C҉R҉O҉W҉ | ᴍᴄᴜ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

VI - 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐧

A/N: I RARELY DO THIS BUT PLEASE READ UNTIL THE VERY END. I PROMISE, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD MISS. ALL I CAN SAY IS THERE'S A REASON I WAS GONE FOR A LONG TIME.

Y/N STEPPED INTO THE SICK BAY as Natasha was seated on the edge of the bed, her eyes weary. She looked up as he entered, her eyebrows raising in curiosity and surprise. But nothing as surprised Barton.

Clint, who had just emerged from the restroom, froze when he saw Y/N, a flicker of shock crossing his features. Seeing him standing there.

Unmasked and fully in control.

Y/N scanned the room briefly, his eyes settling on Natasha before shifting to Clint.

"It's time to move." He said.

Natasha straightened up, "Move where?"

"Manhattan. . .can you handle one of those jets? Cap said he needs a ride."

Clint, drying his hands with a towel, stepped forward, "I can."

Y/N turned to face Clint and for a moment, the latter smirked slightly, the corner of his mouth curling up.

"Next time, I won't take it so easy on you." Barton said, "I'll fire faster."

Y/N's expression didn't change, but there was a glint in his eyes. A subtle shift that hinted at amusement.

"Next time, try using trick arrows." He replied stoically, "You might have a better chance if I'm not expecting it. If I catch it then. . .at least I won't have a chance to break it."

Clint raised an eyebrow, considering the advice. There was no animosity in Y/N's tone, just a calm suggestion.

Clint gave a nod, acknowledging the tip, and then the room fell into a brief silence.

Y/N looked at Natasha, then back at Clint.

"Suit up." He said, his voice cutting through the quiet, "Cap's already waiting for us."

Natasha exchanged a glance with Clint, then nodded. There was no hesitation now, no doubt.

"I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting to see you in here." Clint said as he moved towards his gear, he paused, turning back to Y/N, "Especially after the way things went down last time."

Y/N shrugged, "Things change. Right now, we're all on the same side."

Clint gave a short laugh, nodding as he grabbed his bow.

"Fair enough."

As Clint strapped on his gear, Natasha stood, her eyes meeting Y/N's.

"You really think we can pull this off?" She asked, her voice softer.

"It's not about what I think." Y/N's gaze met Natasha's, "We don't have the luxury of second guessing right now. We move forward, we execute, and we deal with whatever comes next."

Natasha nodded, absorbing his words.

Y/N turned to leave, but before he stepped out, he paused, glancing over his shoulder.

"We've got one shot at this. Make it count."

With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Natasha and Clint to prepare.

Clint finished gearing up, casting a look at Natasha, "He's seems more chipper than I expected."

Natasha smiled faintly.