25 Unicorn Street, Tuesday

[so_hawkward]

So, birthdays had never really been a big deal for Clint. At least, he hadn't let them be, because then he couldn't be disappointed when no one remembered or, even more likely, the whole day went to crap. However, Clint knew that certain other people wouldn't let him get away with not celebrating anymore, so he was up and dressed in real clothes, not lounging-around-the-house clothes, and he'd made sure things were clean and that Lucky had been taken care of - thankfully, he didn't want to be out in the cold any more than Clint did, so he was perfectly content laying next to one of the heating vents and snoozing. Clint was flipping through television channels at the moment, but he was almost tempted to lay down too. At least then he'd be really warm.

[Mostly for the girlfriend, but open!]

Comments

[so_hawkward]

"Aww, you shouldn't ha--ooh wait, that's Chinese. Never mind, you totally should have, get over here," Clint said with a grin. "It's cold out, you should let me warm you up."

[throughaphase]

"Oh, believe me, that was definitely part of my plan," Kitty said, coming over to put the bag on the table and take a seat next to him. "What do you say next year we move our birthdays to like, July?"

[so_hawkward]

"I like that idea. Spread them out from Christmas and winter," Clint said. He scooted closer to her and leaned over to give her a kiss. "I'm glad you came by. I don't suppose we can pretend this is just a random dinner?"

[throughaphase]

"We can if you want to," Kitty said. "Is this not a good year or something?"

[so_hawkward]

"I don't think we've gotten far enough into the year to call it good or bad yet," Clint said. "I just don't want you to feel like you have to make a big deal out of today, that's all."

[throughaphase]

"I don't," she assured him. "Dinner's not a big deal. Just don't expect that I wouldn't do at least something to say I'm glad you exist."

[so_hawkward]

"Well, I'll admit, I'm feeling pretty glad that I exist too, and that's not something that could be said for every birthday," Clint said. "You definitely help."

[throughaphase]

"And that statement is one of the many reasons you get to have me around as long as you want me," Kitty said, giving him another kiss.

[so_hawkward]

"You and Chinese food. Definitely the making of an awesome birthday. Does 'as long as I want you' mean you're planning on spending the night?"

Sorry Natasha, they'd be quiet. Ish.

[throughaphase]

They'd try, anyway.

Kitty nodded. "Called out of work and everything like an awesome girlfriend."

[so_hawkward]

"Aww, you are awesome. And I'm an awesome boyfriend," Clint said, opening some of the takeout boxes to see what he wanted to eat first. "I went and talked to Derek and I didn't end up punching him, but he does agree that he's a jerk."

[throughaphase]

"That's something. Should make it a little easier when I get to talking to him." For both of them, probably. "You really didn't punch him? I'm so proud of you."

[so_hawkward]

"He seemed so resigned, it wouldn't have been any fun," Clint said with a shrug. "He says Stiles is better off without him, and I certainly can't argue against that either."

[throughaphase]

"Maybe, maybe not," Kitty said thoughtfully, letting him get what he wanted before even looking at the food. "I kinda think they both need each other around right now. I think as it stands they're both going to hurt too much till it's fixed. Even if it's just being able to be in the same room."

[so_hawkward]

Clint sighed a little as he grabbed chopsticks and pulled them apart, fiddling with them in his hands. "I did admit that people who are from the same place should stick together. But Stiles has other friends, right? He doesn't need Derek."

[throughaphase]

"He's closer to Derek than anyone else here. There's gotta be a reason for that. You can't help who you care about," Kitty shrugged. "It's up to him whether he wants to try and continue that or not."

And whether Derek let him, but the decision to try was Stiles'.

[so_hawkward]

Clint opened his mouth to say that you could totally help who you care about, and then he thought of Barney and changed his mind. "The reason is he has a crush. That's kind of dangerous, don't you think?"

[throughaphase]

"Why would it be dangerous?" she wondered, genuinely curious.

[so_hawkward]

"First of all, Derek is dangerous just on his own. Besides that, you really think it's a good idea for someone to have a crush on someone who's way older than them?" After a moment, Clint said, "When the someone with the crush isn't an adult yet, and could be easily manipulated, I mean."

[throughaphase]

Kitty looked a little amused. "My last boyfriend was when I was seventeen, was ten years older than me and a British government agent with a pretty scary body count. I can't exactly say it doesn't work sometimes," she pointed out. "Derek's not interested in using him, and Stiles has a good head on his shoulders."

[so_hawkward]

"I don't know if I'd agree with that last part," Clint said, because he'd been a really, really dumb teenager. "But I will say that he's too nice to deserve getting his heart broken."

[throughaphase]

"That I agree with. Especially when I know the way he's gone about the whole thing is because he was trying to avoid that," Kitty frowned. "I don't know. Hopefully it works out for whatever the best is. If not, parties around here might get more interesting."

[so_hawkward]

"Does that mean you're thinking about throwing another party?" Clint asked. "You're certainly good at it."

[throughaphase]

"I wasn't, but I could. It's probably my turn again anyway," she considered. "We have new people, I could always pick a Sunday at Caritas and throw something together. Not this week, because I refuse to work on my birthday."

[so_hawkward]

"You absolutely should not work on your birthday, and you won't be able to anyway because I'm going to keep you at your apartment if you try," Clint promised.