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“Fuck my life.” The penthouse was huge. This was a given, especially with the whole mafia thing. But it never felt this big. Kate stood a solid two feet taller than she had at age 11 when she convinced her mom to let her train for fencing in the living room. But surely it had grown over Christmas. Kate stared at the room, feeling tiny in the space. Everything was the same, even Jack’s sword collections were untouched in their places. It felt too perfect.
It was 11 am. It was January 1st. Kate stared at the room wondering where to start.
---
The Barton’s had clung to her from the moment she got home, the kids were excited Clint was there of course but Kate came with a dog and stupid stories about their dad so… Lila had hugged Kate the longest before she left, Cooper had shrugged and told her he’d see her around. Nate whined to Clint asking why she had to leave. Laura and Clint had been overly nice, nicer than she thought Clint could be. Their couch was comfy and Lucky slept at her feet, the house smelled like home.
“Are you like my dad?” Nate had been the first to ask after he found her in their backyard with a pile of broken arrows in front of her.
“Why are you wandering around alone, buddy?” Kate looked up as she lazily plucked the old fletching out of an arrow. Nate rolled his eyes at her.
“I’m not a baby.” He stated proudly in his dino t-shirt he had been sporting for the past three days. Kate nodded in agreement.
“I’m not a superhero though, no. Your dad is way cooler than me.” Kate responded as Nate sat down in front of her and picked up an arrow. “Woah, hand that over!” Kate reached a hand out and Nate frowned.
“I was just looking, I know it’s sharp.” He paused. “Are you like Hawkeye?” He looked up at Kate with big eyes.
“What’s Hawkeye like?” She asked for clarification, unsure what the kid was getting at. Nate’s face contorted in concentration.
“Hawkeye shoots arrows at bad guys and he saves the city every time there’s trouble. He’s not that big and strong but he knows what he’s doing. He also does stupid stuff a lot, that’s what mommy says.” Kate laughed and nodded. Yeah, she did do all those things.
“Yeah, I guess when you put it like that I am kind of like Hawkeye.” Nate nodded and stood up.
“Good luck with your arrows then, Hawkeye.”
---
“Have you used any of his trick arrows yet?” Lila was sitting at the kitchen table with a book face down in front of her, staring at Kate as she poured a glass of milk.
“Uh yeah, duh. I’m like the real deal, kid.” Kate said jokingly looking up at Lila’s intense gaze. Lila hummed and turned her book over, scanning another line before placing it back down and leaning back in her chair. Kate sipped the milk before grabbing a banana and sitting down across from Lila.
“Why did he stay in New York for you?” Kate glanced up from struggling with peeling her banana at Lila’s serious face, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
“I stole something of his.” Lila’s eyes squinted and Kate watched as she dogeared the page and close the book, pushing it to the side and leaning forward.
“Are you a theft?” Kate laughed. Lila glared.
“No, no, no. It was an accident. Swear on it.” She lifted her hands in a sign of surrender. Lila didn’t laugh.
“Did my dad sleep with you?” The made Kate choke on her milk and wipe her mouth.
“Gross, what the fuck, kid. Why are you interrogating me?” Lila groaned and looked away from Kate.
“First of all, stop calling me kid you’re like a year older than me.” The teenager glanced around the room and leaned back again. Fidgety.
“I’m 22,” Kate said smiling.
“Sure.” Lila took a deep breath. “Second off, my dad has been home ever since the Blip. Do you get that?” Kate nodded, forgetting about her abandoned breakfast. “He doesn’t do things anymore. He just talks to us about school and cooks really bad dinner that we pretend to like. He hasn’t been an Avenger since Aunt Nat died. He was done with that.” Kate nodded again, feeling a guilt raise in her chest. “You took him from me.” It hung in the air and Kate blinked a few times to make sure her eyes didn’t tear up. Lila stared at Kate waiting for a response. When Kate didn’t talk she added, “What makes you important enough that he uses the bow and arrows he packed in New York, huh?”
“I’m sorry,” Kate said because she really didn’t know what else to say. Lila groaned. “Okay, sorry that’s not a response. Okay. Uh, I don’t know, Lila. I’m just a rich brat who got into his business and he had to tie up some loose ends he thought were dealt with. He tried ditching me like ten times out there, trust me. He didn’t want me to die, and my mom kinda went to jail for murdering someone so. Your dad, he’s a good guy. Like really good. He didn’t want to abandon me in New York with my almost step-dad who’s a little crazy. I know that’s not what you want to hear but. I’m not special, I’m just a dumb kid who saved a dog and he’s just a superhero.” Lila’s stare stayed on Kate and didn’t soften. Kate picked up her banana and took a bite, listening to the chewing fill the air. Just as Lila was about to respond, Nate barreled through the door with a stick in one hand and a very dirty Lucky by his side. He stood in the doorway looking weirdly proud of something.
“Lucky, take,” Lucky took the stick from Nate and trotted to his new spot on the living room rug. “What are you guys talking about?” Nate walked over to the table and looked between Kate and his sister. Apparently, the energy was noticeable to even the kid.
“Kate is telling me why she stole our dad from us during our trip,” Lila says and smiles at Kate. Nate’s eyes light up and he turns to Lila.
“I know why! She’s Hawkeye.” And he walks away. Lila turns to stare at Kate with wide eyes, Kate just starts laughing.
“Not what I told him, I swear.” Lila rolls her eyes and opens her book. The rest of breakfast is silent.
---
“What’s your deal?” Cooper is standing in the kitchen, the only light coming from the refrigerator. He’s standing, snooping around for something to eat. Kate sits up from her spot on the couch and watches as he gives up, opens the freezer, and retrieves a tube of ice cream.
“What’s my deal?” Kate echos as Cooper finds two spoons and walks towards the couch. Cooper plops down next to her and hands her the spoon.
“New sibling or are you just dropping off the dog?” He takes a big spoonful of ice cream, which looks like cookies n cream, and sticks it in his mouth. Cooper isn’t looking at Kate, nor do his words hold weight, he just leans into the couch and closes his eyes as he chews. The ice cream is held towards her and Kate grabs a spoonful before chuckling.
“That dog is rightfully mine, sorry pal.” Cooper shakes his head and watches Kate as she chews.
“Yeah, pretty cool saving him. We saw that on TV. Dad got all weird though.” More ice cream, he’s looking at the ceiling now. “I know Lila acts like the oldest but I am, you know. I think I know what you did.” Kate tilts her head.
“Yeah, what do you think happened?” She shoves her face full of ice cream and her brain freezes a bit as Cooper takes the tub back and puts it in his lap, spoon sticking out of the half-eaten tub.
“You stole that ninja costume, it was one of the Avenger’s right? Must’ve caused a lot of trouble.” Kate shrugs and nods.
“Close enough.” Cooper nods back, a little bit of pride in his eyes that he pieced together the real easy story.
“Why’d you steal it?” Kate shrugs.
“Felt like it.” Cooper laughs.
“No, but like, really?” Kate leans over and takes another scoop of ice cream before answering.
“It’s a long story, but I didn’t really have a choice. I have a really weird step-fiance and I had a really bad day that day.”
“Step-fiance?” Cooper cocks an eyebrow at her.
“Well he was engaged to my mom but she kind of framed him for murder and stuff.” Cooper stares at Kate. “Not important.” Cooper shrugged.
“Kind of important.” That makes them both laugh. It must be around midnight, but neither of them tries to be quiet.
“Any other questions?” Cooper side-eyes her.
“You never really answered the first question.” What’s your deal?
“I don’t really know.” Cooper nods.
“I hear that.” It’s silent as they pass the almost empty ice cream back and forth for a bit. “Is my dad training you?” Cooper asks quietly. “I know it was an accident and all, but it’s a weird coincidence that you’re so into archery and you also came home bruised and beaten up looking.” Kate scoffed.
“I looked great. Not tired at all.” She shrugs again and looks at Cooper. “Honestly, I don’t know. I always looked up to your dad and all, it kinda was a big coincidence.”
“Yeah, but are you the new Hawkeye?” Kate groaned.
“Nate’s telling everyone that I said that, huh?” And they broke out laughing again.
---
“So what’s the deal with the Rolex?” Kate is holding an ice pack to her arm where her bowstring snapped too hard, Clint had laughed a bit and patted her shoulder. “Yeah, let’s call it a night. No, no. I’ll be in in a few.” The kids were playing some game on the living room floor, Laura was cooking dinner. She looked over her shoulder at Kate, giving her a look.
“It’s a long story.” She turned back to chopping carrots. Kate had offered to help cook but Laura had looked her up and down and laughed.
“Hey, I have time. Trying to put off leaving, ya know.” Laura’s shoulders slumped and she stopped her chopping fully to turn to Kate. She had that look in her eyes that moms did on TV. Eleanor had a different look than that.
“I know Clint teases but Kate, you can stay here as long as you need. It’s been less than a week, we have more than enough space for you-” The warmth radiating from Laura is comforting but Kate cuts her off anyway, maybe on purpose.
“Laura, thank you. I know. I shouldn’t be putting off leaving. I love you guys so much, but I have a lot of shit to deal with at home. An empty penthouse and my mom’s boyfriend and… I need to clean up my mess just like Clint cleaned up his.” Laura nodded and leaned on the counter to look at her. She had a gentle gaze and soft-looking clothes. Kate knew why Clint wanted to get home to these people. Laura was perfect, always had a loving but stern hand to guide you and make sure you weren’t upset. Cooper was funny in a way that filled your stomach and made you catch your breath. He was a good big brother too, no matter how annoyed he acted. Lila was smart and gave hugs a second too long and was always the last one awake to make sure everyone was safe. She talked about books and could do double the pushups Kate could. Nate was a ball of joy and signed I love you whenever he said goodbye. He drew pictures on printer paper and clung to people’s legs. They were the best family.
“You can come back any time, you know that. Clint loves you, Kate. I haven’t seen him this content in a long time and I know it’s because of you.” Kate wanted to interject but Laura continued. “I know you feel guilty, and that’s okay. Don’t go stealing stuff that isn’t yours, even Nate knows that. But Kate, look at me.” Kate met her strong gaze. “He hasn’t had anyone who gets it like you do. He hasn’t had anyone who isn’t me and the kids in a long time. So thank you. Thank you for being here.” Kate smiled and felt her eyes water up. Laura opened her arms and wrapped Kate up in a hug that was tight and warm and smelled like chicken stock. “And Kate, he won’t ever block your number no matter how many times he says he will.” They laughed and Kate realized Laura was all the best parts of her kids. It was lovely. She wondered if that mean Eleanor was the best parts of her and what that meant. Laura leaned back and held Kate’s face in her hands. “You have that Hawkeye look in your eye.” Kate smiled. “Don’t let anything stop you, don’t let that feeling stop.”
---
“You better take Lucky on walks,” Kate was checking her pockets for her phone and wallet. Cooper had punched her in the arm and ditched the goodbye committee, Lila was hovering in the back silently and Nate was clinging to Kate’s leg. Laura had kissed her forehead and given Kate her phone number. Clint was leaning against the van door watching his family say goodbye.
“The dog has two arches, kid. I think he’ll be fine.” Kate glared at Clint before slowly prying the kid off her leg.
“Don’t leave Hawkeye!” Nate was pouting as Kate placed him on the ground. Kate rolled her eyes and squatted down in front of the kid so they were the same height.
“Look over there,” She pointed to Clint. “That guy is gonna drop me off at the airport and then guess what? He’ll be back. You get your own Hawkeye as a dad, and can I tell you a secret?” Nate nodded and Kate leaned to whisper in his ear. “He’s way stronger than me. Got it? Be nice to him.” Nate nodded as Kate leaned back before he launched himself at her and gave her a hug. She laughed and patted his back.
“I’ll be back I promise. And I’m like your dad, I don’t break promises.” Nate smiled up at Kate as she stood up and waved at him and then at Laura and Lila.
“Be back soon! Be safe!” Laura called as Kate turned to load her backpack into the car.
“You have a little fanbase, huh,” Clint said as Kate got into the passager seat.
“Hey, you brought a new Hawkeye home for Christmas. Seems like your fault.”