Chapter 14 ━━ Package Deal, Bro

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Running his hand through his already devilishly messy hair, Heather laughs watching little Nathaniel moving his eyes, mocking the toy cat clock on the wall of the restaurant they're currently at.

The Barton family is sitting on a round table and waiting for the waiter to bring the bill after their full mouthwatering meal. It's safe to say Heather is full and he's now in a need of a good nap. Maybe after a little walk through the New York Streets.

"You look like a maniac." Clint remarks, laughing at the boy. "You're a total crazy person."

"Is anybody else hungry? For some more, like, some more crabs or maybe get four more crabs? What do you think?" Clint inquires and the teenager shakes their heads to signal their disapproval of the suggestion.

"Yes. I could eat three." Nathaniel declares.

"No." Says, Lila.

"Come on, Dad, you ordered food for 30 people." Cooper groans.

"That is meant to be when a supersoldier is a part of your family." Clint shrugs.

Heather gleams a grin at the Avenger. "Love you too."

"You're going to puke if you have any more." Lila tells the small boy. Then she points at her father, Heather and Cooper. "And if he pukes, you three are cleaning it up."

"I'm not cleaning it up." Cooper tells, throwing his hands in the air.

"Hey, you know what? You know what's right down the street? The Christmas tree. The biggest one you'll see in your life. It's enormous! You want to see that after this?" Clint asks and the kids exclaim with appreciation.

At the same time, Clint's phone buzzes and he takes it out and reads the caller ID. "Momma callin'. Momma's calling. Say 'Hi!"

"Hi, Mom!"

"Hi, Momma!"

"Hey, guys! How are ya?"

"I miss you so much!"

"We miss you, too."

"How was the show?" Verity asks, from the other side of the line.

"It was, uh... It's over. It was big." Clint answers.

"We left halfway through." Nathaniel butts in, taking a sip of his orange juice.

"There you go." Clint snorts.

"Oh, no!" Verity chuckles. "You guys all good?"

"Uh, yeah, it'd be easier if you were here. I'd be less likely to strangle these kids and this big manchild." Clint mutters playfully and both Cooper and Nathaniel throw their handkerchiefs at their father.

"The whole point was for you to spend time with the kids. And Barney is the package deal."

"I love the way you guys talk about me." Heather says, taking his phone out and scrolling through his Instagram feed. "So much love for me."

Clint snickers at the precise manchild. "No, I'm kidding. We're having a really good time."

"And just remember that this is a respectable family. No pranks. No sleeping around. No clubbing. Barney, that was for you. Am I clear?" Verity's voice is full of authority and it seems that she's very serious about it.

Heather looks up from his phone with a scowl. "That is ridiculous."

"I meant what I said."

Heather huffs and rolls his eyes before he turns to his brother. "Out of every single woman out there, you decided to choose a bossy woman as your wife. Should I be surprised?"

"Absolutely not." Clint replies with a shrug.

"I heard that!" Verity shouts from the phone and the kids laughs along with the Barton brothers. "It's not funny."

"Kidding, honey." Clint confesses, trying to muffle up his laughter. "We miss you."

"I miss you. I can't wait to see you guys tomorrow." Verity's excited voice squeals from the phone.

After they share their 'goodbyes' and 'love yous', Clint hangs up the phone. "Well, look, it's six days until Christmas, okay? We're gonna do a lot of activities. What's your favourite one?"

"Um, gingerbread house." Nathaniel speaks.

"We're doing that!" Clint nods at the kid and turns to Lila. "What do you got?"

"Uh, Christmas movie marathon."

"Movie marathon, awesome!" Clint smiles with appreciation.

"Uh, ugly sweaters." Cooper suggests.

"Ugly Christmas sweaters!" Clint chuckles.

"Blonde neighbours."

"No. No blonde neighbours!" Clint glares at Heather, who is wearing a smug face. He then turns to the kids. "We have to decorate the tree. There's a thousand things to do."

"It's going to be amazing, but most important thing, we're going to do it all together." Clint states and holds into Cooper's and Heather's hand. Then he gestures to others to imitate him.

"This is enthusiastic." Heather pockets in his phone and holds onto Nathaniel's hand.

"No. Not holding their hands." Lila shakes her head, pointing at her brothers. But then she shakes her hand with a smile and does anyway.

"I love you guys." Clint says with a smile, looking at his family members.

"Love you, too." Lila says and others nod in agreement. Even Heather does.

"It's going to be the best Barton Christmas ever!" Clint says promisingly. "All right?"

The waiter arrives and smiles politely at Clint. "Please."

"Yeah."

"Dinner is on us. Thank you."

Clint gazes at the waiter with a confused look but then realisation hits him. "Oh, that's, that's not necessary."

"It's necessary. You saved our city." The waiter says and bows with respect.

"Oh. Thank you." Clint tells and the waiter leaves as the kids and Heather thank him.

Heather rises up from his seat, stretching out his cramped limbs. "So... Who's ready to see the New York Christmas?"

The Barton family arrive back at the hotel room after their walk.

"You were right about the tree, Dad. It was amazing." Lila opinions.

"I want one that big." Nathaniel sleepily says, resting his head on Heather's back, who is carrying him.

"It wouldn't fit in our house, dummy." Cooper points out, dropping himself next to Lila.

"Please, please, please?" Nathaniel pleads, when Heather sets him on the couch.

"It's a little late for TV, guys. I've gotta pack." Clint announces when Lila turns on the television.

"I'm in the mood for a nap." Heather says, wrapping his arm around Nathaniel, who is now fast asleep on him.

"We are following a breaking news story. A high society gala rocked by an explosion when it went off at Park Avenue and 68th Street tonight. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. But witnesses captured cell phone footage of a masked assailant fleeing the scene." The news speaks as a picture of a man with a ninja suit shows up on the screen.

"Check it out." Lila says, pointing the remote at the news. It obviously takes the attention of Hawkeye. "A ninja saved a dog. Isn't that awesome, Dad?"

"Authorities believe the assailant could be the Ronin, who terrorized organized crime in New York and elsewhere. This is the first potential sighting of the Ronin in years." The news reporter continues and Clint's eyes go wide, which doesn't go unnoticed by Heather.