Loki Misses the Asgardian Prison System

Chapter 16

Tony plops himself down on the couch, taking the end seat so he gets to use the armrest while he watches. Natasha sits next to him, and Steve sits on his other side, leaving Clint on the beanbag chair that hadn't been used in years until the Avengers decided to move in and suddenly the couch was too small. It's movie time!

They don't get set up until Thor comes back, and the assumption, at least on Tony's end, is that Thor and Loki will join them in the man cave (yes he has a man cave, and he will not accept any anti-man cave slander) shortly before or shortly after the movie is set up.

It's been ten minutes.

They're still not here.

"I take it Loki wasn't too weak to put up a fight," Natasha remarks.

Tony sighs. "Apparently not." How long is this going to take? Can they just start the movie without them?

"How's everyone feeling about Loki?" Clint asks. "Now that he can't do anything."

"I'm feeling like you should keep your voice down," Natasha says. "I'm sure he could still kill you if he tried."

"Nah." Tony shakes his head. "Not today, at least. He's really out of it."

Steve just nods, and when even Steve agrees with him, he knows he must be right. Granted, Steve gives a solemn nod and Tony's remark was more lighthearted and unconcerned, but at least they agree on the facts.

"Once Thor leaves," Natasha says, "do you think Loki will just go back to hiding in his room?"

"Probably," Clint says. "He really doesn't like us."

"Of course not," Natasha says. "You've done nothing but mock him since he arrived, remember?"

The irony of her saying that in an attempt to mock Loki is not lost on Tony, who has to bite back a laugh. Maybe this is what will bring the Avengers together: not war or saving lives or anything like that; just making fun of Loki.

"You know," Clint says teasingly, "that was very condescending of you."

Clint and Natasha both laugh, and Tony cracks a smile. Oh, this is fun.

Steve sighs and props his head up on his hand.

"Hey, stop that," Tony says, jokingly stern. "You know he hates your pity."

"You're not funny," Steve says monotonously.

"I am, actually," Tony says, "but you're welcome to be a wet mop if it makes you feel better."

Steve just shakes his head to himself.

"Hey, JARVIS," Tony says. "Where's Thor?" JARVIS should know. JARVIS knows just about everything.

"Thor and Loki are stepping out of the elevator now," JARVIS says.

"Finally," Tony mutters. It's about damn time.

The Avengers all wait in silence for them to finally show up. It shouldn't take too long. It's not a long walk from the elevator to the man cave.

They hear the two before they see them. Thor seems to be in a good mood, judging by his playful, "I feel like we're doing Get Help."

"Shut up," Loki mumbles, his voice barely audible from this distance.

In a whispered fake-yell, Thor says, "Get help! Please! My brother is dying!"

"You're not funny," Loki tells him.

Thor just laughs, so clearly he disagrees.

Finally, they step into view. Thor has an arm under his brother's, supporting most of his weight as Loki leans into him with every step. He's still pale and shaky and dripping in sweat, but at least he can stand now, even if most of his weight is on his brother.