Different Call || Natasha and Clint
Reference
I've always kinda imagined it as being a cat and mouse game; Natasha would know straight away that Clint was on her tail and she'd lead him on and toy with him. I picture him getting pulled because it's been too long and they need him to protect a mark or something, and at the same gala this rich guy is at he sees her decked out in full ballgown attire and he realizes she's after who he's trying to guard So he intercepts her, they dance, flirt by way of threats a little and she gives him a big old kiss before slipping away and he's a little smug about having chased off the widow but he doesn't realize she pick pocketed the room key and she kills the guy that night and leaves a little thank you note to Clint for helping her, and that lands him in big trouble So he gets yanked all together, desk duty for a few months as punishment or w/e, but she ruthlessly is slaughtering all the other people shield send after her so they sent Clint back out cause he's the best and the only one she hasn't killed Except this time now Clint hasa bit of a vendetta casue she made him look like an idiot, da? So he's after her but sees maybe a few other guys after her too cause lil Natty got inover her head but she's making a break for it and when she tries to jump up onto a fire escape or something she slips and one of the guys is gonna jump on her when an arrow goes through his throat, scaring the others away and she's got like, idk a twisted ankle and he's all "why didn't u kill me like the others" and he's got his arrow trained on her and she's just :I i ain't answering u. And clint pulls back like he's gonna shoot but then changes his mind and lets her go which is super confusing for Nat 'cause lol what? and Clint just really liked the game they were playing except now he really doesn't wanna kill her 'cause he kinda can see the same kinda hardened desperation in her eyes that was in his when SHIELD picked him up. So Nats a little confused now 'cause Clint had the perfect chance so she's a bit more wary but keeps on with her assassin thing but gets fed up with it and sneaks into Clints bedroom and has a knife to his throat before he even wakes up and demands to know why he didn't kill her. And he is just like "'cause this is fun. An' you didn't kill me all those times you had the chance, you an' i both know it" And she is like on the verge of slitting his throat andis really torn because like she isn't used to people like Clint, good people, y'know? So Clint kinda says that he can help. Bring her back. He swears up and down that he will make sure nothing happens to her, and if it does he will help her get back out and if he betrays her, well, she can do with him what she will and she kinda of realizes that she's getting a fucking golden opportunity to get safe from all her demons so she kinda of reluctantly takes it
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Agent Barton was sent to kill me, he made a different call.
Bangladesh, Dhaka
Clint let out a silent breath and pulled back his bow, lining it up with his cheek as he gazed at his mark through the high window up in the tower, but of course the moment he was about to release, she turned around. Oh better yet, she was smiling at him even, goddamn this woman.
It wasn't that he couldn't shoot her, it was just that, he was told if she saw him she'd likely be able to dodge it, and that wouldn't be good, it was late and there weren't that many people around, but still he didn't want to risk her dodging and him hitting someone innocent.
She was a bitch, some redheaded super chick from Russia, he wasn't really all that sure of the details, not that he needed them, he was just supposed to put an arrow or a bullet through her brain.
He sighed and moved again, this was the third time it had happened, it was like she knew he was there each time, ever since their first encounter, she was always one step ahead. It just wasn't fair. He wasn't used to not getting things done the first time.
He glanced down again and she was gone this time, great. He was halfway out the door when his phone buzzed, "What?" he snapped, and listened as Coulson's calm and collected voice replied, he frowned.
"But I'm not done yet," he said in response to whatever the other man said, he listened more and sighed, "Fine," he sighed, "Okay, ETA of extraction? Fine."
He hung up the phone and scowled, he was getting pulled away- not because he'd not finished after a month of trying, but because he was needed elsewhere, he was the best sniper SHIELD had, so it made sense he was getting pulled for something else.
But he would be back.
Belarus, Minsk
Clint hated formal wear, stupid monkey suits, how Coulson wore them every second of his life he had no idea, he could barely stand ten minutes.
He grumbled some more to make himself feel better as his eyes swept the ball room, dignitaries and rich people mingled, some danced, Clint's client was over in the corner whispering in some young things ear. Gross.
His eyes swept again moving to the stairs where new people were arriving, he almost passed over the person walking down in a long floor length gown, it was black with crimson accents form fitting, showed quite a bit of cleavage. It was not just Clint's eyes that were on her, which was possibly the point.
But Clint wasn't looking at her dress or even her body, despite how nice it was, he was staring at her face, it was the same woman, the one who kept getting away from him.
She wasn't looking at him though, it looked like she was searching for someone else, she smiled when she spotted them and Clint's eyes followed her line of sight and saw his client. Really? Really?
He frowned but pushed off from the wall he was leaning against and made his way towards her, he intercepted her before his client even had a chance to spot her, which was good, the asshole would have 'ordered' him to escort her to him. The pig. Clint was there to make sure he didn't get shot, not make sure he brought a date back to the hotel.
Clint stepped in front of her and then offered a hand, "May I have this dance?" he asked, and smirked when she saw him, she didn't look surprised to see him, however, she only quirked a brow at him and then smiled nearly viciously as she set her hand in his.
"It would be my pleasure," she replied, her voice as soft as spider's silk, Clint knew from that point on, she was probably the most dangerous thing he'd ever encountered, now he needed to stop thinking that dangerous looked really attractive on women.
He gave her a smile in return and then pulled her onto the dance floor, the song was slow and Clint was shocked that those dancing lessons actually payed off and he wasn't tripping over his feet, though it sort of felt like she was trying to lead.
"You aren't trying to kill me today?" she asked, smiling pleasantly, as they spun.
"Naw, got more important things to do, like prevent annoying dignitaries from overindulging," he couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Oh dear, that does sound tedious, are you not worried another guest is in fact an assassin sent to kill you?"
"That would just make things fun," he replied, and his hand slipped from her waist to her hips and then thigh, where there was what felt like a knife, he grinned. He'd seen it when she was walking down the stairs.
She didn't seem phased by that, in fact she almost seemed pleased that he'd noticed.
"You come here lookin' for a good time?" Clint asked, she smiled and ran her hands up his arms up to his shoulders and then back down his back and waist, her touch gentle.
"I always have a good time, Mr...?" she asked and he rolled his eyes.
"For a Black Widow you should work on your intel gathering," he said and she mock pouted.
"It is hardly fair you to know who I am, and I do not know who you are," she replied leaned in closer, "Don't you think?"
"Not really," he said, "The whole point of me killing you is doing it before you even realize you're dead," he replied, unconsciously leaning closer himself.
She smiled, and then oh so gently pressed their lips together, just for a moment, but it was a moment long enough. She pulled back with a pleased expression, "How very sweet of you," she said, "I will try to remember that for next time."
"You do that," he replied, kind of unsure what happened, but who cared, he was still alive.
"Until next time, sniper," she said smiling dangerously at him once more and then disappearing into the crowd. Clint sighed, but shrugged. Hey he'd gotten the scoop on a Widow, that was something to be commemorated right?
He made sure to watch her though, because he still didn't trust her, he didn't drink any alcohol, because that was not in the job description and that would be stupid. He did have a glass of water though, he didn't want to stick out too much.
But soon, he was feeling a bit...off. He wasn't sure what was going on, he was...he really needed to pee.
By the time he was back in his head, it was too late. He was back in the room- his key card was not in his pocket by the way- and his client was dead. Though the bastard was still smiling...asshole.
Clint kicked a trashcan before he called it in, because he hadn't failed an op in...well a really long time.
It wasn't until the other Agents were there before he noticed the note, he frowned and picked it up and had to stop himself from kicking something again.
"Thanks for your help, Hawkeye."
It read and then a kiss with bright red lipstick was below that, Clint kicked the bed anyway.
"Oh, that bitch," he growled, letting out a long breath and shaking his head.
-
He got pulled after that, he had to work at a desk which sucked, especially because they found out he actually could read even though he told them he couldn't.
He hated paperwork, he hated paperwork more than he hated asshole vendors at themeparks (long story short, don't piss off the circus kid), and he really hated those vendors.
Two months he was stuck at a desk, and it only took a week for the other agents to realize he was called the worlds best 'marksman' and not 'archer' for a reason, he could shoot staples at you accurately if he wanted to.
But only after six other agents went after the Black Widow and didn't come back was he put back on active duty, this time with the express orders from the director not to fuck up.
Belize, Belize City
This time, Clint isn't taking chances. That woman made a fool out of him, and the only people who are allowed to make a fool out of Clint Barton are Clint Barton, the rest of the people with that privilege are dead.
It was gonna stay that way.
He was watching her, and for once she didn't seem to notice, she was distracted.
Clint finally took note of the surroundings, he arched his brows in wonder. He wasn't the only one watching her, there were two-three others.
"Oh, red, what have you gotten yourself in to?" he muttered, curious amused and almost worried all at the same time. Worried because he didn't want some ass taking his mark. He was the best SHIELD had for a reason.
He watches the other parties now, as well as her. From what he gathered she did something to each of them that pissed them off, so exactly what she did to him. Go figure.
He's Hawkeye so watching is one of the things he does best, simply by looking at these men, and one woman, he knows which organizations they work for, two are from different criminal sects, the other is from an actual government group. Jeez.
This redhead was trouble, but Clint saw her, cornered, glaring defiantly at the two men, but there was also desperation, and a few other things that he was far too familiar with.
He pursed his lips and drew back his bow, seconds later, the two men dropped arrows protruding from their throats.
