Chapter 16: My Eyes Are Green pt1

Pietro met Wanda outside the front doors of the school. The day was over and now it was time for them to head home. Home was a quaint small two bedroom apartment with their grandmother. Pietro and Wanda had no friends, so every day they would go home, help their grandmother with chores around the house then hang out in the room they shared. It wasn't an ideal life for two teenagers, but they had grown used to it long ago. Sometimes Wanda would read books while Pietro went out for a run, but other than that they didn't really do much else.

Wanda came up to him, a small smile on her face. Pietro raised an eyebrow at her.

"What's got you in a happy mood?" he asked.

Wanda stroked at her hair.

"Guess who shares my last period art class with me? Loki."

Pietro's brows arched up further.

"Loki? Interesting. I'm not sure what to think about him."

Wanda rolled her eyes as they started walking through the parking lot.

"Don't be like that, Pietro. Loki is okay. After all, when was the last time anyone at this school wanted to talk to us?"

"I don't know. The guy seemed kind of high on himself."

"You realize he didn't show any interest in being with the popular kids with his brother, right? He chose to acquaint himself with us. Maybe you shouldn't be so...Pietro with him."

Her brother scoffed.

"It's because I'm so Pietro that nobody has bothered us our entire time here. You should be grateful, baby sister."

Wanda pinched her brother's arm making him wince.

"We're twins, Pietro. You're only twelve minutes older than me. Anyway, Loki seems okay. All I'm saying is maybe you should dial back in your Pietroness with him. He's brand new, remember? All the way from Asgardia."

The male Maximoff simply shrugged.

"All I can say is we'll see, Wanda. But that's a different thing. I'm starving."

"As am I." said a familiar voice.

Pietro and Wanda turned around to see Loki leaning against a silver Altima. He grinned at them. Wanda grinned back, making Pietro frown.

"Hello, new friends." said the Asgardian.

Pietro crossed his arms.

"'New friends'. A little presumptuous, aren't you, Loki?"

Loki shrugged.

"Perhaps, but you have not told me off just yet. So, it would be a pleasure if you would join me in dining out. My dear dumb brother has raved about American cuisine."

Wanda looked at her brother, whose frown hadn't lessened. Not that he made her decisions for her, but she wouldn't go if he wasn't in. Pietro tapped her shoulder and turned around. Wanda then shook her head at Loki.

"Um, raincheck?"

Loki's grin went undeterred.

"But of course. I shall see you tomorrow, new friends."

Wanda smiled weakly and nodded, following her brother out of the parking lot.

"Pietro," Wanda began,

"What's the issue?"

Pietro just shook his head.

"Not ready."

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Bruce couldn't help it. He was feeling uncomfortable all day long. He had felt a little better during lunch time palling around with his friends, but just the sight of Natasha made him slip back into his old habits. Hunching his back. Not making eye contact. Only speaking up every now and then. Bruce knew Natasha noticed how he wasn't looking much at her in particular, but he couldn't without feeling weird. He hated this. The second lunch was over and they all went to class, Bruce got a major headache. He found himself still confused on how to feel about Natasha. Bruce had always liked her but since yesterday, now more than before he couldn't stop thinking about her and it made him feel guilty. It didn't help that he didn't share any classes with Betty, whom he was also confused about. Betty had been acting weird with Bruce the past few weeks, and yesterday during Sam's party she seemed to be going through the motions. It was all making Bruce feel some kind of way about her. He was a smart guy but he was not a mindreader.

Whatever this whole thing was, it was eating at him. He knew right after school, he was going to have to have a talk with Betty. He just didn't know how he would do that with Natasha. It was weird. Bruce was set on heading to her house right after the last bell rung, but in the parking lot Natasha approached him. He expected her to be upset with him, but she seemed normal. Then she up and says the two of them are studying together which caught him by surprise. Natasha had studied with him plenty of times before, but that wasn't his plan today. Still, Natasha flashed that smirk of hers and Bruce couldn't say no.

So now there he was with her in the passenger seat of Clint's car. It smelled like cinnamon and cranberry. Bruce was surprised. He'd been to Clint's house once. His room was a mess and always smelled liked clean and dirty laundry, yet his car smelled nice. As Natasha drove them out of the parking lot, Bruce found himself staring at Natasha again. As always, the scent of vanilla wafted from her skin. The way the afternoon sunlight shined on her red hair gave the illusion of a smoldering fire wrapped around her head. She had a small smile on her face which made the green in her eyes gleam somehow. Bruce sighed. Natasha Romanoff was a sight for sore eyes indeed.

"Is this the part where you call me beautiful?" she asked coyly.

Bruce's eyes widened as he snapped his head away and looked out the window instead.

Crap baskets!

Then he scoffed.

"You're not coming with me just to study, are you?" he asked quietly.

Natasha tucked some hair behind her ear and chuckled.

"That depends on you, Bruce. Do you just want to study or is there something you'd like to say to me?"

Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose. Natasha was playing some sort of angle. There were a few things he wanted to say, but now wasn't really the time.

One thing at a time, Brucie Boy.

The two of them didn't say anything else for the rest of the short drive. Betty got out if school early so they went right to her house. Bruce felt an uncomfortable pang in his stomach as they left the car and walked up to her door. He didn't know why but there was a very odd feeling about this day. Bruce waved it off as he knocked on the door. Probably just stress from all his thoughts. Betty opened the door, and Bruce could've sworn she looked disappointed to see him. He fought not to frown at her.

Betty Boo probably just has a lot on her mind. She's happy to see me. She's always happy to see me.

Betty sighed heavily and backed up so he and Natasha could enter.

"Hi, Betty." Bruce greeted.

He hugged her closely and kissed her cheek, but he let go when he felt her sigh against him. Behind her he could see Natasha awkwardly looking away. Bruce slowly broke the hug and looked into Betty's eyes. Yeah, they weren't studying today. Bruce slid off his backpack and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Betty, what-what's going on?" he asked.

Betty ran a hand through her bangs and placed her hand on Bruce's.

"Bruce, it's time for that talk." she said quietly.

Betty turned around and looked at Natasha. The redhead gave a nod and went to the front door. Bruce wanted to call out for her not to go, but he knew that would just make Betty upset. Betty grabbed Bruce's hand and led him to the kitchen. Bruce swallowed. He was hoping hard this conversation wasn't going where he feared. Steve told him everything should be okay. That gave him a little comfort. Steve Rogers said he would be okay. Hopefully that would count for something. He and Betty stood by the kitchen counter and stared at each other for a second. Bruce who was nervously tapping his fingers on the countertop and Betty who was tugging on her shirt and not looking the least bit happy in his presence.

"Bruce,... We've been together for five years now. Five really good years. I don't want to beat around the bush here but-"

"Then don't." Bruce interrupted sternly, making Betty jump.

"Come out with it already, Betty. I love you but I don't like games. Do you want to break up with me?"

Bruce had had enough. The weird behavior for the past few weeks had really put a number on his patience. He figured he may as well put it out in the open. Time to swallow the sword. As much as Bruce was hoping their talk wouldn't be what he feared, at this point it was either a yes or no question. Betty pursed her lips and covered her eyes. Bam! The pang in Bruce's stomach came back harder than before. Bruce grimaced as his heart sank like the Titanic. He knew it.

"Why?" he asked, not caring that his voice cracked.

Five years since they became a couple. Ten since they first met, and now it's come to this. Betty uncovered her eyes and sniffled.

"About a month ago, I got accepted into Culver University. I know you've been thinking about Kirby U and MIT, so I didn't tell you I was applying to other places because that would mean we would be states apart. Then I got the acceptance letter and,...I was happy, Bruce. Regardless of the fact that we wouldn't be going to the sane school like I know you wanted."

Bruce's glared hard at her.

"You didn't even bother to talk to me about this? You didn't think I knew it would be a possibility that we would be going to different schools?"

Betty shook her head.

"I don't think you did, Bruce. Or at least I don't think you put any serious thought into it."

Bruce gripped one hand in his curls. Dammit she was right. Bruce knew she would possibly be looking at other schools but he automatically assumed they would be going to college together. Because, why wouldn't they? They were Bretty for crying out loud. Bruce exhaled and let her continue. He knew there was more.

"Bruce, when I got the acceptance letter I was ecstatic! I immediately told my dad, my grandparents, all my aunts and uncles and cousins. Bruce,...you weren't even on my mind. At least not right away. I realized then that, yes, I would be okay with us breaking up."

Bruce crossed his arms and continued to glare. He perfectly understood everything she was saying. Really he did. That didn't mean he wasn't peeved.

"What else is it, Betty? If it was just the Culver thing, we would still be together right now. At least until the end of the year."

Bruce kept his voice as steady as he could. As upset as he was, he wanted to stay as reasonable as possible. Betty sniffled some more before continuing.

"No, Bruce. I mean, shouldn't I have been sad that we wouldn't be together anymore? That's why I've been acting the way I have. I was giving this a lot of serious thought. I love the time we've had together but...maybe we're just on different paths right now. I mean, you're not even the same Bruce you were."

Bruce's face twisted.

"What are you talking about?"

Betty smiled sadly at him, making Bruce frown even deeper.

"Your new friends. You and the Tony Stark crew. When senior year started, did you ever think you would be hanging out with, among others, a millionaire, a foreign football player and the class president?"

"No, Betty. Of course not. That's why I love being around them. I never thought this would've happened, but those guys are great. They're,...they're amazing, Betty! And..."

And Bruce paused. Now he understood what Betty meant. Betty nodded when she saw the realization across his face.

"You see what I mean, Bruce? I'm not saying it's a bad thing. Far from it but yes, you ARE different. You have never been with me the way you are with them."

"Well Betty I mean...I've never had any real friends before. Not any I've spent consistent time with. I didn't even try making friends with the Circle. It just sort of...happened."

Betty put her hand on top of his, and Bruce balled up his fist.

"Precisely. Don't you remember? With help from Thor, I was the one who pushed you to go to Tony's birthday party where all of this started."

Bruce's lips began to quiver as he balled up his fists even tighter. His eyes began to look glassy, and Betty had to look away from him again.

"I still don't fully understand why you think we need to break up, Betty. For Christ's sake, you're my Betty Boo."

Bruce squeezed his eyes shut, fighting like the dickens not to shed a single damn tear. Betty squeezed his hand, a tear falling from her own eye.

"I just think we need some tine apart for now. Bruce...Please try to understand-"

"No." Bruce growled.

He snatched his hand away from Betty's, making her gasp and back up a few steps.

"I don't want to try and understand it. If this is how you want to handle things, take all the time you need because I don't play that shit."

Bruce spun around, a firey heat in his chest as he stormed out if the Ross house with a teary eyed shell-shocked Betty left behind. He couldn't believe it. The one time in his entire life he was angry at Betty. Betty! There was a bite of guilt at the back of his mind, but he easily ignored it. Right now he was so...so...UGH! He didn't have a desire to kick anything or yell or scream or curse. He just wanted to get back to his room, where nothing changed. Bruce stomped up to Natasha who had been waiting patiently by the car.

"Take me home. Now." Bruce demanded.

Natasha was naturally surprised to see him so mad, but she complied no less. Without a word she got in the driver's seat. Bruce climbed in the car, absently chewing on his right fist the entire ride. When they stopped in front of his house, Bruce made to open the door but Natasha pressed the button to lock the doors. Bruce grit his teeth and almost punched the window before he stopped himself. With an impatient sigh he turned around and looked at Natasha.

"Bruce, what happened?" she asked.

"Natasha," he said in a warning manner,

"Unlock the door. I want to go inside."

"Did you and Betty just break up? Talk to me. Bruce,..." Natasha said softly, but Bruce just sneered at her.

"Natasha, do not act like you care about how I feel right now! I said I want to go inside now unlock this damn door!" he exclaimed.

"Hey!" Natasha exclaimed back, and Bruce jumped.

He was instantly hit with regret. He didn't mean to yell at her.

"Don't think I'm pretending to care about you." she continued in her normal tone.

Bruce almost got stuck in his seat staring at her again. Her mask was slipping again. There was concern in those beautiful green eyes of hers. Concern for him. It made Bruce want to... Christ, he didn't know.

"I can't do this right now." he said, shaking his head to get his thoughts back together.

Natasha leaned forward, pursing her impossibility red lips.

"Do what, Bruce? I'm trying to talk to you."

Bruce bit down in his lip and held up a hand.

"I. Do not. Want. To talk. Natasha, for the last time, I want to go inside."

Natasha's mask slid back on, and it heated Bruce up inside. It made him feel played, and his heart was already hurting too much. The redhead nodded and pressed the unlock button. Bruce opened the car door and slammed it on his way out.

Screw Betty! Screw Natasha! Screw homework! Screw my life! Screw EVERYTHING!

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Clint and Steve hung out for another hour or so enjoying each other's company. They watched a few more episodes of Bar Rescue then continued to chat over late afternoon waffles.

"Tell me something, Steve. Am I a bad boyfriend?" Clint asked,

"I still haven't even turned my damn phone on since you've been here."

Steve took a bite of waffle and shook his head.

"I wouldn't say that. Just new. Tony knew what kind of person you were when you two started going out."

Clint tugged on his earlobe.

"True, but I want to be different with Tony."

Steve flashed his 'Captain Smile'. Damn him and that smile of his.

"You are different with Tony. We've all seen how much both of you have changed some of your more extreme dynamics for each other. Look, if it bothers you that much, just turn your phone on and send him a text or something. He's not mad but he did send me over for a reason."

Clint wiped his hand over his eyes and groaned. He really did feel stupid now.

"Dammit. You're right. I guess I'm selfish for having a nest day."

Steve shrugged as he cut more pieces of his waffles.

"Well think about what happened yesterday. I mean that whole thing with your brother during the party. Then of course Loki and our game of Hood Ornament. Honestly I'm surprised Thor, Tony and I showed up for school today. I can't really blame you for being a tad selfish."

Clint twirled his fork through his fingers, drinking in Steve's words. They were very reassuring. Hell they were even dead accurate. But still, a twang of guilt stuck with Clint for his actions for one very big reason.

"In spite of all those reasons, Steve, I might've made a mistake in choosing today to be selfish though."

Steve took another bite and looked at him with those concerned ocean blue eyes.

"Why?"

Clint looked left and right and listened carefully, making sure Barney wasn't about to barge in through the front door.

"Don't tell anybody yet, okay? Last night Tony almost told me the three magic words."

Steve paused mid bite, gaping at Clint with an incredulous expression.

"Wow. I mean...wow. Wow. Really? Wow."

Clint nodded, stabbing his fork into his own waffles.

"Yup. I'm afraid my nest day may have sent the wrong message."

Steve sighed and put down his fork. He placed his hand on Clint's wrist and flashed that damn Captain Smile again.

"Then turn on your phone and send him the right one. I've been around Tony almost all day. Trust me, he's still close to saying it."

A strange invisible weight dissipated from Clint's chest, and suddenly he felt both relieved and incredibly touched. It made him gasp softly and smile.

"Jesus. Wow. Thanks, Cap. I will."

"So um, feel free to not answer me but um, do you think you're ready to say it, too?" asked Steve.

Clint scratched at his neck uncomfortably. It was a fair question bit still,...

"Well,...actually-"

Clint was interrupted by a knock at the door. He looked at Steve who shrugged.

"I don't know if anyone else is coming by. I haven't gotten any messages on my cell."

Clint got up from the chair, secretly relieved that his answer to Steve's question was put on hold. He straightened out his bandana, wondering if it looked too informal if it was a stranger at the door.

Wait a minute, why would I care about that?

The he smirked at himself.

Tony fucking Stark. Sexy pineapple loving bastard is rubbing off on me a little. Oh boy.

Clint opened the door, right away wishing he hadn't. He balled up his fist and hardened his features. What in the blue hell was Loki fucking Odinson doing at his doorstep? The raven haired teen grinned at him as he munched away on a honey bun he was holding.

"How the fuck do you know where I live?" he asked.

Fuck the pleasantries.

Loki just shrugged, which made Clint want to punch something.

"My 'brother' is one of your best friends. I have my ways." Loki replied.

"Okay. Question number 2; why the fuck are you here? After yesterday I should kick your ass down a flight of steps and leave you there."

Loki chuckled, taking a casual chomp of his honey bun.

"My my my, you are a testy one."

"Yes I am. But that's a different thing. Now answer the question before you lose half your teeth." Clint threatened.

Loki put his hands in the air and smiled innocently.

"I am merely coming by to offer my apologies." he chimed.

Clint snorted and laughed at him.

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

Loki slowly shook his head, his grin seemingly permanent on that wormy little face of his. Clint looked into Loki's pale, frosty blue eyes. He couldn't believe it. The fucker was telling the truth. Clint grew suspicious in a snap.

"Why?" he asked lowly.

Loki took a brave step forward, dangerously close into Clint's personal space.

"I did what I did yesterday for a bit of bastardly fun, really. Just a little something to ruin my dear dumb brother's day."

"Watch your fucking mouth. Thor's my friend and he's NOT dumb."

Loki chuckled and raised an eyebrow.

"Clearly you have not seen him write an essay without outside assistance then. Now as I was saying, at the time I was going much too fast and did not realize you were tied to the hood of the vehicle. I apologize for almost causing you harm."

Clint's lips puckered in confusion. He didn't feel sorry for messing with Thor, scratching Tony's car and poking fun at him, but he felt bad for almost putting Clint in the hospital? Something was missing here.

"Is that all you're sorry about? You almost gave my boyfriend a goddamn heart attack!"

Loki rolled his beautifully piercing eyes at the word "boyfriend".

"I do not give a horse's arse about my brother's feelings. Nor your boyfriend. I came to apologize to you and you only."

Clint took a step forward, his own piercing eyes not braking contact with Loki's.

"Why me?" he asked quietly.

Clint knew Steve had been overhearing their little "chat" ever since he opened the damn door. Loki licked his thin lips and chuckled again.

"You have heart." he replied.

Clint stuck his tongue in his cheek and backed up.

"Yeah, ya said that already."

Loki took another bite of his honey bun, looking at him expectantly. What was he expecting? Clint didn't know.

"Look, I can tell you're not lying, but you can take that apology and shove it right up your bony ass."

Clint hid his surprise when Loki actually seemed taken aback by Clint's statement. That didn't stop him though. There was a fire in his belly from the sight of Loki alone.

"I don't like you, Loki. And I damn sure don't appreciate your attitude towards my friends and my boyfriend. You listen and you listen good; I am not your brother. Thor holds back and takes pity on you because he's your family, and that's the only reason you haven't gotten your ass kicked yet. Not me, though. I'm willing to get petty. If you ever pull a stunt like you did yesterday again, I will come to your house and in front of your family, Thor included, I will fuck you up."

Clint was boasting on the inside. He impressed himself with that impromptu threat. Loki stood there in silence for a minute with an unreadable vibe. Clint's eyebrow twitched. He wondered if his message had gotten across at all. To Clint's dismay, Loki just smiled and finished off the rest of his honey bun.

"Challenge accepted, Clint Barton. Mmmm. Thor was right. American snacks are quite wonderful."

Clint growled loudly and slammed the door hard. He kicked at the wall, ignoring the sharp pain in his toes.

"How dare he?! On my own goddamn doorstep!"

Clint closed his eyes and took deep shaky breaths to compose himself.

Breathe. Count to ten. Breathe. Count to ten. Focus, Barton. Focus.

He turned around as was immediately met by Steve, who also looked quite pissed off.

"I heard most of that, Clint. What should we be expecting?"

Clint glared at the door, his intense steely-blues staring daggers at the very memory of Loki.

"Trouble."

A/N: What's next for the Maximoffs and poor old Brucie Boy? What's Loki's play?