A/N: If anyone is still reading this story, I changed up a few things in this chapter to coincide with later events in this story. I've been unmotivated for nearly 2 years but I want to finish this because I've got a lot of ideas and scenarios planned out. Please leave comments/reviews.
Chapter 24: The Slip part 1
Later that day,...
As mentioned before, Thor Odinson wasn't always such a happy go lucky kinda guy. If there was one thing he absolutely hated it was others mistaking his kindness for weakness or someone taking him for granted. Despite his anxiety and nervousness, Thor was so excited to have his brother and mother return to him. He was so ready to begin life anew with Loki. He even thought about Loki potentially being apart of the Circle. But no. Loki had come back, and things between them remained just as bad if not worse. Thor wanted so badly to give Loki a second chance. He really did, but that second chance flew out the window the second he decided to barge in on their game of Hood Ornament. Thor still shivered at the memory of them being rammed from behind while Clint flailed helplessly on the hood. Loki seemed to take pleasure in that, which scared Thor on a whole different level. Both at school and at home, most if not all of the responsibility regarding Loki was placed on his shoulders on top of everything else. Yet Loki just kept acting like an asshole as Natasha would say. Jesus Christ. Thor was trying to hold himself together for his family's sake, but Loki was seriously pushing him to his limits. Which is probably exactly what Loki wants. A fierce look of determination appeared on Thor's face.
No. I won't give him the satisfaction. Not if I can help it. Though it will not be without major difficulty. Especially considering this day's events.
After dropping Jane off at little Darcy's, Thor went to the gym to try and work out some frustration. Weaselly Justin Hammer taunting his dear friend Bruce. That bastard Emil Blonsky beating Bruce up in front of a crowd. Thor getting involved in said fight and receiving detention for a week. Nearly losing his spot on the football team while so close to their last game of the season. Loki possibly being the cause of all that. His punching bag didn't stand a chance. On his way home, he received a text from T'Challa.
-Your friend Steve is taking me home now. Thank you so much for an interesting first day. I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning. PS, Stark is hilarious.-
Thor smiled at the message. At least someone's day was brightened despite everything. He had done his job well, and he will continue to do so for as long as T'Challa is here.
-You're quite welcome, Tchalla. My friends seem to like you. Have a good night :)-
When Thor got home, he saw that Loki's green car wasn't in the driveway. His parents wouldn't be home until evening so at the moment he was alone. Thor sighed sadly. He didn't like being by himself. As he set his bookbag down, he felt the tickle of soft fur running against his leg. He looked down and smiled. That's right. He wasn't alone. Mjolnir the cat was there. Thor picked her up, stroking her soft fur as he went to find her some food. After setting her down in the kitchen and refilling her bowl, Thor went upstairs and took a shower. He had a weird thing with public showers, so usually after a game or workout at the gym Thor would wait until he got home to clean himself Thor took a long hot one, contemplating on what he was supposed to do now. His mother and father sure wouldn't be pleased with the news of him fighting and getting detention at school. Although they'd probably be proud of him for sticking up for Bruce. Thor sighed as the steaming hot water poured over his face. Poor Bruce. He really hoped he would get out of his funk soon. Thor could only imagine what Bruce was going through. Good lord, if Jane broke up with him Thor would probably lose his mind.
A good half an hour later, Thor was squeaky clean and ready for the evening. He got dressed in a gray polo shirt and blue jeans, combing his hair in the mirror. After what happened today, Thor felt like going out somewhere. He texted Jane telling her that she and him were going bowling or something after Darcy's parents came home and she was free to go. The sound of a door opening and footsteps caught his attention. Combing the last stringy strands of his hair, Thor went downstairs to see who it was. He saw Loki, who was chewing some gum and humming a cheerful tune. Thor straightened out his face.
Alright. Time to talk to him.
"Loki, did you do it?" Thor asked.
Might as well cut to the chase.
Like Tony, Loki would beat around the bush forever if you allowed it. The younger Odinson rolled his eyes and calmly walked into the kitchen.
"I do not know what you are talking about."
Thor followed him, not believing him for a second.
"Loki, did you do it? Did you tell Emil Blonsky and Justin Hammer about Bruce's breakup with Betty?"
Loki chuckled lowly, making ice run through Thor's veins.
"Oh you mean that situation? I must say, I never pegged Bruce Banner for a brawler. That fight was most entertaining to witness."
Thor's eyes went wide.
No. No way. Loki would not go that far, would he?
Then he remembered Sunday's events and Clint's life in danger. Yeah. He would go that far. He gulped, hoping that Bruce's assumption of his brother was wrong. Between his teeth, Thor growled,
"Loki, for the last time; Did. You. Do it?"
His brother simply shrugged his shoulders, not saying a word. He shrugged. He just fucking shrugged. That small gesture and his nonchalant attitude about it made something snap inside of Thor. No more Mr. Nice Guy. With blinding speed he grabbed Loki by the throat, swung him around and pinned his back against the wall. Loki's eyes widened, his face turning salmon pink as Thor growled and squeezed his large hand around his neck.
"Thyugh! Ahh! Stahhhp!" Loki choked out pathetically, squirming and jerking under Thor's grip.
The younger Odinson landed a few strikes and kicks, but Thor was a big man. They felt like nothing.
"Let me tell you something, Loki; I have had enough of this...this...bullshit!" he spat out.
He shocked himself by using foul language, but Loki needed to know he wasn't kidding around. What better way to do that than by emanating his friend Clint Barton? When Loki's face turned magenta and his hits dwindled to mere swats, Thor realized he'd done enough and let him go. Loki sagged down to the floor, sucking in the biggest breath he could after coughing loudly. Thor hated that he had to do that. In fact he was feeling a little nauseous, but he carefully hid that behind a mask of anger and frustration.
"First Clint now Bruce! For god's sake Loki, your actions are causing harm to people who have done nothing to you!"
Loki clutched at his chest, wheezing loudly while glaring at Thor with those chilling icy blue eyes. Jesus Christ. When did his brother perfect his death glare? Thor shook his head. That didn't matter right now. Instead, he pointed a finger at Loki, biting hard on his lip. His body practically shaking with fury.
"You are my brother and I love you."
Loki, repulsed by his statement, fake gagged as he slowly stood up.
"My god, Thor, you are such a-"
"SHUT UP, LOKI!" Thor bellowed.
Loki did just that, still glaring at him fiercely. Thor then cleared his throat and continued.
"You did not let me finish. You are my brother and I love you...but I shall not protect you any longer."
Loki rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Protect me? From what, son of Odin?"
"My friends." Thor replied.
Suddenly a look of understanding cracked through Loki's swagger.
"Before today, I would not have let Clint beat you like he threatened. Before today, I would have defended you with the same ferocity I had rescuing friend Bruce. Now? I am done."
Loki shifted his weight on his feet, rocking back and forth. His eyes swimming with uncertainty.
"What are you saying, Thor? That you'd let your friends have their way with me?" he asked.
Thor crossed his arms and gulped. He hated that it'd come down to this but you reap what you sew.
"Yes. I shall help you this last time. I will tell my comrades the bullies overheard of Bruce's situation from someone else. But if you do anything to cause them harm again, I will not stop them from doing whatever they please."
For a moment, a very short moment, there was a flash of fear in Loki's eyes. It was replaced seconds later with a glare but Thor still noticed it.
"You should know, Loki; Natasha, the redhaired one, has seriously threatened to kill Tony. Twice. He's a friend. From this moment forth, I would tread lightly if I were you."
The blonde Asgardian turned around and left Loki to his thoughts. He just choked and threatened his own family. His body was shaking uncontrollably. He insides felt terrible, but one way or another Loki had to learn. Thor sighed, taking out his StarkPhone to call Jane. He needed to get out of the house for a while.
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Later that night around 9 o'clock,...
Wanda sat in her bed sketching random nothings in her art book. Not that she could focus on drawing though. A certain charming Asgardian who smelled of peppermint was stuck on her mind all night long. Man. She had no idea what was going on with her. She was Wanda fucking Maximoff. She was never boy crazy to this extent. Sure she found plenty of guys attractive, but she never actively crushed on anybody. At least not until recently. Loki Odinson. Goodness gracious was he doing things to her. Her twin seemed to hate having a crush, but Wanda couldn't see why now that she had one herself. Then again Pietro was practically drooling over a guy who was taken. Loki was as single as single could be.
Probably not for long.
Then Wanda giggled into her bed sheets, hoping the noise wouldn't stir her brother who was sound asleep not three feet away from her in his own bed.
"Mmmm. Oh yeah." she heard a voice mumble all of a sudden.
Wanda snapped her head to the right. Pietro. He slept talk sometimes. Mostly nonsensical things or random phrases in their native language. Sometimes even sweet nothings he used to whisper to her during their childhood in Sokovia. Wanda leaned a little bit to try and hear him better. Tonight he was mumbling something different. Something that sounded suspiciously like-
"Oh yes. Oh my God, Clint."
Squinting her eyes in the darkness, Wanda saw Pietro. For whatever reason he hit the sack early tonight and had gone too bed less than an hour ago. He was definitely asleep, but his hips were moving oddly. His back was arched slightly. His fingers tightly gripping his sheets. All while mentioning his crush's name. Wanda's jaw dropped when she realized exact;y what was going on with her brother.
"Oh Christ." she whispered, suddenly feeling very queasy.
Quickly Wanda grabbed her pillow and threw it directly at her brother's face. Pietro awoke with a start, his wide eyes darting all over the dim room.
"What the hell, Wanda? I was sleeping!" he growled out.
Wanda averted her eyes, pointing at his lower region.
"You were doing more than that I'm afraid." she replied.
Pietro looked down at his waist and was instantly embarrassed. He groaned, bunching his fingers in his hair.
"Crap baskets. I'm so sorry, sister. I...I was..."
Wanda held up her hand, fighting hard not to gag and embarrass him any further.
"Pietro for the love of God, don't finish that sentence. Get yourself together, man."
She rolled her eyes and slid her art book under the bed.
The mood for that is definitely gone now.
Pietro simply nodded and threw his covers over his face, slipping back into sleep fairly quickly.
"Ce am de gand sa fac cu mine insumi? (What am I going to do with myself?)" she heard him mumble before he started snoring again.
Wanda wrapped herself in her blanket and closed her eyes.
"Figure it out." she replied quietly before going to sleep herself.
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Natasha breathed a sigh of relief, saving her documents and closing her laptop. She had just finished writing two essays and completed a history report. Finally finished with her homework, she could now get a snack and watch TV for a little while. Oscar and Tanya were out at some social event for work so she had the house all to herself.
Great. Another night alone.
Going into the kitchen, she rummaged through the fridge look for something to snack on when she felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket.
Hmm. Wonder who that is.
She answered it quickly, not bothering to look at the caller ID first.
"This is Natasha." she greeted.
"Unlock your door. I'm on my way." greeted a welcome voice.
Natasha rolled her eyes but smiled.
"Trouble in paradise, my hawk? I thought you and Tony would be going at it like two bunnies in heat."
"Nat, please none of that."
Natasha let out an evil chuckle. Her partner must've forgotten who he was talking to.
"Oh now you're choosing to get shy? If you're coming over this is exactly what it's gonna be. You owe me some personal time, Clinton."
Clint laughed on the other end, making Natasha smile. There were perks to being a bitch sometimes.
"Wow. How long has it been since you've used my government name?"
"Just get over here." she ordered before hanging up.
Natasha smiled, feeling unexpectedly giddy. Ever since she met the Circle, she hadn't been the same girl. It was good in all the right ways, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't miss alone time with her bff. She unlocked her front door, grabbed a bag of barbecue chips and sat down in front of the TV watching CSI. Ten minutes later, she heard the front door open and soft footsteps make their way towards the living-room. She chuckled, not bothering to take her eyes off the TV screen.
"Hey, stranger. What brings you over?" she asked playfully.
Clint plopped down next to her, stealing her bag of chips and lazily kicking off his shoes.
"Ma'am would you like some pepper with all that salt?" he jided back.
"Well what do you expect? Tony's had you wrapped around his finger so much lately you didn't even bother asking what's going on between me and Brucie Boy. Don't act like you haven't noticed anything. I've been dying to talk to you about it."
She almost jumped when she felt Clint's strong arm pull her closer to him. It had been a while since they'd been this close it almost felt alien. She looked into his gray-blue eyes and almost wanted to hit him.
"Why'd you have to go and become a boyfriend?" she asked half-serious.
Clint sighed, a look of guilt and mild frustration forming in his features.
"I've been asking myself that same question for a while now, but that's a different thing. Just tell me what's going on. You're right. There is a little something I've noticed with you and Bruce. Are you two becoming,...?" he asked uncertainly, letting his last words hang.
"A thing? No." Natasha finished.
"But there's potential there." Clint said matter-of-factly.
"Potential? Strangely, yes. A true to life possibility?...I don't know."
Natasha rolled her eyes and slumped further into his body.
"God dammit, I don't want to become a cliché like in those stupid movies. Bruce is my friend. I want it to stay that way. Yet some hidden part of me keeps thinking that maybe...maybe I don't."
Clint smiled at her, which made her feel hot in the face.
"What the hell are you smiling about? This is not normal for me and I don't like it."
"I'm sorry I just...I can't help but feel a little happy that you're getting a taste of what I was feeling the first time I met Tony." her partner admitted.
Natasha smiled back even though she wanted to continue frowning at him.
"But here's the thing about that, Clint; Tony liked you and made it perfectly clear what he wanted with you. He wanted to talk about it with you. You meanwhile liked him back but thanks to you being a dummy,...well we all know the story on that. This is Bruce may or may not liking me with me may or may not liking him back. Neither of us have made it clear on what it is we want. I would like to talk about it with Bruce but he's not jumping ship with me."
Clint chuckled, his warm chest vibrating against her.
"Perhaps he's been spending too much time around me. I thought I was supposed to be the stubborn one." he joked.
Natasha laughed against him.
"To be fair he did just go through a break-up and got into a fight."
"Ha! Truuuue. You two still need to discuss this situation though. Confusion is a bitch."
As if by second nature, Natasha draped her left leg across Clint's lap and nuzzled her head against his shoulder. The feel of his body and the way they were talking to each other felt good. Familiar. Natural.
"Speaking of confusion, I still haven't told you about the best part of this whole 'affair.'"
Clint raised an eyebrow and licked over his teeth.
"Oh do tell." he prompted.
"Earlier this morning at Groot's I got hit on by Matt Murdock." she replied.
Clint chuckled again, stroking at the curls behind her ear.
"You mean the blind guy who somehow bagged that hottie Elektra Natchios a couple years ago? Damn. What was that like?"
Natasha shrugged against him.
"Odd to say the least, but it wasn't an unpleasant experience."
Thinking back on the memory made Natasha smile against her will and softly bite her lip. His devilish smile. His perfect pouty lips. his mystique. His relentless charm. His straight-forward attitude. They'd all had more of an effect on her than she thought. Random guys trying to be coy with her was nothing new but this was the first time it actually worked.
"He asked me out ya know." She said.
Clint rolled his eyes.
"And?"
"And I went with my automatic answer of 'no' even though part of me is interested. I mean really interested, and somehow or another he...sensed that out of me."
A sly yet saddened smile birthed on Clint's face.
"I thought I was the only one who could sense things out of you." he said.
Natasha punched him in the bicep.
"You don't get to say things like that anymore. You're the one who replaced me with Tony fucking Stark." she said, a lot more fiery than she meant to be.
Clint leaned his forehead against hers and sighed sadly.
"I didn't want to, Nat." he whispered.
"We've talked about this. I never wanted this thing with Tony. Or rather I was never searching for my current relationship. It was just something that just happened and...honestly for the most part I'm pretty fucking happy. Also let's not forget you're the one who basically made Tony confront me that fateful Monday and made me confirm to him that he's my boyfriend just a few days ago. So where is this all coming from?"
Natasha's ears burned up and a blush broke out across her neck. It wasn't often that Clint was the one calling her out on her own crap, but they were partners for a reason. Gesturing in the air she said,
"This whole...fucking thing. Between my mixed feelings for Bruce and now my interest in Matt,...I don't know. I guess it's all got me wishing me and you could just go back to the day of Tony's birthday and say 'no' to Steve's invitation to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I love our Circle. I love this whole thing we have going on with them and they are some of the best friends I could've ever imagined but god dammit life was so much simpler when it was just me and you."
She grabbed the sleeves of his t-shirt and nearly closed the distance between their lips, building up some long forgotten heat between the two teens.
"Do you know how badly I wanna just kiss you right now and have you tell me everything's gonna be alright? I really miss the days when we used to screw our frustrations away."
Clint swallowed, practically shaking with desire. Natasha could see it in his face that he wanted to just go to town on her like he used to do. In fact, if she wasn't mistaken he was growing hard in his jeans against her thigh.
"Nat,-" he choked out, ready to just pounce on her at a moment's notice.
Natasha almost felt a moan escape her before she snapped out of her daze, scooting to the other end of the couch. Clint snapped out of his daze as well, blushing like crazy.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring that out of you." she apologized, crossing her legs.
Clint wiped a bead of sweat of his forehead, scooting closer to her.
"It's not completely your fault. There's a few things that uh, built up to that on my end." he said.
Natasha took a deep breath and regained her composure. She couldn't believe what just happened but there was nothing they couldn't talk about together.
"Tell me." she said calmly.
Clint took a deep breath and tugged on his ear.
"This is going to sound kinda shitty but...I think I might've underestimated Tony's feelings."
Natasha cocked her head, confused as all hell.
"Meaning what exactly?" she asked.
"Meaning Tony thinks he's falling for me."
"You don't believe he is?"
"I believe he thinks he is. The other day when we came back after our fucked up game of Hood Ornament, Tony almost told me the L word to me."
Natasha pushed her hair back behind her ear, rendered speechless. She'd known from the beginning that Tony was helplessly into Clint. She'd known just how much Tony's heart yearned for Clint in every way ever since she threatened his life. She figured him professing his love for her hawk was coming sooner or later. She shouldn't feel so surprised and yet,...
"And what did you tell him that day?"
Clint scoffed, slinking into the back of the couch.
"I did a seriously shitty thing. I basically told him it was okay and that hopefully I'd tell him back the same day he officially told me."
Something clicked in Natasha's head, giving her some seriously mixed feelings about her best friend.
"So that's why you had your Nest Day? You weren't really all that shaken up about that stupid game, were you?" she asked sharply.
Clint balled his fist.
"Don't do that, Natasha. It was both of those things. You saw what happened that day. I basically only played that damn game because of my brother and how much he pissed me off."
Natasha quickly grabbed his hand and squeezed.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're right. Now, back to the original point. Tony and the L Word. What's up with that? Why do you feel shitty about it?" she asked.
"Because, Nat...it's just...it's so...ugh, dammit. I can't explain it. I like being in a relationship. I like Tony. I like his boldness, I like his style. Definitely our sex. I like that he's a and a chatterbox and a big softie under all that flair,..."
Natasha closed her eyes and sighed. There it was.
"But you don't love him." she said quietly.
Clint gulped and slowly shook his head.
"At least, not the way he thinks he loves me."
Natasha frowned at him, two seconds away from slapping him across the mouth.
"You keep saying that. Why do you keep saying that?"
"Saying what?"
"Duh, you dummy! That Tony thinks he loves you. I may not know much about touchy-feely stuff but I'm pretty sure-"
"I know what I said, Nat. We're fucking highschoolers and Tony Stark is already more impulsive than the average teenager. What does he or anyone our age know about love, huh?!"
Natasha gasped, taken aback by such a statement from him. Clint was rough around the edges but never so dismissive of something big like love. Even she had a slight admiration for anyone their age who believed in love in this generation. Whether it was true or not.
"So what are you saying, Clint? And what does this have to do with you 'overestimating his feelings for you' as you said?" she asked.
"I'm saying that even though I like being in a relationship with him and I like the changes in my life ever since we started seeing each other,...it's intense. When you think about we haven't been going out that long. It's been change after change after change and now suddenly, bam! The L Word is right around the corner. Do you understand?" Clint said with his voice cracking somewhat.
Natasha was rendered speechless once again. Just how long had Clint been keeping this in? How long had this been building up? She felt relieved that even though his shoulders were trembling he looked a little more relaxed with that confession off his chest. Natasha licked her lips and smiled devilishly.
Alright. Enough with all this stupid emotion.
"Big whoop. Tony might love you, you don't love him back. Shit happens. Doesn't explain why you just tried to get some what-what hey-hey with me just now." she quipeed.
Clint couldn't resist. He laughed, slapping her knee.
"Right. That. Same as you I suppose. I miss our simplicity and I am not fully committed to the D. Plus, Tony and I haven't had sex in two days."
Natasha rolled her eyes.
Boys. Jesus friggin Christ.
"Wow. Two days? I know you're eighteen and all but-"
"No no no, it's not like that. What I mean is I get hot and heavy with him and he's all in like usual. And then suddenly he's not. Something keeps holding him back from me and the way he's been acting recently...I gotta admit it's kind of annoying me."
Natasha stroked her chin, pondering everything Clint told her tonight. A lot of truth was thrown into the air, but she could sense there was something else there in Clint's tone.
"Is that all? Is there...anything else making you feel this way?" she asked.
Clint opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of a Black Sabbath song emitting from his pocket.
Crap baskets. Of course.
He tried to say something but Natasha waved him off.
"No go ahead. Your new better half awaits your answer." she teased.
Clint stuck his tongue out childishly at her before answering his phone.
"What's up, T?...Oh nothing just hanging out...Wait a minute, what do you mean by that?...You are?...Uhhh, no thanks, dude...I already ate...I don't know. Maybe...Yes I will let you know, Tony...I don't have an attitude, T, I'm just saying I'll let you know...Okay. Alright, bye."
Natasha raised her eyebrows when Clint hung up.
"Everything alright? What was that about?"
"Yeah uh, he asked if I was dressed okay and he's was about to be on his way to come pick me up."
"And do what?"
"Go out and have a bite somewhere."
Natasha frowned at him.
"And you said no?"
"Well yeah. You heard me, I already ate. Then he asked if I was at least gonna come over later. He got upset when I said 'maybe'."
Natasha stood up from the counter and crossed her arms.
"I knew it. You are avoiding him today."
Clint simply shrugged, seeing no point in lying.
"Guilty. I told you, Nat. As shitty as this might sound he was kinda getting on my nerves. I just wanted sometime away."
Natasha put her hands on her hips, not quite sure what to make of his attitude at the moment.
"What exactly did you do when you left earlier?"
Clint scratched behind his neck, looking strangely guilty.
"You could say I went to go see a new friend."