A/N: As per Olympus97's request, I bring you a flashback chapter with Clint's first interactions with Maddie. And because they're just so awesome together, Natasha's going to show up as well. I hope it meets expectations! Enjoy.
Pepper glanced around the room. It was a complete disaster. Maddie was becoming much more active (human tornado would be an apt description), and it was a struggle to keep up with her. So, when the elevator dinged, she heaved an exasperated sigh. The doors slid open to reveal Clint and Natasha.
"Come on in, guys." She said. Maddie glanced up at the visitors, and quickly went back to her own business. Natasha smiled, and squatted down to get on Maddie's level.
"Hey there, Maddie." Maddie ignored her. Pepper scooped the little girl up in her arms.
"Say hi to your Aunt Tasha." She glanced over at the spy to make sure she didn't object to the title. "You don't mind, do you?" Natasha smiled and shook her head.
"No, it's fine." She reached out her hand, hoping that Maddie might give her a high-five, but no, Maddie had to play shy. Pepper brushed her daughter's bangs back from her face.
"You were talking to me earlier. What's wrong, baby girl?" Maddie buried her face in her mama's shoulder. Clint grinned and helped Natasha get back up.
"She's stubborn like Tony, that's for sure." Pepper smiled.
"That she is, but I'm hoping it's just a phase…"
"Not likely." Tony chimed in from the doorway. Clint rolled his eyes.
"Good to see you too Stark." Maddie looked up to see her dad, and her eyes lit up.
"Da!" she giggled, reaching out her arms. Tony snatched her out of Pepper's arms, and swung her up into the air, before hugging her, and tickling her cheek with his goatee. Maddie gave a delighted shriek and put both hands on his chin, pushing his face away from hers.
"Why are being so shy, sweetheart? The spies only want to say hi. They never met you before." Tony said with a confidential air. Maddie smiled.
"Hi." She said before trying to get out of Tony's arms. Tony set her on her feet and watched her stagger towards Natasha. She threw her arms around the assassin's leg. Natasha tensed a little, but she was smiling.
"Hey." She leaned down to pick her up. Maddie didn't make any move to stop her, and seemed happy with the change. Clint smiled at the sight of Natasha holding a child. Natasha noticed.
"Don't get your hopes up, Clint. You know I can't have kids." A note of bitterness lingered in her voice. She hated the fact that even if she wanted to, she couldn't have a family.
"I know, Tasha." He replied softly. Maddie, sensing Natasha's sadness gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
"A' better?" she chirped. Natasha smiled, and kissed her forehead.
"Not all the way, but it helps. Thanks kiddo." Maddie clapped her hands. She glanced over at Clint.
"Go see?" Natasha smiled.
"You want to see Clint?" Maddie nodded. Clint held out his arms. Natasha smiled as she handed the little girl over.
"Hey there, sweetheart." Clint said as he shifted her in his arms. He glanced over at Pepper. "You say she was talking?" Pepper shrugged.
"Gibberish, mostly, but she's working on it. She can say 'mom' and 'da', but that's about it." Clint smiled.
"Hey, Maddie, can you say 'Hawkeye'?" Maddie merely stared at him, confused. Natasha rolled her eyes.
"Multiple syllables might be a bit much for her to understand, Clint. Don't frustrate her." Clint nodded.
"I wouldn't worry about that, Natasha. Bruce got her to call Loki 'puny god'. She's a smart kid." Tony said, chuckling. Clint nodded.
"Good job then, kiddo. But can you say 'Hawkeye'?" Maddie cocked her head to one side.
"You…Hawk?" she asked. Obviously, it was a question. Clint nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
"Yep. I'm Hawkeye." Maddie crossed her arms, her confusion growing.
"Why she…" she pointed to Natasha, "…call you Cwint?"