Airplane #12
Erian picked her way down the sidewalk, not laughing, not smiling, not even moving very fast. Her shoes dangled from her hand, her hair hung loose around her shoulders, and her eyes were hard and fierce.
She hadn't seen Barton yet, but a moment after Erian thought of him, a paper airplane flew towards her. She plucked it out of the air, pausing to read it.
Guess I shouldn't have wished you good luck. Looks like it backfired.
"I'll say," Erian muttered as Barton appeared next to her. "If I have to wear these shoes again tomorrow I will snap an ankle, I swear.
Barton regarded her seriously, studying Erian's exhausted face and the way her eyes were a little too bright. He glanced down at her trembling hands, and Barton's jaw tightened slightly.
"What happened?" he asked.
Erian shook her head and muttered something that might have included the words stupid understudy. She took another step and winced as her foot met the ground; Erian blinked away the tears and gritted her teeth, preparing to take another agonizing step, and another after that.
Barton took the shoes out of her hand, and before Erian had a chance to wonder what he was doing, Barton scooped her into his arms and began to carry her down the sidewalk.
"Barton!"
"I like it better when you call me Clint."
Erian stared up at him. "What the hell are you doing?"
Barton didn't look back at her, keeping his gaze fixed on where he was going. "Sparing your feet a walk they don't need."
Erian sputtered, "I – I –Barton – oh, crap."
And she rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes. Barton smiled down at her, knowing full well Erian was falling asleep in his arms.
He carried her home, climbed the fire escape carrying her, and laid Erian on her bed. Barton hesitated, on the point of leaving, and finally bent over her to place a quick kiss on her forehead before bolting out the window.
Erian opened her eyes and stared after him, mind blank with shock.
Barton just kissed me.
Oh my God, what do I do now?