Loki sighed, leaning on Tony. They had sat in the park, watching the little kids, for about thirty minutes before Tony asked if Loki wanted to go somewhere else. The god, who was quite tired and didn't want to move, reluctantly agreed. Tony stood and took Loki's hand, walking him through the jungle of Manhattan. He answered the few questions Loki had, with the "Oh, what's that?" and "What purpose might that serve?"
They approached their destination, a large builidng, a facility of some sort, and Loki was confused. All the childish joy and couriosity from earlier was gone, leaving him subdued, but still very wary. Tony laced his fingers with Loki's, and stared ahead, his brown eyes showing no emotion. Loki looked forward, suddenly feeling fear gnaw at his stomach. Was this why Tony didn't want to leave? Was he supposed to bring Loki somewhere? The god gave the place another look, trying to find things that stood out to him.
And then, an all-too-familiar voice echoed around him, making the god's face turn from fearful to sour.
"Well hi there."
Loki turned to Tony, his eyes ablaze. "This was a trap." He accused it without question; He began to remember.
The inventor stayed silent.
"Yeah it was. Your little boyfriend here set you up. Surprised?" Nick Fury said, showing himself to them, hands in his pockets.
"Not in the least." Loki pulled his own hand away from Tony's, then crossed his arms. "You should know I have no magick to aid your little team of mutated freaks."
"Aww, you act like I care. The fact that you're blue and icy is good enough for me. Y'know," Fury said with what looked to be the makings of a smile on his face. "it must really suck to have your little love turn you over so you can be forced to work for us. It must burn you."
"Be silent."
"Hey, Tony. Why so gloomy? You knew this was the plan since day one, right?"
The inventor said nothing.
Loki's eyes widened, the information sending dread through his body. He felt bile rise in the back of his throat,almost forcing him to throw up what little was in his stomach.
"Oh, he didn't tell you? Well, I bet he thought you were smart enough to figure it out." Nick Fury laughed, mockingly, at the god's incredulous face. "Hell, I thought you were smart enough to figure it out. Guess we overestimated you, pretty boy."
Loki felt the dread burn into hatred. His orange eyes seemed to be ablaze, and his hands clenched up into fists at their places on the opposite arm. The realization swept over him like a bitter wave. He knew something wasn't right when he was sent to see Tony of all people, to be babysat by him. Loki felt foolish and ashamed. He'd felt ashamed because he'd thought he was in love with Tony, thought the human might have felt the same about him. But now he could see his error.
He was too trusting, he realized. Too trusting, too willing to believe everything the genius did, anything he said. Loki let his arms fall to his sides, his face a smooth mask, save for the burning rage that seemed to be fueled by every passing second in his eyes.
"And you led me to believe everything you said. What a fool I was." Loki laughed, bitterly. "In essence, I saw this coming. But perhaps I was too trusting of you, Stark. And for that, I pay the price."
Tony picked up on the rage that quelled Loki's voice, making him sound that much angrier, and it seemed to bring him enough out of his reverie. "I'm so-"
"Don't you dare apologize to me, mortal scum. I should have known from the start. You Midgardians are getting more clever, I'll give you that."
Hurt pulsed in the inventor's chest, making him wince. Fury watched, silent, and waited for the shenanigans to play out. Loki stepped away from Tony, suddenly disgusted with the man next to him, and disgusted that he, himself, almost started to cry. "Was everything a lie, then?"
"No, I swear. Not everything. In the beginning, I had to try and get closer to you, but after that, everything was real."
"And how would I know that? You mortals seem to have mastered my art."
"Loki, don't be like-"
"Like what, STARK?"
Tony attempted an approach, but Loki shook his head and held one of his palms out, an ice dagger forming in his now clenched fist. The genius bit is bottom lip, and sighed inwardly to himself. He'd done it. He'd fufilled director Fury's orders, betrayed the god he'd loved, and made it absolutely impossible for Loki to ever trust him again.
As he saw the Avenger back up, Loki's hand fell to his side, the dagger disappearing in the midst of the movement. He turned to Nick, the rage burning into deadness. "What will you have of me?"
"We need some intell on some stuff. And, if you'll accompany me peacefully, I, one, won't break out a can of ass-whoopin', and two, might even let you see Mr Stark every once in a while."
"For my sake and mine alone, I feel as if it is best I never see that man again."
"Whatever you say."
And then they were gone.
Tony stood in front of the S.H.I.E.L.D. building, alone, and empty. He had destroyed Loki's trust, made him a prisoner now in two realms, and ripped a piece of himself out unintentionally. He could really go for a drink, Tony decided as he trekked back home to his tower. JARVIS greeted him, but he ignored the AI, pouring himself a glass of scotch as soon as he'd gotten up to the bar. Lokitty was perched on the sofa, curled up with his tail covering his nose.
"My couch."
"My Lokitty!"
The playfulness of the memory stabbed at his brain, pushing itself into his eyes, so all he could see was the suspended picture of Loki laughing. Now Tony really wanted to just throw Lokitty out the window, seeing as the cat's master wouldn't return for him. But he made a mental promise to the small creature when he'd thought Loki was dying.
He'd take care of them both, no matter what the circumstance.
Hey, so thanks AGAIN to Kakashi Forever for being so AWESOME! They told me they wanted something surprising, so... I hope it's surprising enough! I can't believe 3,000 VIEWS in this fic and it's only been TEN DAYS since I uploaded. Thank you, everyone, couldn't have done it without you! Mwaaaaah