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Natasha entered her shared apartments to find the lights dimmed and the television on, sound off, with subtitles.  Clint was curled in on himself, holding an amber liquid in his hand, and watching it as if it contains the answers to all the world's questions.  She slipped off her shoes, flicked a light on.  Trying not to notice how Clint flinched at the light and curled just a bit tighter in on himself.

She slid into the seat next to him on the bar. "Do you want to stay here?" Natasha asked, her voice soft as she set her hand on his shoulder.

Clint didn't glance up, didn't even acknowledge her.

She squeezed his shoulder, before moving to run a hand through the short hairs on the back of his head.  "If you want, we can find another team? Or if you want to stay, then you could…"

Clint shook his head, turning to look at her.  "What if they're the same?"

Natasha pursed her lips. "If you think Stark is the same as Thanos or that Steve is the same as Loki, then you have been drinking far too much."

"Yeah, I won't be verbally abused, doesn't mean I'll be accepted either."

Natasha took a deep breath, casting a glare at the TV where ESPN was replaying Loki's smirk after scoring a goal on Clint.  Natasha regretted letting Clint go by himself to play for the Anchorage Frost Giants. Sure, she'd visited, but she hadn't quite realized how bad Clint was until she'd managed to get him traded to Wisconsin Avengers. Something she'd only thought of doing, because she knew Clint would prefer to be closer to his family.

"Clint," Natasha started, before trailing off.  There wasn't much she could say. Instead she kept stroking his head, giving him time. "Whatever you want to do, we'll do."

"I'd be toasting my career, Nat."

"I'm sure…" Natasha started.

"No one has come out before.  Not even after they'd retired.  Outing myself while playing?" Clint looked alarmed.  "I can't."

"Then don't," Natasha said, softly.  "Whatever you want to do, I'm going to support you."  There was a reason that she let people think they were together or at least didn't deny it as often as she should. She certainly wasn't correcting the Avengers' goaltending coach that looked at her with warm brown eyes, before giving Clint a guilty look.

"I want to go back in time and stop from trusting that asshole," Clint stated. "I… He's in my head, Nat.  I see him and I just think of everything that happened…."

Natasha wrapped her arms around Clint fully, leaning into him.  "Maybe you should go to the farm?"

Clint sighed.  "Be nice to see the kids again."

Natasha hummed her agreement. If you had told her ten years ago that Barney would be a calming influence on Clint, she would have laughed her head off.  Barney had matured though.  He'd gotten his girlfriend pregnant and instead of running away, he'd helped her and eventually married her.  Now there was a home for Clint to go back to, one where he could be himself.

"Do I even have time?" Clint asked, looking at her.

"I'll call and see what I can arrange.  You need some time to shake off that game and your family will help you do that."

An arm looped around her and she smiled as Clint leaned his weight against hers.  "How'd I get so lucky to have a friend like you."

"You put on sequins, so I could have figure skating partner for a couple of years." Natasha sighed.  "Then hockey ate your brain."

Clint's laugh was really more than a huff of air, but it was a positive sound. He would get better, but it would take time. She'd get him to his family and when he came home, then they'd plan the next steps.

-

Clint knew that the time to get away and get his head back in the game was limited. The chance that Natasha could convince management to give him enough time off to drive to the farm was slim. So he wasn't surprised when he finished with his morning practice and got the slightest of headshakes from her when he passed her on the way to the locker room. He sighed and resigned himself to an afternoon spent going over tape and working on his skills.  This morning was already bad enough.

His performance last night had been horrible and he deserved the balling out done by the coaches.  Morning practice had been rough and afternoon practice were even rougher. By the time he was done, he was ready to go home to his apartment.

"Hey," Steve stated, taking a seat next to him.  "You okay?"

"Yeah?" Clint hesitated to answer.

Steve looked at him.  "You don't sound sure."

"Well… I don't know…"

"Playing your old team can be rough," Steve stated.

Clint nodded, slowly.  "Yeah, especially when you have your worst performance of the season."

Steve hesitated, pitching his voice low.  "You seemed fine in warm up and then you and Laufeyson, kind of got into it."

Clint shrugged.  "We were friends, but he basically pretended to get into my head."

Steve frowned, but nodded. "Now you got to get him out of there."

Clint nodded once.

"You wanna go for drinks? I'm sure we could get a few of the others to join us," Steve offered.

Clint shook his head. "No, thanks, I just…  Had a drink last night, didn't seem to help.  I think I'm just going to call my family."

"Lemme know if I can doing anything," Steve offered.  "We all get into slumps, Clint, and they can be hard to shake off."

"Thanks, Cap," Clint said as he stood.  He gently punched Steve's shoulder as he passed, before heading out of the locker room.  There were a few people waiting, Clint recognized some of the wives of the players and the agents.  He passed them without really looking at them.  It was only when he thought he saw Barney out of the corner of his eye that he turned to find Barney standing there with his youngest in his arms.

"Barney? What the…" Clint trailed off, not wanting to swear in front of his nephew.  "What are you doing here?"

"Saw the game last night, then Natasha called, said you needed some family time, but couldn't get away.  Laura thought I should come up with the baby."

Clint hesitated, setting his bag down at his feet. "Can I?"

"No, you can only look." Barney snarked, but handled the baby over.

"Hey you," Clint cooed, looking into the face of his nephew that watched him with interest. His little arm waved wildly.  He'd barely seen little CJ. He'd been born just before the season had begun and he'd grown so much in the last month since Christmas.  CJ waved his hand and Clint shifted to offer CJ a finger.  "He's got strong grip."

"Yeah, he does," Barney agreed.  

Clint looked away to find his brother looking at them warmly.

"Yeah, you needed baby time, you big softie," Barney grumbled.

Clint smiled, looking back down at CJ.  "Your daddy is a big meanie, but you love your Uncle Clint, don't you? Don't you?"

Barney huffed and Clint waited for a demand for CJ to come back.  Instead he got Steve's voice.  "Wow, I guess you really did need a family fix."

Clint turned to see Steve approaching them, eyebrow raised.

"You look a lot more relaxed," Steve stated, before looking at Barney.  "Steve Rogers."

"Barney Barton," Barney said, shaking Steve's hand.  "Clint's mentioned you a couple times."

"Yeah, he's mentioned you."  Steve didn't sound completely sure of that.

"Clint doesn't talk about his life that much?" Barney asked.

"Not really, no," Steve said.  "He's private and I respect that."

Barney nodded. "Clint couldn't come to us, so I brought my youngest up to give him some family time."

Clint felt a presence and glanced up to see Steve looking down at CJ.  "Boy?"

"Yeah," Barney agreed.  "Clinton Francis Barton the Second.  We call him CJ."

"You named him after Clint?" Steve asked, looking shocked.

Barney shrugged.  "As I much as I hate to admit, he's the better Barton."

"Oh, I guess, I figured that Clint would have kids of his own…"

"I'm not having kids," Clint stated.

"Why not?" Steve asked.  "It's pretty clear that you'd make a great father and you and Natasha…"

"Yeah, uh,..." Clint started.

"I can't have children nor do I want kids of my own," Natasha stated, coming up to them.  "Barney."

"Natasha."

"I may have to steal your baby if the team makes it to play-offs."

"That might not be a bad idea," Steve agreed.  "He's a lot more relaxed now than he was a few minutes ago.

Clint shook his head.  "You can't be tense with a baby, they pick up on that stuff.  Don't you?"

"C'mon, let's get out of here, before he embarresses us further," Natasha stated, reaching down to grab Clint's bag.

"We taking three separate cars?" Barney asked, reaching for the baby.  Clint clung CJ and pouted at his brother.  "He needs to be in the carrier with the blankets.  You can have him back in a bit."

"I can do it." Clint said, dropping down to put CJ into his carseat.

"I'll drive mine, you take the Clints.  I'll drive older Clint in tomorrow for practice."

Barney nodded from where he had settled to put CJ back in his carrier.  "Sounds like a plan."

"Have fun with your family," Steve said, nudging him, before heading for the doors.

"Bye Steve."  Clint called after him.

-

Latte-da was Phil's pride and joy.  He'd opened the doors to the place a couple of years ago. Since then he'd gathered more employees and started a second store at the Stark Ice Arena.  He still wasn't completely sure how Nick had managed to talk him into that, but he had. His contract was coming to an end in a couple of years and Phil knew that he'd like to keep it going.  His store was placed near the Avengers' bench and the home crowd tended to find him.  He also knew that Nick wanted to get him to expand at the arena, but that would mean hiring more people and Phil wasn't sure he was ready for that much responsibility.  He liked his shop and his people that were more like family.  He may have been slow to expand, but he did so at a pace that would ensure that it stayed in the black.  Just recently, he'd started doing soup and sandwiches at the main store.  They were a success and gave them a little extra business during the night and at lunch.   Yes, Phil was happy with his little domain.

The bells jangled above the door and Phil glanced up to find one of his regulars coming in.  Phil smiled as Clint held the door for Natasha and another man that Phil didn't recognize.  The first time Phil had met Clint had been in the arena.  The store hadn't been opened, but he'd shown up pleading for a cup of coffee. It was only due to Maria's presence that Phil had given him one.  If the head of security was letting him in the roam the arena, then there had to be a reason.  Phil hadn't seen him at the arena since that day, but he'd eventually shown up at the main store and had been a regular since.

Phil didn't waste time ogling Clint, the man was attractive, but winter jackets made it hard to appreciate arms and ass, which were Clint's best assets.  The sooner Clint had his food, the sooner he'd remove the bulky clothing.

"Usual, Clint?" Phil called out to him.

"Yes, please," Clint said, coming up to the register.  "And whatever Natasha and Barney want."

"Of course," Phil said, fully aware of Clint's preference for treating his friends.  Phil turned his attention the the slender red head that accompanied Clint regularly enough.  She glanced over the menu and made her selection.  

Phil glanced over at the other man.  He had a baby carrier in his hands that was set on the counter while he perused the menu.  His hair was a shade or two darker than Clint's, but there was a similar facial structure. A relative, maybe?  Clint had mentioned that he'd been visiting family over the summer, perhaps this was the family he'd mentioned.  The man smiled at Phil and placed his order.

"You sure you want to pay?" the man asked, looking over at Clint.

"Yeah, I got this," Clint said, making a shooing motion with his hand.  "You want desert, Phil's got baking ninjas in the back, I swear."

"No, no desert, Laura and I are trying to eat healthy."

Phil huffed a laugh at the baking ninjas comment, but took Clint's money when he handed it over.  "I'll bring it to a table if you want to sit."

"Thanks, Phil," Clint said, following his two friends.  Natasha was in the lead and Phil knew that she'd take them over to the couches in the back if they were free.  Phil got to work making the sandwiches, thankful for how slow it was. It didn't take long for Phil to get it all ready to go and Phil headed over with the plates.

Phil froze at the scene.  He'd honestly expected Clint's male friend to be holding the child, not Clint.  Clint, who cradled the child in his muscular arms.  His face was far more relaxed than this morning and looked to be absolutely mesmerized by the child.  Phil had not prepared for Clint holding a baby.  Nor was Phil prepared when Clint turned and looked at him with a warm smile. That would feature in a few fantasies later on, fantasies which Phil would never, ever mention to anyone.  He was forty-three, he shouldn't be fantasizing about adopting a baby with a guy that was probably straight.  

"That was fast." Clint commented, breaking Phil's line of thoughts.  Phil felt himself blush.

Phil moved plates onto the table between the seats.  "It's slow. I could concentrate."

Clint laughed.  "Like you can't handle it when it's busy."

"Yes, well, I just have more orders in front of yours."

They smiled at one another until Natasha cleared her throat. Clint glanced over at them and then turned to look back at Phil.  "Hey, I didn't introduce you.  This is my brother, Barney.  Barney, this is Phil.  Owner of the best coffee shop in the States."

Phil blushed at the praise and turned to meet Barney.  "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Clint come here often?"

"Most days a week," Phil said with a nod. "He's one of the reasons that we're so successful."

"Their coffee is the best," Clint said, reaching to grab his cup and take a sip, deftly keeping out of the baby's reach.

"So is that your son?" Phil asked Barney.

"Yeah, that's little Clint," Barney said.

"You named him after your brother?"

Barney nodded.  "Yeah, my wife agreed that I could name my second son after Clint when we had our firstborn.  At the time, I didn't know where Clint was."

"Thank goodness for social media," Clint stated, giving Barney a grin.  "Let me find you."

Natasha coughed once.

"Well, let Natasha find you," Clint amended.

Phil chuckled.  "I'll let you guys eat and catch up then.  Let me know if you need anything."  

"Will do, Phil," Clint said.

Phil gave Clint one last smile and turned away.  He really liked Clint and Clint had flirted with him, but Clint seemed to flirt with everyone. Phil didn't think anything of it, but Clint was friendly and he liked to think that they were friends.  Clint had certainly invited Phil over for a number of group activities at his place.  If Clint wasn't straight then, he was definitely in the closet and Phil was old enough to know that he didn't want to hide any relationship he was in.  That didn't mean he couldn't fantasize a bit about the other man.

-

Natasha slipped out of the bed after Clint had fallen asleep.  He'd stayed up later than his usual talking to Barney about everything that was going on. Barney and CJ had taken Clint's room and Clint was sleeping with her.  She wasn't quite tired enough to actually sleep though. Having Clint in her bed was something she was no longer used to.  

She wasn't too surprised to step into the kitchen area to find a light on and Barney seated at the table. He already had a bottle of vodka sitting on the table and two glasses.  Clint may be her preferred Barton, but both Natasha and Barney were important to him and they both cared about Clint very much.  She slid into the seat across from him as he poured some alcohol into each glass.  One glass was slid over to her, which she caught and took a sip of.

"He's not happy," Barney stated.

Natasha resisted rolling her eyes at him, because of course he wasn't happy that was why she had called him.

"Does he want to come out because of the coffee guy or is he really just tired of hiding?" Barney asked.

Natasha blinked, but smiled.  Oh, Barney was getting better at reading his brother.  "They're friends first. Phil doesn't want to hide a relationship and Clint… Clint respects that.  That said, Clint is fully aware of the consequences if he comes out."

"It's a lot to put on a guy."

"Do you really think your brother would do that?"

Barney was quiet, before shaking his head.  "No, he wouldn't."

"I don't know if you picked it up, but Clint's not the only one with a crush."

Barney blinked and his eyes narrowed as he took a sip.  "So they're both interested."

Natasha nodded once.  "I don't think Clint would come out, if he wasn't prepared to deal with the consequences."

"Who else knows?"

"That he's bi?" Natasha sighed.  "Laufeyson."

Barney's eyes widened and muttered a dark curse.  Natasha was almost proud of the elder Barton, because she felt the exact same way.  Barney must have picked up something from the game and caught it in Clint's actions.

"So, Clint comes out and Laufeyson has one less hook in Clint."

"But he has others."

"And if the team is decent, then he has protectors."

Barney was quiet.  "Is the team decent?"

"That is the million dollar question."

Barney hummed softly and took another sip of his drink. The both knew that Clint would need his team to stand behind him if he came out, but they also knew he was private.  He didn't talk about his private life to any of his teammates.   "I don't suppose there's a way to feel them out."

"Not that I can think of." Natasha shook her head.

"There has to be something.  In this day and age, you've got pull with the management, don't you?"

Natasha nodded.  "Nick and I are on friendly terms. Why?"

"Suggest a Pride Night?  If the team whines too much about it, then Clint doesn't do it.  If they seem supportive to the idea, then he comes out."  Barney shook his head.  "Hell, he can come out if he wants to either way.  At least, this way, he has an idea of what to be prepared for."

"No NHL player, past or present has come out."

"I'll have a long talk with my kids, but Laura and I.  Laura and I want him to be happy and if being out and proud makes him happy. Then he should."

"So long as he's not doing it for Phil."

"At least not just for Phil." Barney stated.

"I think Phil is apart of it, but I don't think its just Phil."

Barney sighed and nodded.  "Pride Night then?"

"I think I can talk them into it." Natasha smirked.  "We've all heard the rumors about Stark after all and it's not like he denies them."

"Then let's do that and go from there.  You don't think it's too late in the season, do you?"

Natasha hesitated, before shaking her head.  "It'll show management’s feelings on it.  If they make it happen, then they'll be supportive."

Barney smiled slowly.  "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"You watch out for Clint," Natasha stated. "Keep it up and you won't. Regress to our high school days and…"

"Live in fear?"

"Exactly." Natasha finished off her drink and stood.  "I'm going to get some sleep.  Clint gets up early, because he likes Phil's coffee on the way in.  Can't exactly get in the way of that."

"He good enough for Clint?" Barney asked as Natasha reached the doorway.

She paused and looked back.  "He's smart, owns his own business, friends with the general manager…"

Barney eyebrow rose.

"Fury's wrath strikes fear into the heart of the team."

"We have an ally for Clint."

Natasha smiled.  "I'm embarrassed, I didn't connect those dots sooner."

"Even you can't be perfect," Barney said, finishing his own drink.  "Thanks for the vodka."

"You're welcome," Natasha said.  "As for Phil, that's up to Clint to decide, but I think they would be a good match."

Barney nodded as he stood.  He set the glasses into the sink and headed toward Clint's room.  Natasha made her back to her bedroom and eyed Clint's sleeping form.

-

Clint took a seat in the large conference room with Steve taking a seat to his left and Pietro Maximoff to his right.  The others all took seats around the table with the agents and support staff left standing or sitting on the filing cabinet as in the case of Darcy Lewis. The head of the table remained opened for the coaches, GM, and Tony if he chose to show up.

They'd won last night's game, so he wondered what was going on that would result in a full team meeting.  They hadn't played badly and the team had gelled nicely.  Clint had allowed a goal late in the game, but his performance wasn't horrible.

The coaches trickled in.  Bucky Barnes, former goaltender for the Avengers, turned goaltending coach.  He was brilliant and knew what he was talking about, but due to an unfortunate injury had been sidelined.  He was also life long friends with Steve and nodded as he took a seat next to the other man.  Next to him was Jasper Sitwell, who was the assistant coach. Clint liked him, he was full of snark, and was a great defensive coach.  The head coach was Felix Blake. He was gruff and generally took no attitude from anyone.  Clint really did like his coaching staff.

Fury was the next one in. He was dressed in all black with only the silver of the Avengers' logo.  He didn't sit, just eyed everyone in the room.  "Since I don't know if Stark will be joining us, I'll go ahead and get started."

"We do something wrong, Fury?" Luke Cage asked, leaning back in his chair.

"No, we're a new team in the league and I want to be the best, not just on the ice, but off it.  Stark agrees with me.  Because of that we'll be holding our first ever LGBT Pride night. There haven't been many NHL teams that have held one and we're going to be added to that list."

Clint blinked in surprise, because he hadn't expected that announcement.

"When?" Sam Wilson asked.  He was the starting line right wing.  

"We'd like to do it in about a month," Fury replied.  "We're contacting other teams to ensure a positive environment.  We want to have it before the season is over and make it a yearly event. That's why we're having a team meeting about this."

Steve nodded.  "Have we thought about doing one of the 'You Can Play' segments?"

"A what?" Foggy Nelson asked.

"It's an video project that's designed to change the culture of locker rooms and spectators," Steve stated.  "You have to admit, some of the cheers…"

"Those cheers are traditional," Namor MacKenzie pointed out.

"So was slavery," Luke Cage pointed out.  

Namor shrugged, but didn't say anything.

"Steve, if you want to put together a video go for it," Fury nodded. "I need all hands on deck for this.  I've got phone calls in to determine which home game it's going to be.  Once I find out, I'll let you know. Maybe they'd like to do a video as well."

"We could play them between periods," Bruce suggested.

"You know, to be honest, I don't see a point to this," Pym said.  "NHL doesn't have gay players. No one has come out…"

"There's been four professional women that have come out," Quill pointed out.

"No man, not even when they've hung up the skates," Pym finished, glaring at Quill.

"We're doing this," Fury stated.  "We're going to be LGBT friendly.  We're going to have a Pride night and if Ms. Van Dyne chooses, we just might have a rainbow jersey made up.  If you don't like it, come see me and we'll talk."

"Which is code," Blake stated, paused making sure that all eyes were on them.  "If you have a problem, we'll trade you."

"What about…?" Rhodes started.

"Tony Stark fully supports that decision," Fury stated.

Rhodey nodded.  "I just wanted to make sure he okayed that."

Fury nodded once.  Everyone knew that Rhodes and Stark were friends from practically childhood. The rumor was that Stark had started a new NHL team, so that his bff Rhodes could play.  Rhodey said that wasn't the case, Stark was rich and because of Rhodes, he was interested in hockey. If Stark was going to own to a professional team, it would be a hockey team. Of course, Stark was going to try to get Rhodes on his team.  Rhodes never used that relationship for more playing time.  He was good enough and had been named the alternate captain for a number of years now.

"You're all dismissed to your normal practice," Fury stated.  "Or your normal jobs. Get on this thing, we want it to be successful."

The support staff left first, mostly because they were standing, and then the rest of the team.

"You willing to be in the video, Clint?" Steve asked as they were filing out of the room.

"I'm pretty sure my name is still mud after the Frost Giants game."

"Plus he's old," Pietro commented, turning to look at him.  "You don't want an old man like him."

"Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance, Maximoff."

Pietro turned and eyed him for a long moment.  "I doubt that…"

Clint just grinned at the kid. He liked Pietro, the rookie had a smartmouth, but he was certainly talented.

"Well, I'm taking that as 'I volunteer' Pietro," Steve said.  "Clint?"

"I'll think about it," Clint said, mostly because he wanted to talk to Natasha and the team seemed to be supportive of LGBT in general.  Maybe, he would come out.

-

Phil stepped into the darkened bar. He glanced at the TV to see the pre-game for Avengers at Edmonton.  He wasn't too surprised; the bar was big on supporting all the Wisconsin teams, and had embraced the Avengers.  Phil had found the place years ago to watch Green Bay games with other fans along with Brewers games.  It used to have a wall for the Blackhawks, but that stuff had come down and been replaced with Avengers gear.  Phil had helped contribute to that.  Most of it was some of the freebies that Stark gave away at games, but it was slowly being upgraded.

Phil smirked as he caught sight of a few of the Avengers road jerseys on people.  The Avengers were slowly being embraced by the locals. He weaved through the tables, nodding at a few familiar faces until he came to his usual table, took a seat in his usual  chair, and smiled at his usual drinking partner. "Looks like you didn't destroy your fanbase with the loss the other night."

Nick Fury regarded him.  "Don't even try to pretend that you know what you're talking about."

Phil shrugged.  "I know the Avengers lost."  It was true, Phil wasn't a hockey fan, yet somehow he managed to attract numerous hockey fans into his life.  Phil blamed Nick for that, because Nick tended to steer them into Phil's life.  

"You know for a guy that runs a coffee shop at the arena…" Nick started, trailing off as Phil shook his head.

"It's not like I could actually watch the game if I wanted to. Far too busy for that."

Nick didn't have a counter to that argument.  "Everything's good with the shop?"

Phil nodded.  "Team leave alright, last night?"

Nick nodded, glancing at the TV.  "Reports say that they're ready to go.  We're doing a theme night in a month by the way."

"Oh?" Phil asked, arching an eyebrow.

Nick gestured toward the TV and Phil turned to look at it.  Just as someone asked the bartender to turn it up for a moment.  Normally the TV was on mute with closed captions as the bar got busy, but it was still pregame and the bartender complied with the request.  

Stark took center stage and made a short speech and Phil smiled slowly, before turning to look at Nick.  Nick was no longer watching him, he was watching the other patrons reaction to Stark's news.  Several of the patrons had season tickets. Phil was pretty sure that approximately none of them recognized the Avengers' GM, which Nick used to his advantage.  Nick came here for almost all the away games to get the general public's reaction to what was going on with the team.  Announcing an LGBT pride night wasn't as controversial as it once was, but there were some people that would create an uproar about it as the Oakland A's had proven last year when they announced their LGBT night.

"I'm surprised you got Stark to clarify what you meant by LGBT."

"Most people know what LGBT is, but don't know what genderqueer, genderfluid, or agender is.  We are trying to be inclusive."

"I'm rather surprised that you do…"

"Darcy, Darcy is up to date on all of that.  Did you know the team has the same colors that Asexuals have chosen? Can you imagine the outrage on the internet if we didn't include them somehow."

Phil nodded, though he didn't spend much time in the same places that Darcy did. She was certainly more connected to everything than Phil was.  "I suppose I should see if Bobbi will make some new designs?"

"If you want," Nick nodded.  "You'll all be getting an email about it. I'm going to leave it up to you all to decide what you want to do."

"You going to do some souvenir?  A's had the wristband."

"We'll do something, but now we're on a time crunch, because we didn't think of doing this earlier.  Stark is certain that we can get it done and make it successful in time though.  It'll just take some extra work."

Phil nodded.  "You'll do something amazing, I'm sure."

Nick smiled, looking beyond Phil.  "They're not too upset by it."

Phil turned to look around and smiled.  No, he could see some discussion going on, but none of the voices had been raised at the news.  Phil smiled, this group was vocal about their feelings and if it was something the didn't like, they would hear about it.  It was why Nick liked coming here, he could get an idea of the general moods of the fans.

It wasn't too long before their regular waitress arrived at the table with a mug of Phil's usual.  Phil admitted that he probably was a bit predictable when he came here.  

-

"Ms. Romanov," Steve called.

Natasha debated ignoring him by pretending that she didn't hear him, but Steve didn't deserve that treatment.  She paused turning to look at him.  "What is it, Mr. Rogers?"

"Is Clint okay?" Steve asked, sliding his hands into his hoodie as he looked at her.

Natasha considered her answer.  "As far as I know, he's fine."

Steve nodded, biting his lip.

"Is there anything else?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah, you mind if we…" he gestured toward an alcove where they would be out of the way and unlikely to be overheard.

Natasha relented, going over and arching her eyebrow at him.

"Is… does…" Steve sighed.  "You know I've been organizing the 'You Can Play' video."

Natasha nodded, but said nothing. She suddenly had an idea of where this was going.

"Clint is, uh, he's normally someone that jumps on stuff like this, but he's been avoiding me and refusing to give me a straight answer."

"Okay…" Natasha started.

"Does he, uh, does he have a problem with gay people?" Steve asked in a hushed whisper.  

Natasha resisted the urge to laugh at Steve's concerned expression.  "Not to my knowledge."

"So, why is he…" Steve trailed off.

"I don't know," Natasha lied.  Clint was a bisexual man in the closet. He wasn't going to make a video about being accepted on the ice when he wasn't sure he would actually be accepted.

"You think I should just lay off of him?" Steve asked.  "I don't want to push, but he's the guy that always has my back on these projects since he came here.  It's weird not having him there."

Natasha smiled.  "I understand, but this one, I think you need to do without Clint."

Steve sighed.  "But he's okay with everything that's going on."

"He's fine, living in fear that Stark will unleash a rainbow monstrosity as an alternative sweater, but fine."

Steve managed a grin.  "Stark does have a flair for spectacle. I think we should do a purple alternate.  It's at least our colors."

Natasha nodded, she could certainly see that.

"So he's okay with Pride Night, he's been quiet since…"

"He's fine with that.  There's some stuff that he's working out in his head."

"Good." Steve nodded.

Natasha liked to think that Clint would come out after he was done playing.  "Just give him time, Steve."

"Well, if he needs someone to talk to…" Steve offered.  "I'm willing to listen."

"I'll let him know." Natasha said, before taking a few steps away.  She turned back to look at him.  "Steve, you know that people are going to be watching this thing, don't you?"

Steve nodded.

She stepped forward.  "Make sure it comes from here." She tapped his chest over his heart.  "And make sure you mean it."

"I wouldn't do it, if I didn't mean it," Steve stated.

Natasha smiled.  "Good."  She turned and left Steve there.  She could honestly say that she hadn't told him a thing, but maybe she had given him enough to go on.

She stepped outside and welcomed the cold weather.  It was probably good that she didn't drive to the arena with Clint.   She liked the car cooler than he did.  He claimed her preference for the colder weather was due to her Russian blood. She really couldn't disagree with that assessment. She headed to her car, glancing at her cell phone.  There were a few calls from some of her other clients.  

She frowned when she recognized Derek Bishop's number.  He wasn't her client, but his daughter Kate was.  Kate, who loved the sport of hockey, but whose father wanted her to be a figure skater.  Kate would be excellent at either sport, just as soon as she was able to commit to one.  Natasha would be happy to represent her for either sport. She had connections to coaches for both. Kate preferred hockey and Natasha was certainly inclined to let her go with that.

She climbed into her car and let the bluetooth connect to the speaker, before calling Derek back.  What followed was a long conversation about how she should push Kate into figure skating.  Natasha pointing out that Kate's performance would be affected by how much she enjoyed herself and she did not enjoy figure skating.  It was a common argument, one that was getting progressively harder.  Figure Skating had plenty of skills that were transferable to hockey and Natasha had managed to broker the peace between the two for a while, but Kate recognized that she had learned everything that was transferable. It was a conversation that took the whole drive back to the apartment and all the way to elevator with nothing truly resolved.  Natasha made a mental note to call Kate tomorrow when she knew Derek wasn't around.  Derek might be paying her, but Kate was her client and Kate was old enough to know what she wanted to do.

She rubbed at her temples as she rode up toward to the top floor. She stepped off and walked down the hall to the furthest apartment on the right. She pulled her key and opened the door.  She inhaled at the scent and sighed.  Clint had cooked.  

"Tasha?" Clint called, coming from the kitchen area.  "I made chili."

"I can smell it," Natasha stated, following his voice.  "You're worrying Steve."

Silence greeted that and when Natasha laid eyes on Clint, he was adorably confused looking.

"You're avoiding the 'You Can Play' thing," Natasha stated.

"Yeah, well…" Clint started.  "If I don't come out until after I stop then it's kind of hypocritical and I don't think it's my place to say I have a spot either?"

Natasha nodded, going to grab a bowl and ladling some chili into her bowl.  "Sounds like you're thinking of coming out."

"It's kind of all I have been thinking of," Clint said. "I mean, they're being supportive of Pride Night. But…" Clint wrapped his arms around him.  "What if that's all they're okay with, the idea of it…"

"I doubt that. You'll be the same Clint Barton that they know and love or in Pietro's case love to antagonize."

"That kid is such a punk," Clint stated, shaking his head.  "His sister is okay though."

Natasha smiled as she put some cheese and some sour cream into the chili.  Clint had a tendency to overdo the spices when he was in deep thought. "You like anyone who can turn you into jelly with their hands."

"Might want to add a bit more sour cream," Clint commented.

Natasha paused, side-eying him.  "Was it too spicy for you?"

Clint smiled and shrugged.

Natasha added two more heaping spoonfuls of sour cream.  She didn't mind spicy, but Clint definitely liked it spicier than she did.  "I think Steve will be in your corner."

"Yeah, well, I don't think Steve knows how to hate anyone."

"So will Fury."  Natasha took a bite of the chili and winced, so very spicy.

Clint pushed off from the wall and slipped past Natasha into the kitchen.  "What makes you say that?"

"He's got a friend that's gay."  Natasha took another bite, trying to ignore the burn.

"He does?" Clint asked, opening the fridge.

Natasha nodded.  "I think he'll only be concerned if it affects your goaltending skills."

Clint pulled a gallon of milk and then grabbed a glass to pour some into.  "And how would my being with a guy affect my goaltending skills."

"Says the man I've seen limping after a few of his one nighters."

"That was before I learned how important prep was," Clint said, handing her the milk.

Natasha took a sip and tried not to look too grateful.  "Excuses, excuses."

"You want some more sour cream?"

Natasha glared at him.  "Regardless, Pietro will probably just turn his old man jokes into old, gay man jokes.  He does look up to you. I think he'd be surprised what you could do if you took off the pads."

"Was that a threat to show him the video tapes?" Clint asked.

Natasha smiled.  "Darling, you know I don't make threats."

Clint relaxed minutely.

"Besides I had them converted to digital years ago."  Natasha took another bite. The burn was a bit easier to handle. "I think that you might have a problem with Namor, because he'll take offense if he manages to beat you for the number one spot.  It'll be about Blake and the others pulling the gay man."

Clint nodded.  "Sounds like Namor."

"Maybe the third line, because let's face it…"

"Third line is a bunch of assholes," they said together.   They grinned at one another.

"They're pretty proud of that," Clint agreed.

"They are, but they're not bad guys.  They'll fall in line. Udonta, Rocket, and Quill will just make horribly tasteless jokes.  Drax will ask questions that he shouldn't and Groot…"

Clint shook his head.  "I feel bad for Groot. Rocket is the only one that speaks his language and..."

Natasha shook her head.  "Who knows how Rocket translates things."

Clint nodded.

"I'm sure Stark will love it, if you come out for Pride Night."

"Yeah, let's see how that goes first and then maybe after the trade deadline.  I don't really want to come out and then get traded someplace that I don't know if I'll have any support."

Natasha smiled at that.  "Good plan."

"Hey, I'm great at plans," Clint said, heading out of the room.

Natasha rolled her eyes.  He was certainly bouncing back though and for that Natasha was grateful.

-

Clint stepped into Latte-da, a place that was thankfully free of an overabundance of red and pink hearts and naked winged babies.  He'd bought Natasha some vodka, a pair of tickets for a symphonic series, and a trading card of Bucky Barnes, because he saw the way she looked at him. She'd gotten him a new travel pillow, a giant thing of chocolates, and a gift card to Latte-da.  The gift card was something she'd given him for his birthday and Christmas.  The gift giving tradition went back years.

Clint glanced around, not surprised to see Melinda, but disappointed.  Melinda meant that Phil wasn't working.  They only shared early morning shifts on the weekend.  Clint still stepped up an unfamiliar face behind the till, a quick glance at the name tag, which read Lincoln.  He smiled at Lincoln, who looked slightly nervous, definitely a recent a hire.

"Hey," Clint said.

"Hi," Lincoln said, looking nervous at him.  "What can I get for you?"

Clint gave his usual order and handed over the gift card.  He was fairly sure there was either an obscene amount of money on it or the minimum.  Natasha was like that.  It was apparently the former, since Lincoln didn't ask for more.  Clint stepped to the side.

"Hey Melinda," Clint said when she set the drink down in front of him.

"Clint," Melinda said. "Nice work last night."

Clint smiled.  "Thanks."  She was the only one that seemed to recognize him or at least the only one that commented on it.  Phil had expressed his lack of knowledge regarding hockey, which amused Clint to no end.

On his way to find a seat, Clint froze as Phil stepped out of the back. Phil was in a grey suit with a black shirt and no tie.  The shirt was unbuttoned and Clint could make out a few chest hairs. Thick framed glasses perched on his nose. He was gorgeous.  "Hey Phil, what's with the suit?"

"Melinda set me up on a blind date," Phil replied.

"Ow, a blind date?" Clint asked, taking a sip of his drink. There was slight twinge of jealousy, not for Phil going out with another guy, because Clint had no claim on him, but because Phil was going on a date, something that Clint hadn't been on in a long time. "Really?"

"Apparently, I've been single and dateless for too long." Phil rolled his eyes.

Clint reached up to scratch at the back of his head.  "Yeah, I know that feeling."

"I'm sure Melinda could set you up," Phil said, glancing over at her.

"I'd have to know more about Clint before I could," Melinda commented.  "There are no secrets with you."

Phil sighed. "I don't know why I agreed to this…"

"Because she's your Natasha?"

Phil arched an eyebrow.

"So scarily efficient that you dare not cross them for your life would fall apart without them."

Phil laughed.  "Yeah, that sounds about right."

"So you know anything about the guy?"

Phil shook his head.  "She's been very tight-lipped about him."

"Picture?"

"Not even that."

Clint made a face.  "Poor Phil."

"Yes, and he's coming here, so it's not like I can skip out."  Phil gestured toward Melinda. He stepped closer to Clint and whispered.  "She texted me about what to wear and when I didn't follow through went home on her break to get the outfit."

Clint laughed softly.  "That sucks Phil.  I think I owe Natasha a little something extra for not doing that to me."

Phil shrugged.  "I lost a bet."

"Yeah, I've learned to never bet with Natasha.  She always wins. Always."

Phil hummed, glancing past Clint.  "Makes me wonder what would happen if those two bet against one another."

"Trouble, so much trouble for the two of us."

"Good point. Are we doomed already or is there anything we can do to save ourselves?"

Clint shook his head.  "They know of each other already.  It's already far too late."

"Damn," Phil muttered.

The bells above the bell jangled and Clint twisted to glance at the person coming in the door.  A tall blonde woman walked in. Clint looked back at Phil with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, no, it's a guy," Phil said. "Melinda knows I'm gay. You know, I'm gay."

"Well, you've mentioned a woman before…"

"Audrey and she was before I figured myself out.  Besides she moved to Portland."

"Well, you might be willing…"

"No," Phil shook his head.  "I definitely am happier with guys as long as they're not trying to hide."

Clint nodded.

"Maybe this guy has decided not to come," Phil said, sounding hopeful.  "She can't be mad at me, if he doesn't show."

"Well, he's probably going to show now. You just jinxed yourself."

"Probably," Phil agreed as the bells jangled again.  Phil tilted to look around him.

"Is it a guy this time?"

"Yes," Phil said.  "He's not bad looking."

"Phil! Are you saying that you can't date an ugly person!"

Phil gave him an unamused look.  Clint grinned as he turned and agreed with Phil's assessment.  The guy wasn't bad looking.  He was muscular with dark hair and glasses.  He was also already talking to Melinda.

Clint turned back to look at Phil.  He waited until Phil met his eyes and mouthed 'good luck' to him, before stepping away from the bar.  He took a seat nearby and watched the scene.  Phil and the guy awkwardly shook hands and exchanged few words, before stepping away. Phil was utterly adorable and Clint held his cup to cover the smile he had.

He genuinely liked Phil, but Phil had been clear, he was out and had no intention of going back into the metaphorical closet. Right now, that was all Clint could offer him.  He hoped that Phil did have a good time, because Clint wasn't sure when he was going to come out; though one thing was for sure, he wasn't going to live the rest of his life in the closet.  He was actually jealous of Phil's blind date and if he was jealous, well, he'd have to come out sometime.  Sometime after he retired from hockey for sure, maybe sooner, if the team seemed to be supportive.