Barton and the Baker

Chapter 13: Guns and Roses

Clint's POV

I knew something was wrong from the moment Bucky joined Tony, Bruce, and me back in the safe house. He was fuming before picking up a glass and shattering it against the wall.

"Whoa! What the hell, Buck?" Tony sat up from his lounging position.

"The fucking media cornered the girls when they were leaving the café this afternoon. All of them are pretty rattled..." he continued as I grabbed my phone to call you.

"Hey love," you answer, "How's the mission going?"

"It's fine. How are you holding up? Buck said the media kinda overwhelmed you guys as you were leaving." I attempt to keep my voice steady to not show how furious I am.

You sigh heavily, "Yeah, they did. They were saying some pretty awful stuff but I'm alright." I hear you chuckle, "Some of those were compliments compared to what I lived with. No," your voice softens, "I just hate it for Nat and Rebecca. They didn't ask for this shit."

"I know, Muffin, but you know those 2 can handle themselves. You all can." I finally say what I've been feeling, "I just hate that those spineless, slimy bastards waited until we were gone."

"Why?" You laugh, "You wanna be my big, strong protector?"

"Always," I whisper before Tony approaches me, tapping my shoulder to get us going. "Well, I gotta go, Muffin. I love you."

"I love you, Mr. Barton. Stay safe and I'll see you soon." When you hang up, I feel the ache deepen in my chest from being away from you. It's been 2 weeks since we've been in Bora Bora and I am so ready for another vacation. Although, I wouldn't mind a little vacation with just the 2 of us.

I think I'll talk to Tony about that, but not now. Now, we have to figure out who is sending Tony and the team cryptic messages about John being chosen as Captain America. We think it may be the same ghost Bucky has been chasing for a while called The Power Broker.

Y/N's POV

We wake up the next morning and by wake up, I mean, I climb out of my bed. I didn't sleep well without Clint here with me. I make my way down to the kitchen to find Nat already up and starting on the coffee. I stretch in Clint's T-shirt and a pair of shorts making Nat whistle teasingly. I grin, pouring myself a cup of coffee.

"You look like hell," she grins around her mug.

"I feel like it too," I groan, inhaling the smell of the heavenly hot bean water we have created. "So," I sit next to her, "What's on the agenda for today?"

She shrugs, running her thumb along the rim of her mug, "I thought maybe some shopping- if the media will allow it. We," she bumps me with her shoulder, "do need to hit the gym at some point. No point in you wasting that training. But then we could go to the spa or something."

I laugh, "All of that, but the training, sounds heavenly."

Rebecca bounds down the stairs, "Ok, let the girls' day begin!! I've got my mace and these muscles ready to take on anything and anyone today."

We laugh before making our way up to get dressed. I slip into a pair of jeans and a comfy black top. I grab my phone and sent Clint a quick text. I bite my lip and send another text to one of the numbers Nat gave me last night before slipping my phone into my pocket and heading out.

We make our way to a cute, secluded brunch spot and have breakfast before choosing a few lesser-known shops to stop into. I only buy a simple purple sundress that stops at my knees. We are only stopped by a couple of people that ask for pictures. We hit the gym for a little while (with Rebecca grumbling the entire time) before going to the spa. We get our hands, feet, and faces done before heading back to the compound. I stayed so busy that I completely forgot about checking my phone. When I get home, I have a couple of texts from Clint but one from the number I texted this morning.