A/N: This fic was inspired by something I read on Pinterest. (Don't judge! LOL) The song mentioned was much different, Love is an Open Door from Frozen. But after the events of Age of Ultron, SPOILER ALERT, I decided to go with something else.
This may turn into an on-going thing, depending on the response. I won't site page, paragraph and section of the Fic Writers Handbook.
Many thanks to ladygris and Lady Pandora for their Beta services.
Namaste,
Sunny
Avengers
Music Hath Charms
Friends in Low Places
Spring had arrived, but no one could tell due to the patches of snow on the ground. Clint Barton didn't like the cold weather, but he endured as they all did. You did what you had to do. Adversity had a way of building character. At least that's what he told himself as he buttoned the front of his longcoat.
The Avengers were on another of their raids of HYDRA hideouts in search of Loki's scepter. Massive amounts of intel had come through had come through regular and back channels over the months since HYRDA's abortive plan for world domination. Some had panned out, others had fizzled and died.
Down on one knee, bow in his right hand and quiver on his back, Clint exhaled long and loud. The team had been in place around a hidden bunker for what seemed like hours. What they were waiting for, he didn't know. He just wanted to get this over with so he could go home. Maybe get that remodeling job started. The moment he saw it, he knew the house was perfect. With a few upgrades, it would be even more perfect.
To combat boredom, Clint started a mental list of supplies he'd need from the hardware store in town. Of course, he'd have to get the pick-up running first. And to do that, he needed parts… from town. Crap! I'll just take a quinjet. But how to hide it?
Shaking his head, Clint realized he'd returned to his roots. After the circus and before the Avengers, he'd made his living as a contractor. Then Laura came into his life. They got married, bought a farm in Columbus, Washington, and started a family.
He missed his wife and kids so much he physically ached. They were his world. But these raids were important to the entire planet. HYDRA had to be stopped before they destroyed, well, the world. And that's why he was here instead of at home-so his kids could be safe. He was so lucky to have a loving wife who supported his "avenging".
The last thing he'd done for the kids was sing them to sleep after their nightly story. He didn't think he was much of a singer, but the kids liked it, and that's what counted. Then Cap's call in the middle of the night had sent him running. He gave Laura quick kiss, and made her promise to hug the kids for him in the morning.
Clint had never cared for country music, but Cooper and Lila loved it, especially Garth Brooks. Unconsciously, he hummed a tune, until Cap's voice came through his headset.
"Keep it down, Barton. This is a covert mission. Stealth is key."
He sounded pissed, but then he always sounded that way on these ops. "Yeah, well, I'm bored hangin' out in the woods with no one to talk to. When're we going to stop stealthing and start attacking?"
"Was kinda wondering that myself, Cap," Stark interrupted from the cloaked quinjet.
"And I," Thor's deep voice joined the conversation. "Jane was not happy that I'd been called away during our first holiday travel together. She has sent numerous messages wishing to know when I will return."
Another voice was added: Banner's. "Do I really have to be here? Doesn't look like we'll need a Code Green for this one."
Apparently, Cap had had enough. "Covert means concealed or secret, so cut the chatter, people."
Natasha made a derisive snort. "I didn't say a word, Cap."
"I'd like to point out that neither did I," Sam Wilson put in from his hiding place directly opposite Clint's.
The archer ignored the voices in his ear as best he could. To combat the gloom at being apart from his family, he began to sing.
"Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots and ruined your black tie affair."
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that," Stark interrupted. "The ambassador from Madripoor was really pissed at you the other night."
Clint ignored him and kept singing, "The last one to know, the last one to show. I was the last one you thought you'd see there."
Natasha snorted a laugh. "That's why you never get invited anywhere. You're never on time, and dressed inappropriately for the occasion."
"And I saw the surprise and the fear in his eyes, when I took his glass of champagne."
"That's why the ambassador was pissed."
"I toasted you, said, 'Honey, we may be through, but you'll never hear me complain.'"
"Who you callin' honey, Barton?" Wilson protested, but with an element of humor.
"'Cause I've got friends in low places where the whiskey drowns, and the beer chases my blues away and I'll be okay. I'm not big on social graces…"
Thor laughed. "I have noticed this about you, Friend Hawkeye."
In spite of the interruptions, Clint kept going. "Think I'll slip on down to the oasis…"
Now Thor was intrigued. "Oasis? Ah, a drinking establishment! I and the others will join you!"
"Oh, I've got friends in lo-o-o-ow places."
Banner had to let his opinion known as well, "Speak for yourself, Thor. I have a date with my pillow when this op is over."
"Me too," Natasha added, her voice sounding just a little weary.
Trying not to laugh, Clint kept going. "Well, I guess I was wrong, I just don't belong. But then, I've been there before."
Laugher from Natasha, "That's true, Hawkeye! Remember Budapest?"
"Everything's all right, I'll just say goodnight, and I'll show myself to the do-o-or."
Cap's voice overrode them all. "Okay, team. Let's get ready to hit 'em where they live. Find a perch, Hawkeye. We'll go on your mark."
Getting to his feet, Clint headed for the vantage point he'd chosen where he could look out over the entire valley. "Hey, I didn't mean to cause a big scene…"
Again, Natasha laughed. "You always cause a scene."
Clint slung the bow over his head and jumped up to grab the lowest branch of a tree, still singing, "Just give me an hour and then…"
"Sooner rather than later, Barton!" Cap growled in Clint's ear.
"Well I'll be as high as that ivory tower that you're livin' in."
"How many times do I have to tell you, Legolas? It's not an ivory tower," Stark broke in. Metallic sounds in the background told Clint the billionaire was getting into the suit.
"'Cause I've got friends in low places where the whiskey drowns…"
Stark again, "Hey! Now you're talkin'!"
Almost to the top, Clint grinned into the next line of the song, "And the beer chases my blues away, and I'll be okay."
"I don't want to tell you how to ruin your liver, Barton, but whiskey's better for drowning your sorrows than beer. I'll take a 35-year old single malt. Any will do. I'm not particular."
"I'm not big on social graces, think I'll slip on down to the oasis."
"Thor, you and I'll enter through the underground access," Cap's voice was no nonsense as he attempted to restore order and bring everyone back on track.
Clint reached his destination at the top of an old tree that had lost its leaves some time ago, and they'd never grown back. "Oh, I've got friends in low places."
Pausing when no one made a smartass remark, Clint kept going, and was surprised when the rest of the team joined in, including their esteemed leader. His humor was completely restored when he thought about what the public would say if they knew Captain America had been singing a drinking song.
I've got friends in low places where the whiskey drowns
And the beer chases my blues away and I'll be okay
I'm not big on social graces, think I'll slip on down to the oasis
Oh, I've got friends in low places
Fini
A/N: Friends in Low Places was written in 1989 by songwriters Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee and is performed by American country music artist Garth Brooks.