It took time, really. Phil couldn't avoid S.H.I.E.L.D. forever and so at the end of the week they both returned to see Fury who didn't even seem surprised. He didn't lecture either of them despite the fact that Phil clearly knew exactly what had been taken from him. Fury didn't apologize and Clint couldn't help but grudgingly admire the man on his stance in the face of Phil's rage. Clint wasn't sure if he would have made the same choices that Fury had, and he was honestly grateful that that decision had been out of his hands. Maybe Phil would never forgive Fury, but at least they had Phil. He and Phil had spent the week going over everything that had happened in the last five years and they had called Steve in to offer his side of events. And in between sharing memories, Clint could see longing in Phil's expression. A longing for what had been taken away from him.

Clint had yet to be cleared for field duty and so he spent his time following Phil around to physical therapy and then to his office. He drew the line at following Phil home like a sad puppy, but just barely. Instead, he went to Natasha's seeking comfort. Phil was still struggling to get his memories sorted out and he was itching to go back into the field unlike Clint. And he never asked for space, which Clint was grateful about because he wasn't sure if he could have kept his word to do so. He needed to see Phil, just to know that he was okay. And when he was with Phil it was easier to pretend that the glares and muttered words sent his way were insignificant. He still felt guilty, he had a hard time falling asleep and he had to see several different shrinks, but it was easier if he could see Phil. Know that one of the most important people in his life was still alive. Natasha and Steve both came with him when he went to Dr. Taylors' memoriam. He left a sizeable donation to her family and a bouquet of white tulips behind.

And Phil got better. He took a new team under his wing –Skye, Grant, Melinda, Leo and Jemma and headed out on missions. Clint let him have his space despite how much it hurt. He watched the news anxiously, hated how Phil threw himself into danger without any back-up but he couldn't do anything to stop him. And when Phil came back to the office, Clint made sure to meet him there. Clint walked in without knocking, like he always did. No one ever expected Clint to knock. And promptly walked in on Phil in the middle of conversation with Agent May.

Agent May flashed a smirk at Phil as though saying 'see? I told you so' before she turned to Clint. "Agent Barton, he's all yours," she said before leaving the room. She shut the door behind her.

Phil flushed and looked away almost guiltily. "Good to see you, again." He seemed to hesitate, torn between how he should refer to Clint. It was a new barrier between them.

"You suck at keeping a low profile," Clint replied easily, pretending there was nothing wrong. He was nothing if not an excellent actor. "Just imagine if Stark saw that broadcast today."

"I thought he was busy pursuing Doctor Banner," Phil retorted, his eyes widening in alarm.

"Oh he is. But you know him, it'd be just your luck that he was on a plane back to the States and saw it. You'd never get a moment's peace. Besides, half of the Avengers already know you're alive."

Steve and Natasha both had the requisite authority levels now, but Natasha had learned when Clint told her. And as such, that was how they found themselves promoted. It just burned that Agent Ward had known before Clint technically on-the-books knew.

"I hadn't planned for it like that," Phil said.

"I didn't think that was your plan," Clint said agreeably. "No injuries though?"

"None. Just a pit stop to send a report to Fury."

The Bus and the team as well as practically all the space and freedom Phil required had done a lot to soothe the tension between the two of them. But like Clint, Fury didn't really know where he and Phil stood. Mostly because Phil hadn't decided yet. Not that Clint could or would blame him. It wasn't easy to have your head messed with. So Clint chatted a little longer with Phil but Phil made no requests and Clint ran out of time to stay and talk. So he left and returned to his apartment. Usually he went back to the Avengers Tower, but sometimes he just wanted to bask in a place where he could remember that he and Phil had been together. Because the more time Phil took, the more it felt like they weren't going to get back together. That it had been a betrayal more than Phil could accept. It wasn't the first time that Clint had set foot in his apartment since Phil left, since Phil had died, but Clint only got one foot in the doorway before he turned and left. It was too much.

He went back to the Tower –it was mostly empty these days. Natasha and Steve had decided to stick with S.H.I.E.L.D. and been attached to a new Strike team. Clint didn't envy them their choices, but sometimes he got restless. It was worse when Stark wasn't around. So he spent his time practicing archery and every so often he would fly out to Indiana to meet his brother and his family. It was nice to be welcomed back somewhere. His time at the Tower was even worse when Banner and Stark were in the same room and considering things between them currently, the awkwardness wasn't going to end anytime soon. So he packed up his things and he brought his spare bow, the one S.H.I.E.L.D. had made for him and let Barney put him through his paces. He needed something to keep him busy. But in the middle of his visit, he got a phone call he'd never expected to get. It was Phil. He had given Phil his number nearly six months ago.

"Clint," Phil said, and he sounded out of breath and giddy. "Clint, Clint I remember. I remember you –I, god, I remember us."

"What?" Clint asked, and it was like all the breath left from his body.

"I was –I was captured and they used this machine. Clint, it doesn't matter. I'm fine. I remember you. Where are you?"

"I'm with –I'm with Barney," Clint answered numbly.

"Do you want me to drive down or do you want to come home? I've got a few weeks off."

"I'll come up," Clint said, smiling brightly. "I'll be there as soon as I can, okay?"

"I can't wait," Phil answered softly. "We have a lot to talk about. To catch up on."

Clint glanced around, grateful to realize that Barney had headed back inside to leave Clint some privacy. "Yeah, after I get you in bed again," he teased.

"That's the first thing you want?" Phil asked, amused.

"Hell yes. Well that's actually behind kissing. Kissing is my first plan of action."

"I'm still in the office," Phil pointed out, but he didn't sound upset.

"Killjoy," Clint replied warmly.

"I've missed you, Clint."

Clint packed up his gear in record time. "I've missed you so much," he agreed. It was hard to keep the emotion from his voice as he threw everything into his bag. "I don't want to hang up," he admitted, later, once he had packed everything back up. It was like he was worried that if the phone call ended and he got back to New York, he would find that Phil had forgotten him again.

"Neither do I," Phil murmured. "We can stay online until you have to hang up," he offered.

Clint said farewell to Barney and Laura and he gave Cooper a hug, keeping Phil on his phone throughout the interactions. He caught a taxi and headed to the airport, listening to Phil talk about mission reports and statistics and whatever came to his mind. It wasn't until he had hung up and was seated on his flight that the hope and giddiness he first heard in Phil's voice seemed to reach him. He didn't settle down until he landed in New York and found Phil waiting for him. And just as he promised, the first thing he did was throw his arms around Phil and kiss him. It wasn't until afterwards that he remembered his fears, but by then, Phil was already kissing him back. Some people stared, someone whistled at them but Clint didn't care about any of that. He cared about Phil. Phil who was right in front of him, in love and remembering who they were.

By the time they made it back to Clint's apartment, they were too occupied in undressing each other to think about talking. And for the rest of the night, they stayed in Clint's bed. It wasn't like the last time they made love, because that's what it had been about last time was sharing and basking in their connection. Clint needed to see all of Phil, feel all of him, know that his partner still loved and desired him. And Phil seemed to feel the same way, because as rushed and desperate as they were, they held onto each other like they never had before. Like they were scared of losing each other again, because the time where they thought they had forever had faded away.

"I'm not going anywhere," Phil said breathlessly, kissing the back of Clint's hand. "I promise. I have two weeks off."

Clint traced the scar on Phil's chest sadly. "You're all healed up," he said, a little awed.

"They wouldn't have let me back into the field otherwise," Phil pointed out, amused.

Clint huffed. "You broke into my apartment last time I actually saw you, I was worried you would bleed out. It's a surprise to see how recovered you are."

Phil kissed him sweetly. And it made a part of Clint relax that he hadn't known he'd needed to relax. It was just the anxiety, the worry, the fear that if he let go Phil would disappear again. Sure he'd been there these past few months, he'd been alive, but he hadn't been Clint's.

"You would like my team," Phil said at last, curling his fingers over Clint's knuckles.

"Well I already know Agent May."

"Skye, you would get along with her." Phil smiled tenderly. "When she found out about you –the Archer as they'd taken to calling you –I was worried she would figure it out. But May convinced them otherwise, said it was an Olympic archer."

Clint snickered. "You always did like the athletic type, I guess."

Phil rolled his eyes. "It was Fitz who told them and they nearly dropped me off at your brother's farm to see you."

"Before you remembered me, right?" Phil nodded. "It was hard seeing you like that," Clint admitted, clasping Phil's hand and kissing along his fingers.

"It's hard to remember how I was feeling then. I just didn't want to be Fury's puppet or the doctors' lab experiment and I think I took it out unfairly on you."

"I was alright." And for the first time in six months, Clint was sure that he meant it. "I was. I did okay."

"You moved out of the Avengers Tower and it looks like you haven't been here in weeks."

"You try living with Banner and Stark," Clint grumbled. "They're like… they're like rabbits. Except instead of making babies, they just make science. All the time. They don't have an off button and sometimes Tony pushes too far and the Hulk roars back. It's a little anxiety inducing, you can't fault me for that."

"Are you and your brother doing alright then?"

"Yeah. I think we're okay."

"I'm glad you have someone in your life," Phil said sincerely.

"I'm glad I have you," Clint admitted, gazing at Phil. How was it scarier to say those three little words when he'd already said them before? When Phil had already confirmed he felt the same way? But somehow, it was infinitely more terrifying.

"I love you," Phil said quietly, smiling tenderly. "I've loved you since you called me sir the first time, since you called me for help. I didn't even realize it until you practically moved in to cook for me when I was shot. And I am sorry I didn't say it before now."

"I love you too," Clint said hurriedly. "And I-I'm sorry I didn't say it."

Phil smiled softly. "You asked me out first. You've always been braver than me. I wanted to be the one to say it first this time."

"Hey, I told you –"

"While I can remember why I love you," Phil added. "It means more this way."

Clint couldn't help the grin that crept onto his face. "Yeah, it does," he agreed, leaning in to kiss Phil.

Ten Years Later

Unlike the rest of their friends who had all but jumped into their marriages, Clint and Phil got engaged a year after Phil's memories had returned. A year after they got Phil's behaviors under control and managed. The worst thing about that time was that Clint hadn't even known what Phil was going through, he was so busy being an Avenger and training up to be an Avenger that he only heard from Phil once a week. And while it was torture, they were both busy with their own lives, Clint thought Phil would have told him if there were any new developments, but he didn't. Because he didn't want to worry Clint. And even though his team had pestered him, Phil lied and insisted that Clint knew. But between Agents May and Skye, the two of them knew that if Clint had known, he would have been there at Phil's side. So they called him and Clint came and saw for himself the meltdown Phil was having. And maybe Phil had been right to keep that secret from Clint, because the guilt from what he had done under Loki's time came back with a vengeance afterwards. But thanks to Skye, Phil got better. And he stopped keeping quite so many secrets. Of course as the Director, there was only so much he could share.

Their engagement had been simple. They went out on a date and afterwards, when they were at home, Phil got down on one knee. "Clint Barton, you are the love of my life. If you'll accept this ring, accept me, I would be honored to be your husband one day. I promise to share the remainder of my life with you, to share my secrets and my fears if it won't cause global destruction," Phil had vowed.

"What do you think I'm going to do?" Clint had asked, amused and overwhelmed. "I –Yeah, Phil, of course I accept."

But now as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror, fidgeting with his tie as he waited until he could stand with Phil and say "I do" in front of all their friends.

"Nat, did I get my tie right?" Clint asked, peering out the door to look at her.

"You look fine," she replied, glancing up briefly. "You've dressed up fancier for Stark's parties before."

"They weren't as important as this," Clint muttered, ducking back into the bathroom to stare at his reflection.

"You two have practically been married for the last ten years," Natasha pointed out.

"And if he can't accept that when you're nervous you can't tie a tie to save your life, then screw 'em," Bucky drawled, sprawling out across the couch.

Clint rolled his eyes. "Your eloquence always makes me feel better."

"It's why I'm here right? Back up to your best man."

"Best woman," Natasha corrected.

"So long as I'm not the one giving the first speech."

"Isn't yours only like ten seconds long?" Natasha teased.

"All the Internet resources said short and sweet, I'm just helping move the party on. Barton, get over here. I can't stand to watch you fluster anymore."

Clint sighed and stomped over, barely resisting wringing his hands together. He wasn't nervous –well, he was –what if he messed up his vows? –but it was mostly excitement. His and Phil's marriage had been a long time coming. Bucky sat up and gave his tie a light tug, glancing at Natasha to not approvingly. She huffed and swatted his hands away, adjusting Clint's tie minutely.

"It's perfect now," she announced, pulling back. "Don't even think about touching it. You look good, Clint."

Clint nodded nervously. "Yeah."

"You can't be nervous on your wedding day," Bucky protested.

"Like you were any better on yours?" Clint retorted.

"We were practically in the middle of a war," Bucky said primly. "I had plenty of reason to be nervous."

"Boys," Natasha said, looking between them, "put the measuring tapes away." Bucky flashed her a lazy grin but he dropped the conversation. "Now Clint. You're going to be fine. Phil's been with you forever. Nothing will go wrong today. You've been reading your vows for the last six months, you're not about to forget them. You and Phil love each other and we're all here to support you. Now, stop pacing and breathe for a minute or two because if I have to give you another pep talk, I'm going to call Steve in here."

Clint made a face. "I don't want his pep talk." Steve gave amazing pep talks but Clint didn't want his husband's best man trying to calm his nerves down. That's what he had Natasha and Bucky for.

"Now just imagine how much hell Phil is going through. He's got Steve and Tony in the same room to cheer him up," Bucky pointed out.

"Yeah, I'm sure he needs a lot of reassurance." But he smiled anyways, thinking about it. Steve would be there giving long speeches about how the wedding was going to be fine only to be undermined by Tony's sarcasm and wit. "Okay," Clint said, taking a deep breath. "Okay. I'm good."

Natasha nodded and got to her feet smoothly, the lilac purple of her dress fit her like a glove. Absolutely no one had been surprised when Clint and his daughter decided on purple as one of the wedding colors. The men were wearing tuxes and had purple pocket squares except for Phil who no doubt had some ridiculous flower tucked in place of the pocket square. Natasha returned only to announce that it was time and all of Clint's nerves came back in full force as she led them out of the guest house and down the stone path towards the outdoor area. There were two rows of four picnic tables for their family and friends and a straight aisle down between the tables. At the end there was a white arbor where their government official was waiting to officiate the wedding. Natasha smiled at him and they waited as everyone headed down the aisle, no one happier than his daughter as she gleefully threw flower petals everywhere she could reach before taking a seat next to Jane. Phil walked down next, stopping next to Clint as they shared a smile and linked arms and walked down the aisle together.

They stopped under the arbor, their hands clasped as the wedding began. The ring bearer toddled out pleased as punch with the rings, handing them to Phil with a bright smile before Aiden returned to his seat next to Fury. Most of the ceremony was a blur. Phil spoke sincerely of their time together and the future he wished for them to share and Clint wholeheartedly returned the sentiment, certain that he was botching his rehearsed lines but he didn't care. He was honest and genuine in his feelings for Phil and everyone knew it now. He blushed when he had finished speaking and Phil gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and then their officiator was telling them the magic six words and they were kissing. It was sweet and brief –there were children present –and anyways they didn't tend to get so passionate and carried away these days considering they had two children and eleven years together under their belts. This was just making it all official.

When the ceremony was over, not even an hour had passed by, so Clint and Phil took their places at the head of the table, looking out over their family and friends. To their right was a small patio block that served as a stage with a podium and a microphone unnecessarily attached courtesy of Tony.

"Finally," Natasha drawled, as she got to her feet, delicately banging her spoon against the wine glass. "Finally these two idiots have got their act together and done something about it. Congratulations to ending the longest-lasting engagement any of us have ever seen –to Clint and Phil. To your good health and fortunes!"

Clint laughed and clapped along with the rest of their guests. Phil was shaking his head, but he was smiling. Natasha had made it no secret over the years to call them out on how many years more they could have been married if they'd done this sooner. At some point, she just looked up all the benefit information for being married and would recite it like Shakespearean quotations to them. The kids loved it, even if they didn't really understand what it meant. Natasha of course wasted no time in converting their innocent daughter to her ploys as she explained what a wedding would mean for little Katie. Katie who was seven years old and loved any excuse to dress up, who became determined to make certain her parents were married even if she had to beg them every day for six months before they caved. (At that point, there hadn't been anything preventing them from being married).

After the cheers, it was Steve who walked up to the podium next. "To Phil and Clint, if you must lie, lie with each other. If you must cheat, may you cheat death –"

"Again!" called Tony, grinning from ear to ear.

Clint squeezed Phil's hand. He didn't like to think about those six months very often. But sometimes, he would remember them and be so grateful that he had been allowed to keep Phil. He wasn't sure what he would have done if he never got Phil back in his life after that day. He wasn't sure where he would have ended up.

Steve continued like he hadn't even heard the other man interrupt. "If you must steal, steal your lover's heart. If you must drink, drink deeply the joy of your new life together. To a long and happy marriage." With a sincere smile, Steve took his seat.

Clint got up next, reluctantly releasing Phil's hand, as he went up to the podium. Spread out before him were his family and friends: Natasha, his best woman; Phil, his husband; Steve, Phil's best man; Bucky, Bruce, Tony, Fury and Thor rounding out the remaining members of their wedding party. Beyond them were his children, Laura and Barney's kids, a handful of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and their significant others. There weren't more than forty people present, which was a comfort as Clint hated speaking in front of crowds like this.

"Phil, I've loved you for most of my life. You've helped me become a better man, a wiser father and a kinder soldier. We've spent nearly eleven years of our life together and I'm so grateful for each of them, but I can't wait to start our married life." He smiled in Natasha's direction. "We've been engaged for nine years and it was a great run. Here's to a better one, here's to being beside you for the rest of my life. Love you Phil."

Clint went to sit down at his seat, grinning when Phil gave his hand a squeeze on his way up to the podium. "The worst day of my life was when I lost myself and I lost Clint along the way. And today is the best day of my life, because it's the day I get to say that he's mine for the rest of our lives. And ever after, in case death tries to stop us again." Phil smiled at Clint and Clint felt his heart pound harder. "Long will I cherish you, my husband, my joy, the father of our children –and love you, I always shall."

Phil crossed the stage, kissing Clint tenderly amid the cheers and wolf whistles of their friends and family (most notably, Tony). Clint could hear their daughter squealing "ew" from her seat with Jane, and he broke off their kiss to chuckle softly. Seven year olds still thought kissing was gross –Clint was not looking forward to the day when her opinion changed on the matter. He watched as Aiden hopped off Fury's lap and raced over to sit next to his sister.

It was Bucky who approached the podium next. He glanced over at where Clint and Phil were seated next to each other. "May you grow old together on one pillow." He nodded briefly and waited for the applause to die down before returning to his seat.

"He really did keep it short and sweet," Clint murmured, wondering why he was surprised. Bucky hated speaking at events even more than Clint did.

"More time to eat and dance after," Phil commented softly.

"You know," Tony said, as he got up and headed over to the stage. "Marriage means commitment. Of course, so does insanity." He grinned. "However, nine years of engagement? That's a whole other level of commitment, guys. We've been calling bets on this for the last ten years. And I can honestly say I'm happy for you both. May your ups and downs be between the sheets –" Phil rolled his eyes and Clint snickered "–and may you see each other through many dark days and make all the rest a little brighter."

With a grand bow, Tony took to his seat as Bruce went up to the stage next. "They say love is blind, but I don't know if I believe that. Everyone within a twenty mile radius –or who's known you two for more than an hour or so –can clearly see ridiculous amounts of love between you two. May you continue to find happiness in each other."

It was Thor who stood up next. In his years on Earth, Thor had managed to become slightly less long-winded. And Clint had been assured by Jane that she had spoken to Thor quite thoroughly about appropriate lengthy wedding speeches or toasts that could be made. But Thor didn't approach the podium, as usual. He didn't need a microphone or a stage so he could be heard or seen.

"May the light of friendship guide your paths together, may the laughter of children grace your halls, and may the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips and a twinkle from your eye. My friends, it is joyous to see you officially unite as one. May Freyja watch over you and gift you life-long love; may you bear all the children you please, and stay safe in battles yet fought."

These days there were always laughter in their house. With two kids under ten, it didn't seem like it was going to end anytime soon. Clint certainly hoped it didn't. He liked his children just the way they were. Phil smiled next to him and leaned in close. "I think we have all the children we desire, don't we?"

"Definitely," Clint said vehemently. "We're too old to have any more."

"I said that once, and look where we ended up."

"With two precious kids," Clint said.

Thor sat down and Fury rose next, stalking onto the stage. He wasn't wearing his black leather coat which was just surreal. He looked like an actual human being but Clint would only remember him as being his boss.

"I don't get dressed up for just anyone, but when two people who are so in love tell me I have to put on fancy clothes, this is what happens. I know the recipe for a good marriage is mutual respect, and Phil and Clint have both in spades. A long life of love will then follow. May your laugh, your love and your wine be plentiful, thus your happiness be nothing less."

And with that, the food was brought out and everyone dug in. It was ridiculous how in love he felt when he had been living with and engaged to Phil for the last nine years, but he was just basking in his husband's presence. Across from them, they could see their kids bickering with each other and their cousins. Cooper and Lila seemed to have been completely engaged in whatever conversation they were having. Around them, their friends were sharing stories and laughing with each other.

Despite their long engagement, Clint and Phil had rarely struggled the same way Steve and Bucky had or Bruce and Tony had. Taking everyone by surprise had been Bruce and Tony's marriage nearly ten years ago. Thor and Jane were next, as she had gotten tired of never knowing whether she would see him again or not. It had been quite the shock for all of them when Odin had blessed the marriage and allowed Thor to split his time between Asgard and Earth. Steve and Bucky were next, but it took them a number of years to work out their issues. Honestly, Clint was mostly relieved at the fact that they could all sit down like this to celebrate. A few years back it had been fairly touch and go. Natasha wasn't married but she was living with Matt these days. Their relationship seemed more work than play, but it worked for both of them. Clint was just happy that Natasha was happy.

As the evening drew to a close, Clint went and grabbed his and Phil's bags. He was grateful that their friends had agreed to babysit for them. As nice as it would have been to just spend the day with their children, it was as nice to get a break. Both of their children were surprises –after that initial conversation with Dr. Taylors, Clint never went back and checked to see whether or not he would be able to have children. He just assumed it wouldn't happen. And for the half a dozen times he and Phil had been tied together, nothing ever came of it. Clint assumed it was because of the suppression drugs and Phil assumed it was because he was too old and partly because of the side-effects of his revival. Neither of them went to check with a doctor because it had long been decided between them that they didn't need more in their family. They were happy with each other. And then, about seven years ago, Clint started feeling sick and bloated and one thing led to another and Phil bossed him into seeing a doctor –where Clint learned he was expecting.

It was a rough birth, long and painful and the doctors suggested that it was practically a miracle that they had managed to have one child and not to expect to have anymore. And so they hadn't. They'd both taken what time they could afford to spend at home with their darling baby girl –Katherine Julie Coulson. And a few years after her birth, they agreed to try adopting. Katie wanted a sibling and neither Clint nor Phil were averse to expanding their family. It took a year and a bit, but they gladly welcomed Aiden Charles into their family. With Katie, Clint had taken a year off from being a superhero in order to get back into shape and to look after her. Phil was always busy being the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. but if he could work from home, he did that instead. And as amazing as their precious children were, having some time away from home where there was no one and no work to interrupt them was going to be fantastic. They hugged their children goodbye; tiny Katie with her honey-blonde hair and chubby Aiden with his dark hair and eyes. They'd only recently started keeping an eye on his weight, but the pediatrician assured them it was healthy weight although to keep an eye on him because Aiden might develop an allergy with little notice or diabetes.

Katie was seven years old and all happy tears at seeing her daddies get married. She would probably spend the rest of the week talking about her flower girl duties. Aiden was six years old and always fidgeting with his bowtie, largely uninterested in the ceremony but definitely interested in the other kids his age and in seeing his aunts and uncles. But he understood that they were leaving and he gave them each a smacking kiss on their cheeks before toddling off to go stand with his chosen babysitter. Katie gave them each a big hug and a kiss before she followed after Aiden.