Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel-characters!

AN: Thank you so much for all your reviews! I am sorry for making some of you cry ;) I wasn't sure whether to make Clint and Natasha confess their love for each other since it's not canon (not in my eyes), but I found that it worked for this story.

Are you ready for a long chapter? Cause I have one for you!

Enjoy!

~ The Opposites ~

Chapter 10

It was only very reluctantly that Thor left his brother's side. He could see the guilt written in those green, shy eyes. It couldn't be easy for Loki to have an evil doppelganger walking around out there, hell-bent on the destruction of the Avengers. Thor tried to imagine what it would be like for him if he had somehow been split in two, but it was impossible. It was too complicated and Thor wished he could make it easier somehow.

But Loki was slowly withdrawing into himself, carefully locking his thoughts away. He didn't want to appear weak or vulnerable and Thor had to remind himself that technically, Loki was still the villain in the room. The others would never trust him and he couldn't blame them.

So he wished he could stay with Loki at all times. He wanted to tell him that he wasn't to blame, but he knew those words would fall on deaf ears.

However, Steve entered the grand room on top of Stark Tower, followed by an ill-looking Bruce. For a moment, Thor hesitated, but after quickly glancing at Loki, he knew there wouldn't be any further conversing. He stepped away from him and joined the two Avengers who always kept their distance from the trickster – certainly after what happened to them these past few hours.

"Welcome back, Bruce," Thor said softly. He had a genuine smile on his face as to encourage Bruce to do the same. What had happened to him was regretful, but Thor did not blame him for what happened at the park. He had not been in control of the beast after all, but that did not make the situation any easier. He could see the many deaths weighing heavily on Bruce's conscious.

"I can't lock myself away forever," Bruce sighed. He took the glasses from his nose and began to clean them with the edge of his shirt. Thor could see his eyes better now and he definitely found them tired-looking. "Besides, we still have a job to do," he added, "Natasha and Clint are missing and we have to find a way to stop Loki."

Thor nodded, completely agreeing with everything the scientist had said. "Finding Natasha and Clint is our top priority. Loki won't hesitate to move on from them to us." He motioned to himself and Steve. "We are the only ones left on his list. Jane, Erik and Darcy are safe, but what about you?"

Steve shrugged slightly. "Everyone I know is dead. I haven't been in this world long enough to reestablish any new connections."

"Don't worry," Thor said apologetically, "if there is anything I know about the other Loki, it is that he is very inventive. He'll find something to use against you."

Steve let out a heavy breath.

"How is he doing?" Bruce asked, nodding towards Loki. The trickster – who did not have many tricks left in him – was staring out of the window and into the grand, lively city beneath him even though the sun had already set over the horizon. The glass caught his clear reflection and showed that he was deep in thought. There was a frown adorning his face.

"He puts up a strong façade," Thor revealed, "but I can see straight through it. These are difficult time for all of us, him included. He feels worthless and valueless. Yet, he must grow stronger, but I do not know how I can help him."

Bruce was surprised by his words. "Stronger?"

"As every hour passes," Thor explained, "other Loki plots and succeeds in his schemes. He grows more confident and wiser. He grows more…depraved and destructive."

"With other words," Steve added, "more evil."

"Indeed," Thor agreed reluctantly. He did not enjoy the world 'evil'. It made him feel as if his brother was lost to him. He refused to give up on Loki – any version of him – and he wished he could help him in any way possible. But as more time went by, he began to believe it impossible. That thought made him very somber. "I fear that if my father were to put them together again at this very moment, Loki over there would be consumed by the other one."

"And all we'd be left with," Bruce said, understanding what Thor was telling them, "is a son of a bitch that has barely any good left inside." He put his overly clean glasses back on his nose.

It was very uncharacteristic of Bruce to use such a word. It only showed how much Loki had gotten under his skin. Everyone was reaching their breaking point due to Loki's games and manipulations. It was time to put a stop to it, but they would have to find Loki first.

It appeared an impossible task at this moment. Loki had gotten too good at hiding himself.

"Well, I don't know how you're planning on helping this Loki get stronger," Steve began.

"Thor?" Loki suddenly grabbed for his head while sucking in a deep breath.

In less than three steps, Thor stood at Loki's side. Carefully, he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, not understanding what was happening. Loki swayed forward and Thor quickly used his other hand to support his weight. He was disturbed by how little his brother still weighed. Loki reached with both hands for Thor's broad arms as he tried to steady himself. His nails dug deep within Thor's flesh.

Loki squeezed his eyes shut, his face revealing only distress, discomfort and hints of pain. Thor wished Steve and Bruce would come to Loki's aid, but they kept a safe distance as they clearly did not trust what was happening. Thor couldn't really blame them for he himself was weary about the situation.

"Loki, what is wrong?" He asked with a much too loud voice.

The trickster flinched. "It's him," he managed to utter. He groaned, let go of Thor's arms and began to pull his hair.

Thor believed his brother had gone mad at this point. He quickly grabbed Loki's hands and kept them locked against his heaving chest. Loki's breathing had become erratic and his face paled. He let himself fall forward against Thor and found support by leaning his head against Thor's shoulder.

"You should feel it," he breathed, "it is so…wretched."

It finally dawned on Thor that Loki was currently experiencing other Loki's feelings and emotions.

"That's not you, Loki," he assured his brother. It pained him to see Loki is such a distraught state. "It is the other one who feels it. You are better than him, you can be stronger than him!"

"But it so…" Loki hesitated and bit down on his lip until he drew blood, "fierce. It is cutting me, like a knife slicing through butter. There is nothing I can do to push it away." He opened his eyes wide, but Thor could see they were unfocused. He doubted Loki was actually looking at him right now.

Thor quickly glanced over to Steve and Bruce, but they didn't move closer. They only sported a concerned and slightly anxious frown on their faces.

"He is so excited and jubilant, Thor," Loki said in a hushed tone, "he is marveling at something."

It was difficult for the thunderer to come to the realization that this might just be their advantage. Having an insight in other Loki's feelings could give them some answers to what he's plotting. It could even tell them where he is right now. Thor knew he had to grab this opportunity with both hands even though it hurt Loki in the process.

"What else, brother," he asked, "what else does he feel?"

"He feels…accomplished," Loki answered, his eyes still unfocused, "he is very happy and overjoyed." He looked ghostly pale and Thor feared that he might pass out at some point. "But I can see…" Loki added, "I can see… The image is terrifying."

Now the situation became simply unsettling. Thor no longer wanted Loki inside the other one's head. He carefully shook his brother, wishing his eyes to become focused again. "It is enough, Loki, pull yourself out of it."

Loki blinked many times. "There is fire everywhere," he mouthed, barely audible, "and it so bright. My counterpart is in awe. He is laughing, Thor."

Loki closed his eyes and his knees gave out, but Thor had a firm grip on him and easily kept him standing up. When Loki opened his eyes again, they were normal and instantly found Thor's worried gaze. Instantly, Loki straightened himself and took in deep breaths to steady himself. He seemed embarrassed that he'd appeared so weak. He even takes a step away from his brother, his lips one thin line as if he is biting back a remark.

Due to the commotion, everyone had failed to hear someone enter the room. Tony Stark had just returned from the hospital and he was not in the mood for any drama. Everyone turned around to look at him when he cleared his throat, but Tony's gaze only sought out Loki. It was then that his usually pleasant eyes held something new, something that hadn't been there hours ago. It wasn't hostility or animosity – it certainly wasn't kindness - but it was something along the lines of accusation.

Loki swallowed heavily, his eyes switching between everyone present. For a moment Thor thought he would step closer to him again in search of protection, but Loki only retreated more into himself. He was definitely more guarded.

"What's going on?" Tony asked coldly.

"I think…" Loki seemed to contemplate on something. Perhaps he didn't know whether to tell the truth or not, but Thor urged him to speak his mind. "Clint and Natasha; I think one them died by that fire."

~ o ~

This was drama at its purest and finest. Loki was completely captivated by it. Seeing these lowly mortals struggle to survive always had an amusing touch to it. He had told Natasha and Clint to make their goodbyes heartwarming, but this was beyond that. Loki felt he could sit back and enjoy the show. All he needed was a fizzy drink to completely enjoy himself.

He watched Natasha close her eyes and Loki began to smile. He had overdone himself with this plan and he couldn't believe all was working out so well. He waited impatiently, then held his breath as he doubted Natasha would actually press the button.

But she did and Loki laughed when Clint's bomb exploded. His laughs turned into giggles and finally he found himself completely satisfied when Natasha broke down before Clint's locked door. Seeing her tears were his reward for putting so much work into this master plan.

Yet there was something nagging at him in the back of his mind. He felt…watched. Loki carefully glanced around, but only found half a dozen doombots standing around him. They were completely harmless and wouldn't jump into action unless he gave them some sort of instruction. It wasn't because of them he felt spied on. Loki narrowed his eyes, wondering for a moment whether this was just his mind playing tricks on him.

He inhaled deeply and called himself mad until he realized he was actually mad. His counterpart was mostly the one keeping him sane when they had still been one person. Then it hit him and Loki felt furious. No one on the outside had been watching him. Someone had been watching him on the inside. The other Loki - that nasty, little serpent - had been experiencing his emotions. He himself had once felt the other's fear. It had physically hurt him and Loki understood he had to shield himself away.

The last thing he wanted was someone else inside his mind, not even if that someone else was a version of him. He had heard Clint ask Natasha to kill him and he despised the fact that they held so much faith in good and pure Loki. It was disgusting! Being this person was his destiny. Hurting others, breaking them, was what he had always been good out without even realizing it.

Loki spun around and faced his doombots. He felt angry. His previous joy over Barton's death was already subdued – although thinking about it made him smirk.

"It's time for our next victim," he told them. The doombots all turned to face him with near admiration. They bowed their heads in respect as they were addressed by their new master. "But he is holed up in Stark's petty tower. We need to lure him out."

The doombots stared.

"You really are all worthless, aren't you?" Loki sneered. "Do I have to think about everything myself?"

He strode away, fully expecting the doombots to follow him. They did, only proving yet again how mindless they really were. Loki did not understand why Victor Von Doom was so proud of them. Even Stark could invent better robots than these morons.

"The Captain hasn't been in this world for long," Loki muttered, more to himself than to the robots. He was deep in thought, his mind racing and plotting. He almost enjoyed this part as much as he enjoyed the eventual execution of a plan. "He has no living family and all of his friends are dead."

Loki bit down on his lip as he moved inside a car. Without doubt, this place would soon be crawling with SHIELD-agents and Loki had no intention of fighting them.

For a moment he wondered whether the Captain would show up on this site, but he doubted Fury would allow any of his precious Avengers to leave Stark Tower. Up there, they could be protected. Loki was starting to think he should add Fury to his list of revenge. The one-eyed man was making his life difficult.

Loki came to the conclusion that he couldn't stand one-eyed men. Next time he met one, he would gut him instantly.

He forced himself to focus again. His first and only concern was the Avengers. He shouldn't be bothered with Fury or Odin. Toying with Thor and his friends was gratification enough. For now. So he returned to his plotting and found himself more successful this time. He knew what he wanted to do and the best part was that he did not physically have to be around the Captain to achieve it. It was different from what he had done to the others, but not necessarily gentler.

Loki couldn't wait to see Steve Roger's reaction.

~ o ~

The room was completely silent. Not even the breathing of seven different people could be heard. All of the Avengers – minus the archer – were present, as was Fury and Loki. They all stared at the floor, their pale hands or into the distance. It was as if none dared to speak, none dared to break the heavy silence that was starting to feel uncomfortable.

Thor simply did not know what he could say at this point. His gaze fell on Loki who had retreated to the farthest corner of the room. He clearly wanted to disappear into the background and Thor couldn't blame him. He let his gaze slide towards Natasha Romanoff who was currently glaring daggers into Loki's very soul.

Her eyes were red, her cheeks still wet with tears that had stopped rolling now. Her skin looked ashen and her hands were balled into fists as they lay on the table surface. Thor knew her nails had long since pierced her skin, but he dared not to comment. Natasha had just told them what had happened to her longtime partner and they were all too stunned to reply.

They were all shocked and felt beaten down.

It was dreadful enough that Natasha had been forced to hitch a ride to the nearest SHIELD-facility after Loki had left her at the abandoned warehouse. Fury's best agents were already combing out the surroundings, trying to find anything that could lead them to evil Loki, but Thor knew the search was pointless. Loki had left the warehouse the moment Clint had been… Thor couldn't even bring himself to think the words.

This was by far one of Loki's most wretched schemes.

"We're going to find that bastard," Natasha said after a while, still glaring at Loki who had already lowered his gaze many minutes ago, "and we're going to make him pay."

Thor understood Natasha's pain and grief, but there was no chance he would allow anyone to lay a hand on his brother – whatever version of him. It was important that they all remembered this wasn't regular Loki, yet he did not voice that thought. It seemed…inappropriate.

"We're all so very sorry," Steve said quietly. He was sitting next to her and for a moment, he seemed to contemplate on reaching for her hand, but clearly decided against it. Natasha was a fierce woman and even though Steve was a super soldier, she was still capable of breaking his hand if she wanted to. "If there is anything-"

"You can kill Loki for me," Natasha spat.

Loki glanced up, his eyes uncertain.

Thor moved to stand before his brother, stealing him away from everyone's eyes. "What Loki did is unforgivable, but we must remember that this Loki-" He pointed behind him, "-has nothing to do with that. His counterpart will be punished for his crimes. Back on Asgard."

Natasha narrowed her eyes and scolded. "You're not taking him away from us this time, Thor," she said icily, "we allowed it the first time and look where we are now! If you had done a better job at keeping him your prisoner, we wouldn't be in this mess. Clint would still be alive!"

It was difficult to disagree with her. "I understand," Thor replied calmly, "and I do feel guilty-"

"How can you?" Natasha countered, rising to her feet and slamming down her hand on the table. Her eyes grew more spiteful. "You will never feel truly guilty, Thor, because you never pushed that damned button. I killed Clint as much as Loki did and that is something I'll have to bear with me for the rest of my life, so don't even speak of guilt on your part."

Thor only inclined his head. It was never a good idea to argue with a woman scorned and aggrieved, nor what it really his place to express his emotions right now.

"We are in a difficult position," Fury said, trying to draw away Natasha's attention from Thor and Loki, "never before have we been attacked on such a personal level, but we must keep our heads clear. Loki can still be stopped before there is any more bloodshed."

"How?" Tony cracked. "We've tried everything. We are getting nowhere with trying to track his scepter. Loki over there might be doing his best, but it's not getting us any results and we all know that we'll find nothing at the warehouse where Clint died."

Natasha lowered her gaze when Tony said those words as if he was detached from it all.

"Tony is right," Bruce sighed, "look at where we are! Pepper is in the hospital, having been through hours of surgery because other Loki set a monster on her. I have killed 21 people myself because of him, but their deaths are completely on me. Natasha has been forced to murder the one person in she trusted more than anyone else the world. We lost Clint, Nick! How are we supposed to go on fighting? We're not brainless robots. We are all exhausted, physically, but more importantly, emotionally."

"And that is what he wants," Fury replied steadily, "if we give up, Loki has won."

"He already has won," Natasha said emptily. Before Fury could reply, she turned around and left the room. None knew where she was heading to, but none even thought about following her. She was grieving and solitude was something everyone craved at this moment.

"We all need rest," Fury said, his gaze sliding across every face, "as long as you all stay inside Stark Tower, you should be safe."

"It's not me I am worried about," Thor said.

"Jane and her friends are safe as well," Fury assured the thunderer, "only a handful of people know where she is."

"As if that ever stopped Loki," Bruce countered. He too stood from the table. "But I agree with Fury; we need rest. Just a few hours of sleep might just be what we need. We're not going to find Loki tonight anyway, not while we are all so tired."

"I agree with Banner," Tony said and he too stood, "I'll see you all in the morning."

"Early morning," Bruce corrected him.

Fury only nodded and watched the two of them leave.

"Goodnight," Steve sighed, knowing that the night would be short and restless. He too left the room.

Only Thor, Loki and Fury remained. The director slowly turned around to face them. His face was stern, his eye almost murderous. He clearly disliked having his band of superheroes so worked up and he clearly blamed the trickster for that.

"You should stay with Loki tonight," he told Thor almost reluctantly, "I fear this might not be the safest place for him at the moment."

Loki swallowed heavily. They had all seen Natasha's poisonous glances towards him.

"I will always protect him," Thor vowed, "from foes and friends alike."

"You do that," Fury said dismissively. He too left the room.

"I fear for what the morning shall bring," Thor sighed as he gazed at the timid figure of his brother, "you should get some sleep as well, Loki, there lay some difficult times ahead I fear."

Loki only nodded.