"Are you sure Fury made the right call here?" The question was meant as an aside but the Captain was loud enough for you to hear. Tony, turned to him and paused momentarily, a skeptical look crossing his face that confirmed both of their opinions on the matter.
"Look," you brought their attention back to you, as you leaned forward against the large conference table, the chilled metal sending goose bumps up your arms as you clasped your hands in front of you, "I've known Nick Fury for a long time and I've learned to tell the difference between when he's being batshit and when to listen." Stark nodded in agreement, a slight smile playing on his lips at your words.
"You see," Tony's finger found its pointed way into the air as his expression twisted again, "What I don't understand is why he sent you," there wasn't any malice in his voice and you had to admit it was a fair question.
"New York was chaos, Stark. Other worldly magic isn't something you're prepared for and I understand you're skeptical of newcomers," you opened your hands and held them up in an almost 'surrender' like gesture before leaning back in the chair, "But I've studied it for years and I've seen it a little too up close and personal many times. I can help, " You tried to stress the sincerity in your tone. You weren't the 'Avenger' type. You had no super powers or high tech suits but you had a cultivated expertise that they lacked and both you and Fury agreed it would be for the best if you offered your services.
"Help us weaponize magic?" Steve chimed in, leaning against the glass wall to the back of the room, head tilted down towards his crossed arms but gaze fixed on you. You exhaled out of your nose in a short breath, shaking your head.
"Help you understand it and fight against it if you need to. As far as you and S.H.I.E.L.D are concerned, I don't know how to weaponize it." Steve made eye contact with you, considering what you meant before relaxing slightly.
"Well, I think I've heard all I need to," Tony abruptly stood back from the table and you couldn't decipher his tone of voice until he stepped to stand in front of you, offering you his hand. You stood, and took it, shaking it firmly as he grinned, "Welcome aboard."
"Thank you," you smiled in return, dropping your hand back to your side and retrieving your bag from the table, drawing your gaze over to Steve.
"One condition," Steve interjected, making his way to the two of you. You tilted your head in anticipation, waiting for him to continue, "You train with us. We can't have anyone here vulnerable, even if you aren't in the field."
"And I'll be expecting you bright eyed and bushy tailed come next week," Stark informed you.
"Won't be a problem," You smiled curtely at both of the men, shaking Steve's hand before heading on your way.
The sleek metal walls weren't exactly inviting but they felt familiar somehow in a way you couldn't quite pinpoint. Your boots thudded against the stone floors and you tugged your duffle bag, higher up on your shoulder. You always traveled light, except for your books, which you would have to ship over from your storage unit. The muffled sounds of someone talking vibrated off the walls, quickly followed by Tony, clad in jeans and a dark AC/DC tee shirt who was walking towards you but continued to keep his attention on his companion as he kept talking.
"Miss (Y/N)," Tony chimned. You watched him eye you curiously, before shifting his weight to gesture to the man beside him, "Legolas here will show you around. Make yourself at home and I'm sure you'll meet all of the band members eventually." You returned his smile as a voice came over the speakers.
"Sir, there is a call for you on line 2," A soft british tone informed him.
"Tell them to wait a sec will ya'," Tony answered the voice, turning quickly and disappearing down a different hallway.
"I'm (Y/N)," you introduced yourself to the remaining man in the room, who shook your outstretched hand.
"Clint," He squinted at you ever so slightly before the two of you headed to the elevator, "So, you're are new recruit?"
"Well, not exactly. I'm here to help when other worlds get involved but I can can ensure you I don't control minds, fly, or have assassins training," you laughed a little.
"It's good to know I don't have another person to fight with over my pop tarts," The elevator door opened and you followed him out, "I'll show you your room and I'm sure you can find your way around. This floor and the next are mostly living quarters. Training room is up two floors and food is up one or down three. The llibrary is up two and labs are past the deck," As he spoke you both made your way down the hall, passing a series of doors and a large open living room that was backed up against large windows overlooking the city. Clint stopped at the door at the end of another hall, "And this you, I'm three doors and a left down," he pointed from where you had came, "that way."
"Thank you," You opened the door and set your bag just inside, still standing in the hall.
"Not sure how much you'll see of the others but they are usually around here somewhere."
"Cap was very insistent on me training with the team, so I'm sure I'll meet everyone soon."
"He'll regret that when you get to watch me kick his ass," you laughed, or more like scoffed, at Clint's statement, which he delivered with the utmost serious expression.
"Sure," you commented, finally stepping into your room. Clint nodded again and headed down the hall before you closed the door behind you. Your hand grabbed at the wall, searching in vain for a light switch, "Where the fuck is the light switch," you mumbled out loud.
"Turning light on," the same voice you had heard earlier sounded, making you jump as the room was illuminated. The room was minimalistic in a way but with a luxury that you had come to expect from Tony Stark. The short hallway from the door gave way to a large carpeted space with a Queen bed jetting out from the left wall into the middle. A desk was tucked away in the corner beside a large empty bookcase that didn't quite reach the ceiling. You slowly made your way forward, eyes wide as you reached the window stretching the wall of your room. The lights weren't particularly bright and gifted the room a hotel like ambiance. An open door caught your eye and you strode across the floor to peer inside. The tile on the bathroom floor was a shade lighter than the dark stone gray of the tower. It accented the clean white tub that found its place nestled next to a rectangular glass shower. A medium sized wardrobe could be found on the opposite wall passed the sink and you quickly glanced at it before exiting and throwing yourself on the bed.
"This was different," you thought, letting a sigh escape your lips. This was really different than anywhere you had lived in a long while but who isn't up for a little adventure?
Your first week in the tower was rather uneventful. After a series of wrong turns and accidently walking in on Steve polishing his shield, which seemed like a weirdly private ordeal, you established a decent map of the interior. You mostly spoke to Cap during training exercises. He had taken it upon himself to work with you but made sure you stayed on the sidelines. Clint became a quick friend. It was nice to have someone to talk to who didn't take everything so seriously. Tony popped in and out on occasion and Nat mostly kept her distance. Banner was sweet and you found it hard to imagine that the dorky doctor was the same green beast that could nearly rip a bridge in half.
"Why don't we see what the new girl's got," Clint challenged you through heaving breaths, having finished sparing with and being thrown to the ground by Nat. You threw a quick glance to Steve.
"If you feel like you're up for it," He answered with his eyebrows raising to a crease.
"Alright then," You pushed yourself up off the bench you were sitting on and made your way to the left of the floor, where Clint gestured to a rack of dulled weapons.
"Pick your poison." You let your eyes roll over the objects, throwing knives, bow and arrow, various sized guns that were unloaded. You squinted at the long-sword, wondering briefly why in the world it would be needed, until you landed on a set of twin daggers. The corners of your mouth tugged upwards as you lifted your choice from their holdings and turned to Clint. He eyes the weapons and you curiously, setting his arrows aside and pressing a button on the side of his bow that quickly released two sword like structures from the ends, before you both took your positions.
"Well, come on then feathers," you taunted with a smile, letting the daggers twirl in your hands before gripping the handles tightly. Clint lunged first, bringing his weapon down in a quick strike. The clinking of metal echoed throughout the room as it met your crossed daggers. You pushed him back, bringing the daggers back to your side before stepping forward, your stabbing motion blocked by him as he spun you around into what was almost a choke hold. A sharp elbow to the ribs and his grip loosened up enough for you to push your way free. The two of you continued, each with successful and blocked advances until he managed to hit the right point on your wrist, sending one dagger skidding across the floor. He stepped back, a grin on his face but you only smiled wider, lifting a hand out that sent the dagger flying back into your grip without losing eye contact with Clint.
"No powers huh?" He questioned, once again landing a blow onto crossed blades.
"You don't spend a lifetime studying magic without picking up a few tricks."
"I think that's enough," Steve stepped up to the two of you, a smile on his face, "Where did you learn to fight," He turned to you and you placed the daggers back to their rightful place, your chest rising quickly in an effort to catch your breath.
"Like I said, I've picked up a few tricks," Clint placed a hand on your shoulder and glanced at Cap.
"I think," he groaned sightly, reaching his other hand up to rub where Nat had connected his shoulder to the ground, "We've had enough for today." You nodded in agreement, looking around the room, only to noticed Nat was no longer there. The three of you made your way to the lower floor kitchens. You made a glass of water and couldn't help but smile to yourself as Steve pulled a bottle of some green liquid from the fridge. Half an hour later, having showered and changed, you found your way into one of the living rooms, only to see everyone speaking from standing positions by the bar. Nat and Clint's backs were to you but you could see Steve's stiff posture and the way Tony was clenching his jaw. Banner hadn't even looked up from where his fingers pressed themselves against his hairline. Worry quickly set in as you walked over to them.
"Is there something going on that I should know about," the words left your mouth cautiously as all eyes fell on you, their expressions all unchanging.
"We have word from Thor," Steve eventually answered, "After New York he returned Loki to Asgard but there was evidence of mind control. Loki may not have been fully aware of what he was doing and they have decided he should be supervised here." Nearly everyone shifted uncomfortably and Banner scoffed quietly at the prospect. The ground felt as if it was shifting underneath your feet, the room turning slowly like a carnival ride that had just begun. Loki, the name echoed in your mind and amplified the twisting knots in your stomach, "Thor will be here tomorrow morning," Cap concluded, securing the final knot in your gut.
"Which means," you forced your eyes to peel back from their cemented place on the floor in front of you and glance up at Tony who now stood next to you, "It's your time to shine," his hand clasped your shoulder as he forced out a tight lipped smile, a certain weariness laced in his tone.
"Brother, I don't see how you expect your midgard pets to safeguard me any better than the palace guards," Loki eyed Thor, his wrists turning uncomfortably in his chains as Thor half dragged him to the outskirts of Asgard.
"It is not safe for you here, brother," He answered, not looking to his brother but keeping his gaze and determination forward.
"And it's safer for me there," Loki stopped in his tracks, forcing Thor to stop too, who finally turned his somber attention to him.
"They know it was not you, not truly you, that they fought," Thor attempted and failed at a comforting tone and Loki still refused to budge.
"Knowledge, unfortunately, isn't all there is and such events aren't easily forgotten," Loki began to walk again, his chains clanking together as his hands fell against his body when he stepped.
"I trust my friends with my life. All I'm asking of you is to trust me," A glance was shared between the two of them that seemed to display a conflict of sorts in both gazes but before Loki had a chance to open his mouth the bifrost enveloped them in a quick flash, replacing their shining city with concrete floor of the Tower's deck. Tony and Cap met them together and joined the remainder of those they knew in the conference room. The air was thick, worsened by the heavy glares everyone held unrelentingly on Loki who shifted slightly where he stood. Thor briefly greeted each of the team and returned to his place by his brother.
"I cannot stay but I trust my brother is in good hands. I know he has caused each of you pain but I know you will see that he is not who you have met in New York," Thor smiled at Loki, who simply rolled his eyes.
"You will stay in the tower," Steve informed him, "You are restricted from the labs and the armory. Tony has eyes on every inch of this place, so you step one foot out of line and-"
"And we have a nice familiar cell waiting for you," Tony cut him off, finishing the thought and putting a mocking smile on Loki's face. Thor removed the handcuffs, causing another nearly audible shift in the room. Loki, smiled at his wrists, rubbing the spots where the metal had confined him.
"You'd let me roam freely, how brave of you," Loki spoke for the first time, grinning once more as he challenged the room.
"Not exactly," Tony spoke quickly, raising a finger in contradiction and stepping backward till he was near the door, "We may not understand your little Criss Angel mindfreak act you've got going on but we have someone who does," Tony kept his eyes on Loki but opened the door slightly and gestured to something outside.
"Oh," Loki took a step forward, keeping his eyes trained on Tony, "I'm very intrigued to see what you've prepared. Pray tell, what's your secret weapon?"
"That'd be me," you managed to sound firm though your voice shook as you stepped through the door, locking eyes with raven haired trickster, who stood speechless before you, "Hello again."
