Natasha wasn't very comfortable with love. Loving was such a vulnerable thing. When you loved you exposed yourself, opened yourself up so your lover could see every inch of you, all your flaws and all your secrets. And when you lived a life like she did, your love could and would be used against you. Your lover would be tortured in front of you. Love was a weakness.

The first time he told her he loved her, she panicked. She cried and told him she couldn't say the same. He had told her that it was okay, that she never had to say it. But he said it a lot even though he never expected a reply. It had been so long since he told her, and yet she never once told him.

She loved Clint. It took a while to admit it to herself, but now she had. She loved him with all the risks. So, one night when they lie in bed, and he was facing away from her, messing around on his phone, she did it. She traced the words on his arm over and over again. I love you. It felt so good to admit it.

Author's note: Thank you all so much for reading, voting, and commenting! I have some other Clintasha stories in the works, so don't worry! Sorry I still haven't responded to the comments. Taking a summer class is no fun :( Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter!