"C.B going easy? Nah, I don't believe it," Kate pointed out with exaggerated skepticism as she held Lila close. "And I've seen how on point your posture is and how quickly you pick on things." As Clint made his argument about how Lila was simply getting better, Kate was quick to agree with him.
All three Burton kids had stolen a piece of her heart, there was no question about it. But Kate did have a special slice of it for Lila. Did it make her feel old to see herself a little on that girl? To kind of feel like an older sister around her? Maybe. But truth be told, Lila had faced harder times than Kate. Watching her dad leave home meant always worrying he wouldn't come back. Kate had never faced that while growing up.
She did notice how Lila always tried to take a mature role, often acting like the adult in charge even around her older brother. Clint had noticed it too and, during one of those drunken but profound talks they shared in the middle of the night, he'd shared some details with Kate about this talk he'd had with his daughter. Clint had reminded Lila that she wasn't an adult and, while her parents appreciated how much she helped in the house and looked after her siblings, it wasn't her role to be a second mom. Clint was proud of her, but wanted her to be a child. Or rather, to enjoy her time as a teenager.
Kate had felt nothing but pure admitarion and pride towards her mentor. Clint and Laura were heroes. Both in and out of their homes.
"It was great," Kate pointed out as she buried her face in Clint's shoulder, their hug a tight a long one. So long that Clint started rocking her playfully, snorting as they were both aware of how long it was lingering.
It was much needed, though.
"Yeah, it went much easier than you'd think considering we were travelling with..." Finally taking a step away from Clint, Kate waved a hand in direction of both Frodo and Matt. "Ta-da!"
The pony was sweet and careful, smelling at Nate's chest and stealing giggles out of him as those big lips indeed checked if there was a treat hidden somewhere in there for him.
With the driver now ready to go, Kate apologized and rushed to go get her bag and Matt's. Thanking the man one last time, she watched him go.
"Kate?" As the car pulled back on the road, Clint's older son showed up. He was carrying empty buckets after feeding the chickens and had a couple of sweat stains on his shirt.
"Coop?" Kate's was obviously shocked. She turned to face both Laura and Clint with a mocking look of surprise on her face. "I'm sorry, is that your kid? No way!" It was clear that last growing spurt had finally reached him. Not only was he older, but the fuzz on his face indicated he was trying to grow facial hair.
Matt sure wouldn't miss the loud heartbeats coming from the young man either. Sure, those teenage hormones were working extra hours these days.
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ninetydegrees
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on 2025-06-25 04:01 pm (UTC)All three Burton kids had stolen a piece of her heart, there was no question about it. But Kate did have a special slice of it for Lila. Did it make her feel old to see herself a little on that girl? To kind of feel like an older sister around her? Maybe. But truth be told, Lila had faced harder times than Kate. Watching her dad leave home meant always worrying he wouldn't come back. Kate had never faced that while growing up.
She did notice how Lila always tried to take a mature role, often acting like the adult in charge even around her older brother. Clint had noticed it too and, during one of those drunken but profound talks they shared in the middle of the night, he'd shared some details with Kate about this talk he'd had with his daughter. Clint had reminded Lila that she wasn't an adult and, while her parents appreciated how much she helped in the house and looked after her siblings, it wasn't her role to be a second mom. Clint was proud of her, but wanted her to be a child. Or rather, to enjoy her time as a teenager.
Kate had felt nothing but pure admitarion and pride towards her mentor. Clint and Laura were heroes. Both in and out of their homes.
"It was great," Kate pointed out as she buried her face in Clint's shoulder, their hug a tight a long one. So long that Clint started rocking her playfully, snorting as they were both aware of how long it was lingering.
It was much needed, though.
"Yeah, it went much easier than you'd think considering we were travelling with..." Finally taking a step away from Clint, Kate waved a hand in direction of both Frodo and Matt. "Ta-da!"
The pony was sweet and careful, smelling at Nate's chest and stealing giggles out of him as those big lips indeed checked if there was a treat hidden somewhere in there for him.
With the driver now ready to go, Kate apologized and rushed to go get her bag and Matt's. Thanking the man one last time, she watched him go.
"Kate?" As the car pulled back on the road, Clint's older son showed up. He was carrying empty buckets after feeding the chickens and had a couple of sweat stains on his shirt.
"Coop?" Kate's was obviously shocked. She turned to face both Laura and Clint with a mocking look of surprise on her face. "I'm sorry, is that your kid? No way!" It was clear that last growing spurt had finally reached him. Not only was he older, but the fuzz on his face indicated he was trying to grow facial hair.
Matt sure wouldn't miss the loud heartbeats coming from the young man either. Sure, those teenage hormones were working extra hours these days.