It's late here, too, and I should be going to sleep. But first -- am truly tickled that you would include the cafeteria scene from "Skies" on your list ... made my evening, that!! *huggles* And yes, I love Frea's penguin parents too! :-)
One of my favourite fics is lar_laughs' "Such Lost Creatures"; it's an emotionally true account of the journey of two people who know what they want but not exactly how to get it, and get derailed by "helpful advice" along the way because they have lost trust in themselves: Clint gets told to look after a plant, to see if he can keep it alive long enough to deserve having a real relationship (with Natasha). The story is also witty and hilarious and just so eminently readable ... The scene that sticks in my mind is the final one, when they finally say "the hell with it" and just go for it, risk be damned. The ending is so ... earned:
“This isn’t love,” she reminds him. “This is something timeless. There isn’t any room for doubt because there is no black and white for us to muddy. You save me and I save you.”
“This won’t be easy.”
“None of the great things are.”
There’s the sound of someone clearing their throat right behind them. Without moving, Clint declares, “I want in, sir. I’ll take the position.”
“Thought you would, Barton. Glad you finally came around to see what was in front of your face all this time.”
“I was too busy taking care of a plant, sir. On your orders, if I remember correctly.”
Natasha’s having a hard time keeping a straight face but it’s okay because she’s pressed into his shoulder now, cradled against him as he straightens.
“You have my permission to throw the damn thing out.”
“Hallelujah,” Natasha shouts, no sarcasm coloring her words.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2013-07-30 12:04 pm (UTC)One of my favourite fics is
“This isn’t love,” she reminds him. “This is something timeless. There isn’t any room for doubt because there is no black and white for us to muddy. You save me and I save you.”
“This won’t be easy.”
“None of the great things are.”
There’s the sound of someone clearing their throat right behind them. Without moving, Clint declares, “I want in, sir. I’ll take the position.”
“Thought you would, Barton. Glad you finally came around to see what was in front of your face all this time.”
“I was too busy taking care of a plant, sir. On your orders, if I remember correctly.”
Natasha’s having a hard time keeping a straight face but it’s okay because she’s pressed into his shoulder now, cradled against him as he straightens.
“You have my permission to throw the damn thing out.”
“Hallelujah,” Natasha shouts, no sarcasm coloring her words.