Entry #21: Manhattan (or, "Sleepover")

Thor was more than happy to greet each Avenger with their own personal bear hug (much to Clint's chagrin) but when he was finished, he took a second look around the living room. "AND WHERE IS MY BROTHER? I WAS TOLD I COULD FIND HIM HERE!"

Natasha pointed wordlessly at the couch.

"LOKI?"

Thor bent all the way over, until his head was almost touching the floor, and then let out a pleased exclamation: "BROTHER! WHATEVER ARE YOU DOING BENEATH THAT CHAIR?"

Loki glared at Thor and slowly slithered out from under his couch. "That's none of your business."

The taller, blonder demigod brushed off this curt response and gathered his sadistic little brother up in his arms in yet another Thor-worthy hug. Loki's eyeballs looked ready to pop out of their sockets, and he let out one wheezing gasp for air. When he was finally let go, Loki stumbled backwards and collapsed on the couch, panting heavily.

Thor then turned back to Clint—the master of this particular house (at least he used to be)—and said quite jovially, "CLINT! YOU DON'T HAPPEN TO HAVE ANY POPTARTS, DO YOU? I'M FAMISHED!"

Clint groaned. "Sure, sure, just go to the kitchen. Decimate my pantry. Clean out my fridge."

His sarcasm was completely lost on the larger-than-life demigod. "RIGHT AWAY, MY GOOD FRIEND! A THOUSAND THANKS!" And Thor stomped away to the pantry.

The silence that filled the room after he left was palpable.

Then Clint brought up a very serious question, and it was probably one he did not want to know the answer to: "You're not… all… spending the night here, are you?"

The Avengers all looked at each other and shrugged.

"Well?" demanded Clint.

"I am," said Natasha.

Tony smirked. "Well, if you could set me up with a bed, I'll stay."

"There are no more beds. Unless you want mine, and I'll sleep on the floor," grumbled Clint.

"Sure. I could go for that," Tony said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"I was hoping you'd say no…"

"I suppose I can handle a sleeping bag for one night," Bruce contributed. "That is, if you don't mind."

"Oh no, not at all…"

"Thor will probably be staying, too, then," Natasha reminded Clint.

Clint winced. "Yes, of course…"

Steve grinned. "I guess it would be nothing short of disloyal to desert you all," he surmised.

"Nothing short of it…"

Loki immediately attempted to console Clint by saying, in a very sad, doleful tone of voice, "Well, if there's no room, I suppose I should leave now."

"Nice try."

All the Avengers have finally arrived - Review for more of Clint and Company! ;)

~Alassiel