I wanted to learn archery. Really badly. And I wanted an excuse to hang out with Clint, but I seriously did want to learn archery. "You're right handed, so hold the grip in your left hand, yeah, like that, then with your second and third finger pull the string back to your right shoulder" Clint smiled as he watched you.
"But I've not got an arrow" I replied, confused.
"Yeah, I know Manda, I don't want you shooting up the place just yet".
"Haha, very funny Little Hawk" I rolled your eyes but did as he said.
"Now" he continued, "you're nearly there, just raise your elbow. No, higher gorgeous" You turned to look at him for a second, seeing him smirking as he watched you eagerly. You readjusted the position of your arm, looking to him for approval, ignoring the complimentary pet name for now.
Clint shook his head, still smiling, "Not quite."
Clint stood up straight from leaning back against the wall, picking up an arrow as he walked to me. "Look at the target" he said, and I did. "Now," he stood behind me, close, close behind me; he ran his hand along my outstretched arm, his fist closing over mine, "keep this arm straight and…" his other hand went to my waist, trailing up my side and along my arm to my elbow, gently pulling it into place, arrow still between his fingers - I let out a soft sigh as his hand stopped in my elbow, "there we go."
"Is that me?" I asked.
"Nearly, straighten your back" I did, accidentally pressing my shoulders against his chest, "that's it" he muttered in my ear, I could feel his breath on my skin. "Now, tense" he said, putting a hand over my stomach. Like I'm not tense enough anyway with you up against me like this, Clint, seriously. He waited until he felt my stomach muscles tense under his palm, "Good girl."
"Behave" I warned half heartedly.
He latched the arrow at the nocking point and rested it in the arrow rest. "Pull back" I did, keeping my elbow up, "you're going to take deep breath, then brace" Clint took his hand away from mine, resting it on my waist, "'Kay Amanda, look through the sight window, aim, and when you're ready, fire - breath out as you let the string go"
I nodded. Deep breath, brace. Sight, aim and… fire. The arrow hit the bullseye and I blinked in surprise, "I did it"
"Yes you did, gorgeous," Clint said softly in my ear, "yes you did. Have I ever told you how hot you are when you're shooting? Bullets or arrows apparently."
"Is that right? You are so easy to please" I teased, slinging the bow over my shoulder like Clint did.
"Well, it helps that you're beautiful and talented and can easily kill a man"
I laughed, "Have you got a type Barton?"
"Is it that obvious?" he grinned, stepping forward. Clint took the bow from me, leaning it against the wall. He looked down at me with a smile, resting his hands on my waist, "So, do I have myself an apprentice archer?"
"That depends," I said, my hands on his shoulders, "are you going to be patient enough to let me get good?"
"Em, bullseye? You are good."
"It was a lucky shot and you know it"
"Nah, don't believe you" we stood chest to chest, Clint wore a cheesy grin.
He leant down, lips pressing against mine, smiling against my own smile. Clint kissed my cheek, three time as he moved along toward my ear, then down along my neck. "Clint" I breathed as he began to worry a dark mark into the skin at the join of my shoulder and neck, "Clint, you know we're not- I'm not..."
"I know" he answered softly, "Do you want me to stop?"
"I- no, I just..."
Gently he rocked me back and forth, "That's alright, as long as I'm clear with what you want, because I'm not going to cross that line, and you get to step the line, got me?"
"Yeah" I hugged him tight, tip-toeing, my head against his chest.
"Ah, it's alright Princess, I've got you. Coffee?"
"Mm, yeah, coffee sounds good"