Red Assassin ~ Pietro Maximoff x OC

three ~ ultron

edited 1/27/2022

author~chan: this isn't really super important in establishing kat's character or her part of the storyline, but it is here because a) we need to introduce ultron, b) we need some filler chapters and c) because i don't feel that this book would be complete without it. a bit more of kat's relationship with clint is established here—she's closest to him and nat—but if you want to, you can skip this chapter.

Clint POV

It really does hurt to see Kat throwing away her second chance. Most people don't get one.

"Everything okay, Clint?" Nat asks, drink in hand.

"Yeah. I'm just worried about Kat," I answer, looking up at where she and I were sitting.

"Where's she going?" Nat asks.

"She went to bed a couple hours ago. School night," I reply.

She nods in understanding. "You know she sees you like a father figure a bit?" Nat says, taking a sip of her drink. "She's a tough nut to crack, but we're her family."

It kind of takes Nat saying it for me to see it. Nat's the big sister who guides Kat through life. Steve's always been the mom friend in the group and he's been the best at keeping her on the straight and narrow. Bruce is the smart older brother who helps with homework. Tony's the latchkey older brother who's self-absorbed but comes around when he's needed and is good to play video games with. My fatherly side does come out with Kat. Thor...I don't know about him.

"After hearing how rough she had it, I just...I don't want to see her get hurt," I say. "I don't want her to lose out on her second chance at being a kid. That's something you never got."

"Yeah. Sometimes I wish I had that chance." She smiles wryly for a second. "She doesn't talk much about her life, past or present. You ever notice that? The other day, I went snooping through her room to try to find any indicator of a friend or something to make sure she's doing okay and I came up with nada. Even teenage me had a crush at one point."

"I worry about her like I worry about Lila and Cooper," I admit. "She's suffering, and I want to help her so bad, but it feels like I can't do a damn thing about it."

"Oh, sure you can," Nat says. "You can love her. Remind her that she's not who she used to be. She can be whatever she wants now. Speaking of which, how's the fam?"

"They're good. I want to introduce Kat to them sometime soon. Maybe summer break?" I reply. "She could use it. And you know Laura, always willing to help someone like her."

"You're a good egg, Barton," Nat says, elbowing me gently. "I'm joining the guys. I think they're starting the hammer debate again." I decide to join her, grabbing a couple extra beers on my way down. I'm not doing this sober.

"The hammer thing again?" I ask, reclining on the sofa and putting my feet on the coffee table. Picking up a random pair of drumsticks, I start spinning them between my fingers mindlessly.

"Well, of course. These mortals think they're worthy," Thor says.

"But it's a trick!" I say, feeling the liquor kick in.

"No, no, it's much more than that," Thor says, knocking back another shot of that Asgardian mead.

"Ah, yes. Whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power!" I say in a deep voice, mocking Thor. "Whatever man, it's a trick," I add in my normal voice.

Thor gestures to the hammer. "Please. Be my guest."

If Kat were here, she'd have her phone out to shamelessly record this whole thing and probably use it for blackmail later. "Fine. I'll do it." I set down the drumsticks and take my place in front of the hammer.