Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever owned the rights to Marvel Comics or its characters. It all belongs to Marvel, Disney, Stan Lee, and whoever else has the rights. I am not making any kind of profit off of this work, it is all just for fun and freedom of expression.
Warning: Graphic descriptions of violence and sexual content.
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Chapter 16
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" Lookey there Loki, looks like you've gone viral with that cutiepie you saved today." Tony said with an impish grin as he and everyone else sat around the circular sofa in his penthouse and watched on as Jarvis projected the various news stations throughout the entire New York area who were all buzzing about the morning's unexpected and compelling events that had taken place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Apparently the would be robbers of the rare gems and precious metals exhibit that had been the subject of their criminal activities had failed to confiscate every cellphone from the museum goers they had held hostage. Several of these innocent people had whipped out their phones when Loki had materialized out of thin air in all of his armored and horned helmeted glory and captured him rescuing the innocent and exceptionally adorable baby Anita, presenting her with her very own Thor bear, and safely returning her to her deeply relieved mother. They had even captured the moment he had unabashedly knelt before the harried mortal woman and the warm moment they had shared when she placed her hand on his chest and he had covered it with his own as he had given her his word that no further harm would come to her, or anyone else.
The footage was being played on all stations and every reporter was saying some variation of the same thing from either right outside in front of the Met or from the studio they were seated in.
Loki Odinson was very much alive, he was back on Earth, back in New York, and he had not even an hour ago saved almost one hundred innocent lives during an attempted robbery at The Met, including a baby girl directly out of the rough arms of the criminal who had brazenly taken her hostage.
Oh and they were all mentioning how he had turned said criminal into an actual donkey as proper comeuppance and then had whimsically parading the entire group of would be thieves out in front of the museum and knocking them all together midair for good measure before literally tying a gigantic green ribbon around them and presenting them to the police with a perfect bow tie finish.
Now said Norse God sat among the Avengers, his still very much on edge older brother's arm wrapped protectively around his shoulders, nursing a glass of green juice of his own, courtesy of the Black Widow herself. On his other side Steve Rogers sat with a pensive look in his face, himself at a loss for what to do next. If Steve also felt a deep pride in the man he loved for the lives Loki saved and the criminals he had punished with his own brand of honestly humorous justice, he kept that firmly to himself.
The sight of Loki holding a baby and smiling so tenderly was etched into the super soldier's mind and heart for all time as well.
From where he sat Loki just took a long sip of his green juice and then let out a profound sigh as he shook his head.
" I didn't mean to reveal myself to Midgard in such a manner. This is going to cause a complete firestorm for all of you, especially you brother."Loki said as he turned apologetic eyes to Thor. Thor tightened his arm around Loki as he spoke with hard eyes.
" I shall not hear one word of it Loki, you were a hero today, you saved many innocent lives including that adorable baby. If anyone tries to harm you or make you leave I will-" Thor began to say, but The Thunderer was cut off midway by Jarvis as the AI spoke.
" Pardon me Mr. Odinson but I must inform everyone that I have Director Fury on an urgent video call from Washington, shall I patch him through Mr. Stark?" The AI asked with his usual disembodied refinement.
All at once everyone seemed to sag, except for Natasha who was as neutral as ever, no one surprised that the Director of SHIELD was calling.
" Patch him through Jarvis." Tony said as he rubbed at his scratched at his stubble covered jaw.
" Right away sir." Jarvis acknowledged.
A few moments later there was a new projection in front of the continuous news feeds, the serious face of Nick Fury coming into view. Even though the man himself was currently sitting in his office hundreds of miles away in Washington DC, he looked no less severe as his dark eye immediately zeroing in on the green eyed God of Mischief sitting on Stark's circular sofa with the God of Thunder and Captain America flanking him on either side.
" Heard you had quite the eventful Monday morning there Mr. Odinson the younger." Fury said casually, the barest upward quirk to the corners of his lips.
" Indeed Director Fury, never a dull moment here on Midgard." Loki said just as casually before he was letting out this silvery chuckle and shrugging helplessly at the Director.
Fury himself relaxed a fraction and nodded in agreement before he spoke.
" I already got a report on the incident at the museum but I'd rather hear it from you, so what went down Loki?" Fury asked with all seriousness.
Loki needed no further prompting as he began to explain everything that happened mere hours ago.
It literally had been a brazen, blindside attack strategy that looked like it could have been pulled off if one of the Met's employees had not been an actual Norse God in disguise.
Midway through Loki's recount they were interrupted by another incoming video call by one Pepper Potts. She looked as pristine and regal as ever, dressed in a lovely black business dress with a deep emerald green blazer over it. She was calling to first congratulate and commend Loki for his heroic actions, making the raven-haired man blush slightly, and also to inform everyone that Stark Industries New York branch was currently being inundated with calls from every news and social media outlet under the sun, wanting to wheedle even the barest morsel of information regarding the morning's events and the return of the God of Mischief.
" A thousand apologies my lady, I may be all for a bit of chaos but I did not mean to cause such a commotion." Loki said earnestly.
" Oh no Loki, don't you go apologizing. With what you did today, you've actually hit the PR goldmine." Pepper said with a grin on her face and a calculating glint in her bright blue eyes.
" How so my lady?" Loki asked curiously, everyone else focusing on Pepper intently as CEO of Stark Industries began to explain.
With the video, Loki was trending world-wide and while there were some who were trying to cause a stink, the general feeling was a mixture of surprise that he was back, applause for his actions in saving every single life that had been placed in peril, curiosity as to who the real Loki was, and a bit of swooning over the fact that on top of being handsome in his own right, he was capable of such tenderness towards children as he had displayed unashamedly with Baby Anita. The Thor teddy bear he presented her was a very nice touch.
" Have you any word on how Anita and her mother are fairing Fury?" Loki asked immediately as he looked between Fury and Pepper. It was Fury who spoke to reply.
" They are both totally fine, SHIELD has already taken over the investigation of this incident and taken them home. A couple of senior agents interviewed Anita's mother and she kept asking where you were and if you were alright yourself Loki." Fury said with a nod.
" My agents reported that the mother, Mrs. Helena Godfrey, made it quiet clear that she would love to see you again to thank you properly, and that her devastatingly cute kid hasn't let go of her new Thor bear since you gifted it to her." The Director of SHIELD added.
Everyone turned to Loki then to see his reaction, to put it plainly the younger Odinson looked a bit stunned by Fury's words. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts, clearly not expecting that Anita's mother would ever want to lay eyes on him again.
" If Lady Godfrey is amenable to such, then I shall gladly fulfill her wish. I would very much like to see her and Anita, to make sure they are alright as well." Loki said quietly.
" Good to know, things are a bit frenzied right now but I am sure that once things die down, we can arrange it for you. What say you Ms. Potts?" Fury asked as he turned his eye to Pepper.
" Oh I already have some plans forming Nick. We'll make sure Mrs. Godfrey and Baby Anita will get to reunite with their hero." Pepper assured with a bright smile Loki's way. Loki sent her a deeply pleased look while Thor gave him a squeeze with the arm he still had around his younger brother.
" First thing's first, Loki's revealed himself in spectacular and heroic fashion, but we gotta properly reintroduce him to Earth." Tony said, the others nodding or making noises of agreement.
" Yeah, you remember that whole press junket we went through after the invasion, the meet and greets with the kids, meetings with city and government officials, and the memorials?" Clint said as he looked around at the rest of the group. Thor frowned slightly at this.
" What is this press junket you speak of Friend Barton?" He asked and he and Loki both looked to Clint curiously.
" Oh that's right, you guys weren't here for everything that happened after the dust settled." Steve said as he looked between Loki and Thor, who nodded.
It was Tony who spoke up then and succinctly explained that while the team had gone their own ways immediately after the invasion, a few weeks later they had all come together again first before Congress itself to explain what had gone down, attesting to Loki's innocence, and emphasizing why a super hero team such as theirs was a good thing considering the invasion revealing that they truly were not alone in the universe. After that had been a series of press conferences both in New York and also Germany where the incidents with Dr. Schafer and Mr. Wagnar had happened. After the press conference there had been several meet and greets with the public and dedication ceremonies for those who had lost their lives.
Loki and Thor were both a bit stunned, and genuinely touched when Tony revealed that since no one rightly knew if Loki had even survived the trip back to Asgard, there had been a few vigils for him as well, either for a speedy recovery, or a safe journey to Valhalla or wherever it was Asgardians thought they went after they died.
" People actually... prayed for me?" Loki asked in quiet disbelief and with his green eyes slightly over-bright.
" Yeah man, they believed us when we explained, they understood that you were never the bad guy in all the crap that went down." Clint said warmly.
" Now they are gonna want to get the chance to know the real you, but that will happen only if you want them to Loki." Pepper said with firm conviction from where she said in her office downtown.
" Yeah, they'll know only what you allow them to know and if anyone tries to snoop too far, I've got both Pep and Jarv." Tony said with a thumbs up, earning a silvery chuckle from Loki and his nod of thanks.
" Speaking of those seeking information, everyone please be advised that there is an ever expanding group of journalists from the various networks currently gathering outside the tower." Jarvis suddenly said as he pulled up some security camera footage from the the front doors of Avenger's tower where sure enough, men and women were gathered and being held at bay by the harried tower security personnel, brandishing microphones, cameras, and cellphones, all talking at once in a moderate frenzy.
" Oh my." Loki said aptly with wide eyes, having not expected such a turnout based on his actions.
" Yeah, they tend to do that after anything happens that is Avengers related." Bruce said with mild amusement as he and the others watched on as the press downstairs kept rolling and pulsing as they jockeyed for position.
" But why? I am not an Avenger." Loki said as he blinked owlishly.
" You saved an entire museum full of people today and since your brother lives here they assumed you'd be here too, so that more than qualifies as Avengers related." Natasha said simply as she finished her green juice.
Loki nodded in understanding and took a long swig of his own juice before he sighed and looked about the room.
" Well then, how shall we handle this?" He asked firmly, determination in his green eyes.
About half an hour later...
The doors to the elevator opened with a soft chime as Tony stepped out into the lobby of his tower with Happy by his side. The billionaire had donned a light jacket over the simple Ramons long-sleeve t-shirt and jeans he had been wearing for the day while Happy was in one of his customary suits. The pair strode with purpose and nodded to the security guards who were gathered and vigilantly keeping watch over the front doors. Outside the crowd of news reporters and curious onlookers had already doubled in size. The moment Tony was over the threshold and out onto the New York street, the crowd as one erupted in a chaotic cacophony of voices trying to talk over each other and get Ironman's attention.
Tony of course walked right up to the many mics that were being held out to him and gave them his best PR smile as he spoke.
" Hey guys, I know all of you are just dying to get the scoop about what happened today regarding a certain God of Mischief who popped up back on Earth today and basically gift-wrapped a bunch of dangerous criminals for the NYPD at the Met just a few hours ago but you are all gonna have to wait till tomorrow." Tony said before the voices all rose up in protest and tried to field questions to get anything at all out of Tony. Some were even trying to quote the First Amendment or demanding that they speak to Loki now.
It would be fruitless since Tony could be a steel wall when the occasion called for it, and this was one of these occasions. They did earn a mildly amused look from the Billionaire though as he spoke.
" Listen up people, there will be a press conference held right here at Avenger's tower tomorrow at 9AM sharp where you will all get to have a proper introduction to the real Loki Odinson. No sooner, no later unless you want to piss off not only his big brother Thor but the rest of the team too." Tony said before he gave a few familiar looking reporters a pointed look, a certain Christine Everhart not among them, most likely hurriedly in route from California to NY to get the scoop on the unexpected return of Loki.
The crowd all began to talk at once again many demanding to speak with Loki now, others asking how the Avengers could so easily trust Loki after everything, and still others asking some very intrusive sound questions regarding the trauma Loki endured, all of them trying to get a word in. Tony was about to turn and head back inside when this one question cut through the din.
" Mr. Stark, can you tell us how Loki is at least?" A young black woman with chocolate brown hair and stylish horn-rimmed glasses asked as she held out a mic.
Tony focused in on her and stepped forward, a thoughtful look on his face as he spoke.
" What do you mean?" Tony asked curiously.
The young lady looked momentarily stunned that Tony Stark had actually heard her over the ruckus but she quickly shook it off as she spoke.
" Well, what I mean is... after everything he's been through... well I guess I just wanted to ask is he doing alright?" She asked, looking genuinely sincere.
Tony just stayed silent for a moment before his eyes grew a little warmer and he nodded as he spoke.
" He's strong and he's hanging in there, he's got his brother and he's got me and the rest of the Avengers backing him up. You're gonna be able to ask him yourself directly tomorrow from the front row at the press conference." The Billionaire said, earning a stunned squeak from the young lady for the unexpected boon he had just granted her.
" What's your name Miss?" Tony asked.
The young reporter blinked owlishly before she quickly snapped out of it and replied.
" N-Nisha, Nisha Jordan." She stumbled out.
Tony nodded before turning to Happy.
" Hey Hap, make sure Ms. Jordan here is front and center tomorrow." He said firmly.
" You got it Mr. Stark." Hap acknowledged.
Then with a wink to a still stunned Nisha and a cheeky little wave to the crowd, Tony smoothly turned and proceeded back inside the tower without looking back, ignoring the roaring protests of the crowd and the many flashing lights. Tony waited for Hap to catch up before the pair headed back to the elevator and left it to Tower security to finally make the crowd disburse. As they rode the elevator back up to the penthouse Happy turned to Tony and spoke.
" She seemed decent enough." He said causally regarding the young reporter who just hit the newsworthy jackpot.
" Yeah, she asked after Loki instead of about him. I have no doubt he's gonna have them all hanging on his every word." Tony said with a smirk.
" You sure? I mean all of us are one thing but will he be able to handle a whole press conference?" Happy asked in concern.
" Hey, they don't call him Silver Tongue for nothing. I think he'll handle everything just fine and besides that, Pep will give him the rundown once she gets here later. Anybody tries anything, we have a Hulk." Tony replied, earning a bark of laughter from his longtime friend just as the doors to the elevator slid open to reveal the penthouse where they were greeted by the most unexpected sight.
There in the center of the room was the Hulk in all his green glory, currently tugging away at of all things Loki, his giant green hands under the God of Mischief's arms like the tall and ebony-haired man was a child, except the green behemoth was having no luck seeing as to how Loki's feet stayed firmly planted to the floor. Thor was grinning with pride while Clint was laughing his head off. Natasha even allowed herself a small smile while Steve was trying his hardest not to look to besotted.
" What in the hell?" Tony asked as he blinked owlishly at the sight of Hulk failing spectacularly in even making the wiry Norse God budge even a millimeter. On the floor were the well-tattered remains of most of the clothes Bruce hand been wearing just a few minutes earlier.
" He Loks, how come you're not currently embedded in the ceiling or something?" He asked incredulously as he closed the distance and looked between the honestly serene looking God of Mischief and the increasingly frustrated and huffing green rage monster.
Loki turned to Tony and gave him a bright grin while the Hulk was still trying to lift him in vain.
" Oh hey Tony, I was just demonstrating this one spell I learned that is much like the spell of worthiness over Mjolnir." The green-eyed god explained.
" How'd this come about? We were only gone for a couple of minutes." Happy asked with wide eyes at the still jarring sight of the Hulk having such difficult in lifting Loki that he looked like he was about to break out into a sweat.
" Yeah we were all just talking when Bruce took the chance to apologize to Loki for the whole smashing and bashing him into the floor during the invasion. From there I asked Loki how he would have actually faced off against Hulk himself and Loki said that he knew a spell that could make it so that not even Hulk could make him move... and now here we are and as you can see, Loki wasn't lying." Clint said as he gestured to the current seen.
" Wow, that is unreal Tricks!" Tony commented just as Hulk let out a low growl of frustration and stopped pulling at Loki.
" Ok Hulk gives, Loki wins." Hulk grumbled as he withdrew his giant hands from Loki's underarms and then crossed them over his own massive chest with an honest to God pout over his green features.
" Don't fret Friend Hulk, magic is an unknown and ancient thing, and you are still perfect at smashing and sending things flying when the occasion calls for it. I love watching the videos they have of you on youtube." Loki said as he sent Hulk an admiring look.
Everyone watched as after a moment Hulk uncrossed his arms and met Loki's gaze with a big grin of his own. Then the green rage monster was earning a bright chuckle from Loki as he held out his hefty fist to the God, who naturally bumped is own tiny fist against one of Hulk's granite-like knuckles.
" Please tell me you caught that Jarvis." Tony asked with a smirk while Clint playfully applauded with enthusiasm.
" Rest assured sir I did, filed under epic double green fist-bump." Jarvis replied smoothly.
" Nice one Jarv." Tony commented while sharing a chuckle with Loki.
From where he sat Steve smiled warmly, already planning on committing the unexpectedly wonderful scene he had just witnessed between Loki and Hulk to paper the next time he sat down to sketch. Beside him Thor chuckled feeling both proud of his brother's prowess and gladdened by how good a sport his big green friend was being about the whole thing. It was Natasha who spoke next while Happy took his leave to get on the phone with Pepper and continue to work out the details of the press conference.
" How did it go downstairs Tony?" She asked casually.
" Oh nothing out of the ordinary, told them all about the press conference scheduled for tomorrow and that in no uncertain terms would they be getting one single syllable of information regarding our Trickster or anything else before that." Tony replied as he shuffled over to the plush sofa and took a seat.
Loki sent Tony a look of thanks that the billionaire quickly brushed off before he and everyone else watched the Hulk gradually shrink in size and turn back into Bruce Banner, the scientist grabbing hold of his excessively stretched and shredded pants. Loki wasted no time as with a glowing hand he made a sweeping gesture over the shredded pieces of cloth that were littering the penthouse floor and then made and vertical motion in Bruce's direction.
Before everyone's eyes the tattered pieces of fabric smoothly lifted off the floor and floated towards Banner, swirling around him and merging back together to reform the articles of clothing the scientist had been wearing before his impromptu transformation into his big green counterpart.
" Thanks Loki." Bruce said with a smile as he rolled up the sleeves of his newly remade button up shirt.
" Think nothing of it Bruce." Loki said simply before he turned his attention to Thor.
" Care to try your luck brother?" He asked with a mischievous glint in his green eyes.
" Certainly Brother." Thor said with enthusiasm as he rose from his seat and made his way over to his green-eyed sibling.
The siblings faced off, Thor looking confident but everyone could tell that with Loki there just was no predicting what was bound to happen.
Thor reached out to Loki but the moment his hands settled on his brother's shoulders, the Thunderer was letting out a yelp as there was a soft flash of magic induced light. There was a moment of silence and then Clint spoke.
" Holy..." He said as he stared wide-eyed at Thor, who was currently sporting a very impressive set of what appeared to be moose antlers protruding from his blonde head, right above his ears.
" Oh my God your baby brother just gave you moose parts Sparky!" Tony exclaimed before dissolving into laughter and that was all that was needed for the others to join in, even Natasha allowing herself a small huff of amusement at the Thunderer's current predicament.
Thor instantly released Loki and reached for his own head, his blue eyes going wide with shock as his hands wrapped around the bases of his newly acquired adornments. Smiling serenely, Loki simply flicked his wrist and conjured a trusty hand mirror and held it up so that Thor could gaze upon himself.
The Thunderer blinked owlishly for a moment as he took in his reflection before he let go of the base of his antlers and then tilted his head from side to side, checking them out in earnest. Then Thor's face was breaking out into a wide grin as he threw his head back and started laughing wholeheartedly. Loki's silvery chuckle was soon intertwined with Thor's big-bellied guffaw and then everyone was joining in.
" I don't look half bad do I brother?" Thor asked as he admired his antlered self.
" I agree, very majestic brother." Loki replied with a grin.
The antlers were only the beginning as when Thor once again resumed his attempts to lift his brother off his feet, he next ended up with swan wings coming out of his back, another tug at Loki had curly blonde furred and floppy cockier spaniel ears replacing his own, followed long white cat whiskers coming out of his cheeks, and the piece de resistance was the magnificent peacock tail that unfurled from the small of Thor's back.
It was one of the most bizarre and hilarious sights they had ever seen, and another amazing showcase of Loki's magic. Loki set his brother back to his normal self with a wave of his hand and finally allowed the Thunderer to hug him properly and lift him off his feet for good measure. Thor of course beamed brightly at being deemed worthy by his brother for even this small a task as lifting him up.
They put aside the magical shenanigans and Loki immediately sought out Steve.
" What was it like performing for the masses Star Spangled Man with the Plan?" Loki asked with a grin.
Steve barked out a laugh before shaking his head with a light groan.
" Lemme guess, those performances somehow ended up on youtube?" He asked knowingly as he looked back up at Loki, who simply nodded and sent him an expectant look.
" Yeah Capsicle, tell us all about punching Hitler in the face over 200 times and those leggy vaudeville ladies you got to hang out with." Tony teased good-naturedly.
Steve let out a much put upon sigh before he smiled and began to explain how right after he received the super soldier serum, instead of serving his country on the front lines with his fellow soldiers, he ended up being turned into a mascot for America and stuck doing these slightly tacky stage shows in an effort to boost moral.
" Can't tell you how many times I had to get on stage, say something patriotic and corny, and then have to duck whatever was thrown at me." Steve said, remembering the more humiliating and off-putting aspects of his time as an unwilling actor.
" Then one James Buchanan Barnes went missing in action and all bets were off." Tony said earning a nod from Steve who then went on to explain how he had disobeyed orders to go and find Bucky, freed the other prisoners of war, gathered those who would become the Howling Commandos, and also faced off against Red Skull and Arnim Zola for the first time.
" How are things at the museum now Loki, do you know?" Steve asked after, suddenly wanting to change the topic and not dwell on the life he left behind when he crashed Red Skulls plane into the ice 80 plus years ago.
" Oh I was sure to repair all the damage those criminals caused to the displays and made sure not one single piece was missing. Naturally the museum had shut down for the day and they have sent all nonessential personnel home for the day so my double is currently on the bus headed back to my apartment with my laptop. I suppose I can simply retrieve it from there and catch up on the work I was planning to do today but there is no rush." Loki said with a shrug.
" Still kinda hilarious that an actual Norse God like yourself is so dedicated to his normal job, when us Midgardians would be taking the whole day off even if there hadn't been an attempted violent robbery at our place of employment." Tony said with a smirk.
" What can I say? I love the work I do and still have to keep up appearances." Loki said lightly with a shrug earning a collective chuckle.
" I'm gonna get started on lunch." Steve said after he glanced at his watch.
" Steve, if you are amenable, I would like to offer my help." Loki said looking hopeful.
Steve looked surprised for a moment before a truly brilliant smile spread across his face as he spoke.
" Thanks Loki, I'd love your help. I am making chili from scratch today." Steve said as he and Loki rose from their seats and headed for Tony's kitchen area together, seemingly completely oblivious to the man eyes that were watching them as they went.
" Those two are so gone for each other." Clint said with a sigh once Steve and Loki were out of earshot.
" Cap really didn't stand a chance today with Loki holding that baby girl. Hell I caught the feels for a hot second when he let her grab his nose like that. Heroism is a good look on your brother Point Break." Tony commented.
" Indeed Man of Iron, my brother and I may not have any children of our own yet but we have always had a special fondness for them, my brother more so. Back in Asgard he would always stop to do magic tricks for the children or tell them stories of the adventures he would accompany me on. He would sooner raze an entire realm to the ground than let any harm befall a child." Thor said with pride shining bright in his eyes, but they dimmed as he remembered both Loki's ordeal and Steve's conviction to quash down the love he had for Loki.
" I must say truthfully that I would see my brother have all the happiness that is possible after the Hell he has endured, and if that is with Steve Rogers I have no objection. The problem is that friend Steve himself would rather deny his own happiness than risk hurting my brother in any way." The Thunderer explained.
" That's Cap in a nutshell alright, and we don't even know what Loki's actual feelings are." Clint said with a sigh.
" I think it is best we stay out of it. No matter how well our intentions, anything we try to do will just interfere and most likely backfire mess things up. Somewhere down the line, they'll figure it out." Natasha said firmly.
" Yeah, we should best stick to just being their for them both. Besides that we still gotta get ready for that press conference tomorrow. Some of those reporters can be pretty invasive." Bruce said quietly, grimacing slightly as he remembered a couple of his own unpleasant experiences during the aforementioned press tour.
A couple of reporters brought us sore subjects like the accident that led to the birth of the Hulk, General Ross, and of course Betty. Thankfully the team had rallied around him, and Tony had been on hand to verbally decimate the rude reporters who had asks such probing and insensitive questions. Bruce had no doubt that Tony was just itching to do some decimating tomorrow if the need arose.
" I get the feeling people are either going to fall in love with out resident God of Mischief or understand in no uncertain terms that he is not to be messed with. I think the fact that he's been quietly rebuilding the city section by section is bound to earn him some major brownie points." Tony predicted as he then asked Jarvis to switch from the news to something more interesting.
Jarvis switched to Paternity Court of all shows and pretty soon they were all getting sucked into the drama. Is he the father or not? They had to know!
Meanwhile in Tony's kitchen area...
Steve chuckled quietly as he waited for the oil to head up in the saucepan he was attending to, only half paying attention since he was marveling at Loki's newest display of magic as the Norse God was currently slicing and dicing the various vegetables that were necessary for the chili in mid-air. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, green, yellow, and red bell peppers were all floating about the air and getting chopped up by some unseen force as Loki stood at the center with his hands held out and glowing lightly.
" I should have you be my sou chef more often, it would've taken me ages to get everything chopped up so perfectly even with my enhanced speed." Steve said with a grin as he went about unpackaging the ground beef he planned on pan searing.
" Happy to help you save some time, I am actually getting a bit peckish and breakfast feels like ages ago." Loki said with a smile as he flicked his hand and perfectly diced up another onion.
" Well I hope you'll like the chili, not one of my mom's famous recipes mind you but something I found on the internet that actually turned out really good the few other times I've made it." Steve explained.
" I am sure I will enjoy it thoroughly since you're the one making it." Loki said before he could stop himself.
Steve jerked slightly at these words but quickly shook off the jolt they sent through him.
" Thanks Loki, I appreciate it." He said lightly as he sent the Trickster a shy smile, Loki smiling back at him just as shyly before they both turned back to their respective tasks. The air had none the less grown charged around the pair.
" You're welcome Steve." Loki mumbled, feeling his skin tingle under his casual Asgardian attire.
Steve's company was equal parts a blessing and a curse. To have someone like him be there as such a calming presence yet at the same time awaken such a strong and deep love and desire in him left Loki so torn. He loved this man, he truly did but he would not do anything to jeopardize their friendship and he knew that he would just end up hurting the mortal with his seemingly endless list of issues that he was still dealing with. With a small sigh and a light stinging to his eyes that he attributed to the onions, Loki refocused on his task of helping his good friend make the afternoon meal.
A couple of hours later found everyone gathered in the living room, sporting bowls and plates laden with Steve and Loki's joint effort chili and their choices of accompaniments like baked potatoes, salad, and chips, everyone deeply engrossed in the latest case to come before the no-nonsense paternity court judge.
" Alright Loks, who's lying about what?" Tony asked as he munched on a chili covered nacho chip.
" The mother is truly convinced she has the right man as the father. She's not fidgeting and is confident, but unfortunately she is wrong because if you do a side by side comparison between the child and the potential father, you can see that even with the child leaning more towards looking like his mother, his features simply do not match enough with this gentleman. The man himself is more confused than angry." Loki said with an eager spoonful of chili for himself. At the looks of askance, the God of Mischief explained.
" You could tell all that just from watching a few minutes?" Bruce asked as he finished the last morsel of his chili-slathered baked potato.
" Oh yes, I've always tried to pay particular attention to details, especially after that one assassination attempt on father we witnessed when we were barely teenagers, you remember Thor?" Loki asked as he turned to his brother.
Thor looked up from his just finished bowl of chili and potato and nodded to Loki as he spoke.
" Ah yes, that incident with that one obtuse dwarf from Nidavellir who actually thought our mother was in love with him and thus decided he's claim her and get rid of father like it was no big deal." Thor explained casually.
" Seriously?" Natasha asked with a quirked eyebrow while Bruce, Clint, Tony, and Steve all gawked in disbelief.
" Yes my lady, this dwarf, Scandun was his name if I recall, decided he would simply poison our father during a crowded banquet. From where I was sitting at the table beside Thor we watched the entire attempt unfold while the festivities were in full swing. With most everyone oblivious it was mother herself who thwarted Scandun. She literally stopped him just as he was about to try and tip poison into father's goblet or mead, used a silencing spell on him and then summarily snapped his wrist like a twig for good measure and then had the guards subtly escort him out of the hall explaining that the good Scandun wasn't feeling so well. No one was the wiser." Loki said with a fond smile as he remembered his mother quiet show of power against the idiot who thought he could make her a widow and then his wife.
" What happened to this prick after?" Tony asked curiously.
" Oh no idea, we were never told... and he was never seen or heard from again." Loki replied simply. Tony nodded, understanding the implication and going the route of nonchalance. He did make a mental note to do his best to never run afoul of the Queen of Asgard, and maybe tell good old Captain America to do the same.
" Your mom sounds like one truly magnificent lady though." Steve complemented, earning a warm look from both Loki and Thor while Tony smirked, now thinking maybe Steve would do just fine without any warning advice from him.
" Indeed she is friend Steve." Thor said with a look of longing coming over his features for a moment before the TV screen caught his attention.
" Ah! Look everyone, the judge is about to reveal the results of the father test!" He said pointing excitedly at the projection.
All eyes immediately turned back to paternity court where the judge was finally opening the envelope with the DNA test results.
They all waited with baited breath and then just as Loki predicted the judge read out the results, the young man proven not to be the father. The man was actually very reserved in his reaction, just bouncing on his feet and looking up at the ceiling as if sending a thank you to some unseen deity. Now if the young mother's reaction that took surprised everyone.
She let out this loud banshee like wail and then promptly fell backwards in a dead faint with the court officers rushing to help her, even the judge leaving her bench to tend to the woman.
" Well that certainly was one way to react." Loki said lightly before helping himself to more chili and salad.
" That's nothing, you see what happens on the Maury Povich show." Clint said casually.
There was a beat of silence and then all at once laughter broke out through Tony's penthouse, save for Natasha who decided to keep her reserve but allowed a small smile.
From where he sat, Steve only had eyes for the green eyed God who had stolen his heart right out from under him.
After lunch Loki found himself whisked away down to the labs with Bruce and Tony, each of them wanting to show the God of Mischief what they were currently working on. Much to both of their silent joy, Loki was not one to zone out like some did when it came to science. He was another sharp mind and considered science to be Midgard's version of magic. Hours went by with Loki raptly paying attention to the latest suits Tony had fabricated or the experimental new crop Bruce was working on that could help feed the masses.
Thor asked Steve to spar with him, to which the super soldier obliged, welcoming the distraction from his pining the Thunderer was subtly offering. Clint and Natasha decided to stay in the penthouse and resume their ongoing trivia challenge game. So far Natasha was in the lead but Clint was bound and determined to at the very least even the score.
When Loki finally took his leave of Tony and Bruce and left them to their work, Jarvis was quick to direct him to the gymnasium level where the elevator doors opened up to the sight of Steve gracefully dodging out of the way of one of Thor's oncoming attacks.
Loki stayed quiet as he made his way further into the gym level, keeping enough distance so as not to alert the two blonds in his life of his presence as he settled in to observe them in combat.
With one being a Norse God and the other an enhanced but still mortal man, Steve and Thor were each holding their own. Where Thor was raw power exploding with each attack, Steve was sharper and more calculating, limber as he continued to skillfully dodge the Thunderer and get a superficial hit in. Then the sparring changed as Thor and Steve grabbed hold of each other and started grappling furiously, Steve holding his own until Thor showcased his otherworldly strength and lifted the Super Soldier off his feet. It looked like Steve was about to receive a full, devastating slam into the thankfully padded floor of the sparring section of the gym level when in a show of his own dexterity, Steve somehow wrenched himself out of Thor's grip and then somehow climbed around Thor's frame and ended up plastering himself to the Thunderer's back while his muscular arms wound around Thor's neck and throat in a firm chock-hold.
The sight of his good friend hanging onto his brother like a limpet while said brother trundled about and started doing this strange shimmying move to try and dislodge Steve finally had Loki busting out a loud laugh, phone in hand as he captured the whole thing on video. Loki's laugh has Thor and by default Steve turning to see the green eyed God grinning at them as he waved with his free hand.
" Ah Brother!" Thor said with a grin brightening up his own face, rushing forward towards his brother with Steve still hanging onto him.
" Hey Loki!" Steve greeted too as released his grip on Thor and smoothly slid off the Thunderer's back, landing lightly on his feet and trotted after Thor as they both came to stand before the God of Mischief.
" How was it down in the laboratories and the Man of Iron's workshop?" Thor asked as he wrapped his arm around Loki's shoulder in a quick half-hug, smiling warmly when Steve did the same once he withdrew.
" Oh it was marvelous, Bruce's current experiment would be a great innovation to help feed those less fortunate, and Tony's made so many new Iron Man suits I had a bit of trouble keeping track of them all." Loki replied as he made his way further into the gym level and looked around at the high-tech equipment that was at the Avengers' disposal.
" I think Tony himself is having a bit of trouble keeping track of them. The second he finishes one he's already got plans for the next one ready for Jarvis to start fabricating. It's his way of coping, he builds." Steve said with a worried look passing across his features.
" Coping with everything that happened you mean?" Loki asked quietly.
" Yeah he saw a lot of things." Steve said, his simple words loaded with so much.
Thor could sense the oncoming melancholy and quickly moved to change the topic.
" Would you care to join us in our sparring brother?" He asked lightly.
Loki tilted his head in thought for a moment before he nodded.
" I actually would like to get some practice with staff fighting done." Loki said before he summoned his seidr.
Thor and Steve watched as the casual green and black Asgardian leathers Loki was wearing shimmered away into a black outfit that looked very much like a karate uniform just with a longer tunic and no belt and his hair was left pulled back into a ponytail. Loki then raised his hands out in front of him and held them pressed together as they glowed green. In the next instant three long black bo staffs were materializing out of thin air. Loki held the weapons out to Thor and Steve.
" Wow." Steve said with honest wonder as he took one of the offered staffs and tested out the weapon's sturdiness. Despite the inhuman pressure he exerted the weapon did not so much as bend even a little, Asgardian material and what have you.
" Alright you two, let's get to it." Loki said with a calculating glint in his green eyes that had Steve and Thor sharing an uneasy look as they all made their way back to the padded sparring area and lines up behind Loki to follow his instruction.
A little while later...
" OhmyGod! Oh!" Steve wheezed as he collapsed onto the floor and looked up at the ceiling with dazed blue eyes.
A similar wheezing beside him had Steve slowly turning his head to gaze at the source, an equally winded and sweaty Thor who was laying on his side just a couple of feet away looking like his soul had literally left his body, the bo staff still clutched loosely in his hand.
" Oh come now it's only been twenty minutes and those were just the basics I was showing you." Loki said sternly from where he stood over his utterly worn out pair of impromptu students looking completely pristine without even a single hair out of place, holding his staff casually over his shoulders with his wrists draped over the Asgardian wood.
" M-Mercy brother." Thor croaked out, utterly exhausted as he shut his eyes and focused on getting his breathing under control. Loki just gave his big brother this incredulous look
" I'll get you two some water then." Loki said lightly as he spotted the mini fridge a few feet away with the clear door that showcased how well-stocked it was and quickly trotted off towards it.
Several bottles of water later Thor and Steve had regained their faculties enough to pick themselves up off the floor and follow Loki in some light staff twirling exercises, thankfully neither hitting themselves in the face in the process, so far. Steve was mesmerized by the inherent grace Loki was showcasing as he twirled his staff every which way without faltering. Ebony Maw's puppetry of Loki's then dead body during the fight in Stuttgart was an actual joke compared to what Steve was seeing now, the real Loki is action.
" Is Asgardian staff fighting always this intense?" Steve asked Thor as he caught his breath.
" With my brother it is. He wasn't one for the more traditional heavy Asgardian weaponry like swords and axes but he dedicated himself just as intensely to the weapons he did prefer, like the staff and his daggers." Thor said before he barely jerked out of the way from smacking himself in the head with his own staff.
" Still wasn't good enough for most to respect." Loki mumbled to himself, earning a pair of concerned blue eyes zeroing in on him before he shook his head and the moved to distract by actually setting the end of his staff alight with brilliant fiery green magic and sending multiple fireballs through the air with each twirl. Thankfully they dissipated before they could hit anything in the room and cause an emergency.
" Pardon me Mr. Odinson the younger but please give warning next time before engaging in any further indoor pyrotechnics." Jarvis said lightly.
" Oh! My apologies Jarvis!" Loki said looking properly chagrined as he quickly put out the end of his staff and turned to see Thor and Steve grinning at him.
" No worries sir." The AI replied simply.
" I think we've all worked up enough sweat, let's hit the showers and then head back upstairs." Steve suggested.
" A splendid idea friend Steve, you've worked us both over enough brother." Thor said in agreement.
" As I said before, it was only twenty minutes of basic staff exercises. Steve getting wiped out quickly I could understand, he's still Midgardian despite his enhancements. But you dear brother mine are meant to be the epitome of Asgardian warrior prowess, the mighty Thunderer himself, the slayer of dragons, and yet there you were curled up at my feet gasping?" Loki said with a quirk of his brow.
" I... Well that is... It's been many years since I partook in staff fighting, as the Midgardian saying goes, I am a little rusty and it is harder than it looks... Quit picking on me!" Thor stuttered out as he sent Loki this mock-cross look.
The next thing Thor knew, Loki was right in his face with a signature smirk over his own features, the staffs disappearing in a light shimmer of magic from everyone's hands. There was a tense moment where Thor and Loki looked at each other wordlessly, then Loki promptly reached out and summarily flicked Thor's nose with his fingers. In an instant Thor's whole face cracked into a bright grin as he chuckled and then lunged at Loki, seizing him an a full bear hug.
" Ah you're all sweaty and you smell like the backside of Bilesnipe!" Loki cried in most indignation, thought he made no move to try and wriggle out of his brother's grip as he gave Thor a few pats on the back while the Thunderer chuckled and made a show of tightening his sweaty and stinky hold around his brother.
Steve just watched on with a smile on his face and a pang of longing in his own heart for his own brother whom he had lost so long ago.
Bucky with all his banter and hugs that always felt like home.
Steve quickly shook himself from his melancholic yearning and instead beckoned the Asgardian brothers to follow him to the showers located in the back corner of the gym level. Steve explained that they could all just put their sweaty workout clothes in the hampers and that Tony's cleaning service would take care of laundering them. Loki could conjur himself some fresh clothes and Thor and Steve were more than okay with grabbing some Avengerssweats that were always on hand in the closets.
Loki slightly surprised Thor and Steve when he started pulling off his workout clothing without any trepidation, tossing them into a nearby hamper and grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist as he he took off the black silk boxers he had on underneath. Steve felt his face heat up at the sight of Loki's bare upper body, catching the wiry muscles that ripped underneath his perfect alabaster skin as he moved, but the super soldier quickly looked away and started peeling off his own sweaty t-shirt, Thor doing the same. Loki himself paused for a split second when Steve's shirt came off, taking in the mortal man's wellbuilt shoulders and chest before he quickly averted his gaze before getting caught. Steve felt something hot unfurl in the pit of his stomach as he looked back in time to see Loki pull his hair free from the ponytail he had kept it in, the raven locks falling about his powerful looking shoulders in as the green eyed God then disappear around the corner into the shower area. Remembering that Loki's older brother was still very much present, Steve quickly focused wrapping a towel around himself and then shedding the sweatpants and boxers he was wearing. He then followed in Loki's wake into the shower area. He could feel Thor's knowing gaze on him and did his level best to get into the nearest shower stall as fast as he could without actually breaking out into a run. Right before he ducked into his own stall he caught sight of the shower stall that was already occupied on the other side of the room, making out the lithe body obscured by the opaque glass.
" Cold shower Rogers, ice cold shower right now!" Steve thought resolutely as he all but dove into his own shower stall.
When Thor turned into the shower area himself he just shook his head as he leisurely made his way over to one of the unoccupied stalls, shaking his head as he did so.
" Could you both be anymore obvious?" He muttered quietly to himself before he sighed and ducked into his own stall and started pressing the necessary buttons for a nice hot soak.
His little brother would be quite the merciless tutor when he wanted to be.
Once Steve had thoroughly cooled himself off, he quickly dried himself off with the towel and then wrapped it around his waist before he ventured out and quickly shuffled back towards the locker room area to get some clothes. When he rounded the corner, Steve stopped dead in his tracks at the sight that greeted him.
There was Loki glad only in a white towel snug around his trim wake, his hands glowing green as he used his magic to dry his long black hair. It was like time slowed down somehow, Steve completely mesmerized by the sight of the Norse God doing something so mundane, those wiry muscles once again rippling and shifting underneath perfect pale skin.
No blood, no bruises, no tears, no God awful derogatory word brutally carved into his back... no gleaming silver forceps sticking out of his cleaved open head.
Just Loki alive and alright, beautifully alive and with them.
Steve caught himself and lightly cleared his throat to announce his presence as he stepped forward. Loki turned and smiled warmly at his mortal friend/the man he was secretly madly in love with.
" Hey, didn't want to sneak up on you or anything Loki." Steve said casually as he made his way over to one of the closets and pulled out a standard issue large black sweatshirt with the Avengers' "A" logo emblazoned across the center in white and matching black sweatpants with a smaller logo on the right hip.
" Think nothing of it Steve." Loki said just as casually as he finished drying his hair, leaving it in perfect waves about his shoulders and then promptly conjured clothing for himself. As Loki pulled the towel away from his waist, black jeans and a dark, charcoal grey button up shirt materialized over him in a shimmer of whitish gold magic before Steve.
It took Steve a second to stop staring at Loki and focus on getting his own temporary clothes on. The Super soldier felt his cheeks warm up with embarrassment at catching himself gawking at his other Norse God friend/the guy he was irrevocably in love with. Thankfully a towel clad Thor came around the other corner at that moment, providing a much needed distraction.
" By the Norns brother, you're getting water everywhere." Loki chastised as he eyed his older brother's sopping wet hair dripping all over the place.
Without any prompting Loki extended his hand, his palm already glowing with seidr as he aimed for his older brother's head. Thor's hair started to ripple and glow as Loki's spell worked through the long blond locks until they were completely dry.
" My thanks brother." Thor said with a grin as he ran a hand through his newly dry hair.
Loki just snorted before he did his best to hide the smile tugging at his lips and sauntered past the two blonds towards the door.
" I'll be outside, want to take a better look around the gymnasium before we go." The Trickster said with a wave.
Thor and Steve made quick work of getting dressed after that, when the pair of tall men finally made their way out of the locker/shower room they saw Loki casually doing some pull-ups on one of the pull-up machines near the elevator.
As if Steve didn't need more reason to feel a little hot under his hoodie.
Thor called for his brother who simply vanished mid-pullup only to reappear beside them in the blink of an eye, much like he had done when he had revealed his presence at the museum and advanced on Rainer the baby hostage taker.
Steve stopped himself from saying anything foolish, choosing instead to simply marvel at Loki's magic again in silence as the three of them finally headed for the elevator. When they got to Thor's floor the Thunderer asked Loki if he wished to accompany him. Loki declined, explaining that he would head up to the penthouse directly since he was already dressed. Thor looked between his sibling and his good mortal friend but didn't voice any protest as he took his leave.
As they rode the elevator up to Steve's floor, the super soldier spoke before he lost his nerve.
" Would you think I am a prick if I told you that while I am sorry about what happened at the museum today, I am still glad we got to have you with us today... That I... That I got to hang out with you today?" He asked quietly as he looked to the Norse God.
Loki blinked at him and then let out this soft huff of laughter as he shook his head and spoke.
" Of course not Steve, I feel the same way. On the one hand I was looking forward to a normal day at work and checking out the new exhibit everyone worked so hard on getting together but on the other hand I met an absolutely adorable baby girl, turned a jackass into an actual ass, and then technically played hooky from work as the Midgardian saying goes. I am... I am glad I was able to be in your company today too Steve." Loki said as he met Steve's blue eyed gaze.
They could has stayed like that for hours if not eons, but the moment was broken between them as the elevator came to a stop at Steve's floor and the door opened with a soft chime. Releasing the breath he didn't even realize he was holding, Loki spoke.
" I shall see upstairs then." Loki said with a shy smile.
" Yeah, sure thing." Steve replied with a shy smile of his own and a light blush to his cheeks as he forced himself to step over the threshold into his living room area.
They waved to each other, Steve lingering there until the elevator door shut before with a sigh he shuffled off to his bedroom to get changed.
From where he stood in the elevator Loki stepped back until he could lean against the elevator wall, letting out his own sigh and allowing himself a moment to fully feel his desolation.
It could never be, him and Steve, anything more than the friendship they had cultivated, absolutely wonderful though it was. Quashing the painful longing coursing through his whole being, Loki stood to full height and plastered a warm smile over his face as the elevator finally came to stop at the Penthouse, the door sliding open with a chime to reveal that Bruce had rejoined Natasha and Clint and was already trying his hand at trivia alongside the pair of deadly assassins.
By the time Thor, Steve, and Tony arrived back at the penthouse, the sun was starting to set and Loki had been sucked into the ongoing trivia tournament alongside Bruce.
When it came time to start preparing dinner, Loki once again offered his assistance to Steve, who was more than happy to accept. By general consensus they all agreed to Steve's homemade gnocchi with their choice of creamy tomato, garlic butter, or pesto sauce. With Loki's magic peeling and chopping everything up once again became a breeze and he and Steve moved about the kitchen as if they had been cooking together for years, both hyper-aware of the other's presence and quietly pining away with neither knowing the truth they shared.
In the penthouse living room a quick check to the news feeds informed the rest of the Avengers that their dear Trickster was still the top trending topic. As Tony asked Jarvis to switch to something more lighthearted, they all noticed the slightly worried look over Thor's features.
" What's on your mind Point Break?" Tony asked.
" Oh I am alright Man of Iron, I just hate the uncertainty of tomorrow with the press conference. It was bad enough when my brother went before all of Asgard and had his memories projected for all to see. Now here on Midgard..." Thor trailed off with a pained look.
" You're worried the people of Earth are going to demand proof too and Loki being Loki, he's going to oblige them in order to be believed." Natasha said grimly with a knowing look.
The heartbroken look Thor gave her in reply was answer enough.
" No way Thor, don't think like that. First of all, most of Earth doesn't even know about the whole magical memory projection so how can they demand it? Second of all, after you and Loki beamed out of here part of our whole PR junket was saying over and over again that Loki is innocent. We didn't release all the details but just enough for people to understand that he was a victim and a survivor, that nothing he did during the invasion was willing, that he wasn't even alive when things were going down. It took a while be people started to understand and believe. As for tomorrow, if Loki wants the people of Earth to know the full, awful details of what he went through, that's going to be up to him and nobody else." Tony said firmly.
Thor mulled over Tony's words and then his whole body seemed to sigh before he nodded to Tony and offered everyone a slightly tired smile.
Wanting to get rid of the heavy mood that had settled over everyone, Tony instructed Jarvis to put on something engrossing to take everyone's mind off.
Sure enough there was an extreme baking challenge on the Food network channel that sucked everyone in and tided them over until Steve and Loki rejoined them with dinner whimsically floating in behind them in the form of three large serving plates piled high with Steve's famous gnoochi drenched in the three choices of sauce along with smaller plates, cutlery, glassware, and napkins. The whole thing glided across the room and came to rest on Tony's circular coffee table.
The delicious smell alone had Tony closing his eyes for a moment before he caught himself and looked to Steve and Loki with a smirk.
" Thanks a bunch for dinner Steve and Loki Homemakers." He quipped playfully.
" You're welcome Tony." Steve said simply as he started handing out the plates and cutlery to everyone.
" If we're the homemakers, wouldn't that make you one of our precious little babies Mr. Billionaire?" Loki asked casually as he sent Tony a pointed look.
" Alright I give, but still, thanks for helping out with dinner, it looks great." Tony conceded.
" Don't mention it Tony, now lets all dig in." Loki declared as he took a seat next to Thor and accepted his own plate from Steve with a winning grin and thanks.
They didn't need to be told twice. Things got even more whimsical when Loki started asking everyone what they wanted to drink and summarily conjured their choice in their respective glass. Thor was quite thrilled to have his glass filled with perfectly chilled Asgardian mead and Loki opted for some of the same, Tony decided to abstain from the alcohol for once and chose some iced lemonade for himself, while Steve got a taste of nostalgia with this 1920's soda that was no longer produced. Natasha enjoyed some lemon seltzer water while Clint drank some authentic Irish Guinness. Bruce rounded out the group with a glass of classic red wine.
Pretty soon the variety of gnoochi was fast disappearing into the stomachs of Earth's mightiest heroes, while they were all fully engrossed in the cake competition that was playing.
A couple of hours later...
Thor padded out of his bathroom dressed in a large t-shirt and pinstriped sleep pants, his eyes immediately going to his bed where Loki sat cross legged on one side with a thoughtful look on his face. The Trickster had conjured himself into his favorite black Asgardian sleeping robes and looked cozy yet thoughtful.
" Are you well brother?" Thor asked as joined his brother on the bed and sat with his knees drawn up so he could rest his forearms on them, his sole focus on his raven haired sibling.
Loki turned his green eyes to Thor, ready for a quick assurance but the knowingly look in hid older brother's blue eyes had Loki deflating as he spoke.
" Mostly." He said quietly.
" Are you nervous about the press conference tomorrow?" Thor said and he shuffled to face Loki fully.
" Not really, I will speak that truth and that will have to be enough for them. It just..." Loki trailed off, his eyes getting a far away look.
" It is just reminding you of everything that transpired back home, the way you had to prove your ordeal was real to our people." Thor said quietly looking ashamed.
" Hey, I put myself through that, you begged me not to, it was not your fault and it was the only way to get them to see." Loki said as he reached out and cupped the side of Thor's neck as the Thunderer often did with him, earning pained smile as Thor looked up at him.
" I should have done more to stop the disrespect our people piled onto you, the disrespect I piled onto you with my constant dismissal. The people of Midgard are bound to be different though Loki, our friends actually played a part in our absence in that they proclaimed your innocence to all who would hear. Even now they tell me that everyone is more curious about you than suspicious. It was the same for me when I returned here. I was asked many questions about what my intentions towards this realm were, but the fact that I fought alongside the Avengers did much to garner favor and open mindedness. I have a feeling your actions today will do the same for you tomorrow, and I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you brother." Thor said sincerely.
Moved by Thor's words far more than he expected, Loki let go of Thor's neck and let out a light scoff as he looked away and willed away the burning overtaking his eye. A large, warm hand settled over his shoulder and squeezed it hard as Thor leaned in and patiently waited for his brother to finally look him in the eye as he spoke.
" You revealed yourself today to this whole realm when your plan was to stay disguised and rebuilt everything anonymously. You didn't owe any of those people anything, not even that child, but you chose to step into the light and protect them. You were a hero today and I will not have anyone make light of that, not even you yourself." Thor said firmly.
" Alright, alright, praise me to your heart's content then." Loki said lightly, earning a rumbling chuckle from Thor before he joined in and sighed.
A moment of comfortable silence passed between the Asgardian brothers before Thor finally gathered his nerve and took a chance.
" Brother... there is a matter I have been meaning to ask you about." He began to say.
" What Thor?" Loki asked, slightly confused.
" Ever since our reunion all those months ago I have noticed just how deep a friendship you have cultivated with Steve Rogers and I just wanted to... That is to say I just wanted ask you directly, is friendship all you feel for him?" Thor asked carefully.
There was a long beat of oppressive silence before Loki spoke, his green eyes hard like icy jade.
" What are you insinuating Thor?" He asked coldly.
" Nothing bad brother, I swear it. I just see the way you are around Steve and how he is with you and it makes me both curious... and hopeful." Thor said with all honesty.
That had Loki jerking a bit in surprise.
" Hopeful?" He asked incredulously.
" Yes brother. Steve Rogers is one of Midgard's finest warriors, and he became your friend before any of the other Avengers. He is the one who somehow convinced you to reunite with me in the first place, then he went and cooked up a feast for you the next day. You are comfortable with him, he respects you, and above all else he makes you smile." Thor explained.
Loki let out a shaky breath and blinked as he mulled over Thor's truthful words. Then his face was hardening as he shook his head.
" Even if I did have deeper feelings for Steve, there is no hope, it is preposterous Thor." He said vehemently.
Thor looked like he was about to protest when Loki cut him off.
" What makes you think Steve is even inclined towards men? He is the leader of the Avengers, why in all the nine realms would he even have any such interest in me?"
" What do you mean by that brother? There is nothing wrong with you." Thor asked utterly confused.
Loki just gave Thor this disbelieving stare before he let out this humorless huff and shook his head.
" Did you forget that I was the Chitauri's plaything for countless months before I became their puppet Thor? Did you not see what they did to me?" Loki snarled.
" Of course I did not forget, I will be haunted by it for as long as I live but what does that have to do with Steve?" Thor asked firmly, trying to reign in his own emotions.
" It has everything to do with Steve Rogers brother, why on Earth would he ever have any kind of interest in Corvus Glave's discarded whore?" Loki said without hesitation.
The next thing Loki knew, large hands were seizing him by the sides of his head and pulling him forward, Thor's flushed and irate face filling his field of vision as the Thunderer looked at him with his own blue eyes nearly sparking with quiet outrage.
" Do not ever, and I mean ever call yourself that for as long as we draw breath brother, do you hear me? I will never stand for you calling yourself that ever again." Thor gritted out intensely.
Then Thor yanked Loki into his arms in a bone-crushing hug, his own breath hitching without shames as he spoke against Loki's hair.
" You are no one's whore Loki, you are my brother, a prince of Asgard, the rebuilder of Jotunheim, and as far as I am concerned, your actions today also make you a protector of Midgard as well. How could you dare to even call yourself that Loki, how?" He croaked out.
Working past his own painfully constricted throat, Loki forced himself to speak.
" But Thor they... they did all those things to me." He began to say when Thor shook his head and tightened his hold around Loki.
" Then they are the ones who are filth not you, and they are all dead, they just don't know it yet. They will though, when our paths will inevitably cross. Thanos, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, Obsidian Cull, and especially Corvus Glaive. By the very bonds of our brotherhood I vow that these monsters who dared to touch you will be dust under our feet. I swear that this will be their fate one day." Thor said with conviction as he started gently rubbing at Loki's back.
Loki let out a shaky breath and allowed himself to crack, just a little as he finally wrapped his own arms around Thor and spoke.
" Thank you brother." He whispered gratefully. Then with his face crumbling and a few tears finally falling free he finally gave in to the urge to speak his heart.
" You are right Thor, I do feel more for Steve than friendship I... I love him brother." He finally said, feeling a great weight finally come off him, only for the crushing weight of how hopeless his love was to take its place within the next breath.
Thor's eyes widened in shock and he was about to grin wide and exclaim that Steve loved him back, that there was nothing really holding them back but then Loki spoke and had Thor's heart breaking all over again.
" He can never know Thor, it would destroy our friendship and he's the first real friend I have ever had besides you brother. He is good and so special, one of the kindest people I have ever known. He deserves so much better than me. I may seem healed and whole physically but I died Thor, I died and then I somehow came back but I am not who I once was, I am damaged now and I... I know I will only end up hurting him in the end and I just... I can't... I can't." Loki said, his voice nothing more than a whisper at the end.
Thor wanted nothing more than to reveal the truth he knew about Steve to his brother right then and there, that Steve loved him just as much. He wanted to tell Loki that just as he was so afraid of hurting Steve, Steve was denying himself of his own love for Loki for the exact same reason. Then Natasha's words or warning from earlier in the day played through his head, stopping his desire to just blurt everything out cold in its tracks.
With a sigh Thor reached up and cupped the back of his brother's raven head as he spoke.
" I know not what the future holds for any of us brother, but I swear I will say nothing of this to anyone, you have my confidence." Thor vowed solemnly.
" Thank you brother." Loki said with a light sniff as he finally draw back from Thor, who released him with great reluctance.
Thor allowed Loki to compose himself before a mischievous idea filled his head. He turned back to Loki with a smile and spoke.
" Loki?" He began, waiting until Loki took a deep breath and finally looked at him.
" Yes brother?" Loki asked in turn.
" I must say, you have great taste brother." Thor said warmly, internally laughing at himself for how he had already had the mirror image of this conversation with the very man that Loki loved just a few weeks ago.
" What in the Norns do you mean by that Thor?" Loki asked looking utterly confused.
" Well what I mean is, out of everyone in all of Midgard your heart has chosen one of its strongest warriors, the leader of the Avengers themselves. I may be slightly biased considering Steve is my good friend and shield brother but as the Midgardian saying goes, you've done a good job with your selection brother." Thor said with absolute seriousness.
There was a beat of silence, and then Loki's face was breaking out into a true grin as a silvery chuckle escaped him.
" Thor you are such an oaf." Loki said with a shake of his head and his smile staying firmly in place.
Thor grinned back at his brother, not at all displeased.
Tomorrow would be tomorrow, where anything could happen, but for now Thor chose to simply be glad he made his dear brother smile.
Hi everyone! So sorry it took me so long to update, this pandemic has been chaos and I just recently reignited my passion for writing. Please feel free to send me ideas for what could happen in this fic, I would love the feedback. I love you all!