I do not own the Avengers or any of the song lyrics.
He was alone, up on the roof as night was falling. Clint Barton grabbed his guitar and started to strum. Music was his escape.
You don't tell me how to fall
I won't tell you how to live
You don't tell me about reason
And I won't tell you what to give
It felt good to pick up a guitar again. He needed music, just like he needed her. He was lost in his own world. So lost that he did not notice her slip onto the roof of the tower and lean against the wall in the shadows.
We won't talk about religion
We won't talk about a god
We won't talk about your knowledge
I won't mention your façade
She certainly had a façade. She had many, many faces, many personalities… but with him she let them fall. She smiled… she had heard him sing before, yet it always made her smile and love him more.
I came with you on a river painted black
Scared by branches on the shore
The sparrows watched us as the waters turned to stone
And now nothing is for sure
Nothing is ever sure with her. Never ever… but he loved her anyways. They have had hard times, she was partly to blame for that… Yet…
I don't need to cause you trouble
So the chaos will ensue
Think your life's fine in the rubble
And I'll wish my best to you
He noticed that someone was watching, but right now he didn't give a damn. He knows I'm here. Natasha Romanoff slid next to him on the bench and started to sing with him and to harmonize with him perfectly.
I came with you on a river painted black
Scared by branches on the shore
The sparrows watched us as the waters turned to stone
And now nothing is for sure
He looked up and smiled. She rested her hand on his leg.
I am tired of fading away
Let my worries rest today
I am tired of fading away
Let my worries rest today
They continued to sing…
I came with you on a river painted black
Scared by branches on the shore
The sparrows watched us as the waters turned to stone
And now nothing is for sure
He turned to face her, staring into her eyes with intensity and started making up lyrics on the spot.
So come with me on a river painted white
Painted by the hand God
Here, come with me on a river painted white
It's where your weary soul belongs
It's where your weary soul belongs
She smiled and didn't have to say anything. The song ended.
He started a new one. She knew what it was and started to sing.
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
And dance me to the end of love
And dance me to the end of love
They started swaying together slowly as he took over the next verse. They had done this before; she knew what to do and hummed a harmony.
Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Oh let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Oh show me slowly what I only know the limits of
And dance me to the end of love
And dance me to the end of love
They stared into each others eyes.
La la, la la la, la la, la la la, la la, la la la
They were so caught up in the song and each other that they didn't notice Bruce, Tony, Steve and Thor come up the stairs, wondering where they're assassins were. Bruce and Steve stood smiling. Tony shocked. And Thor started to say something, when Steve shushed him.
She sang… Dance me to the wedding now,
He sang… dance me on and on
She… And dance me very tenderly
He… and dance me very long
Together… We're both of us beneath our love, and both of us above
She… And dance me to the end of love
He… Won't you dance me to the end of love
They faced each other singing… silently promising.
La la, la la la, la la, la la la, la la, la la la
Steve and Bruce edged out into the light slowly and Thor followed. Tony stood shocked. When the song ended, Bruce and Steve clapped a little.
"That was very, very good" Steve said. "If you ever give up killing people you should start a band," Bruce added kindly. "My friends, why did you never tell us that you had voices of the angels?" "Wait… Wait… Robin Hood and little miss kill-you-as-soon-as-look-at-you can sing?" "Obviously friend Stark." "When did you figure this out?" Tony asked the assassins. "A while ago." "Why didn't you tell us?" "Cause you never asked." "What songs do you know?" "What?" "Shut up, Tony," Bruce said. "Clint, do you want to start another song?" "Sure." "Can I ask another question?" "No. Clint, start," Natasha ordered. Clint started a song.
Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Clint looked around at everyone, and he meant it. They would have a home, a dysfunctional one, yet it would be home. A home for Bruce, Steve, Tony, Thor, Natasha and himself… all loners yet together they would make it work. They others joined in singing and (if they could) harmonizing.
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
At the musical interlude, they all "ohh" and "ah-oh" the chorus notes together.
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
When the song ended, he looked at them all and said "You know, I mean it. You're not alone. Together, as the avengers we'll all have a home, a family." They all looked at him, with mixed emotions, as he started the next song.
They continued to sing late into the night. But whatever they sang the rest of the night they would never forget his words of inspiration from the heart.
I hope you like it! I put a lot of work into this story! The songs in order are...
River Painted Black by the History of Painters
Dance Me to the End of Love by The Civil Wars
Home by Philip Philips