Welcome to another chapter! Once again, I don't own anything and this story contains yaoi. I feel like I must say this, if you don't like, don't read. I'm not forcing anyone to read something they don't like. To those who like the story, we shall continue!

Chapter 10

Steve couldn't help the sigh of relief as he sank don into the couch back at Avenger's Tower. The battle was hard on the remaining team members but it did get easier when Thor made his appearance. Their archer was still gone and there was no word on his well being. After the debrief, Tony was whisked the team away so they could hear Thor's news in private. Thor stood by the window, staring longingly out at the sky, and gently laying his hammer on the coffee table.

"What's the rush Point Break?" Tony asked, throwing himself onto the couch at the opposite end of Steve. "Are you that eager to leave us?

"I am not eager to leave you all," Thor admitted. "But I do wish to return."

"So, Clint is in danger?" Natasha snapped.

Thor snapped back to the group, glaring at her. "I would not leave him if I knew he was in harm's way." Steve, Tony, and Bruce glanced at each other, trying to back away from the heated exchange. The normally happy go lucky team member was glaring dangers at Natasha as if she had just offended him. "Even if I am not looking after him, Clint can take care of himself. It does help that my mother and Loki are also looking out for him."

"Loki!" Natasha screamed in anger, coming to her feet. "What in the world are you thinking letting Loki be near Clint?"

"My brother was under the control of the Chitauri," Thor stated. "Clint places no blame on him. Loki has seen to Clint's safety personally."

Natasha huffed in anger, folding her arms in front of her. "I'll believe it when I hear from Clint myself. When can we see him?"

"I am unsure," Thor admitted, sitting down with the team. "It would be unwise to go to Asgard without an invitation."

"You could invite us. No problem!" Tony said, trying to ease the tension.

Thor shook his head. "I may be the Prince of Asgard but an invitation would have to come from my father or mother."

"So we are forced to wait," Bruce said. "Is he well thought? I think that is the concern of everyone."

"Clint is well," Thor reassured.

"When do you think Clint will be able to return to us safely?" Steve asked.

"That all depends on the Council," Natasha answered. "As long as they want to arrest him, he'll be in danger."

"My mother does have two plans," Thor started. "She has grown fond of him and wants to protect him."

"What kind of plan?" Bruce asked, leaning forward.

"If her first plan fails, she plans on adopting Clint, making him a child of Asgard. I remember the rules of your realm correctly, Clint would gain the same protection as me unless war is desired," Thor said.

"HA! So he would become Clint Odinson!" Tony laughed.

"He would actually technically be Friggason. I doubt my father would be able to change her mind."

"Even better!"

"Tony," Steve said, glaring.

"Steve."

"What is the first plan?" Bruce asked, trying to turn the conversation back to Thor.

Thor blushed and looked away, back to the window. "I do not..."

"If you don't say," Natasha smirked.

Thor took another breath. "My mother wishes for him to be betrothed."

"Betrothed?" Tony interrupted, his smile growing. "She wants to marry him off?! That's hilarious! Whose the lucky lady?"

"I am."

Silence.

"What?"

"My mother wishes us to be married."

"Did Clint even agree to this?" Bruce asked. Thor nodded. "And yourself?" Another nod. "How did this even happen?"

"Clint's been in love with Thor for a while now," Natasha revealed. All heads snapped to her. "I've had to put up with his talk about Thor for too long now. When he went to New Mexico, Clint wouldn't stop talking about the blonde man who came in and practically took down all of Shield for a hammer. Since then, he was trying to figure out how to test the waters to see if Thor would be comfortable with that kind of attention and make sure team dynamics wouldn't be hurt."

"Alright," Steve said "If both of you agree to the marriage, why wouldn't it work?"

"On Asgard, the courting rituals require that both parties prove they are worthy of each other. Our match is difficult because of Clint's mortal status," Thor explained. "Since I am to be the future king, my people do have a say in my partner. If Asgard claims Clint is not worthy, my father will not bless the match."

"If you two were to marry anyway?" Natasha asked.

"Then I would risk banishment for both of us, which would put him in danger once more," Thor said. "Thus, the adoption as the back up plan."

"You know, I would think royalty would make sure children would be possible in a match," Tony interrupted.

"Our ways are different from Midgard."

"How do you continue the line then?" Tony asked.

"The King and Queen determine who will take their place," Thor said. "Ideally, they try to find a marriage but the best of Asgard is first. It is rare but not uncommon for the King and Queen to be married to someone else."

"You basically whoever the King chooses, will be King?" Natasha asked. "It doesn't have to be a man?"

"Gender does not concern us. The King is King. The Queen is Queen."

"Definitely one of those moments when you remember how advanced Asgard," Bruce admitted. "In the end, Clint is safe and happy, right?"

"To the best of my ability."

"Then Clint will need to remain in Asgard until either your marriage or his adoption," Steve announced.

Author's Note: Another chapter! More talking but hope you enjoyed it. Special thanks to ELOSHAZZY! I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Until next time!