers.

"What do you want me to do?"

[study_in_scarlet]

She could feel him holding back and was confused at first before his words made her realise what he was doing. This hadn’t entirely been her intention, she had just been teasing him, but apparently he was taking it seriously. If that was what he wanted, if he wanted her to tell him what to do then she wasn’t going to argue. It was a potentially dangerous step, considering what he had been through, but maybe it was a necessary one, and right now, with her, he would have every opportunity to change his mind.

Meeting his eyes she tried to convey all of that, tried to let him know that they would only go so far as he wanted and he was free to take over at any time. She could have assured him with words, but that wasn’t really how she worked, so she let her eyes do the talking for just a moment before pressing on.

“Well...” she started thoughtfully. Pushing his jeans down over his hips, she wasted no time in freeing him from his underwear and giving him a few strokes to bring him to full attention. “I am not sitting on any surface in here.” That probably went without saying, but she said it anyway.

Pulling away abruptly, she turned to face the sink and made quick work of her own jeans. Pushing them down to her knees, her panties soon followed so she was bared and waiting for him. “I want you to take me from behind.”

[farmboyhawk]

"Fuck, Tash'..."

She definitely didn't lose any time which was of course better, given how little they had. She definitely hadn't forgotten how to get him wound up and ready for her in seconds.

Not that it needed much when she was talking to him in this special deep, demanding voice, and well... An order like that she didn't have to give him twice.

The series of quiet moans from his lips turned into a heavy groan when Natasha presented herself like that, bare and half clothed, and his cock went from fully alert to throbbing hard in split seconds. Temptation was big to wrap himself around her immediately and take her just as hard and fast as she had provoked this overwhelming need in him.

He let her feel it, let her know what she did to him, in pressing his body close to hers and rubbing his hardness against her soft damp folds, stroking her like he would have done it with his hand. He watched her closely in the small mirror, enjoying every sign of her pleasure on her red cheeks, her widened eyes. His hands wandered over her shirt, roughly massaging her breasts through the fabric, sure fingertips seeking out the hardness of her nipples to press and twist them.

He would have loved to touch her properly, without all the disturbing layers in the way, but this did have its appeal too, certainly... Careful to not leave a mark yet again, he made out his favorite spot on her neck, right above her shoulder, and let her feel his quick breath and moans between his kisses and nibbling, soon getting louder and more frantic when her wetness coated his skin.

"That what you want?", he whispered against her skin, lust-widened eyes seeking hers in the reflection. "Me taking you just like this? Make you feel every second?"

[study_in_scarlet]

Pressing her palms flat against the counter, she was pleased to find that he took no more prompting than that one statement. She had thought he might want her to give him more direct orders of everything she wanted, but there was so little time and she fortunately he let her one directive be enough.

Pressing back against him, she let out a soft moan as he glided against her, sliding through her folds but not yet penetrating. With her pants constricting her movement her thighs were kept together and she squeezed them around him as he massaged and teased her breasts through her shirt.

Raising her eyes back to the mirror when he spoke, she met his gaze in the mirror and felt an extra thrill run through her. There was something strangely erotic about watching him like this, watching his hands caress her body while he nibbled at her skin.

“Yes,” she murmured, clenching her thighs again. “You feel so good.”

[farmboyhawk]

"Love watching you..."

His trembling hand reached up to push her hair aside so he could go all over her neck and ear with his lips, with special attention concentrated on the sensitive skin of her lobe and right below. But his eyes never left the mirror, not missing a single reaction, not a second of her eyes closing, her lips trembling with her moans.

His own pupils were blown wide, his chest rising and falling quickly, his spine tensing up with pleasure every time, Natasha's strong legs worked his hard length. Small milky drops of precum were staining her skin, until he thought he couldn't take it anymore. The delicious wet sounds of his cock teasing through her tender, wet folds drove him wild.

Already his hand was down between her legs, slowly spreading her lips apart for him. He wanted to watch her when he pushed inside her, see it in her face how much she enjoyed it, hear it in her voice. They had gone from teasing and ordering to action very soon but he didn't really worry about that... He was pretty sure, Natasha would still be in a mood for her little revenge later, when there was plenty of time and the needed tools at hand.

He went slow, gentle and especially careful given the little preparation they had had, which made it much more intensive for him as well, and harder to keep his eyes open. But somehow he managed it, stifling his moans against Natasha's shoulder as her warmth engulfed him, pressing down on him just as hard as her hand could.

[study_in_scarlet]

She tried to keep her eyes open, but it felt far too good when he nibbled at her skin right where he knew she most enjoyed it, so she let herself relax, her head rolling to the side to give him better access to her neck. With each breath in, though, she would open her eyes to catch a glimpse of him before letting them close once more.

They were moving fast but she was ready for him when he slowly pushed inside, ever gentle and caring. Digging her nails into the counter at either side of the sink, she held back a moan, not wanting to be loud enough to draw attention to them so that they got caught. She could be loud for him later, when they were on their own with nobody else around.

Leaning forward to adjust the angle, her breath hitched slightly and it took a moment before she could open her eyes again to meet his in the mirror. “Hard and fast,” she whispered, bracing herself.

[farmboyhawk]

"Fuck, Nat..."

Clint meant to tell her how much it turned him own when she got that kind of bossy, just telling out clearly what she wanted and needed... And all without the stale taste of such encounters years ago, when there had been always the need for control, the hidden fears lying underneath. But he thought, she would feel it pretty well, from the way, his body pressed against hers, trembling hard, and his hardness twitched inside her tight wetness, just the stimulation of her body moving around him already drawing growls and moans from his lips.

"You look so fucking hot like that", he whispered, breathlessly, his eyes locked on her face when he started to move inside her. Just the way she had asked for it, entering her deep and tight with every thrust, rolling his hips to let her feel it just where she needed it most.

His hand stayed seated between her legs, quickly dancing fingertips seeking out to tease her clit between his movements while his other arm was firmly wrapped around her, supporting her position. Her wetness engulfing him sounded through the small room in rhythm with their moans, and in the mirror he could see himself biting down on his lip hard, trying to contain his sounds of pleasure, without too much success. Already his vision blurred from the too fast, too intensive heat floating through his body, and God, this definitely wouldn't be lasting very long.

"God... Tash'..."

[study_in_scarlet]

At his words Natasha grinned wickedly at him in the mirror, and then he was moving, pushing into her hard and deep every time, and it was getting increasingly difficult to keep quiet. If anyone passed too close, or was waiting outside then they would surely hear the sounds both of them were making.

Clint always seemed to know exactly what she needed, and with his fingers working her clit while he pounded her from behind she could already feel that excitement building up inside. Catching sight of his reflection again, she shook her head slightly. “Not your lip,” she panted when she saw him biting rather hard on his lower lip, not wanting him to damage that mouth of his in any way. “Me.” Whether her shirt or her skin she didn’t care, she would rather him stifling his cries against her.

As if to demonstrate she took hold of the arm he had wrapped around her and raised it to her lips, keeping her other hand braced hard against the counter. Drawing the soft skin where his thumb met his hand into her mouth, she muffled her cries against it, biting down not hard enough to break the skin, but enough that he could definitely feel it.

[farmboyhawk]

Clint cursed when the new surge of adrenaline from that delicious little pain left his cock twitching just harder inside her. He stopped for a moment, pressing his hips hard against hers, so her slick skin caressed his groin, promising, warm and soft.

Temptation was big indeed to return the favor, leave another of these sweet red marks on her shoulder or neck... But he knew from experience that in this position, the angle wouldn't be the best. And he was determined to make her come really good even in such a short, hot encounter.

So he straightened up instead, as much as possible to not deprive Nat of her improvised gag and still keep on stimulate her swollen clit between his fingertips before he started thrusting into her again, picking up speed.

"Look at me, please", he murmured, seeking her gaze in the mirror again. "Want to see you when you come all over my cock..."

That much he still managed to get out in a quiet enough voice, but then he had to bite down on the fabric of his own shirt to keep it down, because fuck... She felt fucking amazing.

[study_in_scarlet]

Even when he stopped moving she could still feel him twitching inside her, so she contracted her muscles around him and sucked softly at his hand. She was a little disappointed when he straightened up leaving then with less bodily contact, but when he started thrusting again the angle was just right to hit her exactly where she needed it.

His voice was rough when he spoke, but it was the word ‘please’ that made her bite him again and push back against him. She liked when he let himself take control and instructed her what to do, but the fact that he actually still asked so politely in the middle of everything was strangely hot.

Brushing her hair back and over one shoulder so he could clearly see her face, it was a struggle to keep her eyes open but she did as asked and held his gaze intensely. She watched him bite into his own shirt and answered with another bite to his hand before sucking on the skin gently, soothing it with her tongue.

She could feel that familiar feeling in her stomach, knew she was getting close, but she couldn’t keep herself from muttering one word. “Harder.”

Holding back the scream she felt welling up was not going to be easy, but luckily she was trained in such things. Who knew training in how to handle torture would come in handy in such a pleasurable situation?

[farmboyhawk]

That was something she didn't need to tell him twice. After the slightly rushed beginning, she had gotten used to the hectic act by now, softly, relaxed engulfing him. Save for these little wicked games of her muscles of course, that had him moan and tremble, everytime he withdrew from her just to enter her up to the hilt again.

The lose rhythm picked up even more speed, his hips now transferring all that strength that lifelong training had left in his legs, into his hard pounds, and with every of these movements he was very careful to hit that one spot deep inside just right.

It would have been difficult to keep it together in such an intensive game on a normal day already, but with Natasha's flushed, highly pleasured face so beautifully displayed right in front of his eyes... He actually had trouble not finishing this before she could reach the peak of this pleasure. In sight yet, judging from her blown pupils and the way her muscles spasmed around him more frequently... but not quite yet.

He tried to match the idle movement on his fingertips with his thrusts, finding her clit swollen and tender to his gentle rubs, so he could actually manage to pinch it softly between thumb and forefinger. Seeking to hear even more of these beautiful moans that she could hardly contain, see her lose control even more in her sweat covered face.

The familiar heat coiled hard in his lower body again and this time he didn't stop, just let it wash over him while he kept on caressing her and doing his best to muffle the sound from his lips with his own improvised gag... But fuck, that was anything but easy, with the mark of her teeth she had left still burning on his skin, the sweetest pain imaginable, and her hot wetness clamping down on him so tightly.

He threw his head back, groaning loudly between his teeth and pinched that little sensitive nub between his fingertips again, just hard enough to match his thrusts, while he felt his orgasm build quickly inside, searing hot and unstoppable.

[study_in_scarlet]

Besides a quiet grunt or moan each time Clint hit that sweet spot Natasha managed to stay fairly quiet. She always could stay quiet if she wanted to, but with Clint she rarely did. With Clint she could relax and let herself go; she could voice her pleasure as loudly and wildly as she wanted. It felt good not to hold back, and she knew he loved it when she was loud and free, but now was certainly not the time and place for that. He would have plenty of time to make her scream over the next few weeks.

What was more difficult was keeping her eyes on his when they just wanted to close. Letting go of his hand she dropped hers back to the counter to grip the edge with both now, her knuckles going white as she held on. His fingers worked her just perfectly sending a further shock of pleasure through her with each thrust. Finally she let her eyes close and hung her head, her breathing coming shallower by the moment. Forcing her eyes open she saw his head thrown back, his jaw clenched tightly, the veins in his arms bulging and it was so fucking beautiful a sight to see him enthralled with so much pleasure, pleasure that she was giving him, that when he pinched her clit just that much harder as he thrusted into her she felt the world go white as her orgasm took her over the edge.

[farmboyhawk]

For long seconds they were both completely lost in the height of their lust, hips tightly entwined, the delicious contractions of Natasha's muscles around him prolonging the ending of this spontaneous hot intercourse.

Clint pulled her into his arms when her trembling died down, held her gently against his chest with his face pressed into her neck and tried to catch his breath.

What maybe he could have told her, he already had, so he just caressed her gently while he helped her straighten her clothes and reached for some paper towels, giving it to her to clean herself. He didn't like to hurry that much when they were both still pretty high, but they didn't need any nosy personal or flight guests throwing them meaningful glances.

There still had to be time for a few tender, open mouthed kisses onto her neck though, a tired but satisfied sigh with closed eyes while he pulled her in for another tight hug.

"Vacation couldn't start better", he murmured into her ear, smiling.

[study_in_scarlet]

Natasha sagged back against Clint’s chest when he held her close, her eyes closed and one hand sliding up to cup the back of his neck while he nuzzled into hers. She could feel his heart pounding against her back and as his breathing slowed hers matched it. Unfortunately there wasn’t much time to bask in the afterglow, and soon they were cleaning up and redressing as quick as they could in the tiny space. Washing her hands, Natasha was just drying them off when Clint pulled her back against him again, and she smiled at him in the mirror as he softly kissed her neck.

“This will certainly make the rest of the flight more bearable,” she said. Turning in his arms, she wrapped hers around his neck and kissed him slowly, tenderly. All the stress of the day, from the meeting with Fury to the long hours of travel to Clint’s melancholy in Germany was all gone, and she felt completely relaxed once more.

“Don’t forget to wash your hands,” she teased as she pulled back, giving him one last quick kiss before slipping out of his arms and through the door.

[farmboyhawk]

Clint watched her leave with a soft smile and took a few minutes himself to not look like... well, like after a good hot fuck anymore.

He felt calmer when he joined her again, partly surely because of this most erotic little exchange.... But also because they had left hostile boarders behind, so to speak, and their destination was getting closer with every minute.

It was one of the things he loved about Europe, that you could cross from one country to another in a heartbeat here, all of them filled with their own history, language, culture, beauties and pains. He especially had lost his heart on the South Island of Italy, when he had had to explore the blackest depths of Mafia dealings years ago. The more the plane neared that huge Island, very much looking like the ball, the boot-shaped Italian country was playing with, a comforting warm feeling of home began to settle.

They were just in time to see all shades of orange burn into the ocean and it would be probably about midnight when they would reach their destination, but he didn't care. A coffee could take care of that, and no country in this world had better coffee than Italy. Also, he enjoyed driving that long highway right along the ocean through Sicily's landscapes, especially at night with no one else around.

Amused, he watched himself get up as one of the first when they had landed, impatient to get out of these too small, too crowded rooms. He handed Natasha her bag like a perfect gentleman and lead her outside, though the small arrival building to one of the two baggage carousels. Humid, warm air welcomed them, pine-trees still fresh and green outside the small glass building, speaking of a warm autumn, and he smiled. Italy knew how to welcome them, definitely.

"Old informant of mine left me a car a few blocks from here. Are you tired? Should we take a cab there?"

[study_in_scarlet]

The remainder of the flight passed comfortably, with both of them either enjoying the view or just each other’s presence. They said little, but small talk was unnecessary for them; it was just something they engaged in when they wanted to, not because they were afraid of uncomfortable with silence.

When they finally landed, Clint wasn’t the only one amused to find that he was on his feet the second the seatbelt sign went out, and trying to get off the plane as quickly and easily as possible. It didn’t take them long to get their bags and exit the airport, and as soon as they stepped out of the air conditioned building the heat hit them like a wave. Good thing she packed light.

“We can drive. It will be better having our own car,” she replied. Besides, old habits died hard, and getting a cab would leave a sort of record of where they were going, not that they were really hiding, but a spy never truly goes on vacation. The plane tickets were enough; a car that wasn’t a rental was better than a cab any day.

[farmboyhawk]

"Definitely. It's not parked far from here."

Clint hadn't wanted the car right at the airport. Just as much a security measure like sanding certain e-mails concerning their holiday through several addresses and countries to make it untraceable. S.H.I.E.L.D. of course would still find them if they really wanted to, but they had a good headstart.

He stopped only for a cup of takeaway coffee on the way out - and even that stuff in a plastic cup was better than everything you got served overseas - and lead Natasha through the small, quiet valleys to that certain parking spot then. The old Fiat was waiting there, just like requested, a little dirty but fully functional. Well used looking plates, registered on the old identity he had made up back then during mafia times... They were practically already off the grid, and God, he enjoyed it far more than he probably should.

He found himself grinning when he pulled the car out to said highway, steering along the ocean right below them while the sun vanished on the horizon. So they both still had it in them, it seemed.

With every kilometer nearing that certain small village in the shadow of the Etna Volcano he felt the tension fall off him more. Salty, clean air floated in through the open windows and he allowed himself to breathe deep, understand and internalize that there was no mission to worry about, no hurry to get to the hiding place as quickly as possible, not even many weapons to speak of in his luggage. Only Natasha and him enjoying some time together.

"Better not wake me up if this is a dream, okay?"

[study_in_scarlet]

“Well, it is certainly inconspicuous,” Natasha teased when she saw the car. It looked well worn, and would certainly blend in easily among any other traffic around instead of sticking out like a shiny new rental. Clint really had thought this through, not that she expected any less of him.

Settling into the passenger side seat, she glanced over at him just as the sun was setting, the fading orange glow lighting up the smile on his face, and for a moment she felt warm in a way that had nothing to do with the heat. He looked so free, so relaxed, already and whatever happened during or because of this trip she knew it was the right choice.

Turning her face toward the window, she watched the scenery pass by, not even bothering trying to tame the wild hair that the wind blew around her head. Only when he spoke again did she lazily roll her head along the back of the seat to look at him again. “It’s not,” was all she said.

[farmboyhawk]

"Good."

Keeping his eyes on the street, Clint reached out to rest his hand on Natasha's knee, without any unpure motives this time, just softly caressing her through her clothes. Just like the young gigolos who were on a fun ride with their girls Saturday night. They both weren't too young anymore - sometimes he had a feeling, Natasha would really never grow of age - but at least tonight, coming home under a clear sky, he felt a little like it.

They actually did pass by a few street festivities like you could find them every night on the beaches of Isola Bella and Letojanni on their way, but he didn't halt, not tonight. Tonight he just wanted to hold Natasha in his arms, rest from the journey and thank her for being here with him.

The small, curvy serpentines up to Taormina village slowed him down a little bit. As much as he loved his adrenaline, he hadn't ridden streets like this for some time. And in Italy, traffic rules were pretty much a matter of not getting yourself or the biker next to you killed.

But finally he could park his car in the entrance of a small one story house, one that would look more inviting in a bright red and a well gardened hedge around it in the morning light. Angelina did a good job coming by here every month. It wasn't something Clint hadn't always afforded easily through the years but it had been worth it.

When they brought their luggage in, windows were opened, insect nets perfectly installed, even some fresh fruit was waiting on the counter. It smelled like autumn leave and Angelina's famous Pasta Bolognese probably waiting in the freezer. The furniture had been uncovered from its protection and awaited them clean and inviting. Dark, simple, mostly wood, the way Clint was used to it from very early childhood though he hadn't realized until much later why he had chosen this particular home. Sometimes it was a bit scary, but he liked it here. And he had made his share of good memory here, unlike in that long burned down farm in Iowa.

And he planned to make some more.

"Mylady..."

He probably should do a quick check of the security facilities before they crashed. That was something he didn't leave to his good old housekeeper soul.

But right now he had priorities. Dropping his suitcase where it would fall in the middle of the living room, he pulled Natasha close for a long gentle kiss, her face softly held between his hands, their bodies close enough for her to feel his slightly quickened heartbeat. It was ridiculous but... He kind of hoped, she liked it. It wasn't exactly luxury standard, but it was cozy.

It was where he could be happy and there weren't many places like this these days.

[study_in_scarlet]

The drive was pleasant, the scenery beautiful, but Natasha was glad when they finally pulled up outside the small house and were able to get out of the car and stretch their legs. It had been a long day of traveling and being stuck in small spaces, but finally they had made it.

Following Clint into the house, she took in every sight and every smell. The air was warm yet fresh, and inside something a bit spicy. The house was simple but homey, looking loved and lived in with its dark furniture and simple design. The windows had been opened, the rooms aired out and dusted, and everything was prepared. It was an unexpected surprise, and Natasha felt herself warm to the place immediately. It was perfect, so much better than any resort could ever be with their usual hotel furniture and bland artwork.

Turning back to Clint, she didn’t even have time to speak any praise before he was pulling her in for a kiss. Sliding her arms around his waist, she held him loosely and kissed him back before smiling against his lips. “You definitely know how to pick a spot,” she said, opening her eyes to look up at him. “It’s lovely.”

[farmboyhawk]

"I try. Sometimes you do get a lucky find."

Clint was pretty sure he made it not to blush, but his smile revealed his relief. It was childish, of course, such things shouldn't matter, but especially since the country had been his idea, he really was glad that the house did it. He wanted Natasha to be as comfortable as possible.

Starting with adapting to the climate of course, and it had absolutely nothing to do with his enlightened mood or the sense of freedom settling in more and more, that he made a good example of getting out of his shirt first thing. Really, just getting used to the temperature.

"Not much to see, but if you want to take a look around..."

He made a vague gesture to bath-, bed- and storeroom on his way to the kitchen. Yep, and of course Angelina had taken care of the empty fridge too. He made a mental note to send an extra tip with the next cheque and poured out two big glasses of water for the first of heat and thirst. There even were icecubes and lemon slice cut ready. Already he began to remember why he loved that country and its people so much.

"Come with me for a second?"

Handing Natasha her glass, he nodded to the bedroom door. Again, nothing special, but the little balcony right in sight of the bed was definitely the best part of this house. And before they would take care of all the boring stuff like unpacking and checking on the alarm systems, he just needed to see.

Even now at night you could spot the lights of the ships from afar, and a light wind carried the faint smell of the ocean even up here. Clint rested his arms on the balustrade, like he had done it a thousand times before and just leaned there for a long moment, silently, trying to comprehend.

So... They had really done it. He wasn't delusional enough to think, all nightmares and fears would be chased away by the sound of waves from afar or taking on a few pounds from too much pasta. But standing here where he had spent so many lonely evenings in the past, with only the peace and silence of an ocean breeze could force away the pictures of violence from his mind... That surely wasn't something he hadn't expected last week, while fantasizing about killing the next whitecoat in sight with a pen if he had to hear the word deprogramming just once more.

[study_in_scarlet]

Natasha understood his relief, and found it rather endearing. This trip was for him, the location had been his idea, so of course he would worry she wouldn’t like it. He had always worried way more than he should about pleasing her and making her happy, though she certainly appreciated it. It was not something she was used to, though.

Giving her eyes a playful roll when he wasted no time in stripping off his shirt, she fell in a step behind him as he led her through the house, pointing out various rooms on the way. “And a fully stocked fridge?” Natasha said, impressed. “I feel bad for thinking you did nothing but nap while I packed.” Except she didn’t look like she felt bad at all, just thoroughly pleased.

Gratefully taking the glass of water, she took a large gulp before continuing the tour into the bedroom, which was the room she was most interested in seeing tonight. As much as she wanted to see everything and explore every bit of this house that Clint seemed to love so much, the idea of crawling into bed sounded really good right now too.

Following him out onto the small balcony, her eyes lit up at the picture before her. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed, leaning one arm on the rail and resting her glass beside it. For a moment she just took it all in - the sights, the sounds, the smells - before finally turning her eyes to Clint again. “I can see why you wanted to come here.”

[farmboyhawk]

Her voice lead him out of this good-natured type of melancholy, and only blinking, slowly, to clear his sight, Clint realized that he had been close to dozing off actually, even while he was still completely lost in memory and satisfaction. Well, yeah, it had been a long day.

Natasha looked just as tired, so he delayed all the kind of things he could have told her about the house, the village, the island, to another time and lead the way back inside with a knowing smile.

"I'll do a quick check up of the alarm system. Feel free to crash in the meantime."

He just stopped shortly by the broad bed to take the cover off and shook his head with a grin when he spotted the chocolate pralines on each pillow pile. Baci, these were called, the Italian word for kiss, and especially prepared in hotels for young couples as a welcome present. Obviously he hadn't been awfully discreet about not arriving alone in his e-mail.

"Just a fair warning, I give them two weeks before they want to prepare our wedding out in the village."