Traitor

Chapter 12

Clint was tremendously grateful to have access to such effective medical care. Because of it, he could go about his day normally. Or, at least he was able to. Pietro wouldn't let him do much of anything since Clint was cleared to go to the living area. His hovering didn't cease hours after the fact. Clint couldn't decide if he was amused or annoyed by it.

Admittedly, he was shaken by what had happened too. He just expected Pietro to have moved on from it by now. He looked at Pietro, who was engulfed in a solo game of Mario cart. He wasn't paying any attention, Clint could just...

He had only begun to get up when Pietro's head snapped to look at him in alarm.

"Where are you going?" 

Clint was being pushed back gently onto the couch. "I was just going to get a snack." 

"I can get that for you."  He was back a few seconds later. Clint snorted when he saw Pietro's choice of a snack, which was sheepishly handed over. He held the green apple in his unsteady hand, mind made up.  "Pietro." he spoke barely above a whisper, almost as if he were scared of spoiling the gentleness of the moment. Pietro cocked his head to the side questioningly, a nervous smile pulling at his lips. Clint set the fruit aside.

"Yes?"

Clint swallowed, desperate to rid of the lump in his throat.

"You look devastatingly pretty tod-"

"Oh, shut up." Pietro murmured.

And just like that, persistent lips were being pressed onto Clint's. He hadn't counted on Pietro kissing him first, but it was so unbelievably breathtaking that he found he didn't mind at all. Clint's hands roamed up to cup Pietro's face as the kiss grew more intense, much like his feelings that had harbored over time. His touches lingered, cherishing the moment while it lasted. God, if only it could last forever.

Pietro didn't seem to want the moment to end either, his hands gripped Clint's shirt like a lifeline as though it was holding him down to earth.
Clint must've died and gone to heaven because Pietro's mouth was simply too heavenly to be real. The sudden moan that escaped said lips were a reminder that it was very much happening and Clint nearly lost his mind all over again.

It was only when the need for air became too great that Clint and Pietro separated with great reluctance.

Nothing needed to be said, they were content just staring at one another as their breaths intermingled as one.

"Pietro."

It took Pietro a moment to realize that his name wasn't called by the man he had just shared a special moment with.

Sam was standing at the doorway, an indecipherable look in his eyes. "Could I steal you for a bit, I think we need to talk." Clint's stomach dropped. Of course, after all of that there were still loose ends to be tied.

Pietro looked at him worriedly, he didn't want to go, they both knew that. Clint tried his best to look indifferent, he wasn't one to wear his emotions on his sleeve and allow others to see they've hurt him. "Go." He motioned for him to join Sam. "I was going to head up to my room anyway."

Clint went to do just that when Pietro called for him. Desperate to reassure him in any way, to let him know just how much the kiss had meant to him.

"You left your apple." Pietro blurted, he nearly slapped himself then and there.

"I've lost my appetite." Clint waved him off.

"Promise me we'll talk later." Pietro tried instead, all but pleading, eyes darting to Sam who had been growing impatient. Clint could only nod before taking his leave.

He was beyond exhausted, the game of cat and mouse that they had been playing was taxing. It only made Sam's strange involvement in it all the tipping point. Clint wasn't going to take much more, because through everything it all proved to be little to zero rewarding.

Though, now that he's had a glimpse of what could be, he doubted whether walking away would still be an option or not. He seemed to be tethered to the bastard, after all.

✯✯✯

Tony was tending to his bots gloomily.
He knew Dum-E sensed his mood because he let out sad beeps as he was being wiped down.

Tony could only pat the melodramatic bot. "I know, bud." Something ached deep in his chest when he glanced over at his half finished arm. Tony felt oddly comforted knowing he wasn't the only one who missed having Bucky down at the lab. He was there more often than not, chatting away and not at all contributing anything to the arm making (which is what he was originally down there for).

They mostly just enjoyed each other's company, Bucky loved to hear Tony drone on about anything in the world. It was a comfortable dynamic, one Tony had to let go of. Easier said than done, huh.

"Sir, Mr. Barnes wishes to come into the lab."

Tony's stomach gave a rather unpleasant swoop.

He knew this would happen, obviously. Normally Bucky wouldn't even need to ask for any access, he'd be granted entry automatically. Tony hadn't wasted time in instructing his AI otherwise. He had to prioritize his partner.

This is what all of this was for, Steve.

"Deny him entry, Fri." With a heavy heart, Tony went to work on one of his cars. Bucky loves these cars, Tony thought absently. "Sir, he appears to be-"
"Mute." If he heard any more, he'd give in. Tony continued to work in the comfort of his lab, alone.

✯✯✯

Bucky was struggling to pull himself together, the tight feeling in his chest was weighing him down. The anxiety that had been bubbling up all day
had finally surfaced. Bucky knew Tony no longer wanted anything to do with him, he had known it would happen all along. He hadn't been strong
enough in the end, Tony had taken one look at the Winter soldier and decided he didn't want to continue their unlikely friendship

And god damn, it hurt more than anything.

"Buck." The soldier turned to see Steve practically strutting down the hall, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. "What's up?" Bucky hesitated.
"Nothing... I was just headed up for some rest." Steve nodded sympathetically.
"Take some time for yourself, you need it." Bucky nodded and turned sharply. "And, Bucky." Steve called after him.

Bucky stopped in his tracks. "I hate to have to tell you this but Tony doesn't really want to speak to you anymore." Bucky was glad he wasn't facing the other man, because he was sure heartbreak was painted on his face. "He feels unsafe after the whole.." Steve didn't have to finish, they
both knew exactly what he was talking about.

"I didn't want to be the messenger but my boyfriend comes first. I hope you can respect his wishes.
Bucky closed his eyes, feeling devastatingly alone all of a sudden. "Of course, see ya Stevie."
And he was gone.

Steve smiled, pleased. That was done and out of the way and now he'd have a nice evening with his Tony.
Yes, everything was falling into place.

Ya'll, I was originally going to upload this chapter on my birthday (October 11th) but I was at Universal Studios and ended up being too busy. Anyway Hawksilver moment?! Love.

I am officially the legal age of consent in Texas... google it.
HOW OLD ARE YA'LL?
Love you all, thank you so much for your kind words on my last post <33
~Rosi