Become Another Person (On Hiatus)

XIII

This is an interesting chapter and it will have a part two next week. Happy Tuesday and happy BAP update! Enjoy xo

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Clint shielded his eyes with a hand as he blinked away the too bright light. He couldn't see anything past the shadowed shape of his forearm, but already he didn't feel right. 

"Clint? Clint, what's wrong?"

Tony? That was definitely Tony's voice. As Clint's eyes adjusted, his suspicions were confirmed and the broad, shiny form of Tony's suit- sans helmet- came into view. Did Tony kick down his door again? He was going to be so angry if-

There was no door. There were no walls. He wasn't in his bedroom, Clint surmised as he looked around. They were outside. The hand not covering his face was pressed to cold cement and the air smelled like spring flowers and the distinct scent of magic. What the hell was going on?

"Tony," Clint started but realized he didn't know what to say.

Tony was kneeling in front of him in an instant and both hands were rubbing soothingly along his shins. "I know this is hard, but we have to know."

"What?" Clint questioned, a headache forming as he finally lowered his arm. "What's happening?"

Tony looked worried for just a moment before a look of pity overtook his face. "It's alright, Clint. We'll get him back. We won't stop until we do."

The sadness in Tony's voice took Clint off guard. Had something happened to Steve? Bruce? Him? "Tony, what's wrong?" Clint asked, sitting up straighter. 

Then Tony look very confused and leaned over to press the back of his gauntlet to Clint's forehead. JARVIS's voice called out a solid ninety-nine degrees, making Clint startle. "Was that JARVIS? What is going on Tony?" He was becoming more and more aware that something was terribly wrong. His hackles were rising and all of his muscles tensed for combat. "Where are we?"

"Strange's, Clint. He said he had news," Tony informed him with a narrow of his eyes. "Clint, are you sure you're okay?"

"Strange? Stephen Steve? I didn't know we'd found him." He ran his hand through his hair. "I was just in my room with..." He didn't want to set Tony off by saying the god's name, but apparently, he didn't need to say it for Tony to know who he was referring to.

"Oh, buddy. I know it's hard, but Loki needs you."

That was not at all what he expected, making Clint stand and stumble back from the man that looked like Tony but couldn't be. His breathing was starting to go shallow and rough. "Excuse me? Why are you being so cool right now?"

"One of us has to be," Tony quipped and that sounded more like him. "We all miss him, but I know you miss him more."

Clint held up both hands to halt the onslaught of Tony's confusing words. "Woah, no. Who are you? We don't miss Loki. He won't go away. You hate Loki. I hate Loki most of the time." He realized right after saying it, his words were almost a confession.

Tony just laughed, but it was tense and laced with worry. "I know you're upset, but if Loki could hear you say that, we both know he'd do something to your ass I don't want to think about." He crossed his arms over his metal chest and cocked a brow. "We don't hate Loki. You especially don't hate Loki if those fading hickeys are anything to go by." 

Clint's hand went to his neck instantly, scared of what was there. Loki hadn't given him any- did he? Clint hadn't looked in a mirror in a couple of days. Had Loki sucked a bruise into his skin while Clint laid with him. It didn't seem like something for the god to do without Clint's permission, but then, it was Loki. "It's not what you think." His blood pumped viciously under his skin.