InsaneJournal

Who: Nat, Clint and Fury
What: On the way to Wakanda
When: Backdated to Thanos plot
Ratings: Green



It was a miracle Nat wasn’t flying the jet. But Tony had set their coordinates into the navigation system while allowed the jet to fly itself. Which also meant, that Nat would be sitting in the back, that spear unconnected and looking like her batons would rest at her back forming an ‘X’. Her Black Widow outfit dorned her frame, an outfit she hadn’t worn in a few years. But that wasn’t the type of thoughts she was trying to have.

Instead, she found herself, with her arms crossed and her head hanging low. Taking a quick nap for the time being, since she had a feeling once they arrived it would only be a matter or a day or so before the fight broke out.

Clint sat beside her (always) looking out the window, idly fingering the arrows in his quiver, taking yet another inventory by feel. Exploding, tracking, anchoring… He was acutely aware he hadn’t been in the fight the first time it happened and wondered if that would prove an asset or a weakness. He knew this Thanos wouldn’t be taken down by an arrow. Perhaps his role would be to keep everything else away from those who tried to take Thanos down.

And if Thanos couldn’t be taken down…

Something had released in Clint with the return of the Dusted. When his family wasn’t among them. Something that made him believe, whether because it was actually true or just because he needed to, that the world around them wasn’t the only splinter dimension. That they themselves were splinters and there were other versions of them back there. In which case… he hadn’t cheated on Laura, because in this dimension, there was no Laura. He hadn’t lost his kids because he’d never had any. It was the only thing that made sense of his reactions to things, the dreamlike quality of the memories, the otherness of them. And if the Dusted returned in this dimension, they could return in the other, so the other Clint Barton would be reunited with all of them and they would be all right. Meanwhile, this Clint Barton would do what he had to. And right now that meant being here, all of him, all of his mind, (—and, yes, shaddup, heart) with and for the team. Whether or not they could defeat Thanos here, there were multiple possibilities and multiple chances.

And that was enough headache-inducing thought for right now. He’d leave that to Strange and get back to brainstorming with inventory. Laser. Grappling. Heat-seeking.

Nick sat in a contemplative silence. He knew that Clint wasn’t coping well and that Nat was coping too well, but it was what it was. When this was all said and done, he’d send them off on a vacation, let them relax for a bit while he kept things running. It wasn’t the same without Morse there, although this wasn’t the first time he had to do things on his own.

“You guys know what to do,” he said, to no one in particular. Nick didn’t even know why he was giving them a pep talk. These were his strongest agents, the cream of the cream. Still. An occasion like this one? You needed some positive vibes.

“I’ll stay back with the other civilians. Under no circumstances are you to leave your positions to come to my side. I can handle this. Do I make myself clear?”

The thing with working so close with Clint over the past few years meant she knew when he was near her. Even if he didn't say anything. The silence was… a bit overwhelming, but Nat kept her neutral demeanor on the outside as usual. So, when Fury started talking she lifted her head and glance over at Clint and soon back to Fury.

“I got the ground… there's a certain enemy I'm specifically waiting on.” Nat informed them both. She never asked if Fury was from where she was. It was never a thought. But now so close to the fight, Nat knew who she had to pair up and what specific enemy to be on the lookout. “With Cap gone… I'll cover James and anyone else on the field.” She started looking over at Clint.

He wasn't in the original battle. So she hoped with the advantage they had, and the more fighters on the field they would have a winning chance. They couldn't -- wouldn't make the same mistake twice.


“I’ll find some high ground,” said Clint. “Won’t be able to retrieve arrows but can call the overview to you. Maybe that tower that Wanda talked about.” Speaking of Wanda… and Vision… “I know our objective, Director… do we know theirs? this time around?”

Nick didn't, actually. Although he was involved with some of the planning, the reality was as Director of new!SHIELD he only knew what he was focused on. There was a time where he'd have all the information but he was trying this little thing called trust . Trust Tony Stark.

Hoo-boy.

"We know they're all on our side. That should be enough. As wary as I am about some...well, i've been reassured she's not a problem." Maybe one day he'd extend that trust to Wanda. Maybe. "Get in, get the job done, get to live another day. It's all any of us could ask for, really."

Unlike Clint and Nick, Nat trusted Wanda. They shared a deeper history the past few years. Please the Wanda from where Nat was from anyways. But to her it made no difference, what version she was. They shared one goal. Thanos can not win. To Nat, right now that's what mattered most.

“She's not.” Nat felt the need to assure them both, that Wanda was on their side. Which was a good thing right about now.

Hearing Clint talk about a building Nat nodded. “Your our eyes Clint.” Since Sam and Rhodey weren't here to take to the sky, that left Clint and Tony.

Clint trusted Wanda, too. “And the enemy?” he asked. “Do we know their objective?”

“Kill. Destroy. Eradicate.” Nick lifted an eyebrow. “Pick any of those and more. It’s going to be a shitshow, no matter what happens, and the losses will be immense. I’m not going to pretend it’ll be our best mission, but I’m pretty damn confident it won’t be our worst either.”

His eye flickered to the window. Wakanda’s forests have given way to the vibrant city, and part of Nick is thrilled to experience this. He’d always known there was more to the African city than was presented to the world, but without any inside sources or ways to get that information…. Well, suffice to say he’d probably never have gotten this opportunity otherwise.

“Don’t sway from your missions. Do what you gotta do, and leave everyone else to figure it out themselves. We can’t be responsible for what’s going to happen.” He turned and looked at Clint specifically. All of this has been especially hard for the archer. Nick felt a bit of worry but now was not the time for that. It was a battle, damnit.

Once the jet went through the barrier Wakanda came into view. The city alone was impressive and breathtaking.

"We're here." Is all Nat said and she started gearing up. Everything she'd done the past six years led up to this moment. And they wouldn't lose, not a second time.