[ with the family.

for all that she's meant to be and everything that she's done, hearing that simple phrase - with the family - makes nat's chest tighten. yes, kate's talked about the farmhouse, about seeing them, but it hits different this time, knowing that they were back, that they were okay, and that what she'd done wasn't for nothing. that the people she loved most in the world were fine. even if christmas was hectic, even if there was more saving to be done (always, apparently), laura and the kids were alive like they were supposed to be, which meant that clint barton was whole again.

and drunk. telling too much of their past, but maybe not all of it. which is a good thing. ]

Yeah? [ time to deflect just a little, because there's time to discuss the world post-blip and nat will definitely get there. maybe get a little drunk herself. but she tinges the word with amusement for kate's benefit. ] Gotta be careful getting him drunk. Who knows what he'll say.

[ teasing clint when he's nowhere near able to defend himself is fun. ]

You're still here, so he must have seen the good in you, too. He doesn't do that for just anyone.

[ have that compliment, miss bishop. ]