When The War Dies Down

Chapter 12

AN: Basically, it's a chapter about Clint. I hope you enjoy it, because it's paving the way for a lot of character development!!!

*Cuba*

They watched the TV in amazement. Did they seriously just say that?

Steve was stunned. He had always assumed Rhodes would be team captain. It was a given, since he was Tony's best friend, a formidable fighter, and had a pretty high status in the military. But Hope? Steve wasn't ready for that. He knew that she had the wasp suit, and wasn't necessarily a bad fighter, but was she cut out to be team leader? The new avengers apparently thought so because they had voted her in.

"Body positivity. Huh." Natasha muttered. It wasn't a bad campaign, and they were certainly excited for it. They all looked happy and healthy, which Natasha knew was partially because they left. On the other hand, Steve and Wanda were able to relax and not worry about a fight breaking out. As much as Natasha hated to admit it, they needed this break.

But that didn't mean that it didn't break her. Being separated from them, specifically Peter, made it hard to sleep at night, and every time she thought of them, her stomach dropped. It was a terrible weight on her shoulders and her conscious. Someday, she would like to redeem herself. But for once in her life, she had no idea how to go about seeking that redemption.

"Heroes4Change? Seriously? What about the world when it's in danger?" Clint asked, flicking a fruit seed at the TV.

"Why are Scott and Sam just accepted right back on the team?" Wanda asked, not understanding why they were treated with such hostility. She was over her phase of possibly understanding them, after seeing this video.

They watched the video some more, making offhand comments here and there, but when Nebula answered the question about them, they were furious.

"Trauma really? Working through it!" Clint yelled, standing up and throwing his apple across the room. "Who the heck do they think they are? They're not that righteous!"

"Clint." Natasha condemned the archer.

"It's not fair Nat. They're preaching and acting like they're the good ones."

"Yelling is going to do nothing."

Clint sat back down. It was silent for a few minutes as they all watched the avengers and answer the questions.

"They're engaged?" Wanda said in amazement, as Rhodey kissed her hand on the screen. To them, people who had known the both of them, it was quite obvious they loved each other. Nebula's eyes came alive like never before, and Rhodey's shone with love that they had only seen directed towards two other people, Peter, his godson, and Tony, his brother.

"I didn't see that coming." Steve commented.

"Why not? It was obvious they were made for each other." Natasha asked.

Steve shrugged. "Don't you think it's a little early for engagement? It's only been a year and a few months!"

"Relationships are different for everyone."

"Just shut up." Clint whispered and covered his face with a pillow. These past few weeks had been rough on him, and with the drama from the video they had all forgotten. 

"Clint?" Steve asked, and Natasha ran a gentle hand through his hair.

"Hey, hey, talk to me."

Clint stopped hiding and looked up at Natasha with grief written on his facial features.

"I just can't do all this relationship stuff right now. Laura-She and I haven't talked for months. It's bad enough knowing that she hates me."

"She doesn't hate you. She's just, well, mad, at you right now." Natasha tried to console him, but it wasn't ending well.