a/n: I've realised these chapters are very, very, very short. Sorry. It's part of the charm, I hope. But probably won't be when I've got tiny chapters and no update for a month and a half. Sorry in advance.
...
He met Kate a day later when he was stumbling to put the pizza boxes in the bin. In fact, he swung a bag of bottles against her leg and got a mouthful from her before she sighed and took a good look at him.
"Oh, god. Tell me you're not Barton?"
"Huh?"
"Coulson hasn't told you?"
"Coulson doesn't tell anyone shit. Did he tell you when he told me he was alive?"
"Um?"
"Yeah, like, my phone rang and here's this voice from beyond the grave. 'Clint I don't have time to explain, I've set up a safehouse with another agent. Pretend you have a family. Nat's in on it, she's agreed.' And I'm like hold on, what the fuck and he's like 'oh, I have to go, my team are calling.' And now I'm stuck in a poxy flat covered in dust while the Avengers carry on without me and the ones who have somewhere to go go there because we can't let the illusion drop, Clint."
Kate stared at him for a minute.
"Well someones a little tetchy this morning. Something to do with what was in those bottles that just collided with my leg? I'm Kate Bishop. He's been trying to contact you all morning, but I said I'd just come along anyway."
"I don't know where my phone is. I'm hoping the dog ate it. I don't want to speak to that lying bastard. Making me lie to my friends. 'Remember, Agent, this is for the best. Now you just sit and eat pizza while everyone-"
Kate patted him on the shoulder.
"How about we go up to your apartment and I make us some coffee and breakfast? I brought bacon."
"You did?"
"I've looked up to you through my training. I like to think I'm almost as good as you are with a bow and arrow."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I've been sent to give you a hand while the Avengers are pulling themselves back together. You're the only stable one left."
"I am?"
"Coffee and bacon?"
Clint sighed.
"Yeah, fine, whatever. Just don't complain about the dust."
Kate smiled and walked off with Clint following her, shaking his head.