bettercallit | (no subject)

I got beaten up.

[ He shrugs one shoulder, uncomfortable for a second. Of course he has to lie. He can't really tell anyone that an old man beat the crap out of him as a message to some werewolves, can he? But he doesn't want Clint to worry, doesn't want him to share the same level of concern that his dad had. ]

It's okay, it was just some punk kids from another school. [ Smiling a little. ] I actually played a lacrosse game, can you imagine it? But they uh - didn't like it when we won.

[ He should have caught it sooner, remembers lies and excuses, time spent hiding and covering up bruises, and that's after joining SHIELD, back when he still didn't know how to keep his mouth shut when it counted. ]

Well, luckily for them, they're not here. [ He might have to kill them if they were. ] You won a game? [ It's not so much surprise as it is pleased, and he wishes he could have been there to see it - what's wrong with him? So much for not getting too attached. ]

Yeah, it was awesome.

[ And just like that he lights up. ] Like okay so it took me a while to get into the swing of things but I was on fire. First game not spent on the bench, cool, right?

[ Someone claiming to have been on fire could be a legitimate one, but it helps make him smile, put aside the damage, because focusing on the good is better, right? ]

Guess you showed 'em, kid. Bet they won't be benching you again any time soon.

They better not.

[ Grinning. ] I'm gonna get Scott to help me train over the summer so I can make first line next year.

Always been better at watching sport than participating, but there's plenty of room in the part if you ever wanna show me a thing or two.

Yeah?

[ Playing lacrosse with Hawkeye ... totally game. ] That sounds awesome.

Yeah.

[ He should probably try to do the active thing, he's letting himself go. And he should probably let go of Stiles, but he lets the closeness linger a bit longer. ] You sticking around? Phil should be back later.

[ Wait.

... WAITWAITWAITWAITWAIT. ] Phil's back?

[ The grin is a slow growing thing, but it's very much there. He hoped that might help cheer him up if he didn't already know. ]

Phil's back. [ But then. ] Downside? He had a memory wipe.

That's okay, I'll just have to teach him to cherish me again.

Shouldn't take much doing. It looks like he's unimpressed, but he's got that squishy centre he'll never admit to.

I've won over worse people.

[ Except Derek who is impossible. ]

Don't doubt it. [ He'll give Phil the heads up.

He grabs what's left of his hot chocolate, draining the last swallows. ] Want another one?

Yeah, that sounds really good.

[ Handing over his empty mug. ] So, anything else happened when I was gone?

[ Enough water still in the kettle, he flicks the switch and grabs the jar. ]

Besides Phil and the ghouls? Nah, not really. Few new arrivals, but that's about it.

Anyone super exciting?

Kid named Clary, pretty ready, you'd probably like her. Not really had much chance to socialise with the rest.

You've been adopting other kids? Wow, rude.

[ He's teasing. Mostly. ]

Hey, you left me here, what was I supposed to do?

[ It's okay, as much as he loves having Clary around, Stiles will always be his favourite. ]

Not adopt more kids, yo.

[ Two fresh mugs of hot chocolate later, he pushes one over, reaching up to ruffle Stiles' hair. ]

None of 'em will come close to you, kid.

Well good. [ Beaming and trying not to show how genuinely happy that makes him. ]

I'm one of a kind.