Everywhere hurt.

But it wasn't like me to show others my pain. One person saw through that though and I was grateful when he interrupted the famous Tony Stark.

"Oh, come on Barton! We just want to know where Fury sent you guys." Tony practically whined.

"You know that's classified," Steve Rogers spoke up. Tony frowned at him but let Clint and I pass.

When we were safe in the elevator to Stark towers, where Tony had allowed the rest of the team to move into his renovated tower, I sighed.

Clint scanned me with his watchful green eyes. "I would ask if you wanted to stop by the Infirmary but I already know the answer." He said and I couldn't help the small smile.

"What about you? You're pretty bruised up." I crossed my arms and leaned against the elevator wall.

"This is nothing. I've had worse." Clint chuckled.

"So have I. You know I can take care of myself." I said, my tone a little sharper than I had intended. His smile fell. I brushed back a red curl and looked down.

I knew he was only looking out for me and you would think I would be used to it by now because I trust Clint with my life but the more I learn to trust him the more I feel like I should be on edge and distant and I couldn't explain it which is why I hated this feeling.

It was almost eleven and I was exhausted from this past week where Clint and I were sent on a classified mission in Russia.

We were used to caring to our own or each other's injuries while we were together but I had a feeling I would be taking care of myself on my own tonight. Which I was fine with, I mean I took care of myself basically my whole life.

When we got off the elevator together, because our rooms are next door to each other's, Clint went right to his door without a word and I couldn't figure out why that would bother me as much as it did. Then just as I reached my door, he turned. "Goodnight, Nat." He smiled softly and disappeared into his room.

"Спокойной ночи," I whispered to the empty hallway before stepping into my own room.

(Goodnight,)

"Good morning, Agent Romanoff." Steve greeted when I came down for the smell of pancakes. I nodded in a greeting and Pepper Potts handed me a plate.

Everyone was up and eating except for Thor who we still haven't heard from since he took Loki.

Random bits of conversation was breaking the silence but Clint stood off to the side a little. His eyes always scanning the area for threats. I moved to stand next to him out of habit. I rested against the counted and ate.

He glanced at me and I noticed the greeting in his eyes, I nodded with a slight smile. Then he looked at me with a question burning in his eyes. I recognized it; Are you ok? He usually asked that after missions or the following days because I was just as good at him when it came to hiding injuries and pain. I nodded with a slight shrug and raised my eyebrow, asking it back. He basically did the same.

"So Romanoff, are you ever gonna let us in on your silent conversations?" Tony asked around a mouthful of pancakes. He smiled at Pepper when she gave him a look.

"Нет в Вашей жизни" I muttered and Clint smiled. (Not in your lifetime.)

Tony pointed. "See like that. What did you say?" Bruce Banner sat at the table next to Tony.

"Give it up Tony," Bruce said, his eyes on a paper he was writing on.

Tony sighed and leaned back.

"Hey Legolas, wanna go a few rounds in the shooting range later?" Tony asked and was met with five blank stares. "What?" He asked.

"What are you going to shoot with?" Pepper broke the silence.

"Uh, a gun?" He said like it was obvious.

"Did you ever shoot a gun?" Bruce asked, folding his hands over the paper on the table.

"That doesn't matter," Tony shrugged. "You up for it?" He looked right at Clint.

"Sure Stark," Clint said, amused. "I'll try not to beat you too bad." I smirked and took another bite of my food.

"In your dreams, Big Bird." Tony grinned and stuffed his mouth with the last of his pancake.