"What?" Odin stared at his son, and the man he had raised as one in shock.
"I just need one book, and the ability to do one spell within it," Loki explained. "I have to help her."
Odin looked at Thor, who nodded in confirmation. "Why? Why do you wish to help this mortal?"
"She cannot see, other mortals took her sight from her, I wish to return it back to her."
"You, Loki, want to assist a human? You wish to selflessly help another being for no personal gain?"
"I would do anything to do it."
"Including give up your own sight?" Odin challenged.
Loki did not wait a moment before responding. "Yes, if that is what it would take."
"Why?"
"Does there need to be a reason?" Loki asked, not wishing to reveal his feelings to the Allfather, frightened, that were he to, the old fool would decline the request, just to see Loki suffer.
"Yes, I want to know, why does this mortal's vision matter so greatly to you?"
"He loves her father, selflessly, and she him," Thor explained, earning a betrayed look from Loki. "She is everything to him now; he has risked his own safety for her in the past."
Odin looked at Loki sceptically. "It could easily be a charade, even enough power for one spell is too much if he is not speaking the truth."
"It is not a charade; I would suffer any punishment you could bestow on me if it meant she was safe and happy. I did not want to tell you this because I knew, I knew you would think it a lie, or would decline my request to make me suffer more." Loki spat.
That statement caught Odin's attention. "You think I would allow a being to suffer needlessly so to make you suffer?"
"You hate me in every manner, and you think little of mortals; it would give you great joy to do so."
"You really think that of me." There was a note of hurt in the old king's voice.
"I have little reason to think otherwise."
"Loki, I do not hate you; I hate your actions, that is not the same. I took you from Jötunheim, not because I wanted to watch a being suffer, but to not permit your suffering, we should have told you earlier of your true heritage, but I, and indeed Frigga, never regretted raising you as our son. I do not wish for you to suffer, I wish for you to learn from your foolish actions."
"I just want to help her."
"What is it with human women? Do they possess some form of magic to lure warrior's they see as Gods to them?" Odin sighed shaking his head.
"She did not deserve what happened her father, she was striving to do good on her realm, she cares for Loki for whom he is, not what he has done," Thor added.
"Then I question her soundness of mind."
"She acknowledges my past, she simply does not think it should dictate my life for the next four thousand years," Loki growled. "Perhaps you should extend the same courtesy."
Odin gave him a warning glare. "I cannot be certain." He rose to his feet. "You are to remain in the dungeons until I have spoken at length with Heimdall of this request and this woman."
Loki's lip curled up in utter contempt. "If that is what is required." He did not try to argue. Odin stared on in shock at his lack of contention.
"Father, that is not necessary, Loki is no danger."
"Thor, the last time we thought him dead, he took my place on Asgard's throne, and you did not notice I might add," Odin growled angrily.
"I did nothing that was not something you would not have done," Loki stated factually. "I acted as I thought you would, so convincingly, I tricked Thor into thinking I was you."
"You told him it was alright for him to shirk his responsibilities as heir." Odin barked.
"Well, you cannot force him either."
"Loki, as grateful as I am for your taking my part in this particular argument, this is not the time for it." Thor pulled on his arm.
"Agreed." Odin eyed him carefully. "My demand remains, consider it proof that you think her worth it."
"She is." Loki raised his head proudly, turning to the Einherjar that were waiting to bring him to the dungeons with chains. "Those are not necessary are they?"
"Not if I go too." Thor turned to go with him. The Einherjar looked to the king, who gave a nod to permit it.
"I am going to have to go to Midgard and assess this woman to see how she has affected you so, and indeed, see what is of their women in general that caused both of you to forego far better candidates for them."
"I think it is their interest in their own lives and not fawning over others." Thor shrugged; "Both are intelligent women, top of their fields, and not scared off by big Gods."
"We shall see." Odin walked from the room.
"This is not necessary." Thor shook his head as they walked to the dungeons.
"If I get what I require, it is a small price to pay. Think of it Thor, if she gets to see again, she can complete her formula, and she can be happy."
"What if she were to leave again?" Loki looked at him. "If she gets her sight back, she will not require living in Stark's Tower, she may very well choose to leave, and you cannot."
Loki swallowed hard at the prospect. "If that is what she chooses, I can only accept it," He answered finally. Even the Einherjar looked around in shock at that.
"Loki…" Thor gave him a sympathetic smile.
"I love her Thor, I am willing to do anything for her, including never see her again in it is required. It is like you that time we battle at the Bifrost."
Thor thought back to when he and Loki fought on the Bifrost and he destroyed it. "You have come so far, brother."
"If I do not get to see her again after, you will keep an eye on her Thor, won't you?"
"Loki, I have no idea what you are planning, or what you think is to happen, but whatever it is, desist now. She loves you, despite your idiocy, your madness and your appearance." He half jested. "She would never wish to be without you."
"I pray you are right Thor, I really do."
"I am brother." Thor looked Loki in the eye as he spoke. A moment later, the golden barrier fell between them, locking Loki within. "I will seek the book for you Loki, I will return as soon as I find it, and we shall return to Midgard as soon as is possible." Loki nodded once in response. "It is hard to believe how far you have come in such a time Loki."
"I am going to remain polite because you are who I require to find that book." Loki dismissed.
"And I got you your first maiden in many a year." Thor wiggled his brows.
"Shut up," Loki growled, lying back on the small bed in the room.
X
You were standing in your room, clean of the smells Tony had accused you of bearing, wishing for Thor and Loki a swift return, wondering why Loki had not told you of his departure. You were hurt and saddened, but there had to be an explanation, both Loki and Thor would not have just left if there had not been an emergency, or so you told yourself, hoping that he had not regretted what had transpired between you, and wished to return to the prison in Asgard rather than be around you any longer.
You had no idea as to how long they would even be, so worried and bored; you recalled that the Avengers had found the remnants of the formula you had created, so you went to speak to Tony with regards it.
"What?" Tony stared at you.
"I want to see if I can work on it again," You repeated.
"Wait, one lay and you are suddenly all for working on a world altering formula again. What would happen if you get a full weekend of it?"
"What makes you think it was only once?"
"Because you have not been this happy since you got your scholarship to Stanford."
"Yeah, well, that was also where…" You thought of the jerk you had dated while there.
"Hey, I said since you got the scholarship, not since you got there." He pointed out.
"I need to get it finished."
"Maybe that's why I am always so productive too." He pondered aloud.
"I don't really care Tony." You shook your head, not wanting to think about his sex life. "Where is the information?"
"We destroyed what we come across, but not without sending one copy to my mainframe. Friday, you there sweetheart?"
"Yes, sir."
"Give Kiddo everything her heart desires." He looked at you. "That do you?"
"Well she can't bring Loki back any faster, but I'll take what I can get."
"Do you know why they went?"
"I have no idea, not one." You shrugged sadly.
"If he said he'll be back soon, I am sure he will."
"No, you're not."
"Well, he is a liar."
"But he knows too that you would all rejoice in his leaving, so he would not want to cause a celebration."
"That is true." Stark nodded. "Hey, how long had Cap had a thing for you?"
"I'm not sure, started noticing it not long after I arrived."
"And you never were interested?"
"Not your type?"
"Definitely not."
"So you like Bad Boys, not a recommended path Kiddo."
"I got to know you because of it, hardly a deterrent."
"You mean that on a platonic level, don't you?" Stark asked warily.
"Hell yes. No offence Tony, but cocky middle-aged men are not my type either, but you do make a great friend."
"I am not middle aged!" His tone indignant. "So forty-something-year-olds are not okay, but thousand-year-old Gods are?"
"What can I say? It's not like I can control it, he is the right level of sass, sarcasm, intelligence and appealing."
"You know, I won't tell Pepper, it's really me you want right? I am all that and then some." He grinned.
"It's the then some I have the issue with." You laughed in return, wishing you could throw something at him. "Are you going to help me with this, or am I going lone ranger on it?"
"Fine." He groused in a fake exasperated tone. "But I get credit if it works."
"Deal." You agreed. "So what are you thinking, about twelve percent?"