Title: Alpha
Author: Proclaim Thy Warrior Soul
Rating: K+
Summary: Clint sees Phil everywhere he looks, which should probably make sense seeing as they work together.
Except for the small fact that Phil is dead. Because Loki killed him.
Four months ago...
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, not even that pesky archer. He's on my birthday wishlist though ;)
Chapter Two: Static
Natasha ignored Stark's inane chatter from beside her with practised ease, her attention drawn instead to Steve as he wiped at the goo splattering his shield with the sleeve of his uniform. It was a lost cause, but she wasn't going to be the one to tell him that. The small frown he tried and failed miserably to disguise had already caught the attention of the swiftly emerging paparazzi; camera flashes, smart phones and microphones appearing from seemingly nowhere.
"He looks like a lost puppy," Tony snorted in her ear, flicking his head in Steve's direction. Natasha didn't answer him, fingers running lightly over her Widow's Bite with a pointed look. Tony took the threat as it was intended, offering a playfully flirty wink before surging forward to take centre stage and effortlessly blocking the reporters from their distracted team leader.
The low rumble of a contented Hulk at her back helped to stifle the nervous energy that had settled in the pit of Natasha's stomach; the one that came from needing to know her team were safe and still in one piece. As soon as Clint made it to the ground, Nat knew she could silence it completely. For the time being, at least.
Speaking of her wayward partner... "Are you taking the scenic route today, Barton?"
The crackle of silence over the comms was her only reply until a burst of feedback ripped through her skull, causing her to stumble back into the green wall of Hulk's body.
"What the-?"
"Ow!"
It was over in a heartbeat, but the mirrored reactions from Steve and Tony confirmed Natasha's dawning suspicion as she righted herself on two feet.
They needed to find Clint. Now.
Steve's eyes met with Natasha and Tony's, their communication silent yet unmistakably apparent. Despite the newspapers only recently starting to classify them as a team, they were familiar enough with each other now that they didn't need words to formulate a plan of action. A shared look was plenty.
With a nod, Steve flipped the goo-covered shield onto his back and ran for the building Clint should have been exiting at a fierce pace.
Tony slammed his faceplate shut with more force than necessary, cutting off the crowd of reporters as he started his thrusters and lifted off into the sky. He was already a good few feet from the ground when he suddenly found himself with an armful of the Black Widow. At any other time, Tony would have happily seized the opportunity for a sleazy comment, or three, but he was too preoccupied with imagining the trouble Barton had gotten himself into this time.
Ordering Jarvis to put more power into the thrusters, Tony adjusted his grip on the red-head in his arms and headed for the roof.
*A*V*E*N*G*E*R*S*
Author's Note: Only a short update this time, but we get to see Clint next. Thank you for the kind reviews! Who wants to see Clint? :)