Chapter Text
Grogginess and bright lights were the worst combination in Clint’s humble opinion. It was nothing more than a cruel joke done by every hospital architect ever. He’d been in enough hospital beds to know it too. Usually it was a target or goon or sometimes Nat that put him there, not a kid. It was his kid nonetheless.
So as he blinked open his eyes as slowly as he could, Clint knew somewhere, an architect was laughing. What was much more important though, was his wife holding his hand. “Hey, babe.” He croaked out in a voice more hoarse than he expected. “Did I live?”
Laura smacked his shoulder with a gentleness that was almost insulting. “Our daughter has better aim than you thought.” She squeezed his hand. “She hit an artery. They had to do a minor surgery on you.” Laura sighed.
“I knew she was a prodigy.” A low chuckle escaped him causing his side to ache.
“You’ll be outta here tomorrow, they said.” Still holding his hand, she used her free one to brush his hair out of his face. “And Fury says you’re still gonna be active next week.”
That didn’t surprise him. They all knew Clint had taken much worse hits than this and been back in the field sooner. He just didn’t understand why it was bothering Laura so much. “You jealous he’s getting me back so soon, babe?”
That earned him a small smirk from his wife. “He’s not your type at all.”
“Come on. What is it?” Her eyes finally met his. “I’ve been shot at, drugged, tied up, and had other much worse shit happen to me than this on a weekend with Nat. You always are the one making me laugh through the recovery. Why’re you so worried about this?” It was his turn to squeeze her hand.
Laura had a way with the kids. It was one of the things that made Clint love her more everyday. Somehow, she always knew exactly how to handle any incident, explain away any fears. Every time she did, she put on this soft, understanding little smile that said ‘everything is going to be okay’ more than her words did. She had that smile now. “Every time you go on a mission, I’m ready for you to be hurt.”
“Love the vote of confidence.” They shared a brief chuckle.
She continued, “I hope you won’t be, obviously, but I’m ready for it. I know you’re doing something dangerous. I know the risks and I understand them just fine. I’m prepared for it.” Taking a brief pause she bit her lip, disrupting that little smile. “When you’re home…” A tiny frown she only wore when they fought took its place. Clint wanted the smile back. “When you’re home, you’re safe. When you’re home I know there isn’t anyone or anything trying to kill you. I know you’re not getting yourself into trouble.” Even though the lights were still viciously bright, Laura looked up to the ceiling, blinking rapidly. “When you’re home I don’t have to worry about you.” Shaking her head, she sniffled, “I should’ve been worried about you.”
Wasting no time, Clint pulled her close to him. He wrapped his arms around her and she held him back just as tight. All her weight happened to be right on his wound, but Clint didn’t care. It was just a good reminder she was there.
Smoothing out her hair, he kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be more careful.” He kissed her forehead, “I’ll teach Lila to be more careful too.” Her body shuddered with a full body, wet, chuckle. “I know, I know, I should’ve been a comedian instead.”
“No,” Her words were muffled by his chest. “I’m the only one that laughs at your jokes anyway.”
With a mock grunt, he retorted, “Wow, my entire family just loves hurting me I guess.”
She pulled back from him, finally, still laughing. “What can I say, you make it easy.”
“Is Lila alright?”
Laura nodded, “Nat is watching the kids. Lila is shaken but, I think she’ll be okay once she sees you’re okay.”
“Is it just Archery you were teaching her, Barton, or did you start with interrogation techniques?” Right on cue, Natasha waltzed through the door, one kid latched onto each hand. They went to run to him, but Nat held them to her. “Nu uh uh. First things first. Tell your dad what I taught you.”
Lila looked sheepishly at the floor, while Cooper couldn’t stop staring at all the medical gadgets around the room. Despite that, in perfect unison they said, “Only aunty Nat is allowed to hit daddy. With weapons or otherwise.” Lila’s words were mumbled, probably in embarrassment, while Cooper, who was still struggling with his “th”s added “d”s in their place.
Laura covered her mouth, no doubt suppressing a peel of laughter.
Clint simply shook his head. “That’s only what she wants you to think. Get over here, you two.”
Now released, they sprinted over, slamming into him all at once. Cooper was still too young to quite grasp the situation. That was alright. His son’s glee at seeing him made his heart swell so much Clint was surprised the heart monitor didn’t alert the docs. As far as Lila went, his wife was right. Once she wrapped her arms around him, she was nothing but smiles.
Between rapid fire questions from his children, Clint looked at Natasha and said, “You said they interrogated you?”
“No,” Nat smirked, “Just used very similar techniques to get what they wanted. That’s all an interrogation is anyway.”
“Well, they didn’t learn that from Clint then,” Laura tagged in, “That must be you Nat.”
Natasha's jaw dropped as her hand covered her heart in mock offense. “Me? Never.” Laughing, she said, “Besides, I would never give them anything that would work on me. Not until they’re older, and have more finesse.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t let you babysit anymore.” Cooper shifted next to him, kneeing him in his good side. Clint did his best not to flinch.
“You'd never dream of taking my babysitting privileges away. Not that you do any better.” A soft fist to the shoulder emphasized her point.
“It really is my whole family out for me today.” he grumbled, sarcasm thick in his tone.
They all stayed a little longer, until Natasha couldn’t make the staff extend visiting hours any longer. Taking the kids home, she left him with a chaste kiss to the forehead and promises of looking out for him on their mission next week. Laura was permitted to stay with him the rest of the night. After a few unsuccessful hours of trying to sleep, Clint convinced her to climb up next to him, on his good side.
He fell asleep with his wife in his arms, knowing his kids were safe with his partner. Yeah, he had taken a minor injury, but he’d take anything he was given by his family.