Everything Now ••Winterhawk••

Should've Stayed in Bed

Tuesday September 4, 2018
(Red day)

Bucky stood with his arms crossed, staring at the boy tangled up in his blankets. There was about a half hour before they had to leave for school and Clint was still lightly snoring. He had already eaten and gotten dressed so all he needed was to get Clint ready.

"Get up," He groaned, giving the matress a good kick.

"Another hour.."

"School starts in 3 minutes."

That made Clint shoot straight up, his hair half in and half out of it's bun from the night before.

"What?! Why didn't you wake me up earlier?! God damnit, I'm gonna be late for French!" He scrambled to get up, tripping over the blankets and practically falling into Bucky's arms. The brunet was laughing loudly as he steadied his friend.

"It's 7:40, we're good," He grinned. "But I had to get you out of bed somehow."

"Oohhh my God I hate you," Clint whined, rubbing a hand across his face. Bucky couldn't help but stare.

"What, are my bags turning into suitcases?" Clint asked jokingly. Bucky laughed almost nervously.

"No, just thinkin, you wanna borrow some sweatpants or something?" He quickly covered his embarrassment by turning away to his dresser.

"Oh uh," Clint glanced at his jeans, which he had slept oh so uncomfortably in. "Yeah, please?"

Bucky nodded, tossing him the pair he'd specifically gotten for when Clint slept over and forgot clothes of his own. He simply excused it with 'it was labeled the wrong size'. It wasn't.

"Can I borrow a hoodie too..? I don't really wanna.. have boobs."

Bucky choked on his own loud, honking laughter.

"Of course," He nodded after finally getting his breath back, tossing him the Jacksepticeye hoodie he'd gotten when they'd all gone to see him at the Egyptian Room downtown.

"Thanks," Clint smiled, pulling it on over his tee. "Do you-"

"Coffee? Already done." Clint followed Bucky downstairs and into the kitchen where Bucky's mother, Winifred, was bustling about.

"Rebecca! Breakfast, now!" She called, placing another plate of bacon and eggs and toast down on the kitchen table.

"Morning, Mrs.Barnes," Clint smiled as Bucky handed him a mug of coffee. He took a large drink before sitting beside his friend.

"Good morning, Claire sweetie," Winnie hummed, setting a plate in front of him. "Rebecca!"

Bucky watched Clint as the blond's eyes fell to his cup. He wanted to say something but his middle sister threw that off the rails.

"Mom, Lucky actually ate my history homework!" Rachel whined as she held up a torn up paper. The golden retriever barked at mention of his name.

"I'm sorry, hon, I don't know what to say, I can email Mr. Harvey if you'd like."

"Please! I have to go or I'm gonna miss the bus!" The girl darted out the door before anything else could be said.

"Eat," Bucky said softly and gestured to the food. Clint wanted to shake his head but the stern look Buck was giving him made him pick up the fork and take a bite of eggs. God, was Winnie Barnes the best cook he knew.

"James, honey, can you go get your sister?"

"Rebecca!" Bucky leaned back in his chair and yelled, directing his voice down the hall and up the stairs.

"Coming!" Becca screamed back and stomped down the stairs. "God, I'm an adult, I can get up on my own."

"You're 14," Mrs. Barnes corrected.

"A freshman in highschool." For some reason Rebecca thought that made her seem older than she was.

"And I'm a senior, sit down and eat." Bucky sent her a smirk. She huffed and plopped down on the other side of Clint.

"I don't know how you're friends with him, Claire."

Again, Bucky watched Clint's shoulders slump.

"Yeah," he laughed softly but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Can I?" Bucky asked softly and Clint knew exactly what he meant.

"Don't worry about it-"

"Worry about what?" Rebecca butted in, shoving a piece of toast into her mouth.

"Is something wrong, sweetie?" Winnie turned and leaned her back against the sink so she could see the three.

"Uhm well," Buck paused. Clint sighed and nodded for him to continue. "Claire's not Claire. "She's" transgender."

"What?"

"He goes by Clint now."

"You're a boy?"

"Oh, sweetie," Winnie smiled as she moved to rest a hand on the side of Clint's face. "You're part of the family no matter what, okay?"

Clint's eyes glistened as he looked up and nodded. Mrs.Barnes kissed his forehead before returning to cleaning the pan.

"Well, I think that Buck better start questioning himself too, then," Rebecca smirked at her brother. He glared at her, confused and trying to find something to say as she got up and left the room.

"Don't mind her, honey," Winnie sighed. "But you better be on your way out."

Bucky nodded and stood, gesturing for Clint to stay while he ran up to grab his keys and both their bags.

"Do you want a hair cut, Clint?"

He was startled by the question and laid his fork down, turning to look at her.

"Uh-uh, yeah I guess so.." He didn't 'guess so'. He'd wanted one since sophomore year but his parents would never let him if he asked. "But my parents would kill me."

"Well, just tell me if you want one and I'll see what I can do, hm?" Winnie turned the sink off and gave him a gentle smile. Clint nodded, his own grin growing. He hopped up and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you so much." He whispered into her shoulder.

"It's no problem, sweetheart. You've been James' friend for so long, hon, I think of you as my own baby."

Clint nodded again and pulled away, dragging the sleeve of his hoodie over his eyes. "Thank you."

"Hey, you ready?" Bucky asked, glancing between his mother and his best friend for a moment.

"Uh, yeah," Clint sniffed. He chugged the rest of his coffee then crossed the room to take his backpack from Buck.

"Have a good day, boys! Oh and, James? Can you pick up Rosie from aftercare today? I have a case at the court house tonight and your father has the late shift. If you could-"

"Dinner, homework, and get them to bed?" Bucky knew the drill.

"Thank you, honey," She nodded.

"I will, see ya." He waved, directing Clint to the front door.

"Have a good day, Mrs. Barnes!"

"You too! Love you, baby!"

"Love you too, Ma!" Bucky called back, unlocking his car. "I hope you didn't mind me-"

"You're mom offered to give me a haircut." Clint tossed his bag in the back and climbed in to the passenger seat as Bucky started the car.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah." Clint said it as though he truly couldn't believe it himself either.

"She loves you, man," Buck laughed. "All us Barnes' do."

Clint didn't say anything else which led Bucky to pressing play to whatever CD was in the player. Halsey's Badlands got them to school just fine.