The Fight You Couldn't Win

Chapter Five

Two and a half weeks later...

It was the day before Clint's birthday.

The Avengers were throwing a party that evening, as they did for almost everyone's birthday.

They loved the excuse to get drunk, of course.   

"What time are you gonna be at the party later?" Nat asked you.

You were alone with her in her room, rifling through her dresses to find something to wear that evening.

"Don't know. Sooner rather than later" you sighed and turned around. "I'm going to try not to drink tonight because it's Clint's birthday and I know he doesn't like me drinking."

"Aha. We both know that's not going to happen."

"Yeah I know, but I'm gonna try... if I go earlier then I can leave earlier maybe."

"Bet you'll still be there after midnight."

"Thanks for having faith in me."

"You're welcome" Nat laughed. "Just drink. He doesn't care."

"You know he does."

"If he gets mad, blame it on me."

"I thought you were supposed to care too" you frowned at her.

"You want me to tell you that you can't drink?"

"No, you can't tell me not to do anything. You're not the boss of me."

"So you are going to drink?"

"Undecided."

"Okay" Natasha laughed. "Let me know when you make up your mind so I know whether to invite you back here for a pre-party treat."

You chewed on your bottom lip in thought.

"We can get ready together so if I want some, I'll be here."

"Good idea. Come back at like six."

———

@ six...

You knocked on Natasha's door, dress in one hand and heels in another.

She opened the door and grinned.

"Decided yet?"

"Nope. Let's just get ready first and see where we're at."

"Okay. I still bet you're gonna get hammered tonight."

"I- am not placing money on that."

"Because you know you'll lose" she smirked.

"Nat, come on. I'm trying to do a nice thing for Clint here. Can't you be a little supportive?"

"Okay. I'm sorry. I believe that... you can try to get through this evening without drinking."

"Good enough I suppose" you laughed lightly before sitting on her bed and starting your makeup.

Natasha sat behind you and started brushing through your hair. She looked pitiful as she did so, but didn't say anything. In the end, she decided to leave it down.

Eventually, you both got into your dresses and heels, and you were completely ready.

"So" Natasha grinned. She held up a bag and pulled out a bottle of tequila. "Drink?"

You stared intently at the bottle. You couldn't. You wanted to. You shouldn't, for Clint's sake.

"No..." you said slowly. "Yes. No. Hmmm. Nope."

You turned and swung open the door to leave before you could change your mind. Natasha laughed and followed you, having a drink from the bottle herself.

"Come on. You know you want to" she teased you with the bottle as you walked towards the main room where the party was being held.

"Natasha, I will tell on you to my brother. He would not approve of this behaviour" you giggled.

"Snitch" she hissed playfully.

You reached a door. Natasha placed her hand on the handle and pushed it open, and the sound of music hit you at full blast.

Natasha continued to wave the bottle around in your face as you entered the room and started walking round to find the others.

"Just drink y/n" she whined. "It's fun."

"Nope" you refused.

You spotted the others, approached them, and collapsed on the couch next to Steve.

You folded your arms, unimpressed, shaking your head at Nat. She smirked as she sipped more tequila.

"You alright?" Steve asked.

"I'm fine."

"She's not drinking" Natasha informed them.

"Really?" Sam raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Can we place bets on this?" Thor suggested.

"Absolutely not" you retorted.

"Cause she knows she'll lose" Natasha laughed.

"Shut up."

"Please do" Tony grinned as he walked up next to you. Clint was with him.

"What's going on?" Clint asked.

"Y/n is apparently not drinking" Steve explained.

"Really?" Clint questioned, exactly the same as Sam had said it before.

"Well, yeah. I thought you'd appreciate it" you looked at him hopefully.

"I appreciate the thought. But I know you, and I know it won't happen."

"Rude."

"Y/n, just have a drink" Clint offered you his.

"But-"

"We all know you're not getting through the entire evening, so just give in now" Clint added.

"Wow. You guys are so mean. I kinda want to do this to prove you all wrong."

"That doesn't benefit anyone" Steve joked.

"Y/n, have a drink" Clint urged you to take his again.

"Fine" you groaned and rolled your eyes. You were secretly relieved, but you didn't really show it.

"I suppose one drink can't hurt" you shrugged.