Pairings TBA, rated for violence, language, and possible later content
Post Avengers, Post Thor 2
- I've tweaked the ending of Thor 2: The Dark World to assume Loki simply disappeared after he led Thor to believe he died. I've given him new motives altogether. Also, I'm playing fast and loose with Norse mythology and the Avengers comic world.
Enjoy. :)
First Installment: A Safe Place
"Let me get this straight. You want us to set aside our feelings on the matter and let Loki stay here. The psychopath who destroyed several city blocks in New York less than a year ago. And you actually want us to protect him."
Thor sighed quietly. It is not as though I expected this to be easy. "I know how you feel. I understand your reluctance, I truly do. But I would not be here if I thought there were a better alternative."
The group of men and women who called themselves the Avengers—of which Thor was proud to be a part—stood before him. They were a . . . what was the Earth vernacular? A motley crew. Two assassins, a military man out of time, a businessman, and a scientist. It was difficult to believe that only nine months ago he had fought alongside them to protect Midgard from the Chitauri.
And Loki. Thor resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose as he'd seen Bruce Banner do on numerous occasions.
"I want to know more about this Æsa," Steve Rogers said into the silence, "and why you're asking us not to tell SHIELD about her."
"The witch has set her sights on something called the Aether," Thor explained. "She has learned that only Loki knows where it can be found."
"And this Aether is powerful," Steve said.
"Extremely," Thor confirmed.
Tony Stark, who'd remained uncharacteristically quiet, seemed to reach the end of his rope. "Because this isn't a recipe for disaster. Is this witch more powerful than Loki?"
"No," Thor said slowly, "but she has two very dangerous allies. Loki told me he has been captured by them twice." It still pained him to think of it. "Both times he barely escaped with his life."
"They can't be that dangerous if the slippery bastard escaped them twice," Clint Barton said, voice laced with venom.
Thor leveled him with a calm look. "You didn't see the evidence of Loki's capture on his flesh."
"Serves him right, then," Barton snapped. "Let them have him."
Patience beginning to fray, Thor opened his mouth to retort.
Steve beat him to the punch. "No," he said. "Nothing good could come from allowing them to get their hands on Loki. What if they got the location of the Aether from him? Loki isn't an entirely unknown entity, but this witch and her allies are. That makes them more of a threat to Earth."
The words almost made Thor smile. A year ago, they wouldn't have been something he'd ever expect to hear.
"I don't like it, but it does make sense," Natasha Romanov said.
Bruce Banner shifted. "If we do this, can we even guarantee he'll keep his word to . . . behave?"
A valid question. One, unfortunately, for which Thor didn't have a confident answer. He wanted to say yes, but he owed his friends the truth. "I cannot be sure," he admitted. "I believe he sees the benefit far outweighs the risk . . ."
"But it's Loki," Natasha murmured.
Once again, Steve took the lead. "I don't think we have a choice. What I still don't understand is why you don't want us to report it to SHIELD."
"I've convinced Loki to help you defeat the witch," Thor replied, "and if SHIELD decides they want to imprison him, that can't happen." And his brother had suffered enough. That was apparent in the abuse done to his body.
"I thought you were over that whole, protecting the little brother thing," Tony quipped.
Thor looked at him. "Much has happened since we returned to Asgard, my friend. Loki helped me defeat one of the worst enemies we'd faced in centuries."
"That enemy who banged up London?" Tony said, raising an eyebrow. "I thought that was all you and Jane Foster."
"It was a battle staged on two fronts," Thor said, "and Loki saved my life. And Jane's."
"Seems a little out of character," Bruce commented.
"All right," Steve said, sounding decisive. "I think we have to do this. I won't make the call if the rest of you absolutely can't go along with it."
As the others all exchanged looks, Thor studied them in silence. He knew Bruce and Natasha would most likely agree with Steve. Clint would vehemently protest. And Stark . . . well, Stark could swing either way.
"I don't like it, but I agree," Natasha said. "We have to do this."
Bruce nodded. "But we can take precautions, right?"
"Bet your green monster ass we will," Tony piped up.
This time, Thor allowed himself to smile.
"Guess I'm outnumbered," Clint muttered. "Just keep him away from me, all right?"
"Are you going to stay here and help us keep an eye on him?" Natasha asked. "Aside from Dr. Banner, you're the only one who can . . . contain him."
"I will stay," Thor promised, "as much as I can. I thank you, my friends."
"So when can we expect our new housemate?" Tony grumbled.
"I will bring him tonight," Thor replied. Rising, he made sure to let them all see the gratitude in his eyes before reaching up and touching the amulet Loki had given him. Stark Tower disappeared.
Vanaheim's village reappeared around him. He walked into the inn, nodding to the proprietor who smiled. Up a single flight of stairs, Loki was still in the small room where Thor had left him. His brother hadn't moved, either. His green eyes tracked Thor immediately, and a tired smile graced his lips. If Loki meant it to be mocking or snide, he failed at both.
"So, did they agree?"
"They did," Thor said, sinking down into the chair by the bed.
Loki looked surprised. "It seems I am not the only one with the ability to charm others into doing as I require."
The words irritated Thor. "It required no charm, brother. I simply told them the truth."
"Which truth would that be?"
"That for the moment, keeping you away from the witch serves to protect Midgard."
Loki's grin seemed more lively now. "A spin to make it more appealing. Still an unusual approach for you."
"You do not endear yourself to people, Loki."
At that his brother actually laughed. It was strangely good to see. "When do we leave?"
"Tonight," Thor said. "Have you been able to heal yourself to any degree?"
"Not as much as I would like. I'm afraid I've expended so much magic these last two weeks it will most likely take me as long to recover it. I'm not in any danger of expiring, so save your concern."
Thor held up the amulet. "This will only take one of us back to Midgard. Do you have the strength to enhance the effect?"
"Barely," Loki replied, sitting up. "I'll be helpless when I'm done, Thor."
As close to a request for help as Thor had heard him come in a long time. It brought old instincts back. He'd thought them dead. "I'll protect you."
Loki gave him a somewhat flat look, holding out his hand. Thor gave him the amulet. I wonder where he learned to do this. Or did he always have skills like these? Loki held the amulet between his palms, and a pale green light sprang up between them. The amulet started to glitter like a million angry diamonds, and Loki closed his eyes.
Thor had no idea what would happen or how to tell when Loki was done, but after about ten seconds his brother crumpled as if his spine had been severed. Lunging forward, Thor caught him before his brother connected face-first with the floor. The amulet let out a high, clear note as it struck the floor.
"Thanks," Loki slurred, sounding drunk or barely conscious.
His countenance made Thor wince. Paler than ever, the shadows chasing themselves across Loki's face made him look but a breath from dying. And he could feel the thin body in his arms trembling. "Are you all right?" he asked, gently manhandling his brother more-or-less upright.
Loki sagged against him, one hand coming up to grab Thor's upper arm. "Just . . . just tired," he said slowly. It almost sounded as though he'd forgotten the question during the hesitation.
Despite his worry, Thor couldn't help a small smile. It reminded him of a time when he and Loki used to go out hunting or adventuring and Loki would use up too much magic and wind up in this very state. Sweeter, happier times.
"Why don't you sleep for a bit? There's time yet before we need leave."
"I'll . . . just . . ." Loki said, and the rest was incomprehensible.
Thor laid him down on the bed. "Sleep. I'll wake you when it's time to go."
Loki was already out.
o0o 0o0 o0o
When Thor woke Loki from a sleep so deep as to be disorienting, Loki rather wished he was dead. Then he shook off such maudlin self-pity. Yes, these last three weeks had been trying in the extreme. Yes, he'd endured quite a good deal of physical pain and abuse. But it wasn't more than he could handle, and just because his entire body felt raw didn't mean he should wish himself dead.
He still had so much he wanted to do with his life.
It didn't stop him from nearly retching all over Thor's shiny chainmail when his brother sat him upright. The pain was that intense. He shook his head, not sure if he was telling Thor to stop or trying to clear away the crimson cobwebs. He moved without thinking further, sure if he delayed he would stay on the bed. Swinging his legs over the edge of the surface, he heaved his thin body up.
That was, at least, his intention. Instead, he toppled forward and almost blacked out. Strong, thick arms caught and steadied him, but Loki couldn't so much as take a single step. The channels inside his body along which his seiðr flowed had been at last stripped, and the feel of it was absolute agony.
Shit. I'm going to lose consciousness. In front of Thor.
He realized he could feel the soothing rumble of Thor's voice reverberating through the Aesir's chest. He couldn't hear the words. The blood raging through his head beat a rhythm too loud for any other sound. Drawing in a labored breath, he was dismayed to hear it released in a ragged groan. He clutched at Thor's arms.
"We can't stay here," he finally made out Thor's words. "We have to go, brother. Can you make it?"
Loki was in too much pain to even feel chagrined at his own weakness. "Just . . . just help me," he managed faintly.
Thor obliged by hauling him more-or-less upright. Loki almost fainted again. After a few slow, deep breaths, however, he felt his senses return enough he could keep his balance with Thor's aid. Then he grimaced when he saw Thor pull out the amulet he'd enchanted. It was going to feel so wonderful when his own magic washed over him.
All I have to do is last until we reach that ridiculous tower. I can collapse after I'm alone in a room. As Thor activated the amulet, Loki held his breath at the painful rush. Still, he tried to focus on bringing the residual energy back into himself. A little trick he'd learned—eating magic to conserve energy.
It worked at least a little, enough that when the inn disappeared to be replaced with a familiar human structure he didn't immediately pass out. His treacherous legs wobbled dangerously, warning him he needed to be horizontal soon.
Though his vision was alarmingly dark at the edges, he could nevertheless see that the so-called Avengers were all gathered in front of him. Armed with their various weapons and warning looks, Loki almost laughed at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
You look prepared to deal with the scourge of the Nine. I assure you, a boisterous kitten could probably challenge me and win.
"Shit, you sure he's still alive?" he heard Tony Stark's voice say.
Now, why did he sound so far away?
"Not stopping the bastard smirking at us like that," Clint Barton's voice growled.
Thor hauled Loki forward several steps, and Loki only barely kept stride. "He needs a place to rest, Stark."
Please, Loki added silently, before I die.
"Kinda wanted the bastard to suffer for what he did," Stark muttered, "but this's not what I expected. You sure he's gonna survive?"
Loki almost laughed again. It resolved as a dry cough that brought the metallic taste of blood to his tongue. Wonderful.
There was a nauseating swirl of color and movement, then Loki was suddenly face-down in a very soft pillow. It took him a moment to realize he was now lying on a bed, and sure hands were unbuckling his armor and removing boots. Though it caused him a moment of irritation, Loki let it pass unvoiced. He didn't want to sleep in leather, and he certainly didn't have the energy to take it off himself.
He tried to aid Thor as best he could, but his limbs just didn't seem to be cooperating any longer. In fact, he was pretty sure he fell asleep before Thor ever finished.