They gave The Widow an opening, and as thin as her file is because she's that damn good, he knows enough to know she's going to take it.

She tries to contact him. Over and over, in every way she can think of. He almost majibu zaidi than once, but ultimately can't bring himself to do it. But he listens to her messages. Over and over again.

It's been a very long time, if ever, that she has looked at a man other than through a targeting scope. It feels strange and oddly liberating.

Across the dimensions, across the realms, across time they will meet, these so-called not-lovers. Drawn to one another in life forever but never together, to be united only in death.

Everything changed in Budapest, but nothing changed at all. Black Widow/Hawkeye

Clint and Natasha in the hours immediately after shawarma.

Clint had been hesitant with their relationship, backing up emotionally and throwing up the walls any time it seemed to be getting serious, but as she lay tucked under his arm, she thought she'd like it if they got serious.

Natasha remembers letting go. She remembers falling, endlessly, the jagged black rocks rising to meet her. And then, nothing – until the moment her eyes and her mind opened to the golden glow.

They were Strike Team Delta long before S.H.I.E.L.D stepped in. Natasha and Clint, and how they became two of the world's most deadly assassins.

The first time Natasha Romanoff learns of Clint Barton's existence is when he almost kills her. The beginning, and what came after.