Title: A Lane to the Land of the Dead chapter 3/14
Pairing/Characters: Teamfic. No Pairings. Loki, Thor, Avengers, Original Male Character. Brief non graphic mention of OMC/OMC
Tags: Gore, violence, strong language, angst, self harm, torture.
Note: There is no major character death in this fic.
Summary: 5th part of the Teamwork series, but this is written like a standalone fic, so if you haven't read the others you will still be able to understand it.
Loki has been an Avenger for two years, but as a new threat pushes him away from the team, they begin wonder just how much they can trust him.
~0~
Chapter 3
~0~
Tony thought it would be strange having a 600-year-old teenager living in the tower. He half expected to come home and find My Chemical Romance songs blasting through the walls, but the only time that happened he burst into the living room to find Loki dancing wildly to their last album while William sat reading a book.
Tony had watched their interactions for a while, and it seemed to him that Loki really didn't have a clue how to handle being suddenly landed with a child he'd never met, and he veered between aloofness and over protectiveness.
William himself appeared to be quite content to trail round after his father, following him everywhere he went, regardless of whether Loki interacted with him or not, but he had to admit he didn't really mind having the kid around.
William was quiet, intelligent and polite. He had impeccable manners, as befitted a prince, unlike Loki who on the surface seemed quite regal, but lately had developed the habit of putting his feet on the coffee table with his boots still on, which annoyed Tony endlessly. He had the sneaking suspicion that was actually why Loki had started doing it, but he never mentioned it again after the first time he told Loki to take his feet off the table, and noticed the mischievous gleam in his eyes.
William's presence appeared to have some kind of calming effect on Loki's more trollish tendencies Tony noted, and JARVIS informed him that Loki's tirades were down by 60%, tricks were down by 80%, and he hadn't smashed anything over Thor's head in at least a week, so as far as he was concerned the kid was earning his keep.
~0~
As he waited for his coffee Tony leant against the counter top and said, "Good morning," when Loki entered the kitchen and sat wearily at the table.
"Is it?" Loki asked, as he lowered his chin to his hands and closed his eyes.
"Did you raid my bar last night? You look like shit."
"I wish," he mumbled, his eyes still closed.
"Where's your little shadow this morning?" Tony asked, finally pouring out a steaming cup of coffee.
Loki raised his head and scrubbed at his eyes. "What?"
"Future boy. Where is he? I haven't seen you alone once since he arrived."
"Still sleeping."
Tony sat down opposite Loki. "You look like you could do with a few hours more yourself."
"I made a terrible mistake the first night he was here," Loki said, letting his head flop forward again. "He couldn't sleep so I let him sleep in my bed, and now it appears that he will not leave it."
"Whoa… You're letting an 18 year old kid you barely even know share your bed? Don't let the press get hold of that one, 'cause that is just scandal waiting to happen."
"He's my son, he's not some random boy," Loki replied.
"How are you doing with that now? The whole kid appearing out of nowhere thing?"
Loki sighed, mulling it over in his mind. William was his son, and he was a nice, pleasant, young man, but other than that Loki felt very little at all. He did care about the boy, and wanted him to go home, as he was sure his future self must be frantic with worry at his disappearance, but his lack of paternal feeling towards the child disturbed him.
"It is going as well as can be expected," Loki said. "Although I find it vaguely alarming that he clings to me like a limpet the entire night. I'm not altogether sure that he hasn't experienced some form of trauma."
"He said he'd just come from a war zone and he's not even an adult. Sounds like trauma enough to me."
"It is customary in Asgard to start young. I was younger than he when I first entered battle."
"No wonder you're insane," Tony muttered.
Loki raised his head. "Pardon?"
"I said 'I think it's going to rain.'"
"Hmmm, possibly," Loki said as he squinted out of the window.
"You want me to set him up with a room?"
"I somehow doubt he would use it."
"Sure he will," Tony Said. "I'll get him all the latest tech. Laptop, games console, sound system, and the biggest TV money can buy. We'll probably never see him again."
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt."
Tony tilted his head and said, "JARVIS?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Can you contact Pepper and ask her to go shopping first thing when she gets in. Everything a growing boy would need."
"I will do it now, sir," JARVIS replied. "After all, I'm sure the CEO of a company has nothing better to do."
Tony paused, his mouth open in vague shock at what his AI had said to him. "Tell her to go wild with the credit card and get herself something nice too."
"I shall indeed."
"See, all sorted," Tony said. "Provided Pepper doesn't kill me."
"I will believe it when I have my bed to myself tonight," Loki replied.
~0~
Clint was pulling on a T-shirt after a shower when he heard a knock at his door. He gave his hair one last rub with a towel and threw it into the washing hamper, before shouting, "Come in."
Natasha entered, quietly closing the door behind her.
"What's up?" Clint asked, his brow furrowing. "You look kinda serious for this early in the morning."
"I just had Fury on the phone," she replied pensively.
"Orders?"
"Yup."
Clint raised an eyebrow. "Secret orders?"
"Yup," Natasha replied, folding her arms. "We need a plan."
~0~
"Hey!" Natasha said brightly as she walked into the kitchen, finding William sat next to Loki, who appeared to sleeping face down on the table, and Tony stood by the cooker. "Ooohhhh, are you making Waffles? Any spare?"
"I'm not Steve. I don't cook entire breakfast buffets," Tony snapped. "If you want waffles you can make them yourself after I'm done."
"Spoilsport," Natasha said as she swiped a piece of almost cold toast off a plate. She pointed her thumb at Loki, and asked, "What's up with him?"
"I don't believe my father slept very well last night," William replied as he picked at his cereal.
"Well, since he's passed out, you wanna come spar with me and Clint after breakfast? It'll be fun."
"Spar?" William asked. "I would be allowed to spar with the legendary Black Widow?"
"Legendary, huh? I like the sound of that."
"Very much so," he replied excitedly. "Oh… but I would have to ask my father's permission first, and he is… well…"
"I'm not asleep," Loki mumbled. "You can go."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course," Loki said, lifting his head and looking at him blearily. "Stark, make me the strongest coffee you can."
"You never drink coffee," Tony replied.
"Yes, but I want to be awake to watch Barton be bested by a child."
~0~
Thor was surprised when he walked into the kitchen and found it empty, but JARVIS helpfully informed him of the location of the team, and he quickly made his way down to the training rooms, not wanting to miss the fun.
He could hear the whoops and laughs as soon as he reached the end of the corridor and quickened his pace. As he pushed open the door there was a huge blast of heat and flames shot in his direction.
"Sorry, sorry," William cried as the flames dissipated.
"Thor! You must come and watch this. William has the most remarkable control of fire!" Loki cried. "It is wonderful. Remarkable. Quite incredible!"
"Ignore him, he's had one cup of coffee and now he won't shut up," Tony said. "Someone remind me to put child proof lids on all the jars when we get back upstairs."
"As if those would keep me out," Loki said with a snorting laugh.
"I once sat and watched you try to open a bottle of bleach for 15 minutes."
"I was successful in the end!"
"Yeah, 'cause you cut the top off with a bread knife."
"Guys?" Clint interrupted. "Who's next?"
"I'll go," Natasha said, moving forward onto the matt. "That OK with you?"
William nodded. "I am ready."
"Let's see what you can do."
They moved around, circling each other, and then Natasha lunged, faking to the left, making William dodge, and then quickly wrapping her arms around his neck, her momentum carrying them over so he was pinned on the floor.
"Teleport! Teleport!" Loki shrieked.
"Give up?" Natasha asked, as William struggled underneath her for a moment.
"No," William replied, and then he turned his head towards Loki. "And I can't teleport. I was never very good at it. I had a terrible habit of leaving all my clothes behind."
"You aren't the only one," Loki laughed, flashing a grin at Tony.
"What you gonna do to get out this one?" Clint asked. "Looks like she's got you."
"Ordinarily I would unleash a blast of flames directly into her face, but I don't want to ruin her lovely hair," William replied, straining to keep Natasha's arm from crushing his neck. "I could also take my hand and use my thumb to apply pressure to the eyeball, causing her to become unconscious, but I don't want to do that. I'll do this instead."
William raised his knees quickly, using his height advantage, even though he was flat on the floor, and rolled his body. His knees hit Natasha in her backside knocking her forwards, and he continued to roll over, eventually landing on his knees to the side of her and jumping to his feet quickly.
Loki clapped loudly, and Clint joined in saying, "Nice move."
"You got lucky," Natasha laughed.
"Lucky?" Loki as he slapped his hand on William's back. "What you see here is a prime example of wonderful Asgardian training methods."
"I don't remember you being quite this enthusiastic about training when it was your turn, brother," Thor laughed.
"Shut up, Thor!" Loki shouted, and then turned back to William. "You are an excellent warrior," then he lowered his voice and continued, "Perhaps one day you can to teach me how to break the Widow's hold? The woman is like a snake in battle, and just when you think you are free of her, you find her coiled round your other leg."
"I can hear you, you know?" Natasha said.
"Then perhaps you should not be snooping if you don't like what I'm saying," Loki snapped.
"What time is it?" Tony asked.
"Almost lunch time if my stomach is anything to go by," Clint replied.
"I want noodles, I'm ordering out," Tony announced. "JARVIS?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Prepare to take an order."
As everyone started naming dishes, Natasha moved towards the door, and said, "Clint, order my usual. I'll be right back."
She walked to the nearest bathroom and started typing a message on her phone.
"Sparing over."
"Report," Fury replied.
"Good combat technique. He's strong, not as strong as Thor or Loki, but definitely slightly above average human levels."
"Magic?"
"Competent. Doesn't have the range of skills that Loki has, but very good with fire. Could be useful."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Fury replied.
"Further orders?"
"Continue the assessment."
"Something feels off about this."
"Agreed. Keep a close watch. Contact me again when you have more intel."
Natasha put her phone away and headed up to the kitchen.
~0~
After lunch Loki decided to take a nap, leaving William in the kitchen, and Tony received a message from Pepper that 'operation bedroom' was complete, and that he should also expect a hefty bill from the Apple store as she bought herself something very nice.
"I have a surprise for you," Tony said.
"A surprise?" William asked, looking up. "What kind of surprise?"
"No need to looks so nervous, kid. The good kind of surprise," Tony said, as he headed towards the door. "Well, come on then."
William followed him out into the corridor and said, "I don't a require a surprise. Your generous hospitality in allowing me to stay here is more than enough of a gift."
"Well, if hospitality is your thing then you're gonna love this," Tony said as he finally pushed open a door. "Here we are."
"This is to be my room?" William asked, as he looked round.
Tony nodded. "Yup, and it has everything you could ever need. Laptop, PS3, Wii, Xbox, for all your gaming needs, and a huge TV to play them on."
"It is a fine room and I thank you most humbly, but I think my father would prefer it if I stayed with him for now."
"It's fine, he agreed. You need your own space, and daddy needs his sleep so he can fight the bad guys," Tony said.
"Sir," JARVIS intoned. "Director Fury is on the line. There is a situation which requires the attendance of the Avengers."
"Speaking of which… JARVIS, tell Loki to get his ass back out of bed, and tell everyone else to suit up and meet at the Quinjet hanger in 2 minutes."
"I will alert them at once, sir."
"Can I come?" William asked, hopefully. "You saw what I can do today. You know I can fight."
"Sorry, kid. It's too soon for that, but maybe one day," Tony replied, as he headed off down the corridor. "No parties while we're out!"
William watched as Tony quickly rounded the corner and headed back inside. He picked up a handful of the games, looked at the covers, and then hurled them across the room in frustration.
Chapter 4 will be up in a few minutes :-)