A/N: thank you so much for all the love this story's been getting :)
Alphabet kudos to WordsmithMusing's
Chapter Five: A Deal
Since discovering that Hulk was Bruce Banner, Hermione had developed a plan to sneak into his rooms to meet him. He was from Earth, the closest thing she had to someone from back home—he might know how to leave. The hardest part of her plan had been finding time between her duties as a weapons finder and the Grandmaster.
But finally, a week later, the Grandmaster had retired early, which allowed Hermione time to sneak off. She rushed to her rooms, changed out of that day's outfit—a dark blue knee-length dress that was much too tight—and back into her comfortable trousers and shirt. That rainbow dress had been her downfall; the Grandmaster now insisted Hermione wear something extravagant to every party.
A knock on her door echoed as Hermione pulled her hair into a bun, causing her heart to leap to her throat. Surely no one knew what she was about to do, right? She hadn't told anyone—not that she had anyone to tell.
Hermione pressed the button to unlock the door, the metal whooshing as it slid open. Loki stood on the other side, looking flushed and concerned.
Hermione arched a brow, "Did you follow me from the party? I thought you would have been too concerned with sorbet hair to notice me." They spent every party together, not that Hermione noticed.
"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Loki smirked and leant against her door frame.
Hermione sniffed and turned to search for her boots. She certainly wasn't jealous. It was just that she didn't particularly care for how that woman dressed or looked or acted or well... No. No, she wasn't jealous. She didn't even like Loki. The only thing that connected them was their need to be off this plant. And the fact that their magic reached for the other's—something which both of them had yet to discuss, though Hermione knew he could feel it too.
Finding the familiar brown leather, Hermione quickly slipped them on and headed for the door. She pointedly ignored Loki as she brushed past him, and she certainly ignored the tingle in her arm as it accidentally touched his.
"Where are you off to?"
"Why do you care?" Hermione stated over her shoulder.
Loki began to follow her down the hall. "I know you think I'm some unfeeling creature, but I do have some heart. You've been very distant this last week, I thought..."
Hermione stopped in her tracks and turned to meet Loki's puppy dog eyes. She knew what he was doing, knew he was playing her, but it didn't—couldn't—stop her curiosity. "Thought what?"
Loki shuffled. "I thought that we were becoming friends."
"Friends?" The incredulous tone left her lips before she could stop it. "I have no friends here, Loki. That's... why I'm going to Hulk."
"Hulk? Why the Hel would you go see Hulk?"
Hermione shrugged, "Hulk is from Earth. He might know how to get home."
"Hulk isn't exactly..." Loki seemed to ponder for the right word. "A conversationalist."
"I'm sure I'll be fine. If I can connect with a giant, I'm sure Hulk will be a cakewalk."
Hermione made to turn back to her path, but a hand gripped her upper arm. Electricity shot across her skin, goosebumps spreading in its wake. Her eyes went wide as she looked at Loki, and he dropped his grip as quickly as he grabbed her.
"Don't go—Hulk is dangerous," Loki said, his voice soft, pleading. "If he gets angry—"
"Not as dangerous as you, I'm sure," Hermione quipped. "And I don't intend to make him angry. I know how to handle myself."
She left him with those words. The echo of her shoes on the floor seemed louder than usual, or maybe that was just because the hall was empty. Either way, the sound carried her quickly to where she had discovered Hulk's rooms to be—it hadn't been hard to weasel the information from the Grandmaster.
It took nearly ten minutes to arrive at the hall leading to Hulk's rooms; Hermione had to dodge a few patrols. The two guards posted at the end of it fell easily to a simple (DROWSY SPELL), and Hermione stepped around their sleeping bodies to Hulk's spacious room.
The first thing Hermione noticed was the fact there was no door, but the giant skull—that surrounded a bed larger than she had ever seen—captured her attention next. A slosh of water pulled her gaze, startled to find Hulk watching her from a heated pool.
"Who you?" Hulk's voice was gruff and angry.
"Hello, Mr Hulk." Hermione greeted, making sure to keep her tone even and smooth. "My name is Hermione. I serve the Grandmaster. Would it be alright if I come in for a moment?"
Hulk grunted, and Hermione took that as affirmation. She sat on an overly-large orange chair, sinking into the soft cushion. The night sky out the expansive window twinkled with lights from the city, the two moons glowing brightly.
"Slave?" Hulk asked, pointing to his neck to indicate her Obedience Disk.
Hermione gave him a small smile, "Unfortunately, yes. I'm from Earth."
"Earth!" Hulk's voice turned loud and upset. "Earth hate Hulk! Sakaar better."
"I'm afraid I disagree with you on that account, Hulk," Hermione said, sitting up slightly. "You see, I'm not supposed to be here. And I need to get home."
"Sakaar home now," Hulk argued, his brow furrowing.
Hermione blew out a frustrated breath, "Hulk, I've been made aware of your connection to Bruce Banner. You see, I'm an awfully big fan of Doctor Banner. Is there any way I could speak to him?"
Hulk growled and stood from the water, and Hermione quickly averted her eyes from his nether regions. Good Godric, that sight would forever be etched into her brain.
"Slave-girl only like Banner! What about Hulk? Hulk smash!" He pounded his fist into his hand for emphasis.
"Oh, of course, I'm a fan of yours, Hulk! Banner doesn't matter. No one even really likes him." Hermione placated. Obviously, Hulk needed his ego stroked to get anywhere with him.
"I just desperately need to go home, and I thought Banner might know how."
"Banner gone," Hulk answered, climbing out of the pool and walking to his bed.
"What do you mean—"
"Hello, green-man!"
"Angry girl!"
Hermione turned to find Valkyrie standing at the doorway, looking between them with an amused smirk. "And why is there an enslaved witch in your quarters?" she quipped, walking to stand next to the chair.
"I was just introducing myself to Hulk." Hermione crossed her arms and glared. She knew Val wouldn't understand her urge to leave; the woman seemed perfectly happy to spend her days drinking her life away.
"You know," Val said, slinging an arm across the back of the chair as she sat on the edge. "Hulk and I train in the afternoon. You should come. I could teach you a few things."
Hermione glanced at a now towel-wrapped Hulk as he sat on the stairs leading to his bed's raised platform. "No, thank you. I know how to fight."
"With magic, sure." Val retorted. "But it doesn't seem to last long, does it? Or were the guards outside supposed to be asleep?"
Hermione swallowed a swear. Without her wand, her magic didn't seem to have the strength behind it for complex spells.
Val poked her in the shoulder, "Let me teach you a few things, at least."
"Fine," Hermione replied bitterly, swatting away her hand.
"Great! Stand up."
Hermione huffed, "I didn't mean now."
Val grinned as she stood and stretched her arms, "No better time than now."
Groaning, Hermione stood and allowed Val to run her through some basic takedown and defence techniques. It all felt ridiculous to do while Hulk watched, but she did feel a bit better at knowing it in the end.
Hermione held Val in a choke-hold, right foot between her legs. Following the directions Val gave her, Hermione swung her leg, dropping Val to her knees and flipping them over until she was flat on her back, Hermione above her with a ready fist.
"Well done, witch!" Val grinned and took the offered hand Hermione gave her stand. "I knew you had the heart of a fighter."
Hermione felt her Gryffindor pride swell in her chest.
"Slave-girl is friend?" Hulk questioned from the stairs.
"Witch-girl," Valkyrie corrected, glancing at Hermione with a smile, "is friend."
Hermione woke earlier than normal, the sun barely cresting over the city.
She went about her morning with her usual routine, showering and dressing and tying her hair up in a knot. When she stepped from her room, she expected Loki to be waiting for her, but instead, the hall was empty.
Hermione shoved down her disappointment; it was a good thing to put some distance between them. She couldn't figure out what the deal was with their magic, and since she had no books to read on the matter or any wish to test theories, she would rather ignore it altogether.
The Meal Hall was relatively empty as she grabbed her usual breakfast—even the underground was quiet. Grabbing her standard three bags, Hermione exited through the doors, snickering to herself as Ulog—she still preferred to call him Spike-face—covered his nose and glared at her.
An hour passed before the sound of shifting metal pulled her attention.
"I didn't realise I would need a wake-up call," Loki said as he walked into view.
Hermione turned her gaze back to the task at hand. "I didn't realise I would need to wake you up, Your Highness."
Loki plopped onto his chaise, "So, did you see Hulk last night?"
"Yes."
"And did His Greenliness have words of wisdom for you?"
Hermione huffed and glared at Loki, "Hulk was perfectly kind. But no. I asked if I could speak to Banner, and he got a bit... upset."
She saw Loki flinch, "He didn't happen to mention me, did he?"
"Why would he have mentioned you?"
Loki waved his hand in dismissal, "Oh, no reason."
"You seem to know an awful lot about Hulk," Hermione commented, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "Do you two know each other?"
Loki stared at her for a moment before sighing in resignation. "Since you're from Earth, I assume you know who the Avengers are?" Hermione shook her head in confirmation, and Loki continued. "When New York happened...Hulk may have...overpowered me."
"Oh," Hermione smirked, "so you're afraid of him."
"Of course not!" Loki bit out. "He's just—he ruins the colour green—"
"Well, I, for one, am thrilled he's here. Especially now, knowing he can beat the absolute shite out of you." The beat of silence that followed her comment was stifling and awkward. When Hermione turned back to her work, Loki spoke again.
"You truly hate me, don't you?"
Hermione gripped the metal rod she currently held tighter. She could feel her magic crest and swell over it, her fingers aching at the strain to pull it back. The last thing she needed was for her rage to cause accidental magic.
"You—or the Chitauri, or whatever—killed a lot of people. Muggle and magical alike. I saw it first hand. It was..." She dropped the pipe into her bag, her anger disappearing to be replaced with a hollow ache in her chest. "It was a massacre."
Loki stayed silent.
"Would it..." he started, reaching towards her but instantly dropping his hand back to his side. "Would it help to know that the sceptre—"
"Three-nine-four!"
Hermione and Loki looked toward a guard approaching them. Hermione realised how close Loki had got to her and pointedly took multiple steps back.
"Grandmaster's looking for you," the guard said. "Come with me."
Hermione sighed but followed her, leaving Loki alone. That seemed to happen often, but she was glad of it; that conversation was not one she wanted to have.
After depositing her collected weapons, she went to the Throne Room with the guard. The Grandmaster was in his usual seat, his hair now a sparkling silver instead of dark green. His head was tipped back, and eyes closed as his attendants massaged his hands and legs.
Hermione tried her best not to grimace.
"Three-nine-four to see you, Grandmaster," the guard stopped Hermione a few feet from the platform and left to fall back into the ranks against the walls.
"So lovely to see you, Three-nine-four! Wasn't I just saying, Topaz, how much I enjoy Three-nine-four's company?"
Topaz grunted.
The Grandmaster sat up, his attendants returning to sit at his feet. "Listen, I wanted to apologise about the other day when Ulog touched you. I just feel awful. Men are such barbarians, honestly. It kept me up all night thinking about it." He gestured to his face, "Seriously, look at the bags under my eyes. I barely got eight hours of sleep. Terrible."
Hermione felt a wave of irritation wash over her. She was sure he felt absolutely nothing about it.
"Anyways," he clapped his hands together. "I called you here because it's time for your match against my champion."
Hermione's stomach plummeted. Her eyes widened. Her pulse raced. She would die against Hulk—instantly. As difficult as it was for her, Hermione stayed silent. She knew that it was better to say nothing at all and just let him speak.
The Grandmaster smiled wide, "See, that right there! Exactly why I like you; you don't argue or interrupt. So many people beg for their lives as soon as I tell them that." He laughed to himself like it was a great joke. Hermione's palms were sweating. "A long time ago, there was a very, very small PWJ spat—just a little fight between them and me, nothing serious. Anyway, we created this scape-goat, if you will, to allow them to win their freedom! Defeat my champion, your freedom you shall reap."
"Now," The Grandmaster continued before Hermione could say anything. "I've enjoyed your company, so I've decided to make it a bit more... interesting for you. If you can somehow manage to find a contender that defeats my champion, I will give you your freedom."
Hermione blinked as her brain began to process, "You'll let me leave? Just like that? Wand and all?"
"Ah, so she does speak!" The Grandmaster chuckled to himself.
"Would you like me to cut out her tongue?"
The Grandmaster had been ready to continue, mouth hanging open at the beginning of a word. With a confused, scrunched-face expression, he turned to Topaz. "Why would I want you to cut out her tongue?"
"So she can't speak," Topaz replied, staring at Hermione with an arched brow.
Despite her nerves, Hermione glared at her.
"I don't—She's allowed..." The Grandmaster rubbed at his face with irritation. "I want her to speak."
Topaz shrugged, "Suit yourself."
He ignored her. "Sorry about that, Three-nine-four. Anyways, yes. Just like that. Find a contender to beat my champion, win yourself a ticket out of here. I know, I know; I'm amazing. Please, save the fanfare."
Hermione's mind instantly started to piece together a plan. She could talk to Hulk, maybe convince him to throw a match for her... Loki. She could ask Loki to fight for her. Would he, though? After their last conversation?
"However..."
And there it was—the catch.
"If you lose, you'll join the ranks of my attendants. Not just my personal attendants for parties, but in my chambers as well. You will belong to me for as long as your brief Earthian life exists on Sakaar."
The implication hung heavy in the air, and Hermione clenched her jaw. She'd become like the girls at his feet. The thought made her stomach turn, but did she have much of a choice? What other way could she get off the planet? Loki originally wanted to leave, but he seemed more apt to stay, taking comfort in the high-class people and parties as the days passed.
There was no other way.
"Agreed," she said, the word searing her tongue.
"Wonderful." The smile he gave her now looked wrong. Like it held a hundred secrets but none that she would ever know. "Good luck."
The party that night was in full swing, another contender found to entertain them. Hermione wore another ridiculous outfit, her legs exposed between the slits running up the dark red dress. The Grandmaster was dressed to match as if he was trying to show her she would belong to him.
Hermione would show him.
"Fetch us drinks, slave," Topaz growled at her.
Hermione shot her a glare, "Now Topaz. You know my title is Manager of Food Provisions. We don't want it to get back to the Grandmaster that you're being rude to the people who provide food at your leisure, do you?"
A sharp laugh sounded behind her, and she turned to find Loki smirking. A thrill went through her as his bright eyes, creased by the smile, met hers. She quickly turned away. She was not supposed to feel thrills.
"Dear Topaz," Loki assuaged as he came to stand beside Hermione. His scent of leather and spearmint surrounded her, and Hermione turned her head to catch a breath of fresh air. Loki's smell made her brain fuzzy. From the fumes, of course.
"Why not come get a drink with me?" Loki held out his elbow in an offer to the burly woman, who stared at it with a deadpan face.
Topaz grunted and shoved past them, shouldering Hermione as she went. Hermione stumbled back but was caught around the elbow by Loki's warm hand. The same feeling from last night—that electric tingle as their magic's entwined—cascaded up her arm and across her shoulder.
Loki stared at her with curious eyes, his voice dropping low so only she could hear. "You feel it too, don't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Hermione replied, pulling her arm from his grasp. "And I would appreciate it if you didn't touch me without my permission."
She tried to ignore the goosebumps on her skin and the feel of powerful magic sliding down her spine.
Loki's eyes continued their appraisal of her, and a slight smirk turned his lips. He gave a mocking bow, "As you wish. Next time, I'll just let you fall flat on your arse."
He walked away before she could reply, going to sit in his usual spot on the couch next to that orange-haired woman. Loki gave her a warm smile as they began to talk, and Hermione quickly turned away. Rubbing her elbow, she tried to will away the ghostly feel of his hand. It was as if his touch was seared into her skin.
The most infuriating part of it all was that Hermione knew her answer to the questions he had earlier, and it caused her stomach to flip. She didn't hate him. She wanted to, desperately, but she couldn't. There was something when she was with him, something drawing her closer. Their magic reached for the others in a way she never saw before, never felt before.
If only she had access to a Wizarding library. Maybe then she could get some answers.
She didn't have time to muse on it further as Hulk exited his steel door with the usual roar, the crowd going wild when the match started. This one lasted a bit longer than the rest but ended all the same. Hulk victorious, another person dead, and the Grandmaster happier than ever.
He left for bed once the celebration died down, his attendants following him. Hermione watched them go, dread settling in her stomach. She had to speak to Hulk. It'd been hours since the fight; he had to be back in his room by now.
Glancing at Loki to find his arm slung around the back of the seat behind Sorbet-head, both of them huddled in a secret conversation, Hermione fled the room. She ignored the pang of jealousy that settled in her stomach. No—not jealousy. She was just... annoyed. He wasn't supposed to be enjoying his time here. This place was hell.
Hermione navigated the halls and lift easily enough, most of the guards and tower occupants still at the party. She was surprised to find even Hulk's guards missing from their posts.
"Hulk? Hermione called out into the darkened room.
A slosh of water sounded beside her. "Witch-girl!"
Hulk soaked in his overly large stone spring, the steam from the water mugging up the room. Hermione smiled at him and sank into the nearby orange chair.
"Hulk, do you mind if I speak with you for a moment?" Hulk grunted in agreement, so Hermione continued. "The Grandmaster has told me that... if I can find a contender to beat you, I can go back to Earth."
Hulk snorted, "Hulk strong. No one beat Hulk."
"That's the thing," Hermione continued, leaning forward and tucking her hands under her legs. "I know you're strong; I know there's no one in the universe that could beat you."
Hulk grinned and flexed his arms. Hermione smiled and continued. "But I have to leave, Hulk. I have to go home. There are people that miss me—that I miss. Sakaar isn't my home. So, I need—"
"Friend, stay!" Hulk's angry voice echoed in the quiet room.
"I need your help to leave, Hulk." She ignored his outburst and pressed on. "When I bring a contender, will you throw the fight? Help me leave?"
To her surprise, Hulk remained silent as he stared at her.
"There's someone here. Loki, he might fight for me if I can convince him—"
"No, Loki! Hulk smash Loki!" Hulk stood from the water quickly, and Hermione averted her eyes to the floor. Merlin, did this man have no shame?
"Hulk, Loki is fine. He's a... Well, he's a friend, I suppose."
Hulk sat back down into the water, and Hermione let loose a breath. "Loki, no friend. Hulk friend. Loki bad. Witch-girl no trust Loki."
Hermione began to pick at the stitching of the chair. She knew Loki was bad, knew not to trust him fully. But to hear it so openly confirmed by another, especially an Avenger, was a bit disheartening. On the other hand, what did she expect? For Hulk to tell her no, Loki was perfectly amiable, and it was quite alright that she felt an odd attraction for him?
The idiocy.
Hermione stood, "Well, I won't take up any more of your time. You'll think about what I said, though?"
Hulk grunted, and Hermione hoped it was a yes to her question. She mumbled goodnight and left him to soak in the water. Her mind raced with thoughts of the God of Mischief as she walked back to her room. What was she to do with him? Ignore him and pretend like she felt nothing? But he could feel it too, and it ate away at her curiosity.
As Hermione rounded the corner, she ducked back at seeing Loki at her door. She peeked around the wall and watched as he knocked twice, waiting for it to open. When it obviously didn't, he sighed and placed his palm flat against the metal. Then, he dropped his hand and disappeared into his room.
Hermione's heart raced at what she had just watched. What would have happened had she been there to open the door? What could he possibly want after earlier?
Tiptoeing down the hall, Hermione ducked into her room silently. For the first time since she arrived, she suddenly felt very aware of Loki on the other side of the wall. She placed her hand against the cold metal of the wall, same as he had to her door. A tremor went up her arm, and she snatched it back against her chest. Her fingertips tingled, and she sat in bed, flexing them. It was like her magic tried to reach for him, even through the barrier.
And his reached back.
Hermione sighed and laid down, mind buzzing with hypotheses and possibilities. The sparked tingle of his magic still pulsed from the other side of the wall, and she knew one thing for certain. There was no way she would sleep tonight.