Author's Note: And here's part seven in the Why series. More fluffy nonsense with a bitty angst. Just for fun. And since we've had grumpy Cayden the last two instalments hopefully he's more cheerful this time. Wanted to make sure he wasn't some permanently smiling lovey dovey sap but don't want to go too far the other way…
I have had chapters one and two written for weeks and am not getting anywhere with chapter three so I am hoping that posting will help with the writers block… apologies in advance if I fall behind posting though. This has certainly not being the easiest to write but hopefully it turns out okay. Should be back on course for part eight when it comes though!
Please note the series was started before Captain America: The Winter Soldier came out and I will not be working in any of those events.
Chronological order of Why series (at time of posting):
Why Clint Has Never Tried It On With Natasha
Why Tony Should Not Interfere With Clint's Love Life
Why Doctor Poole Gave Agent Barton An Extra Check Up
Why Natasha Is Allowed To Interfere With Clint's Love Life
Why Thor Is Responsible For Cayden Getting a Little TLC
Why Steve Did Not Need To Try The Subtle Approach
Why Bruce Was First To Officially Find Out
Warnings: Clint/OMC. That means Clint is gay. If that's not your cup of tea then please don't read.
Disclaimer: Don't have anything to do with Marvel and their wonderful play-land of creations … sigh…
Why Bruce Was First To Officially Find Out
Chapter 1
Tony hummed away to himself as he buzzed around his lab, zipping from one bench to another.
"Sir, Agent Barton is approaching."
The billionaire cast a quick glance upwards.
"Thanks JARVIS," he replied, laying his tool down on the nearest bench and turning to face the door. He had requested that JARVIS inform his when either Clint or Natasha were heading for his lab. Warn him when Clint or Natasha were headed for his lab. Never more would he be caught off guard by one of the quiet, sneaky assassins… "Barton!"
"Stark," Clint replied, mirroring the other man's grin. He pulled the quiver off his shoulder and handed it to the other man. "Straight and true. And man they pack a punch."
"You like then?" Tony's smile was half pleased half smug. Clint rolled his eyes.
"Yeah I like," he conceded. Tony once again looked upward.
"You heard Legolas JARVIS, mass production of that latest batch of arrows, chop chop!" he accompanied the last words with a couple of claps of the hand. Clint chuckled and shook his head.
"Yes Sir."
Tony gave a contented nod and turned back to Clint.
"And what about the awesome new range?"
Clint inhaled deeply.
"It's…" he shrugged absently although his smile negated the flippant gesture. "It is pretty awesome."
"Ha!" Tony smirked triumphantly. "You should see the one on your floor."
Clint blinked rapidly.
"The one on…" the archer shook his head with a chuckle. Of course Tony Stark was building a second range – just for him – on his own personal floor, as well as assigning and decorating whole floors for each member of the team. Just in case they stayed over. Tony grinned and shrugged absently although his expression turned slightly more serious as he tilted his head to the side inquisitively.
"So… what you been up to Barton?" he asked lightly.
"Oh, you know," Clint shrugged. "SHIELD keeps me busy."
Tony opened his mouth to reply but shut it again.
"Fury is a slave driver," he commented finally with a faint quirk of the lips. His smile widened as he caught sight of Pepper over Clint's shoulder. "Speaking of… I think I'm about to be dragged away. Your little agent girlfriend is upstairs. Her floor is finished. Twenty-ninth."
Clint rolled his eyes at the girlfriend comment but let it slide, casting a look behind him and offering Pepper a warm smile.
"Well I suppose I'd better go up and see her," he gave both Tony and his girlfriend a parting nod. "See you later."
x-x-x
"I can't believe Stark built you a cobweb," Clint laughed as he rolled ungracefully into the large hammock that stretched pretty much corner to corner of the large room. Natasha chuckled from where she lounged near one of the edges of the large, bouncy structure, seemingly unfazed by the ripples caused by her companion's extra weight.
"You should see what he's having built on your floor."
Clint stopped rolling around and looked up at Natasha, eyebrow arched.
"He's building me a nest isn't he?"
"Full of nice, big, fluffy pillows!" Natasha confirmed, grinning widely. Clint rolled his eyes and continued to tumble about ungracefully trying to get comfortable. "I thought you spent time in the circus? Did you not use safety nets?" she laughed as Clint turned a half-hearted glower to her before finally settling and crossing his arms with a pout. Turning her lips into a smirk she arched an eyebrow. "Don't worry, the nest is big enough for two," the female shrugged innocently at the pointed look Clint shot her. "Speaking of which to what do I owe the pleasure of your company anyway?" she asked. "Your dear doctor's not working for the next few days."
Clint's brow furrowed slightly.
"I swear you know his shifts better than I do sometimes," he muttered. "For your information his cousin is getting married tomorrow so he flew home last night and comes back Monday."
Natasha's eyebrow arched slightly.
"Is he staying with his parents?"
"Yup."
"Do they know about you?"
Clint barked out a laugh.
"Hell no!" he shook his head. "I mean they know he's not going to be bringing home any girls although it doesn't stop his mother from asking."
Natasha pursed her lips.
"I'm guessing Cayden doesn't go home all that often," she commented, not waiting for a reply before continuing. "Have you spoken to him since he got there?"
"He called last night before bed," Clint smiled wryly. "He reckons his dad has told his mom to be on her best behaviour since she didn't say a word last night about his love life."
Natasha scoffed.
"A family wedding tomorrow? Someone is gonna ask about his love life. Handsome thing like Cayden should be beating the woman folk off with a stick."
Clint arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah – he was threatening to go for a jog tomorrow morning and jar his knee – take his cane to the wedding so he would have a good excuse not to dance with anyone."
An amused chuckle escaped Natasha's lips.
"That actually sounds like a good plan," she smiled. Clint hummed in agreement. Natasha finally opened her eyes and pulled herself up into a sitting position, levelling a critical eye at her friend. "So… everything ok with you two again now?"
Clint shifted, dropping his gaze from Natasha and screwing his face up slightly.
"Yeah, fine…" he grumbled. "Just a stupid fight."
"A stupid fight that went on for how long?" Natasha arched an eyebrow pointedly but she quickly shook her head as Clint's face scrunched up further, his shoulders starting to tense. "So… you wanna see the best thing about the web?"
The archer visibly relaxed.
"You mean other than the fact it is ridiculously comfortable?"
"JARVIS? Television please. Movie selection."
Clint rolled his eyes as a large flat screen television descended from the roof, angled toward Natasha.
"I'd better have one of those above my nest," he grumbled, rolling over and ungracefully crawling over to lay next to Natasha, ignoring her soft chuckles. "Pick something good."