Chapter Text
You sighed as something whizzed past the part on your head, nearly burning the stray hairs hanging below.
“Loki.” You warned.
“It wasn’t me (y/n). Believe me I wouldn’t have missed.”
You inwardly rolled your eyes, keeping them closed, as your hands stayed curled in a meditative position on your thighs.
“Sexy.” You stated.
“My dear, don’t you remember I’ve refrained from firing indoors for the time being. You wouldn’t be hanging upside down from the rafters if we weren’t in the middle of our 5th renovation this month. If I recall correctly you prefer chandeliers hmm?” Tony quipped, snarky as ever.
“Nat.” You spoke pointedly, making it quite clear you had been referring to her instead.
“Wasn’t me, (y/n). I’m done training for today,” Natasha responded, a smile in her voice.
“You’re losing your touch, (y/n)!” Tony teased. “Or maybe that’s exactly what you need, hmm? I could teach you a thing or two.”
“Well I know it’s not Barton because he knows bet-“ you were cut off as something else whizzed by your head, this time grazing your part, cutting off a few strands of hair.
“Chicken Feet!” You growled, sighing and doing a cherry drop from the ceiling, your folded knees landing in a fighting stance instinctively. You blinked a few times, adjusting to the blood rushing back from your head. No matter how long you had been meditating upside down like a sloth, it only took a few seconds for you to regain balance.
“And they call her Black Widow,” Tony mused, poking fun at your preferred resting position.
Hopping over a counter, you punched Tony as an afterthought as you kept your eyes up.
“I don’t think it was wise of you to interrupt (y/n) again, brother Clint,” Thor poked his head out from rooting out Pop Tarts in the pantry.
The only response was a chuckle as a shadowed form leaped into a vent, sliding into the darkness.
“All I know is you guys better not upset The Other Guy like last time,” Natasha said, bored.
“Hey it’s not my fault Clint fell on top of Bruce when I was pummeling him in the vents,” you answered defensively. “He knew exactly where he was going. Just because he didn’t calculate I would catch him so fast doesn’t make it any less his fault.” You eyed an opening above one of the many glass cabinets surrounding the bar.
“Don’t even think about it,” Tony warned. The only time he got serious about scuffles was when his precious booze was in danger.
You sighed. “Your alcohol is everywhere. How am I supposed to follow Tweety if I can’t get up there.”
“(Y/N), you do realize there are other floors right? Like a million other ones?”
“I’m not using the elevator. That’s a cheater’s game,” you retorted.
“How did you get up there in the first place then?”
You shifted your eyes nervously, “I may have borrowed Nat’s grappling hook.”
Natasha sighed. “Well then why don’t you use it now?”
“That bastard took it!!”
“You really need to get your own. You’ve been with us how long now?”
Ignoring the rhetorical, you sidled up to a certain green-eyed sex God. “Loki…”
“No.”
“But I haven’t even-“
“I said no.”
“You know I’m just going to keep asking you until you say yes. It will just take a quick second and you can go back to that porno you’re reading.”
Loki glared at you. “This is a classic, you uncultured couth. Not some newspaper stand trash you see Stark reading.”
“Hey!” Tony interjected. “Those bunnies are a work of art!”
“Pleaseeee,” you wheedle, trying to cosy up to the God of Lies.
Letting out a long-suffering sigh, Loki pointed his finger at you, and blue light levitated you back up to your old rafter. “Now go run along and play with your little archer boy. Do not bother me for the rest of the day.”
“Thanks Loki!” You called, blowing a kiss at the Asguardian that he pointedly ignored.
As you started climbing the wooden beams towards a vent opening you heard Steve walking in. “Do I want to know?” He sighed.
“And that’s not cheating??!!” Tony yelled up at you. “The lovebirds are at it again,” Tony answered cheekily, turning to answer the Captain.
“We’re not lovebirds!!” Your voice travelled down as you pulled a screen off its hinges, and crawled inside one of the vents.
“Now where’s that rascal,” you murmured under your breath as you crawled through yet another opening. The vents were quite clean you noticed, probably because Clint spent most of the time in there. Too much of his time, actually. It was almost as if he was more comfortable in a small cramped space then an actual room. You were convinced he spent half the time spying on Nat, too. You sighed. You couldn’t actually blame him. If you were a guy you would be all over Nat too. If you didn’t like her so much you would absolutely resent her.
“Catch me if you can,” you heard a husky voice whisper, and you snapped back to the present.
“When I’m done with you Big Bird you’re gonna wish you were in Sesame Street,” you threatened, as you focused your senses to try to locate his position.
His laugh echoed from all directions, and you felt your lips twitch on their own accord. You loved his laugh. You could listen to it all day. In fact that’s why you put up with all of his shenanigans; you would do anything to hear that laugh. Even if it meant eventually fleeing for dear life from poor Bruce and sleeping in the living room because your room was always the first thing The Other Guy trashed. Or on the roof if he was especially mad.
From your left you heard a slight shuffle, and you honed in on the sound. One of Clint’s gloves. There were two pathways that lead in that direction. You noisily wriggled towards one, hoping to fake him out. You grinned when you heard him retreating down the other pathway. Counter-intuitively, you continued down the wrong corridor, this time silently. He was too smart to be caught this easily. Five seconds later you heard a small beep go off; smoke grenade from the sounds of it. He was playing dirtier than usual. Well, time to up your game then. You reached through the opening above the corridor you were currently in; it was about time you dropped in for a visit. Literally.
You swung from one bar to another, one hand at a time, purposely kicking a large column to your left. It shuddered slightly, and promptly cracked as a foot swiftly made contact, just two seconds after you left. Well now, things were getting interesting. In the metal crawlspaces below you a couple daggers sliced their way through the top, narrowly missing your feet as you hung suspended over the metal ceiling. Hmph, he should know better than that. Being in air was your best element. Well, that and-
BAM!!
You launched yourself from the beams above you, cracking an opening in the crawlspace below while landing neatly, two inches from Hawkeye’s face. Slightly off-guard, he faltered slightly before pulling himself into a defensive stance, narrowly blocking your foot. Somewhere in the distance you heard Steve calling worriedly, “Try not to break anything guys!”
“Yes mom!” You two answered in unison before continuing to spar. Glancing a blow off his shoulder you crowed, “You’re getting slow Feather Brain!” In response, Clint expertly executed an escape maneuver, heading up one floor and pulling his bow at ready. “Get ready sweet cheeks, it’s about to get hot in here!” He taunted as he pulled his string taught, ready to fire.
“That’s my line!!” Tony hollered somewhere below.
“Bring it, Barton!” You catapulted in the opposite direction, grabbing hold of a beam with one hand.
Down below, Steve was watching TV with Nat and Thor. Tony was nursing his third glass, studying some blueprints and half-watching the show as well. “When are they going to stop fighting and just fucking…fuck?” He asks to no one in particular. Steve turns a rather attractive shade of scarlet as he looks down in his lap. No one else bothers to respond except for Thor, who snorts loudly. “(Y/N) is a force to be reckoned with, to be sure. Although…” he pauses for a second. “How is she capable of taking down our Brother Clint? She is agile to be sure, and a formidable fighter, but she could not even mount a beam without the help of my younger brother. Has she no weapon to defend herself from Clint’s bow and arrows?”
“Never underestimate the wrath of a woman,” Tony answers sardonically as he raises his glass. “Did we ever get a chance to look at her files?” Steve wonders. “Now that you mention it, I don’t remember Fury mentioning any special abilities that (y/n) had.”
“Maybe she’s a mini-Widow” Tony quips. “Don’t let her catch you hearing that,” Nat replies. She knows how much you hate being compared to her. “I believe you are correct Natasha,” Thor announces. “I am sure she does not have the womanly wiles that you posses. Or the art of manipulation. If I may say.”
This time it is Loki’s turn to snicker. The group turns, surprised that he felt inclined to join the conversation. “Is there something you know, Brother, that we do not?” Thor asks, seeing the smirk on Loki’s face.
Before he can answer, a voice tiredly remarks, “They’re at it again, aren’t they.”
“Oh Brother Bruce, how fortunate you are able to join us. Would you like to join us in some entertainment in front of the Big Box? Or perhaps you require some sustenance?” He offers Dr. Banner a pop tart.
Shaking his head Bruce looks directly at Loki. “You know what her powers are don’t you.” Loki grins widely in response. “I thought so.” He sighs again. “You’re the only one who would’ve invoked her powers. Until now, probably. Explains why she’s not scared of you.”
Bruce turns, irritated at the situation. “Why didn’t any of you stop her?!” Everyone looks around the room, not making eye contact. Well except Loki and Tony. “Like I always say, do you BooBoo,” Tony answers unashamedly.
“Perhaps if they had been informed of her capabilities they would not have allowed this to happen,” Loki drawls from the comfort of his sofa.
“I didn’t expect it to go this far!!” Thunders Bruce, as his hairline tinges green. He puts his hand against his forehead and takes a deep breath. “Alright, I am going to lock myself in my lab. I am not going to help clean up this time. And so help me God if they even come near me…” He doesn’t bother finishing his sentence as he strides away.
“Well, looks like it’s time to get serious,” Tony says as he places down his glass. “Care to fill us in on (y/n)’s powers?” Loki merely raises his eyebrows in response. “Come on, Pants on Fire.”
“Well, since you are so interested, perhaps you’d like to see for yourself?” Loki answers haughtily. “They are on the 18th floor currently.”
With a flash everyone disappears and reappears on top of some partially finished ceiling. “We are sitting on top of the 17th floor currently. Please, make yourselves comfortable.” Loki says sarcastically. A second later, a large crash drew everyone’s attention upwards.
“Seems like you need to spend a little more time in the range!” You gloated as you dodged another arrow. Intrigued, Clint pauses momentarily. “Seems like I need to stop going easy on you.” Reaching into his quiver, Clint resumes firing again, doubling in speed this time.
“Why is she holding on with only one hand?” Steve asks, as you hop around like you’re climbing monkey bars, only holding on with one hand at a time.
“Probably showing off,” Tony smirks. “Hey Donkey Kong!! Aren’t you going to throw some bananas yet?” Thor chokes on a poptart, and Nat the Cat pounds him on the back.
“Probably not the wisest choice to provoke her,” Loki intones.
“Hey! I came up here to see a show! Right now all I see is Legolas trying to catch a monkey! Where’s the excitement?!”
You start laughing hysterically when you hear this, and accidentally get grazed by an arrow. “Ouch!” You glared at Clint. “Really Clint? You had to aim for my ass?” Clint grins in response.
“And now the fun begins,” Loki smiles evilly. “Pay attention, now.”
You touch the wound gingerly, feeling a drop of blood on your hand. Oh dear.
“Clint…” you warned, as you tried to gesture for him to knock it off. “What’s the matter sweet cheeks? Ready to call it quits?” He taunts.
“Move!” You yell as you throw your arm forward. Clint leaps out of the way, eyes wide open, as something flies past him, knocking a beam out of place.
“What the hell was that?” Tony yells. “(Y/N) you better not do any serious damage!! We are not fixing this floor again!”
“Uhm…guys?” Clint calls as he jumps to another rafter. “What is that?”
Again your hand shoots forward, and the bar he had been sitting on bends in half. “It looks red. Why is she throwing red stuff?”
“That better not be what I think it is.” Natasha’s eyes narrow. “You must be mistaken Lady Natasha,” Thor comments hopefully. Another beam goes flying, this time landing on the floor that the group is sitting on. “Oh no,” Steve’s eyes open in horror and Tony begins freaking out. “Blood??!! Blood!!! Why is there blood??!! (Y/N)??!!!”
“What!” You yell as another bolt-like object flies from your hand.
“(Y/N!) Calm down!” Clint yells as another blast hits near him. “Guys!! Whats wrong with (y/n)?? Do something!!”
Thor looks alarmed and Tony looks ill. Nat, keeping her head on her shoulders, turns to Loki, “What do you know. Why is she like this.” Loki merely smirks. “Do not toy with me Loki. You will regret it.”
“(Y/N), please! Calm down!!” Steve calls frantically.
“LOKI! HELP!” You yell as you continue throwing red beams furiously.
“Well, what you see before you is a blood-bound spell. Her powers are sealed and appear only when her blood has been spilled.” Loki explains amusedly.
“Well why doesn’t she stop it?? (Y/N)! Stop it!!” Tony sputters. “Also, that’s just creepy!”
“I think I am starting to understand.” Thor booms. “As her powers are bound by blood, they are also bound by spirit. Blood-bound spells are very powerful and are dependent on not only the subject’s physical state, but also their emotional.”
“Very good, brother. I’m surprised you figured it out on your own.” Loki answers snarkily.
“Well how do we make her stop?? She’s clearly pissed!”
“I’m sure you’re having a lovely powwow down there, but I’m running out of beams to land on!” Clint shouts as he ducks again. “My arrows are useless against those…things!”
“LOKI!!!!!!!” You roar, as you fruitlessly attempt to stop your hand from sending out another blast.
“Seriously Reindeer Games, if you don’t do something right now you are going back to that glass cell.”
“Please, Loki.” Steve insists. “How do we stop her? You’re the only one that knows how.”
“Very well then.” Loki stands, stretching languidly like a cat. “(Y/N),” he calls, before reappearing next to you.
“About time!” You turn as your hand instinctively aims towards him. “I-“
He swiftly closes the distance between you, and presses his lips to yours. Your eyes flutter as your arm drops loosely by your side. The red liquid all around the room begins to dissipate. You lean against him, tired, and he teleports you back to the living room. Carefully, he places you on the rafter you had hung from earlier, and folds your legs over it so you’re upside down once again.
“Hey!! I think you forgot something!” Tony’s voice yells from a distance. “How are we supposed to get down?”
Loki merely blinks and returns to his sofa and picks up his book again.
When you open your eyes, you’re still hanging from the rafter, upside down. Everyone seems to have gathered in a circle underneath you, staring at you with a mix of fear and fascination
“Oh, hey guys.” You instinctively rub your sore bum and everyone cringes, reaching for their weapons.
“Woah woah woah.” You raised your hands slowly and swung off the rafter, landing next to Clint on a recliner. He slowly scoots himself away from you, eyeing you carefully.
“Sorry bout that.” You looked around apologetically. “I probably should’ve mentioned something about this earlier.”
“You think?!” Tony answers with as much anger as he thinks he can get away with without setting you off again.
“Yeah, (Y/N), that was really dangerous. You could’ve gotten hurt. Not to mention all the danger you put everyone in.” Steve looks at you with serious eyes.
Nat just rolls her eyes. She knows you well enough to know that saying anything now would be pointless. You’d learned your lesson.
“I’m sorry.” You hang your head guiltily. “It really only comes out during battle, so I didn’t think I needed to mention it. It’s kind of a really weird power. Or curse thingy.”
“No kidding.” Tony scowls at you from behind what is probably his 6th drink today.
“So… let me get this straight.” Clint turns to look at you. “Your secret power is that when you bleed you shoot blood at people.”
“Yeah… it’s weird I know,” you answer, looking ashamed.
“So… every month…” “CLINT!” you bash him on the head. “ I’m just asking! It seems like the logical conclusion…”
You sigh. “Like I said, it usually only comes out during battle. Like in the heat of the moment. I have to be in a very specific emotional state to gain my powers. Once I do though, I can’t really control it.”
“Great, just what we need. Another ticking time bomb.” Tony groans.
“Don’t worry,” you said patting Tony on the knee. “I calm down much quicker than Bruce.”
“Indeed that is true.” Thor rumbles. “And what a fortunate circumstance indeed.” He thumps Loki on the back, who glares balefully at him before returning to his book.
“So it takes a kiss to pull you out of the state?” Steve inquires, his cheeks slightly pink.
“Well…” you hem and haw, not sure how to put it. “It works for him, at least.”
Clint wiggles his eyebrows and you blush fiercely. “Any help here Loki.”
Loki smirks for the fiftieth time. “It takes a drastic change of attention and emotion to reverse the blood-bound properties.”
Trying to divert the direction of the conversation, you pipe in, “Besides it’s only the second time that it has happened. And I’m sure now that it’s happened again I know how to control it.”
“You better,” Tony warned. “Consider yourself lucky this time. I’m going to let it slide.”
You resist the urge to point out that The Other Guy destroys the building all the time.
“Wait we’re not done here,” Clint exclaims. “There are a lot of questions that need to be answered. First of all, what set you off this time?” Everyone turns to look at him. “Okay, okay” he concedes. “Maybe I went a tad overboard.”
“Lady (Y/N) is there a connection between this blood-bond and the long hours you spend suspended in the air?”
“Yes Thor.”
“Oh yeah, that is kinda weird, now that you mention it.”
Nat the Cat rolls her eyes at Tony. “I’m guessing it has something to do with your blood flow.”
“That’s right Nat,” you respond. “Since my, er, crazy state is fueled by blood, I need to keep my circulation on a different scale than others.” Steve looks at you thoroughly confused. You hold in a laugh at his adorable facial expressions.
“When I’m upside down, the blood rushes to my head. I meditate in this position often, so I can keep my blood from, well for lack of a better word, settling. That way, my blood spell doesn’t activate as often when I’m in normal circulation.” You look around.
“That doesn’t help at all, does it.”
“Nope!”
“Okay, let’s just say I need to keep my blood flow on its toes so my blood spell doesn’t activate whenever I get a little scrape.”
“Well, why don’t you just stay upside down all the time then?” Clint pipes up helpfully.
“I’m starting to think that this discussion is becoming counter-productive.” Finally the voice of reason speaks.
“Thank you Nat.” You say gratefully.
“The point is that this has only happened twice, and she’s been here for quite some time already. Obviously she’s not going to be tearing down the building every time the breaks a nail. Just be aware of her condition.
And don’t be such a dumbass Clint.”
Clint smirks at Natasha and you feel a jealous twinge again.
“Say, (Y/N), you say this is your second episode?”
“Yes, Anthony” you reply exasperatedly.
“So… what happened last time?”
“Hmm that’s true, (y/n).” Steve added thoughtfully. “I don’t remember anything out of the ordinary happening, involving you anyway.”
Suddenly everyone turned and looked at Loki. Loki made a big show of ignoring everyone and tried to look incredibly engrossed in his book.
“Yes brother, how is it that you knew of (y/n)’s powers when the rest of us did not? And how did you learn to stop it?”
Loki shifted, looking increasingly uncomfortable. He glared at you, and you giggled in response. “Tell them, Loki.”
He shot a withering look at you, and you figured you wouldn’t force him to explain. After all he had to take care of the mess earlier. You smiled at the thought, and his scowl deepened.
“He laughed at me when I got a paper cut.”