Finding MJ

#02: Universal Displacement

A/N: Some minor Hawkeye spoilers! Nothing huge, just mentioning the broad plotline!

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It was the steady beeping of a heart monitor that you awoke too. This wasn't the first time you found yourself waking up in a hospital room by any means, but something about this time seemed worse than the others. There was a restless energy sitting in your chest like a rock and your skin felt like it was a live wire.

"There she is."

You glanced to your left to see Clint sitting by your bed. He was sporting a couple new bandages on his face since you last saw him. You forced a smile that you knew leaned more toward being a grimace, "Hey, man. What're you doing here?"

"Making sure you don't kick the bucket." Clint replied dryly. "What the hell happened out there? Strange brought you here and got in touch with me, but the dick didn't offer many actual answers."

It was Clint asking the question of the day that sparked your memory. What had happened? You gasped and reached out to grab his arm that was resting on the bed, "Oh my God, I remember."

"Uh, yeah, I would hope so." Clint replied.

"No, no, I'm not supposed to⏤" You shook your head, "The world didn't end. The other two Peters got home, I watched them disappear, I don't understand⏤"

Clint used his other hand and set it on top of the one you were using to hold onto him with. He gave your hand a squeeze and offered you a reassuring smile, "[Y/N], slow down. Everything is okay, you're safe, world didn't end, what's going on?" Quickly, you caught him up to speed about the multiverse and the multiple Peter Parkers and the haywire spell from hell. Clint listened intently the entire time, and when you finished he gave you a small nod, "Okay. Got it. Quick question, who is Peter Parker?"

"I..." You blinked in shock, "What?"

"I've never met a Peter Parker, let alone three of them."

"He's... He's the kid. He's⏤" You glanced at the closed door then turned back to whisper at him, "Spider-Man?"

Clint rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh. Yeah. I remember Spider-Man, but am I supposed to know the kid behind the mask? He's never introduced himself as more than just, you know, Spider-Man."

"The spell worked then." You said mostly to yourself. It was a depressing thought. You knew the spell was going to be a heartbreaking nightmare, but this was to a whole new level. There was also the added bonus of confusion layered over the depression. Why could you remember Peter?

"Listen⏤" Clint began, but a painful hiss slipped from your lips as something sharp ricocheted through your ribcage. Just like before, you watched in horror as your hands, and now your arms, flickered like a bad VHS tape. After a second it stopped and the pain faded. Clint jumped up, "What the fuck was that??"

He took a step away from your bed to the door, but you caught him by the wrist, "Wait, no."

"No?? What do you mean no?" Clint demanded. "Kid, I'm getting you a doctor."

"I don't think a doctor is going to help."

"And why the hell not?!"

You sighed in exasperation, "I am phasing in and out like a bad video, Clint. You think the doctors here have a shot for that?" Clint pressed his lips together in frustration. "This all goes back to that damned spell. I need to find and talk to Strange." You climbed out of bed and ignored Clint who was trying to usher you back into it. "I need to find Pete too..."