Chapter 5
Clint’s POV:
Once everybody was loaded up on the quinjet, I headed for the tower.
“That was one hell of a thing you did back there,” Steve started, “You put up one hell of a fight kid.”
“Thanks,” I said as I gave him a small smile.
“Hell of a thing? That was so badass!” Tony exclaimed as he all but ran over to brag about me to Steve, “He fucking ziplined across, nearly died I might add, but pulled himself up and took out four aliens by himself. I nearly died laughing when you kicked the one off the building. But you were determined to save that kid. Lost your good knife to an alien’s face, which I can replace for you. That little kid is never going to forget what you did.”
“I know,” I said, “It’s just my job though.”
“Just my job? You humble bitch! I would be yelling what I did from the rooftops,” Tony said as he started to walk away, “Man that was so cool! There has to be a camera nearby for me to rewatch it. Jarvis.”
“Are you okay?” Steve asked as he motioned to the gash on my side. He grabbed some gauze and started to wrap it around my torso as I flew us the rest of the way. “I can fly us the rest of the way if you need me to,” he offered.
“No, I’m fine,” I told him, “I’ve had worse. Much worse.”
“Okay,” he said, “Let me know if you need to switch. I’m sure that your concussion has got to be nasty.”
“It is but I can handle it,” I told him as the tower came into view.
I held myself together for a few more minutes until we landed. Medical came in and was slowly taking everyone off.
“Steve,” I started as I slowly stood, trying not to throw up on Captain America’s shoes.
“Yeah?” he asked.
“Being honest. I don’t normally ask, and I’m trusting you with this. Can you help me to medical?” I asked as I put my hand on my chair, bracing myself.
“Of course I can,” he answered as he gently grabbed my arm and draped it over his shoulder while he wrapped his other arm around my waist.
“Thank you,” I muttered as we slowly made our way out of the quinjet and to medical.
“Don’t mention it,” he told me.
We slowly but surely made our way to the next available room where he helped me onto a stretcher. Some medical staff came in and started to strip me of my clothes, take my vitals, and kick Steve out.
“No ma’am, I’m staying,” he politely told her.
“I can’t do my job with you in here,” she snapped as she pointed at the door, “Get out!”
“You can either do your job with me here or I can find someone else that will,” he told her.
She huffed but went back to helping the Doctor with me. I passed out before they could do anything else.
I woke up to monitors beeping beside me and the feeling of bandages around my torso and butterfly strips on my head. The room was light enough for me to see in but not hurt my eyes. I saw Steve sleeping in the chair next to my bed.
“Steve,” I called out as I slowly started to sit up.
“Huh?” he asked and woke up more once he realized I was awake, “Clint? How are you feeling?”
“Sore but fine otherwise,” I groaned as I sat back against the pillows, “How long was I out?”
“Almost 24 hours,” he answered.
“You didn’t have to stay,” I told him once I noticed he was still in his uniform, “You look like a hot mess express over there.”
“I wanted to,” he said as he took in his own appearance, “I was too tired to go wash up I guess.”
“I appreciate you staying, thank you,” I told him.
“No problem,” he said before he stood, “I’ll go get the Doctor.”
The Doctor came in and gave me the all clear to go home. Steve and I walked to the elevator and went up to our floor. He made a comment about how he smelled and disappeared into his room.
With small steps, I slowly made it to my door and I stopped dead in my tracks. There it was. What I was hoping for just a few days ago. There’s a nametag on my door. My name is in clean, crisp purple letters with stickers around it. I’m assuming Tony put most of the stickers on it, particularly the robin hood and the kid ziplining. I’m not sure how he got those so fast but I love them anyway.
This is what I’ve been waiting for. A real place to call home. Shield has been my home for how many years now but I’ve never felt close to anyone. I’ve always had different partners and teams on missions. I was being sent all around the world mostly to do solo missions. I’ve been operating by myself for at least the last 4 years. To go from that to having a real team is incomparable. This is what I’ve been wanting, what I’ve been yearning for. Somewhere to call home with a real family. This is what will keep me grounded. This odd group of people I’m learning to call my family. I’m beyond ready to explore what the future holds with this opportunity. A real team that has my back during missions. People I can open up to, really open up to. And a family that will love me and who I will love back. Who I will do anything for to keep safe. A family that will keep me grounded. After all, family is gravity.