A/N - Obviously, I do not own the Avengers. I wish, but sadly that's not the case. The characters and many of the scenarios are not mine. I'd really like your opinion on these, if you read them. Good, bad, ugly - any comments or criticisms at all are lovely.
Coulson's only thought is to stop Loki. It's what he's trained to do - protect his country, fight the bad guys, do what he has to to ensure that the country (and now planet) he loves remains safe and whole to see another day. Except in this situation, Coulson knows he can't win. He knows that Loki will likely kill him, but he has accepted that and he is willing to take that risk. It will be worth it, to stop the megalomaniac god in his tracks for even half a second. As he holds the gun trained on Loki, he thinks that maybe he might actually have the upper hand here. He's determined to see this through, for better or worse.
It isn't until the sharp metal pierces him that he realizes he's wrong. But he's prepared. He was willing to take this risk. He doesn't hear Thor's shouts from inside the cell built to contain Banner if everything went to hell. He doesn't feel anything butpain, but Coulson is not weak and he can handle a little pain. His hands never release his weapon, and he waits for a chance. He watches and waits as Loki ejects Thor from the helicarrier, and when the moment is right he lures Loki in. He hits the god where he knows it will hurt.
"You're gonna lose."
It's a fact that he believes to be true, but one that Loki will not accept until he's been beaten down and completely defeated. He argues, but Coulson's jab has accomplished what he wanted. When Loki is in firing range, he pulls the trigger.
It's a glorious moment, he thinks, the gun resting across his thighs. He's done what he can - what he knows. Now it's up to them.
