"Oh shi-"
That was all Clint had time to mumble as Laura greeted her old friend at the door. There was no time to avoid the situation about to unfold, he would have to adjust as they went along.
This was not going to be fun. Clint could already tell.
"Kayla! Oh wow, it's so good to see you again! It's been ages," Laura said as she happily hugged her friend in the doorway.
"Exactly, you can't get rid of me for that long," The friend explained as she pulled away from their embrace, still holding onto Laura's shoulders in front of her. Putting all jokes aside, she gave a genuine smile before letting go of her friend to tuck her long black hair behind her ear. "I couldn't resist stopping by. I was in the area and... It's just been... Two years too long, you know?"
Laura nodded, completely agreeing with that statement. "You know how glad I am to see you Kay, but you also know how much I hate surprises. You should have at least called ahead," She said as she invited her friend in even if she broke their 'always call ahead' rule. It was put in place to prevent family and friends from discovering Clint's many secrets relating to his job, but now that Kayla was here... Laura was on the same page as Clint in the next room. They had to act natural, despite the guests they already had over.
"I know," Kayla felt a bit guilty about dropping in so suddenly, especially since she knew the rule. "But when I'm passing through your town already, it's hard not to think of you guys. I just had to check in."
Giving her friend a comforting smile to show her there weren't any hard feelings, she said, "To be fair, you've never broken the rule before. One strike on your record was bound to appear..."
And for that, Laura received a slug to the arm. "Hey! You're just as much of a troublemaker! Remember forth grade? Ms. Hecker's desk?"
"Oh, you know we never bring up forth grade," Laura rolled her eyes when she brought up the prank before discretely trying to glance over at Clint and Wanda in the living room amidst their banter. She tried to silently get his plan of action before Kayla noticed them. Unfortunately, it didn't take her long to.
Looking in the same direction, Kayla's grin only grew. "Clint? Is that you?"
Crap.
Clint was planning on slipping upstairs, but now he was seen and had to think of another way to get up there because he had to prevent Steve from appearing at all costs. Sam and Wanda were explainable, they didn't have a media presence. Cap on the other hand, has been known to the world for seventy years and couldn't be hidden behind simple lies. Clint had to play this smart.
As Kayla walked closer to greet him properly, Clint mumbled to Wanda, "Follow my lead."
"I almost didn't expect to see you here, Clint," Kayla said as she gave the man a hug. He had been on 'business trips' the last few times she visited so they hadn't met up in ages.
"Same to you, Kayla," He lightly teased. Within the lighthearted moment, once they pulled away from their hug he could instantly see her face drop with guilt once she saw Wanda.
"Oh god, I didn't realize you guys had company over. I'm so sorry," She quickly apologized but Clint dismissed it since the situation couldn't be changed.
"It's okay. Kayla, this is Wanda. Wanda, Kayla," He introduced and they politely shook hands. Already knowing questions were coming and the fact that 'a friend from work' excuse wouldn't work with a teenager, Clint said the first lie out of many to come today. "Wanda's my niece."
Kayla almost seemed overjoyed by this fact and elaborated on her clear reaction. "You're Clint's niece? I've never actually met anyone from Clint's side of the family, it's so nice to meet you!"
Wanda gave an awkward nod since she wasn't very fond of having to lie, so she instead truthfully replied, "Same to you. I haven't met any of Laura's family or friends either."
In that brief sentence, it was hard to miss Wanda's thick accent shining through. Commenting on it in a blunt, Kayla fashion, the woman asked, "Wow, your accent is beautiful. Are you from out of town?"
"Um yeah, I'm from out of town," She responded while racing to decide on what to say next. She didn't want to lie, she wasn't a master at it yet by any means, so instead she decided to stick with a partial truth. "My family lives in Sokovia."
"Oh, that's why you guys never come to Barton family parties. That's a long travel," She said before a realization dawned on her and her tone turned into one of worry. "Oh god, I hope you weren't there when..." She couldn't seem to say it, but everyone knew what Kayla was referring to. "Is your family alright?"
Wanda knew it was too late to hide the truth from her features, the trauma from the reign of Ultron was still fresh despite the months that have passed, so she continued with her half-truths. "My family is fine. Others were affected more than us," She referred to her family of Avenging friends if anything to avoid thinking about her brother. She didn't feel like she had it worse than others, what she went through still sucked but many people had lost their homes, families, everything. Meanwhile, she didn't have a lot to lose anyway and even if she lost the one person she had, she gained a new home and family.
Even though she had just met this girl, Kayla was already attached by the visible relief on her face after Wanda convinced her that they were fine. "I'm so sorry for bringing it up, I'm glad you guys are okay," She tried to think of what else to say, but it was hard to put herself in Sokovian shoes when it was a tragedy only they knew first hand.
So Clint took lead in the conversation, directing it away from Wanda in an attempt to keep her from reliving the event and prevent Kayla from asking too many questions about her family. "The reconstruction efforts are coming along slowly, that's why she's visiting. It's nice to have a break from the mess," Clint said as he put his hands on Wanda's shoulders. One thing he learned from the spy business: it was the simple gestures that supported lies. By putting his hands on her shoulders it makes them appear closer than they are. The unconscious often picks up these details without realizing, and it goes a long way in someone's belief.
However, in an attempt to not make Wanda uncomfortable by the contact and potentially breaking the illusion, he only kept his hands there for a moment before resting them at his sides. As he did this, Kayla continued, "With all the damage, I can imagine the reconstruction must take a toll. It's great that you two are helping where you can," She said while facing Laura and Clint.
And he couldn't help but share a brief smile with Wanda as he said, "Well, family looks out for each other."
The tone of the conversation instantly lighter from that sentence, Kayla asked, "Is the rest of your family visiting too? I'd love to meet them."
"No, they're still in Sokovia. I'm the only one visiting," She replied slightly too quick for comfort, but the tiny slip was barely noticeable to the untrained ears.
"There is someone else you can meet though," Clint mentioned once he finally saw his moment to escape and warn the others, "A friend from work is here today too, I'll go fetch him and the kids."
Excusing himself, Clint was glad he left because he caught the others just in time, stopping them from making their way down the steps to investigate the commotion. Quickly directing them back into the closest room, that being Cooper's, the others commented on the archer's weird behavior.
As Clint closed the door, Steve asked, "What's up?"
"I'm debriefing you," He said before elaborating. "One of Laura's friends surprised us. She stopped by for a brief visit and we had to explain Wanda and soon, Sam." Turning to address Cap better, Clint explained, "You, Captain, will be much harder to make up an explanation for since you're basically famous. I don't think it would be wise for her to meet you just in case our secrets get out."
Nodding in understanding, before they could hear the rest of the plan, Cooper interrupted, "Which one of mom's friends is here?"
"Aunt Kay," Clint swiftly replied.
The kids' eyes lit up as he said that. "Auntie Kay!? It's been years!" Lila said and almost bolted out of the door but her father caught her mid-sprint.
"Hey there, hold your horses! I have to tell you something first."
"What?" Lila quickly asked since she wanted to see her aunt right away.
"You know the drill," Clint said to remind them that they couldn't disclose any information about his work to anyone else, even if he knew they didn't need the reminding. They've gotten good at covering for him over the years. "If anyone asks, Wanda's your cousin visiting from Sokovia. Her family is fine and just helping back home with the recovery efforts. Sam is my friend from work and Steve doesn't exist. Got it?"
The two nodded in understanding before Clint motioned that they could go and greet their aunt, which they were glad to do. They ran out of the room within seconds and Clint couldn't help but smile at their excitement.
As he turned back to the two other men, he noticed their confused looks at the fact that a father was telling their kids to lie. Clint hated how he had to support it, but he explained why, "We can't disclose to anyone that we're Avengers or working for Shield because the more people we tell, the more chance there is for word to get out and it puts this whole family in danger. The kids often have to keep up my cover stories when these situations arrive. They know it's a precaution."
All it took was one friend visiting the Barton's at the wrong time for their secret to get out. One friend to potentially ruin their peaceful, undercover lives. If the wrong person found out he was Avenger, it wouldn't take much for that information to spread. The enemy could discover where they live, and he couldn't put his family in danger like that so he continued to explain his main cover story to the two Avengers now thrown into this situation. "Now Sam, since you're 'a friend from work' you need to know what type of work I do. I work as a pilot for a popular airline, and you have recently upgraded to the position of my Co-pilot."
"Got it, Flightless," Sam nodded, understanding the seriousness of keeping his cover.
"Steve," Clint turned to his friend and tried to think of a solution to explain him to Kayla. He didn't want to have Steve hide while she was visiting, that wouldn't be the ideal way to treat a guest in his home. However, Clint was fruitless in his efforts. He knew there was just no way she wouldn't recognize the Captain. "I'm sorry, I just don't think she'll buy that you aren't the Captain America. You'll probably have to make yourself scarce until Kayla leaves."
Steve nodded. He wasn't upset about having to make himself scarce, even if he did come this weekend to spend time with the family. He understood why he couldn't show himself and how dangerous the situation could actually become. He was fine with hiding for a few hours if that meant this family would remain safe. "No problem, Clint. I could even leave if you need me to. I could call Fury to send someone by..."
Clint shook his head. "I'll find out how long she plans to stay first and get back to you. You still have a few days here and I doubt she'll be staying long since she came unannounced."
Understanding, they all shared one last glance before Clint took a deep breath and lightly slapped Sam's back. "Well Co-pilot, time to meet Kayla."
"Sorry this weekend wasn't the 'relaxing time spent with friends' you expected," Clint said as he sat next to Steve, leaning against a hay bale in the barn. They managed to sneak Steve outside when Kayla went to the bathroom so she wouldn't run into the Captain America on accident.
Steve laughed as he continued to sketch in the dim lighting of the barn since the night started rolling in not long ago. "That's okay, Clint. The life of an Avenger is never predictable."
"You do have a point there, Cap." Clint smiled as he looked down at what his friend was drawing in his sketchbook. He was sketching out the newly refurbished tractor.
"Today was actually very relaxing despite the surprise," Steve continued. "I haven't had much time to draw lately, being swamped with training the trainees and all, so some quiet time was just what I needed."
"Well, I'm glad you still enjoyed your stay at the Barton Family Farm," Clint said as he continued to observe Steve's art. He was glad that he still enjoyed his visit despite being cooped up in the barn all day. "Kayla should be leaving within the hour so you don't have to spend all night out here. I'll let you know when."
"Sounds good..." He drifted as he was now only half focusing on the conversation. His main focus was on his tractor sketch as he started erasing some imperfections from silently critiquing his own work.
Clint started looking elsewhere on the page he drew on, to see what else he made throughout the day. As he did this, he noticed another sketch in the corner he recognized. "Is that the deer?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah," Steve replied as he finished up his tractor sketch and looked at the sketch Clint was referring to. "I sat behind the barn earlier to draw some scenery and I saw the deer come out of the forest. I drew them as they ate some plants."
He flipped through his sketchbook to reveal more pictures of the deer he drew earlier. Some of them were of the family munching on bushes near the forest, others were of them cuddling. But he noticed there was one whole page dedicated to a large sketch of Bucky the Buck standing proud with its head held high, keeping watch of his family.
"Wow that's a lot of drawings. When Lila and Cooper find out you drew the deer, you won't be able to escape them. How long were they out for?" Clint asked, wondering how much time it took to draw all those sketches.
"Not long," Steve replied. "After drawing so much throughout the years, I've gotten pretty fast at sketching. Comes with practice."
Silently nodding, Clint noticed the amount of rough detail that Steve added in his work. "How close were they?"
"Not close at all," Steve said as he admired his own work and started fixing a few flaws along the way. "Side effect of the serum is that I have 200/20 vision. I can see details from a mile away."
"Man, I think I just lost my title of Hawkeye. You have better vision than me," Clint smirked as he started standing up from the hay bale they sat against.
Steve smirked back. "Yeah well, I think I'll let you keep that title. I have a better one. The Captain America."
"I see what you're doing, sticking me with the pity title," Clint responded as he dusted the dirt and hay off of his pants. "I'll let you know when your famous title can once again grace its presence in my household."
"Man, I don't want to leave you guys, but if I don't leave now I'll never make it to my parent's place before midnight." Kayla said as she bounced the growing Nathaniel in her arms while the whole family started gathering on the porch. "I need to come back here in less than two years, see how all of you are growing," She smiled as she talked to the three kids around her. Two of which were hugging her sides.
As she passed off Nate to Clint, who gladly took his son back, she bent down to properly hug the two attached to her.
"It was amazing to see you again Kayla," Laura said as she hugged her close friend once she finished hugging the kids. "Just call ahead next time," She laughed.
Sharing that laugh with her, Kayla replied, "Sure thing. Next time I won't barge in on your company. Deal?"
"Deal," She answered with a smile.
Kayla then turned to Sam and Wanda. "Sorry I interrupted your weekend, but it was great meeting you two." She said as she shook their hands one last time.
"Pleasure's all mine," Sam lightly flirted. He had to admit Kayla grew on him throughout the day when he discovered they both had a similar sense of humor.
She just rolled her eyes when she caught on to the humorous tone within his flirt. "I'm sure it was, old veteran."
Sam smirked as she walked down the porch steps and towards her car, waving to them all as she unlocked it. "I'll be keeping in touch!"
Waving final goodbyes as she drove away, they all watched the car lights disappear in the distance. Everyone was silent for a moment until Sam said, "I like her."
"She's sweet," Wanda agreed with a nod.
"Well I'm glad you like my side of the family," Laura smiled at the two. She had met most of Clint's Avengers family, but as the team grew closer with the Barton's, they had yet to meet some of Laura's family. At least now they met one of the many friends she loved like family.
Clint shifted Nate in his arms to try and stop the kid from attacking his ear with his tiny, but strong, fingers. "Hey Cap," he shouted in the direction of the barn. "The coast is clear."
A minute later, Steve emerged from the barn, locking the door in his wake. As he walked closer, closing his sketchbook in hand, he asked, "What did I miss?"
"Well she's no Avenger or super spy, but you would have liked her," Sam said as his friend joined them in the light of the porch.
"Yeah, she's very… Normal." Wanda shrugged but continued. "She was nice though. I got to learn about her Costa Rican descent," She remembered that when Kayla asked about Sokovia, she in turn told her she recently returned from visiting her family in Costa Rica. She learned that most of her relatives lived there even after her parents moved to America, and even if Wanda never saw the country, she felt like she had through the beautiful descriptions Kayla gave.
"I got to talk to her about my time in the military and," Sam pretended to cough as he pointed to Clint, "talk about my job as a Co-pilot to this disaster."
"Man, I'm sorry I missed her," Steve replied as he briefly looked down at his sketchbook, remembering what Clint had said earlier. "But while you guys were talking all night, I was being productive…"
He grinned as the kids eyes lit up when they looked at the sketchbook, clearly wanting to see what he had drawn. Without another word, Steve was dragged back into the house so they could sit on the couch and see what he created. Clint was right, they wouldn't let him get away without seeing his new sketches first.
"Yeah, I don't think he's too sorry he missed the party," Sam shook his head with a smirk. "God's righteous man, caught lying. What a sorry day…"
"He just wanted more time with the kids, I can tell," Clint laughed as they all decided to join the three already in the house.
The kids were growing on the Avengers all right. Whether they would have predicted it or not, the Barton household was always full of surprises.
Even if some were unwelcome surprises, today was certainly filled with some welcome ones.
Special Thanks to the Guest who requested this chapter of one of Laura's friends coming to visit while some Avengers were in town, therefore causing this situation of hiding and protecting their identities. It was an awesome request idea and I can't thank you enough for all the sweet compliments! I'm glad you liked my story so far and I hope you'll continue enjoying the chapters I have in store!:D
It always makes my day when I read the comments you guys write, so thank you to all who do! Especially to Katie MacAlpine as I love reading your responses about the deer in your neighborhood! I agree with you, they are beautiful and peaceful creatures, which is why you will see plenty more of them throughout this story!
Thanks to all of you who read my story! It means a million!:)
Edit 08/14/19: I made many changes to the dialogue in this chapter since I reread this and found it very unrealistic. I hope it flows better now XD