Amelie Stark - Lights, Camera, Kill Me!
Amelie Stark - Lights, Camera, Kill Me!
I stared at the floor as Loki and I followed Nat downstairs. Loki had been especially quiet, even for him, since we'd left the balcony. I'd nipped to my room to get changed, leaving him in the kitchen and I'd returned to find him in the same spot, seemingly having not moved a muscle.
Silently I pressed my lips together tightly in frustration. The rest of us were used to last minute scrambles with Tony's 'plans', but Loki was not. Despite the chaos of the last few years, he'd been raised as a prince and I was sure he was accustomed to more order and organisation than this.
Cautiously, I threw him a sideways glance. On first inspection Loki appeared calm and confident, but I'd learnt to read him over the last couple of weeks. His hands were clasped firmly behind his back, his posture rigid and his jaw firmly set. His icy glare fixed intently ahead of him.
He was nervous.
I thought quickly through what was likely to be awaiting us, running through previous events in my head. If I knew the media, and unfortunately I did, they were all about the drama. They would be looking for a story and stoking the flames of animosity towards Loki was a sure-fire way to get one. Loki was polite and well-spoken, but anything he said could be taken out of context and then the press would have no trouble fomenting a frenzy out of it.
I glanced to him again, a sudden desire to protect him running through me. A small smile played across my lips as I considered how I could possibly protect a God.
Sensing my gaze, Loki turned his head slightly to meet my eye. His expression was desolate and helpless. He looked... lost.
I gritted my teeth, forcing a smile and conveying a silent message of hope that this would all be okay. My fears of uncertainty swirled in my mind, yet I knew I had to do something to ensure Loki wouldn't have to reveal his true emotions before a merciless crowd of reporters. Whatever meaning he managed to gleam from my expression, it seemed to offer some form of relief, and he gave me a small smirk.
I quickly leaned towards Loki and whispered into his ear. "You can do this, there was a time when even Tony was getting negative press. Anyone's opinion can be changed." He nodded slowly, his face taking on an expression of unexpected calm as his eyes bore into mine. Without speaking, he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face before turning back towards the stairwell. Heat flushed my cheeks as I stood rooted to the spot.
Nat was already making her way up the stairs, her phone pressed against her ear as she discussed our next steps with whoever was on the other end. She stopped mid-sentence when she saw us still standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Wait up here, I'll go get tony and we can all go in together." I nodded, unable to form any semblance of a sentence, and quickly dashed up the stairs, the ghost of Loki's touch still tangible on my skin.
As we waited in silence, my heart raced and pounded against my chest while I tried to will the colour from my cheeks. Loki stood next to me by the closed door of our press room, appearing calm and collected as always. If he noticed how nervous I was, he didn't let on.
Tony's unmistakable voice broke my reverie, and I turned to find him striding up the stairs with Clint and Steve following close behind. Thankfully, he had put himself together; a suit freshly pressed and a bottle of water helped give off the illusion that he was well-prepared. "Amelie, Reindeer Games." Tony greeted us with his trademark bravado as he stopped at the top of the stairs. "Loki," he said, directing his attention to him with a serious look on his face. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Loki stiffen slightly as he waited for Tony to continue. "I suggest you take some pointers from this one," Tony nodded in my direction.
Loki cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? And here I thought you were the master of the media?"
"Me? No, no, I'm the master of the universe." Tony replied instantly. I grinned, feeling the tension in the air slip away as we all laughed. Tony smirked. "But my pupil has a tendency for outperforming me" he continued, a playful wink aimed in my direction.
I smiled fondly at the praise. "Someone had to ensure the media only got a watered-down version of your true, majestic self."
We laughed again, Tony rolling his eyes. "Well," he said "let's get this show on the road."
After a brief pause, Tony pushed open the double doors and the five of us stepped into the press room, him and Steve taking the lead. The room was abuzz with reporters vying to get a glimpse of the heroes. For a moment I felt overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of cameras pointed our way but I quickly grounded myself, attempting a façade of confidence and poise.
As Tony took his place at the podium to introduce himself to the crowd, I could feel tension radiating off of the audience like heat from a bonfire. I stepped forward, standing just behind him where he could see me without having to turn around. Loki stood slightly off to my side, with Clint and Steve next to Tony. Nat had reappeared behind us, Bruce and Thor positioned at her hand.
Tony stepped forward with an air of confidence, his bright eyes scanning the crowd before settling on one reporter at the front row. "So," he began in a deep voice that resonated through the silent room, commanding attention from all present. He cleared his throat before continuing, "allow me to introduce myself and the team here. I am Tony Stark... but of course you knew that." A small laugh rippled through the crowd, dispersing some of the tension.
He continued to introduce us one by one, with Loki being last. Tony clasped his hands in front of him and took a deep breath before addressing the crowd. "I am sure many of you are familiar with our newest addition, Loki" he said. The room erupted into murmurs as soon his name left Tony's lips. I could feel Loki tense next to me and my heart clenched. Tony waited for the room to quiet down before continuing on. "Though we are still learning about him," he said slowly "what we do know is that he is a man... a god, of incredible talents. Beyond what we can even imagine."
Loki stared at Tony with disbelief, and I couldn't help but grin. I hadn't been certain how my uncle would play Loki's official introduction, but I was glad he'd chosen to be encouraging.
Tony moved on, outlining the goals for the conference and how we were planning to tackle them."We are here to answer any questions you may have." He said, and I watched as every hand in the room shot up. "But first, I think it's important to hear from Thor." All the hands slowly went down again as more murmurs filled the room. Tony moved past us, clasping Thor on the shoulder as he took the stand. I gave my uncle a small smile and he nodded in return.
"Asgard is a place of gods and warriors, of honour and respect." Thor began; I could feel Loki next to me shift uneasily at the statement. "Loki is one of those gods, and as such, will be treated with the utmost respect." The room was uneasy but silent as he continued. "We do not condone Loki's past actions, but I assure you he will do his best to make up for it. He will be given a chance to prove himself, to show us all that despite the past he is worthy of being part of this team."