#laura barton

One of the things I love is that a lot of the fics are 50/50 either focused solely on Nat/Laura or on both of them being with Clint. My personal preference is platonic Clintasha, but I do love me some OT3s, it must be said.

The Bartons were, in many ways, the first family Nat allowed herself to be apart of that was separate from all the darkness in her life (I only say this because it took her much longer to come to terms with her Ohio family, even though she technically had them first). Even outside of shipping terms, that kind of bond would run deep and shape the way Nat would see the world going forward.

So, there's the domestic fluff potential—Nat helping Laura with the kids, maybe learning how to do work on the farm, how to cook, experiencing holidays with a family that loves her and not having it feel fake, etc.

There's also a lot of angst potential in Nat's tendency to push people away before they get too close. Maybe she runs a couple times into the forest when things get overwhelming, or hides out in the barn where Laura finds her. Nat wouldn't be used to the slow, peaceful life out in the countryside, and that would either have a calming effect or cause her nervous system to go haywire (entertaining either way).

Not to mention being around the kids would bring back a lot of feelings about what the Red Room took from her, or even about things she's done in the past (Antonia in particular). So that's something Laura can help provide some closure for.

A lot of this is Nat-focused since I'm, well, me, but that's not to discount Laura's role here. Since she's mostly an MCU invention (her Agent 19/Mockingbird moniker aside) and doesn't have a lot of screen time, there's a lot of room for creative freedom on her characterization. But the main one going around seems to portray her as a source of stability/a home to come back to with Clint gone all the time & her having to live in secrecy. For that reason, I bet Nat would see her in that way once her walls have been broken down a bit.

I can see her being extremely protective of her kids as a direct result of all the enemies out there who would use them as leverage. Protective mom mode would come out at the slightest sign of danger, and for someone who used to be an agent, that would look especially deadly. She'd still be cautious about showing those parts of her past in front of the children (as we've seen in Hawkeye), but the moment crisis strikes, she's first in line to handle it while being able to keep a level head about it.

This protectiveness would also extend beyond her children toward Nat as both an extension of her being part of Laura's family & in some cases (very rare) where Nat could unwittingly put them in danger. Maybe Nat comes home with hidden injuries, and Laura sees through it and convinces her to let her help. Maybe someone finds out where they live, and Laura works with Nat to keep the kids safe. Maybe Nat's actions in CA:CW form a rift between them that they'll have to work through. (For EXTRA angst, imagine Laura's feelings post-Endgame...)

But yeah, there's a lot going on with this ship! Thanks for the ask, anon <3

Here are some Nat/Laura fics that I've enjoyed (in no particular order):

this is our place by fivewhatfive Rated: M | 6,565 words | Chapters: 1/1

Laura, her cats, and the house she built.

Nat being compared to a cat is one of my favorite tropes. Also, the dialogue in this is top-tier.

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Playing with Fire by mildmile Rated: E | 26,877 words | Chapters: 10/?

When Laura's son goes missing with Clint still imprisoned on the Raft, Laura turns to the only option she has left. As she and Black Widow search for Nate and untangle the mystery of his abduction, they must re-learn how to work together, while simultaneously navigating the broken promises of their unresolved past.

An ongoing fic I've been following that I highly recommend! The author has an interesting take on Laura and Nat's backstory, and the characterizations are on-point.

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this life looks like a sentence by greekdemigod (@ofbatwoman) Nat/Laura focus, mentioned Clint/Laura/Nat Rated: M | 2,045 words | Chapters: 1/1

Laura Barton reflects on too short a lifetime of loving Natasha.

Early SHIELD days Nat (with serum) my beloved! And we get to see Laura as an agent, too! A look into their relationship over the years; prepare to cry your eyes out.

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A Love Song in Reverse by Kapua Clint/Laura/Nat, but with a Nat/Laura focus Rated: T | 7,553 words | Chapters: 1/1

Four times that Natasha leaves Laura and comes back, and one time she doesn't.

A timeline of their relationship from start to finish. So loving yet bittersweet <3

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Heartbeat Lullabies by DopeyTheDwarf Clint/Laura/Nat, Nat-centric Rated: G | 2,235 words | Chapters: 1/1

Natasha tries to sleep in the bathtub. Clint and Laura set her right.

Good old-fashioned hurt/comfort soup for the soul.

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We Are Not Shining Stars by enigma731 Clint/Laura/Nat, Nat-centric Rated: T | 14,662 words | Chapters: 1/1

That people might have to die in order to protect the future is a reality Natasha has long accepted. It’s practically been the basis of her training, her work, in each incarnation of her life. She just isn’t used to those people being the ones she loves. Speculative Civil War aftermath, in which the cost isn't quite what anyone has thought.