Clint returns to the tower, still feeling guilty about Steve, but luckily he has his mind taken off it quickly as the meeting has started without him, Nick glares as Clint sits down. "Where the fuck has you been?"

Clint rubs the back of his neck and sits back in his chair "I uh... I had something to do. Sorry about that."

Fury still glares, Steve tries to shatter the moment and subtly passes him a copy of the mission brief. "Well I'm sorry was my meeting interrupting you?" Fury snaps.

Clint whispers to himself 'A little bit, yes.' He takes the copy from Steve and shakes his head. "No, sir."

"Good. Now back to business, we've learnt that these Peruvians are obviously up to something which is probably bad, and we know they will have tightened security, but as far as we know we are not compromised."

"Do we have to go back or will we just leave them...?" Clint asks with a confused look.

"We're taking satellite scan now, if we find weapons where you were posted then you'll have to go back, we need to find out their intent."

"Do I... Get to go back alone if we have to go back?" Clint asks and tries not to glance at Steve.

Steve looks away and Nick sighs. "I don't know, depends how serious the situation is, most likely... yes" He says dubiously. Clint grins widely and nods, Fury rolls his eye. "When you've quite finished getting over yourself..."

Clint clears his throat and hides his grin. "Anyway... What are we supposed to do now?"

"For now we wait until the scans come back, there'll be a brief in a week, until then there's not a lot we can do."

Clint nods and looks at the mission brief before running a hand through his hair. "Are we done?"

Nick sighs. "Yes. Dismissed." Clint grabs the file and makes his way to the door; Steve following him out nervously, Fury sighs and sits. "Sometimes I think he's too stubborn for his own good..."

Clint goes to his room, throws the file on the floor and falls on the bed, immediately dozing off and hoping no one would wake him up.

Meanwhile in Asgard, Odin is sitting in bed with his wife, eating toast, chewing an idea he'd had for a while. He turns to his wife "have you ever seen Loki with a girl?"

Frigga shakes her head. "No... Why do you ask?"

"Well I mean I've seen Thor with some girls... maybe that's why Loki's been so upset lately, maybe it's time he got married."

"Oh... But don't you think he's too young for marriage?"

"Not really, I mean all the other lords are sending off their girls as early as possible, there won't be any left." Odin chuckles at his own joke.

Frigga sighs. "Well... Talk to him first, maybe he doesn't need a woman, But you are the one who makes the decisions."

"That's true; perhaps I should go and talk to him..." Odin ponders.

"You should." She nods in agreement.

Odin Stands up and kisses his wife's forehead "I shall return soon." Frigga nods again with a soft smile as Odin leaves the room and goes down to where the brothers are. "Good morning boys."

"Good morning, father." both Thor and Loki stand up.

"Sit, sit." He sits with them. "Loki, I've been thinking..."

"Yes?" Loki says with a confused look.

"All the main lords and ladies are preparing their daughters; I was thinking it would be time for you to marry."

Loki gasps and Thor starts chuckling. "But... No... I don't want to. I'm not ready to get married."

"Sure you are" Odin pats him on the back. "Fine boy like you, any suitor would be lucky to have you! You are a prince after all, and every king needs a queen."

"Yes but... I don't... I'm not... I'm not ready for it... I'm not prepared..."

"Thor can help you there, he knows the ceremonies, even though he insists on seeing a mortal." Odin sighs. "But another time, another matter, I'll spread the word immediately!"

"No, no, no... I don't want to... Please." Loki gulps.

"Why on Asgard not?" he chuckles. "Surely you are not nervous of women!?"

"I uhm... I... I am nervous of women.. And I'm too young..."

"There is nothing to fear the trick with women is-"

"Father, it's o.k. I'll tell him this stuff" Thor interrupts.

"Yes, yes I suppose so... too young?! Don't be silly! All the other lads your age are doing it, why there won't be any girls left!" He chuckles again.

"I don't want to get married right now... Perhaps in a few years..."

"A few years!? Tell me Midgard has not made you abandon all your regal duties!? In a few years you may be king!"

Loki sighs "I need time to think about it..." he sighs heavily again.

"Fine, fine, this is a good thing Loki." Odin pats him on the back and stands "We shall talk more later."

Loki nods and buries his face in his hands, Odin leaves, a smile on his face as Loki looks to Thor. "We have to stop him doing this." Thor nods in agreement, thinking of something to say. "He- he's not serious, you don't think he'll make me- I-" Loki breaks off.

Thor rests a hand on his shoulder. "I think I have an idea..."

"Yeah?" Loki looks over to him eagerly.

"Maybe you should get a lady... Or maybe you should leave Clint and try to be with a lady..."

"WHAT?! I couldn't do that!" Loki looks aghast.

"I said try!" He huffs.

"No, I can't- you know what I'm like when Clint leaves for a week, I couldn't - no! Besides do you know what happens on a- a-?" Loki hisses and spits the word 'honeymoon.'

"All I'm saying is maybe you should try and get a lady, maybe you'll like it. You've never tried it before."

"I don't want a woman!" he moans "I just want Clint!"

"I know you don't want, but try, maybe father will forget about it."

"Maybe." Loki sniffs a little. "What would I do? I don't know the first thing about women!"

"I'll teach you, but you need to tell Clint."

"But- You don't want me to just leave him?!"

"Just tell him about what he said and tell him you need some space."

"I- I don't know if I can. I- I don't know."

"I'm pretty sure he'll understand." Thor pats his back.

Loki leans into his brother and sighs. "He's coming over tomorrow." He says in small voice. "I'll tell him then."

Thor nods. "Okay, good."

Loki sighs and stands "I'll be in my room." He heads out of the living room as Thor nods and lies back, Loki goes to his room and lies face down on the bed, crying quietly.

Clint is asleep in the tower when someone knocks on the door, he wakes but he doesn't bother to open it.

Another knock. "Clint? You gonna open the door?" Tony says.

"No!" Clint yells sleepily.

"Real mature. What's up?"

Clint opens the door, looking sleepy and annoyed, eyes half open and hair messy. "What do you want, Tony? I was asleep, in case you didn't realise!"

Tony is obviously a little drunk. "Just came over to say 'hi'! There was something..."

Clint sighs heavily. "Great, drunk Tony. Come on; let me get you to your room."

"Dude, I'm fine!" Tony stops leaning on door and falls flat on his face.

Clint groans. "Well, it's three in the morning and that was loud." He leans over and throws Tony over his shoulder.

Tony smirks. "I am loud, it's a gift."

"Shut up, Tony. You're gonna wake Steve up." He sighs and starts walking to the elevator."

"HELLLOOOO? CAPSICLE?! Nah, he's asleep."

"Shut up, Tony!" Clint whispers harshly.

"Make me Katniss." Tony grins.

Clint sighs and gets in the elevator. "Goddamit, Tony."

"What? You pissed off at me as well?"

"What do you mean?"

Tony counts the names on his fingers. "You're pissed off at Fury, Steve, Natasha, and now me; you got more anger issues than Bruce!"

"Oh shut up, you have no idea what's going on." Clint huffs and steps out of the elevator, still carrying Tony over his shoulder.

"So tell me Legolas!"

Clint walks into Tony's room. "Tony, you're drunk and you need to sleep".

"No, I don't, you're grumpy and you need to talk."

"No, Tony." He sits Tony on the bed.

"Awww, please?" Tony tries puppy dog eyes.

"Shhh. Go to bed." Clint helps Tony take off his shoes.

"No!" He says like a three year old. "Talk to me Barton."

"Fine as long as you're gonna fall asleep." He pulls off Tony's shirt and tries, in vain, to get Tony's pyjama shirt on him.

"I will, pinkie swear!" He shuffles to get comfy.

Clint groans, ignores him and sits next to the drunk man. "Fine, I cheated on the person I love and fucked up. Big time."

"Wait. Steve? Seriously?"

"No! I didn't cheat on Steve! I cheated with Steve!" Clint groans again.

"Riiiiiight that I can kinda-" Tony gets detracted by something. "Hey, your hair looks kinda cute." He slurs.

"Thanks now go to sleep." He tries to push Tony back.

"No." Tony says stubbornly. "I am not sleepy."

"Tony, come on! I told you everything now go to sleep!"

"Not everything." Tony waggles his eyebrows. "Besides, you didn't pinke

swear, drink?" He tries to get up.

"No, thanks." He lies next to Tony, keeping him down.

Tony pulls him into his arms for a hug. "Mmmmm... you're cosy."

Clint groans and rolls his eyes. "Okay, okay."

Tony giggles. "Warning; I get very huggy when I'm tipsy."

"It's obvious and I need to sleep, so don't make me punch you." Clint pulls away.

Tony pouts. "I just wanted a hug, why are you so mean Baton?"

"Because I was born mean." He walks to the door and turns off the lights.

"Cliiiiiiinnnntttttt..." Tony whines.

"Shhhh. Go to sleep, Tony." He sighs.

"I want someone to hug! CAAAAAAAAAAANNNN ANYBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDD DDDDDDDDYYYYY FIIIIINNNND MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SOOOOMEBBOODDDY TOOOOOO HUUUUUUUGG?!" Tony sings badly.

Clint groans. "Fine!" He lies back next to him. "I'll hug you until you fall asleep." Clint pulls Tony in for a hug.

Tony hugs Clint tightly. "Damn birdy you're comfy."

"Oh shut up." Clint closes his eyes, chuckling.

Tony rests his head into the nape of Clint's neck, interlocking their legs. "Much better."

"You better sleep." Clint mumbles.

"Maybe..." Tony pulls him closer, if that's possible. "What's my reward?"

"Not punching you in the face."

"Mmmm... I could totally be into that." Tony sniggers and whispers in his ear.

"Oh god, I can't believe I was done with Steve and now it's you." He sighs.

"I get that a lot." He nibbles softly on Clint's ear.

"Tony!" Clint shuffles away uncomfortably.

Tony grips him tightly. "You're not going anywhere, besides, you said you'd stay."

"I never said that!" Clint sighs.

"Did too." He whispers in Clint's ear and makes his voice low and gravely. "'I'll hug you till you fall asleep.' Last time I checked I was the opposite of asleep."

"Tony, seriously. I have a boyfriend."

"And you had Steve too. He sniggers.

"Yes but I don't want him or you." Clint sighs heavily.

"Oh really? Haven't put up much of a fight so far." Tony allows a hand to wonder a little.

Clint grabs Tony's hand. "No, Tony. I'm not letting it happen again."

Tony pouts slightly. "But I'm druuunk, I won't remember..."

"I will remember and I don't want to do this so stop or I'll just leave you here; drunk and looking like a mess!" Clint says defensively.

"I do not look like a mess, I look mighty damn fine."

"Yeah right!" Clint sorts.

"I do. Tip: I'm used to getting what I want." He smirks.

"Yeah well you're not getting me." Clint stands up and takes a few steps away from the bed.

Tony lies back on the bed, looking very casual. "Nothing to be afraid of, Legolas."

"Go to sleep, Tony." Clint sighs and goes to the door.

"Don't leave me Clint, you wouldn't do that..."

"Yes I would, Tony." Clint leaves the room and instead of going back to his

bed he sits against the door to make sure Tony falls asleep.

Tony stands up and goes to the phone. "Whatever, I'll call Pepper."

Clint sighs and rests his head on the door. "Yeah well, maybe Pepper can help you without being turned on." He whispers to himself.

Tony rings Pepper's number. "Hey Pepper, Clint won't do me and I'm drunk, come over? Hello? Pepper? Rude." Tony puts phone down. Clint tries not to laugh and shakes his head. "Cliiiiiinnnnnnntttttt..." Tony calls in a small whiney voice. Clint ignores him and waits for him to sleep. "Cliiiiiinnnnnntttttt..."

Clint sighs and walks back into the room. "Tonyyyyyyy."

"I wanna snuggle." Tony is sitting on the floor looking like a kicked puppy.

Clint extends his hand. "Okay, fine. But no sex. Or kissing."

Tony scowls. "Not even one kiss?"

"Nope!" Clint shakes his head.

"Pretty please?" Tony blinks up at him.

"No!"

"Fine!" Tony pulls him onto the floor and snuggles there instead. Clint sighs and lets him snuggle up to him. Tony holds him close, hand running through his hair. "Your hair's reallllly soft..."

"Okay, Tony. Just sleep."

"But I'm not sleepy..."

"I don't care." Everything goes quiet and Clint closes his eyes, waiting for Tony to sleep.

Tony tucks his head into Clint's neck, breathing becoming regular. Clint ignores Tony and keeps his eyes closed. "You know..." Tony says softly. "...Steve is a lucky guy." He says onto Clint's neck.

"And why is that?"

"Because..." He presses lips to Clint's neck. "You are cosy."

Clint takes a deep breath. "Tony... Stop it."

"I'm not doing anything." his lips are still on Clint's neck.

"Yes you are, you're pressing your lips against my neck. Stop it."

"Why, don't you like it?" Tony doesn't stop.

"Yeah Tony, I don't like it." Clint sighs.

"What do you like?" Tony moves his mouth, sounding genuinely interested. "I've done some crazy stuff, what does birdy boy like?"

"Tony, if you don't stop. I'll just go, for real this time. I'm serious."

Tony pouts. "Aww come on, no one'll know, not even me, I'll have JARVIS delete the footage."

"No, Tony. No!" Clint snaps and pulls away.

Tony pouts again, sitting up. "I can't even get Pepper, what am I supposed to do?"

"Go to a bar and get a hot chick. I need to sleep cause I have work tomorrow." Clint stands up.

"So? You've done this before Clint, you're a big boy, can't handle being a little sleepy?"

"Tony, I don't want to have sex with you, alright? Why can't you get it? Why are people into me when I've got a boyfriend?"

Tony shrugs. "Meh, I can see the appeal. Newsflash, when I get drunk I get laid."

"Newsflash buddy, you don't get laid with me."

"Why not?" Tony huffs.

"Because I don't want to!" Clint sighs and walks out of the room.

Tony stands and gets the phone, ringing Pepper again... "Don't hang up! I

need to ask something. What was that maid's name again?"

Clint heads back to his room and groans, not bothering to change, before throwing himself back onto his bed, hugging the pillows and falling asleep again. But after only a few hours, Clint wakes up from a nightmare, so he goes for a walk around the complex, stopping to grab something to eat before returning to his room, accidentally slamming the door loudly with his foot. Meanwhile Tony has been to a bar, met a girl and gotten laid, so he was on his way back to his room when he hears the noise, he pauses before leaning back slowly. "Should I..."

Clint sits on his bed, watching a movie and eating ice cream, hoping no one, especially Tony, would interrupt him.

Tony knocks on Clint's door. "Hey lover boy!" Clint groans and ignores him so Tony continues. "Just FYI, I'm cool now, met a real nice girl and yeah, so, ha-ha, proved you wrong!" Steve walks out, confused by the noise.

"What the hell Tony? It's five AM!"

Clint hears Steve's voice and gets up, opening the door. "Okay, Tony. Go get laid with that girl."

"Been there, done that." Tony grins.

"Okay, go to your room! I'm not having sex with you!" Clint says, trying not to look at Steve.

Steve turns a little red as tony jerks his thumb at him. "Bet you'd say yes to Capsicle over here."

Clint chuckles, still not meeting Steve's eyes. "No, not even him." He says more harshly than he meant to.

Tony shrugs, holding up his fingers in a 'w'. "Whatever, I'll leave you two lovers to it!" He staggers off in the direction of his room.

Clint groans, watching Tony walk away as Steve looks over to Clint, slightly panicked. "I swear I did not tell him!"

Clint shrugs. "It doesn't matter, sorry for waking you up." He goes back into his room, trying not to slam the door.

"Good night." Steve adds as the door shuts, going back in his own room as Clint sits down to watch T.V. and eat ice cream.

In the morning Tony is rubbing his head as he walks into the cafeteria, he spots Clint and walks over, looking worried, Clint chuckles when he sees Tony. "Hey man, about last night, what happened? I remember you were there..."

Clint is still chuckling. "Uh yeah... You should probably watch the tape. Cause you kept molesting me." Clint raises an eyebrow, and continues chuckling.

Tony shrugs. "Yeah when I'm drunk I grope anything that moves, so sorry about that, nothing personal."

"Yeah, yeah don't worry about it." Clint smiles.

Tony beams back. "Anyways I'm paying for breakfast so..." He punches Clint's arm.

"No that's fine, really." Clint chuckles again.

"I insist."He pushes Clint to the queue. "What're you having?"

"Uh... I'll have what you're having." He rubs the back of his neck.

"Excellent choice." Tony gets bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns and beans for both of them. "Have the works."

"Okay... Thanks..." Clint grins and takes his food.

"No problemo Legolas." Tony grins back and leads Clint to a free table.

"So, what happened to the girl who got you laid?"

"Umm... She took my bowtie, like they always do, I dry cleaned her clothes and put her in a car to send her home, well, Pepper sent her home."

Clint laughs and nods. "I see..."

Tony shrugs. "Easiest way to do things."

"Yeah, I'm sure it is."

"I know that from experience" Tony smirks.

Clint raises an eyebrow. "Well... I have to go talk to Fury... See you around?" He stands up.

"Yep, see you laters birdy boy!"

Clint rolls his eyes and goes to Fury's office where Fury is doing yet more paperwork, meaning Clint has the courtesy to knock before entering. "Hey boss!"

"Barton? Come in, sit down."

Clint sits on the chair opposite Fury's desk. "So... What happened?"

"Well we've looked at the scans, definitely something fishy going on, we're gonna need you, Steve and Natasha over there."

Clint pouts. "But... You said I was going alone!"

"That was before, this is big Barton, you couldn't- well the council say you can't handle it alone."

Clint sighs. "Fine!"

"So we need you outta here in a week."

"How long will it take?" Clint asks, confused.

"Depends, one month maybe two."

"No no no no no! But! No!"

"No buts' agent Barton, this is your job!"

Clint sighs heavily. "Fine!"

Fury looks at him curiously. "Do you want to work here?"

"Yes, fine, fine. When are we leaving?"

"Next Monday, 5:00 AM."

"Fine." Clint stands up. "Anything else?"

"Nope, just don't forget to pack lots of arrows."

"Okay..." Clint turns on his heel and walks smartly out of the office.

Fury sighs again. "Why do I feel like I get older every time I see him?"

Later that evening and back on Asgard, Loki was pacing, unsure of what to do, he was nervous and it showed, and he kept glancing at the clock. "I don't know if I can do this Thor..."

"Yes you can!" Thor says and goes to his room as he hears Clint knock on the front door. Loki jumps, resolve crumbling as he opens it.

"Hey!" Clint smiles and gives him a peck on the lips. Loki doesn't say anything but pulls Clint in for a tight hug. Clint immediately notices something is wrong. "Loki? What's wrong?"

Loki shakes his head softly and clings tighter. "Please don't ask."

"Too late." Clint grins and leads him to the couch. Loki doesn't smile and allows himself to be pulled, looking at his feet. Clint takes a deep breath. "So... Tell me."

Loki sighs, blinking back tears and he looks into Clint's eyes. "We need- I need... some space, some time off." Loki's lip is wobbling as he looks away.

Clint looks confused, deep pangs of guilt forming in his stomach. "W-what? Why? What happened?"

Loki looks down at his feet. "I- I- I'm getting married."

"W-w-what?!" Clint snaps.

Loki flinches away. "My father has decided I'm old enough, and it's my duty as a prince." He's almost crying by the end of the simple sentence.

Clint sighs and nods. "Okay... Fine". He decides not to tell Loki about the mission.

Loki looks at the floor. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I understand."

"Do you?" Loki looks to Clint.

"It's fine... Loki, maybe we do need some space. You're gonna be with someone else and I'm gonna see someone else as well..."

"W-what?" Loki blinks at him.

"Yeah... You deserve someone better."

"No. I don't, I really don't" Loki whimpers softly.

"Yes, Loki you do. It's okay, you can see someone else."

Loki can't stop himself from crying as he nods. I don't want someone else.

Clint pulls him for a hug. "It's okay..." Loki hugs him tightly as though if he grips him hard enough Clint won't have to leave. "Don't cry, it's gonna be alright." Clint whispers. Loki shakes his head softly and doesn't move, Clint can't bear it any more so he pulls away and kisses Loki's forehead, it takes Loki a moment to let go of Clint, but eventually he pulls back, looking once again at his feet. "I'll see you soon, okay?" Clint says as he stands up. Loki nods again, wiping his eyes, not wanting Clint to go.

Clint holds back his tears leaves quickly, shutting the door quietly. Upon hearing the sound the spell that kept Loki on his feet snapped and he crumpled to the floor, He curls up in a little ball and cries.

Man, I really didn't want to upload this chapter today, what with Doctor Who and everything, so this has come a little extra painfully for me, so I'm sorry about that, but I figure you can not read if you want to, I'm also really sorry about this, but just think I've had to wait three weeks longer than you lot, there's gonna be about a month's hiatus, 'cos my writing partner is on vacation, so I need more notes before I can make more chapters :/. Sorry. I will be uploading various other surprises I have in store though, so keep an eye out, mission briefs is one thing I can confirm will be coming out ;) So hold on, this is harder on me than you :(.

P.s. The chapter name, well I do not like this chapter and it took me ages to write cos I'd start crying so it became known as 'the bastard chapter' and then I couldn't think up another name, so...