Myopia
Clint has always claimed that he sees better from distance, and it's metaphorical rather than literal, since his eyesight is better than perfect. He is a sniper – a marksman – so that is only logical. He likes being away from everyone, observing everything from a vantage point; it gives him an unique and unprecedented take on things.
When he sees Pepper sitting in the penthouse, observing Tony and Steve from across the room, he can recognize the gaze almost instantly; it's the one he's borne for years and years.
'It's a change of perspective, hmm?' Clint murmurs, dropping on the sofa next to Pepper. She flinches at his sudden voice.
'Yeah, you could say so,' she admits.
'Any better for you?'
She laughs easily.
'Tony… he looks to the future, never spares more than a glance at everything that's close. Steve gets that, he is fine with that. I – I wanted more. I was getting closer and closer to him, caring too much about myself is his life. I was looking… too close.'
'And now?'
'Ah – I can understand him better from the outside. At distance,' Pepper offers.
Clint nods, smiling. There is this certain kind of people who always do.