The Right Side of The Tracks

•Chapter 9•

Five hours, twenty seven minutes, and thirty two seconds. That's how long it took Shield to get Pietro back to America and in Dr. Cho's hands. Clint was also in the hospital, but for different reasons.

"They found drugs in your blood system," Natasha explained to him. They were both in Clint's hospital room, Natasha sitting beside his bedside in a chair.

"The guy stabbed me with a needle. What do you expect?". Natasha shrugged off the sarcasm.

"Whatever. Can we just talk about the fact that Steve and Tony are getting married?".

"Shit, I forgot all about that," Clint muttered, resting his head on his elbow, and turning so he could face his best friend. "So, how did the proposal go?".

"You'll never believe this, but Steve actually let Tony fly him around in the suit!" Natasha exclaimed.

"And Steve said yes, or at least I'm assuming," Clint said.

"Yes, he did."

"Are you talking about us?" Tony asked, walking in the room, Steve by his side. The gold ring on the blonde's finger sparkled in the dim light of the room.

"You bet," Clint smirked.

"Sorry we didn't wait for you and Pietro to be here," Steve apologized, smiling sadly at Clint.

"It's fine..." Clint lied.

"So, when's the wedding?" Natasha asked.

"Probably May or June. We're definitely going to Malibu for a week for our honeymoon," Tony smiled at Steve, who's cheeks were slightly pink.

"That's cool. Just don't invite too many people, please."

"Too late." Tony smirked at Natasha, who groaned.

"Tony, I fucking hate you," she growled.

"I know you do," Tony chuckled, before asking, "feeling any better?".

This particular question was directed towards Clint. Whether or not he answered it though was a mystery.

"Eh. Painkillers are helping, but I'm really worried about Pietro."

"Relax, he'll be fine. His condition wasn't all too serious," Steve said sincerely, trying to calm Clint down.

"At least he's safe again."

Natasha's words brought peace to Clint. Pietro was safe again; just not in his arms at the moment.

"I guess you're right, Nat."

Natasha smiled. "I always am." Clint chuckled, and smiled back at her.

"Well, the doctor released you, so how about we go get something to eat? Steve forgot to eat breakfast this morning."

"Tony, it's not that big of a deal. I simply just forgot to eat."

"I guess you're rubbing off on him, Stark," Natasha joked.

"Hey, I've been getting better! I ate three times yesterday!" Tony proudly exclaimed. Steve rolled his eyes playfully.

"I'm down for some food." Clint sat up, his clothes still on him. He had changed sometime during the night, so his gray sweatshirt was wrinkled and his jeans were too.

"Alright, then. Let's go," Tony said, taking Steve's hand in his and leaving the room, Clint and Natasha following behind.

×××

After eating at a nearby diner, the four were going back to the hospital. It was just starting to sprinkle, the water soon finding its way into their hair, as they walked the streets of New York, trying to get out of the rain as much as some business man was.

"We're almost there!". The words were like music to Clint's ears. He was eager to know how Pietro was doing. He had to know.

"Come on, let's keep moving!" Steve sounded like a personal trainer. Of course, he ran seven miles every morning. No wonder why he was so skinny, despite the muscles.

"Well, damn, not everybody runs like you do!" Tony snapped, letting go of Steve's hand. With those words spoken, Steve slowed down to a walk, the water hitting his face, rolling down his face like tear drops after a bad breakup.

"Hey, I'm sorry, Stevie."

"I know."

And with that, they finally reached the entrance to the hospital.

"Hello, back again, I see," a blonde nurse said.

"Yeah, we're here to see Pietro Maximoff," Steve answered, flashing a lady killer smile at her. "Know where his room is?".

"154."

"Thank you, ma'am." The four left to the elevator, even though Steve said he could take the stairs.

"I wonder how he is." Clint glanced over at the three.

"Relax, he'll be ready to see you." Natasha smiled at him. Clint hoped so, as they reached the right floor.

When they reached the right room, Clint was starting to get antsy.

"Hurry up and open the damn door, Tony!" he snapped. Tony rolled his eyes and huffed, before he opened the door.

Pietro was sitting up in a hospital bed, barely awake, his eyes cloudy and gray. He was looking out the window, not really looking at anything. His mind wandered all over the place.

"Pietro? You awake?". Pietro turned his head towards the door, before his eyes widened.

"Clint?!". He lunged towards Clint, letting him hold him tightly. The two hugged, Pietro's face in the crook of Clint's neck. Clint looped his arms around Pietro's waist, making them impossibly closer.

"I thought you were hurt!".

"I- I thought you were a- as well.." Pietro managed to sniffle. Clint laughed loudly, and pressed a kiss to Pietro's forehead.

"Never pull shit like that again." Clint looked at Pietro. "Promise me," he begged.

"I promise, Clint."