Birds of A Feather: Feathers
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Clint and Sam talk as they gear up.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
"So…how is it?" Clint asked.
He was curious in a way. All of them have done it. The retirement thing. They left and came back. They tried to let go but it like a dog with a bone. They really couldn't let go.
His wife and kids…they helped but it like a ghost that he couldn't let go of. Laura pointed out that he couldn't let go.
Beside Nat, she did know him best.
"How is what?" Sam said as he looked up from checking his gun.
"Retirement."
"Who said that I retired?"
"Come on…"
"No seriously, who said that I retired? Because I want a better pension plan if this is it."
"You're funny, you know that."
Sam looked up from his weapon with a small grin.
"But I'm not be funny, man. Do you think that I retired?"
He paused for a moment.
"After the wings, you didn't come back. Tony would make you a second pair and totally joined the team. Instead, every weekend or external holiday, you are looking for leads. No, you continue being a counselor. Awesome one at that. How did you do it? I tried it once and end up remodeling the barn. The wife decided that I should go back to work after that."
Clint watched Sam frowned then laughed.
"That sounded like your wife but I am not retired at all."
"Yes, you are, man."
"No, I am not. I still fight. Just a different type of fight and with a different type of rules. Are you thinking about retiring for good?"
"Kind of maybe…"
"Does this make you happy?" Sam said as he waved around the barn.
He frowned for a moment. He liked his life here with his family. There was always something to do or fix. It was a farm after all. His kids had a blast for the most part. They didn't like the drive to go their friends. Sometimes, Laura complains about the winter weather. Overall, it was fine.
"Yes."
"Hmmm…"
"Are you trying to counsel me too?!"
Sam didn't answer him right away but hummed for a moment.
"Once, I asked Steve what made him happy."
"He couldn't give you an answer, huh?" He said.
"Yup. So, I ask you again…does this make you happy?"
"Most of the time but sometimes, it isn't enough."
"What would make it enough?"
"I don't know but hey, this has nothing to do with the question."
"It has everything to do with your question because you are really asking is how I could walk away. My answer is that I didn't."
"Okay…not going to lie…I am confused."
"I could have said no that day. I could have walked that day but I said yes. Now, my best friend is a little shit who likes to run laps around me because he can do it. Once a month, Nat and I play Monopoly because she can never beat me at the game and drives her nuts. Tony has the habit of sending me memes and cat videos at 3o'clock in the morning. Thor insisted that I fly with him even if his damn hammer will fry my ass like an egg. Some dude with a bow came to my doorstep and asked for my help then told me terrible chicken jokes on the way here. So, I didn't walk away or retire, Clint. My life has changed."
"My chicken jokes aren't terrible!"
"Yes, there are. You see…my life no longer required me to jump out of a plane or put on some wings but I am happy. So back to my original question…what makes you happy?"
"My family and…being a superhero."
Sam smiled slightly.
"Then you have your answer."
"…."
"Why are you giving me that look?"
"No super powers, huh?"
"Would you rather say that I talk with birds or something?"
He laughed.
End of Feathers
Next chapter: Divide