Natasha watched him closely as he went through the motions, taking the glass of wine when he offered it and only having a small sip as he downed the entire contents of his. Lowering her glass she held his gaze, her own widening so slightly it was almost imperceptible as he closed the distance between them. They had an understanding, they were to keep their relationship hidden from anyone who knew them, but something had clearly changed in Clint’s mind. She had been able to pass it off earlier as a little payback, but this was different.

She could have moved away, he gave her plenty of time to do so, but she was rooted in place by the look she had seen in his eyes, by the memories she knew were lurking just below the surface. So she let him kiss her if that was what he needed, and the desire to throw all the secrecy aside and see what happened rose up full force. Still, when he pulled back she merely nodded and said “any time,” which she meant whole heartedly. Any time he needed her, she didn’t care how, she would do everything in her power to be there.

Backing away to put distance between them, she took another sip of wine. She had heard those words before and knew it was a total lie, but she didn’t completely call him on it, nor did she accept it. “I know you will be,” she said instead. He wasn’t alright, she knew that, but she had been through something similar to what he had suffered and she knew he would be alright with time, just like she had been.