Clint Barton
You really weren't sure who you were hoping for as your hand dug through the bag Peter was holding. All of the guys were incredible, and they were all gorgeous, too. But, what if you didn't feel "that way" about any one of them? At least, not one of them that was actually at the party tonight.
"Oh well," you thought to yourself when your hand landed on a cold metal object, "The worst that can happen is I get seven minutes of conversation with a good friend."
Pulling your hand out of the bag, you saw that you were holding a single key.
"Who does this belong to?" you asked, raising it up high enough that everyone could see it.
No one claimed it.
"Oh, come on, I won't be that bad," you joked.
"It must be mine," you heard a voice yell from the direction of the buffet table.
Turning around excitedly, you found your former mentor turned partner turned best friend in the entire world munching on a cookie.
"Clint!" you said, hurrying over to him. "Natasha told me you weren't going to be able to make it. That you had a last minute emergency or something."
"You didn't really think anything could make me miss your birthday, did you?" he asked as you gave him a tight hug. You didn't see the grateful smile that he shot Natasha over your shoulder, or the knowing wink that she sent back to him.
"Alright, save that for your alone time," Tony said, causing you to pull away from Clint in embarrassment.
"I guess it's us," he said with a smirk.
"Yeah, I guess it is."
You walked over to the doorway with Clint following along behind. Before he shut the door, you heard Tony say, "It's only seven minutes, but try to make the most of it, okay?"
"What exactly did he mean by that?" you thought to yourself. "It was probably just Tony being Tony," you decided.
Once the room was dark, you felt your way over to one of the weight lifting benches and sat down. There was enough moonlight streaming in through the window that you were able to watch Clint's silhouette as he walked over to join you. He sat down so close beside you that the two of you were touching from your shoulders down your knees.
"What was the emergency?" you asked him. "Is something wrong?"
"Nat may have stretched it some. It wasn't exactly an emergency."
"So, you missed my party over something nonvital?" you asked, bumping him playfully with your shoulder.
"It was unavoidable, and I didn't miss your whole party. I'm here right now, aren't I?"
"Mmhm," you replied simply.
The two of you sat in silence for a few moments before Clint said, "It was supposed to be a surprise for your birthday. But, then the guys remembered that this was a milestone year for you, and they insisted on this party. It was too late for me to change things."
"Oooh, what was my surprise?"
"If I tell you, then it won't be a surprise."
"And if you don't tell me now, then my birthday will be over soon and the surprise will still be ruined."
"I'm not going to win this argument, am I?" he said with a laugh as he wrapped his arm around you.
"Nope, not a chance."
"You still got that key?" he asked.
"Yeah," you answered, pulling it out of your pocket.
"That's my surprise. I bought a house."
You knew you should have been happy for him, but the first thing out of your mouth was: "Does that mean you aren't going to be staying here anymore?!"
"I'll still be here some. This house is going to be my place to escape. It's out in the middle of nowhere, and it needs some remodeling. It's a project I can work on for years to come."
While Clint told you about his house, you let your head rest against his shoulder.
"It sounds wonderful," you said truthfully, even though you were sad at the idea of him not being around all the time. From the way he described it, it sounded like the type of home you had always wanted for yourself.
"Yeah, it is. Honestly, I picked it out with you in mind."
You turned your head to look at him and found that he was already staring at you.
"It could use a woman's touch," he added quietly.
"What are you saying, Clint?"
"You know what I'm saying. Are you really going to make me spell it out....even after all this time?"
"I'd like to hear it."
"I love you, baby."
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, you knew deep down that you didn't care if you ever heard any another man tell you that for as long as you lived.
"I love you, too."
He responded by wrapping his other arm around you. It felt so right being held tight in his embrace; it had always felt right.
You gently placed your hand on the back of his neck and pushed his head forward until your lips met his. His kiss was perfect. To you, he was perfect. The next room was filled with men who were rich, brilliant, powerful, or impossibly strong. But, not one of them could compare to your man. He was all the superhero you'd ever need....and he was finally all yours.
"I've wanted to hear you say that for so long," you whispered when you finally parted.
"All you would've had to do was ask," he said, resting his head against yours lovingly. "I want you to keep that key."
"I'm keeping it."
Both of you turned to face the door when it opened, allowing light to cover every corner of the room.
"Well?" Natasha asked, biting her lip tentatively. Behind her, Tony was standing on his toes and peering over her head.
"Well, what?" you replied, intentionally teasing her.
"Are you two a thing yet or not?" Tony asked impatiently.
You looked to Clint and he gave you a little one sided smile.
"Yeah, I suppose we are."
"Finally!" Natasha cried out. "My two best friends are finally together!"
As you walked past her, you gave her a hug and she whispered in your ear, "Name the first baby after me."
"Aren't you rushing things a little bit?" you asked with a laugh.
"Someone has to. I left you two alone and look how long you took. From now on, I'm getting involved with all of it."
"Well, maybe not all of it," Clint told her as he squeezed you tight with one arm.
"So, when am I going to get to see that house?" you asked him quietly.
"We can leave as soon as you're ready. It's your birthday, remember?"
"I remember. Thanks for making it one I'll never forget."