Who: Thor, Loki, Stephen Strange What: Thor's little bro got cornered and couldn't squiggle or pick a fight out of it. When: Recently Rating/Warnings: Green, potential Thor: Ragnarok spoilers.
Other than the constant threat of being hunted down by a rival sorcerer, things hadn't been too bad for Loki. Asking questions from those who had no homes had given him a good idea of needed necessities. He'd found a myriad of disguises to use, and even manipulated chance here and there to win some money. He pulled a very weighty but plain gold object out of his pocket dimension he kept things in, and selling that off had fetched him a small fortune. It was enough to pay on a hastily signed lease - name forged of course - so he could set to work warding the luxurious space with enough runes and magic that no other magic user would dare set foot there without enduring crippling pain. That would buy him enough time to escape, and so Loki could concentrate on other issues.
Like how and why this had happened, and how he could work things to his advantage or to make an escape to another realm. There were no easy answers, even if he dared use magic to pursue them, and that hack sorcerer was chipping away at his defenses, causing him to throw up more barriers and try to appear normal and harmless.
That was why he had extravagantly furnished his new home, masked his face to look like some plain boring person, and thrown a house warming party. Tedious but a necessary show of good faith. One that now had a nearly blind elderly woman from across the hall, that insisted on asking to borrow sugar every afternoon. Since she reeked of wine and indulged him with baked goods in return, he humored her and didn't mind the incursions so much. Just as it was on Sakaar, his social standing seemed secure. It kept up the pretense of being a good neighbor that no one would ever suspect of wrongdoing.
While he waited for his magic reserves to recover from shielding himself, he entertained himself with the Station of Play. It was equal parts absorbing and confusing, more so when he was left wondering why his fellow players were so insulting by calling him a troll. It was not his fault if they could not cope with proper banter during combat, and surely that had nothing to do with such clumsy witless creatures that hid in caves and plagued farmers. Loki had bored of them quickly, throwing down the controller and turning off the Station of Play. Instead he engaged in what was known as the Net of Flicks, so that he would have more topics of idle conversation. He'd simply “borrowed” the neighbor's log in credentials, and considered the matter of the evening’s entertainment taken care of.
He was currently lazing about as he had been when disguised on Asgard, only Midgardianized. Decked out in a slouchy green v-neck sweater and black pants, he sprawled across a black leather couch with a glass of wine in one hand, and a cake made in cups in the other. On the incredibly large screen was a young girl with a bloody nose and shaved head, being chased by a monster, while everyone generally wondered where a lost boy was. It was all rather engrossing, and Loki idly sipped his wine and raised his eyebrows as he looked on.
While he did have cares weighing on him, this was as great a temporary escape as his neighbors assured him it would be. On the morrow he would shore up his spells once more, and continue the charade until another opportunity - to escape unnoticed - presented itself.
Thor found himself outside an apartment building. It was a newer one, more metal and glass than the stone and brick facade of the Sanctum building. He was not surprised to find that his brother had been able to install himself. He was ever resourceful. “And you believe he has a dwelling in this building?” he asked the wizard who had transported him. He started towards the front door and realized that Strange was not following him. He paused and turned back to him, misunderstanding. He looked back at the building again. “I shall locate him and bring him out,” he said with more confidence than he felt. He pushed open the door and strode inside.
Inside the front door was a panel that listed names beside numbers. Of course Thor was not expecting Loki to use his true name, so looking at the list only served to frustrate him. And so, he pushed through the secondary doors. The small lobby contained an elevator, and he pushed the button to summon it. He started at the top floor, knocking on doors and making his way down.
“Loki?” he called out at each one. “I know that you are here. Show yourself.”
True to form, Loki had obtained a top floor apartment, because he'd never lower himself to living lower than anyone else. He'd gone for some bland name like Luke Smith or the likes, although he'd forgotten all about that because Stranger Things was on and he was almost done with the first season. Not to mention almost done with his wine. He noticed it was gone when the glass met his lips, tipped up, and there was nothing to sip at.
"This is inconvenient," Loki grumbled, reaching for the wine bottle and giving it a gentle shake, only to find that empty too. Midgard had such weak libations. Now he was only drinking it for the taste. With an irritated huff, he gently pressed buttons on a controller until he managed to find 'pause' and stood to find another bottle.
That was when he heard it. The pounding upon doors. That voice. His carefully crafted persona ruined again by his older adopted brother.
While he was grateful that the oaf was alive, he had precious little time to act. He only hoped what happened to bring them both there wasn't blamed on him, and that Thor would give him some time to explain.
"Damn it all," he hissed, throwing the bottle with practiced aim so that it shattered in the sink, and bolting toward the door to tell Thor to shut up. He waved one hand over his face to conjure a mask and threw open the door, only to find the elderly woman across the hallway, leaning out her door the same as he was. Edna. Her name was Edna. Her face was wizened and there was bright red flush across her cheeks, so she was drunk.
"Ssssuch uhh racket!" she slurred.
Correction. Very drunk.
'Luke' laughed it off and smoothly told her, "I'll see to this. Why don't you close your door and lock it? If need be, I'll let you know to call the..." He almost said guards. "...authorities."
"Oh, you'se sush a kind boy! Goodsh luck," Edna replied, closing the door and locking it.
Loki knew Luke’s face went from kind to sour as he stalked down the corridor until he saw Thor. He quickly cast a minor spell to keep the door locked that Thor had been pounding on, and whoever was in there....the Robertsons, was that their name? Well, whoever it was, they were going to have to call for maintenance if they wanted out. Because that door would have to be pried open before that lock would work again. An impatient swipe of his hand over his face and Loki dropped the mask as he continued stalking forward, hissing like a coiled snake about to strike.
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
As soon as he spotted him, Thor smiled broadly. “There you are, brother.” He strode towards him. Thor was grateful that his brother hand come out of hiding so easily. He was not surprised to see that Loki had altered his appearance. He’d made a calculated move to flush him out that had worked exactly as he had hoped.
He ignored the potential distress of the others in the building. They would find some explanation that suited them. He was there with a higher purpose, after all. “How long have you been here, brother? Your neighbors are not very friendly. Perhaps this is not the best place for you to stay.” His brashness wasn’t always an act, but neither was it always completely genuine. He clapped a hand on Loki’s back, turning him back in the direction he’d come from. “Well? Will you show me your domain? I should like to see it.”
"Have I a choice in the matter?" he asked, blinking a few times after finding himself swung around and facing the direction he had come from.
After a failed attempt to shrug a giant fist off his slender shoulder, he very reluctantly cast a spell over Thor so he resembled someone who looked as close to 'Luke' as possible, to keep up the brotherly pretense. As relieved as he was to see Thor again and hoping that he had news, he acted as though he was being walked to a scaffold to be put to death. He dragged his feet all the way to the open door of his apartment. One foot kicked out at the door so it opened more. He need not say a word to Edna, as she had likely passed out already.
The apartment itself was all very posh. It could rival something that someone with money to blow and an eye for finery would splurge on. At the center of it all, having shrugged his way out of Thor's grip, was Loki. He dropped their masks when he was out of view from anyone passing by in the hallway. Thor could close the door, or slam the door, or rip it off the hinges and hit him with it. He wasn't sure what would happen, now that he had been tracked down faster than anticipated.
"...I will have you know, it was not my doing," Loki blurted out, and there were fleeting lines of worry that creased at his face. It was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Blink, and it would be missed.
Thor did not miss that look, though neither did he draw attention to it. He closed the door behind him and took a few paces into the room. “I am aware that it is not your doing, Loki. I doubt you would drag me along with you if you meant to get away from me,” he pointed out.
He looked around at the room, and thought it suited his brother. It was filled with all the trappings that would support his desire for status. But he was not there to start trouble. “I was brought here by the wizard who calls himself Strange. The one who did that… falling thing,” he said, waving his hand in a vague way. “I’m sure you recall.” The memory of it now was threatening to cause Thor to grin again.
Loki hadn't looked away the entire time, and his mouth silently mouthed 'what?' at the thought of trying to get away from Thor, when it had been his intention to stay where he had foolishly thought it was safe, by his brother's side. That stung, enough that his expression shifted from carefully crafted nonchalance to open-mouthed offense taken.
Certainly he was relieved to hear that Thor did not think he did such a thing, but it was a bitter draught to swallow that he was trying to get away again.
Maybe a little bit, but later on he might, after the ties that bound wore thin and finally tore them free of one another, as Loki expected Thor would prefer. To be free of his troublesome adopted brother, once and for all. Just as he proclaimed in the lift on Sakaar. And then to throw that makeshift magician into his face, as well as his falling thing?
As much as he wanted to forget the slights and let bygones be bygones, an ember of outrage had already started burning within him. He was in no mood to have been minding his own business, only to be threatened by someone sending his brother as a messenger.
"I do recall," Loki said smoothly. A little too smoothly, and his expression practiced enough to hide even the glare he wanted to unleash. "Yet I did not think the King of Asgard would become some hack magician's errand boy."
Thor noticed instantly when Loki began to get angry, though he didn’t why it happened. “You misunderstand me, brother. Strange was aiding me, not the other way around. When I found myself here, I knew he would know if you were here as well. This is all beside the point. Do you not want to know why we are here? How we are here?”
He realized he shouldn’t have brought up the falling, but it had been very funny. Possibly Strange’s best trick. “Let us not quarrel. We are both stranded here for the moment.” He took another step into the room. “Does this place have two sleeping chambers?”
Loki's lower jaw was stubbornly jutted out like the mere thought of spending another 30 minutes falling was enough to make him want to stab someone. Thor was conveniently close by and would easily survive such a tiny wound. He somehow managed to refrain.
"Did I? Did I misunderstand? For unto mine ears, perhaps you thought my whim was to leave your side. Far from it, rather. It appears to matter not one whit, so we need say no more."
Chin held high, Loki made his way into the kitchen area and opened two bottles of wine. One for himself, and one for Thor. The thought of cracking it over Thor's thick skull crossed his mind and he smirked a little, but did not follow through with it, no matter how funny he thought it would be. Not only would it be a waste of good wine, but it would ruin the flooring they made him pay a deposit on.
Although there was a pile of the cakes made in cups on a plate nearby, Loki was not feeling so charitable as to offer Thor any. He looked down his nose at them as he passed by, and made his way back to Thor with one bottle held out in offering. This way, he thought, he would hear what Thor knew, and then plan his next course of action from there.
"As to why and how we are here?" Loki smiled a little too sweetly, his words woven as though out of pure silk. "Do tell, brother. You have my ear."
He leaned a shoulder against the wall and started to take a sip of the wine, right out of the bottle.
Thor accepted the bottle. He took a deep drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He sighed at Loki’s continued misinterpretation, but if he longed to take offense, Thor would not squabble over it.
“There was an incident with the Time Stone, and it has disrupted the natural course of events. We may still be on the ship we were pulled from, while we are now also here. My previous efforts to locate the Infinity Stones is of more importance than ever.” He knew that asking Loki to help was very likely a losing proposition.
He noticed that Loki had not answered his question about the sleeping chambers. Residing with his brother would be ideal, both because Loki’s tastes were fairly regal, and because it would make it easier to keep an eye on him. The fact that Loki was all that was left of his family was also powerful motivation. Thor felt a responsibility to protect the world from Loki, but also to protect Loki from the world.
There were two bedrooms and that nice leather couch. Yet there was no way in Helheim that Loki was volunteering that information, because the last thing he wanted was his brother constantly looking over his shoulder. He had deliberately ignored that question posed to him and was actually a little irked that they weren’t arguing by now. Even so, the question might be posed once again. It would be difficult to ignore it a second time.
There simply was not enough wine in this accursed city to accommodate his need, should Thor share space with him. For as much as he wanted to know all that Thor knew about the stones, it probably wasn’t worth it to have his freedoms or plans curtailed.
"Ah, so it was a mishap,” he pondered aloud, after taking a pull off the bottle. “That explains much. I have little doubt that it was the same fool that used the Time Stone so carelessly, that has guided you to me. He would have you lure me outside these walls, so that he might rid Midgard of me. You may tell him that I refuse to accommodate.”
At the same time he was being petty and petulant, Loki knew that he was just a different fool with a stone, trying to hide the Tesseract away from everyone. The same fool that could so easily pluck it back out into this world, the one that had the Space Stone well within his grasp for two years, and did nothing with it but leave it inside a safely guarded vault. It was safer for all and sundry if no one knew about it, especially Thor. If Thanos showed himself, then Loki fancied that he could attempt an escape. He had only to find a tenuous secret path between realms, and there was little doubt in his mind that Thanos would swiftly pursue rather than let him put too much distance between them. If Thanos caught him, he might still be able to barter with it. Conversely, if the sorcerer known as Strange ever managed to lure him outside and left him falling forever? Then at least the Tesseract would be well out of Thanos’ reach and ability to locate it. If Thanos did somehow manage to find out where he (and thereby it) was, that would still buy his brother and the Avengers more precious time to finally rid him of one of his biggest lingering problems.
In the grand scheme of his latest plans, the Tesseract had now become one of the dwindling number of pieces he had left to maneuver with. He remembered too well The Other's threats that there was no place to hide, and he could imagine that the sort of pain Thanos would inflict on him for his failures would be terrible, indeed.
With all that in mind, Loki found himself trying to swallow another sip of wine past the tightening in his throat. The resulting gulp sounded painful even to his own ears. He tried to cover it up with a cough, acting as though he drank too quickly and it went down the wrong way.
"...the implications are much to ponder over. Time broken, and now we are but afterthoughts left in its wake. At the least, you can take comfort that we are still there. Together, our other selves might face whatever dares cross their path. Here, there is naught more to bind you to me. If you still fervently wish to be free of me, as you once claimed? A parting of ways. Once and for all. Free of one another."
Although the smoothness of his voice made it sound like glorious freedom was being dangled before both their noses, he suddenly sighed and averted his gaze. It was very nearly the 'I'll just have to go it alone, as I always have' act. Of course, it was actually more of a calculated hint toward what he now hoped would keep Thor away. If Loki couldn't stab Thor with an actual dagger for fear that the Midgardian sorcerer would send him falling forever? He could attempt to do so with words. And if Thor took the bait, then he wouldn't be asked again about that spare bedroom.
It was times like these that he really wanted to pat himself on the back for such great dramatic performances.
Yet he also couldn't help but think that his other self - elsewhere in time, out in the cold dark of space with nowhere left to run - was probably getting his comeuppance courtesy of Thanos. He idly wondered if that other Thor had watched it happen, if that Thor knew what it was like to feel absolutely alone, without any family. Just as Loki had felt when he fell through space after his failed attempt to kill himself.
Much like the flame of a candle being snuffed out, he found no further joy from his own theatrical performance or petty maneuvering. Instead, he looked ever more pensive with each passing second.
Thor frowned. “Brother, I did not come here to deliver you to Strange. Nor do I wish to be rid of you. I recognize that you and I have different paths to travel, but if I could choose I would have you with me.” He was well aware of Loki’s predisposition to consider himself a victim. “There is no Asgard to take from me, now. We are orphans together, Loki.” He took another swig of wine. Surely his brother had to see that Thor didn’t want them to be seperated.
He turned towards the door. “I will tell Strange to leave. And then we shall go and find Stark. He’s hired Darcy. Come with me and meet with them.” He was offering Loki an opportunity to be part of them, to be one of them. He was fully prepared to defend Loki so long as he refrained from wreaking havoc on Midgard. Again. Mayhaps it was a fantasy to imagine they could work together, but he had to try. If nothing else, he was sure that Stark would be the sort to subscribe to the saying about keeping one’s enemies closer.
That snapped him out of his reverie, and Loki found himself staring at a retreating Thor with a horrified glass-eyed stare. This was unexpected. He had expected disgust over things slipping back to how they were before. Not nostalgia and sentiment that had twisted his own expression twisted with momentary anguish.
"No. Oh no." He shook his head and moved to rest a hand on his brother's shoulder this time. He laughed and gave Thor’s shoulder a pit pat. "Let us not be hasty, brother? They would never trust nor accept me, not even by your word. All I wished for was some measure of quiet. While I would not mind having that shoddy sorcerer leave me be, I do not think that I need meet with Stark or...who is this Darcy? Did I attack her at some point or other?"
If he didn't, should he have? Stark was obnoxious, so he could only imagine how much more obnoxious a minion of Stark’s might be.
“Darcy worked with Jane and Erik Selvig. I think you will like her. But you are right. I am sure that they will not trust you, but you must earn their trust. I am certain that they would take you in, if only because you are one that has been moved to this time, as have others.”
Thor didn’t buy Loki’s story about craving quiet. When had he ever wished for such a thing before? The last time he was left to his own devices he’d disguised himself as Odin and put on elaborate dramas in tribute to himself in their father’s name. “Come with me, Loki. At least for as long as it takes to learn how this has come to pass and if it may be undone.” He looked earnestly into his brother’s eyes. He knew he held little sway with Loki anymore, but despite his earlier cynicism on Sakaar he still hoped, especially now that both of their parents were gone. He didn’t care that Loki was adopted. He was of Asgard, and he was Thor’s true brother. And Thor’s responsibility.
Whereas he had been raising and lowering his eyebrows at the appropriate times, listening to Thor’s words about the Midgardian scientists and the likes, his expression almost veered off into terror upon hearing that Thor might seek out ways to undo this time mess. This stroke of good fortune that had offered escape from Thanos’s clutches.
His hand stopped, laying immobile on Thor's shoulder, a deathly pale thing that Loki didn't even recognize as a part of himself anymore. Undoing this was not at all what he had planned for. That would be terrible. Truly, it hadn't felt at all terrible to help his brother in Asgard's final hours, to be part of something other than his own whims. He wondered if there was some subconscious thought that might have motivated him to do so. Safety in numbers, perhaps.
Even more, Thor was right again. Loki did crave quiet to read his books and to have a chance to have his magic recover in relative peace. Yet he found he had enjoyed the perks and luxuries of being a respected ruler loved by all, despite having to cater to bickering nobles. He really wanted to be mischievous and laugh and few cares left. Much like the rapport Thor had with so many friends, whereas Loki always had so few. Actually, he had a grand total of NO FRIENDS. And now he would need to be vigilant to avoid others finding out what was best kept a secret. He had managed before, he could do so again.
Despite a tidal wave of fears that threatened to consume him, Loki suddenly grinned. He knew if he protested to much or kept trying to push his brother away, Thor would suspect him of something more that simple reticence to share living space or accompany him. For as much as they had the universe's worst on-again off-again case of sibling rivalry, there was also a part of himself that didn't want to lose Thor either. He almost wanted to hug him. His brother always had such boundless hope, whereas Loki felt fatally pessimistic.
"...I see you will not be swayed," said Loki, his voice soothingly calm but only out of practiced ease. "Yet I find it amusing you would begrudge me a moment's peace after all we have endured. So lead on. As a show of good faith, if you so wish it, then you may stay with me. Simply tell the man playing at being a wizard to leave me in your care, and I will peacefully accompany you."
Thor highly doubted that Loki was capable of doing anything ‘peacefully’. But it didn’t matter. He was perfectly willing to take responsibility for his brother until he got out of hand again. But if Thor couldn’t control him, could anyone? “I shall speak to the wizard. I am sure Strange will be more than content to be quit of you, brother.” He grinned and strode towards the door. “Are you coming?” he asked. He put the bottle of wine down on a table and waited for Loki to accompany him.
Thor headed down to the corridor and pushed the button for the elevator. He did not trouble himself with conforming to all the petty details of Midgard. Of course he could open a window and go directly down to Strange without any difficulty, but he employed their conventions. He waited, watching the light above the lift as it crawled up each floor one at a time.
Loki had hesitated at first, and then thought better of it. If he wanted to appear good, then it took a more guileless demeanor. He put on his best smile and followed Thor so they were waiting for the elevator.
It was quiet as they descended to the first floor, his hands clasped together before him, so that Thor and Strange could see where his hands were at all times. He dutifully walked at Thor’s side, carefully crafted smile on his face that reached all the way up to his twinkling eyes. It was the perfect picture of innocence and good humor.
Strange, who was outside, didn’t seem like he had been willing to risk anything. He gave Loki a dry stare and then nodded a hello to Thor.
“I didn’t hear the sounds of death and dismemberment,” Strange said, as though he was noting the sky was blue and birds sang. Not having a headache from being near anywhere near Loki was a minor blessing. “So what’s the verdict on the matter of your brother, Thor Odinson.”
“Loki will be in my care. He has agreed to accompany me to Stark. If you will tell me where I can find him we can be on our way.” Though he had spoken to Strange before, he was not certain of how reasonable he was likely to be on this point. Neither did Thor wish to travel by magical means. He was perfectly qualified to navigate the Midgardian metropolis. He glanced over at Loki to see if he was anxious in the company of the wizard.
Strange also looked over at Loki. He made no sudden moves and did not address Loki directly, not wanting their tenuous magical cease-fire to crumble to bits. Loki might start it, but Strange was very self-assured that he would finish it.
Standing further back, Loki was looking back at his rival with chin held high, as though beholding a child in possession of their first magic kit. It was an aloof stare of someone riding their high horse, looking down upon an insect that was deemed insignificant, quaint, and crushable. The sudden smile he gave them looked like a vat of smug had been smeared over the entire lower half of his face.
“...uh huh.” Having gotten a good idea of where things stood sorcerer to sorcerer, a profoundly unconcerned Strange directed his gaze back onto Thor. There was no tension or challenge on his part, only a resigned sigh of acceptance. He remembered a saying from when he was a kid, that magicians didn’t give away their secrets. That reluctance seemed to apply to master sorcerers as well.
"If he hurts anyone, you know what I'm going to do," he whispered to Thor. His voice quickly rose to a much more normal conversational tone. "Stark's in upstate New York at the Avengers Headquarters. It might be easier if I text him to meet you. More discreet than alerting everyone else up there to Loki’s presence. Central Park in thirty minutes? It's only a short walk, straight that way."
Strange didn't even offer a portal, merely nodded in the direction they should go, hoping for everyone's sake that Thor could keep his troublesome brother under control.
Strange had guessed that Thor was done with magical transporting too, as it seemed the thunder god always looked a little disgruntled after using a portal. He supposed it might also be a matter of personal pride to prove they were both capable of fending for themselves.
A stroll to the park might also be for the best. He didn't want to see what would happen when two Asgardian brothers were stuck together in one taxi cab.
“Yes. Send Stark to us,” Thor agreed. He genuinely hoped he could stop Loki from hurting anyone on Midgard. He fully intended to keep an eye on him for both Loki’s good, and for the good of anyone who might run afoul of Loki. Nor was he afraid to dole out Asgardian justice personally. If not him, who?
“Brother, come let us meet with Stark. We can speak en route to the center park.” He smiled and nodded to the wizard. “Thank you, Strange.” Regardless of his intentions to keep Loki out of trouble, he couldn’t bring himself to promise it. If it were completely within his power to keep Loki out of trouble… well, Loki would not have caused so much trouble.