Pepper was the first to react when the two men realized she was there. Loki opted for cowering, not quite knowing who the woman was. He was immediately embarrassed by his behavior as the woman was a mere mortal, and he scolded himself for that. But hiding underneath the nearest chair felt safe for him. It brought back a painful memory of him cowering just like it behind a stool right before his trial. As soon as Loki landed on Asgard soil, most of his magic was taken from him. The most he could do with it was simple tricks. The guards had used that to their advantage and had gotten their revenge for the years of him torment as prince. The constantly had hit him, kick him, anything they could do. A small stool was his only friend in his first cell.
And then Thor had come to visit him one last time before the trial. The two had gotten into an argument, all over Thor calling Loki a brother. Things got heated, the two were neck and neck, and finally Thor made the first blow. He yelled at Loki, telling him how tired he was of the petty arguments they had over the one little word. Loki fought back, attempting to fight Thor.
"Don't you ever call me a brother! I am not like you, I never was."
"Fine! So you say you don't want me as family?" Thor boomed, landing a blow to Loki's face. The frost giant crumpled to the ground, his almost mortal body not as sturdy as he usually was. Thor kicked him again, anger taking over him.
"Then we aren't family. I will not love you as a brother anymore!" he yelled, aiming another kick at Loki's midsection. This time Loki scrambled frantically for his stool, holding it in front of him, shaking with a new fear.
"THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT, TRICKSTER! I WILL NO LONGER PERMIT YOU TO SPEAK AGAINST MY FATHER EITHER." Thunder and lightning was surely dominating the Midgardian sky.
"WATCH YOUR TONGUE, FROST GIANT, OR ELSE ONE DAY YOU'LL FIND IT CUT RIGHT OUT." Thor grabbed the stool and yanked right out Loki's hands. He grabbed his ex-sibling by the collar, and breathed, "Perform more treachery, threaten Asgard, or so much as try to escape your punishment, and I will kill you. Understood?"
Loki gave him a slight nod, tears threatening to spill out his wide eyes. The two held each other's gazes for a moment. Behind most of the rage, Loki could see hurt. Thor was hurt. Loki regretted everything he said before, wanted to take everything back, anything to keep Thor's love. In that moment, he realized he did care for his adopted brother. He had all along, and just like that, after years of betrayal on his part, he had thrown away perhaps the only person who was willing to care for him. It was over and Loki was truly alone.
He shifted back to reality just as Tony managed to calm Pepper down by a large degree. For a few moments, he watched the two talk, not exactly registering what was being said. But then words started to become clear in his head.
"For goodness sakes, Tony! At least tell SHIELD that he-"
"I can't," Tony interrupted. "At least not until he heals. I need answers first."
"You can't handle this alone, Tony." Pepper said, stubborn to make him see her point of view.
"No Pepper! I need to know why he crashed here! I need to before SHIELD get him and locks him up for good!"
"You're being mind controlled."
"He's under a chair. Do you really think he's doing that?"
"I can't believe-"
"My house, my rules. He gets to remain here. At least, until we get everything straightened out."
"And then you hand him over?"
"...Pepper..."
"He is a VILLAIN TONY!" Pepper suddenly yelled, finger pointing in Loki's direction. "He has killed a lot of people, and he even threw you out a window!"
"Don't you DARE suggest I don't remember that!" Tony yelled back, getting riled up by her. He loved her, but goddamn could she just trust him? "Please. He's harmless. He's been here for like three days now."
"Three DAYS?"
"Yes." Tony said, and started walking towards Loki. He was done with the conversation with Pepper. He had to make sure Loki wasn't peeing all over the floor from anxiety because he sure looked like he would. Loki did flinch when Tony gently reached out a hand but he took it. Carefully, Tony helped the frost giant out from his hiding place and led him over to get some food. Since Loki was still pale and rigid, the iron man carefully filled a bowl with some takeout food for Loki and set him down in a seat.
"It's okay," Tony cooed, giving him a reassuring thumbs up. "Pep's scary, but she isn't the violent type."
This was where Pepper finally cleared her throat, done with observing the two's interactions.
"Is he my replacement?" she asked, not meeting Tony's eyes. Tony nearly choked on air.
"What?" he asked, at once lost for words.
"Is he my replacement?"
"Are you jealous?" he shot back. She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"No. You were cheating on me the whole time anyway." she dismissed, ready to turn the conversation. But Tony held on.
"You assumed that. Don't be jealous of something you could have still had."
"It was nothing if you were bending women over behind my back."
"I never cheated on you, Pep. I can't believe you'd believe the press on that one," Tony said. "Sure, I'm not the most faithful. I have a reputation for that. But I'd never do that to you."
Pepper slowly shook her head, not quite believing it.
"Never to you, Pepper." he said. And he meant it.
A/N: Hey all! Thank you again for the reviews, they really make my day and help me move faster. Just wanted to say I have more free time, so maybe I'll be able to have multiple chapters in a day...? (;
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