Chapter 3
He made his way into his suite and sat in the chair. He had already let Nat know about the incident. He knew she couldn't do much since she was working but he gave her the courtesy of knowing Rumlow had seen the picture so that she wasn’t blind sided. Clint came in a few minutes later. “Nat called me and said you got put on leave for two weeks. Wanna talk about it? She said to tell you it was ok if I knew, whatever that means.” Steve looked up from his spot. “Beat up Rumlow in the breakroom.” Clint couldn't hold back the laugh that escaped. “You what?! Oh my god. I missed that? I would have PAID to see you pound him.” He saw a small smile on Steve’s lips."He crossed a line he shouldn’t have. He broke into my locker and took my sketchbook. I didn’t have time to bring it back here before that last call and I didn’t think in a million years someone would break into my locker and take it. Clint before you hear it from someone else...I...I need to tell you, I like guys...I like girls, women, too. I know there’s a word..for that I just can’t....”
“Bisexual.. You are describing bisexuality.” He nodded “thanks. I'm just trying to come out ahead of this. I hadn't really told anyone. I hadn't planned to. I'm not ashamed it's just really personal. Now I'm sure half of S.H.I.E.L.D. knows."
Clint sat down on the couch. "How did you realize you liked guys? If you don't mind me asking?" He smiled "My best friend was teaching me to kiss because I took a girl out and she told everyone I was a bad kisser. He sat me down to show me. One thing led to another and my mother came home to find us making out on her couch." Clint's eyes widened.
"Was she upset?" Steve laughed "Hell no. She laughed and said it made her feel better knowing I would always be loved and she told us to be careful. I think she knew before I did." Clint was silent for a moment. "Was it Barnes? You don't have to tell me it's just I knew a lot of guys in the circus who shared a tent with their best guy and it was always a more than friends situation." He closed his eyes and smiled fondly. "Yea….yea it was Bucky. God...I miss him so much it hurts. That stays between us. Not even Natasha knows that one or if she does she hasn't said."
They sat quietly for a while, finally Clint cleared his throat. "So um.. since you aren't chained to S.H.I.E.L.D. at the moment we could leave for my place today. We could make a road trip out of it. Take our time. Laura's not expecting us for three days. That's plenty of time to drive there. My trucks in the garage ready to go." Steve got up and smiled. "I've never been on a road trip before. Give me 30 minutes to pack up and we can head out." Clint headed for the door "I'll meet you in the garage then."