Matter
It’s when the crow’s feet at his eyes and age-lines nearly fade that questions erupt demanding, not of whom but what, Loki has done because they are sure now and how, with his powers majorly syphoned away. Had he aided with the serum had he learned of some spell – were there side-effects to said spell – had he a hidden stash of Idunn’s apples?! Ridiculous – how can he he’d been stripped of all belongings save the clothes on his back when he’d been cast out.
They ask him they’re angered at his calmness – how is he calm how can he trust?
Thor asks Loki, why. Loki shrugs. “Why not?” retorts from the armchair in the corner of his room, the room Tony’d assigned him when Thor’d dragged him down to Midgard at Allfather’s decree, the room in the tower he’d built and out of the blue mid-quarrel amongst mortals and Aesir had offered to house them, reasoning the security of the place with the Avengers in place. And then proceeded to impose on the silence Loki sought in the aftermath, proceeded with wit vexing and persistence and charm, had talked him out of self-imposed solitude had him curious to see. Boredom, he blamed, as he continued to return to Stark’s workshop and the smith continued to let him, pour drinks introduce foods propose games or keep to himself and let Loki the same, let him stay.
“…You care for Stark,” Thor concludes. Loki gives him a wry look glanced away, told coolly:
“I tolerate his general existence, and the lack of would leave me deathly bored. Besides, I cannot aggravate your comrades without consequence, but he can.” Thor narrows his eyes.
“He is not a means for your amusement.”
“Of course he is.”
“I do not believe that.”
“Believe what you wish.” Thor did,
as they’re in the common floor he, Loki and Stark, the pair adjacently sat as always. Clint whispers in the kitchen to Nat only he and Loki hear from the distance with the volume of the tv blaring, or it used to be just them.
“-whole thing’s relying on Stark so we need more than plan b.”
“Aldrich pisses him off. Wouldn’t be surprised if he loses the armor just to throw in a few punches.”
“Putting everything at risk, as usual.”
Loki sneers at their words and when he looks it’s to find on the man a frown deep. He doesn’t tolerate it.
“I wonder how much better they’d fair if you weren’t there,” casually iterates. Stark faced him perplexed for a brief beat though Loki doesn’t face him. “If I were you I’d let them find out.”
“Loki,” Thor warns to which the mage retorts sharply:
“Shut up.” Tony appreciates the sentiment althesame.
“Wouldn’t do any good.”
“I disagree.” Tony’s smile is warm. Loki wants to rip apart his teammates.
“Come on let’s head down,” he rises makes for the lab – halted, when he hears:
“He matters, to you, doesn’t he?” Thor speaks in Aesir he recognized the accent. He understands it.
Looks over his shoulder, for Loki’s reaction, finds none as the god approached composed, disregarding Thor’s words.