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“Are you insane?” Clint hissed, trying not to wake the children upstairs. They were being unreasonable. There was no way that he would agree to this, and neither would Laura. Laura would kill him for even considering this option. “We are not putting her in danger. Not like that.” They had landed 2 hours ago and still had no form of a plan other than to show up and hope that Pietro didn’t run the other way when he saw them.
FRIDAY had found the kid after monitoring suspicious activity nearby his house. A grey speedster, too far away from Central City to be one of the Flashes. Too close to home for it to be comfortable. Too familiar. Too similar to the boy who had saved his life with a snarky victorious smirk before succumbing to his injuries. And the worst part is he was right under Clint’s nose. In the same neighborhood, flirting with Rose, the first child that he raised. The girl who had apparently snuck out at 10 years old and befriended street kids for fun. In a foreign country. Clint would have to circle back to that later, but what the fuck. The only thing he can be thankful for was the Maximoffs. She had run into them and they had protected her.
“As much as I hate this too, it may be our only option.” Tony argued, the connection was obvious. The plan was unfortunately the most probable and easiest way into Pietro’s second chance at life. But it was insane. “We’ll be there every step of the way, we'll pull her out when it’s too much.”
“She’s a civilian, Stark.” Natasha cut in, cool as usual. “Not to mention she’s 16, and this is emotional for her as much as it is for us.”
Clint sighed, collapsing on the couch. It had been months since he’d been home. Longer since he’d seen his eldest one-on-one. Clint just assumed it was a phase that all teenagers went through at some point, but now he had to ask something of her. Now, she may have been in trouble and there was no way of protecting her. “We have to figure something out otherwise we’re gonna run out of time.”
“This is the best case scenario.” Wanda offered.
“Best case scenario is we protect my children.” Clint said, running his hands through his blonde hair. “This doesn’t just expose Rose to danger. It exposes everyone. If people figure out the connection, regardless of how this goes, it can expose my entire family.”
There was a reason why they were in hiding. It’s why the kids bore his wife’s maiden name at school. If any one of the people who simply don’t like them want to retaliate the first thing they’ll get to is Clint’s kids. They’re young, easy, and vulnerable. Tony of all people should understand that, he has protection details on his security guard and his ex. He pulled Happy out of the field and retired him to office manager after the Mandarin situation. He gave Pepper an ungodly amount of technology at her disposal to call for help if need be. Tony knew exactly what Clint was worried about. “Worst case scenario, HYDRA’s involved somehow.”
Clint crossed his arms before Steve spoke, “Best case scenario, it’s a medical mystery and we can just take him home. Either way. Rose is our only way to get close to him without setting off alarms.”
“Laura’s going to kick my ass for putting her daughter in danger.” Clint sighed. “I’m not doing it. She’s too young. She’s untrained. She’s unfit.”
“Clint.”
“I’m not hearing it.”
Wanda’s soft voice came in, “Pietro would never hurt her. He loves her still.”
Clint felt his eye twitch, “That’s not the point. The point is this puts everyone at an unnecessary risk. This is too dangerous and too much of a gamble to–”
Clint could hear the pattering of soft footsteps trying to sneak up the stairs and before he could even look up he heard Natasha’s voice pierce through his words, “What are you doing up? It’s 5:30 in the morning Rosie,” His head shot up staring at the girl. The first time he had seen her in a while. She looked like a mess, dark circles under her eyes, hair was up in a ponytail that was falling out of her hair as they spoke. Coffee cup in her hand–when had she even started drinking coffee? Her green eyes had widened, she had not expected to be called out.
“Speaking of the child.” he could hear Tony mutter, he shot the billionaire a look. A murderous glare.
“Hey Auntie Nat… I have school? I leave in 30 minutes. I have to be there at 7 and I walk.” She said awkwardly, not looking at any of them. Class started at 7. Good to note, they would have to drop her off and pick her up, just in case HYDRA or other players are involved. Laura would want her to be as protected as possible. Speaking of his wife, he probably should tell her what was happening. Showing up with the team out of nowhere was probably not a good look.
Nat gave a pointed look at the coffee cup in her hand. Rose simply shrugged. “I needed coffee. This project is kicking my ass.”
“Rosaline Barton, language.” When had she started cursing like this? He watched her tense at the mention of her full name. Smooth Barton. Smooth.
“Welcome home dad. Sorry for not saying it earlier, you guys seemed busy.” She wouldn’t even look at him “Mom, Lila, and Cooper are still sleeping but they should be up in a few. Nathaniel probably is gonna wake up because of the noise.” She turned around to continue up the stairs before rushing up as she finished her last statement, not giving Clint a chance to even speak. “Coffee’s on a pot on top of the stove, looks like you guys need it. I’m gonna go.” She finished as she fully sprinted up the stairs.
“Rose wait–” It was too late, she was already up the stairs. “Damnit.”
“I’ll talk to her.” Natasha said, watching the girl go up. “Wanda and I will probably stick to her room. Are you okay with that Wanda?”
“Yeah, sure. We’ve had sleepovers before,” Clint did not want to think about that right now so he just nodded.
“Well I’ll let her know in a few. I’ll grab some coffee before heading up, I think I’m gonna need it.” Natasha basically ended the conversation there, grabbing the box of earl grey cream puffs that they had to bribe the girl. “I think it’s gonna take a bit for her to get ready. I’ll grab her before she leaves, don't worry.”
This was a terrible terrible idea.