#boaf 22

You started to stand up when you noticed Clint thrash around on the couch. You frowned when you heard a groan pass through his lips. You realized it wasn’t just movement in his sleep that pushed you on the floor but it seemed to be a nightmare instead. 

You immediately felt the need to comfort him and hopefully wake him up from whatever was plaguing his mind. You perched yourself beside the couch and gently ran your fingers through his hair. “Clint, wake up,” You tried to coax him out of sleep, “You’re dreaming, wake up,” 

When Clint didn’t immediately stir, you decided to take a more direct approach, “Clint,” You tried, this time shaking his shoulder. 

You didn’t have time to react to his arm swinging out at you and knocking you over from your squatted position on the ground. You were ready to get back up when you were suddenly pinned to the ground. 

“Clin-” Your voice stopped when you noticed the gun pointed directly at you. You couldn’t help the fear that set into your bones as you stared at the barrel of a gun. “Clint, It’s me, it’s Dani,” You pleaded with him. 

You saw the flash of realization in his eyes right before he scrambled off you, You heard the click of the safety on the gun and him slamming it onto the coffee table. 

“Shit, I am so sorry,” Clint rushed, “You just- I woke up and didn’t know what was happening and -”

“It’s okay,” You told him, trying to regain your own breathing. You could feel your heart racing. “I shouldn’t have tried to wake you up like that,”

“No, it’s not your fault.” Clint was fidgeting, “Want me to make us some coffee?”

“Coffee sounds good,” You nodded, you knew you weren’t getting back to sleep after that. 

The apartment is filled with an awkward silence, you wanted to ask Clint about the obvious nightmare, you wanted to be a comfort to him but you weren’t sure how to broach the topic. You could tell Clint was still agitated and probably wanted to spill out more apologies. 

“I really am sorry,” Clint said sheepishly as he handed you a mug. 

“It’s forgiven,” You told him sincerely, “How long have they been happening?” You finally got the nerve to ask. 

“Since I got back,” Clint said weakly, looking now at his own mug, avoiding eye contact. 

You frowned, you knew the feeling but you had to assume that Clint had seen a lot of terrifying things. You had a feeling that there was a lot that you didn’t know and that there was more to the story than just the alien attack. Clint had been gone for nearly a week before without even a word from him. He was often radio silent but there were also plenty of times when he found time to send you a quick message, but you went a week with nothing. 

“If you want or need to talk about it, I am here for you Clint,” You reached out and squeezed his hand gently. 

Clint looked up at you and you could see the pain in his eyes which only broke your heart more. 

“I just caused a lot of people pain,” Clint said softly. 

“You also helped save the world and a lot of people,” You told him with a frown. You knew that the attack on New York had a lot of casualties but you also knew that they were on the aliens and not Clint or any of the others who were helping to stop them. 

“You don’t know the whole story” 

“You’re right, but I do know you.” You told him, “I know that you literally help anyone you possibly can. A good example is both me and Lucky. You would never do something to intentionally harm anyone, unless they seriously deserved it.”

“It’s just, there was a point when I wasn’t exactly in control of my own mind,” Clint admitted, “and none of that was true anymore.”

“Well if you weren’t in control then you can’t be blamed for your actions.” You were concerned by what he meant by not being in control of his own mind but it almost seemed better not to ask so you didn’t. “All I am saying is that you helped save the world and I am grateful, as are many others.”

Clint gave you a small smile, “Thanks,” 

“Anytime.” You told him sincerely. “And thank you,”

“What for?” Clint asked

“Before you rudely pushed me off the couch, that was probably the soundest sleep I had gotten in awhile.” 

“Sorry to have disrupted it. You looked like you really needed it.” 

“I can’t argue that,” You sighed. “But for now coffee will do.” 

As you two enjoyed the mugs of probably too strong coffee, conversation started to flow between you two again. You were catching Clint up on things he missed since you had last seen him, including how much Lucky had missed him. 

You seemingly missed the look in Clint’s eyes as he actively listened to you tell him about the cheesy reality show you had been watching every night. 

Clint POV

As Clint listened to Dani talking about everything that had been happening in the last few weeks and beyond, Clint really stopped to think about how much he truly had missed her.

He thought about how panicked he was when he and Natasha were flying the jet into New York. He knew Dani would be so close to everything and had no way to warn her. He had to focus on the mission but in the back of his mind he was fighting for Dani and praying to any god that she would remain safe. 

He recalled the panic he felt when things had calmed down but she hadn’t answered his texts or calls. He had no way of knowing if she was in danger, injured, or worse and it was horrible. 

He also recalled the pure rush of relief he felt when he saw her in the hallway. She was safe and she was right in front of him and he had never felt more relieved before in his life. 

It was when thinking of that moment that Clint finally saw what had been right in front of him the whole time. Dani. Holy shit, Clint suddenly realized he was in love with Dani. When the hell did that happen? 

Clint figured it probably had happened that first day when he witnessed her trying to move in by herself with a broken foot. Or possibly how she would order pepperoni pizza just so he could eat more pepperoni. Or it was all the times she would patch him up after a mission. The first time had truly been an accident but he’d be lying if he sometimes didn’t just skip medical because Dani was much kinder to him even when she was yelling at him to be more careful. Or it might have happened during one of their many movie nights or their workout sessions. Whenever it happened Clint realized he was in far too deep now. 

Dani POV:

“Earth to Clint!” You said snapping your finger in front of his face. 

“Sorry,” Clint shook his head, trying to clear it of his thoughts, “zoned out there,”

“I noticed.” You chuckled.

“Go on a date with me.” Clint suddenly blurted out. 

“Wh-what?” You stuttered out. Taken aback by the bluntness and seemingly out of nowhere request. 

“I mean,” Clint stumbled, “If you would want to.”

“You’re asking me on a date?” You asked, “Like a real date?”

“Yeah, like something fancy” Clint said. You could tell he was nervous when he started to rub the back of his neck. 

“Okay, yeah” You smiled. You had to try to contain the giddiness you felt that he was actually asking you on a date. 

“Really?” Clint asked, genuinely surprised. 

“Yeah, but you better make it good,” You teased him with a wink.

“It’ll be the best date you’ve ever been on.”