*INCOHERENT HAPPY FLAILING*

This was AMAZING! From the relationship between Natasha, Maria, May, and Carter to Natasha's relationship with Clint, to Natasha figuring out all those little things that she likes - this is FABULOUS!

Characterizations are spot on and this bit for Clint really got me:

She's the same as always, mask firmly in place with almost everyone else, a little skewed when they're alone together, and he doesn't dare snatch it away because he knows damn well that masks are worn for a reason. They protect something, and he's terrified to expose it on her behalf. She has to do it herself.


And I absolutely LOVE the contrast between this:

Like most things in life and unlike what movies make people believe, it doesn't happen all of a sudden. It doesn't come as an epiphany, nor does it hit her like a ton of bricks.

and this:

Like many things in life and very much like what sappy movies make people believe, it happened all of a sudden, hitting him like a ton of bricks.

But the thing that put the "aaaawwwwwww" in my heart was:

She wonders if he'll always be so willing to give her what she needs, and the thought sends a shiver down her spine.

Thank you so much dear author! You've written something brilliant from just the little idea of Natasha falling first and I couldn't love this more. =D