Pairings: Steve & Loki, Natasha & Clint (explicit), Tony & Thor
It's dark when Steve wakes. That isn't a surprise. He looks at the clock and sees that it is 2:03 a.m. The soldier does the math in his head. It's still early. Loki is probably finishing dinner. He won't be here for another hour or two.
Steve closes his eyes and tries to go back to sleep. It doesn't work. It takes 15 minutes for him to decide to go ahead and get up. He can prepare.
The ropes are taken out of the bag. The lubricant and condoms are placed on the nightstand. The whip is laid beside them. The artist runs his hand over the leather straps, imagining the marks they're going to leave on his lover. He looks at the wall sconce and decides he wants Loki hanging upright. Then they can fuck against the wall, and why isn't Loki here yet?
The clock reads 2:52 a.m. Yesterday morning Loki arrived right around this time. Steve sits on the edge of the bed and waits. Five minutes later, he is sitting against the headboard, legs under the covers. He waits some more, his foot bouncing up and down nervously.
The clock is checked every 30 seconds.
By 3:30 a.m., Steve is lying down facing the clock. Odds are, Loki is having after-dinner drinks, or he's working on the S.H.I.E.L.D. report.
At 4:00 a.m., the soldier is trying to convince himself that it's still early on Hydra's island. He shouldn't be worried yet. He's disappointed, certainly. He had hoped Loki would have made some excuse to leave wherever he was and come home.
Leaving to come home is exactly what Loki would do, Steve decides at 4:17 a.m. Something's wrong. Something must be wrong. Or not. He decides to call S.H.I.E.L.D.
Captain America confirms that Loki has not yet sent in a report this morning. When asked what time the god usually sends in his evening report, the Captain is told that it usually appears sometime between 3 and 4 a.m. A few have, he learns, come in as late as 4:45 a.m. The super soldier thanks them and hangs up. He immediately calls them back and asks them to call him as soon as it appears.
By 4:50 a.m., Steve is pacing the floor. He considers sending a message via his arm but doesn't want to take the chance that someone might see it.
At 5:12 a.m., the artist taps his left arm three times and says, "Loki. Worried." He knows his lover will understand. He just hopes it will be cryptic enough in case anyone else sees it. That's when he starts second-guessing himself. Maybe he should have used another word like 'home' or 'kitten'.
He's making coffee at 5:21 a.m. While getting the coffee, his eyes land on the box of Earl Grey tea bags. It brings a nauseous feeling to the pit of Steve's stomach. He runs his fingers over the front of it, remembers when Loki asked if he had tea. That was the first time the god had called him Darling. He smiles at the memory.
Steve forces himself to not call Natasha until after 6 a.m. Time has never moved more slowly. He ends up calling S.H.I.E.L.D. during the wait just to make sure there has been no word. The man on the phone tries to be reassuring. The Captain again says he wants to be called as soon as Loki files his report.
It's 6:02 a.m. Natasha's first words are, "What's wrong?"
His first words are an apology. "I'm sorry for waking you, but I didn't have anyone else to call."
"It's okay, Steve. Just tell me what happened."
"Nothing," he replies. "That's the problem. Loki was supposed to visit me this morning, but he hasn't arrived yet. Something's wrong."
"How do you know he was going to visit you?"
Steve tells her about yesterday's visit and how Loki promised to come again this morning.
"Well maybe dinner just ran late, and he can't get away." The only response is silence. That's how Natasha knows how worried he is. "What do you want me to do?"
He asks about the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in Hydra. Steve wants her to get in touch with them and see if they know or have seen or heard anything. Agent Romanoff explains that she can't just contact them. She'll have to go through their handlers.
"Do it."
"It may take a while."
"It's better than doing nothing. Please, Tasha."
"Of course. Do you want to meet me at S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"No. If he shows up, I want to be here."
xxx
Loki's head hurts. His eyelids feel heavy, too heavy to lift. He's lying on his back. He tries to move but can't. He's tied down. His arms are at his sides, and his legs are closed. So it's not the fun kind of tied down.
The god searches his memory. He remembers a warm bath and lying against his lover. A smile curls his lips. He remembers spending the morning walking around Hydra Island and amusing himself. He remembers lunch. The smile disappears.
He forces his eyes open.
Fluorescent lights. Ugly things, fluorescent lights.
Loki looks around, notices a plastic bag full of sickly yellow liquid hanging to his left. A tube is attached to the bottom, and it runs down to he knows not where. But the inside of his elbow hurts.
There is a camera in the corner of the ceiling. It's lifeless black eye looks at him.
The God of Mischief tries to access his magic. He is unsuccessful. The damn chemical must still be in his system…is being fed into his system, he realizes.
Steve. He promised Steve he would be fine. He promised Steve his magic would protect him. He promised Steve there was nothing to worry about. Idiot. Fool. And now because of him, the Captain will be lured into a trap.
He closes his eyes and tries his magic again.
A door opens.
A familiar oozing voice asks, "Are you sure he's awake?"
"Yes, sir," is the nervous reply. "At least he was."
"Such fear," Loki notes quietly, eyes still closed. "What on Midgard did you do to him, Victor?"
"So you are awake. Good." Footsteps let the prisoner know that Doctor Doom is coming closer. "We have a video to make."
xxx
Steve is on his third hanging bag.
Once the clock hit noon, the Captain had gotten on his motorcycle and drove to S.H.I.E.L.D. He went directly to Agent Romanoff. She said nothing at first. She didn't need to. He turned and walked away, heading to the gym.
And now the third hanging bag is flying through the air and hitting the back wall.
"We're still waiting for them to get back to us," Natasha updates him from the doorway.
He picks up the next bag and hooks it up. "When I'm done with these, I'm taking a Quinjet and flying to Hydra's island."
"That would be unwise."
"I don't care," the Captain replies and begins hitting the fresh bag.
The spy walks towards him. She's wearing dark brown twill pants and an orange scoop neck t-shirt. "What if he's no longer there?"
"Then I'll find out where he is."
She watches him, tense muscles, focused eyes, singular determination. Natasha remembers how she felt after learning Clint had been taken. If she had had somewhere to start looking, if Loki had had an island base, she would have torn it apart.
Her phone rings. She answers it, listens, then says they'll be right there. "Time to go, Captain."
Steve stops and wipes his brow. His face is a study in worry and hope. "They found something?"
"Only one way to find out."
He quickly unwraps his hands and follows her to the elevator and eventually to a conference room.
"What is it?" Agent Romanoff asks as she enters. The large-screen television has a picture of Doctor Doom on it.
"This video was dropped off at the S.H.I.E.L.D. base in Moscow."
Natasha's brow furrows. "Moscow?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Steve is staring at the t.v. He has a very bad feeling about this. "Play it."
Doctor Doom begins to move. "Avengers. I've recently acquired a very rare specimen I think you will be most interested in." The camera pans over and down and shows a shirtless Loki strapped to a gurney, an IV in his arm.
Steve's muscles tense, and his hands ball into fists.
The god looks like he's asleep. But then Doctor Doom gives him three quick, hard taps against his cheek. His eyes open, the green barely visible around dilated pupils.
"Say something, Loki."
"Something," the Trickster sneers.
"Aw, don't you have a message for Captain America?"
"That idiotic patriot? No." His eyes still feel heavy, and his head still aches. But more important than either of those things is keeping Steve away from this place. "The Avengers…are beneath me, and I have no need of their aid…no matter what their Captain thinks."
"Now, now, Loki. We all know you saved the good Captain's life. And you certainly look like you could use some help. But alas, all he'll be able to do is watch you die."
Steve walks closer to the t.v.
"You will make him…and the other…Avengers most happy." The Liesmith is tiring. "No doubt they all…wish me dead. Just get it over with, Doom. I am weary of your presence. Death is preferable…to listening to you talk."
"Patience. We'll get to that soon enough. First rule of entertainment: Always leave them wanting more." The dictator fiddles with the bag of liquid feeding into the IV. "Time for you to go back to sleep."
Loki's eyes close. Doom runs a hand through the god's dark hair. It is the gesture of an owner or a lover, and it makes the Captain feel physically sick.
"Another video will be coming soon. Until then…" The picture goes dark.
In the silence that follows, Agent Romanoff orders that Director Fury be notified and the Avengers assembled.
Steve heads to the door.
"Where are you going, Captain?"
"To get Loki."
"We need a plan, Rogers, and you know it." Natasha is relieved when he stops. "Wait till the others get here. We'll figure out what to do."
He turns to face her. "Do you really think they'll care?"
"He was there at our request. So yes."
xxx
It takes too damn long for everyone to get there. By the time they do, there are maps of Latveria and blueprints of buildings all over the tables and walls. The Captain has seen the video 15 times, has studied it for every tiny detail both visual and aural. He and Romanoff have spoken to the agents in Moscow who received the video and everyone else who came into contact with it.
The building is Cold War-era, white walls and fluorescent lights.
At one point, the camera moves across a window with no blinds or curtains. Outside, though out of focus, are three buildings. Two are the same height, off-white or maybe once white, basic boxes with windows. The third is more interesting. What little can be seen appears older with a domed roof.
Clint arrives first, and Steve immediately enlists his help in figuring out the exact location of the building. The archer doesn't know what's going on, but he's willing to help the Captain get what he needs. They look through satellite pictures and old photographs of Latveria's capital city.
The three of them are still combing through the photos when the rest of the team arrives. Director Fury and Agent Coulson are the last to enter.
"What's this about?" the Director asks.
Natasha plays the video from the beginning. Everyone watches silently. When Loki appears, a single growl is heard. Tony places a comforting hand on Thor's shoulder then lets it drop. The screen goes blank.
Thor turns to the Captain. "We will rescue him. And when we do, this Doom will pay for what he has done."
Steve nods, the lump in his throat leaving him unable to speak for the moment.
"I'm sorry," Tony says. "I'm sorry your boyfriend got nabbed. But you do know this is a trap, right?"
"I don't care," Steve responds. "I'm getting him back. I'd like your help with that, but I understand if you can't…" He takes a breath. "I'm getting him back."
Director Fury stares intently at the super soldier. "You're proposing invading Latveria, a sovereign country, to rescue a man that two weeks ago we considered enemy number one."
"You considered him enemy number one," Steve corrects. "I didn't."
"I just want to be sure I understand," Fury replies evenly.
"Captain Rogers," Agent Coulson begins. "I realize you feel like you owe Loki a debt."
"He wouldn't be there if it wasn't for me."
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent continues. "Excuse me, Captain, but we all had a hand in that. Every one of us fulfilled Loki's demands whether we wanted to or not in order to get him to agree to go."
Steve shakes his head and returns to the photographs.
Clint's eyes travel to each person before speaking. "Well, if no one else is going to say it, then I guess it falls to me. Why not let Doom take care of him?"
Captain America tenses in his chair. "That's not an option."
Natasha puts a hand on Clint's shoulder. "I know what you're saying, and I understand why you're suggesting it. But Loki was working for us."
"He probably couldn't shut his big mouth," the archer notes. "That's why he got captured."
Natasha takes a breath. "Maybe. But it doesn't change the fact that he's our responsibility. We have to go clean up."
"Clean up?!" Steve takes offense. He looks around the room. "You're the ones who wanted him to go in the first place. He gave you more information in a few days than your best agents had in years. And now he's just something to clean up?! No. Forget it. Hawkeye, if you don't want to come then don't. I don't want you there. That goes for the rest of you," the Captain says looking around the room. "He's my responsibility, my…mess," he spits out as he looks at Natasha. "Just stay the hell out of my way."
A soft, clear voice fills the tense silence. "How long have you been sleeping with him?" Bruce asks. The question only increases the room's tension. "I always thought it weird that Loki asked so little of us to get him to go. A glass of water, an apology, a couple of short statements…seems so small…almost like he had already decided he was going and was just playing with us."
Clint is dumbfounded. "Yeah, but going from that to sleeping with him? That's quite a leap, Banner."
"Not really. Not when you consider everything else…the rescue…Loki appearing just in time to save Cap…the mysterious black cat that travels across the city to stay with him…the willingness of Steve to contact Loki about this after what happened the last time they met. You all don't know about that, but Tony and I do. So how long, Steve? How long have you and Loki been lovers?"
The fact that Steve doesn't answer, doesn't immediately come back with a denial is confirmation in everyone's eyes.
Coulson's voice is just shy of pleading. "Say it ain't so, Cap."
"How long?" Director Fury asks in his quietly commanding way.
Steve looks into his eye. "I'll tell you when Loki is safe."
"When do we leave?" Tony asks.
"As soon as we figure out which building gives us this view," he replies as he shows Tony a photograph made from the video.
"I think JARVIS can help with that."
xxx
The Avengers take a large Quinjet to Latveria, one with a separate cockpit and a toilet. Everyone is suited up and rides inside to save fuel and strength for the actual battle. No other videos have been sent.
Two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents sit in the cockpit. The Avengers are all in the back except for Tony. The billionaire is also in the cockpit chatting with the pilots genially.
Thor sits next to Steve. "My brother is strong. He will survive until we are able to rescue him."
Steve rubs his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "You saw the video, Thor. Whatever that stuff is, it's making him weak. It's suppressing his magic. What can do that?" he asks Bruce.
"I honestly don't know," Dr. Banner responds. "I haven't studied magic or its physical properties. But if there is a chemical or physiological basis for magical abilities, Doom may have found a way to change it or at least block it."
"Any ideas how long the effects will take to wear off once that stuff stops going into his system?"
The scientist shrugs. He waits a moment before asking the question that has been bugging him all during the trip. "So the cat…that really was Loki, right?"
Steve nods.
"And he knew you needed help because…"
"I asked for it. I can send him short messages. And when I do, he can find me. Never thought I'd have to use it for that, though."
Clint is standing, arms crossed, and glares at the Captain. "So how is he in bed? Must be pretty damned good for you to betray your planet for him."
Captain America stands up. "Did ya stop and think that maybe the reason Loki hasn't been a threat since he escaped Asgard is because of me?"
"Oh, so you think you hold that much power over him, huh? Must be a nice fantasyland you're living in. Well, I'm sorry. I live in the real world, and Loki doesn't give up power. He takes it." Hawkeye makes a sour face. "Jesus Christ! Does no one else find the thought of that creature fucking Captain America disgusting?!"
The super soldier walks up to Clint and gets right in his face. His voice is eerily calm. "I fuck him, Barton. I fuck him over and over. And, yeah, it is good." He pauses. "I was supposed to fuck him this morning, against the wall, his arms tied up over his head, until he came screaming my name. That's the power I have." His blue eyes bore into the man in front of him. "Don't pretend you know anything about us. You don't." He turns and walks back to his seat.
"Jesus," Clint mutters.
The Captain looks at the archer. "You can still change your mind. If this disgusts you that much, you can wait on the sidelines."
"No chance. I'm going to make sure Natasha has support…not for you and certainly not for him."
"Fine," Steve says. "Then shut the Hell up."
Clint stalks off to the bathroom. He needs to be out of there, away from the craziness this day has become. He slams the door shut behind him.
"That was a bit harsh," Natasha notes as she looks at the Captain.
Tony walks towards them. He came out of the cockpit unnoticed and in time to see most of it. "Oh, yes, Captain Rogers can get very nasty when his precious Loki is threatened."
xxx
Clint is washing his hands when there is a knock on the door. As soon as he unlocks it, Natasha enters and locks the door behind her.
"What do you want, Tasha?"
"Just making sure you're okay."
"I'm not. But it doesn't matter. Does it?" he states rather than asks.
"No," she replies simply. She studies his face, sees the anger and disappointment and a trace a fear in his eyes.
He studies hers. "How long have you known?" Clint is now sure that she did know and didn't bother telling him. And that feels like a betrayal.
"A few days."
"Jesus, Tasha. Why didn't you say anything?"
She tries to explain but doesn't really have the words. "That was us not so long ago. You the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, me the enemy you were sent to kill but slept with instead. And now I'm on the right side. I thought maybe Loki deserved that chance, too."
He can't help but ask her if she's really comparing herself to Loki. She is. And she notes, to his disappointment, that Steve is right. Loki hasn't caused them any problems. And if that is due to them having sex, then why stop them?
"You didn't take over anyone's mind," he reminds her.
"No, but I killed a whole lot more people than Loki did." Natasha reaches up and strokes his cheek. "I'm not asking you to forgive him or even like him. I am asking you to give him a chance. Steve is in love with him. He thinks Loki feels the same about him."
"And does he?"
"Don't know yet. But I'm gonna find out."
He sees the sincerity in her eyes and nods.
"Now promise you won't continue to bait Rogers."
Clint rolls his eyes. "Fine. I promise. I just –"
Her lips stop him before he can continue. She pulls away and leans against the sink behind her. "Do you remember the last time we were in an airplane bathroom?" she asks as she unfastens the black utility belt at her waist.
The archer smiles. "How could I forget?"
Natasha takes off her wrist straps and puts them in the sink with the belt. Then she slowly unzips the black cat suit she's wearing. "You seem awfully tense, Agent Barton. Seems to me you could do with a release."
Clint pulls her close and starts nuzzling and kissing her neck as his hands push the black garment off her shoulders. He feels her hands at his waist, unfastening his belt and his trousers. He pulls away to get a better look at the lacy black bra and panties. "Are we really doing this?"
"Are you saying you don't want to?"
"Hell no," he replies before kissing her.
Natasha's tongue slides silently into his mouth, teasing him in the way that only she can.
He turns with her in his arms and presses her back to the wall. They breathe, mouths open and touching, the air shared between them.
The spy frees her arms from the black sleeves. She gets help pushing the rest of the garment down just enough to allow him access between her legs.
Clint's pants get pushed down, too. "Wait," he pants. He pulls a condom out from some secret compartment and smiles. "Always be prepared," he says as he opens it. He puts it on quickly.
"Good," she says as she jumps up and wraps her legs around his waist. "Now get inside me."
"What? No foreplay?"
She sucks on his earlobe then whispers, "Steve already took care of that."
"He did?" Clint is confused and little disturbed.
She smiles. "The image of him fucking Loki against the wall. Oh, yeah. He took care of it."
"You've gotta be kidding me."
"Just shut up and take me," she demands.
His fingers hook on the strip of black lace between her legs. It gets tugged to the side before he uses his fingers to arouse her further.
Tasha makes a tiny choking noise as his fingers glide over her clit.
"God, I love how wet you get," he tells her in a low voice.
"Shut up." Natasha gives him a deep kiss. She runs her fingers through his hair as her tongue gives his mouth tiny licks and her teeth bite down on his lower lip.
His slides his dick into her, causing them both to gasp in satisfaction.
They wait, allowing the anticipation of the coming friction to drive them a little crazy.
Clint moves first. He always moves first. He's tried winning that game before, but she has always managed to hold out longer than he can. But once he does start moving, she is right there with him.
He swears her back is able to do things other women's aren't. It's like she's built just for this. This is the reason he accepts without complaint that Black Widow will always be even with or on top of him whenever they have sex. He wouldn't have it any other way.
She's riding him now, silently directing how he moves. Tasha arches her back, her breasts on display within the black lace for her lover.
Clint has one hand on her hip to help hold her up. His other arm is against the wall as he works in and out of her.
"Harder," she breathes into his ear.
He obeys, thrusting into her with a singular focus. Clint looks into her eyes and sees his own want and desire reflected back at him.
"The thought of the Captain fucking Loki really gets you going?" He thought he could let that go, but he can't.
"Yes," she replies and moves her body in a way both seductive and pleasurable as though the mere mention of it has aroused her more.
Clint doesn't get it. If they had been women, sure… "Jesus," he moans as realization and pleasure pulse through him.
"Harder," she groans as her hips move faster.
Their timing is off, and that is always a good thing. The difference in tempos means they're getting close. The fact that Natasha is holding him tighter is another sign. That's good, 'cause he's about to lose his shit.
He goes faster, which causes her to slow down. Clint grunts with each thrust, driving into her with as much force as he can manage. He hears the soft high-pitched moan that accompanies her every breath. That noise brings him closer to the edge, close enough so that he's no longer in control but thrusting madly until his muscles spasm in pleasure.
Clint holds her tight as his orgasm rips through him.
Natasha continues to move, so close to her own release. She feels that tickling sensation in her nether region that's rubbing against him. Just a little more…a little more friction…a little more until she's there. But he's already coming down.
"Don't you dare leave me," she growls as she continues to work, one of her hands moving down to where they're joined. She rubs her fingers into the spot, feels her muscles tense as the sensitivity increases. Her back arches, and her mouth opens as her body shudders its release.
They remain there for a few moments to enjoy what just happened. Then Natasha unwraps herself from Clint's waist and shoulder. She reaches around him for toilet paper to clean up with and hands him some. Black panties are returned to the normal position, and the cat suit is properly filled and zipped up. Belts and wrist bands are put back on until everything looks as it once did.
They exit the bathroom with somber faces.
"Clint. Natasha," Tony greets. "I had almost forgotten you were on this flight. Welcome to the Mile High Club."
Natasha looks at him with her usual impassive demeanor and asks, "What makes you think we weren't members already?"
"What is this Mile High Club of which you speak?" Thor asks.
"Well, dearest Thorsten," Tony replies. "It means they had sex in a plane while it was in the air." He leans over and whispers in the god's ear. "I own a private plane or five, so we can get you a membership whenever you'd like." The billionaire leans back and smiles.
Clint blushes slightly at Tony's blunt explanation of the Mile High Club. Natasha simply takes a seat beside Steve and looks at the city plans he's studying.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Steve asks her quietly.
"I did. Thank you."
The speakers hiss and crackle. The pilot's voice comes over the intercom. "Avengers, we are now entering Latverian airspace."
A/N: So next chapter I have to do combat and sex. It may take me a while to figure out how to do both. I have a basic plan for rescuing Loki and an idea for the sex, but it may make the chapter really long. We'll see.
Special thanks to JayElem0 who, when I asked how Clint should find out about Steve & Loki, suggested this crazy idea of a bad plan that makes Steve adamant about going to rescue Loki and the truth coming out then. Awesome idea!
Also thanks to Mikkeneko, T-TrainOrTurkeyT, and charlotte .eliot3 for helping me walk through whether all of the Avengers should go on the rescue mission or not. Thanks for inspiring me and for letting me bounce ideas off of you.
And as usual, thanks to all of the readers of this story. You are all wonderful, fabulous people.