OOM; Milliways inlet

[redintheledger]

Milliways is a very, very strange place. It should be expected for what it is, but she's still surprised.

An equatorial inlet. Okay. Okay.





Why not?




The only people to be surprised to find her in the shade of some trees at the inlet, jeans rolled up to her knee and sitting on the jacket Bar provided, reading a book, are people who do not actually know her.

Comments

[redintheledger]

"Mmm. Basically? If you're looking at it as a story. Random mutations that can pass on advantages, so they're kept around. Or are neutral."

She leans her head against his, brief but affectionate.

"Red hair is neutral, so it's kept around just because. But our ability to run for long distances is an advantage, so it shaped how humans evolved.

Or so I've been informed by documentaries," she adds with a quick smile.

[hasthehighground]

"It's okay," Clint says, and his face isn't anywhere as straight as it would be if he was really trying to suppress his smile. "I still like you, even if you are a mutant."

[redintheledger]

"I'm very glad to hear it," she retorts tartly, a smile of her own tilting the edges of her mouth.

Then, a touch more seriously, "With Xavier, did Hill leave any requests for us?"

Technically, they are off-duty here. But, well, SHIELD, and the assistant director.

[hasthehighground]

"Uh," Clint says. "Well, not officially. I'm not sure how far I trust his 'best behavior'. X-23 apparently is keeping her eye on him, but..."

It makes him really uncomfortable. And kind of amused.

Mind-readers. How is this his life?

[redintheledger]

"He can back off," she says, slowly. "At least, he's been doing so for me."

Her mouth slants with amusement.

"It's an interesting place we've found ourselves, Barton."

[hasthehighground]

Clint breathes a laugh, and rests his cheek against her shoulder.

"I kind of like it."