A Different Call

Talks of Giving

A.N. We're back to the witching hour update times.

Natasha's P.O.V.

"Laura already told the kids that they needed to be a little gentle with you," I told Clint as I pulled onto the long dirt driveway that switchbacked through the front of the property. "So please follow that rule. I'm not kidding Clint," I added as I saw the look, he gave me. "You're still in recovery."

"Yeah, I know I feel it every time that I stretch the wrong way in the morning. That's not going to stop me from playing with the kids." Clint always made sure that he had some playtime with Lila and Cooper whenever we visited, along with at least a little bit of one on one time with each of them. That was becoming easier too as Cooper was being pulled more toward sparing and tumbling that Clint had taught him while Lila was becoming more and more obsessed with archery each day.

"And neither of us are trying to stop you from doing that, but if you want to be able to teach either of them anything new, you need to make sure that you're making some sort of recovery. That means no sparing and no using your normal bow." Clint's shoulders were still recovering from their dislocation and the draw weight on Clint's work bow was going to reverse what progress had been made. "Besides that," I added as I put the truck and park and turned to face him, "This is the first time in ever that we've had a happyish break with no chance of getting called in by SHIELD. Let's enjoy it while we can."

"I can deal with that," Clint replied, turning to me with excitement in his eyes and a crooked smile on his face.

"Not like that you big oaf," I playfully pushed against Clint's chest.

"Is that an option though?"

I shook my head and I turned to grab our bags out of the backseat, "Depends...if you can be a good boy then maybe you'll get a reward."

"Ma'am yes, ma'am." Clint was still sporting his crooked smile, which I will admit made my heart flutter.

"Time to enter the war zone," I said opening the door. The kids were already standing on the porch, just waiting for us to open our doors.

"Uncle Clint, Auntie Nat," The two cried as they ran towards us. While Lila was the first one to reach the two of us she stopped early while Cooper stopped in front of Clint and gave him a hug, obviously being cautious of being too rough with his uncle. Clint ruffled one hand through Cooper's hair, before setting a hand between the boy's shoulders and waiting for him to finish.

Since Cooper had started school he had become a lot closer to his uncle, Laura thinks it's due to not having a dad like the rest of his classmates, and based on the tears that were collecting in the younger boy's eyes I didn't doubt her hypothesis. Not like Cooper would ever tell, he definitely inherited the Barton trait of stubbornness and hiding what hurt you.

The uncle and nephew moment didn't last very long though has Lila finally moved forward and tried to pull her brother out of Clint's grasp. "You're not supposed to do that Coop. Mommy told us and now you're hurting Uncle Clint."

Maybe it wasn't a good idea for us to facetime Laura and the kids while Clint was still in the early stages of recovery.

Clint got down on one knee so that he could look the six-year-old in the eyes. "When your mom told you that she meant that I can't do any of my cool tricks or pick you guys up, but no matter what condition, I'm always down for a hug from my favorite niece."

"I'm your only niece," Lila giggled out, but I'm sure Clint could see the apprehension that appeared in her eyes when she looked at her uncle's outstretched arms. The thought of a warm embrace from the man who was wrapped around her little finger won over any amount of worry though as Lila nestled into Clint's embrace.