A/N So. It's been a while. I apologise for falling into a pattern of updating every two to three days and then suddenly. Nothing. Ok what I was hinting at with the past few chapters is that Tony does have SOME type of feels for Steve, but even though we can see it when we squint, Tony isn't really aware of his "true" feelings, excuse the cheese. Just to clarify that, because I know I can write about things and leave out some information or clarification even if it's in my head. And also people were asking. And if that does not clarify things, well, you can tell me off for not being a better writer, but then I probably won't give you chapter eleven :P

Many thanks to my beta reader, GotDance45, for editing the previous chapter and this chapter! I really appreciate your help! And I really appreciate everyone's reviews and thanks to gkpudding for pointing out that my author's notes are funny; I was really happy when I read that ^_^ By the way, Clintasha just keeps emerging in my stories. My story just flows that way.

Chapter Ten – Clint Should Have Kept His Mouth Shut

Phil informs Director Fury. This does not go down well.

It's an hour after the Avengers have returned and gone back to the Avenger's tower with Steve and Tony, so now it's only Agent Coulson and Nick Fury in Fury's office.

'Say that again, agent?' Nick Fury demands, otherwise relatively calm. Or maybe he just hasn't heard Phil right.

'Um, well,' Phil stalls, 'I accidentally overheard Agent Barton tell Agent Romanoff that Steve Rogers has a, um, "crush" on Tony Stark, here me out,' Phil says, as Nick Fury starts narrowing his one eye, 'and I swore not to tell, um, you unless it gets in the way of a mission and Tony and Steve missed a mission because they were eating dinner together. And although apparently it wasn't an actual date, I felt that you needed to know.' Phil finishes. Nick Fury regards Phil with a cool stare before saying, 'so the Captain America is in love with Iron Man?'

'Well, I don't think it's love. I'm not sure. I don't know much about it.' Phil babbles, obviously a bit uncomfortable with the topic.

'I don't believe that it was Steve's crush leading to him and Stark missing a mission. Stark was the one who planned it, and cut off all communications. And who knows, it might pass.' Nick says slowly. 'I'll have a word with Steve – or maybe with both of them – just to warn them that they can't let romantic relationships get in the way of the Avengers – if of course, they begin to have,' Fury grits his teeth a little, 'romantic relations.'

'Does that mean – does the same go for Agent Barton and Agent Romanoff?' Phil queries.

'I think I'll just keep leaving them be.' Nick Fury replies while Phil gives a small, knowing smile.

There has been continuous discussion regarding Clint and Natasha's relationship - nobody is really sure if the two are in love, or if one of them suffers an unrequited love, or if they just think of themselves as best friends. Of course, most people are too scared to ask Natasha or Clint about it, considering the fact that last time someone joked about them being together, the assassins were suspended for nearly killing the poor guy. So the lesson learned was – do not joke about Clint and Natasha being together and do not ask them about it because it is obviously a touchy subject for them.

With Natasha being the only female in the team Director Fury hasn't had to worry about relationships affecting the Avengers Initiative. But of course he never thought that one of the guys would turn around and like one of the others. Least of all Steve Rogers liking Tony Stark.

The Director heaves a sigh after he dismisses Phil from his office. Agent Coulson might have heard wrong – or maybe Agent Barton was just pulling his leg because Fury can't picture Captain America and Iron Man together, dating. Steve and Tony are complete opposites. But then again it's like they say; opposites attract.

xxXXXxx

'You did what now?' Clint stares, mouth open in shock, at Phil Coulson, who is standing in his room in the Avenger's tower with his hands clasped behind his back.

'I informed Director Fury about the probable reasons behind Tony and Steve missing your previous mission.' Phil repeats, ignoring the fact that it was a rhetorical question.

'But Phil! It was just Tony doing something nice for Steve because they are friends. It wasn't Steve making some romantic dinner for Tony because he likes him!' Clint protests.

'Well, it's up to Fury whether or not he decides talks to them. I don't think he will,' Phil shrugs, 'because it's more of a personal matter between Steve and Tony, but I just felt like I had to tell him. Better sooner than later.'

'Or never at all!' Clint slumps back into his wheelie computer chair, feeling defeated.

'Maybe the best thing to do is come clean to Steve and tell him the truth.' Phil suggests.

'Hmm, or I could talk to Tony about it.' Clint ponders.

'That is absolutely the worst thing to do.' Phil's eyes widen. 'Clint, you really should have kept your mouth shut in the first place.'

'I know, I know I am the worst friend. Well, we all live in the same tower, Steve's secret is going to come out eventually.' Just then, Natasha appears in the doorway.

'Are you talking about Steve?' Natasha asks after quickly scanning the hallway to make sure no one is around. She narrows her eyes suspiciously. 'What have you done, Clint?'

'It's not what I've done, it's what Phil's done!' Clint tells her in exasperation. Natasha's gaze flits to Phil.

'I informed –,'

'He told Fury about Steve's crush!' Clint jumps in. Natasha raises an eyebrow.

'What? Phil, why did you do that? Because they missed our last mission?'

'Yes, and I thought, what if something like that happens again, only it really is because of Steve's crush, and I thought if Director Fury knows now, he won't embarrass Steve during a debrief or in front of everyone at S.H.I.E.L.D.'

'I don't see how Steve's crush can get in the way of our Avenger responsibilities.' Natasha says.

'It's like they say, keep work and relations separate. Although, I can see how that would be hard, considering you all live together.' Phil tries to explain.

Neither Natasha nor Clint quiz Phil about why it seems like the Avengers aren't allowed to have exclusive relationships with each other, because they've understood from a young age that you should never get close to anyone because that could jeopardise everything – your mission, your cover, your life.

It took a while for the assassins to adapt to being an Avenger, partly because while they can work together and in teams, they usually prefer not to, and because they're so used to breaking rules and being the bad guys. Despite having the preference of not getting close to anyone, Natasha and Clint have formed a deep . . . a deep alliance, partnership, friendship. The term "bond" is too vague to sum up all the history and emotions and secrets between the two of them.

xxXXXxx

After Phil heads back to S.H.I.E.L.D – he seems to basically live there – Natasha hangs around Clint's room as they further discuss the whole situation, such as it is.

'Clint, you can keep secrets – as in, uber-secret government, military and spy secrets – and you'll refuse to spill them even after you've been threatened, bribed and tortured until near-death and yet as soon as you are sworn to secrecy about the fact that one certain male on this team likes another certain male on this team, you come running straight to me.' Natasha towers over Clint, who has never been more appreciative of the desk that separates him and Natasha's fury. She has her hands on the desk and she leans forward and says, 'explain the logic in that.'

'I really don't know, Nat, I . . . I really can't come up with any excuses or reasons.' Clint sighs.

'Well listen here, Barton,' Natasha hisses, 'Steve is a good man, the best man that you and I have ever known and can never match up to, so if Steve gets hurt because of you spreading his secret, so help me I will dangle you off this tower by your testicles!' Somehow, the threat sounds worse coming from Natasha then it does from Director Fury.

'So that's what you do when you're alone with Fury – you swap threats while normal people swap stories of the good ol' days.' Clint says rather cheekily.

Natasha is up and over the desk before he can even finish his sentence. She grabs him by the collar. In a voice laced with ice she hisses, 'do I make myself clear?'

'Yes, Nat.' Clint says seriously. Natasha releases him and hoists herself up onto Clint's desk and sits there. Clint decides against pointedly rubbing his neck, when he glances past Natasha and freezes. Neither of them had noticed Thor standing there – which is probably the first time Thor has ever gone unnoticed.

'What did you hear?' Natasha immediately asks, before even whipping around to see who it is. She knew someone had been standing there from the moment a look of guilt and shock passed over Clint's face. Oh. Thor. Damn.

'I heard enough to deduce that Steve has a "crush" on Tony.' Thor replies, not quite believing it. Natasha and Clint share a look of, 'oh crap' before Natasha pulls Thor into the room for a talk, the door quietly shutting behind them so as not to draw unwanted attention to Clint's room.

A/N So, let's see – Clint, Phil, Nick Fury, Natasha, Pepper, Bruce, Tony and Jarvis know about Steve's crush on Tony, and now it looks like Thor knows too. And Steve is only aware that Pepper and Clint know. Poor Steve. Things will go his way . . . soon. Sorry for more hints of Clintasha than Stony in this chapter. Or maybe you hardly noticed because you are so happy to finally have the chance to read chapter 10. Although this chapter comes with conditions:
REVIEW! . . . . . . Please.

Also sorry if the threat of hanging certain people by their . . . certain places off the Avengers tower is being a little over-used, but it's my favourite threat *pouts*