The Time That is Given Us

Chapter 1: Pretty Sure That's Illegal

I'm back! This is my first post in FOREVER and I actually wasn't planning on posting it yet, but this is an important date in my life, and I felt that warranted a comeback. :)

We're just going to jump right in here, and since there is an air of mystery in this chapter, feel free to make guesses as to the identity of certain people. :)
(Don't worry though, all will be revealed in time. And if you read the tags, it's kinda obvious).

Also, I know the beginning is a little suspension-of-disbelief requiring, but I really don't want to rewrite the whole scene so... yeah. I know it's unlikely, please no reality-checks 😅

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. And the mugger. Although I don't particularly want him.

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Clint couldn't wait to get back to the tower. He was tired, sore, and worst of all, soaking wet. He'd thought that he'd be back before the storm really started, but that didn't exactly go as planned. First a flat tire, then a punctured spare, then there weren't any ride-shares or cabs available because of a hurricane "warning". Please. The hurricane had definitely already started.

But he was only a few blocks away now, and soon he would be able to take a warm shower and drink a piping hot cup of coffee.

Then out of the corner of his eye, through the pouring rain, Clint saw something happening in the alley across the street. Stopping his fast-paced jog in order to get a better look (well, as good of a look as one can get when trying to see through sheets of rain), he thought it looked like... a mugging?

Great.

Cursing his inner hero, Clint ran through the traffic-jammed cars to the other side of the street amidst many honks and shouts. Standing at the corner of the alley, Clint made out a man in dark clothes and holding a knife pressing a teenage boy against the wall of the alleyway.

Sighing internally, Clint walked silently over the man until he was behind him. Then, he tapped the man on the shoulder.

"Ya know," Clint said calmly as the mugger whirled around, now pointing his small knife at the Avenger, "I'm pretty sure threatening random kids for money is illegal, but I might be wrong. What do you think?"

"Beat it," the mugger responded in a gravelly sort of voice. "Walk away an' no one gets hurt."

Clint cocked his head to the side, ignoring the unpleasant feeling of rainwater in his ear. "Are you sure? 'Cause before I came over here, it looked like someone was going to get hurt," he said gesturing to the kid, who still looked extremely freaked out (and understandably so).

The mugger growled. "I mean it," he spat. "Give it up an' go home already."

Clint shrugged. "Alright, I'll go home. But one thing first..."

And before the other man could realize what was happening, Clint had grabbed his arm, relived him of his weapon, and thrown him flat on his back. Tucking the small knife into his own belt, Clint crouched next to the man's stunned face.

"Now," he said in a business-like manner, "You will go turn yourself into the police. And if you don't..." here, Clint gave the man one of his worst glares, one he had learned from Nat, "I will know, and I will find you. Understood?"

The man on the ground nodded frantically.

"Good," said Clint, standing up. "Now go."

The would-have-been mugger scrambled to his feet and took off. Whether or not he was actually going to a police station, Clint didn't know. But either way, Clint had noticed a security camera mounted outside the door on the opposite side of the alley, so if he needed to track the man down later, he could. Besides, the man was unlikely to do anything else in this weather besides find shelter.

Clint then turned to the would-have-been mugged teenager. The kid, soaking wet just like Clint, had blond hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. He was dressed in a faded Batman hoodie, blue jeans, and muddy sneakers. The kid held a backpack to his chest, almost as if he was trying to prevent it from getting wet (it hadn't worked). Clint placed his age at around maybe sixteen.

"You okay?" Clint asked and the kid nodded, but didn't say anything.

Clint raised an eyebrow. "You know, most people would thank the person that saved them from getting mugged. But ya know, whatever."

The kid pressed his lips together tightly. Then, he made the ASL sign for "thank you".

Clint stared for a moment. He... was not expecting that. "You're welcome," he signed and spoke at the same time. "Are you deaf?"

The kid shook his head 'no'. "I just can't talk," he signed back.

Suddenly, a flash of light lit up the alley, and a moment later a giant BOOM rang out, startling both Clint and the kid.

"Do you have anywhere to stay during the storm?" Clint asked, suspecting the answer was no.

The kid froze, and stood looking at Clint for a moment before reluctantly shaking his head.

Clint thought about what to do. Well, he knew what his heart was telling him to do, but his brain gave several very good reasons as to why it was a bad idea. Eventually, though, his heart won the debate.

"You know," Clint said slowly, trying to not scare the kid off, "there's plenty of extra room at my place. If you want somewhere to stay dry."

The kid stared at him.

Then, after what felt like an eternity in the freezing rain (but in reality was probably only a few seconds), the boy gave a hesitant nod.

Clint smiled. "Great," he replied. "I only live a few blocks from here. I don't have a car, but if we run we should be able to make it inside before... well, I going to say before the storm gets worse, but it can't get much worse than this, can it?"

This got a (very) small smile from the kid.

"I'm Clint by the way," the man said as he and the teen started jogging in the direction of the tower. What's your name?"

The kid took a moment to answer, as if he was thinking it over. Eventually, he signed: "I'm Key."

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Yay! The first chapter! Now if I could just write a second one...

I know you might be wondering who the kid is, and how he got here, and I promise, it will be explained. In a few chapters. Or two. Or ten. I really don't know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Have a good day! Or night, if you're reading this at the time I'm writing it. ;)

- Ellie_R.