Authors Note: Thank you so much! Cookies to everyone who reviewed - sammygirl1963, DucksFan1510, Lollypops101, Qweb, Makurayami Ookami, VioletBrock, kimbee, Anise Nadiah, TheNaggingCube, magicshadow1 and DBhawkguy30.
It didn't take long for them to finish the delicious Pizza, both resting back in their seats with a satisfied grin. The pizza didn't stand a chance against a ravenous teenager and a director who had been too busy with reports and agents to grab a bite. With nothing but a few wayward crumbs lining the pizza box, the pair relaxed in their recliners, hands resting on full stomachs.
"That was great. Thanks." Clint reached out grabbing the empty boxes and took them into the kitchen. Barton couldn't help thinking about Phil and how he was doing. He'd been told by his dad that this mission was considered easy, well, compared to previous ones. The agent had spoken about some of his more harrowing missions and the problems that could crop up. He felt it was better to tell the teen the truth, not to hide anything knowing the possibilities of things that could go wrong. There was danger all around them, that fact was evident from their own experiences. Nevertheless, Coulson had made Clint a promise that he would always fight to get back to him, would never accept defeat and give up. The teen was the agent's reason for living, as Phil was for the youngster.
Turning when the director cleared his throat, the young archer almost jumped back in shock; he hadn't noticed how close the taller man was. Blinking at the black object being thrust towards him, Clint frowned and took the cell phone from the man's hand. "Hello?"
"Hey kid. You alright?" Phil's soft spoken words had Clint's whole body relaxing; it was amazing how something as simple as the agent's tone of voice could make him feel relaxed, safe and loved.
"Hi Phil." The young archer tried to put everything he was feeling into those two words; all his worry, insecurities and relief that Phil was alright. Needing to let the older man know exactly how he was feeling.
"You behaving for Nick?" Coulson asked.
"Of course." Barton could just imagine the incredulous look that would cross Phil's features at his response. His dad had seen the expression on more than one occasion.
"Uh huh." Phil chuckled. "I'll be home by tomorrow night, or the morning of your birthday at the latest." Coulson had been around the kid long enough to understand the deep seeded fear of abandonment that plagued the boy; hopelessness and doubt had been the kid's constant companions before they'd met. It was going to take the older man time to erase that crippling doubt, he'd keep working on it though. Phil hated being away from the boy for any period of time. The agent always felt like there was something missing, like there was a gaping hole in his chest until he returned home and received a hug from Clint. Smirking to himself, realising that he really was a dad. He wanted nothing more than to be home right now with Clint, to make sure everything was ready for the kid's birthday. The agent had already spoken to Nick about the boy's present and was hoping it would have arrived in time for Clint's birthday. Phil was sure Clint was going to love it.
"Okay Phil, just be careful and I'll see you when you come home. I miss you." Barton tried to keep the tremor from his voice but failed miserably.
Coulson swallowed the lump in his throat at the kid's admission. "I promise Clint. See you soon, okay?"
"Okay. Bye dad."
The phone went silent and Clint passed it back to the director. His eyes shining with unshed tears, he'd never let fall. He turned his gaze to the taller man. "You ready?"
Nick smirked. "Bring it on kid."
Fury had to admit that the teenager was very good; his hand to hand and acrobatic ability gave him an edge during a sparring session. It also helped that the kid had lightning fast reflexes and was extremely fast on his feet. Nick had watched Clint during some of his training sessions or his workouts, and he was positive he'd never seen the kid pull off some of the moves he was using now in this fight. Barton had already managed to land a few hits, nothing that would take the taller man down but it did however, catch the director off guard, making him grin in appreciation. The kid was a constant surprise.
Clint wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes never leaving the man in front of him. He couldn't be sure how much time had gone by, although it felt like hours if how heavy he was panting was anything to go by. Nick was looking a little tired, which pleased the teen immensely. It was a fantastic feeling, knowing that one of the most kick ass men he'd ever met wasn't getting off easy in this fight. The young hawk would be over the moon if he only managed to land one solid hit to the director. That would be the equivalent of managing to drop Nick on the mat. In his eyes and he assumed in the director's, that would be an awesome achievement. Ducking under the high sweeping kick, Clint spun down and away with his left leg extended, hoping to catch the older man off guard. He should've known it wouldn't work with the director as the man easily dodged his attack. When he stood to face Nick, the teen was made to show off his speed and skills. Fury wasn't holding anything back. Blocking the first few fists aimed at his head, Barton resorted to ducking and dodging the next volley of fists and feet.
Nick watched satisfied as the youngster managed to keep up, he could tell the teen was starting to struggle though, his hits were getting weaker and he was doing all he could just to keep Fury from landing a solid punch. The director couldn't be more proud, the teen certainly had Phil's stubbornness for not giving up which was a good quality. He aimed another high kick at Barton's head, smirking when the kid bent backwards at the waist then vaulted backwards on one hand. Despite the obvious signs of exhaustion, Clint landed a few feet away, crouched ready to attack with a playful smirk on his lips.
Wiping the beads of sweat away, Barton grinned cockily at the director before exploding forward in a blur of black and purple; he somersaulted towards the taller man stopping right in front of him just in time to block the fist aimed at his head. Grabbing Fury's hand, the teen used it to slide between the director's legs and struck his leg out at the back of Nick's leg. The taller man's leg buckled but he managed to stumble away, spinning round to face the smirking teenager who was grinning like he'd just put him on the mat. Fury couldn't stop himself from laughing in amusement; god damn that kid was good.
Coulson and the trainers at SHIELD had nurtured the teen's skills to the point where Clint would someday be able to take down the director without even trying; that thought wasn't nearly as scary as Nick thought it should be.
Fury took the couple of steps over to the kid's side and held out his hand. "Well done, Clint. That was impressive."
Barton grasped the taller man's hand with a cheeky grin. "Thanks Nick, though I thought you said you were going to show me what you got?"
Nick chuckled. "Nope, I said you were to show me what you got."
"Hmm, we'll call it a draw then?" Clint asked, his blue eyes shining with mischief.
Fury laughed; a rare occurrence for anyone else to witness, yet not to Barton. The kid was usually the cause of Nick's amusement. The older man was happy that Clint never backed down to him, never showed any signs of fear; even when he used the glare he reserved for unruly agents who pissed him off. The kid's lips would quirk upwards, like he was aware of something no one else did. The director was never sure what to make of that look and often wondered if Phil had told the boy something he wasn't supposed to know. Although he was certain the look was simply Clint's acknowledgement that Nick was a giant teddy bear and the one eyed man had no wish to know what images passed through the teen's mind when he saw that knowing little smile. Sometimes it was better not to know.
Pulling the kid close, Nick grinned brightly when Clint leaned his head against the taller man's side. No one else was ever going to hurt this kid again; Fury would make sure of that. Making their way back upstairs to the living room, the kid stumbled a few steps toward the couch when a steadying hand gripped his shoulder. Sleepy blue eyes flicked to warm brown.
"Come on kid, let's get you to bed."
Clint nodded numbly, his eyes already sliding shut. He couldn't believe how tired he was, and a part of him realised that was probably the director's plan. It would certainly help him sleep tonight. He found himself nodding gratefully towards the one eyed man. "Thanks Nick," he mumbled sleepily.
Fury led the kid into the spare room, lifting the covers back and settling the boy down. "You want to get changed?" he asked, eyeing the jeans and the black t-shirt with the purple target in the centre. That kid and his archery, he thought fondly.
The answer to his question was met with soft snores. Nick chuckled softly, brushing his fingers through the boy's soft blonde hair. He was now starting to realise why Phil tended to do that, it was a way of making the kid feel at ease and also making himself aware that Clint trusted him, felt safe in Nick's company. It caused a warm feeling to spread through him when Barton gripped the cover tighter around himself, sighing in contentment.
"Goodnight Clint." Nick whispered quietly before heading to his own room. That fight had tired him out too, not that he'd ever admit that. Sliding under his covers, he lay awake for a little while, staring up at the ceiling. His thoughts drifting to the kid's plague of nightmares, especially under these circumstances with Phil being away. Hoping that the teen would be spared from the terrors of his dreams, Nick settled himself in for a bad night.