"Whatever it is, I didn't do it."
After dinner, Laura went upstairs to put the kids to sleep and Clint asked Victoria to stay behind. She spurted the first thing that came to mind, causing her father to laugh.
"You're not in trouble. I just wanted to tell you something."
"Okay?"
"We've been called back to the base, but only in a few days," he started. "I'm telling you this so you don't get upset again. Now, I understand that you may wish to stay—"
"—Stay? No way! I'm going. I want to kick ass with my dad."
"Sweetie, this isn't like training with Auntie Nat and I. This is real—"
"—And yet I'm not allowed to worry when you go off to fight an army of aliens right after we got news of you being brainwashed?"
Clint hushed after that, he knew how worried Victoria was during Manhattan. She wasn't allowed to go to New York after her dad was put under Loki's control, Laura said it had torn their daughter up so much.
"I don't want to fight Vic, I just wanted to let you know."
"Well thanks dad, but I'm coming."
"I'm afraid to say that you are," Clint sighed.
"Dad," she gripped his hand. "I'll be fine, I promise. I'll stick to the side of someone in the team – obviously not Bruce or Tony, for obvious reasons – but I'll be safe."
"Okay sweetie, now I suggest that you go get some rest. You do have school tomorrow."
Victoria groaned, trying to bargain with her dad – but he just shooed her to her room. She hated school, and despite every teenager feeling as she did, she had a reason to. Hopefully she didn't see this reason tomorrow.
***
"Go away."
"Come on sweetie," Clint shook his daughter slightly. "Up and at 'em."
"Go away."
"Don't make me call your mother."
"Fine," Victoria sat up, squinting at her father. "Now get out so I can get done to go to hell."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After he shut the door, Victoria threw on clothes for the day. Outside was chilly, making her slip on a hoodie over her jeans and shirt. Her boots stood next to her door, awaiting her feet to be slipped in.
After brushing her teeth, putting her hair into a braid and unplugging her phone, she made her way to the kitchen for an apple and coffee. Lila and Cooper sat eating cereal and Clint was on the phone, Laura out of sight – probably still asleep.
"You filthy liar," Victoria complained to her dad. "Mom's still asleep."
The archer gave his daughter a smirk, ending the call. He waited till she had finished her coffee and apple, before getting the car keys.
"Ready?"
"No."
"Too bad."
The car ride was silent, Clint ignoring his daughter's pleading eyes for him to turn around and go back home. Once they arrived, he gave his daughter a big smile.
"Have a good day, sweetie."
"I hate you."
"Love you too."
Victoria climbed out, rolling her eyes about twelve times before actually crossing the doors into her school. She didn't have any friends that she hung out with – sure, she had people to talk to and stuff, but it was easier than having to explain her father being a superhero (as well as herself) to everyone.
"Hey princess!"
Shit.
Keep walking Victoria, keep your head down and keep walking—
"I'm speaking to you!"
Victoria stopped dead, putting on her best fake smile and turning around to face the dickhead surrounded by his buddies.
"You obviously didn't get the part where I'm speaking to you, Vikkie."
"And you obviously didn't get the part where I'm ignoring you, asshole," she scoffed. "My name is Victoria."
She turned around, ignoring Adam and making her way to her locker. She shoved her bag into it, and was about to take her books out before the door was slammed shut.
"That was rude, baby," Adam rose an eyebrow.
"We broke up a year ago, Adam. I think this is the part where you give up for some other whore."
She began to walk away, when Adam grabbed her wrist – causing Victoria's reflexes to kick in. She grabbed his arm with her other hand, twisting it in a way that he had to let go. She twisted the wrist further, tempted to break it.
"Keep bothering me, and you'll be dealing with more than just a broken wrist."
