"So, hi."

"Hi indeed," Loki quirked a brow.

The situation was a strange one, and felt fruitless. Authorised by Nick Fury himself, the Avengers had been graciously adopted into a babysitting program. Well, that was how it had registered in Tony Stark's brain.

In reality, Fury had just explained that they were to wheedle some information out of the deranged god. The one who led an entire army of aliens to destroy Earth. The one sitting across from him, separated only by a metal table. He'd been assured that there were many protocols in place should Loki have any surprises, but the situation felt tense regardless.

He'd thought that Loki being sent off to Asgard was the last he'd see of the god. But, a few weeks into reparation and peace, and the ugly head of mischief had reared itself again. Not by choice, but he was still bitter.

Tony vaguely wondered if Loki was uncomfortable at all. Very few things seemed to make him uncomfortable.

At that moment, he was just staring blankly, looking through him. "If you're going to waste my time, you'd do well to give me a prettier face than that of a goldfish."

Tony frowned. "I don't recall there being any mirrors in this room."

Loki snorted, but said nothing more.

There was something about the god's eyes that pulled at Tony's mind, a difference that he couldn't quite pinpoint. He must've squinted too hard, because the previously disinterested cloud in those eyes cleared, and he found himself trapped in an intense stare.

"Alright," he began slowly as he dared to break the contact. "I'm not a master of interrogation, but Fury will breathe down my neck for weeks if I don't attempt this." He positioned his hands into a more formal arrangement, as if he were about to counsel Loki. "Let's start simple. Why did you do it?"

"Just a bit of fun," Loki bared in his teeth in that animalistic grin of his. "What better way to alleviate my boredom than to play with my toys? Dolls are awfully popular in this realm, I heard."

"Morbid," Tony stated plainly. "But I'm not inclined to believe that. Kids don't have fun by formulating master plans to enslave a realm."

"I am not a kid," Loki replied.

"You act like one," Tony smiled. "We don't play with toys to assert our dominance on this realm, and I find it hard to believe you guys play tea parties and dress up in Asgard." He idly tapped his finger against his chin, analysing Loki like a riddle.

A part of it clicked into place.

"How did you get here?"

Loki took his time, whether out of spite or genuine thought Tony wasn't sure. The toxic stare was trained on him like a gun to a target. Tony wondered when he'd pull the trigger.

"A portal," the answer finally came.

Tony exhaled. Every experience he had with Loki was not unlike speaking to a magic eight ball. You'd never be completely certain what answer you'd get, but it was guaranteed to be vague and ultimately unhelpful.

"Yeah, Fury explained that multiple times. Give me a procedure. How'd you get to that point?"

This time, the waiting period was shorter, but he knew what to expect from the mischievous expression he received. "I stepped through the portal, and arrived on the other side."

He knew it was time to move on. "When you came through the portal, you were pretty beat up. The footage was a bit distorted, but it was pretty obvious you weren't in your best shape. Care to explain?"

The way Loki stiffened at that was both alarming and gratifying. He'd snagged a fish, but would it fight? Those green eyes bore into him, and the atmosphere changed. The feeling sent shivers down his spine.

But as quick as the change had happened, Loki had shifted back into his usual demeanour. "Travelling between realms can be difficult," he said. "I was merely tired."

Tony craned his neck forwards and squinted. As quickly as the hook had caught it, the fish wriggled free and disappeared in the depths. He felt a moment's sympathy for Thor. How frustrated he would be, trying to manage a family member like this.

"I hate to spoil the fun, but mortals can't summon magic by flexing every muscle in their face."

Damn Loki. He pulled back and shrugged off the sheepish feeling. He shifted in his seat as he thought. He was starting to side with Clint, at this point – perhaps Loki was a lost cause, even as an information source.

But the look on Thor's face; the desperately stony expression but hopeful eyes. He wanted badly to believe that Loki had more reasoning than meets the eye. He wanted badly to have his brother back, and damn if Tony didn't feel a twinge of sympathy for that.

As it was, he knew Loki wasn't going to spare anything more. It was the first attempt, the first day, and nobody solved a Rubix cube on their first go. He lifted himself up from his steel chair, and started towards the door.

"Do send in that lovely agent," Loki sing-songed after him. "I'm looking forward to my chat with her. Maybe I'll even earn a kiss on the cheek by the end of it."

It didn't take a genius to know who he was mentioning. Tony frowned, but thought the better of dignifying Loki with a proper reply. If he'd learnt anything, it was that he thrived off of chaos, and that wasn't limited to the physical kind.

"See you later, Reindeer Games."

I'm no stranger to the rodeo of fanfictions, but I've never actually completed one.

I'm hoping this story will mark the end of that era, because writing truly is an art, is it not?

I'm new to the Marvel universe. I've seen most of the movies (yes, that includes Endgame), but never looked into it the way I have now - never played favourites, took interest in the stories. But now I'm ready, and I'm coming into it with a story! I'm partial to Loki, and adore fictions about him being redeemed. But I feel some of them portray it in a way that's much too fast for Loki. I thought I'd try my hand at redeeming Loki in a way I'd like to see.

This takes place after the Chitauri invasion, so therefore isn't compliant with movies following The Avengers. I'll likely pick and choose from themes and ideas in those movies, though.