“seems like a real freakin’ hassle having people around your place all the time. you should get a dog or something.”

        “did i say that? don’t think i did.”

          he wasn’t much of a reader, never was never will be. too many words were never good for the brain--- his best advice to himself. though lately there hadn’t been much to do and reading a book might be interesting? he only hoped. maybe kate would like a book? he walked into a bookstore, rather lonely looking one. it kind of reminded him of the first scene in ghostbusters, were there ghosts in there? he stuffed his hands in his pockets as he browsed the endless shelves of books. 

          “you have no reason but you can. i know what it is---- you care to much.”

“you can’t expect me to believe your hair naturally falls that way. are you kidding? the answer is yes. it’d be hilarious to see guys with messy hair on their way to their wall street jobs.oh. i’ve never thought about it that way. but what if they’re not redeemable? not every criminal has avenger potential. i’m sorry if i offended you, though. you have no idea what i can and can’t afford. can’t you turn off the agent side of your brain for a moment? i promise you i’m harmless, just be clint.” 

         “but it is.... you gotta believe me. steve will probably scold at me and no one else would care. it sounds like a great idea. more people than you think are redeemable, don’t be so closed minded. i don’t, that’s why i’m saying something you probably couldn’t afford not saying you can’t afford it.” he paused for a second then shook his head, “don’t think it’s possible.”

        “oh that’s not hate--- i learned to call it tough love.” he furrowed his brows at him, “saying you’re popular just makes you seem like a douche. i’ve been attacked since the day i found out.”

         “yet i see right through you.”

“you seem to have perfected it. you should go into the hair business if the hero thing doesn’t work out for you. are you for real? they’d still be psychopaths. that’s like being friends with doctor doom because you think he might be redeemable. that’s because a lot of you have a choice, most of us don’t. it’s either join the academy or get killed out there by mutant haters. how much food would it take to make it less classified? you sure do a great job at dodging them.” 

         “no, i just don’t care. do you want hundreds of messed up haircuts all around new york? i am for real and you want to know why? because before all of this i was a criminal and i wasn’t going to stop because i liked it. things and people change. you might not have a choice but you do have the choice to make the right one. more than you can afford, kid. archer, agent, avenger. the agent part of me makes me that way.”

       “that’s because you haven’t dealt with the press. once they said i loved to kick puppies on my spare time. puppies, man. you can still do that--- just ignore people. vegans probably.”

“since when is messy hair a requirement for bad boyness? i don’t know, man. what if they were killers or terrorists, would you stop being friends with them then? hah, them-then. you guys give off more of a coworkers vibe than a family vibe to me, but i’d love to hear avengers bonding stories if you have any. and how so?” 

        “has to be a mix between i don’t give a fuck what you think but i just give enough fucks to look cool. no because i know well enough that people make mistakes and people do want to change--- sometimes. well, we don’t get to live in a cool school for a while maybe that’s it. i do but they’re also classified, sorry man. you sure do love to ask a lot of questions.”

      “you’re a horrible fucking liar. you know that?”

“ Yeah well try working with the X-Men, there comes a time when you get too accustomed to friends dying or betraying you. “

        “that sounds about right--- i’ll be sure to leave a tape just in case i don’t come back next time.” he let his gaze drop momentarily, “must suck always having to think the worst.”

         “exactly! being surrounded by people all day isn’t always nice. everyone needs to chill sometimes. like if i ding you car i’ll leave a note type of friendly and nice. i still can’t believe some people don’t like it.”