Hope Found

Friends

Hope POV

I drift in the darkness again but this time is different. I don't want to be here, I need to go back. I need to make sure Clint is okay. I need to see if the others are hurt. What if they are dead? What if there were more attackers? I try to fight the darkness, attempting to claw my way to the surface. It feels like I am not making any progress when I feel the darkness finally begin to give.

Slowly the darkness falls away and I become aware of my body. I am laying on a bed again or something else really soft. I feel a heavy pressure on my body and notice that I am still cold but I am no longer freezing or shaking. I peel my eyes open and glance around the dim room. I am back in the same room as before. I notice Steve asleep in the chair across from the bed his head hanging to one side bobbing up and down. I chuckle a little at the sight which immediately sends me into a coughing fit stirring Steve. He rushes over to the bed.

"Hey are you awake? How do you feel?" he asks concerned. I am beginning to get used to the concern that always seems to lace his voice around me.

I'm fine. Suddenly it all comes back to me. I try to fight my way out of the heavy covers but he pushes me back.

"You need to rest. You almost froze to death." I shake my head vehemently.

What happened? Is anybody hurt? Is Clint alive? Is he okay? I gasp as I remember exactly what happened.

"Everyone is fine. Clint is fine. You healed him. Do you remember?" he asks. I vaguely remember but I need to see it for myself. I try again to force myself out from under the crushing weight of the covers only to be pushed back again by Steve.

I need to see him. I need to make sure he is okay. I can hear the desperation in my weak voice. I don't know why but I just know that I have to see him. I have to make sure he is okay. Steve looks conflicted for a minute but seems to come to a decision.

"Stay here. I'll bring him to you, okay?" he asks backing away towards the door. I nod relaxing back into the bed. My war with the covers was exhausting. Suddenly I hear footsteps and soon Clint and Steve enter the room. I try to sit up and reach for Clint but I can't reach. He seems to understand and walks towards me sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What's wrong, Hope? I'm fine see?" he says motioning to himself. I ignore him and pressed my hand to his abdomen. I don't feel anything so I lift up his shirt slightly so I can see his stomach. There isn't even a scratch. I breathe a huge sigh of relief as I collapse back into the bed. Why is movement so tiring?

"Buy a guy a drink first," I hear Clint mutter as he smooths his shirt out. "Kid that was stupid. You almost died trying to save me. But I would probably be dead if you hadn't so thank you."

I don't know what to say. I don't understand why he is thanking me. He got shot because of me. He almost died because of me. No one has ever protected me before. I look up and meet his eyes. These people are so different from the others. They are unusually...kind. They are kind and caring. The weight in my chest grows even more as I feel tears leaking out.

"What's wro-" starts Clint worried after seeing the tears but I shake my head cutting him off. He and Steve stare at me. I take a deep breath and releases it. I know what I want to do. It is something I haven't wanted to do in years. I open and close my mouth several times before I can finally get the words out.

"Th-thank y-you," I say softly my voice raspy from the years of neglect. I meet their eyes taking in their shocked expressions. I don't know why but I needed to speak. I needed to say that out loud. Clint recovers first.