24 September 2012 @ 12:33 pm
Fic: That One Time Clint Punched a Guy in the Face on Natasha's Behalf.  
Title: That time Clint punched a guy in the face for Natasha.
Author/Artist: [livejournal.com profile] anillogicalmind
Characters: 
Clint Barton/Natasha Romanov, Random Douchebag.
Word Count: 704
Rating: Uhm, PG? Someone gets punched.
Warnings: ^See above^
Author's Note: This is all, entirely, [livejournal.com profile] workerbee73's fault. She wanted valiant!Clint, which is apparently a thing I do now. Big hugs to [livejournal.com profile] im_ridiculousfor looking over this for me. All mistakes and general shoddiness are my own.
Disclaimer:
I don't own the Avengers. Clearly.
Summary: The title pretty much sums it all up.



Clint only realised he was biting the inside of his cheek too hard when the coppery tang of blood in his mouth started to make him feel a little sick. Although that might have also been caused by the potent mix of anger, jealousy and sheer territoriality that was currently rolling around his stomach and making waves at the back of his throat.

He flexed his right hand convulsively as he watched the man slime all over Natasha.

Normally, it wouldn’t be an issue. Well, in so much that it had to become a non-issue. He could usually detach himself from his feelings, remove the woman he loved from the one seducing the mark.

But tonight was different.

And this guy, this one in particular -- with his little pretty-boy face and his city-boy friends -- was trampling all over his very last nerve.

Clint had, of course, noticed him noticing her from the moment they’d stepped into the bar.

Irritation had begun to seep in when he noted that pretty-city-boy hadn’t stopped noticing her, all damn night. And now, of course, the little creep had managed to waylay her in between the distance from the ladies room back to their table.

Their table.

Because they’d come in together. Because they were together.

And Clint was getting really tired of people interrupting date-night.

He could see the irritation written all over Natasha’s face too, carefully hidden under a mask of polite indifference as the little toad blocked her way back to Clint once more.

She could deal with him; that was a given, but the fact was that sometimes it was nice to just pretend to be normal for a while, to not have to utilise the ability to kill a man unless absolutely necessary. Even being able to dislocate a mans wrist was pretty noticeable in a crowded bar on a Friday night, and it simply wasn’t worth blowing her cover for.

However, in Clint’s mind, the pros were rapidly outweighing the cons.

Solely out of respect for Natasha though, he remained seated, watching the scene unfold.

That is, until the guy grabbed her ass when she managed to sidestep him.

Natasha froze, and Clint sprang into action.

He crossed the crowded space in record time, his natural agility enabling him to avoid the veritable minefield of chairs, bags and people. He was by Natasha’s side within seconds, pulling her round and behind him, instinctively shielding her with his body whilst turning his full attention to the lecherous idiot in front of him.

“You do not,” He growled, every sound laced with threat, an inherent promise of retribution shot through every word, “Do. Not. Touch my wife. Ever.”

The man swaggered, and squared up against Clint. Poor fool. Then, encouraged by his now hooting pack of friends, inevitably buoyed up with alcohol and further deceived by his slight height advantage over Clint, he said -- in the cliche to end all cliches --

“Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?” And leaned around Clint to poke Natasha in the shoulder.

The list of things that Clint could do about it was pretty extensive, and began sometime between ramming an arrow through his ear and ended up somewhere at the bottom of the Hudson river.

He settled for punching him solidly in the jaw.

“That.” He said flatly, as the man reeled back, saved only from landing flat on his ass by the wooden table behind him.

Let it never be said that Clint Barton was above snazzy one-liners.

He turned to face Natasha, who was looking decidedly amused by the whole situation and she tilted her head in the direction of the door, ignoring the uproar around them. He nodded once, and placed a possessive hand at the small of her back, steering her towards the exit.

No-one tried to stop them.

She laughed as he held the door open for her, but didn’t protest when he wrapped her in his jacket as they waited for a cab.

And as he tucked her into his side on the journey home, she nestled closer to him, kissing along his swollen knuckles as she caught his hand in hers and kept it there.


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(no subject) - (Anonymous) on April 18th, 2017 07:37 am (UTC)
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:16 pm (UTC)
HE TOTALLY CALLED HER HIS WIFE!

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it and it wasn't just a big ol' heap of fail -- I walk a very thin line on that count.

I'll take your insincere condolences anyway :)
[identity profile] lycomingst.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 05:30 pm (UTC)
That was pretty wonderfu. 8 ]
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:25 pm (UTC)
Thank youuuuuuu! :)
[identity profile] angela-n-hunt.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 05:50 pm (UTC)
YAY

*SEAL CLAP OF APPROVAL*

This was delightful.
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:26 pm (UTC)
*squees* Really?!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! Thanks!

*Makes Arf Arf noises and balances a ball on the end of nose*
[identity profile] angela-n-hunt.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 01:34 am (UTC)
Really. That was great fun. And just the antidote I needed for today.
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 02:42 am (UTC)
In which case I'm glad I could be of assistance! :)
[identity profile] workerbee73.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 06:38 pm (UTC)
And THAT is why you don't interrupt date night.
I'm grinning so stupidly right now you have no idea.

Also, I'm having flaily feels about the whole "my wife" thing. Because REASONS.

The list of things that Clint could do about it was pretty extensive

There also might have been flail about this too. And of course Nat can take care of business (i mean of course-- she's one BAMF, after all) but it's nice sometimes that Clint can deal with the riffraff too.

And I like that she's all amused by valiant!clint in action in the bar but then when they're alone she has that lovely tender moment kissing his hand. Gah. Those quiet soft moments between them just kill me. They are just so private and so intimate. Yes. Yes, I approve this very much. :D

**TWIRLS YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU**

Edited 2012-09-24 06:41 pm (UTC)
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:31 pm (UTC)
Re: And THAT is why you don't interrupt date night.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

I CAUSED FLAIL. Motherflippin' achievement unlocked.

And seeing as you're the cause of this, I'm mightily glad you enjoyed it, AND APPROVE.

Clint is totally aware of the fact that Natasha could beat any man into next Sunday, but he's her man and I reckon they both secretly love being able to show it. HENCE KNUCKLE KISSING.

YAYAYAYAYAY! The lovely comments give me allllll the warm fuzzies :D

Thank youuuu!
[identity profile] hufflepuffsneak.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 07:03 pm (UTC)
Awwww. Sometimes it's good when things are fluffy and uncomplicated (well as uncomplicated as it can ever get with those two).
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:34 pm (UTC)
Agreed. Thus the fluff so sweet it could rot your gums.

The next fic is more angsty though, even though it causes me pain to write them in pain. Why do I do this to myself?

Fic madness, that's why. Just a rapid decline into chaos and plot bunnies.

I'm doomed.
[identity profile] anuna-81.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 08:27 pm (UTC)
YOU DO NOT TOUCH NATASHA ROMANOFF'S ASS AND WALK OUT WITH YOUR JAW INTACT.

AWESOME. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME EVERY SINGLE WORD OF THIS IS AWESOME. But my favorite bit has to be his jacket and her kissing his sore knuckles and just GUH LET ME LOVE YOOO AND THIS FIC!!!!
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:35 pm (UTC)
*FLINGS ARMS WIDE OPEN*

YOU HAVE MY FULL PERMISSION TO LOVE.

So glad you enjoyed it :D

*Squishes you*
[identity profile] justascrewup2.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:36 pm (UTC)
Awww! Loved this :) Nice to see something where Clint can step up and be able to protect Natasha in some small way when normally she would have done it herself.
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 24th, 2012 11:43 pm (UTC)
Yeah :) I love the idea of valiant!Clint, and Natasha letting (and even enjoying) him take the role of protector.

But all the while, of course, maintaining their mutual BAMF status.

Glad you liked it :D
[identity profile] lil-1337.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 01:22 am (UTC)
I love the way that he knows he doesn't have to jump to her defense, but does anyway so she can keep her skills under cover.
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 02:40 am (UTC)
Glad you enjoyed it! :D
[identity profile] chrisfaithalin.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 05:59 am (UTC)
Valiant!Clint is my new favorite kind of Clint. I loved the wife line and also how Natasha just chooses to be amused by the situation. I really enjoyed this.
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 06:18 pm (UTC)
Yes! We need more valiant!Clint fic, fo' sho.

So glad you enjoyed it :D
http://lar_laughs.livejournal.com/: Marvel - Clint/Natasha apart[identity profile] lar_laughs.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 06:03 am (UTC)
And Clint was getting really tired of people interrupting date-night. Love that line so much! The dead pan humor of it all is just so lovely!

Great job!
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 06:20 pm (UTC)
Thank youuuuuu!

I'm ridonkulously happy that you enjoyed the humour, as there's always a pretty big risk that people won't 'get' it.

And deadpan is my default.
[identity profile] im-ridiculous.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 07:33 am (UTC)
WOOOOOO!!!! YOU POSTEEEEEEEEEED!!!!!!

You know I love this. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! Yes, illogical, I am very much going to enjoy having you around these here parts :)

As you know, it's her giggle response that I just love, and I love her letting him step in, and I love him stepping in.

And I love that you manage to tell this story without making him look like an aggressive dick, and without making her look like a vacuous bimbo.

**APPLAUDS**
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 06:23 pm (UTC)
I POSTED! *Happy Dance*

More proud of the fact that I actually managed to post it to the right place than anything to be honest :D

AND I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKE IT!!

*Bear Hugs*
[identity profile] aerrin.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 12:43 pm (UTC)
Okay I kind of love this a lot.
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 25th, 2012 06:21 pm (UTC)
*Squishes you* Thanks!
inkvoices: avengers:jrenner rope![personal profile] inkvoices on September 26th, 2012 11:05 pm (UTC)
It's such a balancing game these days for a guy to stand up for a woman, in life and fic, and this was masterfully done - that it isn't an issue normally, that it isn't an issue when they're working, that Natasha can take care of herself and Clint acknowledges that, that Natasha taking care of it in her way would draw attention that she doesn't want and Clint acknowledging that too, that beautiful punch, and that punching is all Clint does rather than showing off what else he could do, that Natasha is amused, and that it's okay sometimes for a guy to be posessive, open doors, lend a lady their jacket, and, yes, defend a woman. It's such a minefield, one I know I have issues with, and you handle what is tricker territory with ease, making it into something wonderfully feel-good.

Can I talk about how Clint calls her his wife?! Because OH MY HEART! But also because you say it simply wasn’t worth blowing her cover for, which makes me wonder if her being his wfie is a cover story, but then Clint has said that they're on a date, but he also said that this wasn't a normal thing, but then there's he fact was that sometimes it was nice to just pretend to be normal for a while and is she playing at being normal, being his wife, or is this a cover for a mission, or are they actually married??? And then we have the last line and I have to think it doesn't really matter, because that seems so intimate, something more than a cover could ever be. ...And yeah, reading too much into this, but I love the twistyness, because that's their life, isn't it? Playing at being other people for missions, playing at being normal when they're not on them, so many layers :)

Which is to say that I really enjoyed your fic, that it gave me thinky thoughts and awww and happy smiles, and that it deserved a long comment :D
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 26th, 2012 11:33 pm (UTC)
Aaah! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, and I appreciate the length, I really do :)

And yes, when I was writing this I was hyper-aware of the fact that I was dealing with our two resident badasses here, and I wanted to communicate the mutual respect of that fact on both sides, because gosh, they KNOW that the other can handle anyone or anything else, but will still allow the other to step in on occasion BECAUSE THEY LOVE EACH OTHER AND FOR GOODNESS' SAKE IT'S DATE NIGHT.

So, yeah. Pretty much what you said really, only a lot less eloquently put.

I'll leave it up for you to decide whether or not they really have a legally binding document floating around somewhere or not. Or whether they'd even need one.

Thanks again though! *squishes you*


[identity profile] nessataleweaver.livejournal.com on September 29th, 2012 09:26 pm (UTC)
actually, in my personal head!canon, IF they actually are married pre-Avengers, they actually get married again every two or three years. Not because they feel their bond has deteriorated at all. They just like getting married.

Mostly so they can have conversations like 'What wedding did you wear the white dress at? Was it the time Fury performed the ceremony at the LA base, because he knew it would piss off the International security committee?'
'No, it was the time Coulson called in a 'favor' from the UN Sec-Gen so we could get married in the UN rotunda'
'No it wasn't,' Hill broke in, 'It was that time in Rome when he blackmailed the Pope's PA and the Cardinal.'
'Wait, you were at that one? I thought the first wedding of ours that you showed up at was Budapest.'

That, and another part of my head!canon is that SHEILD has no fraternization regs, because to even be recruited by them in the first place you're professional enough to know it's a stupid idea to get involved with a colleague, OR you're good enough not to let it interfere with your work.
[identity profile] anillogicalmind.livejournal.com on September 29th, 2012 10:43 pm (UTC)
Oh gosh, I absolutely LOVE that idea. Just because they like getting married. Hehehehe.

'I /liked/ getting married in Scotland.'

'No Tash, you hated Scotland. You liked my kilt.'

'There was that.'

And agreed on the SHIELD fraternization policies. Not that anyone would argue with Clint and Natasha anyway.

I can haz wedding!fic nao?