-a photo of Kate looking ‘lovingly’ at Clint is released to the public.-
“Are you seeing this?” Kate tosses her phone to Her good friend, America -Chavez, not the country.
America barely catches the phone. She stares at it for a minute and then bursts into laughter. “Not funny.” Kate glares.
“It’s a little funny.” America continues to laugh.
Kate rolls her eyes. She loved Clint but in a family member way, never in her life would she even consider going on a date with him. So no, it was not funny.
“I swear if I even look at a man, the media suddenly thinks I’m 100% attracted to them or already dating them. Like?! Can a girl just live?!” She complains and drops onto her bed with a loud sigh. She tries to sound funny.
“It’s always what’s your favorite clothing brand? Do you think the suit is a little tight composted to others? Or on an estimate how long does it take to get the champagne out of your hair? No guy ever gets questions like these. Why the hell do I?!” She covers her eyes with her hands to keep out the lights, but also to keep America from seeing her now watery eyes.
Being female in formula 1 was hard. I mean Natasha was the first only 6 years ago. Now Kate was 1 of 4 women, and it seemed that she was deemed the most female or something because these are the only questions she gets when it comes to her personal life.
She can remember when she heard about Natasha being signed into f1. Suddenly all her dreams seemed achievable. She was on a high for a good couple of days after hearing the news.
While most reacted like her, there were a lot of people who didn’t feel the same. Many older people in F1 were not for it, but couldn’t admit they were against it. So there were a lot of passive aggressive comments said about her, but Natasha had tough skin. She endured it all and with a smirk on her face she won a championship in her 3rd season. (That very same season was Carol’s rookie season.)
But Kate wasn’t like that. She didn’t have tough skin. She couldn’t just ignore all the rude remarks, all the sexist questions. They all got to her. She would never admit it to anyone but their words really do hurt her.
America didn’t need to see Kate’s face to know she was crying. She simply laid next to her and wrapped her arms around her. “It’s ok Kate, it’s not like it’s true.”
Kate sniffles and submits to the hug. “I-it’s not just that. It’s everything.”
America nods. She’s been with Kate for a lot of her breakdown. Sometimes it just all hits her at once, or she’s bottled it up for too long and it just comes out. America simply holds her and lets her cry and complain. Nothing she could say would make it better, because there was just going to be more the next day.
After a good couple of minutes Kate does calm down. She wipes her tears and sits up. She doesn’t apologize, a year ago she would. Say that she shouldn’t be crying over this and that America probably had better things to do. But they’ve done this enough to both know none of that matters. That America is happy to be a shoulder to cry on, and that this is not something stupid to cry over. But she does say, “thank you.”
America smiles. “Anytime, don’t let them win.”
Kate chuckles and wipes her nose with her sleeve. “Never.”
It was quiet only for a while longer. “I’m going to leave no comment.”
“Bold.” America smiles.
“I know.” Kate jokes. “But I’m not going to respond. I will refuse, they can say and think what they want.”
America nods with a supportive smile, Kate nods back.
Race week comes and interviews must happen.
Luckily there was not a lot of attention on them this week. (like there ever is) there’s small comments on her love life, she replies like how she always does to love questions. “I wouldn’t know.”
Then when she’s asked about Clint she answers honestly. “Is he a funny guy? Does he make you laugh?” Kate shrugs. “He’s a little funny, I definitely have a good laugh with him.”
“Do you think he’s a nice guy? Like when all the camera’s are off are you two actually as close as you seem?” She shrugs again. “Yeah, he’s not nice though. He’s ruder when no one is looking.” She jokes.
But overall isn’t asked forwardly about the allegations. She’s happy about it. It’s not as big as a deal as she thought, but it was a good cry though.
For some reason it doesn't come up till their post race interview. “Last week there was a photo showing you looking at Mr.Barton. While it might be disregarded, someone had mentioned that you two have seemed to be very close. Did you want to comment on the possible ideas about you and Mr.Barton.”
Kate chuckles. Not because of the question, but because he called Clint Mr.Barton . Something she knew even he would laugh at. “Y’know I’ve seen the photo that started it all, honestly it’s really funny because I’m making like this weird pouty face.” She makes a overexagged pouty face, causing Sam Alexander to laugh besides her. She smiles before turning back to the questioner. “Anyway, sorry I just had to point that out. But what was your question?”
“I asked if you would comment on the rumors about you and Mr.Barton.”
She holds her laugh at the name again as she slides into her chair. “Oh, no. I won't answer that. No comment.” Her words are colder than they needed to be. Sam shrugs and looks out for the next question. Then it’s asked to him.
-
Later Clint posts a photo of him doing Kate’s pouty face to a photo of Bucky. It gets a lot of likes. Bucky responds with a photo of him doing it to a photo of Steve. Clint reacts by posting a sad face on his story @-ing Bucky.
During the next race week all the attention is on Clint, Bucky and Steve. Kate laughs when told about it. “Way to steal my thing. It’s ok though, he’s stolen from me before, like my style.” She jokes to Sky sports.