ACCEPTING -> you get the game -> except it star trek specific @biitchcakes
❝ Oh, her? ⸻ Well, I'd hate to say that I liked her better blonde, y'know remind me of my ex-wife, like the blonde scientists . . . . definitely ex-wife vibe. Sine she has dyed her hair? ❞ He was going to get in so much trouble for likening her to his ex-wife, and just about anything else he was going to say and this is a happily committed man to a dork in engineering.
❝ Buuut, I mean, blondes get it better, yknow? ⸻ The dark hair, and she's got like a great head of hair, like honestly good hair is enough; like the dark hair works for her absolutely, definitely ups her IT factor⸺ ❞ He should be watching out for her from now on.
❝ But like they have a saying about girls who could beat you up, right? ❞ He's not gonna say it, that'd be incredibly stupid of him.
Peter had been CHATTING with Chekov in the mess hall, the two of them had been working on figuring out a weird kink that had been going on with the transporter. They were just BOUNCING ideas off one another on how to go about fixing it.
He can see him there, across the hall.. watching, always watching..
It was enough to make Peter stand just A LITTLE taller, ( did he fix his hair just a little? Whose to say.) and there was a BOUNCE to his overall energy. For the most part he keeps his attention fully focused on Chekov, all too invested in the conversation no matter how cute Clint looked over there.
He had even taken note of the DOCTOR when he had joined HIM, and from the look of it teasing him about something. (He did however notice that Clint's gaze still didn't leave him..) it was at the lull of the conversation with Chekov, he finally FULLY looks over at Clint, meeting his gaze.
« I see you »
There is an attempt to make conversation with the doctor, or something of the sort. His heart isn't really in the conversation, and he does nudge for any gossip because that's really what there was when it came to ship life. Gossip about each other. He's pretending as best he can to be solely focused on Leonard as not to give anyone, the doctor presently, the satisfaction of teasing him further for obvious affection toward Peter Parker.
However, he fails that because his eyes are still drawn towards Pete, in his red code uniform, something of which he think any color looked good on Peter. Red's nice, and hey he's got a line to use on him later (it'd work) but really it was anything to get him to laugh. That was the thing about them, they had fun with each other and Clint doesn't even need to hear his laugh; because when Peter really laughed his whole body showed it. Always so expressive.
Peter's not looking towards his way at which has Clint tempted to find the most harmless small object that he can find it and flick it towards Peter. THAT'D BE RUDE, but he's never much cared about that. SO YES LEONARD, HE MAY AS WELL BEEN DROOLING.
He'd like attention and there's that rare Barton Luck when Peter finally turns his head in his direction. Soft eyes meting his, and Clint decides he doesn't care if he makes a fool of himself winking at Peter in full view. He'll talk with Leonard plenty; the doctor being on the higher end of the list of who he talked with more than others. The list went Peter (always more than others usually any chance and always in their quarters), Leonard and the other helmsman (between shifts, and they shared in the same role), than the rest of the senior officers and rest of the ship.
« I see you » THAT GETS CLINT TO RAISE HIS EYE BROWS. He points to himself, playing in total surprises and there's goofy grin as he continues the point.
« Me? Me? Me? » He keeps up, expression to match and than he's shaking his head. Smirk to his lips, always tended to curve on the side of his lip scar and than he's waving his hands off before signing more. « No. No you can NOT see me. »
He points towards Leonard, focus on Peter entirely. « You see Doctor Legendary Hands. » He shakes out his hands for effect, knowing full well that he has established that the doctor knew american sign and was following along. Is this that time where he explains he knows how to properly crush a windpipe? « Me? I am Invisible Man. You can't see me. » He covers his face for about two seconds, than looking back toward him. « See? Invisible. »
ACCEPTING -> oh christ he's gonna go die after this
OH GOD HE THINKS IS DEAD OR DOESN'T BELIEVE IN ⸻ This was going to get awkward; it already was but when had he ever backed down from anything. . . . . EVER.
❝ So, we've already established that I got a thing for blondes, Sparkle. ❞ By the way, the Sparkle is in reference to how she gets about Jim Kirk when no one was looking. He pays attention, skills in observation and good set of eyes. ❝ We're gonna forget about this in the next thirty seconds, that you'd probably rank top five of girls I'd have a crush on, and I like to PRETEND you wouldn't be too young for me. ⸻ So SMASH, and please don't hurt me. I bruise like fruit, and I really don't want Lenny to laugh at me today. ❞
There's the whole authority thing that she's got going for, the take a challenge and rise to it, double down, the blonde thing, and well, now she's a friend puts up with him.
❝ You are totally HOT, like. . . . You know it, you know who knows it. So, I mean, we'd have a lot of fun. ❞ OKAY. NOW TO RUIN THIS MORE. Only way to get over the embarrassment? RUIN IT.
❝ And like, I think our friendship is like . . . . You, uh, I don't know what little sisters are like, but you know. . . . that's you. Little sister, and you don't stick your. . . . you get the picture. ❞
Has he checked if the Commander knows sign language? He should have been keeping a list, he probably doesn't know which mean he was fine. ❝ So, I mean, Uhura's a woman. . . . . ❞ This was so stupid. « SMASH » It's signed once, as quick as the sign requires, but anyone could probably guess it, and how does he explain that she could probably talk about eighty languages into his ear and aids, and his brain would short out. He's got for a thing for woman with beauty, brains, and could command with grace. ❝ Anyone with taste would see what catch, or well, what a chase she'd be. . . . and I mean I'm, uh, I have tastes. ❞ Don't say the thing in your mind, don't say the thing about heels. . . .
ACCEPTING -> Smash or Pass + A character -> mentioned @darehearts
❝ Let's take a walk down Logic Lane ⸻ so if I am a Captain Kirk knock-off as said by one Jessica Drew, which technically is impossible because I was born first. ❞ He was older, so unless he did some time-travel. . . . which he didn't want to think about how that was possible. ❝ That would enter into clone territory, which in and of itself, or by itself, would be a PASS because my self-loathing would get in the way. ❞ Although, hate fucking could be hot.
⸻ ❝ However, since I was born first and thus I'm the original blonde man-whore, the blueprint for roguish steal-your-heart s.o.b.s which by the way, blondes are on my list of types, and the Cap's got wits and charm, which like SAME ⸻ so that should make Jim very SMASHABLE ⸻ ❞
⸻ ❝ Except again we go into the whole younger knock-off of me, which would make him like a baby brother, and incest disgust me soooooo ⸻ ❞
We think that's a Pass with asterisks, or a smash with asterisks? It'd be so awful and weird if he met his doppelganger and got nasty with himself.
💋 Did Peter get kisses yesterday? yes. Is Peter here for more kisses from Clint? Also yes. Especially since Tumblr refuses to let you see Peter any other way.
everyone sending ‘💋’ in my inbox gets a kiss from my muse. -> still accepting
THE DAYS THAT WERE TECHNICAL WINS ⸺⸻ TECHNICALLY.
The days that were technical wins; that at the end of the day, the end of this LONG FUCKING week that was coming on at the tail end of what had been a LONG FUCKING month of things happening behind the partition, in the works and building what felt like under no one's radar. ISN'T THAT THE SAME OLD STORY?
One that's been repeated in the history books, over and over again; as an unofficial Avengers historian himself; he's positive that he could count such a thing as happening at least on the count of ten fingers and an extra hand. WILL THEY EVER? WILL THEY EVER LISTEN? It's all questions of change that pop into his head on the flight home; the hum of the quinjet having been a comfort that he had needed.
Cities saved, people on Earth, in this universe and this timeline were saved, but there's that HAUNTING CHILL clinging onto him. Being upon one of the few of the this makeshift, call any Avenger new and old to see who could show up, team. That's not how teams should be formed or made, but none of them had been active members. All reserves, and one inactive, which he's sure he can hear about the end of that with the Avengers LATER.
THEY NEEDED SOMEONE WITH A SET OF TALENTS.
IT WAS AN EMERGENCY.
He was an ex-chairman himself so the Active team could BITCH at him later about that; he had his argument made. He followed most of the by-laws; and THE WORLD WAS SAVED.
THERE'S THAT HAUNTING CHILL. ⸺⸻ TECHNICALLY, WHAT A FUCKING WORD.
He was one of the few that had gazed into the MAW OF THE BEAST ; OF THE FUCKING WORLD EATER, LOOMING.
Where had any of the Alpha Flight, the Guardians of the Galaxy, any of the heroes who have been to space and like fucking space. NOW HE'S GOTTA GO TO THEM. All of them. Carol and Tony (his buddies from the exclusive club no one want to be in), any of the Thors; even Bucky fucking Barnes had been to space and seem to get something out of it.
HE DIDN'T EVEN GO TO SPACE. Yet to see the gaping jaws of something, just out there and waiting. SITTING IN JUDGEMENT, LIKE A COBRA TO STRIKE. He doesn't even know when; or perhaps it wasn't even REAL.
CALL AN EMERGENCY AVENGERS ASSMBLE.
Seven of them; there had been seven of them and they had done it. Since he's the one that called for this; than he had to do a goddamn report. FUCK STEVE ROGERS AND HIS LOVE OF PAPERWORK.
This quinjet had been a comfort; that as well as Spiderman, who thank everything did not have to bore any witness to what Clint had seen, being there. THERE'S A SLUMP TO HIS SHOULDERS. Moments that Clint can recall that he had gone silent; when the webslinger gone quiet, focused on what he needed to be doing. IT'S BEEN A LONG, SERIOUS DAY AT THE END OF LONG, FUCKING TERRIFYING WEEK.
That second comfort coming as a squeeze to his shoulder, red webbed glove lingering there, as he had settled into the pilot seat. HE NEEDED TO BE IN THIS SEAT. Keep his head on straight, flying them home. CLEAR THE VISSION FROM HIS EYES. Let this makeshift one time only performance act take their bow, and seep into their seats.
Some chatter; mostly quiet on board. HATES BEING THE RESPONSIBLE ONE. Reminds everyone to write up a report; so they can log this whole week to the active team, given the first Captain America an erection for new files to read.
A BITTER TASTE FILLS HIS MOUTH ⸺⸻ CRAVING.
The foulness of a craving; growing in his mouth as he thinks about how hard of a night this had been. Month long, to week long, to the culmination and than he knows there's more to come. CLEAN UP. AFTERMATH.
The work never end.
HE COULD GO FOR A FUCKING DRINK. Minimum of ten beers or something hard, high in content that'll lead his throat burning. KNOCK HIM THE FUCK OUT. drink, drink, drink; it always helps with sleep. After today, this night would be a hard one to go to sleep with. POTENTIALLY REAL NIGHTMARE FUEL ⸺ OUT THERE WAITING. FOR HIM.
Months, a little over a year sober, from his first relapse. THE FIRST BEING A KEYWORD BOTHER HIM. Clint was not going to. That would still only be first time. Every fiber in him knew that, fighting it; pushed the quinjets top speeds because he knew that he was popping in somewhere, to thank fuck they lived in NYC where there was at least a million people awake at late, late nights; literal twenty-four seven available meetings to find.
THE CITY ON THE HORIZON.
They land, greeted by the actives, and everyone is itching; clamoring to get out here, out of the hangar, off of the Avengers site. GO HOME. Unwind and cope. ❝ Spiderman; hold on back for a moment. ❞ UNINTENTIONAL LEADER VOICE. A little strict sounding, gravelly tone.
He can probably hear the strain to this; imagines the face under that mask. TIRED, PROBABLY WORRIED NOW. One thought on Clint's mind besides the whisperings he ignored; the fucking ironic thought of wanting to drown them; considering what IT wanted to drown him with.
THANKFUL HE HAS ANOTHER THOUGHT. Lips. His lips; and they were probably chap, the feeling of his thumb on Peter's throat as he made sure his mouthy spider in place. BOYFRIEND. Too damn lucky; a good thing.
The literal Hawkeye eye's sweep the hangar bay, checking for any eyes or straggler. EVERYONE CLEARED OUT FAST. Clint didn't blame them; he wanted to do the same thing, and he will soon. ORDER OF BUSINESS, STANDING IN FRONT OF HIM.
Thrown for a loop, when he's hugged and comforted that he's thinking the same thing as him. HE COULD KISS THE MASK; HE DOES THAT PLENTY NOW. Clint always makes sure to lower his sunglasses, primary for Spiderman to see the way he rolls his eyes, but than noticed the way his scarred lips go crooked in a smile.
FUTZING DORK OF HIS NOW.
Clint won't risk the identity reveal; always kept Peter's airtight and knew what he'd do if he was tortured about it. THANK FUCK HIS BEST FRIENDS WERE SUPER SPY ASSASSINS. Natasha, Bucky, and even Bobbi, has taught him a trick or two about withholding information while being hot iron burned.
Yet he can't help himself to going for the zipper as his hands, run up from his arms to shoulders, loosens the zipper. DRAWS HIS FINGERS ALONG THE JAWLINE. Slips a finger under to lift the mask up. JUST ENOUGH. Just enough to pull up above his lips; but no higher than that.
NEEDED THOSE, AND THEY WERE CHAP. ❝ What do you do ⸻ eat your chapsticks instead use them? ❞ A smile, just for him, DRAINED, and a little humor for the moment. Lips barely apart NOR does that last long. LIPS TO LIPS HELD LONG; LINGERING THERE.
Convinces himself ⸺ and it would be true even if right now the pit in his stomach that only wished him rot and ruin; that his lips taste so much better than quitting his sobriety. ❝ TO THINK ⸺ I could have been tasting cherry chapstick. ❞ Both hands holding at Peter's jaw, cupped tight to hold down the mask and one hand is sliding to his neck; feeling his thumb over his throat, feeling the texture of the suit, the welts of the webbing that make up his iconic design.
❝ You feeling that you need to get to MJ'S ⸺ see Mayday, stay the night? ❞ BIG WORLD SAVING DAY. That takes a lot out of anyone; and Clint knows he'll never quite be a father (last chance never happened). YET HE COULD MAKE A GUESS. He could guess, something like that, and perhaps this would have been Clint, despite how drained he was, would want to go see his baby right away. HOLD THEM.
Knows that MJ and Peter were far more communicative, very amicably divorced; and certain that her couch would be available. Checking to see where he was going home tonight; if he'd be alone in bed. IT'D BE ALRIGHT. Trying to gauge where he's taking himself.
❝ 'M OKAY. ❞ That was and wasn't a lie. AFTER SEEING THAT? No way he was okay, but he means that in different terms. Let him explain here before his bullshit is called. ❝ OR ⸻ I want, need, to go to a meeting; so I WON'T BE TO BED RIGHT AWAY. ❞ He would be okay, or at least; he's giving Peter the trusted knowledge of what he was feeling.
RAVENOUS. HUNGRY. JUDGING. HIBERNATING IN SPACE SOMEHWERE.
❝ So okay, more or less ⸻ Just text me if I'm in your bed tonight. ❞ A LITTLE PLEADING. His pride could take that; after he's sat and listened, got through the night, perhaps talked but he doesn't know who the hell he could talk about what he was privy to. Talk about how hard it was to not drink when it became the number one sleep aid for over a decade and some of his life.
THE MEETING HELPS ⸺⸻ and the text message on his phone contributes to knowing he'll be alright (at least with this). DOESN'T EVEN BOTHER TEXTING BACK.
Perhaps that he should have gone to a doctor, because everything aches and it's more than the mid-forties pushing older kind of pains. HE'LL CORRAL HIMSELF AND PETER TOMORROW TO ONE OF THE NIGHT NURSES. Getting them checked out, Night Nurse because of Peter's secret identity, and those nurses have an oath about that.
❝ MMH⸺ ❞ is the first sound that he makes after keys in door, unlocked, than relocked and suit, clothes, discarded wherever in the dark trek from the front door to Peter's bed. ARMS GOING TO SLIP AROUND HIM, KISS AT HIS NECK, JAW LIPS.
Lips that tasted like chapstick ⸻ ❝ MJ 'n' Mayday okay? ❞ Based on the text, knowing that he had to have swung by, and cares himself to know that. ❝ Didnta hafta rush 'ere. ❞ BUT HE WON'T COMPLAIN. He's got someone to hold; he's exhausted and sleep won't be coming. Yet he got someone to hold, Peter there, and he can just feel him.
Hearing aids still in, because that need for vigilance. EYES DARTING TO THE WINDOW. Curtains drawn; trying not to imagine a serpent eye watching them. ❝ Didya hafta choose COCUNUT? ❞ Complaint, against Peter's lips again, because of course he puts on chapstick and choses that.
okay but what about that one time that some c-list villains got the bright idea to poison the avengers coffee to take them out and only clint and tony ended up getting poisoned. i think this says a lot about who they are as people and also i would be in this picture and i don't like it.
YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW WHAT ISSUE THAT IS AND HAVE THE PANELS ? HERE YOU GO, AMANDA !
Avengers #146, 1976, and you are so right.
another thing about Clint is you could tell him, this is poisoned coffee and he will still drink it on the basis that it's coffee. tell me i'm wrong.
anyway. here's those panels
I love the way that Clint hits the floor crying out "cap needs meeee", and then any panel with face plant Iron Man makes me giggle.
