On the Run Together

Chapter 11: Make a Deal with the Devil

The circus' last performance couldn't come quickly enough for Clint's tastes — he was counting down the days until they got to go pick up Barney. And of course, they got there a few days early so that they could be sure they would catch him before everyone split and went their separate ways.

By the time the circus arrived, Clint couldn't wait for the performance to be over. He just wanted to bring Barney back home with him so they could hang out for more than just a little while at a time — and he wanted to tell his big brother all about exploring with K and to show him around the cottage and the area around it and... he just couldn't wait.

He spotted Barney as he was helping the others set up, and Clint all but skipped over to where his brother was. By that point, most of the circus performers knew who Clint was and were used to him helping his brother with his chores, so they didn't say anything as Clint slid in beside Barney and started to help him unload.

"Guess what!" he all but sang to Barney.

"Chicken butt," Barney said without missing a beat.

Clint laughed and shook his head. "No. I saw a bear!"

Barney raised an eyebrow at Clint. "Yeah?"

"Yeah!" He grinned. "Me and K went out on the trails and we were hiking and this huge bear was on the path and he stood up when he saw us!"

At that, Barney turned to face Clint better. "No kidding?"

Clint nodded. "It was kinda scary at first, but then it was pretty cool," he said with obvious relish. "Maybe we can see a bear while you're with us!"

Barney frowned and glanced back down at his hands. "Yeah... I dunno, Clint."

"What?"

"Well, it's a real long time for me to not be working with Jacques..."

Clint's entire expression fell as he stared at his brother. "But... but you said...."

"Yeah, I know," Barney said without looking up. "But Jacques said—"

"That's not fair!" Clint said, obviously getting worked up to an honest-to-goodness tantrum.

"I have a target range," K said, trying to cut off this nonsense at the pass. "And if I have to, I can throw for you so you know I'm not leading you astray."

"I dunno," Barney said quietly.

"What? Don't think I can do it?" K asked, tipping her chin up with her hands on her hips. "I'll arm wrestle him too."

Barney couldn't help but smirk at that. "No... I bet you can. But I gotta get Jacques' permission — or he might not teach me in the spring," he explained.

"You've talked to him already?" K asked gently. "Because if you have, then the next step is for me to ask nicely."

Barney bit his lip and then nodded. "He said no," he admitted.

She didn't even nod before she simply started toward his trailer. "Be back in two shakes." She took a moment to apply her lipstick again on her way across the grounds and was sure to try and push the growl down as she relaxed her posture and knocked, honestly deciding to go for 'nice' and see where that went.

When Jacques opened the door, he scowled when he saw K. "You're back."

"I am," she said in a relaxed tone. "And I'd like a peace treaty."

"That's a change."

"Yeah, well ... the fact remains that we need to talk, and I'd like to not have this as a confrontation every time."