That evening, you got home at your usual time without having seen Clint all day, which was very unusual. As you approached your apartment, you could hear that someone was inside, but there was no speaking. Slowly, you opened the door, and were surprised to find Natasha and Clint standing in tense silence.
"Oh, uh, hi," you say, putting your keys down. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No," she shook her head. "Not at all."
Clint stared at the ground and you sighed.
"Well, I'm going to go change and start making some dinner."
Clint nodded and turned away from you, and Natasha did the same. Getting the message, you walked into your bedroom, closing the door quickly behind you. Immediately one of them began pacing, but again, no voices. You turned away from the door and towards your room, something on the dresser catching your attention.
The little container Tony had tried to give you sat there, the devices still inside. You pick them up out of curiosity, and began thinking of what they could be. After a few moments, you walk back over to the door and open it silently. You glance down the hall into the living room, where you can clearly see Nat and Clint. You squinted at them, and suddenly realized what they were doing.
They were signing.
You gasped quietly and Natasha's eyes flicked to you. Clint followed them, and his face grew sad when he saw yours. He came toward you quickly, pausing when he was just in front of you.
"Nat, please go," he said, not taking his eyes off you.
She left immediately, and once the front door closed, you wanted to cry.
"A-are you deaf?" You whisper, slowly realizing the stupidity of speaking the question.
Clint took your hand gently and led you into the bedroom. You sat on the bed as he picked up the small container and removed the devices. He put them into his ears slowly and turned back to you, his face pained.
"Y/N, I am so sorry."
You opened your mouth and closed it again, not at all sure what to say.
"How could you not tell me?"
"I wanted to, I really did," he insisted. "And honestly, I don't know why I didn't. I don't know why I've gone this long without telling you. I-I just don't like people to know."
"Well it seems I'm the only one who didn't know," you said bitterly.
Clint looked over at you sadly, "I didn't want you to think of my differently because I'm ninety five percent deaf."
"Clint," you whispered, "Just because you're deaf doesn't mean that I'm going to think of you any less."
He rushed over to you and swept you off of the bed and into his arms. You wrapped your arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly.
"I love you," he muttered into your hair.
"I love you too," you say, pulling back slightly and putting your hands on his face. "When did- how did-?"
"A, uh, few years ago, Nat and I were on a mission. We were almost done when she got hurt, really, really bad. I couldn't lose my best friend. I just couldn't," he started lowly. "So I was trying to get her out of there and I got her into the plane and was still on the ground finishing up some guys when one of them threw a grenade. It exploded fifteen feet away from me and sent me flying. When I sat up there was just this ringing noise in my ear. And it was so so loud. I remember looking over at the plane and Thor and Steve had finished what I started and were staring at me. Their mouths were moving, but I couldn't hear a thing. They helped me onto the plane and back to HQ and I got my diagnosis. And ever since, I try to keep it on the down low. I've had Stark build me aids like these ones, but, they aren't always reliable," he exhaled loudly and looked back up at you. "So that's all. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
You leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth softly. "I love you, Clint Barton."