Disclaimer—I do not own the characters from The Avengers

Note From the Author—This short story was inspired by a gif which noted that for two master assassins Natasha and Clint resorted to some pretty juvenile things like biting and hair pulling. The description of Clint's eyes also comes from a post on Tumblr, and is probably the best description I have ever heard for Jeremy Renner's eyes. This is my first foray into the world of The Avengers, so I would dearly appreciate feedback. Thanks for reading!

Clint and Natasha's first coupling in the aftermath of the Battle of Manhattan began in almost eerie similarity to their fight on the Helicarrier; bruising kisses, grasping hands and harsh breath. He fisted his hands in her hair to gain purchase and give himself better access to lavish attention on her neck, she bit lightly at his chin and earlobe when his lips found a sensitive spot that made her gasp. Natasha's hands scratched and pulled at the layers of clothing he had worn to see off Thor and Loki, desperate to feel his skin against hers. She had barely managed to divest him of the shirt and jackets when he knelt to pull first one boot and then the other roughly from her feet.

Once he had divested her of her shoes Clint pulled Natasha tightly to him, sighing contentedly when her head came to rest against his chest. Suddenly everything between them slowed, a contrast now to the frenzy they had felt mere moments before. Pulling back, she looked up into those kaleidoscope eyes of his, the flecks of amber standing out starkly against the grey as he watched her in the quiet. In that unnervingly noiseless manner of hers, she circled to his back, pressing soft kisses to the cuts and scrapes she found there. Natasha skimmed over every inch of skin she could reach, needing to feel him warm and real beneath her hands.

Finally she came to stand in front of him, and Clint's calloused hands were on her face, carefully tracing the cuts and bruises she had so skillfully covered that morning in order to preserve the mask she so often wore. Feeling warm and content, she nuzzled against his palm, and when his lips finally met hers again it was almost like coming home. They found themselves re-discovering each other and putting each other back together all at the same time, and when they finally came together it was as if the last piece of the puzzle fell into place.

Later they would have to deal with the reality of a world in turmoil, the lives of superheroes and celebrity status they had never asked for, and the horrible truth of the death of their dearest friend. But for now they had each other, and a moment that was a perfect counterpoint to the chaos around them.