oOo
Chapter 15
Fury managed to calm down and allow Loki to stay, but it was on all of their heads if Loki were to instantly disappear and cause a problem. They debriefed them about the tesseract and Loki had not said a word to confirm anything about the perniciousness going on. Loki remained silent, and ever so stubborn that not even Thor could get him to talk.
Loki only spoke when the matter did not concern the tesseract, or when it pleased him.
"I don't trust you."
"You don't have to." Loki replied to Fury.
"He'll get back to his cell when we finish." Thor assured, turning to his brother. "Won't you?"
Loki merely nodded.
"With handcuffs." Hill suggested.
"Don't make me regret anything." Fury stared at Loki.
"You have my word." Loki mumbled.
Tony was being a prick when he didn't say a word when in fact; he knew certain things that the Avengers and Fury do not know. Like that relapse Loki had in the bathroom. They really have to explain what happened to the door but anyways, he promised he would keep it secret for Thor and Loki's sake.
Whatever it was that Loki did not want to tell, it must have been pretty serious.
Loki was being unsocial, slowly eating his doughnut while Thor was trying to get along with everyone as he kept watch of his brother. Tony was bored, he hated meetings and talk about plans and any suggestions, or anything relating to boring things. What he was curious about was the interesting conversation that Thor and Loki were having.
Now that, was interesting.
He really wanted to know what the two were talking about.
Because all he could hear was ASGARDIAN mumbo-jumbo.
"Eat slowly." Thor assisted.
"Mmm..." Loki hummed, nibbling his food.
"Eat slowly, Loki."
"Would you shut up?"
"I don't want you to throw up."
"If you keep telling me what to do, I swear I will choke you with this piece of bread and laugh at your face." Loki warned, a little thankful for Thor's kindness. "I am eating, be glad."
Thor palmed his face, while the Avengers discussed something with Fury.
"When you said Other things, did you really mean that?" Thor questioned, he just wanted to confirm it.
"You are smarter than you let on, Thor." Loki glanced, cutting a piece of the doughnut and nibbling it. "I am sure you can figure it out."
"You know I want to hear it with your voice." Thor scowled.
"And you think I would openly tell you?"
"It is possible." He sighed. "The idea is stuck."
"Do not ask me what you already know, brother."
Loki continued to eat slowly, and enjoy the hot chocolate Tony gave him. Thor however, was clenching his fist, trying to control his anger. He wanted to kill these creatures for doing horrible things to his brother, but now was not the time. But he questioned it! Why was Loki so calm about it? Maybe because Loki had already accepted it? Or probably because it had already been done with and Loki did not want to recall it anymore?
What could it be?
Why was Loki so calm when he had been violated and humiliated?
"I'm fine, brother." Loki nibbled his food slowly.
"What?" Thor turned to him.
"Stop thinking about it."
"But it is not alright." Thor mumbled, worried about Loki.
"I'm fine." He gritted out. "Stop. thinking. about it."
"But Loki—"
"Do you see me looking like I care?" Loki hissed lowly. "I've gotten over it, as should you."
"But I will not take that lightly."
"Are you disappointed in me?" Loki asked randomly.
"What?" Thor blinked. "No."
"Are you really? You do not hold shame for your whore of a brother?"
"Stop talking like that." Thor held Loki's shoulders and thumbed it. "Stop talking that way."
"Then stop mauling yourself over it." Loki glared, slapping Thor's hands away. "If you hold any love for me, you would drop the subject and forget about it. If it hurts you so much to know then we'll talk about it later."
"Of course it hurts to know, Loki."
"And it hurts me much more that you keep thinking about it."
"I will avenge you." Thor declared.
"We'll talk about it later." Loki sighed regrettably. "Let us just drop the subject for a moment."
oOo
"ALRIGHT!" Fury shouted from where he sat. "Listen up you assholes. We're ready to watch the goddamn movie, so you all better silence up or I'm kicking you out. Am I clear?"
Some people said, "Yes Sir."
Others merely nodded.
"Play it, maybe there's an answer in this movie to get us back home."
They decided to watch the important parts of Thor: the Dark World. At the round table, Loki and Thor were sitting together, while to the left of Loki was Bruce, followed by Steve, Natasha, Clint, Fury and Hill. Tony was by Hill and Thor's side, looking like he was a fish out of water because of his mood.
Tony really did not like the seating arrangement.
Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.
Now it was only time to watch.
The screen faded from black to the war happening Eons ago.
"Long before the birth of light, there was darkness." Odin spoke. "And from that darkness, came the Dark Elves."
"Who's talking?" Tony slouched on his chair.
"That is my father," Thor replied. "Odin, King of Asgard."
"Must he really narrate this?" Loki frowned, not liking the sound of Odin's voice. "And to whom is he telling this to?"
"It's a movie." Clint answered. "Who cares?"
"Not you, apparently." Loki hissed.
The two were staring each other down until Natasha and Thor broke it by nudging them both. Natasha had pinched Clint's arm, while Thor pulled Loki's chair to face back at the screen.
"Behave, Loki." Thor whispered.
"Shut up." Loki let out a small huff and watched.
"Millennia ago, most ruthless of their kind, Malekith, sought to transform our universe back into one of eternal night. Such evil was possible through the power of the Aether; an ancient force of infinite destruction."
"Malekith, the Asgardian's attack." Algrim hissed.
"Awesome!" Tony laughed. "Subtitles."
"What language are they speaking?" Fury asked.
"It is Elvish." Thor supplied.
"Elvish." Steve tilted his head. "Elf."
"Dark Elves." Tony nodded, getting it.
"Norns, I am surrounded by children." Loki could only roll his eyes. "How stupid could you be?"
Tony caught the gesture.
"Hey don't make fun." Tony shot Loki a pout which Loki only shrugged at.
"Asgard has some skilled warriors." Erik chuckled as he continued to watch. "Is that really how you fight?"
"Aye. Some of us." Thor muttered.
"They can really fight." Hill said. "And this was years ago?"
"Millennia means thousands of years, doesn't it?" Loki confirmed, downing his hot chocolate.
Hill just glared at him.
"Like it?" Tony smiled, wiggling his eyebrows.
"It is sweet." Loki answered.
Tony had this idea of what Loki meant, whether the gesture was sweet or the taste was sweet. Oh well, Tony needed to go back to reality because there were important scenes he needed to watch.
And he really had to pay attention to it.
Too bad his attention span sucked and he could not focus.
"The noble armies of Asgard, led by my father King Bor, waged a mighty war against these creatures." Odin continued. "As the nine worlds converged above him, Malekith could at last unleash the Aether. But Asgard ripped the weapon from his grasp. Without it, the Dark Elves fell. With the battle all but lost, Malekith sacrificed his own people, in a desperate attempt to lay waste to Asgard's Army."
"Through their sacrifice we will survive." Malekith grinned. "It will not be in vain."
"Malekith was vanquished and the Aether was no more." Odin sighed. "Or so we were led to believe…"
"That typical movie cliche." Natasha crossed her arms. "Let me guess, of course, they're still alive."
"Man, why is the world full of enemies?" Clint sighed. "Where is Shield in all of this?"
"Clean up crew is my guess." Hill answered.
"Bummer."
"Sire, the Aether." The soldier stared at his king. "Shall we destroy it?"
"If only we could, but it's power is too great." Bor raised his chin. "Bury it deep, somewhere no one will ever find it."
Svartalfheim, the land of the Dark Elves were in shambles. Bor hid the Aether within a stone column and kept it in the darkness where no one would get it. And the Dark Elves that remained were left in suspended animation, something that Bor and everyone else did not know of.
"Chaotic, isn't it." Loki finished his hot chocolate.
"I never knew this is what the war looked like." Thor said in amazement.
"How come?" Natasha absently asked.
"We were only told of stories." He mumbled.
"SHHH! Quiet!" Clint screamed. "Look! Asgard!"
The camera panned from the Bifrost, to the bridge and into the beautiful and breath-taking city of Asgard.
Everyone in the room was shocked.
"That's where you live?" Hill's eyes widened. "That's… it's wonderful! A fantasy universe."
"Holy shit." Fury gaped.
"That's... shocking." Steve blinked.
"Aw man, it's so eye candy." Tony stared. "It's like living in a pure untainted world."
"I can live there." Natasha smirked.
"I have no doubt you could." Thor laughed. "Asgard could use warriors such as yourself."
"Spy." Clint mumbled, smirking at Natasha.
While everyone was amazed with the spectacular view of Asgard, Tony was curious about the things Loki had meant before they arrived in the main room. Something was off about the trickster, and Tony really wanted to know.
Loki was barely paying attention to the screen.
"What is going on with you?" Tony silently mumbled.
Loki was glancing everywhere, cautiously looking at the corner of the rooms where there were nothing but shadows.
Footsteps and clanking noises, and the screen panned to the waist and hands of Loki, bound in chains. He was walking in the throne room with a lot of guards holding his leash. He had a collar that connected to the handcuffs, encircling his waist as it connected to his feet cuffed together. He looked unhappy but at the same time, mockingly content.
"Well that's kinky." Tony joked.
"Shut up." Loki hissed.
"Those are a lot of chains." Steve stared. "And cuffs."
"Isn't this a bit exaggerating?" Natasha paused.
"Oh man, they really weren't kidding about keeping you chained up." Clint watched, horrified. "You have a collar too."
"Is all that chains necessary?" Bruce awkwardly stared.
"It is customary, especially for someone with greater sins." Thor said, glancing at Loki.
"Greater sins." Loki repeated.
"I'm sorry, Loki."
But Loki held a hand up for him to shut up.
"I never knew you hold any concern for me." Loki licked his lips, enjoying the chocolate. "If it is not normal in this world to have that many chains on, in Asgard it is. And I am sure they did it as a precaution so I will not be able to do anything, which meant including my magic and my tricks."
"Something we should probably adapt." Fury joked.
"I doubt you could, given your many laws." Loki huffed.
"What's those markings?" Tony's sharp eyes caught the marks on his cuffs.
"Those are runes, to prevent me from using any magic." Loki bit his lips. "Much similar to what handcuffs you created, only stronger and more sufficient for someone like me."
"Better locked up than not at all." Fury glared.
They played the scene again.
Frigga was there, standing worriedly.
"Loki." She called out with concern.
"Hello, mother." Loki turned to her, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Have I made you proud?"
"I did not expect that." Tony breathed.
"That's your mother?" Fury raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding me!?"
"She looks young." Hill murmured.
Clint whistled.
"She is the Queen." Thor grimaced.
Thor turned to Loki, who was trying his best to ignore the scene playing out before him. Thor also did not want to watch, because he was afraid of what he might see. He knew that Loki also did not like it, mostly because this is a world where none of them knew he was influenced. That no one cared about him except Frigga.
It's like the Earth saying, The face only a mother could love.
Loki hated it.
"Please, don't make this worse." She pleaded.
"Define worse." He demanded.
"ENOUGH." Odin shouted. "I will speak to the prisoner alone."
"Prisoner." Loki mumbled. "How creative."
Frigga walked out without another word and Loki was left there in chains. He walked forward, and allowed the chains on his ankle to hit each other, making it echo around the throne room. It was such a mocking gesture that Loki had to laugh.
"I really don't see what all the fuss is about."
"Do you truly not feel the gravity of your crimes?" Odin questioned. "Wherever you go, there is war, ruin and death."
"I went down to Midgard to rule the people of earth as a benevolent god." His voice dripping with rage. "Just like you."
Everyone in the room cringed.
Were those words true, or was Loki only pretending?
Loki sat there, watching and listening.
He couldn't say anything because there was nothing to say. No one knew of what really happened to him, and if that were the case, why not just play the villain and let it all happen. He also wondered what the fuss was about, because honestly, if he was truly guilty, then lock him up.
No questions asked.
"We are not gods." Odin raised his chin. "We are born, we live, we die, just as humans do."
"Give or take 5,000 years." Loki gave him a smug look.
"Good to know." Fury kept close watch of Loki.
"I assume Stark has already told you of that knowledge." Loki answered. "If not, then Thor would have supplied it either way."
"All this," Odin said mockingly. "Because Loki desires a throne."
"It is my birthright."
"YOUR BIRTHRIGHT," He breathed. "WAS TO DIE! As a child."
Loki winced and this did not go unnoticed by his brother.
Thor felt sad that his father would say such things to Loki without even knowing the entire truth, but who was he to say this. He would only be called a hypocrite, because he too, was doing the same thing to Loki.
"Cast out in a frozen rock."
"I found an even more douche than Stark." Clint grumbled. "No offense, but I don't like your dad."
"That's what I was going to say." Tony pointed.
"You're one of the few." Loki huffed.
"Why was that your birthright?" Hill wondered.
"Because Odin only found me and adopted me into the family so he can have his so called peace." Loki grumbled. "Only for it to dissipate with one swing of Thor's hammer when he sought war with the Frost giants."
"You must admit you are also involved." Thor turned to him.
"I am denying nothing." Loki scoffed.
Loki looked greatly offended, as if it had pierced through him like a dagger to the heart. He swayed a little, eying Odin mocking him in front of all the guards with little care to keep his voice down.
"Had I not taken you in..." Odin continued. "You would not be here now, to hate me."
Loki cringed, unable to contain his anger.
If he had hated Odin before, there was no more denying that he hated Odin even more now. The words Odin had let out were true, and that got him to think, but then again, Loki found himself uncaring.
But why does it still hurt?
"Loki..." Thor whispered.
"I don't need your pity!" Loki bit his lips, trying not to lash out. "Just keep watching."
"If I am fully irked, then for mercy's sake, just swing it." Loki goaded him, moving forward. "It's not that I don't love our little talk, it's just... I don't love them."
"Frigga is the only reason you're still alive."
"Only reason." Loki laughed bitterly.
"Wait, what about Thor?" Steve questioned. "Shouldn't he be another reason."
"I think I already know, dear Captain."
"So Thor gave up on you." Natasha concluded.
"I would say so." Loki shrugged, trying to act uncaring, but it hurt.
It just hurt.
Loki swallowed, telling himself to be strong. If more of it would be like this, then he feared for his sanity. How much more pain will he endure, how much more will he take just to keep the truth hidden?
"Loki." Thor frowned.
"I don't care anymore." Loki mumbled. "Show what you must."
Thor looked down in disappointment, so his future, had he not known, he would have completely abandoned his brother. And that made Thor feel more guilty than it should. Loki felt the ache burning through his chest. Such betrayal.
It was like... falling.
All over again.
"And you will never see her again." Odin glared. "You will spend the rest of your days, in the dungeon."
Loki was pulled back, looking completely defeated.
"And what of Thor?" Loki frowned."You'll make that witless oaf king while I rot in chains."
"Thor must strive to do the damage you have done. He will bring order to the nine realms.. and then.."
A guard grabbed Loki's shoulder and another one followed.
"YES." Odin stared. "He will be king."
"Loki, I had no idea..." Thor flustered.
"Don't!" Loki warned him. "I don't want to talk about this."
"Calm your asses down." Fury said. "This is just the beginning, so whatever argument you will have I suggest you save it for something better."
"Oh, and I should follow your orders." Loki rolled his eyes. "You are not the one in the receiving end!"
"Loki, enough!" Thor cupped the back of Loki's neck and thumbed it. "Calm down. Do not let this come between us."
"Easy for you to say."
The words "Vanaheim" appeared on the screen, and there was war and chaos all over the place. Sif and the warriors were trying to keep the peace but no one will stop. Thor appeared, shooting his hammer to Sif's side while engaging in a graceful jump and hit combo. He grinned, his long hair flew through the wind and his whole armor had drastically changed.
"Nice hair." Loki mocked in Asgardian.
"Loki, will you stop the insults for once?" Thor said tiredly.
"I'm not insulting, by all means that was a compliment." He shrugged. "Look at how different you look."
"Longer hair?"
"No, idiot. You look... uncaring. Wiser."
"All yours." Sif jerked her head to the monster.
"I am not uncaring nor am I considered wise."
"Don't be so sure of yourself." Loki crossed his arms, feeling himself shiver. "Odin said so himself, Frigga is the only reason I am still alive. That means that you hold nothing, not even love, to see that I live."
Thor couldn't answer his brother.
What was the point?
"Hello." Thor said to the giant rock creature. "I accept your surrender."
The marauders laughed and the creature roared.
Thor spun his hammer and attacked the creature, destroying it.
"Anyone else?" Thor mocked.
"You hit that in one blow." Clint's eyes widened.
"Is it really a rock creature?" Bruce wondered.
"I question that too." Tony pointed.
"Who cares!?"
"We do." Tony replied to Clint. "It's in my nature to be curious."
"It's not in mine."
"Maybe next time you should start with the big one." Fandral pointed his sword.
"Now I know who you remind me of." Loki turned to Tony.
"Him?" Tony scoffed. "Please, I'm more handsome than him.
Loki's lips turned into a thin line.
"Tough crowd." Tony swallowed.
Thor spoke with Hogun, telling him that he should stay in Vanaheim with his people. Hogun was thankful to Thor, and soon, Thor asked Heimdall to bring him back to Asgard. Thor stood at the balcony, watching the warriors fight as Odin strode forward to talk to him. Thor looked concerned, and Odin looked like a worried father more than a worried king.
"Is Vanaheim secure?" Odin asked.
"As are Nornheim and Ria." Thor nodded. "But our work would have gone more quickly with you at the fore."
"You must think I'm a piece of bread, that needs to be buttered so heavily."
"That was not my intent."
"For the first time since the Bifrost was destroyed, the Nine Realms are at peace. We are well reminded of our strength and you have earned their respect and my gratitude."
"Thank you." Thor stared.
"Nothing out of order except your confused and distracted heart."
"This isn't about Jane Foster, Father."
"Humans lives are fleeting. They're nothing." Odin indicated Sif, who feels their eyes on her. "You'll be better served by what lies in front of you. I'm telling you this not at the All-father, but as your Father. You are ready. The time has come to take the Throne. Embrace it and celebrate what you have won. Join your warriors, eat and drink. Revel in their celebration. At least pretend to enjoy yourself."
"He's right, as much as I hate to say it." Loki admitted, all attention turning to him.
"That what?" Erik angrily turned to him. "That Jane isn't worthy?"
Loki ignored him.
"I don't like you." Erik muttered, which Loki clearly heard.
"I am not alive for reasons to please you, Dr. Selvig." Loki huffed. "If you do not like me, at least stop pretending you do."
"Okay, that's enough." Steve said. "We're watching over here."
"Loki, we've discussed this before." Thor was stopped when Loki raised a finger.
"All the more reason for you to double check your answer."
Thor stared at him and Loki added mockingly.
"Brother."
There was threatening silence in the room, but they decided to leave it be. Loki only wanted to point out the same thing that Odin was trying to say, that Jane was nothing more than a mere mortal and that she could die easily. Sif, whom Thor had eyes upon when they were children, was better than Jane in any category.
Except astrophysics.
While Sif was talking with Thor, and being sweet to him. Thor was seemingly distracted, ending the conversation quickly and leaving in the process. Sif turned her gaze upon him, saddened that such an encounter with him was rare. She did not like how Thor's heart was enamored with a mere mortal.
The next scene was Jane, having a dinner date with Richard.
"Oh, she's dating." Tony whistled. "And I thought there was commitment."
"Look at how fast and fleeting love is." Loki joked along with him, but was clear in his face that he was serious.
Thor scowled at the two of them, turning to Erik.
"Do you know about this?" Thor pointed, while Jane was looking at the menu. "Is she currently dating someone?"
"No." Erik stated, raising both hands. "She doesn't tell me these things."
"Truly, Selvig?" Thor raised an eyebrow.
"Please, ask Darcy. I don't know."
Thor only nodded.
"You've spent the first ten minutes of our date hiding behind a menu that has three choices on it." Richard chuckled. "It's either chicken, vegetarian or fish. Jane I'm thinking there's a story, and the story either involves a guy."
"It's complicated."
"Smart guy." Clint chuckled.
"That's kind of sad." Steve mumbled.
"I do not like him." Thor scowled even further.
"If she falls for him, think of the time you could spend with Sif." Loki uncaringly huffed, looking at the shadows cautiously, all while trying to engage a conversation with Thor to distract him from the nightmares that plagued him.
"This isn't about Sif."
"But it certainly is about your lover." Loki frowned, feeling the presence surround him.
Drowning him in darkness.
"Is he still around?"
"No." Jane sadly said. "He... went away."
Soon Darcy appeared and began to talk science with Jane and embarrass her in front of Richard. She showed Jane the scientific equipment she long ago disregarded and began to hit it on the table very unprofessionally.
"That's what I did! I thought you would do something more scientific."
"I'm sure it's nothing." Jane grinned awkwardly at Richard.
"Doesn't look like nothing." Darcy replied. "Kinda looks like the readings that Erik was rambling about. Our friend Eric kinda went banana balls." She began to make facial expressions and gestures to Richard, who just stared at her with confusion.
"I'm not interested." Jane shooed her away. "I'm not interested. Time for you to go now."
"Banana balls?" Clint turned to Erik.
"I'm sure it's nothing." Erik chuckled insanely, slumping in his chair. "That's probably just Darcy talking."
"You never know, Dr. Selvig." Natasha raised an eyebrow. "She could be on to something."
"It's Darcy, she makes those insults to everyone." Erik dismissed her.
"Short, but sweet."
"She needs help."
"I think I'm going with the sea bass."
Loki finally saw the Other to the right of the room, standing there beside an Agent who looked almost as tall as Steve or Thor. The Other was grinning at him in the shadows of the balcony above as his lingering stare sent Loki shivers.
"Thor." Loki whispered.
Thor however, was too invested in sending glares at the screen in Richard's way.
"Thor."
"What?"
"THOR." Loki hissed lowly.
He reached out to Thor's arms, as he continued to stare at the Agent.
"Loki what is the matter?" Thor questioned, as Loki's grip got tighter. "What are you staring at?"
"Do you see him?" Loki whispered.
"The Other?"
"There." He pointed.
"I do not see anything, Loki."
All Thor could see was the same Agent Loki had seen, but there was nothing else there. The Agent was staring at the screen, watching just like the rest. Loki frowned when he noticed the Other was gone, maybe it was just paranoia that was attacking him.
"It's fine. There's nothing there, Loki."
"But I could have sworn..."
Loki had let go of Thor and tried to ignore him, Thor didn't bother to question it, because he knew it would only agitate Loki any further. Instead, he took Loki's hands and gripped it gently but firm, thumbing it until Loki calmed down. Thor didn't know why, but Loki was slowly unraveling and it was not pretty.
Thor was protective while Loki was just confused.
"Sea bass." Jane stared at the menu. "Yes, sea bass is good. Sea bass. Sea bass sea bass sea bass. Sea bass."
"Jane," Richard closed his menu and caught her attention. "Maybe you should stop saying sea bass and go after your friend."
"I'm so sorry!" She looked apologetically and left.
"I'll just stay here and say sea bass alone."
"Apparently she cares." Loki muttered, his attention now back to the screen.
"Jane is not what you think." Thor said, still thumbing Loki's hands.
"Whatever you say, brother."
Darcy drove and introduced Ian to Jane, who Jane found very weird. She checked the GPS and gave Darcy orders while Darcy drove dangerously through the streets of London. Jane began to dial in Erik's number in a panic.
"Hi Erik, it's me. Again." Jane called. "Where are you? I came here because you said you were on to something and then you vanished."
"So that's it, were in London." Erik chuckled. "I wonder what we're doing there."
Soon, a change of scene at the Stonehenge.
And Erik, naked running around with police chasing him.
"I don't understand." Erik's eyes widened. "What is this!?"
"It's like it came straight from a terrible comedy." Clint scowled. "And apparently this is at the Stonehenge."
"Shhh..." Natasha shushed him.
"I'm here at Stonehenge for what has been an interesting unfolding of events today." The reporter said. "The police were called to the scene shortly after 11am this morning after a seemingly harmless man, approached the area then decided to strip naked and effectively terrorize tourists there with scientific equipment, while shouting that he was trying to save them."
"Should we be worried?" Fury paused the movie, turning to him.
"It must have been the scepter." Steve voiced his thoughts. "The mind control."
"Damn." Clint shook his head. "Please tell me my future isn't like that."
Fury played it. "The man later identified as noted astrophysicist Doctor Erik Selvig, has been called in for questioning by police." Then paused it again.
"I believe this calls for concern." Thor suggested.
"I didn't realize that would happen." Erik licked his lips.
"That's bad." Natasha pressed her lips together.
"What are you all staring at?" Erik frowned.
"Look on the bright side, I did that too." Tony pointed out, trying to make a joke. "It was ages ago though."
"That's just..." Erik slumped on his seat. "I'm going to the mental hospital, aren't I?"
"You don't know that yet." Fury said.
"I'm not mental!" He pointed. "Where else would I go if not there?"
"Could be worse, like the places we put old people?" Tony joked.
"It's not funny."
"Sorry."
"I'm not mental."
"We never said you were." Hill said. "But since this causes concern, we have to possibly monitor you."
"So this is Loki's fault." Erik muttered.
"It looks like the control affected you much worse." Loki mumbled, still glancing in panic. "Apologies."
"Apology not accepted."
"Then don't, just know that I did speak out my words." Loki turned to him, giving him his full attention.
"But this is because of you, do you deny that?"
"No."
"You mean to tell me I'll be some, loony person!?" Erik took a deep breath. "I won't accept that. It's all your fault!"
"Of course, there is a reason for you to be angry." Loki muttered.
"If you hadn't done any of this, maybe we wouldn't be in this world. And to think that even Jane will be in danger, I can't bring myself to think that way. Lots of innocent people got hurt, and not to mention the people that got killed because you decided they were worthy to be your allies when you tried to take over Earth."
"Hey, don't take it out on him too much." Tony raised his hands.
"It's about time that someone lectured him for it." Erik said. "I know that he's not all to blame, but he's done a major part of it and we're all going to let it slide because he was also manipulated into it? I hardly believe that crap."
"Just calm down, Selvig." Fury glared.
"I'll calm down when I'm dead." Erik stood up and walked up to Thor and Loki.
Loki, who saw him coming, immediately bolted from his seat and took a step back, while Thor blocked Erik from getting to Loki. Erik began to say awful things to Loki, not really appreciating what Loki had done to him and a few other people he had controlled.
Loki could feel the weight on his chest grow, as the words sunk.
"Thor." Loki called, eyes wide.
"Selvig." Thor warned. "Stop. Loki is not all to blame here."
"I know that, but I just can't help it. Your brother is deranged and I don't trust him."
"Not many do."
People began to stare, and Loki hated it.
"This is amusing, isn't it?" The Other called to Loki, and some equipment began to fizzle out. "The tension."
"What's going on over there?" Hill walked up to the controls.
"Interference." Sitwell said. "Don't know where it came from."
Erik continued to lecture Loki.
"If you were controlled as they say you were, then why didn't you ask for help if you had enough free will!" Erik took a deep breath. "Or was that pride or your ego talking?"
"Such strong words."The Other laughed.
"That's enough Dr. Selvig." Natasha came in between them. "You should take a seat."
"Yeah, I think I need to sit down for a while, this is not good." He nodded. "This only means I will get worse, won't it? After everything that's happened, it will end up like that and Jane. What will happen to Jane?"
"If we could all calm down and continue this." Fury sighed, palming his face. "That would be great."
Erik sat down, thinking about his future for a while and working on a solution on how to counter his mental problem. He really wished that it wasn't true, and that he won't end up like that. It was too embarrassing. Loki on the other hand, was still standing there, staring at Erik who was now talking to Fury.
The movie was disregarded for a moment, and Loki could only think that they were making it too much of a big deal. It wasn't that bad. The man was only running wild, naked sure but Loki found no concern in it, or he just didn't care entirely.
"Loki, are you well?" Thor questioned, thumbing Loki's neck.
"I suppose." Loki sighed. "What he said is true though, but I have reasons."
"I know you do."
"I couldn't fight it, it was hard, and only when you spoke to me that it gave me enough strength to pull away from them, even for a mere moment. You saw that, right? When you pulled me out of their flying ship, you grabbed me and... and... You saw it, didn't you?"
"I would like to think so." Thor said sadly.
"Stop it." Loki felt his voice quiver. "Stop treating me like this. You should treat me the same way they treat me."
"No, they are enough. I will not join them."
"But Selvig is right."
"He is just angry, pay no attention to him."
"It is my fault."
"We could not have known." Thor thumbed his neck again, smiling.
"I caused him pain."
"But you were in much more pain than he was. You should think of yourself more, Loki. And you must realize that his future is just a fraction of what is to come. His is changeable, perhaps easy to fix. Yours however, is complicated. But worry not, I am here."
"What good does that do?" Loki sadly stared.
Natasha gave him a look that Loki couldn't predict, and when Loki turned his gaze to the same Agent he did once before, the Other was there grinning at him.
Loki could only feel cold, dormant and confused.
"How long will you last until you finally snap?"
He could feel Thor pull him back to reality, pulling his face to stare at his.
Those blue eyes stared at him, erasing all the worries.
"I will protect you, brother."
"That's what I fear for."
oOo
TBC.
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