Natasha might have taken offense to the idea of Loki being let free, especially after all the suffering he had caused, and whether the rest of the team noticed or not, they didn't say.
To watch the god sit there and tell them all about the shadow realms, and to notice the sickening way Thor freely trusted him, made her stomach turn with hatred. It was so awful, to see the blood that dripped from his hands shining crimson on her own, and to know that he was being…spared.
To know that he wasn't being punished for his crimes.
To know, deep down, that they were alike, if not completely similar in every way.
For the longest time, she'd look over her shoulder periodically, sleeping with one eye open in the darkness, a knife kept hidden beneath her downy pillow. She'd avoid mirrors, for fear of seeing that devilish grin within her eyes, and whenever Clint asked about it, she'd ignore the issue with a glare, pushing him further and further away.
Despite all of that, the feeling eased, over time, and after a few years of being in Loki's company and not experiencing death, tricks, or betrayals- Natasha found herself trusting him, as well. It was a jarring thing, to come to the realization that, despite his evil ways, Loki had changed, and it was even more bizarre to find herself accepting it.
But slowly, minute by minute and day by day, Natasha fell into a friendly comfort with the trickster, and his sinister pranks turned into hilarious practical jokes, and she'd always end up laughing along with him. His dark gazes fell away, and she could see the truth behind his eyes, the gleam of misery lying dormant there, and whenever Thor clapped him on the back, he beamed with barely suppressed happiness.
Soon, she forgot what it was like to hate the man, and her forgiveness came just as swiftly, and she found herself realizing that everyone, even Loki, could walk along the right path once again, and that second chances, no matter how late, were never entirely out of reach.
Please R&R! Feedback is always appreciated! ;)
Prompts, ideas, and ships are welcome! *But try not to give word prompts that are words I have included in the content of the last few chapters, please.
Prompt: Injustice (by krikanalo)