Clint returned back to the coffee shop religiously. Unless work was getting too busy or it stormed too hard, or it was Wednesday (Pietro's day off), then there was a cup of java in his hand at least once a day. He made sure it was from Pietro each and every time, and tipped him extra too. Clint was starting to get attached. A little too attached. He would get upset whenever another customer was taking too long to chat with the blonde and always tapped his foot impatiently waiting behind him. Pietro always grinned as if it was the funniest thing in the world and continued the conversation with the other customer just to piss him off. It seemed that Pietro was getting a little attached to his favorite customer as well. On his breaks, he'd go sit with Clint anytime he was around and they talked about almost anything. The only thing that wasn't brought up during these discussions was personal situations. Pietro never crossed the line and asked too much about Clint and Clint did the same, respecting his boundaries. The two had been through a lot, and Clint knew from past nights that Pietro and Wanda's mom had died. He didn't want to trigger a nerve and make Pietro hate him again. He was just starting to get over Natasha.
And just thinking about Natasha made Clint remember that he had forgotten all about her. Not forgotten of course, but he wasn't as heartbroken as he had been the prior week. He wasn't crying himself to sleep anymore, not that he ever did that over some girl. Natasha wasn't his girl. She had made that clear for years. Clint thought he was going to be alone forever after she announced her big move. At least having her here left him with some hope of "one day."
But now, this. This boy. Clint couldn't help but return a smile whenever Pietro's pink lips revealed his slightly crooked teeth. Clint's own dull blue eyes were nothing compared to Pietro's oceanic irises. If offered the chance, Clint would rather drown in them than ever go to work again.
On occasion, when Pietro was especially feeling like a tease, he'd press his foot right next to Clint's purple converse and leave it there for his whole 15 minute break while they talked about the world. Clint never made an effort to move but he did tense a little from the pressure against his shoe. What he couldn't stop doing was staring at Pietro's hands and lips. He'd touched those hands tons of times, not for longer than a second while a drink was being passed between them, but he knew how soft they were. He also wondered what Pietro's lips tasted like. Wondered if they were soft too. Suddenly realizing that during his heartbreak episode, when they went out, he had never thought to kiss Pietro and deeply regretted it. And he meant really kiss him. Not the sloppy makeout they did. Then again, if he had kissed him, it wouldn't have meant anything at the time. It really shouldn't mean anything anyway, this kid was clearly much younger than him, of legal age, yes, but younger none the less, and though he claimed to like Clint, Clint just couldn't bring himself to believe that.
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Clint strolled into the coffee shop looking grumpy as usual and trudged to the counter. "Black coffee?" The accent rolled into Clint's ears but something was different. It was a soft tone, feminine. He looked up and saw a girl with auburn hair and green eyes- Wanda. A frown joined his already grumpy and tired looking face, making him look even more disappointed if it was possible. She seemed just as pleased when looking him over.
"If you are looking for my brother, he is staying home today. He is sick." The word rang through Clint's ears. Sick? Clint wondered how bad it could be; if he was terribly hurt, maybe even needed to go to the hospital. Wanda must have been telepathic, because she chimed in on the silence and comforted him if only a little.
"Just a cold. He'll be back by tomorrow. He has a strong immune system. I know how you're obsessed with him. I know he makes good coffee, but you're being ridiculous. Don't think I haven't noticed because you're very obvious. Pietro never shuts up about you. So do you want that coffee or not?" Wanda smirked. That same expression that her brother makes. For some reason, it was different on Pietro though, more effective. Clint's thoughts were too scrambled to reply with coherent sentences, so instead he just nodded and muttered a weak 'please'.
A cup was in his hand within minutes and he handed over his four bucks and two extra for Wanda. He thanked her and walked out, bored with the shop without his cheeky barista.
Walking home, he grabbed a newspaper from a rack for absolutely no reason other than to look normal and not completely depressed over the absence of Pietro. He really shouldn't be this upset. It was ridiculous, as Wanda had said. Shrugging and trailing up his driveway he unlocked the front door just as the phone rang. Geez, who calls the home phone anymore? He quickly shut the door and rushed to the phone answering it.
"Uh hey?" He half expected it to be a telemarketer but then remembered his technologically challenged friend-
"Hi Clint." Steve's voice sounded through the tiny speakers. Clint could hear Bucky singing Celine Dion loudly and obnoxiously in the background.
"Hi Steve. Whatchya need?" Clint sipped his coffee and rolled his eyes when Bucky's voice became louder and clearly closer.
"Bucky can you- Sorry Clint just a second. Bucky! Quiet please!" Clint sighed and waited, hearing Bucky laugh a 'fuck you' at his boyfriend and Steve replying with 'language, Buck.' Steve finally returned sounding a little more frustrated.
"Clint are you still there?"
"Yeah, man, what's up?"
"Remember when we used to do karaoke nights on Tuesday's down at Hydra's?" Clint already didn't like where this was going and hesitated before replying.
"Yeah... Why?" But he already knew the answer.
"I asked everyone to come and if you wanted to come, you're welcome. Scott spotted you out with some guy so maybe you can bring him along. Oh- dang it... I wasn't supposed to tell you that..."
"Tell me what??? That Scott was spying on me?" Clint was glad he was in the comfort of his own home because the blush that invaded his face was redder than ever.
"Yes..." Steve's voice shrunk as he cowered. Clint just shook his head.
"Maybe. I'll think about it."
"Oh, too late for that Barton, I already added you to the sign-up sheet along with your mystery man." Bucky cut in and then the line went dead. Clint's eyes widened.
He was royally fucked.