It had been a solid month since Tony last heard from the trickster. With fewer setbacks, he was able to make more progress on his inventions, which was always nice. Though the god rarely destroyed anything particularly irreplaceable, his distractions and general mischief could drive a man insane. Tony already had a knack for misplacing things without the assistance of an outside source. Though, he had to confess, it had been a while since he'd gotten such a good night's sleep. He wondered what the mischievous little bastard could be getting himself into.
Suddenly, the sound of metal crashing against the floor echoed through the room as Tony worked through his equations, nearly causing him to shred a hole in his papers. Similar noises of commotion followed, and he shook his head in disbelief. What timing.
Dammit, Jarvis. He gets by you every fucking time.
He tossed his pencil aside in frustration and heaved himself out of his stool to face the disturbance coming from down the hall. He was fully prepared to see his living room and kitchen in shambles, as it would not have been the first time that the sneaky bastard destroyed his things.
Another loud clang sounded, vibrating through the walls. He covered his ears, as it took a moment to stop. Carefully, Tony rounded the corner and stood against the wall, arms crossed in front of him coolly. He sighed as he noticed Loki's helmet on the floor, kicked clear across the room and against his refrigerator. It was no doubt the source of all that ruckus.
"Will you knock it off? Really, dude. I'm sure this is all very funny for you, but…" Tony stopped, noticing that the figure across the room was shaking, hunched over his marble countertop. He suddenly felt very uneasy. "Do I need to call the team in again?" he threatened, trying to sound calm and collected.
Loki raised his hands in the air to signify some sort of compliance. Tony's heart skipped a beat when he noticed they were crimson.
"Loki, turn around," he demanded, taking a small step back. His mind was racing, trying to figure out whose blood had been spilt on the god's fingers.
The black and green figure slowly turned on the spot, hands still raised above his head. He looked smaller than usual, as his head was bowed and his entire body somewhat sunken in. Tony was not fully prepared for what he was about to see.
Loki's eyes lacked their usual mischievous luster. A deep cut ran across the bridge of his nose. He was particularly pale this night, a feat that would have otherwise seemed impossible to achieve. His chin was painted red, and he was trembling. His lips had been sewn shut.
Tony felt a lump forming in his throat. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Acting against his better judgment, he took a step closer.
"What happened?" he asked, clearing his throat. He took another step.
Loki's eyes were glued to the floor. He stood motionless, devoid of energy.
A few moments passed as Tony steadily inched nearer. He exercised extreme caution, hoping that he wasn't falling right into one of Loki's traps. To pull a stunt like this didn't seem to be above the God of Lies' standards. Timidly, he reached his hand forward, preparing to lift Loki's chin to get a better look in the light.
Loki's eyes finally moved from the floor, and he shot Tony a look that made him stop in his tracks. The emerald orbs seemed to say "don't you fucking dare", and "please help me," all at once.
"Who did this to you?" he asked quietly.
Loki slowly lowered his arms. He reached his hand to the countertop behind him and traced the letters with his fingertips, leaving a trail of blood to convey his message.
Thor.
"I don't believe you," Tony replied, an unintentional snicker following.
Loki slowly clenched his hand, causing the shorter man to back away warily. His green eyes were shut tightly as he attempted to try and calm himself. Merely seconds later, he turned and slammed his fist against the stainless steel refrigerator, creating a rather giant dent.
"Fuck! Hold on a second! If I take those out, will you promise to stop destroying my shit?" Tony blurted, waving his arms to get the god's attention. He bit his tongue, realizing the panic in his own voice. He watched as Loki's shoulders rose and fell as he took in labored breaths, waiting for a response that would never come.
"I'll be gentle," he added, altering his voice into a milder tone. Loki nodded slowly. "Ok, then. Just… just wait here a second. I have wire cutters in the other room." Silence. He sighed to himself and made his way down the hall hurriedly.
Loki turned away from the refrigerator timidly. His eyes stung with fresh tears that he refused to shed. He avoided looking at his bloodied hands at all costs. Why did he come here?
"Ok, got 'em," Tony said, holding the tool in his hand. "Here, it will be easier if you lie down."
Loki took a step forward, hesitating for a moment before dropping to one knee. He inhaled deeply through his nose, preparing himself for the shame that was about to ensue. He clenched his jaw tightly as he laid down on his back and stared at the recessed lights in the ceiling.
"Just hold still. I'll be careful, I promise," Tony assured him, kneeling down. As he leaned forward to get a better look, he noticed the bruises on the god's jaw. They looked like perfect fingerprints. He swallowed the lump in his throat, not realizing he had been staring for a good deal of time. His eyes inched further up Loki's face and they locked eyes. "I'm going to start now," he whispered, and placed his hand against the pale cheek to steady him.
Acting on its own accord, Loki's hand shot up and held the man's hand flush against his face. The warmth felt comforting against his skin.
Tony began snipping the leather cords that bound Loki's lips together. The process was fairly swift and effortless, but he knew the pain had yet to begin. He bit his lip nervously as he gripped the end of one of the cords with his thumb and forefinger and began to pull it through the open wound.
Loki shut his eyes tightly and took a deep breath through his nose. He pain was sharp, overwhelming, and familiar.
"You must stop doing these things at once, brother." Thor's voice echoed against the barren stone walls.
"Very well, then."
"You are lying. Father is upset, and this will only cause harm to you if you continue to lie and scheme behind his back."
"What will he do to me, then? The great and powerful Odin? Will he cast me out once more? I will do as I please. I need not to listen to you, or him. His empty threats do not concern me."
"Failure to comply with our father's requests will not bode well for you."
The two stood in silence, eyes locked.
"I will not say it again, brother," Thor warned.
"I am not your brother," Loki spat, gripping his scepter tightly. He did not like the look in Thor's eye. He sneered at the larger god, readying his weapon. Though he was smaller in stature and strength, he made up for these shortcomings with his powerful magic and unrelenting stamina.
Without sparing a moment, Thor charged toward his target. He swung Mjolnir forcefully, and it was met with Loki's scepter. A surge of energy erupted between them, staggering them both. Using his weapon to steady himself, Loki leapt into the air and landed a kick to Thor's chest with both feet. The larger god stumbled backward but was otherwise unaffected.
"Loki, I have warned you!" Thor bellowed. His booming voice caused the trickster to grimace.
"I do not fear you, the god of brute strength and additional worthless qualities," Loki retorted, the corners of his lips contorting into an evil smirk.
The two rushed toward each other once more, adrenaline pumping through their veins. They fought relentlessly, frequently falling to the floor and returning to their feet. Thor's chest heaved as he drew in breath, trying to keep up with the smaller figure. Loki darted around him, relying on his quickness to win the battle. His stamina was unparalleled, but his physical strength was comparatively lacking. The few blows that Thor landed caused him great pain, and gradually debilitated his efforts.
Loki swung his weapon through the air, grazing Thor's cheek. The god scowled as the mark grew crimson, and he reached out his hand to grasp anything he could. Loki's heart sped up as he realized Thor was gripping the end of his cape.
Before he could act, he was pulled to the floor forcefully, hands pinned behind his back. He was barely able to replenish the breath that was forced from his lungs when he felt a crushing weight on his chest. Mjolnir. He struggled beneath its weight to no avail, trying desperately to keep the larger figure from overpowering him.
Thor released a contemplative sigh. He reached into a small pocket in the side of his boot to retrieve a particularly threatening looking needle and long leather rope. Loki, busy trying to free himself from such an embarrassing situation, nearly overlooked the items. A small beam of light that reflected off of the sharp metal caught his eye and the struggle immediately stopped.
"What is that?" Loki asked, furrowing his brow.
"Forgive me, brother."
Loki's eyes widened as Thor grabbed hold of his jaw, holding him still. He could not pry his gaze from the menacing object. He tried to jerk his head away from his captor, but his attempts proved futile.
"I submit!" Loki blurted, gaze still fixed on the glimmering needle. "Thor, do not do this!"
"I warned you, Loki," Thor replied. The task pained him.
"Please," Loki begged, voice shaking. Odin had threatened to sew his lips together on multiple occasions if he continued his lies and mischief, but he never believed it to be true. "I know you do not want to do this, brother."
"So now I am your brother?" Thor scoffed. "Your words are true. I do not wish to carry out this task, but if it is not performed, you will never learn." At that, he pressed the pointed metal below Loki's bottom lip.
"Please!" Loki shrieked, feeling the bruises already forming along his jaw.
He felt a harsh pain overcome him. A metallic taste filled his mouth.
Loki's eyes shot open. His hands were now flat on the ground, and he could see that Tony was still huddled over his chest. Quiet whimpers sounded in his throat, and he realized he was crying. He dug the heels of his boots into the floor in an attempt to distract from the overwhelming sting.
"It's almost over," Tony murmured, trying his best to sound comforting as Loki took sharp, labored breaths through his nose. "Just one more," he added, biting his lip as he removed the final scrap of leather from the god's lips.
Loki's eyes fluttered shut and he opened his mouth slightly, taking in a deep breath.
"Thank you," he whispered, almost inaudibly.
"I'm going to get a towel. I'll be right back," Tony said, slowly getting to his feet. It was then that he noticed the thin layer of frost covering the ground in their immediate area. He carefully made his way out of the room and down the hall, rubbing his temples in disbelief.
He leaned over the bathroom sink and turned on the hot water. The steam filled his nostrils and he sighed. Such warmth felt nice after being perched atop the icy figure in his kitchen for so long. He grabbed a towel from the rack and placed it under the running water. He stared at his reflection and gave himself a reassuring nod as he prepared to return to the bloody mess.
"Here," said Tony as he rounded the corner. Loki was sitting now, his back pressed against the damaged refrigerator. His knees were tucked into his chest and his hands cupped below his chin. Thick drops of crimson pooled in his palms and trickled down his bracers. The sight of it made the man feel woozy.
Loki nodded and accepted the towel, quickly burying his face in it. The hot cloth was immediately comforting. It helped dull the pain and hide his shame as he discreetly wiped away his tears.
"The bathroom is just down the hall. You can use the shower if you'd like. It got kind of messy out here," Tony said, noticing that the sheet of ice had dissipated into mere streaks of bloody water across the floor.
Loki looked up from behind the towel, still pressing it against his lips and jaw. There were dark circles around his bloodshot and glassy eyes. His skin was a sickly white-green hue. He nodded again and slowly stood, swaying slightly.
"Follow me," Tony called as he made his way down the hall. The two entered a spacious bedroom. A comfortable looking bed sat in the center of the room, a large television hanging from the wall across it. It was modestly decorated, but very modern and expensive looking. "It's through here," he continued, leading Loki to the particularly extravagant bathroom. It boasted a giant bathtub and elegant granite features. The shower was encased in clear glass, with excessive looking chrome fixtures.
"I just got it remodeled. You'll love it," Tony said proudly. Loki appeared disinterested. "Right, then…" he continued, realizing he would not be receiving any admiration from the god. He opened the large glass door and turned a few handles, causing a gentle stream of water to flow from the large metal shower head. He turned on his heel and exited the room. "Oh, and leave the door open. I don't want any funny business."
Loki scoffed. He watched the man walk away and lie down on the bed, kicking off his shoes.
"Jarvis, it's gotta be, what, 3 o'clock in the morning? There must be something shitty for me to watch, don't you think?" The television clicked on. "I won't look, I promise," Tony called as he noticed Loki's gaze affixed on him. Loki's eyes narrowed. He shook his head to himself and tossed the ruined, lukewarm towel aside.
Tony sighed as he flipped through the seemingly endless channels, finding that it was all entirely trash. He listened closely to the sounds of heavy cloth and armor as they fell to the floor. He stole a glance toward the bathroom out of pure curiosity. He merely caught a glimpse of the god's blood stained hand as it closed the glass door. He tilted his head and leaned over the side of the bed slightly to get a better look.
He could make out the tall, porcelain figure through the blurred, steamy glass. The god stood, unmoving, as the hot water rushed over the back of his raven hair. Tony propped himself up on his elbow, wondering why he was so interested.
Loki closed his eyes and leaned his head back. The water rolled down his face, causing a gentle sting on his tender skin. The pain quickly faded, though, and he stood motionless beneath the gentle cascade. The billionaire was right. He did love it.
He tilted his head forward and watched the pink water spin down the drain. He hadn't realized his hair had caught so much blood. Finally, he shook the water from his face and began inspecting his hands. He scrubbed at the dried blood on his knuckles and the beds of his fingernails. After a long while, the water finally started to run clear. Loki rubbed his eyes and began to realize how exhausted he was. His powers were weakened.
Tony inconspicuously repositioned himself closer to the center of the bed. He half-watched some worthless drivel transpire on the screen in front of him, but kept his focus on the other room as the shower turned off. He quickly averted his gaze as Loki stepped out from the shower. He swallowed, discreetly trying to steal a peek.
Loki grabbed a black towel from the rack and wrapped it around his waist. The color matched his inky hair, and he turned toward the doorway. Tony's eyes quickly scanned the wet, muscular frame before returning to the glowing screen.
"I can see you, you know," Loki said, leaning in the doorway. Tony looked back at him, appearing uninterested. He noticed large, yellow-green bruises across the god's ribcage.
"Sorry?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"I seem to recall you vowing not to gawk at me," Loki continued, tilting his head. His rapidly healing lips turned up in a smirk, though it looked as though the motion pained him.
"I've seen better," Tony replied with a shrug. "Check that top drawer over there; I think I have some spare clothes."
"I respectfully decline that offer."
Tony raised a brow once more. "You can't wear my inferior, mortal clothing? You always have to prance around in that gaudy costume?" he jabbed. "Besides, it's looking a little haggard at the moment. No offense."
Loki turned his gaze to the pile of armor strewn across the bathroom. Large gashes tore through the heavy cape. Blood soaked into the shredded bits of leather and pooled in the dented metal. He pursed his lips in contemplation.
"Don't be a diva."
Loki rolled his eyes and reluctantly marched to the drawer. He pulled it open and retrieved a black t-shirt and black jeans.
"What a daring choice," Tony joked, getting an irritated glare in return. He brought his hands to his eyes dramatically to signify that he was not peeking as Loki quickly dressed himself. The god did not try to conceal his distaste for such pathetic garb.
"So," Tony started, fluffing the pillow behind him. "Are you going to tell me why you're here?"
The question caught Loki off guard. Amid the man's typical clowning, he somehow didn't expect it to come so soon. He opened his mouth, immediately closing it as he realized he had no words
"Of all the places you could have gone, you decided to materialize in the kitchen of an Avenger's home in the wee hours of the morning. Why?"
"I don't know," Loki muttered.
"I don't believe you." Tony crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I'm still not entirely convinced that you aren't up to something. It doesn't make any sense."
"I was a little… rushed, to say the least," Loki replied, heaving himself up to sit atop the dresser.
"Don't scratch that," Tony snapped.
"It's the first place I thought of," Loki continued, ignoring the petty concern. The two sat in silence for a few moments, eyes glued to the brilliant white carpet.
"So, what, are we buddies now?" Tony started, turning to face the god. He hung his legs over the edge of the bed. "You just show up here, expecting me to help you? You, the so-called "God of Mischief," who has on more than one occasion wrecked my home and destroyed my work… the same guy that's wreaked havoc on the people I'm supposed to help protect?"
"A bit odd, isn't it?" Loki replied, inspecting his nails. He appeared neutral.
"Why are you here? You showed up and, against my better judgment, I refrained from calling the team in. We could have wiped the floor with you, but instead I cleaned your pitiful ass up. You're welcome. Are you going back to your planet now?"
"I cannot go back," Loki muttered. "Why do you speak with such hostility?"
"Why do I feel like I'm being manipulated?"
"Everyone that speaks to me feels as though they are being manipulated," Loki spat, anger in his voice.
"Well, I wonder why that is."
Again, the room fell silent. The pair refused to meet each other's gaze.
"Why did he do it?" Tony asked, finally. Loki's eyelids fluttered shut and his lip twitched at the thought. "It did happen the way you say it did, right? That Thor just went ahead and sewed your mouth shut? It doesn't really seem like him, does it? Then again, I guess I don't really know the guy all that well. And it is kind of a pain in the ass to listen to you talk sometimes, I'll give him that… but how did he get the jump on you anyway? Did you forget how to use your special wizard powers?"
"Stop it," Loki whispered, hands clenched into fists.
"I'm sorry, was that too real for you?" Tony persisted, continuing to suppress that pesky better judgment in the back of his head. "Pepper tells me she likes to knit, I'm sure I can find a needle and some yarn lying around if you'd like me to—"
"Enough!" the god spat, teeth bared. He reopened one of the scabbed wounds, and a small crimson droplet trickled from the corner of his mouth. "Thor is a fool! He senselessly follows the orders of his equally irrational father to no end! He is a mindless brute, and yes, I was no match for that particular trait of his. He speaks as if he would do me no harm, as if the blood that flows through my veins is the same as his, though he knows that it is not. He has forever protected that notion, as ridiculous as it is, but its importance apparently has since gradually diminished. I may be recognized as the God of Lies and Mischief, but it is Thor that has proven deceitful. He feigns virtue and honor and uses his bestowed powers to torture those who pose a threat to his king, or even those who merely appear as such."
"So you threatened Odin?"
"It only appeared as such," Loki muttered quickly, cracking his knuckles. He carefully lifted his hand to his face and dabbed the corner of his lip with his ring finger. "You truly believe that the greatest sorcerer in Asgard could have been bested by a creature of sheer physical strength and little more? He has never done anything like this. I did not perceive him as a threat, and that was my downfall. I will admit I panicked. As soon as I was able to free myself, I made my way here. I am still unsure why, but I would say that the decision has proven sufficient thus far."
"You can't go back?"
"Technically speaking, yes I can. However, I am not in much of a hurry to return after this… incident. My reputation may say otherwise, but I assure you that I mean you no harm. You're a bright man. What could I possibly gain from this?"
"That's a very good question. Granted, the whole not trusting anybody thing has always worked out for me in the long run," Tony replied, returning to his original position in the middle of the bed. He re-fluffed his pillow. "So, is telling me all this your way of asking if you can stay here? Because I don't know how comfortable I am with a lethal psychopath bunking over."
"I never assumed you would let me stay. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you've already called up your ragtag team of misfits and they were waiting for me outside. Trusting no one is the only way to guarantee well-being. The last time I ignored that truth, I wound up here in a pool of my own blood."
"How embarrassing," Tony quipped. Judging by the god's facial twitch, he knew he'd struck another nerve. He cursed his inability to filter himself. "I don't understand; why didn't you just suck it up and stop trying to take over the world?" he continued, heart beating faster. He couldn't stop. "So you've got daddy issues. Thor brought you all the way back there with him and you couldn't just let it go?"
"You would not understand," Loki interrupted. He dropped down from atop the dresser and took a step closer, his tall build more apparent.
"I understand that you like to whine about insignificant—"
"My entire existence was a lie!" Loki shouted, silencing the man. "I grew up believing the ridiculous notion that someday I could be King of Asgard. That throne was never meant for me. I was not Odin's son. I was stolen as an infant from Jotunheim where I was hidden away, an embarrassment even to them. And how did I find out? It was an accident. I was never to see what I really am. I was only meant to live in the shadow of that hammer-wielding brute. I am merely a stolen relic."
Tony swallowed the lump in his throat as the fiery green eyes pierced his own. Loki's breathing was heavy and he furrowed his brow.
"You would not understand," Loki repeated. A single tear escaped from the corner of his eye, and he clenched his jaw in humiliation. "I panicked, and I ended up here. You are but a man without your suit of armor, and an outcast beyond that. Truthfully, I did not expect anyone to help me. I will be going now, Stark." He turned away with a sigh, taking long strides toward the door.
"Wait," Tony muttered, surprising even himself. "Look, I can't believe I'm saying this, but fuck it. You can stay here, just one night." Loki glanced over his shoulder in disbelief. "But it's only because I feel sorry for you," he added. "And if you try anything, Jarvis will have the Hulk on your ass in a second."
