A/N: 'ey! Before anyone reads this, I must inform you that I've edited/replaced the last two chapters. Nothing major was changed at all - I think the biggest thing that was changed is at the ending of the last chapter; Steve and Tony's conversation after Tony unfroze Steve... Tony no longer tells Steve that he is in love with Loki. That's pretty much it.
I won't be going back and changing anything again - I just had to change that because that part effects the future.
Anyways ~ Story time! c:
(I hope this isn't too long ._.')
Thor and his hammer slammed into the Earth in front of Tony and Loki. "Loki!" Thor nearly yelled, quite obviously pissed off.
"Brother," Loki greeted bitterfully, before looking at Tony, waiting for him to play out his role.
Taking a quick deep breath, Tony stepped up, facing Thor. "What are you doing here, Point Break?"
"I have come to take Loki back."
Tony shook his head, "I can't let you do that."
Thor stared at Tony, not quite sure how to respond to Tony's objection.
"What has he done wrong?"
"He has escaped -"
"I'm sorry, would you rather have your own brother sitting in a terrible place like that, forever?" Though Tony really didn't know much about the place Loki had been banished to, Loki was banished there. Obviously it had to be a terrible place, but just to make sure he knew exactly what it was and Loki wasn't exaggerating, he asked "what exactly is it?"
"The Isle of Silence; 'tis an inescapable island - home to Rock Trolls - where sound does not exist. On the Island is a Volcano that gives of gas that weakens an Asgardian before exploding. Loki had been sent there with hopes of him -"
"Is that going to happen? I may not know about trolls or weakened magic or exploding volcanoes, but that sounds like hell. Do you honestly believe that sending Loki there will turn him into a sweet little bunny, if he even lives? You're going to fill him with more resentment." Tony may have started the conversation planning to lie to Thor, but after hearing that this Isle of Silence was some form of torture, he honestly wasn't supportive of the situation.
Thor gave Tony a confused look as he had no idea what a bunny was, but dismissed the definition as unimportant. "Loki needs the punishment he deserves. All must pay for their actions. I do not wish to see it happen to him, but it need be done."
"Do you love your brother?"
Thor scowled at Tony. "Man of Iron, you are a friend and teammate. I do not wish to fight you, but I will if -"
"Answer the question, Shakespeare."
"Of course I love him. He -"
"Then let him stay here," Tony argued, before Thor had a chance to say anything more. "He won't do anything wrong; not this time. I'll keep my eye on him and make sure he stays out of trouble."
"Does Odin know of my escape?" Loki suddenly asked Thor; the curiosity getting to him.
Thor shook his head. "No. If father were to have this knowledge, I fear your punishment would be much worse."
"Who all knows? Surely you did not find all of this out on your own."
"Heimdall and myself. I went to visit you and you were not there. Your location was brought to me by Heimdall."
"You don't want to send him back, do you?" Tony jumped back in. "Your own brother? You were there - my imagination is limited but I'm sure it's much worse than what I'm thinking, right? The choice is yours now; whether or not you send him back to that place. You can save Loki from all of that suffering and let me take care of him for a while. I'll keep him under control, I promise. Like you said, I'm your friend and teammate. Trust me."
"Why would you do this for Loki?"
"I... erm." Tony took a second before replying to Thor's question. He had to convince not one, but two God's of an outrageously obvious lie. Tony had a hard enough time with his real feelings for Pepper, faking the same feelings for someone Tony hated was not going to be easy, and he wasn't ready to take up that kind of challenge. Tony could only hope that Loki wouldn't get mad at him for not saying that he was in love with him. "I just have a heart. I don't like torture and being weakened while on the same place as trolls - who I'm guessing don't like visitors since they have an exploding volcano - counts are torture in my book. Look at him, he's terrified."
Not expecting Tony's answer, Loki had a rather confused look upon his face, but he quickly turned his expression to terror, playing along. "Do not make me go back there, brother," Loki requested of Thor through a trembling voice, attempting to help get Thor to buy Tony's reasoning.
"Loki? Afraid? What is this trickery? What have you done to the Man of Iron?"
"He hasn't done anything to me, Thor. People can change. Look at me, I'm an example of that. What about you? I read your files. Were you not once a careless war-seeking animal? Now it's Loki's turn. We got a second chance, a chance to change, he deserves that chance, too."
Thor slowly nodded, "you have moved my soul with your wise words, mortal. Loki, I will give you a chance. I will return home and keep your escape only between Heimdall and myself, but I will visit you again soon. If the Man of -"
"Tony," Tony corrected.
"- Iron," Thor continued, ignoring Tony, "is correct and you can become well, I will fight for a trial for your freedom."
"I am in no need of trial. I already have my freedom."
"But you cannot come ho-"
"Asgard is not my home!" Loki yelled.
"I must take my leave from Midgard now," Thor retreated from the conversation, unwilling to argue. "Loki, for the sake of all Midgardians and your own future, do not cast your magic unless life depends on it. We will need reason for father to believe that you can be civilized." Thor stepped closer towards Loki to say goodbye; but as he got closer, he noticed there were scars on Loki's face. "Your face," Thor put his hand on Loki's shoulder, giving him a truly apologetic look. "I am sorry, brother."
Tony stared at Loki's face curiously, noticing the scars, as well.
Loki stepped back, causing Thor's arm to fall off of him.
"Why has it not healed yet? Are you alri-"
"I got busy," Loki muttered. He quickly turned around and walked a few steps away to continue healing his face, quickly getting rid of the scars that had been left.
"Tony Stark; Man of Iron," Thor turned to Tony. "I am not done conversing with you. When I return we are to continue speaking. In the meantime, you take care of my brother, do you understand?"
"Okay. Yeah, I will," Tony nodded. Great, Tony thought, how do I kick his ass and save Earth if I'm supposed to actually take care of him? Why did I have to go through with this?
Thor nodded before taking off into the sky, putting complete faith that Tony's decision would not destroy Loki, Tony, everyone else or even the planet itself, and then took off, flying back to Asgard. Tony only wished that he wouldn't have so much faith in him.
When all sights of Thor were gone, Loki turned back to Tony. "Take me back to your tower."
Tony opened his mouth to argue, but quickly shut it, as he was supposed to be in love with and obey Loki, and he couldn't afford to blow his cover yet. "The tower isn't technically mine, anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"It's the Avengers Tower, now. The Avengers all come and go as they please. As much as I'd love to have you have you there, I don't think they'll take well to that."
"Have you not your own private lair?"
"I've got my own floor. A few, actually," Tony grinned proudly.
"Then what is the problem? I will stay hidden in your private area and none shall know of my presence."
Tony tried to think of an argument, but having to play along as if he were under Loki's spell, he had nothing valid to use. "Alright," Tony nodded. "Okay. Sure. Let's go, we've got a long walk ahead of us."
"Stark?" Loki called as Tony began walking towards the exit.
"Yes, dear?"Tony responded by reflex.
"Are you forgetting something?"
Tony froze, trying to think of what he might be forgetting. Every possibility he could think of ran through his mind, but none of them seemed important enough for Loki to be questioning. "Would you like an escort?" Tony asked, holding his arm out.
"You have yet to retrieve either of your suits of armour. Might that not be an efficient way of traveling?"
Tony looked around, looking for his armour. As he recalled, the suit he was wearing fell off the conveyor belt, and the other one... where did that get to? Observing everything that he could view from his standpoint, Tony managed to find his car quite a ways away, upside down and smashed up. "You know, you really didn't have to do that," Tony told Loki.
"I do what I want," Loki muttered, watching as Tony headed towards his useless car, and dug out his Iron Man suit.
Once Tony found his suit and put it on, he was greeted by Jarvis. "Hello, Sir. Good to have you back."
"Jarvis, I need you to hide all of my files. Every single one. I also need every security camera turned on and recording, twenty-four seven. I need to be the only one with access to any and all records with Loki in them. Lock those files. Password seven, three, seven, seven, three, seven - I'll change it to something better later."
"Yes, sir. Expecting an intrusion?"
"A guest, actually. Listen, when I get back I'm going to tell you to do something - I need you to do it, but don't change anything I just told you to do."
"Very well, sir."
Tony popped open his faceplate and stared at Loki, "need a lift?"
"That is a good idea, why did I not think of that?"
"Humans are more intelligent," Tony shrugged. "Hey, I've got a quick errand to run, I'll be right back. Meet me out at the road where we first met here, alright?" Before Loki could deny Tony's request, Tony snapped his faceplate closed and turned his thrusters on, flying out to find Steve.
Having left not too long ago, Tony assumed Steve wouldn't get too far, but he was about half way to the tower. Tony dropped himself down right behind Steve, picked him up and took off, again.
"Stark? What are you doing? Put me down," Steve argued. "You know I don't like flying like this."
"Loki destroyed my car. This has to be my way of giving you a 'thank you' ride home."
"I appreciate the gesture, but I'd rather walk."
"Too bad, we're here." Tony landed just outside of the front doors and set Steve back down.
"What happened to Loki, anyways? How'd it go?"
"Thor came down - didn't you hear the thunder? He took Loki back to Asgard."
"So it's done, then? Again?"
Tony nodded, "Thor's coming back sometime soon to keep us updated."
"Can you create some communication device so he doesn't have to travel all the time? We have no way to get in contact with him until he comes here."
Tony cocked his head the side, considering everything he'd need to have in order to make something work between Earth and Asgard. It would take a lot of power... It had to be possible - but how? "I don't know. I'll go look into that," Tony took off again, heading out to the dump to get Loki.
Strangely, Loki wasn't standing where Tony had requested. Tony flew back over the dump and found Loki right where Tony had left him. Tony landed, and Loki immediately growled, "don't you ever do that again."
"Do what? I just -"
"You do not tell me what to do, Stark. I take orders from no one. You do not abandon me. I am your first priority, now."
"I was making sure it was safe for you," Tony defensively objected. "I got Steve inside and told him you were taken back to Asgard by Thor, and made sure he or anyone else won't disturb us."
Loki stared at Tony, making sure he wasn't lying. "Good. Take me there."
Tony scooped Loki up in his arms and took off again.
"What a pitiful city," Loki muttered as he looked downwards.
"It's really not that bad."
"Shut up, Stark," Loki snarled.
"Was that called for?" Tony muttered.
"You should do as I command," Loki warned.
"Why is that?" Tony replied, slightly mimicking Loki's tone.
"You are in love with me, are you not? You must do as I ask out of love."
Tony looked down at Loki, not sure whether or not to believe he was actually supposed to behave exactly as Loki was saying he should. To actually stop talking when told to shut up? No one really did that.
Not bothering with trying to argue, Tony remained silent, and set Loki down on his landing when they got back to the tower.
"Jarvis?" Tony asked as he walked down the catwalk, having his suit removed.
"Welcome back. How may I be of assistance?"
Loki immediately froze, and stood defensively with his scepter, trying to figure out where the voice came from.
"Yeah, thanks. So, uh..." he trailed off, looking over at Loki, who looked like he was going to shoot the roof. "What... are you doing?"
"Where is that voice coming from?!" Loki hissed.
"That's..." Tony rubbed his temples. He was going to have to explain a lot of things to Loki. "That's J.A.R.V.I.S. It's my artificially intelligent computer."
Loki stared at Tony, saying nothing.
"It's a talking computer."
Loki slowly straightened his posture and lowered his weapon, accepting Tony's explanation to mean that the computer was no threat.
"This is Loki," Tony continued talking to Jarvis, "He's our guest."
"Welcome to the Avengers Tower, Mr. Loki," Jarvis welcomed.
"I don't know how long he's staying for, but he's welcome here forever, so, uh... treat him like a Stark, alright?" Tony requested.
"Well that was very kind of you," Loki grinned approvingly.
"Anything for you, dear. You can make yourself at home, Jarvis can give you a tour... I'm going to go down and, uh, yeah..." Tony trailed off, leaving the room.
Loki stared at the doorway, wondering what was wrong with his new roommate.
"Mr. Loki, if you make your way out the door and turn left into the hallway, the room is on your left is the restroom," Jarvis informed, beginning the tour. Loki cautiously followed Jarvis' directions until he was brought to the bar/living room - the room where Tony was. He was sitting on the couch, hunched over his glass, which he was spinning his finger around the rim of.
"Am I not welcomed in your presence?" Loki questioned.
"What?" Tony looked up, unaware he wasn't alone. "Oh, no. Of course you are."
"Why have you run off?"
"I just... you know, thinking." The Avengers' number one enemy was back, secretly living with Tony, while he had to pretend to be in love with him. Tony had a plan - mind it wasn't very well thought out, but he was still working on it. Having Loki think that Tony was in love was in Tony's advantage; if he could get Loki to talk to him, he could easily find out what Loki was planning, and ruin it before it happened. First Tony had to find a way to contain himself long enough to be able to convince Loki he was in love - let alone not freak out over Loki's presence.
"That's odd."
"What's odd?"
"You, thinking."
"Thanks -" Tony cut himself off before he could insult Loki.
"You are most welcome." Loki paused for a moment before making a small announcement, "I am leaving."
"What? Why? Where? For how long?"
"Not for long. I need... to go out."
"Like that?" Tony nodded towards Loki's outfit.
Loki looked down at what he was wearing. "What?" he asked, rather insulted.
"You want to go out in public wearing the same armour that you wore while destroying the city a few months ago? People will recognize you."
"Would you prefer I go out without anything?"
"Where do you want to go? I'll go for you."
"That is none of your concern. It is my business. I must do it."
Tony shook his head and stood up from the couch, handing Loki his drink. "Wait here, I'll go buy you some human clothes, then."
Loki rolled his eyes, "are you forgetting? I can use my mag-"
"Thor said not to. I don't know what your plan here is, but you just can't use magic - you need to give that up. Just, for once, listen to what Thor said and don't fuck everything up for a few days. We'll sort everything out when he gets back."
Loki raised a brow at Tony, insulted that he suggested listening to Thor, of all beings.
"What do you want?" Tony asked, in reference to his buying Loki some human clothes.
"Anything will do," Loki submitted, not bothering to argue, "something casual."
Tony nodded and waved his hand in the air before leaving, heading down to get a car. As he passed a window, he saw that it had started to rain, so he grabbed the keys to his Audi R8. He got inside, started up the beautiful engine, and drove off to get Loki some normal clothes.
Going to get Loki some normal clothes. Tony sighed, "what am I doing?"
"Driving after drinking, sir," Jarvis' voice suddenly appeared through the car stereo.
"Right, remind me to care."
"Duly noted, sir."
"Jarvis, where do I go to buy casual, normal clothes? I've never done this before."
"Your closest clothing options consist of a shopping center 8.9 miles west of here, a super-hero merchandise store on your next right, you just passed a- "
"Super-hero merchandise store?"
"Yes, sir. It appears to be run by a man named Mark. He sells a wide variety of things, including a large selection of super-hero themed tee-shirts."
"Huh... Loki did say he was trying to stay low-key..." Tony grinned and took a right turn, continuing to take directions from Jarvis to get to the store. When he got there, he went in and bought six Iron Man themed shirts (all of which were a size medium, which might be a bit loose on Loki, but it would be good length-wise) then headed off to buy Loki some pants.
Completely unaware of what size Loki might be, he ended up buying almost ten different sizes.
Tony took in a deep breath when he got back in his car, then heavily blew it all out. "Jarvis, do not ever let me go shopping again."
"Noted, sir."
Tony turned the radio on to give himself some privacy, and sped off down the highway, heading back to the Avengers Tower.
"In love," Tony muttered to himself, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "What am I supposed to do? What does he expect? Am I supposed to be just like any other brainwashed slave, but more dedicated? Does he even know what love is?" Tony groaned, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do. He had no idea how Asgardian magic worked or what the circumstances were, and that made it really difficult to pretend to be under a spell. Could he bang his head off of a wall hard enough to knock himself out and 'end' the spell like it did for Clint? Would it ever wear off? Tony sighed and began cursing magic.
As he drove down to his personal garage, he groaned, deciding that he really had to just jump right in to this new life style and be Loki's personal bitch, doing what he was told without argument, while acting as though he was in love. He had no other choice. He couldn't risk getting caught. He needed to stop Loki from doing whatever it was he wanted to do.
Tony parked the car, grabbed the bags and headed back upstairs to where Loki was. When he walked in, Tony found that Loki was laying on the couch wearing nothing but his undergarments while drinking Tony's alcohol and eating cherries. On the coffee table in front of the couch sat his armour, folded up neatly. "There you are," Loki stood up. "I was about to get dressed and leave."
Tony's eyes widened and he immediately turned around, looking away from Loki. "Why did you get undressed?"
"Why not? I have to do it anyway."
"You could have waited," Tony muttered.
"What did you get?" Loki questioned, ignoring Tony.
Tony held the bags up, "it's in here."
"Well, come show me."
Tony quickly took in a deep breath and turned around to show Loki what he had bought. He turned around just in time to see Loki tilting his head back, putting another cherry in his mouth, biting off the stem. Loki then grinned at Tony, "come on, love."
Fear, anxiety, slight arousal, confusion, disgust, confliction, discomfort, irritation, disturbance.. these were all things Tony felt as he slowly walked towards Loki.
Loki calling him 'love' had reminded him that he had to play a game, and if he were really in love it wouldn't bother him to see Loki with his current appearance. Having no other option, Tony managed to pull himself together and focus on the positive feelings; forcing himself to smile at Loki as he handed him the bags that contained the jeans. "I didn't know what size you are, so I got you a bunch of different ones. Whatever doesn't fit, we can take back, exchange, donate, whatever you want."
Loki set his bag of cherries down on the coffee table and took a pair of jeans out of the bag, immediately putting them on. With a snap of his fingers, he adjusted them to fit him perfectly. "Size does not matter when you possess magic," Loki grinned.
"Don't use your magic!" Tony warned in a hushed voice as if someone would hear him. "You know what Thor said about -"
"Enough with what Thor said," Loki spat out his brother's name with disgust. "I do what I want. I do not need his 'help' - I do need Asgard."
"What happens if your dad finds out you escaped?"
Loki's grin disappeared and his face dropped, realizing Tony may be right about one thing. What would happen? Surely Odin wouldn't personally leave Asgard... but there were no limits on what he would send. "He is not my father," Loki muttered. More calmly, he asked "what else have you got?" as he stared at the remaining bag in Tony's hand.
Tony took a shirt out of the bag and handed it to Loki, curious of his reaction to the shirts.
Loki took it and looked at it. He laughed, but shot Tony a look that showed he was not amused. He threw it aside and grabbed another shirt from the bag. After examining it, he threw it aside, too. He grabbed the bag from Tony and pulled out all of the shirts, to see that each one had Iron Man on it. "Is that all you got? Your armour?"
Tony nodded, "low key and casual, that's what you've been saying, right? Everyone wears these, it's totally casual. Besides, what's more low key than supporting your mortal enemy?" Tony grinned. "Besides, I love you," Tony winked, "I thought you might appreciate it."
Loki raised an eyebrow at Tony, almost amused, and put on one of the shirts. "I'll take my leave now. It is not important what I wear at the moment, but I do expect you to later take me to get more suitable apparel."
"Yes, dear. I, uh, you should probably go down to my garage and out the back door so no one sees you - I can take you if you want."
Loki shook his head and grabbed his boots on his way to the elevator. He selected the button for Tony's garage and put his boots on, then left the way Tony suggested.
He was about to use his magic to either go to or summon the Enchantress to him, but decided against it, as not even Loki could imagine the wrathful punishment Odin would have if he found word of Loki's escape and was able to locate him. Odin was King, which outranked Thor, so if it came down to it, Heimdall would have to inform Odin of everything known, and Thor wouldn't be able to help. With a sigh, Loki headed into a dark alleyway which wasn't far from the Avengers Tower.
"Amoura..." Loki taunted into the darkness. "Come out and play."
With a flash of green smoke and fire, the Enchantress appeared before Loki. "Hello, my love."
Loki immediately lunged towards the Enchantress, gripping her throat in his hand as he shoved her against the brick wall. "You have failed me, Amoura."
"Loki, please -" the Enchantress choked out.
Loki chuckled lightly, "I will not ask why you have betrayed me. Though you have failed me and ruined everything, I am not mad at you, Amoura," Loki freed the Enchantress.
"You're... not?" a wave of relief washed over the Enchantress' face as she sighed in relief.
"Oh no," Loki shook his head. "I am furious!" he yelled, summoning his scepter and destroying the Enchantress all in the same second - having no choice but to use the small amount of magic. It was necessary. No one crossed Loki and got away with it.
Loki stared at the wall where the Enchantress was seconds ago, suddenly questioning whether he had disintegrated her, or if she fled at the very last second. Whichever it be, she knew Loki was furious and she was gone. She wouldn't be returning any time soon - and that was all that mattered at the moment.
In the most casual manner possible, Loki walked back across the street holding his scepter and headed into the back entry way to Tony's garage, heading back up to Tony's floor.
When Loki walked in, his presence startled Tony, causing the drink in his hand to spill a bit. He mentally cursed, but quickly withdrew his concerns for the condition of his clothes. "You're back," Tony grinned, continuing the game. "That was quick."
"Yes," Loki nodded, frowning. "Where can I put my armour and scepter?"
"Errm..." Tony thought for a moment, "here," he walked out of the main room and wondered down the hallway to the hall closet and opened it up. "I never had a use for this. I guess you can have it."
Loki nodded approvingly and hung his armour on a hanger and set his helmet and staff on the top shelf.
"I can get you a lock for it, or something - if you want."
Loki shook his head, "no need." With a wave of his hand, he magically sealed the door.
"That works, too." Tony looked up at Loki. Staring into his eyes, he realized that they were different. Cloudy. "Are you alright?"
Loki turned to Tony and stared at him, "I need your help."
"O...kay," Tony accepted, rather confused as to why Loki would need his help. "With what?"
"Grab some apparel that can hide your identity."
"You want me to wear a disguise?"
Loki nodded.
"Alright." Tony wondered off to his room and dug through his belongings to find an old coat and a ball cap. He put it on and returned to Loki, "how's this?"
It hardly hid who he was, but it was "Fine. Now come." Loki turned and headed back for the elevator.
Tony quietly followed Loki as he led the way out of the building. "Where are we going?"
"Out."
"Very far?"
"A fair ways, I suppose, yes."
"Why not use one of my cars?"
"I dislike your transportation devices."
"Why?"
"Oh, shut up for once, Stark."
Tony grumbled, but didn't say anything more as he quietly kept pace with Loki as he was led down the street.
It wasn't until about ten minutes had passed that Tony spoke again, "can I ask you a few things?"
"Why?" Loki groaned, growing beyond irritated with Tony's constant talking and never-ending questions.
"I have some things I need to ask you and now seems like a pretty good time."
"What now?"
"What happened to you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"In Asgard, what happened to you?"
"I got sent to the Isle of Silence, what do you think?"
"Thor apologized for your face and asked why it wasn't healed. I saw the scars. What happened?"
"Why are you questioning this?"
"You know why."
Loki let out a low growl. "I was silenced."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"What do you think it means? I had my lips sewn shut, you imbecile."
Tony stopped walking. He stared at Loki with a painfully blank expression. He had his lips sewn shut.
Noticing there were no longer footsteps behind him, Loki turned around. "What now?"
"They tortured you?" Tony whispered.
"Did you expect any less? From the King of Asgard, Thor's father; my kidnapper?" Loki laughed, "that old man despises me. He would gladly take any opportunity to make my life as miserable as he can."
Tony stared off into the distance, in complete disbelief. "So he sewed your lips shut?"
"Don't be stupid, he wouldn't do that," Loki shook his head. "He forced the task upon Thor."
Tony looked at him in horror. "Thor had to-?!"
Loki shrugged, "he thought it would be more painful to have my 'brother' do it."
Tony stepped towards Loki, standing just a few inches from him, and stared at his mouth.
"What are you doing?" Loki asked, leaning back.
Tony grabbed Loki's head and held it still. "So you can just heal yourself? Just like that? There are no scars."
"Yes?"
"But not in that Isle of Silence?"
"No, obviously not."
"So you were going to be stuck there forever with your lips sewn shut... even though sound doesn't exist there?"
"Yes..."
"And Thor was going to send you back there?!"
Loki looked at Tony as though he was the dumbest being he had ever come across - which was very possible at the moment. "Are you really having trouble following this? I knew you were a moron, but this is just absurd."
"Thor said you were adopted. You just said you were kidnaped. What happened, there?"
"I was kidnaped - and lied to, for my entire life."
"Loki, what happened? Tell me your story - help me understand what happened to you. I want to help you." and he did. No matter what Loki did, he didn't deserve the torture that he had received. He had let Thor take Loki back to Asgard to face Asgardian justice, not Asgardian torture. Besides, Loki didn't seem entirely crazy - he deserved a chance to explain himself, and Tony did like helping people.
"Forget about it, Stark. You do not need to know."
"Who do you have?"
"Now what are you going on about?"
"Friends, family, fellow villains? Who have you got? Who can you trust?"
Loki frowned, keeping the question unanswered.
"I take it that means no one? Look, you're not the only one with daddy issues. I can understand that whole topic. I can help you. Just talk to me."
"You cannot understand. You cannot 'help.' me. We are done with this conversation."
"Why not? You know, my dad was cold. He never had time for me. He didn't tell me that he loved me - or even liked me. There's a lot of history there. If there's a chance that anyone could understand, you can be damn sure that it would be me."
"What is worse," Loki asked, "having a real father that you don't think likes you, or having a false father that truly does not like you, and uses you, like a piece in an incomplete puzzle?"
"How was he using you?" Tony pushed, ignoring everything else Loki said.
"That is none of your concern, Stark."
"Loki, please, at least let me understand why you're so full of hate towar-"
Loki grabbed Tony by the throat, cutting him off. "If you keep talking I will rip your vocal chords out and sew your lips shut. We are not having this conversation now or here, much less at all."
Tony pressed his lips together, keeping silent.
Loki freed Tony from his grasp and continued walking. "Come, silently."
After quite a while, when Loki turned onto a specific street, Tony spoke up again, "can I speak?"
"No," Loki snapped.
Despite being behind Loki, Tony nodded in response, staring at the ground.
Loki groaned in defeat, "what?"
Tony looked up at Loki, rather surprised that he was allowed to talk. "Are we going back to that junkyard?"
"Yes - do not dare ask why."
Tony rolled his eyes. Loki's tolerance level was worse than Pepper's - or anyone else's.
After several more minutes, they finally arrived back at the junkyard and Loki led Tony to the broken and abandoned building they were at earlier.
"That," Loki pointed to the blue box that the frost giant had brought. "Pick it up."
Tony looked at Loki, confused. "Are you not allowed to touch it or something?"
"No, I am not, now do as I say."
With an eye roll, Tony did as Loki demanded and picked up the blue box. "What is this?"
"None of your - "
"Would you just tell me? What am I going to do? Tell Steve? Any of the Avengers that aren't even in the city right now? I'm not going to do that."
Loki stared at Tony, deciding on whether or not to believe that the information would remain classified. "It is a casket."
"And you can't touch it, why?"
"We're leaving now," Loki retreated from the setting.
Tony sighed, but silently followed, carrying Loki's - surprisingly cold - casket for him.
When they got back to the Avengers Tower, they headed back up to Tony's floor. This time, Loki was the one to break the silence. "Put it in here," Loki muttered as he unsealed his magically locked closet door.
Tony did as he was told and put the blue casket in the closet on the top shelf, without a word.
Loki closed the door again and sealed it with his magic. "Good," was all Loki said.
"Jarvis, what time is it?" Tony asked.
"The time is now five thirty-four."
"Huh... gettin' close to dinner time." Tony hadn't had an actual meal in weeks, since before Pepper left. He didn't care too much to go even downstairs to get a decent meal. He just snacked on whatever he had on hand, and drank excessive amounts of alcohol. He was dying for a real meal - and he even had a good reason to go out and get one: he had company. He turned to Loki, "D'ya wanna go out?"
Loki stared at Tony as if he were stupid. "How is going out with the most famous man on the planet going to keep me low key? I think people would notice that over me wearing a bit of armour."
"We'll -"
"Sir," Jarvis interrupted, "the Avengers are calling a meeting."
Tony frowned. "Why? We aren't even all together - everyone's everywhere."
"Clint has just returned. Natasha and Bruce will be joining you via video calls."
Tony sighed, "and I have to be there?"
"Yes, sir. You have an expected two minutes before Clint comes up to get you."
"What about Thor?"
"His presence is not currently mandatory."
Tony sighed, turning to Loki. "I gotta go. Stay here, alright? This shouldn't take long. It's not important unless we're all actually together. I'll be back in five."
"Where else am I to go?"
"Oh, I don't know," Tony shrugged, "anywhere you think you could rule."
Loki grinned, but sat down on the couch and grabbed the cherries he had left. "I will be here."
Tony nodded and practically ran into the elevator to go downstairs to attend the meeting before Clint came up to get him.
When the elevator doors opened, Clint was standing just outside, which wasn't much better.
"What happened to two minutes?"
"I never said that."
"Whatever. What do you want?"
"Come on," Clint headed towards the meeting room.
Steve was already sitting at the giant circular table, with Natasha and Bruce's live images projected onto the wall. Clint sat down beside Steve and crossed his arms.
Tony sat at his master's chair, at the front of the table with the best view of everything and everyone. "What's going on, guys?"
"Steve told us what happened," Clint began.
"What happened?" Tony asked, lost already.
"Are you asking for specifics, or don't you remember?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You seem surprisingly sober," Clint noted.
Tony cocked his head to the side, pondering that. He did drink a lot, and he felt pretty sober... how wasn't he still drunk? Was it possible that Loki did something to him?
"Clint," Natasha warned, implying that he was going too far. "Tony, why didn't you tell us that Loki was back?"
"I really didn't have time to call up a meeting about it - besides, none of you were even in the city... or state, except for Steve, and I called him."
"Yeah, and then you got drunk off your ass, again," Clint responded.
"Tony, you can't keep doing this," Natasha took over. "Steve was frozen again because of you. You almost died. You could have ruined everything and gotten the world destroyed."
"But I didn't."
"Tony, that's not the point," Steve interrupted.
"You can't keep drinking like this," Natasha concluded. "It's gone on long enough. You've lost too many things and people because of drinking, don't let the Avengers be one of them."
"Wait," Tony stood up, objecting, "you can't kick me out. You can't take the Avengers away from me."
"We'll be forced to leave if you don't get rid of your drinking habits," Bruce spoke up. "We'll support you, we can make it -"
"No, no, no," Tony growled. "This doesn't concern you guys. Keep personal things and business separate. Worry about Iron Man, not Tony."
"Tony is Iron man," Steve informed.
"Tony, you put them together," Natasha shook her head. "You drank today when you were supposed to be fighting."
"Well, Iron Man needed a drink."
"If you need a drink bad enough to risk your life and everyone else's lives, you need to get help. We can deal with the media while you get sober and if we need it, we can get some backup -"
"No. I don't need help. The world needs Iron Man, I can't just -"
"The world can do without Iron Man if he puts everyone in even more danger," Steve input.
"We're not having this discussion. I'm fine. Even if I'm not, Iron Man is."
"You can't keep doing this!" Natasha yelled after him.
"I can do whatever I want!" Tony turned around, yelling back. "I'm sick! I'm a little bit fucked up right now, thanks, and if I choose to turn to alcohol, then that's what I'll do! If you wanted me to fight today, I had to have a drink - that was not an option. I didn't mean to have as much as I did, but I can't do anything about that." Tony left and headed back upstairs before anything more could be said.
When Tony got back up to his floor he walked past Loki, who was seductively eating cherries again, and headed straight for his bad to pour himself a drink, then left into his bedroom.
Loki stared after Tony, confused. What happened to him? Loki knew how to pull people's strings and push their buttons in every way he wanted, but Tony didn't seem to notice or care.
Curiously, Loki positioned himself in a sitting position. "Talking computer?"
"Yes, Mr. Loki?"
"What happened?"
Suddenly, the security tapes were broadcasting the scene from the meeting room in front of Loki. Loki paid close attention, watching and listening to everything.
When it was over, he sighed. Loki almost... almost felt bad for Tony... or maybe he did. He couldn't stop himself from getting up and walking to where Tony was; sitting on his bed in the dark, staring at the glass in his hand.
Loki sat down beside Tony and put his hand on the top of Tony's glass. "Should you really?"
"Yes."
"I chose quite an interesting person," Loki chuckled lightly. "I do not know whether I should sympathize with you or not."
"Why would you?" Tony looked up at Loki.
"That's none of your -" Loki cut himself off, sighing. "Self destruction... losing people... family issues... You are very 'fucked up,'" Loki quoted. "I am, too."
Tony removed his glass out from under Loki's hand and brought it up to take a sip, but Loki put his hand back on it and forced Tony to lower it back onto his lap. "Don't."
"Why? Why not? Why are you doing this?"
"It is... strange," Loki paused. "It almost feels like I am comforting an old friend."
Tony stared at Loki, not quite sure what to say.
Loki stood up and grabbed Tony's glass, ending the sentimental moment, "do not be an idiot, Stark. I will need you. When that time comes, I will need you to be functional." Loki left Tony alone again and headed back out to his couch, drinking Tony's drink on the way out.
Loki laid down and got comfortable on the couch, munching on more of his cherries. Eventually, he got bored and tired enough that he fell asleep.
A/N: Bleh.
Honestly, I know - Loki comforting Tony seems so out of character and weird and it's not something Loki would do. He'd most likely either ignore Tony or he'd roll his eyes and say "mortals are too sentimental. Suck it up, you mewling quim, I will need you able to function when you play your role in my plans," or something. But - there is a reason for this; I promise. I just can't tell you yet, and that makes the ending sound really terrible and I don't like that, but please, bear with me and trust me - it's not quite as out of character as it seems.
And I know Tony isn't really his usual self-absorbed, sassy self right now either - but he's emotional. He's losing his girl, he might lose his Avengers, he's sharing his floor with the #1 enemy, and has lots of anxiety. He'll be Tony again soon though. teehee.
Anyways - this took a lot longer to update than I thought it would. I'm so sorry. However... I've also written the next two chapters though, ehe. So they'll definitely be up sometime soon c:
- So... I'm really not sure of this story is going... How is it so far? Honestly? & Was this too long?
Review? c:
Or, if you'd prefer - give me feedback via tumblr? anon or not, doesn't matter. I'm at: bloggerofdeduction . tumblr . com
Thanks! :D - x
