Chapter Text
The rain is coming down hard, it has been ever since Loki had seemingly vanished minutes after his capture taking with him the tesseract. Leaving the rest of the Avengers and armed men scrambling, scouring the tower and the streets for the black haired villain. Only when Tony had requested JARVIS to do a full tower sweep and city scan does the group realize that Loki isn't even there. Hearing this sent Nick Fury into a rage.
Claiming 'How on earth do you lose someone chained up' he half blamed Tony for the Arc Reactor going out, saying 'Out of all the times for it to give up it had to be around Loki'. To which Stark states 'Well, excuse me for not planning heart failure in today's schedule.' He would later blame the failure on Loki's scepter. Claiming that the reactor blinked out twice after Loki touched it to the device.
The first being him flying into space to release the missle as Natasha worked to help disable the alien weapon. Second being, well this moment just now.
Thor on the other was blaming himself, his jumbled emotions playing on his face and outside in the form of the raging storm.
'I shouldn't have taken my eyes off of him. Loki's not a snake at times but also a weasel. He'll fight the fight but will escape at any given chance.'
This causes Tony to suggest that he would run another scan. This one covering all of New York City, and he claims that Bruce will be helping him once he stops Hulking out.
Both Natasha, Steve, and Clint offer to go undercover. Drive around looking for anything that appears out of place. Thor sighs but nods warning his friends that Loki is skilled in illusions. To not take what he says at face value. That he could be anyone or anything, he wouldn't shy away from playing a literal street rat or a roach.
Fearing that Loki might've gone to Asgard, Thor announced he will check his home land and report back what he's learned. All this leads to Director Fury warning all those within earshot nor to breathe word of this.
Yet things always seem to have a way of always going not according to plan….
Somehow, someway, the newspaper found out that Loki had escaped. That the Avengers were scrambling to locate him. Soon all the news channels began reporting that the Avengers had let the war criminal escape.
People were rioting. Claiming that the so-called heroes did more harm than good. Many believed Thor had a hand in letting him get away, being unable to see a loved one charged so harshly.
While others believe SHIELD hired Loki, it became its own conspiracy theory. The phrases 'Why else would they let someone like him go' or 'it was all a plan, sure he was dangerous but at the same time a rather easy level ten boss battle'. All those so far from the actual truth.
And amidst it all Fury was forced to converse with the council, every single member verbally voiced their concerns. Each one speaking on the fear that the other nations feel regarding the failure of the Avengers Initiative.
Fury had fired back. His words 'the Avengers didn't fail. We stopped Loki. Everyone saw it. We stopped the invasion. It just so happened the criminal escaped using the tesseract.'
His words are the truth, they are their truth. He does admit regret with letting Loki escape with all four limbs unbroken. Saying 'should've had them break all ten of his fingers and both wrists had I known Loki was going to pick up the tesseract.' His tone no one knows if he was joking or serious. In the end he fights for the program, voicing that the world needs the super powered heroes.
The council agreed finally after nearly two weeks of going back and forth. But on two conditions: the first being to add to the heroes because clearly six wasn't enough. The second- if Loki ever shows his face again he is to either be captured by SHIELD for questioning or killed on sight.
Fury agreed.
Heavy storm clouds lingered over the city yet the rain they threatened to release has yet to fall. The Avengers Tower is silent for the moment. Each one in their own room: Clint lazing in his room, Steve drawing whatever mostly just letting his pencil be the guide. Natasha cleaning and prepping her guns, Bruce is sitting at his desk with a book and classical music playing on shuffle from his phone at a comfortable level.
And Thor lays in bed, arms folded behind his head as he glares up at the ceiling. He couldn't quite figure out what was going on through his brother's head. The fact he forgot how to read Loki scares him. And now he has the tesseract back no telling what cruel things he'll unleash onto this planet. He dreaded the thought of yet another and he knows without a doubt this one would be way worse.
For all Thor knows this cruel nature is just part of who Loki is. No matter how hard he, Frigga, and Odin try to get him to change Loki won't change. He can't change. He's a Frost Giant afterall. A tiny one but still a Frost Giant. Maybe that's why his jokes and tricks always ended up not as funny or harmless. They always ended with blood, pain, and anger from those who were tricked and caught in the crossfire. And as much as Thor longs to have Loki at his side he knows its best to keep Loki at a distance. Afterall he can't hurt you or trick you when you distance yourself metaphorically of course. Thor hates it but it's just how it is. Loki can't change. If there is good in there somewhere inside his little brother, Thor will most likely never ever see it. Frustrated, the Thunderer climbs out of bed and grabs his sneakers. He figured a jog would pull him up and out of his darkening mood. Once he ties his shoes he exits the tower.
Meanwhile, up on the level of the building Tony is busy tinkering away at an unmarked piece of suit. In front of him is his holographic desktop screen which currently has the youngest and newest member of the Avenger's face on it. Peter Parker was beaming and pointing to the food that he had ordered. From the angle the young boy is holding his phone at Tony is able to make out that he's outside.
"Yeah, so like did you know the Black Panther's claws are like really sharp? Like really really sharp." Peter says, sounding breathless.
"Hmm, are they now?" Tony starts sounding distracted "Did he claw you?"
"No, he actually slashed through my webs." Peter laughs, "Pretty scary actually."
Tony glances up in time to see T'challa walk up and place a hand on Peter's shoulder affectionately "You should be proud Stark. Peter here looks up to you, and he admires you a lot. He's an amazing young man." He smiles causing Peter to smile back his eyes shining with awe and embarrassment "Not to mention an incredible hero for his age. I can only imagine how amazing he will be at our age." T'challa adds on.
Bucky can be heard laughing somewhere off screen "You were holding back against the kid." A small pause "You practically shredded my arm in our training."
"Your prosthetic was fine and still usable. I would never harm your actual body in a friendly sparring match." The king says smiling.
Tony opens his mouth to tease them both when JARVIS suddenly speaks up.
"Sir, I have been alerted that Mr. Odinson has brought the wanted war criminal, Loki Laufeyson, into the tower." JARVIS announces.
Tony halts his hands hovering unmoving over the holographic display screen "That can't be good." He starts to say before waving the light blue graphics away. "Where in the tower are they?" He asks as he begins to head for the door grabbing his cellphone from the entry table that stood under the lightswitch.
"They are in the Common Room, sir. Doctor Banner, Ms. Romanoff, Mr. Barton, and Mr. Rogers are all present. Should I contact Director Fury?"
"No. Not yet, let's see what games Rudolph brought this time."
JARVIS pauses for a second before speaking, this time a bit of urgency is detectable in the voice "Do hurry sir, tension is high."
"On it." Tony says as he crosses over to the elevator and steps inside, JARVIS picking up on this action overrides the lifts commands sending Tony straight to the level he is needed on.
The elevator dings and the doors open allowing Tony off, yet it's clear that no one heard him arrive. As he makes his way further into the space Tony can see that Natasha has her gun drawn and trained on Loki, who is sitting on the couch next to Thor. Bruce is standing and his ears and cheeks were green along with parts of his arms and legs. He is mad, anxious too probably and he was struggling to relax. Steve is on his feet and has his shield held and ready to strike. Clint has his bow and arrow. The arrow pulled back and ready to release into any soft part of Loki's body.
"What are you doing back here!?" Growls Clint "Haven't you done enough damage, caused enough pain and suffering. Or are you here to admire what you've done? Give me one good reason as to why I shouldn't drive my arrow through that skull of yours!" Demands Clint as he shoves the arrow in Loki's line of sight.
Despite the threat Loki didn't react. He just sat there. His gaze downcast, face expressionless. He looked drawn and his hands were shaking.
"Uh, who said he could come in here?" Tony questions though everyone knows it's aimed at Thor "Last I checked this is the Avengers Tower- well Stark Tower turned Avengers Tower, anyway. What I'm saying is Loki needs to beat it up out of here, in fact I'm getting Fury on the line." Tony threatens.
Yet Loki's expression remains unchanged. As if unfazed by the threat. Almost as if he knew it was an empty one.
Now Thor speaks up as he looks towards his friends and back to Loki "Friends, please I'm just as confused as you are." Thor tries to explain "I know not where Loki has gone nor do I know how he has returned all these months later."
This prompts Loki to lift his gaze confused "It's been months?" He starts to say "No. That can't be right…" he starts to say "I've only been gone a few minutes…an hour or so….I know time is different in the TVA but…." He trails off feeling sick suddenly and he shuts up. His mind goes back to the moment Sylvie told him the truth about the TVA, their agents, and how Mobius called him a friend.
"He's lying." Clint snarls.
"I'm not so sure…look at how he's dressed. I don't know Loki very well but with that big head of his I doubt he'd willingly dress like some nine to five behind the desk office worker back in the nineties." Bruce says locking eyes with the mischievous god.
"And what you believe this mumbo jumbo of a TVA ." Clint laughs "For all we know he was out there killing innocent people. We should've never let the tesseract out of our sight. Loki is too dangerous, we shouldn't be letting him wander around free. Heck I think we shouldn't be letting him live."
Loki doesn't say anything.
"Or I say we turn him over right now, SHIELD would have a field day with him. Surely they'd love to cut him open and see what makes this psychopath tick." Clint adds hoping to get a reaction from the Silvertongue but Loki still doesn't respond.
"No." This time it's Steve who speaks up "I say we call Director Fury, let him know that Loki's back and have him deal the punishment. In the meantime we'll lock Loki up, somewhere away from us and anyone else that could be hurt. Barton's right. He can't be trusted and I'm not willing to endanger innocent people just to give shelter to a dangerous criminal." Steve intructs.
This gets a reaction from Loki. He closes his eyes and takes a shaky breath.
'You were born to help the Avengers, those heros, become a better version of themselves.'
Loki couldn't help but feel smaller as those words resurface and echo inside his head.
"And where's that exactly Einstein?" Mocks Tony.
"Here. You have that big under space, we can keep him there until Director Fury gives us further instructions on what to do with him." Steve says, his eyes narrowing at the alternate Loki.
"So it's settled then?" Tony asks.
"It is. I'll call Fury the first thing in the morning." Steve announces "This'll give us time to unwind and calm down. Not to mention give us a chance to make up his cell. And give Loki a chance to rest." He adds this time his voice is softer, a bit kinder but not by much.
"Guess this means you're in the dog house for now." Tony says, glancing at the trickster.
"He's beyond the dog house." Jokes Bruce lightly "I'd say more like a pound puppy."
"You're being nice about it." Natasha adds as she puts her gun away after putting the safety lock on. Clint mutters a more ideal yet rather dark dog comparison for their villain. He gestures for her to follow him and the two exit the room through the adjacent door.
With that Steve, Bruce, and Tony head down to underground level via the elevator to begin preparing it for Loki's temporary stay. Leaving the siblings alone.
Thor looks at Loki, his expression hard to pinpoint.
"Be honest with me brother. No more lies. Where did you go? Why did you steal back the tesseract? To avoid punishment from our father?"
Loki takes in a shaky breath before he looks his brother in the eyes. What should he say? What does he answer first? How does he answer? What was his plan before this and how does he explain that this wondrous glowing blue cube is nothing more than a glorified nightlight? That Infinity Stones are mere playthings or pretty paperweights. That despite these being the most coveted items they are just useless items in the whole grand scheme of things.
And that was the scary part.
Loki's hand went to his arm gripping the sleeve tightly. All the pain and suffering he had endured, the sleepless and restless nights where he would be interrogated. The abuse both mentally and physically. The nights where his belly would growl and those lovely children of the Mad Titan would show and offer food only to place it out of reach of the chain bound god.
The days of unimaginable torture leaving him to scream out for his mother and brother. The nights where he'd weep into his hands begging Heimdall to see him. To alert his loved ones about his whereabouts. Bargains falling onto deaf ears, pleadings for Munin and Hugin to find their way to his dark, damp, filthy cell. Even if he himself didn't know where he was in the vastness of space.
What was it all for in the end?
He wished that he never let go of the Bifrost. He would've gladly accepted whatever punishment Odin would deal him. It was bound to be better than what the Mad Titan did.
Because when it was over in the end he would've been home. He could've been happy.
But at the same time, he knows that he wouldn't have met Mobius.
Mobius.
His first real friend.
Loki's breathing quickened.
His first real genuine friend.
Someone calls out to him but he can't make heads or tails of who it is.
His heart is pounding loudly in his ears as his eyes widen.
'Who knows, maybe I could've had a jetski…. But that's where I want to be.'
'Prune him!'
"Loki!"
Loki feels big strong hands grab his shoulders firmly, he slowly turns his gaze towards his brother. He can see the look of horror on his sibling's face and slowly he's becoming more and more aware of the hot burning feeling on his upper right arm.
"Voice! Voice please, get help! Get Doctor Banner, Loki's bleeding."
"Of course, Doctor Banner has been alerted." JARVIS answers "If I may, I suggest that you lay Mr. Laufeyson down. I will play a song from Mr. Stark's therapeutic playlist."
"Yes, please do anything to help him." Thor pleads as he tries to get Loki to focus on him "Loki! Loki look at me."
Loki struggles to take in a breath, he no longer can hear Thor's increasing worry, no longer register that he is being shaken and grabbed. The last thing Loki sees is Bruce rushing up to him with a white medical bag before everything goes black.