Although the outward effect was minimal, Natasha knew Clint well enough to see him relax, even if only a little. She knew he needed to be here, needed to see that she was okay with his own eyes, and she also knew it was better to keep him here. Even if he left he was more likely to try to get to Stevenson or harass those working on the code box than to actually get any rest himself. So not only did staying him let him observe her and reassure himself further that she was going to recover, but it gave her comfort that he would actually get some sleep and not get himself into further trouble.

“Even if it’s not, what other option did we have? We couldn’t have just let it got,” she said evenly. Clasping his hand she threaded her fingers through his. “We did what we could on short notice and with minimal planning.”