Chapter Text
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Brian Gamble paced the deck of the Helicarrier, obviously on edge. "Where the hell are they?!”
“Patient as always, I see,” Coulson’s voice came from behind him.
Brian nearly jumped out of his skin. "...Very funny. Where is he?"
“Fury opened the hatch for us to dock straight into medical. They’ve just taken him into surgery.” Coulson turned to head down the stairs to the main hub, knowing Gamble would follow. “Estimates were about four hours for the surgery, another two to wake from the anesthesia.”
"You clocking that two hours?"
Lesser men would’ve rolled their eyes. “Given his usual propensity to disregard medical advice, I revise their estimate to half an hour, hour at the most.”
Brian snickered. "...Sounds about right. How's the Black Widow?"
“Sore and biting her tongue not to complain about the sting from having her cuts cleaned.”
That surprised the ex-SWAT member. "...She that banged up?"
“They were heavily outnumbered and Barton couldn’t trust his eyes. She had to call shots for him for the entirety of the battle.”
“...Damn...."
The door to medical slid open for them as they approached, and Romanov came into sight, dozens of small bandages on her arms and a tiny slice in her cheek being butterflied closed.
Gamble smirked. "Very stylish….”
Natasha glared softly, though the corners of her mouth did rise almost imperceptibly.
“Status?” Coulson barked at one of the nurses passing by.
“Romanov should be fine with that last cut fixed, Barton’s been in for half an hour, so far no complications.”
"Sounds good to me."
Natasha wasn't so appeased. "...Who knows what condition he will wake up in…?"
The nurse rolled his eyes. “Knowing Barton? Mobile enough to escape through the air vents.”
"...I think she's worried that he might not be able to aim correctly to get to the vents…."
The nurse shrugged and left for another room.
Coulson glared after him for a moment, then turned to his agents. “I’ll find one of his doctors. They closed observation for this surgery, but you can stay in the waiting room.”
"Why the tight reign for this—how bad is he?!"
Coulson shot brief glare at Brian. “He finally okayed implants, and Fury would prefer that no one knows one of his best agents requires hearing aides to accomplish his missions.”
Gamble stood unphased. "Still, they could've let family in…."
"Can it, Brian. Clint would not want you in there regardless,” Romanov shot back.
Coulson had used their bickering to disappear into the OR.
“Dick...."
Natasha rolled her eyes. “What did you expect?”
"Oh, I dunno, maybe a little more flexibility… y'know, since they obviously expect us to be open around them!"
Her brow ticked up. “Because you were so very open when you went rogue to bring me in?”
“First off, I wasn't exactly rogue. Secondly, while I wasn't exactly an open book then… I didn't expect you to spill your life's story, either. Not my style.”
The two lapsed into silence for several long moments, then Romanov muttered, “...They took his eyes.”
Gamble started pacing again. "Yeah, well… knowing Clint, he still gave a good account of himself…." He lashed out, coming inches from creating a fist-sized hole in the wall.
“Gamble!” Fury barked as he stormed in. “I know you’re not putting your damn fist through my wall.”
Brian met his gaze. "No, sir…. Not this time, anyway…."
Fury scowled at the two agents. “Where’s Coulson?”
Nat just nodded in the direction of the OR.
Fury whirled to head through the doors just as Coulson exited. The two merely blinked at each other, then Coulson moved to the center of the room. “Surgery went well. Barton should be moved into recovery within a few minutes.”
Brian chucked. “Good luck keeping him there.”
“They’re allowing visitors in twenty minutes, once he’s settled.”
Natasha nodded. "Good. Perhaps we should limit the amount of people in at one time, as well as how long they stay.”
“The doctor said a maximum of two at a time, and only an hour of visiting total today. Barton’s likely going to be disoriented for the rest of the day, especially once the auditory therapist checks out his implants.”
Brian sighed. "...This'll make the reunion extra-fun…."
“About that,” Fury began, only to be cut off by an irate Gamble.
"What? You want him back ASAP? No way, asshole!"
Fury scowled. “I was going to say, the two of you are approved for three weeks of medical leave, with the suggestion to get the hell off the Helicarrier for the duration. From what I hear, there’s a place in Iowa that’s willing to house you two maniacs.”
Brian blinked. “…Uhh… thanks—" His brow furrowed. “—Wait a second, you went to talk with Aaron?"
One of his brows arched up at that. “Didn’t realize I needed your permission.”
"Oh, it's not that… more surprised you came back as… intact as you are.”
“This may surprise you, Gamble, but your brother’s not that tough.”
"More quick than tough.”
A doctor came in and cleared his throat to catch their attention. “You can come visit Agent Barton now.”
Gamble went in before anyone could protest. Romanov followed.
Clint was laid out in a bed, IV line dripping still into his arm and sensors hooked to his heart and a finger. About an inch square of hair was shaved off behind each of his ears where they had worked on the implants.
Brian just stood there, before letting out a low whistle. "...Least he got a nice trim out of this…."
Natasha swatted the back of his head.
He glared at her. "Well, sorry for trying to bring a little levity… Jesus…."
One of Clint’s fingers twitched.
Gamble snickered. "Thought he wouldn't last…."
The archer’s face scrunched up. “Shu’up, too lou’.”
“I suppose that answers the question of whether the implants work,” Natasha commented, voice pitched low.
"Heh. Wait till he hears Will…. Or Jas, for that matter…." Brian replied, voice somewhat subdued.
Two bleary eyes blinked open, their owner glancing at the two before him. “...How’m I hear’n you?”
“Enunciate,” Natasha huffed.
"Yeah, bionic ear!" Gamble snickered.
“Wha…?” Clint was blinking at them in shock.
“You’ve got implants now.”
"Yeah. No more claiming deafness, bro,” Brian scolded.
“Too bad you can still claim stupidity,” Clint fired back immediately.
Brian just stuck his tongue out.
“Boys,” Natasha grumbled, rolling her eyes.
"So, how long you think you'll last before climbing the walls this time?"
Clint’s nose wrinkled. “‘M not strapped down, yeah?” He wriggled his wrists and ankles to verify, then tried to sit up. He merely flopped to the side, groaning.
"Easy, tiger. You were under some pretty strong drugs, from what I hear.”
Clint winced. “Y—Yeah, wasn’t fun.”
"So, rest up while you're here. Lord knows the fam won't let you off the hook as easily.”
“The... what?” Clint’s brow furrowed.
Brian nearly lost it. "...Hello? Jas? Will? Kenny?"
“Th—They don’ needa know ‘bout this... righ’?” Clint asked sheepishly.
"Can't exactly keep something like this a secret for long, especially knowing how they are, y'know?"
The archer groaned, throwing his hands over his eyes. “They’re gonna be hovering, though. And Will’ll have a stroke.”
Brian waved a hand. “Eh, they'll get over it. Not like they have much choice, at this point.”
“Whaddaya mean?”
"Fury 'approved' a few weeks of medical leave, and 'suggested' that we use it off-ship. Namely, at Kenny's place.”
Clint blinked. “...We’re goin’ta Kenny’s?”
Brian chuckled. "Right, Einstein. Soon as you're relatively recovered, that is…."
“Ugh. Hate medical….”
"Well, it ain't exactly designed for much comfort, bro. You're supposed to be here only as long as necessary. This ain't no hotel.”
“Plus, a good eighty percent of the med staff feels the same way about you,” Natasha added.
Brian nearly lost it again. "Damn, man, everywhere you go you're popular!"
“They don’t feel much better about you,” she reminded.
He just shrugged. "Ah, well. No biggy."
Romanov rolled her eyes.
Clint’s eyes were blinking slowly, lids staying down for longer each time.
"Going back to sleepy land?"
“N—No,” he mumbled around a yawn.
"Yep. Train has left the station, apparently…."
“Lies.”
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, buddy." Brian chuckled.
“I can... sleep jus’... fine, ...if I... wan…ted....” Clint dozed off.
Gamble sighed. "The spirit is weaker than the body, bud.”
Natasha stood up, heading for the door. “C’mon, Coulson and Fury deserve a chance to get in here, even if your pridurok of a brother is going to sleep through it.”
Brian gestured to the door. "After you.”
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Jason Walsh pulled up to the farmhouse and laughed as he got out of the car. "Still can't believe this is where Kenny lives now…."
“If you don’t mind, he goes by Aaron now,” Laura called from her spot on the porch.
Jason blinked. “…That… might take some gettin' used to, ma’am.”
She chuckled. “With all the Skype and phone calls you guys make, I’d’ve thought you were used to it already.”
“...Well, yeah, but… it's a little different being face-to-face…."
“Right, it’s been, what, eighteen, nineteen years since you all were together?”
Walsh rubbed the back of his neck. "...Something like that, yeah.”
Laura glanced around for a moment, then put her hands to her hips. “Aaron, get your ass out here and greet your brother!”
The front door opened slowly. “…H—Hey, Jas—”
The cop refused to let his brother play coy, immediately slinging an arm around his shoulder and shaking him. “Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes! How ya been, bro?”
Aaron Cross chuckled. “Just fine, until you showed up!”
Jason huffed. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. What're families for, eh?”
Laura rolled her eyes. “Dorks.”
Jason smirked, nodding. "Thanks for noticing.”
She glanced over at Aaron. “Please tell me the others aren’t this ridiculous.”
Aaron chuckled. “...Sure."
“...Technically...."
“...I’m surrounded by idiots.”
Just then, a cloud of dust appeared in the distance.
Jason sighed. "Right on time!”
Laura blinked. “...No. Nope. Not dealing with five of you if you’re all adrenaline junkies.”
Jason feigned innocence. "What's the matter? Seems you could use a little excitement after being away from civilization for so long.”
“No, thanks, had enough excitement for a lifetime when I met this one,” she replied, nodding towards Aaron.
Walsh's brow furrowed. "...Come again? What kinda excitement happens out here in Mayberry?”
She gaped at him. “You mean—? He hasn’t told you—?”
Aaron let out a nervous chuckle. "...Not exactly…."
The car finally pulled in, spinning into the driveway and effectively cutting off whatever Laura was about to say.
The driver's side door opened, and Brian Gamble stepped out. "If you're so sure you're safe to drive, then I suppose you can manage to walk unassisted too, right?”
There was a flutter of the passenger’s hands, Clint opting to answer in sign rather than aloud as he fumbled with his door.
Brian chuckled as he made his way to the house. "Y'know, you can talk… and hear!"
Jason and Aaron both blinked. "...Come again?!" They yelled in unison.
Clint winced as he stumbled out of the car. “Could, ‘fore you played the radio so damn loud,” he grumbled.
Walsh and Cross chuckled. Gamble just shrugged. "You're gonna need to get used to those implants, dude. Music wasn't even halfway on!”
“Music’s louder’n people,” Clint argued. “I turned ‘em down so I didn’t get a headache.”
Brian huffed. "Whatever works, man.”
Aaron chuckled. "Feeling slighted, little bro?”
Both twins yelped, “No!”
Jason just laughed.
The front door slammed closed as Laura decided she’d had enough of the brothers’ antics.
Clint chuckled. “So, she’s not gonna make it a week, let alone three.”
Aaron shrugged. "She's tougher than she looks. Might just be a bit much right off the bat."
Gamble chuckled. "Looks like she and bio-boy here have something in common, then.”
Clint held up an “OK” with the thumb on top at chest level. Asshole.
"C'mon, bro, it's not like you died.”
Jason smirked. "Yeah. Takes a lot more to get to us!”
Clint huffed and was about to brush past them when a third car pulled in.
Will ducked out of the driver’s side, glancing between his brothers and sighing. “Alright, which one of you stuck his foot in his mouth this time?”
Jason snickered. "Why do you always assume something's wrong? No wonder your blood pressure's always high…."
Will rolled his eyes at them. “You three are gonna give me an aneurysm.”
Now it was Aaron's turn to smirk. "I'm surprised your job hasn't given you a few already.”
Will sighed. “Trust me, Hunt’s keeping my therapist, chiropractor, and neurologist in business.”
Brian chuckled. "Right, so this'll be cake for ya, bro!”
Aaron stepped off the porch. "All right, you guys, let's settle down. This is supposed to be a break, remember?!"
Walsh and Gamble huffed, but fell silent.
Will moved up onto the porch. “C’mon, let’s go see what’s managed to keep Kenny in one place.”
Jason let out a low whistle. "...I'd say it's more 'who' than ‘wha’—"
Aaron ribbed him. "Careful, Jas."
“—Easy, slugger. Just sayin' company makes solitude easier.”
Gamble laughed. "Speaking from experience, are we?"
Jason just shrugged. "Coming from you, that doesn't mean much.”
Will frowned, glancing around to see Clint hanging about ten feet back from the rest. “Problem?”
Clint blinked over at Will but shook his head.
Brian sighed. "Still getting acclimated, I guess."
Aaron looked over. "...C'mon, bro! You're at least as welcome here as these clowns!”
Clint locked eyes with Brian, quickly making a T sign by his chin, pulling it out into an O, flicking his hands open from fists, and circling a P sign with each hand. Too many people.
Gamble nodded, turning to the others. “...Ahh... I think he's a bit overwhelmed with this much… activity."
Aaron smiled. "Well, normally I'd say you came to the right place for tranquility. 'Course, can't exactly promise much now!"
Jason sighed. "Let's just go inside. He'll catch up when he's ready.”
Clint scowled, putting his hands palms together, tapping them, then flipping the top one over before tapping a D sign against his nose. Jason’s a dick.
Brian shrugged. "You're the one saying there's too many people around, dude. We're following your lead, more or less.”
Clint huffed. Will clapped him on the shoulder, then used the grip to steer him inside. The remaining trio followed right behind them.
“About time you dorks got in here,” Laura called from the dining room, where she was placing the last few dishes on the table.
Aaron looked at the table, then to his brothers. "You dweebs want any more, you'll have to pull your weight for it.”
Jason was obviously impressed. "Please, Kenny! If this isn't enough, we'll all need medical attention!”
Will shot a grin at Laura, claiming a seat at the table and reaching for a serving dish. “Looks delicious!”
Clint stared around at the food before looking over at Laura and signing “Thanks” followed by brushing an M sign down from his cheek and clasping his hands together at chest height.
Gamble chuckled. "...Well, I guess that does describe her…."
Aaron's eyes narrowed some. "...What callsign did he give her?"
"Apparently, she's been dubbed ‘wife'."
Clint blushed angrily as his brothers chuckled at him. He pulled a hand across his body, going from a fist to an L, then did an upside-down F sign at chest height before storming out. You’re all assholes.
Will winced, not recognizing the signs but reading the body language. “Pushed too far, I guess?”
Jason sighed. “Just give him a moment. He'll be back."
Aaron shrugged. "Ain't no way I'm letting this food go to waste!"
"Here, here!”
Laura swatted at Aaron’s hand as he reached for some food. “Hey, you’ve made your little brother upset. You should apologize, not stuff your face!”
Brian snickered. "Nickname was spot-on…."
"Yep!"
Aaron sighed. "If we stuck by that guideline, we'd've starved as children.”
She pursed her lips. “I can’t believe you four. This is your first time together in years, and within twenty minutes, you’ve already alienated one of your brothers. Go fix this.”
Jason smirked. "Any ideas, miss? Our experience's taught us that time's the best ally with Clint.”
One of her brows rose. “Your experience from when you were seven years old?”
"Well, what else are we s'posed to go on?"
Brian sighed. "I'll check on him in a moment. He might need a minute to unwind from being cooped up in the car all that time, though…."
She huffed but sat, starting to pile her own food onto her plate.
Will looked over at Brian, concerned. “Does he get this way often? I thought you said he was getting more chatty at work.”
"Getting? Sure, but… it's a process. Hell, everything's a process back there…."
A slam echoed back to them, and all four brothers winced. “Ah, yeah,” Will muttered, “definitely not taking this well.”
Brian sighed, standing and pushing in his chair. "I'll go see if I can throw some water on the fire.”
Jason looked around. "...Now can we eat in relative peace?"
"...For now, maybe…."
Muffled yelling came from the direction Brian had left in, and Will rolled his eyes. “Sounds like Clint got his voice back.”
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