marvel one-shot collection

let me out

A/N: This is a part of a college alternative universe in which Clint Barton is selectively mute.

Warning — Stephen Strange is a MAJOR asshole.

— + —

Clint slid out of bed as his stomach growled loudly, heading for the door. He tried to open it, but the knob only jostled slightly. It wouldn’t open — immediately panic rose in his chest, and he furiously attempted to get the door open. No, no, no —

Stephen or Tony had locked him in his room. That was the only logical possibility. “L-let —” he tried, his voice hoarse from lack of use. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t speak — it was just too much effort.

He fell against the door, sobbing, just as a voice sounded on the other side. “I’ll let you out if you can form a full sentence,” Stephen laughed. “Or are you too scared? You can talk, we all know it. You just don’t want to.”

“Pl —” Clint choked on the word; he trembled violently.

“That was hardly even a syllable, Barton. But I can wait, don’t worry.”

Clint sniffled and banged a fist against the door. He wished he could do it, he wished so badly, but he couldn’t.

He feared he never would.

— + —

Three hours later, he finally did.

“Let me — let me —” He squeezed his eyes shut. “L-let me o-out.”

And finally, the door opened. He toppled to the floor, right at Stephen’s feet. The older male grinned down at him deviously. “Now, was that so hard?” he asked.

Clint didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Never again.

Never again would he speak for someone like Stephen.