Another few days passed, they had made little progress with the poison. Although they had learned that Thor's blood was not affected by the poison either, leading to the conclusion that it targeted magic or that Loki's internal structure, different from them all, was being targeted.
"Careful, Tony, the vial is cold enough that it could shatter if it hits something too hard."
"I know, this isn't my first time handling delicate objects, you need steady hands to do what I can do, I've got it."
Tony muttered with a smirk as he gently lifted the vial of blood from their latest tests.
They had placed the blood in extremely cold temperatures to see how much cold could halt the poison.
He moved the vial over to its holder, setting it down carefully. As he did, Bruce quickly entered a series of commands into a panel on the side. They watched as a machine closed around the vial, a moment later a projection appeared.
The blood had turned a sluggish black.
"That was the color of his blood when he was a…what was it called, oh, frost giant. When he was a frost giant and got stabbed."
"Interesting, so the blood can actually take different appearances, I wonder how it does that…Anyway, let's see if we can find the poison in all this darkness."
It took a few moments to distinguish the inky black poison. The cold appeared to have significantly decreased its ability to attack surrounding cells, as expected. The poison moved lethargically and when it did attack a cell, it seemed to struggle crushing it.
"Yeah, it's definitely not as effective, I suppose we could attribute that to the cold or-"
"Or because few known ailments can kill a fully grown Jotun, of course Loki doesn't exactly fall into that category."
Both Tony and Bruce jumped, from behind them Sif exited the elevator. She strode over to them, giving a nod of acknowledgment.
"What are you doing here…wait, what do you mean?"
Tony frowned in question.
"I got bored watching the others do nothing. And I mean exactly what I said. There are very few known diseases or viruses able to kill Jotun, they have a high tolerance to sickness. Although this is not one of those, Thor, Loki, I, we would have been able to recognize it if that was the case."
Sif spoke matter of factly. Bruce and Tony exchanged glances before Bruce spoke.
"But Loki isn't a full grown Jotun?"
"Indeed, he is a runt by their standards, I doubt this poison would stand any chance against a healthy Jotun."
Bruce nodded as Sif approached the projection. Her dark hair made Tony think of the myths he had read.
"So Loki didn't cut your hair off."
Sif looked to him, startled.
"What? How did you know about that, did he tell you?"
"Wait, he did?"
Beside them, Bruce sighed with exasperation but didn't interfere.
"Loki actually cut off your hair, then why isn't it gold?"
Sif smirked.
"I assume that you reference the stories written about us. Those are a slew of falsities mixed with some truths. Yes, Loki did cut off my hair, although it was when we were young, and it was not replaced by gold."
"Oh…so Loki didn't get his lips sewn shut."
"Well actually yes, but it did not have to do with that, it was for a completely different reason and much later. I cannot remember exactly what he did, but there was an extended period of time where Loki could not speak."
Tony grinned and was about to reply when Bruce spoke up.
"While that's an amusing mental image, I think you guys should see this."
Sif and Tony turned back to look at the magnified display.
The poison appeared to be mixing with the black cells on a large scale again. The dark blood appeared to be resisting far better than before, some attacking the poison. Although the cells were still failing, they took far more poison before being overwhelmed. And when regenerating, they did so far faster.
"This is what you were talking about, Sif. The body fights better, like this."
"Indeed, and this is only Loki's blood, which would most likely be considered weak by the Jotun."
There was a small pause then Bruce's eyes lit up.
"Blood transfusions!"
"I'm sorry?"
Sif frowned but Tony inhaled sharply.
"Do you think that would work? I mean, how could we get that kind of blood? Loki would have to-"
"Yes he would, but if Sif says Jotun blood is strong, his body would accept that blood. It's a possibility!"
Bruce spoke quickly, still giddy.
They continued to speak in a rapid fire conversation until Sif stamped her foot, creating a thud disproportionate to her size.
"Both of you, calm down and speak to me. Blood transfusions, what are they?"
Tony came to a stuttering halt before answering her.
"Essentially it's where we transfer healthy blood into a person who needs it, for whatever reason. 'Course with humans what can be transferred depends on blood type, I don't know how it works with you all."
"Ah, that's what you call them. We have that procedure, although it goes by a different name, but it's little used as we do not have much need for it. I suppose that idea has its merits but Loki would be the only one to have any chance retrieving that blood."
Sif frowned thoughtfully, but Bruce remained optimistic.
"But it could be done. A little bit of that blood to fight off the poison, it's the best option we have."
Yet Sif continued to frown, chewing her lip. Tony arched an eyebrow.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, no it could work. Only…I doubt Loki will easily agree to it. It is not as if Jotuns are looked highly upon, putting that blood into his body, more of it…there could be negative side effects and not just to his ego."
"Anything him worse than him dying of the poison?"
"…Doubtful."
Although she still appeared uncertain, Sif nodded.
"Exactly, it's the best thing we've got so far. We just need to tell Loki when he shows up again."
Tony glanced out into the lit city, the half moon casting its reflection onto the river, and nodded resolutely.
00000
Why don't you give in? That's what you do, give in, because you're weak, pathetic.
Dark shapes danced at the edges of Loki's vision and voices wormed their way through his head. Chills raced up his body that had nothing to do with the cold.
"Why is it worse…why…it's not even…it's still early!"
You enjoy it, you cannot lie to yourself, you enjoy the chaos.
A black silhouette moved from the edge of Loki's vision, drawing closer and hissing malicious thoughts within Loki's head. It let out a cruel laugh, one Loki recognized as his own.
"You are nothing more than a specter, a creation of my own doubt…of a temporary mental deficiency. Nothing more!"
White hot, needling, pain spread along his limbs. The sickly sweet taste on his tongue was overpowering, his stomach roiled with nausea.
"Why is it so…I cannot…hurry up mortal."
The monster that you hide saves your life. Oh the irony of that, yet it does not save you well enough, perhaps because you are weak.
More whispers from the dark. Loki made a low noise in the back of his throat, scowling and attempting to block out the voices. He focused on the thin layer of frost that appeared where his hands had touched, hoping to distract himself.
What seemed like ages passed, then a real voice spoke above the false ones.
"I see tonight does not find you well."
Allan spoke with no concern, only expressing intrigue. Loki wondered how long the mortal had been there, he had lost confidence in what he saw some time ago. It took a moment for Loki to find a stable voice.
"Perhaps…but I desire the inhibitor, now."
"Oh, no questions?"
There was a moment of pause as Loki processed Allan's words, a steady buzz had began in his head.
"I would rather…there is nothing I wish to know at the moment…"
"I see, yes I will give you it in a moment. But what of your next move? You said that it would be interesting, yet nothing has happened."
Allan sounded almost disappointed, like a father chastising his child. It would have infuriated Loki if he hadn't been in his current state.
"Be patient…it will happen soon."
"Well of course, I can be patient, but it seems like you don't have very much time to do so. It looks to me like my darling is getting to you quite badly. If I were you, patience wouldn't be something to test. Now, change so that I may give you the inhibitor, I'm sure a few moments like that won't kill you."
His body screamed out in protest as Loki left his Jotun form, veins burning like the fires of Muspelheim. A long moment later, Loki felt the prick of a needle in his tensed arm and heard the small noise that indicated Allan's departure.
Loki could feel the cooling sensation in his blood spreading, but is was so slow, too slow. The rest of his body burned while the inhibitor moved at its sluggish pace.
This has to end…I cannot…this has to end soon.
00000
"Do you really think that will work?"
Clint frowned incredulously.
Everyone stood around the display in the lab as Bruce, Tony, and Sif explained their idea.
"It could, if Sif is right about the strength of their blood, then it might work. I don't think it would be any different than transferring human blood between humans."
"What about the "side effects" you vaguely mentioned?"
Steve gestured to the projection and this time it was Sif who answered, glancing knowingly at Thor.
"We are not sure how full Jotun blood would react with Loki's. The side effects may not necessarily be dangerous, but they may lead to a complication Loki would not want."
"I'm pretty sure the main thing we would want is to not die."
Tony said firmly. But Thor seemed to have understood something in Sif's words that the rest of them did not. After a few more moments of Thor's continued silence, Tony scowled.
"Both of you, tell me what's wrong with this. Sif, you said it would work, why are you hesitating now?"
Sif looked vaguely uncomfortable as she thought of an answer.
"Well, I mean-"
"My brother can appear Asgardian, I suspect the weakness of his Jotun blood makes it very easy, unconsciously even. But if he is subject to strong Jotun blood…it could affect his ability to do so without thinking of it. Do not misunderstand, I would not care, he is my brother, his appearance does not matter to me, but it does matter to him."
Thor picked up as Sif trailed off, seeming both defensive and slightly disheartened. Tony was still stubbornly frowning.
"I have a feeling Frost Giants weren't shown in a very good light when you were growing up. I mean, Loki's a stubborn ass, but there's no way he would risk his life rather than take the chance that something could happen, unless there's some old prejudice drilled into him."
There was a moment where both Asgardians looked incredibly sheepish. Thor absentmindedly swung Mjolnir with one hand.
"Well…I suppose…yes, there was. I was wrong, of course, and it really created the problems that occurred during my three days of banishment."
"Right…so godly racism exists, great. But we will convince him, he has to listen to us."
It sounded like Tony was trying to convince himself more than everyone else. Natasha threw a sidelong glance at Steve, who gave her a tight frown, before speaking up.
"Of course he will, Loki's not an idiot. We just have to wait for him to show up, hopefully that won't be long. Your idea will work, it sounds solid enough, we just have to wait."
00000
The café was bustling, people dressed in layers sheltered from the cold outside. Loki, disguised again and also dressed in warm clothes, even though he did not need them, was seated at another booth. He had his laptop again, although this time he did little but search through current events.
Soon a waitress, not Valarie, appeared and took his order. Loki glanced around the café, waiting.
Come on now, show up, I need you to show up mortal, I'm done playing this damnable game.
Once his food order was taken, Loki began to play a virtual chess match while sipping his drink. It was genuinely amusing how easily he won against the computer, even on it's hardest mode. A while passed, his food was delivered and half eaten, then someone sat opposite him. Loki suppressed a grim smile as he looked up.
"Hello Allan."
"Hello Loki, should I call you Loki in that form? Not a very feminine name."
"Doesn't matter."
They stared at each other for a few moments.
"So, are you going to make your next spectacle here?"
"Mmm…I suppose, but it could hurt people."
Allan frowned suspiciously.
"You say that like I would care."
"Perhaps you would have, in an earlier time. What do you think, Allan Longtrow?"
Loki watched Allan's expression as it went from suspicion to surprise. In an instant the air around them turned static.
"I always knew you were clever, too clever for your own good."
Allan made a small movement, as if taking something from the pocket of his coat.
"I'm flattered, but one simply needs to know where to look and have the patience to find it."
Both tensed and there was a moment of stillness.
Then Allan swung what was in his hand towards Loki's exposed arm. Loki snatched his hand away and in a fluid movement grabbed Allan's arm. They pitched sideways as Allan attempted to break Loki's grip with a spurt of fire.
People around them screamed.
Loki felt the skin on his palm burning but kept his grip firm on Allan and prepared to transport them both. Then there was a shimmer of gold and their feet left the ground.
AN: What do you think of their plan, I took all of your reviews and ideas into mind when deciding how exactly to go about it. On that note: Thank you for the feedback, I got a lot on the last chapter and overall so thank you all, they are incredibly motivating. So what do you think of this chapter? I'm not sure how long it will take to write the next but I've had fun writing this, so hopefully not too long.
