A/N: Hooboy, this chapter got long, there just wasn't a good stopping point, lol. Didn't mean to take so long to update, sorry about that.
- Chapter 4 -
And Then There Were Two
Thor had carried Loki into the common area where the Avengers often gathered for movie night. He had meant to place him on the couch and let a worried Bruce look after him, but Loki refused to let go of his brother's neck. Thor and the doctor both sighed, and Bruce mumbled something about helping Tony with the prisoner. Thor nodded and sat down with Loki to his side, still clinging to him and burying his face into Thor's shoulder. His long legs were bent, his knees on Thor's lap as his back leaned slightly on the armrest.
The thunderer sighed internally. How could this have happened? Thor wondered. Where did the other come from? Should I ask Loki or wait until he has calmed down? Thor couldn't be certain of Loki's state of mind since the younger god refused to release Thor and let him see his face. How can he recover from this? He had suffered a very long time at the hands of the Chitauri, longer than Thor could imagine, but somehow, this was different. The man that hurt him wore Thor's face. In some way he was Thor. A thought gnawed at the edges of his mind. Does he refuse to look at my face for fear of what he'll see? Am I forever doomed to see terror on my own brother's face? Will he be forever haunted by the fear that this face- my face -will always be remembered as the one who hurt him- might hurt him again?
"Loki?" His own voice cracked, it sounded weak, foreign. It didn't sound like the thunder god's voice. He cleared his throat quietly.
Loki stirred and gripped his neck tighter. "No," came the faint protest.
"But I have not asked you anything."
"Please don't leave me..." Thor suddenly felt something wet on his chest and neck. He tried to peek at his brother, but to no avail.
"Loki, are you crying?" He held him tighter. "Please don't cry, I am not going anywhere. I swear it."
Loki sniffled and let one arm down. The other still gripped Thor's shoulders as his body settled in with their respective positions. Thor finally managed a glance at his brother's face, his eyes were shut and his face was red with tears. The blonde raised one hand to wipe the tears, Loki flinched slightly until he realized what Thor was doing. He didn't protest. Loki still refused to open his eyes, though.
Thor didn't want to do too much, so after Loki's face was dry, he kept the other hand around Loki and the other resting on the couch's back.
"Feel better, brother?" It was a ridiculous question, Thor knew, but Loki still nodded. Or perhaps he does not need to contemplate what has happened.
Thor heard the ding of the elevator from across the room. The doors opened as a shielded Captain America walked out.
"Captain!" Thor called as he waved once with his free hand. Loki immediately buried his face in Thor's neck even more and whimpered a protest, both hands now curling into the space between them. "Loki," Thor chided softly, "it is only Steve. He will not hurt you, you know this." Loki nodded but didn't budge as Steve put his shield down on Tony's bar and walked over cautiously.
"I heard what happened- or, some of it, Stark talks too fast sometimes. I got here as fast as I could."
Thor nodded his gratitude, "Thank you, Rogers." He rubbed soothing circles on Loki's back with a hand, the smaller god seemed to relax a little.
"Hey, Loki," said Steve, "remember me?"
Loki scoffed and smiled a little into Thor's neck, then after a moment glanced at Steve, "Naturally, captain, I haven't lost my memory, just..." Loki didn't seem to know how to complete the sentence as he looked at the floor.
"Back to 'captain' again, are we?" The soldier smiled sadly.
Thor gave a tight-lipped smile and shrugged, "Stark had a similar objection earlier."
"Oh?" Steve mused. "Where is Tony?" He looked around as though he could spot him.
"I do not know, I am certain Jarvis will assist you there." Thor did know, but he didn't want to mention the 'other' Thor in front of Loki. At least, not just yet. He wasn't certain if Loki even knew he was still alive.
Steve Rogers nodded in understanding. It was one of the many things Thor liked about the captain. He was a soldier, but he had a sensibility few men were capable of, and had the good graces to know when to act on them. He never mocked the weak- or anyone, for that matter -and he was one of the few men he would not hesitate to trust with his brother's care. In fact, Thor noted, all the Avengers were on that list. Even Natasha and Clint were now more loyal to the rest of the Avengers than SHIELD. They had orders, but they never let their sense of duty override their conscience. They had proven that when Thor had first brought a broken Loki here from the clutches of the Chitauri. The agents were hesitant at first, but they slowly realized Loki had paid his dues. No punishment could be worse than what he had already endured. Thor was uncertain if Barton had ever forgiven Loki, but it seemed the Hawk had at least put it behind him.
"Well," Steve began, "I'll go and find him, then." The captain took a step back, then after a moment nodded again at the two gods and left. Thor smiled as he watched him go, saying nothing. What was there to say? He knew some explaining was in order, but he didn't want to discuss it in front of Loki at the moment. Anyway, Thor concluded, Tony could fill him in- as he was no doubt already doing with Bruce. Even so, Thor still wasn't certain what had really happened. He wanted to know, wanted to ask his little brother so everyone could be assured that they were doing enough to keep the intruder, or whatever he is, from the rest of the team.
Loki barely moved, seemingly content with their seating arrangement and the situation. The trickster sighed and settled again, but still did not look up.
He shows great trust.
A seemingly inescapable anguish had burned its way through Thor's entire being when Stark had revealed the 'match' to Thor. Loki's look of utter terror and betrayal...Thor hadn't known what to do. He thought he had lost his beloved brother forever. Even after the truth was revealed, he wondered if Loki could ever trust again. It appears he can, Thor thought. The way the trickster had eyed the 'other' Thor wasn't lost on the thunder god. It seemed as though Loki was creating a new reality for himself; separating the two Thors, the two 'brothers.' Thor wasn't certain if it was a good thing or not, but, he thought, perhaps it is a good thing, if it allowed Thor to once again be close to his little brother, to embrace him as he had once again become accustomed to after Loki's fall and eventual recovery.
Thor sighed. Recovery... Suddenly it seemed a lie. Barely six months had passed since Thor had taken Loki back to Midgard in order to help the wounded god, and only two weeks since they had returned to Asgard- home. And although Loki assured Thor that he was alright, and perhaps it had been for a time...but now, is his little brother regressing because of the attack, or is it something deeper? Did he truly find himself during his second time on Midgard? Is he still broken? Is this a façade to please his big brother and the Avengers? Thor shook his head; these thoughts made his head hurt. Loki was a complex maze, a puzzle that no one but the trickster himself able to solve- even if that puzzle had to be put back together by Thor and the Avengers.
Thor inhaled deeply through his nose then slowly exhaled. He used both arms to embrace Loki in a gentle but tight hug, exceedingly glad that his little brother did not pull away, and hoping that he never would again.
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Tony had tried explaining the theory of multiple universes three times to Steve Rogers. He explained it in simple terms, then when that didn't work, he brought up diagrams. It took him threatening to use hand puppets before the captain had given a mischievous tight-lipped grin, which had in turn given Stark permission to throw heavy objects at the bastard. Dammit, Loki! It was the trickster god's fault. There was no way it wasn't. How else would freaking Steve Rogers learn how to lie like that. Well, maybe not an out-and-out lie, but close enough. Tony rolled his eyes and shooed Steve out of his lab. 'Go check on the prisoner!' he had ordered, but Steve was already on his way out, still grinning. Well, then... Now Tony found himself wondering exactly when Steve had understood. If it was on the first run-through, that man wasn't right anymore.
Go check on the prisoner... Now Tony suddenly wanted to check on that maniac straight from bizarro land. A wave of sympathy rolled over Tony as he thought about what might have happened to Loki- again, he thought -had Thor not intervened. He shuddered at the possibilities, purposely pushing any ideas out of his mind. Nope. Didn't happen. Won't happen. Not on my watch, and definitely not on Thor's. But it had happened and Tony was suddenly angry. Angry at Thor for not being there on Asgard, and at Asgard itself for being a crappy place for still-recovering princes. What's with that place?! Can't even protect their own prince from something like that? Tony stood up suddenly, his chair rolling and hitting something metal behind.
He didn't care anymore; he was visiting the damned prisoner no matter what Bruce said.
.
Okay, so a certain Captain America had stopped a certain genius billionaire from entering the holding area before said genius billionaire could work some magic- or science magic -and beat the shit out of an imposter thunder god. It hadn't occurred to Tony that he wasn't wearing his suit, that's where the 'science magic' was supposed to come in. He could do it, somehow...
Tony was still seething, but the captain was his usual annoyingly patient self, all understanding and logical. How can he control himself so easily? Bruce had informed the two that the 'other Thor' was in no condition to take guests just yet, but that he was also recovering quickly. Although Tony hadn't said as much, he was secretly hoping the imposter Thor wasn't like their Thor, that maybe he wasn't an immortal god, or that maybe his brains had been turned to mush under the tender ministrations of that badass hammer- Tony chuckled to himself...tender. He quickly shook it off, thinking it was a stupid joke. But Thor had beat him senseless, and yet, here he was, 'recovering quickly.'
Ugh. He wondered why Thor hadn't finished him off.
Tony and Steve were now in a surveillance room watching the prisoner intently but saying nothing. The silence was annoying, but Tony could think of nothing to say for once. Gods, he grumbled to himself, always making me think deep stuff. This is exactly why I like technology: it doesn't talk back- excepting Jarvis -it does what I say, and it doesn't have emotional problems. It was an unfair thought, Tony knew, but he just felt like complaining to himself for some reason. It crossed his mind to annoy the captain, especially after his earlier stunt, but the good soldier appeared lost in thought as well- and probably thoughts concerning what to do about the prisoner. Tony did not envy that task, and did not want to be asked his opinion by the Avengers' de facto leader. If it were up to Tony, it'd be maim, kill, burn. His wry smile wasn't lost on Steve.
"What are you smiling at?" Steve interjected through Tony's thoughts, but continued eyeing the screens.
"Hm? Oh, nothing, just thinking..."
Steve seemed to be waiting for Tony to finish, but didn't push further when he didn't. "Right then, suit yourself."
Tony was about to say something snarky before he noticed the captain's body tense, then looked at the screen himself: the other Thor was waking up.
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"Thor..."
The slumbering thunder god nearly had Mjolnir flying to his hand before realizing the whispering of his name was not a threat. His eyes shot open, revealing a slightly nervous Tony Stark standing several paces away.
"Stark?" Thor blinked away the sleep and looked down at Loki, who was now nearly in his lap and asleep- or so it seemed. "What has happened?" he heard himself say without thinking.
Stark still looked a little apprehensive, apparently Thor's start at waking up had made more of an impression than the blonde had meant. "Uh, wasn't sure if I should tell you this or not," the genius was eyeing Loki as though trying to figure out if the trickster was truly asleep. "But...that, um, guy is awake. Thought you might wanna know."
Awake? Thor didn't know what to think, he only stared at Stark, stunned. It had barely been a day. He knew he hadn't killed the imposter, but he had not considered that the man might awaken, that he was a true and living being, that he could speak, breathe, see, and move... That he could escape, that he might- Thor cut off the thought . No. Loki wasn't going anywhere near him, and Stark and Jarvis were watching the cell. The other Avengers would also protect Loki, and each other, to their deaths. Nothing was going to happen.
Stark cleared his throat, still staring at the two gods a few steps away. "Do you...want to talk to him? Or..." the words died on the engineer's lips while he waited for Thor to consider an answer, two questioning hands out, palms up.
"I..." Thor didn't know how to answer. Should he speak to the vile creature that attacked his brother? Why should he not simply kill him? Why had he not the first time, when it was fully within both his rights and his power? Some distant part of Thor's mind registered that the imposter was from another place- another place well beyond conventional understanding and that killing him might somehow have unforeseen consequences. But Thor still wanted to kill him. He deserved it. Deserved to be put down like a dog- a monster. Anyone who acted in such a manner should not be allowed to continue breathing. Thor shook his head. Loki had done terrible things as well, did he deserve what had happened to him at the hands of the Chitauri? No, a thought told him, it wasn't the same. One wrong did not equal another. Loki had a purpose to his evil; he may have been lost for a time, but he had truly believed he was in the right. Loki had meant to rule Midgard, he did not kill for the sake of any twisted pleasure- everything was a means to an end, however misguided. And, as terrible as it seems, there are things worse than death... This creature- this being that had stolen Thor's face clearly had no qualms about doing such things.
No. He deserved death. But first, answers.
Thor looked up, intending to answer Tony, but found that the man of iron had already left. He looked down at Loki only to find the trickster's eyes open. The thunder god would have been startled if not for the fact that Loki was gazing in the direction of where Stark had stood, as though expecting the genius to return.
"Loki," Thor said quietly, hoping his brother would look at him. He did not.
The younger god's eyes flickered to the floor, then his own hands, which now rested in his lap tiredly. "You are leaving," came the disappointed response, as though the world had just fallen through.
"Loki," Thor said again, pulling him closer with both arms, "I am not leaving, but I need to speak to this...to this," he hesitated, "other me."
The mischief god's eyes flicked angrily to Thor's for a split second, but quickly looked away as though Thor's face shined like the sun. The trickster's anger melted as quickly as it had come, his gaze fixed on the other end of the couch. "You said you would not leave..."
Thor sighed quietly. He knew Loki had understood what he had promised earlier, that he would never abandon him. He was not a child- even if he sometimes acted like it -he did not truly expect Thor to stay with him every moment of every day, but it still hurt Thor to even consider leaving him, even for a short time. He knew one of the others could speak to the prisoner, but he felt it was his right to do it instead.
The god of thunder scooted slightly to the side to allow his brother to lay on the couch by himself, then stood up slowly, still wondering if he should leave. He only stood there, not looking down at Loki's eyes, uncertain what emotions might be painted across the younger's face. But he wasn't about to leave Loki completely alone, so he asked Jarvis to see if Steve Rogers would come here and look after his brother. The AI acknowledged then a moment later informed him that Captain Rogers was on his way. Thor thanked the AI but still could not bring himself to look at Loki.
You are leaving him alone...like you did before. Look what happened then. You weren't there... Thor shook the thoughts away. He wouldn't be alone; the captain would be here- and this wasn't Asgard, Jarvis watched every corner of the building. But Heimdall is the same and yet even he could not see. Thor walked a few steps away, suddenly angry with himself.
He didn't have time to complete his thoughts, though, as Steve Rogers walked in with a questioning look on his face. The moment he saw Thor's face, however, he seemed to understand. For a moment the captain seemed about to say something, but then pursed his lips in a straight line and stepped out of the way as if to say, 'good luck.'
Thor passed him without a second glance at Loki. On his way out, the thunder god heard a quiet voice behind him say, "You are not him."
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The cell in which Tony, Bruce and Steve had placed the imposter Thor reminded Stark somewhat of the SHIELD cell on the helicarrier of which Loki had briefly been a guest. Tony thought it a good design, even if it lacked the ridiculously over-dramatic- if necessary -drop of the helicarrier's. The idea was still the same, an impenetrable glass cage so there was no place to hide or plot for escape. A containment system for the most dangerous of threats. Of course, Tony couldn't resist adding some of his own features, and surely it was all the better for it.
The genius had been boredly watching the fake Thor pace around his cell, clearly agitated but still amazingly calm, given that he had just been pummeled by a certain magical hammer wielded by his own super-powered double. It had barely been a day and he was already walking around. Damned gods, Tony thought. He smirked and briefly wondered if lightning would smote him for the thought until he noticed a second Thor entering the detainment area.
Oh goody, he took me up on the offer. Tony would have considered getting popcorn if it wasn't so inappropriate. Well fine. If Thor starts beating him senseless again, then I'll get the popcorn. Tony smiled, satisfied.
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The moment Thor walked up to the familiar cell he wanted to smash it to pieces; the false looking-glass making a mockery of everything he was. The creature on the other side smiled, smug and confident as though it was his choice to be here. The familiarity of it made his stomach churn and the look was so wrong on his own face; foreign and inappropriate. The being still had a few bruises from his fight, but he seemed otherwise unharmed. Thor's fingers suddenly itched to feel Mjolnir, to grip the cool handle and beat the imposter a second time, if only to wipe the look off his face.
"Finally, I was getting bored waiting for you- me...however you want to put it." The imposter smiled with white teeth- teeth which begged Thor to break with the hammer. The other Thor closed his mouth but continued smiling. "How is that little god of yours? Still cowering in a corner somewhere, no doubt-"
"Do not speak of him," Thor seethed through his teeth.
The imposter nodded in mock understanding, "He's your brother, right?" The thing stepped boredly around the cell, ignoring Thor. "I can't imagine how that happened..." He turned around briefly, smirking at the thunder god. "He's such a weak thing, how does he have us for a brother? Even if he was adopted-"
"You are not his brother, coward." Thor took a step closer.
The other barked out a laugh, "Ah, a coward. No denial of your brother's weakness, though, hm?" He continued looking around the cell as though something interesting might have popped up in the last few seconds.
Thor only ignored him, "I am not here for your questions." He narrowed his eyes. "Why are you here, imposter?"
"'Imposter'?" the word rolled off his tongue as half a laugh. "I'm Thor as much as you are." The man looked Thor up and down, as though deciding if he truly believed that himself. "Interesting hammer."
"How did you get here?" Thor continued ignoring his questions, but was becoming frustrated. Why would he answer me? I have nothing to force him to speak. The next moment he wondered if that were really true. Was there something he could do?
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Loki, Rogers and Stark were all watching from the common room. Stark had joined the other two after getting 'creeped out', as the inventor had put it, by the other Thor. He had brought up a holographic display screen, which hovered above the coffee table next to the three. One half of the screen showed one Thor, the other the alternate reality Thor. Steve seemed just as unnerved, but Loki, interestingly enough, seemed to relax more at the sight of the two standing together. Tony wondered why that was before being interrupted by the voices from the screen.
"Why should I answer you?" came the alternate Thor's reply. The three knew Thor really didn't have much to bargain with, except perhaps the imposter's life, but that somehow seemed like it wouldn't scare him very much. But this really isn't Thor, Tony thought, how would we know what he thinks about...well anything? They had no idea how he'd react to threats, they had no intel, no psychological profile, nothing to go on but gut instincts. And going simply by "evil version of Thor" wasn't exactly helpful. If anything, he was more like an evil version of Loki- Tony stopped himself there. Now that was just creepy. But the voices were talking again.
"Answer my questions or I will kill you."
The other Thor laughed again, clearly amused. "You are going to kill me anyways, so again, I ask: why should I answer you?" His mocking tone was becoming tiresome. Tony was amazed that Thor hadn't tried smashing the man into little bloody pieces already, even Tony was getting the urge to knock his teeth out...again. His demeanor was all wrong on someone that looked like Thor. His smile wasn't radiant like the sun, but instead vicious and razor sharp, like twisted trees in winter.
"Well," Tony said, "it seems like all those years hanging around you, Mr. Silvertongue, has given Thor some kinda practice with this sorta thing, huh?" Or, at least, patience. He looked pointedly at Loki, who only glanced at him for a moment before continuing to stare at the screen, completely enraptured.
Even so, Loki answered, "Perhaps. But my brother is still ill-equipped for interrogation- especially with...someone that appears like himself." Stark nodded but said nothing, realizing that the trickster had changed what he had originally meant to put at the end of his sentence. '...someone like me'?
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The other Thor was smiling again. The thunder god wished Loki was by his side, he would have had this creature dancing like a puppet on strings by now. He shook his head. No...even if this imposter hadn't done... Thor lowered his head slightly. Loki has changed so much; he is not the silver-tongued, brilliant mischief maker I once knew. Thor liked the new Loki, but he still missed what made Loki Loki for so many centuries. He hoped that part wasn't forever lost, buried passed its neck within the darkness of a blood-soaked ground, stolen by hurts he wished they could chase away together. To be whole again.
The imposter was now laughing, "I'm surprised at you, Thor. After what I did to your brother- nearly twice -you show remarkable restraint." The mismatched smile appeared, "Or maybe...you care as little as I do-"
"Do not attempt to bait me, imposter, your words will get you nowhere," Thor seethed.
"No? But you do care, don't you? He's your baby brother and yet," the creature tilted his head slightly, "here I am. Still alive, still breathing after all I've done." He lifted a hand to his chin, as though thinking, "Hm. Perhaps we're not so different, you and I-"
"I am nothing like you."
The breathy laugh was grating, "Then why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?"
Thor unconsciously took a half-step back. He didn't truly know the answer himself; was it really out of a newfound cautious nature? This creature didn't deserve any deliberation, he deserved death. He would no doubt continue to do evil, and Asgardian justice applied in this situation. Or did it? He may have Thor's face and Thor's voice, but he was not of this universe.
"Did he," the imposter was speaking, staring at Thor, "tell you what I did?" Thor blinked at him. What-? The thunder god didn't answer. The devious creature smiled, "No, I suppose he didn't- well, not with any detail, why would he?"
Thor glared at his mirror image, "Be silent-"
"Yes, why would he? It's embarrassing, isn't it?" the thing laughed. "I mean, with the screaming and the sobbing and crying. Did you know he tore up his own sheets like some rabid cat?" Thor could feel his face heating up, red with anger, wanting to shut this imposter up, stop his words, but he was frozen. "No? None of that?" The imposter seemed to be thinking, nodding, amused. "What about how he begged me to stop? How he seemed lost on who to call for help?" It chuckled, "Apparently, he was confused: should I call for my brother- no wait, that's him behind me." He broke out into laughter, bent over slightly and holding his middle.
Mjolnir suddenly cracked the glass, and Thor watched with some satisfaction when the imposter jumped back a little. Even so, the other still seemed fairly amused by the whole situation, still holding back a chuckle.
"Struck a nerve, did I?" the imposter mused, clearly satisfied, steady eyes boring into Thor's suddenly.
What should I do? Thor thought. Beat him into submission, one side said, kill him, another said. Thor wondered at his own thoughts; apparently no part of him wanted to keep the imposter alive. Whatever consequences came of killing him, Thor would deal with. He needed to be rid of the other one. The thing was wearing his face, punishing the real Thor by even existing. Yes. Death...
Thor reached out a hand to open the cell.
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Loki was lost. He wanted to hide away, shut the screen off, melt into the fabric of the couch beneath him. Every part of his body still hurt, but this, the words coming from this mock-Thor's mouth was worse, like shards of glass in skin. He didn't want to hear anymore; the casual words flowing from the thing's mouth like a jest, as though he had only pranked the prankster. Everything a joke.
But he couldn't stop it. He couldn't even stop staring. His body was tense, every nerve screaming at him to stop, to relax- don't sit that way, don't move that muscle, breathe, breathe, breathe...
"Thor." A woman's voice floated from the screen before them. Loki focused his vision; he had been staring, but not really looking.
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Thor turned around, startled. Mjolnir was frozen in his hand, poised to strike at the disgusting creature behind the glass. But the glass hadn't slid open yet, and now a red-headed woman was standing beside him. "Lady Romanoff?" Thor managed, but his voice was hoarse.
She glanced sideways at him but continued staring at the glass. "I'll be taking over this interrogation, Thor. I think your brother needs you right now." It wasn't a request; her face was set, expressionless.
Thor knew this face, it said: 'My turn.' The thunder god nodded and walked a few steps away. He also knew it was his right to question the prisoner, and that she also knew that, but there was no doubt that she was the master at this particular craft and that even Loki was susceptible to her skill at times. Thor needed that right now. Yes, he wanted to pummel the smug creature into the ground, but some part of his mind, the part that had lived with the silver-tongued god for so long, acknowledged the fact that being beaten by words would be worse for this creature. And that was Natasha's speciality.
The god of thunder smirked silently on the way out, even as the imposter called out, "And here I thought we were bonding so beautifully." But Thor just ignored him and walked back to his brother.
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All three of the people watching the feed were surprised. "What the hell," came Tony's ever subtle response to the Black Widow's appearance. Loki only stared, while Steve was looking away, somewhere toward the door of the common area. "What's-" Tony began, but cut himself off when Agent Barton walked up to them quietly.
"Hey," said Barton.
"Hey," said Tony and Steve.
Loki only shrunk back, apparently uncomfortable with a new arrival to their party. Well, thought Tony, hope he doesn't start that up again. Tony wanted to comfort Loki, or maybe just tell him to cut it out- it was just Clint. But either his sympathy for Loki or his curiosity at Natasha's arrival kept him quiet. That, and the knowledge that he'd probably get punched by Steve, and maybe Clint, if he did the second thing.
Natasha wasn't talking yet, though, just standing and being all intimidating the way she does.
"How'd you guys get here?" Tony found himself asking, hoping the answer was short so he wouldn't miss anything.
"Bruce called," said Clint, "but we weren't sure we could make it so I guess he didn't want to tell you guys. You know how cautious he can be." Tony breathed out an understanding through his nose but kept his eyes on the screen. Clint eyed Loki, "I hope it's not back to 'Hawkeye's gonna kill me', hm?"
Loki looked in Clint's general direction but kept his eyes on the floor, "I don't-" but Natasha was speaking so Loki jerked his gaze to the screen, so did Clint.
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This is going to be easier than I thought, Natasha mused. Bruce had told her and Clint the entire story while they were still on mission. The mission was nothing special, but they couldn't stop in the middle and abandon their posts. Even so, everything was resolved quickly, and they drove back as soon as it was over. They would have taken a quinjet but they were barely a few miles away and it seemed excessive.
"So," she had said, "you're Thor, too?"
He had eyed her, suspicion on his face, brows furrowed. He tried to compose himself, "Yes...I am. And you are..?"
"You can call me Agent Romanoff." Her face was blank, but she allowed the corner of her mouth to twitch, the tiniest sign of civility.
The imposter dipped his head to the side, half out of courtesy and half out of curiosity, or so it seemed. He's hiding... Natasha thought. Even having only observed this man for a couple of minutes, it was obvious that he was hiding something. She stepped closer, confirming her assumption: anxiety. She thought for a moment, and nervousness... Perhaps not outright fear. She didn't know why he would be apprehensive because of her, but she remembered a look on his face when she first arrived. A flash of something akin to recognition- but not quite. She didn't know how to gauge that particular reaction so she had ignored it at the time. But now, yes, he's definitely nervous.
She smiled cordially but let something sinister slip in behind her teeth, not recognizable unless the person seeing it interpreted it in a dark way.
"Agent Romanoff," he nodded, a fake mask molding to his face. Hm. He's trying to hide. Feigning indifference, nonchalance. She wasn't so easily fooled.
"I understand you're from another place," she hesitated but didn't change her blank expression. "Another...universe? Right?"
He smirked and scrutinized her from the corner of his eye, "Oh? What makes you say that, Miss Romanoff?"
"You'll call me Agent, or Agent Romanoff," she interjected, eyes hard but still without emotion.
He continued staring at her, but nodded, "Very well, Agent Romanoff."
"And what makes me say that," she continued, "is that it's the truth." She didn't change her stance, didn't move a muscle, didn't look away. He was clearly trying to match her demeanor, but his was cracking. Natasha was still forming the thoughts as to why.
"I may look like that other...man. But," he tilted his head slightly, "that doesn't mean-"
"You are from an alternate universe, and I really don't feel like playing with words about it."
His hesitation gave her the answer.
It should have been obvious from the start, but she was too caught off guard by his face, and the simple idea that there really were two Thors in the same room with her. Of course she didn't let that show on her face, she would lose the upper hand. But now, she knew why his attitude shifted when she entered the room. Part of it was obvious: there was something about her face that was familiar to him. Perhaps she resembled someone from his universe, although there should have been more of a recognition if that were true, or it might simply be that there was some as yet unknown reason for his apprehension. She couldn't decide which, and it really didn't matter at this point.
This man may look like Thor, but he acted more like Loki. He wielded words and wore masks, two things Thor never did. But there was one significant detail that separated this imposter from Loki, it was all fake. Loki truly was good with words. He had several nicknames and a thousand years worth of experience to back it up. Yes, she had bested him once, but it had become clear to her that he used words and manipulation like most people used breathing as a means to continue living. But this being in front of her... The same demeanor and tactics appeared to be a façade; like he had spent years observing someone else do the same things he was now trying. It would work on Thor, of course, but it wouldn't work on her. It also wouldn't work on Loki- or, at least what Loki used to be.
And there was something else...
"But I like playing at words, Agent," came his delayed response. He seemed to notice a shift in her personality.
"No. Stop." Natasha wanted to test something, and now was the time. The imposter said nothing, but he had the presence of mind to eye her curiously instead of doing what she was sure he really wanted to do. "I'm going to speak now, and you're going to listen," she began, not waiting for him to respond. "There is one thing that's going to happen here, and nothing will change it: you are going to die." He narrowed his eyes at her, but something about the way he shifted told her he wasn't going to speak just yet. "But," she took one step forward, "I'm also going to give you a choice about that." The man waited, apprehensive curiosity on his face. "There are two ways you might die. Number one: I let the other Thor, and possibly his brother, decide how you should die. And if for some reason the two of them can't get creative enough, which I doubt, I'll have to intervene and help them out." She could see his face, albeit subtly, drain of just a little bit of color. "Number two," she continued dryly, "you tell me everything I want to hear, and you die peacefully. No pain, nothing. Just dead."
"If those are the choi-"
The look she gave him gave him pause. It said, 'Shut up, or I'll do number one anyway.' But the look drifted away almost immediately, once again replaced by her mask. "So," she took another step closer without taking her eyes off him, "which would you prefer?"
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Loki couldn't help but let a little smile cross his lips. He knew exactly what she was doing. If there was anyone on Earth, or in the Nine Realms for that matter, that could figure this creature out, it was Natasha. Loki was surprised with himself. He simply couldn't read the imposter Thor until Natasha had walked into the room. Suddenly it was like a light had been turned on; the instincts that earned him the titles of Liesmith and Silvertongue swimming to the surface. Of course, Natasha hadn't lied yet, not really, and she didn't need to. Everything about this being told Loki that he was not as accustomed to interrogation as he initially seemed. Certainly it was simple enough to get Thor riled up, words were never his forte, but the Black Widow... Loki smiled again, he would be all too easy for her, prey for the spider.
"What the hell?" Tony's favorite words, as of late. "Why's he listening to her?"
Clint sighed, Steve nodded with the same questions, brow furrowed. Loki continued staring at the screen. For a moment he considered letting them wallow in their ignorance, but he wanted to gloat. To gloat with the Black Widow, the only equal to himself- even if it was only between the two of them. But he finally spoke, albeit quietly and without taking his eyes off the screen, "He's intimidated by her."
Tony jerked his head around, "Well that much is obvious. My questions is, ya'know: why?" Clint sighed again. Loki wondered if he knew.
"I do not believe even she truly knows," stated Loki, "but the fact remains, he is."
Tony looked back at the screen, the imposter Thor was pacing, thinking.
Steve spoke up, "So he's taking her seriously?"
"Of course," said Loki. "Why shouldn't he? Everything about her tells him that she is a master at her craft. Her stance, her demeanor, her hard stare, her lack of emotional connection to the task at hand." Every Avenger in the room was looking at him. Loki resisted the urge to cower, so he latched onto his words, flowing like they once did. "She even seems caught somewhere between boredom and determination." He wondered if he should stop, am I giving away her secrets? But he kept going, unable to stop now that the words were out. "Whatever he is, wherever he comes from, it's clear that he has little experience with interrogation himself. She's using that against him, taking control."
"What do you mean?" Thor... Thor was standing behind him, listening, watching. How long has he been standing there?
Loki glanced back for a moment then back at the screen, hoping he would not insult his brother, "I am sorry, brother, but he clearly sees right through you. You are as honest as the good captain, and as powerful as the Hulk, but your skill with words is lacking." Loki paused, reluctant to take his eyes off the screen. "You... 'wear your heart on your sleeve' as the humans put it. It is an endearing quality, but is very little help when you must interrogate someone. And furthermore," Loki did glance back now, "you are much too close to this. Even I would..." he trailed off, unable to continue. Thor's face was impassive but not hurt. It was his hand suddenly on Loki's shoulder, squeezing lightly, that surprised the trickster, as if to say, 'I understand' and 'thank you for being honest.' Loki managed a small smile even as he looked away, to watch the scene unfold before them.
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"Time's up," came the Black Widow's deadpan words.
The imposter jerked his head up from his thinking position. He eyed her warily, then smiled, "Very well, Agent Romanoff, you win. What do you wish to know?"
Natasha was smirking, but only internally. She kept the blank mask on, as if she didn't care which choice he made. Her nonchalance seemed to elicit the desired effect, even as the man tried to hide his disconcertion. "Tell me why you came here." Good, she thought, simple, not too much. We'll start broad, then get more into details.
He seemed to be considering her question, then answered, "We are explorers." He sat down. Natasha allowed a small smirk, but not for the answer. Sitting down was a sign of compliance, that they were cooperating. It could be used to convey that purposefully, as Loki had done on the helicarrier, or it could be involuntary, as was obviously the case here.
"You're lying," she said simply. "Or, at least," she added, "you're not telling the whole truth." He eyed her, amusement on his face. "Maybe I should have been more clear about those choices. Lying gets you nowhere here. I have other things to do, I don't need to be here."
"Then why are you?" he asked.
"You shouldn't worry about that," she said in a cool voice. "And, to continue, lying gets you choice number one by default. I honestly don't care either way, I'm just doing this as a favor, but ultimately, it's my decision." It was an odd tactic, but this other Thor's inexperience with interrogation would throw him off easily. Her last sentence raised a lot more questions, and she could almost see them working through the blonde's mind, as though he couldn't decide which new question he wanted answered. But if he's learned anything thus far, it's that she wasn't likely to answer any of them.
"A favor, hm?" He was grasping at straws, trying to take back power. She knew what he was going to say before he said it, "Then you are friends with them? The other me, and the little god I-"
She held up two fingers, "If you're going to start spouting about what you did to him. Don't. I've already heard it and I'm not going to hear it again."
"And, what, you're going to let the brothers at me-?"
"Number one choice it is then." She began walking away.
He stood up, hands out in surrender, "Very well, very well..." he smiled, but it was all wrong. "I give in. What was your question, again?"
Natasha hesitated, as though she were considering having him killed right now, but then walked back slowly to her previous spot, and her previous stance. "I think we'll move onto another question, since you brought him up." That's right, she thought, confuse and distract. Giving him back an ounce of power kept him going; the illusion of control. Complete lack of control made subjects shut down, clam up.
"Oh?" he was sitting back down.
"Loki. Why go after him?" The question was open-ended and non-specific. Better to get them to reveal things outside of the initial question.
The man gave a half-smile, "He's a sorcerer. We," he hesitated, clearly not comfortable speaking about it, "we need someone adept at sorcery to get...back."
Natasha nodded, "You mean, back home. To your reality- your universe."
He nodded in return. "Essentially," he looked down at his hands, then back to her. "Your sorcerer was needed for a ritual. This ritual was what brought us home." Us, Natasha noted. She hadn't gotten the whole story since Loki was understandably reluctant to talk about it, as well as Thor.
"And the assault?" She stared blankly, he stared back but narrowed his eyes, partly amused at her wording.
"Assault?" he stood up, walking toward her. "I was bored," he shrugged. He kept his eyes on her, clearly he felt he had done no wrong. Like a true monster, Natasha thought. She didn't respond. The back of her mind was seething with anger, but she was too well-trained to let it show. She had a job to do, and she would do it.
"And why attack him a second time?"
He tilted his head and pursed his lips, "I was trying to get him to talk. I truly have no idea how I ended up back here- and on Earth, no less. We were on Asgard when we left."
"So you think he did it, that he would bring you back here?" She exhaled a snort. "What? Did you actually think he would do that? On purpose?"
The blonde shrugged, "I was in a hurry at the time. Maybe I wasn't thinking clearly, but," he leaned forward, pointing, "he is connected to it, somehow. He's the central focus, I would have ended up on Asgard, otherwise."
Why is he giving me so much? Something wasn't right and Natasha was beginning to notice a subtle change in his attitude. It was something small, something he was trying to hide behind his mask. What is it?
He was smiling at her now, waiting for another question.
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"Something is wrong," Loki piped up. Thor was sitting to his left now, having removed a complaining Stark several minutes earlier.
"Brother? What do you see?"
Loki leaned closer, as though that would help, "Stark." Tony, who was now sitting on the other side of Thor, a seat which had previously been occupied by one Captain America, peeked around the thunder god's bulk with a pouty hurt expression. Loki hesitated, then nearly rolled his eyes. "Tony."
The genius beamed with a wide grin. "Yes, dearest?"
Loki eyed the streaming video, "Can you zoom in on the...prisoner?"
Tony nodded quickly, understanding. His hands bracketed the hovering hologram, then spread wide so the entire side containing the other Thor was centered on only the prisoner himself, not the entire cell. "There you go," he sat back. "You see something?"
Loki didn't answer. He was too preoccupied watching the imposter Thor to think of an answer. What is it? The man was doing something, but the mischief god couldn't be certain what. The other side of the screen still showed Natasha, and based on her reactions, it was obvious to Loki that she had caught on as well.
"What is it, brother?" Thor leaned forward as though he could catch whatever the younger god was looking at.
"It's not right," Loki replied. "Something...something is not right. He is...stalling?" Is that what he's doing? But why? If he was able to escape the cell he should have done it already.
"Stalling?" came Bruce's voice. Loki couldn't help but jump slightly since the man was standing behind Loki, similarly to Thor earlier. How do these people keep sneaking up on me? The trickster glanced back but not enough to catch the doctor's expression.
"Yes," Loki began, "although I cannot be certain why..."
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"You're hiding something," Natasha tried. The truth, then, she thought. So far, some form of the truth had worked, no reason it shouldn't here.
He raised a careful eyebrow, "Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Well, for one thing, it's obvious. And second..." She pursed her lips. "Well. Maybe I should go back to my first question, which you didn't quite answer." He's stalling, she understood, but why? She doubted he would tell her why, but now it was time to find some more answers. Maybe he'd let slip why he was stalling somewhere along the way.
"Hm, yes. Why am I here, was it?" He walked toward the glass but stopped halfway to Natasha. "I am afraid I cannot tell you that."
Natasha narrowed her eyes, "We've already been through this-"
"And I would love nothing more than to tell you, but, truthfully, even if you didn't kill me, someone else certainly would." He gave a small shrug.
The widow nodded, "So, whoever you work for." He gave one large nod, then straightened himself. "But," said Natasha, "I think maybe you've forgotten something. We are going to kill you either way. Why not tell us everything for a guaranteed quick death? Something tells me your employer won't be as kind." She finished with a small smile.
He shrugged with one shoulder, "Perhaps, but I'm not willing to put that to the test." Natasha frowned internally. Whoever he worked for, did he fear them more than death? And he was still stalling, what is he waiting for?
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Thor was worried. Up until this point, Natasha and Loki seemed to understand everything about the imposter; it was as if they could read him by looking at him. Loki working as a sort of interpreter for what Natasha was doing brought a smile to the thunderer's lips, it was a small but definite sign that his brother still had his unique talents- they just needed to be coaxed out. He just wished it didn't take such extreme circumstances for it to happen.
The two on the screen were silent, eyeing each other.
Beside Thor, the trickster sighed. Not a sigh of exasperation or frustration, but one of exhaustion. Thor leaned in. "Brother," he whispered, "you are still not well. I should take you to your room." Thor hesitated. "Or perhaps a new room would be better," he smiled sadly at the trickster, who still refused to look him in the eye, although he returned the smile with a small one of his own. Thor put a hand on the nape of his brother's neck, hoping the familiar gesture would soothe him- although the collar got in the way somewhat.
Loki nodded tiredly, "Perhaps, brother, but...it is coming upon me just now. I..I am getting weaker." The mischief god's eyes were drooping as he leaned more and more on his big brother. Thor frowned. What should I do? Is he getting worse? Thor chastised himself, I should have let Banner look after him, even if he protested. If the collar stops his magic, he may be worse off than he would be normally. The larger god wrapped an arm around his brother, steadying him.
"Loki," Thor said, worry in his voice, "what would you like me to do?"
Banner had already moved around the couch to stand next to the gods, to their right. "Loki?" Bruce's brow was furrowed, worried as well. He was now leaning down, a hesitant hand reaching out to the now slumping trickster god. "Are you okay?" asked the doctor, his hand tentatively checking Loki's pulse.
"What is it?" Thor asked at the expression on Bruce's face.
The doctor shook his head and continued eyeing Loki, worry even more evident, "His pulse is erratic, I'm not sure what's causing it." He looked to Thor, "Can you carry him to the medical roo-"
"No!" Loki suddenly jumped out of the thunderer's grip, standing and then stumbling on his legs before half-falling to the floor. Banner scooted backward, certain that an over-protective big brother was about to intervene.
Thor had jumped up almost immediately, but remained where he stood, in shock. "Loki..?" His voice soft, quiet, uncertain. What is happening? There was something happening to Loki's body. Small runes of blue light were appearing on each of his limbs, his chest, as well as his forehead. "Brother, what is happening?" asked Thor quietly.
Loki only shook his head, looking down at his body. Thor couldn't see his face, but the god of mischief was beginning to shake.
"What the hell is going on?!" yelled Stark.
"Shut up, Tony!" was Steve's response to Stark's overuse of the question.
Thor stepped closer to Loki, carefully, hoping his little brother wouldn't try running again. "Loki, allow us to help you."
The black hair lifted to show a terrified face, "Brother..." came the weak reply. There was a sudden bright flash that had the Avengers cowering where they were.
.
The god of thunder was trying his best to blink the whiteness out of his vision. He heard Stark somewhere to his left cursing a continuous stream of profanities as well as the expected noises of disapproval from the captain. Thor hoped that Banner was not too startled by whatever had just happened-
"What was that?" Banner interjected. Thor sighed with relief, but before he had a chance to check on Loki, he was greeted by a familiar face hovering near his brother. Sif?
A/N: Yeeahhh, so sorry for the cliffhanger! Not too bad of a cliffie, though, right? Ehehe.