Chapter 2

Just a token

'Pete? Pete, where are you going?' Ned asked worriedly, staring at Peter's back as he followed his best friend deeper into the forest. 'We have to get back to the group. We can't just disappear on our first school trip.'

'I know, I know,' the teen said absentmindedly, though he continued his steady pace. 'I just- I really need to, uhm, see this… something, over there.'

'See this something over there?' Ned repeated as he raised a questioning brow. He had followed his friend as he noticed him wondering away from the group without saying a word but had started to regret doing so. 'Come on, man, we've been walking for thirty minutes. The other's must be freaking out by now, we have to go back.' He then looked up, sighing as he noticed thick branches and leaves blocking out the sunlight. He looked over his shoulder and tried find the trail they've been walking so they could go back, but all he saw were layers of golden-brown leaves covering the ground. 'If we know how to get back, that is…'

'Don't worry, Ned. Really, I know what I'm doing.' Peter tried to reassure him though he did not look back to meet his gaze. 'We should go… this way,' he nodded a tad nervously and continued his journey deeper into the forest.

'Seriously, Pete, what could be out here that's so important?' Ned took a few big steps forward so he could catch up with his friend. 'I mean, there really isn't much out here besides trees and Finger Lakes, you know, where our class is? So what are you looking for?'

'I just- really need to…' Peter mumbled as he hardly listened to his friend. He searched the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a piece of paper, studying it with care. '… Okay, we should cross that small river over there and then continue south.'

'Pete, are you even listening to a word I'm saying?' Ned started to sound desperate. It would start to grow dark soon, and although it was already April, the nights were still treacherously cold. He wanted to go back. Back to the lakes, back to the bus and their teacher. Hell, he would even welcome Flash's smug face if that would mean he could go home. 'Can you at least tell me what you are looking for?'

Peter finally stopped walking and looked up at his best friend. He opened his mouth and looked him in the eye, only to sigh in defeat. '… You're not gonna believe me, even if I told you.'

'Try me,' Ned smiled, happy to finally have his friend's attention.

'… Remember how I told you that I always wanted to be an Avenger? That I would do anything to become one?'

'Only like a hundred times,' He chuckled, remembering the countless hours he and Peter had spend on endless discussions and, dare he say, fangirl-ing over the group of amazing super heroes. Though, Peter's love for them had always been much stronger. 'What about it?'

'Well… I- I have been contacted,' Peter said as he nervously fiddled with the piece of paper in his hand.

'You've been-! You mean, by the Avengers? By the actual Avengers?!' Ned asked in complete astonishment, his eyes growing wide. 'Who did you talk to? Nick Fury? Captain America?' He then gasped, 'Was it Iron Man?!'

'Uhm, no, it- it where none of those guys,' Peter gulped and stared at his mud-covered sneakers for a second. 'It was, someone else… One person, or rather two… well, it was not really a person, but-'

'Pete, please,' Ned urged his friend to continue as he noticed Peter starting to ramble. 'Just tell me, man. You're killing me here. Who called you?'

'It… it wasn't a call,' Peter lowered his shoulders and stared at his friend through his eyelashes. He hesitantly handed the piece of paper to Ned. 'Last night, two incredibly big ravens flew by my window…'

'So?' Ned frowned and took the paper in hand, reading it and then turned it over a couple of times. 'This… this is a map? But for what?'

'Ned, those ravens… They were Huginn, Muninn. They brought me this map.'

Ned slowly lowered his hands, his gentle eyes filled with alarm as he looked at his friend. 'You mean…?'

'They're Loki's ravens. I, I think Loki's trying to help me. He must have somehow heard that I want to become an Avenger really really bad and-'

'Pete,' Ned interrupted his friend, shook his head and run a hand through his hair. 'Pete, you can't- I mean, you shouldn't-' He then grabbed his friend's wrist and guided him to the direction which he hoped would be the way back to their class. 'We have to go, now.'

'Wha- no, Ned, wait, we're so close!' Peter freed his wrist from his friend's grip. 'I'm not going back, I just… This is my chance, Ned. I know Loki is, well, he's not the most trustworthy person, but…'

'Not the most trustw-? Peter! He's a liar, a- a criminal, he's the devil! We've all seen the damage he did to New York, and him disappearing right after his attack… Well, that guy's dangerous! I mean, he's been spying on you, 'nough said! How else does he know you want to be an Avenger? We should hand this map over to the police and report this.'

'No, I can't do that!' The teen turned on his heels, continuing his walk. 'If this is really Loki trying to call out to me than maybe that means he wants to help me. Maybe he's actually a kind guy, I mean, no one is all bad, right?'

'Pete, please, I beg you, as your friend,' Ned tried to calm himself, the thought of the trickster god trying to lure his friend into what was defiantly a trap sending shivers up his spine. 'Please don't do this. Let's go back.'

'I'm sorry, but I have to do this.' Peter's shoulders dropped as did his voice. 'If there is only the slightest chance that he could make an Avenger out of me, then, well, I'm willing to take that risk. I'm just so tired of being a constant loser, of being a nobody and when I see Iron man, o-or Captain America, or the Winter Soldier, I just…With Loki's help I, well,' he sighed deeply. 'I understand if you don't want to come with me, I'm not gonna ask you to.'

After some further arguing, the two continued their path, following the instructions on the map. It was another three-hour hike, walking over treacherous small paths, climbing steep hills and crossing fast flowing rivers. They stopped in an open space in what felt like the middle of the forest, the ground covered in a thick layer of golden-brown leaves falling from the surrounding trees.

'I- I think we're lost, Pete,' Ned panted as he looked around. 'There's nothing here except trees, trees and some more trees over there.'

'No, I don't understand… We can't be lost, we followed the map and we-' Peter stopped mid-sentence, squinting his eyes as he spotted something in the dark shadows between some rotting trees.

'Great, so all of this was for nothing,' Ned sighed and rubbed the back of his head, not knowing whether he felt frustrated or relieved. 'We really need to find out how to get back to the bus, it's really getting dark.'

'Uh-huh,' Peter responded absentmindedly as he walked towards the shadows, his eye caught by an old, rusty handle. He took slow steps, looking down at the ground as he heard something crack underneath his feet. The leaves he was walking on started to decay, their bright red and orange hues turning grey and black. He gulped and lifted his feet, his eyes widening as he saw the skeleton of a mouse, its bones shattered underneath his weight.

Peter looked up again. He was within arm's reach of the handle that was connected to an old rotting hatch, perfectly hidden in plain sight between the dense greenery. All he had to do now was just grab it and pull. He stretched out his hand and wrapped his fingers around the rusty handle, slowly, cautiously, Ned's voice a dull noise in the far back. The wooden hatch opened, protesting with a loud creaking sound. Peter peered inside but saw nothing as there were no lights burning. He still stepped inside, ignoring every alarm that was ringing wildly in his body.

'Hello…?' the teen's voice was filled with tension as he stared down what seemed like a deep tunnel. 'Anybody here? I- I followed the map the ravens gave me. I- I don't mean to intrude…' He nearly jumped out of his skin as the hatch slammed shut behind him. He turned around, panting, his heart beating loudly in his chest. 'Shit… Ned?' He pressed his hands against the wood and frantically searched for the handle. 'NED! Ned, can you hear me?!' Peter swallowed thickly as he got no response. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He could not show any signs of being scared, not now that he was going to meet the one person who could help him live his dream. What kind of Avenger would he be if he would be afraid of a little darkness.

Without any light to guide him, Peter placed his hands against the walls of the small tunnel and navigated himself deeper underground into the trickster's layer. After a few careful steps, he noticed a small light shining faintly at the end and increased his pace. He eventually walked into an open space and, judging by the lack of windows and daylight, assumed it was a hole underground.

It was not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, like he had expected, infested with worms and oozy smells. No, it was anything but that. Peter looked around in awe, his eyes falling on the walls covered in pure crystal, gleaming in the light of a small fire that burned in the center of the room. He walked in, slowly, his fingers scanning over the luxurious material. He then tilted his head slightly as he stared into the small, dying flame, only now realizing how cold he was now that he was standing close to the warmth.

'It took you long enough.'

A voice echoed through the cold of the room and Peter turned around with a gasp.

He stared at the man in front of him, his eyes trailing a slim and elegant figure. The man's skin was white like the sweetest milk and wore an all-black suit that fitted him perfectly. His raven-black hair was shoulder length and tugged neatly behind his ears, curling slightly at the tips. His eyes, like precious emeralds, mesmerizing and unforgiving.

Peter gulped, staring at something that could have easily walked straight out of a fairy tale book. 'A-are you…?' He asked softly, doubting his eyes. This could not be the dangerous and wicked Asgardian. This could not be the god everyone whispers of in fear. This could not be Loki.

The raven grinned, 'Yes, I am.' His smile only grew as he saw the teen stare back at him with wide eyes, the boy's body as stiff as a corpse as he tensed. 'I am the echo of a scream. I am the magpie who whispers,' the man stepped into the light, his eyes and skin going pale under the lights reflected by the crystals. He marched towards Peter, steps steady and fluent until he stopped only an inch in front of him. 'I am the crime that will never be forgiven, and yet, at the same time, I am the one you so desperately wanted to meet.' He chuckled softly at the teen's lost expression, Peter's jaw trembling softly as he stared into Loki's vivid green eyes. 'I am Loki, and I am here to aid you, Peter.'

'You- you know my name?' Peter asked as he tried to figure out whether he was in awe by the god's presence or simply petrified. The trickster's voice was soothing, almost making him indifferent to the actual words he spoke. A slight hint of musk was found in his scent and Peter expected himself to hate it, to be overwhelmed by it, but instead he found it calming and for some reason it made him feel at ease.

'I know all about you,' the raven's lips turned into a warm smile and Peter averted his eyes for a second as he felt his cheeks turning red. 'Now, you want to be an Avenger,' he let his long fingers trail through a lock of Peter's ruffled hair and adjusted it to put it back in its proper place. 'Am I correct?'

'Y-yeah…' Peter nearly whispered as he felt the god's lean fingers trail over his face. He shut his eyes tightly, ordering himself to keep his cool. As he opened his eyes, he noticed that the trickster was not in front of him anymore and he turned around as he heard glass clinking against each other.

Loki was searching through all sorts of bottles that were on top of a shelve, the vibrant colors that filled the flasks left Peter to wonder why he had not noticed them sooner.

'Now then, Love, the solution is rather simple,' the trickster continued as he set some of the bottles aside. 'The only way to get what you want is to have your own set of super powers.'

'You could do that?' Peter whispered almost desperately as he quickly stepped next to the trickster. He wanted to look at all the different potions and liquids that the raven was collecting, but instead found himself staring at his face again. There was something about Loki, about the way he uses his voice, his words, the very way he smiled, moved and even breathed. It all let the teen in a hypnotic daze.

'My dear, sweat boy, that is what I do. It is what I live for,' the dying fire in the center of the room was brought back to life with a snap of the raven's fingers, its flames dancing wildly and reaching over six foot high. 'Now, I will make you a potion that will grand you your own set of unique super powers for three days.' Loki gently placed his hands on the teen's cheeks, drawing his attention as Peter was still overwhelmed by the sudden combustion. 'Do you hear me, love? Three days. Now listen, for this is important, before the sun sets on the third day, you will have to convince your new group that you are a true Avenger. And I do not mean just by making them complement you, but by letting you join them. Letting you sign a contract to become a part of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a part of their team. Now, if you will sign that contract you can keep your powers, permanently, but, if you don't, you will be turned back into an ordinary mortal and you will stay with me.'

'Stay… with you…?' Peter asked hesitantly, all the information overwhelming him greatly.

'Oh, and there is one more thing. We have yet to discuss the subject of payment. You cannot get something for nothing, you know?'

'But I don't have any-'

'Hush now, love,' Loki gently placed the tip of his finger on Peter's lips, a kind smile forming on his face as he saw the teen blush at the intimate touch. 'I am not asking much, just a token, really, a trifle. What I want from you is a few hours of your time, nothing more. Just- to be together.'

'W-wait,' Peter shook his head as he took a step back, this deal sounding too good to be true. He squinted his eyes and stared at the trickster, his heart skipping a beat as he looked straight into those gorgeous emeralds. 'The only thing you want from me, in exchange for super powers, is my company?'

'You speak of it as if it is a foolish trade,' Loki looked at him through his thick black lashes, the corners of his mouth slightly turned downwards. His voice was small, almost heart-breaking.

'No, no! That's not what I was trying to say,' Peter held out his hands as he truly felt sorry. He had not wanted to sound rude or make a fool out of the god. He looked at the trickster's gleaming eyes, his heart shattering as he spotted the hurt shining through. 'I did not mean to make fun of you, I just… I can't really believe that me being here would be something you, well, would be interested in.'

Loki stared at the teen for a few seconds longer, a sigh leaving his lips as he placed a bottle back on the shelve. 'I understand your confusion, Peter, and I know it must sound like an odd request. But let me ask you this; what do you think it is like to live here? Hidden from the rest of the world in solitude? Days, weeks, even months go by in which I do not use my voice. My own brother and his friends are hunting me down, wanting to take my life. Mortals, they fear me. They spread word that I am not to be trusted, that I am a monster who should be avoided…'

'That sounds… Lonely,' Peter furrowed his brows as he thought this through. Was this really the same man that attacked New York? Was this the same god that had caused hundreds of deaths? The teen looked up, meeting Loki's gaze. All he saw now saw was a lonely spirit, a man desperate for company, willing to do anything just so he did not have to be alone for a couple of hours. Maybe Loki was just misunderstood? Maybe he had no choice but to attack? Maybe someone made him…

Peter sighed, deciding to give the god a second chance and judge for himself. 'Is that why you want to help me? Why you want to give me super powers? Just so you don't have to be alone?'

'If only for just a few minutes, yes,' the raven nodded slowly. 'When Muninn and Huginn told me that there was someone out there, someone who could actually use my help and just might listen to my story, well, I was beyond words.' Loki looked up, the spark of hope in his eyes and the grateful, timid smile on his face filled Peter's stomach with butterflies for a brief moment. 'You wished for help, Peter, and even though that desire was born out of pure desperation, I felt so obliged, so… wanted, needed. You have no idea how truly happy you made me. I immediately let my trusted birds bring you a map, hoping you would come and now,' the raven took a step forward and held Peter's hands in his own, bringing them to his chest with a smile. 'Now you are actually here, in front of me.'

'Loki….' Peter nearly whispered, feeling the god's chest heave gently beneath his hands. He let out a deep breath as a warm feeling settled in his stomach. His eyes wondered to where the god's hands held his own, pale and soft skin stimulating his senses. He shivered as they felt cold, yet at the same time they radiated a form of… kindness, and warmth.

Peter's eyes suddenly changed, determination shining through as he looked the trickster in the eye. Loki was gorgeous, there was no point in denying that and if spending a couple of hours in here with him would make him happy, well, he would gladly stay.

The raven blinked at Peter's intense gaze and quickly let go of his hands. 'My apologies, Peter. I- I did not- it was not my intension to- I understand if you wish to leave, I will not stop you. All I ask of you is to please not tell others of our encounter.' He wanted to take a step back but was stopped by a warm hand that wrapped around his own.

'It's okay, Loki,' Peter smiled kindly. 'I want to stay here with you. It's a deal. You give me super powers for three days and I stay here with you for, pff, three hours? How about that?'

'… You would stay here with me for three hours? No matter what would happen…?' The trickster asked hesitantly, hardly believing the teen's words.

'No matter what happens,' Peter nodded determinately. He could barely control his excitement, not only would he get his chance to shine and become a part of the Avengers, but he could also stay in the company of such a kind and, dare he say, handsome god. Maybe, if he really would become an Avenger, he could help Loki and show the world that he is actually a very nice guy.

'Then, if you would not mind,' the trickster conjured a contract in his hand with the flick of his wrist. 'I just need you to sign this, it shows your consent and will allow me to put you under the spell.'

Peter stared at the contract for a second, the thousands of small words leaving him dizzy the moment he laid his eyes on it. He then looked at his hand, noticing he was holding a dark green quill as gorgeous as the raven's eyes. He took a deep breath and, with shaking but determined hands, signed the scroll.