It was late in the afternoon when Tony arrived on the party deck. The sun was halfway beneath the horizon, bathing the city in an orange glow. The sky was just starting to turn into blue, a single streak of yellow in the west to indicate where the sun was. Pietro was almost asleep, his head rested on Wanda's shoulder, she stroked his hair as Bruce filled them in on recent missions. The door banged open, jolting him awake, and in strode Tony.
"Hey Kid. So Banner wasn't pulling my leg, you're finally up." He commented, vaulting the back of the sofa to sit in between Bruce and Pietro.
"Evening Stark." Pietro greeted him.
"You took your time." Bruce said to Tony.
Tony stuck his tongue out at the scientist. "I had some things to clear up." When Bruce looked unconvinced he added, indignantly. "Come on. I only took like 20 minutes."
Bruce shrugged, getting up to sit opposite them in an armchair. "Fair enough." He hesitated before mentioning. "I thought Thor and Barton were with you."
"We were."
Pietro looked over his shoulder to see Clint entering the room, Thor beside him. The archer ruffled Pietro's hair as he passed behind the sofa.
Bruce made a small tutting noise. "Clint. Wanda spent ages smoothing that down."
Wanda rolled her eyes fondly and Pietro laughed. "In case you guys haven't noticed. I'm not a dog."
"I understand that reference." Thor mumbled, only just loud enough for everyone to hear.
The room exploded into laughter. Pietro couldn't help but laugh along with them, even though it made his chest ache. The noise died down, Pietro secretly rubbing his chest. He knew if Wanda caught him in pain she would just get more worried. Wanda flashed him a glance. Pietro thought to himself, I always forget you can read minds. His sister smiled and tucked a strand of glossy, brown hair behind her ear. They talked for another hour, Tony making sarcastic comments and having to explain them to an innocently confused Thor.
"I should get Pietro back now." Wanda told them.
"Fair enough." Tony agreed, drunkly. "You ha… Bye Kid."
"Umm… Sure Tony. See you" Pietro decided it was better to just go along with it than try and understand what he was saying.
He picked up his crutches off the floor and hauled himself off the sofa. Wanda and Clint were waiting at the door.
"Can you manage it?" She asked him.
Pietro nodded. "I'm good. I got it."
They made it to the elevator without trouble. The lift shuddered to a halt as usual but Pietro had learnt to brace himself so he had no problem keeping his balance. As they were walking down the corridor close to the medical room, however, Pietro zoomed forward, his crutches clattering to the ground, hurtling around the corner and out of sight. Wanda yelled his name and ran after him down the white hallway, skidding round the corner with Clint hard on her heels, to find Pietro sat on the floor with his back to the wall outside the room, his legs stretched out in front of him. He was breathing heavily, eyes closed, and his hand was clutched to his ribs, wincing in pain.
"What did you do that for?!" Wanda asked him, crouching down next to him and brushing his hair back with a hand.
"It w-wasn't me." He stuttered, his chest heaving.
"Pietro, you can't just run straight away. It will take time." Wanda warned, clearly not believing him.
She looked angry but Clint knew she was just worried about her brother. Clint was anxious as well. He had grown to care for the kid and he didn't want anything bad to happen to him. Hah, muttered a small voice in his head. Bit late for that.
"I told you. I d-didn't do it. I don't…" A hoarse coughing fit interrupted his protests.
Wanda rubbed his back soothingly until he regained control of his breathing and helped him up. Clint went to Pietro's other side and offered the kid his hand. Pietro took it; both gripping each other's wrists as he struggled to his feet.
"Do need help to walk?" Clint asked.
Pietro hated to admit weakness but nodded curtly and put an arm around Clint's neck, leaning on him heavily as he limped into the medical room. Pietro used the table as a support, relieving Clint of some weight. He pushed himself onto the surface, grunting with pain as Wanda massaged his chest. Clint unwrapped his arm from Pietro's neck, stretching his back.
"Sorry." Muttered Pietro.
"Its fine. I've had heavier." Clint replied.
Pietro smirked. "Getting old?"
Clint stuck out his tongue. "Not that old Kid."
"You just con- contra-tradicted yourself by calling me a kid." Pietro's accent stumbled over the words.
"You can say that again." Clint grinned.
"No I can't."
Clint chuckled and patted Pietro on the shoulder. "I'll be off then. See you later guys."
"Bye." Pietro called.
Wanda caught up to him before he left the room, tapping him on the shoulder. Clint turned around to face her and she took a deep breath before whispering something that Pietro did not catch.
Wanda forced herself to look into Clint's questioning gaze. "I really appreciate your help with him Clint. I know he's impatient and you're very understanding."
"Oh… Thank you, Wanda. He's a good person. A friend."
"Clint. He sees you as more than that." When he continued to look confused she added. "You know… I believe he thinks of you as a father."
Clint widened his eyes in surprise. "Wha… Me?"
Wanda nodded. "I think he does. And… so do I"
Clint stood there with his mouth gaping for a few moments. He blinked a couple of times and shut his mouth tightly. Wanda smiled and walked back to her brother. Clint turned to face the door slowly, looking over his shoulder to glance at the twins before leaving the room, pondering over what Wanda had told him.
