Brothers in Arms

Two weeks. It had been two weeks since Steve and Natasha had left for Russia in pursuit of the Winter Soldier. Two goddamn weeks and not a word. That wasn't the weird thing in itself; the whole mission was strange. Clint hadn't been sent along with them to Russia, something that had shocked Natasha and Steve, as well as the rest of the Avengers. Clint and Natasha were the perfect mix of assassin and team workers, working their best when together and yet Fury had insisted. An arrow thudded into the wall above Clint's bed, an angered growl escaping his lips. He should be in Russia right now, helping his team. Another arrow thudded into the wall, Clint staring at the ceiling. Another arrow. Thud. Another arrow. Scream. Clint's eyebrow rose and he looked up to see a pale faced Tony, arrow mere inches from his face.

"Rude... Nat and Steve are bac-"

Clint was out of his room, pushing past Tony before he'd finished his sentence. His speed slowly increased, soon his feet were pounding down the corridors. Fury turned and saw him, panic on his face.

"BARTON RETURN TO YOUR STATION!"

It was too late. Clint stopped, staring at a familiar face. What the hell was his brother doing in handcuffs and a gag, being held by Steve?

...

"My brother would never..."

"Clint he was controlling the Winter Soldier. We have proof-"

"I KNOW MY BROTHER! HE LEFT WHEN I WAS 15 TO JOIN THE ARMY BECAUSE HE CARES ABOUT AMERICA! HE WOULD NEVER TURN AROUND AND DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS! NEVER!"

"AGENT BARTON, STAND DOWN."

Clint hadn't even realised getting up and drawing his bow, arrow mere inches away from Steve's face. His breathing was harsh and ragged, tears streaming down my face.

"Stand down agent or we will shoot."

It took Clint about half a minute to unlock his muscles, dropping the bow and arrow with a clatter before dropping into his seat. Natasha knelt down before him and have him a tight hug.

"It's all going to be ok..."

"Questioning in five minutes-"

"I'm watching in. DON'T FUCKING ARGUE WITH ME FURY THAT'S MY BROTHER."

Fury closed his mouth and simply stood, gesturing.

...

Clint stared through the glass at Barney. He was different. So different. Scars littered his face, more than what had been given to him by their Father. His voice was hoarse, almost broken completely. Clint wanted to cry. This wasn't his brother. This was a shell.

"What were you doing?"

"My job."

"You were a part of the American Army, stationed in Russia."

"I was doing my job. Handling the Asset."

Natasha could have sworn she heard Clint's heart break.

"And how did you do that?"

"Oh it's easy. Especially after all the years I spent looking after my precious little brother."

Barney smirked at the glass and tilted his head.

"Hawkeye, boy wonder. Yea you were a different sort of wonder for the guys you worked alongside weren't you?"

Fury jumped and spun around as Clint stormed into the room, yelling as an arrow pinned him to the wall. Clint grabbed Barneys hair and yanked him back.

"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU AND WERE IS MY BROTHER?"

"STAND DOWN BARTON!"

Slap. Barney's head snapped to the side and he smirked up at Clint.

"Did I hit a nerve..? You remember all those nights, don't you? Begging like a little whore whilst you got money for your big brother?"

It threw Clint off. He stumbled back, his head reeling. Fury let out a yell and he looked back to see his brother free of the handcuffs, Clint's own knife in Barney's hand. He stumbled back and shook his head.

"It's me... Please... Barney it's me, Clint..."

A shriek of pain escaped Clint's lips as Barney pushed the blade into his baby brother's heart.

Notes