Back In Time • Winterwitch

F O U R

     Clint Barton walked down the streets of Brooklyn, he was on his way back to his apartment, when, he saw a kid being beat up. He couldn't help but step in because of his own kids. 

    "Hey!" Clint said and the guy turned. "Pick on someone your own size," he warned but the guy laughed and went to punch Clint but Clint dodged and grabbed the guy's arm and twisted it before kicking him backwards. The guy ran away.

    "Thanks..." The kid said, Clint turned to him. He couldn't believe who it was... Steve... He heard he was small before the syrum but damn, was he small. 

    "No problem, you don't deserve that." Clint said as he smiled at his old friend.

    "Yeah, well, I just wish I could beat him myself." Steve said looking down, Clint smiled at that, the Steve he knew would beat that guy to the ground if he wanted.

    "Why didn't you run away?" Clint asked.

    "Cowards run. I'm no coward." Steve answered honestly and that made Clint smile again. This may not look like Steve but he is defiantly Steve.

    "Yeah, well, your brave, maybe a bit stupid, but brave." Clint said laughing a bit. "What's your name, kid?" He asked even though he already knew.

    "I'm Steve Rogers, who are you?" Steve asked.

    "Clint, Clint Barton." Clint shook Steve's hand, it was nice to meet Steve now because he didn't feel so lonely while Wanda was at Camp Leigh.

~~~~~

     Clint sat at the little cafe talking to Steve, he offered to pay for lunch as a thank you for helping him in the alley. 

    "You don't know how to walk away from a fight, do you?" Clint asked laughing after Steve told him how many times he's gotten into a fight.

    "No, not really." Steve just smiled.

    "Kid, you're stupid sometimes," Clint just shook his head.

    "I'm not a kid you know, I'm 25." Steve told him.

    "Really?" Clint asked not expecting it. "I'm sorry that sounded rude. It's just you don't look 25." He apologized.

    "Yeah, I know." Steve looked down.

   "That doesn't matter, you can be small but you can still be smart and sometimes smarts are better than being strong. Even being strong-willed is enough sometimes." Clint told him honestly.

   "Wow," Steve said shocked at his words. "Thanks, Barton, I appreciate it." 

   "No problem," Clint smiled as he took a swig of his drink.

   "You have kids, right?" Steve asked and Clint stiffened. "I'm sorry if I'm being too forward but the way to act, your a dad." 

    "I-It's okay..." Clint looked down. Four months away from his family. Yes, he was used to being away for long periods but this time he doesn't know if he will come back. "I'm just been away from my family for four months, so..." 

    "Oh, I'm sorry. It must hurt being away for so long. But, you'll see them again. You will." Steve reassured him. 

    Clint smiled at him as he sat back, holding onto every word that he said. To keep him going through the rest of the time here...

~~~~~

    Clint said goodbye to Steve before heading back to his apartment, once he got to it, he took off his jacket. He looked over to his bow. When he got sucked into the portal he had his bow and a set of arrows with him so... This was here now. 

     He sighed and walked over to the couch, he sat down and pulled a picture... It was of Laura and the three kids. He looked at it sadly, he couldn't help but feel sadness without them being here. He wanted to be with them so bad. But, he couldn't and theres a chance, he'll never go back.

    'You'll see them again' 

    Steve's words ran through his head a thousand times on end. Clint needed to hold onto that hope. It would be the only thing that held him down...