𝐼 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈

       Clint looked at her in silence, knowing this was harder for her than she let show. He walked to stand in front of her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know this is new for you anyway. It’s not like another night over and you know that. This is not what you’re used to, but it’s what I can offer you for now. You’re smart, Jan; smart enough that I’m sure you’ll get what you lost.”

       “I know. I’m lucky.”

       “Well yeah, because my nose is now empty.”

         “Look!”

       “So... uh, I don’t know where to begin. I should empty a drawer for you. Yeah, I’ll do that, you can leave your stuff here for now. Make yourself comfortable?”

       “Jess isn’t telling secrets, right?”

       “I feel like such a masochist.”

       “You wish.”

       “You’re too cute.”

       “No, it’s fine, it’s fine.” He showed her his palm. “I’ve got this, you finish that episode. You need to catch up before we can watch together.” Clint had decided he would do this alone and he wouldn’t fail. Slowly, he proceeded to make the taco without distracting himself again. “Aaaand done. It does look like a taco.”

     “Well, believe whatever you want. I know the truth.”

       “I swear! Smell it.”

       “I swear I’ve gotten better.” This was not a way to show Bobbi he could be independent, or that he was now a better man, this was just Clint showing off. Or at least that’s what he thought. “Let me just—” He clearly had no idea of what was happening in his own kitchen, trying to handle three things at once.

       “Hey. It’s Clint. Yeah, Clint Barton. I know, it’s been ages. But how are you? Same, I guess. I just wanted to— No, I swear. I just wanted to call you to ask how you’re doing. I was watching TV and they were airing 500 Days of Summer and it reminded me of the time we watched it together. Just that. So I was like: oh it’s been a long time since I last heard of Alison.”

       “It’s toothpaste. I swear.”