Life in a Gilded Cage
Chapter 11
Authors note: Thank you to Gabriella for the first spoken line of this chapter, it was such a great piece. I'm quite greatful you let me have it. Sorry you guys had to wait so long for an update, have to work six days next week but after that I hope to be back to regular updates.
Stark came to check on Loki, they had managed to get Fury to release the demi-god into their care and had taken him somewhere he wouldn't have to think about cages any more. He still wasn't 100% convinced about Loki's intentions, but he certainly didn't want to see him suffer anymore then he already had done at the hands of SHIELD and the All father.
Tony knocked on the door of Loki's room a few times, but no answer. Opening it carefully not wanting to risk the wrath of the God of Mischief, he stuck his head around. "Hello, sleeping beauty, are you awake or still waiting for a prince to come?" If anything was going to get an answer that would, still nothing. Tony came into the room and settled down in a chair to watch over him, until he felt better.
When Loki finally awoke, it was to a very different surrounding to where he had fallen asleep. He was in a huge bed, covered in silk sheets and soft woollen blankets. The room was a reasonable side, with a window dominating one whole wall giving him a perfect view across the New York sky line and the park. A computer table, and a case full of books set up across from him as well as a storage unit for clothing, next to two doors. All in all it was a very comfortable cage, laid out with a simpleness which made it almost seem homely. His head pounded as Loki tried to move to sit up, he still felt very weak. His vision swayed a little and he tasted sour in his mouth, like he was about to throw up.
"Easy there, take it slowly." Tony said softly rising from the chair when he realised his charge was alive. Holding a glass of water to Loki's lips so that he could drink.
"Thank you." he said after a few sips, taking the glass himself. "What happened?"
Tony sat on the edge of the bed, "Steve, Hawk and I, we talked to Fury and helped him to see that you were an asset to the team instead of a threat. He also was made to realise that only you are strong enough or skilled enough to defeat this ice bitch. After that he discharged you into our care, and we brought you to Stark Tower."
"You took me into your home, the one who had tried to kill you?" the God asked dumbfounded.
"Yeah well, don't get used to it. You betray me and I will bury you in a cell so deep that you will never see the light of day again." Stark snapped.
Loki shivered at the thought of it, "Please don't, I wouldn't survive a third time."
Tony's heart melted, he looked so broken so afraid, he remembered his time in a cage all too well again. "Are you feeling up to some food?" he asked, resting his hand on Loki's shoulder in comfort.
Loki's stomach answered for him, as it growled. He blushed embarrassed, he always tried to keep the perfect manors. "How long did I sleep?" he asked.
"Three days near enough, you had this strange golden glow around you. It was kind of awesome." Tony commented, "Come down when you are ready, Jarvis will tell you where to go."
"Thank you." Loki said with warmth in his tone, as Tony nodded and left him to dress. Loki climbed out of bed trying to allow his vision to stabilise. He realised someone had purchased and dressed him in green sleep sleeping garments half wondering who had actually dressed him. They looked very smart, he was impressed at the cut and choice.
Opening the storage door, he found his own clothing, hanging up all clean and pressed. As well as a selection of other garments in his style and colours. They really had thought of everything. It was a strange feeling to be looked after, and for it to not be his brother. He wasn't sure how to react to it, or what to say. Trying the other door, he found a bathing chamber, and drew himself a bath with some scented oils he found nearby.
He sunk into the perfumed water with a sigh of pure pleasure. For a little while at least, he was totally free and that felt amazing. He lingered in the warm water, falling back into a relaxed doze as it calmed him even further. It was safe here, protected almost, he could try and forget about his father and his enemies. Although with 300 plus years passing and they hadn't come for him yet, perhaps they wouldn't.
Eventually he dragged himself out of the bath, dried and dressed in his midgardian outfit that he enjoyed so much. It wasn't that he didn't like his newly provided clothing, but he needed a sense of self. Something to feel a little like the old Loki again, the Loki that had once been a Princes of Asgard. Not the worthless being that he was now. The creature that wasn't worth saving wasn't worth caring about.
Loki stepped out of the room, and followed the smell of frying bacon to the kitchen area. He nervously stood by the doorway watching Tony humming away to ACDC as he cooked. Steve laying plates of fruit and cereals on the table. It looked so simple, so domestic, so like a family that he couldn't interrupt it. He started to step backwards into the shadows, to leave them in peace.
"Suddenly not hungry Loki?" Steve asked without even looking up.
With a sigh the Princes entered the room and sat at the table. "There was once a time that no one would know I was there."
"That's before you had Jarvis watching you every movement in the house." Tony commented placing plates of bacon sandwiches in from of each of them as he sat down. "Fury's orders and the only way we are allowed to have you outside the complex."
"I shall make sure I stay within the house." Loki said miserably.
"It is not all that bad, and you will be glad to know that all nine souls you saved are doing fine. Plus we can always take you anywhere you want to go." Steve commented, tucking into his breakfast.
"Yes, and Fury has agreed to you coming on the mission to go after the ice bitch." Tony commented grabbing handfuls of dried fruit.
Loki picked at the food on his plate, "I thank you both for removing me from the cell. I am most greatful for the trust you have shown me."
"It was the Hawk that eventually convinced him." Tony commented.
Loki's look of shock was unmistakable.
Steve nodded, "He stood there and faced Fury down, side by side with us. Telling him what a foolish mistake it would be if you were not offered another chance. Telling him how the staff affected people in strange ways, and if he gave him another chance then you deserved the same in return."
"I thank you both, and him as well." Loki muttered into his meal, not quite sure how to answer them.
"Now eat up, build your strength because we leave in an hour." Steve said kindly, "We wouldn't want you collapsing again, would we?"
Loki nibbled at the offerings, trying not to blush as he did so. This Midgardian food was quite acceptable, far more refreshing then the rich foods of his home. He had almost lived as a vegetarian there, tired of the constant feasting. He ate quickly, and silently, before realising they were both staring. He wiped his hands on a napkin quickly looking between then to see what he had done. "Did I forget my manors?" he asked, "If so I am truly sorry."
"It is just a little strange, taking tea with well you." Stark commented, starting to pick up the dirty plates to stack away.
"The monster, I understand that. If I could leave you, then I would and avoid this awkward state of affairs." Loki commented.
"This is not what he means Loki." Steve promised, "Remember what I said before, small steps just like your brother wanted."
"I will try to remember." Loki commented.
Jarvis chimed out, "SHIELD has sent a car, and it will be here in a few moments."
"Time to suit up." Tony muttered.
Minutes later the three of them were in a car heading to the warehouse that the ice monster was working out of. The Avengers were all outside waiting, with the new women including the Asgardian. Loki found his eyes roaming over to that girl with the white streak in her hair. She fascinated him in ways that he couldn't understand. The sight of her in that skin tight suit had its advantages as well, he certainly wouldn't say that the view was displeasing.
Tony snapped his fingers in front of the God's face a few times, "Come on Romeo, you have a job to do."
Reluctantly with one last lingering glance, Loki followed.
"Sure you don't want to know more about Rogue? "Steve asked as they walked towards the warehouse.
"I have work to do, Stark says so." He said unwavering.
Tony and Steve exchanged a knowing glance and a smile behind his back and then that was it, they were inside the building and it was time to fight. Tony snapped his helmet shut, as Steve readied his shield for action. As Loki pulled a dagger from his belt.
Inside the once abandioned building, had been turned to a busy usage. Walls of ice had created staircases and other levels. A complex system of rooms and passageways made out of nothing but frozen water. Icicles hung from every surface, ice flowers carved out of the walls. If it was anywhere else you would think it a palace of pure beauty and wonder.
"I've never seen anything like it." Steve commented.
"Could be quite a party in here," Tony commented, "At least there's always plenty of ice."
Loki was remarkably quiet at this point taking in the surroundings. There was only one place he had ever seen that looked like this. Only one kind of creature that could have created it. "Get behind me." He said quietly.
"What's wrong?" Steve asked.
There was a rumbling in the floors above, something was coming. Something big and troublesome and it made even his Yoganhiem blood grow cold in his veins. He drew his staff to its full extent, a wry grin in his face. "Get ready and get behind me!" Loki said once more. The chaos energy building in his blood, his eyes turning that full piercing green again.
"You really do get off on this don't you?" Tony asked, "You sick puppy!" He could see the broken husk of the God coming back to life in front of him. He stood straighter, had more confidence, looked radiant, and powerful and well alive. Now he could see the person who had nearly destroyed the world.
Loki laughed readying himself for the coming battle. "You will never understand me mortal, so do not even try. I am beyond your limited level of reasoning, you dull creature."
Steve slapped him on the shoulder, "Boasting remember, no boasting we talked about this."
"Oh be silent both of you, I do not have time to be babysitting your puny human forms. Just do not be foolish enough to allow them to touch your bare skin if you value your lives." He snarled as the first of the frost giants attacked them. Loki smashed his staff through the side of its head, and it vanished.
Tony launched himself into the air as a wave of the creatures hit, blasting them as they appeared. Steve likewise started slashing at them with his shield, everyone he touched with a direct hit vanished completely. "What is going on here, Loki?" he asked.
"They are constructions nothing more, keep fighting they will destroy you just as easily as if they really were real." Loki cloned himself a dozen times over, leaving the clones to fight in his stead as he went in search of the magic behind the mystery.
He weaved his way through the battle ground as the others fought around him. Trying to catch a sight of who was behind this. And then in the back ground he saw a shadow moving, a female form. The ice queen of which Tony had spoken of? Loki shadowed around the corner, she was good very good, almost as good as he. She wasn't as experienced though and that was what mattered in the end. He snuck closer to the slight trace of magic and grabbed her arm.
Pulling the girl into plain sight, her mind distracted her frost giants disappeared. As they did so, he also banished his clones. Her skin was the palest of blues, against her glowing red eyes. Loki's arm grew blue where it touched her, the colour climbing up his arm to make his whole body turn to match her. His arm tingled at her touch, a bond between them instantly. He knew her, he was her, his mind was muddled as he stared into her eyes for long minutes. Her own form equally as wrapt into his as he was her.
She moved to strike him, and Loki countered it easily. Holding her firmly as he tried to figure out what was happening to them both. In his heart he knew it couldn't be possible surely? But he didn't care, it was true, she was there in front of him, the one thing he had always dreamed of his whole life. A connection, a tie to this world, something to live for.
"Move it rock of ages." Tony warned, breaking the spell.
Loki drew her behind his body, protectively, "I won't let you harm her."
Steve drew level to them, "Loki you had better start explaining yourself."
Loki looked at the girl and back at them, "I don't quite understand this myself, but she is my sister. The same frost giant blood which runs in her veins also runs in mine."
"Sister?" Steve exclaimed.
"I didn't know, I thought all my family dead, I thought I was left alone." He looked at the girl in sheer shocked wonder.
"She's killed hundreds." Stark pointed out.
"So have I, but you still gave me a chance. Please give her the same, she's the only real family I have left!" Loki begged.
"Will you come in willingly?" Steve asked.
She nodded without every speaking, still looking at her brother for guidance. What they had just shared frightened her.
"I will stand guard over her day and night, my word." Loki said.
"Then we take her back with us." Steve agreed.
Tony rolled his eyes, "I'm so going to regret this I can feel it."