Work Text:
Clint finds Steve all by himself, hitting a punching bag like his life depends on it. He supposes that maybe it does for Steve, right now. Clint has had his share of bad luck and tragedy in life but nothing like what Steve is experiencing right now. Everyone Steve has ever known and loved is dead or nearing death.
He looks so young, Clint thinks as he approaches him. He makes sure his steps are heavy. Surprising a supersoldier seems like a terrible idea, one that will leave Clint with a lot of bruises. He has no desire for that. At all.
"Are you planning to do this all night?" Clint asks.
Steve pauses mid-hit and swallows. "Maybe," he says.
"I could think of more fun things to do," Clint suggests, "like food or coffee. Coffee is always good."
"Coffee doesn't affect me," Steve mumbles.
"But the taste, Steve, the taste!" Clint exclaims. "Come on, new mission, let me convince you coffee is the best thing ever. Just for the night."
Steve reluctantly agrees. Clint is going to take it as a victory anyway. He got the guy to come out of the gym. Even if Steve goes back to punching about his feelings tomorrow, it's still something.
"I know just the place," Clint says.
It's the place where he usually takes his dates. He doesn't tell Steve that. He doesn't know how receptive Steve will be. Sure, everyone in history has said Steve is a chill and accepting guy but you never know. Clint doesn't want to ruin all his chances by getting a little too excited. Even though a date with Steve is now firmly set into his mind and he'd love for it to be reality one day. Now is not the time. It's all about those baby steps and the first step is a cup of coffee.
"You've convinced me," Steve says after his first few steps.
Clint knew he would. This is the best coffee after all and Clint is a man of his word.
"I think you'd be able to convince me of a lot of things," Steve says with a shy smile.
It's the cutest thing Clint has ever seen.
"How about a movie at my place?" Clint suggests.
Steve agrees, a lot more excited than he was about the coffee. And Clint is going to take this slow, he swears. But he thinks it's going to go somewhere. He wants it to. Whether it's friendship or more. He likes being around Steve and he thinks Steve needs someone to hang out with. A total win to be hanging out together, if you ask Clint.