not-at-all-Christmassy fic

[themonkeytwin]

Title: set fire to the third bar
Ficverse: The Avengers, AU
Series: one shot
Rating: PG
Length: 4500 ish
Characters: Clint/Natasha
Teaser: It was a strange thing, to know you were living a life that wasn't quite your own.
Notes: This basically grew out of a tangental comment to workerbee73 about what Clint would be like if he never ran away and joined the

Comments

[workerbee73]

Best Christmas present ever.

I've been dying to read this story ever since the day we started talking about it, so many long months ago. And now here it is and it's better than I could have possibly imagined. The longing is palpable but its also so full of closure, so complete and supremely satisfying that I'm sitting here with a big contended smile on my face.

I love the way you write Clint. I love how strong he feels, and how real he is; I never doubt his intent or his sincerity for a second. I love the glimpse of Natasha that we get here, even though she was the one being beheld as it were... and what I wouldn't give for a snippet of her the week after this incident sitting at her desk with a cup of coffee staring out into space and feeling the pull of molasses and amber and a dark grey Iowa sky. I want to see them meet up again, maybe just once; I think it'd be enough and never enough all at once (could it ever be enough?)

((And selfishly I want them to have just one kiss.))The honesty in this is beautiful and it makes what at

[themonkeytwin]

I am so, so glad it hit the spot (so to speak :p)! In the end, just one look between them simply wasn't enough, really, they needed their little adventure too. :)

I love how strong he feels, and how real he is; I never doubt his intent or his sincerity for a second.

When I stop to think about it, it keeps taking me by surprise how effortlessly simple he is - as simple and true as an arrow striking center-target. He's unique, really, and a pleasure to write. And, of course, the way Renner plays him, he's such a *visceral* actor, it's magnetic. (I just saw The Town. *flail* :'( He gives such good anti-hero.)

sitting at her desk with a cup of coffee staring out into space and feeling the pull of molasses and amber and a dark grey Iowa sky.

You know, I do get the feeling a tiny bit of SHIELD's resources might get diverted to doing some intel-gathering in Nowheresville, Iowa. After all, they're always on the lookout for extraordinary personel, right? Who knows what might happen in a few years' time? :)

((And selfishly I want them to

[workerbee73]

When I stop to think about it, it keeps taking me by surprise how effortlessly simple he is - as simple and true as an arrow striking center-target. He's unique, really, and a pleasure to write.

Simple and true but those still waters run so deep. As I write him more what I love is how I never quite know what he'll say or do until I get there. And i love that. He's deliciously complex in so many ways, while being so perfectly grounded in who and what he is.

I do get the feeling a tiny bit of SHIELD's resources might get diverted to doing some intel-gathering in Nowheresville, Iowa. After all, they're always on the lookout for extraordinary personel, right? Who knows what might happen in a few years' time? :)

My thoughts exactly. ;)

After I wrote it, I realised there was highly figurative, fire-and-violence version of quick-and-desperate against-the-wall sex lurking in metaphor under all there

HEADCANON ACCEPTED. I hereby declare this a deleted scene.

I need you to write me the follow-up Natasha snippet. No rush. I'll wait. <3

[themonkeytwin]

He's deliciously complex in so many ways, while being so perfectly grounded in who and what he is.

Yes, complex without ever being complicated. Complex like the musculature of an arm, simple like a knock-out punch. :) And so internal, and as you say, perpetually unpredictable because of all of this.

[themonkeytwin]

Hi! Welcome. I'm so glad you liked it, thank you :)

the fire and violence that always exists below the surface, in whatever universe, and draws them inexplicably and inevitably towards each other.

There's definitely a strange yin-yang of sameness going on between them. And allows for a more lyrical, heightened style, because that's just what they are, how they live.

I'm also a tad heartbroken yet also exhilarated by the ending.

Perfect compliment is perfect. Seriously, thank you, that ending refused to *land* for the longest time, and that was kind of exactly what I was going for. :):)

And your Clint is a dream in every single way.

And I'm kind of staring helplessly at your icon. O.O He has that effect, no? :)

Merry Christmas and you are very welcome! <3

[themonkeytwin]

Thank you!

[alphaflyer]

What a fantastic read on a Christmas morning (family still asleep ...). Not at all Christmassy you say? I caught a slightly twisted, A/U aura of "It's a Wonderful Life" in there that was both heart-breaking and life-affirming, centred around the basic core of loyalty and integrity that is Clint Barton.

Beautifully done, and yes -- if the "suit who was standing beside her" was Coulson, and if he has the eyes we think he does for the remarkable, and he and Natasha talkk ... then there's a sequel in there ... If you want, that is. Just sayin'.

Fabulously well written.

[themonkeytwin]

What a fantastic read on a Christmas morning (family still asleep ...).

I'm glad you had a lovely calm before the storm! ;)

a slightly twisted, A/U aura of "It's a Wonderful Life" in there

I'll have to take your word for it - I've never seen it! I know, it's scarcely to be imagined, but true. Although I know the basic idea of the movie, and from that I can see what you're saying. I'll take it!

if the "suit who was standing beside her" was Coulson

I wasn't sure even in my head, actually, but it's totally possible....

And thank you!

[shenshen77]

Gorgeous prose, utterly believable, captivating characterization... this is really beautiful and a lovely Christmas treat :) Thank you for sharing with us!

[themonkeytwin]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it, and you're welcome :)