Darcy bounced along the earth and gravel path, eyes up in the air, taking everything in. The air was crisp as it only was in fall, refreshing and comforting. The trees were not yet fully colored, a few patches of yellowish leaves catching the light over her head. She was clutching her bag's strap tightly. As familiar as the scene was, though she had never been here, she couldn't help but feel a bit twitchy.
The barn in front of her was staring at her, doors open despite the slight coolness of the air. There were a few horses in different pastures, eating calmly, unconcerned. Finally she got close enough to breathe in the smell, and she felt something unknot in her chest. Despite everything that had happened, she had missed this, terribly. She wanted to go and see the horses, but she had been taught to never go toward horses she didn't know.
Just outside the door, she paused, just for a second, just for a breath. A deep, bracing breath. Just the time to convince herself to take the first step.
Finally, she set her foot on the hard cement floor. The alley was dimly lit, still relying on the natural sun. It was clean, though it had the same dusty quality most stables had, no matter how much you cleaned it.
The main alley was surrounded by two rows of stalls, half wooden and half metal bars that reached to the ceiling. She could see another door at the other end of it. There were chains to tie the horses, and a broom lying across the way. She smiled. It was so heartwarming, so natural. So everything her old stable was before the troubles started.
A few doors were open, curious faces staring at her, ears pointed toward her. She smiled hesitantly at them, looking around, to see if someone was nearby. When she called, she'd been told someone would be there to give her a tour, but she couldn't see anyone. She walked gingerly in, craning her neck to see everything.
She stopped beside a sweet faced light gray horse, seeing an abandoned wheelbarrow about a stall down. She let her bag slid down to the ground. The horse went to nuzzle the bars, pushing it in between, batting its eyes at her. She smiled, and looked at the door's plate.
"Hey, Bastet?"
The mare didn't answer, but looked steadily at Darcy. Finally, the brunette relented and petted the offered nose gently. When the horse's pushed back into it, she smiled and went to scratch her forehead. They stayed there for a few moments, the mare providing a very welcomed distraction from her angst.
What if they forgot about her?
What if they didn't want her here?
Oh, hush Darcy. Everything would be fine. The mare huffed, as if agreeing. Darcy grinned helplessly at her.
Suddenly, there was a loud clatter farther in the stable. She heard a shout, then the unforgettable sound of canter. Darcy frowned and turned toward the noise. Her hand slid to the mare's nose, but the horse wasn't paying any attention to her, focused on whatever was happening.
Suddenly, from a hallway Darcy hadn't noticed, a small ball of fur barged out, delicate hoofs sliding on the slippery floor. Darcy's eyebrows flew to her hairline, and she remained frozen on her spot, as the pony ran toward her. It was barely three feet tall, thick mane and tail flowing behind it.
Suddenly it realized she was there, ear pointed toward her, a worrying glint in its dark eyes. Darcy wondered if she should move, but she knew it could easily outrun her, and would probably see her running as an incentive.
Suddenly the pony lowered its head and charged. Just before it reached her, he slowed down, hitting her with just enough strength to push her to the ground without actually hurting her.
She fell on her bottom, and stared as the pony automatically went to nuzzle her cheek and neck. She froze, and slowly went to card her fingers through its mane. It sighed and let its head drop lazily.
"Odysseus!"
The pony didn't move, but Darcy raised her head to see a man running toward them. He stopped just as he reached them, cheeks red and short of breath. Darcy couldn't help but stare.
He was a bit short, but his shoulders were impossibly broad, and she would die for those arms. His short spiky hair was a bit damp, a few strands sticking to his forehead. The tight white t-shirt was doing him all kind of favors.
"Hello..."
The man grinned, and slapped the pony's croup.
"Stop flirting, you."
The pony sighed, and moved, to stand by the man's side. He turned toward Darcy, faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Darcy Lewis?"
She nodded, still on the floor, staring up at him.
"Yep, that's me. And you are?"
He offered her a hand, which she took. He dragged her up effortlessly, and smiled even wider. She returned it in spades, as flirty as she could without being slutty. She worked for a long while to find that delicate balance, but she knew she had nailed it. The blond didn't seem particularly affected though.
"Clint Barton. I'm supposed to show you around."
She arched an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms under her bosom.
"A bit late there, cowboy."
He took a step back, and patted the pony lightly on the neck.
"Had to stop a jailbreak. Darcy, here is Odysseus. If you see him running around, it's fine."
She looked fleetingly at the pony.
"Am I supposed to catch him?"
Clint chuckled. "Nope, that's my job." He looked down at Odysseus. "Go, you have two hours."
The pony whinnied happily and trotted out. Darcy turned her wide eyes toward Clint. He snorted, and gave her a once over. She was a little disappointed that he didn't even give her boobs a second glance. Her boobs were a work of art, but he didn't seem particularly impressed.
"What was that about?"
Clint shrugged. "We gave up in keeping him in a stall years ago. He knows to stay around, and I run after him when I need him."
Darcy felt her mouth open and close a few times, before she nodded. Seriously, letting a pony run around like that? She never saw, or heard, of something like that.
Clint smirked at her disbelief. "He's a good pony, great with kids. If we need to leave him free to come and go to keep him in a good mood, why the hell not? Puts some life in the place. It's pretty dead during the day."
He gestured around to the deserted alley, and Darcy nodded. "Right. Are you always alone in here?" She couldn't help the slight purr and the cheeky grin.
Clint shook his head. "No, Coulson comes by a lot, except when Fury needs him for something else. They're out looking at a horse right now."
If Darcy recalled right, Mr. Coulson was the main teacher, and Fury was the owner of the stable. So, right now, they were truly alone. She took a step forward to crowd Clint a bit, looking up to his mouth.
"Must be great when you need to take a break, to -relax- a bit..."
She put a light hand on his bicep. His eyes glazed over for a second, an unreadable smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. His voice was a bit rough when he answered.
"Yeah. Yeah it is."
She wanted to lean toward him, but he smoothly stepped back, smiling easily at her.
"Come on, let's show you around."
Darcy hid her disappointment as well as she could. She couldn't get a read on the man, and it was bugging her. She still trailed behind him as he ventured deeper into the building. Bastet let out a huff and went back to her meal. Clint was gesturing around.
"On the left side are the Owner's horses, the horses that belong to people. On the right side, they belong to the stable. We also have a few ponies, but they spend most of their time outside."
He turned around, walking backward to talk to her face.
"I can't put you on a horse myself, Coulson doesn't trust me. He should be here in an hour or two, I hope you don't mind."
Darcy shrugged, and grinned saucily at him.
"I'm sure I'll find something to keep myself busy with..."
His smirk turned deeply entertained, but he turned back just in time to steer them to the left in the hallway Odysseus had come from earlier. He stopped in front of a door on their right, and opened it, ushering her inside.
"This is the equipment room, each horse has his own bridle, and the saddles are numbered. Coulson will tell you which one he wants you to use when he tells you who you're riding. The toilet is right there in the back. We frequently have toilet paper shortages and we want to apologize in advance. You probably should bring your own just in case."
Darcy nodded dutifully. Clint looked over his shoulder.
"Be sure to wash your mouth piece and to put everything right back were you got it from. Coulson hates disorder, and you'll probably pay for it during your lessons. You don't want lessons with a frustrated Coulson. You'll discover new muscles, and not in a nice way."
Darcy rolled her eyes. Yeah, she'd seen this song and dance before, thank you very much. She stuffed her hands into her jeans pockets.
"I thought Mister Fury was the Big Booboo around here?"
Clint seemed to be holding back his laughter by his very fingernails. "Big Booboo?"
Darcy huffed and glared at him. "Sue me, I have weird parents."
The man didn't even bother to restrain his laughter this time around. Darcy snickered in sympathy, and kept looking intently at Clint until he got that she was expecting an answer at some point.
"Fury's not really into micro managing. He probably won't bother learning your name until Coulson deemed you competition material."
Darcy arched her eyebrows, unimpressed, and drawled smoothly.
"Sorry to be the one to break that into you, Hot Stuff, but I'm already competition material."
Barton snorted at that, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his eyes sparkling with amusement-and sadly, nothing else.
"Sorry to be the one to break that into you, baby girl, but you clearly have never met Phil Coulson."
She smiled at the opportunity, and leaned forward.
"Maybe I'll need moral support..."
Suddenly a shrill beeping was heard, and Clint leaped away, fishing for his phone in his back pocket. He shot a single look at the screen, and put it away again. He looked up at Darcy.
"Coulson says he'll be there in about fifteen minutes, I hope that's all right with you. I have to go back to my stalls now, I'm sorry."
She shrugged. "I can help if you want..."
Clint snorted and shook his head. "You're as subtle as a train wreck, you know that? Seriously!"
Darcy was about to open her mouth to explain about the efficiency of her method, but he interrupted her before she could.
"And I really don't want to lead you on, so I'm going to state right away that I am taken. Very happily so. And you are missing some mandatory equipment to really interest me, even if I wasn't."
Darcy stood for a moment, mouth hanging open, as she processed what he'd said. Then she sighed, and stomped her foot in frustration. "Why is it always the good ones!?"
Clint had the nerve to laugh at her, and punch her shoulder lightly. "Because only the best of us realize how fun guns are to play with."
Darcy rolled her eyes again, and turned away, escaping toward the toilet. Barton called after her, voice bright and happy.
"If you see Odysseus, tell him Coulson isn't happy with him!"
She didn't dignify that with an answer, instead locking herself in.. She let herself fall on the bowl, and took a few deep breathes in.
This was going better than she'd thought it would. She didn't make too much of a fool of herself, and the only person she met seemed nice. Any guy willing to tell her before she was completely crushing on him that he wasn't available was A-Okay with her.
Still, she took a few minutes to appreciate the fact that no major catastrophes had befallen her. She waited until she felt she could face Coulson. When she emerged, she walked back to the main alley, Clint still appeared to be alone, busy cleaning a stall. She walked to him, a bit more hesitant.
"Hey? I hope I'm not bothering you..."
Clint smiled as he stopped. He put his fork on the wall, swiping his brow with the back of his hand.
"I'm always terribly bothered by hot chicks who throw themselves at me."
Darcy rolled her eyes at him, and leaned on the side of the stall, but couldn't help but feeling slightly bad.
"You must think I'm a bitch."
Clint snickered, and took back the fork, looking for filth. The tall thin horse in the corner of the box was staring at her, looking wary. Once in a while he would glare at Clint, flattening its ears at him. The stable boy looked supremely unconcerned, certain that whatever threat the black animal was trying to send his way wouldn't be followed through.
"Nothing bad in knowing what you like, babe. Can't blame you for that."
Darcy laughed, and felt the uneasiness dissipate. "Well, aren't you adorable?"
Clint leaned briefly toward her, cheeky smirk stretched wide on his face, taking a moment to ostensibly flex his arms. "Excuse you, I'm goddamn adorable."
Darcy chuckled, excited to know that friendly flirting was still in the cards. She always liked that. Especially when she could get people confused about it. Some of the best relationships she had were completely fake and illusory. And yes, she was aware of how depressing that sounded.
"Yeah, ok. So who's your buddy?"
She jerked her chin toward the horse, who lowered his ears in answer. She stuck her tongue out at it and it huffed, looking away. When she looked back at Clint, the man was watching her. bemused. She raised her eyebrows at him and he shook his head.
"That Boreas. Don't worry. He's all bark and no bite. Poor little thing. Hasn't had an easy life, but he's a damn good horse."
She nodded, and crossed her arms over her chest.
"So except the Big Boss I won't hear from and The Slightly Clean Freak Coulson, who else should I know?"
Clint took a moment to think, leaning on his fork to look at her.
"Well, there's Hill. She's the Pony Club Master and the best rider in this place. If you see a thin woman with a tight bun and a look that will drive armies into surrender, that's her. Don't get in her way and she'll like you just fine. Otherwise, everyone's pretty cool."
Darcy nodded, and Clint must have seen her apprehension, because he leaned forward with warm eyes.
"Don't worry, doll face, I'll protect you against the big bad wolf."
Darcy was about to answer-something about being able to handle herself-when a calm and unimpressed voice cut in.
"I'm pretty sure we aren't paying you to flirt, Barton."
They both turned toward the voice, and Darcy smiled widely at the newcomer, a middle aged unassuming man. He was looking solely at Clint, though.
The blond grinned cheekily at the older man. "I'm sorry, sir, but it gave such good result in the past."
Darcy was impressed by the older man's unimpressed stare. She had never seen such a penetrating unimpressed stare. In fact, she was pretty sure that stare should be studied. She knew she was going to study it. Clint didn't seem to be affected, but then again, maybe he was used to it.
The unknown man simply sighed. "Did you at least wash the buckets?"
Clint shrugged helplessly, smile completely unabashed.
"Couldn't, Ody stole my sponge."
The man with the receding hairline glared at him some more. "And you couldn't go and get another?"
Clint's grin was completely shit eating. "He took that one too."
The other man sighed and clearly resisted rubbing his forehead. "Why are we humoring that demon again?"
Clint laughed, and went pack to scraping the floor of the stall. "Because he's awesome and Hill would castrate you if you even touched her dear pony."
The blond finally noticed that Darcy had no idea what was going on. He looked at her and gestured between them.
"Darcy, Phil Coulson. Boss, Darcy Lewis."
The man turned toward her, offering her a hand with a smile so perfectly polite and amiable that it had to be as rehearsed as often as the unimpressed stare. She shook it, unsure what she should say. He thankfully took the lead.
"It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Lewis."
"Likewise, sir."
His lips twitched, just a bit, and he let go of her hand, clasping his hands in front of him.
"I heard about you when you were still riding with the Puerto Stables. I hope you will find our stable more enjoyable."
Darcy couldn't help but snort at that. "What, the South H-"
He cut her, smiling almost despite himself. "Just call us S.H.I.E.L.D. Stables."
Darcy nodded, and looked around. "I'm glad you gave me a shot."
Coulson smiled, and gestured her forward, leaving Clint behind them with a, "That's it, leave me for the cute girl!". She couldn't help but throw a look at the other man's profile. He caught her and smiled blandly, and she wondered why he was so guarded, and if he ever thawed out.
"Today will be a simple ride, just so you get your bearings. I won't judge your worth on what happens, god knows a first ride isn't always easy."
Darcy nodded, not sure what she was supposed to say. She hated being tongue tied, but she never knew what to say to this kind of person, the ones that were so good at hiding what they thought that she couldn't get a read on them. She'd have to ask Clint about Coulson.
The older man brought her to the equipment room. "You'll be riding Bastet today, she has a similar personality to the horse you described to me, you should get along fine."
OOOOOOOOO
"Don't worry so much about it; it's only the first ride!"
"I made a complete fool of myself!"
Clint sighed, and leaned on the wall beside her while she brushed Bastet, trying her hardest not to be too rough. It wasn't really the mare's fault.
"Everyone falls once in a while."
Darcy turned angrily to face him.
"I was supposed to show I'm worth taking as a student here. No way Coulson's taking me now."
Clint's lips thinned, and crossed his arms over his chest. It was a tribute to how jittery she was that she didn't even stare at him.
"Why don't you let him decide that?"
Darcy pursed her lips and scowled at him. "He nearly ran away as soon as he was done with me."
Clint threw his head back and barked a laugh. "That's why you've been tying yourself in knots, babe? No, he ran away because he had to fix one of Stark's messes, again."
Darcy's shoulders relaxed a bit, but she made sure the look she threw at Clint conveyed all the skepticism she felt. "First, is it impossible to kill two birds with one stone, and are we talking about Tony Stark?"
Clint grinned wickedly. "Yes, we are. And the last time Coulson evaluated a rider he didn't judge suitable, he took fifteen minutes to expose what was wrong what he should work on and how. Trust me, if he hasn't said anything today, it's because he figures he'll have time to do it at some other point."
Darcy blinked at him for a good minute, before deciding there was no point in arguing with the man. He obviously knew more about Coulson and the way this stable worked than she did. She started waving her fore finger at him. "On the off chance that I believe you, which is not to say I do, can we go back to the part about Tony Stark?"
Clint snorted and rolled his eyes. "Why is everyone always saying that? Am I not interesting enough for you?"
Darcy rolled her eyes back at him, cocking her hips out. "You're taken, hot stuff."
Clint shook his head at her. "And all of the sudden, I'm nothing more than a carpet for people to step on."
Darcy laughed, and went back to Bastet, who had been making increasingly impatient noises in the last moments. She caressed the mare's grey hair, and continued where she'd left off in her brushing. The horse sighed in happiness, and went lax under the brush. Darcy chuckled and continued her work.
"So?"
"So what?"
She shot Clint a brief look over her shoulder, and he offered her innocent eyes in return. He finally relented and opened his mouth.
"Stark's been riding here since before Fury bought to whole place, so yeah..."
Darcy went to put down her brush, rubbing her hands on her pants. "But why would Coulson going out to fix his mess? Are they related or something?"
Clint shook his head, smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Nope. We have a rotation. I'm on Wednesday, I think."
Darcy stared at him, trying to determine whether or not he was kidding or not. "A rotation?"
He nodded earnestly, eyes wide. Darcy felt the need to confirm she understood write. "You, a stable boy, are on a rotation of people to fix the messes of one of the richest man in the country?"
Clint clutched his chest in mock hurt, gasping at her. "How dare you? I'm perfectly able to help a friend!"
Darcy arched and eyebrow, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "I'd be more concerned that you'd join in whatever he was doing."
Clint shrugged. "Coulson cut the expenses out of my salary, and I really don't earn enough to spare the money. So yes, I'm on the rotation."
Darcy briefly considered asking what he did, but decided to keep her plausible deniability. If her younger brother taught her anything, was that it was best not to know anything that could get her into trouble, or make her look like an accomplice. That, and always have a good 'innocent' face. That could get you out of trouble faster than any alibi.
"And who's on the rotation?"
Clint shrugged again. "Anyone who's considered able to control Stark. At the beginning, it was only Pepper and Rodhey, but it's expanded ever since. Thank god. Some of us are better at it. You'll never catch Stark doing anything on Maria's or Tasha's days, no matter that he's not supposed to know which days those are. There's-"
Darcy tried not to look too lost, because she had honestly no idea who Clint was talking about, but it had to show somehow on her face anyway, because Clint interrupted himself and looked a bit sheepish, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.
"And you don't know any of them. Of course you don't. Are you free tomorrow?"
Darcy's eyes widened, not understanding where he was going with that, but willing to follow for a while.
"I am?"
Clint beamed.
"Come around! The rest of the gang should be there, I'll get you introduced!"
Darcy frowned, and went to speak, but the blond interrupted her.
"You know, if everyone likes you, it might influence Coulson."
She looked at him. "No it won't."
Clint considered it. "No it won't. But come on! You gotta come!"
Darcy pondered it, and really, if there was a chance she really was going to be accepted here, she'd better know the crowd.
"Fine."
Clint laughed and wrapped his arms around her, spinning her around.
"Everyone'll love you!"
She simply laughed and swatted on his shoulder until he took pity on her and put her down. Maybe she could do this.
OOOOOOOO
It didn't keep her from slightly freaking out the morning after, as she skipped on the dirt path.
Who was she kidding? She was freaking the hell out.
This was a bad idea. She was going to make a fool of herself again. She always did.
Maybe Clint was only tricking her.
Stupid girl. Clint wasn't Loki.
Why couldn't he be, though? She didn't know him.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice she had reached the building until someone called after her.
"Darcy? Darce! Babe!"
She finally computed, and she jumped around to face Clint. She couldn't help but answer his beam. He seemed relieved that she'd shown up. Her uncertainty must have more obvious than she thought. She walked briskly to him, and proceeded to try and hug the crap out of him. He froze for a moment, taken by surprise, but returned it without a question, for which her pride and nerves were grateful.
"Hey Barton! Don't hog all the hot chicks!"
Clint threw his head over his shoulder and shouted back, "Fuck off, Stark!"
Darcy eagerly leaned back, and stared at the dark haired man standing in the stable's doorway. He smirked at her and waved cheekily. She answered, balanced on one foot, trusting Clint to not let her fall on the ground. The blond rolled his eyes and dragged her upright again, blocking her view with his chest. He gave her a stern look that was only half believable. "No, Darcy."
She batted innocent eye lashes at him. "What?"
He mock frowned at her. "No. Just no."
She pouted at him, putting on her best Puss in Boots look. "But he's Tony Stark!"
Clint stuffed his hands in his jean's pockets, pouting miserably. "And yesterday you were so into me! He doesn't deserve to be the rebound guy."
She huffed indignantly, and jabbed at his sternum with her fore finger. "Fuck off, Blondie", she pointed at his face, "You're gay," she pointed at his chest toward were she thought Stark would be, "He's not. I know enough to understand which of you I have a chance with."
Clint rolled his eyes at her, but wasn't able to rein in his smirk. "You don't know where he's been."
Darcy giggled and leaned forward until she had a very nice view of his chin. "No glove, no love, Hot Stuff."
"Jesus, are you really going to tap that, Barton? Because I don't think the boyfriend will approve, unless he's into-" "Go to Hell, Stark."
Darcy smiled at the billionaire whose head at just popped a few feet behind Clint's left bicep, looking at her like she was a curiosity. The brunette waved at him again, smirking evilly. He answered promptly, a glint in his eyes she knew she would like. A lot. Clint looked between them before chuckling.
"You two are going to be a damn menace to this place, right?"
Tony bounced to Darcy and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, facing Barton. "Yep! You want in?"
Barton laughed, and shook his head as he headed back inside. "Thanks but no thanks, Coulson takes every damage out of my salary."
Tony smirked. "I bet he does."
Darcy couldn't stop staring at Stark. The man raised a questioning eyebrow at her.
"I am wondering where the bunch of you learnt the concept of personal space."
Stark smirked lasciviously. "Do you mind? You certainly didn't seem to with Barton."
She answered, "Not at all, Pretty Boy."
Clint pinched her side. "Careful, he'll take you seriously."
Darcy beamed at Tony. "Awesome! Can I say you like being called 'Neo' in bed when I give my interview?"
Tony and Clint both stared at her, puzzled. Stark was the first one to speak.
"Interview?"
She huffed with a dismissive hand. "No way I'm giving you access to my lady parts if I can't get a TV interview out of it!"
She slipped from under the billionaire's arm and into the stable. Clint jogged until he was beside her. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, relaxed. Tony was let behind, complaining about needing new friends. Darcy spared a brief look at Clint. "That's the reason I was dumped yesterday?"
Clint shrugged, amused smirk tugging his lips. "It wasn't too bad. Coulson said he'd be by at some point."
Darcy nodded, and couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. Clint rolled his eyes and punched her on the shoulder, hard. She clutched it, looking at him indignantly. "OWW!"
He looked completely unrepentant. "Focus on that, and stop worrying."
He grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the other end of the stable. Darcy went with it, a bit curious despite herself.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Stables had an impeccable reputation, and she was wondering who would be riding there. She wasn't a regular of the New York circuit, so she hadn't actually met any of them. As far as she was concerned, Tony Stark fit the style, though she would have expected the members of the team to be more... disciplined. Balanced. The kind that trained eight hours a day and ate only green vegetables and whole grains.
Another thing she had been nervous about, at being here. And they exited the building into the back, where she could see a few Dressage Rings. Right in front of her, though, were two picnic tables, in sturdy non painted wood, probably even homemade.
There was four people sprawled over them, enjoying the late fall sun and warmth. Clint didn't let go of her arm until she was right in front of them. Darcy smiled and waved to them, too.
The first woman on the left was a strawberry blond she recognized as Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's famous PA, and honestly someone she would never have expected to meet, ever in her life. The woman simply gave her a small smile before returning her attention to her phone.
The next one next to her was a gorgeous red head, lying on the table, her tank top rolled just under her bra. Her skin was deadly pale, but turned almost golden in the yellow light.
She was talking to a tiny scrawny little boy. He looked about sixteen, with a kind, innocent face and perfectly combed blond hair. He turned his baby blue eyes towards her and smiled shyly, turning a bit pink in the face as she stared.
If it was wrong to want to jump over there and hug him for the rest of her life, she didn't want to be right.
The last one sitting was a scruffy man in his late twenties, with curly brown hair and twitchy face. He held her gaze for a second before looking away and tugging at the hem of his shirt.
She really wanted to hug him too. Before she could act on any of her impulses though, Tony walked past her and draped himself over the curly haired man. Clint wrapped an arm around her shoulder and whistled. Everyone turned toward her.
"Everyone, this is Darcy Lewis! Be nice to her, I hear she bites."
Darcy hit him on the shoulder, forcing him to step away for a moment. "Go to hell, Barton. What am I? A cave woman? I don't bite. I taze."
She crossed her arms under her chest, and smiled when Stark's and the little blonde's eyes were drawn to it. Tony ogled shamelessly, but the small one turned away immediately, blushed a deep, beet red.
Oh yeah. She wanted to keep him. He would make an amazing teddy bear.
Clint, the bastard he was, barked a laugh. "Darcy, here is the S.H.I.E.L.D. stable's competition team." He pointed to the red head, "Natasha Romanov, she rides Boreas, Steve Rogers, he rides Bastet," that was the tiny one, "Bruce Banner, he has Goliath." that was the curly-haired one, "Tony Stark, you know, he has his own horse, Hephaestus. We're only missing Hill. She rides Mercury."
Darcy waved at them again, and Tony and Steve answered. Bruce looked speculative, Pepper calmly put her phone away and smiled again, and Natasha simply gave her a blank look and closed her eyes.
Okay then, nice to meet you too.
She was about to say something-she wasn't sure what, she was never really good at thinking before talking-but she was certainly opening her mouth when she was interrupted.
"Miss Lewis?"
Everyone but Natasha turned around, towards Coulson, who was standing in the doorway. Darcy smiled at him.
"Yeah, sir?"
He smiled blandly at her, as polite as he had been yesterday.
"Can I have a word?"
She threw a wondering glance at Clint, and he pushed her lightly towards the older man. She stuffed her hands into her back pockets. When she got level with, him he simply turned and walked toward the equipment room. She sniffed and followed him. Finally, he closed the door and faced her. Darcy barely kept herself from sneering.
"What's with the Big Secret Gig, sir? Brought me here to kill me?"
He sighed, and looked at her.
"I apologize for my hasty departure yesterday, Miss Lewis. I should have talked to you before."
She nodded, looking around.
"It's fine, Clint told me about Stark."
Coulson nodded.
"Nevertheless, it wasn't right of me, and I thought we should have this discussion in private."
She nodded again, a weary feeling climbing up her throat.
"Is that so?"
His gaze turned a bit softer, and she swallowed.
"I need you to understand, S.H.I.E.L.D. Stables have very high standards, very hard to meet. And I'm sorry, but I don't think you can make the team."
Darcy felt the disappointment crush her, and she looked away. She blinked a few times, not willing to cry in front of the man that wore self-control like armor. She nodded, and was happy to notice her voice didn't break.
"It's okay, I'll try somewhere else."
Coulson cleared his throat.
"If it's what you wish."
She turned around, confused.
"You just said I wasn't competition material."
He clasped his hands in front of himself, and smiled gently.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm not ready to take you as a student. You have talent, and I would be interested in developing it."
Darcy tried to wrap her head around it, and failed a few time.
"As a student."
He nodded.
"Yes. However, if your desire is to compete, I would be very happy to write to a few other respectable stables in the region to recommend you."
Darcy blinked. She was never that fond of competing, but everywhere she rode, enlisting on the big team was the only way to have attention and good coaching. If Coulson really was proposing was she thought he was, why the hell not.
"One condition."
He cocked his head with an inquiring arch of his eyebrow. She smiled at him.
"I want to know when you're on Stark duty. Just in case Clint isn't around to set my head straight."
Coulson's lips quirked for a fraction of second, which was more expression than she ever saw on his face. He offered his hand, which she shook with gusto. His voice was a little smug when he said "Welcome to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Stables, Miss Lewis."
She snorted at the corniness of the line.
"Next you're going to tell me I can't talk about this to anyone and show me your super weapon caches."
He only cocked an eyebrow.
"The caches are for the one year anniversary."
She laughed and let go of his hand to saunter back to the door. Just as she was about to escape she turned around.
"I want to be someone's groom."
He merely looked at her.
"You'll have to bring it up with the team, Miss Lewis."
She nodded and turned around again, humming happily. Just as she exited the room, she felt something heavy hit her behind the knees. She caught herself on the wall just in time, and turned around to see the little ball of fur of a pony standing behind her. He seemed to be a moment away from sticking out his tongue in glee.
"Hey Ody? You mind if I call you Ody? 'cause Odysseus is really a mouth full."
"You should be careful not to get too familiar with him, or you'll end up on his hit list."
She turned around briefly to shoot a look at Coulson who was looking at the small pony like it was the devil. Darcy snorted.
"Will do, sir."
Then she carded her fingers through the pony's thick mane and tugged toward the door.
"Come on, soft kitty, let's go see the others."
She got back out with the pony hot on her heels. Ody's eyes lit up when he saw Tony, and immediately charged towards the billionaire. Stark squeaked in a very manlymanner, and jumped away, starting running circles around the tables. Clint looked up from where he was talking to Natasha and smiled encouragingly at her. The red head still looked blank, but there was some sort of expectancy underneath it. The others were too busy laughing at Tony to pay attention to her. Clint pressed on a bit.
"So?"
Darcy did her best not to show her disappointment, because no matter how much not doing competition wasn't that much of a big deal to her, being told she wasn't good enough was a feeling she was all too familiar with, and that for some really annoying reason, never seemed to get less painful.
"I am the new S.H.I.E.L.D. Groom! Ready to serve!"
"Groom!?"
She turned toward Tony who had stopped dead on his tracks like a dog who saw a squirrel. Sadly, Ody didn't and tackled him fully forward, sending the genius rolling in the grass gasping for breath. Before he could get another word out, they heard a sharp "Dibs."
They all looked at Natasha with wide eyes. She arched an eyebrow in return, stretching her arms high above her head.
"I could use the help."
Clint was looking at her incredulously.
"You hate grooms! You say they never do anything right!"
Natasha shrugged.
"She deserves a chance. And Coulson seemed to like her."
Darcy tried to open her mouth, but was cut off by Bruce.
"You can't claim a groom all for yourself."
He didn't seem to want her himself. Tony let out a strangled "Help!" from where Ody seemed for them happy to lick his face as clean as it could get and check his pockets over and over again in case a carrot finally achieved personal teleportation.
He was ignored by all. Darcy tried to intervene again, but Natasha beat her to it again.
"Don't be ridiculous, she'll help Steve too."
The skinny little blond frowned, looking slightly insulted and looked up to Natasha in as dignified of a manner as he could.
"I don't suppose I get a say in this?"
Natasha smiled sweetly at him. "No you don't."
Darcy frowned and crossed her arms under her chest. "Me neither, I guess?"
Not that she minded helping Steve at all, in fact she'd like to bring him home and wrap him in bubble wrap and leave him inside to make sure he stayed safe because it wasn't right to be that pale. However, Natasha scared her a bit, and she wasn't sure the red head wouldn't make her scrub all her leathers with an old tooth brush simply for the sake of it.
Clint looked at her with a smirk. "Sorry babe, slaves don't get to vote."
She rolled her eyes at him, and decided that she was going to sit with them, no matter what they thought. Clint turned back to Natasha.
"And seriously, why can't I never get the groom, seriously, it'd be nice to have someone else to clean for me for once."
Darcy shrugged at him, arching an eyebrow. "Because you're not part of the competition team?"
Pepper's, Natasha's, Steve's and Bruce's stared automatically jumped to her before turning to glare at Clint, who was suddenly very interested in the apple he was playing with. Tony appeared between Bruce and Steve, finally freed from Ody, who was trotting away cheerily.
"What's going on?"
Steve answered his voice a bit harder than a moment before.
"Clint forgot to mention he was on the team."
Tony sighed and slumped on the table, boneless. "Ah fuck, we're going to talk about feelings again. Go to hell, man."
He sent what must have been a kick under the table at Clint, from the growl the blond aimed at the billionaire. Pepper flicked Tony's ear and Natasha hissed at Clint.
"I thought we went over this-"
"We did."
"You are part of this team as much as-"
"Oh come on, Nat-"
"You're the best at what you do-"
"I know! But-"
"Why can't you see it?"
Clint rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"I just don't play on the same level as the rest of you."
Natasha sneers at him.
"Without you, we'd never be as good-"
He groaned.
"Cut the 'angle stone' bullshit."
Darcy felt herself looking between the both of them like a tennis match spectator, before she gave in and looked at the others to see if one of them would be ready to enlighten her. Bruce caught her eyes and smiled with a little shrug.
"Clint trains the young horses, or the one that come here with problems. He helps them get better, bring them to their first shows, then pass them to others, so he usually stays in the smaller levels."
Darcy nodded her thanks and turned toward the blond who was still arguing with Natasha and hit him hard upside the head. He whirled around to face her, protest dying on his lips when he took in her face.
"You. Are an idiot."
Between her and Natasha's glares, Clint wisely decided to keep his mouth shut. The red head seemed to ponder something for a moment before rising in a cat-like motion, stretching her back one last time. She stalked toward the stable, and stopped just before entering. She turned her head to look over her shoulder and stared right at Darcy, cocking her eyebrow in a clear 'Are you coming?' way. Darcy looked at the others, but no one was paying attention. Pepper was back to toying with her phone, Steve had produced a sketching pad from somewhere, Clint was trying to be fascinated by his apple, and Tony and Bruce were talking about something in what sounded like five different languages.
So she got to her feet and walked behind Natasha, who had turned as soon as she had risen, satisfied she was understood. Darcy had to jog to catch up to her. She sent a hesitant smile Natasha's way. "So, how can I help you?"
Natasha looked at her for a second, before shaking her head. "I don't need a groom."
Darcy frowned at her. The tone hadn't been aggressive, dismissive or proud like she would have expected it to be. It was calm and blank. Natasha didn't need a groom.
"Then why have you asked for a girl you don't like to be your groom?"
Natasha's lips curled upward. "Mine and Steve's. He wouldn't have accepted to have you help only him."
Darcy pursed her lips, and braked just in time not to fall face first on Natasha's back, as the woman stopped dead in her tracks. They were just in front of the cases Darcy had seen. Natasha unlocked it, and took out a saddle, a bridle and a brush case. She gestured to Darcy to take her saddle carpet and bomb. The brunette did so, quipping all the while. "I thought you didn't need a groom."
Natasha shrugged, careless. "Since you're here, might as well make yourself useful."
Darcy decided that definitely deserved her sticking out her tongue. Natasha simply smiled.
She trailed behind the red head as she led them to Boreas' stall. The dark horse welcomed them with his usual air, but Natasha simply swatted him lightly on the nose, and he stood down a bit. He still glared at Darcy, but did as the older woman asked. The brunette leaned on the stall's wall, looking at Natasha.
"Why did you have to trick Steve into accepting my help?"
Natasha didn't look at her as she answered. "Because he's the only one who really needs it."
Darcy didn't answer, expecting Natasha to explain some more. When it was obvious it wasn't going to happen, she pressed a bit. "Because?"
Natasha brushed a lock of bright hair out of her face. "Steve's health is so bad, it's better for him to rest as much as possible."
Darcy frowned. "Why is he here at all?"
Natasha straightened in seconds, turning flaming eyes toward her. Darcy had to resist taking a step back.
"Steve is a great rider, and he deserved is place as much as-"
Darcy held up her hands, alarmed. "Woooo, pretty lady, relax. I wasn't implying he wasn't good enough, I was worried it'd be a bit too rough for him."
Natasha glared at her for a moment longer before turning back to her horse.
"He would go crazy if he couldn't ride. We're all just more careful. Even his horse."
Darcy frowned again, crossing her arms. "Isn't he riding Bastet? She dumped me yesterday!"
Natasha smirked. "She does that to anyone but Steve."
Darcy nodded, and looked around. "So I here to make sure Steve doesn't exhaust himself."
Natasha turned to gaze at her. "Don't be obvious. He hates when someone reminds him about his condition. God knows Tony does it enough for three."
Darcy frowned. "Tony?"
Natasha waved a dismissive hand. "Long story."
Darcy pursed her lips. "That I'm going to hear nothing about."
The red head simply smiled and finished getting her horse ready.
Later, as she watched Natasha ride, Darcy understood why Coulson hadn't accepted her on the team. The red head and her horse seemed to work in unison, like one. Like a real team. Sure everything wasn't perfect, even Darcy could spot some mistakes, but Natasha and Boreas seemed to be thinking together about how to solve them, rather than fighting each other, like Darcy had seen all too often. She was leaning on the ring's door, and crossed her arms over it. Coulson wasn't there, and Natasha hadn't asked for her input, apparently still dubious over Darcy's competences, so it was eerily quiet, only disturbed once in a while by a neigh or a loud snort.
She felt Clint's presence more than she saw it, the man sliding to copy her posture next to her, eyes on the couple practicing. He spoke quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Wasn't that bad, hey?"
Darcy arched an eyebrow and didn't answer. Clint certainly wasn't going to accept that as an answer, and he bumped his shoulder against hers. She shrugged. "I didn't make the team."
He sighed, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder squeezing gently. "I'm sure you'll be the best groom ever."
She huffed. "Natasha doesn't need my help and Steve apparently doesn't want it."
Clint chuckled, and kept his arm where it was. "Natasha will teach you her tricks to deal with Steve's and the team's ego and pride, don't worry. You'll do great."
Darcy smiled ruefully and turned her head to look briefly at the blond's profile. He was watching her from the corner of his eyes. "Why would they listen to me?"
Clint grinned, and turned to face her. "Because being part of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team isn't about whether or not you're competing."
OOOOOOOO
Darcy had been riding at the stables for a couple of weeks, and she wasn't aware she could be pushed that hard. Coulson was a ruthless teacher, always pressing her for more. After Bastet, she tried Boreas, who was so sensible she felt like she was riding a live wire, and Goliath, who was so stiff and tense she ached all over for the rest of the week.
She was just brushing Bastet after a good lesson, despite having met the sand of the ring a bit too close for her comfort once more. She still hadn't figured what happened between the moment she was in control, and the one where she found herself on the floor. She would understand how the little vixen did it, at some point.
"Hey Lewis."
She turned to see Stark lean on the wall near Bastet's head. She cocked her head in welcome.
"Hey yourself."
He smiled at her, and inspected his nails. She usually hung around the stable when she could get the free time. She was getting to know Clint much better, and Steve was officially the cutest thing ever-she was definitely keeping him. She hadn't seen Bruce more than once, and Natasha had been absent as far as she knew, their schedules conflicting. She had yet to see the infamous Hill, who everybody assured was almost always at the stable, but Darcy was pretty sure that was a myth.
Stark, though, had a knack for appearing out of nowhere, at any moment, for no apparent reason. She had never seen him ride; he never seemed to do anything than bother Coulson. In fact, if Pepper wasn't around to prove he really was the CEO of one of the biggest company in the country, she would have guessed his job was to try to drive the unflappable teacher up the wall.
He smirked at her.
"Doing anything tonight?"
Darcy frowned and rubbed her hands together to clean them a bit. Then she shook her head.
"I'm not?"
He beamed at her and gestured vaguely toward Bastet.
"Take care of that, and come to the club house."
He turned on his heels and damn skipped toward the equipment room. Darcy sighed and returned to Bastet. No one would tell her what was the problem between Stark and Steve, but apparently it ran deep, and as far as Tony was concerned, it extended to all things Steve. Clint simply said it was a family thing and she didn't dare to ask Coulson.
She was nearly done already, so it was only a matter of minutes before she brought the mare back into her stall. When she got to the equipment room, Clint was already there, sweeping the floor, humming a song under his breath. She smiled and slapped his ass.
She knew he was only humoring her, that he probably heard her approaching from Bastet's stall, but he still gasped in mock surprise and turned around with a hilariously outraged face. She snickered and he grinned in a answer.
"So, Hot Stuff, what's Stark's new grand scheme?"
Clint shrugged and went back to his sweeping. For all his smartassness and mock protestation, he really seemed to live in fear of Coulson's disapproval. She didn't know what the older man had over the blond, but it certainly got him one hell of a dedicated employee.
"God knows. It involves alcohol, though. I saw him bring it up earlier."
Darcy rolled her eyes and went to the sink to wash her hands properly, calling over her shoulder.
"Stark doesn't 'involve' alcohol. Stark is human shaped alcohol. Stark is Man-Alcohol. Stark is the Alcohol-Blob!"
"I resent that."
They turned toward the stairs where Tony was waiting for them, mock hurt. Darcy rolled her eyes at him.
"Are we only the three of us? 'Cause that won't be that much of a party."
Clint laughed and clapped her on the back.
"Oh thou of little faith."
Tony rolled his eyes at them, and waved dismissively.
"Of course not, the others are coming. I tried to get the Big Three to come, but they are Big Party Poopers and preferred to do things like 'Run this place, god damn it Stark!' Anyway, the cool beans should be there soon."
"Waiting on you Stark."
The billionaire yelped and whirled around to face Natasha, who was leaning on the wall two steps over him, a barely-there smirk tugging the corner of her mouth. He flailed at her, eyes as wide as saucers.
"How the freaking hell did you get up fucking there!?"
She simply shrugged and climbed until she disappeared. Stark followed her, babbling all the while about ninjas. Darcy turned toward him and stared.
"She does that often?"
Clint smiled evilly. "Coulson pays her to do it as often as possible."
She blinked at him incredulously. "Why do I have the feeling Coulson is an evil man who disguise as an accountant?"
Clint outright laughed. "If you're only getting that now, you're not paying enough attention."
She laughed and nudged his shoulder as they made their way up. "What's with the dress shirts anyway?"
Clint snorted. "I'm pretty sure that's a bet with Fury."
She paused to consider this. "How long as it been going on?"
Clint pinched his lips not to laugh out loud. "Over twenty years."
She stopped in her tracks, staring at him. He shrugged again. "They're both pretty stubborn men."
She mumbled "No kidding."
In the club house, Tony was busy prepping some kind of portable wet bar, and was currently wrestling with one of the drawers which refused to open and was making distressed blips of protestation. Natasha was staring at him with absolutely no pity in her eyes.
"Will you open, you worthless piece of tras-"
Clint cocked his head.
"What's in it?"
Tony stopped and used the top of the shiny bow as an arm rest. He panted his answer as he halfheartedly slapped the monster.
"Tequila."
Natasha cocked her head. "I thought Pepper forbid you from drinking tequila again..."
Tony turned to stare at the drawer who let out a pathetic little beep. He grumbled something about unfaithful machines and devious PA. Clint snickered.
"Why the hell would you install an AI on a portable wet bar?"
Tony sniffed at the blond in disdain. "Stark products will always be at the top of their game."
Natasha smirked. "By refusing to work?"
Tony grimaced. "It was supposed to help parents monitor their kids' accesses to alcohol but it obviously needs to be tweaked a bit."
Darcy snorted. "I don't know, I think it fulfilled its job description pretty well."
The machine beeped happily at her. She skipped to it and stroked the front of the drawer labeled 'vodka' and made cooing noises until it opened. She grabbed the first bottle she saw and stalked away before Tony could take it.
Natasha extended her hand for it. Darcy handed it over gracefully, certain the red head would be far more competent in fending off Tony's attack then her. The older woman also took the opportunity to take a long sip like it was clear water. Darcy certainly wasn't a stranger to alcohol, but she was impressed nonetheless. Tony spread his arms. "Ladies! Don't drink before there's food!"
Darcy turned around to face him. "FRANK!"
They all looked at Clint who was doing some kind of giddy little dance, waving something around. Tony and Natasha cursed under their breath, and Darcy frowned at him. After a good minute of flailing and dancing she should have recorded because she would have made some serious money out of it, he stopped long enough for her to see what was in his hand.
"Is that a Pegasus?"
He nodded enthusiastically.
"A single winged Pegasus?"
"Yep!"
She blinked a few times. "You just gave the three of us pretty awesome reasons to commit you over a plastic single winged Pegasus named Frank?"
He beamed at her, and someone, probably Stark because Natasha was too classy for this shit, snorted loudly. Clint ignored them completely, and Darcy could find no reason to pay attention either.
"Why the hell Frank?"
Clint rolled his eyes. "Like in the movie 'Cars'."
Darcy blinked again. She thought she had a pretty open mind that could jump to conclusions on next to no firm basis but she failed to see any kind of logic in what Barton was talking about.
"Isn't 'Frank' a cow-like car?"
Clint seemed elated. "You've seen 'Cars'?"
Darcy nodded. "Yeah, and I'm pretty sure he was a cow!"
Clint shrugged. "He was."
Darcy pointed to the thing in the blond's hand. "That's a Pegasus. You know. Like a horse."
Clint looked helplessly over her shoulder, making Puss in Boots eyes Natasha, Darcy presumed. "Come on Nat, help me out, she doesn't get it!"
Darcy didn't have to turn around to guess the arch of the eyebrow he got from the red head, because she was doing the exact same thing, her hands stuffed in her pockets. Clint sighed in a way that suggested he was infinitely patient for even doing them the favor of explaining this.
"It's like in Mulan, when Mushu says 'Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow! But he's pointing at her horse!"
Darcy stared, mouth hanging open. "You named a single winged plastic Pegasus after a kid's movie car shaped like a bull, because another children movie character sais 'Dishonor on your cow' while pointing at a horse?"
Clint considered this for a moment. "I was drunk at the time."
Darcy huffed, disbelieving. "Obviously."
Tony snorted, and she turned around to see him completely red faced, like he had just been keeping himself from laughing all the while they were arguing. Natasha was simply smiling, and gave a toast to Darcy with her glass. She heard cooing behind her, but firmly decided not to turn, because if Clint really was talking to the Pegasus on top of everything, she might truly commit him. She decided to focus on the two saner people in the room-and wasn't that a scary thought.
"And why are we so excited over a plastic toy?"
"It's part of the dinosaur game."
She looked over at the door where Bruce and Steve just got in, the small blond smiling at her, while the other man nodded somewhat jerkily. Darcy's brain just stopped processing.
"Dinosaur Game!? It's a fucking Pegasus!"
Natasha laughed, an exhale of air somewhat stronger than usual. "Clint is so deranged, he manages to mess up even the toys he buys."
Barton claimed that, "I resent that comment." Everybody steadfastly ignored him.
The brunette looked between the four riders. "And what are the rules?"
Bruce shrugged. "You find a dinosaur, or Frank, you hide it. It must be on the stable's ground, and stalls are off limits, since horses could swallow them. Everything is fair game."
Darcy nodded. "Last thing and I'm probably going to regret asking it, why is 'Frank' missing one wing?"
Clint popped out of nowhere and waved the Pegasus around. "That is the collateral damage of Hill's futile and violent struggle against the Dinosaur Game and its Supreme Truth! Everybody plays The Game and all Dissidents yield in the end! Mwuhahahah!"
Darcy stared at him, blinking, while the blond did his best impersonation of an evil laugh—it was worryingly spot on. After a few minutes she managed to find her voice back. "You are completely nuts. Bonkers. Screaming mad."
Bruce snorted, and took a sip of whatever Tony slipped him. He then proceeded to grimace and dump the thing in the sink, ignoring the billionaire's protests. Darcy simply hoped the tubing was strong enough to withstand whatever had been in that glass. The dark haired man than turned his wry smile at her.
"He hasn't started drinking yet."
Darcy didn't have the time to contemplate the possible awesomeness or destructiveness-shut up, it's totally a word-of a Drunk Clint Barton, before the said man proclaimed "And I shall not 'til Frank is hidden into safety and away from prodding eyes and fingers!" After which he bolted down the stairs and deep in the main hallway. There was a beat of silence before everyone save Natasha dissolved into a heap of laughter, and even the red head cracked a smile wide enough to show some teeth. Darcy panted for a long time before regaining enough breathe to talk.
"Oh my god, you're all going to turn me insane."
And all of them, as one, stated. "Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D. Stables."
A few minutes later, Clint was back with an ever composed Pepper in tow. Apparently Tony wasn't allowed to drink in an inflammable environment without her, Rodhey, Coulson, Fury or Hill around. Darcy definitely didn't want to know.
Tony beamed at his PA and clapped his hands together.
"Listen People! I want everyone with a drink in their hand before the next five minutes is out or they get to clean up later!"
There was a mad scramble to the bar, indicating that cleaning up later was not something good. Darcy followed at a more sedated paste when she got caught by a petite hand on her upper arm. She turned to face Natasha who simply held out a plastic cup full of a purple liquid. Darcy took it with a dubious look.
"How much are my insides going to regret it if I drink that?"
The red head simply smiled at her, and Darcy decided that fuck it, she probably needed some serious alcohol to get it through the night, and the older woman looked like she would know some cool mixes.
Tony clamored again, after downing his first glass at an impressive speed.
"Truth or Dare Time!"
Everyone turned as one toward the billionaire.
"NO."
Darcy blinked at the force of the statement and watched the pretty impressive pout it brought to the genius' face. He spread his hands. "Come on! We can't have a proper night of alcohol or debauchery without Truth or Dare!"
Pepper sighed. "We'll have to, because we are not giving you an excuse to dare Steve to run around the stable twice, ever again."
Tony pouted even more as Steve glared at them all. Darcy nibbled on her lower lip, before offering in a small voice. "Never Have I Ever?"
Everyone turned to her, arching eyebrows and cocking heads. She stuffed her hands in her pockets and shrugged.
"There's no dares in Never Have I Ever..."
Tony pursed his lips. "Steve and Bruce don't drink alcohol."
Darcy shrugged again, smirking at him because she felt he was put off that she thought of something he hadn't. "They'll take apple juice shots and will be the ones to remember everything at the end of the night."
Tony sighed and cried out. "Wonderful, new blackmail material!"
But they could all feel it was token resistance. Tony Stark would always be in for hearing embarrassing truths. Which was how they all found themselves seated in a circle on the floor of the club house, each of them with ten shots in front of them. Tony clapped his hands with gusto.
"Alright people, rules are simple. You all say something you've never done and if the others have, they have to take a shot. First one without any wins."
Steve frowned and leaned forward. "I thought it was the one with the more left that won."
Pepper answered sweetly. "It is. Tony simply wants to win."
The billionaire nodded emphatically, and the strawberry blond finished.
"And we won't play it his way."
He turned sharply to her with and indignant "Hey!" She simply stared him down.
"Tony, changing the rules so that they fit our convenience is the mark of spoiled and brattish children."
He then proceeded to prove her point by crossing his arms over his chest in a clear sulking manner and pouted even harder than before.
"My alcohol, my rules."
Darcy leaned forward with a cheeky grin. "My game, my rules and we are playing it the right way."
Tony stuck his tongue at her. "Fine, but I start."
Everyone shrugged, and waited expectantly, because there couldn't be that much Tony Stark hasn't done. He thought for a moment before sending a sweet look to Pepper. "Never have I ever worn a thong."
Natasha, Pepper and Darcy groaned and glared at him. Clint simply cackled and took one as well. Everyone stared at him, until he shrugged and smirked. "What can I say, when you've got this great of a butt, it'd be a shame to cover it up!"
Darcy snorted, and cocked her head. "I want proof. Picture or it didn't happen."
Clint smirked even wider. "Sorry, but they got confiscated."
The guys shook their heads at him. Pepper claimed it was her turn, and she gave a wicked look at Tony. "Never have I ever shaved my face."
All the boys but Steve took their drink, naturally, but Darcy shouted "Go to Hell!" and took one as well. She didn't look up, but she could see their barely restrained laughter.
"I was eight, me and my family went to the circus, and I saw that Bearded Lady, and I decided I wanted to be one when I grew up. My cousin told me I had to shave my face, and I did. It did fuck all, by the way."
Clint cackled and shouted with feeling,"Bearded ladies are awesome!"
And he hugged her to him. She chuckled but swatted until he let her go, Bruce simply smiled at their antics, and took a thoughtful stance. Everyone tensed. Darcy frowned at Clint. He shrugged and whispered. "Bruce always as the weirder truth."
The curly haired man smiled and leaned back. "Never have I ever been tied up during sex."
Steve turned bright red, and even more so as Pepper, Tony and Clint drank. Darcy smirked at Barton, nudging his shoulder. "Wearing a thong and being tied up, you got yourself a naughty bastard, Hot Stuff."
He leaned forward. "Jealous, Babe?"
She smirked. "I'd love to be a fly on the wall to see that."
Clint pulled back. "Not going to happen."
Natasha was the next one. She didn't even thought about it for a second, having already made her mind. "Never Have I ever had a crush on one of my school teacher."
Everyone save her and Clint took a drink. Darcy looked at him. "So there is something you haven't done, Blondie."
He shrugged, face oddly blank. "Didn't go much to school."
She decided not to push, and he turned toward Natasha, who had had the least drink yet, searching for something she had done and not him. "Never Have I Ever broke three of someone's rib with one kick."
Natasha shrugged and took her drink gracefully. Darcy stared. She knew there was a reason why she was afraid of the woman. The others didn't seem too weirded by this, so she guessed it was of public knowledge, and would therefore not be explained. Surprisingly, the red head leaned side way to look at her, past Clint.
"Some rider of another stable tried to mess with Boreas during a competition."
She didn't say more and honestly didn't need to. Every rider that had ever loved a horse knew Hell hath no fury like an equestrian whose horse you threaten. They become vicious motherfuckers, and Natasha didn't even look nice to begin with.
Darcy knew she was the one after, but there wasn't much to think about. It was as if she knew a lot about them she could use against them. She smirked.
"Never Have I ever had sex with a woman."
Everyone but her, Steve and Pepper drank, and Natasha sent everyone Looks that stated that no explanation or comments would be offered, and anyone asking for them would regret it. Painfully.
Steve was the last one to go, and everyone was pretty relaxed. He smiled innocently at them.
"Never Have I Ever ridden at another stable."
Everyone stared at him and glared, while they all took a drink. Darcy would have to look out for that little wicked gleam in Steve's eyes. It was back to Tony, and he was getting tipsy, five shots in. And apparently tipsy for Tony meant what little shame he had disappeared completely.
"Never Have I Ever fucked myself with a toy."
Darcy, Pepper, Natasha and Clint drank calmly. The blond finished and grinned at the genius.
"Really, Stark? You look like you would love to have it in your ass."
Darcy shouldn't have forgotten Clint had had even more than Tony. In fact he was the one with the fewest shots left, only four to go. Tony raised his head with a haughty mimic.
"Starks are always on top."
Everyone rolled their eyes and Pepper spoke.
"Never Have I Ever shaved my head."
Natasha glared at her, but Pepper simply smiled. Darcy wanted to know where she learned to resist the dark powers of Natasha's eyes. The red head drank calmly and said "Cancer." in a quiet face. Even Stark knew better than to comment.
Natasha's turn came.
"Never Have I ever convinced a woman I was a fallen angel."
Steve chuckled and drank.
Clint's turn. "Never Have I ever had sex on a plane."
Tony drank.
Darcy's turn. "Never Have I Ever fantasized about Angelina Jolie."
Tony, Bruce and Steve drank, the blond turning red again. Tony complained it was a conspiracy against him.
Steve's turn. "Never Have I ever built a robot."
Tony and Bruce drank. Tony threatened to leave the game.
Tony's turn. "Never have I ever cleaned stalls."
Clint, Bruce and Darcy and Natasha drank. Clint declared it was 'so fucking on' right now.
Pepper's turn. "Never Have I Ever been in detention."
Everyone drank. Even Clint, who had apparently been in school enough to get in trouble.
Natasha's turn. She smiled at Tony and Clint. "Never have I ever gotten in trouble with Coulson."
They both drank, ending the game with a tie.
They continued playing games for hours, cutting on the alcohol intake because no one except Stark considered it to be worth the alcohol poisoning. Darcy laughed and laughed and laughed, and somehow ended at some point cuddled between Natasha, Clint and Steve, as Bruce and Pepper tried to wrangle Tony away from the bar.
Later, she walked out, Bruce having offered to drive her home with Steve and Natasha. Pepper and Tony would be leaving together, and Clint apparently lived within walking distance. She was waiting in the main hallway, petting Bastet's nose, not lighting anything, grateful for the soothing darkness and silence, when she heard footsteps. She turned her head when she heard Clint's voice.
"You know you're not subtle?"
Tony answered with a snort. "You know it's not necessarily a bad thing?"
"You really need to learn to stay out of people's things."
"Are you going to blame me for trying to get her to be comfortable? To be a team player?"
"No, but you should give her some time."
"She doesn't need time, Barton, she needs to know we won't eat her. Anyway, you were the first one to call her pet names and flirt. If I didn't know you are gay, I'd be asking myself questions."
"Which wouldn't be any of your business either. And anyway, there's a difference between me, and the whole team together."
She could almost feel Tony's grin.
"If she can't deal with us, she better leave now. You know that."
"Look Stark, she's a great girl-"
"Which is why she'll be fine. Relax, Barton, I've got this."
Clint snorted.
"You realize that's not a comfort in any way?"
Their footsteps faded away, and Darcy felt herself relax. That didn't stop the huge grin that bloomed on her face, and that stayed the entire ride to her place, with Steve and Bruce, laughing like the two sober men they were.
A/N: So here's the first part, hope you enjoyed it! The second should be up on Tuesday!