Vex and Clint
Apr. 6th, 2019 12:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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ax_mainVex and Clint show off on the archery range. Mutual admiration leads to making out.
Vex quickly learned that Clint was an excellent shot. As they traded off her playful, competitive edge gave way to admiration. After another of his arrows hit the target dead center she turned to him with low whistle.
“Okay, I’ve barely known you long enough, but would you let me fondle your equipment? I’m pretty damn sure it’s you and not that bow, but Shaun really did amazing work.” She smiled charmingly. “I’ll trade you some trick arrows for the next round.”
So, Clint already had a bit of a thing for the girl. She was hot, knew how to handle a bow, and actually didn't seem to mind his terrible sense of humor, which was probably a first when it came to any woman he met. But when she turned to him and asked to 'fondle his equipment', followed by the suggestion that she'd pay him in arrows? His brain stopped working for a few heartbeats. He was almost afraid that his hearing aid had just completely malfunctioned, but no, he could hear the pounding of his heart, at least in the one working ear.
Without even thinking, he stared at her for a beat, opened his mouth, closed it, then turned the bow in his hand, offering it out to her.
He should have done something cool like show her how the limbs retracted and had the spring release, or how he could change the color of the bow from black to purple. Or how he could use the laser sight to shift to a beam of light in dark areas. Gilmore had put a lot into the bow, but all Clint could think was that her eyes were gorgeous, and, and lips even more so.
Vex didn't bother hiding her smirk. Clint was adorable. Her fingers brushed his as she took the bow.
"Hello, beautiful," she crooned as she got a better look, trying to remember anything special she'd seen Clint do with it so far. Vex loved her current bow, but was thinking perhaps she should collaborate with Shaun and Percy on something new. The great thing about the bag of holding--why not have two bows? What about emergencies?
Vex gave Clint a few seconds to pick his jaw off the floor before looking back up at him. "Okay, explain all the cool things beneath the covers. And then we may need to relocate to the danger room."
"Relocate to..." Clint looked lost for a moment, then frowned outright. "Wait, why?"
"Last time I shot lightning arrows out here Ororo chastised me."
"I...guess I can see how that could be a problem?" Clint smiled sideways, then stepped closer, showing her where to put her fingers to trigger the color change of the bow.
“Omigod, costume change. This is the most Shaun feature ever.” She handled the bow gently, fingers caressing in admiration.
He took a step back. "Now pump your fist like you're excited about something. The bow's limbs should close shut."
She did as directed, as strange as the direction was, and watched the bow collapse. “Super fucking useful.” Vex flashed him a bright smile.
Clint grinned. "Yeah. It's got some other perks too, but those are the best. It's easier to carry on my back when it's folded up. Then I just extend it when I'm ready to use it."
“I cheat,” Vex admitted. She’d shown up bow in hand and quiver strapped on. With one final caress she offered Clint back his bow.
"I can believe that," he agreed, taking the bow back and flicking it open again. "You're magic, right? Caleb can do some pretty cool shit. What do you do? Make it fly along behind you?"
Vex reached for the bag hooked to her belt beside her quiver. She undid the drawstring and reached inside. The mouth of the bag stretched max ten inches in width, but was only a few inches deep. Despite that, her hand sank much further. She pulled out a translucent blue arrow and offered it to Clint. There was frost along the shaft and it was cold to the touch.
He took the arrow, a little stunned, staring first at the bag, then at the shaft in his hand. "Is this... is this an ice arrow?"
"Yes. That one will freeze over the target and coat the ground in frost roughly ten feet around the area. If they crack out of the ice quickly they may still fall on their ass." She smiled wryly and gestured to the symbol of a snowflake at the base of the shaft. "That's my reminder that it's a frost arrow, and not the 'surprise, fucking hail' arrow that I made."
"That doesn't kill a guy? Getting encased in ice like that?" he asked, turning the arrow in his hand.
“Depends on the guy,” Vex said. “And depends where you’re aiming. It freezes on contact, so no risk of someone bleeding out like normal. If you took a headshot... yeah, that might be lethal. Leg, you’re slowing them down. Maybe frostbite. Hit someone like Grog and he’ll probably break free pretty quick and if you’re lucky slip and fall on his ass while you run.”
"I'm trying this whole thing where I don't kill people I'm after," Clint agreed, offering her the arrow back. "I was thinking of seeing if I could come up with some trick arrows of my own. You know; nets, and goo, and tasers and stuff."
Vex clasped the arrow and nodded. “Not usually a great tool for anything short of maiming. I’ve done restraints on impact. And taser... yeah I’ve made some smaller stuff for that. Goo is not something I ever considered. Which says the world that I’ve made things that burst into glitter, but that never crossed my mind.”
"Oil slick arrow," he grinned brightly at her, eyes shining. "Can you imagine?"
Vex smiled. “When’s your birthday?”
Clint's eyebrows went up. "Wh- uh. December. Why?"
“No reason,” she said cheerfully. That was plenty of time for charm crafting.
"So you...you make these? All of these? Just with your power?" Clint breathed, sort of irreverent now that the meaning of her show and tell was starting to dawn on him. "You make magic arrows."
Vex grinned and toyed with the frost arrow. "I make magic objects." She slid the arrow into her bag. "Not always as exciting as arrows. I guess it depends on what your imagination is like."
"Oh," Clint grinned, stepping closer. "I have a pretty good imagination."
Vex met his eyes and gave him an intentionally wicked smile. "Then you should help me daydream new toys sometime."
"Do you uh, do you got a process for that, or..." his lips widened in a smile as he met her gaze.
"Usually it starts with brainstorming, and then I really have to get my hands on something to make it work."
Clint's face fell for a moment. Was she still talking about magic making, or were they talking about making out? He'd been hoping they were talking about making out, but suddenly he wasn't sure. "Oh. Uh, okay."
He looked like he was trying to work out a complicated riddle. Vex found it very endearing. "Not one for euphemisms, huh? What would you rather I do with my hands right now, Clint?" She was curious if he'd remain tongue tied, or if he had a suggestion.
"Uh," he squinted at her, not sure if she was making fun of him, but he ventured. "I mean...on me?"
"You're hot as hell when you're shooting, but you're really cute right now." She reached for him before she got to the second half of that sentence. One hand clasped the back of his neck, luring him forward. The other settled on his bicep, absolutely feeling up the muscle on his dominant bow arm. Her lips brushed lightly against his in invitation.
"Oh," he breathed against her mouth, his own lips curving in a bright smile as he wrapped an arm around her waist to press close. "Good." Then he kissed her, slow and tentative, feeling her out - how she moved, what she liked, what she wanted. Vex was gorgeous, and talented, and there was a real allure to making out with a girl, his bow still in one hand, fresh from a target session. Okay, less allure, more total hot factor.
Vex let the kiss deepen gradually, liking that he took it slow. The first guy she'd properly kissed was all overeagerness and tongue. She enjoyed the option to take a breath. To coax for more. Her quiver pressed into Clint's thigh as she leaned close. Vex made a soft, content sound and then broke the kiss with a gentle nip to Clint's bottom lip. "Do you want to keep shooting, or do you want to take this somewhere less out in the open?"
"I am down to go anywhere you want," he grinned, gently brushing his nose against hers.
Oh god. He really was adorable. "Let's put this equipment safely down and then continue this thought."
Clint didn’t even have to think about it. He flicked his wrist, closing the bow up, then caught her mouth for a brief reminder of the previous kiss. “Sure.”
Once equipment was accounted for Vex debated where they were continuing this. With Keyleth on walkabout, Vex had the room to herself, but she had no idea who they might pass on the way there. Somehow she expected she'd lose her nerve if they didn't keep momentum. Already, she was fighting the impulse to laugh nervously as took Clint's hand and tugged him toward... Fuck it. The closest path to the woods.
Clint has been ready to just lean her back against a tree - but he guessed that Vex had a better idea. So, he closed his calloused hand around hers and followed obediently. “You uh, know where you’re going?”
“Away from prying eyes,” Vex said with a smile. “It depends on if you want secluded meadow, or if you don’t care about treebark against your back.”
"Well, normally, I'm a treebark kind of guy, but I'm willing to try new things..." Clint breathed, his thumb gliding playfully over the back of her hand.
Vex slowed their progress, grinning. “You won’t complain about dirt and bugs?”
He laughed a little. “I practically grew up outside. So no - I don’t mind if you don’t.”
“Well then. Let’s see if we make it very far.” She winked and started walking faster, stepping over a fallen tree limb.
Clint squeezed her hand, keeping pace easily. And yeah, there was an urgency there. Normally, he wouldn't just follow a girl into the woods to make out, but he'd been totally confused lately when it came to, well, pretty much everything. Everything from his vigilante activities with Cal to the new three boys sharing a bedroom situation. Not to mention Cal's frequent switching to dog form and hopping in bed with him a lot, which...Clint didn't mind but it also was a little frustrating. After his break-up with Wanda, he'd swore to himself that he was going to stop thinking of Cal as anymore than a friend, which was increasingly hard to do the more Cal got comfortable with touching him and being around him.
So...Vex was something of a distraction from all that. A distraction he sorely needed. Something to keep his mind off of Cal and Caleb and the Right and his floundering for a purpose, and the new revelation that his ears were healing. A distraction from everything. So yeah, he wanted to find that meadow or tree, or whatever it was she had in mind and just lose himself for an hour. And, well, if it made things even more complicated? He'd deal with that later. He always did. (Okay, he never did - he'd probably just avoid that too, but Clint really only cared about the here and now.)
Normally Vex preferred the woods, but some of her thrill making out against trees was dulled. She could do without the feel of bark against her skin. Fortunately the meadow was close and it wasn’t long before they reached the treehouse. Vex took a couple steps up the wooden ladder, but then turned to look at Clint. With a grin she hooked a leg around his waist. “How’s your patience holding out?”
"Well, I was doing okay until you did that," Clint breathed out, reaching a hand up to teasingly caress the outside of her thigh. "Is this place yours?"
“Technically, it’s open for all. Luckily no one wanted to trudge through snow over the winter. When the weather gets nice we might need to come up with a signal flag or something.” Vex reached to slide her fingers through Clint’s hair, nails trailing lightly down the back of his neck.
"Oh," he said numbly, because no other words seemed to be able to form with her doing that with her nails. "So uh, this looks better than tree bark."
Vex gave in to temptation and swung her other leg around Clint’s waist, climbing him instead of the ladder. She had both hands free to pull him into another kiss. “Mm. Much better.” She said, lips brushing his.
"Oh we're... okay." Clint breathed, arms wrapping around her to support her back against the ladder, his lips fitting briefly, softly against hers.
Vex stroked her fingers through Clint’s hair. “Is this okay?” She asked, worried she might have startled him.
Lips twitching into a grin, he looked into her eyes and winked. "Why wouldn't it be?"
“Good.” Vex smiled and brushed her lips along his jaw. “Got to be honest. I’ve been distracted by your arms since we started shooting.”
"Just my arms, huh?" he grinned against her cheek.
“They are very distracting.” She leaned back in his embrace. “I’ll objectify more of you in a minute, but I really like how this feels. Feel free to make suggestions on what I should pay attention to next.”
"My mouth," Clint suggested decisively as he pressed close. "Definitely my mouth."
She caught his lips again. Her legs tightened around his waist and Vex leveraged herself up so that she could kiss him slowly. “Is this,” she asked quietly. “What you had in mind?” She teased his bottom lip, giving him more distraction instead of room to speak.
It was. It was definitely what he had in mind. And he didn't even care that he had no way of relaying that, because he had his arms full of her lithe, apparently athletic body and his mouth busy trying to follow hers. It was nice - just letting his brain zone out while his hormones took the reins.
This whole situation felt pretty wild to Vex. Yes, she'd had a number of adventures with Shinobi since new years, but that was Shinobi. Everything was a game. This was adrenaline catching up with her. Who knew watching someone shoot that well was such a turn on? And she was really into Clint holding her like this. He was solid, and it was easy to get lost in kissing him.
Clint wasn't really sure how long they went on like that. He knew that when he pulled back to take a breath, his head was spinning, and he couldn't give a shit about anything else in the world. Vex was gorgeous, and yeah, he enjoyed the fact that she got hot from his skills. It was validation and showmanship all wrapped up in one big happy ball of fun, and exactly what he needed. "By the way," he managed to breath out after a moment. "Your arrows are fucking amazing."
Vex chuckled softly. “I’ll make you something fun later.” She nuzzled Clint’s neck and pressed a soft kiss over his pulse.
Clint hummed happily at the sensation. "Is that what this is? Fun?"
“If that’s good by you?” Vex answered. She leaned back to glance at him. “Are you a love at first sight kind of guy?”
He looked up, blinking. "I'm...not sure I'd know if I was. I mean. I care about a lot of people."
That wasn’t the answer Vex feared, nor an answer she knew what to do with. “Okay,” she said. “Are you cool if this is just just new friends snogging? Like. No flowers or love poems tomorrow?
Clint thought about that for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. Snogging between friends. But I should warn you - be careful of the one ear. The big furry guy keeps getting angry cause I scrape up my hearing aids."
“I’ll be careful,” she promised gently. “Should we climb up for real this time? Or is this position good for you?” She squeezed her thighs around him, shifting up a bit. She leaned closer to the good ear. “If you’re willing to lose your shirt, I might be willing to ditch mine.”
"Yeah, as much as I love this position, and I do," Clint assured her, "I'd really love to, you know, be able to use my hands for more than just holding you up against this ladder. Though the shirt thing, I'm totally down for."
She kissed his neck then reached back for the ladder. “Then up we go.”
He gently let her down, stepping back to wait as she ascended. 'Course, the view wasn't bad, all things considered, and he was actually pretty psyched at seeing the inside of the tree house. It was definitely cooler than anything he'd been inside as a kid.
Vex was fully aware of the view the ascent provided. When she reached the top she glanced over her shoulder and winked before slipping inside.
He was up the ladder faster than he should have been, sliding inside after her, hands already reaching for her waist. "Did you make this?"
“I orchestrated. Percy’s the architect, and there were plenty of hands on deck.” Vex stepped back, drawing Clint with her. She grabbed a couple of pillows off the window seats framing the room and tossed them to the floor for cushion. Vex plucked at the front of Clint’s shirt next. Her grin was playful, but her voice dropped lower as she said distinctly, “Lose it.”
Oh. Oh. That was...yeah. Clint swallowed, then reached down and hauled the shirt off over his head without a second thought, tossing it somewhere in the direction of a wall. His gaze stayed on Vex, though, because yeah, he'd never known getting bossed around could be so hot.
And despite all the injuries he'd had in his life, most of what had happened to him since losing his healing had been blunt force trauma, leaving him free of scars on his upper body except for a few small white lines here and there. And he was ripped - he wasn't ignorant of that. He had his training to thank, really. And the school cafeteria for how he'd filled out in the past year.
His swift compliance sent a quiet thrill through Vex. There was no posturing or sass. Clint stood there quietly, confidently, and waiting for her. Sometimes impulse decisions panned out.
Vex looked at him, appreciation clear as her gaze skimmed down. She reached and brushed her fingers feather light up his arm. "I am both envious and ache thinking about how much work you've put in on the range." She traced along a muscle that from her experience always burned the next day after heavy practice. Probably less so for Clint, because damn. Her fingers strayed across his collarbone, and then she replaced that touch with her lips. Her hands settled low on his sides. "Floor?" she suggested against his skin.
Just that look, and a few touches of her fingers, and he'd never been more turned on in his life. In the back of his mind, Clint wondered if maybe she was magic in other ways, too. "Fuck yeah," he breathed, wrapping an arm around her waist.
***
It was all very friendly. Vex was happy to spend the better part of the hour kissing, fumbling, keeping it light and fun. Eventually she turned the tables again, which brought her to this smug moment curled against Clint’s chest. His heart was hammering beneath her cheek. Clint hadn’t mustered a word since she climbed off his lap and tucked herself against him.
Vex lifted Clint’s hand and pressed a light kiss to the tips of his fingers. The ones she’d paid special attention to earlier. Maybe it was cruel distraction, but she hoped the next time he drew back on his bow he’d remember that those calloused fingers were a very effective erogenous zone. Vex would certainly think about that later. She liked blowing a guy’s mind without actually having to blow him. She smiled and folded her hand around Clint’s, clasping warmly as she shut her eyes. His heartbeat was starting to steady out.
It took a few more minutes for Clint to regain his senses. He'd never experienced anything like that before, and if he'd been looking for distraction from his thoughts, she'd certainly provided it. As he tried to catch his breath, he curled one arm around her instinctually, a residual shiver running through him when she kissed the tips of her fingers. "So," he finally managed, when he could form words. "That was."
Vex grinned. She brushed another light kiss against his chest. “Mmhm.”
"And you were." Clint seemed to think that was a full statement, sucking a deep breath and stroking a hand down her back. They still had their pants on, but just caressing the bare skin of her back brought back memories.
“You’re adorable,” Vex said with a soft laugh.
"Yeah," Clint sighed. "I'm that."
Vex fluttered her fingers along Clint’s side. “I like you swearing, but I also like this.”
"I like you all the time," Clint decided, humming and letting his eyes slip closed.
She chuckled softly again. “I’ve got blankets and snacks stashed in here if you want to crash for a while.”
"Do you?" he asked, peeking an eye open.
“You’re pretty cozy,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind being lazy.”
He just grinned and closed his eyes again, snuggling up against her. "Lazy, it is."
Vex quickly learned that Clint was an excellent shot. As they traded off her playful, competitive edge gave way to admiration. After another of his arrows hit the target dead center she turned to him with low whistle.
“Okay, I’ve barely known you long enough, but would you let me fondle your equipment? I’m pretty damn sure it’s you and not that bow, but Shaun really did amazing work.” She smiled charmingly. “I’ll trade you some trick arrows for the next round.”
So, Clint already had a bit of a thing for the girl. She was hot, knew how to handle a bow, and actually didn't seem to mind his terrible sense of humor, which was probably a first when it came to any woman he met. But when she turned to him and asked to 'fondle his equipment', followed by the suggestion that she'd pay him in arrows? His brain stopped working for a few heartbeats. He was almost afraid that his hearing aid had just completely malfunctioned, but no, he could hear the pounding of his heart, at least in the one working ear.
Without even thinking, he stared at her for a beat, opened his mouth, closed it, then turned the bow in his hand, offering it out to her.
He should have done something cool like show her how the limbs retracted and had the spring release, or how he could change the color of the bow from black to purple. Or how he could use the laser sight to shift to a beam of light in dark areas. Gilmore had put a lot into the bow, but all Clint could think was that her eyes were gorgeous, and, and lips even more so.
Vex didn't bother hiding her smirk. Clint was adorable. Her fingers brushed his as she took the bow.
"Hello, beautiful," she crooned as she got a better look, trying to remember anything special she'd seen Clint do with it so far. Vex loved her current bow, but was thinking perhaps she should collaborate with Shaun and Percy on something new. The great thing about the bag of holding--why not have two bows? What about emergencies?
Vex gave Clint a few seconds to pick his jaw off the floor before looking back up at him. "Okay, explain all the cool things beneath the covers. And then we may need to relocate to the danger room."
"Relocate to..." Clint looked lost for a moment, then frowned outright. "Wait, why?"
"Last time I shot lightning arrows out here Ororo chastised me."
"I...guess I can see how that could be a problem?" Clint smiled sideways, then stepped closer, showing her where to put her fingers to trigger the color change of the bow.
“Omigod, costume change. This is the most Shaun feature ever.” She handled the bow gently, fingers caressing in admiration.
He took a step back. "Now pump your fist like you're excited about something. The bow's limbs should close shut."
She did as directed, as strange as the direction was, and watched the bow collapse. “Super fucking useful.” Vex flashed him a bright smile.
Clint grinned. "Yeah. It's got some other perks too, but those are the best. It's easier to carry on my back when it's folded up. Then I just extend it when I'm ready to use it."
“I cheat,” Vex admitted. She’d shown up bow in hand and quiver strapped on. With one final caress she offered Clint back his bow.
"I can believe that," he agreed, taking the bow back and flicking it open again. "You're magic, right? Caleb can do some pretty cool shit. What do you do? Make it fly along behind you?"
Vex reached for the bag hooked to her belt beside her quiver. She undid the drawstring and reached inside. The mouth of the bag stretched max ten inches in width, but was only a few inches deep. Despite that, her hand sank much further. She pulled out a translucent blue arrow and offered it to Clint. There was frost along the shaft and it was cold to the touch.
He took the arrow, a little stunned, staring first at the bag, then at the shaft in his hand. "Is this... is this an ice arrow?"
"Yes. That one will freeze over the target and coat the ground in frost roughly ten feet around the area. If they crack out of the ice quickly they may still fall on their ass." She smiled wryly and gestured to the symbol of a snowflake at the base of the shaft. "That's my reminder that it's a frost arrow, and not the 'surprise, fucking hail' arrow that I made."
"That doesn't kill a guy? Getting encased in ice like that?" he asked, turning the arrow in his hand.
“Depends on the guy,” Vex said. “And depends where you’re aiming. It freezes on contact, so no risk of someone bleeding out like normal. If you took a headshot... yeah, that might be lethal. Leg, you’re slowing them down. Maybe frostbite. Hit someone like Grog and he’ll probably break free pretty quick and if you’re lucky slip and fall on his ass while you run.”
"I'm trying this whole thing where I don't kill people I'm after," Clint agreed, offering her the arrow back. "I was thinking of seeing if I could come up with some trick arrows of my own. You know; nets, and goo, and tasers and stuff."
Vex clasped the arrow and nodded. “Not usually a great tool for anything short of maiming. I’ve done restraints on impact. And taser... yeah I’ve made some smaller stuff for that. Goo is not something I ever considered. Which says the world that I’ve made things that burst into glitter, but that never crossed my mind.”
"Oil slick arrow," he grinned brightly at her, eyes shining. "Can you imagine?"
Vex smiled. “When’s your birthday?”
Clint's eyebrows went up. "Wh- uh. December. Why?"
“No reason,” she said cheerfully. That was plenty of time for charm crafting.
"So you...you make these? All of these? Just with your power?" Clint breathed, sort of irreverent now that the meaning of her show and tell was starting to dawn on him. "You make magic arrows."
Vex grinned and toyed with the frost arrow. "I make magic objects." She slid the arrow into her bag. "Not always as exciting as arrows. I guess it depends on what your imagination is like."
"Oh," Clint grinned, stepping closer. "I have a pretty good imagination."
Vex met his eyes and gave him an intentionally wicked smile. "Then you should help me daydream new toys sometime."
"Do you uh, do you got a process for that, or..." his lips widened in a smile as he met her gaze.
"Usually it starts with brainstorming, and then I really have to get my hands on something to make it work."
Clint's face fell for a moment. Was she still talking about magic making, or were they talking about making out? He'd been hoping they were talking about making out, but suddenly he wasn't sure. "Oh. Uh, okay."
He looked like he was trying to work out a complicated riddle. Vex found it very endearing. "Not one for euphemisms, huh? What would you rather I do with my hands right now, Clint?" She was curious if he'd remain tongue tied, or if he had a suggestion.
"Uh," he squinted at her, not sure if she was making fun of him, but he ventured. "I mean...on me?"
"You're hot as hell when you're shooting, but you're really cute right now." She reached for him before she got to the second half of that sentence. One hand clasped the back of his neck, luring him forward. The other settled on his bicep, absolutely feeling up the muscle on his dominant bow arm. Her lips brushed lightly against his in invitation.
"Oh," he breathed against her mouth, his own lips curving in a bright smile as he wrapped an arm around her waist to press close. "Good." Then he kissed her, slow and tentative, feeling her out - how she moved, what she liked, what she wanted. Vex was gorgeous, and talented, and there was a real allure to making out with a girl, his bow still in one hand, fresh from a target session. Okay, less allure, more total hot factor.
Vex let the kiss deepen gradually, liking that he took it slow. The first guy she'd properly kissed was all overeagerness and tongue. She enjoyed the option to take a breath. To coax for more. Her quiver pressed into Clint's thigh as she leaned close. Vex made a soft, content sound and then broke the kiss with a gentle nip to Clint's bottom lip. "Do you want to keep shooting, or do you want to take this somewhere less out in the open?"
"I am down to go anywhere you want," he grinned, gently brushing his nose against hers.
Oh god. He really was adorable. "Let's put this equipment safely down and then continue this thought."
Clint didn’t even have to think about it. He flicked his wrist, closing the bow up, then caught her mouth for a brief reminder of the previous kiss. “Sure.”
Once equipment was accounted for Vex debated where they were continuing this. With Keyleth on walkabout, Vex had the room to herself, but she had no idea who they might pass on the way there. Somehow she expected she'd lose her nerve if they didn't keep momentum. Already, she was fighting the impulse to laugh nervously as took Clint's hand and tugged him toward... Fuck it. The closest path to the woods.
Clint has been ready to just lean her back against a tree - but he guessed that Vex had a better idea. So, he closed his calloused hand around hers and followed obediently. “You uh, know where you’re going?”
“Away from prying eyes,” Vex said with a smile. “It depends on if you want secluded meadow, or if you don’t care about treebark against your back.”
"Well, normally, I'm a treebark kind of guy, but I'm willing to try new things..." Clint breathed, his thumb gliding playfully over the back of her hand.
Vex slowed their progress, grinning. “You won’t complain about dirt and bugs?”
He laughed a little. “I practically grew up outside. So no - I don’t mind if you don’t.”
“Well then. Let’s see if we make it very far.” She winked and started walking faster, stepping over a fallen tree limb.
Clint squeezed her hand, keeping pace easily. And yeah, there was an urgency there. Normally, he wouldn't just follow a girl into the woods to make out, but he'd been totally confused lately when it came to, well, pretty much everything. Everything from his vigilante activities with Cal to the new three boys sharing a bedroom situation. Not to mention Cal's frequent switching to dog form and hopping in bed with him a lot, which...Clint didn't mind but it also was a little frustrating. After his break-up with Wanda, he'd swore to himself that he was going to stop thinking of Cal as anymore than a friend, which was increasingly hard to do the more Cal got comfortable with touching him and being around him.
So...Vex was something of a distraction from all that. A distraction he sorely needed. Something to keep his mind off of Cal and Caleb and the Right and his floundering for a purpose, and the new revelation that his ears were healing. A distraction from everything. So yeah, he wanted to find that meadow or tree, or whatever it was she had in mind and just lose himself for an hour. And, well, if it made things even more complicated? He'd deal with that later. He always did. (Okay, he never did - he'd probably just avoid that too, but Clint really only cared about the here and now.)
Normally Vex preferred the woods, but some of her thrill making out against trees was dulled. She could do without the feel of bark against her skin. Fortunately the meadow was close and it wasn’t long before they reached the treehouse. Vex took a couple steps up the wooden ladder, but then turned to look at Clint. With a grin she hooked a leg around his waist. “How’s your patience holding out?”
"Well, I was doing okay until you did that," Clint breathed out, reaching a hand up to teasingly caress the outside of her thigh. "Is this place yours?"
“Technically, it’s open for all. Luckily no one wanted to trudge through snow over the winter. When the weather gets nice we might need to come up with a signal flag or something.” Vex reached to slide her fingers through Clint’s hair, nails trailing lightly down the back of his neck.
"Oh," he said numbly, because no other words seemed to be able to form with her doing that with her nails. "So uh, this looks better than tree bark."
Vex gave in to temptation and swung her other leg around Clint’s waist, climbing him instead of the ladder. She had both hands free to pull him into another kiss. “Mm. Much better.” She said, lips brushing his.
"Oh we're... okay." Clint breathed, arms wrapping around her to support her back against the ladder, his lips fitting briefly, softly against hers.
Vex stroked her fingers through Clint’s hair. “Is this okay?” She asked, worried she might have startled him.
Lips twitching into a grin, he looked into her eyes and winked. "Why wouldn't it be?"
“Good.” Vex smiled and brushed her lips along his jaw. “Got to be honest. I’ve been distracted by your arms since we started shooting.”
"Just my arms, huh?" he grinned against her cheek.
“They are very distracting.” She leaned back in his embrace. “I’ll objectify more of you in a minute, but I really like how this feels. Feel free to make suggestions on what I should pay attention to next.”
"My mouth," Clint suggested decisively as he pressed close. "Definitely my mouth."
She caught his lips again. Her legs tightened around his waist and Vex leveraged herself up so that she could kiss him slowly. “Is this,” she asked quietly. “What you had in mind?” She teased his bottom lip, giving him more distraction instead of room to speak.
It was. It was definitely what he had in mind. And he didn't even care that he had no way of relaying that, because he had his arms full of her lithe, apparently athletic body and his mouth busy trying to follow hers. It was nice - just letting his brain zone out while his hormones took the reins.
This whole situation felt pretty wild to Vex. Yes, she'd had a number of adventures with Shinobi since new years, but that was Shinobi. Everything was a game. This was adrenaline catching up with her. Who knew watching someone shoot that well was such a turn on? And she was really into Clint holding her like this. He was solid, and it was easy to get lost in kissing him.
Clint wasn't really sure how long they went on like that. He knew that when he pulled back to take a breath, his head was spinning, and he couldn't give a shit about anything else in the world. Vex was gorgeous, and yeah, he enjoyed the fact that she got hot from his skills. It was validation and showmanship all wrapped up in one big happy ball of fun, and exactly what he needed. "By the way," he managed to breath out after a moment. "Your arrows are fucking amazing."
Vex chuckled softly. “I’ll make you something fun later.” She nuzzled Clint’s neck and pressed a soft kiss over his pulse.
Clint hummed happily at the sensation. "Is that what this is? Fun?"
“If that’s good by you?” Vex answered. She leaned back to glance at him. “Are you a love at first sight kind of guy?”
He looked up, blinking. "I'm...not sure I'd know if I was. I mean. I care about a lot of people."
That wasn’t the answer Vex feared, nor an answer she knew what to do with. “Okay,” she said. “Are you cool if this is just just new friends snogging? Like. No flowers or love poems tomorrow?
Clint thought about that for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. Snogging between friends. But I should warn you - be careful of the one ear. The big furry guy keeps getting angry cause I scrape up my hearing aids."
“I’ll be careful,” she promised gently. “Should we climb up for real this time? Or is this position good for you?” She squeezed her thighs around him, shifting up a bit. She leaned closer to the good ear. “If you’re willing to lose your shirt, I might be willing to ditch mine.”
"Yeah, as much as I love this position, and I do," Clint assured her, "I'd really love to, you know, be able to use my hands for more than just holding you up against this ladder. Though the shirt thing, I'm totally down for."
She kissed his neck then reached back for the ladder. “Then up we go.”
He gently let her down, stepping back to wait as she ascended. 'Course, the view wasn't bad, all things considered, and he was actually pretty psyched at seeing the inside of the tree house. It was definitely cooler than anything he'd been inside as a kid.
Vex was fully aware of the view the ascent provided. When she reached the top she glanced over her shoulder and winked before slipping inside.
He was up the ladder faster than he should have been, sliding inside after her, hands already reaching for her waist. "Did you make this?"
“I orchestrated. Percy’s the architect, and there were plenty of hands on deck.” Vex stepped back, drawing Clint with her. She grabbed a couple of pillows off the window seats framing the room and tossed them to the floor for cushion. Vex plucked at the front of Clint’s shirt next. Her grin was playful, but her voice dropped lower as she said distinctly, “Lose it.”
Oh. Oh. That was...yeah. Clint swallowed, then reached down and hauled the shirt off over his head without a second thought, tossing it somewhere in the direction of a wall. His gaze stayed on Vex, though, because yeah, he'd never known getting bossed around could be so hot.
And despite all the injuries he'd had in his life, most of what had happened to him since losing his healing had been blunt force trauma, leaving him free of scars on his upper body except for a few small white lines here and there. And he was ripped - he wasn't ignorant of that. He had his training to thank, really. And the school cafeteria for how he'd filled out in the past year.
His swift compliance sent a quiet thrill through Vex. There was no posturing or sass. Clint stood there quietly, confidently, and waiting for her. Sometimes impulse decisions panned out.
Vex looked at him, appreciation clear as her gaze skimmed down. She reached and brushed her fingers feather light up his arm. "I am both envious and ache thinking about how much work you've put in on the range." She traced along a muscle that from her experience always burned the next day after heavy practice. Probably less so for Clint, because damn. Her fingers strayed across his collarbone, and then she replaced that touch with her lips. Her hands settled low on his sides. "Floor?" she suggested against his skin.
Just that look, and a few touches of her fingers, and he'd never been more turned on in his life. In the back of his mind, Clint wondered if maybe she was magic in other ways, too. "Fuck yeah," he breathed, wrapping an arm around her waist.
***
It was all very friendly. Vex was happy to spend the better part of the hour kissing, fumbling, keeping it light and fun. Eventually she turned the tables again, which brought her to this smug moment curled against Clint’s chest. His heart was hammering beneath her cheek. Clint hadn’t mustered a word since she climbed off his lap and tucked herself against him.
Vex lifted Clint’s hand and pressed a light kiss to the tips of his fingers. The ones she’d paid special attention to earlier. Maybe it was cruel distraction, but she hoped the next time he drew back on his bow he’d remember that those calloused fingers were a very effective erogenous zone. Vex would certainly think about that later. She liked blowing a guy’s mind without actually having to blow him. She smiled and folded her hand around Clint’s, clasping warmly as she shut her eyes. His heartbeat was starting to steady out.
It took a few more minutes for Clint to regain his senses. He'd never experienced anything like that before, and if he'd been looking for distraction from his thoughts, she'd certainly provided it. As he tried to catch his breath, he curled one arm around her instinctually, a residual shiver running through him when she kissed the tips of her fingers. "So," he finally managed, when he could form words. "That was."
Vex grinned. She brushed another light kiss against his chest. “Mmhm.”
"And you were." Clint seemed to think that was a full statement, sucking a deep breath and stroking a hand down her back. They still had their pants on, but just caressing the bare skin of her back brought back memories.
“You’re adorable,” Vex said with a soft laugh.
"Yeah," Clint sighed. "I'm that."
Vex fluttered her fingers along Clint’s side. “I like you swearing, but I also like this.”
"I like you all the time," Clint decided, humming and letting his eyes slip closed.
She chuckled softly again. “I’ve got blankets and snacks stashed in here if you want to crash for a while.”
"Do you?" he asked, peeking an eye open.
“You’re pretty cozy,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind being lazy.”
He just grinned and closed his eyes again, snuggling up against her. "Lazy, it is."
no subject
Date: 2019-04-22 02:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-04-22 02:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-04-22 02:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-04-22 02:40 pm (UTC)(Obviously, he is due for some wildly impractical media-attention grab. Shinobi Shaw plays second fiddle to NO ONE.)
no subject
Date: 2019-04-23 10:22 pm (UTC)Shinobi/Warren RPF
Just saying
Loki approves of Jester’s fandom chaos.