This one shot is for Cotton Blossom Diva. I hope it lives up to your expectations!
Riley felt his eyes flutter open, despite his best efforts to stay asleep. His entire body ached in the deep set fatigue he was feeling. It'd been a long week, despite the lack of missions and he wanted nothing more than to stay asleep until well into the day. The brief glance at the clock showed it to be 0630. Far too early to be awake on a Saturday. The body beside him shifted in her sleep, mumbling something incoherent. Riley smiled sleepily, pulling Kari back into his body. She sighed contently, burrowing herself into Riley as close as she could.
"What time is it?" Kari asked, not opening her eyes.
"Early." Riley pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Go back to sleep."
With a small hum of acknowledgement, Kari's breathing evened out and she asleep within seconds. Riley chuckled, kissing her forehead again gently. By all accounts she'd had a big week as well. The bruises from Natasha and 2030 bedtimes had been evidence of that. Riley had been surprised when she'd stayed awake long enough to have dinner with Natasha and Laura last night. Though coming home at 2145 was hardly a wild girls night out like they claimed it was going to be.
Riley reached over to the bedside table and blindly fumbled for his phone. There was no going back to sleep for him. But he didn't want to disturb Kari's sleep. Or the chance to stay in bed and do nothing but cuddle for a little while. Having Kari curled up against his side, head on his chest, her leg thrown casually over his, was comfortable and warm. Riley manoeuvred his arm so he could flick through his phone, but not disturb his sleeping girlfriend while he did it.
Before unlocking his phone, Riley couldn't resist sneaking another kiss in, this time on her lips. Kari's mouth curled up in a smile, but otherwise didn't stir. Riley lay there, forehead pressed against hers, enjoying the quiet of the moment. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the smell that was just her. The lingering scent of her vanilla and exotic smelling spices in her favourite shampoo mixed with the body lotion she used. Her favourite cherry blossom perfume was there as well this morning. It wasn't until then he realised he'd missed the smell of that perfume. Kari only wore it when they went out. With work being so busy, it had felt like too long that they'd done something as a couple. Maybe he should buy her some new perfume and take her out somewhere nice. They hadn't had a date night in what seemed like months.
Riley pulled away enough to be able to see his phone, turning the device to make sure it was on silent before unlocking the screen. There was the usual shit there that accumulated overnight. A few text messages from various people. A few of the Bravo guys had gone out for drinks, Sam included, as evident by the mass of texts he'd sent. Riley smiled, keeping the laughter to himself as he scrolled through the progressively more and more drunk texts from Sam. Riley had to bite the inside of his cheek hard to stop himself from bursting out laughing at the last one that came through.
I miss you man, but fuck if I had a girlfriend as hot as yours I'd stay home fucking her all night too.
"Asshole," Riley murmured affectionally as he closed the message. He'd reply to it later. Sam wouldn't be up for hours. The last text had been sent a bit after 2am. No doubt his best friend would be nursing a hangover for most of the weekend now. He felt a small twinge of guilt though. He really hadn't been that sociable with his friends lately. He cherished the quiet nights at home with Kari more than going out. Even if they were only sitting on the couch, curled up together watching a movie with pizza and beer.
There were a few other texts, but only one personal. That one from his mom reminding Riley to ring his sister for her birthday on Monday. Riley rolled hie eyes reading that text. He'd already put the reminder in his phone after forgetting about it last year. Tessa had never let him hear the end of it since. This year he'd remembered to send her a gift along with the reminder to call on the day. The rest of the texts were just work reminders. Riley grumbled in his head at the reminder to do his last lot of mission paperwork. Why SHIELD felt the need to make every single agent on the team write a mission report was beyond him. It was about the only thing he missed about the Navy.
In his email box there were the same reminders from SHIELD as the text messages. Riley flicked through and deleted them, along with the usual junk that seemed to accumulate overnight. He was just about to open the latest email from Linda, Kari's mom, when a text message came through from Evans.
I hate asking this after a big week, but can you possibly take Alexi for a few hours?
Riley didn't need to think about it or even ask why. Straight away he was tapping out a reply.
Of course. Do you want me to pick her up?
Riley stared at the screen, patiently waiting for a reply. Abby had looked off colour the other night, but waved it off as a bug going around, probably picked up from someone at Alexi's playgroup. But it didn't really matter what the reason was for. Riley would gladly take Alexi anytime he was asked. His phone lit up as the reply came through.
I'll drop her off. Thanks man, I owe you about 95 favours for this. Be there soon.
Riley chuckled quietly as he locked his phone and put it back on the bedside table. He knew he should get up and put something for breakfast on, but the warmth of the bed and naked body next to him was far too tempting to leave right away. He'd have about 30 minutes before Evans got here. More than enough time to enjoy some extra cuddles before making breakfast.
He pulled Kari in closer to his body, holding her tightly before burying his nose into her hair. She didn't stir in her sleep, except for a small sigh of contentment. It was moments like these that Riley cherished the most. It wasn't the mind blowing sex, or the thrill of seeing Kari do something incredible or crazy at work. It was just the simple things like enjoying her lying next to him every morning. He wasn't sure how he'd gotten so lucky to find someone like her. The sheer luck of him being on medical leave and doing PT in the mornings out of boredom had really worked in his favour. It'd been worth getting shot in the arm to be able to hold her like this.
Riley gently traced his fingers down Kari's back. He could feel goosebumps rise in wake of his touch. Underneath his fingertips he could feel the hard muscles of her body. She was starting to get some really defined muscling. It didn't add any bulk to her slender frame, much to her disgust, but she had a lithe and deadly look about her instead. No man alive would complain about the extra flexibility that was coming from her sessions with Natasha. No one was privy to what the girls got up to by themselves in those morning sessions, but Riley thanked Natasha mentally, a lot, these days.
"Your lips can finish what your fingers started," Kari's quiet murmur broke Riley from his thoughts. He smiled down at her still form. He hadn't noticed her subtle shift in breathing to see she was awake.
"We need to stop watching so many movies," Riley chuckled as he gently traced the path he'd just taken along her skin back up. "I would, but Evans is going to drop Alexi off soon. I'll never hear the end of it if he actually walks in on us having sex."
"Cock blocked again," Kari chuckled as well. She slowly opened her eyes, stretching out as much as she could still curled up to Riley. "I'm going to have a shower then. You gonna make me breakfast, wench?"
"Wench?" Riley forced a heavy frown onto his face. It was hard to keep it though. Especially with Kari looking up at him with mischief written all over her face. "I'll show you who's the wench."
Riley quickly rolled over, pinning Kari underneath him. She broke into hysterical giggles as he secured her hands above her head with his just one of his hands. She wriggled underneath him, nowhere near enough to get free. She was giggling far too much to do anything.
"Are you going to take it back?" Riley found himself smiling down at his wiggling girlfriend. She could easily get out of his hold, if she stopped giggling for a few seconds. Kari shook her head rapidly, her giggles finally dying down.
"Nope, pancakes and bacon, wench," Kari's giggles turned into hysterical shrieks. As soon as she'd called Riley wench again, his free hand came down and dug his fingers into her ribs. It was the only spot on her body that was ticklish. The effect was instant. Kari shrieked and squirmed underneath him, gasping for breath between the racket she was making.
"Give up?" Riley asked, stopping for a few seconds.
"N…" Kari's reply was cut off by Riley reaching down and tickling her again.
In-between her shrieking and giggles, she managed to wrap her legs around Riley's hips, dragging his body down flush with hers. It was the perfect distraction. Riley's tickling stopped straight away at the feel of their naked bodies pushed together. Damn she was good sometimes. Riley fought back a smile at her sneaky move. He could easily see He bent down and kissed her instead.
Riley felt a rush of love for the woman underneath him as their lips met. It was nothing more than a chaste brush of the lips. But it was enough to make his entire body tingle and heart pound. Riley wasn't ashamed to admit he was completely addicted to the feelings he got anytime they touched. Before he met Kari it was like his entire life had been in black and white. One touch from her and everything came to life with colour. He didn't want to ever go back to black and white.
"I love you," Riley murmured as they broke apart. His hand holding her wrists came down to gently cup her cheek, running his thumb over her soft skin.
"I love you too." Kari's soft smile made him go weak at the knees. "So much."
Riley lent forward and kissed her again. This time it wasn't so chaste. Kari's arms wrapped around him, pulling him even closer into her. Her legs tightened around Riley's hips, making his body stir in other ways than before.
"Tease." Riley broke away from her before they got too carried away. He pulled back so he was hovering a few inches above her. Kari looked far too tempting underneath him with her bed messed hair and bright smile. "I thought you were going for a shower?"
"I was," Kari sighed in an over exaggerated fashion. She unwrapped her legs from his body. "But there's this gorgeous man in the bed who is so distracting I forgot something really important."
Riley cocked an eyebrow at Kari. He could feel the corner of his lips twitching as he tried not to smile. By the mischievous glint in her eye, she was about to say something that could potentially get her tickled again. Or they were about to have a quick tumble around in bed. Either way, Riley wasn't going to complain.
Kari pulled Riley back down towards her. Her lips were barely a hair width away from his.
"Don't forget the coffee, wench," Kari breathed against his lips. A second later, a stinging slap was delivered to Riley's bare ass.
Riley's head fell to Kari's shoulder, his entire body shaking in laughter. Only Kari could come out with something like that. Its why he loved her so much.
"Yes Ma'am." Riley got his laughter under control a few seconds later. He gave Kari a quick kiss, this time making sure it stayed chaste, before climbing out of bed. Pulling on a pair of sweatpants, Riley made a quick trip to the bathroom before going into the kitchen to start breakfast. Alexi would want something as well when she got here, whether Evans had given her breakfast or not.
It didn't take Riley long to have a pot of coffee ready and the first pancake in the frying pan. Riley knew he wasn't the best cook in the world. But he could make seriously good pancakes from scratch. Kari ducked out of the bedroom long enough to give him a kiss and drain a cup of coffee before disappearing into the bathroom. Just as Riley finished the pancakes, there was a knock on the door.
"Its open," Riley called out. A second later a very tired look Troy Evans walked into the apartment with Alexi in his arms. Alexi looked teary and red faced, meaning she'd cried the entire 25 minute trip over here.
"Hey baby girl," Riley crooned, abandoning breakfast in favour for his teary god daughter. "I missed you, come here."
Riley held his hands out for Alexi, who instantly obliged, nearly falling out of Evans arms in doing so. Riley's reflexes saved her from a trip to the ground as he pulled her onto his arms. Alexi put her head on his shoulder, sticking her thumb in her mouth.
"Coffee?" Riley asked, already knowing the answer. He went back into the kitchen, shifting Alexi so she was more comfortable on his hip. Her eyelids were drooping already, a sure sign she'd been up most of the night. He'd done this a million times and had no problems juggling Alexi while making coffee.
"You are my lifesaver," Evans said, the relief clear on his face. "Please, by the gallon or IV drip preferably. Abby is sick and she could barely leave the toilet, let alone deal with Alexi when she woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep."
"She will sleep through the night one of these days," Riley tried to reassure Evans. All he got was a disbelieving look. Riley chuckled quietly before sliding a now full coffee cup over to his STRIKE leader. "Whats wrong with Abby?"
"No idea," Evans shrugged. He was silent while he took a long drink from the cup. It was a good thing Evans liked his coffee just like Riley. Strong enough to strip paint. He looked like he desperately needed it. "I'm taking her to the doctor, but I couldn't get an appointment until this afternoon. She's exhausted from being sick and hearing Alexi fuss since about 1 this morning. I just want her to get some sleep and feel better."
"Go home and get some sleep yourself," Riley said lightly. "I've got little Madam, take all the time you need. Her cot is set up in the spare room if you guys even just want a night to yourselves."
"I'd love to tease you about this being a taste of parenthood, but she behaves better for you than she does for me," Evans chuckled, draining the last of his coffee in one swallow. "If you change your mind, I'll come and get her. Don't feel pressured…"
"Troy, I will smack you across the face if you finish that sentence," Riley cut him off. "Go home, sleep and spend some time with your wife, just the two of you. When was the last time that happened?"
The silence filled the room for a good 30 seconds while Evans considered the answer.
"Yeah, next question?" Evans heaved a sigh when he finally did answer. "Fine. Have fun with my daughter. I'll see you tomorrow. Ri…."
"Yes, I will ring if I need anything," Riley cut him off again. He made a shooing motion towards the door. "Go."
"Bye Munchkin." Evans knew better than to try and take Alexi from Riley, even for a good bye hug. Instead he bopped her on the nose, earning a smile from his daughter. She waved her little fist at him as he headed out the door, babbling something quietly. The front door just clicked shut as Kari walked out of the bathroom dressed in sweatpants and one of Riley's old Navy shirts. As soon as Alexi saw Kari, it was like the sun coming out after a thunderstorm. She was instantly wide awake, smiling and waving her arms like crazy to get Kari's attention.
"Hey little monster," Kari grinned, swooping in and pulling Alexi off Riley's hip. She hugged the little girl gently, twirling the both of them around the room. 'Riley's making pancakes, you want some pancakes?"
Riley felt his heart melt at the sight of Kari twirling around the room with Alexi. It was enough to make him want to pull her into the bedroom and start trying for their own family. He'd give up everything he had, just to have a family with Kari. He couldn't think of anything that would make him happier. But he also didn't to push Kari. Riley knew if he pushed too hard that she'd pull right away from his grasp and he'd never stand a chance at getting her back. So he'd be patient and wait until he was sure she was ready. He didn't care if it took 6 months or 6 years. Kari was worth the wait.
It still didn't stop him day dreaming about a little girl with blonde hair and green eyes. Or a boy with brown hair and those amazing sapphire blue eyes that Kari had. Riley sighed quietly in happy contentment. No, he knew he could wait. Things were too perfect to spoil right now all because he was feeling clucky. He turned back to the kitchen to finish frying the bacon to go with breakfast.
After Kari and Alexi finished dancing around the living room and the bacon was cooked, they all sat down for breakfast. As Riley predicted, Alexi definitely wanted pancakes. Kari awesome idea of Hershey's Hot Fudge sauce onto hers and Alexi's pancakes made a huge chocolate mess all over the table by the end of breakfast. But the laughter that rang out across the apartment was worth the clean up. He sent the girls into the bathroom while he cleaned up the mess from breakfast. Riley had just finished cleaning up the majority of it when Kari's voice called out to him from the bathroom.
"Barton said he's taking his kids to the park, wanna go with?"
"Sure," Riley called back, throwing the last plate in the dishwasher. The forecast was for more snow over the weekend. Right now it was cold with a good dusting of snow on the ground, but not too feral to be outside. A day at the park sounded like bliss after a busy week at work.
"Okay," Kari's voice sounded hesitant. "How the hell do I dress Alexi for this weather?"
Riley kept his laughter to himself as he closed the dishwasher. Give his girlfriend a mile long sniper shot and she wouldn't break a sweat. A one year needing to be dressed for outside weather sounded like it was going to be a Level 1 SHIELD situation if he didn't go help. He walked into the bathroom, finding Kari holding up 2 snow jackets to Alexi with a look of panic across her face.
"Layers first," Riley smiled at the scene in front of him. Alexi was sitting up on the bathroom sink, her head tilted looking at Kari quizzically. At the sound of Riley's voice, her head snapped around to see him, a huge grin appearing on her face. She bounced excitedly, babbling in her own little language at Riley. He couldn't help but to grin at her. Alexi was adorable when she was excited or happy.
"I didn't want her to be too cold or hot," Kari said, looking a little embarrassed. "You know me, I bundle up because I have no body fat to keep me warm."
"She'll strip herself off if she's feeling too warm," Riley pointed out gently, as to not hurt Kari's feelings. She'd asked a serious question and was only trying to do the right thing. "Or she'll attach herself to you if she's cold. We'll just take her clothes bag anyway, so if we have to she can add or subtract layers."
"I'm glad someone has this whole parenting thing worked out," Kari chuckled while shaking her head. "I looked into that clothes bag and saw an entire department store. It freaked me out a little bit."
Riley didn't need to look into the bag to see if it was true. He'd contributed more than his fair share of wardrobe presents for Alexi. Evans always packed her bag like they were going away for a month.
"No, I'm just from the mid west and know what real cold weather is," Riley teased to relieve her tension, earning himself a massive eye roll from Kari.
"Yeah you and Hawk are just regular country boys from the mid west," Kari drawled, her lips twitching to try and hide the smile on her face. "Because it doesn't get cold in New York at all. Or Nebraska."
"My mid western country boy charm can get me a long way," Riley grinned. It was the exact grin he used when he wanted something. Natasha and Kari both called it his panty dropping grin. He didn't argue about that description. Because it mostly had that exact effect on Kari. "Why don't you get dressed and I'll get Alexi ready? Where are we going?"
"The park near the cafe we stop at in the mornings," Kari explained, dropping a quick kiss onto Riley's lips. "As much as I enjoy you strutting around bare chested, you might want to get dressed as well."
"You love my bare chest." Riley's grin grew wider. He pulled Kari in close, enjoying the faint pink colour spreading across her cheeks. That usually meant she was currently having some naughty thoughts. Riley snuck in another kiss, before gently pushing Kari away. "Go, get dressed before I strip your clothes off and we go nowhere."
"Yeah that'd great, corrupt Alexi while she's young," Kari teased. But she did as she was told, sauntering out of the bathroom wiggling her ass as she went. Riley knew she was doing it on purpose, but couldn't help staring until she was out of sight. He turned back to Alexi with a happy sigh.
"Right little madam, lets get you ready."
Alexi stuck her tongue out and blew raspberry at Riley. Just when he thought the grin on his face couldn't get any wider, he was proven wrong. The warm feeling of happiness spread throughout his body. This was looking to be a perfect day.
45 minutes later, they were all bundled up and walking in the park. It didn't take them long to find Clint and his 2 children. It was no surprise to see Natasha with them. After a quick hello from Lila and Cooper, they sped off towards the swings with Natasha and Kari in tow. Alexi was clinging onto Kari like a little monkey, looking very shy at the sudden and loud appearance of the 2 older children. Clint and Riley both collapsed onto the park bench that offered them the best view of the surroundings. Some habits couldn't be shaken, even on a peaceful Saturday morning park visit. Clint had even brought coffee with him, which Riley gratefully took.
"Kari looks like a marshmallow," Clint snickered, as he watched his children get on the swings. Kari was patiently trying to coax Alexi into the baby seat one. But Alexi wasn't having any of it as she desperately clung to Kari. Natasha was being no help, standing there laughing at Kari's despondent look.
"I don't know how she can move in so many layers," Riley chuckled. Clint wasn't wrong though. In her big white snow jacket put on top of several layers of clothes underneath, she really did look like a marshmallow. Her pale hair and skin wasn't helping the picture either. Even with the bright blue beanie she had on "She is a pretty marshmallow at least."
"Yes, she is," Clint chuckled with Riley. "Why have you guys got Alexi?"
"Abby has been up sick all night," Riley explained. "Evans asked me to take Alexi so they could both get some sleep and he could take Abby to the doctor."
"Poor thing," Clint's tone was sympathetic. "When Laura gets sick I feel completely helpless, and both my kids were and still are, good sleepers. I can't imaged how Evans would be feeling."
"I've seen him less exhausted after a month long mission." Riley blew through the hole of the lid of his coffee before taking a sip. It was a perfect cup of coffee. He was flattered every single time Clint got him coffee. He always remembered how he had it. It was just another little thing Clint did that made him feel part of this secret life he had. Riley could scarcely believe this was his life now. Sitting on the park bench with the legendary Hawkeye, having a coffee, watching over the Black Widow play with 2 kids on the swings. It was very surreal.
"There are days I'd rather take a mission than deal with one of Lila's epic tantrums." Clint's gaze turned to his youngest, full of affection despite his words. "But I wouldn't trade fatherhood for the world. The good moments far outweigh the bad."
Riley found his own gaze drifting back to Kari. She'd managed to get Alexi into the swing. The young girl was all smiles and giggles now as Kari gently pushed her. It made a now familiar longing come straight back to his mind. People didn't think men got baby fever. But Riley knew he was an exception to that rule. He was so struck with it, especially every time he saw Kari with Alexi. He couldn't even walk past the baby department at a store now without picturing what it'd be like to be buying for his own children.
"Should we be expecting an engagement announcement soon?" Clint's voice broke through Riley's thoughts.
He looked over to the archer in question, trying to smooth his face over into a more neutral expression. It didn't work for Riley. Clint started to laugh at him a second later. Riley found himself laughing along with him not long after. He'd been so busted. There was no denying it.
"Laura says I get this goofy expression on my face when I'm thinking about wanting another baby," Clint explained once their laughter died down. "I'm pretty sure your face then was exactly what mine looks like. So are you going to propose?"
"Not right this very second." Riley shook his head, still smiling. "I'm not going to lie. I have been looking at rings. But I have a rather specific way of how I want things to go. So I'm just trying to patient and wait for all my pieces of the puzzle to be together. It doesn't help when I can't get the idea of a baby out of my head at the moment though."
"And people say men don't get clucky." Clint had a wistful expression on his face as he looked back out towards his own children. "I'm desperate for number 3, but Laura keeps bringing home a scalpel and threatening me with it to keep me in line."
Clint suddenly pressed his lips together, looking like he was trying to stop himself bursting out laughing. Clint cleared his throat loudly and wiped a hand across his face, resting his hand over his mouth. It didn't stop the muted snort of laughter escaping.
"What's so funny?" Riley asked, curiosity burning through him about what that thought that just crossed Clint's mind was.
"Just a funny mental picture," Clint's reply was muffled by his hand. "You and Kari having an argument when she's 9 months pregnant about who gets to take the shot on a mission."
"Oh god," Riley closed his eyes, feeling his own laughter bubble up from his chest. "Barton, I'm really flattered you think I wear the pants in this relationship. As if I'd be allowed to even argue about me taking the shot."
"My mistake, what was I thinking?" Barton uncovered his mouth. He had a shit eating grin plastered over his face. "You're right though. We are suckers for these strong, independent women aren't we?"
"Yes, we are," Riley agreed. Although he would never say it out loud, he was pretty sure Clint didn't wear the pants in his relationship either. Laura was a force to be reckoned with once she had her mind set on something. "And we wouldn't have them any other way."
"No, we really wouldn't." Clint's grin faded down into a soft smile. His face was one of pure adoration as he looked back over to his children. "I wouldn't change a thing."
The conversation turned into comfortable silence as both of the men sat there, drinking their coffee and watching over the group. Riley was perfectly content to sit there and watch them. They'd moved off the swings and onto the playground equipment. Riley thought his heart was going to burst from the adorable sight of Kari and Alexi going down the slide together, both of them red faced from the cold but laughing at the top of their voices.
He couldn't believe how utterly perfect his life was right now. Nothing could ruin this moment.
Authors Note
Gosh, this chapter was so much fun to write. I did have some cute scenes like this filed away in my mind, but since they weren't anything but fillers they never got written down or fleshed out. So I hope everyone enjoys this little scene.
If anyone else has ideas/suggestions for a one shot, or something they'd like to see fleshed out, drop me a line! These one shots are the best cure for writers block. Plus its a lot of fun to delve into the other characters in my story even further.