King

by anastacianott

The unknown enemy threatens the peace. Thor is the King of Asgard while his father sleeps, and he asks his friends Avengers for help. But there is another one, who can help. And it's Loki, who has been banished to Jotunheim for his actions against Earth and Asgard. The Avengers come to Frozen Realm to collect him. But what if things have changed? What if Loki doesn't want to leave?

25. Chapter 25

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Hey! Surprise? I don't know how I did it but I haven't spent a month writing a chapter. Cool, right? I guess I didn't want to keep you all waiting, so I made myself do it as quickly as possible. Surprised myself as well :P

So here you go! C:

I noticed a long time ago that people in this fandom use 'Oh my Gods' rather than usual 'Oh my God'. Don't know about you, but I find it rather awesome XD Our love for our Norse Gods changed our world views! For me at least it did. It's just a little detail but it's so cool :)

Here you go! Don't mind mistakes, guilty. A long-awaited action! … Don't know how good I handled it – remember me telling you I am not an expert in such things? - it's for you to judge :D

Please enjoy!

~o~0~o~

Clint was the first to open his eyes. Dazed he rolled on his side panting. Sudden harsh cough took his breath away – thick dust was everywhere in the air, making it hard not only to breath but to see as well. Quickly looking down to check himself for any injuries, archer sighed in relief. It seemed everything was intact. If only his ears did not ring and his head did not feel like it was going to burst - Barton found himself okay. It took him some time to remember what happened…

Earlier…

After Jarvis alerted everyone that there was an enemy in the Tower, Avengers and Loki did not waste any time - in less than five minutes, they were equipped and dressed in their uniforms ready to fight what was coming.

Steve quickly organized everyone's positions, making sure that they would surround their target and cut out every exit. If they could, they would take him alive. If not – they'd kill it. But only if it was the last resort.

When they entered the wide-open space, Iron Man and Thor quickly moved ahead, assassins stood on ready in distance, Banner quietly walked to the panel that controlled reactor from the other side of the room – he wasn't sure he could do anything but still he wanted to be useful, and Loki stayed aside not coming closer as Rogers did. On the contrary, Loki chose to watch from afar. His help was not needed so far - humans and Thor could have fun as long as they wanted. He would observe for a time.

For the first time humans and gods finally saw what that was all about – there was the culprit of all this mess. Astart. And he was... Not what they thought.

Even if there was a little time to gawk at him (all of them would do it later and in great detail) they saw their enemy number one to be a tall white-gray creature with… strangely handsome features for being an alien from another galaxy. He resembled a human in appearance for the most part. He had human nose, mouth, his eyes though were two endless pools of black with no eyelashes and no eyebrows. There was no hair at all. Then there begun huge differences: such as surgically implanted parts of headgear – two short horns sticking horizontally from the temples, coiled with wires and glowing cords leading right to the brain. The back of the head had many ports and joints of different size and diameter, the remaining skin scarred and burned. Metal pieces covered the midsection with special opening for something resembling a collar. It was a huge heavy thing with complicated vessel of orange energy swirling inside – but what was strange it barely moved even when Astart was moving a lot. The skin (if you could call it a skin – it resembled the hard smooth leather with little patterns) was mostly uncovered if not for the hanging chains, as well as crossed metal wires all around that glowed blue when he touched reactor. Astart had vembraces, gloves and black armor solidly covering and protecting him from under his ribs and to his feet. There was only a gun on him holstered at his back. Other than that, he was unarmed.

With so much metal on him, alien should have been heavy and clumsy but no. He seemed light and weightless, moving like fluid. Creature's best tactic was avoiding. Tony would find that out firsthand.

Astart stood with his back to them touching reactor when Avengers rushed in. Stark, who was the most pissed off – it was his baby born from blood and desperation - flew head-first, lifting his armored hand to attack their intruding guest. Steve quickly commanded others to take their positions and on his command attack Astart. Or... at least try to.

Jarvis worked amazingly as well as Iron Man suit - Tony fixed them with Loki's help immediately after Japan's grand fiasco. Nevertheless, it was good they were all together in basement without actual need to communicate through comms. Then they would have a problem.

Tony's repulsor hit. Astart turned to face him and simply avoided the shot. There were some impressive reflexes. Or maybe the little screen that appeared before his black eyes helped. Either way it was not good.

Bruce did not want to risk everyone's safety, keeping Hulk inside for now. Clint didn't think much. He wanted that thing dead after what he saw back in the dark sealed room full of bodies. Natasha took her guns and shot. Simple as that.

The mini missile Iron man fired at him, Astart raised its hand and touched a 'necklace' – the orange thing looking alive like lava pulsating inside the transparent container. Some kind of black hole appeared and instantly absorbed it.

Humans were gaping in instant disbelief. Not a good turn. Thor saw them stall and lifted Mjolnir trying to meet his foe hand to hand.

Before he could do it, Loki blasted Astart with his magic. Loki lifted his hand that to the astonishment of humans was rapidly enveloping in bright fire with green and gold flames. When Loki released it at alien, the actual fire was in its place. Fire tongues slid along the floor directly at enemy from all sides as if alive. It actually drove the enemy back, again that thing absorbing the fire. Loki's logic whispered to him that the creature avoided any danger, but if it was driven in the corner, it used that fascinating liquid power to protect himself. His conclusion confirmed, now they should blast him until it could protect himself no longer, distract him and then take him from behind.

While Steve watched at Loki in amazement, not being prepared to witness something like firewall released at will, Astart moved like a wild cat turning on scent of magic. Maybe it was foreign and unknown to their guest unlike simple tech Astart and his fellas might have seen so far, who knows.

But Loki did not like that special attention on himself – secretly Loki knew that he had not the energy to fight for long and stay strong. As did Stark inside his suit. Timing was truly awful. How in the Nine Astart came here so fast? And Loki'll be damned if he lets himself become the target to that thing!

Readying another magic blast Loki saw Thor lifting his hammer up to summon lightning. Lining it up, he shot it in alien. Humans saw it and highly expected it to work, to slow down the white menace. Natasha still aimed Astart with her guns (bullets annoyingly ricocheted from him) waiting what would happen. Clint was ready to shoot his special arrow that would blow up just after Thor released his power.

Loki exhaled raggedy when the white energy made contact but instead of penetrating their foe it gathered around him like a cocoon, more and more, his armor lighting up the pale blue, until Thor stopped and then Loki had only a fraction of second to create a dome of his strongest magic field to protect everyone from razor sharp lightening that flew right back at them. Charge seemed to triple after being near Astart and if Loki had not acted, there would have been three smoking bodies of Romanoff, Barton and Rogers lying on the floor. Banner would have probably survived, Thor too. But Stark may have withstood Thor's attack when fighting with him on a cliff years ago, but not this. Definitely not this much of charge.

While humans wide eyed looked around them seeing the thick rune patterned field of magic that took away harsh attacks of electricity from them, Loki fell on one knee, his hands straining to keep that powerful and consuming defensive shield intact. Loki clenched his teeth in annoyance. For days, he constantly used his seidr, explaining it to Stark and Banner, experimenting on it, using it on big spells as to understand their enemy and find the ways to counteract his strange offending aura. He was a fool to use so much. No one was ready for Astart to come here NOW and alone. Moreover, him to have so much power.

Blissfully the attack finally ended - the bright lights disappeared so they could see how Astart stepped away from arc reactor and moved to where... where Loki was now slowly standing rom his knees. The dome trembled and crumbled like a broken glass, giving Barton his opportunity to finally shot his special arrow. Agent swore as it flew inches from the bastard, hitting the wall and exploding. What was unexpected, Astart did not even blink. Not wasting a moment, he pulled a fucking gun from his back and aimed at Loki. Stark shouted something from above but Loki only watched already half a step to vanishing himself.

Blink and a gun fired. Orange - alien coloring apparently - energy charge shot at Loki. However, before he could react a shield flew before his eyes and reflected the shot masterfully. Loki's eyes flickered to Steve with his hands still raised in a throw and then back at Astart. There was a displeased animal growl from somewhere in his throat. Stark took that moment to fly around and bang 'alien shit' as he called him in the back. Astart saw the attack and run to the side avoiding again. Stark hovered above assassins waiting for the next move, Jarvis precisely monitoring everything what was happening.

But it seemed the fight has come to an abrupt end. Loki and Steve both twitched quickly forward when their enemy jumped back to the reactor and before they could react there was a low hissing sound quickly becoming louder and louder until blue reactor energy enveloped Astart from head to toe and he... disappeared! Not having a second to understand how the hell it happened, a sudden explosion threw everyone back blinding and deafening them all.

~o~0~o~

Now…

Another plus in his situation was that he and Natasha were the furthest from the epicenter - benefits ranged.
Looking in his partner's way Barton saw Natasha stirring. She was unharmed either from the looks of it. Only a couple of scrapes on her forehead.

That could not be said about others. Steve and Loki were the closest to the bastard when he disappeared and then made his goodbye present in a bomb shaped package.

Loki was lying on his side unconscious. Steve was only a few feet away from him eagle spread on his back, also knocked out. Those two must have had it bad if a god who was shot in the face and only was annoyed from that fact and a super soldier that could fall from a building and walk away as if nothing happened, actually lost consciousness - well, tough shit.

Thor was thrown to the far wall and was already using his hammer to help him stand. Thunderer was not affected much from the looks of it, Clint could bet he was knocked like that all the time training in Asgard. Bruce was the only one reasonable and careful from all of them - even if such a blow wouldn't have affected him in any way - a good doctor hid behind a metal unmovable table. Therefore, he was all right - not even a shock wave touched him.

Clint saw Loki rolling on his front with a grunt. Almost lazily, if not for the obvious discomfort a god moved his hands under his body to slowly raise himself up. Black hairs were out of its always-perfect style and now fell in disarray hiding Loki's face. After a little struggle, Loki was finally standing almost straight. If not for somewhat wobbling knees, pressed hand on his temples, tightly shut eyes and overall falling from exhaustion sight Loki looked fine.

Tony looked drunk. Meaning he was swaying from side to side, mumbling incoherent things. Archer noticed that his suit had small dents in torso area – his training helped him to figure out that Stark possibly had bruised ribs. And bruised ego.

In the end, Stark found some box and heavily sat on it, hiding his face in shaking hands. All of this – in his suit.

Clint knew that those two - Stark and Loki - were the most exhausted aside from everyone else - even when he run here and first saw them he agreed that they looked like shit. Especially Stark with his gaunt face and red eyes before it hid under his Iron Man helmet. So why not add an explosion? A perfect solution to the problem so those two would finally drop from exhaustion.

Bruce had already joined Natasha and helped her stand up. Steve was sitting on the dirty floor looking at the aftermath of their battle with furrowed brows and displeased turn of his mouth. Thor pushed some big chunks of concrete to make his way to his friends. Clint watched everyone around him.

All in all… Shitty outcome.

~o~0~o~

"Son of a bitch! He can teleport now?"

Tony was raging, nursing a frozen pack near his temple - where it hurt the most - he found it in miraculously survived mini refrigerator. Stark took off his suit a while ago and without its steading force, he felt as old as Steve.

"Sir there is a huge loss of energy from arc reactor. Over 30%. " Jarvis mechanically said.

"Asshole." Tony muttered. He was too exhausted to say more.

Steve approached silently, observing everyone for the damage. There were only minor wounds – scratches, cuts, bruises. He himself held his left shoulder where he fell on it earlier.

"Everyone all right?" There were nods all around. Bruce took it on himself to treat those wounds with first aid kit that was recently delivered by Stark's robots. All in all everyone was indeed fine – Avengers were used to this kind of situations. They were lucky – the fight could have ended much much worse than it did.

"Strange that he could disappear like that. I was not expecting that." Natasha murmured.

"Only because of the gotten energy. Yeah." Tony remarked. That alien shit stole his energy! He would get back on him for that.

"I don't like him." Loki said to the surprise of everyone around. Loki was always cool and mostly indifferent. Now he didn't like that guy?

Thor agreed wholeheartedly. From what he had witnessed, that creature turned its interest his brother's way, most probably because of his magic. That was unacceptable. If that beast would target his brother then Thor would do anything to protect him.

Because if something happens to Loki, Thor would know that it was he, who gave Loki his magic back, it was he who dragged him in Midgard, he… who would never forgive himself if the worst happens.

Loki was silent until now. Steve was sure he was overtired. That field that he made with his magic and put around them must have took a lot of energy judging by god's sunken eyes and slight grayness to his skin. Angry cuts on his forehead and cheekbone didn't help either.

"Why?" Bruce asked. When others battled, Hulk inside him actually recoiled from Astart's very presence. It wouldn't stop Bruce from fighting in the future, just… it was an unpleasant feeling. Could Loki feel the same?

"He is... a leech."

Not saying anything else, Loki ever so slowly went to sit down on the overturned piece of… something. There he just slumped down and closed his eyes. Avengers looked after him in surprise, worry and confusion.

"How did he know to come here?" Clint asked what all of them thought.

At this, Tony jumped wincing when it hurt his ribs and went determinedly to the exit avoiding big pieces of concrete.

"We should dig in-"

Yeah, Steve thought, in a couple of steps catching up with Tony and grabbing his shoulder. Not happening.

"Absolutely not. Listen, you should just look at yourself, Tony. You barely stand on your feet! Now. Three of you go and rest, sleep for a day or so if you want. We got this." Steve pointed at doctor, Stark and Loki.

As was to be expected Stark was against it.

"Sleep? Cap, did you see what that asshole did? I will not-"

"Yes you will. Go. It's an order. Loki?" Steve touched god's shoulder lightly to what Loki raised his head as if it weighted a ton.

"What?" Loki was really not in the mood – his magic felt uncomfortably stretched, his head hurt after being thrown across the room by that explosion and what pissed him the most was that he probably sprained his right wrist when he landed and had no strength to fix it with his healing magic until he rests. So yes. He was not in the mood.

Also he turned any sound off – Avengers' loud talkie-talkie was aggravating his ears. And if anyone would start ordering him around when he did not want to move, they would regret it.

"You should rest too."

Hm. Rest? Very well. He could do it. However, before Loki could open his mouth to say anything Thor appeared behind Steve and added in serious tone.

"Loki. You are tired. Please."

Loki looked at Thor's hand pointedly when it appeared on his arm as if it personally offended him. Thor reluctantly pulled it away, but still stayed standing frustratingly near.

Loki rolled his eyes in disdain thinking that the blond idiot thought he was going to act like Stark. No, thank you. He loved himself a bit more than it would seem from the side. Muttering something in unknown language that made Thor cringe, he pushed his legs on the floor and finally stood. Giving Rogers a nod, he left a room. To rest.

Tony and Bruce half-heartedly followed right behind him.

~o~0~o~

Loki felt that if he will not find some surface to lie on he would simply lie on the floor. His eyes were slipping shut without his consent. Wandering aimlessly, Loki thanked the Norns when he saw a couch in the living room. Yes, it was wide, soft, and amazing. So when he almost fell on it, it was the matter of lying on his side and lifting his feet off the floor that did it - in a moment he was asleep.

When others strolled in the living room some time later, they were surprised to find Loki out cold on a couch. Well duh - as if anyone ever saw a god not on alert or at least wide-awake while with others.

Loki lied on his side one hand close to his face, the other limply hanging from the edge of the couch. A curled mess of black hair contrasted with creamed colored leather couch that made Loki's pale skin look white.

It was strange that Loki let himself be seen in such vulnerable state but looking back at what happened no one blamed him. Steve even contemplated the idea to go lie down himself seeing as he got a shockwaves in the face but refrained. HE slept all right this night, he ate healthy food and even relaxed for a couple of hours. So instead, he optioned to help Thor clean up Tony's destroyed space. They had already started but paused for a little break.

That have resulted in finding the younger god there on a couch.

Loki was deeply asleep, so when Bruce tried to move closer to him to offer examination after the couple of hours have passed, Thor – who was standing near doors with a bottle of water keeping watch over Loki - carefully grabbed doctor's arm not wishing anyone to disturb his brother. They tried to be silent but still made many sounds that could have woken any other. But Loki was thankfully out cold and didn't wake.

So what if he looked so peaceful and calm in his sleep that any Avenger that came to the room felt guilty even considering the thought of disturbing him?

They left him to his sleep even if they always gathered in this exact room to relax. Guess they could share when needed.

~o~0~o~

Lieutenant Colonel of the U. S. Army Navy Force James Rhodes was thanking whoever listened for the day off. In fact, he was still on duty but when visiting Tony Stark it was very simple to forget it. Besides, they did not see each other lately. If the matter with the Reactor was Tony's doing then all was fine. But if what they found out was not and it somehow was connected to data hacking about Iron Patriot… Well. Then Rhodey is in the right place.

Jarvis let him in as usual. Not wasting time knowing that Tony was almost certainly drinking in the living room because he had already checked that he was not in his workshop, James stepped inside, called 'Tony!' and looked quickly around.

That was when his eyes landed on the person on a couch.

A distantly familiar person.

A person who should not be here, especially looking like it might have been fighting - with little cuts across the face. And alone.

"What... How- You?" He whispered. And then it clicked. "Oh Jesus! TONY!"

A wide range of horrible possibilities flashed inside soldier's mind as to what happened with Tony. And holy shit, where were the Avengers?! And Jarvis was silent! Shit!

"Rhodey! What's up?" Tony materialized behind him in cheerful mood.

Gaping at smiling Stark in utter disbelief and confusion James turned to see Loki raising on his feet and slowly making his way to them. Oh, dammit, he woke him up! Having been trained and served in the military for years, his hand instinctively flew to his gun. It was hovering above his weapon itching to shoot, but seeing Tony's relaxed attitude Rhodes hesitated. What the hell was going on here?

Lieutenant Colonel's mouth opened in dread when he saw a shimmering golden light and then Loki God of Mischief was standing before him in all his glory and helmet on. James saw info on him in secret SHIELD files - courtesy of Tony – and now this war criminal was looking at him with wide evil smirk.

Downright disturbed - because who would he be if he panicked like a coward? - James looked back at Tony who was calm as a turtle and not reacting to the sheer craziness that stood in his living room!

"Tones! Do you see him?!" Because if Tony was okay and not even looking at a god, then he was the one odd here. James Rhodes was a professional. But… what if there was no one there?

He must be sure he was not going crazy.

Stark turned his head to face Loki who at the same time was smiling like a devil and completely occupying Rhodes' attention lifted a long finger to his lips and whispered 'Shhh' then looked at carefully neutral Tony and with a wink vanished.

"Um. Who?" Stark asked innocently with a trace of concern.

"Fucking hell Tony! I think you are in deep shit, buddy. Where are the others? My god are you okay? Look at me, in the eyes Tony! Are you yourself?"

"Rhodey, calm down man. I think you are tired. Let me pour you a drink. " Tony tried to move but Rhodey grabbed him on the shoulders.

"No, you don't understand. I saw Loki! Right now! In your tower!" Stark blinked.

"Loki ? Hm. Are you sure?"

"Yes! I think he is the reason of why I came here. Do you know about your reactor? Did Jarvis alert you? Why are you so calm, dammit?" James was screaming in his friend's face so Stark freed himself and walked to his bar, pouring a tumbler with scotch.

"Pshh easy here. Here drink it. "

His offer fell on deaf ears when Rhodey finally snapped.

"TONY!"

"Loki Shmoki. Really? You think it's him? Nah, I don't believe it." Stark was standing with his back to him, so Rhodey couldn't see the expression on his face.

"Tony... He was right. Here! Where is Cap? You need protection." James switched in his soldier mode. Enough with Tony's childishness.

"From who?" Stark was really not paying enough attention, a man stressed internally.

"Loki God fucking dammit! Do you even listen to me?!" James saw how Stark tilted his head down, shaking it a little, then straightened up and turned to finally face him with a deep sigh.

"Its fine Rhodey. Cap sees Loki too. Its fine. You are not the only one." Tony declared as if it was not a big deal.

"What do you mean?" James' heart plummeted to his feet.

"Its alright. Don't worry buddy. I think it's curable." Tony looked into his glass with furrowed brows. Quickly drinking contents Tony looked up back at Rhodes and James was baffled to see pity there.

"Wha –"

Before James could press his 'dear fucking friend' to tell him what was fucking going on in his fucking crazy tower, when doors slid open interrupted them.

"Oh! Stevie! We've just talked about you." Captain walked in the room with ... shit… Loki on his heels. Relatively normal Loki in black dress shirt, black trousers and shoes. No armor, no horns.

"Tony." Steve nodded at Stark. Then he turned all his attention on Rhodey. "You must be Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes. Nice to meet you. I heard a lot about you."

Seeing as Rhodes only looked behind him with gritted teeth and a hand slowly moving to his… gun?, Captain turned and blinked at Loki the Innocent - he looked exactly like that with his head slightly bent and hands behind his back.

"Ah. I think you were never introduced."

"See?" Stark whispered in the ear of bewildered James. "Cap here must have imagining Norse gods too – too many years in the ice could do that to you. At least Loki is awesome. I bet you prefer Thor."

Cap meanwhile awkwardly stepped away to introduce a trickster.

"Um. Its Loki. He is living with us for now. Loki, this is Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes. He's Tony's friend.

"I'm telling ya. Psycho."

Loki had a little grin on his face watching Steve being a polite gentleman, then his grin stretched from ear to ear looking at barely keeping it together Stark and then he was all teeth as he offered his hand for a shake to a shaken Rhodes.

"I-I... Okay. I'm fucking DONE! What the hell is going on here?!"

Avoiding looking at laughing God, seeing confused Steve Rogers and then turning to look at his friend when he heard him squeak, James exhaled lengthy and closed his eyes. Then he said what he thought about Tony Stark's jokes.

"Fuck you very much Tony. I hate you. I almost shitted my pants. Thanks a lot."

Stark finally burst out laughing.

"Anytime buddy!"

"What- is going on?" Steve asked. Tony lost it again. Loki bit his lip and then smoothed his face leaving himself look like he did on his council meetings and negotiations. But he could not erase the spark of mischief from his eyes though.

While Steve moved to Tony who doubled in half, James finally shook Loki's hand if only a little cautious.

"So ... You are Loki?" When said Loki gave him a little bow Rhodey remembered that he was standing in front of alien royalty. Who was he again? A Prince?

"King Loki Laufeyson of Jotunheim. Pleasure." Need an update, James thought despairingly.

"Right. The Trickster God. Um... Nice to meet you. So… it wasn't you then." When did Avengers allied themselves with a criminal… king? Was he a criminal still? And James thought he was from Asgard? Do they work together then? Against who?

Loki furrowed his brows in mild confusion.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked politely.

"It's why I came here." Seeing everyone's attention back on him, Rhodes started to explain.

"Military observes your tower Tony. After Stane the reactor is an important construct. Hours ago we noticed power slip and okay, guys thought you wanted to play a little because you are Tony Stark, but then it reached a high level, we started to worry. I came here as fast as I could to find out what happened and I see you have everything under control, right?" Rhodes turned to look at everyone.

"You know what? Call back to yours and tell them that we've got this. And I suggest you protect your info. Like… really protect it. They are after stuff like that." Tony said.

"Who's they?"

Stark sighed dramatically. What a day. "I guess we need to chit-chat. See you later, Cap, Loki."

Stark and Rhodes left to Tony's floor to catch up with each other.

Rogers turned to look at the remaining person in the room. It became peaceful quickly without Tony here. More quietly.

"What was that?" Steve inquired about what happened in amusement.

Loki smiled a little. "Just a bit of fun."

Steve saw that smile on god's face disappearing and replacing itself with a little yawn, immediately hidden behind a hand.

"Are you all right now? Did you rest well?"

Loki flicked his eyes from where they looked tiredly through the windows to Steve's overall calm demeanor if not for a mild worry in his blue eyes. Loki thought that it must have been stressful for him as a leader of a team to see his friends getting hurt even if everything ended fine.

"I slept. But I'm still tired." Loki sighed. "That was a funny interruption but I think I'll go back to my chambers now."

Steve nodded in understanding. "Well, you do that. But I think you and I should go eat something first. I don't believe you had your fill these last days. Good meal and then good nap, yeah? What do you say?" Steve smiled. Loki noticed he was exhausted too and that shoulder needed some treating. Pity he could not do it yet.

"I say… it is a good idea. But before we go I would like to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?" Steve led them both to the kitchen.

"For protecting me from that shot. I won't say that I wouldn't have vanished in time or that I was helpless, but… Still. Your aim was perfect and possibly, but not likely, saved me from that gunshot. Thank you."

"You are welcome, Loki." Steve whispered. He already forgot about that. It was instinctual for him to protect his teammate. It was truth, Loki most likely would have avoided that shot in so many ways. And a god knew that and still thanked him. It was… nice. "But, Loki? You don't have to thank me. Besides, it's we who should. I understand that if you haven't made that shield, things would have ended… bad. So thank you as well."

For a moment, Steve imagined the burnt bodies of his friends and shuddered from the thought of what would have happened be Loki not there…

Maybe Steve Rogers was used to protect his friends and comrades, but so was Loki. It might have been years and not really 'friends' but it was all the same. And Steve was… a friend.

"You are welcome." Loki repeated Steve's sentiment.

Captain smiled as they entered the kitchen and he pronounced, "I really don't care what I would eat right now but let's get started. I'm starving." Steve said opening a fridge.

Loki tiredly sat at barstool leaning his head on his hand and watched Captain cook. "Let's."

~o~0~o~

A/N: Tell me what you think? Thanks for reading! X)