Work Text:
A firm chill shot through Bruce as he woke up. The apartment was freezing! He was used to Clint enjoying the cold but this felt extreme. Speaking of...
"Clint?" Bruce felt around the bed, noticing a lack of a boyfriend. Lucky was happy to be a temporary body to warm him up, immediately licking his face and panting aggressively, but Bruce felt his heart sink when he finally realised Clint wasn't there. It wasn't entirely unusual; Clint still worked for the avengers and was often called out on missions or to meetings. But this close to Christmas??
"BRUCE!" Bruce jolted up hearing Clint's voice. It sounded like it was coming from outside? What time even was it? Bruce wrapped himself in his thickest blanket and approached the window, which he now noticed was wide open. That explained the cold.
The world looked like it'd lost its colour. Everything was blanketed in a thick layer of snow, Bruce quietly observed people struggling to move their cars or shoveling snow off pathways. This must've been an overnight thing...-
"BRUCE! DOWN HERE!" Bruce finally looked down, spotting Clint sat in a large snowdrift. At least he was dressed warm, and Bruce couldn't help smiling at his goggles. So cute! "COME JOIN ME! YOU NEED TO TRY THIS SLED! IT GOES SO FAST!!" He raised a slab of cardboard with a large grin on his face.
"That.. looks incredibly dangerous!" Bruce called back, "I'll be down in a minute though. Just don't get yourself hurt!"
"CANT GUARANTEE THAT DOC!" Clint yelled, which was shortly followed by a muffled THUD. Bruce sighed to himself. Clint never changes. Probably why he was so endearingly cute.. Focus, get dressed before he gets into any more accidents.
Bruce sprinted outside donning a large fluffy jacket and fur lined pants, something simple yet warm. He didn't need too much to remain warm; deep down he knew this was more for Clint than for himself but he didn't want anyone thinking he was weird. Who stands in inch deep snow wearing shorts and a t-shirt? Other than Joe.
"CLINT?!" Bruce yelled, flinching as his voice echoed in the silence. "I forgot how eerie snowfall makes the world..-"
POMPH.
A large snowball smacked Bruce in the side of the head, causing him to slip and fall. He quietly waited for Clint to run over and apologise and help him up but..
"GOTCHA!" Clint was practically crying with laughter, "HAWKEYE STRIKES AGAIN." He stared in anticipation, waiting for Bruce to get up.. But nothing. Bruce sat silently on the ground in an odd calmness. "B-Bruce? Honey? Are.. you okay?? I didn't mean to hurt ya or anything.."
"Lucky." Bruce spoke suddenly, his voice muffled just enough for Clint to not hear him. But Lucky, who had stood in the doorway watching the chaos, darted to Bruce's side.
"Oh no-"
"ATTACK." Bruce sat up and sharply pointed at Clint, causing Lucky to spring into action and sprint at him full force. Clint tried to run but it was futile. When Lucky had a target he didn't tend to miss. Bruce watched as Clint was knocked over and dragged around through the snow like a chew toy.
"Thats what you get!" He laughed to himself as he pulled himself out of the snow. "Lucky! Here!" Lucky bolted off Clint, leaving him stuck in the snow, and returned to Bruce's side with a wagging tail.
"NO FAIR! Why does he listen to you so well?!"
"He just loves me." Bruce had finally approached Clint, pulling him up out of the snow. "Did this happen overnight? Its a lot of snow.."
"Apparently something's going on in New York." Clint leaned into Bruce for both balance and warmth, "Fury tried to call me in but the blizzard going on is far too intense for any outside avengers to risk it. Especially not me."
"I see.. so that means..?" A light smile spread across Bruce's face as he nuzzled his head into Clint's chest.
"That means I can spend more time with you." Clint didn't mind Bruce's more forward attempts at affection. He was so warm, like a blazing fire. "So? How about some sledding?" Clint couldn't help pulling away. He always did. It was instinct at this point. But surprisingly, Bruce held on. And the force only ended up pulling them back into the small pit of snow Lucky helped create.
"Mm.." Bruce held onto Clint like a baby Koala, "Maybe.. give it a few minutes. You're comfortable."
"Hey! I'm not laying in the snow all day!" Clint protested. He wouldn't admit Bruce's warmth made the snow feel like nothing. He wouldn't admit Bruce's large doey eyes made his heart melt like the ice around them. And he would never, EVER admit the touch of Bruce's warm lips on his made him feel like life was really worth it.
They could sit there for hours, lips locked together, as if the world around them didn't exist.
Until it did. Lucky's barks suddenly dragged them out of their romantic episode as Clint jolted up, headbutting Bruce aggressively.
"BRUCE- SHIT I'M SORRY!" Clint finally got himself up, pulling his dazed partner up with him. "Fuck i- are you okay?? I'm so sorry Lucky just freaked me out.." Bruce stood quietly, holding onto Clint. His neck had a soft green haze to it.
"Mmfine." He spoke harshly, as if his throat had tensed up. His breathing stiffened as he fought back against the impending doom that was the Hulk. His skin felt prickly, as if it weren't his own, and Clint noticed quickly.
"Are you okay? Are you concussed? What about your eyes- look at me-" Bruce seemed surprised as Clint held his head firmly, analysing his eyes.
"I- Clint-?" He tried to interrupt but he was caught off guard by a small amount of snow being held against his head.
"To stop any swelling. Okay? Your eyes seem fine and your head just appears mildly bruised and.." Clints voice trailed off. He was being smart, something he hated doing. Why now? Bruce didn't even know about that. Surely all he saw was some idiot-
"Wow.. You know your stuff..!" Bruce stared at him dreamily, "ive.. never heard you talk like that before.. you have a way with words dont you.."
"...Bruce you're injured. You're probably just having a delirious moment." Clint turned away and brushed the snow off his jacket. "Anyway, why don't we go SLEDDING?!"
Bruce stared at him silently, studying Clint's face. He wasn't hallucinating, he was sure of it. Clint wasn't the idiot he pretended to be. But he didn't have time to ask, as Clint grabbed his arm and began dragging him to the largest hill they could see.
"Cmon. Cmon! We don't know how long this snow is going to stay!" Clint's anxiety was replaced with a firm excitement as he dragged Bruce up the hill. "I love sledding, I used to do it all the time. Bucky helped me perfect my stance, so I go real fast. Bet you can't keep up."
"I.. would rather sit and watch." Bruce smiled nervously, barely keeping up with Clints speed, "I don't like the speed and instability.."
"Cmon! Itll be fun, promise, I'll go with you!" Before bruce could argue he was lightly pushed onto a very obviously makeshift sled. Some cardboard poorly taped together with a large metal tray underneath. "Its not the perfect sled, Steve's shield works MUCH better, but it'll work for us. Ready?"
Bruce knew it was too late to back out of this. His hands tensed on the borders of the makeshift sled as Clint climbed on and began pushing them over the hills ledge.
They picked up speed fast. TOO fast.
Bruce shut his eyes as they flew down the hill, Clint screaming and cheering behind him. He felt as if he was going to either throw up or completely hulk out, feeling his chest muscles tense and push lightly against his shirt. But before any changes could be made-
THWACK.
The edge of the sled hit a sharp rock and flung the two off. Being at the front Bruce just facepalmed into the snow, the rock digging into his foot lightly. But he was more focused on Clint's yelling getting quieter and quieter as he was thrown down the hill.
Thwomp. When Clint opened his eyes everything was a blinding white. Did he die? No. There's no way he could have, right?? Feeling around, everything felt cold and wet and.. gross.
"BRUCE?" He called out. But his voice fell dull against the snow surrounding him. "BRUCE!! BRUCE WHERE ARE YOU?!" He began trying to orient himself properly, but the snow continued to move and clump, enclosing him. He couldn't tell which way was up anymore. Everything looked the same and the cold was getting to him.
Part of him wanted to accept his fate. He wasn't a good man, he'd done a lot wrong in his life. Surely this was what he deserved right?? But then he began thinking about Bruce. How the small, nerdy man improved his life so much. How just being around him made his heart flutter like he was a teenager developing their first crush.
"Please.." he began to sob, "not here. Anywhere but here. I dont care if I die on a mission but.. not here.. I cant leave him behind.."
Thoom.
The ground shook. The snow began packing in tighter.
THOOM.
Clint curled up into a ball. His breathing felt small and sharp.
THOOM-
Clint was suddenly pulled out of the snowdrift. Seeing the sun glaring down at him was nice, but seeing the large green body holding him upside down was so much nicer.
"Hulk.." he mumbled, eyes still adjusting to the light. "You..-"
"Hulk will take you indoors." Hulk's voice was oddly calm, but Clint could see his tear stained cheeks.
"Is bruce..-"
"Puny Banner is fine. They worry about you. Bring hulk out to help." Hulk held Clint close to his chest, letting the radiating heat warm him up. It was nice. He leaned into it, embracing the warmth and comfort of Hulk's chest.
"I.. Can you.. tell him I'm sorry? I should've listened. He told me it was dumb-"
"Hulk think it funny." Hulk barely held back a laugh. "Hulk watch you fly through air like actual birdie. Arrows really become hawk..."
Clint was barely listening at this point. As Hulk kept talking and laughing he felt himself falling asleep, the warmth encasing him like a firm blanket. Soon he was completely out, head resting against Hulk's chest as he slept. Hulk hadn't noticed of course, hulk was far too busy talking about how stupid Clint looked. Hulk was very good at that.
Clint woke slowly. His whole body felt slow and heavy, and his eyes took a moment to adjust to where he was. The last thing he remembered was being carried through the snow..
"Bruce?" Of course that was his first word. He remembered Hulk was there. Was Hulk still here?? "Bruce??"
He felt his body tense instinctively as footsteps approached. What if Bruce wasn't here. What if he was in some sort of nightmare. What if he really did die, and this was his hell?! What if-
"Youre awake!!" Bruce approached happily, placing a small tray on the table before pulling Clint into a hug. "Youve been out for hours i was so worried.. How do you feel?? Hows your head?? Are you okay?!"
Clint ignored every question Bruce asked and pulled him in for a kiss. Bruce's warmth felt so good and Clint felt himself wrapping his hands around Bruce's back, holding him close.
The nightmare was over. It was finally over.
Bruce finally pulled away to actually breathe, but kept his arms wrapped over Clint's shoulders. "I missed you too.." he smiled awkwardly, "I made you hot chocolate to help warm up.. How do you feel..?"
"Amazing now you're around." Clint was hesitant to move his hands and take the drink, not wanting to let him go. Not wanting to feel isolated again. "Can you.."
"Gladly." Bruce laughed softly as he gave Clint the drink, "move up. I'm sitting with you."
The two cuddled together, happily sipping drinks and watching the snowfall continue. Bruce wondered how the avengers were fairing.. maybe they'd need his help? But he was so happy sitting there, taking in the peace. Clint on the other hand..
"Can I ask you something?" He looked at Bruce with serious eyes, hands gripping his cup a bit too tight.
"Huh, where'd this come from?" Bruce leaned into him with his usual puppy dog look. "Is everything alright?" He felt Clint shift in his seat uncomfortably, trying to figure out the words.
"You wont.. leave me right? I mean.. with what I did earlier, I shouldn't have pushed you into it.. And then when I got hurt I.. well it felt like a usual mission for me but.. I thought I was going to die and I began thinking about you and panicking and-"
"Clint?"
"And I just feared you'd leave me after this, I was so stupid and I'm so used to people leaving me." Clint felt tears streaming down his face as he spoke. He wasn't used to being this vulnerable.
"Clint."
"I don't want you to leave because I love you and you're the first time I've ever felt truly appreciated and-"
"CLINT." Clint froze. Was this it? Was Bruce going to leave? "Calm down. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
"Y-youre not..??"
"Of course not. Why would I leave you? You're.. Funny. But a good funny. What you did was stupid and sure you risked your life but.. watching how excited you got? The smile on your face? It.. made me happy. I want to see you happy like that again."
Clint stared, unsure on how to respond. He was so stupid and yet.. Bruce still loved him?? It felt almost wrong. But Bruce smiled softly and pulled him into another, firm kiss.
"I love you." He mumbled after pulling back. "Youre gonna have to be much stupider to get rid of me, Clint."
"Is that a challenge?" Clint smirked. "Because I'll gladly take it on."
The night continued peacefully, despite the threat of some blizzard causing beast outside. Neither of them cared.
They were happy to be together.