This chapter was written by me, and betaed by Awkward Hawk!

CHAPTER 9

Clint snuggled up to Tony's side in the bed. He had never been able to just relax next to someone before; it was weird yet comforting at the same time. He normally didn't like being touched by anyone; it was just quirk he learned from being alone for so long. He thought of each person as a target and when they got too close it felt like he was going to be attacked. He hated that feeling, but he just couldn't help it. But when Tony touched him, it felt warm and comforting, nothing like he had ever felt before. Tony emitted warmth and it drew Clint in, ever since the night where he was forced to fight for his life and was left to die he had an aversion to cold. That night it was freezing and it he hadn't been found until the next day. He always kept his room warm, and his SHIELD jacket emitted warmth around him to keep away the cold.

Tony smiled as Clint buried as far as he could get into his side. He placed an arm around his waist and kissed the side of his head. Clint hummed in pleasure. "What was that about?"

Clint looked up, "I got impatient and cold."

Tony frowned, "Cold?"

Clint shrugged, but lowered his face, "I don't like to be cold."

"Why?" Tony asked, slightly afraid of the answer.

Clint looked away, and hesitated before answering, "I told you I was in the circus right?" he asked, and continued at Tony's nod, "Well, me and my brother worked there. We were janitors and extras of a sort, until Trickshot took me under his wing and taught me archery. Once I was good enough… I got my own act, 'The amazing Hawkeye'. I don't know why, buy Barney entered a deal with Trickshot's competition the Swordsmen. Trickshot and Swordsmen were the two big acts, and they constantly fought for their cut. I didn't care, I had a place to stay and even made some money off of it, I guess that's what drew the ringmaster. He took me under his wing just like Trickshot had, and they were the two most influential men in my life. My act started to overshadow Trickshot's and Swordsmen's, and they didn't like that I was getting more money than they were."

Clint hesitated again, before sighing. "I don't know why. I can understand Swordsmen, but Trickshot? The man that taught me how to shoot a bow. The man that took me under his wing and sacrificed time to help me. Hell, even my own brother!" Clint growled bitterly, "they started embezzling money from the ringmaster. I caught them and they tried to kill me. Barney attacked, and I dove out of the way, only to be met with Swordsmen. He grabbed me but I broke free and drove the only thing I had into his throat, a small pocket knife. I forgot all about the others… until there was a knife poking out of my chest. I hit the ground and watched them leave."

Clint shuddered, his eyes glazed over, and Tony pulled him closer. "It was cold. That's all I remember before I woke up in the ringmaster's caravan. It was bitterly cold, and ever since my body temperature hasn't been able to stand cold. When people touch me… all I can feel is cold and I hate it. But you don't. You're warm, and make me feel warm. No one has been able to do that."

Tony had a small smile on his face, "I'll always be here to keep you warm."

Clint smiled softly, "Promise?"

Tony leaned down and placed a kiss to Clint's lips. After a few moments, Tony deepened the kiss, licking along his boyfriend's lips, seeking entrance. Clint granted it eagerly, and Tony's tongue slid inside, exploring Clint's mouth. All too soon, Tony pulled back, both looking flustered but happy.

They were interrupted by a knocked and Tony growled. He slid out of Clint's grip and over towards the door and opened it angrily. "What?! Oh, hello Fury."

Nick Fury gazed at one of the Avenger's with his one good eye, and eyebrow cocked. "I'm here to talk to my agent."

"Sure sure, it's not like he just woke up from a coma and doesn't need time to himself. Heaven forbid that he would want peace and quiet." Tony growled sarcastically.

Fury just gazed steadily back, unimpressed. Clint just chuckled and made his way beside his boyfriend. It felt good to say that. "Down boy."

Tony pouted but let the Director of SHIELD into the room. Tony sat on the bed, and Clint snuggled against his side. Fury sat in the chair Bruce had abandoned, from where he kept vigil. Tony placed an arm around Clint and kissed his temple, while keeping a steady questioning gaze on Fury. Fury just shrugged, "I don't care as long as it doesn't interfere with his assignments."

Clint sagged in relief, with a brilliant smile on his face, and he could've sworn he the edges of Fury's mouth twitch. "Now, to business. Why the hell, would you think that it would be a good idea for this idiot to put you in a coma?"

Clint shrugged, "I haven't slept in two weeks. I was desperate for it to end. Tony had a theory that he still refuses to tell me, so he thought this would prove it."

Fury turned towards Tony expectantly, and Tony sighed, "Well, when he first told me about the nightmares I thought it was psychological. So I tried to talk him through it, but when he told me that they were so widespread and covering most of his life, I knew that they weren't."

"What do you mean? Everyone has a nightmare from their past." Fury said.

"That may be, but do you relive every moment in one nightmare? Your fears?" Tony refuted.

The director thought for a moment before nodding for Tony to continue. "So, that led me to believe that someone was screwing with his mind, hoping to burn him out. My first thought would be Loki, just because he had been inside Clint's mind already."

Clint shuddered at the mention of Loki. Tony felt it and squeezed his waist in comfort. Clint smiled softly and drew as much comfort from Tony's presence as he could. Tony turned back towards Fury. "I thought that maybe these dreams were from someone and only manifested while asleep, instead of a coma. That's beyond Loki's powers and he wasn't even able to that anyways, he's still bound. That means there is someone out there that can influence your dreams."

Clint thought for a second. "They went through my memories, drawing everything from my mind. My insecurities, my hopes and fears, my worst nightmares. They knew me… but I don't know from… what…" Clint trailed off, brow furrowed in thought, "I recognize the voice, he said something about loving Trickshot… he sounded younger than me, jealous… oh God."

Tony immediately looked at Clint, "What?"

"I know who it is! How did I not see it before?" Clint murmured to himself, "Of course he would hate me. I took all the time away from him, all his attention. I even killed him."

Fury looked at Clint like he was crazy. "Who is it Barton?"

"Garret Mikhail. That's whose been doing this. I don't know how though. I haven't seen him since the night I found Trickshot's group. He confronted me and I knocked him out." Clint seemed lost in memories.

Tony turned towards Fury, "Look through all you records for any mentions of Garret Mikhail. Somehow he can get into your nightmares or your mind… I don't know. But he's a possible terrorist."

Fury nodded, he didn't want to waste any time arguing with Stark. HE stood and walked out of the room, leaving the two men behind. Tony tried to bring Clint out of his memories and finally succeeded after a few minutes of coaxing. The two sat there, holding each other and just drawing comfort from the other. They stayed that way through day.