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“Awww, suka , fuck off.”
“Yeah, sure. Would you move over? You had the whole fucking compound and this was the best you could do?”
“Oh ya, where would you have gone?”
“Not the air vents! For so many reasons, Yelena. Now shut up and help me up!”
You and Yelena were now squeezed into an air vent above the lab, which was supremely uncomfortable, and you couldn’t do anything to make it better.
The team had agreed that no super powers were to be used during the game of Sardines In a Can. Similar to hide and seek, only one person hid in the beginning, and whoever found them had to hide with them, the last person looking would be the loser.
You had put up a bit of a grumble when powers were banned, after all, the two russian spies and super soldiers were going to have a huge advantage. Still, you had lost, even after Wanda sided with you.
Yelena had volunteered to hide first, and you were a bit proud that you had been the first to find her. Although maybe that said more about her lack of creativity than your genius…
Suddenly there was a rattling sound and the vent was dislodged again.
“You know, I’m deaf and I heard you two” came Clint’s voice as he hoisted himself in and got the vent back into place. “Are you two sure you’re in the right line of work?” and then he let out an ‘oof’ when you and Yelena hit either of his arms at the same time, and then proceeded to high five each other and try to smother the erupting giggles.
He began to lecture the two of you on proper stakeout behavior, and simply rolled his eyes at your exasperated “it's just a game Clint!”. However, he quickly switched topics when Yelena casually took out one of her knives.
The doors to the lab wooshed open, and the three of you fell silent, barely breathing. Tony walked through the doors and began opening various closets, all the while muttering about the absurdity of the game.
Yelena began making faces and making fun of his words while you tried desperately to stop your laughter from escaping you. Soon satisfied that no one was there, he left, and when you were sure the coast was clear, the two of you were cackling together, bent over while Clint looked on in amused dismay.
A sound from inside the vents had all three of you sobering and turning to face whatever was stalking you, only for you to suddenly see red hair and an amused Nat popping into view from around a corner.
Yelena swore in russian, and then you were laughing hysterically again, with her joining you, as Natasha and Clint exchanged looks.
“Don’t look at me, one of the hyenas is your sister and the other is your girlfriend.” Clint said, though he was clearly holding back laughter of his own.
“Oh, shut it Barton.” said Natasha, with a fond smile in your direction.
“You know, this reminds me of–”
“If I have to hear about Budapest again,” started Yelena with a groan, and you were nodding in agreement at her side, “I will blow us all up.”
“It's a good story” said the other two, in perfect harmony.
You rolled your eyes and turned to Yelena, “you know, if we have to listen to a Budapest story, I would love to hear yours Yelena” you said, throwing her a wink.
“Thank you Y/N, finally someone wants to hear about how my sister almost let me bleed to death minutes after I saved her life.”
“Oh please, I was the one–”
Natasha was cut off by another noise and you all fell silent again. Thor ambled into the room and paused for a moment before walking right up to the vent and popping his head in. Yelena swore yet again.
“Budge over” you said, to no one in particular as Thor shoved his way in.
You ended up pressed closer to Natasha who simply wiggled her eyebrows at the new proximity and grabbed you closer. Yelena made a fake gagging noise when you kissed Nat’s cheek, and Clint looked like he wanted to both throw up and throw the two of you a wedding.
Thor was simply sitting there smiling happily, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, there was another noise.
Steve and Bucky walked in together, both pausing the way Thor had.
You all held your breath while Steve walked towards the vent entrance, and you almost jumped when Bucky sneezed out of nowhere. Luckily, this distracted Steve who turned around to face him, and then the two of them were on their way, with Bucky throwing one last look over his shoulder.
You would have put big money on Bucky knowing where you all were, and just letting Steve walk away to amuse himself and keep the game going. You shared a look with Natasha, who apparently had had the same thought as you.
An hour later and you were animatedly, if quietly, discussing mythology with Thor, while Natasha was practicing braiding your hair as Yelena looked on and offered unhelpful comments, one after another.
Clint appeared to be sleeping, and you had a sneaking suspicion that he had turned off his hearing aids. However when the rest of you suddenly froze, he was awake and alert immediately.
Wanda and Vision ambled in together and immediately headed over towards the vent; you were sure that either Wanda had ‘heard’ you all or Vision had used his spooky technology.
They clambered in and got comfortable with you all in the vents; Vision looked a bit awkward as he settled in beside Wanda.
To everyone’s surprise, Bruce was the next one to join, apparently he had seen Wanda and Vision disappear into the lab and not come out.
Bucky and Steve joined a bit later, with Steve grumbling about how Bucky had probably known all along, “maybe, but then it wouldn’t have been as fun, Steve, now would it?” and Steve ignoring him for all of two minutes before giving in.
You had FRIDAY alert Tony that he was the last one, and therefore the loser, unfortunately the man had too much damn pride and so you all had to stay cramped in the small space until he found you.
An hour later and you were dozing in Natasha’s arms, suddenly woken up to Clint ‘accidently’ banging into the metal behind him just as Tony was about to leave the lab for what had to be the fourth time.
“AHA!” shouted Tony as he popped his head in.
Everyone laughed and groaned and teased him as they exited the vent.
Yelena turned to you, “see, it was a good hiding space!” and Natasha had to quickly pick you up and sling you over her shoulders as you threatened to kill Yelena for trapping you all in that small space for hours…
Yelena grinned at you and made faces while Natasha fondly shook her head at the two of you.