Hawkeye: Agony

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Nat's hand fell onto my shoulder as we all piled out of the helicopter. With a small tug, we came to a stop under the spinning blades, as the others wandered inside the small suburban cottage.
In the middle of the dirt road, we held the helicopter at a stand still.

She signed and mouthed, 'You know, we have a lot to talk about.'
'I know. Being dead isn't exactly easy,' I paused and my few screwed up a little, 'Did you make sure the kids went somewhere safe?'
She smiled, sad but warm, 'Only the best for my niece and nephews... You know I'll keep an eye on them.'
'I know as much as you, that they'll be safer not knowing me,' I glanced down at the floor and Nat's hand landed on the side of my cheek to raise my head again. Her thumb skimmed under my eye.
'They don't blame you for anything. Anything. Okay?' She stared until I nodded a little, 'You cared for them so well on your own.'
'We all did,' I corrected.
'Cooper's chosen himself a school to stay with, and the other two are in a SHIELD protected care system. One of the ones you vouched to make...' She smiled, 'You're helping them even now, and they know it.'

We pulled each other into a hug, which stopped when I felt her raise her head. She was looking at the house window where Barney stood with a concentrated expression.
She moved her head back behind mine to say, 'Be careful of him. He seems... too protective, all things considered.'
'You know, I tried to kill you too,' I joked with a small smirk, which earned me a rough jab to the ribs, 'Oww I'm kidding!' I said aloud, as a hand went to my chest with a chuckle.
'Don't test me. I might leave you here and never come back,' She smirked a little but it was soft, knowing she may not ever be able to return if the situation got worse back in SHIELD. She saw my face stiffen and weakly added, 'It'll be okay. You all just lay low... There's plenty of food to keep you muscle men at bay. Just make sure the kid doesn't run off...'
I glanced over at Wanda, 'I couldn't really stop her if I wanted to,' I smiled a bit, a little proud, 'And you're only saying that because you know as well as I do that she'll leave to go and find Vision. I wouldn't blame her though,' My mind wandered to Laura and my body started to feel broken, as if shattering a little more with the thought.. though it was probably just my adrenaline fading and my wounds making themselves seen again.

'I'll get him inside, you should go before the locals make a noise complaint...'
I felt Nat turn to speak to the shadow of Bucky Barnes who'd crept up behind her. Not that I didn't know he was lingering there.
' - He want me to say my goodbyes to you already?' I joked aloud but turned to Nat and hugged her anyway, muttering against her forehead, 'Stay safe,' before kissing her head as a goodbye.
'I didn't mean to_,' Bucky started as we backed up to watch the helicopter take off.
'I get it. The helicopter's probably pretty loud, right?' I said as I looked at him and then waved a hand by my ear.
He chuckled.
He chuckled?
Huh.
I suppose he isn't made completely of stone, but I guess we all needed a laugh after the day we'd had.
He carefully put an arm around my chest to help me walk inside, and I almost slapped him, but the moment he did and the pressure relieved a little, I almost fainted from the difference. I'd suppressed the pain to stay talking to her just a little longer.
'It's okay,' I gathered from his lips as he squeezed us both through the door. Even I heard the scratching of his metal arm against the slim doorframe. The sensation probably hurt me more than him.

**

Once we were inside, he sat me on the couch and turned to the room, as the four of us took a breath in unison. We finally took it all in; this new life with each other. Forever.

Wanda looked guilty but of course I knew why: she planned on leaving it all behind her very soon.

Barney looked angry, having to live with the 'two' people that he believed caused the problem.