#oliveteacup

“I love you. I’m completely and utterly in love with you.Please don’t get married.” Natasha had practiced those words in the mirrorevery day since the date was set. Since Bobbi and Clint had finally decidedthat now was the time to go through with it. But every time she thought she'dfinally go through with it...she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

Emotions weren't something that Natasha was any good at.She'd spent a good chunk of her life pretending that she couldn't feelanything, because at least that way, she didn't have to deal with any hurt.

But things were different now. Natasha had never expected tofall for Clint; clumsy, dorky, handsome Clint. After he'd protected her,brought her to SHIELD, and became her partner on almost every mission, the onlyperson she'd ever come to trust, she just thought, maybe, that he'd feel thesame way. He always told her how much he trusted her, how she was his constant,and how he hoped their little team never got broken up.

She supposed being blindsided by him being in a relationshipwith Bobbi was a good indicator that she was wrong. Meeting Bobbi as Clint'sgirlfriend for the first time put Natasha in an awkward place, but she'd donewhat she always did. She put on a happy face, and she retreated back to heremotionless self.

Clint was likely the only one that could tell that she wasacting, but if he could, he didn't mention it. And now, here they were, at hisrehearsal dinner, and Natasha had locked herself in the bathroom. She'd turnedthe sink on, so that no one could hear her talking to herself, and Natashawished that she could squash these emotions out. She'd never been in lovebefore, and if this was how it was supposed to feel, she hoped that she'd neverhave to feel it again.

"I love you..." She started again, when a knocksounded on the door. Her eyes flicked toward the sound and she held her breath.

"Natasha?" It was Clint's voice, sounding worried."Hey, Nat, come on, you're missing dinner, and you still haven't practicedyour toast."

Natasha looked back into her reflection. Her toast. Hertoast where she talked about how long she'd known Clint, and what a good man hewas, and how happy she was for the couple. She'd found the first part of thespeech easy to write, but as soon as it came to talking about his relationshipwith Bobbi, well, that part had taken an entire bottle of wine and a lot ofcareful wording. She wouldn't admit that she was jealous, though. No, notjealous. Not Natasha.

"I'll be out in a moment." Natasha finallyreplied, before glancing back at the mirror. It was now or never, and she hadto do it before he went back to the dining hall, and ended up around otherpeople again. She refused to turn this into a scene around their friends andcoworkers. "Clint?"

Footsteps had seemed to leave where she was, but came backquickly. "Yeah?"