The morning sky was still grey, the bird song a little more raucous, when Steve's sobbing started to slow down, and then stopped. He sat up, pulling away from Clint's embrace, wiping at his tears. Clint sat back, giving him the private moment, wiping at his own face. He reached out with one hand, resting it on Steve's lower back, pressing gently. Steve turned his head towards Clint, eyes cast low, his hair disheveled, his eyelashes still wet. Clint edged himself closer, pulling the sleeping bag to keep his body covered.
"Sorry," Steve murmured, his voice hoarse, his chin hovering above his chest, refusing to make eye contact. Clint leaned forward, placing his fingers beneath Steve's chin, lifting his head, blue eyes meeting grey. "It's okay," he croaked, his own voice low and gravelly. He pulled his arm around Steve's shoulders, pulling him gently down, until they were lying in the sleeping bag again, Steve cocooned in Clint's arms. Clint leaned in, planting a soft kiss on Steve's lips, gentle and reassuring. Steve relaxed, returning the kiss, and then slid down into Clint's embrace; resting his head on Clint's bare chest, feeling the heartbeat beneath, and the softness of the slightly curly hair. They lay there, in silence, savoring the intimacy between them. It was too soon for words. As the gray turned to gold, Clint shifted a little, idly pushing Steve's hair off his forehead and kissing him on his brow.
"I didn't mean to push you," Clint whispered, with Steve still nestled under his neck. He felt Steve smile into him.
"It wasn't that, Clint. I mean it was but, it wasn't. I just felt … safe. And I trusted you – I do trust you. It just all …," Steve's voice petered off, his grip on Clint tightening slightly. "I've not been able to connect with anyone since I woke up. And being the Captain – it's not the best way to make friends. I can't show any weakness, and bottling it all up – it was just overwhelming." Steve shifted, looking up at Clint earnestly.
"I'm really not a sappy emotional guy."
Clint laughed softly, ruffling the Captains blonde hair, stroking the soft locks between his fingers.
"Nothing wrong with a sappy emotional guy –they're normally more honest, if a tad more dramatic. Look at Stark." Steve snorted at the comparison, a broad grin breaking across his face as he snuggled back down onto Clint's chest.
Clint dropped another soft kiss on Steve's forehead.
"Steve, I'm not going to lie to you, and say everything's going to be alright," Clint paused, as Steve stiffened beside him. "Relax, relax, hear me out. Everything is new right now – new century, new job – new feelings. I don't want to sit here, and tell you, that I will be here for you no matter what. I can't make that promise, because I don't know what it is you want. Right now, you're running on hormones, and excitement – two weeks from now, two months from now … do you know you'll still feel the same way?"
Steve hugged Clint a little tighter, and then shook his head. Clint returned the hug, and continued.
"You are incredible, and I know I like you – but you need time to understand this on your terms, and not have the confusion of a relationship throwing you off. I will be here for you – as your friend, your confidante, your supporter," Clint grinned roguishly, grabbing Steve and rolling him so the younger man was lying on top of him, "and I'll even let you sleep with me in my bed, so you don't feel lonesome. But I won't be your first…and I won't be your boyfriend. Until you want me to."
Steve smiled, a tear escaping from his eyes, a tear he hastily wiped away, and smiled harder as others welled up. "You are amazing Clint. You know that? I…" Steve paused, trying to find the right words. Giving up, he scrambled forwards, and grabbed Clint, kissing him deeply, passionately, trying to convey everything he wanted to say in that kiss, like it was his first kiss and his last kiss, the kiss to save his world. And Clint understood.
It wasn't a normal beginning – but then they weren't normal people. They were two Avengers, trying to find love – and where other people had hits and misses; too much was at stake for them to dare make a mistake. Clint understood this – and Steve knew it too. But he also knew that he wasn't making a mistake.