Saying goodbye
The sound of his telephone ringing woke him up.
He yawned and stretched his arms.
Then he decided that it was to early to answer the phone or get out of bed, even though he didn't know what time it was.
He was going to sleep for a few more hours and then eat a big breakfast or brunch.
Hell,did he know!
He felt like he was forgetting something important.
But Clint being his usual self ignored the feeling and hoped the goddamn phone would just shut up or he would make it.
Luckily for him Jarvis answered the phone for him.
"This is Jarvis, Mr Coulson. Agent Barton is awake but still in bed. Please call back later".
"I want Agent Barton on the SHIELD base right now" a slightly irritated Phil Coulson answered.
Phil Coulson...
Shit! The mission!
He knew he was forgetting something!
He quickly picked up his phone.
"Phil,hi"
"Good morning Barton. We were supposed to meet at SHIELD base at 5:30. It's 6.46. I suggest you get here right now"
"I'm coming"
Phil hung up.
Clint sighed and stood up to get dressed.
Since he would be pretending to be a high school student and not a grown up agent, he didn't put his normal working gear on.
He went with a white t-shirt, black pants, black/purple shoes and a leather jacket.
Phil had all the stuff (clothes and things an 18 year old normally had) so he only grabbed his phone and his favorite knife.
He put the knife beneath his sock so nobody would see it but he would still have a weapon with him on the airplane.
Clint walked down the hall towards the elevator while scrolling through his phone when he bumped into someone.
That someone he realized was Steve.
"Uh.. Hi"
Steve looked him up and down once and replied with a polite "good morning Barton".
For a few moments there was an awkward silence between them because neither of them continued walking.
Clint himself because he saw that Steve had something to say.
He knew exactly about what.
Just as he opened his mouth to ask Steve if he was going to say something Steve started talking.
"I think it's best for us to forget about what happened in the gym. We should check you for anything alien though but I think that can wait until you've returned from your mission... Also Tony is looking for you. I believe he's in the living area." He added after a moment of hesitation. Clint nodded and started to walk away again when Steve stopped him. "And Clint?" The person in question looked at him."Be careful"."I will" Clint replied seriously, not feeling the need or mood to make a joke.
They said their goodbyes and Clint quickly continued his way to the living area.
Tony was indeed where the captain had told him he would be.
Tony was asleep on the couch with his legs dangeling off the edge of the couch. He was snoring slightly.
"Tony" Clint called out softly.
The other man woke immediately.
He looked around to see where the voice had come from and Clint could see his shoulders tense when he saw him.
Tony sat up and muttered "I thought you left without saying goodbye".
Clint sat down.
Only now did he notice the bloodshot eyes and tear stained cheeks.
He cursed softly "shit, sorry!. I overslept."
He saw Tony's shoulders relax again and the genius rubbed his eyes before answering. "It's okay. You were up pretty late last night. You should really sleep more."
Tony said with a small grin.
Clint hit him on the shoulder playfully.
"Says mister 'I'm still awake at 5:30 and I haven't slept in 4 days'."
Tony looked 'almost' hurt.
"I do not do that!" He exclaimed.
"No, of course not. You would never". Clint said with a smirk.
Tony huffed and crossed his arms like a small child.
Clint laughed.
They sat in silence for a while and Clint knew that he should go but he felt like he had already gotten his best friend back. Just a few hours ago the genius seemed heartbroken but now he already was getting over him. Or was he even really?.
Maybe he realized that he never truly loved him. Maybe...
Clint knew that it would still take some time before they would be okay but he believed that after a few months apart, during which he hopes Tony would let go off what could be love for him and perhaps even fall in love again, they could be like they were just a short time ago.
Finally it was Tony breaking the silence.
"Shouldn't you be leaving? You're already late."
Clint shook his head once to clear his mind and then nodded. "Yeah".
Both stood up.
Clint pulled Tony into a hug.
Tony seemed surprised but immediately hugged back.
"We'll be fine." Clint whispered and felt Tony softly move his head up and down against his shoulder in a nod. "We will. I promise. Now off you go. Agent won't be happy that you're late.".
They released each other and Clint walked to the elevator...alone.
The doors opened and he stepped in.
He turned around to face Tony.
The other male had a sad look on his face which was very unlike him.
"Tony. Wipe that look off your face. According to Stevie, you're way prettier when you're happier."
Tony looked at him like he had just grown tentacles which made Clint laugh.
"Bye, you maniac" and saluted at him mockingly before the doors closed.
He heard Tony shout after him.
He couldn't hear it properly but is was something along the lines of 'go fuck yourself,birdbrain!'.
He could literally hear the smile in he words though.
The elevator took him down to the garage.
At first he didn't know which car to take but eventually went for what he knew was the most expensive car Tony owned.
He got in but not before writing the following on a piece of paper and sticking it with an arrow to the wall closest to where the car was parked. The note said:
"Dear Tony,
I stole your car.
I'll try not to ruin it completely.
:P"
He added the emoji with a smile.
Soon he pulled up on the highway.
He turned the radio on and immediately turned the volume up as soon as he heard one of his favorite songs play.
His fingers drummed along on the steering wheel and sunshine shone on his face.
Now that he thought about it, a small vacation (yes, he had found Beacon Hills that boring (even though he had only been there for 2 hours once)) actually sounded nice.
He smiled and sped up the car.