On the Run Together

Chapter 4: Sticks and Stones and Knives and Fists

Clint and K drove for a while until they found a good place to stay, several cities away from where they had found Barney's circus, though it was on the list of tour stops. After all, K fully intended to follow through on her threat — and to make sure Jacques stayed on his best behavior.

Clint was grateful for that, too, because even if Barney thought that he was too old for foster families now — even if Clint thought Barney was full of it and was still small enough that someone would want him like maybe K or someone like her — Clint knew that his brother really did need someone to look out for him, and if it couldn't be Clint, then he was glad it was K.

But because they would be staying in the city for a little while, that meant that they actually were going to stay put... and that meant they didn't have to camp out. Instead, K took the opportunity once they got into town to do a little nosing around until she found a little cottage that they could rent for a few weeks, including the weeks that the circus would be in town.

"So, alright," K said as they settled into the cottage. "I know I said campfire food was the best, but I really am in need of something a little ... slower."

"Like... chewy stuff that takes forever to eat?" Clint said, scrunching up his nose. "Like celery? Eww."

"Like ... maybe some stew. Or a steak that isn't charcoal kissed. And in the morning? Swedish pancakes."

Clint's eyes were wide. "Oh wow," he said. "That... that sounds really good."

"It is," she promised. "Though I doubt we'll find the berries I want. Strawberries and raspberries will have to do."

"Well, what kinda berries do you want? Maybe I can find 'em!" Clint offered.

"Lingonberries," she said. "They grow wild in the forests of Sweden." She shook her head with a little laugh. "Is there anything that you've been missing?"

Clint chewed on his lower lip as he tried to think of it. He'd eaten whatever his foster parents had put in front of him, so he hadn't really thought about it before, but... "Well," he said slowly. "Mom... she used to make baked potatoes with everything on them." He smiled softly. "We'd make it a game — how many things can you stack on the potatoes before they fall over?"

"That sounds fun," she said, nodding. "We'll make a list and get some things and try that out."

Clint grinned at that. "Mom used to put Ranch dressing on hers. Instead of sour cream? Isn't that silly?"

"Everyone has different tastes," K replied diplomatically. "If she liked it, it's not silly."

Clint nodded at that. "And she always made sure she made chili, because Dad..." He paused, and the smile dropped. "Well, he liked it just so."

"Alright. What did you like, though?"

"I don't really like chili on my potatoes," he told her in a wide-eyed whisper. "I like cheese. And — and sour cream!"

"I like cheese and bacon," she said with a smirk.

"So does Barney," he told her, grinning.

"Good taste on that kid," she laughed. "So ... tonight? Do you want to do the potatoes, then?"

"Can we please?" Clint asked.

"Absolutely," K agreed. "Let's go get our shopping done, and then we can start cooking. Sicem will wait for us here. I think he needed a break from camping too." She tipped her head to where the dog was stretched out on his back — all four feet limp in the air and his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth as he slept.