Title: Downtime
Rating: 12
Summary: After a hard, gruelling mission Phil, Clint, and Natasha indulge in non-sexual age play. Allowing the assassins to regress to a childhood they never had and Phil to take care of the two people he cares about most
Featuring: Clint Barton, Phil Coulson, Natasha Romanoff
Genre/warnings: non-sexual age play, platonic relationships, fluff, pseudo-family, mention of past angst, mention of past abuse and trauma, cuddles, safe places, more fluff
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters of Marvel Movies. No copyright or trademark infringement is intended and no money is being made.
Notes: Not quite sure where this came from, but I love it when Clint and Natasha get to be childish and relaxed and I love Uncle Phil. Anyway, as always this is unbeta'd so any mistakes you find, please, please, please forgive (I mean it PLEASE!).
The tension in the car was tangible. Glancing in the rear view mirror, Phil grabbed a quick look at Clint. He was slumped to the side, his head resting against the window, looking as exhausted as Phil knew he was. His eyes were closed but Phil knew he wasn't asleep, he could see that from the lines still visible in the craggy features. Glancing to his right he stole a look at Natasha. She was sitting bolt upright in the seat, her position painfully stiff as she stared out of the windshield. Turning his attention back to driving, Phil tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He knew the mission had been emotionally hard as well as physically hard. It always was when there were children involved.
Taking a few minues to think, Phil finally asked, "Would some downtime help you both?"
The silence intensified around him. Downtime was their code for the two maser assassins to let go, for them to regress, for them to relax into childhood and enjoy the safety of being looked after without an ulterior motive.
"That would be nice," murmured Clint without opening his eyes, "After that mission I could use some…some time…but what about you?" he asked slowly straightening up and catching Phil's gaze in the mirror, "It wasn't any easier on you."
"I enjoy downtime just as much as you two. Being able to look after you and see you relax that's my way of relaxing."
He heard huff beside him and flicking a look at Natasha, he cocked an eyebrow silently asking her opinion. She turned her head and glaring at him she asked fiercely, "Will there be treats?"
Phil smiled warmly nodding as he promised, "Hot chocolate with marshmallows, just the way you like it, Princess."
She glared at him then slowly the glare melted and she gave him one of the rare true smiles, the ones that lit her face up making her eyes dance with delight. It had taken years for Phil to get that reaction and whenever he got that smile couldn't help smiling in reply.
"Awesome," came a triumphant crow from the back seat, "Hey if we're getting treats, does that mean we can get some story time as well"?
"Of course we can, Champ," replied Phil the warmth and fondness evident in his voice, "You can even choose the story we share."
"Triple awesome," called Clint, the worry and fatigue from moments ago already starting fade as he relaxed into the correct headspace.
Phil smiled back at him and flicked a look over at Natasha. She too had relaxed, slumping down into the seat. Feeling a lot happier than he had minutes before, Phil flicked the radio on and started to hum along as he drove them home to his house.
x
Setting his keys on the side, Phil looked back and smiled. Despite the advance SHIELD tech protecting his house, Clint and Natasha still did a team sweep of the place. Silent but thorough and it wasn't until they padded back into the kitchen that they both visibly relaxed. Undoing the knot on his tie, Phil looked at them both, noting with concern the dark shadows under Clint's eyes and the tightness of Natasha's lips. Rolling his shirtsleeves up, he ordered gently, "Go clean up and get changed, I'll get the food started."
"Bathroom's mine," called Natasha quickly, flicking Clint a superior look when he protested at the call.
"Clint," warned Phil gently, "Natasha made the call, you can take a turn when she's finished."
"But she'll take all the hot water!" protested Clint looking decidedly put upon.
"No she won't," reassured Phil. they had had this conversation so many times outside of downtime as well. "I promise there will be enough hot water for you to have a long lingering shower and not get cold."
Clint started at him, the all-seeing eyes roaming his face then slowly he nodded, the smile blooming over his face as he realised Phil was telling the truth. Natasha watched them both carefully, then content everything was settled, she turned and headed straight for the bathroom.
Phil watched her go then turned expecting to have found Clint gone as well but he was still standing there, a strange look on his face. Cocking his head, Phil looked at him and waited. He knew better than to push when Clint was slipping into downtime headspace.
"What you gonna make for munchies?" asked Clint finally not quite looking at him.
"Haven't decided yet," replied Phil with a faint smile. He started to head towards the cupboards on the far side of the kitchen, then giving a little chuckle, he glanced over his shoulder and asked fondly, "Was there something you wanted to ask for?"
Clint bit his lower lip and nodded faintly but he didn't say anything.
"I need your words, Champ," prompted Phil gently, "Despite the rumours I haven't mastered mindreading."
Clint giggled in reply, a strangely boyish sound coming out of the rugged archer but it sounded so right Phil could never get enough of it.
"Well?" promoted Phil after a few moments when Clint still hadn't replied. He gave him a reassuring smile adding, "It's okay, Clint. You can ask for anything you want. You know that. Nothing is out of bounds during downtime."
"I know," replied Clint. He took a deep breath and then sounding decidedly uncertain, he asked, "Ca…ca…can we have soup and toasty cheese?"
Phil had to swallow hard against the lump that had appeared in his throat. There was so much childish hope in Clint's voice, it made him want to wrap him up in cotton wool and never let the world hurt him again.
TBC
