That opening definitely wasn’t intentional as Jack would likely figure out by Clint raising his off hand to smack his forehead. He should’ve guessed, he really should have. But too late now, and anyway it doesn’t matter. Maybe he should be nervous about this, but Clint’s been an agent too long to not recognize the benefits that a little playing to expectations brings with it. If people underestimate the Specials - or just have the wrong view of them entirely, given how many of them have some form of martial training or military-type history - it’s all for the best. Distract them, throw them off the scent.

“All right, brace up.” Because he’s not going to be pulling his swings too much. Hopefully Jack will grab onto something, because Clint doesn’t hesitate to bring his baton in in a fast arc to hit the first of the bruises, with the exact angle and direction the faded pattern reveals to him. He doesn’t leave much time between hits either, since it often hurts more (or at least feels like it does) if the pain fades away before getting started again, rather than just blurring into one whole. He resets his feet, angles his hand a different direction, and swings for the next bruise.