Disclaimers: I do not own the Avengers or any of the characters listed below. The credit goes to Marvel.
Author's Note: This idea came to me late one night and wouldn't stop pestering me until I wrote it down on paper. It will be set in an alternate universe. The characters will not have any of their super human abilities, but will focus on their background traits. Whether it falls in the realm of the comics or the movies themselves, time will only tell. I tend to bounce between the two.
As for the title, it comes from one of my favorite Taylor Swift's songs.
Feedback is always appreciated, and reviews motivate me, so please review!
Chapter One
"Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word."
– George R.R. Martin
The bold font on the white cardstock mocked at Clint. Somehow the thought of being a ghost meant no one was supposed to find him. He only had a small circle of friends that knew his exact location. The only person who had the gall to pull this off was Tony Stark himself along with Pepper Potts.
Clint crumpled the RSVP card along with the envelope in his hands and tossed the conglomerate to the ground. The thought of going back to his ten-year high school reunion was daunting enough. By now some of his classmates were probably knee deep in debt, divorced at least once or more, and some maybe got hitched and started a family. He didn't want to open the wounds he left behind.
He crossed through his apartment, muttering to himself that he should've pulled himself off the grid. At the same time, he grabbed several t-shirts and other apparel off the ground. His newly adopted furry-friend followed him in tow, wondering what his master was up to this time. "Down, Arrow." There was no response from the dog. "Down, Lucky."
The dog obediently sat on its haunches, waiting for a reward.
Clint bowed his head down, "You already ate the leftover pizza." He heard her whimper. "Fine then," the almond-colored corgi sat by her food bowl. "This time only."
Her tail wagged wildly about. She waited for the cup to hit her dish and then she went to town. In between her crunches of the dry food bits, Clint went back and forth cleaning up his bachelor pad, hoping to distract himself. "It's going to be a mistake."
Lucky looked up with black saucer eyes. She tilted her head to her right, gauging Clint's emotions. To her, he was a closed book for the past month, but now she sensed a hint of trepidation and anxiety. She tried to eat, but he was still talking to himself.
"Why are you looking at me that?"
The dog licked up some water, watching his every move. She paused again and waited for his response. She padded over to where he sat and leaned her head against his jeans.
"You really want me to go?" Lucky pleaded with him again with her black eyes. "You're out of your furry mind." Clint stared at her for the longest time. "It should just be buried in the past."
Lucky didn't think so. She scooted off his legs and padded into his bedroom until managing to pull something out that Clint thought he had hidden.
…
Eleven Years Ago
"Party at my place tonight. It's going to epic. No excuses." Barton received a slap on his shoulder, as he saw Stark walk by announcing the news to the other seniors. He grabbed his science book and shut the locker. Already, he had promised his dad to spend more time at the butcher shop. Even with Labor Day around the corner, the orders will be in high demand for tenderloins and steaks. He could pawn off some of his hours to Barney, since his older brother owed him a favor for all the times he missed curfew. And then, there was another secret he had kept hidden that threatened to shatter his world. He quickly punched in several numbers on his cell phone, and in seconds, it was a done deal.
The basement was packed with the senior class. Clint walked about the room until he found his pack. Steve showed his newest artwork, something he was hoping to enter into the art fair and win a potential scholarship. Thor grabbed a handful of Chex Mix that circulated around the room while he analyzed the picture. Stark of course was trying to be the center of attention in the great debate with Banner. The two were at odds of their newest theory. Whatever the science brothers were concocting, it never was a good sign.
"You made it," Stark yelled out to him. "Go mingle."
"I am," Barton muttered back.
Tony shoved him a cup of beer from the keg, "This will help with the mood."
The teenager shook his head in disbelief and was shoved out of the group. "You're trying too hard."
"Trust me," Stark called back and dove back into his discussion with Banner for a moment.
Clint caught a few raised eyebrows and glances his way. Either it was from the alcohol or the hormones…it was high school after all. The football team was out in the back, talking to some juniors that snuck into the party. The archer-in-training steered clear of the group and walked around. He landed on an empty seat on the couch. He sank into the leather, not realizing that the other seat was already occupied. He took one hard swallow until half of his cup was emptied.
By then, the party was in full swing as Stark began to DJ to his best ability. Clint took in his surroundings and glanced over his shoulder. A familiar set of flamed-colored curls struck out. The last time he saw those was back in kindergarten. His class was responsible for the opening ceremony at the May Day celebration. Each of the girls donned headbands with colored ribbons.
When it came time to perform their dance around the May Pole, Clint was a nervous wreck. He fidgeted in his white shirt and khaki trousers, while his parents waved at him from the sideline as they took pictures. The whistle blew and each tiny hand reached down to grab their ribbon that would wrap around the metal beam. He didn't remember when the music started, but his feet moved. Slowly, the pole became candy-stripped. On several occasions, he passed by Natasha as she weaved about with their classmates. Her purple ribbons caught the breeze and one them of them fell to the ground. When he came close enough, he picked up the strand from the grass and stuffed it into his pocket.
A voice brought him out of his memory, "Clint Barton? Is that you?" She smoothed out her emerald blouse and jeans.
"Um," he cleared his throat, "Yeah."
"I can't believe it."
"Hi Natasha."
"Call me, Nat. Natasha is what my dad keeps calling me." She put her cup on a napkin. "What have you been up to?"
"Nothing much. Working at my dad's meat shop and saving up some bucks." Clint took another long hard drink. "You don't go to this school."
"My dad transferred back into town. I'm finishing up my senior year here." She unwrapped her lilac scarf and draped it along the armrest.
The minutes changed into hours, and Clint was making up for lost time. The music intensified until the early morning. Another fresh batch of Chex Mix circulated among the ravenous teenagers. By now, he felt the alcohol in his system, and he only remembered pieces.
Natasha glanced at her watch, "It's getting late…I should go." Clint walked her to the front door and held it open for her. She hesitated for a moment before smiling back at him. He watched her leave with some other friends in the pre-dawn morning. Somehow he made his way back to the basement and crashed on the couch.
"Morning, Cupid…" Stark poked him with an empty pop bottle.
"Eh?"
"Wake up, sleepy head." Stark continued to collect the evidence before his parents returned home. "You're burning daylight." He gave another poke to his sleeping friend as he picked up more bottles and cups until coming across the scarf. With a wicked grin, he used one corner to tease Clint's face.
Clint bolted up within seconds. His hands swatted over his chin, "What the hell?" He looked up at Stark from the ground, and then his eyes narrowed on the innocent fabric, thinking something way worse.
"It's about time." The physics genius shoved the broom towards Clint, "Help me clean. All hands on deck."
"I thought I was a house guest," he retorted back.
"Get to work, otherwise, no more parties." Tony went around the corner to grab another bag.
Clint swept up the crushed pretzels and cups from the ground. He went to the couch again and found the lilac scarf. Nat had worn it during the party. He took one small sniff from the fabric and it smelled of her.
~ End of Flashback ~
…
Clint was plastered to his seat for the longest time until a knock came across from his door, bringing him out of his mental slump. "How did you get in?"
Steve looked behind him, "Your neighbor across the hallway. She thinks you're hot by the way."
"What do you want?"
"Did you get the invite?"
Clint started to put two and two together and shut the door in front of Steve's face. His old high school buddy shouted through the cheap wood. "Just think about it."
"Sure." Lucky by now padded to the door and looked back at Clint, wondering why he was being an idiot.
"Wait." Urgency rose in his voice, Steve waited for several minutes, but still there was no response from Clint. "There's something else you need to know."
The door jarred open slightly, "Get the hell out of here. I have nothing more to say to you."
Steve turned around and descended down on the narrow steps. His hands were stuffed in his pockets. Outside, the streetlights were damp with the late shower. He walked through the busy streets, wondering how he was going to get Clint to cooperate.
The intersection light turned red and Steve waited along with the rest of the pedestrians to cross the street. A flood of taxicabs and cars flew through the intersection. There was one person he could contact, but he decided against it at the moment. It wasn't the right time and place, but soon enough, he'll have to cross that bridge whether he liked it or not. For now, he kept up his pace with the other pedestrians and blended into the crowd. He checked his coat pocket to make sure it was still there, and indeed it was. Now if only he had time on his side, it would make things easier.