you were so hot that when you asked if i was the blind date you were looking for, i lied and said yes, but before i can make a bigger mess, your actual date comes up and introduces themselves and i’m so embarrassed

Meeting for after-work drinks, Natasha greeted her friends, Maria and Melinda, and went to the bar to order the first round.

As she waited for the bartender someone called to her from behind.

“Excuse me.”

Natasha turned to the deep voice.

“Would you happen to be Mary Jane Watson? I'm Clint. Steve and Bucky said we were supposed to meet up tonight?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to be honest and tell him ‘no’, but his twinkling blue eyes made her stomach flutter. Nat quickly scanned the handsome newcomer with the chiseled arms in a tight gray shirt and completely lied.

“Yes, I'm Mary Jane...that’s me.”

She stuck out her hand and felt a small thrill run through her when he took it and squeezed it firmly, pulling her hand towards him.

“Oh good,” he smiled with relief, “I never do this but Steve and Bucky said they've known you for a long time.”

“Oh, I know,” Natasha played along, “me too.”

“I’m glad they said you'd be wearing purple. There was another redhead in a lilac dress but I kinda hoped it was you. Were Steve and Bucky big dorks and told you purple is my favorite color? Is that why you wore that?” He rambled, looking adorably embarrassed.

Natasha shook her head and stared at his mouth, not really listening because he had very nice lips. She silently thanked Melinda for making her change outfits tonight.

Whoever this Mary Jane girl was, it was her loss now. Not only was Clint tall and attractive, he smelled good, his voice was hypnotic and he was sort of funny.

Unfortunately for Natasha his real date spotted him.

“Clint! Clint Barton!?”

Clint and Natasha both turned to a tall, thin strawberry blonde woman in a purple dress waving to him.

“Hi, I’m Mary Jane! I was at the back of the bar, sorry I didn't see you.” She bounced over, her long hair flowing behind her, obviously a model.

Natasha grimaced and started to back away feeling incredibly stupid.

“Hey…” Clint said slowly, obviously confused.

Mary Jane didn't pay attention to Natasha, she only had eyes for Clint. She started going on about Steve and Bucky and how much they told her about him.

Clint nodded politely but turned to Natasha with a questioning look on his face.

Natasha grinned sheepishly and shrugged her shoulders. But before she turned away, she did something out of character and gave him a sly wink, then flagged down the bartender.

“Um..who was that?” Maria asked, looking Clint up and down as Natasha sat with their drinks.

“His name's Clint.” She said offhandedly. “He likes purple and red heads.”

“Well maybe just one redhead cuz he keeps looking over here at you.”

Natasha smiled behind her glass as she took a sip and resisted the urge to look over at Clint and his date.

Maria, Melinda and Natasha ordered another round before Nat got the nerve to glance over, wondering if Clint was having fun with the gorgeous amazon from Wonder Woman.

They were gone. She tried not to let it sour her mood.

“Should’ve gave him your number…” Melinda sang.

“In front of his date? That would have been rude.” Nat smirked at the thought.

The girls said goodbye outside, Melinda and Maria heading left and Natasha going right.

As she approached the corner a familiar voice called out to her.

“So what is your real name?”

No way. Her heart thumped as she waited for Clint to catch up before she turned, not wanting him to see how excited she was that he came back.

“You know it's not fair? You know my name, you know some of my friends' names. You even know my favorite color, but I don't know anything about you.”

There was that smile. How did Mary Jane what’s-her-name let that go?

“What if I don't have a favorite color?” She teased.

His eyes scanned over her more clinically than creepy.

“Probably not an issue, you would look good in anything.”

Wow, charming too.

“Do you flatter all the girls like that?”

“No." He said simply but seriously. “If I did I would still be with my pretty but boring date.”

She took a deep breath hoping to sound casual.

“You didn't have a good time?”

“No,” he stepped closer, “but it wasn't her fault. She wasn't the one I wanted to get to know tonight.”

Nat swallowed hard, not sure what to say. Clint cleared his throat.

“Would you like to meet here tomorrow and tell me about yourself maybe?”

His voice went up a little bit at the end. The confidence slip made him that much more endearing.

She smiled and nodded.

He grinned but then frowned a little.

“Are you going to make me wait until tomorrow to tell me your name?”

Toying with the idea for a split second, she laughed and told him.

“Natasha. Natasha Romanov.”

“Natasha.” He repeated.

Her name never sounded so attractive before. She got goosebumps thinking about how it would sound if he whispered it in her ear.

“See you tomorrow, Clint Barton.”

She started walking home when he hollered.

“Hey Nat?”

Intrigued, she turned back. No one had ever called her that before and now here was this stranger, albeit a very attractive one, giving her a nickname on the first night they met.

Clint shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. If he didn't stop looking so goddamn cute Natasha was going to kiss him right here outside of the bar.

“I know I just asked you out for tomorrow night but I wouldn't be a gentleman if I didn't offer to walk you home safely. And I mean only walk you home, nothing else.” He added quickly.

Natasha smiled and laced her arm through his.

“I'd like that.”

AN: This is my very first contribution to the promptathon. thank you KMC for the prompt idea!!

SQUEEE! Off to read the other one now *G*

Poor Mary Jane... although if she is friends with Steve and Bucky, she probably won't need our sympathy!

haha!! so true, their endless supply of good looking friends is ridiculous

It was a busy Saturday night at Lucky’s Bar and Pizza. Clint stood by the waitress station for the beers he ordered for him and Kate. While the bartender grabbed the bottles, he looked around and watched a group of girls walk-in.

Cute, Clint thought as the blonde and brunette walked by. But when the redhead followed, Clint's stomach dropped. She was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen.

A mane of wild red hair framed her heart shaped face and hung past her shoulders down to a figure that had been carved into statues.

When she looked around the bar, Clint quickly ducked his head and fiddled with a napkin. Glancing to the side, he noticed half the men at the bar staring at her. When he dared to look over, she seemed to be looking at him and gave a little wave.

Clint whipped his head left then right and behind him but didn't see anyone waving back at her. He turned and suddenly she was standing right in front of him, bright green eyes shining with the most brilliant smile. Clint almost forgot how to breathe.

“Hi, I'm Natasha, are you Steve?”

His heart sank, she was here to meet someone.

“Sam said to find the cute guy who looked like he could be in the Olympics.”

Did she mean him? And was he imagining it or did her cheeks turn pink?

It took Clint way too long to realize he was staring at her and hadn't answered.

“Steve, I'm Steve.” He said rather unconvincingly.

Her smile brightened and Clint now planned to propose.

However, 'real' Steve ruined it.

“Natasha?” They both turned.

When Natasha said she was expecting someone that looked like they could be in the Olympics, she wasn't kidding. Real Steve was a perfect example of a supreme athlete.

He was taller than Clint with blonde hair, blue eyes, dazzling white teeth and a broad chest that had muscles on muscles. Clint suddenly hated life.

“Hi.” She said with a head tilt.

“Sam told me you were beautiful but, wow. I’m Steve, Steve Rogers.”

Clint really wanted to punch his face, but he kind of found him charming at the same time. It was annoying.

“Thank you.'' Natasha said politely and shook his hand.

Her smile definitely wasn’t as bright this time, Clint thought. Then he remembered he lied and tried to sneak away, but the stupid barstool blocked his path.

Natasha spoke before he could escape.

“You said you were playing pool in the back, right?”

Clint’s eyes widened. She wasn’t mad? He wished he wasn't so smitten right now because he swore there was hope in her eyes. He played along praying he read it correctly.

“Yeah...I know you said you wanted to play but I don't want to interrupt your evening or anything.” He gave her date a pointed look.

“Oh no I'm sure Steve would love to play, we'll be back in a little bit after we get our drinks.”

She turned and gave the tall blonde a winning smile. If she were his date Clint would have easily caved but Steve seemed put out.

“Of course, sounds fun.” He said tightly.

Clint grabbed his beers, flashed Natasha a quick smile and walked back to the pool room to find Kate.

He probably looked like an idiot almost running to the back but damn if that beautiful woman didn't wink at him making his adrenaline surge.

“Drink your beer and get the hell out.”

He shoved the bottle in Kate’s hand.

“What the hell got into you up there?”

“You have to go now. I'll explain later. Just go.”

“What? No! You said I could finish my beer. Thought we were playing another game?”

Clint looked back at the bar anxiously.

Real Steve and Natasha were headed their way. Kate made an understanding noise.

“Hi. Ready to play? Is this your partner? Hi, I’m Natasha.” She introduced herself to Kate.

“Yes, this is my friend Kate.” Clint overemphasized the word ‘friend’ and Kate rolled her eyes. “Kate, this is Natasha’s friend Steve. Oh, sorry, forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name’s Clint.”

He shook Steve’s hand and looked at Natasha. She rewarded him with that little smile.

Kate gave him a what's going on look but Clint just wagged his eyebrows.

Of course, Mr. Olympian was good at pool. He was probably good at everything. Clint tried not to scowl. He also tried not to stare as Natasha bent over to make her next shot.

Halfway through the game, one of the waitstaff came to him with a problem.

“Clint, a couple of the keg lines are down.”

Clint handed his pool stick to Kate and apologized to Natasha.

“I'll be back in 10 minutes.”

As he hustled to the cooler room, Clint overheard Steve comment.

“He works here? That’s nice.”

“He owns here. It is nice.” Kate defended.

Thirty five minutes and three clogged lines later, Clint came out to find Kate alone.

“Her boyfriend wanted to leave.”

“He wasn’t her boyfriend, he was a blind date.”

“Ah.”

“I’m sure Mr. Perfect probably whisked her off somewhere fabulous.” Clint grumbled.

“Where is more fabulous than Lucky’s Bar and Pizza?” Kate nudged his arm.

“Thanks, Katie Kate.” He half smiled. “Come on, you can kick my ass in darts.”



The next day Clint sat at the bar and worked on the previous night's receipts.

Actually, he wasn’t working. He was staring at the numbers not really concentrating. He wondered how Natasha's date went. How the hell was he going to find her? He only knew her first name.

Lucky’s didn't open for another hour but the front was unlocked. Clint didn't look up when he heard the door thinking it was Kate or one of the other employees.

“Hi.” A melodic voice greeted him.

Clint's heart literally stopped. He looked up and there she was, back in his bar with those big green eyes and killer curves.

“Hi.” He jumped up and pulled out a stool for her beside him.

“Thank you. Is it Clint? Or do you prefer Steve?” She teased.

He had the decency to look embarrassed.

“Uh, sorry about that. I don't think anyone has said I ever looked like an Olympian before, so you kinda had me floored there…”

She laughed.

The sound was addicting. He wanted to make her laugh again.

”I'm sorry we left so early last night. I felt rude not saying goodbye so I wanted to stop by today.”

Barton unclenched his hand so he wouldn't fist pump the air and embarrass himself. She had come back to see him!

“Sorry I took so long, it's bad enough when one line is clogged but three were down last night. Speaking of, can I get you something?”

Natasha looked down and played with her purse strap.

“No, thank you. I came here on my lunch break, I only have a few minutes.” She looked up nervously. “Are you busy tonight? I could come by after work and we could finish our game?”

Clint's eyebrows shot up.

“Yeah that would be great,” he paused and frowned, ”except Kate won't be here tonight.”

He was happy for one whole minute and then realized real Steve would be back too.

Natasha bit the corner of her bottom lip. Clint couldn't help but be mesmerized by the little tongue that darted out.

“Oh that's ok...Steve said he didn't like pool.”

She stood up and looked at Clint somewhat expectantly.

A big grin spread across his face.

“6:30? I'll have the cooks make their best pizza.”

Natasha smiled and scrunched her nose in the cutest way.

“No olives tho, ok?”

And Clint knew he was in love.

AHHHH! This one was just as adorable. LOVE.

Thank you! that makes me happy!

*purrs happily*

author gasps happily: as a cat owner, this compliment is everything, thank you!!