Chapter 21
Now? It has to be any second now. In a quiet room of bright fluorescent light, Tony stood, leaning forward into the stern and upright door. He had been standing in the damned cell for what seemed an eternity, knowing that there had to be a moment where someone, anyone opened the door to visit him, give him some food, or anything really. It would be right at that moment, that Tony would try for an escape. Fucking ridiculous. It was the one thought that wouldn't stop replaying through Tony's mind. May as well try... The door opens... And you run. Run. Don't stop. He had to talk to Loki. Set him free? Sure, if everything went his way. But at the moment, just talking to him was the only thing that really mattered. If Loki was to return to Asgard, there may not be another chance to discuss anything with him ever again.
He's your enemy, god damn it! But that was exactly the reason he had to talk to him. He needed to know what the god of mischief felt for him. What exactly it was between them. What was the plan from here... Maybe Loki isn't as evil as he appears... Maybe he has good in him... I don't have to change sides... No. No that didn't seem to be the case. And the more he thought of it, the more he had to ask which side exactly was he himself on? Loki... The Avengers... Neither. Both?
You have to decide... You have to...
Bzz. That buzz. It was the buzz that signaled a visitor. Someone was coming. Tony's heart leaped up into his throat and he readied himself for what might be the fastest he would have to run in his life.
Bruce was entering, distracted as he was adjusting his glasses while opening the door with a steady hand.
Now! Opening the door to a full extent, Tony shoved Bruce from his feet and dashed from his cell as fast as his feet would carry him.
Caught completely by surprise, Bruce fell against the wall and frantically looked towards his friend escaping down the hallway.
"Tony! Wait!" The scientist called out but there was nothing that would stop Tony from running. Now. It had to be now for it was his only chance. Remember... He scanned the passing doors in a blur trying to remember which one it was that held the god of mischief. Finally, coming across the familiar hall, Tony came to a halt when reaching his destination.
"Loki!" Panicked, rushed, and anxious, Tony began doing everything in his power to open the cell door, locked by a computer generalized code. Somewhere in his advanced knowledge of computer technologies there had to be some sort of answer to hack away the lock. Something to have Loki where he can talk to him once more.
"Tony!" Just his luck, it was Captain Steve Rogers, backed up with his good friends Bruce and Clint. No! The computer was flashing codes and hacks across the screen, doing everything it could to break through security. But time was not on his side as he had no idea how long it would take just to finish.
"What the hell Tony?!" Now caught up, Clint was pushing Tony from the computer in more surprised confusion than anger.
"Ooh piss off!" Tony snapped in response as he glanced back towards the computer.
"No Tony... There's no point-"
"You have to let me do this!" The genius cut off whatever Bruce was beginning to say in a desperate plea, his deep brown eyes screaming for any form of understanding from them.
"Tony... He'a gone."
Gone... Gone? Tony felt himself freeze over with the news, slowly turning to Steve with furrowed eyebrows.
"Gone? What do you mean... Gone?"
"We were going to allow you say goodbye..." Bruce spoke up looking as concerned as ever for his friend and teammate. "Since we knew you'd be pissed otherwise." Glancing over towards Clint and Steve, Bruce thought back on what they agreed upon. It had been a long discussion, but there was no doubt that it would be more difficult to get Tony back on their side if he would never forgive them for not having a final word with Loki. It would be a risk, yes. But what they really wanted was to see Tony stand up to the one who had captured him and reclaim his own free independence.
"Gone as in... He's back on Asgard?" Tony had to ask for any clarification in his confusion and he watched as the three teammates exchanged glances.
"Not yet." Spoke the archer with somewhat of a hateful tone as he thought of the damned god.
"He's waiting outside with Thor. They'll be leaving soon though." Steve clarified, his arms folding across his chest.
"And... you were going to let me say goodbye?" Tony had to admit this surprised him. Why? Why would they /allow/ him to say goodbye. Did they have somewhat of a knowledge as to what he was feeling and why he needed to speak with Loki? We were going to allow you to say goodbye... It seemed something friends would do... If they were friends.
"Well yeah..." Steve almost seemed hesitant as he let out the words in a soft breath.
"Were?" Tony was beginning to look concerned now. Had he screwed it up enough that they changed their mind about it? The questions and thoughts raced through his mind.
"Behave well and we'll see."
"We will have to be leaving soon if no one arrives. We cannot simply wait around for an eternity." Thor stood tall in the still air as he examined the buildings of New York. He had made little effort to make eye contact with his brother but as they continued to stand outside with nothing happening, Thor began to question if they should simply leave without a goodbye.
"And why is that? It's not as if when my return to Asgard takes place will change anything." It was a clear and reasonable point. The gods were immortal, and Loki grew annoyed with his brother for rushing this one moment when they had all the time in the world.
"Hmm." Thor did not respond to that as he glanced towards Loki's direction. "Brother, if my friends do decide that a last conversation with Stark is what is best for him, then I want you to not make it any harder than it needs to be. I haven't the knowledge of what has happened between you and Stark but I do know that you will never see him again." The Asgardian spoke clearly as if trying to put some level of understanding within his brother, however Loki stayed cold as if Thor's words were meaningless. "I know you don't care but it is important that Stark moves on from this point..." He continued with hesitation, occasionally glancing towards Loki for any sign that he was actually listening. "You may as well. There would be no further point in perusing further trouble."
No point. Loki scoffed at the idea and he wondered just how much it was that Thor underestimated him. If his brother was suggesting that leaving Tony alone to return to the side of "peace and good" would be best for him, then he couldn't be more wrong. If anything he was saving Tony from his own filthy realm and giving him the opportunity to set things as they should be. Loki kept his thoughts to himself as he stared off in the distance and gave no reply for his brother. Thor was filled with far too much integrity and doing what the world has grown accustomed to accept as the /right/ thing to ever see anything his way.
Only a few more slow minutes passed in silence until the doors to the tower opened and the friends of Thor were stepping out.
"Well... Tony's here." Captain Steve Rogers spoke first as he took glances between Thor and Loki.
"Please settle any unfinished business so we won't have to never hear the end of Tony bitching about not getting to say goodbye or whatever." Clint wasn't slow to follow, speaking in a half hearted manor but in all was praying Tony would see what the right thing to do was after this was over.
"You have to stand up to him." Giving Tony a friendly nudge, Bruce urged him to continue on, looking him deep in the eyes. "You can't depend on him anymore." However Tony was done with letting any of the Avengers persuade him into anything. He was going to do what he wanted to do and he hardly gave Bruce any attention deciding he wouldn't even listen before he got a chance to speak with Loki.
"Well... If you truly believe this is what is best for friend Stark... Then by all means continue." Granted Thor with caution and he side stepped from his brother to allow him to speak with Tony. Swallowing, Tony locked eyes with the god and felt his heart rate increase as he waited for the others to give him more privacy with Loki.
"Do you think you can keep him away for good?" Bruce said deciding to start a conversation with the Asgardian.
"Certainly. You have my word."
"Sounds like what you said last time..." Clint added shortly after not meaning to speak aloud.
"I was not in charge of my brother's punishment the first time I returned him to Asgard. You cannot push any blame on me!" Quick to respond, Thor was defending himself and abruptly crossed his arms in offense. Tony nearly laughed watching the conversation go forward but his priority was on Loki. No longer giving any attention towards the Avengers, Tony was now face to face with Loki, standing directly in front of him and running ideas through his mind on how to start the conversation.
"Came to settle unfinished business? To 'stand up to me' as they put it." Starting the conversation, Loki spoke in a mocking manor towards the Avengers and he gave a quick smirk towards Tony.
"Yeah well you know how those guys are." Tony tried a smile but he was nervous. Nervous for whatever happens next and the outcomes of events.
"Well, Anthony, you've done quite a lot for me." Glancing away from Tony, Loki took in a deep breath as his mind went through all events starting when he first captured the man. He wasn't sure if things had turned out better or worse then intended but for the moment his only regret was getting caught.
"But now you're leaving... So it was all for nothing." Tony's eyebrows were furrowed, his eyes looking into Loki's with concern.
"You mustn't believe that this is truly a goodbye. Not forever at least."
"And what if it is?"
It won't be. But in all honesty, Loki hadn't even thought of the possibility that this would be his last visit on Midgard. Mostly because the thought was simply unacceptable in his mind.
"Do not doubt such things. Everything can return to how they were once I make my escape. As long as you do not allow them to change you."
"You're asking a lot from me here..." Glancing away from Loki, Tony was holding his breath, running all his thoughts through his mind and trying to get a grip on what was the right choices to make. Not just the right thing to do in general but what the right thing to do for him himself. He knew he still had a sense of friendship with the Avengers and if Loki was going to be absent from his life, how was he supposed to stay on the god's side?
Loki sensed this doubt as he looked into Tony's eyes and the thought concerned him. He didn't want to hurt Tony but he was afraid that if he turned back to the Avengers, it just might come to that.
"Anthony I don't believe you have any other options. There is no backing out now." Oh how Loki wished there was a simpler way where Tony could easily leave the team behind, however he couldn't help but use a sense of force in his voice as he spoke. He couldn't allow this mortal to become his enemy once again. Through out all that happened this was the one thing he felt he really earned during this visit to Midgard. Loki lifted Tony's chin so he was making direct eye contact and the green eyes of the god held a look of pleading. "Stay on my side."
His side. He was supposed to stay on his side now. Tony never would have thought he would ever find himself in this situation, debating on staying on Loki's side and going against everything he's ever fought for. Something about this knowledge drew a quiet chuckle from the genius. Ridiculous. This is ridiculous. He knew it was true but laughing at it didn't help him in the slightest. No matter how ridiculous it seemed, the choice of who's side to stay on seemed the most challenging and confusing choice of his life.
"Enemies... We... were enemies." Tony said in a light chuckle, shaking his head in the slightest and looking towards the ground. As he glanced towards the Avengers he knew he would not have the luxury of time to discuss all he had wanted to with the god. "Loki I... Listen." His mind was freezing as he spoke and he was having the most difficult times putting words to what he wanted to say. "Whatever happens, I can't explain it but... I... I think I-"
"Shhh Anthony." Speaking quickly, Loki could feel his breath start to accelerate as he almost feared whatever Tony had to say. If Tony had spoke of any true feelings he had it would be all too real. But what difference does it make if he speak of these feelings if you already know they exist? Loki shook the thought away as he returned his eye contact towards Tony. "You must not worry about any of this." He wished he could say more, but right now he only needed to insure Tony's loyalty.
"Is it insane...?" Tony was looking deep, as far as he could into the god's eyes looking for any answer as to what he should do, what was the right thing to do for himself and for Loki. Furthermore maybe a reason behind why things were getting so terribly messy. "You were my enemy. Things like this just isn't supposed to happen."
"Ah but things would be rather boring if everything went the way as they were supposed to." And how true that was. The words drew a soft smile from the billionaire as he stared into the god's eyes.
"Yeah alright. I just-"
"Enough Anthony." Tiring of the mortal's constant counter arguing, Loki closed his eyes briefly, letting out a long breath before returning his gaze to Tony. I will be back shortly." The words were small comfort to hear and Tony gave a short nod in understanding. He wanted to believe it, to truly believe it but the situation wasn't seeming like it would turn out in their advantage. Looking straight into Loki's eyes, the genius gave almost a sad and confused look, his mind searching for the right thing to say, the right thing to do. But there was one thing that kept right at the front of his thoughts, a little nagging sensation, and Tony listened to it. He leaned forward for his lips to meet those of the god's however Loki showed slight hesitation as he pulled back before he could show any affection.
"You must wait for me to return." Loki reminded as clarification to Tony, not wanting to share any intimacies if he wasn't sure the mortal would stay on his side.
"Yeah well... I don't know." The slight hesitation concerned the god.
"Do you not believe you will be able to wait?"
"It's complicated." Tony wasn't sure what he could say to make the god understand. He felt that he wouldn't want to do anything to betray Loki, but being left with the Avengers... All the teammates he still considered friends... There was no doubt they would be persuading him back onto their side every day.
"Well you must try not to disappoint. You are the only mortal to receive any such... generosity from me. Do not toss that offer away. I will not allow you change sides on me now."
Understood... After everything he had been through... Tony knew he couldn't back out now. Not now, not like this. Tony gave an empty smirk while nodding and looking away. It was the most he could agree to any of this, but a simple nod would have to be enough for Loki.
"Good." The god whispered as he leaned forward to gently kiss the mortal. Tony closed his eyes, savoring the soft affection and he placed his hand on the back of Loki's neck to deepen it further. This was what felt right. Loki was who he wanted to be with. Clearing his throat, Tony quickly pulled away before any of the team noticed and gave the god a soft smile of thanks.
"Alright Loki should definitely be leaving now. It was great catching up with you, Thor. Maybe you can visit Earth more when your brother stops being a problem." Captain Steve Rogers finished up the conversation with the Asgardian as he glanced back to his billionaire friend in concern.
"Yes... Of course. Stark, will you be alright?" Asked Thor, worried as ever.
"Remember who you're talking to Point Break. Of course I'll be fine." Except he wouldn't. He was lost and confused... But the last thing he wanted was for any of the Avengers to constantly be attempting to "help" him through anything.
"Glad to hear it, my friend." He said while giving Tony a soft pat on the shoulder.
"And I just wanted to say, thank you. For everything. I know it must not be easy running back and forth between realms." Stark continued.
"It is for the best that I stay on top of these items of business. Glad to see you are coming back to your old self."
"Glad to be back."
It was a stretch, Tony would admit, to be saying so much and acting as if he was just on their side once again, as if none of it had ever happened. And he knew it would seem unbelievable or even suspicious. However he decided it was worth the risk as he smiled and opened his arms to give his old friend a brief hug. Thor seemed overjoyed by this and he grinned, giving Tony a few good pats on the back.
"See you around?" The inventor asked, faking a smile.
"If everything goes smoothly, I would very much like to return. Farewell my friends!" Giving his final goodbyes to his friends, Thor smiled, shaking their hands and thanking them for help.
Tony took this time to slide his way back to the side of Loki, giving him a more genuine smile of hope and excitement.
But why the smile? Why? Wondered Loki curiously as he raised an eyebrow at the mortal. He had just hugged his hated brother and now was acting like he was their friends once again. Just who's side was this man on?! But Tony only continued to smile in the god's confusion, almost as if he had a plan of his own
"Anthony... What did you..?" The god started in a whisper as his interactions with Thor were far too suspicious. However before he could finish, Tony wasted no time in hurriedly pulling a key from which he had stolen from Thor's belt and quickly unlocking the cuffs around the trickster's wrists.
"Loki you have to leave. Now!"
Loki was shocked... Completely caught by surprise as he would have never expected Tony to even attempt to pull this off. But Stark was right, if he was going to escape, it had to be now.
"Anthony no!" Of course, Thor had immediately noticed when Tony released the prisoner and checked his belt coming to the conclusion that his friend had pick pocketed him. "Heimdall you must open the Bifrost! Return us to Asgard quickly!" He yelled in a panic hoping the recently repaired Bifrost would reach them in time. Looking back to Loki who was already using his long lost magic to materialize his scepter, the Asgardian took a full on dash towards his brother and Stark.
In the midst of the confusion, Loki quickly pushed the mortal away from his brother's path of attack to protect him and he raised his scepter trying quickly to defend himself.
Tony hardly saw what happened next as he fell roughly onto the ground only a few feet away. But what he did see was Thor tackling the one he cared for before they both completely disappeared in a bright rainbow light. Gone. Just like that they were gone.
"Tony what the hell did you just do?!"
"Wait, did he escape?"
"I don't know! I wasn't watching! What happened?"
"Tony! Tony are you even listening to me?"
Tony Stark only stared into the spot where the god of mischief once stood. Only seconds ago where he thought he might be able to give him his one shot at escape. The shouts of his friends blurred together as he continued to stare in a mixture of overwhelming emotions and he had never felt more alone in his entire life.
He wanted nothing more than for Loki to be back as quickly as he had left... But that didn't seem to be the case. He was left now in a mess bigger than ever and feelings no one would even begin to understand.
No one except Loki. Come back. Even though Tony had always seen himself to be better than petty prayers and wishes... He couldn't help but hope. Hope that maybe he would see the god again. One day.
But this was it... Wasn't it? He was gone with no way of telling if he'd ever return. It didn't matter what Loki said about this not being a last goodbye, he felt he had lost everything.
Utterly hopeless.
Nothing would be the same.
No. The Avengers didn't trust him the same. Not after pulling off a stunt like that. No one was hearing any word from either the Asgardian nor the war criminal. No one knew what affects Tony's last minute plans had on the outcome at all. But they were still set on keeping Stark on their side so the decision was to keep what happened among themselves so their friend would not be serving time for attempt at releasing a criminal. They believed all he really needed was their own personal help to get him past these events.
But Stark seemed empty, lost, and a conversation never went too far with him. Instead the billionaire put on a fake smile whenever out in public before staying alone up in his own tower. He wasn't sure there was any moving on. Not for him anyways. And he would stare out his window night after night wishing for any sign at all that the god would return for him.
Loki was out there... Somewhere... Right? He had to be, and that gave him hope. Tony only hoped that their last encounter wouldn't have to be...
Goodbye...
Sequel TBA...
A/N: Thank you for all of the feedback and help I've received from all of you! You've been tons of help and I've finally decided what to do with this story. All I really need is a good break and to wait until I'm less busy to continue on with any long stories. This was my first fanfiction I have ever written and I must say it's been an amazing journey!
Thank you again and as always, leave a review~