As the mini bus pulls onto the gravelly path, Phil Coulson shuts off the engine, turning back in his seat to the mixture of faces in the back seats, some filled with pure excitement, and others, well, not so much.

Tony Stark is slouched in the seat nearest to the front, staring out of the window and gnawing on his lip. Thor leans over the back of Tony's seat, grinning like a Cheshire cat, while Steve, Bruce, Natasha and Clint stop whispering among themselves and turn their attention to Phil.

Phil gestures towards the exit door, already pushing open the drivers door.

"Right Avengers, we're finally here. Let yourselves out and I'll unload your bags, and let yourself in the gate and wait for me there and I'll let you in to where we'll be staying for the week."

Phil gets out, and Tony leans his head forward, grumbling into the cushion of the front seat.

"Stupid ass team building exercises."

Thor clasps his hands together, the huge grin never even faltering.

"Ah, this scenery is magnificent! It is somewhat like parts of my home, places that wild beasts roam freely."

Tony glances back at Thor, his eyes almost popping out of his skull.

"Wild beasts?"

Thor tilts his head, and Steve appears behind him, a small smile on his face.

"Relax Tony, there's nothing like that around here."

As Steve tugs open the door and hops out, Tony's eyes bore into the back of his head.

"Like you'd even know, Spangles."

Steve seems to ignore him, smoothing down his plaid shirt and jeans and heading towards the rear of the bus.

Natasha and Clint follow suit, Clint shooting Tony a 'I'm loving how much you're hating this' grin, and then Bruce, who gives Tony a sheepish smile. Thor claps Tony on the shoulder, sending Tony almost tumbling out of his seat.

"Damn it Thor! Watch your strength!"

Thor only chuckles, wedging himself out of the door.

"Come Tony, I cannot wait to explore this vast land!"

Tony sighs to himself, stumbling out of the bus and closing the door behind him.

The crisp fresh air hits him like a slap to the face, and he cringes, also getting a mixture of something he'd rather not. He glances around, noticing the large flocks of sheep roaming around. Yeah, that's where that stench is coming from.

Fantastic!

As he joins the others collecting their bags, he pulls his smartphone out of his jean pocket, his mouth hanging open in horror as he looks down at the screen.

"THERE'S NO SIGNAL! LITERALLY, NO SIGNAL!"

Phil puts Tony's bag at his feet, arching an eyebrow.

"Tony, did you not read the information booklet I gave you all before we came here?"

"I had better things to do."

Phil shakes his head, putting his own rucksack on his shoulder.

"There's no signal around these parts because the large mountains block it out. You'd have to probably go half an hour out to get one, and then you would be lucky."

Phil heads towards the gate to the stone building, as Tony just stares at his phone, his brows furrowing.

"But...I can't live without my phone for a whole week! Do you want to kill me, Phil?"

Steve, rucksack on his back, comes to Tony's side, gesturing towards the various mountains and fields surrounding them. The sun is shining, not a drop of rain in sight.

As the sun shines on the mountains, the land seems to come alive, the greens and yellows becoming emeralds and golds, and the birds add their own melody, some flying past overhead.

"I'm sure you can survive without technology for a week, Tony. You have to admit, this is amazing scenery."

Tony scoffs, picking up his bag and stomping towards the wooden gate.

"Oh bite me."


Once everyone's through the gate, they head inside the grey stone building.

From the outside it's rustic, and fits perfectly with the surrounding lands and mountains. It has some modern day touch's too, like glass windows and a barbecue area set up.

As they enter the hallway they see pegs with empty rucksacks on, the bumpy walls painted a warm yellow. They push through the hallway and into the main room, finding a set of white tables with blue plastic chairs centered in the middle of the room. The room is painted the same as the hall, but it is much more spacious.

No television's, but there are some board games and books on a shelf in the corner.

There is a kitchen area to the right, and you can see into it from the main room.

They all grab a seat at the table, placing their bags on the carpeted floor.

Tony's heart skips a beat when he notices the plug sockets, thankful for at least a little bit of home comfort.

Clearing his throat, Phil fiddles with the watch on his wrist.

"Right, this our new home for the week, so you can have a look around. Now, we need to discuss sleeping arrangements."

Leaning his elbows on the table, Tony quirks an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"There are only four rooms available, so some of us are going to have to share."

Tony slaps his hand on the table, startling Bruce, who flinches in his seat.

"No way! I need my personal space! I am not sharing! You've got more chance of seeing me walk on water!"

Steve shrugs, folding his arms across his chest.

"I don't mind bunking with anyone."

Thor nods in agreement.

"Nor I."

Bruce coughs, his eyes focused on Phil.

"Um, I'd appreciate my own room, because of, you know."

"Don't worry, that was already decided. Natasha and Clint can share, which leaves me or Tony."

Tony narrows his eyes, tapping his fingers on the tabletop.

"I am not sharing."

"Tony, Phil deserves to have his privacy, just stop being a prima donna and bunk with me and Thor."

Tony grits his teeth, focusing his well practiced death glare on Steve.

"No one asked for your opinion."

Popping a piece of gum into her mouth, Natasha leans back in her chair.

"I agree with Steve, Tony, let Phil have the other room."

Huffing, Tony throws his arms in the air.

"Fine, whatever."

"Alright, so that's settled. Everyone head upstairs and figure out what rooms you want, then meet me back down here in fifteen minutes, so I can go over a few more points before we get started."

Everyone heads upstairs, apart from Tony, who stays sulking for a few minutes, before cursing and heading after them.


Tony finds the room with his bunk mates in, throwing his bag down on the nearest empty bed.

The room is yet again yellow, a theme that the house seems to have. The bunk beds are wooden, the beds already made, the quilts blue with star patterns. The floor is carpeted like downstairs, only a darker shade of grey, but it complements the rest of the room.

Thor is already messing up the room, throwing various clothe's out and onto the floor, while Steve is carefully folding his, placing them in the set of wooden wardrobes in the corner of the room.

Tony just manages to dodge out of the way of a flying pair of boxers.

"Thor, quit throwing you're stuff everywhere! What are you even doing?"

Thor pauses, a white t-shirt in his fist.

"I seem to have misplaced my stuffed animal."

Tony frowns, taken aback.

"You're what? Don't tell me the God of Thunder sleeps with a freaking teddy bear!"

Thor glances over his shoulder, sighing.

"Nay, it is something Jane gave to me so that I will cope better with her absence."

Rolling his eyes, Tony dodges through the sea of clothes, and starts staring out of the window.

The sun is still lighting up the mountains, and a flock of sheep are grazing near the house. Some of them are only lambs, staying close to their mothers.

Tony yelps as a trainer connect with the back of his head.

"THOR!"

"My apologies, Tony."

Steve soon finishes unpacking, setting a pencil case and sketchpad down on his bed.

"Don't you think you should start unpacking?"

"Why? I'll just have to put it all back in again. I'll just just get stuff out when I want it."

Steve just nods, and then almost trips over a tiny stuffed pink elephant. He picks it up, and dangles it in front of Thor's face. Thor takes it, cuddling it to his chest.

"Thank you! I feared it was lost!"

"Don't mention it. But you better get this cleaned up before we head back downstairs."

"That I will."

Leaning over the windowsill, Tony tries to shut the window with the clasp, but it won't budge.

"Seriously?"

He tugs it harder, but to no avail. Steve strides over, shifting Tony's hand and shut's it.

"There."

"I loosened if for you, you know."

"Sure you did."


Back downstairs, and after a lecture from Phil about the 'house rules' and a quick tour of where everything is, they get set up for their first activity of the week.

Wearing warm clothes, hiking boots and small rucksacks, they all gather outside the wooden gates, while Phil hands out some laminated maps.

"First activity is orienteering. These maps are going to help you find the various spots where flags are located, one flag at each point for each team. It's not really meant to be a race, but-"

"A RACE IT SHALL BE!"

Clint, who happens to be standing right next to Thor, cringes and covers his ear.

"Ow! It's fine, I didn't want to hear for the week!"

Slapping his arm, Natasha starts to laugh.

"Stop being such a baby."

Clint pouts, rubbing his ear.

Phil points off towards a nearby field, which some sheep are grazing in, paying them no attention.

"Start off through that field, and when you collect the last flag, I'll be there to meet you."

Zipping up his coat, Bruce points at some of the sheep in the field.

"But...what about the sheep? Surely they won't like us just marching through there?"

Shoving his hands into his own coat, Phil tightens the straps on his rucksack.

"They are used to people passing through, trust me, it's fine. Now, we need two teams."

Thor clasps Tony on the shoulder.

"I shall team with Tony and Steve, since we are also sleeping together!"

Tony cringes, shuffling away from Thor.

"You might want to rephrase that, Goldilocks."

"Right, so that means Natasha, Clint and Bruce, you're the other team. Off you go!"

Thor rushes ahead, followed by Steve, but Tony drags his feet, the chilly bit of wind starting to nip at his face. He pulls his warm thermal coat up further, as he heads over to Thor and Steve.

Thor is already over the fence, staring at a pair of brown sheep. Steve climbs over, striding to Thor, and gesturing for Tony to hurry up.

Thor bends and holds out a hand to the sheep, who just stare at him blankly, chewing some grass.

"Thor, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Do not fear Steve, they will not harm me."

As Thor edges closer to them, Tony manages to clamber over the fence, and pauses next to Steve.

"We should put a leash on him."

Thor is only inches away, and one of the sheep stops chewing.

"BAAAAAAA!"

Thor gasps and stumbles, landing on his ass, right into a patch of thick and wet mud.

Howling with laughter, Tony throws his head back, while Steve covers his hand with his mouth, his shoulders shaking.

The sheep stalk away, as Thor drags himself to his feet, his trousers coated in a thick coat of mud.

"This is most uncomfortable."

Tony wipes away a few tears, trying to compose himself.

"The mighty God of Thunder, startled by a farm animal!"

Thor pouts, using the sleeve of his jacket to try and wipe away some of the mud.

"Why did the animal do that? I intended it no harm."

Shrugging, Steve tries his best to hold back his laughter.

"Animals can be unpredictable, I did tell you not too. Come on, the others have already overtaken us."

None of them noticed the other team pass them, but they can now see them further up the uneven path.

"Aye! We cannot let them beat us!"

They start up the rocky path, this time Thor keeping his distance from the sheep. Tony brings up the back of the group, lagging behind.

He takes his phone out of his coat, idly fiddling with it.

Until it's taken out of his hand, that is.

Steve puts the phone into his own coat, a stern expression on his usually neutral face.

"No playing with your phone, on this ground you'll lose you're footing if you don't pay attention."

Huffing, Tony folds his arms over his chest.

"Give me my damn phone back."

"No."

"Give it back!"

"No."

"NOW!"

"No, you can have it back when we've finished. Now come on."

Steve strides off again, and Tony shoves his hands into his pockets, scowling at him.

"You're not my real dad you know!"


After managing to trudge through the field with no more sheep related incidences, they pause when they get to a flowing stream, with a plank bridge leading over it.

Steve stares down at the map, his finger trailing along certain points.

"Right, we need to head over the bridge and the first flag should be next to a rock to the right."

Tony glances over, and low and behold, they can see the rock in the near distance, a blue flag stuck in the ground.

They march over the bridge, and pause when they get to the edge of the grass.

"That ground does not look inviting."

Steve places a boot on it, and it sinks in with a squelching noise.

He retracts it, wiping his boots on the stony path.

"No, it doesn't. This is a boggy patch."

"A boggy patch? What the hell is that?"

"It's an area which is muddy and wet, and it has holes where you can get your feet stuck if you're not careful. We have to go across it to get the flag."

Tony jumps back, shaking his hands.

"Oh no, no way. My feet are staying firmly on none boggy ground thanks."

Thor gives the ground a test further down, finding a more stable patch, and his foot doesn't stick in.

"We shall go this way friends, my foot does not sink here."

Steve comes over and finds the same, and gestures for Tony to follow them.

"Did you not hear me? Not happening!"

This time Steve's the one who roll's his eyes.

"It's just a bit of mud, what, are you afraid you're going to get stuck?"

"FINE!"

Steve goes first, followed by Thor, then a furious Tony.

They navigate around the more deeper patches the best they can, but the ground is slippy, and Tony almost lands on his ass, if he hadn't clutched onto the back of Thor's coat for dear life.

Thor stumbles, only just managing to keep his balance.

"Tony! You will have us both over!"

Tony pants, his feet slipping and sliding everywhere.

"Shut up a minute!"

Steve comes back a few paces, gripping onto Tony's upper arm.

"Calm down Tony, you're not helping yourself."

Tony grits his teeth, sweat starting to bead on his forehead.

"Stop giving me orders!"

Steve helps Tony over to some more stable ground to the side, and Tony bends over, taking in some much needed air.

"I can't do it."

Steve shakes his head, releasing his arm.

"No such word as can't, you can."

"No, I can't!"

"Yes, you can. I'll help you along, and so will Thor."

Tony groans, licking his lips and staring at the patch they still have to wade through.

"Just go and get the flag and come back for me."

"No, we're doing this as a team, that's the whole point. Come on, we've got your back."

Thor waves at them both, stumbling on a loose rock.

"Come, we are losing! The son of Odin never loses! Do not make me carry you Tony!"

"On second thought, I'll give it a shot."

Steve helps Tony back some of the way, then Tony shrugs out of his grip, and he goes back ahead of Thor.

Tony takes deep breaths, concentrating fully on where he's putting his feet.

After a few more okay steps, his anxiety starts to calm down, and he can see they are nearly at the little blue flag.

Left leg forward, right leg forward. Left leg-

The mud devours him to the waist down, and he shouts, his nails trying to dig into the sludge to haul himself back out.

Thor is the first to reach him, grabbing onto one of his arms.

"Tony, what have you done!"

Tony fights the urge to start screaming like a school girl, his heart thudding against his rib cage. The wet sludge is starting to seep through his clothes and reaching his skin, making him feel nauseous.

Coming from behind Thor, Steve's eyebrows nearly shoot off his face.

"What happened?"

"I do not know, I heard him shriek and found him like this."

Squirming around, Tony growls.

"Hey! I did not shriek!"

"Tony, stop struggling you're pushing yourself further into the mud."

"IF I STOP STRUGGLING I'M GONNA SINK!"

Getting a grip on Tony's arm, Steve stares down at him.

"No, you won't, we've got you. Stop struggling and we can haul you out."

Tony actually does as he's told for once, putting his trust in Steve.

"Alright, let's pull him out, but don't pull so hard you rip his arm off, okay?"

Thor answers with a quick thumbs up.

"Okay, pull!"

Tony quickly slips out from the mud with a squishing noise, and Steve catches him before he falls face first into the sludge. He supports most of his weight as he guides him over to a dryer patch of grass, one with another rock large enough to sit on. He helps Tony down on it, who's now visibly shaking.

"Are you alright?"

Hugging himself, Tony shivers.

"N-no! I-I'm f-freezing!"

Thor joins them near the rock, wiping a speck of mud from his face.

"I'll have to take him back to change, he can't do the rest of the trek soaking wet through."

"Then I shall come with you, we are a team, we do not leave people behind."

The sound of chattering teeth fills the silence.

"P-Phil's a-a d-dead m-man."


Silly little avengers.

They should really watch where they are stepping, should they not?

He observes them from behind a set of trees, a wicked grin on his lips.

Seeing the man of iron so panicked was fun, he shall have to do that again.

But who shall he mess with next?

Oh, the possibilities.


No matter how much Steve and Thor persist, Tony flat out refuses to go back out there. So, Steve hands him back his phone and they leave him and set back off, determined to finish the challenge.

He trudges back to their room, stripping off his soaked clothes and gets his shower stuff from his bag. The bathroom is kind of cramped, but when he gets in the shower the hot water on his icy skin makes him not care in the slightest.

He enjoys his longer than usual shower, then drys himself off with a towel and gets in some fresh dry clothes. He heads back to his room and peeks out the window, not seeing any of the others coming back yet.

Feeling bored, he does a quick sketch in Steve's sketchpad, of Thor getting ganged up on by a gang of ferious black eyed sheep.

He chuckles to himself as he finishes, and he hears chattering from downstairs, signalling that the others have returned from their travels.

Thor and Steve barge into the room, both of them now bare footed.

Steve's jeans are soaked from the knees down, but Thor is soaked from head to toe.

"What happened to you, eh?"

Thor strips off his dripping coat, letting it slide to the floor.

"I lost my footing as I and Steve were crossing the stream nearest to here."

Steve heads over to Tony, looking at Tony's work of art.

"Very vivid...imagination."

Tony beams, signing his name on the bottom with a ballpoint pen.

"You watch, this is gonna sell for gazillions."

"I'm not sure that's even a word."

"It is now Cap."

There's a rap on the door, and Clint pokes his head around. His eyes lock on a drenched and irratated Thor.

"Go for a little dip, did you?"

Thor huffs and turns away from the archer. Turning his attention to Tony and Steve, he licks his lips.

"Natasha's helping Bruce cook some food, should be ready in about half an hour."

He then shuts the door, and Thor starts to wring out his clothes, but Steve stops him just before he turns the carpet into a pond.

"Thor not in the room, go do that outside."

And that's when Steve Rogers got a wet shirt to the face.


Hmm, who would want to mess up the avengers little trip, eh?

So yeah, first chapter done and dusted! Sorry about the lack of Clint, Bruce and Natasha, but we'll be seeing a lot more of them next time, pinkie promise! What do you think, I'd love to know what people think of this, I'm not sure whether or not to carry on, but it is pretty fun to write. Most of this stuff is from personal experience, I love the lake district.

Thanks for reading and reviews are loved :D