"Tony don't touch that! TONY!"
Tony hesitated before rolling his eyes. "Fiiiiine."
He threw his hands up in surrender as Bruce continued to glare at him; his eyes stern. Tony had been about to unplug one of the machines next to Clint before Bruce had scolded him and told him to sit down. Tony obeyed, muttering to himself about not having any fun as he slouched in an armchair. Pietro watched them through the window. They hadn't seen him yet. He jumped as Natasha opened the door and he speeded to her side. She walked into the room and said something to Steve about him being in her place. The blonde man smiled up at her but didn't move. Pietro, still standing in the doorway, caught Clint's eye. The archer opened his mouth to say something but, before he could utter a word, Pietro had disappeared. He zoomed across the room, a silver blur. The next thing Clint knew was Pietro's arms around his neck, carefully avoiding his wound. He had no time to react to the hug before Pietro zoomed off again, reappearing next to his bed, sat in a black chair. Pietro gazed at Clint, as if he couldn't believe he was there. Clint privately thought he was over-reacting but the show of affection had been appreciated. Tony's face broke into a smile and he nudged Steve.
"Come on soldier. We'd better leave them to it."
Natasha threw him an annoyed look. She turned back to Clint, about to speak. She saw something in his expression which made her frown. Clint nodded towards the door; a nod so small you wouldn't notice it if you weren't looking for it. Natasha tipped her head to one side questioningly. Clint looked up at her with pleading eyes. She dipped her head slightly and pushed Bruce out of his chair, calling to Steve and Tony to leave. Pietro stood to follow them as they clustered out the door but he was held back. He looked down to see Clint's hand around his wrist. Pietro looked at it for a few moments as if he had forgotten what it was.
"Kid?"
Pietro raised his head. The archer gestured for him to sit down and Pietro did so. Pietro glanced up at Clint, lowing his gaze again as Clint caught his eye.
"Kid. I don't blame you ok?"
Pietro rubbed a hand at the base of his neck. He hadn't expected this. Had Natasha told the old man? She must have, he decided.
Clint frowned as he hesitated. "Pietro?" Clint was obviously waiting for a reply.
"I… Errm… Cli…" Pietro stuttered then sighed and hung his head. "I'm sorry."
Clint's eyes softened. "I know you are." He whispered. "But don't be because it wasn't your fault and there was nothing you could have done."
"Bu… But I could have stopped it." Pietro sounded like a scared child alone in the dark.
Clint leaned forward, reached out a hand and put in on Pietro's. "No you couldn't."
Pietro's eyes widened in surprise. This was exactly what he had done to Clint when he was unconscious. Did he know? Pietro shook his head, no, he couldn't know.
Pietro managed a small smile and Clint leant back against the wall, shuffling his legs into a more comfortable position. "Thanks Kid. I owe you my life."
Pietro shook his head. "You owe me nothing. We all look out for each other."
Clint angled his head slightly. His respect for the kid was growing rapidly. I've got to know him, Clint reflected on the times he and Pietro had joked around together, annoyed Steve so much he had thrown a chair at them. Clint grinned to himself. Pietro and Clint talked for a while, about the recent avenger missions, until Pietro noticed Clint was looking tired and he glanced at his watch. It was 11:24pm.
"You should sleep." He advised Clint. "It's getting late."
Clint nodded and pushed himself, carefully, down into a lying position. He let out a small sigh and his eyes fluttered shut. Pietro watched him, listening to his breathing. It slowed as he drifted to sleep; his chest rose and fell slowly. Pietro reached out a hand and put it on Clint's head. He smoothed his hair back and stood up, placing a kiss on the archer's forehead before he zoomed out of the room. Clint blinked open his eyes and smiled.