Party Tricks
8
"This is the riser," Clint said, positioning her hand on the grip. "These are the limbs," he ran a hand along the top and bottom parts of the bow.
Darcy was standing with Clint nestled against her, his hands over hers, showing her how to hold his bow. She might've asked again just... Cause. And yeah, she loved her life.
He helped her nock an arrow, draw, and release. With his assistance, she, of course, hit the target.
"Bullseye," she said, smiling up at him.
"Alright, Miss Bullseye," he stepped away and she mourned the loss of his proximity. Did she mention he smelled good? And his yummy arms... Ugh, come back, Clint!
"Go on, shoot it," he was smirking openly at her. And yes, he was really gorgeous when he smiled.
"I have no idea what I'm doing," she pouted.
He stepped closer again (Yay!), "Hold here," he fixed her hand. "Point your bow down to nock your arrow," he helped her (read: did it for her). Still standing a breath from her, he instructed, "Now raise it and draw back. Keep your elbow high and bring your index finger to the side of your jaw." He helped her through the motions before stepping back.
Darcy grinned nervously at him before giving it a go herself. She got to the part where she was supposed to draw and let out a grunt.
"Holy shit, it won't budge. We're you doing all the work?"
Clint laughed, "The draw weight is way too much for you. I just wanted to see you try."
"I hate you." And now she knew where those yummy arms came from. Mmm.
"I get that a lot from you. I'm starting to think you mean it," he clutched at his chest before taking his bow from a glaring Darcy.
"So if I wanna learn I need a different bow?" She asked, changing the subject. She really liked the idea of learning to shoot. It seemed more empowering than tazing someone. And, ya know, she'd have a very good teacher.
Clint gave her that puzzled look, like he was trying to read her mind. "You really want to learn?"
"Well... Yeah. I mean, I've always thought it'd be neat, ever since I won at Wii archery." Did that sound stupid? She thought so.
Clint let a grin loose across his face, "Wii archery?"
"Yeah it's a video game, have you played it? There are moving targets and stuff. I mean I guess that'd be easy for you." Stop now, Darcy. Just. Close. Your. Mouth.
"No, I haven't. Does Tony have it?"
Darcy realized he was genuinely intrigued and stifled a laugh. How had Stark not already exploited this? I mean, Hawkeye playing Wii archery. This was gold.
She shrugged, "Probably. He has everything."
Clint nodded slowly like he was considering the thought.
For once she decided to be nice and help him out, "You wanna play?"
"Sure," he said, a little too quickly. He fiddled with the bow in his hand, "Yeah, if you want," he amended, "Surely you can pull a virtual bow."
"Har, har," she resisted the urge to punch him in the -muscular- arm.
He grinned at her before heading down range to pull his arrows.
"But you have to get me a bow," she called after him, "Do you think Tony can make one?"
He let out a derisive laugh, "Tony's not a bowyer."
"Tell him that," she said, "And what the hell is a bowyer?"
"A person who makes bows," he raised his eyebrows like it should be obvious. "It takes years to perfect."
"Yep, it only took me a couple of hours," Tony was unmistakably smug as he handed the bow to Clint.
The archer inspected it, drew it back and let down. Beside him, Darcy looked thrilled.
"You didn't make this," Clint said flatly.
"Excuse me?"
Clint took his fingernail to one of the limbs and scratched a bit of paint off. "It says 'SKY'."
Tony shrugged, "So I bought it. Why would I want to make something someone's already made?"
"How did you know that?" Darcy directed her question at Clint.
"I know my bows," he smirked.
"You're welcome," Tony said, irritated that no one was talking to or about him. And maybe a little ticked he was found out so easily. He knew he should've gone for the second coat of paint.
"Oh," Darcy said, "Thanks Tony. You're awesome."
"I know."
Darcy took her bow from Clint and inspected it. Her own bow, awesome, and was that...
"Is that Hello Kitty?" She gaped at Tony.
"To match your luggage," he said innocently.
"I hate you. Repaint it."
"No can do, Darce. I have very important things to do." He waved and then let himself be chased from the room by Darcy's death glare.
She was hoping he would combust at any minute but her concentration was broken by Clint.
"You have Hello Kitty luggage?"
She tore her gaze from Tony's disappearing back. "It's not mine."
Clint raised his eyebrow like that was the most blatant lie he'd ever heard.
"It's Wanda's," she defended.
"Uh huh. Who's Wanda."
"A girl I knew in fifth grade," she muttered.
He looked like he was about to laugh but at her glower, changed his mind.
"Can we shoot now?" She asked, changing the subject.
"You sure Kitty's not gonna be a problem?"
"Shut up," she grumbled.
Funny story, Wii Archery is actually what got me into archery.
This is mostly a fun chapter with some Clint/Darcy interaction ... Yay!
Keep the reviews coming, they make my day :)
