Super-powered tantrums never ended well. Clint could see this one spiraling out of control before the words escalated into violence, but it didn't help. As Iron Man and Thor bickered over the respective evilness of magic or science, Clint edged protectively towards the SHIELD scientists who were cowering in the corner of the laboratory, trying to make themselves as invisible as possible.
What Clint really wanted was an ensnarement arrow or two to net the two oversized and overpowerful children, but his bow was in his locker. The gun strapped to his hip wouldn't be any good unless he actually intended to shoot his teammates, but he didn't think it would come to that. They circled each other menacingly, trading barbs as Banner tried to calm them down.
"Come on, Thor, I thought you said magic and science were the same thing."
"I meant the kind that heals and protects. It is nothing like the science Stark and his kind use to destroy each other and Midgard itself."
Tony laughed bitterly. "Remind me to ask Fury to stop getting the Discovery channel on the Helicarrier. They've shown one too many oil-covered duck, if you ask me."
As this argument progressed, they pushed into each others' personal space and then started poking at each others' chests for emphasis as they spoke. This very quickly escalated into shoving and then hitting. "Please don't do that," Bruce begged in a last-ditch attempt to lighten the situation. "You know it's bad for my blood pressure."
He didn't look angry enough to Hulk out, but even if he had, Thor and Stark were far to engaged in their debate/fight to care. In fact, Tony may have preferred it. "Feel free to join my team any time, big guy."
Thor nodded mockingly. "You need the help, Stark. Your cause is as weak as your body."
Never one to back down from a challenge, Tony tossed his head and jeered, "Take your best shot."
Thor looked like he was turning away, but it was only to grab a desk and hurl it at Stark, swinging it like a shot put disc and letting momentum carry it across the room approximately at head level. Tony hit the deck just in time, leaving the scientists behind him exposed to the Asgardian's wrath. Clint fought the urge to run from the desk as well. Avengers shouldn't have to flee from furniture, he decided in that split second, not when it could really hurt someone.
Clint threw up his arms to absorb some of the impact but still felt himself flying back when it hit him. After a split second of disorientation, he found himself lying on the ground in a mess of damaged computers , pinned under the desk. Thor, Tony, and Bruce hurried to pick it off of him. Clint felt the instant release of pressure, especially from his right hand, which had ended up taking most of the weight. "Hawkeye!" Tony said, hauling him to his feet in clear violation of First Aid protocol. "Are you okay?"
Clint held up the quickly-swelling hand that was bent in an unhealthy direction… wondering how long it would be before he could shoot his bow again. "Not right now, I'm not," he said.
Their earpieces beeped, and Natasha's voice piped through the system. "I heard there's a commotion down there. What's going on?"
Thor and Tony exchanged horrified stares, and Banner went to help Hawkeye into a chair. "You two better start running now," he said. They didn't run exactly, but by the time the Black Widow had arrived with the SHIELD medics, the two perpetrators were long gone.
"Do you want me to kill them for you?" she asked with a heavy dose of seriousness to the question.
"Depends on the prognosis. Meanwhile…" Whatever he was about to say was cut short by a wave of nausea that doubled him over in his chair and left him retching onto the helicarrier's deck.
"Looks like you sustained a head injury in the fall," Bruce said.
Natasha spun on her heel and marched out the door. "I'm going to kill them."
Bruce hesitated, glanced at Clint, and decided the archer was in capable hands. He jumped to his feet and followed her out the door. "Wait for me."