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Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to the Avengers or any of the characters.
Hello, Clint's arms anyone?
Chapter 3: Clint
She checked the time in her big wristwatch: 8:30 pm. "So long for an early dinner and warm bath."
"You do need to stop talking to yourself darling" she turned around with a tired smile on her face. "Hey you."
He came closer to her and checked her watch, holding on to her arm and caressing her skin slowly. "Look at the time, I heard you need a ride home." She raised her eyebrow "Bruce was worried about you, asked me to come over since we are... old friends? Is that what we're going for these days?"
She chuckled and nodded. "Bad day huh?" She nodded again, her teary eyes crawling again. "A year today" he caressed her face slowly. She cleared her throat "Yes, well, I have to finish running these-" he shut down the PC without caring about her many curses. He placed his index finger over his lips and made her hush.
"This is what we are going to do. I'm going to help you pack all the thingies you need, but firstly you're gonna take that ancient Bluetooth out of your ear, place it in your pocket and then, quietly, you're going to allow me to hug you. For as long as I think you need to. Is that understood?"
She nodded and took off the earpiece, placing it in her pocket, then let herself be hugged and hugged him back. "You are entitled to let go and cry Nell, it's ok." but she couldn't, and she couldn't make him bare with her issues, not anymore. They were friends now, nothing more.
Nothing less either. "I know what you're thinking. Screw that Nell, you need to let someone in, c'mon." She took a deep breath and dried her few tears "I know, I know. Thanks but I have to finish this. I can't screw this up."
Clint was started to get upset, but wasn't letting go of her grasp "You need to rest Penn! You can't keep at it like this. Yes, I heard, he gave you a deadline, he'll pull the plug, what the hell is that supposed to mean? He won't suspend you, he already cut you off from active duty."
"He can kick me out of here and what would I do then? You know this is my home." He came closer to her again "You could live again, you could go to London or China again, you liked it there."
"I was running from you Clint, I don't need to do that anymore." That hit close to home, he let go of her arms. "Look Penn, I- I know things are weird. They never stopped being weird between us." She cleared her throat "Things aren't weird Clint. We're friends now, we work together. We are different people. I'm not like this because of you and Natasha, c'mon, give me some credit."
"There's no me and Natasha." She chuckled "Sure, there're no weapons of mass destruction in this building either. Sod off Clint!" She turned around and put her Bluetooth back in her ear. "So it doesn't bother you."
She turned around and changed her tone to a playful beat "So there is something between you two! I should've accepted Stark's bet." Clint looked baffled. "Kidding. Look, in the event of something happening between you and agent Romanoff, in spite of what you or her may think, I'd be happy. If someone deserves to be happy is you Clint. And if she makes you happy, then I'm happy for you."
"And when do you get to be happy?"
"Once I'm done with this formula I'll dedicate myself to find the perfect dark looking geek that'll make me happy for the rest of my short span of SHIELD agent life, happy?" he touched her chin "Deal then". They hugged one more time and he kissed her hair slowly.
"So, you ready to leave? I need to get the car ready." She wanted to thank him for trying to get her away from this, but it was her duty. "Look Clint, thanks, but I need to finish this. And I don't think I wanna risk Romanoff getting mad at me cos you gave me a ride home."
"I can give you a ride home if you'd like." Captain Rogers came into the room and was rather puzzled at what he found. "What? He let you out?" She was suddenly smiling again "Only if supervised by someone from the team. And if I avoid newstands, TVs, internet and anything not previously agreed upon with some liaison agent they hadn't determined yet. And I need to come back before midnight. Cinderella clause I call it."
"And you came directly to your doctor? How about that Captain huh?" Clint's tone was amused and territorial at the same time. "Well, no, I'm here because Dr. Morse had to run some tests."
"After 8?"
"I figured she'd be here."
"What are you? My father now?" "No, I'm your- best friend. I'm looking after your best interest Penn."
She cleared her throat "I'll be sure to tell that to Romanoff the next time she gives me a kill stare."
Captain Rogers held his smirk. "Bruce and I are going to get some ribs - to go of course, closed places don't work well with him. You can both go with us if you'd like."
She sighed "I'm a bit tired." Clint crossed his arms in front of his chest and gave her a bossy look. "But I'll go, sure. I'll go. I need to see outside of these office." Both Clint and Steve smiled pleased with themselves.
"Are you coming Agent Barton?" Clint looked at Rogers' face as he said that. Ponder for a little while. "Nah, you got this one covered Capt."
"That's right, he has a red haired to catch." she threw a paperclip at his face and giggled. He went closer to her and faked a childish tickle attack "I do not!" she pushed him away "You go away big goof! Off you go now, I need to check up Capt. Rogers - I mean, check up his vitals. Captain, this way." She turned around quickly to avoid her blush to be seen.
She knew she'd never see the end of that mock, Clint wouldn't let it go. But it worked; Bruce had her all figured out apparently.
