Chapter 14-Sweets

By: MysticFantasy

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Clint lightly smirked as he gazed at the reflection in the toaster. A mane of firey red hair was sticking up over the counter and gazing at the desert tray.

The archer continued to pretend like he didn't notice his four year old godson trying to sneak sweets. He knows very well that Natasha and Steve don't allow James to have very many sweets.

But Clint figured that the young boy somehow inherited his sweet tooth.

Lightly clearing his throat to give James a warning, Clint turned and smirked when he no longer saw his godson.

"Boy," he said playing along since he full well knew that James was still ducking behind the counter. "I can't wait to have these cookies. They smell so good. I think I'm going to have one now. I wish James was here so he could have one too."

"I'm here!" James declared popping up like a jack-in-the-box.

"Ah ha!" Clint declared with a grin. "I knew it. You were trying to get one before dinner. Weren't you?"

"Are you gonna tell?" James asked suddenly looking very guilty.

Cilnt smiled and picked up the small boy then placed him on the counter.

James was really showing signs of looking like his father but has the health that Captain America possessed which Steve was eternally grateful for.

Truth be told, Steve had been worried that his son would turn out like him before he'd gotten the super soldier serum. He was scared that his only child would have the same problems that he'd once possessed and that he would be severely underweight as well.

Making him a perfect target for bullies like his father had been.

But Steve's fears were put to rest when he saw his son running around without getting easily tired and had been told by doctor's that he was growing perfectly well for his size and age.

Steve had nearly cried tears of joy when he heard that his son was the picture of perfect health.

Clint could easily tell that if James was going to look anything like this father when he was older, then there were going to be a lot of girls lining up to try to win his heart.

That was where he would come in. Clint couldn't let his godson walk around without the proper knowledge of how to win over a lady or tell which one's were just being nice to him in hopes of becoming famous by dating the son of Captain America.

Clint would be hell bent on making sure that James wouldn't be hurt like that.

"Tell you what little man." Clint said and grabbed two cookies from the tray. "We'll both have one. That way, neither one of us can be blamed and we can share the trouble if we're caught. Sound fair?"

"Yeah." James agreed eyeing the cookie.

"Alright then. Have at it." Clint said and gave him the cookie. The two savored the taste of the chocolate chip cookies. Freshly baked and the chocolate was nice and gooey.

"Will mom and dad be mad?" James asked with innocent eyes and chocolate smeared over his mouth.

"If they don't catch us then they won't be." Clint answered.

"But daddy said that it's not nice to hide things."

"Of course he did." Clint lightly muttered but turned his gaze back to James. "He's right. But it's just a little cookie. It won't hurt anyone."

"Oh really?"

"Uh oh." James and Clint said in unison then turned to the living room doors where they spotted Natasha with her arms crossed.

"Hi mommy." James said putting on the innocent face that Clint had taught him.

"James, what did your father and I tell you about sweets?" Natasha asked as she walked over to her son and partner.

"Not to have them unless you said so." James answered turning his eyes to the floor.

"Nat, it's my fault. I said he could have one." Clint said.

"Oh, you'll be hearing it from me." Natasha assured before turning back to her son. "Go tell your father what you did. He's in the gym with Uncle Tony."

James nodded and was placed on the ground. He left the room slowly. Like any child that got caught in the act, he wasn't looking forward to the punishment.

"Nat, just let me take the blame." Clint said.

"Normally, I would." Natasha said sitting on the bar stool. "But Steve and I want James to learn the difference between right and wrong and knowing when he has to admit to his mistakes and to take responsibility for them. Clint, I know you mean well. You're wonderful to him. But I think you're really living up to your promise of trying to spoil him rotten."

"I aims to please." Clint said with a weak smirk.

"Working so far." Natasha replied with her own smirk. "As for punishment, you and I are having a sparring session after dinner."

"Can't I just shoot myself now?" Clint asked looking horrified.

"You'd rather it be you and Steve in the ring?" Natasha asked.

"Never mind."

Natasha lightly chuckled.

"By the way, he's master that sad puppy look." she said.

"I swear, he learned to play innocent from me but that look came straight from Steve!"