Chapter Text
How the hell could this happen?
How could a good day, a perfect opportunity, turn into such a shit show?
Clint glared at the fast talking stranger at the other side of the cafe. Steve’s blue eyes were soft and his lips were quirked in that sexy smirk that Clint couldn’t get enough of, and usually Clint would be happy to see the look but not today. No, not when it was aimed at the brunet intruder.
“When the hell did he walk into the equation?” Clint scowled at the duo as he took a sip of his, now cold, hot chocolate.
“You’ve been out for two weeks, Clint.” Natasha laid her head against his bicep, attempting to soothe the jealous archery student. “Sam brought along that Rhodey guy and Tony tagged along behind like a lost puppy.”
“And what, Steve just fell head over heels at first sight?” Clint scoffed as he pushed his mug away in disgust.
“Actually, no. They didn’t get along the first couple of times we hung out but, by our third meetup Tony managed to crack through Steve’s steel demeanor.” Natasha answered as she flicked Clint on the nose, earning a small yelp in response. “You should tell him.”
“Yeah?” Clint clicked his tongue as he tapped his fingers on the table. “And what? Get rejected? I mean, c’mon Nat, if he wasn’t interested before, he definitely isn’t interested now... I mean look at the way he’s fawning over that little rich kid.”
“He’s only two years younger than us Clint.” The fiery red head sighed at the blonds depressive attitude. “He’s actually graduating this year, so in a way, we are the kids.”
“Oh great, he’s some kind of genius too.” Clint groaned as he let his head smack against the table with an audible ‘THUNK’. “I don’t stand a chance. I mean, look at them.”
Natasha rolled her eyes before glancing over to where Clint had gestured. It didn’t surprise her to find that, perhaps, Clint was right, maybe things weren’t looking to good for him. Tony sat in the stool next to Steve, his hand laying on the artists bicep, a flirty smirk plastered to his lips as Steve smiled in return. Natasha could see it, she’d be surprised if the whole cafe didn’t see it actually. Steve’s eyes were sparkling and it was almost painful to think that Clint could see the same thing she did.
“Don’t give up hope.” Nat rubbed Clint’s arm. “It’s something new. New things are exciting and I’m su-“
“Awe, don’t give me that bullshit.” Clint grumbled as he lifted his head up, rubbing his forehead. “What was I even thinking? Someone like me never had a chance with Steve. He’s... I mean, look at him.” Clint furrowed his brows and it pained the red head to hear her best friend speaking so little of himself. “I’m not smart like you guys, the only reason I could even get into UMass was because of that Archery scholarship.” Natasha opened her mouth to protest but Clint cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Don’t even deny it. The only thing I’m good at is Archery and I mean, I definitely can’t compete in the looks department with that kid... did you see his eyes? They’re like Sapphires! Steve sure seems to like them.”
“Clint-“
“And the curls, how can I compete with those soft curls?!” Clint exclaimed, ignoring his best friend protests. “And, I mean, the guy is some kind of model, where do people with money get off hogging the looks from the rest of us? I mean, money or looks?! You should only get one! No one should be that hot a-“
“Oh? My ears are burning.” An unfamiliar voice cut Clint off and the blond immediately shut his mouth. “I’m used to compliments but why do yours feel so venomous?”
Clint glanced Natasha’s way only to find her giving him a half hearted shrug.
“I tried to warn you.” Clint groaned as she stood up from her seat. “Why don’t the two of you get acquainted? I’m gonna go find Sam and Rhodey.”
Clint glared at Natasha as she sauntered off. She gave him a sly smile and a curt wave before disappearing to the other side of the cafe.
“So, am I gonna get a name or do I have to suck your dick first?” If Clint had turned his head any faster at Tony’s comment, his neck would have snapped.
“What!?” Clint’s voice came out a little more aggressive than he’d meant it to but he wasn’t going to apologize for it.
“A name?” Clint noticed the small dip in the Genius’ voice that most people probably wouldn’t have paid much mind to but, Clint was especially good at detecting the mood. “I didn’t catch your name earlier.”
Clint probably shouldn’t feel such pride at making the fast talking, flirty asshole a little nervous but, he sure as hell did. Who the hell did this kid think he was, coming over here and saying such shit to him after spending the last hour flirting with Steve?! Talk about a dick move! He kinda wanted to deck the kid, but that would only make Steve sour at him and he didn’t want the center of his affection to be pissed at him.
“That’s because I didn’t give it to you.” Clint glared at the brunet and he couldn’t help but feel smug when he caught the small waver of confidence that flitted across the brunets face before being replaced with a cocky smirk.
“Well, I do like a challenge.” Tony shot back as he plopped down in Natasha’s now vacant seat. “Fine, Mr. Nameless, what’s with the pathetic look? I mean, why is a guy like you pouting in the corner instead of hitting it off with a few of the ladies here at this gathering?” Tony reached out, latching onto Clint’s abandoned chocolaty beverage. “I have a hard time believing anyone is gonna reject a guy with your...” Tonys eyes slid down his body. “Physique.”
“Yeah, well, not everyone wants to fuck anything that walks on two legs.” Clint spat in return and if the insult stung, Tony sure didn’t show it.
“That’s fair.” Tony shrugged. “Well then, what’s got you so down?”
“That’s none of your business, is it?”
“I guess not, but I’m getting the feeling that in some way, I’m the cause of it because maybe I’m wrong but...” Tony cocked his eyebrow, as he raised Clint’s cup to his lips, guzzling down what was left of his cold chocolate. “I have a hard time believing you treat everyone you meet with such contempt.”
“You don’t say?” Clint rolled his eyes at him before standing up. “I’m going out for some fresh air, enjoy flirting with every Tom, Dick and Harry in here.”
He heard a small protest from behind him but he ignored it as he stormed out of the cafe, stepping out into the brisk fall air. The sun had already set and he let out a chilled breath as he scanned the empty streets.
Clint could kick himself. He wasn’t usually petty but there he was, acting like a dick to a stranger all because his crush was giving the guy mushy eyes.
Had Clint really just become that guy?
He felt a small pang of guilt at the harsh words he’d spoken before he left and he knew he should probably go apologize. Steve would’ve been so disappointed in him if he’d heard the patronizing words he’d thrown at the teen prodigy but... there was no way he was going to, of course. Nope, Clint might feel a little guilty but there was no way he was gonna take it back. Not only would he feel like a jackass but... the guy kind of deserved it.
Here he was, leading Steve on with his soft touches and flirty attitude and then waltzing off and seducing every damn person in the vicinity. Steve deserved so much better than that, who the fuck did that guy think he was? Hot MIT genius or not, he was nothing but an asshole playboy and Clint wasn’t going to apologize to a asshat like him.
Clint was so caught up in his own thoughts, he didn’t notice the chime of the door opening or the sounds of foot steps coming up behind him. It wasn’t until the familiar, deep voice of a certain blue eyed blond sounded from behind him that he realized he had company.
“Clint, you okay?” Steve stepped up next to him on the curb, shooting the slightly smaller blonde a concerned glance that made Clint’s chest squeeze.
“Yeah, I- I’m good.” Clint smiled as he glanced into Steve’s baby blues. “Just needed some air is all.”
“Tony told me I should come check on you.” Steve’s expression softened a little as he spoke Tony’s name and Clint felt like throwing up. What the fuck had Tony done to earn Steve’s affections?! It’d only been two weeks?! Clint had been trying to earn Steve’s affections for a whole year! He’d even planned on asking him out tonight before that damned brunet decided to whisk all his chances away. “Said you weren’t looking too good.”
Clint’s throat tightened at the larger man’s words. Steve hadn’t come to check on Clint because he’d noticed something was wrong on his own, but because Tony, of all people, had sent him out and that... that was like a bullet to the heart.
Why wasn’t Clint good enough?
What was so amazing about Tony?
Why couldn’t it be Clint?
“Yeah, well I’m fine.” Clint swallowed, attempting to loosen the sudden tensing of his throat. “No need to worry about me, just a small headache from the noise is all.”
“Alright, well, come join us when you’re ready.” Steve smiled. “Tony signed us up for trivia and we’ll get free pizza if we win.”
Clint gave a curt nod in response before Steve turned and headed back inside. Clint stood outside for a few more moments, debating whether or not he was even willing to head back inside before pulling out his cellphone. He pulled up Natasha’s contact, shooting her a quick message.
To: Nat
From: Clint
‘I’m gonna head home. Break the news to the gang for me, will ya?’
Clint pocketed his phone before Natasha had a chance to try and talk him into staying. His attitude would only ruin their night and he couldn’t trust himself not to say anymore harsh words to Tony. He pulled out his keys and climbed into his old, beat up corolla. The engine sputtered to life and he quickly pulled out of the parking lot, starting his near two hour drive back to his dorm.