Natasha
Natasha was sitting on top of the Stark Industries tower, taking in the view of the city. New York was beautiful during the night, everything seemed to shine so much brighter. Natasha closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was at Clint’s home. She felt a pang of sadness and guilt as she went into the house. She entered Nathaniel’s room, and the woman sat across from him on the floor, where he was playing with his trains. The kid grinned and looked right at Natasha.
“Hi Auntie Nat!”
“Hi Nathan,” Natasha said, giving her nephew a sad smile, not that he could know that.
“Everyone is still sad you left, which doesn’t make sense cause you’re right here.”
“I know buddy,” Natasha said.
“Do you wanna play with me Auntie Nat?”
Natasha nodded at Nathaniel.
“Here you go,” he said, pushing a train towards her. “You can play with that one. The trains are trying to escape the evil tunnel that’s trying to capture them.”
They played for a little while, Natasha occasionally chiming in as she mainly just watched her nephew, wishing there was some way she could connect to the rest of the family.
“Nathaniel? What are you doing?”
Natasha quickly put the train down and tensed up, moving to the corner of the room to watch the interaction.
“Hi Daddy, I was playing trains with Auntie Nat! The trains were trying to escape the evil tunnel.”
Natasha’s face filled with guilt as Clint sighed, looking at his son sadly.
“Nathan, you do know Auntie Nat isn’t here anymore, right? She went away buddy, and she isn’t coming back.”
Nathaniel cocked his head at his daddy, confused. Why couldn’t his daddy ever see that Auntie Nat was right there? He could see her, and this time she was able to play for a lot longer than last time! “But Daddy, Auntie Nat is right there!”
Clint looked over at the corner of the room, heart clenching with pain as he thought he caught a glimpse of red hair. He blinked, shaking his head as there was nothing.
“Auntie Nat, tell Daddy you’re right here.”
“Nathan,” Natasha said softly, eyes beginning to water.
“Tell him Auntie Nat! He doesn’t believe me! Tell Daddy you’re here!”
“Nate, remember what I told you? Daddy can’t see me, only you can.”
Clint watched his son respond to what had to be in his head. Nate was talking to himself, and it tore him apart each time he watched it. Maybe it was time he and Laura talked about getting Nathaniel to a therapist.
“How can I show Daddy you’re here?”
“You can’t baby, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
“But he has to see you, Auntie Nat! He has to! Daddy doesn’t believe me, he thinks I’m crazy! So do Lila and Cooper and Mommy! They don’t believe me!”
Natasha’s heart was breaking, seeing her nephew starting to break down. She knelt down and held her arms out, letting Nathan fall apart in her arms. There was light starting to emit from her, but she didn’t take notice, only focusing on comforting her nephew. She heard a gasp but didn’t give it much thought. She wiped away Nate’s tears and gave him a sorrowful smile. “Nathan, remember what I told you? Your parents and your siblings can’t see me, but you aren’t crazy, ok? You can talk to me and touch me and see me, but that is something only you can do.”
“I wish Daddy could see you, then he would believe me,” Nathaniel pouted.
“I know baby, I know. I’m so sorry,” Natasha said, tears beginning to fall.
“Nat?”
Natasha’s head swiveled in shock to look at Clint, who was staring at her. Staring. He could see her. He could see her. Clint could see her.
“Clint?” Natasha asked softly, clutching Nathaniel’s hand.
Clint was flabbergasted, his entire being pulsing with both pain and disbelief. His mouth was agape, he couldn’t believe she was standing right in front of him.
“Daddy can see you?” Nathaniel asked, looking up at his aunt with bright eyes.
“I think so,” Natasha said in a barely there whisper.
“Nat? Is it—?” Clint couldn’t form words, he was in complete shock.
“Clint,” Natasha replied, taking a step towards him, stopping only when Clint took three steps backwards in return.
“I watched you die, Nat!” He shouted.
“Clint, I—”
“I watched you sacrifice yourself so I could be with my family! They would have been fine! It should have been me! Nat, it should have been me! It was me, it was supposed to be me!”
Natasha rushed to her best friend and hugged him tightly.
“It should have been me,” Clint sobbed into her arms.
“It’s ok, it’ll all be ok,” Natasha soothed, tears streaming down her face from the utter pain and distraught she had caused Clint, as well as Laura and her niece and nephews.
“It’s ok Daddy, Auntie Nat is here now,” Nathan supplied, slipping into the hug.
The group stayed that way a while, only to repeat the process with Cooper, Lila, and Laura later that evening. Somehow, Nathan had made it so they could see her, and she vowed to always protect her nephew for that. He had no idea who would be coming for him if his powers were ever discovered, but Natasha would be damn well sure to do everything she could to prevent anything from happening to her nephew. It was the least she could do for him, because he had no clue what he had just done meant to her or Clint. He would in time, but for now, she was content to be with her family.