Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 66: Clint Barton

Chapter Sixty-Six

Clint Barton

Milky Way Galaxy

Sol System

Nine Realms / Planet Earth

He didn't really think while he drove. No, that was a big pile of stinking bullshit, he was thinking about a lot of things, he just tried very-very hard not to. He was squeezing the steering wheel too tightly and he was going way too fast, but he didn't even attempt to slow down or relax.

Loki... Loki, Loki, Loki, that son of a cock-loving whore.

Being angry at Loki was an old and familiar burn in his chest. He learnt to live with it, use it when possible and ignoring it like a champ. That old shimmering burn flared up again, but he wasn't even sure whether it was actually Loki that caused that or Tony Fucking Stark.

His head was a mess. He just didn't want to think it through... he couldn't think it through. He went with instinct. His instinct told him to speed towards Stark's mansion, told him to stop right at the front door while the tires screeched as he suddenly hit the brakes. He gripped the wheel tightly for another second, just staring ahead of himself and taking a few large breaths. He got out of the car then and marched up to the front door.

The glass door opened as he reached it, letting him inside immediately, so he marched inside without slowing his steps for a moment.

'You're that Barton guy, aren't you?'

He stopped and turned towards the female voice right away. The voice belonged to a green chick with pointy ears and that alone should've been enough to faze him for a bit, but it didn't really.

'I'm here to see Stark... and Loki,' he told her.

'I know,' said the woman... no, just a girl really, even if a well-built one. 'Come on then,' she nodded with her head. Clint followed, because why the hell not, she was obviously one of Stark's crew, so they were most likely heading towards him.

'You're lucky Hatchet's not back yet,' she said without turning back.

'Can we skip the chit-chat?' Clint asked. He could've used this opportunity to gather more information, but honestly? He didn't give a rat's ass about gathering intelligence for SHIELD right now.

'Oh, you're gonna be a joy to have around,' the girl said, but before Clint could reply Stark showed up on the stairs, walking towards them.

'Barton. It's good to see you again, it's been a while.'

'No bullshit, Stark. Where is he?'

'How about we have a few words before-'

'I said no bullshit,' Clint repeated. Stark opened his mouth again to speak, but this time he was interrupted by a new voice. Clint did not tense, he was quite proud of that.

'Oh, let him be, Stark. He's stubborn enough not to be deterred from his goals,' Loki said as he leisurely walked down the stairs.

The way he walked down was hauntingly familiar and bizarrely new. He was wearing tight black pants with a dark green henley instead of heavy leather, so that was weird. He looked lighter and slimmer, but it did not diminish the usual air of danger and sharpness from around him. It didn't matter what he wore, he could look equally menacing in a dark suit or heavy Asgardian armour.

Clint did not take his eyes off of him as Loki reached the ground floor and refused to take a step back or move in any direction when he got closer. He resisted the urge to cross his arms over his chest. Instead he clenched his hands and kept them firmly by his sides.