"A kid? Really?"
"And a dog. Just like you asked, sir." I replied smugly, taking pointers from James who was in Bruce's lab. He's stood over Clint laying on the table as JARVIS scanned him. Max was in an in-depth conversation with Thor. Damn All-Speak.
Natasha called Marcus, Pepper and Steve who were off reservation to ask about my sanity and relay the details which none of them believed until they arrived at the Tower to witness it for themselves. This was Natasha being worried and caring. It was humorous. Although, they were more shocked at the development of mine and James' relationship. Apparently we're emotionally stunted on the best of days (This is coming from Natasha, Steve and Tony; the most emotionally stunted people on the team.) But, I don't care about any of it. They're all my family and this is their strange way of helping me. Even Tony has run off spouting about floors and clothes and toys and dog stuff. I can worry about that later, now, Bruce is calling me away from Marcus' disbelief for Clint's diagnosis with James by my side.
"Well... Um... I'm going to need you both to stay calm. For Clint's sake and for the Hulk to remain where he is. This is /not nice/." We both nod as Bruce cleans his glasses and I try to control the sickening feeling in my stomach.
It's curbed by the strong hold James has on my hand.
"He... we'll go from minor to major. I know you've said you've read his file of medical histories so I'll not delve into x-rays or old scars. They aren't a hindrance and prove to be healed well, surprisingly. He's got a throat infection which can be sorted through rest, fluids and some antibiotics. Then there's the weight and height problem. He's about 20 pounds under weight and at least 6 inches shorter than average. This can be fixed with a balanced diet and observation. He's emotionally and mentally guarded, untrusting from the get go, but he likes the Avengers and thinks you two are 'special' so we'll be okay /for now./ He needs help understanding and learning to trust others. He is highly intelligent, without proper education whatsoever that is, but his speech pattern is a little off which leads to the reason... and his only major concern... Ahem... Clint is almost half deaf." I've been nodding and kept my legendary stone-y expression throughout. Bruce had been listing stuff I mostly already guessed but that last revelation gutted me. James tightened his hand as he felt me tense. I was pulled into his arms as I heard Bruce controlling his breathing behind me. Over James' shoulder I can see Clint playing with the Legos Tony found somewhere. He's building what looks an awful lot like a Quinjet. I feel a tear run down my cheek but it's like I'm disconnected from everything. I can feel the vibrations of James mumbling but I can't hear the words and then I take a deep breath. I'm back. I remove myself from the comfort and resort to Agent mode facing Bruce once more.
"How?" I question, arms crossed.
"He had multiple previous uncared for infections, especially ear and throat, as well as beatings and scars in and around his ears. He has a very high capability to read mouths and he can hear most things. There will be no need for implants or hearing aids if you guys don't want. He's not in pain. We just need to keep away from more infections and pay close attention in case it deteriorates further." I loosen a little. He's not in pain. I can still kill Barney Barton. He doesn't need surgery. Yet. Deep breaths.
I can feel James' presence behind me leave and I immediately think he's leaving us, it's too much, it's too hard. We're not perfect for him. Every flaw and problem slams to my forefront as I swivel on the spot to see James march over and say something that makes Clint tilt his head, smile and run to give him a hug. I steadily make my way over, close enough to hear them now.
"Bett'r?" Clint asks James thoughtfully.
"Much better. Thank you." I can see James' frame fall and loosen around Clint.
"D'you wan' one too?" Clint asks as I crouch beside them.
"One what ace?" I ask confusedly and James smiles bashfully for once.
"A lil bird hug t'make you better? James s'not feelin' well n' said I could give'em a hug n' make it go 'way?" I smile as I realise James needed the comfort of holding Clint to lighten the blow but didn't want to scare him away. I think I need it a little too.
"I would love one, Clint. Hey, pinkie promise you'll let me know if your ear hurts?"
"M'kay." He openly grins as I hug him back tightly, my breathing evening as I do realise he's okay, more than, he's fantastic and I- we are going to fight to make sure he stays that way.
"Well, here we go. Your floor's gonna take another week to finish up since I just marked in the schematics and because this is going to be larger than all the other guest floors, it'll take a bit more time. Plus everything else has to become kid and pet friendly. We'll just have to keep you in Bucky's room, which I've sorted out, until all this is ready. And all of the items have arrived. Good? Great. I'm a genius. Speaking of. Where are the kid and the pet?" Tony blabbered at James and I in the now construction area after only knowing this new information for two and a half hours.
"Tony. Phil and I haven't even had a first date yet! We can't just move in and become parents with a kid and a dog! That's not how it works! There is seriously no need for any of this, but thank you for the gesture. And we never ordered any 'items'?" James stares Tony down. Tony will never admit it but people denying him these kinds of things hurts because it's how he helps and shows his feelings. I know James doesn't mean it, and I can definitely see where he's coming from. I did not want to live with the Avengers, almost at all.
"Tony, can you give us a minute to talk. Go see if Thor's finished speaking with Max yet. Maybe tell Natasha to lay off of the martial arts classes for the night; Clint's six not sixteen. Thank you."
Tony leaves a little curiously quiet and James looks at me questioningly.
"What-" I silence James with a finger as he frowns at the gesture.
"JARVIS privacy mode please." James' frown lightens as he understands.
"Sorry, you're not a child. It's just a go to gesture around Stark." I apologise.
"It's okay. What are you thinking?" James chuckles.
"I'm thinking - why not? We're doing everything backwards anyway. Clint needs us both and this place is far bigger and safer than mine. No one... Barney's not going to get him here, not with the Avengers. Plus there are plenty of babysitters?"
"Yeah. First a kid and a dog, then an apartment... maybe I should just ask you to marry me on our first date?" James grins as I blush and he hugs me close.
"Are you sure?" We both ask simultaneously.
"Definitely." We both answer, laughing which turns into kissing.
"I seriously need to take you out on a date." James groans as we head toward the elevator.
"Yes, /dear/. Now let's go get our son..." We both freeze in our motions, in fear I've taken it too far I turn around to see a smile as bright as the stars on James' face.
"We should do that. Backwards right? Why don't we adopt him?" James suggests as I smile carefully back at him.
"There are so many reasons not to do this but I'm not willing to let anything get in our way anymore. I don't want there to be another Loki or Train before we can be happy. Clint is the most important thing now and even if we don't work out, you'll always be 'special' to us. So yeah, we can ask him?" I offer my hand to James as we walk towards the elevator and he kisses me happily.
"You two will always be 'special' to me too."
"Phil! James!" Clint shouted enthusiastically and jumped up from his position on the floor with Tony in front of all the 'items'; another Stark understatement. It seems Tony bought out three stores!
"Hey bud! What'd Tony get us?" James seemed rather calm about the whole situation; at least we don't have to buy all this stuff.
"We got lots n lots f'toys! N' Max got a bed n'a collar n' a bowl n' food! I got a tree house bed! N' some nice clothes for the 'prissy pants' people Tony says n' some cool clothes for th'awesome people! N' Avenger jammies!" Clint carried on telling us the lists of items as he dragged James over to point at each one and explain them. He's getting much better about speaking out; maybe twenty minutes with Tony Stark will do that to anyone.
"Thank you. We will be taking you up on your offer. Although, there was really no need for any of this." I whisper to Tony as we watch the other two.
"Sure there was. You're family. That's what family does, right? And he's a cute kid. And the dog is not allowed to shed, I disallow it!" Tony demands, grinning.
As I look over, Clint is finally tiring out, sitting in James' lap showing him each set of Avengers pyjamas.
"Okay, ace. Time for bed. Do you want something for supper?" I ask as I hoist him up from James and he yawns widely.
"Yes please. Can've some toast when we g'home?" I smile with a glowing warmth as he uses the term for my apartment.
"We're actually gonna stay here now buddy. The Avengers'll look out for you and there's plenty of room for your tree house bed and everything." James tells him as he rubs Clint's back and gathers some pyjamas for him. Clint smiles and agrees tiredly to the move. We all walk to the kitchen where the rest of the group are settling for the evening. I leave Clint to James as I put on some toast and hot chocolate.
"Congratulations, Phil, I didn't get a chance to say it earlier... and, take care of them, I'd hate to have to hurt you." Steve smiles rather menacingly for an American icon.
"I would let you hurt me if I let them down, Steve. I promise." As say as we shake hands and he leaves to talk to James now that Clint is dressed for bed and hugging my knees. He's a real cuddler. So, I lift him back into my arms.
"You'll be a great father Phil, call me whenever you need me." Pepper smiles gently and kisses my cheek and Clint's head before leaving.
Natasha still thinks I'm an idiot, I believe. But I also think I'm an idiot. So, she just sits, peels an apple with her knife in one go, silently watching over us from the kitchen counter.
Bruce chuckles as he enters the kitchen for his evening cup of tea, noticing the Avengers apparel.
"Great choice. Good night, Clint. Sleep well."
"Thank you, Bruce. G'night." Clint says and waves sleepily. The toast is buttered and hot chocolate poured so I set Clint down to carry the plate and I follow with the mugs up to James' floor level for the night.
"There's my two best guys! So, what are we watching? Favourite film, bud?" James greets us as he swaggers out from his room clad in sweats and an old Henley. He looks breath-taking.
"Haven't seen one..." Clint states shyly as James and I spare each other pained glances but then Clint giggles as James removes the plate from his hands and lifts him up.
"I've got an amazing movie! It's called Monsters Inc.! Here we go!" James playfully throws Clint onto the soft couch and places the plate on the coffee table with the mugs he takes from me. "And... there's some pyjamas for you on my bed down the hall, they should fit." James smiles predator-like before kissing me and settling next to Clint in front of the flat screen.
James' apartment is a lot like mine in its sparseness and plain quality. The main areas are shades of cream and whites and his bedroom is the same apart from the clear personal belongings thrown in. Like the old knitted blanket, some old photos, his clothes in the wash basket and different toiletries littering the shelves in the ensuite. It's not particularly messy, it's just lived-in. The bedroom seems to be the only room so far that seems like 'home'.
I look down and spot some chequered bottoms like the ones he saw me in this morning and a Henley with a star on the upper arm, same position as the star on James' actual arm. Tony must have bought it on a whim but it fits me snugly although the bottoms are a tad long.
I walk back down the hall to see two slices of toast left for me and a Captain America mug with quickly cooling hot chocolate. James and Clint are curled around each other with a space on Clint's other side for me. Clint is still clutching at James' arm but also now another friend; a dark purple stuffed bird.
"Quickly, we're at the part where they're checking for monsters in her room, we couldn't wait for you. Maybe I should help you change next time; it might be quicker?" James sniggers as I punch him lightly on the arm, blushing and settle down next to them.
"Thor leave Max back?" I whisper when I notice him walking in to settle below the TV in a bright pink collar.
"Yeah, apparently Max doesn't want to give in to societal animal stereotypes by going for a considered male collar colour. He likes pink, so sue'em? And Tony built in a door for him and extra safety features and locks for them both." James laughs quietly at the utterly dumbfounded look on my face.
"Shhh! Look, look!" Clint tells us as he points at Sully and Mike sneaking Boo into their workplace. This film kind of reminds me of our situation, I just hope it doesn't end the same way. I lock James' and my fingers together over Clint's head, feeling warm and safe with my new team.