The Fight You Couldn't Win

Chapter Eight

Later that day...
You were alone in the living room of the tower. A phone started ringing, but it wasn't yours. You saw it was Clint's, so you decided to answer it.

"Hey honey."

"Hi dear."

"Y/n?"

"Hi, sorry Laura. Clint left his phone on the couch."

"Oh. Where is he?"

"Don't know to be honest. Around here somewhere."

"Okay, well I was just calling to say happy birthday to him so I'll just call him back later. Bye y/n-"

"Laura, wait."

"Hm?"

"Why were you calling to say happy birthday? Can't you say it in person later?"

"I'm not seeing Clint today."

"Why not?"

"Because Lila's car seat is broken, so I can't drive up there. And Clint texted me this morning saying he can't come home at least until tomorrow."

"Why?"

There was a pause on the other end of the phone. You knew the answer to your question already anyway.

"I think you know why y/n."

"Yeah I do" you sighed. "I'll tell Clint to call you back."

"Thank you. I hope you feel better."

"Mm. Bye Laura."

"Bye sweetie."

She hung up the phone but you didn't immediately take it away from your ear. You sat still for a while in thought. You were a little mad at Clint; you prepared to tell him that before he entered the room not long later.

"Hey have you seen my phone?" he asked as he walked over to the couch. He spotted it in your hands. You didn't say anything. "What are you doing with my phone?" he laughed.

"Clint you are so annoying" you sighed.

"Rude."

"Cooper and Lila want to see their dad on his birthday!"

"Laura called?"

"Yes. And I'm sure she wants to see her husband on his birthday."

"Y/n-"

"Why don't you just go home? I'll be fine."

"Because I know you, and you won't go to the hospital on your own."

"Then Natasha can take me, and you can go home to see your family."

"You forget you're my family too y/n. And I've got to know you're okay."

"Obviously I know that. But I don't want to be the reason your birthday is ruined."

"It isn't ruined. Sure, I miss the others, but I'd rather postpone seeing them for one day than go home and be miserable knowing I left you alone when you weren't okay."

"For the last time, Clint, I am okay! And I'm definitely not alone! Literally everyone else is here, including Natasha who knows about everything and can look after me just as well as you can!"

"I'm just trying to help you."

"I don't need your help! I can look after myself! Just go home for fucks sake!" you yelled and stormed out the room.

You knew Clint wanted to help, but sometimes it just annoyed you because it's not like he can magically fix everything. He can't actually do anything except be there for support. Which you appreciated but sometimes it was just infuriating how little either of you could do.

You started making your way back to your room but stopped before you got there.

Your heart was pacing inside your chest.

'Just stress' you thought.

You placed your hand on the wall to lean against it as you caught your breath. You turned and pressed your back against the wall, then slid down until you were sitting on the floor.

You just needed a minute.

You closed your eyes as your mouth opened so you could breath steadily.

---

Steve lowered you down onto your bed.

Moments ago, he had found you passed out on the floor just outside your room.

He pulled the covers up to your shoulders then sat down next to you and tucked your hair behind your ear.

You woke up. You were tired and wanted to go back to sleep, but you groggily opened your eyes to look up at Steve.

"Capsicle" you mumbled. "What're you doing in here?"

"Y/n you passed out in the hallway" he told you. "I carried you in here... mind telling me what happened?"

"Tired."

"Sure that's it?"

"Mhm."

"Okay. I'll go so you can get some rest."

"Mm" you moaned in disagreement. You shuffled over in bed and hugged his arm before he could get up.

He didn't mind so he made himself comfortable as you fell asleep again.