Once again wanted to thank my beta reader! Love her to death. Her comments on the chapters always make me laugh. Also thank you to everyone reading and reveiwing, it means so much to me 3 Hope you enjoy this chapter ;)
Clint glared over at Thor. "But I do not understand, Hawk-friend." It was growing in Clint's mind just how sheltered the god's life was. He was called an idiot numerous times, and only claimed it was because he didn't understand human technology and references. Every week after the movie, even if he picked it, he would find someone to ask his multitudes of questions.
"It's just a movie, Thor." He grit out between his clenched teeth. Clint never regretted watching a James Bond movie. The only thing he regretted this time was letting Thor watch it with them. "Not everything that happens in movies 's real, in fact 90% of 'em are fake. The only time they're ever real is when it's a documentary." The thunder god's face contorted with confusion. They'd watched a few as per Bruce's request but that didn't seem to affect Thor's memory. Clint rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.
"A… Doc-you-meant-air-e?" He asked slowly. The archer threw his hands in the air and started to walk away. He could not, or more accurately, would not deal with him. It was worse than talking to Steve. "Wait! Hawk-friend! Do not leave me! I have more questions!" Clint stormed a few feet further before coming to the stop. He let out a sigh as his shoulders slumped. He spun back around jaded and bored, but mostly feeling bad for the god. He nodded, signalling to ask a few more.
Thor's face brightened as he all but leapt over to Clint. "What about the Bond man. He is like you, yes?" He asked excitedly. Clint couldn't help but let the smirk tug at his lips. There was no man alive who wouldn't want to be compared to James Bond. Clint was no exception. James Bond was as close to an idol as Clint got.
"I suppose I am." Clint grinned. Perhaps talking to Thor hadn't been such a bad idea. If he compared Clint to James Bond more often, conversation would not only be palpable, but welcome as well.
"So then you have female companions like him? Is Lady Natasha like that to you?" He asked Clint, his face more curious and serious. Within the next few seconds a certain thunder god had been punched in the nose, an archer broke his hand, and then vacated the room.
The now past grumpy and angry Clint walked out the further door of the room, stalking down the hall. He examined his red, shaking hand. He'd dealt with much, much worse, but that didn't change the fact it still bloody hurt to punch a god in the face. Clint was focusing so much on how he was planning to bandage up his aching hand, he didn't even see the red faced Steve walking quickly towards him.
"Oof!" Clint gasped as he collided with the super soldier. Steve's eyes went wide and the blush on his cheeks on seemed to redden with the embarrassment.
"Clint! I didn't see you there!" He mumbled in a quick tone. He extended his hand to help the archer up. "I'm so sorry, my mind was… uh elsewhere I guess." Again, Clint noted, Steve's cheeks were a deeper red. Why was he so embarrassed? Clint stood up easily and brushed himself off with his not-so-broken hand.
"What's up, Cap?" Clint asked, raised his brow. "You feelin' alright? You look a lil' flushed." He stepped a little closer to him, walking around the super solider, examining him more carefully. Steve started fidgeting, shifting on her spot.
"I uh er- I should really get to going..." He mumbled quickly, avoiding Clint's gaze. He was avoiding the question again. Embarrassed, avoiding questions; where did it all this lead? He leaned closer to the spangled soldier and quirked a brow. "Cap-" Clint started in a low tone, trying not to sound angry, but stern enough to get him to talk. Though, he was quickly interrupted by the once again red faced Steve.
"I'msorry. Ididn'tmeantoandshewasjusthereand-" He spoke so fast Clint could barely pick up any words from his sentence.
"Who?" He finally spat out, after spending a minute deciphering what exactly he was trying to get at.
"Natashaand…I-uh." Steve looked away from Clint. "Sorry." He said quickly, giving him a curt nod and then ran off down the nearest hall. He didn't have to worry about the archer chasing after him; he was too distracted by the name that'd just passed from his mouth. What did Natasha have to do with Steve? Clint's mind was working overdrive trying to figure out what the super soldier had been trying to tell him.
A few beats later, Clint took off down the hall. And just as he expected, as he whirled around the corner he found Natasha. What he hadn't expected was the flush on her cheeks as she spun around to face him. The way her hair was just a little too messy for Natasha, the woman kept her hair meticulously perfect, even after sparring or on an op. The way specific places in her clothes were not wrinkled per say, but… different.
And then it clicked in his mind. As many people thought Clint was an idiot, it wasn't that oblivious. He was picking up all the details in his mind and noticing it all. The flushed cheeks, slightly swollen bottom lip, messed up hair, blushing and fidgety Steve; it all added up to something. Although he wasn't in a relationship with Natasha he couldn't help the swell of jealousy that spiralled through him. She could sleep with anyone she wanted. And if she wanted to sleep with Captain freaking America, it was up to the two of them. But damn was Clint going to let the Captain have it during their sparring session tomorrow morning.
"Clint?" She asked tightly. "What are you doing here? Is the movie finished already?" She asked softly. Clearly, she hadn't been expecting him to show up and catch her in the act. That sparked something else inside Clint. It wasn't jealousy. It was anger. How could she not tell him? She told him practically everything. Sure Barnes was an exception to that, the two of them were still a mystery to him, but Clint didn't want to make that a habit. He liked being the one she came to talk about things. The one she, the black widow who trusted no one, truly trusted.
"Don' worry 'bout it, darling. Just passing by." He mumbled lazily, using his drawl to cover up his emotions. "The movie ended a few minutes ago. Had to explain some things ter Thor, but s'about it." He shoved his hands into his pockets, wincing inwardly at the pain that shot through his broken hand and rocked back on his heels lightly. A silence fell between the two of them and once again it was awkward.
"Oh and I ran into Steve." He said smoothly. And damn if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes he wouldn't have believed it, but Natasha tensed. He saw it, blatantly obvious – at least to him. "I've got to go." He said quickly, brushing past her towards the elevator.
"Clint wait-"
"See ya later… Natasha." It just felt wrong for him to use her nickname.
A/N: Bet you didn't see that one coming, did ya? It gets better, just wait.
