An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 12/17
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Avengers Team & Loki, Clint Barton & Loki, the avengers as family, Loki & Thor (Marvel)
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Summary:
Five months after Thor drags his half-dead brother to Earth to plead asylum, things take a turn for the worse. With the older Asgardian out of commission and a sizeable threat overshadowing them, Clint becomes aware of two facts: One: Loki was tortured, mind-controlled, and manipulated into attacking Earth. Two: Loki knows none of this. (gen, no smut)
The trail of devastation was easy to follow. Without ever having to leave the relative safety of the mansion, Natasha was able to track the man formerly known as Clint Barton from place to place, across countries and continents, simply by following the vast swathes of dead bodies that he had left in his path. Blood stained streets created an easy trail for her, enabling her to pinpoint his exact location at any given moment. She has her contacts, people she could rely upon, albeit rather reluctantly, to provide her with quality and reliable intelligence as to where he was. Ever since the decimation, information has become a valuable commodity and for the right piece of knowledge, Natasha is willing to offer a handsome reward. Be it packages of food, protection, or simply turning a blind eye to some less than legal activity, those that she takes into her confidence keep her well supplied with regards to the whereabouts of her former teammate and benefit greatly in return.
It’s been five years since that devastating moment occurred, five long and arduous years before she finally sees him again. When the newly re-grouped Avengers finally realise that they might have a chance of reversing the chaos caused by Thanos, Natasha commandeers a Quinjet and flies it, through the night and without rest, until she finds herself in downtown Tokyo. The bodies lining the slick, rain covered, terraces lead her through a scene of desperate and horrifying destruction, shocking even for someone who has seen as much pain and death as she has. She watches from a distance as the man now known to an unlucky few as Ronin goes head to head against a Yakuza boss, an enemy that should have been taken down many moons ago. She knows that she should intervene, should stop her friend from crossing yet another moral line, but deep down, she wants to see the Japanese crime lord dead more than she could articulate and if Clint is the man to do it, then so be it.
The fight is over in almost no time at all. Before she can truly register just how fast everything has occurred, Clint is walking towards her, uttering some nonsensical ramblings about how she shouldn’t be there. She knows this already, is more than well aware that this crusade he seems to be on is something that he doesn’t want her to bear witness to. Without hesitation, Natasha pulls her friend close to her, dragging him out of the rain and underneath the protective cover of her umbrella. She can feel his heart beating, can smell the metallic tang of the blood which is clinging to his clothing. But none of this matters; all that Natasha cares about is the news that she wants to deliver to Clint.
“We found a way. It’s not a guarantee but we might be able to bring them back….everyone.”
She sees the tears starting to form in his eyes. She’s tried to imagine how hard life has been for him since the day that their lives changed forever but she knows that even her wildest thoughts can’t possibly come close to the pain he must have felt. Swallowing hard, she tries to push down her own emotions and continues with her plan.
“There’s an old saying: “Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury”. Choose love, Clint – if not for me, then for Laura and the kids. Choose hope. Choose a butter future than this….please.”
His eyes flash with something that could be interpreted as hope but it’s mingled with a hardness, a streak of vengefulness that has built up over the years.
“And if it doesn’t work? If whatever you have planned fails….then what?”
Natasha hardens her gaze and meets Clint’s eyes. She’s been dreading this question but has an answer prepared, ne that she’s thought about for almost as long as she’s been tracking him.
“If hope has gone? If there’s nothing left to fight for? Then we come right back here and make the world wish that we’d never been wronged.”
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 10/?
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Avengers Team & Loki, Clint Barton & Loki, the avengers as family, Loki & Thor (Marvel)
Summary:
Five months after Thor drags his half-dead brother to Earth to plead asylum, things take a turn for the worse. With the older Asgardian out of commission and a sizeable threat overshadowing them, Clint becomes aware of two facts: One: Loki was tortured, mind-controlled, and manipulated into attacking Earth. Two: Loki knows none of this. (gen, no smut)
