Darkness surrounded New York, a cold icy breeze swept the streets accompanied by a harsh clap of thunder as the rain lashed against windows and doors. Stark Tower was lit up having gone through changes and reconstruction due to the day that changed everything, the day that the grand City was attacked.
Loki stood alone in the storm standing on top of Stark Tower, he had escaped the prisons of Asgard where he was being held to wait for his sentence. He knew Thor was looking for him, he knew he was not far behind. The trickster needed safety and he needed it quickly, but of course the only place he knew of was Stark Tower. Perhaps the giant blond retort would not go there first, he wanted Loki for his own which was an advantage for Laufey's son. Another clap of thunder startled Loki and he hurried out of the rain to the large glass doors which entered to the top floor of the tower which he knew Tony Stark used.
"Sir, there appears to be someone on the roof. I cannot identify him at this moment" Jarvis announced much to Tony's surprise. He stood up and muted the AC/DC that was playing loudly in his workshop area. Stark made his way up, prepared to face, most likely Thor who had forgotten there was a main entrance to the tower yet again. Reaching the top level, Tony stepped out of the lift only to see an expectant shadow at the door. He judged whether or not it was a suitable time to put on the bracelets again that located him so he could have a suit when needed, the man decided upon using them. He walked over to the bar and slapped them on before walking over to the doors and unlocking them. A sudden blast of cold air hit him and the figure moved menacingly toward him. He knew it wasn't Thor but as it came closer, he could see dark green and black leather. Loki. But how? His heart began to race as he prepared himself for battle against an angry God of Lies. Shit. Loki walked into the warm building, dripping wet. He saw the calm façade Tony had on but found terror in his brown eyes. Tony shut the doors behind the trickster and let out a slight huff.
"And what can I do for you? Come back for that drink have you?" he teased, walking back down to get a drink himself. He would need it.
"No Stark. I have not returned for a casual drink with you." Loki snapped, following behind the man. In the bright light, it was easier to see the God. He was wearing the similar clothing as before but it was more tattered, duller. Tony caught a slight glimpse of something on his pale neck, but didn't get a chance to see before Loki stared him down.
"So, why are you back then 'rock of ages'? Daddy give you a telling off and a smack to the backside, send you on your way?" Stark smirked and poured himself some of his strongest whiskey. Loki ignored most of this and decided upon gazing out over New York from the huge floor to ceiling windows. Not in a chatty mood then, fine. He marched over from the bar to sit on a sofa, showing the God how relaxed he truly was around him. Loki posed no threat, no. Not at all. Stark hadn't felt himself want to throw up when he saw him, no.
"I need to hide" Loki blurted out, almost as if it had taken quite some physical strength to muster.
"And you expect me to help you?" Tony scoffed, taking a sip of the drink, relishing its burn.
"I do not expect anything of you." The God replied and paused for a moment. Hm. Silvertongue turned to lead?
"So why are you here?" Stark threw the question in. It was a competition and he would win.
"I am here- I am here to- I am seeking refuge from Thor. This is the last place he would go, he wants nothing to do with S.H.I.E.L.D on my punishment and so is searching for me alone" Loki finally finished. He hated this. Every bit of it. This was pathetic, he was a refugee, he was fleeing and needed help. Weak, weak thing Loki!
"Uh- huh. Right, so… Let me get this straight. You want me to help you hide from your big brother and that mean lazy one-eyed man?" Tony laughed, taking another hit of the strong drink. "Seriously? You think I would do this?" he wanted to go into a hysterical fit of laughter. Brilliant! The God of Mischief, 'once a King' blah blah needed him to hide? HA! Well, you do not get that everyday. Loki turned away from the window and growled from his hoarse and dry throat. There, Tony had a proper view. He stood up and walked slowly over to the growling man to see another flash of a dark metal collar. Loki backed away and snarled, he was the perfect image of a caged tiger, he was going nowhere. The collar prevented Loki from using his magic too much or for greater spells. It would only allow for enough for him to heal himself of his wounds but sent a violent shock down his spine that left him in a crumpled heap of pain if he exceeded the limit.
"So, what's that thing?" Tony asked, not wanting to provoke the God but desperately wanting to at the same time.
"None of your concern" Loki hissed and walked away from Tony to stand nearly at the other side of the vast room.
"Alright, fine. Play it your way but I want you out of here in ten minutes or I'm calling S.H.I.E.L.D to come and pick you up and shove you into another glass fishbowl." Tony warned, drinking the whiskey. In a matter of moments Loki had charged back towards Tony and had a tight hold of his shirt, holding him up in the air.
"You will allow me to stay here, mortal." He growled, "you will do so on my terms. You are nothing, just an ant in the way of a boot." Loki threw Tony back flying across the room. The whiskey glass fell to the floor and shattered into pieces and Stark was left lying against the wall, he let out a pained moan. This would be the time to use the damn bracelets but luckily for him he wasn't in the right position. He'd have to spread his arms wide and stand tall for it to cling itself over him accurately and fully function. Loki stomped toward him, hate in his eyes and anger swirling up inside him.
"You do not realise the power I have. You know nothing of it, I will make you suffer like you have never felt pain before if you dare do such a thing." He warned in a low and cold voice that told Tony the God meant it. Stark pushed himself up weakly and dusted off his shirt.
"Fine." He mumbled, getting up only to meet angry green eyes. Green? Hm. Last time they had been blue, similar to Clint's. What the hell did that matter anyway? The bloody God was demanding to stay in Stark Tower rent free. Bastard.