"Do you need a hand getting undress?" called Phil glancing back over his shoulder as he prepared the bath.

Clint blinked his eyes open and gave a sleepy smile. Pushing away from the doorframe he'd been resting against supposedly watching Phil draw the bath, he rasped, "Hand would be good."

The slight smile that tugged at Phil's lips was enough to let Clint know he'd made the right call. He couldn't remember when it had happened, when he had become okay with someone helping him like this. When accepting help stopped being a sign of supposed weakness and turned into something he actually looked forward to. He gave a little chuckle as Phil slipped his fingers into his belt loops and tugged him closer. Running a hand up over the Kevlar vest still plastered to Clint's chest, Phil took a moment to steady himself before reaching for the shoulder straps and gently easing the form-fitting amour away. The moment it came away Clint let out a long low breath sighing, "I hate that thing."

"It keeps you alive," replied Phil, reaching down to tug the black shirt free of Clint's belt. He pulled the shirt up and over Clint's head frowning slightly when he noticed red marks gracing the top of Clint's shoulders.

"I thought you weren't injured," murmured Phil a frown marring his face. Gripping Clint's elbow he turned the younger man around the frown deepening and his face slipping into agent mode as he snapped, "Damn it, Barton what the hell happened to your back?"

"Huh"? asked Clint sleepily. Twisting his head left and right trying to see over his own shoulders. He stumbled slightly as Phil pulled him further into the bathroom turning him so he could see his won back in the mirror.

"Oh that," chuckled Clint, "My perch wasn't exactly comfortable. I kept catching my back on the bricks."

"You were stationed on a balcony," replied Phil his hand ghosting over the angry red marks littering Clint's back, "and you were wearing body armour. How the hell did you…"

"I moved locations," explained Clint turning around so he could look at Phil properly. He dropped his eyes a moment and wrapping his arms protectively around his midsection he added, "The original location didn't give me good enough eye lines so I…"

"That wasn't mentioned in the initial report," growled Phil still very much in agent mode.

Clint glanced up and offering his handler what could only be described as a begging puppy look he murmured, "Can you wait until tomorrow to lecture me about protocol. Please? Tonight I just…"

"Of course," soothed Phil closing the gap between them. Without hesitating he slipped his arms around Clint's torso pulling the younger man against him.

Settling his head on Phil's shoulder, Clint turned his face nuzzling against the skin just above Phil's collar and took several deep long calming breaths.

"I'm sorry." breathed Phil brushing a soft kiss against Clint's dirty hair, "I just hate hearing about other people's incompetence, especially when their incompetence results in you getting hurt."

Clint chuckled against Phil's neck and brushing a soft kiss against the warm skin he murmured, "You can write a report about it tomorrow."

"In triplicate," replied Phil with a little snigger. Easing back he bought a hand up caressing the back of Clint's neck. Watching as Clint reacted to his touch, he smiled and asked fondly, "You ready for that bath now?"

"Oh god yes," breathed Clint, "I am one massive ache."

Phil nodded and, without wasting time on talking, he started to strip Clint of the remaining uniform. Once he had peeled away the last of the filthy black uniform, he stepped back and running a very appreciative eye over the now naked Clint he nodded and ordered softly "Need you to stay awake, Clint. Don't want you to drown."

"Doesn't matter if I go under," replied Clint sleepily, the sheer honesty in his face and voice enough to take Phil breath away, "You'd save me."

"Always," promised Phil as he moved Clint forward, steadying the exhausted specialist as he stepped into the bath. Helping him down into the warm bubbles, Phil smiled when Clint gave a little yelp of delight and poked the little rubber duck that was floating in amidst the bubbles.

"What the hell is this?" giggled Clint sending the little Kevlar-vest wearing, bow wielding duck speeding down the bath tub.

"I found it on line," chuckled Phil loving the smile lighting up Clint's face, "There's one for each of you actually. I thought you might like it."

"Hey you know I love playing with myself in the bath," smirked Clint, offering Phil a teasing wink as he sank back into the bubbles.

"Yes," replied Phil straight faced, "That's why I didn't…"

"Wait is there a Cap one?" interrupted Clint his eyes snapping open, "Oh god, you got a Captain America duck to play with, didn't you?"

Phil glared at him and turned away but not soon enough to hide his reaction at the comment. It was only noticeable to someone who knew Phil well – and no one knew him as well as Clint – but there was smallest hint of a blush worked its way over the stoic face. And it was noticeable enough to have Clint chuckling mercilessly. Nudging his own duck with his toe, Clint called, "You know I'm gonna get you one if you haven't got it already."

Phil ignored him, busying himself with getting a few supplies before turning back and ordering firmly, "Sit up, I need to wash your hair before you fall asleep."

Clint hesitated a moment then slowly levered himself back to a vertical sitting position. Making sure not to catch Phil's eyes, he murmured, "Thank you for this, by the way."

Phil gave him a warm smile in response knowing better than to reply to such a raw, exposed comment. Kneeling by the side of the tub he dipped the jug into the water, and ordered softly, "Tip your head back,"

Clint obeyed, closing his eyes and trying not to sigh as warm water cascaded over his head, slicking his short hair. He concentrated on the soft sounds of Phil moving beside the tub, the gently thud as knees hit the sides of the tub, the squeak of a hand gripping the edge of the enamel side and then the wonderful feeling of strong trusted hands working the shampoo into the short strands washing away the grime of the missions. Trying very hard not to whimper as Phil started to massage his scalp; Clint bit his lower lip, balling his fists as he tried to hide how much the gentle attention was affecting his exhausted body.

"Let go," ordered Phil softly, those soft calming tones Clint adored during a mission working an even greater magic on him in the quiet of their private bathroom

Clint didn't obey at first. He rarely did. Even after all this time he still found it hard to switch from being a highly trained specialist that relied on no one but himself to being able to trust someone else to take care of him. But as Phil continued to massage his scalp, soothing away the pains and stress of the mission, he found himself slipping into that role which is secretly loved – the role that allowed him to trust Phil completely.

"That's it, darling," soothed Phil pressing the softest kiss against the back of Clint's neck, "Let go, relax. You're safe now, you're safe."

Clint turned his head and blinking his eyes open he stared at Phil and offered a soft almost nervous smile. Phil smiled back and nuzzling his face against Clint's hair, he ordered, "Close your eyes, I'm going to rinse the soap off."

"Yes boss," replied Clint smirking at the huff he got in response. He loved it when Phil huffed at him, because he knew no one else ever got that little emotion filled sound except him. Even on the most dangerous of missions, he knew that little huff down the comm meant they were okay, it meant they were still alive.

Phil tipped jug after jug over Clint's hair, chasing each pint with a hand soothing the suds off the now clean blonde strands. Clint shivered in delight letting out little mew and sighs as Phil washed away the last of the suds. Stroking his hand over Clint's hair Phil smiled and ordered, "Lean forward let me get your back before you really do fall asleep."

"S'your fault," griped Clint, "Got magic hands, make me feel so good,"

"I aim to please," replied Phil smiling opening at the sleepy yawns and yaps he was getting out of Clint.

Running a sponge over Clint's back, Phil quickly washed off the last of the mission taking time to linger on the angry marks left from the precarious perch the master archer had chosen himself. Letting the sponge drop back into the tub, Phil grunted and slowly got to his feet, rolling out his shoulders trying to get some feeling back into his hunched back. Clint had slumped back against the bathtub, his eyes closed and his breathing soft and shallow. Tidying away the shampoo and sponge Phil took a few moments to watch Clint resting, drinking in the rare sight of a relaxed Hawkeye in his tub. After a few moments he leant over and brushing a kiss against the side of Clint's mouth, he murmured, "Wake up sleeping beauty, I need to get you into bed before you fall asleep."

"Bet you say that to all the girls," replied Clint sleepily.

"No," smirked Phil, "Just my favourite, most annoying sniper."

Clint gave a little cheer and allowed Phil to help him step out of the tub. Looking at the thick fluffy towel he was being offered he bit the side of his lip and flicked Phil a beseeching look. Nodding silently Phil simply turned and started to dry Clint off. Taking time to dry each limb, Phil sank to his knees, making sure he paid careful attention to Clint's feet and ankles knowing how tender they could be especially after such a hard mission, before working his way up Clint's firm legs. Clint gave a little sigh of pleasure and resting a hand on Phil's head he murmured, "Thank you,"

Phil simply pressed a soft kiss to Clint exposed hip before rising back to his feet and wrapping the towel around the sleepy man. Clint blinked his eyes open and smiling at his handler and lover, he breathed, "Missed this. Missed you."

"Missed you too," replied Phil cupping the side of Clint's face with his hand. Running a thumb over the now clean skin eh leant in and pressing a soft kiss to Clint's lips he asked, "You okay to finish up?"

Clint nodded stealing a secondary kiss before pulling back and running a hand through his wet hair, "Yeah," he yawned, "I think I can manage to bush my teeth and stuff on my own."

"Good boy," chuckled Phil patting Clint's hip before leaving to allow Clint finish off by himself.

By the time Clint padded into the bedroom, Phil had got the bed turned down and was already lying down reading a few e-mails. Clint couldn't help but chuckle at the sight – Phil was still in his shirt and suit trousers, only the tie had been removed giving just a glimpse of the body hiding beneath those intriguing suits.

Looking up from his tablet Phil offered Clint a soft smile and asked, "You coming to bed or do I need to order you to lie down?"

"I'm coming," grinned Clint. He crawled up the mattress and paused, resting on all fours gazing at Phil. He waited for the Phil to look at him before offering what could only be described as a seductive smirk.

"You need to sleep," ordered Phil, fighting to ignore the look Clint was giving him, the open sexual come on that would have reduced stronger men to mewling messes.

"But I…" protested Clint, almost pouting at the fact he was being refused.

"Sleep," snapped Phil softly. He chuckled at the glare Clint gave him. Patting the mattress beside him, he ordered, "Come on, lie down and get comfortable." As Clint flung himself petulantly onto his back, arms folding over his chest as he stared up at the celling, Phil added, "How about I make you a deal?"

Clint cocked his head, still glaring at him but obviously waiting to hear the offer before making some smart arse comment.

"If you're a good boy and go to sleep now," offered Phil in a soft commanding voice that had Clint shivering in anticipation, "I promise we will play any game you fancy tomorrow."

Clint thought about the offer then, with a knowing smirk, he nodded and wriggled closer. Snuggling against Phil, he rested his head on his lap, forcing his way between Phil and his tablet. Smiling indulgently Phil lifted his table out of the way letting Clint get comfortable before bring his arm back down, letting it lie over Clint's shoulder, absently stroking Clint's hair with his free hand. As they settled down, Clint yawned loudly before asking sleepily, "Aren't you sleepy?"

"Just got a few things to finish off, you go to sleep though, you're tired."

"So are you" replied Clint twisting so he could look up at Phil, "You know the paperwork will still be there tomorrow. And…"

"And you need to stop worrying about me," corrected Phil, stroking Clint's hair down more, gently easing him back down into the comfortable position, "Go on, go to sleep, darling." he paused then added in a softer lower voice, "I'll watch your back for you. You're home now, you're safe."

Clint didn't reply, he simply snuggled closer nuzzling his fact against Phil's stomach, one leg coming up to lie over Phil's, leaving him wrapped around the agent, a silent acceptance of the gentle offer. As they settled down Clint let himself go, finally letting go off the last remaining stands of tension that had kept him going through the mission. But now, curled up around Phil, the soft soothing motion of Phil's hand stroking his hair and the occasional gently tut as Phil read something he disapproved of, Clint finally let himself fall asleep knowing that for the time being at least he was safe, knowing for the time being he was in the company of someone who would never let him down. And that knowledge meant more to him than anything else in the world.

FIN x