Disclaimer: I do not own these characters except the OC's.
A/N: Actually my version of Loki and Marcus would be terrifying as heroes.
Warning: Dissection, Torture, and Violence
unbeta'd
It's not much of a show.
The roommate, Jim, barely acknowledges Marcus and accepts he's Tom's nephew. Marcus can tell it irritates Tom regardless of the smile. It's too sharp and it feels dangerous.
The long look Marcus receives from the roommate just before he locks himself in his room means something. He ignores it and focuses on Tom instead. The story he's concocted is flimsy but he doesn't nitpick.
An orphaned nephew coming to live with his estranged uncle after a horrific accident claimed his parents. No one else would take him.
Lies, lies, lies... and partially true.
He was never wanted.
Marcus' life is brimming with lies and it makes him angry. He feels destructive but instead he huddles away in the forest or Tom's room to get away from prying eyes. The ache of loneliness twists his insides but he shoves it away. He curls in on himself trying his best to mute the lingering feelings of hurt and betrayal left over from his life with Douglas. He thinks it would be different if he wasn't helped. He wouldn't feel the constant gnaw of wanting in his processor if Tom wasn't nice or if the neighbors were less sympathetic.
The weeks turn into a month and by then Marcus is on edge. He keeps smothering his emotions because he'll be abandoned once the newness of what he is passes. He'll be left to die but at least he'll be free.
He doesn't need his maker.
He doesn't need Thomas.
He doesn't need anyone.
::O:O:O::
The days are strange as they pass without incident.
No espionage, no training, nothing.
It makes Marcus feel off balance but he makes due. He tries to bring some order into his life. He tries to set a routine to follow but it's difficult. Tom, for all his eccentricities, annoys him with his curious questions and gentle words. This only makes him strengthen his barriers should the man decide to turn on him.
He does his best to avoid the roommate's eye in the small home. Jim has only spoken to him a handful of times but the fear of him knowing something unsettles him. What if he finds out about Tom, too? Tom would likely kill them both if whatever he's hiding is revealed. He shudders and tries not to dwell on those thoughts. Instead he heads for the forest in hopes that a long walk will help settle him down.
It's almost nightfall when he stumbles onto a bomb shelter while wandering in a more secluded area. He does his best to search the area for any threats before moving closer. The concrete stairs leading down the side of the small hill makes him pause. He's too far to be heard if someone attacks him and the vegetation lining the stairs and opening are too thick if he were to fall and injure himself. No one would see him if they walked by.
Ignoring that pin prick feeling of danger he continues.
Carefully, he walks down the steps, avoiding the large cracks covered in moss until he reaches the rusted metal door. It swings inward without any resistance but he hesitates.
"Idiot."
He mutters to himself and takes step after step to investigate the shelter. He wonders what this place would've been. A lab, he thinks as he navigates around metal structures that fell over time. Papers are strewn across the floor dirty floor and broken glass decorate tables and shelves still standing.
'What is this place?'
He freezes and turns sharply at the sound of a muffled gasp. He tenses, straining his hearing but it's silent. That's when he sees the trail of foot prints leading deeper into the structure. He lets his curiosity wander because he wants to know who would wander this place. His broken hand twitches anxiously and his neck cables feel strained.
He hears the noise again but this time it's a smothered groan.
Using his past training and advanced skill he eases down the silent hallway. His good eye glows dimly searching for the source of the sound.
The smell of blood hits him immediately once the light from the open door leading outside disappears around a bend. The strong odor of rotting meat and feces almost makes him choke until he shuts off his sense of smell. The closer he moves the more he thinks the voice sounds a lot like...
"I warned you. I told you what would happen if you didn't leave Marcus alone. This is your own fault."
Marcus peers into the bright door less room before him but is unable to see who Tom is speaking to. He approaches with caution around the large bookcases wondering what's going on. His eyes harden when he sees a man strapped to a chair.
Julius, he remembers the name, Julius Thorne.
He's a weasel of a man, the kind Marcus would have taken pleasure in working over in his old life without batting an eye. The man works next door to Tom and even though Marcus has only seen them interact once he knows Tom dislikes him. Maybe it was due to Julius' tendency to be too friendly with his touches and coaxing words.
'Is Tom worried I'll focus my attention on the human?'
Marcus swallows heavily at the sight of the man's swollen, bleeding mouth being sewn shut with gold thread. He steps closer not bothering to hide himself from Tom anymore. Tom doesn't turn as he continues to slip a needle and thread through skin. Marcus doesn't flinch at the muffled screams. He's too fascinated by the tears and blood and pain pouring out.
"Marcus."
He stumbles back when Tom's green eyes finally meet his.
"Did you come to keep me company?"
Julius, finally realizing they aren't alone, lurches forward trying to plead through his closed mouth for help. The man's eyes are hazy from the agony and possibly drugs if the shaking is anything to go by. Tom snarls and clutches a handful of hair to expose the tanned neck.
"Marcus," Tom sneers down at the blubbering man, "Did you know he dreams of you? His dreams are vile yet he has no shame in admitting them."
Marcus' eye narrows at the defenseless human in disgust. His face morphs into a scowl because, so what? Why would Tom bother with this trash when the man knows he can deal with the human himself?
"You are more than a mere object or fetish for him to long for. I will make sure he learns his mistake until his last breath."
Marcus feels himself still at the declaration.
"So, I will ask again, did you come to keep me company, Marcus?"
The boy hesitates for a moment, placing his good hand on the metal table next to him. His fingers land on a serrated knife and before he knows it he's picking it up. He twirls it expertly without fumbling and turns to see Tom's expectant face.
Marcus steps closer, smirking, "I've got nothing better to do."
::O:O:O::
When Tom smiles he's surprised Marcus returns it. That strained atmosphere that clung around them seems to settle as the weeks go by and it's nice. It's the little things, like the smile, that makes Tom wonder if Marcus is finally starting to trust him. The boy doesn't hide away as much anymore and he speaks more willingly. The look of gloom and doom always hovering over the boy seems to be evaporating.
Tom thinks it's funny this happened after bonding over a minor session or two. It's easier to make a conversation flow between them when their hands are busy. They make idle chatter about weapons, past training, and what to do with the remains should they go too far.
Tom sighs feeling only a slight comfort when Marcus continues to avoid talking about feelings. He's too drained after centuries of isolation to give any advice and Marcus is too broken right now to want a solution.
'Who knew we had so much in common?'
"Tom?"
Tom rubs his eyes, "Forgive me, Marcus, my mind was elsewhere. May you repeat the question?"
Marcus rolls his eye, "I asked if you wanted me to cut through the heart or if you needed it intact?"
"Intact, please."
Marcus curses when the body jolts under his scalpel, "This would be a lot easier if I could use both hands."
::O:O:O::
"I'm glad he has you."
Marcus jerks causing him to overturn his bowl of cereal. He grimaces as the milk runs across the surface of the table until it drips off the edge. He's halfway up in search for a napkin or towel to clean up but the voice stops him.
"That can wait."
Jim slips into the seat across from him with his own bowl of cereal. Marcus tries not to tremble and tells himself he's being an idiot again. Why should he be afraid of a human?
"You must think I'm stupid."
Their eyes meet and Marcus doesn't even twitch. He bites his tongue to keep himself from agreeing with the man's statement.
"I know what Tom does. I've known for years," Jim's hard gray eyes lock onto his, "Doesn't take a genius to see something ain't quite right with him or the town."
Marcus arches an eyebrow, "Are you going to turn us in?"
"No," the man swallows a spoonful before continuing, "Anyone who meets Tom knows he has demons but he's a good man. Believe me, he's done more good than harm since he came here. Deep down he's not a violent man but he ain't squeaky clean either."
"So?"
Jim pushes away his bowl, arms folding across his chest to avoid coming into contact with the spilt milk.
"I'm not interested in Tom lying about his life before he moved here. I'm not interested in Tom's necessity to hurt people who deserve it. What I am concerned about is the fact that you aren't who he says you are."
Marcus can't help the laugh that bubbles up his throat. He grins, "You don't think we're related?"
"I don't think you're human."
His laugh dies suddenly and he's on his feet in an instant. Jim stares unfazed and leans back in his chair until it groans in protest.
"I worked with some people a long time ago, annoying as hell and ego's the size of the Chrysler Building but brilliant. They were the best of the best in their field. They built tech like it was child's play and it probably was for them."
Marcus unconsciously fists his hand and takes a step back.
"The older brother is the real reason I left. He thinks he's all that and a bag of chips but newsflash, he ain't. Now, the younger brother was gifted even if his older brother never wanted to admit it. He and I were partners for a while. I remember there was one project we worked on but it was scrapped by the older brother once he found out. Unfortunately, my partner died not long after that which is a shame. Fortunately, I kept some of those blueprints and I have to say you look awfully similar."
Marcus runs.