I usually do readers request from Tumblr and mandywholock1980 requested I do a fic of her OC (Mandy Stark) falling for Loki.
Mandy Stark belongs to mandywholock1980
Thanks for reading and enjoy :D
"So how did you make out today, Mandy?"
"Pretty good, if I do say so myself." A black ponytail bobbed along a short woman's head as she spoke into a cell phone. Stopping at the red crosswalk light's intersection in a sea of business suits, she seemed to merge with the crowd. Were her name loudly revealed, people would be more knowledgeable of her presence. But for now, most of them ignored her, focused on their own lives and phone calls. Others who had heard her voice, watched her from the corner of their eyes. They dared not to speak to her, not wanting to interrupt her conversation. At best, some waved and Mandy returned the gesture while holding onto her shopping bags.
Mandy was often out more on the streets than her brother. She walked during the day time, dominating the big sale boulevards while shaking her wallet at times if there was something that really drew her eye. While most of the time she would be seen with Pepper or Natasha, today Mandy was by herself. Pepper had an important task to do at work that she couldn't ignore and Natasha was already spending the day with Clint.
"Macys was having a sale. I found a dress you would love, I'll show you it the next time we hang out. How's work?"
"Just finished up, of course. Your brother warned you not to spend your entire bank account."
"As if Tony's one to talk!" Mandy laughed into the phone as Pepper joined her. Mandy's birthday would be arriving in a few weeks and she already had plans for a masquerade ball. She would invite her friends as well as the Avengers to engage in a night of revelry behind a mask. Tony knew she would wear some lavish outfit and he knew that wouldn't be a kick in the bucket financially.
Tony had urged that he join his little sister today in her shopping spree, but knowing she could handle herself in the daylight of New York, she declined. She knew he would worry and that he would use the lab today to shake his worriment for her. Every time she seemed to go out, disaster would follow. Tony nor Mandy weren't sure why this was such a common occurrence and both concluded that the universe simply did not like her for whatever reason. There were no spies or villains that exercised any evil upon her. Rather, it was fate's twisted hand of malice that made sure trouble always found its way to Mandy. Sure, there were times when the trouble was inflicted by another person. Thankfully, Tony was there to rescue her all those times when people assaulted or ambushed her. Other times, it would be Mandy herself who would blindly stumble into trouble, like the time she ran away with no word as to where she was going. It was incredible that Tony had found her long before any serious danger stumbled along her path.
Because of her past encounters, Tony had commonly engaged his big brother status and always wanted to protect her at all costs. Tony had often presented his feelings upfront, often being a direct man. The more he talked about these feelings to her, the more she understood but at the same time, grew irritated. By no means was he telling her (or himself for that matter) that the world should be feared with all its evils both hidden and exposed. Instead, he was trying to convey his emotions – that he loved her dearly as a sister who should maybe amp up her defenses. Carry mace, carry a knife, carry some sort of protective device. While she always had her phone on her, Tony always felt that was never enough. If she even had some sort of mace, he would be reassured in knowing that she would be all right. She could easily tell the cops she had been using whatever object as self defense. Mandy refused and when she did, Tony grew so frustrated that he taught her self defense. For his sake, as well as her own she agreed to let him teach her. The lessons were blend of failure and success, of her not wanting to strike her own brother, but when she did it she felt her heart crack a bit. Yet from this mark arose a confidence that she could stop those who sided with the universe and attempt to harm her in any way possible. But despite her lessons, Tony still retained the big brother mode, the overprotective, constantly caring, always worrying about his little sister nature. It irritated Mandy to no end, even when he tried to slip a mace keychain in her purse to which she allowed him to do so. Even if she had taken it out and hid it, he still would have made sure to place it back in her purse.
"I'm on my way home now. I should be there in about ten minutes, I'm going to stop at The Rosetta Scone and grab something."
"All right, I'll see you in a bit then."
Bidding their temporary farewells, the crosswalk light flashed to green and Mandy moved with the crowd. Black boot heels clicking with the other heeled shoes around her, the sound merging as one beat for New York. Sneakers muffled on the street took note of Mandy and nudged two other sneaker wearers, who looked up and saw her too. Grinning, they knew who she was and what she was worth. They weren't with any top secret officials or spies, but they knew a wealthy woman of high status when they saw it. Especially her, she was possibly one of the richest women in New York if not the nation. Sure, there were other women in New York who had money but they walked with a heavy wall around them. Mandy, had a guard about her, but it could easily be dismantled or so the sneaker wearers believed. Picking up the pace, the initial one had heard her say something about The Rosetta Scone. Mumbling something beneath his breath so that the other two heard it, they nodded when the words fell to silence and the plan was set.
Approaching The Rosetta Scone, Mandy didn't take note of the three men following her, and hurriedly sitting outside the little bakery. From the corner of their eyes they watched her as they pretended to examine the menus left on the table. Looking through the storefront, the cashier knew what they were up to as she watched Mandy walk towards the shop. The cashier had known their plan judging by their actions, glaring at them, they glared back until the little chime signaled Mandy's entrance. Shifting her glare to a kind smile and soft eyes at Mandy, Mandy returned the kind gesture, not seeing the hardened eyes of hate. As she began to browse the pastries, the cashier's eyes never left the suspicious trio, not even as a handsome gentleman entered the shop.
From the side, Mandy had taken note of the gentleman and in his very presence felt a certain aura radiate from him that lured her to him. She found her eyes couldn't help but to shift from the sweets to this man. But what was so remarkable about this man, she couldn't tell. He looked like any old business man, but much younger and thinner. A well tailored indigo suit fit his nice, lithe frame, hiding pale skin. A silver tie shimmered in the light overheard as a small smile appeared on his face, his tongue running over his lips as he looked at each pastry. But if he was a business man, Mandy wondered, where was his briefcase? Or perhaps he was on lunch, there were a few businesses nearby; though the lunch hour had long passed. She couldn't figure the man out, her attention returning to the alluring cakes before her eyes.
It would have been rude to not purchase three singular things for Tony, Pepper, and herself without taking into consideration of the other Avengers that roamed about the tower. Mandy settled on a coconut cream cake for everyone, a piece of strawberry shortcake for Pepper, a champagne flavored scone for herself, and a strawberry cruller for Tony. She adored this little place which was only a five minute drive from Stark Tower. But since Mandy enjoyed her brisk walks, it took her a little more than ten or twenty minutes just to make it to this place.
"That'll be $35.00andtherearethreemenfollowingyou."
"What?"
Mandy handed over her debit card to buy some time to listen to what the cashier had to say. Pretending to focus on the transaction, the cashier's eyes flitted once more to the outside of The Rosetta Scone. Through the glass windows adorned with display pastries, there still sat the three men occasionally looking over at Mandy. Returning her gaze to the customer, she returned her debit card to her and spoke low.
"There are three men following you. They're waiting at the table on the way out. They'll probably ambush you."
"Mace probably won't hold them off." Mandy spoke aloud to herself as the cashier shook her head. Mandy knew her worth and it hadn't surprised her that people would be out to steal from her. It had happened many times before and while only jewelry was stolen, she was thankful it wasn't something more important like her debit card, credit card, or anything of that nature. The idea that people still wished to inflict some harm upon her in some fashion was nothing surprising, having accepted the universe's feelings about her. Over time the fear had dwindled, but even so it did proceed to flicker and grow when a situation like this occurred. Clutching her bag of pastries as well as her shopping bags, she felt her nerves tremble from the rising terror as she wondered how to escape.
She could easily call Tony to bring her an escort, but there was a matter of him getting beaten by these men. Sure he had taken on New York as well as other missions, but Mandy still worried for her brother as he did her. Plus by calling him it would she that she wasn't able to handle the situation on her own and thus plunge him even deeper into worriment.
"If you know any self defense that would help you. They're pretty big, look tall, probably have some meat on them."
"Excuse me?" A soft voice interrupted them and looking over, both Mandy and the cashier were met with the gentleman's glacier eyes. It pierced something in Mandy and for a moment they made her heart stop beating. It was strange, she had been in many relationships before and had known this feeling all too well. She hadn't been in one for a while though and she considered that why her heart was suddenly feeling this way towards this attractive person. Trying to shrug the feeling and regain her heart's beat again was harder than she thought. Clearing her mind was impossible now; too many thoughts of the three men outside wrecked her brain as she tried to come up with possible solutions. Yet this man, this handsome stranger kept getting in the way, and she mentally cursed herself. Running a hand through his dark hair, Mandy swore she had heard his voice before, but where she wasn't certain.
"But those three men are going to ambush you? If you would like, I could walk out with you." Even the gentleman's voice seemed to do something to her. Making her heart stop beating again, Mandy managed to shake it off. Regaining control was hard for some reason and swallowing whatever hesitation arose in her mouth, she cleared her throat.
"That would be great, actually, thank you." Mandy spoke, relief finding its way to her stammering heart, each beat a fusion of this man's strange power over her and the fear that these three thugs would try something regardless if the gentleman led her out or not.
Purchasing his chiffon cake, he offered Mandy his arm and led her out of the bakery. The cashier watched them, her hand on her cell phone in case something should arise. Mandy's grip seemed to tighten as they neared the men who now rose, their eyes never leaving them. Two took to the front of them, the other one just at Mandy's back, making her nerves shake like cold infants. The gentleman looked down at Mandy whose chocolate eyes darted about the men. Her grip on him grew tight, as though she would die if he had ran off. He allowed her grip to tighten, placing his hand over her own to reassure her that everything would be all right and nothing would happen.
"Mandy! It's been a while!" The first man in front spoke, his blood shot eyes watching her as his meaty body towered over her. New Nike sneakers grounded into the sidewalk before them, a recent theft.
"I have no idea who you are." Her voice was stern and powerful, just as her brother and therapist had taught her. The gentleman smiled at her firmness and how it made the first man's grin crack slightly with irritation.
"Don't you remember us? From college?" The second man in front spoke, his body looking like it had been in a few fights. Through holes in his shirt were new cuts, their brilliant bloody lines streaked across his chubby frame.
Mandy faltered, cocking an eyebrow before mentally shaking herself to her senses.
"No. You are no one to me." Her voice was more empowered than before, her confidence and strength building, just as Tony said it would.
"Well, we'll make you remember if you're gonna play fucking dumb!" The third man from behind exclaimed and removing a knife from his pocket, the gentleman hurriedly turned on his heel breaking Mandy's grasp. Grabbing the third man's wrist, Mandy heard a loud crack and the man behind her yowling in pain. Fumbling away from the gentleman, he stared at him in pure horror. How he had managed to break his wrist in only one or two moves baffled him, his jaw dropping to the ground and making the gentleman grin sadistically.
"What the fuck you bastard?!"
"I do not believe you should be interfering with this young, refined lady." The gentleman spoke in a voice that rang in Mandy's ears that was calm, but bitter. It sounded familiar yet she couldn't match the face to the voice.
The two men in front, angered by this gentleman's damage to their friend, bolted forward, charging at Mandy. Mandy yelled and dropped her bags, putting up a defensive stance. Staring down the men running toward her, she didn't want it to come to this, but she had no choice. Every bone and nerve in her body shook as the gentleman looked over and sighed to himself.
"Why is it you humans must cause so much trouble?!"
His voice was thick and cold, launching forward he blinked his eyes and where once glacier orbs flickered now in their place were eerily calm blues that flashed at the men. No sooner they gazed into his eyes they halted, mere inches away from Mandy who was preparing to throw her first punch. Frozen in time they stood, never looking away from the gentleman or blinking. Mandy stared at the men, curious as to what was happening to them. Taking a few steps back, she watched them in wonder and confusion. What was happening to them she did not know and looking over at the gentleman, she had noticed his eyes' sudden color change. Eyes widening, she retreated slightly from the man and watched him as he held the thieves in his presence for what seemed like years.
From his throat emerged a voice of bitter cold, as though he had been born in the snow and brought up by its chill. Even his skin seemed to grow paler as though transforming into a snowflake before Mandy's eyes. The words that tumbled from his lips injected a certain type of fear into Mandy that she hadn't experienced before; that rushing terror of mystery and danger all wrapped in an alluring package that she could not comprehend.
"As your God, I demand you leave Mandy Stark alone. Come near her again and I shall smite you!"
The gentleman's eyes flickered back to those icy glaciers beneath dark curls of hair. The thieves before him stared at him, as though they were seeing a ghost for the first time. Quickly looking back to Mandy and then their third thief who was already halfway down the sidewalk by now, they swallowed hard. In their days to come, not once would they bother Mandy Stark or even so much look at her. They would regard her as a person that for some reason, they could never ever get near. Running down the sidewalk and catching up with their wailing friend with the broken wrist, they wondered who exactly their next target would be, and why it could never be Mandy Stark. Looking over, Mandy felt her heart drop and shatter in uncertainty. What had just happened she did not, but it appeared as though the men were hypnotized into obeying a command. Normally people would use pendulums for that maneuver, when here this man used his eyes. A mere feat for someone like a magician or an alien or something from sort of fairy tale. Mandy bit her lower lip, unsure of what to believe as her voice trembled with her heart.
"How…how did you do that?"
"Just an old parlor trick, I assure you." His voice returned to normal, the low tones of danger and slithering abhorrence gone. In its place rested the gentlemanly tones that had drawn her to him from the beginning. Knowing now what rested behind those gentlemanly notes, Mandy felt her shoulders tense defensively, now knowing that voice that rumbled with authority and might. She had heard it before during the invasion. Tony, concerned about her during that time, had sent her off with Pepper. He hadn't been the same man since New York and to this day, she couldn't understand why.
"Who are you?! How do you know my name?!"
"Who in this world does not know of Mandy Stark? The little sister of the world's renowned, Tony Stark?"
"Fair enough, but you still didn't answer my question. Who are you?"
"Who am I? Who am I is of no important to you and even if I were to tell you, I would not do so here, Miss."
"What? Are you a criminal?"
"You could say that." The man smiled to himself.
"You know, when you went…..weird….there for a moment, you sounded like Loki."
"Loki? The one who destroyed New York only months ago?"
"Yes."
"The very deity who dares not take any shit from some mere mortal?"
"Yes." Mandy swallowed. It was always wise not to mess with the Gods, knowing how the universe didn't like her. She knew what Loki was capable of and what he could do. How he could make Hawkeye a slave and manipulate those around him. How he could trick people without them knowing it and how he could lead an alien army into combat. Tony and the other Avengers spoke of Loki negatively, though who could blame them. They had to clean up the mess he made and fight off everything that he that thrust upon them. His powers were terrifying but awe inspiring, like a tsunami and she now understood why she was so drawn to him. Because he wanted her to be. He could have been using his powers on her and she wouldn't have known that. Yet something in her heart still faintly pitter pattered rapidly for the man before her and she wondered if it was merely from the combat only moments ago. No that couldn't be it, it felt too strange and addictive like chocolate.
"Your brother is a noble man, you know." Loki spoke once more, keeping the gentleman façade to prevent anyone from alerting the Avengers or being attacked for what he had done to New York. While most of it was repaired, there were very few sections in disarray, parts of the city that Tony had volunteered to help rebuild without question.
"I know."
"You weren't there that day, I can imagine."
"No I wasn't, but I watched it on tv and the Internet."
"As did everyone else, but I do believe thanks are in order. After all, I did just rescue you from those men."
"Oh," Mandy paused. He had a point. Were he not there, God only knows what could have happened. She could have probably held them off for so long before one of them would have caught her in some fashion. Clearing her throat, she looked at him once more knowing what rested behind those glacier eyes.
"Well thank you, Loki."
"Hush, hush," how he said that made her heart stop. That softness coming from such a vile man Tony had made her hate because of New York and from what she had seen of New York during that battle. That mere softness in that split tone made her cheeks feel as warm as a summer afternoon and her heart as light as air. Something coursed through her, a certain irreplaceable warmth that stretched to her fingers and down to her toes and made them curl.
"No one must know our little secret. Not even the Avengers."
"You're asking me to keep a potentially dangerous secret from the Avengers?"
"Well I did just save your life." He grinned. A deal with the Devil and sighing to herself, she knew her hands were tied. She was cornered with nowhere to run and knowing this, she had no choice in the matter. Rolling her eyes, she stared at him with a bit of a hateful spark, not wanting to do this, but having no say.
"Very well."
"May I walk you home then?"
"Why should you? The thieves will never meet with me again."
"No, but the streets are littered with mewling quimbs who do not know how to leave women alone."
Offering his arm once more as he grabbed his little bag from the bakery, Mandy knew he had a point. Taking it as well as her bags, they walked onward to Stark Tower.
