Hello again! Thanks for everyone who reads, leaves reviews and just stays with my sleepy story. I know there is no action yet – sorry - but you have to wait for the late chapters, I'm afraid. Bad meL Seems like I can't stop with all the feels! K Or not. Eh... Anyway… My story mine. We are back on Earth!
~o~0~o~
Two days away from home and seriously – it felt like eternity. So many things happened in such a short period of time and the only thing humans wanted is to be back to normality.
Now they all sat in jet, Avengers plus Loki, going to SHIELD to make Fury know where the hell they have gone because they actually left without as much as a word to their Director. They remembered how Thor appeared to Avengers in such haste and blurted out the situation – enemy, threat, everyone in danger, need help, Loki - yeah, they clearly forgot to mention their superior that they were gone to another fucking planet! Realm. Whatever. Two Realms in fact. But who cares? They were sure once they explained Fury will calm down. Hopefully.
At dawn everyone gathered on the Bifrost. First Jotuns left – Loki exchanged some words with his men after what Heimdall send them to Jotunheim. Thor gave instructions to his mother, leaving her in charge – she would have to protect Asgard while he was gone. Humans not really wanted to mind what else Thor said to whom because they just wanted to go home already.
Jet waited where they left it.
As soon as they all landed to the ground reliving an aftermath of Bifrost everyone made a double take on Loki because for the first time since they saw him on Jotunheim he was as they remembered him – his pale not blue appearance. He was back in his armor minus helmet and coat but clearly some things changed in his clothes. Gone were all Asgard's markings on his bracers – replaced by something else - Jotun's features maybe. His colors now were more black than green but mostly everything was the same. Thor once said that any armor in Asgard was specifically made for each person – it must follow a warrior through life.
Loki sat with Steve – the furthest seat from Thor. Everyone mostly was silent because awkwardness was unbearable. And all because of Loki. Not that they feared him just… It was the first time they were in one boat together – not as enemies, but as allies. This was new and nervous. They were not far and trip would take not long but silence was deafening.
"You are truly a good king, Loki".
Smooth, thought Tony about Thor's oh so lovely try to break a tension. As if not hearing Thor's soft and kind words (the first words since they entered jet) and openly ignoring him, Loki who sat perfectly still till now suddenly turned and looked Steve in the eyes. Steve felt uneasy and a little bit in awe when he looked back in those green magnificent orbs.
After everything what they all saw in Jotunheim Loki has stopped being for them a crazy murderous little brother of Thor with a lot of daddy issues, 'bag of cats' as Bruce has called him once. No, no, no. Now he appeared calm, collected, clever, reasonable and truly dangerous god. The king of Jotunheim, ruler of one of the Nine Realms. One of the most feared of Realms so to speak. With people who respected and treasured him, who would go to war for him. And it was far from Thor, who was also now king. So very very far. With Loki you wouldn't talk about food and training in gym, laughing if Thor puzzled about simple things. Quite the opposite - you don't mess with someone like Loki. Ever.
And Steve looking fascinated in Loki's green eyes couldn't possibly forget how those eyes were shining bloody red on blue-grey skin covered in something like tattoos on someone so ethereal that you begin to believe in fairy tales. And Steve was feeling now just like that – like some great alien deity sat in front of simple guy from Brooklyn.
"Captain Rogers. As you are the leader of your… team I will speak with you. I want you all to understand that my so-called 'help' goes with some important terms. I made a deal with you and will do whatever what is in my power to defeat the enemy. But you also have to fulfill your part of the deal. Right?"
"Yes", Steve said transfixed looking only in Loki's eyes. What is wrong with him? Loki must be doing something to him. Why else those eyes are so hypnotic? Definitely magic.
"And what are those terms, Reindeer games?" Tony interrupted quite smugly. He was bored to sit and be silent. He wanted some action. Hopefully it won't pull him in trouble.
Loki turned slowly to Stark lifting a brow. What an insufferable mortal. And so annoying.
"My terms, Mr Stark, are quite simple and easy to perform. First of all, your shepherd – oh, my apologies – your Director Fury is no one to me. He will not tell me what to do, because I do what I want, and it's not like I take an order from mortal ever. You will make sure that I will not be threatened like a criminal for I have served my punishment and now a free man. Not to say the king so… I will not tolerate hostility or even the mentioning of cells or imprisonment. You all will talk to me only about our case and about nothing more, because I have no intentions to even be in your presence more than required. All the other time you leave me alone and not bother me. If something goes wrong like… sudden assault or… attempt on my freedom - the deal is off. It will be troublesome to help while injured or dead don't you think? And I will go back to my kingdom and with no regrets for there are none will leave you to your fate. As I said, they are simple. So – do we have a deal?"
Avengers looked on each other. Maybe Loki is a trickster but everything what he asked for was… fair. All he wanted was respect, only business contact and no Fury or SHIELD so far. Fair enough.
"Yes. We have a deal", Steve said confidently.
"And the last thing", Loki suddenly said that all in the jet froze.
"If I ever hear some futile nickname or other trash exiting your mouth instead of my name or title, Mr Stark, I will tear away your tongue from your big mouth and I'm sure will do this world a favor. Am I clear?"
Everyone from Loki looked on Tony, who sat still and little fearfully glared on god of mischief with open in shock mouth. That with Loki's look was pretty menacing. Swallowing hard Tony croaked:
"Cristal clear… Loki".
~o~0~o~
"What the hell this son of a bitch is doing here?"
Loki's lips thinned as he looked on the Avengers. Then he merely said to them, not in the slightest acknowledging Fury and SHIELD soldiers with raised guns.
"We had a deal."
Turning slightly away as if wanting to teleport Steve rushed forward and almost grabbed Loki's hand but in the last moment thought better not to do so.
"Please Loki. Everything will be solved right now. Don't… Please don't go".
Loki looked amused because of Steve Roger's actions. Just like every other Avenger in the room. Fury on the other side looked pissed off.
"The fuck is going on here! Rogers! Have you lost your fucking mind? You two – get this excuse of the god to the lowest cell! Now!"
"Sir!"
"Director, please!"
"You better not touch me", Loki said softly to two armed men who got closer to him. When they laughed Loki smiled his sweetest smile and inclined his head little to the side.
Actually he didn't plan to leave the Avengers so quickly; Loki knew that they won't be able to reason with Fury. He just wanted them to fear of losing his help and assistance. Not that he cared at all but seeing how they squirm beneath him in fear and anguish was delightful. It was fun to see Earth's mighty heroes, who defeated him all those years ago, break every rule for him, because of him. Go against themselves just because they desperately needed his help. After all – they came for him. It is their problem now. Loki will just sit and enjoy the show.
When one soldier moved to grab his arm still aiming gun to his face, Loki caught that arm and held – still smiling mildly. Avengers, realizing that the deal went right through the window, silently jerked. Loki looked quickly on everyone from the six: Banner looked like he will gladly run away and never come back, Captain looked like a lost puppy, Romanoff and Barton were like they knew that all was already over, Thor looked like he was going to cry (oh, by the Nine) and Stark stood frozen on spot with raised arm in failed attempt to stop everything from happening. These mortals were truly entertaining, Loki mused to himself.
But returning to current situation Loki looked on the soldier, who wanted to free his hand, and idea appeared in his head. Now smiling with all teeth Loki let his Jotun form reveal on his hand. He will never be ashamed about it. He is proud of it. With this freezing man's arm black spots of dead skin and muscle began to appear. Soldier screamed in fear and pain what brought the second one to fire. Someone cried 'No', others just held their breaths in fright. But before bullet could have hit Loki's face god disappeared.
The room fell silent. When nothing happened after long minutes what meant Loki was gone Avengers sighed in utter defeat. Steve closed his eyes. Barton cursed aloud and dirty. Natasha clenched her jaw. Tony leaned forward and rested his hands on his knees. Banner just stood and breathed. Thor almost ripped his golden hair from his head. So much effort – and for nothing!
They fucked up. Grandly. Completely. Thanks, Fury.
Suddenly chill gripped the air and everyone in the room flinched. Before anyone could react Loki appeared right behind instantly stiffened Fury. Very cold hand touched Fury's throat that Director involuntary shivered. When on pure reflex Fury reached to his gun he shockingly found out that it wasn't there.
"It's not wise, mortal", Loki whispered in Fury's ear. While SHIELD's Director tried to calm himself, Loki circled him and smiled.
"Looking for this?"
And with that Loki raised now his gun in men's face. Right to his remained eye. Oh, how he reminded Odin…
Time seemed to stop entirely while Loki held Fury on gunpoint. But after seeing how Fury seethed in hate and spite and seemed to accept his approaching fate to be killed by deity, Loki suddenly smirked. In a mere second a gun in his hand nebulized into atoms with green sparks. Shaking his hands to get off the dust Loki humorously observed:
"Pathetic mortal thing…"
Once again looking in Fury's now disbelieving face the god of mischief pronounced:
"Director Fury. As we all calmed down I believe that your team wants to talk to you about some particular matter, which involves me. I am sure", Loki cheered with delightful smile, "that they will be able to convey the whole essence for given situation in full. As for now I should go. Your tower, Mr Stark, awaits my presence. And one more thing…"
Loki turned to the Avengers.
"Make sure that this", Loki showed around himself, "never happens again. Next time I may not be in such good mood. As of now – have a nice talk".
With final toothy mocking smile Loki disappeared in mere air, leaving beyond angry irritated edged Fury and now afraid for their throats Avengers alone.
A/N: Seriously I must say it's the first time that I write an actual fanfic… And I am truly happy for those who read it and reviewsJ Seriously I adore you!
