FIC Family Bonds
17/3/13 23:05![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shanachie_quillTitle: Family Bonds
Characters: Clint Barton, Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Darcy Lewis, mentions of Jane Foster and Thor, Will Brandt, Ethan Hunt, Jane Carter, Benji Dunn, Cynthia (OC)
Fandom: Mission Impossible 4, The Avengers 2012
Series: Double Trouble
Written For:
Prompt:
Summary: Clint and Will don’t see anything unusual with the fact that they look alike, but they’re sure going to use the ability when they realize certain people in their lives can’t tell them apart.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: MI4: Ghost Protocol, Avengers, earlier stories in this series
Warnings: the twins are definitely ‘double trouble’, boys are inherently trouble-makers, Natasha protects her own, Ethan is supposed to be an observant spy, everyone might be more trouble than they’re worth
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me, not making any money off this.
Author's Note: I am soooo sorry that this took so long. Clint all of a sudden got stubborn when he realized that this meant things were drawing to a close and he just refused to talk. Hopefully he’ll let me finish up the next chapter quickly. Special thanks to chrismouse for the Russian (and a bit more) in this chapter and also to whogeek like always.
“Do you think it’s safe to leave Ethan alone in the tower?” Jane asked as she allowed Steve to assist her out of the car they’d taken to Central Park.
“He’s not technically alone,” Natasha replied, having finished giving Happy instructions for retrieving them. “Even if there were no people in the Tower, JARVIS would be there.”
“I’m still not sure why you dragged me out,” Bruce commented as the group walked towards the entrance.
“I already told you, you need fresh air every once in a while. And stepping out onto the balcony doesn’t count. Trees and greenery can only help,” Steve answered. “And you’re in company of people you trust so…”
Bruce sighed, but didn’t argue with his points. “I’m still not sure this is a good idea.”
Darcy patted his arm. “I’m sure it’ll be fine, Bruce.”
Clint slung an arm around Bruce from the other side. “No worries, big guy. I promise I brought the tranqs with me, just in case.”
Bruce looked at him with resignation. “Because that makes me feel so much better.”
“Nothing is going to happen, Bruce,” Natasha said soothingly. “We’re going to have a nice day in the park. Even if I have to knock everyone else out.”
Steve sighed. “Before we scare our guests, leave Bruce alone, you three.”
“We work with Ethan,” Benji pointed out. “Honestly. The Hulk wouldn’t be nearly as scary.” The Avengers turned almost as one to stare at him. “What? At least the Hulk has a reason for trying to smash people. Ethan’s just insane.”
“And you still work with him, why?” Clint asked, turning to his cousin.
Will shrugged. “At the time, it wasn’t so much of a choice as a ‘branded a traitor and this was the only way out’. Now well…if I say it seemed like a good idea, you’re going to kick my ass or have Nat do it. But it was a way to do some good.”
“Croatia,” Clint replied.
“Discussed,” Will answered.
“Satisfactorily?” Clint asked.
Will shrugged again. “I can live with it.”
“And do the others know?” Clint asked, motioning to Will’s teammates who were behind them now.
“No. And Ethan will probably keep it that way. I’d tell them if it was my choice, but she’s safer if they don’t know. Besides it’s not like you don’t keep things from your team,” Will pointed out.
“I keep things that aren’t their business from them. This involves them.”
“No. It really doesn’t.” Will turned so he was walking backwards and raised his voice. “Are we heading anywhere in particular?”
Clint’s grin was slightly maniacal as he answered, “The zoo!”
“I don’t think that’s a wise idea,” Bruce responded. “Somewhere a bit…quieter maybe.”
“We can split up,” Darcy suggested. “There’s nothing that says we have to stay in one group and it might be better if we’re less of a large…”
“Conglomerate?” Will suggested. When everyone just looked at him, he shrugged. “Classical education. What were you thinking, Miss Lewis?”
“Darcy,” she corrected. “And there’s no reason Clint can’t go to the zoo with whoever wants to go. I’d suggest the Sheep Meadow for those who want something quieter. It’s got WiFi and there’s places to spread out. Provided it hasn’t been filled yet. They only allow so many people in per day.”
“So who’s going where?” Jane asked. “I’m fine with either.”
Clint and Benji raised their hands, saying in unison, “Zoo.”
“That was kinda a given,” Will answered. “I’ll go with them and attempt to keep them out of trouble.”
“I’m not sure that you can actually keep your cousin out of trouble,” Natasha teased.
“There were extenuating circumstances!” Will protested. “And.” He glared. “I am not explaining myself.”
Darcy slipped her arm through Will’s, hugging it to her. “It’s okay, Will. I believe you. And I’ll go to the zoo with you guys. I’ve been wanting to go anyway.”
“So Jane?” Steve checked with the IMF agent and got a nod in reply. “And I will go with Bruce to Sheep Meadow.”
“Le Pain Quotidien for a late lunch?” Natasha suggested. “It’s by Sheep Meadow and has a terrace or we can do take-out and eat elsewhere.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Jane agreed.
“And has less of a chance of going pear-shaped than one of Ethan’s,” Benji pointed out.
There was a low growl from Clint’s direction, but Natasha brushed her hand across his arm and the sniper settled down, leaning first into her and then into Will who was suddenly on his other side.
“If we’re ready then…” Steve said, looking around at all of them.
The group split up as they reached a bend in the path, with Steve, Jane, and Bruce heading towards the quiet Sheep Meadow while the rest of the group headed towards the zoo. Darcy slipped her arm through Clint’s as they headed up the path, knowing his penchant for taking to the trees or the high ground when he had the option. He gave her a look, but allowed her to keep him on the ground.
After a minute, Darcy started humming and when Benji cocked his head, turning to look at her, she grinned and started singing, “I’m going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you?” Bumping her hip against Clint, she continued, “You can come too, too, too. I’m going to the zoo, zoo, zoo.”
Clint rolled his grey eyes, sticking his tongue out at her, but, as she bumped her hip against his again, he replied with, “See the elephant with the long trunk swingin'. A great big ears and a long trunk swingin'. Snuffin' up peanuts with the long trunk swingin'. And we can stay all day.”
Benji snorted a laugh as he turned to walk backwards, watching the two of them. In unison Will and Clint reached out to grab him before he tripped over a rut in the path. “Watch your feet there, Benj,” Will said.
“They’re… They’re singing a…” Benji attempted, waving his hand.
Will sighed. “I know. He gets like this and Darcy apparently just encourages him.”
Clint bounced on his feet, spinning Darcy around, then throwing an arm around Will. “Aw, you love me, cuz.”
“I have no idea why,” Will said dryly, grabbing onto Clint’s arm and hugging tightly. He smiled at the happiness he could almost feel radiating off his cousin.
“Wiiiill,” Clint drawled after a minute. “There are treeeees.”
“I am well-aware there are trees, Clint. And the answer is no,” Will said. “The answer is most assuredly no.”
“Why not? It’s not like I’m going to fall out and break something. Even Darcy knows I won’t fall.”
“Yeah he’s much more likely to jump than fall,” Darcy commented.
Will just stopped himself from face-palming. “It’s not the falling I’m worried about. It’s the attention his tree climbing will attract.”
“Clint,” Natasha spoke up for the first time. “You are not climbing any trees.”
Clint pouted but wisely didn’t ask what she would do to him if he didn’t obey her. Since he’d been stopped from climbing the trees, they walked the rest of the way to the zoo in relative silence.
After they paid the fees to get into the zoo, Natasha scooped up a map and opened it. “So where shall we go? Or are we just going to wander?”
Clint plucked the map out of Natasha’s hand, tucking it into the back of his jeans before she could snatch it back. Laughing, he danced out of Will’s reach as his cousin sought to grab the map. Darcy tried to grab his arm, but Clint shrugged her off, grinning to take the sting out of it. “What’s the fun of planning it out? It’s a day off, Tasha. Live a little.” He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before darting away again.
Natasha glared at him, but couldn’t retaliate the way she normally would because of their public location. Instead she said something to him in Russian that caused Clint to wince. Will chuckled. “I think your next training session is going to be rather painful,” he commented.
Clint shrugged. “That’s nothing new. Tasha’s training sessions are always painful.” He threw an arm around Will’s shoulders. “Let’s go see the animals, cuz.”
Will allowed himself to be dragged off; Clint’s innate grace allowing them to duck anyone that might have gotten in their way. After a minute the archer slowed down and allowed the rest of the group to catch up to them. Without discussing it, they began to drift around the park, pausing when something caught their eye.
The first couple of animals didn’t hold their attention for more than a few minutes, but soon they wandered into the area with the polar bears. Darcy immediately let out a squeal and darted towards the fence; the rest of the group following at a slower pace. “They’re so cute!” she announced when they caught up to her. “Aren’t they, Birdy?”
“Sure,” Clint drawled, trying not to roll his eyes at her excitement.
Darcy clutched his arm. “Look! They have babies!” She cooed as the little ones tumbled around and over each other. “Oh, I want one. Can we take one home?”
“No, Darcy, we cannot take one home,” Will answered.
“Oh, but, Wiiiill,” Darcy pouted. “Why not?”
“Those cute little bundles of fluff are going to grow up into big, predatory bears, Darce,” Will pointed out. “And then what would you do?”
“Tony could design something…” Darcy started.
“Tony would get distracted halfway through,” Natasha replied. “As cute as it is now. It would not end well.”
Darcy pouted, but allowed them to pull her away and towards the next animal they had discussed seeing. Benji kept up a steady stream of facts as they walked, finally causing Clint to drop back and ask Will, “Does he always babble this much?”
“This?” Will motioned towards where Benji was looking at the penguins with interest. “This is quiet for Benji.”
“Are you kidding? How do you ever get anything done?”
“His babble isn’t nearly as annoying as Ethan’s habit of directing everything like we don’t know how to do our jobs,” Will responded. He frowned as he realized Benji’s word flow had significantly decreased. “Benj, what’s caught your attention?”
“Look, Will, they’re like little James Bonds or agents. We should take one home to Ethan!” Benji exclaimed.
“Really? No. Absolutely not. The last thing Ethan Hunt needs…” Will shook his head. “Just no, Benji. Our ‘fearless’ leader couldn’t keep a house plant alive much less an animal.”
“Speaking from experience, Will?” Benji asked with a grin.
Will favored him with a bland look that Clint knew meant a severe ass-kicking under other circumstances. “No, Benji, I’m not. Nor do I care to even know. Just speaking from experience as one of his team members.”
“Maybe we should move on?” Darcy suggested. “We’re starting to draw a bit of attention.”
Will glanced subtly around and had to concede that Darcy was correct. More than one group around them was sneaking looks at them, not nearly as sneakily as he was able. Even Ethan was more subtle on a bad day. “That sounds like a good idea,” he agreed. He hooked an arm around Clint’s shoulders, pulling him away. Will was one of the only people that could grab Clint and he wouldn’t automatically lash out in reaction. His cousin tried not to take advantage of this, but he knew that with them being in public; it was better for him to put his hands on Clint than anyone else in the group. “Come on, cuz, let’s go see what else they have.”
“Hey, I’m not the one who wanted to take them home,” Clint protested, even as he let himself be dragged along.
“No, but I’m sure we’ll find something you like,” Will replied.
Their wandering seemed random to most observers, but they were mostly making sure that no one was following them. It might seem like paranoia to people that didn’t know them, but it had kept them alive over the years so none of them felt odd about doing it. Clint and Will took turns keeping Darcy close to their group and under their protection. After a few minutes, she commented, “I don’t think we’ll come under attack at the zoo.”
“You’d be surprised some of the places we’ve come under fire,” Will replied in a low tone as he guided her away from a group of people. “Although you’ve been with… my cousin and his friends for a bit so maybe you understand.”
“I understand more than you could know. Remind me to tell you about New Mexico some time,” Darcy said. She hooked her arm through Will’s, watching carefully to be sure it was all right. “So. What are we looking at here?”
“Snow leopards,” Natasha said decisively. She led the way towards the exhibit, clearly expecting everyone to follow her.
After a few minutes of watching the snow leopard lounge on the rock cliff that made up part of its habitat, Darcy observed, “Ya know, they kinda remind me of you, Natasha, beautiful and deadly. And ya kinda underestimate them. Ya know? They just lay there looking all regal and stand-offish and then boom, mayhem, blood, dismemberment, death.”
Will and Benji looked at her as Clint grinned. “Yeah, she kinda sneaks up on you.”
“I take back what I said earlier,” Will commented. “She fits right in, Clint.”
“Yeah. Coulson wouldn’t let her hang out with us if she didn’t,” Clint pointed out.
Natasha’s grin was predatory. “She learns well.”
“Do you want one, katyonak?” Clint asked, wrapping his arms around Natasha’s waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
“No. One animal is enough,” she said. “And call me katyonak again,” she added matter-of-factly, “and I will ya te bye sdye lahyu yichnitsu.”
Clint let go of her immediately. “Fair enough.”
Will stifled a laugh, turning it into a cough that got him a glare from his cousin. He shrugged at the look. “What? You brought it on yourself,” he pointed out. “Come on, let’s go find the monkeys. That should cheer you up.”
“I am not a monkey,” Clint protested.
“Really? Then why do you keep trying to climb trees?” Will asked.
Clint very maturely stuck out his tongue in response.
Benji had dug the map out while the cousins bickered and now he piped up, “Um, there aren’t any monkeys here. There’s tamarins, but no actual monkeys. We could go see the tamarins.”
“No!” Will, Clint, and Natasha snapped in unison.
Benji almost dropped the map in surprise at their vehemence. “Okay. Um, lemurs? Do you have any objections to lemurs?”
There was a moment of consideration before heads shook in answer. “That should be fine,” Darcy agreed.
The group made their way towards the lemur enclosure. They had probably passed it on their wanderings, but it hadn’t caught anyone’s attention. Now Clint’s gray eyes lit up as they got close to the enclosure and he laughed almost gleefully. “They’re awesome!” he exclaimed. “Look at them climb!”
“No, Clint,” Will immediately said. “Absolutely not.”
“But…” Clint started.
“Absolutely not,” Will broke in. “I know how your mind works. And the answer is most definitely absolutely not.”
Clint leaned his chin on Will’s shoulder. “But it would be so easy. I bet I could do it without anyone even noticing.”
“I’m sure you could, Peep,” Will assured him. “But I’d hate to have to explain why you have a lemur. Or even how you got one.”
Clint pouted, pulling away from his cousin. “What? You don’t think I’d explain it?”
“Peep. I’ve heard your explanations for things not work related.” Will clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s not happening.”
“Besides what would you do with it when we are on assignment?” Natasha asked.
“She’s got a point, Birdy,” Darcy agreed. “They’re cute, but you know you wouldn’t have anywhere to keep him when you’re away for the Avengers or SHIELD.”
Clint sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“There you go,” Darcy praised him. She slipped an arm through his after checking to make sure he knew she was moving.
Natasha glanced at Benji’s watch. “We should get moving if we’re going to meet the others at Le Pain Quotidien for lunch.”
Clint moved away from Darcy as they started to walk out of the zoo, creeping around the group as they walked through the park. When it looked like Darcy was going to call him back, Will put his hand on her bicep, shaking his head. “Just. Leave him. He needs some time,” he told her in a quiet voice. “He’ll be fine by the time we get to the others.”
Going to the Zoo lyrics
Central Park Sheep Meadow
Central Park Zoo
Le Pain Quotidien
katyonak—kitten
ya te bye sdye lahyu yichnitsu—I’ll crack your nuts wide open
Characters: Clint Barton, Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Darcy Lewis, mentions of Jane Foster and Thor, Will Brandt, Ethan Hunt, Jane Carter, Benji Dunn, Cynthia (OC)
Fandom: Mission Impossible 4, The Avengers 2012
Series: Double Trouble
Written For:
Prompt:
Summary: Clint and Will don’t see anything unusual with the fact that they look alike, but they’re sure going to use the ability when they realize certain people in their lives can’t tell them apart.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: MI4: Ghost Protocol, Avengers, earlier stories in this series
Warnings: the twins are definitely ‘double trouble’, boys are inherently trouble-makers, Natasha protects her own, Ethan is supposed to be an observant spy, everyone might be more trouble than they’re worth
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me, not making any money off this.
Author's Note: I am soooo sorry that this took so long. Clint all of a sudden got stubborn when he realized that this meant things were drawing to a close and he just refused to talk. Hopefully he’ll let me finish up the next chapter quickly. Special thanks to chrismouse for the Russian (and a bit more) in this chapter and also to whogeek like always.
“Do you think it’s safe to leave Ethan alone in the tower?” Jane asked as she allowed Steve to assist her out of the car they’d taken to Central Park.
“He’s not technically alone,” Natasha replied, having finished giving Happy instructions for retrieving them. “Even if there were no people in the Tower, JARVIS would be there.”
“I’m still not sure why you dragged me out,” Bruce commented as the group walked towards the entrance.
“I already told you, you need fresh air every once in a while. And stepping out onto the balcony doesn’t count. Trees and greenery can only help,” Steve answered. “And you’re in company of people you trust so…”
Bruce sighed, but didn’t argue with his points. “I’m still not sure this is a good idea.”
Darcy patted his arm. “I’m sure it’ll be fine, Bruce.”
Clint slung an arm around Bruce from the other side. “No worries, big guy. I promise I brought the tranqs with me, just in case.”
Bruce looked at him with resignation. “Because that makes me feel so much better.”
“Nothing is going to happen, Bruce,” Natasha said soothingly. “We’re going to have a nice day in the park. Even if I have to knock everyone else out.”
Steve sighed. “Before we scare our guests, leave Bruce alone, you three.”
“We work with Ethan,” Benji pointed out. “Honestly. The Hulk wouldn’t be nearly as scary.” The Avengers turned almost as one to stare at him. “What? At least the Hulk has a reason for trying to smash people. Ethan’s just insane.”
“And you still work with him, why?” Clint asked, turning to his cousin.
Will shrugged. “At the time, it wasn’t so much of a choice as a ‘branded a traitor and this was the only way out’. Now well…if I say it seemed like a good idea, you’re going to kick my ass or have Nat do it. But it was a way to do some good.”
“Croatia,” Clint replied.
“Discussed,” Will answered.
“Satisfactorily?” Clint asked.
Will shrugged again. “I can live with it.”
“And do the others know?” Clint asked, motioning to Will’s teammates who were behind them now.
“No. And Ethan will probably keep it that way. I’d tell them if it was my choice, but she’s safer if they don’t know. Besides it’s not like you don’t keep things from your team,” Will pointed out.
“I keep things that aren’t their business from them. This involves them.”
“No. It really doesn’t.” Will turned so he was walking backwards and raised his voice. “Are we heading anywhere in particular?”
Clint’s grin was slightly maniacal as he answered, “The zoo!”
“I don’t think that’s a wise idea,” Bruce responded. “Somewhere a bit…quieter maybe.”
“We can split up,” Darcy suggested. “There’s nothing that says we have to stay in one group and it might be better if we’re less of a large…”
“Conglomerate?” Will suggested. When everyone just looked at him, he shrugged. “Classical education. What were you thinking, Miss Lewis?”
“Darcy,” she corrected. “And there’s no reason Clint can’t go to the zoo with whoever wants to go. I’d suggest the Sheep Meadow for those who want something quieter. It’s got WiFi and there’s places to spread out. Provided it hasn’t been filled yet. They only allow so many people in per day.”
“So who’s going where?” Jane asked. “I’m fine with either.”
Clint and Benji raised their hands, saying in unison, “Zoo.”
“That was kinda a given,” Will answered. “I’ll go with them and attempt to keep them out of trouble.”
“I’m not sure that you can actually keep your cousin out of trouble,” Natasha teased.
“There were extenuating circumstances!” Will protested. “And.” He glared. “I am not explaining myself.”
Darcy slipped her arm through Will’s, hugging it to her. “It’s okay, Will. I believe you. And I’ll go to the zoo with you guys. I’ve been wanting to go anyway.”
“So Jane?” Steve checked with the IMF agent and got a nod in reply. “And I will go with Bruce to Sheep Meadow.”
“Le Pain Quotidien for a late lunch?” Natasha suggested. “It’s by Sheep Meadow and has a terrace or we can do take-out and eat elsewhere.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Jane agreed.
“And has less of a chance of going pear-shaped than one of Ethan’s,” Benji pointed out.
There was a low growl from Clint’s direction, but Natasha brushed her hand across his arm and the sniper settled down, leaning first into her and then into Will who was suddenly on his other side.
“If we’re ready then…” Steve said, looking around at all of them.
The group split up as they reached a bend in the path, with Steve, Jane, and Bruce heading towards the quiet Sheep Meadow while the rest of the group headed towards the zoo. Darcy slipped her arm through Clint’s as they headed up the path, knowing his penchant for taking to the trees or the high ground when he had the option. He gave her a look, but allowed her to keep him on the ground.
After a minute, Darcy started humming and when Benji cocked his head, turning to look at her, she grinned and started singing, “I’m going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you?” Bumping her hip against Clint, she continued, “You can come too, too, too. I’m going to the zoo, zoo, zoo.”
Clint rolled his grey eyes, sticking his tongue out at her, but, as she bumped her hip against his again, he replied with, “See the elephant with the long trunk swingin'. A great big ears and a long trunk swingin'. Snuffin' up peanuts with the long trunk swingin'. And we can stay all day.”
Benji snorted a laugh as he turned to walk backwards, watching the two of them. In unison Will and Clint reached out to grab him before he tripped over a rut in the path. “Watch your feet there, Benj,” Will said.
“They’re… They’re singing a…” Benji attempted, waving his hand.
Will sighed. “I know. He gets like this and Darcy apparently just encourages him.”
Clint bounced on his feet, spinning Darcy around, then throwing an arm around Will. “Aw, you love me, cuz.”
“I have no idea why,” Will said dryly, grabbing onto Clint’s arm and hugging tightly. He smiled at the happiness he could almost feel radiating off his cousin.
“Wiiiill,” Clint drawled after a minute. “There are treeeees.”
“I am well-aware there are trees, Clint. And the answer is no,” Will said. “The answer is most assuredly no.”
“Why not? It’s not like I’m going to fall out and break something. Even Darcy knows I won’t fall.”
“Yeah he’s much more likely to jump than fall,” Darcy commented.
Will just stopped himself from face-palming. “It’s not the falling I’m worried about. It’s the attention his tree climbing will attract.”
“Clint,” Natasha spoke up for the first time. “You are not climbing any trees.”
Clint pouted but wisely didn’t ask what she would do to him if he didn’t obey her. Since he’d been stopped from climbing the trees, they walked the rest of the way to the zoo in relative silence.
After they paid the fees to get into the zoo, Natasha scooped up a map and opened it. “So where shall we go? Or are we just going to wander?”
Clint plucked the map out of Natasha’s hand, tucking it into the back of his jeans before she could snatch it back. Laughing, he danced out of Will’s reach as his cousin sought to grab the map. Darcy tried to grab his arm, but Clint shrugged her off, grinning to take the sting out of it. “What’s the fun of planning it out? It’s a day off, Tasha. Live a little.” He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before darting away again.
Natasha glared at him, but couldn’t retaliate the way she normally would because of their public location. Instead she said something to him in Russian that caused Clint to wince. Will chuckled. “I think your next training session is going to be rather painful,” he commented.
Clint shrugged. “That’s nothing new. Tasha’s training sessions are always painful.” He threw an arm around Will’s shoulders. “Let’s go see the animals, cuz.”
Will allowed himself to be dragged off; Clint’s innate grace allowing them to duck anyone that might have gotten in their way. After a minute the archer slowed down and allowed the rest of the group to catch up to them. Without discussing it, they began to drift around the park, pausing when something caught their eye.
The first couple of animals didn’t hold their attention for more than a few minutes, but soon they wandered into the area with the polar bears. Darcy immediately let out a squeal and darted towards the fence; the rest of the group following at a slower pace. “They’re so cute!” she announced when they caught up to her. “Aren’t they, Birdy?”
“Sure,” Clint drawled, trying not to roll his eyes at her excitement.
Darcy clutched his arm. “Look! They have babies!” She cooed as the little ones tumbled around and over each other. “Oh, I want one. Can we take one home?”
“No, Darcy, we cannot take one home,” Will answered.
“Oh, but, Wiiiill,” Darcy pouted. “Why not?”
“Those cute little bundles of fluff are going to grow up into big, predatory bears, Darce,” Will pointed out. “And then what would you do?”
“Tony could design something…” Darcy started.
“Tony would get distracted halfway through,” Natasha replied. “As cute as it is now. It would not end well.”
Darcy pouted, but allowed them to pull her away and towards the next animal they had discussed seeing. Benji kept up a steady stream of facts as they walked, finally causing Clint to drop back and ask Will, “Does he always babble this much?”
“This?” Will motioned towards where Benji was looking at the penguins with interest. “This is quiet for Benji.”
“Are you kidding? How do you ever get anything done?”
“His babble isn’t nearly as annoying as Ethan’s habit of directing everything like we don’t know how to do our jobs,” Will responded. He frowned as he realized Benji’s word flow had significantly decreased. “Benj, what’s caught your attention?”
“Look, Will, they’re like little James Bonds or agents. We should take one home to Ethan!” Benji exclaimed.
“Really? No. Absolutely not. The last thing Ethan Hunt needs…” Will shook his head. “Just no, Benji. Our ‘fearless’ leader couldn’t keep a house plant alive much less an animal.”
“Speaking from experience, Will?” Benji asked with a grin.
Will favored him with a bland look that Clint knew meant a severe ass-kicking under other circumstances. “No, Benji, I’m not. Nor do I care to even know. Just speaking from experience as one of his team members.”
“Maybe we should move on?” Darcy suggested. “We’re starting to draw a bit of attention.”
Will glanced subtly around and had to concede that Darcy was correct. More than one group around them was sneaking looks at them, not nearly as sneakily as he was able. Even Ethan was more subtle on a bad day. “That sounds like a good idea,” he agreed. He hooked an arm around Clint’s shoulders, pulling him away. Will was one of the only people that could grab Clint and he wouldn’t automatically lash out in reaction. His cousin tried not to take advantage of this, but he knew that with them being in public; it was better for him to put his hands on Clint than anyone else in the group. “Come on, cuz, let’s go see what else they have.”
“Hey, I’m not the one who wanted to take them home,” Clint protested, even as he let himself be dragged along.
“No, but I’m sure we’ll find something you like,” Will replied.
Their wandering seemed random to most observers, but they were mostly making sure that no one was following them. It might seem like paranoia to people that didn’t know them, but it had kept them alive over the years so none of them felt odd about doing it. Clint and Will took turns keeping Darcy close to their group and under their protection. After a few minutes, she commented, “I don’t think we’ll come under attack at the zoo.”
“You’d be surprised some of the places we’ve come under fire,” Will replied in a low tone as he guided her away from a group of people. “Although you’ve been with… my cousin and his friends for a bit so maybe you understand.”
“I understand more than you could know. Remind me to tell you about New Mexico some time,” Darcy said. She hooked her arm through Will’s, watching carefully to be sure it was all right. “So. What are we looking at here?”
“Snow leopards,” Natasha said decisively. She led the way towards the exhibit, clearly expecting everyone to follow her.
After a few minutes of watching the snow leopard lounge on the rock cliff that made up part of its habitat, Darcy observed, “Ya know, they kinda remind me of you, Natasha, beautiful and deadly. And ya kinda underestimate them. Ya know? They just lay there looking all regal and stand-offish and then boom, mayhem, blood, dismemberment, death.”
Will and Benji looked at her as Clint grinned. “Yeah, she kinda sneaks up on you.”
“I take back what I said earlier,” Will commented. “She fits right in, Clint.”
“Yeah. Coulson wouldn’t let her hang out with us if she didn’t,” Clint pointed out.
Natasha’s grin was predatory. “She learns well.”
“Do you want one, katyonak?” Clint asked, wrapping his arms around Natasha’s waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
“No. One animal is enough,” she said. “And call me katyonak again,” she added matter-of-factly, “and I will ya te bye sdye lahyu yichnitsu.”
Clint let go of her immediately. “Fair enough.”
Will stifled a laugh, turning it into a cough that got him a glare from his cousin. He shrugged at the look. “What? You brought it on yourself,” he pointed out. “Come on, let’s go find the monkeys. That should cheer you up.”
“I am not a monkey,” Clint protested.
“Really? Then why do you keep trying to climb trees?” Will asked.
Clint very maturely stuck out his tongue in response.
Benji had dug the map out while the cousins bickered and now he piped up, “Um, there aren’t any monkeys here. There’s tamarins, but no actual monkeys. We could go see the tamarins.”
“No!” Will, Clint, and Natasha snapped in unison.
Benji almost dropped the map in surprise at their vehemence. “Okay. Um, lemurs? Do you have any objections to lemurs?”
There was a moment of consideration before heads shook in answer. “That should be fine,” Darcy agreed.
The group made their way towards the lemur enclosure. They had probably passed it on their wanderings, but it hadn’t caught anyone’s attention. Now Clint’s gray eyes lit up as they got close to the enclosure and he laughed almost gleefully. “They’re awesome!” he exclaimed. “Look at them climb!”
“No, Clint,” Will immediately said. “Absolutely not.”
“But…” Clint started.
“Absolutely not,” Will broke in. “I know how your mind works. And the answer is most definitely absolutely not.”
Clint leaned his chin on Will’s shoulder. “But it would be so easy. I bet I could do it without anyone even noticing.”
“I’m sure you could, Peep,” Will assured him. “But I’d hate to have to explain why you have a lemur. Or even how you got one.”
Clint pouted, pulling away from his cousin. “What? You don’t think I’d explain it?”
“Peep. I’ve heard your explanations for things not work related.” Will clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s not happening.”
“Besides what would you do with it when we are on assignment?” Natasha asked.
“She’s got a point, Birdy,” Darcy agreed. “They’re cute, but you know you wouldn’t have anywhere to keep him when you’re away for the Avengers or SHIELD.”
Clint sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“There you go,” Darcy praised him. She slipped an arm through his after checking to make sure he knew she was moving.
Natasha glanced at Benji’s watch. “We should get moving if we’re going to meet the others at Le Pain Quotidien for lunch.”
Clint moved away from Darcy as they started to walk out of the zoo, creeping around the group as they walked through the park. When it looked like Darcy was going to call him back, Will put his hand on her bicep, shaking his head. “Just. Leave him. He needs some time,” he told her in a quiet voice. “He’ll be fine by the time we get to the others.”
Going to the Zoo lyrics
Central Park Sheep Meadow
Central Park Zoo
Le Pain Quotidien
katyonak—kitten
ya te bye sdye lahyu yichnitsu—I’ll crack your nuts wide open
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