He Didn't See That Coming.

8.5

Three months after the accident, Kate was born. Two weeks after that, Barney's girlfriend left.

Clint found him curled up in the corner, sobbing.

"What's wrong?" Clint's barely understandable speech entered his ears.

Barney handed him the note.

I don't love you. Goodbye.

'She left it on the nightstand.' He signed. 'She left.'

Clint sat on the floor by his brother. "It'll be okay."

Barney shook his head. 'I can't raise a kid. Not like this.' He gestured to his unusable legs.

'Sure you can. I'll help out if you need me to.'

Kate started to cry from the makeshift nursery across the room.

Barney tried to pull himself into the chair above him, failing because of lack of upper body strength.

'What?'

'Kate's crying. Can you get her?'

Clint nodded, getting up. He walked over to the crib, lifting the baby gently. He held her in the crook of his arm, cradling her gently.

"Shh, shh." He tried to sooth her, rocking the infant softly while walking back to Barney, who was propped up against the wall.

He sat down again, handing her off to her father. Barney held her close. Clint could see his lips moving, but couldn't place what he was saying. Kate continued to cry, her little hands balling up into fists.

Clint stood, striding over to grab a bottle.

He handed it to Barney, sliding back down the wall to sit. 'Maybe she is hungry?'

Barney held the bottle for Kate to nurse off of. Her blue eyes fluttered shut as she actively sucked on the bottle. Barney knew she wasn't biologically his. He knew that his girlfriend was having an affair, and that it was only a matter of time till she left. But he didn't care. He still loved Kate, and he would raise her as his own.

Clint had no idea. He just thought Kate was the most precious thing in the entire world.

'I could take her for today, Barn. Get some rest.' Clint signed.

The redhead nodded, looking down at the floor as Clint picked him up off the floor, positioning him back in his chair.

Clint took Kate, walking out of the room. He scrawled a note that said he had gone to the roof and would be back soon. He then trekked up the stairs, sitting on the roof with Kate wrapped in a blanket. He sat on the ledge, stroking the thin black hair that tufted the baby's head.

"I love you, kid." He knew that even if she could comprehend what was going on, she wouldn't understand his speech. "I'm gonna help your dad raise you. It'll be okay. It'll all work out."

Kate looked up at him with big, curious eyes. He kissed her forehead, holding her to his chest.

"Everything'll be okay."

•••

Clint was pulled out of his trace by ten year old Kate poking him.