Whumptober Day 27

I'm Fine, I Promise

passing out/vertigo/collapse)

A short chapter for you this time!

Clint released an arrow, striking a Doombot, grinning as it exploded upon impact, taking out two other Doombots with it. "Splodie arrow for the win!" Clint pumped a fist in the air as he went to grab another arrow.

"I'm still up, five robots to 3, Hawkeye," Mikayla bragged through the comms, followed by a thud. "Make that 7 to 3."

"Remind me again whose idea it was to team the two of them up," Sam muttered, flying and shooting down one of the flying beings.

"I could use some help here," Natasha added.

"On my way," Clint climbed off the roof and headed toward Nat's location. "Keep an eye up high, Ladyhawke."

"You got it," Mikayla said. "10 to 3. You owe me dinner."

"Damn, babe. You're gonna break my records."

"Planning on it. Cap! You got 2 headed your way!"

"Thanks, Mikayla." Steve lifted his shield, striking one, shoving it into the other one, then both fell robots fell to the ground.

"Hey, watch it, Cap. I almost got decapitated by flying debris. I always said it's safer up on a roof." Clint didn't give it another thought as he joined Natasha in taking down a group of Doombots. A piece of one of the robots flew by Clint, nicking his neck.

"Sorry, Clint."

"It's all good, no worries."

The battle continued for a couple of hours until Thor found the queen Doombot and fried it. "We have vanquished the enemy, friends. Let us gather to heal our wounds and celebrate our victory."

Mikayla waited for Thor to fly over and pick her up from the rooftop. "Thor," Mikayla said, once they were flying down to meet the others, "you always make winning sound so much more fun than it is."

"It always helps to focus on the positive, Lady Mikayla." When they landed, Thor softly set her down.

"Thanks for the lift."

"Always a pleasure. Now, let us join our teammates." The duo walked over to where the rest of the team was gathered. Steve and Bucky incurred bruises that were already healing, Natasha had a split lip, and Clint had a small scratch on his neck where he was struck by flying debris. Thankfully, there were no significant injuries. "Another successful defeat of Doctor Doom, I must say."

"I agree, big guy," Tony said as he landed. "This one wasn't even enough for Bruce to bust out into Jolly Green Giant."

"Nope," Bruce said, sticking his head out of the Quinjet, "just had to bust out band-aids." With that, everyone loaded onto the plane and headed back to the tower.

"I'll get the popcorn going," Clint said. It had become a ritual to help the team unwind by having an impromptu movie night. The team would gather in the main living area, stuffing themselves with snacks and beverages until they came down from the adrenaline high. The routine started when Clint spent so much time in the gym shooting arrows and parkouring, and everyone forgot about him until Friday alerted them that he'd passed out from exhaustion. Now, with the movie nights, everyone stayed together, making it easier to keep an eye on the entire team.

Clint and Bucky carried in the large popcorn bowls, with Tony and Bruce following with a combination of drinks. Once the refreshments were distributed, everyone sat down and had Friday start the movie. As Tron played on the screen, Clint and Mikayla curled up next to each other on the love seat. "How's your neck?" Mikayla asked, glancing up to inspect the bandage.

"It doesn't even hurt." Clint looked over and noticed Mikayla needed a refill. "Be right back." He leaned over, kissed her cheek, stood up, and immediately sat back down.

"Clint, are you OK?" Mikayla asked, concerned.

"Yeah," Clint shook his head. "I just got a little dizzy." He tried to stand up and then passed out, collapsing to the floor.

Mikayla fell to the floor next to him. "Clint? Clint? Talk to me. Bruce!"

"Friday!"

"Your medical bag is on its way, Doctor." Dum-E showed up, rolling into the living room carrying Bruce's medical bag.

Bruce began feeling for a pulse and took note of Clint's labored breathing.

"Cap? Can you carry him to the medical wing, please?" Steve jumped up from the couch, came over, picked up the unconscious Clint, then followed Bruce to the medical wing. "Put him over there," Bruce motioned to a stretcher. Steve gently placed Clint down, then stepped away, giving Bruce room to move around, and run his tests. "Go ahead and wait outside. I'll let everyone know when I know something." Steve nodded and left the room, stepping out into the waiting area.

"Steve?" Mikayla rushed over to him. "Does Bruce have any idea?"

"He didn't say, running tests now. He'll let us know as soon as he figures it out." Mikayla nodded, then sat in a chair, fingers tapping on the armrests. The rest of the group gathered to wait as well.

Bruce finally emerged from Clint's room, holding his glasses and pinching his nose. "After trial and error, I figured out what happened. Doom's robots were covered with a poisonous substance. It went into Clint's bloodstream when he was struck by a piece of one. I consulted with Shuri and came up with an antidote. I'm flushing the poison out of his system as he gets the antidote to replace it. Clint should be awake within a couple of hours." There was a collective sigh of relief. "Mikayla, there's a recliner in there for you."

"Thanks, Bruce," Mikayla replied with a shaky voice. As she passed by, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Mikayla sat down in the recliner and took Clint's hand. "Leave it to you to be the only one injured, and not even during the main battle." She ran her fingers through his hair. "Bruce said you're going to be OK." Mikayla sighed. "Do you think maybe next time we could finally do away with Doctor Doom?" Mikayla laid her head next to Clint and dozed off, knowing when she woke up, Clint would be as well.