Chapter 6
“I’d like to introduce you to some people,” Steve says to Loki, who would really like to just be left alone.
Loki raises an eyebrow. “More people to point weapons at me? How delightful.”
Steve grimaces slightly. “That… is not exactly what I meant.”
Loki shrugs. “It was implied.”
Loki looks past Steve, to the woman with a shock of red hair and the man who is very deliberately pointing an arrow at him. (Internally, Loki wonders why someone would be using a bow and arrow when all the other technology on Midgard seems so much more advanced than just a couple hundred years ago. He does not ask, because the man looks like he would be more than happy to shoot.)
“Hello,” he says. “I’d say it’s nice to meet you but I’m not really getting that impression.”
“Let’s cut the crap,” the man says.
“Clint,” says Steve. Loki files that away — names have power, and it is much easier to refer to people by names than by general descriptors.
“No, Cap,” Clint says. “If I’m going along with this frankly suicidal plan, I’m at least going to give Loki a piece of my mind.”
Steve — people keep calling him Cap, which Loki needs to find out more about — sighs. “Fine.”
The man takes steps forward, until he is just inches away from the glass. “You hurt a single person on Earth and I will tear you limb from limb.”
Loki raises an eyebrow. “Wow, you really do sound like Thor’s friends. I’m rather impressed.”
And look, Loki knows that goading captors isn’t a good idea. If it weren’t for his seidr, and mother’s, he would have the scars to prove it. But he’s clinging desperately to an illusion of control.
Clint bangs his fist against the glass and Loki doesn’t flinch, not exactly. But he tenses, staring back at the man. He notes that Clint seems the angriest at him — he wonders why, exactly. Thor had told him that he had done terrible things on Midgard. Loki doesn’t know what those terrible things were, but Loki would bet his seidr that it somehow affected Clint.
Loki looks away from Clint. Steve’s looking disapproving — but at Clint instead of Loki, which is not what Loki was anticipating. The woman is just watching Loki, face unnaturally still. Loki doesn’t feel scared, not exactly, but he knows that expression and he doesn’t like it. She’s cataloging him for reactions, sizing him up. Loki knows that expression well. He’s usually wearing it.
“Back up,” Steve says. Loki obliges, though he really would prefer to stay where he is, separated from Clint and the woman who both very clearly dislike him. And who both carry themselves like warriors.
Steve snaps the cuffs on and Loki tries to stay very, very still. He can feel the moment his seidr is cut off. He feels unbearably cold.
“May I ask where we’re going?” Loki asks. He is getting really tired of not knowing what’s going on.
“Team meeting,” is all Steve says. Loki does not mention that that sounds vaguely foreboding.
“We need to figure out what we’re going to do about Loki,” Steve says to the assembled Avengers: Tony, Thor, Bruce, Natasha, and Clint.
Loki rolls his eyes in the corner. He’s betting he’s here because they want to keep an eye on them but don’t have any spare manpower. (He’s right, of course.) All of his energy was leached out with the cuffs and he genuinely considers taking a nap during this Very Important Meeting. The need to know what’s going on wins out, but just barely.
“I think we should keep the cuffs on him and allow him on the common floor and Thor’s floor,” Steve says. “That way we can keep an eye on him without having to switch shifts for the cell.”
Thor nods. “Yes, I will keep an eye on Loki.”
Clint throws up his hands. “Are you serious? You’re playing directly into his hands. There are more than enough things that he could use as weapons if he really tried. This idea is insane.”
Tony raises an eyebrow. “We can tell FRIDAY to watch him. She can alert us if he’s going near anywhere he isn’t supposed to.”
Loki wonders who Friday is, why he hasn’t met them yet, and why they have such a stupid name. He shivers slightly, thanks to those damn cuffs.
“If it’s all the same to you, I think I’d rather stay in the cell,” Loki says. If he’s lucky, they’ll agree.
“Sorry kid, that’s not an option,” Tony says. He does look almost sorry. Loki files that away for later.
They’re genuinely trying to kill me, Loki thinks, as the cold continues sinking into his bones.
“Well, that’s settled,” Steve says. “Loki, we have some ground rules.”
Loki stares at Steve. He doesn’t particularly care about the rules. At this point, he doesn’t particularly care about anything. He’s cold and he’s tired and he just wants the soothing hum of his seidr back.
“You are not to hurt anyone, inside of the Tower or otherwise. You will listen to any instructions given by members of the Avengers. You will only go places where you are allowed. FRIDAY will be watching and keeping us updated. And the cuffs are going to stay on.”
“Oh,” says Clint. “And if you fucking try to mess with my head, or anyone else's, I will deal with you myself.”
Loki cocks his head to the side. “Mess with your head?” He asks. “I don’t know if your myths have been exaggerated over the years but I’m persuasive, not controlling. I can’t actually do mind-magic.”
Clint snorts. “That’s rich, coming from you.”
Loki does not particularly want to pick a fight. But it’s been over a week and he’s in seidr-suppressant cuffs and he still doesn’t know why.
“Why,” Loki asks. The Avengers stare at him, not answering. “Would someone please just tell me what I did?”
“Oh,” Loki says, looking vaguely sick.
“Yeah,” says Clint. “So forgive me if I don’t exactly enjoy your presence.” Clint pauses for a moment, considering. “Actually, I actively despise you and don’t really care how you feel about it.”
Loki nods, eyes still wide. He bites his lip, looking pained and a little thoughtful. “If older me… stupid or something?”
Whatever the Avengers were expecting, that wasn’t it. “What?” Steve asks.
“So I opened a tiny portal right on top of the base of Midgard’s heroes? Such a small portal that only one ship could get through at a time? And why would I even choose New York? Last time I was here you were still a colony. And, again, mind control is not something I’m capable of. Altogether that sounds like a horrible plan,” says Loki. “I mean, if I really wanted to take over Midgard, which I don’t, why would I ever take such an offense-heavy approach? I have lifetimes more time than you do, I can wait.” Loki looks lost in his thoughts, like he’s genuinely considering the best plan to take over Midgard. “It would definitely be possible for me to slowly take over countries throughout the world. I’m perfectly capable of holding multiple alter-egos. I still don’t quite see the benefits to that plan, as I don’t want to conquer Midgard, but it would definitely be possible.”
Loki looks up. The Avengers are all staring at him, anger and disbelief on their faces.
“What?” Asks Loki, defensively. “Don't get me wrong, the death count is horrible. But it was also such a terrible plan that I’m a little ashamed you’re ascribing it to me.”
“Seventy-four people died, Loki,” Steve says. “This isn’t a joke.”
Loki’s brows crinkle. “I know this isn’t a joke. Good jokes don’t usually involve me being unable to reach my seidr.”
Thor claps his hands. Natasha is the only one who notices Loki’s almost-imperceptible flinch. “Since we’re already here, Loki might as well join us for dinner.”
“I don’t know about that,” Tony starts.
“Great, I’m so glad you agree!” Thor says, out of his seat and hauling Loki up by his arm. “Come, Loki, I must show you how truly wondrous Midgardian food is.”