Some Assembly Required

by Silver Flame Alchemist

They are always there for her. Good and bad times, early in the morning or late at night. It doesn't matter. If she shows up, they stop what they're doing (minus, you know, saving the world) and help her out. They're heroes. It's in the job description. - Drabbles Series - Trigger Warning -

7. Birds of a Feather

Clint Barton is my Spirit Hero.

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He was curled up in a ball, covered by a thick, fuzzy black blanket, his perch on the highest point of the house. The chair he was occupying was big enough to accommodate the man, his boots perched by the chair along with a black case that housed his weapon. His slumber was not deep, his mind ready to snap back to attention should it need to.

The girl paused on the topmost step, blinking at the figure in the chair. She debated with herself over what to do, not wanting to disturb the archer in his slumber, nor slip back into the rest of the house and be alone.

"You're hovering." One eye had cracked open to look at her, the eyebrow above it arched. "What's up, fledgling?" He shifted about, getting comfortable once more before he beckoned her closer. "Something on your mind?"

"Just wanted to check on you." She shrugged; a hint of pink on her cheeks from the pet name. "Make sure you were alright up here in your nest…"

He chuckled, both eyes blinking open to look at her. "You sure that's why you're here? There's no other nefarious motive behind it, like, say, not wanting to be alone yourself."

She took the last step up into his domain and shrugged, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Well. Maybe." She scuffed her shoe and glanced up at him. "I wanted to see what your nest was like."

He laughed, straightening up in the chair and glancing around the room. "Well, do you like it?" He asked, expression bordering on smug. "Or do I need to decorate said nest with more ribbons and shiny things?"

She glanced around as well, taking a stroll around the interior of the room, inspecting the walls as she moved slowly around the space, soaking it up.

"Hmm… No, I like it the way it is." She said finally, stopping beside his chair and perching carefully on the arm.

"You should come up here more often, then." He suggested, grinning brightly. "A nest like this can get lonely without someone to share it with every now and then." He paused for a moment before he winked up at her. "Birds of a feather need to flock together, after all."