A/N: ARGH. Sorry I've been gone so long, I've had a serious case of writer's block (I'm still not happy with this chapter) and I was tackled by a different plot bunny.
Speaking of which, check out the story born from said plot bunny, it's a 'Avengers at Hogwarts' kinda thing... yeah... I dunno what I was thinking either...
Also, on that story, I got a crappy review telling me my stuff was terrible. And that's fine, I love feedback, but would ya mind telling me what's wrong with my story, instead of just stating that my work sucks?
Anyway. Sorry, people. That kinda made me go into a long mental rant when I read it, but I really appreciate your reviews. ^^ Especially after reading stuff like that. :)
So, thanks to all that reviewed, faved, and alerted, you made my day. :)
Enjoy!
Edit: Oh my god, guys. Over 100 reviews? SQUEEEEEEE! :D
Tony's feet carried him unconsciously to his workshop, his head a whirlwind of anger and bitterness. His team didn't follow him, either because they didn't care or they knew he wanted to be left alone. Either way, he was glad.
AC/DC poured from the speakers, and he sprawled back in his chair, pulling up designs for a new idea he'd came up with about his suit. He had been running scans on Steve's shield, and he thought that with a little time, his suit could have coating of a metal that had a similar molecular structure to vibranium.
"JARVIS?" Tony asked randomly.
"Yes, sir?"
"Where are the rest of the team and what's Loki's status?"
"Agents Romanoff and Barton are sparring in the training room. Captain Rogers is in the kitchen, while Dr. Banner is in his lab. Thor is, as far I know, not currently on Earth at the moment."
Tony scowled. "Don't be a smart-aleck with me. Loki's status?"
"My apologies, sir," the British-accented voice said smoothly. "Loki is currently awake and is in his room, which is on lockdown. His concussion seems to be faring better."
"Great," Tony said, standing up. "Save all my files, there's someone I want to visit."
Loki paced. His head throbbed, but it would heal fast... he hoped. Had Thanos taken his enhanced healing power along with all his magic?
The god seethed. His magic. Without it, he could to nothing against the band of mortals. He was helpless.
So lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize the mortal- Iron Man, his brain supplied, and he curled his lip in disgust- had walked into his room. The man leaned casually against the doorframe, his usual cocky smirk gracing his features.
"So," he started, "I have a question."
"Get out," Loki hissed.
The mortal was unflinching. "This is actually part of my Tower, so... I really don't think you can order me around."
Loki snarled, resuming his pacing. He could crush them to dust; he could break apart the very fabric of their being, he could watch in satisfaction as they were tortured before his eyes-
But his mind reeled back, remembering how Thanos had done all of those things to him, and he was such a mess of confusion and hurt and rage he almost missed what Stark was saying.
"-So anyway, you're pretty much under house arrest here. But back to my question- can I study you?"
This threw off Loki, so the biting remark he was going to make never made it past his lips.
"I... Study me?" He stared at the mortal, who had his hands nonchalantly in his worn jean pockets.
"Yeah," he said, nodding eagerly. "Like, study your magic and energy signatures?"
Loki smiled bitterly. "You won't find any."
"What?"
The god rounded on him, sneering. "I said, you won't. Find. Any. My magic has been taken for at least-"
Loki cut himself off. He couldn't trust them; they'd use anything he said against him. Stark still looked at him curiously.
"You can take magic?"
Loki scowled, narrowing his eyes. "Evidently so."
"Huh," the mortal said, looking unconvinced. "Well, JARVIS will still monitor your energy levels so I can be sure if you're lying or not."
The Trickster raised an elegant eyebrow. "And how do you know that I'm not shielding my energy from you?"
Stark chuckled. "If you were, you would've busted outta this joint long ago."
A/N: Short chapter is short. Sorry, guys :/ Like I said, writer's block.
