Avengers - Loki's redemption - Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven.

Loki's last few days had been spent warily spending time with the Avengers, each one a curious aspect of his own psyche.  The Black Widow had a blood soaked past, like himself, he was coming to realise.  The Captain, the only one who was confident around him, had been frozen in time, and also seemed lost in modern Midgard.  Loki was thankful that he remained in Stark's tower, safe and protected from the crassness and violence, the unreserved emotion that he wasn't used to, being used to the formality of Asgard.  Loki gained the impression, from the Captain's blushing at the illuminated box, that Midgardian culture was a lot more reserved in the past.

Bannerson was a curious case to Loki.  His research and developement were obviously useful tools to Stark.  But, whereas the others had battle skills, Banner seemed almost painfully unsure of himself and avoided any confrontation at all costs.  Stark had the quickness of retort, the highly developed wit and the undeniable wealth which funded the whole operation.  Yet there was a darkness behind the eyes, a occasional glance at the Captain that betrayed feelings of resentment and bitterness that he was quick to hide.

Clint was the loner, another soul who seemed ill at ease within a large group.  Barton was not an out and out battler, like himself, but used different skills to attack and defend.  Yet, unlike Loki at Asgard, Clint was respected, and not found lacking, in comparison to the others, unlike himself and Thor.

Ah, Thor.  He had disappeared for a few days after their last confrontation.  Loki had no idea where he was and did not enquire.  Having stayed so long in his shadow, Loki had no desire to return there. His desires were in Stark's library, where he stayed for the most part, and praticed his magic, which was returning with strength.  The library contained a wonderful contraption called a computer, whose name was Jarvis and it communicated graciously with him.  It provided information of Midgardian customs and history, only interrupted by Pepper, Tony's kind and gracious hostess, provided food and drink or Loki fell asleep.  Loki feared sleep, for nightmares, made of fragments of hell, still haunted him and he dared not dream.



Thanos and the Entrantress smiled at one another as their golden forms flitted amongst the Asgardians, so cocksure, so arrogant and aloof.  With Odin asleep, Thor absent and Loki dead, what better opportunity to invade, to destroy and to take their gifts?  True, Thor's absence had made the Entrantress rather ... techy ... but nothing that would not be fixed, or at least tied down, when he returned.


"You like the library, huh?" Clint asked as he entered to find Loki illuminated by the screen.

"Of course, Barton-son.  There is much knowledge here.  I see the Black widow does not accompany you?"

"Natasha's training today."

"Have I offended the Lady?"

Hawkeye raised his eyebrows then answered,

"In the past maybe, but it doesn't matter now."

"But it does, Hawkeye.  If I am to remain here and be of some service, I must amend what has happened in the past."

"Just concentrate on getting better.  Natasha can see how you've changed.  Why don't you come up on the roof and get some air?" Loki was wary of exposure after his experiences with the Chitauri, but followed Clint to the rooftop and watched the sunset.  How loud the city was! Loki coud not hear the waves of the Atlantic for the noise.  That had been his soothing sound at Asgard, he remembered and smiled at the memory.