Metal Birds?

20: Almost Better

Clint was woken up a few hours later by his niece pulling on his arm. He opened his eyes and rolled over to look at her.

"What's up, kiddo?" He looked around and noticed it was still dark. "What time is it?"

"It's three."

"Oh, um, okay. Have a seat," he said, patting the bed beside him and propping himself up on his elbow. "What brings you here?" Lila shrugged and sat on the bed, crossing her legs.

"I can't sleep."

"Oh. Why is that?"

"I don't know. I woke up a few minutes ago and I can't sleep."

"Okay. Hey, you hungry?"

"Sure," Lila said with a shrug. Clint nodded and got out of bed and grabbed his phone from the nightstand, taking his niece's hand and heading down to the kitchen.

"Pop tarts?" he asked, rummaging through the cupboards. Lila nodded, a smile on her face. Clint grinned and grabbed two packets, ripping them open and popping them in the toaster. He grabbed two mugs and filled them with milk, putting them in the microwave. Lila looked up at him, confused, and he winked.

Clint stopped the microwave with one second left to go and scooped cocoa powder and sugar into the mugs, creating the perfect hot chocolate. He topped them off with whipped cream and handed a mug to Lila. The pop tarts popped up and Clint grabbed two plates, serving his niece two freshly toasted pop tarts as well. She smiled and they sat at the table.

"Uncle Clint," said Lila, "Where's Pietro?" Clint sighed.

"Well, he's at home right now."

"But you always bring him when you visit," she protested.

"Pietro and I got into an argument yesterday." Lila frowned. "It's okay, he called me earlier and we talked about it. His dog broke her leg and he wanted me to stay and help him but I had to come here and make sure you kids were okay," he explained, poking her nose.

"Oh. I guess that's okay then." Clint chuckled, nodding.

"I guess it is."

"Uncle Clint, when can we come visit you in the city?" Lila wondered, crumbs falling from her pop tart onto the table. Clint shrugged.

"That's up to your mom, kiddo, not me, sorry. Plus, you'd have to wait until your brothers got better."

"You're right. Hey, can we call auntie Nat?" Clint looked at the clock and sighed.

"It's a bit late, princess."

"Please? I haven't talked to her in so long! Please!"

"I'll see if she's awake first. If she is, maybe we can call her." Lila grinned and munched on her pop tarts, finishing one of them off and starting on the other. Clint pulled out his phone and shot Natasha a quick text. His phone rang a minute later.

"Clint, if you ever text me 'u up?' ever again, you'll end up be dead," she said, her voice a sharp whisper.

"Nice to hear from you too," he said with a smile.

"What's up?"

"I was just hanging out with Lila and she wanted to call you, if that's okay."

"What is Lila doing up at three in the morning?"

"What are you doing up at three in the morning?" he retaliated.

"I'm not a seven-year-old, Clint."

"No, you're not. Anyways, here's Lila." He passed his phone over to his niece. She smiled and held the phone to her ear, putting her pop tart down.