"Okay, so I was thinking our first step should be to investigate the crime scenes, see what we can pick up from the attacks." Peter starts pacing the length of the room, not focusing on anything past his gesturing hands and the ground in front of him.
"I thought I was supposed to be the one with a plan?" Loki asks dryly from his perch on the arm of the couch.
Peter pulls up short and turns towards Loki, opens his mouth to respond and quickly slams it shut as a knock on the door rings out in the silent room. Peter whips his head towards the door, staring in silent terror for a moment.
After a long stretch of silence, Loki heaves a sigh like this is nothing more than an unwanted visit from a salesperson. He walks up to the door and pauses with his hand on the doorknob when he sees that Peter hasn't moved from his spot in the middle of the room.
Loki raises one eyebrow at him, pointedly staring towards the nearby kitchen that is hidden from the doorway.
"Oh, right, I'm- okay, I'm going." Peter fumbles for a second before he manages to bee line over to the kitchen, tucking himself in behind the corner, nestled out of sight but still within hearing distance.
Loki lightly rolls his eyes before finally pulling the door open and leveling a dry stare at Steve standing on the other side. "Oh, and what have I done to earn a visit from the esteemed Steve Rogers?" Loki asks, the words perfectly polite save for the sarcastic tone they're delivered with.
"Loki." Steve ignores the tone and nods respectfully, in his usual diplomatic way, "I was hoping to talk with you."
"Hmm, do I have a choice in the matter?"
Steve considers him for a moment, "No, not really."
Loki gives a brittle smile in response, "Well then, lets get this over with."
Steve pauses to take Loki in, his gaze assessing, "I know you've been spending time with Peter."
Loki raises an eyebrow at that, "Ah, are you the white knight then? Here to whisk me away from the corruptible youth? Should I be packing my bags?"
Steve responds to the trickster with a heavy stare, "Do you think Peter needs rescuing?"
Loki feels a spark of surprise at the question, and he can't help but picture Sten, lying on the floor covered in blood. Loki lifts his chin at Steve, his gaze closed and calculated, "Well, I'm the villain, aren't I?"
They hold each other's stare for a tense moment, both coiled for a fight and waiting for the first strike. Until Steve lets out a weighted breath and runs a hand over his chin, "Listen, Loki… I can't say I fully trust you or that I think you'll always do the right thing. But there was a time when I believed in someone that no one else did. I made the choice to have their back and to trust them despite everyone who thought the worst of them. And I wouldn't change that choice for anything, and I wouldn't have let anyone stop me either."
Loki leans a shoulder against the doorway, eyeing the other man with amusement, "Is this where we're supposed to have a heart to heart?"
"What I'm saying is that I don't know you, Loki. You may not have always been a good guy, but Peter must see some good in you. And I trust Peter. So, I'll stay out of your way, and I'll keep Tony out of your hair as best I can."
Loki's eyebrows go up at that, "Hmm, not quite what I'd expected. Some threatening maybe, a general show of brute strength and good versus evil rhetoric."
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Steve crosses his arms over his chest, giving Loki his best intimidating look, "Peter may be able to handle himself, and I do trust him, but he's still young. If you hurt him in any way, I will not hesitate to track you down and drag you back here and let the rest of the Avengers decide what to do with you."
"And there it is." Loki gives a fake smile as he straightens up and reaches for the door, "Well, if that's all, Rogers?"
"Yeah, just… Take care of him, okay?" Steve gives the other man an imploring look, and Loki feels his gut twist with dread, the thought of Sten trusting in him, of Loki ruining everything he touches.
Loki grits his teeth in a bitter smile before answering, "What else would I do?" He swings the door shut before he can hear a response.
Loki starts moving without a real plan in sight, he just needs to do something. His limbs feel like they're under water, rooted in place. He stalks into the kitchen, barely noticing how Peter follows along with every step, chattering about something in the background.
He reaches the kitchen counter and grips the edge of it, blood red splashing behind his eyelids with every blink. He reaches for a glass and turns the tap on, he doesn't know what Peter is doing, he can't focus on anything as a shaky hand brings a glass of water to his mouth.
The cold is a shock to his system, instantaneously bringing back some clarity after a few swallows. He closes his eyes and tries to vanquish the images that are still hanging on, the sounds playing in his ears. A flash of a sword, a low-pitched groan and so much blood.
"Loki?" Peter's voice travels through the fog and seems to pierce the last bit of haze. Loki blinks at the boy leaning over him, both of his hands on Loki's shoulders as he looks him over with concern. He realizes he's sitting at the kitchen table and doesn't have the faintest idea of how he got there, either one of them. "Are you okay? Is it the poison?" Peter winces, "I knew you should have gotten more rest."
Loki waves a dismissive hand at Peter, brushing him off as he sets the glass down on the table, "Please, like a little second-rate magic is going to take me down, I'm fine. Though I can't say I'm a fan of being threatened like some teenager taking Steve's son out for prom." Loki looks up at Peter through his eyelashes, "Something you want to tell me, Parker?"
Peter starts fidgeting under Loki's gaze, "Oh that? No uh, Steve is just, well you know them. Super protective and- um overstepping boundaries, being embarrassing, it's kind of the schtick."
Loki looks unconvinced, "Hmm, nothing else you should mention?"
Peter stares in abject horror for a second before finally blurting out, "Ah, Steve might be under the impression that we're- uh… Dating? I guess?"
"Dating?" Loki repeats the word like it's absurd, and Peter's face breaks into a flush.
"Uh not that we are, of course, or that that would even possibly be an option, I just, he saw you leaving late last night and just seemed to jump to his own conclusions. It's fine, it's probably better than him thinking I'm helping you with uh… Well I don't really know what it is I'm helping you with."
"And how exactly did he come to that conclusion?"
"Er, after you left last night, he must've seen you because he caught me before I went back into the room and uh, you know you sneaking out of my room at like 4 in the morning doesn't leave many conclusions." Peter spoke strongly despite the intense blush that was starting to dust his cheeks, but he seemed determined to ignore it as he held Loki's gaze.
"Ah, so really he thinks we're fucking?" Loki couldn't help himself, stirring up trouble was second nature at this point. And the way Peter stuttered over his words and his eyes darted around was a sight too delight to resist.
Peters eyes dart nervously up to Loki's, his brown eyes wide with something, and it takes Loki a beat to realize it's fear, "Er- um I don't" He clears his throat and a muscle in his jaw tightens, "I'm sorry, I didn't think about how you might not- well I didn't think about it, but I can set the record straight right away, I'll tell Steve the truth." Peter's eyes look away in something like shame.
Loki feels a stab of guilt at the words, the way Peter's eyes lit with fear and panic, thinking Loki was judging or maybe upset at the implication that he would be into guys. Loki remembers that same look of fear and pain across Sten's face, so long ago, and Loki feels that old anger kindle deep within all over again.
"Peter." Loki's tone is gentle but not lacking in strength as Peter's attention is dragged back to Loki, "It hardly matters to me what Steve thinks about me, or the rest of your avengers for that matter. If they take any issues with my sexuality then they can take it up with me, though I highly doubt they care about what genders I'm interested in. of course, if it does come back to Tony it isn't going to be my sexuality that causes him to try to kill me."
The look of surprise and relief that crossed through peters eyes was brief, but it was enough to let Loki know he'd made his point. Before the boy latched onto the rest of it with an interested look, but Loki knew better than to let those thoughts fester and turn into a million questions, "As it is," Loki stands up and gestures for Peter to lead the way, "I believe we have some crime scenes to investigate?"
I highly doubt they care what genders I'm interested in. The words are playing over in Peter's mind, the whole scene of Loki sitting there, confident and admitting he wasn't straight. Something about the sight, the way he was clear in getting the words through to Peter. It struck something inside of Peter, something buried and quiet.
Peter swings through the city with a million thoughts racing, his mind circling and circling and his chest feeling like it's short circuiting with emotions.
The image of Steve bewildered and assuming Peter is gay. The surge of relief as Loki spoke of his sexuality, so blatant in his confidence and ease with what he shared.
Peter knew he liked girls, he knew it like he knew he liked churros and dumb science jokes. He's had a crush on Liz and MJ both, he tried to date them both before things fell apart for their own reasons, usually involved with his superhero life. And that was fine, he knew things were hard with this life and he wasn't looking to change that. Things were smoothed out with MJ and they were still friends, and he hadn't had any more crushes since, but once again he attributed that to being a secret superhero.
He liked girls, and yet, there was something deep in the back of his mind that felt like a sore tooth, something he wanted to prod and poke at while simultaneously wanting to ignore it all together for fear of what it meant.
Before he realizes it, they've already made it through the city as Peter swings himself up onto a building overlooking the financial district. He takes a deep breath and tried to push all of his haywire thoughts into a dark corner and focus on the mission.
"Come on Peter, attack on the city, someone out to get a powerful Norse God that is also a villain to your city. Time to put your game face on." Peter muttered under his breath, shifting his weight on his feet and rolling his shoulders to loosen up.
"What was that Peter? I'm afraid you'll have to speak up." Loki's voice came from behind him on the rooftop and caused Peter to jump and let out a completely dignified noise that was nothing like a squeak.
"Oh my god, you are entirely too sneaky for someone who literally just shapeshifted from a damn animal." Peter looked up at the sky, contemplating his life as he let his heart get back under control.
"Or maybe you're just a little more distracted than usual? Something on your mind, Parker?" His smile was sharp and knowing and Peter forced himself to look away and take in the arcade on the street below them.
"It might have something to do with whatever trouble you've let loose on my city maybe." Peter hoped his voice was less strained than it sounded to his own ears.
"If you say so." Loki strode up to stand beside Peter as they took in the scene below them, the crime scene tape and roadblocks cutting off this section of the street, a few police officers directing traffic and talking amongst themselves.
Peter noticed Loki wasn't wearing street clothes this time, it was a suit of some sort, but It wasn't the green and gold of his earlier New York days. This one seemed to be updated, and Peter couldn't help noticing that it was still a lot of black leather and dark blues which hugged his lithe figure perfectly.
Loki must have caught Peter's examination as he turned to face him with a sly grin and a raised eyebrow, "Now, Peter, if you keep that up a lot more people are going to suspect something is going on."
Peter feels heat creep up his cheeks, "I- uh, I wasn't-" Peter cleared his throat and tried again, "I was just wondering if you shouldn't wear something less…" Loki raises both eyebrows at him, his eyes bearing into him with clear amusement.
"Less what, Parker?" Loki's voice comes out like a purr, low and deep in Peter's ears, making a chill run down his spine.
"Less conspicuous?" He cringes at the way his voice squeaks and the words come spilling out without another thought, "I mean, it's uh- you look um… it's not that your suit doesn't look great on you, it's just, er not the best for a low profile? You don't exactly blend in well, with the hair and the bone structure." Peter swallows, feeling like those green eyes are pinning him to the ground.
Loki turns back to survey the city street, "You know, you can use less words and just tell me that you think I'm pretty, Parker." His words drip like honey and they make Peter choke on air, but Loki keeps going like he hadn't made a noise, "Besides, you do know I'm a Trickster, right?"
Before Peter can even respond, he's suddenly staring at empty air, Loki's gone in the blink of an eye. After a second of confusion, his head whips around to see Loki walking right up to the taped off crime scene like he owns the place.
Peter mumbles several curse words under his breath before he swings into action, flying effortlessly and landing right beside Loki, leveling a weak glare at the other man, who simply smirks back at him.
"This is a bad idea, Loki…" Peter glances around at the police officers and the few citizens around, treating everyone as a potential threat.
"You should have more faith, Spider-man."
Peter ignores the way his stomach flips at the sardonic tone, ignores the way he can't help but admire the glint of mischief in the other man's eyes. Peter worries at his lip and wonders how many things he's going to keep ignoring, and decides to think about it later, after all, there's a crime scene to investigate.
The few police officers they walk past mostly just nod and wave them past, smiles on their faces, though Peter keeps bracing for one of them to call out Loki or at least look worried, but nothing so far. Peter looks back to Loki and the smug look on his face, and back at the crowd of people who are barely giving him a once over.
"Wait, you're doing some kind of illusion right now, aren't you?" Peter works hard to keep the skip out of his step as they make their way up to the building.
"You know, you aren't exactly instilling confidence in your investigative skills here." Loki snarks, but Peter can see the pleased turn to his words.
"What is it? Are they seeing someone specific? Are you invisible? Oh, I bet you're-"
Loki heaves the most dramatic sigh as he pulls open the front door to the arcade, "You really don't stop talking, do you?"
Peter starts to return the jab, but then he's inside the arcade, and his mouth falls silent as he takes in the scene.
The place is torn apart, it looks like someone went at it with a sledgehammer, and over by the cash register is the owner, talking with an officer. The older man's hands are shaking, and his posture looks defeated. Peter feels his heart clench at the sight of so much destruction, so much pain. And one thought screaming in his head, over and over again, it's all your fault.
"Parker." Loki's voice is in his ear, low and barely loud enough to hear, but much closer than he would expect, and gentler than he's used to.
Peter ignores his tone and answers, "Why don't you sniff around, see if you can pick up anything magical." He makes his way through the room without waiting for a response or looking behind him.
Peter's stomach feels heavy, but his feet move forward with determination. He resists the urge to twists his hands and keeps himself together as he approaches the other two men, and they glance at him, their features lit with gratitude as they see him there. It makes him want to throw up.
"Spider-man! It's always a pleasure seeing you around, though there isn't much left around here for you to do."
"Ah, I just wanted to give the place another look over, see if we missed anything… uh more Avenger suited."
The man nods with understanding, a glance at the owner.
"Ah, um Mr. Delmar, sir," Peter winces as he stumbles over the words, "I'm so sorry about your arcade. This shouldn't have happened to you." The man let out a light puff of air at that, his eyes looking weary, but touched nonetheless.
"Thank you, Spider-man." He considered Peter for a moment before reaching out a hand and giving Peter's a firm shake.
"I'll do everything I can to help, sir." Peter worked hard to keep his voice steady, feeling the curling guilt still sitting in his gut. The officer and Mr. Delmar nod at him, which Peter returns before turning away.
He finds himself walking through the destruction quickly, eyes glancing off the broken games and destroyed machinery, his stomach in knots as he takes it all in. He's so absorbed in the sight that it takes a while for him to notice Loki standing off in the distance, just watching him.
Peter tries to steady his nerves as he lets out a nervous chuckle, "I don't know how you're going to find anything by watching me."
Loki lifts his chin as he eyes Peter, "You'd be surprised what you can find by watching others."
"Oh, well I- um, what did you find out?" Peter stammers out, his nerves still feeling a bit frayed as he talks with Loki over the arcade debris.
"Well, nothing of much use here, this whole trip is likely a fools errand, the Vidar aren't one's to carelessly leave behind evidence." He straightens in his place, casting a final glance over the room.
"Well, that might have been good to know beforehand.", Peter couldn't help but muttering as he followed Loki's gaze, then the rest of what he said clicked in place, "Wait, did you- what did you call them? The Vidar?" Peter could feel his spirits rising at even the barest hint of information being thrown his way.
Loki doesn't look up from his trek through the room, causing Peter to trail after him into the back of the building. "The Vidar. They're a small race that have been around for a long time, much longer than most Midgardians could likely comprehend. There are many stories of their origins, but no one can really agree on it. The important bit is what they are now. They act as assassins in the nine realms, though they usually stick to their own. They're deadly, known for never giving up until they have their kill."
Peter followed silently, twitching slightly from the effort to keep from talking, afraid he'd cause Loki to stop sharing information. Once Loki seemed to let his speech come to an end, Peter couldn't help the words from escaping, "Ohmygod, so like, intergalactic assassins? Or would they be Norse God assassins?"
Loki sighed in exasperation, "I'm starting to see why the Avengers don't include you in their missions."
"They include me! Mostly. I mean, for the most part." Loki turns to look at him with a look of doubt, "Hey, this isn't about me, this is about you having intergalactic assassins trying to kill you."
"Well I doubt they're actually going to assassinate me. No that's far too easy, they'll likely be tasked with capturing me and delivering me with a pretty bow on top."
Peter watches as Loki draws up short in the last room of the arcade, leisurely strolling through the room seemingly unbothered. "Who ordered the hit on you?" Peter's voice felt too loud in the destruction of the once vibrant room.
"Oh no one important, just an acquaintance that didn't seem to appreciate my way of life, or the fact that I was living at all I suppose."
"Your way of life?" Before Peter even finished his sentence, Loki was shushing him, his posture going rigid as he whipped around to face the front of the building.
"Somethings coming." Loki whispered into the quite air, his body wound tight as his gaze darted around as if he were looking for something.
Peter crouched into position, his body tensing in preparation for a fight as he scanned around the building for trouble. His spidey sense warned him just seconds before part of the building exploded into a shower of debris.