AN: This is an idea my friend sent me that spiraled out of control-basically an AU set in a superhero-themed strip club. POV shifts between Tony and Loki, the two main pairings being ThorxLoki and TonyxSteve with hints of ClintxNatasha. Now, Avengers ass-emble!

Music is its own entity—beats pound against your chest and engulf the senses until you not only hear it but also feel it. The body becomes one with the relentless beat, until you feel it reverberate in your very chest. Add that sensation to the intimacy of a dark room filled only with colored lights flashing in time with the music and flatteringly highlighting the beautiful performers on stage and it was all too easy to get drunk off of the atmosphere alone. Tony Stark knew this was the easiest way to get the customers to release their inhibitions. Relaxed and happy customers were well-paying customers.

Tony stood, soaking up the Friday night crowd filling the floors, the plush lounging areas and the private rooms. He stood near the bar wearing a gray tailored suit and as usual, sneakers. Tony Stark was not a tall man, but he stood with a boastful kind of confidence which made him appear larger than life. Everyone seemed to know who he was, and what he was. He owned the largest and (at the present the only) adult entertainment club that catered to all patrons with male and female performers working together. The club was called simply, Assemble.

It was not just a strip club, it was an interactive experience. Dancing was just one facet, albeit the most important part, catering to each customer with personal attention was the second part. And the third-the performances. Performance was such a lacking word for what truly happened on stage. Only the best male and female dancers were allowed to sing, dance, and create an ultimate feast for the eyes, leaving the audience yelling and panting for more. And Tony had hired only the best performers from all over the world—it was so easy really with the right amount of money.

"Stark." Tony turned his attention to one of the dancers knowing immediately who it was by that arrogant tone of voice. Speak of the devil. His one employee that still spoke to him without 'sir', as if they were equals (or in some cases as if Tony was actually working under him). But it was that cocky attitude that seemed to draw the women, and men for that matter. He let it slide.

"Loki." Tony raised a brow and smirked, raising a glass of whiskey. "Not busy enough tonight?" Loki had been hired after his film company had been disbanded and he was left without work. That was perhaps phrasing it with a sugar coating; the film company was really just a bunch of rag-tag students that pumped out a few mildly-successful pornographies. The man had an exotic sort of look about him, and while he wasn't built like a brick shithouse he was flexible, and that made his dancing quite appealing. Along with Loki he had found an attractive-looking male brunette named Clint with an impressive physique and, as his female customers had put it, an incredible ass. Out of sheer luck he ran into the beautiful Russian redhead, Natasha, with curves you could hurt yourself on. He bought her too, after a lot of convincing that ended up with Tony bruised and on the floor more than once.

"You hired a new hand." Loki said, green eyes watching Tony with unwavering intensity and if he didn't know better he'd say the raven-haired man was trying to rip information directly from his mind.

"Who? Oh, right, the big guy. Thor. Still thinking of a stage name for him." Tony shrugged, "Yep. He's working tables tonight." He knew exactly who Loki was talking about, as the guy had been drawing in the female crowd like moths to a flame. Tall, blond and built like a god. Even Tony had to admit the guy's biceps were exceptional, and (if he had been into men) would have found it damn attractive.

"You did not inform me of this decision." Loki raised his chin and lowered the lids of his eyes until he looked like some kind of condescending prince. Normally, Tony would have found his behavior annoying, especially when Loki had a penchant for pulling pranks around the club and causing accidents, but he was popular and he saw a bit of himself in the man. Just a bit, not the annoying bit but perhaps the confidence.

"Last I checked, which was ah, this morning, you still work for me not the other way around. Now shoo, get on stage we have money to earn." Loki scowled, eyes alight with something nearly primal.

"Fine, Stark. But you may find this would run far more smoothly if you inform me of such important decisions beforehand. I will know what I have to work with." Loki returned his expression to one of dark impassivity but Tony was sure he would find something broken later on.

x x x

Loki had been watching the blond newcomer all night, attempting to grasp his personality, and his reason for being in such a place. He had drawn a great deal of attention, and (he noticed with a scowl) a plentiful amount of tips. Those were his tips! He was just going around waiting on the customers, bringing out drinks and making passing conversation. Like all the waiters, he wore only a pair of dark slacks, no shirt required. Loki had noticed women ogling his muscled chest, coquettishly running a hand over broad shoulders.

How was it possible for this newcomer to take nearly all the attention in the club? This Thor was taking the entire spotlight! Loki felt agitated; somehow he had been overshadowed in a mere night—that was unacceptable.

"You're in the way, Laufeyson." Loki spun and glared at the man who had addressed him relaxing only slightly when he saw it was only Barton. He raised a brow in query as he looked to either side, blatantly pointing out a clear path.

"If this is how you greet acquaintances, Barton, I quiver to think of how you greet the costumers." Loki replied icily.

"And speaking of customers, we're getting busy. We could really use you on the floor. And not gawking at the workers but actually tending to the paying customers."

"I do not gawk, Barton!" Loki snapped, "I was surveying the floor, gauging the situation. Stark hired a new hand to work the tables and I was merely ascertaining whether or not he was keeping our patrons properly satisfied."

"It doesn't seem like you have to worry about that." Clint leaned back against one of the bar stools, crossing his arms across his chest. Suddenly he had a knowing look in his eyes, one that Loki did not enjoy seeing at all. The brunette grinned.

"Your number is on next." He tilted his head towards the stage and Loki raised a brow in question. It was not his turn to go on the stage at all. In fact he was supposed to tend to the customers in the booths and offer private sessions and performances. Without clarifying, the man disappeared back into the crowd.

Loki turned his eyes upon the supposed god and pursed his lips. Suddenly he realized Barton had meant for him to gain back the spotlight by stealing it. He would have all eyes on him and by the end of the night his customers would be clamoring for his attention. A smirk crossed the raven-haired man's lips and he promptly turned and headed for the stage.