I want to thank everyone for sticking with me through this introduction to Val's story! Here's a little sneak peek at The Valkyrie: Avengers, coming soon!
Clint and Valerie shared a quick meal in the cafeteria before headed down into the basement where her father was working on creating some type of new energy source. It was above her pay grade to know all the details but she wasn't stupid. She also knew to keep her mouth shut, especially since Clint had been placed on assignment to watch over the sight and was nice enough to let her tag along when she wasn't training so she could spend some time with her father, minimal as it was. She wasn't about to bite the hand that feeds.
The room was clear when they entered, everyone was upstairs at dinner or resting. They made their way to the lift in the back corner and once on it Clint raised it to the to it maximum hight. Both settled on the edge of the lift, feet dangling over the edge and arms folded over the bars. They watched the tesseract in its cradle in steady silence for a while. Valerie had brought a couple of bottles of soda and Clint had grabbed a package of cookies from the cafeteria so they shared their spoils, just enjoying the company.
"So why did you tell him?" Clint finally broke the silence.
Valerie took a sip of her root beer, "Tell who what?
"Your date." He clarified, "Why did you tell him who you are?"
Valerie scrunched her face in annoyance. "I didn't. He asked what I did for a living and I couldn't exactly say that I'm an alien princess being trained as a spy by a secret government agency." Clint snorted at her sass. "So I told him I was a retired UFC fighter and I guess he put two and two together. That surprised me too because I'm pretty sure his biceps were bigger then his IQ."
Clint outright laughed that time. "Let me guess, personal trainer?"
"Body builder." She corrected. "I wasn't expecting anything long term but I was at least hoping for a few fun nights out of the deal."
He nodded, "I get that."
"What about you?" She asked, "You seeing anyone?"
Clint snorted and scratched the edge of his nose. "Why? You interested?"
It was her turn to laugh, "Sorry man, but you aren't my type."
He bumped his shoulder against hers. "I'm just pulling your leg. It'd be weird. You're like my sister or something." Valerie felt her heart flutter at his confession, happy she hadn't been reading to much into their relationship and that he felt close to her as well. She'd always wanted a big brother. Somehow though she had ended up with two fathers. Not exactly the same thing. She was also thankful in that moment that it was Nat away on assignment and not Clint. She liked Nat well enough, she was a good sparing partner and a great agent but she always had her walls up. It was hard to connect with her. Clint looked at her for a moment, giving her that same pondering expression as he had in the locker room. Seeming to think something over. "Ya know," he began slowly, "there-"
He was cut off by a flash of light at the other end of the room. Valerie flexed her fingers, feeling a sudden tingle of energy in the air. "Was that the...?" Clint trailed of as it pulsed again.
"Ya." She nodded, "it's surging. I can feel it."