Chapter 12: Out!
Later that week, Alex had gained a reasonable size pot of Play-Doh. For five stars, he just got one colour, but already he loved to model snakes and other forms... That people could not always make sense of, but at least he had fun. And it kept him occupy, which was good according to Loki. He didn't know what Play-Doh was, but Stark had assured it was fun for kids of all ages. And when Loki had played with Alex, he could say it was indeed for all ages. It was like nothing he had known in Asgard, and Loki was glad that it was also a bit educative. Alex could learn the shapes and forms and it was improving his dexterity. So for five gold stars, it was more than worth it. Steve had told him that the dough came in colour other than blue and that there were tools that could be bought also.
With the other gold stars they had earned during the week, Loki had decided they would go outside. Alex was so exited about the prospect of going outside. It was so big, foreign, strange, like nothing Alex had seen before. Well, he had lived his whole life in the training facility, so there's that. It would be different to experience the world outside of the walls and windows of the building. Loki had to keep Alex from running inside, because everyone knows a good slave doesn't run, but Loki had long to allow his kid to just be free to run all over the place.
Steve was a bit nervous. He knew Loki had earned the outing and that it was long over due. But there were still risks. Of course, the Avengers had discussed it at length and there would be a lot of security measures.
oOo
Finally, after another day of work, it was time! Tony had made sure everyone working at the compound had gone home so the whole land was mostly deserted.
"Here's a simple button," said Tony to the Avengers still at the compound that day. "One slight squeeze and Loki would get a warning. One big squeeze and he would be zapped really good. So just don't use it for fun. Alex had not seen his father get hurt like that yet, let's keep it that way."
"Wanda, I want you ready to use your magic. Tony, you have your suit ready, Rhodey too. Bruce, you will only interfere if the situation calls for it, so let's hope not. And I'll have my shield with me," said Cap. "Vision, don't zap Loki, but be ready. Natasha, you have your non-lethal weapons that you can use."
"We all know Loki and this is the first time he is going outside. We are not letting him just run around and we are keeping a close eye on him," said Tony. "Now go get ready and be back in ten minutes."
The Avengers left, living only Tony and Steve in the living room.
"Friday, tell Loki I want to see him here. Just him, not Alex," asked Steve.
Loki and Alex were in their room brushing their teeth when Friday talked.
"Mister Rogers would like to see you, Loki, in the living room. Alex, you are to stay here."
"Are we going outside, daddy?"
"Yes, Alex. Master just wants to talk to me, that's all."
Loki walked into the living room.
"You wanted to see me," said Loki.
"Yes, I want to tell you the rules for the outing. There are some rules and security measures that only apply to you and I don't think Alex shouldn't be aware of the consequences as long as you behave," said Steve.
Tony showed him the bottom.
"See this. It controls your ankle bracelet," explained Tony. "All of us have one. Meaning if you break one of the rules, any of us can tase you. Remember last time? Wasn't fun."
"All of us will be watching you and be ready in case of any misdeed, which means we are armed," said Steve. "Loki, you deserve to go outside, but you are not free and Thor said you were a flying risk."
"I know why I ran in the past. Those reasons don't exist here. I have no reason to run or be disobedient. I just want to go outside to BE outside and for Alex to play a little. I will follow the rules, mister."
"Good, because if you don't, we won't take you out again. Maybe Alex, but not you," said Tony.
"Understood."
"Friday, send Alex," said Steve.
The other Avengers were coming back. They were dressed to go outside, though it was not really cold, and they had their super powers. Alex arrived too with a big smile.
"We are going outside daddy?"
Loki crouched down to his level.
"Yes, we are, but there are rules we need to follow, okay? I want you to listen and behave. Can you do that for me, Alex?"
"Yes daddy."
Steve crouched to Alex's level too.
"At first, we are going in the small park. There are swings there and you can use it."
"What are swings?"
"You'll see. It's fun. That area has a fence, so Alex, you can run in the park. Loki, I want you in at arm reach."
"So daddy cannot run?"
"No, I won't run, Alex. But you can."
"When I told you it's time to go inside, I want you to listen, okay, Alex," asked Steve.
"Yes."
"And if we are not in the park with the fence, you stay close to your dad."
Steve stood.
"Everyone ready?"
oOo
They finally exited the building. Outside! That was refreshing. When they stepped outside, they were already in the park. Maybe having seven guards for Loki was a bit excessive, but some of them really wanted to keep an eye on Loki if he ever went outside, so here they were. At first, Loki stayed within arm length of Steve. The whole group made their way to the swings. Those were big swings, built for adults. But Tony had asked for a smaller one, for kids.
"Let me show you how it's done, Alex," said Wanda.
She picked up Alex and sat him in the swing. Then she pushed him and made him swing.
"Look daddy!"
Loki smiled, Alex was outside and happy. Steve leaned closer to Loki.
"You know, we could push too. Wanda on the back and us in front."
So Loki was pushing Alex on the swing, staying close to Steve. Some of the other decided to use the swings too. It looked like a normal scene that could be found in any normal park. Just some normal adults enjoying the swings.
"Can I use a big swing too, Daddy?"
Loki didn't know. Those swings looked big, way too big for his son.
"If you use it with daddy, then yes, you can. But your dad needs to hold you so you won't fall," said Steve.
So Loki sat on one swing and Alex joined him. Loki held Alex tight and looked at how the others were doing. It was surprisingly easy and provided so much fun.
"Higher daddy, higher!"
Loki did go a little higher. He could feel all the eyes of the Avengers on him, but he chose to ignore it. He was just having fun with his son. Eventually, Loki slowed down.
"It's so fun Daddy!"
"Yeah, you liked it?"
"Yeah!"
Rhodey approached with a ball.
"Hey, Alex, do you want to play with the ball?"
"How?"
"Come here," said Rhodey going a little further than the swings. "Now you just kicked it when it's closed to you."
Rhodey made the ball rolled to Alex and the boy kicked it softly. The balls didn't reach Rhodey, so he went to get it.
"You can kick like this," said Rhodey while showing how to kick the ball.
Loki stayed close to Steve. He was a bit too much afraid of disobeying.
"Did you love the swings," asked Steve.
"Yes, it's like flying. But different. The control is different."
"Alex looked like he is having fun."
"For the first time in his life, he can be outside. We sometime kicked the rocks inside our cell, but a ball is way better. I told him about soccer, we have that in Asgard."
Wanda was still on the swings and was now very high up. Loki then realised something.
"Mister. I was not within arm reach while on the swing. I'm sorry."
"Loki, you were. Okay, not all the time, but I could have caught you easily if I had wanted too. And you were not as high as Wanda."
Suddenly, Wanda let go and jumped from the swings. Loki's first reaction was that she was going to fall, so he darted toward her to maybe catch her. But instead of falling, she flew. It was a nice flying and a beautiful landing. Loki stopped as soon as he realised she was in full control. Steve's hand was on his arm, stopping him.
"I'm sorry master, I..."
Loki was panicking again. Breathing fast, heartbeat faster, red face.
"Okay, Loki, calm down. Deep breath."
It took just a second for Loki to calm down and only Natasha saw it. The widow came closer.
"What is it?"
"I disobeyed," said Loki.
"Why?"
"Did you want to run, or did you want to help Wanda," asked Steve.
"Help," said Loki.
"You thought she would fall and get hurt," asked Natasha.
"Yes. Without her magic, that's what would have happened," said Loki.
"You didn't disobey, Loki. This is fine," assured Steve.
"But... It's not."
"It is," said Steve. "She should have told us she would do that. She can fly with her magic."
Weirdly, the discussion between Loki, Steve and Natasha ended up being about flying. Further away, Alex, Tony and Rhodey were playing with the ball and Alex looked like he had so much fun. Alex was thirsty and it put an end to the game.
"I should put a drinking fountain in this area," said Tony.
"There is one in the garden," said Wanda.
"Or we could just go inside," said Rhodey.
"No inside yet," objected Alex.
"The hour is not over yet," said Steve. "We could go visit the garden."
The Avengers agreed to go to the garden because it was just around the house.
"Alex, give me your hand," said Loki. "The garden doesn't have a fence and I want you close."
Loki took Alex's hand and he followed Wanda and Vision who led the way. Steve, Natasha and Tony were on each side of Loki and Alex. Bruce and Rhodey were just behind. The garden was beautiful, with flowers, but also vegetables.
"When I'll trust you more, you could work in the garden," said Steve. "Water the plants, pick up the vegetable, I don't know. Eventually, you could spend more time outside."
"I'm looking forward to it, mister Rogers."
They all enjoy the water fountain and Wanda told them about the plants she had put in her garden.
"It is truly beautiful," said Loki.
"Beautiful flowers," said Alex.
Then, Loki saw a raven in the distance.
"Do you realm have a lot of ravens?"
"Loki, you have no idea," said Tony. "Crow, raven, they all look the same to me, but yes, we have a lot."
At that moment, a dozen ravens start to fly coming from the same place.
"You see this," asked Tony. "This is a scarecrow. It is supposed to keep the crows away. I bet it also works on raven."
"It didn't," said Wanda. "I put a repulsive spell around the area. Just the garden."
The timer of Tony's cellphone went off.
"Okay, that means we still have two minutes outside," announced Tony.
"We are going inside already," asked Alex.
"Yes. And we are going to listen and go inside," said Loki.
The way back inside went without incident. Once inside, the Avengers went their own way.
"It went well," said Steve. "Did you like that Alex?"
"Yes! Could we go again some day?"
"Of course we will," ensured Loki. "But we have to behave, right?"
"Yes daddy."
"Thank you for the outing, mister Rogers."
"Thank you Steve."
"Well, you earned it. And if you both behave inside, there will be more time outside," said Steve.
oOo
The day had been special. When Loki had put Alex to bed, he pondered on their walk outside, but also on everything else. Midgard was certainly different than Asgard. Humans were more complex than Loki had given them credit for. He knew Rogers would be a good master, but he was just good, not really a master. There was so much thing that didn't make sense here. Alex was happy, well clothed, well fed, could have fun and he was learning new stuff. They had a bedroom, beds! They had a reward system and Loki was not beaten. Nothing made sense.
Loki thought of the glass incident. He had broken the glass but still got away with it. The old Loki had his trick to get away with tricks, but not slave Loki. And Steve had told him he was not a slave, but he was! Bruce had told him he could have abortion. He had choice... No, nothing made sense.
oOo
"I have a lot of work in my lab today, so please, don't bother me, don't distract me no matter what," said Tony at breakfast a few days later.
"Well, Avengers, we have a training in gym 3 at 9," said Steve to his teammates. "Loki, after you cleaned the kitchen, I want you to clean the floors. You'll find the mop in the supply closet. After that, I want you to clean the windows of the living area. And there's the dishwasher to take care of."
Loki was about to start the dishwasher when the last of the Avengers left. There, he was alone with Alex once again. The mopping took the whole morning and Loki was once again cleaning the kitchen when the Avengers left for the afternoon training.
"Hey Alex, nap time."
"No, daddy."
"Yes. You are tired."
"No, I'm not..."
But the yawn that followed was not convincing. Loki picked Alex up and put him to bed.
"Sleep well, Alex. I'll see you when you wake up."
Loki closed the curtain and got out. He still had to wash all the windows. Loki changed the water in his bucket, got a clean rag and start to clean.
This looked so much like a normal life. A father taking care of the house while his kid was sleeping in his room. This was just too normal.
When he had been sentenced to slavery, Loki was convinced he would never submit to the degradation. But he was so different. Five years of training would do that to a person. He had been taught he was less than a person, less than dirt, that a slave must be invisible and never commit any mistake. The glass he had broken, abelt by accident, he should have been punished, beaten for that. Stark had sent a robot to clean up, and Loki couldn't make sense of it. Was it because he wasn't good? Or because he was panicking? The glass could have waited, so Stark did not think him good enough to clean up a glass he had broken. But Steve had not punished him, why? A slave never commit any mistake. There are no mistakes, no accidents, no slipping up. According to his training, Loki should be the perfect slave. Or it had been all for nothing...
Yes, the training had been for nothing because he had not learned skill that he could use here. He could have been used as a bed slave, which he hoped he would not, but he had not, which was good. He had to relearn how to do laundry because the midgardian way was so different.
Mister Rogers had told him not to call him master, to call him Steve. Calling him that would mean treating him like an equal. They were not equal and Loki knew that. Mister Rogers had also told him not to kneel. Why? If not to make sure Loki knew his place. That did not make sense!
And he said he won't beat Loki, just send him to a cell. He had told Loki not to kneel in said cell, that Loki could use the bed. In training, every time Loki had seen a bed, it was either because he was about to be raped or because it was a temptation. A slave should not use a bed, a slave does not deserve a bed. And not only had Steve gave him a room with a bed — because he didn't have a slave quarter — but he also gave them another bed. Sure, the beds were comfortable, but it was too much.
And every time Loki try to thank someone for their generosity, the person would say it was normal. That give clothes, or bed, or hot water, or food, or toy to a slave was normal. They all acted like this was normal, but it was not!
Nothing was right!
Loki deserved to suffer, to be punished because he could barely do anything right.
He was a bad guy, but they all treated him decently.
They all offered him stuff, like that reward system. He liked it, but he did not deserve to be given stuff for free.
Loki could just not understand the logic behind their reasoning.
Steve had taken the chains off, which felt good for Loki after four years in chains, but he knew he did not deserve to be let free.
And they told Alex he was allowed to have fun. How could they do that? Loki had spent the last five years of his life being told, repeatedly, having to say that he was a slave and could not have fun or enjoy life. It had literally been beaten into him. Every rule a slave should follow, he had to repeat, to endure beating and to follow the rule without reproached.
But he slipped up today. Outside, he should have stayed close to Steve but he had tried to help Wanda when he thought she had felt. Or when he was on the swing and he had been out of reach. Steve had established rules and rules should always be followed, but Loki had not been punished. He should have been.
This did not make sense. He could not act like a good slave, but he was not corrected for it.
Loki felt his blood boiled. He was so focused on himself and his life that he was not hearing anymore. He just started punching himself in the stomach. If they didn't want to punish him, he would have to do it himself. So he punched again, and again, and again. He finally let out all the rage, anger, resentment and feelings he had. He was let it out!
Then he felt a hand on his arm and he punched it too.
"Loki? Loki!"
And he punches again, harder, faster, again.
"Stop this."
Loki felt punches on him, on his arms, his head.
"Loki, stop!"
"Why? I deserved it! I deserve the pain! The blood!"
He had not bled since coming here, even when he had been punished with the belt that first night.
So Loki punched himself.
"Loki, stop, it's me! It's Rhodey."
Loki saw the blood on his hands. He heard something heavy collapse on the floor. He smelt the blood.
"Daddy?"
At least, the voice was coming from the bedroom, Alex had not come out.
Loki saw. He saw Rhodey on the floor with blood all over. What had he done? He had bet Rhodey and now, the guy was unconscious on the floor. Why had Friday done something about it? He still had his bracelet.
He had to do something!
"Daddy? I heard something..."
"Stay in your room, Alex."
Loki went into the kitchen to clean his hands really fast and then went to his room. Of course, Alex was out of bed in front of the door. Loki tried to stay calm, but it was really hard. Oh, he was in so much trouble!
"Hey Alex. I want you to find mister Rogers, Steve. Use the bond we have with him. You can know where he is. You tell him to come see me in the living room right now, okay? If mister Stark can come, ask for him too. Just, ask for mister Stark anyway, and maybe mister Banner too. And then, if you can, you stay with the others. But if you come back, you come back straight to this room, okay? Do you understand, Alex?"
"Yes. I go get Steve, tell him to come here, ask for Tony and back in the room."
Loki led Alex to the door and made sure he could not see in the living room.
"Go now, hurry up, please."
Alex then ran away without turning back. Loki let out a sight. He was in trouble, so much trouble. This situation was not normal, never had been.
Loki was not sure what to do. He would surrender when Steve arrived, but in the meantime, he had to take care of Rhodes.
Loki went into the bathroom to take some towels. He then went to Rhodes and put pressure on the wounds. They were mostly superficial at least. Loki clean the blood the best he could.
The old Loki would not have done that, he would not have cared. But the older Loki, the one who thought he was Asgardian, he would have used his magic to heal Rhodes.
"Please, don't die."
Weird. Why was he hoping for his recovery? The deed was done, Loki would be punished whether or not Rhodey recover. In Asgard, the outcome didn't matter. If you had tried to kill somebody, you were guilty of murder, not attempt. Like if you try to run away, you are guilty of escaping, you wear chains.
Loki had stopped the blood, but Rhodey had not woken up.
In the background, Steve finally arrived with Natasha, Wanda and Vision in tow.
"Master. It's my fault. I demand punishment."
At least, Loki was already on his knees. But he lowered his head until it touched the floor. There, the perfect posture for a slave. And he was ready for whatever would hit him.
Wanda summoned her power, ready to attack. Steve was also in fighting pose. And Vision was ready.
"Loki. What happens," said the widow in a clear voice.
"I don't know. I punched him. I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit for my actions."
"Friday, call Bruce," said Steve. "Loki, I want you to move away from him, slowly. Friday?"
"Mister Stark said something about a big update concerning Friday," said Vision. "The AI might be offline."
"Loki, put your hand on your head," ordered Natasha.
Loki did. He would obey. Obey orders was easy, simple.
"Wanda, Vision, I want you to take Rhodey at the infirmary. Then Vision, go to Stark. If he locked his door again not to be bothered, you're the only one who can enter. I don't care if you phase through a wall. Tell him we need the video of whatever happen here."
Wanda used her power to immobilise Rhodey and levitate him, then Vision flew away with Rhodey. Steve took one of the towels and rip it apart. He was angry. He had the right to be. His slave was a bad slave. Steve used the piece of towel go bind Loki's hand behind his back.
"Do not resist. You are going to the cell right now, you better not cause problem on the way."
Loki shakes his head. He was in enough problems and would not cause more.
oOo
Wanda arrived in Banner's lab.
"We need you. Now. In the infirmary. Rhodey is hurt."
oOo
Vision arrived at the infirmary and put Rhodes on a gurney. Soon after, Banner and Wanda entered the room.
"What happens to him?"
"Loki," said Wanda. "He said he punched him."
"Okay, let's see what we have."
Vision left the room to go to Stark.
Stark had indeed locked the door. Which part of "do not bother me" do people not understand? He was working and the coding on Friday was a piece lf art.
Vision phased through the wall, but Stark was so focused that he didn't realise.
"Mister Stark, there have been an incident and your help would be appreciated. We would need the footage from the living room. We tried to alert you but it seems my successor is unavailable."
