Week 5, Day 6
Pietro and Wanda had been living with the Barton's for a little more than a month. They had slowly become part of the family, both the Barton's and the Avengers. Laura loved the two of them like they were her own children and Lila and Cooper treated them as brother and sister, rather than guests. All of the Avengers loved them as well, even Steve who still thought Pietro was too snarky for his own good. Wanda was kind to everyone, though often brutally honest. Clint wasn't sure how much longer he could take this. He couldn't understand how Pietro was so sweet to every other member of the Barton family, except for the archer.
In fact, Pietro had been so nice to Laura that she had decided Clint would take the twins to the zoo. Clint had promptly whined and asked why Laura wasn't taking the Maximoff's to the zoo, especially since it was her idea. Laura had rolled her eyes and called Natasha to ask for backup.
The morning they were going to leave, backup arrived in the form of Steve, Sam, and Bucky.
"Natasha says she's sorry that she couldn't come, but to take plenty of pictures for her."
"They're just getting ready" Clint said, by way of greeting.
"Clint, this is Bucky" Steve introduced his best friend, who stood a little way off from Sam and Steve.
"Hey" Clint waved, the movement returned hesitantly by the former Winter Soldier.
"Uncle Steve! Uncle Sam!" there were two little blurs that knocked themselves into Steve and Sam at full force.
"Oof" Steve pretended to fall back as Wanda launched herself at him, while Sam who was knocked into by Pietro, actually did fall over.
"I think you've gotten heavier," Steve declared as he shifted Wanda to a more comfortable position on his hip. She playfully pouted at him and lightly punched his shoulder.
"Looks like Natasha's been teaching you tricks" Sam commented as he stood up and scooped Pietro into his arms.
Pietro peered over his shoulder curiously at Bucky and pulled on the shoulder seam of Sam's shirt.
"Who's dat?" he asked, his unruly curls brushing Sam's jaw.
"That's my friend Bucky" Steve said, as he turned so Wanda could see him too.
The twins gave tiny waves, Wanda's albeit more hesitant than Pietro's.
"Alright, let's go" Clint said, pulling on a jacket. He and Sam looked almost as excited as the twins at the prospect of going to the zoo.
However, after two hours of walking around the zoo, neither Sam nor Clint seemed enthusiastic any longer. The twins kept tugging them in different directions and Clint started to wonder whether this zoo had an end to it or if it was simply a giant maze designed to entrap children and their exhausted parents.
"You guys want to stop for lunch?" Sam asked, shooting a somewhat desperate glance at Steve as Wanda tugged him over to marvel at the polar bears. The superhero grinned in response and leaned over to murmur something in Bucky's ear.
Neither twin responded as they were both pressed against the glass, watching the enormous white animals swim in their pool. Pietro's little mouth was wide open, almost as large as Wanda's eyes. Clint smirked at the sight and snuck a photo. Natasha was going to love this.
"Just one more exhibit" Pietro pleaded.
"What about it, Clint?" Steve asked, coming to stand behind Pietro.
"Fine, not like I'm hungry or anything" Clint grumbled, but followed Pietro anyways.
"Hold on, where's Bucky and Wanda?" Sam asked, a small hint of worry creeping into his tone.
"Where's your sister?" Clint asked as Pietro asked, "where's Wanda?"
"Bucky!" Steve yelled, his voice easily loud. There was no answer and the super soldier started sprinting down the path. Clint picked Pietro up as he and Sam quickly followed Steve.
"Wanda!" Clint hollered.
"Miss, have you seen a small girl with long brown hair and a tallish guy with longish brown hair and a baseball cap?" Sam paused to ask a zoo attendant, who's nametag read 'Zoe'.
"I think I saw someone like that at the red panda exhibit" she said, flashing a small smile.
Steve didn't hesitate and ran in the direction she pointed.
"Wait" Steve put his hand out to stop Clint and Sam from disturbing Bucky and Wanda.
Bucky and Wanda were the only ones in the exhibit. Bucky carried Wanda carefully, smiling and nodding as the little girl pointed at the small animals clambering around the bamboo in the exhibit. There was one sitting at the base of one of the trees, nibbling on a piece of fruit. Bucky mimicked its movements at Wanda and the little girl giggled.
Steve had a huge grin on his face as he watched the pair interact.
"Hate to break this up, but my stomach is growling like a hungry bear" Clint announced, ignoring the dirty glare Steve sent his way.
Bucky turned in surprise at Clint's voice, Wanda holding onto his arm. When Bucky saw that it was only Clint, he relaxed, as did Wanda.
"I think 's time for lunch" Wanda announced, burying her nose in Bucky's shoulder. Bucky cuddled her close and Wanda smiled at Steve and Sam.
Sam slid Pietro out of Clint's arms, laughing as Pietro poked Clint in the nose and snuggled into Sam's arms.
By the time they got back to the Barton's, Wanda was sleeping deeply in Bucky's lap and Pietro was snoring quietly against Steve's arm. Sam quietly pointed out the darkening spot of drool under Pietro's cheek on Steve's shirt and the super soldier grimaced. Bucky was leaning against Steve's other shoulder, also asleep.
"You guys should get kids" Clint remarked quietly. Steve whipped his head up so fast, it almost knocked into Bucky. Even so, the abrupt motion woke the Winter Soldier, who shifted, careful not to wake Wanda.
"What?!" he yelped. Bucky, Sam, and Clint immediately shushed him. Sam couldn't hold back a chuckle at the stunned expression on Steve's face.
"I'm just saying," Clint replied innocently, "look how good Bucky is with Wanda. I mean, you guys already live together, so getting kids is just the next step."
"You and Natasha lived together when you were younger. I don't remember her mentioning any children," Steve pointed out as he recovered from his initial shock.
"That was different" Clint explained in a long-suffering tone, "all I'm saying is that a kid or two might be good for you both."
"I agree" Sam finally spoke up as Steve glared at him.
"You're my friend. You're supposed to be defending me, not that idiot."
"Language, my friend" Sam reminded with a sarcastic chuckle.
-tbc-
AN - What do you guys think? Comments, reviews, etc. are appreciated.