when the world is closing in and you can't breathe (♫)
Daisy Johnson has never in her life been on a blind date and, as she stands outside the upscale bar, she suddenly remembers why. Sure, people had tried to set her up over the years, but she'd always escaped the clutches of the dreaded blind date with one excuse or the other. Back in the day, she'd just left down for some mysterious hacker meeting or other, and these days she could usually count on a mission keeping her occupied. Sadly, the latter excuse only works when your SHIELD agent dad isn't the one arranging the setup.
It's her own fault, really. They'd been having dinner one night (Coulson cooked, obviously), and she'd let slip that she was thinking of dating again. Well, it was actually along the lines of her telling him about Jemma trying to set her up yet again and this time she'd actually considered giving in. He'd latched onto the topic immediately, encouraging her with a gentle reminder that it's been years since she'd lost Lincoln and now that the world is pulling itself back together in the wake of the blip, there's no better time to finally do something for herself.
Not even a week later and he'd given her the patented Coulson face as he told her about a great guy he thought she'd get on really with, someone he used to work with and would trust with his life. She couldn't say no. And maybe it won't be so bad. She's not hoping for true love, but Coulson is a damn good judge of character, so maybe they can have a drink, make some conversation, and then she can escape with her usual mission excuse. Effort made and no hard feelings.
Right. Okay. Here goes.
Giving her name at the front, she's shown to a booth in clear line of sight of all the exits — Coulson's doing, no doubt. She shrugs off her leather jacket, draping it over the back of the chair, and tries not to feel uncomfortably underdressed while she waits and checks her phone, trying not to let nerves eat her alive.
Where's a good supervillain when you need one?
Edited 2023-06-18 19:17 (UTC)
The wildest part about fixing the whole snap thing was finding out that Phil Coulson was alive. And that he had been for years. Clint had been angry at first, but eventually he'd forgiven him because, well. Phil was like a father to him, and they've known each other for so long that it hadn't made sense to stay mad. People are allowed to keep their secrets; Clint knows that he has his own.
He still hasn't told really anyone about being the Ronin. He's not sure that he will. It's part of his life that he's not necessarily proud of, even though he still feels like he'd been doing good. It's a secret that he plans to take to his grave, and that had been the undoing of his marriage with Laura.
She'd known he was keeping something from her, but he wasn't going to tell her what that was. So she'd kicked him to the curb - in this case, the guest house - and they'd ultimately ended their marriage. He still sees his kids all the time, both at the farm and in New York and while he and Laura are no longer together, they're very good at co-parenting, and they're still pretty good friends.
Single life has treated Clint well in terms of going on a lot of dates and having some fun, but he hasn't found someone he wants to go on more than a date or two with. He'd let all of that spill to Coulson one night, over a couple beers at Clint's newly acquired - legally acquired - building's rooftop, and Coulson had said that he might know someone. At first, Clint had flat out refused. He wasn't sure if he wanted to stop sleeping around, to be frank, but eventually Coulson convinced him.
Now he's here outside of a pretty upscale bar, about to meet the woman that Coulson had set him up with. He's wearing a black button down, some nice jeans and real shoes thanks to Natasha, so he's as prepared as he's going to be.
Taking a breath, he walks into the bar and then he's guided to a booth. The woman is already there and she's... well... nothing like he'd expected. She's beautiful, and her outfit looks good, hugging her body and showing off her curves. He gives her a friendly smile. "Hi," he says, "I'm Clint, and I'm guessing Coulson sent you here too? It's a pleasure to meet you."
[ooc: wow this got really long]
He still hasn't told really anyone about being the Ronin. He's not sure that he will. It's part of his life that he's not necessarily proud of, even though he still feels like he'd been doing good. It's a secret that he plans to take to his grave, and that had been the undoing of his marriage with Laura.
She'd known he was keeping something from her, but he wasn't going to tell her what that was. So she'd kicked him to the curb - in this case, the guest house - and they'd ultimately ended their marriage. He still sees his kids all the time, both at the farm and in New York and while he and Laura are no longer together, they're very good at co-parenting, and they're still pretty good friends.
Single life has treated Clint well in terms of going on a lot of dates and having some fun, but he hasn't found someone he wants to go on more than a date or two with. He'd let all of that spill to Coulson one night, over a couple beers at Clint's newly acquired - legally acquired - building's rooftop, and Coulson had said that he might know someone. At first, Clint had flat out refused. He wasn't sure if he wanted to stop sleeping around, to be frank, but eventually Coulson convinced him.
Now he's here outside of a pretty upscale bar, about to meet the woman that Coulson had set him up with. He's wearing a black button down, some nice jeans and real shoes thanks to Natasha, so he's as prepared as he's going to be.
Taking a breath, he walks into the bar and then he's guided to a booth. The woman is already there and she's... well... nothing like he'd expected. She's beautiful, and her outfit looks good, hugging her body and showing off her curves. He gives her a friendly smile. "Hi," he says, "I'm Clint, and I'm guessing Coulson sent you here too? It's a pleasure to meet you."
[ooc: wow this got really long]
What the hell, Coulson. That's what Daisy wants to text her friend and father figure the second she sees the familiar face walking toward her, but he's standing at the table before she can even think to pull up the window. This is her date? He's set her up with freaking Clint Barton?
"Yeah, you too. I'm Daisy," she answers with a smile, just the tiniest bit awestruck by the superhero who just walked into her life. Which says a whole lot about where she is in her life that she's back to being able to enjoy meeting her fellow heroes instead of just being emotionally exhausted by everything all the time. It takes her a moment to snap out of it, shaking her head a little sheepishly as she sets her phone facedown on the table.
"Sorry, when Coulson said he was setting me up with someone he used to work with, I didn't think it would be..." She trails off for a moment, struggling to find something else to say that isn't an Avenger. "Someone I recognized."
"Yeah, you too. I'm Daisy," she answers with a smile, just the tiniest bit awestruck by the superhero who just walked into her life. Which says a whole lot about where she is in her life that she's back to being able to enjoy meeting her fellow heroes instead of just being emotionally exhausted by everything all the time. It takes her a moment to snap out of it, shaking her head a little sheepishly as she sets her phone facedown on the table.
"Sorry, when Coulson said he was setting me up with someone he used to work with, I didn't think it would be..." She trails off for a moment, struggling to find something else to say that isn't an Avenger. "Someone I recognized."
While Clint is busy admiring how pretty his date is, she seems to be surprised about him. "Coulson didn't tell you who you were meeting, did he?" he asks as he slips into the booth across from her. "Sorry about that. He didn't tell me either." He assumes that Daisy is one of his agents, but he doesn't actually know. He guesses that's what this date is for. "Probably so that neither of us would skip out at the last minute." Not that he would have, had he known who she was.
When the server comes back, Clint orders some craft beer that's on tap even though he'd definitely rather be drinking a natty light. Once she's ordered and the server heads off, he says, "So, Daisy, how do you know Coulson?" It's honestly the best way to start the conversation because there could be a large number of reasons. Clint can't presume to know because Coulson has connections pretty much everywhere.
When the server comes back, Clint orders some craft beer that's on tap even though he'd definitely rather be drinking a natty light. Once she's ordered and the server heads off, he says, "So, Daisy, how do you know Coulson?" It's honestly the best way to start the conversation because there could be a large number of reasons. Clint can't presume to know because Coulson has connections pretty much everywhere.
Would she have skipped out if she'd known who she was meeting? Maybe. Or maybe she would have given herself a small anxiety worrying over what to wear and say when meeting one of their world's OG heroes. Either way, Coulson probably knew exactly what he was doing when he'd kept their identities secret from each other.
Daisy orders her own beer, also one of the selections on tap, and then she folds her arms on the table to lean into the conversation. It's a sign of her sincere interest in whatever he has to say.
"Well, he's the one who recruited me to SHIELD," she explains, her fondness for the older man clear in her voice. "To his team, specifically. We've been through a lot together over the years. He's kind of become the closest thing I've ever had to a father."
Daisy orders her own beer, also one of the selections on tap, and then she folds her arms on the table to lean into the conversation. It's a sign of her sincere interest in whatever he has to say.
"Well, he's the one who recruited me to SHIELD," she explains, her fondness for the older man clear in her voice. "To his team, specifically. We've been through a lot together over the years. He's kind of become the closest thing I've ever had to a father."
The story is familiar, having been pretty much the same thing Coulson did with him. "Looks like he's still out there adopting people," he laughs. "And it makes sense why he set this up. Coulson did the same for me, before the Avengers." He remembers that moment in his life so well, and he's sure that Daisy does too. It's one thing they have in common.
Clint always feels a little off when he meets up with someone who knows who he is, but he doesn't know them. He feels like he's going in missing key information, and that his footing is off. So, instead of letting things get quiet and awkward, he says, "so, what made you want to go on a blind date? And are you disappointed that it's me," he laughs.
He's actually really curious about the why, and he hopes she's not disappointed. He certainly isn't.
Clint always feels a little off when he meets up with someone who knows who he is, but he doesn't know them. He feels like he's going in missing key information, and that his footing is off. So, instead of letting things get quiet and awkward, he says, "so, what made you want to go on a blind date? And are you disappointed that it's me," he laughs.
He's actually really curious about the why, and he hopes she's not disappointed. He certainly isn't.
She's heard about Clint and the others from Coulson over the years, mostly in relation to missions, history lessons, or the occasional rant (reserved for Stark), but he'd always been tight-lipped about their personal lives. So while she feels like she knows the man sitting across from her, she doesn't know him — but apparently Coulson wants her to get to know him. And as strange as it is considering why they're here, she wants that too.
Laughing at his self-deprecating joke, she shakes her head again. "Why would I be disappointed at being set up with someone who actually understands the life? That's a big improvement over most of the people friends try to set me up with."
Because it really is a relief to know he's not going to be intimidated by the fact she has powers, inconvenienced by her rushing off to missions, or have uncomfortable reactions to her scars. (Which is already thinking too far ahead, what the hell, Johnson.) But that's not answering the bigger question.
"My friends always mean well. I guess it's a hazard of being the last uncoupled one standing, but I just... wasn't ready until recently." Her tone turns more serious because now seems as good a time as any to show this particular card. "I lost someone, and it took a long time to come to terms with it. But now that the world's healing and things are better... Well, Coulson gave me the face and I couldn't say no."
If he knows Coulson at all, he'll understand the power of the patented Face.
Laughing at his self-deprecating joke, she shakes her head again. "Why would I be disappointed at being set up with someone who actually understands the life? That's a big improvement over most of the people friends try to set me up with."
Because it really is a relief to know he's not going to be intimidated by the fact she has powers, inconvenienced by her rushing off to missions, or have uncomfortable reactions to her scars. (Which is already thinking too far ahead, what the hell, Johnson.) But that's not answering the bigger question.
"My friends always mean well. I guess it's a hazard of being the last uncoupled one standing, but I just... wasn't ready until recently." Her tone turns more serious because now seems as good a time as any to show this particular card. "I lost someone, and it took a long time to come to terms with it. But now that the world's healing and things are better... Well, Coulson gave me the face and I couldn't say no."
If he knows Coulson at all, he'll understand the power of the patented Face.
"That's definitely a plus," Clint agrees. Laura had been understanding about him being away so much for a long time, he has to admit, but eventually, even she'd had enough of it, and she was part of the life before they'd ever gotten married. He likes that Daisy gets it, that if something happens during this date, he might get called away. Hell, depending on her abilities, she might even want to come with him. It's appealing to him in a way he hadn't expected. He's surprised that he wants that, especially since he'd thought he was perfectly happy being casual.
"Lucky for me, my friends are all over the place, so I haven't been pressured by anyone but Coulson. But the power of that face explains why I'm here too," he laughs. The server delivers their beers and Clint orders them some finger foods to share with an offhand comment of, "any food allergies or dietary restrictions?" and then ordering accordingly.
He takes a sip of his beer and continues, "So I guess if we expect this to go on to a second date, we should air all the dirty laundry." And by that he means mostly himself. Losing someone is different than getting a divorce. "I lost my family during the snap, my wife and my three kids," he explains. "And then when we fixes it, Laura and I just couldn't get back on the same page. I did some things... well. I'm not proud of them. Not like, cheating, but you know. Other things. And well we've been divorced for a few years now, and we co-parent. So, if all that is a hard no, we can just enjoy our drinks and be friends."
"Lucky for me, my friends are all over the place, so I haven't been pressured by anyone but Coulson. But the power of that face explains why I'm here too," he laughs. The server delivers their beers and Clint orders them some finger foods to share with an offhand comment of, "any food allergies or dietary restrictions?" and then ordering accordingly.
He takes a sip of his beer and continues, "So I guess if we expect this to go on to a second date, we should air all the dirty laundry." And by that he means mostly himself. Losing someone is different than getting a divorce. "I lost my family during the snap, my wife and my three kids," he explains. "And then when we fixes it, Laura and I just couldn't get back on the same page. I did some things... well. I'm not proud of them. Not like, cheating, but you know. Other things. And well we've been divorced for a few years now, and we co-parent. So, if all that is a hard no, we can just enjoy our drinks and be friends."
His wife and all three kids? Shit. He says it so quickly, already moving on to the next part before she can fully process what that must have been like for him, but her heart aches for all those years of grief he'd endured. Honestly, it's not surprising that he and his wife struggled when they came back — an experience like that changes a person on a fundamental level. She doesn't need to know the 'things' he'd done — her own spiral after Lincoln's death is a damn good example of a poor coping strategy in the face of loss.
"It's not," she says softly, watching him with sympathetic understanding. "I grew up bouncing between an orphanage and foster homes, so I appreciate a father who doesn't abandon his family even when things don't quite work out. I'd be out that door in a second if you said you had nothing to do with them anymore."
She appreciates his honesty and putting things out there like that. It's why she just gave him a glimpse into her own difficult past, though she still has a whole closet full of trauma tucked away for a rainy day.
"It's not," she says softly, watching him with sympathetic understanding. "I grew up bouncing between an orphanage and foster homes, so I appreciate a father who doesn't abandon his family even when things don't quite work out. I'd be out that door in a second if you said you had nothing to do with them anymore."
She appreciates his honesty and putting things out there like that. It's why she just gave him a glimpse into her own difficult past, though she still has a whole closet full of trauma tucked away for a rainy day.
"Yeah, I definitely wouldn't even think about not being around for them. Grew up in the circus, you know? I was really young when I lost my parents and my dad really wasn't much of one," he adds with a shrug. There's a lot more to it than that but it's not first date subject matter, so he's happy to let it lie for the time being. "They still live in Iowa, on the farm, but I converted the barn into a guest house, which is where I stay when I'm there. The kids also come here to New York for long weekends, parts of the summer, you know?" He definitely spends as much time with his kids as he can, even with the time limitations the job.
"Now that all of that is out of the way," he says with a laugh, "what do you like to do? Like for fun? Do you live here in New York?" Not that distance will really put a damper on any future relationships considering both of them can move around pretty easily.
"Did you pick this bar or did Coulson?" he adds after a thought. He's sure that it was Phil.
"Now that all of that is out of the way," he says with a laugh, "what do you like to do? Like for fun? Do you live here in New York?" Not that distance will really put a damper on any future relationships considering both of them can move around pretty easily.
"Did you pick this bar or did Coulson?" he adds after a thought. He's sure that it was Phil.
He grew up in the circus and his family lived on a farm. It's so wildly beyond everything Daisy's ever known that she can hardly wrap her head around either fact. But there's anything thing they have in common — losing their parents, though he'd at least known his for a little while, it seems. There are so many questions she wants to ask, but they really aren't first-date material.
"Coulson definitely picked the bar," she informs him with a laugh. "And he said he's picking up the tab. This is all a bit too high-class for my taste, I'm more of a comfortable chill local place girl."
She takes a sip of her beer before tackling the rest of his questions. "I've got an apartment here — SHIELD bought a building a few years ago and it's got all sorts of security bells and whistles. My sister stays with me whenever she's in town, but she's usually off on long-term missions these days. And... for fun? I honestly don't know, it's been a long time since I was able to think about having fun. What about you? Same questions."
"Coulson definitely picked the bar," she informs him with a laugh. "And he said he's picking up the tab. This is all a bit too high-class for my taste, I'm more of a comfortable chill local place girl."
She takes a sip of her beer before tackling the rest of his questions. "I've got an apartment here — SHIELD bought a building a few years ago and it's got all sorts of security bells and whistles. My sister stays with me whenever she's in town, but she's usually off on long-term missions these days. And... for fun? I honestly don't know, it's been a long time since I was able to think about having fun. What about you? Same questions."
So I guess I'm making Natasha not dead - Steve either!
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deathbeforedecaf
2023-06-19 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Clint feels himself relax in relief, glad that she's more of a dive bar kind of woman, since he is too. "Thank god," he says, "I don't even really like craft beer, to tell you the truth. Too fancy." He'll drink it, especially if it's all they've got available, but it's not his preference.
Their apps are delivered as they're talking and Clint nods in thanks to the server. He doesn't look away from Daisy though, since this seems to be going better than he'd thought it would.
"I sort of on a building over in Bed Stuy. It might not quite be legal but we're working on that side of it. There was definitely an exchange of money so..." He's sure that Daisy understands the less than legal means he might have gone through to get the building, so he's not going to explain that he handed over several million dollars in cash to a shady guy that called him Bro. Nat's working on getting him the proper ownership paperwork. "So I live on site."
He takes another sip of beer and adds, "Maybe our second date can be over that way. There's a delightful dive bar just up the block from my place. No craft beer to be seen."
As for fun, "I've been dating, for fun. But it's not going well. Something about lacking shared life experience, as Cap's told me. My dates haven't liked it too much when I cancel the second date because I need to destroy a couple hundred killer robots, you know?" He's sure she does.
Their apps are delivered as they're talking and Clint nods in thanks to the server. He doesn't look away from Daisy though, since this seems to be going better than he'd thought it would.
"I sort of on a building over in Bed Stuy. It might not quite be legal but we're working on that side of it. There was definitely an exchange of money so..." He's sure that Daisy understands the less than legal means he might have gone through to get the building, so he's not going to explain that he handed over several million dollars in cash to a shady guy that called him Bro. Nat's working on getting him the proper ownership paperwork. "So I live on site."
He takes another sip of beer and adds, "Maybe our second date can be over that way. There's a delightful dive bar just up the block from my place. No craft beer to be seen."
As for fun, "I've been dating, for fun. But it's not going well. Something about lacking shared life experience, as Cap's told me. My dates haven't liked it too much when I cancel the second date because I need to destroy a couple hundred killer robots, you know?" He's sure she does.
Daisy would bet good money that Coulson chose this place precisely to arrange this cascade of relief as they both discover yet another thing they have in common. They're down-to-earth people, not live it up with the rich people. Greasy pizza or burgers and cheap beer are so much more appealing to her than a night at a fancy restaurant, and she has a feeling Clint would agree.
A not-quite-legal building, huh? That's definitely a story she wants to hear sometime because she can imagine a dozen different scenarios that might have led to such ownership. He's a good man, so she doesn't assume it's anything questionable or nefarious, but from Coulson's stories, Clint does have a way of getting himself into interesting situations.
"There's definitely a reason I don't usually consider dating 'normal' people," she agrees with a nod. "But most people at SHIELD are at least a little intimidated by me, so that rules out a lot of options there too."
A second passes, two, and then she decides to just go for it. Let out another secret in case he's not already aware, because just like with his family, it's better to know now if it'll be a problem. So, averting her eyes to look around the bar while offering a casual shrug, she adds, "Plus, there's the whole being Inhuman thing that not everyone's ready to deal with."
Or even tolerate, though she doesn't peg the Avenger as being that type of bigoted asshole.
A not-quite-legal building, huh? That's definitely a story she wants to hear sometime because she can imagine a dozen different scenarios that might have led to such ownership. He's a good man, so she doesn't assume it's anything questionable or nefarious, but from Coulson's stories, Clint does have a way of getting himself into interesting situations.
"There's definitely a reason I don't usually consider dating 'normal' people," she agrees with a nod. "But most people at SHIELD are at least a little intimidated by me, so that rules out a lot of options there too."
A second passes, two, and then she decides to just go for it. Let out another secret in case he's not already aware, because just like with his family, it's better to know now if it'll be a problem. So, averting her eyes to look around the bar while offering a casual shrug, she adds, "Plus, there's the whole being Inhuman thing that not everyone's ready to deal with."
Or even tolerate, though she doesn't peg the Avenger as being that type of bigoted asshole.
"And don't get me started on the people that just want to bag an Avenger. Like. I'm definitely not worth the hype, but you save the world a few times and everyone is looking to get a piece of you." In his case, it had mostly been sex that people were looking for. There were a few that tried to hang around for a couple weeks or months, but even the most steadfast had eventually given up because of his schedule, or his dedication to his kids, or one of the many other failings he knows he has.
When she admits that she's Inhuman, Clint gives Coulson even more props. There's definitely a reason that he'd set them up. Clint doesn't care that she's enhanced, or Inhuman. As long as she's on the right side, which it's clear she is, he doesn't even need to know what her powers are.
"You should know that being Inhuman doesn't bother me. I mean, it really shouldn't bother anyone, but it doesn't affect whether or not I'd wanna go on a second date. Which right now, I definitely do."
Who knows, by the end of the night they may never want to see each other again, but for now, he thinks that they're getting along well and he'd really like to see how deep that goes.
When she admits that she's Inhuman, Clint gives Coulson even more props. There's definitely a reason that he'd set them up. Clint doesn't care that she's enhanced, or Inhuman. As long as she's on the right side, which it's clear she is, he doesn't even need to know what her powers are.
"You should know that being Inhuman doesn't bother me. I mean, it really shouldn't bother anyone, but it doesn't affect whether or not I'd wanna go on a second date. Which right now, I definitely do."
Who knows, by the end of the night they may never want to see each other again, but for now, he thinks that they're getting along well and he'd really like to see how deep that goes.
Oh, she definitely knows all about people wanting a piece of you once you've reached hero status. Little girls having posters of her on their bedroom walls is cool; guys talking about how badly they want to get in her pants is not. Back at the start of all this, she'd thought the Quack fanfic was the worst she'd have to deal with, but the extreme fanboys had proven her wrong time and again.
It's like a weight lifts off her chest and she can breathe a little easier when he says that what she is doesn't bother him. Being an Inhuman is part of her core identity and she's fought for years against the horrible prejudice her people still face even after all the world has been through. That Clint accepts this part of her isn't surprising, yet it still means the absolute world to her.
Clearing her throat, she shifts to humor to cover her emotions, her tone and expression turning toward teasing. "Wow, he's already talking about a second date. Someone's confident. We haven't even finished our first round yet."
It's like a weight lifts off her chest and she can breathe a little easier when he says that what she is doesn't bother him. Being an Inhuman is part of her core identity and she's fought for years against the horrible prejudice her people still face even after all the world has been through. That Clint accepts this part of her isn't surprising, yet it still means the absolute world to her.
Clearing her throat, she shifts to humor to cover her emotions, her tone and expression turning toward teasing. "Wow, he's already talking about a second date. Someone's confident. We haven't even finished our first round yet."
Clint arches an eyebrow at her, and says, "well, I'm hoping for a second date. Coulson's been right so far, tonight." He's actually pretty impressed. Phil's found him a woman that seems to like similar things to him, has enough notoriety to not want him only because he's an avenger, and has had seemingly the same bad experiences he's had with dating.
Add to that the fact that his kids aren't deterring her at all, and Clint's pretty sure they'll get along at least in the short period. "You want another round at least? Can you commit to that?" he teases, popping a truffle parmesan fry into his mouth. God, this place is way too fancy for him. It reminds him of one of Tony's events or something, like that one right before Ultron...
Well. That's enough of that. He's here to have a first date with a beautiful person that he's enjoying the company of, not think about Ultron.
Add to that the fact that his kids aren't deterring her at all, and Clint's pretty sure they'll get along at least in the short period. "You want another round at least? Can you commit to that?" he teases, popping a truffle parmesan fry into his mouth. God, this place is way too fancy for him. It reminds him of one of Tony's events or something, like that one right before Ultron...
Well. That's enough of that. He's here to have a first date with a beautiful person that he's enjoying the company of, not think about Ultron.
Coulson has been right so far, and she's glad to know he won't gloat about it too much. He just wants to see her happy, and she's pretty sure that's all he wants for Clint too. Her father figure's always seen the potential in people; maybe now that extends to their romantic lives as well.
Making a show of really considering the idea, she tips her half-empty glass from side to side to watch the amber liquid move. Finally, she decides, "I suppose I could do another round."
She can't keep the rouse up for long though, a grin spreading across her lips as she reaches for her own fry. It's definitely on the fancier side, but it does taste good, at least. "So, if we did go on this hypothetical second date, what would you suggest? Activity-wise."
Making a show of really considering the idea, she tips her half-empty glass from side to side to watch the amber liquid move. Finally, she decides, "I suppose I could do another round."
She can't keep the rouse up for long though, a grin spreading across her lips as she reaches for her own fry. It's definitely on the fancier side, but it does taste good, at least. "So, if we did go on this hypothetical second date, what would you suggest? Activity-wise."
Clint eyes her beer and his own and then says, "well, the second round doesn't have to be here, now does it?" He's sure there are many bars around the area that aren't quite this upscale where they can enjoy some normal beer and some normal food. "But I am glad that you want to have a second."
He takes a moment to think about the question before shrugging, "I mean, it's New York. There are loads of things we could do. I'd do a baseball game, if you were interested, pay for some overpriced beer and hot dogs. Or we could see a movie, or a concert, but I think that the best date would be to grab some takeout and head up to the rooftop of y building."
He takes another fry before continuing, "it's got a great view of the city and there are those fairy light things so that it's not too dark to see. One of the tenants has a nice little garden up there too, you know, for ambiance. And I'd put on some music. But mostly, it would be nice to just keep getting to know each other."
He takes a moment to think about the question before shrugging, "I mean, it's New York. There are loads of things we could do. I'd do a baseball game, if you were interested, pay for some overpriced beer and hot dogs. Or we could see a movie, or a concert, but I think that the best date would be to grab some takeout and head up to the rooftop of y building."
He takes another fry before continuing, "it's got a great view of the city and there are those fairy light things so that it's not too dark to see. One of the tenants has a nice little garden up there too, you know, for ambiance. And I'd put on some music. But mostly, it would be nice to just keep getting to know each other."
He does have a point about them easily being able to switch locations if they wanted. It might be nice to find somewhere more comfortable, or at least somewhere she doesn't feel like the other guests are judging them because they know she and Clint don't belong.
But his idea for a second date sounds... perfect, honestly. Given how chaotic her chosen career is, she isn't really a go do stuff girl in her rare off hours. Whenever she has a free night, she would just as soon grab a pizza and stream a movie with her niece, though these days Alya prefers documentaries that threaten to put Daisy to sleep after a long day. But still, contrary to what most people probably believe of heroes, a quiet night in (if a rooftop can be considered in) seems like a really great option.
"I really like the sound of that." They've barely known each other for half an hour and she's already contemplating a second date. A thought occurs to her and she looks around for a moment, contemplating if she really wants to make that leap, and then she looks back at Clint with an expression that's equal parts challenge and hope. "You know, we could always do that tonight. I mean, why wait? Unless someone else is using it or something."
But his idea for a second date sounds... perfect, honestly. Given how chaotic her chosen career is, she isn't really a go do stuff girl in her rare off hours. Whenever she has a free night, she would just as soon grab a pizza and stream a movie with her niece, though these days Alya prefers documentaries that threaten to put Daisy to sleep after a long day. But still, contrary to what most people probably believe of heroes, a quiet night in (if a rooftop can be considered in) seems like a really great option.
"I really like the sound of that." They've barely known each other for half an hour and she's already contemplating a second date. A thought occurs to her and she looks around for a moment, contemplating if she really wants to make that leap, and then she looks back at Clint with an expression that's equal parts challenge and hope. "You know, we could always do that tonight. I mean, why wait? Unless someone else is using it or something."
Clint is relieved when she likes the idea for a second date. Some people think that he's just trying to get them into bed considering the proximity to his apartment. That's not usually his goal, honestly, it just really is his favourite place to be during his off hours. His bed being close has a lot to do with it, but not often when it comes to his dates.
Then she offers to go there now and Clint isn't about to say no.
"Let's do it," he agrees. "We can have our second date there too," he assures her. Hell, they can have all of their dates there. "No one else uses it unless we're having a building wide thing. My back door opens up onto the roof so it's not accessible to anyone else unless they come through my place."
He chugs the rest of his beer and signals for the server to come so he can get their bill, insisting on covering it despite Coulson's offer. "Don't wanna feel like Dad is paying for us to go to the movies or something," he laughs.
Then she offers to go there now and Clint isn't about to say no.
"Let's do it," he agrees. "We can have our second date there too," he assures her. Hell, they can have all of their dates there. "No one else uses it unless we're having a building wide thing. My back door opens up onto the roof so it's not accessible to anyone else unless they come through my place."
He chugs the rest of his beer and signals for the server to come so he can get their bill, insisting on covering it despite Coulson's offer. "Don't wanna feel like Dad is paying for us to go to the movies or something," he laughs.
Daisy's never been a conventional date person. Hell, she can't even remember the last time she had a proper date. All of her past relationships had gone from acquaintances to together without any sort of dating and getting to know each other period, so she doesn't really care if this is considered strange or too fast or any of that. Nothing about the rest of her life is normal, so why should her dating life be?
She finishes off the rest of her beer as well, laughing at his comment as he pays the bill. "I'm gonna tell him you said that," she teases, having a hunch that Coulson will respond by actually buying them movie passes the next time.
Grabbing her leather jacket, she slides out of the booth and nods to the door. "Come on, Hawkguy," she says with a grin. "Let's see if you get lucky enough for that second date."
She finishes off the rest of her beer as well, laughing at his comment as he pays the bill. "I'm gonna tell him you said that," she teases, having a hunch that Coulson will respond by actually buying them movie passes the next time.
Grabbing her leather jacket, she slides out of the booth and nods to the door. "Come on, Hawkguy," she says with a grin. "Let's see if you get lucky enough for that second date."
Clint wraps his arm around her waist as they leave the bar and only afterward does he consider that it might not be okay. "Sorry," he says, "this okay though?" He wonders where the building Daisy lives in is located because this bar is only a couple blocks from his, which is something he's sure Coulson thought of. He knows how much Clint loves his little rooftop, and likely could have anticipated them ending up there.
He guides Daisy through the streets even though he's confident that she doesn't need the help at all. He can't deny that he likes that about her; he's always had a thing for women that can kick his ass without even trying. Maybe that's why he's been so dissatisfied with the dating pool on the apps.
There's a little store on the corner right before they get to his building so he says, "all I've got upstairs is Natty light, so if you want something else, we'll have to grab it here."
He guides Daisy through the streets even though he's confident that she doesn't need the help at all. He can't deny that he likes that about her; he's always had a thing for women that can kick his ass without even trying. Maybe that's why he's been so dissatisfied with the dating pool on the apps.
There's a little store on the corner right before they get to his building so he says, "all I've got upstairs is Natty light, so if you want something else, we'll have to grab it here."
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