Caged

He seldom spoke, and you made no effort to make him. You knew guys like him, multiple of your past patients had been the same, narcissists. You had to make it seem like it was his idea to speak, and you were more than happy to sit in silence, going through a pile of paperwork. He sat against the glass on the opposite side of you, just staring. Despite your long history in psychiatry it was hard to decode him, not that you would ever tell him that. The room remained silent apart from the hum of the Helicarrier engines. Ever so often you would peek up from your paperwork, and he would always be staring at you, his gaze almost piercing.

This is how you had spent at least two hours a day for the last week. Being hired by Fury had come with a significant pay rise so you felt no need to keep your old job. Now you were stationed on the Helicarrier, Loki’s personal psychiatrist. Despite your long and decorated ten year career, you knew deep down that Fury had hired you because he believed Loki would underestimate you, both for your age and gender. You glanced down at your watch, six p.m, your two hours with Loki was up. You gathered your paperwork, Loki remaining silent.

“I’m off, see you tomorrow,” you waved, you always found your goodbyes awkward, after all it wasn’t like you engaged much.

Loki smiled somewhat menacingly, “Always a pleasure mortal.”

You blushed slightly and turned around, signaling to the guard outside you were ready to leave. OK, despite his evil homicidal maniac tendencies you had developed a slight crush on the God of Mischief, it was hard not to when other than the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D employees he was the only man you came into contact with. His striking features, his pale skin and high cheekbones were objectively attractive, it wasn’t your fault Asgard seemed to churn out attractive gods. Speaking of the devil, Thor almost bumped into you as you rounded the corner to the common area you shared with the Avengers.

“Good evening m’lady,” Thor greeted, always the gentlemen. If you had a small crush on Loki you had a major thing for his brother.

“Hi, how are you,” you beamed, excited to engage in conversation with him, you had only been here a week but your schoolgirl crush on the man had grown exponentially.

“Off to see the brother,” he replied before adding, “Did you say anything to you?”

You shook your head, “He has no reason to trust me, and he's being treated like a caged animal.”

“A caged animal?” he mused, “Do you believe we should free him?”

You shook your head vigorously, “Gods no, just maybe a more humane prison would compel him to be more open.” You explained, these thoughts having plagued your mind for the last week.

“Hmm, interesting idea. I will have to speak to Stark and Banner about that.” He said, “But for now I must continue, see you later.” He waved as he continued down the hall.

---

“Absolutely not, not a chance,” Stark shouted, sinking into one of the armchairs in the common room. “He’s not only a criminal, but he’s a god.”

Thor had brought up your idea to Stark and Banner.

“Let's hear her out,” Banner interjected, unsurprisingly more open to the idea. You sunk into a red couch opposite them and brought out a plan that you had been working on.

“Look,” you started, “He would still be one hundred percent a prisoner, no doubt, he just wouldn’t be in a glass cage, dangling vicariously over the vast emptiness of the sky below.”

Stark rolled his eyes, taking a swig from a glass beside him, which knowing Stark, was probably liquor.

“He would have a power dampener on him at all times,” you exacerbated, “And armed guards could surround wherever you choose to put him.”

“Oh where do I choose to put him?” he smirked, “I would put him deep underground in a steel box if I could.”

It was your turn to roll your eyes, “You are never going to get him to trust you, let alone tell you things if he's caged like that. Gods, think of how useful he would be on your side.”

You could see Banner listening carefully as he leant against one of the steel walls that surrounded the room. He pushed himself up and stood behind Stark.

“Look Tony, the kid has a point.”

You felt your eyes roll at the word ‘kid’ like you weren’t 28 and one of the best psychiatrists of your generation.

Tony sighed, rubbing his hands over his eyes.

“Look kid, fine. But I want a good, no airtight mockup of exactly what he needs and it's your ass on the line if he does anything bad.”
You nodded graciously and collected your items.

“Trust me Mr Stark, this is the best possible solution to the Loki problem, he needs to feel in control to help, and there is no way to feel completely exposed in a glass cage.”

---

You had the perfect plan, working alongside Banner you had sectioned off a floor of Stark tower. Incredibly strong power dampeners had been placed all around the floor, something you didn’t understand but Banner ensured that they would be effective against Loki’s tricks. One stipulation Stark had insisted on is that you had to be on the floor almost 24/7. You were sure this was punishment for one-upping his solution to the Loki issue, but you did believe it would be helpful for Loki to have a companion. The floor was essentially a very large apartment, there were two bedrooms, one for Loki and one for yourself, a study, a separate room that Stark coined the “Shrink hole”, where you would further implore Loki to open up, and the various other rooms a luxury-apartment would have. Obviously anything that could be used as a weapon had been removed.

You had moved all the essentials into your room. You had no problem leaving your apartment, it was comfortable, sure, you had bought it five years ago, when you had been a rising star in the psychiatric world. It was nothing compared to this though. Being on one of the highest levels in Stark Tower the floor to ceiling windows had an amazing view of the city, the natural light was to die for. You didn’t like the cold feeling of the tiles, but living like this you would simply have to put up with it.

---

“Welcome back,” Loki welcomed, slowly looking down at your figure. You covered your chest with your bag, the stress-eating of this job had led to your clothes becoming slightly tighter than you would like, with no time to buy new clothes you had to stick with a blouse that stretched across your chest, and a pencil skirt that rode up slightly on your thighs.

You cleared your throat, “I have made alternative arrangements for you living situation.”

“Really better than this?” he sarcastically inquired, spreading his arms around the glass cage, “You are too kind, doll.”

You felt that sneaky blush creep up your neck and hugged your bag tighter.

“Yes Loki, you are moving into Stark tower, I hope you will appreciate the effort I took in making this happen.”

He slunk closer to the edge of the glass, so close you could see his breath on the glass.

“What did you have to do to Stark to get him to agree to this? Get down on your pretty little knees?” He smirked.

“Excuse me?” you spluttered, feeling your knees go weak, “I’ll have you know I have two degrees and a PhD, I am more than capable of coming up with ideas that Mr Stark would agree with.”

He smiled, leaning his head on the glass, “Of course, I was just playing with you doll, you sure look red.”

“It’s just hot in here,” you rolled your eyes.

“Oh, I’m sure.”

Before you could open your mouth to retort, Thor burst into the room.

“Good day m’lady, have you told my brother the good news?”

Loki grimaced, “Yes Thor, I am being moved around like cattle.”

“Well yes, but you get to live with this young lady, my brother.”

---