Faith In The Deceiver

Chapter 8

Steve found Tony on the roof later that day. He said nothing as he leaned next to him and looked over the city that has changed so much to him.

"You okay?"

"Here to talk to me? Did Loki send you?"

Steve shrugged. "Loki's been with Bruce all day talking his ear off and mentioned the little incident this morning in more detail then Bruce probably would've wanted."

Tony scratched the back of his head and avoided eye contact with Steve.

"Talk to me Tony, are you okay?"

Tony let out a sigh. "My life was practically destroyed because some ass was bored, turns out he's some psycho who was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s people exposed to that goddamn gamma shit. On top of that, Fury's not telling me shit and keeping me practically locked up and cut off. Would anyone be okay after all that?"

"Um, well," Steve said. "First off, you've only been here for three days. Second, no, anyone wouldn't be okay after all that, but since when are any of us anyone? And finally, that's not what's bothering you."

Steve studied Tony and waited.

He did not expect to see Tony's eyes fill with tears.

"I sometimes think that things would've been better off if Loki killed the kid and never told me about it and I fucking hate myself that that thought even crossed my mind but," he looked towards Steve as the tears began to fall, "I'm not ready to be a dad. And not just that but this crazy fucker wants my child for who the fuck knows why. Possibly for some psycho destiny thing and I can't do anything to protect Loki or the kid because I'm a fucking weakling if I don't have that suit on!"

"Hey," Steve said as he placed a hand on Tony's shoulder who quickly shrugged it off and began to walk away. "Hey!" Steve said as he grabbed Tony and pulled him into a hug.

"You are not weak, do you hear me? I've been there and trust me you are far from it."

He held Tony for a little more until the other man stopped shaking. He then pushed him back so he could see the man's now red and tear-streaked face.

"I'm not going to lie to you Tony and tell you everything's going to be alright, that we'll figure it out, but I can tell you one thing. Everyone here will be fighting for you. For Loki. And for that kid. We're not going to let that...fucker...get his hands on any of you."

Tony sniffed and soon a small smile slid on his face. He looked up at Steve. "You said fucker."

"My mouth tastes bad now."

Tony let out a chuckle and whipped his eyes.

Loki sat across from Bruce and twiddled tweezers between his fingers.

"Something else bothering you?" Bruce asked. A strange bond had formed between them rather quickly, perhaps the mutual understanding of feeling that neither of them belongs anywhere. Bruce hid it well, but he was quite shocked at everything that's happened with Loki. Everyone was. It was a side of Loki that Thor had spoken about, but all were skeptical about. To actually see it, to think that this man who killed without hesitation, who had crazy written all over him, would end up bunking with them and spilling out his feelings towards him.

It was weird.

But they dealt with weird most of the time anyway.

Loki sighed and placed the tweezers down. "I feel I'm forgetting something. Like I was told something, something important, but I just can't remember."

"Try not to think about it. It'll probably come back to you when you least expect it, like when you're changing the toilet paper or something."

Loki raised an eyebrow. Bruce shrugged.

"It's just not like me, I don't forget things. Least of all important things."

"What is like you?"

"Excuse me."

Bruce set down what he was working on and wheeled his chair towards Loki.

"One minute the other guy is smashing you into the streets of New York and the next me and you are chatting like old college roommates. So, maybe what I'm asking is...who are you?"

Loki looked down from Bruce. Who was he? He was Loki...wasn't he?

He was the son of Odin.

Until he found out the truth.

He was an outcast, a fallen king, set on ruling Midgard.

Until the Avengers stopped him.

He was a villain of Earth.

Until Tony entered his life.

Now he's what?

"I don't know," he said with just a hint of a tremor in his voice. "I feel like a domestic housewife."

Bruce laughed. "What?"

A small smile graced Loki's lips. "Tony. Said he was beginning to like this domestic way of life, this calm living."

"I can totally picture you in an apron with a feather duster."

Loki flicked a cotton ball at him.

"Hey, I think I know just what you need."
"Are you sure this is okay?" Clint whispered over to Bruce. "I mean, the guy's pregnant, shouldn't he be like relaxing and watching soap operas or something?"

"This isn't exactly a normal pregnancy Clint," Natasha said as she balanced on the back two feet of her chair.

"But why me?"

"Because you're here and free," Bruce said as he took a seat.

"But so is Natasha!"

"What's wrong little birdie?" Loki said as he leaned over the rope of the ring. "Scared I might clip your wings?"

"..." Clint turned back to Bruce and Natasha. "If Tony comes after me you better fucking defend me." He made his way over to the ring.

"Should I like avoid your stomach or something? Are you sure this is okay for you to be doing?"

"I am a god, who knows magic. Trust me when I tell you my child is safe."

"Why should I trust you, your day job is deceiving people," Clint said as he took a fighting stance.

Loki smirked. "Have a little faith, I saved your life."

Clint smirked right back and they began.

Cliiint
Hey
Clint
Can you hear me?
Come on
Wake up buddy

The words sounded distance as Clint felt a cool hand tapping his cheek. He opened his eyes to see Bruce kneeling over him with Natasha behind him. Clint groaned as he squeezed his eyes shut. His head felt like it was going to split in half.

"What happened?" he groaned.

"You slipped and knocked your head on the post," Bruce said simply.

"Slipped? I don't slip," he said as he sat up slowly the pounding in his head increasing. Natasha handed him an ice pack. He looked up and saw Loki sitting up against another post with a towel stained red up to his face.

"What happened to you?" Clint asked.

"As you slipped and flailed uncontrollably you kicked me in the face," Loki removed the towel to see if his nose stopped bleeding.

Clint just laughed as Loki smiled.

Loki moaned as he opened the door to the room him and Tony share. His body ached as he made his way to the couch and his nose still throbbed. They've been here three days and still no word from Fury or anyone. It was almost like this life threatening situation wasn't going on. His hand traveled down to his stomach, his magic still swirling around in its protection spell. Today felt good, Bruce was right, that was just what he needed. He needed to be up and moving again. However, he knew as the pregnancy progressed he'd have to be careful.

There was a soft knock at the door.

Loki hesitated before saying, "It's opened."

Whoever it was, opened the door slowly. Very slowly, as if hesitant.

That was explained when Thor's head popped into view.

Loki sat up on the couch and waited.

Thor came in slowly, Loki gestured to the couch and Thor took a seat beside him.

It was silent for a couple of minutes before Thor spoke.

"I am sorry brother, but I have found nothing."

"It's alright, it was a long shot," Loki paused. "Thank you..."

"Of course, but perhaps, if we spoke to...," Thor knew better. "the Allfather."

"No," Loki quickly said.

"Loki-"

"I said no!" It was harsher than it should've been but Loki did not want Odin involved in any of this. That was the last man he wanted to face.

"Perhaps it's not what you think Loki. Maybe it is not a prophecy or a destiny," Thor said as he leaned forward on his knees.

"Then why does this man want my child."

Thor didn't get to answer when Tony burst into the room.

"Oh, sorry..."

"It's alright, he was just leaving," Loki said.

Thor stood up and placed his hand on Loki's shoulder.

"Don't give up hope, brother."

After Thor left Tony stood across from Loki awkwardly. "Hey," he mumbled.

"Hi."

Tony walked up to Loki. "Listen about this morning..."

"Shhh, it's alright," Loki said as he grabbed Tony's hand and stood up. "Come, I need to take a shower."

Tony smiled and pulled Loki into a kiss.

He was surrounded by a fog. He couldn't feel the ground beneath his feet but he walked forward. Soon voices began to fill the air.

Sacrifice.
Your choice.
Choose.
You are the change.
Only you.

Loki's eyes shot open and he sat up panting. He placed a hand over his mouth and took deep breaths, willing the nausea to go away.

"Hey, you okay?" Tony asked as he sat up and began rubbing circles along his back.

Loki nodded. "Yeah, just a, just a nightmare." Tony watched him with concerned eyes.

Tony wrapped him arms around them as they slowly laid down together. Even with Tony's warm arms wrapped around him and the soft glow of the arc reactor by him, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of fear from the words that had been spoken in his dream.