Chapter Two:

Birds of a Feather

Clint yawned as he dropped from the vents of the tower, straight into the kitchen. It was still rather early in the morning, so he knew most of his team wouldn't be up yet. That was the entire reason he enjoyed being up so early in the first place though. Aside from Stark and Natasha, usually everyone else slept until at least eight or nine and it allowed him plenty of time to wake up and set his mood to deal with people, because contrary to popular belief, he wasn't honestly a morning person.

The sound of snores reached his ears and curious about who had fallen asleep in the living room, he moved towards the couch, trying to be as quiet as a church mouse. He couldn't help the smile that stretched across his face when he noticed Toni laying there, the blanket that had no doubt once covered her laid on the floor having been kicked off. She rolled and muttered in her sleep as drool slipped from her mouth.

"Where is a camera when I need one…" he whispered, grinning like a mad man. Maybe he could work with this.

Slipping back into the kitchen, he searched the fridge before he found a spray bottle of cool whip. Smirking, he grabbed it and shook it, heading back over to the couch where she still laid fast asleep. Clint didn't doubt that Toni hadn't been asleep long and granted, she probably needed all she could get, nightmare free, but this was far too good a chance to pass up. It wasn't often that the rude, reckless, and devious Toni Stark was at his mercy.

Holding the can tightly with his right hand, he gently sprayed a glob into her left hand that hung loosely over the side of the couch. Snickering, he backed up, placing the can down before he grabbed one of his older arrows. Now days, Toni had made him a lot of technically advanced ones, but he still liked the feel of the older ones that were made of feathers and iron.

Taking the end of it that was feathery, he brushed it over her nose, tickling her. Toni frowned in her sleep, smacking at her nose with her right hand. Clint, determined, tried it again. He smiled as she lifted her left hand and swept at her face. A large amount of the cool whip spread across her nose and mouth and Clint couldn't help but cheer.

"Success!" he yelled as he watched her bolt up, sputtering.

She turned, wiping the mess back into her hand as she glared at Clint. If looks could kill, he would have been dead twice over with the one she gave him.

"What the heck!" she yelled.

Clint just laughed harder when he noticed the mess across her face. Toni glared at him before a devilish smile crossed her features. Clint didn't notice it. Stepping forward as though she were going to go wash off, she diverted direction and rushed towards him, her hand outstretched. Clint only got a moment's warning before the glob was stuffed into his face, smearing into his hair. Toni laughed as she tackled him, jumping onto his back as he attempted to get her off without hurting her.

The two were so busy wrestling around, they hadn't noticed the small audience that had formed in the doorways to watch. Natasha walked in, smirking as she watched Toni get another lucky shot in, covering Clint's nose in the stuff. Clint for his part was fighting back, but he was having a hard time reaching Toni who was on his back and doing a fair job of dodging his many attempts. He could easily throw her off, but the last thing he wanted was their playful fight to end with her getting injured because he had gotten impatient.

"Nat!" he yelled, noticing them, "help me!"

Natasha just shoot her head.

"This is all on you Clint."

"Gee, thanks partner", he spat, though his eyes were still smiling as Toni laughed above him.

Bruce who stood just a little behind Natasha couldn't help worry that something was going to go wrong with their little rough housing, but he wasn't the one to stop it. Instead, Steve Rogers, their team leader and all around American Icon stormed in.

"What the heck is going on in here!" he yelled.

Clint and Toni both froze, staring at the Captain.

"If I may sir, Ms. Stark and Agent Barton were merely playing a game", came Jarvis' calm voice, trying to reason the situation.

Steve ignored the AI as he stared at his two teammates. Honestly, he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips seeing their cool whip covered faces, but he maintained discipline, waiting for an answer.

Toni slipped off of Clint's back, standing ramrod straight as Clint sighed, wiping his hair off.

"Nothing Steve, just playing around."

"His fault", Toni stated pointing at Clint.

Clint just sent her a look, clearly meaning "traitor", before he turned to Natasha and grinned.

"I may need a shower. Care to help?"

Nat kept a straight face, but her eyes took on a feisty look. The others just stared in surprise as the two assassins vanished upstairs.

Awkward silence seemed to surround the three the longer they stood there.

"So…did you sleep well Toni?" Bruce asked pushing past the Captain.

"Yeah, I did", Toni answered, yawning, "Until Clint decided to do…this" she said indicated the whip cream all over her face and hair.

Bruce just laughed. "Why am I not surprised. You two are always trying to one up each other."

"Well you know", Toni laughed, "Birds of a feather flock together."

"Yeah", Bruce snorted, "not sure I ever want to join that flock."

"Hey!" Toni shouted slapping Bruce across the shoulder.

Bruce winced, but smiled as she scowled at him playfully. Steve cleared his throat, stepping further into the room gaining their attention.

"Shouldn't you be…washing up?" he asked her, looking over the mess that now coated her.

Toni smirked.

"Why? Want to help me Cap?" she asked, leaning suggestively towards him.

Steve's face went beet red as he backed up a step, stuttering. "I…you…no…that would be…"

Toni just laughed.

"Sorry Capsicle, didn't mean to scare you. I was just joking, calm down."

She strutted past him and out of the kitchen without looking back. Both men watched her go, before they glanced at one another.

"She can be a handful", Steve whispered out with a sigh.

Bruce just smiled.

"She can be, but…she means well most of the time."

"Yeah, most of the time" Steve snorted.

Bruce watched him for a moment, noting the deep redness of his cheeks and let's not forget his enlarged pupils. The sight made Bruce's smile widen.

"You know Cap, if you like her, all you have to do is tell her."

Steve who had just been taking a drink of some coffee he poured, nearly choked and spit it out at that statement.

"I don't…"

"Your body doesn't lie Steve", Bruce stated as he turned back to getting himself some food, "Just don't forget this is Toni Stark we are talking about. She is the embodiment of self-loathing. You will have to convince her that you really mean it before it can ever become serious."

"I don't know what you're talking about" Steve stated, having regained himself, but Bruce just shook his head. "Right Cap", he stated before walking away.

Steve watched him go before sighing to himself. Just what did he feel about Toni?

When Steve and Toni had first met, they had been anything but friends. In fact, Steve could say without doubt that he hated her when he first met her. She had been pompous, arrogant, selfish, undisciplined, and completely beyond hope…or at least, that was what Steve had thought. When he really took the time to talk to her and get to know her, he found out she was more than he thought she was. She was a lot more than anyone thought.

He had once preached at her, saying if they took the suit, what would she been then? She had replied with the snarky response, "genius, billionaire, beauty queen, and philanthropist." Now he knew better. It helped to be living in the same house as she and their other teammates were living in. It allowed him to see the things he wouldn't have normally seen. Such things as Toni working all night long on an upgrade for one of the Avengers. Toni fretting over the members of the team when they needed something. Toni waking from nightmares that plagued her. Toni smiling and laughing with Clint and the others. Toni caring and watching from the shadows.

He had seen so many sides of Toni since he first met her, that he didn't doubt he could fill an entire book on just her and her many personality traits. She was brilliant, beautiful, arrogant, snarky, reckless, and brave, but she was also the only person who made his heart go crazy every time he saw her, day or night. She was the only one who seemed to see him as Steve Rogers rather Captain America, leader of the Avengers.

"Just what am I going to do…" he whispered out in frustration.

"How about get another cup of coffee?" Toni asked walking in.

Steve jumped, startled by her sudden appearance. He froze though when he noticed her standing there in nothing but a red robe tied around her body and a towel over her head. He knew he was staring, but he couldn't stop himself as she started towards him, smiling as though she knew exactly how crazed she made him. Perhaps she did… he thought, but decided she didn't. She couldn't know, because if she did…he didn't know what to do.

"Earth to Cap?" she called, concern etched into her face, "you alright?"

"Hmm…yeah", he replied backing up when he noticed she was literally right in front of him.

Toni smirked, but hid it as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She knew the robe would be a bit much, but none of the others cared what they wore around the house, so why should she? Sides, she knew it would be worth it, if just to see Steve go insane as his face became as red as her robe.

"Did…did you take a shower?" he asked.

"I did", she nodded, "I told you, you could come help."

Steve snapped his mouth shut, staring at her. Toni just smiled before he looked away. She frowned.

"Good, you look better. Why don't you go get changed? I think the team wanted to do some training sessions this afternoon if we don't get a call."

Toni sighed when he refused to look at her again. Nodding, she started to walk away.

"Toni", Steve called to her.

Toni stopped and turned, raising an eyebrow with curiosity. He stared at her, his eyes taking in her appearance in an obvious manner that made her self-conscious as she wrapped the robe a bit more tightly around herself.

"You really are…" he stopped as an explosion interrupted him.

"Jarvis, what was that?" Toni called.

"I am afraid Agent Barton and Agent Romanoff have gotten a bit…destructive in their play. Shall I call the repair company?"

Toni sighed, but smiled.

"Nah. Let them have their fun. After they finish, then call the repair company."

"Yes Ma'am", Jarvis replied.

Toni turned to look back at Steve, but the Captain was gone. Frustrated that she had lost the chance to hear his true thoughts, she made her way back to her bedroom, cup of coffee in hand.

Steve on the other hand, crouched behind the counter until he heard the door shut, indicating Toni had left. He couldn't believe he had almost told her she was beautiful. What had he been thinking! She is a member of his team and he is the leader. They couldn't possibly have a relationship. Not to mention the fact he knew her father and rightfully, she was nearly sixty years younger than him. It just wasn't a possible relationship. There were too many factors that didn't work.

"No", he whispered out as he sighed and shook his head, heading towards the gym, it just wouldn't work.

AUTHORS NOTE*

Okay, so I originally began this with the intention of making it more about her and Clint, but it became more about her and Steve, which isn't a big issue. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this and look forward to more next chapter. I think it will be more about Natasha and Toni, though who knows for sure.

Let me know what you think so far!