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“Why are you baking brownies at 3 in the morning?”
Bucky looked at the random scene in front of him. He had woken up terrified, one of his usual nightmares, and had gone to the kitchen to get a drink of water. He hadn’t expected anyone to be awake at this time. Even with Tony’s usual spouts of insomnia, the man would only stay in his lab, fiddling with his toys until either JARVIS practically scolded him to bed or he passed out on one of the metal tables. So when he turned on the lights he practically had a heart attack seeing Clint with a cutesy apron and mitten set on, taking out a sheet of what looked like brownies.
“Because my mind won’t shut up and if I don’t do something with my hands I may commit a felony. Or the nasty brain thoughts in my dome will make me sad.”
Clint put the brownies down on the marble island. He quickly took off the oven mitts, chucking them into a random corner of the dark kitchen, and perched on the table. He didn’t feel like pulling out the chair. It would make too much noise and he really didn’t want to wake Natasha up. Everyone else he could deal with but not Nat.
She was not a morning person.
A sigh escaped Bucky’s lips and he rubbed his face with his hands. Slightly shivering the cold metal bit into his heated skin. “Not gonna even lie Barton, that's a good reason.”
“I know. I can tell your brain hasn’t been the best for you tonight huh?”
“You don’t even know the half of it.”
Clint took out a fork he was just about to dig into the brownies before his eyes gazed back toward Bucky. The man hadn’t moved and he could tell that the soldier wasn’t going to be able to sleep any time soon.
That was a curse amongst the team. Whether it be insomnia, paranoia, PTDS, or really any form of mental fuckery they had gone through sleep usually evaded them. Tonight its victims were the archer and soldier.
Grabbing another fork Clint motioned for Bucky to join him. He threw the utensils with ease and even in his slightly delirious state the brunette was able to catch the projectile without batting an eye. Bucky looked Clint up and down and a small smile appeared as he walked forward, leaning on the table a bit.
“Yea, I’m not doing that gymnastic shit this early. I’m good on the floor.”
With a roll of his eyes, Clint dug his fork into the brownies while giving the curt reply, “Just say you aren’t flexible Barnes. Your old man body isn’t like us youngins.” The archer snickered before munching on the chocolate dessert.
“Oh my fucking god you need to stop hanging out with Stark if your going to pick up his lingo now,” Bucky groaned.
Clint just let out a giggle at the man's reaction. He would never admit it but Bucky was one of the closest people he actually had on the team. He knew he could trust the soldier, unlike what many at first perceived, with the lives of those he holds dear. Bucky had been through hell and back trying to show the world and the people around him that he was not the Winter Soldier anymore. He wasn’t a toy to be used by Hydra, he held his mind and nothing would take that away.
Clint respected him for it. Bucky deserved so much more than what life had drawn for him. He just hoped Bucky knew that.
“I dare you to try Barnes. I’ve been able to escape the most secure prisons in the world. I think I can escape your hands easily.”
Bucky responded only with a shake of his head and a small chuckle. He noticed how Clint’s eyes sparkled whenever he was able to get really anyone to laugh. It was something intriguing to him, how Clint pushed to see others happy. It was different from what the other Avengers did. While the others used soft words that held strength to them Clint was always able to break down the barriers that people had created. No matter how high, no matter how thick, Clint was somehow able to worm his way into a person's heart. By either his charm or natural empathy towards everyone no matter the situation it always made Bucky feel content.
He always knew that he could rely on Clint. He hoped Clint knew he could rely on him as well.
The two soon fell into a comfortable silence as they continued to eat the fudgy brownies. The only sound was the quiet bites and the small scraping of forks against the metal tray.
It was times like this that reminded both men of what they were.
The world saw them as heroes to look upon with hope.
The government saw them as weapons that they could use for their own gain.
But in reality, they were just people. They were just people who had dreams and wishes. Who had hopes and turmoil that plagued their minds. Who had insecurities and fears of not being good enough. At not being able to stand up to the next villain who tries to take everything from them. They were just people given the job of protecting the world by putting their lives out on the line. Even when the world turns their back, spitting on their faces and cursing their names to the heavens above. It was their job to be Earth’s mightiest heroes.
They were just people.
Who seriously needed to get some goddamn sleep.