Atlas Gym, Thursday

[so_hawkward]

Technically the gym was open, and technically Clint was around if anyone needed help, but he was working out with headphones on today, so anyone coming in might take a little while to be noticed.

And yes, he was singing along with the hard rock blaring from his iPod. Thankfully for everyone, he knew how to carry a tune.

[Open!]

Comments

[so_hawkward]

It was fine for Alec to kind of stare, since Clint kind of stared back to try to place him, and perked up when he recognized him. "You were the one with the bow, right? I'm glad you came by," he said. "Come in, I have it in the office. I wanted to make sure it stayed safe."

It was kind of the least he could do, after everything.

[nottrivial]

Alec nodded, heading briskly after him. Which didn't take much, because long legs and all.

He didn't necessarily feel like he had to fill the walking time with conversation, but after a moment he added lamely, "Sorry for shooting at you."

[so_hawkward]

"I'm sorry for actually shooting you," Clint replied with a sigh. "But I think people are pretty much letting it go since everyone's okay. I'm not sure I agree with that, but that could just be me."

[nottrivial]

"You weren't the worst part of my week," Alec said, deciding to leave it at that. "So I'm past it."

That part, anyway.

[so_hawkward]

"Yeah, you weren't the worst part of my week either," Clint admitted. He went into the office and came back out with the bow, handling it gently as he offered it to Alec. "This is a nice bow. I'm glad someone else around here knows how to appreciate a weapon like this."

[nottrivial]

"Thanks," Alec said, taking it just as gently. Having its weight in his hands again was surprisingly comforting. "I'm used to being the one with the bow, back home. The... people I fight with prefer contact weapons, so I'm still not used to having other archers around." Which, well. "Probably explains why I wasn't checking the rooftops the other week."

[so_hawkward]

"Yeah, I don't do that, normally. I mean, I go up on the rooftops, but it's more to just look around, not to shoot at anyone," Clint said. "The people I fight with like close contact too. I still don't always understand that."

[nottrivial]

"I don't mind it," Alec conceded, "but shooting from a distance is always my first choice."

Easier to keep an eye on the whole fight and look out for Jace and Izzy that way.

"My sister fights with a whip," he added, oddly motivated to share. "I'll never get that."

[so_hawkward]

"My partner likes to get right up and stab people. At least with whips, you're still a little ways away," Clint said with a laugh. "But yeah, I can't keep track of people if I'm up close. I like seeing the whole playing field, you know?"

[nottrivial]

"Exactly." Huh. It'd been a while since Alec had heard anyone talk about fights more strategically than 'Let's charge at it and hope for the best.' Jace. "It's the best way to keep track of the people on your own side. Make sure they're doing okay."

[so_hawkward]

Awww, now Clint felt really bad about shooting this kid, because he was clearly a good one. "And warn them about what's coming, and figure out what people's next move should be."

[nottrivial]

Overprotective archers who put other people first had to stick together!

"And target the most pressing threats instead of just lashing out at the first thing that comes near you," Alec continued. "Which is harder to do from up-close."

[so_hawkward]

"Plus, there's a certain kind of pleasure in taking out a threat before it even knows you're there," Clint said with a smirk. "Which is maybe a little not-brave, but I'm okay with that."

[nottrivial]

CLINT. THAT WAS NOT FAIR. YOUR SELF-ESTEEM WAS NOT SO GOOD.

"All in the name of looking after your team," Alec agreed with a nod.

...Yeah, Alec wasn't so huge on self-esteem either.

"Anyway," he said, hoisting the bow into a position where he could carry it a little more easily, "thanks for giving this back."

[so_hawkward]

"Even when your team is a little more powerful than you are."

This was definitely a self-esteem-free zone.

"And you're welcome. I'm glad I still had it when everything was over. I would have felt bad if I'd lost it. If you have any trouble with it or anything, you can... I don't know, come back and maybe I can help, or something."

[nottrivial]

"Yeah, tell me about it." He didnt't sound bitter or anything, though. That was just the way it was, and Alec was used to it by now. "And I'll keep that in mind. It might be nice to practice with someone who knows what he's doing with one of these."