Clint was not a cruel person by nature. Quite the opposite in fact, he like to think he was a rather nice guy. He thought he was rather justified in the punch he had landed.

Loki didn't even flinch.

His slender fingers tightened around his throat, further cutting off the archer's breath. He coughed violently, one hand struggling to shove the furious mischief maker away, his nails digging into the white flesh of his cheek, the other clawing the pale hand at his throat. Loki only chuckled, prying the fingers from his face. Clint curved his fingers, peeling skin back. Deep red blood dripped from the gouges and short nails.

Loki brought his fingers to his lips, letting two into his mouth. His tongue curled around them, savoring the sweet metallic tang of blood. Clint watched helplessly, the edges of his vision going black. On more sharp squeeze and air rushed back into his aching lungs. Loki bit down on his fingers, receiving a pained cry, and then pulled them from his mouth. Clint fell to the ground, coughing and cradling his bleeding fingers.

The god kicked Clint's hip, rolling him unceremoniously to his back. Hawkeye groaned in pain, raising a hand to his neck. A black boot kicked it out, then settled on his palm. Loki leaned his weight forward with a grin, and Clint ground his teeth. He turned his ankle, drawing a pained curse from the mortal man beneath him. Satisfied, he stepped between his hand and head, resting his other foot comparatively lighter in the side of Clint's face. Kneeling down, Loki feigned a caring, comforting grin.

"Are you going to obey me?"

Clint responded with a petulant snarl, earning him a sharp kick to the temple.

"Are you ready to obey me?" Loki repeated. He was silent, struggling to his hands and knees. The dull thud of shoes on concrete echoed in the dark warehouse, approaching leisurely.

"Well?" Impatience laced his voice. He covered Clint's injured hand with the toe of his boot again, leaning forward.

"Yes… Yes sir…"