I was exhausted. The leather of my suit was sticking to my sweat the worst ways. The words of Tony Stark weren't even registering in my head the only thing I cared to focus on was how my thigh holster was digging into my leg. Note to self: don't wear a brand new suit during a fight with a God who wants to take over the earth.
"If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now," the God finally spoke. I risked a glance to Nat who looked as unimpressed as I hoped I did. I know he just tried to take over the world but... that was kinda funny. I watched as Thor made quick work of cuffing Loki making sure not to stray too far so he could stop and attempt at escape Loki might try to make.
"You're staring," Nat says gaining my attention with a smirk.
"You don't find him fascinating?" I kept my voice lowered so the others wouldn't hear me and leaned against the bar with Nat.
"No," she was looking at me like I had grown a second head. "Not after what he did to Clint. He's a monster, (y/n)."
"I don't... I mean yes he did horrible things but there's something... off?"
"Yeah, he's crazy and tried to take over the planet..."
"You didn't see his face... it was like he didn't understand err maybe he couldn't control what was happening" I sighed and pulled my hair out of the ponytail and tried to gather my thoughts.
"Is that really what you believe?" Nat asked me.
"I... I don't know yet. Look I could be wrong but my gut..." I trailed off not really sure what to say but Nat gave a slight nod of her head. I glanced back over to Loki in time to see him turning back to him from Steve. I raised an eyebrow at her and she shook her head to say that she had no idea. We walked back over to the men.
"So what's the plan?" Nat asked. Gaining everyone's attention. Thor finished placing the muzzle on Loki before he answered.
"I'm taking Loki back to Asgard where he will face his punishment" my heart broke at his words. I was filled with this desire to help him and I wasn't sure why. The only person that would know the answer would be Loki.
"S.H.I.E.L.D is here," Nat said looking down at her phone.
"They can't be serious," I said looking at everyone else who looked the same level of annoyed or confused in the case of Thor.
"We will handle this. Someone needs to stay here with him" Tony jerked his head in Lokis direction who just rolled his eyes.
"I'll do it. I've had enough of S.H.I.E.L.D for one day anyway" I said trying not to acknowledge the look that nat was giving me. Tony nodded and the team headed out.
"If anything happens just yell for us," Steve said pausing at the door.
"I doubt you'll hear me from the ground floor but I'll be fine Steve. Go give S.H.I.E.L.D some hell" I smiled and nodded for him to go. He shook his head and left. When I turned I saw Loki watching me. I studied him for a moment before I walked behind the bar.
When I finally found what I was looking for I hopped on the bar and swung my legs over the side of the bar so I was facing Loki.
"Come here," I said dipping the cloth into a cup of water. Loki stayed where he was and gave me a weird look. "Never seen water before?" I could practically track the look of confusion that crossed his face as he slowly made his way towards me. "I just... wanted to clean your scraps up I guess" I answered the unasked question as I pulled his hands into my lap.
I gently started to clean the dirt and dried blood off of his hands. As I worked I could feel his eyes on me. Probably trying to figure out what my motives were. The longer I stayed this close to him the more I just wanted to make things better for him. I pushed these thoughts down and focused on what I was doing. Once his hands were clean I flipped them over in my lap making sure that I didn't miss anything. But I was also trying to postpone looking at his face because I could still feel him watching me.
Once I gathered enough courage I looked up at him. His eyes were piercing into me and I felt my breath stop as we locked eyes. My hand slowly rose up to touch his chin so that I could turn his face. Pain filled my chest when I heard him wince.
"I'm sorry," I said my thumb ran across his chin trying to distract him from the pain. My hand moved to hover over the muzzle that he was wearing. The internal battle that I was fighting was probably written all over my face. "Can I ask you a question" I wanted to be disappointed in how small my voice sounded but I was too desperate to hear... err see his answer. He nodded slowly and I let my eyes flick down to the muzzle so that I can take it off. Once it's off my free hand hovered over his chin once again.
"You were going to ask me something"
"I-" I finally let my hand make contact with his chin.
"I won't bite, darling" he joked and leaned into my hand a bit.
"What's happening, Loki?" It wasn't the question I had originally wanted to ask but it needed an answer. He shook his head in response.
"Why aren't you afraid of me?"
"I believe you're good. Despite everything I've seen and heard I truly don't think I have any reason to fear you... you remind me of Clint when he... came out of it. Are you... Were you...?" He looked away from my face and it was all the response I needed. When I finally caught his gaze again I spoke "I'm so sorry" he let out a breath in response.
I hadn't realized how close we were until our foreheads touched. I leaned closer to him feeling his soft breath on my lips. His lips gently brushed mine only for is to be yanked apart by the beeping of the elevator. Loki took a step back and I let my hand fall from his face.
When the elevator door opened I turned to the glass of water that the cloth was sitting in so I could hide my blushing face from whoever had come back up.
"Ya know Thors going to be pissed you took that thing off of him" Stark spoke.
"Eh. What happened with S.H.I.E.L.D."
"They kicked me back up here for being too dramatic. I'm serious, kid you should put it back on him he's dangerous." His words caused me to sigh and I looked back up at Loki who gave me a slight nod. He slowly leaned in and allowed me to place the muzzle back on him before straightening again.
"I'm going to pretend that didn't confuse the shit out of me" Tony spoke up again having watched the exchange. Before I could speak the elevator door started to slide open. I hopped off the bar and prepared myself for a confrontation with S.H.I.E.L.D. instead it was Thor who walked through the door.
"We have come to a compromise. Loki will be under the supervision of the Avengers until punishment is served to him" my eyes flicked over to Tony who looked upset over the news.
"We are not babysitters" he grumbled in response to the new
"Count it as a win Stark this is definitely not what S.H.I.E.L.D wanted so..." Tony rolled his eyes but I could see the wheels turning in his head for all the ways he could use this to his advantage. My thoughts, on the other hand, focused on the God of mischief.