the breakfast club [ avengers ]

quattuor

"I'm so damn bored. I wish I could just do some calculus or something," Tony groaned with his cheek pressed firmly onto the tabletop. His eyes glanced at the three other students he could see- all had their heads resting on their tables with sleepy breaths coming from their lips.

"I'm just gonna pretend that I didn't hear that, Stark. If you say something that stupid again, I'll be compelled to beat your ass for being such a fucking saddo," Clint rose to a straight backed sitting position and narrowed his eyes at Tony.

"I'm surprised you even know what compelled means, Barton," Tony snarked back. Clint tried to glower back but he couldn't help but allow the corners of his lips to turn up slightly in a rare and quiet smile.

"Shut your mouth or I'll wipe the floor with you."

The smaller boy coughed to cover a cough and placed his head back onto the table. Clint sensed that this was a new side of the Stark heir that not many had ever seen- one that allowed himself to laugh and to stand up to people in his own way. He was pretty sure that the school's bullies left Tony alone for the most part- he was one of the richest teenagers in the city- probably the country. The only stick that Tony would get from the other rich kids would be for him being new money- being from a family that actually worked for their wealth instead of it being passed down from generation to generation along with titles and estates.

Since Coulson had been made Principal, there had been many changes to break down the strong walls that surrounded each clique and integrate the school to a more acceptable standard. Clint was the only person in his family that had even come close to gaining a high school diploma and he was sure that if it wasn't for Coulson's kind heart and incorruptible morals, he wouldn't have that title.

You see, Clint had never really thought about his future. From a young age he had assumed that he'd follow his father and uncles into the army and end up being blown up or butchered during his first tour in some far flung hellhole that the US had no real reason for sending him to. A less bleak future he had imagined included him going to Riker's for either robbery or narcotics distribution, this was more likely in his opinion. However since being accepted into Marvel by Coulson, he had allowed himself to dream, to hope for a better future- a life that wouldn't conclude in a violent death or a slow rotting behind steel bars, caged like a dangerous animal.

He found himself excelling at gymnastics, not in class of course, but after school he had permission from Coach Thanos to use the gymnasium as long as it was empty and do as he pleased. He had realised that he had a knack for acrobatics, martial arts- which Coulson's wife Melinda taught him- and weirdly, archery. Academically, he had surprised himself and Miss Maximoff with his proficiency in German, Russian and Latin and he had even briefly considered joined the Cultures Club- until he remembered how hard he'd fought to keep his tough guy reputation and decided he wasn't willing to risk it.

Clinton Francis Barton finally had choices. And he decided that he was not going to follow his brother's poor example of how to live a life.

"As sad as he is, Anthony has a point. I'm going to end up dying of boredom by the time this detention is over," Natasha yawned with Steve nodding his head lightly in agreement. Even Barnes on the back table seemed to agree.

It was only about 10:45- a time where he'd usually be halfway through a session of Aikido or Krav Maga with Ms May. She had hidden her disappointment well when Clint had told her that he wouldn't be able to make practice because of his detention, but the glint of annoyance and being let down still shone in her eyes, until he promised that he'd try his best in future to not get caught doing his next punishable plan. At that she had smiled and laughed; which resulted in Coulson throwing a huff and exasperated eye roll at the two of them.