I AM RUNNING OUT OF LYRICS FOR THE CHAPTER TITLES. Any good songs I can use after this one? I have a couple ideas, like Louder than Thunder by Devil Wears Prada or Strike Me Down by Sneaker Pimps(Msfruitkiller made an amazing frostiron vid with this song on youtube)...but those are just ideas! I would love to hear your thoughts!
Killing Loneliness
Chapter 13: With the Warmth of Your Arms
Loki woke in a room he did not know. He sat up and looked around the room. It appeared to be one of Tony's, from the amount of stuff present. He sat up, heading towards the door. Loki made his way towards the place he believed Tony would be.
Opening the door leading to Tony's garage, Loki found Tony working on one of his many projects. Loki walked over to the chair not too far from Tony. He sat and watched Tony for what felt like hours, watching the man melding items together.
Tony tuned a few moments later only to jump in surprise. "When did you get here?"
Loki just let out a short laugh. "You seemed so into your work, I didn't want to distract you."
"I would have given my attention to you if you had just asked." Tony grinned.
Again, Loki let out a small chuckle, and then became serious. "I do have one question for you, Anthony."
Tony cocked his head to the side, "Yes…?"
Loki bit his lip, "After Obadiah," a flinch, "took out your arc reactor, you said a couple of things." Loki paused watching the man in front of him. Tony seemed to have grown very rigid. "Did you mean them?"
Tony mumbled something in response that Loki could not hear. "Anthony. I wish to know."
"Yes. I meant every word," Tony stated in a dead tone.
Loki didn't know how to respond to that. He sat there contemplating this new development.
"You can ignore it. I was dying after all." Tony turned his back towards Loki, messing with some machinery.
"Pepper and I." He paused. "Pepper and I are not romantically involved."
Tony seemed to whip around at the statement, "What?"
"Do not make me repeat myself," Loki replied.
"You guys are totally giving people mixed signals then." Tony tried to lighten the mood.
Loki gave him an amused expression. "When do I not?"
"True." Tony went back into his thoughts.
"I do not know how to respond to your…advances." Loki went back to the serious discussion. "I have never been one to catch someone's eye."
"How about this," Tony stated. "We will continue this as if they were normal, and when you want to give it a shot, you can come talk to me." Tony smiled. "You are not the only one who isn't used to serious relationships."
Loki nodded in agreement.
"I shall have to leave for bits of periods of time for my…deal I told you about." Loki changed the subject. "I won't be here as much."
"As long as you still come and visit." Tony told him, "You know I would do anything to help you with this right?"
"Of course." Loki nodded. "but there is nothing you can help with."
"Before you leave, you should come to my press conference." Tony paused. "It is being held tomorrow about my suit."
"I shall come. And I will still visit as much as I can, Anthony." Loki nodded towards Tony.
"Thanks Loki." Tony smiled at Loki.
"What are you working on?" Loki wondered what the man had been in here doing.
"An Arc Reactor. Actually I need help putting it in again." Tony turned back to the item he had been working on. "I still need a new Arc Reactor in my chest," Tony gave Loki a fake pleading look, "Help a man out?"
Loki just chuckled, "Of course, Anthony."
"Actually, let me show you how to finish making it!" Tony motioned Loki forward and began to finish the pieces of machinery.
The rest of the day, Tony showed Loki how to meld and create machinery.
~/~
Loki stood off as Pepper fixed Tony's tie. He watched in amusement when Pepper turned away only for Tony to wink at him and mess up his tie once more. Pepper turned to find the tie out of place once more and let out a huff of annoyance.
"If you do that one more time, I will not help you again," Pepper stated and crossed her arms.
Tony let out a short laugh. "You would totally still help me! I am just too lovable."
Loki watched the two bicker back and forth with a grin placed on his face. It was then the man who had help Tony, Agent Coulson as he stated, came up with a stack of notes.
"Here is your alibi. You went onto your yacht. We have about 50 of your friends with sworn statements saying you were there," Coulson said, never taking his eyes off of Tony.
"Well you see I was just thinking we should say it was just, uh…" Tony paused eyeing both Pepper and Loki, "well, just Pepper, Loki, and me." He began to smirk. "Alone on the island."
Pepper rolled her eyes, and Loki let out a small laugh. Coulson quickly turned to the god, letting his eyes narrow.
"Just read it word for word." Coulson said, still eyeing Loki.
Tony flipped through the note cards, "there is nothing about Stane." Loki seemed to still at the name.
"That is being handled," Coulson finally looked back to Tony. "He is on vacation. Small aircraft have such a poor safety record."
"But what about the whole cover story? He is my body guard? That seems a bit flimsy." Tony told the man with a very serious face. Loki could see the humor in the man's eyes. He was baiting the agent.
"This isn't my first rodeo. Just stick to the official statement," Coulson stated turning to Loki. "If I may have a word with you, Mr. Loki."
Loki gave him a puzzled look. He had known the man was studying him since the first moment he saw him. Loki nodded his head.
When Loki made no room to move, Coulson added, "In private."
Coulson motioned towards the door. Loki let out a sigh, "I shall be back in one moment Anthony." He turned and followed the agent out of the room.
Once out of hearing range Coulson turned towards the man. "Who are you?"
Loki eyed the man, surprised by his directness. "What do you mean?"
"Tony is now in my care. That means I must know about everyone around him." Coulson's eyes narrowed, "There is no information on you anywhere."
"I am a friend," Loki said, turning around, no longer facing the man.
"A friend with no record anywhere is not trustworthy," Coulson replied stiffly.
"Oh I do have record; you just are not going back far enough." Loki let out a chuckle. Most of the Norse Mythology had been incorrect, but he was having fun with this conversation.
Coulson raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?"
"You have to find out yourself, Agent Coulson."
"I have only one more question for you. During Mr. Stark's kidnapping, where were you?" Coulson stood tall waiting for a reply.
Loki smiled. "I was visiting family." Not really a complete lie. After all, lies come from half-truths.
"You are just as bad as Mr. Stark," Coulson mumbled in annoyance.
Loki just gave him a chuckle. "Anthony should be going on soon. I must leave you." And with that, Loki left the man standing on his own, re-entering Tony's room.
"Well that was entertaining." Loki grinned towards Tony.
"What did he ask?" The man questioned.
"Where I was from." Loki gave him the short answer.
Tony chuckled, "He wouldn't believe you even if you said the truth."
"Of course." Loki smiled.
"Did you see what they are calling me?" Tony showed Loki the picture on the front page.
"Iron Man." Loki said out loud, "Fairly creative."
"My thoughts exactly." Tony beamed. "See, Pepper, someone understands me."
Pepper just rolled her eyes and motioned Tony towards the stand. Tony stood and made his way in front of all the people.
Tony started off about to say the notes on the cards, only to be interrupted by one of the many interviewers. Tony attempted to recover, only to dig himself a hole deeper. Loki watched, a bit amused by the predicament.
"-To insinuate that I am a superhero." Tony finished his rant.
"I never said that." The reporter retorted.
"You didn't?" A shake of the head, "Well good, cause that would be outlandish…and um… fantastic."
Loki had realized what the reporter had done. Tony was going to have so many issues getting out of this one.
"I am just not the hero type, I mean with the list of character defects and mistakes I made, largely public-" Rhodey leaned over and whispered into Tony's ear.
Loki disagreed with Tony and not being the hero type. He had his characteristics that set him apart from everyone else.
"The truth is-" Loki went back to watching. "I am Iron Man." Tony stated dramatically.
Loki couldn't help himself but grinned from ear to ear, as Tony made his way back into the room.
"What a lovely speech you made." Loki clapped.
"I have to go out with a bang of course," Tony told him.
"Of course." Loki nodded in agreement.
"Things are going to be a lot different for you now." Loki raised an eyebrow.
"I like living large after all." Tony looked pleased at what he had done. Loki could only watch the man with humored expression.
~/~
Loki had spent around a month searching for an answer. He had gone back and forth between Asgard and Midgard, to try and find answers and enjoy his time with Anthony. His attempts all had ended in failure to find a way to get out of this deal.
Loki began by researching more about the spell he had cast in order to get to Jotunheim. It appeared that the spell had been invalid with its description. It only allowed travel between the two realms. That meant his ideas for going to Alfheim were scratched. He then began to search more into spells to rid the frost giants, such as fire casting spells. He had known of a few before; he had decided then they would not have been helpful. Even as he skimmed the words, none of them would work.
Loki let out a sigh of frustration. All he needed was something to help. He was running out of options.
Perhaps he should follow Tony's thoughts and ask his father - no. He couldn't. He would only do that as a last resort. Loki glanced over the pile of books he had read. They were littered around his room, covering every inch.
He let out an exasperated sigh before standing and leaving his messy room. He walked quickly through the corridors. At this time of day, Odin would be in the garden with his mother to relax for a moment. One of the things Frigga made Odin promise was to go to the garden during their marriage. Loki chucked at the memory of his father standing awkwardly around a bush of flowers next to Frigga.
Loki made his way through the corridors until he stopped upon the exit. He glanced over to find both his mother and father standing off to the side. Loki took a deep breath; he was going to follow Tony's words. For once, he would ask for help.
Loki braced himself and walked towards the two. "Father. I must speak with you urgently." His voice sounded hollow.
Frigga turned to Loki concerned, "What is it, my child?"
Loki gave her a small smile, "It is none of your concern mother, I just need a word. It shall only take a moment."
Odin glanced between the two before nodding his head at Frigga, walking towards the entrance. "Of course, my son."
Loki gave Frigga one last smile and followed after his father. They walked in silence until Odin stopped just before the entrance of the garden.
"What hinders you, Loki?" Odin asked in a grave tone.
Loki was starting to regret his decision. He shouldn't have asked for help. He started to doubt himself again.
Loki's voice broke as he spoke, "I- Father I have done-"
A boisterous noise came from the side, causing Loki to jump. Thor had started to walk towards them, a grin placed where it always was.
"Father, I must ask you about preparations for the banquet next month." Thor was now standing next to them. "It has to be extravagant."
Thor finally seemed to notice Loki standing off to the side, "Brother, you must be as excited as I!"
Loki furrowed his eyebrows, "What shall I be excited for…?" he questioned.
"My crowning of course," Thor laughed, "Tis the day of great deal."
Thor's grin faltered a moment. "You did not forget it?"
Loki put his most false smile he ever placed on his lips. "Of course not, brother. I was just playing a joke on you."
Loki felt his heart break when he realized what Thor was so very excited for. No one had spoken to him about such event. No one seemed to have noticed, or decided to tell Loki about the crowning. Loki knew Thor would have been the one to replace their father, but it still hurt.
"Good. Father. We must speak now." Thor turned to their father. Loki could only watch his smile still in place.
"One moment, Thor," Odin turned back to Loki, "What is it you wished to speak with me about?"
Loki felt the prying eyes of Thor and Odin. He couldn't stand to always be second best to Thor. Even now, Thor had stolen Odin's attention, "Tis nothing father, I apologize for stealing your time."
Odin seemed to nod his head before motioning Thor to follow him down the hall. "Now what do you want to add to the banquet…"
Odin's voice trailed off as Loki watched their backs turned on him. His smile slowly fell with every step away from him.
Loki clenched his hands together and gritted his teeth. He had never felt such…betrayal. The one moment he truly wished for help, only for his own brother to steal it from him. He had never felt such rage.
Loki was seeing red. He quickly made his way back to his room. Once there, he took out the Frost Giant's book and placed it in the middle of his room. He then walked around the room find certain books to create his own spell. Jotting down his own notes, he placed a hand on the freezing book.
"fra verden til verden la dette elementet reise med bare min vilje" Loki hissed in his tongue. The book glowed for a few seconds before it dimmed. Loki looked at it, pleased. The spell should last as long he needed.
He then stated, " verdener ikke reist" sending him to the bare wasteland known as Jotunheim. He traveled the land, making his way to the place he knew the frost giants lived. He stopped upon the throne, throwing the book out.
"There is your ticket to Asgard," Loki barked, still upset by the events that happened prior.
"It shall work only once, in exactly one month." He motioned towards it. "It will only allow a total of 4 of your men through." Loki glared at them, "This is the only deal I will go through with you and your despicable kind."
Loki then began to walk away, ignoring the king calling out to him.
"STOP," A voice commanded. "This was not our deal, Odinson," Laufey stated, standing from his throne; his tone was like gravel.
"I did not go back on my deal. I stated I would help your men get into Asgard. You did not state a date nor time." Loki seethed over his shoulder. "This is what you get." And with that Loki left the barren land.
~/~
Loki stared off in space at the many meals of Asgard. He glanced through all the people. No one even seemed to notice him. He sat in silence waiting to see if any of them would acknowledge his presence. After an hour of watching the feast ahead of him he stood and exited the area. None of these insolent fools knew of the betrayal he had just done.
He began to feel guilt.
Loki needed to leave this place. He had to run from these gods.
Tony. He could go to him. Tony even said he wanted him. To care for him. To listen.
Loki headed towards the rainbow bridge, one destination in mind.
MUAHAHAHA. I actually had to much fun writing this chapter...does that make me a bad person? ehehe