A/N: Thank you lovely people for favoriting and following this story. I can't tell you how happy I am.

Disclaimer: Nope. Not mine.

Chapter four

Bedtime

"I'm gonna touch the butt!" Vali calls as he tears after Narfi.

Clint puts his head in his hands and mutters, "Of course, that would be the one thing that they incessantly quote, wouldn't it?"

Natasha smirks as she takes out the DVD and puts in another. "Okay, you two. Sit down. Why is it that Hela's the only one who can sit still?"

The twins run and jump back to their seats. Vali leans over and whispers something to his brother and Narfi explodes into laughter. Narfi says loudly, "Aww, you made me ink!"

Vali shakes his head, grinning. "Nuh uh. That wasn't an ink. That was a fart!"

Clint laughs, but Natasha says, "Okay, guys. Stop. Look, the movie's starting."

And starting it was. Vali and Narfi start dancing in their seats to the music in the beginning of Monster's Inc. Natasha smiles at the two and lets them dance. At least they're being quiet.

Hela's eyes are wide as she watches the first scene of the movie. Natasha pulls her into her lap again, saying softly, "It's alright. You don't have to be afraid."

The twins explode into laughter as the round, green monster sprays himself in the eye with disinfectant and screams in pain. Hela cracks a smile when Boo draws the picture of the huge blue and purple monster. Narfi and Vali look startled when Sulley roars in the simulation. Hela turns and hides her face in Natasha's chest, scared now. When the woman pounds Randal's head with the shovel, Narfi squeaks. It's an odd sound for him and it sets both he and his brother into fits of giggles. By the end of the movie, Hela has fallen asleep in Natasha's arms. Even her brothers look tired.

Clint stands and removes the movie from the DVD player and puts it back in the case. He looks up at the clock over the television and says in surprise, "It's almost nine! Loki's gonna have our skins if he finds out that we didn't put them to bed in time."

Natasha says matter-of-factly, "We'll just have to keep it a secret, then. What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

Clint smiles at her. He then says, "That's not setting a good example, Tasha."

The redhead only shrugs, looking like she couldn't care less. Hela shifts in her arms a little and Natasha looks up at Clint. "We need to get them to bed," she says softly.

Clint nods. He points out, "But they still need their baths."

Natasha bites her lip before saying, "I'll go ahead and give Hela a quick one. Then the boys can have theirs."

Clint nods and watches as his partner walks out of the room, carrying Hela. Once he hears the bathroom door close, he looks at Vali and Narfi. "Okay, guys. Help me get everything cleaned up real quick, okay?"

The boys nod sleepily and start to help Clint get the living room tidy again. They put the pillows back in place, turn the television back to its proper volume and channel, and fold all the blankets. When Natasha comes out with Hela, now awake, everything is back in order. She says, "Good job, guys. Now you boys have your baths."

Vali and Narfi nod and say simultaneously, "Yes ma'am."

They trudge up the stairs to their bedroom. They grab their sleep clothes and plod to their shared bathroom. Loki has made the bathroom perfect for his sons. There are two bathrooms pushed into one. There must be some sort of magic, though, because neither of the bathrooms is cramped in the slightest. Each bathroom has a bathtub with a shower head, a sink, and, of course, a toilet. Each bathroom is tailored to one of the boy's tastes. Vali's has deep greens and Narfi's, pale blues. The two bathrooms are separated by a wall with a door in the middle.

The boys bathe quickly and go back down to the living room, their dark hair still wet. Natasha can't help but notice that they look remarkably like their father. She asks if they are ready, and is answered by two slow, sleepy nods. The boys' eyelids seem heavy. Hela looks very tired, but she's trying to keep herself up.

Clint asks, "Do you guys want me to piggy back you up to your room?"

The boys look confused. "Piggy back?"

Clint stares at them, dumbfounded. These kids really have no childhood. He asks lamely, "Do you want me to or not?"

Vali and Narfi exchange a glance and then say together, "Sure."

Clint nods and says, "Alright, then. Come over here."

He crouches down in what looks like an odd position. Narfi gives Natasha a baffled look. She waves him on, but he doesn't move. Clint stands and turns around, looking a little miffed.

"Okay, now that I've looked like an idiot, it's time for you to get on. Now. Like right now. Stop staring at me that way and just get on my back."

"Clint, they don't know what to do. They obviously haven't ever heard of a piggy back ride."

All three children shake their heads. Clint sighs and explains how a piggy back ride works. Narfi's face lights up with every word. Vali still looks a little doubtful. Hela thinks it sounds fun.

"Can I try?" Her small voice is easily heard since the room is quiet. She sounds a little embarrassed, though. Like she's afraid that he won't want to give her a piggy back ride. She says quietly, "Never mind."

Clint asks gently, "You don't want to anymore?"

Hela looks at him for a moment before asking, "You don't mind?"

Clint smiles. "Of course not. Nat, can you put her on?"

Natasha nods, smiling. She places Hela on Clint's back and he puts his arms around the girl's legs. He then starts walking up the steps, Natasha following with her hand on Hela to keep her up. Hela grins the whole way up. Her brothers watch, wondering if it's really that fun.

When Clint comes back down, Narfi volunteers to go next. He jumps up onto the archer's back without any problems. Natasha walks along behind him, as well. Not to hold him up, but just to make sure that he doesn't tip too far backward. She has faith in the little boy's strength, but knows that Loki will have one of his throwing knives aimed at her throat if she lets anything happen to his kids.

Clint sets Narfi on the floor in his room and watches as he scrambles up onto the top bunk of the black bed that the twins share. He then goes back down the stairs to the living room, where Vali waits for him. The second boy eyes Clint warily. He asks, "Are you sure this is safe?"

Clint nearly laughs, but he realizes quickly that Vali is seriously worried about the safety of the piggy back ride. He answers gently, "Yes. I'm certain. This is perfectly safe. Neither Hela nor Narfi got hurt. What makes you think it'll be more dangerous for you?"

Vali shrugs. Clint smiles and turns, saying, "Then get on. I promise you'll be fine."

Vali hops up onto his back. His thin arms are wrapped tightly around Clint's neck like a snake might curl around its prey. Clint finds it hard to believe how thin and frail Loki's son feels. He's worried that the boy might not eat enough. He recalls that Vali hadn't eaten very much at dinner. This makes him worry even more. He makes a mental note to ask Loki about it when he gets back.

Clint makes his way up the stairs for the third time. He and Natasha stand in the boys' room awkwardly. Narfi speaks up, "You gonna tuck us in or are you just gonna stand there?"

The two agents glance at each other before moving over to the bed. Clint climbs up the ladder to the bunk bed and takes care of Narfi while Natasha handles Vali. When they're done, the walk out of the room. They just hear Vali and Narfi's quiet call of, "Goodnight."

Clint pulls the door shut, listening for the click of the doorknob. He then turns to Natasha and bursts into tears. The redhead is surprised, but pulls her partner into her arms. She gently leads him down to the couch and rubs his back as he cries into her.

A/N: So, that's that. The fourth chapter. I know it's a bit short, but it's all I could squeeze out. I hope it wasn't too bad.

As always, please review. I love seeing all the faves and follows, but reviews are what makes me really happy. I want to know why you like it, not just that you like it. If there's anything you don't like, tell me that, too. Just please be polite about it.