A/N: Due to an overwhelming positive response to the last chapter, I am assuming I have not screwed up terribly yet. However, take this time to go back and reread what Tony says to the Avengers when he gathers them. Because my app deleted part of the sentence so I had to fix that...
I apologize beforehand for how random this chapter gets.
I was very distracted.
Song: Set It On Fire by My Darkest Days
[this song makes me giggle.]
Disclaimer: I do not own these people, to my shame. However, I do own the sexy Russians. :P
Spelling can just kiss my ass. XD
Steve: "That's not a very ladylike thing to say, Miss Plum."
You can kiss my ass, too, Rogers.
(My ass is a whore.)
Loki: "Speaking of whores." -gives Tony a pointed look-
Tony: "Isn't that sweet of you~"
Loki: ...
READ!
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Chapter 4: Guess What?
The sparks from the welder fizzed near Tony's eyes, giving him a slight headache. The billionaire blinked a few times, shifting in his seat. He didn't usually sit while working, but after the beating he'd received, the idea of standing for hours was hardly appealing. Neither was working on his Iron Man suit, for that matter. Tony sighed, sitting back in his chair and putting down the welder he was using on his suit. He just couldn't work-his mind kept straying to the petulant god curled up on his bed.
When the billionaire had taken the trickster upstairs, after a bit of persuasion to get him into the elevator, the god had showered and changed into some of Tony's sweat pants. Tony had seen to the worst wounds again, which hadn't seemed to heal at all, and when he'd left the room to fetch some water he had come back through to see Loki had fallen asleep on his bed. The billionaire had smiled, amused at how vulnerable the trickster was and resisted the all too tempting notion of taking a blackmail worthy picture of the peaceful look on the sleeping man's face. After he had left the mischief-maker, he'd assembled the Avengers to debrief them as a group on what happened to him. It was a brief experience, and he'd scuttled away to his lab as soon as he could, escaping the tension and piercing glares.
It was a hopeless endeavour, working in the lab. Loki was dominating his mind, like a puzzle he couldn't figure out.
Tony sighed again, lifting the welding visor off and putting it on the table next to the welder. He had to control his thoughts. I'm just curious about him, that's why he's on my mind. It's not every day you have a Norse god in your bedroom. On your bed. With no shirt on.
"Jesus." Tony leaped to his feet, shaking his head to clear it.
"Yes, sir?"
"I said Jesus, not Jarvis, Jarvis." He wiped his hand over his face.
"Ah. My apologies."
Tony stared down at the welder, his eyes drifting to his cast. He wrinkled his nose, imagining how ridiculous he'd look in his suit and seriously considering taking the blasted casing off. But he resisted the urge, sitting down with an exasperated "oof." He gave the welder an annoyed glare, as if it were the tool's fault that he could barely maneuver with a broken arm, or that the tool was also somehow responsible for the dangerous thoughts twisting in his mind. I need to distract myself. He picked up the visor and put it back on his head. A moment later, however, there was a knock at the glass door which led to his lab. He looked up and saw Bruce waving, a hesitant smile on his lips and a beer in each hand.
Tony rearranged the visor so it rested on the top of his head, motioning for the fellow scientist to come in. The billionaire scrambled to clean off another stool, so that Banner would have a place to sit.
"Hey Brucy, what brings you to my secret lair?" He'd been down there for hours. Was it dark out yet?
"You slithered off and I began to worry. It's not normal for you not to be skipping around the tower, annoying our teammates." The scientist sat on the stool, handing Tony a cold beer which was already opened. Bruce was the only other permanent resident of Stark Tower-or "Avenger's Tower" as it was the homebase for the renegade troop. Tony liked his company, much more than the company of his other comrades. Sometimes it's nice to have a fellow intellectual around.
"Yeah, well I didn't think I'd have too warm of a welcome right now. S'good idea to let the smoke settle." Tony grinned a bit, remembering the reaction from his latest stunt and the glares during his recounting of his kidnapping.
Bruce sipped at his beer, being a very cautious drinker. Tony respected that, but he himself found consuming alcohol to be a fucking brilliant past time. "I was curious about that," the man rolled his bottle between his hands, distractedly. "What possessed you to make such a move?" Tony could hear what Bruce was trying to say, "This is stupid, even for you," but he stood by his choice.
The billionaire shrugged slightly. "The guy deserved a break. I mean, he's been a prisoner for, what, six months? "Has it really been that long?" Thor assured us he was... reprimanded in Asgard. They must have let him out for a reason."
Bruce frowned, his brows drawing in uncertainly. "Does he deserve a break? Look at what he did last time... the lives he took."
Tony stiffened, but forced himself not to snap defensively. This was Bruce. Bruce understood him. "We are all guilty of taking lives, in one way or another." His voice was quiet, a haunted sadness creeping into it. "Who are we, flawed as we are, to judge someone like Loki?" He and I are not much different at all.
The scientist's eyes locked with the man across from him and Tony saw a glint of respect within them. "I see." He smiled slightly. "What are your intentions? Surely Thor will have to explain to us what exactly transpired on Asgard." Bruce took another sip of his beer. "This is the most we've seen of him since Loki's capture."
Tony smiled back, taking a longer drink of his own beer. "I don't know." The billionaire chuckled. "I threw the ball into Loki's court with this move. He'll either run or stick around." He made a face, "There's also Fury to deal with. That lying, one-eyed menace will undoubtedly throw quite the hissy fit."
Bruce smirked, "I've got your back with this." He sighed. After a shared moment of quiet companionship, he mused, "I wonder if those Russians will stir up trouble again."
"No doubt they will."
"Did you ever figure out what they wanted? You mentioned that they somehow dampened Loki's magic."
"I couldn't get anything out of them, Bruce." Tony sighed, setting down his drink and rubbing his forehead. "Maybe I can ask Loki when he finishes napping."
The scientist stood up, and Tony looked up at the movement. "I think I'll go fiddle with some theories I've been working on in regards to magic dampening." He smiled. "Have you called Pepper yet?"
Tony froze, a feeling of oh shit running through him. "I suppose saying I hadn't even thought to is a bad response."
His friend laughed, "I'm not the one you have to worry about, Anthony. But, uh, I advise not telling her that." With that the scientist left the billionaire alone.
Tony stared after Banner, a feeling of dread curling in his stomach. He was a self-proclaimed asshole, yes, but this was low, even for him. I've just spent hours thinking about someone other than my girlfriend. He sighed, Cut yourself some slack, it's been a long 48 hours. It's not like you cheated on her. He shook his head violently to dispel sudden images of what exactly cheating on her with Loki would look like. It's still cheating to imagine it. "This is fucked up. Jarvis!"
"I am assuming you meant to call me this time?" Who taught his AI to be so snotty?... Don't answer that.
"Very funny. Has Miss Potts rung me lately?"
"Exactly 12 times, sir."
"And I wasn't informed because...?" Shit, shit, shit.
"You were asleep, Mr. Stark. When I tried to bring it up you informed me you were still asleep."
Tony facepalmed, tensing up with exasperation, "Jarvis, if I told you- you know what? Nevermind."Blasted computer. "Please ring Miss Potts."
"Right away, sir."
Tony sighed as he heard the phone ringing. Nobody picked up. Which was unusual because Pepper made it a point to answer after he almost died in the fight against Loki's creepy alien army. "Hang up, J." The billionaire finished his beer, running his hand over his face. Guess I should go upstairs, huh?
Once more placing the welding visor on the table, Tony stood and walked to the stairway Bruce had just taken, trudging his way back into the line of fire.
Everyone was in the common room on his level of the Tower. Why? Probably because they were all pissed off about Tony's stunt still. That or they just didn't want to leave the floor Loki was on. Paranoia can make even the most estranged people come together. Whatever the reason, they were all playing Scrabble, a sight which terrified Tony, because he didn't know where they got the Scrabble.
"Hey homies. Miss me?"
Every gaze turned to him as he casually strolled in and plopped down next to Bruce, making a concerned face at the scientist's letters even though they were good.
Bruce raised an amused eyebrow at him, "Hello."
Thor nodded a greeting, still looking depressed from earlier.
Steve had a disapproving expression, "Where have you been?"
"Sorry, but isn't this is my house?" Tony reached over and snagged on of the chips from the bowl closest to him, which happened to be Steve's bowl.
Clint was laying down a word on the board. The word was 'careful' and Tony didn't miss the glance from the assassin as he put it down.
Natasha was eating a box of Nilla waffers, watching the interactions with a smirk on her face.
"Just because it's your house doesn't mean you can sulk off. With that thing roaming our headquarters we should all stick together." Steve's stare could have melted metal and Tony was grateful the super soldier didn't have heat-vision. Tony saw Thor stiffen at Captain's words and decided to speak before the Asgardian challenged anyone to duel for his brother's honour.
"Don't talk about Bruce that way!" He laughed, getting a halfhearted elbow from the scientist. "Seriously, Is that why you're all huddled in my lounge?" Tony ate another chip. "That's a bit childish for a group of superheroes."
Everyone but Thor shifted uneasily, knowing he was right.No surprise there.
"Would you rather us brood alone in our rooms," Tasha interjected. "At least this way we're interacting."
"Yaay." Clint flinched when Tasha slapped him on his arm.
Tony smiled, about to retort when the dinging of elevator in the kitchen interrupted him. He jumped to his feet, The only person Jarvis wouldn't have alerted me of is- "Pepper."
"Anthony Stark, I am beyond mad at you! You get kidnapped and rescued and then you don't return my calls for six hours!"
"Pepp, look, I'm sorry-"
"And I fly all the way out here from D.C. to find you fully awake and playing Scrabble! Unbelievable! Do you care for no one but yourself and your," she shot the startled Avengers a glare, "friends?"
"Maybe we go somewhere more private to talk about this." Tony flinched at her glare, Great. Today must be Get-Pissed-At-Tony Day.
Pepper huffed, turning heel before storming off towards his bedroom.
Bedroom. Oh shit. "Pepper, wait!" He ran in front of her. "How about the kitchen instead? It's closer."
Pepper's hands went to her hips, eyes narrowing. "Why?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with talking in your bedroom, Tony?" Natasha was giggling, but she tried to use a serious tone when asking.
Tony shot her a vicious glare. "Nothing is wrong-"
"Good." Pepper shoved past him and continued her walk down the hall.
"Pepper!" He ran after her again, even though he couldn't see the common room anymore, he could hear Clint and Natasha cackling while Steve and Bruce talked in hushed tones.
Tony stood glued in his place as Pepper opened his bedroom door, flipping on the light. Today is so not my day. She made a strangled noise in her throat and Tony peaked around her. All she must have seen was Loki's oddly feminine back and his long black hair before she turned off the light and quickly shut the door. She stood there a moment before rounding on Tony.
"There is someone in yourbed, Tony!"
God help me. "Not just anyone-"
"Is that the reason you didn't return my calls so long? To put that woman to bed?" Her words were laced with rage and betrayal. "I thought your playboy days were over!" Her eyes filled with tears.
"Pepper, listen, he-it's not what you think, I-"
"He? He? Oh, Tony, this is just rich. Not only are you replacing me, but with with a man!"
"Nobody's being replaced, Pepp, just lis-"
"No, Tony. I'm done with your lies. It's over." She was shaking with rage, angry tears streaming down her cheeks. "And you," she looked over Tony's shoulder and he followed her gaze to see everyone peaking down the hall at them, Tasha and Clint barely suppressing laughter while Bruce, Steve, and Thor stared wide-eyed at the couple. The fights weren't anything new-Tony and Pepper had been fighting for the past six months-but this fight was a whole misunderstanding. "You all just let him do this? I counted on you guys. I thought of you as friends."
"Pepp, they didn't have anything to do with this."
Pepper just screamed, a wordless scream, before stalking back towards the elevator. The other Avengers backed away quickly when she passed them but Tony ran after her.
He grabbed her arm, "Pepper."
"Don't touch me!" She jerked away and stomped into the elevator, sobbing. Steve ran in after her, giving Tony a sympathetic look as the doors shut.
Tony turned around, slumping his back against the door. He just lost his girlfriend. Over something so silly. And Steve had run after her. Why hadn't he been the one to jump in the elevator? What held him back?
Tasha and Clint were rolling on the ground laughing, trying to speak but crumbling into incoherent giggles each attempt. Thor stared at them and back at Tony, speechless. Bruce walked over and patted Tony's shoulder comfortingly.
"She'll come around, Tony." The scientist sighed, "I'm sure Steve will calm her down."
Tony scoffed, "I'm sure," he said bitterly, then sighed, placing his hand over Bruce's. "Thank you." The other man nodded before walking over to fridge, pouring himself V8.
Tony stared at the ground, wallowing in the unfairness, yet respecting the irony, of the situation. The one time I'm actually faithful, huh?
Suddenly he felt the room stiffen and Tasha and Clint fell silent, and the billionaire looked up. Loki was standing in the hallway opening, his hair messy, and a yawn on his lips. He was still shirtless and Tony's sweats hung low on his waste, teasing the imagination along with the barely concealing bandages. Tony had to remind himself to breathe when the sorcerer's green gaze fell on him. There was just something captivating about the way he seemed to see right through everyone he looked at. A frown creased his brow as he looked around at the people in the room. Tony watched Loki run a hand through his raven hair and distractingly wondered what it would be like to do the same.
"Loki," Thor's voice was hoarse and he took a step towards his brother.
As if on cue, Clint and Tasha lept to their feet, taking fighting stances. Bruce simply continued to sip his V8, not feeling threatened for obvious reasons. But Loki ignored the assassins and his brother, letting his green stare slide over everyone in the kitchen before it once more rested on Tony. This time, the gaze was much less sleep-ladden now and twinkled with mischief.
"We have matters to discuss, Anthony Stark." Tony sucked in a breath, straightening and pushing himself off the elevator door. He could handle half-dead Loki. But nearly-healed Loki was a different story.
"Don't call me Anthony. Only my dad and pissed off girlfriends can do that. And since the latter is dead and Pepper just left, you don't fall into either category." When in doubt, be a smartass.
The corner of Loki's mouth twitched but he didn't smile. "I see your enthusiasm for flippancy never diminishes." The sorcerer strode into the kitchen and sat in a chair which allowed him to see everyone in the room. Clint and Natasha followed his every move with their eyes and Thor just stared at him intently, like a dog waiting for it's owner to acknowledge it.
Tony grinned, watching his friends. His eyes met Bruce's and the scientist smiled calmly back. "Why don't you kids go finish your game while the grown ups have a chat."
Clint shot him a glare before returning to eye Loki with hatred on his face, "No way."
Tasha relaxed a bit, "What if he knows something more about Ivan? I want to hear this."
Bruce just sipped his V8 quietly, clearly voting to stay.
Thor tightened his jaw, never taking his eyes off his brother, who was idly picking at the strings on his bandages. "I have many questions which need answers."
"Ah, but if one finds the answers to all that he wonders about, what will he have left to drive his curiosity?" Loki's eyes finally met the Thunder god's eager blue stare.
Tony rolled his eyes, "Okay, no philosophical bullshit please. We all know what happened the last time you talked philosophy, Loki." Look at me. Maybe he was selfish-okay, he was-maybe he was jealous, but whatever the reason, Tony couldn't help the thrill that ran down his spine when Loki snapped his gaze back to the billionaire, a smile twisting those thin lips-those lips could seduce a nun. Tony had to look away when Loki's tongue shot out and licked the very lips the genius had just been ogling. He mentally kicked himself, Down, boy. What is wrong with me? Maybe Pepper was right to be so upset.
"Tony," Bruce's voice snapped him back to reality and he realized he'd missed whatever the scientist had just said. "You should probably feed your prisoner."
Tony flushed slightly, What am I, a schoolgirl? Don't forget who he is, Stark. "Right. But I'm fresh out of orphan meat, so..."
Clint let out a laugh and Natasha elbowed him, but she was smiling. Bruce raised an eyebrow and Thor shot him a disapproving glance. Loki, however, didn't miss a beat. "Drats. And here I have been craving that for months." No one missed Thor's annoyed sigh.
Tony flashed the sorcerer a brilliant smile, impressed. Aha, a sense of humor. Maybe nearly-healed Loki wasn't so bad after all. The billionaire went to the cupboard and retrieved the Trix cereal box. Oh the irony. When he set a bowl of the cereal in front of Loki, he didn't miss the cautious stare the god gave the bowl. He watched the trickster pick up spoon and swirl it in the mix of fake fruit sugar shapes and milk. Huffing, Loki sat back, clearly undecided on whether he really wanted that in his body. Who would have guessed, a picky prince.
Just then the elevator dinged and Steve stepped into the room, freezing like a deer-in-the-headlights when he took in the scene. Tony bit back a chuckle.
"Welcome back, Capsicle."
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A/N: MWHAHAHAHA! CLIFFHANGERS! Lol I felt this chapter was really short, but it's very busy! So I wanted to wait until next chapter to deal with the Loki-interrogation and Fury, etc. The Russians will be coming back soon... very soon. Maybe. :I lol
Silly Loki, Trix are for kids. :
^ I came up with that and then like ten minutes later I read a variation of it in a fanfic. hahaha, so I did not use it in the chapter.
Random Story Time:
So I was totally trying to pull a Sebastian Michaelis (for those of you poor people who do not know who he is, watch the anime Kuroshitsuji) and clean, do laundry, cook dinner, and write this chapter at the same time. It went so well, that I ended up almost burning the rice and setting the cast-iron griddle on fire. TT_TT You guys better love me.
I do so every love you all. Your comments are like chocolate.
I am a woman and every woman needs chocolate.
So gimme some feeds! R & R~~~