Chapter 1
All the Avengers moved into the newly renovated Stark Tower, now named Avengers Tower. The Avengers have been getting used to how each other work. So of course they would notice if one of their teammates are missing almost every other week.
“Have you noticed that Barton has been missing every other week?” Tony asks everybody that was present in the kitchen. “Actually I have noticed that.” Steve says, wrapping his arms around Tony’s waist from behind. “Why don’t you ask Natasha or better yet ask Clint himself.” Bruce suggests. “Ask me what?” Natasha asks as she enters the kitchen. “Where does Legolas go every other week and don’t give me that he’s on a SHIELD case bullshit.” Tony says seeing the look on Natasha’s face. “None of your business Stark.” She replies. Tony pouts. “And no he won’t tell you.” Natasha says, cutting Tony off. Natasha levels a look at Tony than walks out of the kitchen. Bruce shrugs at Tony and follows the red head.
Clint sighed as he walks out of the elevator. It has been an extremely long and crazy day for him. He found out some news that he knows will change everything, but he can’t help but smile as he holds the band of gold on the chain around his neck. “Hey Clint, you joining us for movie night?” Steve asks Clint as he walks out of the kitchen, holding a bunch of snacks. “Uh, not tonight. I’m really tired.” Clint lied. Steve smiles and nods, “Alright. Goodnight Clint.” “Thanks!” Clint calls as he makes his way to his floor.
“What happened?” asks Natasha as soon as Clint entered his bedroom. Clint smiles and hugs the red head tightly. “It’s true Nat.” Clint whispers. Natasha tightens her grip. “I’m so happy for you two.” Clint pulls back and looks at his partner, his best friend. She has been there for him through the biggest moments of his life. She was there when Jim and his first got together. When they broke-up. And again when Jim learned the truth. She was there when Jim purposed and more importantly, she made sure that SHIELD couldn’t send the assassins out the week of their wedding.
Clint walks over to his dresser to change into a pair of sweatpants. “When are you going to tell him?” Natasha asks while sitting on his bed. Clint turns to face her after changing his clothes. “Our 3 year anniversary is next week, I was going to tell Jim then.” Clint replies. Natasha nods approvingly. “Tony is starting to asks questions about where you’re at.” She tells Clint. They archer sighs. “I knew that this secret wasn’t going to last forever. Will you help me get to LA without the paperwork showing up?” “You know Coulson and Fury wouldn’t let that happen but of course I’ll help.” Natasha responded with a smirk.
Clint lays down under the covers as soon as Natasha leaves. He was thinking about how to respond to all of Tony’s questions, he knows that he’ll be facing tomorrow morning. Clint was lying when he told Steve that he was tired but now that he was thinking about it, he was genuinely tired. He looks at the time, realizing that Jim probably just got on shift. He sighed and rolled over so his back was facing the clock. He heard his phone vibrate indicating that he had a text message. He smiled when he saw that it was from Jim. His smiled widened when he read, “Goodnight baby. I love and miss you. Can’t wait to see you next week.” Clint sent a quick reply back. Clint fell asleep with a smile on his face.
The next morning Clint got up and went to take a shower. After getting dressed he went to the main kitchen to find himself some food before the goes and talks to Coulson about the news he learned. Clint was putting a bagel in the toaster when Tony walked in covered in grease from an obvious night in the lab. “Hey Barton.” Tony greeted. Clint doesn’t turn around but waves his hand in response.
After a few moments of silence, Tony asks “Can I ask you a question?” Clint had pulled his bagel out of the toaster and was now searching for something, “It depends. Hey, do we have any Nutella?” Tony gets up and opens up one of the cupboards and grabs the Nutella off the top shelf, handing it to Clint. Clint makes a happy noise. “Where do you go every other week?” Tony asks as he sits on the counter. “None of your business.” Clint replies while taking a bite of his bagel.
“Fine but you’d tell us if you were in trouble right?” Tony asks, trying not to look concerned. Clint swallowed and looked at Tony, for a minute. “Are you worried about me Stark? I didn’t know you cared.” Clint says teasingly. Clint sighed after looking at Tony. “Yes, I would. Don’t worry though. I’ll tell you guys everything next week but right now I need to talk to Phil.” Clint says, getting up and collecting the rest of his bagel on the way out.
When Clint gets to SHIELD he goes straight to his handler’s office. Clint knocks on the door before he opens the door, seeing Agent Phil Coulson sitting at his desk. Phil looks up as Clint enters. “Clint, what can I do for you?” “Um. I really need to tell you something important.” Phil gave him the go ahead look. Clint started playing with the pens on Coulson’s desk as he tells Coulson. Phil sits back in his chair letting the news sink in. “Okay. Talk to Jim about work and let me know what you want to do and then I’ll talk to Fury about it.” Phil says after a couple of minutes. “Thank you Phil.” Clint replies as he stands up. Phil stood up and hugs Clint tightly. “Congratulations Clint.” Clint hugs back than pulls away and smiles. “I’ll get your vacation time put in.” Phil tells his as he smiles back.
On the cab ride back to the tower Clint can’t stop thinking about how happy he is and hopefully how happy Jim will be. Clint rests his hand on his still flat stomach and watches the city go by. Clint leans his head on the window.
When Clint gets back to the tower he curls up in one of the armchairs in the common room. He pulls his phone out and checks the time. He sends Jim a goodnight text, knowing that he just got off shift and is most likely home and taking a shower. Clint puts his phone down and wraps his arms protectively around his stomach. He closes his eyes and hopes the nauseous feeling he was getting would go away.
A few minutes later Clint hears footsteps and two voices approaching the common room. He opens his eyes as Steve and Bruce come through the doorway. They stop talking when they see Clint. “You okay Clint?” Steve asked with worry leaking into his voice. “Just feeling a little nauseous.” Clint replies. “Are you sure?” Bruce asks as he walks over and starts checking for a fever. Clint nods, “I’m sure Bruce. Don’t worry.” Steve and Bruce share a look with each other. “Anything you need Clint?” Steve asks. Clint thinks for a moment, “Um, could I have some juice please?” “Of course Clint.” Steve replies. Steve walks into the kitchen to find Clint some juice. Bruce looks at Clint. “What?” Clint asks nervously. “You seem different. What I mean is your acting differently.” Bruce clarifies. “Just haven’t been feeling too well Doc.” Clint answers. Before Bruce can say anything else, Steve walks back in holding a cup of apple juice. “Here you go Clint.” Steve says as he hands Clint the cup. Clint makes a happy, incoherent noise as he sips the juice.
“You need anything else Clint?” Bruce asks. Clint shakes his head. “Thank you though.” Clint replies. When Steve and Bruce leave Clint picks up his phone and checks his texts. Sighing as he sees that there isn’t any new messages. Clint gets up and goes to find Natasha. He finds her in the gym. “I would ask you to spar but I don’t want you getting hurt.” The red head says as Clint comes into her line of sight. Clint smiles and shrugs. “How are you feeling?” Natasha asks as she walks over to where he’s standing. Clint sighs, “I feel nauseous.” Natasha nods. “Nat, I don’t think I can wait a week to see Jim.” Clint says quietly. Natasha thinks for a moment. “Then how about you go see him this week and stay through next week?” “What do I do? Just randomly show up?” “Yup.” Natasha replies with a smile. Clint chuckles. “I’ll even escort you.” She adds with a predatory smile. Clint thinks for a moment and nods.
A few hours later Natasha and Clint were on a flight to LA with two week paid leave, but still on notice for Avengers business. “So how are you going to tell him?” Natasha asks a few minutes after takeoff. “I don’t know.” Clint replies. “Are you going to tell him tonight?” she asks. Clint shakes his head. “I don’t want to have that conversation when I’m semi-conscious.” Natasha nods in understanding. Clint leans his head on Natasha’s shoulder and rests his hand on his stomach. Natasha lays her hand on top of Clint’s. “What are you nervous about?” she asks quietly. Clint sighs. “What Jim and I are going to do. I mean he lives in LA and I live in New York.” “One of you could move.” She suggests. Clint frowns. “I know. We also need to decide on what I’m going to do with the Avengers for the duration.” “Jim isn’t going to want you to work.” Natasha points out.
About 5 and half hours later Natasha and Clint land at LAX. They skip baggage claim since their clothes fit into their duffle bags. Natasha gets rental car and brings it around to the front to collect Clint. After Clint climbs in, Natasha pulls onto the freeway. “I’m assuming Jim doesn’t know you’re here. He isn’t asleep or on shift, is he?” she asks. “No, he doesn’t know. He’s awake and off for a couple of days.” he explained.
25 minutes later they turn onto Jim’s street. “I love how he still lives on the beach.” Natasha tells Clint. Clint smiles and nods. It was always his favorite part too. They park across the street in front of Jim’s house. Natasha looks at Clint, “You ready?” “Come up with me?” Clint asks as he climbs out. Natasha turns off the engine and climbs out, following Clint across the street. She smiles when she sees the wedding band on Clint’s finger. They walk up to the front steps, Clint takes a deep breath as he rings the door bell.
The door opens and standing there was a shirtless Jim Street. “How can I – Clint?” Jim says in confusion. “And Natasha.” Jim adds as he notices the red head assassin. “Street.” Natasha greets. Jim turns to Clint. “Baby, what are you doing here?” Clint walks over and collapses in Jim’s arms, burying his head into Jim’s shoulder. Jim wraps his arms around Clint and starts rubbing his back. Jim looks at Natasha. “He couldn’t wait another week to see you and I volunteered to escort him.” Natasha tells Jim. He nods and opens the door wider. “Come on in.” The red head walks in past Jim and sits on the couch.
After everyone is seated with Clint still trying to get comfortable on Jim’s lap. As soon as Clint is comfortable Jim asks, “What’s wrong? I haven’t seen you like this for a couple of months.” “I was making sure he got here safely.” Natasha says, getting up and kissing Clint’s forehead and Jim’s cheek. “I’ll see boys tomorrow.”
As soon as Natasha leaves Jim starts rubbing Clint’s back. “I need to tell you something Jim.” Clint says, looking up at Jim. Jim looks down at Clint and nods. “Okay baby.” Clint sits up and faces Jim as best as he can. Clint looks down and starts playing with Jim’s fingers. Jim lifts Clint’s chin. “Baby?” Clint takes a deep breath and rests Jim’s hand on his belly. “I’m pregnant Jimmy.” Jim stares at Clint. After a couple of minutes of silence, Clint starts trying to get out of Jim’s lap, “It’s okay if you don’t want it Jim. We never really talked about kids before –“ Jim cuts Clint off with a kiss. Clint pulls away and sees the smile on Jim’s face. “Of course I want kids with you.” He tells Clint. Clint smiles back and wraps his arms around Jim’s neck. Jim wraps his arms around Clint’s waist.
“Can we talk about everything later?” Clint asks Jim. “Of course. Do you want to go out and celebrate?” Jim replies. Clint nods. Clint gets off of Jim and walks over to the counter to grab his coat and Jim’s keys. Jim grabs his shirt, jacket and keys from Clint. “Where are we going?” Clint asks as they climb into the car. “The old diner?” Jim suggests. Clint nods enthusiastically. Jim smiles as he watches his husband out of the corner of his eye.
When they get to the diner, Jim walks around to the other side opening the passenger door for his husband. Clint smiles and climbs out. “Thank you Jimmy.” Clint says as he takes his husband’s hand. Jim closes the door and leads Clint into the diner. They both smile at the waitress. “Isn’t that your team Jimbo?” Clint asks, nodding to the large group of people. Jim looks over to where Clint is looking. “Yeah. We don’t have to sit with them.” Jim assures Clint. “Don’t worry about me. We can if you want.” Clint says, leaning into Jim’s side. “Clint its whatever you want but they are sitting next to the both we always sit at.” “I like that booth.” Jim chuckles and nods, leading Clint over to the booth, sliding in across from him.
Five minutes later the couple hear a voice, “Street? That you?” Jim sees Clint tense. He grips Clint’s hand tighter, sending him a reassuring look before turning to see Sanchez. “Hi Chris.” Jim replies with a tight smile on his face. “You didn’t even say his to us.” She tells him, noticing Clint, “Gamble.” She greeted. Clint rolls his eyes. When the team found out about Clint, they decided that they hated him except for Boxer. The team even gave Clint the shovel talk in their own unique way. Clint opted not to say anything.
“I thought you weren’t going to be here for another week.” Sanchez said continuing, while choosing to ignore the eye roll. “Well, he decided to come a week earlier.” Jim replied before Clint could say anything. She nods. “You two should come join us. Before you ask that wasn’t an invitation.” Jim and Clint sighed and looked at each other as they stood up and followed Chris to the table. “Look who decided to join us.” Chris told the group as she sat down.
“Street! Gamble!” Deacon said as the group saw the couple. Jim pulled up a chair, sitting down and pulling Clint into his lap. “My name isn’t Gamble.” Clint said low enough that only Jim could hear. Jim tightens his grip on Clint. “Hey guys.” Jim replies. “Long time no see Clint.” Boxer says to Clint. “Hey Boxer.” Clint replies as he tucks his head under Jim’s chin and moves Jim’s hand to rest on his belly. “What have you been up to lately Barton?” Hondo asks. “Same as usual. Falling off buildings.” The group raises their eyebrows. Clint peeks a look at everyone. “When your with the Avengers, you tend to get hurt a lot more than usual. For me, I fall off of tall buildings.” Clint says with a shrug. Jim kisses Clint’s head. “You actually put up with that Jim?” Sanchez asks. Jim tenses. “What do you mean by that?” “I mean how could you deal with your husband risking his life in more dangerous situations?” Chris responded. “I’d be a hypocrite because I put my life in danger too.” Jim argues back.
“Jimmy? I want to go home. I feel sick.” Clint whispers against Jim’s neck. Jim kisses the top of Clint’s head. “Okay baby.” He whispers back. “Hey guys, we’re going to go.” Jim tells everyone else. “Don’t go!” Deacon calls. “Sorry guys. Clint had a long flight and he isn’t feeling well.” Jim and Clint walk back outside to Jim’s car. Clint curls up in the passenger seat. “Can we stop and get food?” Clint asks. “Of course we can” Jim replies.