asthehawkflies | [#000] Appointments

[She squeezes his hand gently in hers, fingers running along the inside of his palm in what she hopes is a reassuring gesture.]

You know, dearest, that is not true. Most people are good at heart. They laugh and love, and sing and dance. The world is not filled with anguish and death. There is more light and life than any other sensation. Drums play, children sing, games are played and love is shared. That's how the world works. I know, I've seen far more of it than Loki.

[Or you... And she desperately hopes that her term of endearment doesn't put him off. But if ever there's a time to show affection, it's now.]

You have seen dreadful things, and yet here you are. You sang to me on my birthday, and made beautiful music. You protected me when you thought I was in danger. You've given me kind words when I've needed them most, and asked for nothing in return. You may see the world through the eyes of a cynic, but that doesn't make you a monster. That makes you an individual who can see things as they are. There are bad things out there, just as there are good. Only a fool denies that. But that doesn't mean that's all that the world has to offer. I don't think you'd ever have willingly served a creature like Loki. In fact, I know better.

[Because, Clint, she's seen your heart. And it's warm and kind. Shadowed, but still ultimately good.]

To your friends here? And to me? Your past doesn't matter. You've stepped from shadows and into the light of the sun. Blood is meaningless, I've seen the sons of saints turn to murder and the daughters of murderers turn to saints. You are your own man, and nothing your father or his bloodline left you has any bearing over the man you chose to become. A good man. A kind man. A worthy man. A champion of good.

[She leans in close, like she wants to impart a great secret, smiling softly at him.]

If you were not, what Loki said to you wouldn't have made you feel this way.

[The name just makes him smile, a soft, slightly uncertain expression because he isn't sure he even half deserves it. But he likes the feeling of her hand against his and her words make sense, even if they seem like such a distant thing. He can't even deal with kids without worrying whether something is going to snap inside him.

He wants to believe her so much, but part of him is shut away, might always be, too locked away in his own past to believe that he could genuinely have changed.]

I sometimes think there's nothing left in me but cynicism. But I guess that's why I need people around me who can see the things I don't.

[Coulson had done it, back when he was a killer for hire, had seen something more in him and offered him the chance. Natasha was his one stable point, the person who understood him more clearly than anyone else. And now Saori who saw something worth caring for in him.]

I want to be those things, but I never really feel like it's something I can become. I try so hard to not be like him. That's been one thing I promised myself. I wouldn't grow up like him or like my brother. It still terrified me.

[He smiles back when she leans in, so grateful that it hurts.]

He gets under my skin like no-one else. He knows everything about me, and there's a lot of raw wounds there.

[She doesn't move, sitting there unnaturally still until her free hand slid up Clint's arm to his shoulder. She squeezed softly, but with a firm strength that she just shouldn't have had. It wasn't often that she wanted to emphasize her spiritual side, but it might be what he needed to feel. A gentler sort of god.]

You aren't like him. You aren't like your brother. If even half of the things you've told me about them are any indication, you never were.

[She pulls him closer, her forehead meeting his.]

He doesn't know everything about you. He only acts like it. It's part of being a trickster. But he has no power over you now. If he tried that again, I swear on my soul I'd free you, and take it out of his hide. There may be wounds there, but with time and a chance they will heal.

[She takes in a long breath, taking in his essence. She spoke once more, her voice ringing with authority and clarity.]

And I mean to give you that chance. I care for you, despite your past. Your friends do too. It might not mean much but, Clint Barton, I name you my Champion. I can think of no-one finer, in all of my days, to take that role.

[The squeeze forces him to look at her; it isn't a cruel grip, but strong and firm and... comforting in a way. He didn't much believe in God, but she was here and real and so different to any other god he had knowledge of.

He leans against her when their foreheads touch, feeling, perhaps, a little lighter for her words. Sometimes it was difficult to hold faith in himself, so having someone else do so, it meant a lot.]

I believe you. I... I trust you. [And he thought that she would understand what a huge thing that was for him. He gives a small smile, a little more certain than it had been a moment ago.] Thankyou. For listening. For not... not just telling me that everything will be alright, that my past isn't relevant.

[Her voice changes in some way he can't quite define, and it's a little intimidating. But it isn't bad. He can tell that much. Her words make him stare for a moment, eyes wide and shocked. He opened his mouth to speak, mouth suddenly dry.]

It means a lot, Lady Saori. It means so much. I'll do my best to make you proud.

[She loosens her grip, sliding an arm up farther to the back of his neck, a steadying gesture. She presses closer, her thin frame close to his. She'd drawn out her spiritual nature, and knew better than to let that go unchecked. The warmth of him against her would help, and hopefully help reassure him as well.]

I...am glad for your trust. And to listen. And...I trust you as well, you know.

[She nods once, slipping her other arm around to clasp behind his head. When he opens his mouth in surprise, she smiles wryly, and the formal tone in her voice melts away.]

I have no doubt you will, dearest Champion. But you don't need to worry, dearest Clint. All I ask is the pleasure of having you near me.

[Then she pulls him forward and kisses him fervently, her affection obvious as she tugs his lip with her own. She really has no doubts about you, Barton. And she likes you a lot.]

[He is quite happy to hold her close, arms wrapped loosely around her.]

I'm glad. Real glad.

[He gives a soft, breathless little laugh when she says that, the warmth in her voice is pretty alluring. People don't say stuff like that to him.

He kisses her back, grinning into the kiss because it's a happy thing and he likes it and maybe that's plenty right now.]

[She pulls back a little reluctantly after a moment more, a little breathless herself, but positively glowing with joy. Smitten is probably the best way to describe her right now, and for once? Despite having asserted divine will, and the recent barbs tossed at her by Sharpe? She feels human. Totally human.

But since he was happy, clearly so, she didn't feel so bad about asking what was on her mind. To clear the air.]

You won't worry about him anymore, will you? I'm sure he has all sorts of nasty things to say, about you, or me, or us. Or any of it. But he's not worth it, dearest. Just tell me if he's causing you trouble. I know you're strong, but let me. So I don't have to see you frown again.

[She pecks him on the cheek once more, smiling brightly, though not without a hint of mischief.]

You're not as handsome when you frown, and it upsets me.

[He reaches up, stroking her cheek for a moment, still grinning.]

I'll try. I'm not always so good at letting things go. It kinda... turned things upside down for me.

But I'll try.

[He laughs softly when she kisses him, warm and open.]

Well, we can't have that.

Then leave it all to me. You are mine now, not his. And of your own choice. If he hurts you again, please tell me. I have a duty to look after my champion and his honor as much as my champion has a duty to look after me and mine.

[She shakes her head]

Oh, no we can't. So, how do you plan to keep me from being upset, dearest?

I'll let you know. I promise. I think between you and Natasha and everyone else here, I'm pretty well defended except when it comes to my own mind.

[He smiles more widely at her.]

Mmmm, keep smiling. Try to set aside some of the stuff from before. Enjoy the moment...

Don't worry about that. I'm good at delivering thumps to the head.

[She nods and slips arms under his, sliding up into his lap again.]

Good. Very, very good. That's the only answer I want to hear when I'm near. Don't think of Loki, thing of me and smile.

Always a benefit in this case. [Regular concussions were totally beneficial to your health, right?

He wraps his arms around her comfortably, pulling her close.]

I think I can manage that. [And she makes it easy to smile. Really.]

[#000] Appointments

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki

[Action] January 9th, after Loki