Wow, it's been so long! I'm so sorry. Life was a bit hectic there for a while, but I think I can handle it. In reward for your patience, a very big, very juicy chapter!
From his perch in the rafters of the kitchen, Clint could see everyone and everything in the room. Including the newest arrivals. He remained tense, on alert, even after Fury's order to stand down.
Fury wasn't the problem. The problem was the god casually strolling in behind him, in deceptively calm conversation with his brother. As quiet and still as the archer was, Loki glanced up at his hiding place and smirked slightly before returning to his discussion. Keeping one eye on the trickster, Clint focused again on what Fury was saying.
"Now that it has been verified that Loki was indeed under the influence of the Mind Stone, and was proven innocent in a multi-realm trial. That verdict was then approved by the UN as well. Therefore, he will not be held accountable for any damages or crimes against Earth."
Clint huffed quietly. Even though he too knew the influence of the Mind Stone, he still had trouble forgiving and forgetting being brainwashed by this pyscho. Besides that, he killed Coulson. How did they forgive that?
Tony spoke up first, as usual. "That doesn't mean we have to like him though, right? Like, I'm not entirely cool with him being in my tower. Again. Several nods from the others showed agreement. "Not to mention, the Mind Stone had nothing to do with New Mexico. What about that?" Mumbled agreement swept around the room.
Thor stepped forward to address the challenge. "I actually took responsibility for the incident of New Mexico some time ago. That is no longer an issue, and I forgave my brother on a personal level for our arguments at the time."
Tony snorted in reply. "Arguments."
Fury looked around the room, taking the time to meet every pair of eyes with his one before going on. "He may have been forgiven by the UN, but his public image could use some work. Therefore, we are making him an Avenger-" A cacophony of voices rose up in protest all at once.
"No one even likes the guy-"
"How would you expect us to work with a former enemy?"
This guy could test the patience of a saint, and you want to leave him in the same tower as the Hulk?!"
Clint remained silent, choosing instead to watch Emory ghost in the doorway, still and quiet as she listened unobserved.
"-to allow the people to see him doing good deeds for once." Fury's voice cut through all the protests to complete his statement, leaving the room in silence. "This is non-negotiable. It is only temporary, so relax. I'm sure we can all get along for a few months."
"And what about your kingdom? What of Asgard?" Emory spoke up in the silence, all attention turned to her. She stepped fully into the room then, shoulders back. " How are you going to rule and be an Avenger, all at once?" She stood in her own gentle power, long hair swirling around her petite form. The witch crossed her arms and stared across the room in defiance. "Why even care about your image here on Earth? You could just never come back."
"I vote that option! Just don't come back." Tony piped up from his place on the couch.
Loki stared back at Emory, just as much defiance in his posture. "I do not like to leave matters unresolved." He took a deep breath. "And my kingdom will keep without me as I regain favor here. I need to do this. A regent has been appointed to rule in my stead until I return with all of my relationships mended."
Emory stared at him a long moment, appraising and calculating, a sharp glint in her eyes. Clint also took the time to study the dynamic between the two. Suddenly it hit him. There was a hidden agenda here.
This wasn't about Earth and his public image. Loki was trying to win Emory back after whatever stupid blunder he lost her to in the first place. Well, faking my death twice without letting Laura know would probably put me in the doghouse too.
Quickly, the archer shook himself from his humor. He wasn't about to compare himself to Loki, or sympathize with the bastard.
Finally, Emory gave a decisive nod before turning on her heel and heading back down the hallway. Loki moved to go after her, but his brother grabbed him by the arm and held him back. They exchanged looks before Loki relaxed, sitting down at the counter to study his hands, apparently not willing to make conversation.
A few moments later, Anilma and Saphin were at his feet, staring up at him suspiciously. Loki studied them in return before finally chuckling and shaking his head. "Cats," he muttered. "But of course."
Clint jumped down from the rafters, landing lightly on his feet beside the newest Avenger. Loki didn't even flinch. "I think he should get a chance. And I have the most reason to be pissed."
Fury sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "I don't think you people quite understand what non-negotiable means, but I'm glad you deign to agree."
He stared down the other Avengers one by one until only Tony remained. The billionaire rolled his eyes and sighed, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Fine! I guess he can stay. But you have to clean up after him!"
Fury nodded to himself. "Well, I suppose I will let you get cozy together. I have more important things to do today than hold your hands." With that, he turned and let himself out.
An awkward silence fell over the room at his departure. No one wanted to be the first to speak, to break that silence. Finally, Thor looked around before saying, "Well, for those of you who may have forgotten, this is my brother Loki. Other than that one incident with the Tesseract, he is fairly agreeable to be around."
Tony spoke up again, mischief in his eyes. " I think I liked how Emory phrased it."
Loki's face darkened slightly. "And how exactly did she phrase it? Do tell." He spoke in a deceptively quiet voice, but Clint heard the threat in his tone.
"I said that you were an arrogant bastard with a too high opinion of yourself, and an immaturity to rival your ego." The god looked up to see her standing there, holding Cara in her arms. Loki glowered from across the room before brightening at the sight of the child. He replied slowly, choosing his words with care. "I suppose...that tends to be an accurate description of myself most days."
Emory showed a shadow of a smile on the edge of her full lips before it ghosted away again. She looked down at her daughter, and then back at Loki. She tried a tremulous smile that quickly slid away. "Would you like to officially meet your daughter?"
A spray of coffee went across the room. Tony stood blankly holding the mug, stricken with disbelief.
"Wait, what? Did I miss something?" Steve ran a hand through blonde hair, the same look upon his face at the revelation.
Natasha smirked before leaning across his chair. "Come on Cap, you didn't see that coming? Tony's dense, he never picks up on anything, but I had more faith in your abilities."
"We weren't the only ones…." All around the room everyone was nodding, no one looking confused or lost in the least. He sighed. "No. No, I guess it's just us."
Nodding as she moved away, Nat patted his shoulder in consolation before settling on the counter near Emory and Cara. Clint smirked at the not so subtle gesture. Guess I'm not the only paranoid one here. Come to think of it, no one but Thor looked entirely at ease.
Even Emory stood tense before him, holding her daughter to her chest as though Loki would snatch the child up and disappear forever. Apparently, Loki saw the same thing.
"Emory, I will not hurt her. She is a part of me, just as she is a part of you. Please. Can I… may I hold her?"
The archer swiveled his head back to the god, surprised by the raw emotion in his voice. Tony stood up suddenly, clearing his throat. "Maybe we should give them some alone time." Emory rose an eyebrow in surprise, surprise mirrored throughout the room. Tony was thoughtful? What the hell?
Loki spoke up before anyone could think on the turn of events too long. "That would be appreciated. If Emory wants a chaperone, I'm sure she would be content with Thor staying. Emory?"
Throughout his speech, he held eye contact with the woman, saying with his eyes what he could not in words. He was begging. She gave an affirmative nod. He flashed a mischievous grin, "We promise not to break anything. I think we can manage civil conversation today." Thor chuckled.
With Emory's blessing, the group broke off into twos and threes, drifting from the room to undoubtedly eavesdrop later. Clint grinned at Natasha as they left. There were some great air shafts over this room they could try out.
The next few weeks were painful for everyone involved. The whole team walked on eggshells, all afraid to break the tentative peace between them and the God of Mischief. Thankfully, Loki seemed just as anxious to hold that peace. The effort he put into not being quite so arrogant and condescending was noticed and appreciated.
For the most part, he kept to himself. He read in the library, trained in the dead of night, and ate in his rooms. Other than a few annoying tricks -he had to stay amused to some level- the mischief was at a minimum. His relationship with the team had not devolved, but neither had it moved forward. They were stagnant, waiting for some catalyst to push them.
For once, the entire team was at home for the weekend. Unfortunately, the terrible storms currently tearing through New York City made it nigh impossible to leave the tower. The cats prowled restlessly, tails twitching back and forth in response to the tension pouring off the bored and discontented Avengers.
Everyone was lounging around the living room in various clusters. Cara lay on the floor, gnawing on a toy while the cats held vigil over her. Bruce and Tony sat at the bar, discussing the merits of specific building media in robotics. Or rather, they argued, using their hands to illustrate their points, voices rising and falling in jargon that made no sense to her.
Sam, Steve, Rhodey, Thor and Loki sat on the floor around the coffee table, playing a not so friendly game of Monopoly. Steve looked down at the board, frowning, no doubt still trying to puzzle out the different rules and strategies of the game. The other two Midgardians were taking shameful advantage of Thor's ignorance, convincing him to give up fundamental properties and make risky choices. They shared a smirk as Thor unwittingly sold Boardwalk to Rhodey for a ridiculously low amount of money.
Loki had quickly gotten savvy with the game, investing and amassing enough wealth to rival Sam and Rhodey, and Emory was sure he was using sleight of hand for an even sharper edge.
Natasha and Clint leaned over a book together in the corner, heads almost touching as they whispered quietly together. All a show, of course. Emory could see Natasha's sharp eyes glinting through the veil of red hair cascading from her shoulder to cover her face. The smaller woman smiled to herself. That pair was still sore from being caught in the air vents during a particular private conversation.
Perched on the window seat, she sat half listening to the rain as she watched the deceptively gentle scene unfolding before her. The goddess smiled again. She was becoming comfortable here and had even declared a sort of truce with her wayward husband. Emory thought back to their conversation, the one so rudely interrupted by the spy pals.
They waited patiently as the team reluctantly filed from the room. Some of the more nosy members had hoped to witness this confrontation. She supposed it was a side effect of dabbling in espionage. As they all left, Emory studied her husband quietly.
Instead of looking at her, his entire being was absorbed with the infant in his arms. Upon receiving her, his whole face lit up with awe and wonder, gazing into those emerald green eyes, his eyes. Dark hair hung down his forehead, highlighting stark cheekbones and a thin nose.
Suddenly his gaze met hers, interrupting her staring. Rosy color rose up her face from her neck at being caught. He smiled indulgently, for once not saying anything snarky, too wrapped up in his beautiful newfound daughter to put any effort into his arrogance.
"I'm sorry for keeping her from you. I know I should have gone back to Asgard with her, but I didn't want to have to share her." Her wavering voice broke the silence, beginning the conversation she had avoided for weeks.
He smiled gently, the gesture softening his harsh features. He kept his gaze on Cara, who looked up at him with interest as she thoughtfully sucked on a fist.
After a moment, he replied, "I honestly cannot hold it against you, wanting to keep this beautiful child all to yourself. And you were right. I was dead. How could you tell me anything?"
Relief washed through her. Loki was going to understand. Just as quickly, suspicion followed. "You make it a point to never tell me when I'm right. Why now?" She studied him intently to garner as much information as possible from his answer.
He lifted his eyes to meet hers, emeralds clashing with sapphires in an intense gaze. The force she saw in him took her breath away. Who was this passionate man, who admitted his faults and openly showed affection to his daughter? What happened to the cold man she married so long ago, in Odin's idea of a political match?
Neither had wanted the union, already at odds from their relationship as teacher and student. Once it occurred, Loki only ever showed indifference to her, except in the bedroom, where he was demanding and possessive, coldly accepting his due as a husband and going no further.
The question left her lips before she could think better of it. "Why are you here? You never loved me, so why now?" She watched pain flash in his eyes before he shuttered his expression, anger stiffening his body. There he is, the man I knew.
He parried quickly, in the sparring of voices their arguments always ended in. Venom and sarcasm dripped from his tongue. "What, you do not want me? After everything I have done to protect and provide for you, you choose to be ungrateful? My name alone makes you better than what you started as, a Vanaheim gutter rat!"
Cara squirmed in his arms, whining a little at his tone and the palpable tension in the room. Regret immediately showed through as he cuddled her closer. "I apologize, that was wrong of me. Please, this is hard for me as well. Forgive me my temper."
She blinked through a curtain of tears to study him once again. He did look contrite. Perhaps, just perhaps, she could get used to him being around enough to at least see Cara. No one expected them to resume their marriage. If Loki did, she would disabuse him of that notion quickly. Emory was not going back.
"Loki, I don't know how to trust you. Please, let's just get comfortable around each other. Do what you came to do with the Avengers, and we shall see what happens."
He nodded reluctantly, obviously grateful to have any sort of chance. The king smiled down at his child once more, taking in her mother's beauty and power. "Alright, my dear."
A noise that had been bothering Emory for some time finally clicked into place. She swung to face the far end of the room, focusing on the air vents peering down. With a quick slash of her wrist, the entire wall exploded into the room, two figures tumbling down into the rubble.
Clint coughed harshly as he stood, swiping an arm across his face to wipe away the dust. He only made it worse. Natasha just looked ashamed, hanging her head and refusing to meet Emory's eyes.
She looked down on them with disapproval. Spies. "I trust you have sated your curiosity enough for today. I suggest you leave, now." Natasha glanced up sharply at her tone, and then quickly down again at the anger on Emory's face. The pair scuttled from the room as the witch waved her hand to repair the damage to the wall and clean up her mess.
Tony's voice echoed over the intercom. "Stop breaking my tower!" She threw her hands up in exasperation, storming from the room. Was nothing private?
She was brought out of her private reverie as a crash, not thunder, sounded through the room. Thor flipped the board game off the table in frustration. Natasha looked up sharply at the sound, eyes narrowing at the dark-haired god laughing at his brother. Quickly she stood, striding to the scene to stand before him.
"Alright, I've had enough of this shit. You and me, in the training gym, right now. I want to see what you're made of, and we could all use a break from this tension."
Heads shot up around the room. Everyone was listening now.
An arrogant smile crept halfway up Loki's face before falling away in horror. The entire team stood around him. It was apparent, they all wanted a shot at him.
Emory shook her head as she stood to play the mediator. "Alright, guys, one at a time. We are not trying to kill him." She smiled despite herself in anticipation of the show. Bruce seemed to be having the same thoughts as Emory scooped up her daughter and started towards the gym.
Loki looked around frantically in search of reinforcements. Finding none, not even in his brother, he was shepherded from the room, head low, to the elevator and down to the large indoor gym they used to train. The entire place had been shielded especially to withstand blasts, shots, blades, and magic of all sorts.
Tony was rather proud of it, even if he barely utilized it himself. Emory sedately walked up the rows to sit in the stands on one side, settling down with Cara in her arms to watch her husband hopefully get knocked down a peg or five.
For Thor's sake, I do request you try very hard not to kill him. He is currently king of Asgard, and if he dies Thor will be forced to take up the mantle." Although Thor looked relieved by her statement, Loki just looked indignant. Of course he would, with her placing value on him merely for his usefulness to his brother. That was an old argument.
The Avengers surrounded Loki, spreading out to form a circle with the god in the center. He glanced around nervously, taking in the imposing figures around him.
Natasha smirked condescendingly, arms crossed in a seemingly relaxed manner as she stalked forward. "Relax Loki, we won't go after you all at once. This is gonna be a one on one game, with no maiming, killing, or lasting psychological torture."
He relaxed slightly at this admission. It was then Nat struck, spinning into a kick aimed for his head. Fortunately for him, his reflexes were up to par enough for him to at least stumble back and duck the blow. A pair of hands pushed him back into the center of the circle, where the Black Widow waited.
Loki straightened his shoulders, and a look of calm resolve settled on his face. Oh good, Emory thought, he's going to take this seriously. She leaned forward in interest, waiting to see what would happen next.
With his bearings now, Loki moved like a serpent to come around Nat's side, aiming a sharp jab at her kidney, which she quickly deflected. They went through several maneuvers, back and forth in a mesmerizing ebb and flow of hands, feet, and the occasional blade, neither coming out on top for very long before the other brought them down again. The group watched for what seemed like an eternity before Loki finally landed the Black Widow in a choke hold, both of them breathing hard from the exertion.
She submitted, giving him a nod of begrudging respect as she stepped back into the crush of bodies surrounding him. "So who would be next?" he asked, wiping sweat from his face. "Does anyone else want to test my mettle, my resolve?"
A murmur rustled through the group, as they hesitantly considered taking on the man who just held his own against Natasha Romanoff.
Finally, Clint stepped forward. Emory raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this turn of events. Really though, it made sense. He and Loki had a personal matter to settle.
Loki met his eyes, staring at him as though he were searching the depths of Hawkeye's mind and soul. After a long moment of evaluation, he nodded, apparently accepting what he saw. He then turned away from Clint to sweep an arm around the room, addressing the spectators.
"I believe we shall need a bit more room than this. Do you not agree?" This question was directed towards his opponent, who nodded curtly in agreement before adding, "I think you all should hit the stands. We are planning on using all the space we can get. Non-lethal means only, right?"
Emory answered before Loki could respond, much to his irritation. "Yes, please." He turned a scowl at her but softened his glare at her mischevious grin, rolling his eyes indulgently instead before turning back to his impending match.
Tony stepped forward to be the referee, laying out the rules. "Alright folks, this is it. No lethal means, everything else is fair. Avoid the stands, the rest of the room is yours. Oh, also, we can try out my new toy!" He looked towards the ceiling, childlike glee lighting up his face. "Jarvis, initiate the new simulation program, Ancient Ruins."
The entire room was suddenly gone, quickly replaced by a foreign landscape, complete with sounds, smells, and feelings. A warm breeze flowed over the group in the stands, bird sounds and panther calls rising up from the thick jungle at the edges of what was once the gym. Now the majority of the room was dominated by crumbling ruins, interspersed with drooping vines, tall trees, and even a waterfall off to the side. It looked as though they had stepped directly into the heart of India.
Steve gave out a low whistle in surprise. "I've got to hand it to you, Tony, this is astounding. How many settings do you have?" Tony's face lit up even brighter; he was more than ready to brag about his latest invention.
"Before you guys start nerding out, maybe we should let these two have at it. They look a bit antsy." Emory interjected quickly, eager to see the upcoming match.
The two men nodded sullenly before returning to the stands. Loki and Clint exchanged a glance before heading towards opposite sides of the room, disappearing from view.
"Jarvis, could you bring up the cameras on both competitors?" Two separate views of the field popped up in front of the stands. Emory raised an eyebrow once more. This was impressive, even for Tony.
Clint had already climbed into the trees, making his way limb from limb with his bow on his back. Loki, on the other hand, remained on the ground, using his illusory magic to create three duplicates of himself. As they moved forward, he advanced at a slower pace, using them as scouts and fodder.
For a little while, it was merely a game of cat and mouse, until finally, Clint came into contact with one of the copies. He lazily sent a blunt arrow straight at its chest, but once the illusion flickered out, frustration replaced the smugness growing on his face. Emory smirked. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy.
The archer called out to no one in particular, "Come on Trickster, surely you aren't going to hide behind these pawns the entire time. Come out and fight me like a man!" Nothing answered him but jungle sounds and water crashing down to his left, where the simulated waterfall and lagoon lay right next to him.
Suddenly, he was jerked down into the water, pulled by his ankle into the dark depths by an unseen attacker. Anyone who might have been bored by the lack of action was quickly sucked in by the difficult struggle going on in that blackness.
Before long, Loki broke the surface, taking a deep breath before pulling Clint out with him. The other man rolled on his side, coughing and spluttering as he struggled to force air into his lungs.
Once he stopped coughing, he gave the god an appraising look. "Distraction. I should have seen it, but I approve. You won't get me so easily next time."
Loki smirked as he reached down a hand to help Clint up. "So we have settled our differences then?"
Clint gave him a sharp nod. Tony addressed the AI once again. "Alright Jarvis, you can bring the sim down now." Just as quickly as the landscape had appeared, it was gone, replaced by the sterile gym walls and rain pelting down on the slatted windows.
The rest of the team surrounded the two, offering Loki congratulations and slapping him on the back, which of course made him incredibly uncomfortable. Emory smiled as she handed him, Cara. He might not realize it, but the God of Mischief had just come along way in becoming part of this team.
Suddenly, Kyle crashed into the room, blood dripping from his nose to mix with his rain-drenched locks. He had been growing it out ever since their covers as humans were blown. Emory quickly turned to run to him, looking the man over with obvious care, searching for more injuries.
Unknown to her, Loki bristled at the sight of her concern over another man. Who was this? And why was he so familiar with his wife?
Clint spoke up. "Kyle, what happened. You only went out for a run!" He was pierced by the man's fierce gaze, as the tall man replied, "I know more about who attacked Cara and Emory because they just attacked me."