Collection of One-Shots

》a keen ally

"It's called heterochromia iridum, Loki, and staring is rude." Those were the first words you ever spoke to Loki, it was a chance meeting as he had been returned under the supervision of Thor to repent for his crimes and you had decided to finally show up at one of Stark's parties. The god sat in the corner, away from the drunken antics of the guests, looking like he would rather be anywhere else than there. As the only empty seat on the edge of the room was by him, you took a seat next to time and slowly nursed the vodka tonic. There was no conversation and you could feel his eyes on you, it was unnerving. It was like any other person staring at your unusual appearance but it was the intensity of his scrutinizing glare that made you shift and speak out.

Heterochromia iridum was just one of the side effects of being in range of the nuclear fallout from the Chernobyl disaster. You were an infant when it had happened but it changed everything. You were one of the lucky ones, to survive with minimal mutations that were nonlife threatening. The doctors and scientists had accredited it to your age of seven months.

The first change occurred six months afterwards, after your parents had died of radiation sickness, after you had been taken away and placed in the care of a strange family. It was your eyes, once bright as amber they turned, one darkened to the point where the iris and pupil seemed to meld together in a black abyss. The other turned blue, it was not the shade of blue that was valued as a sign of beauty but a ghostly blue that was hazed over, nearly white making the black pupil seem too harsh.

A year after what little hair was covering your head feel out and soon hair white as the purest snow grew. By the time you were old enough to understand that you were different was when the last mutation became evident. Strength. Unsurmountable and unheard of. There was no physical change, just pure strength. That put you on the radar, on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar. They made sure you were protected in secret and allowed you to live a normal life among the people of New York City, even evacuating you when the battle came.

In spare time you never hesitated to join the Avengers on minor missions. They were friends and allies; though it was easy to form a closer friendship with Dr. Banner. That was until Loki. He did not your story, your hardships and you knew little about him other than what Thor had shared. At your remark, the god's lips twitched into a smile. "I was simply intrigued. Truly. Never have I encountered a mortal like you."

It was the beginning of a very unlikely friendship. You seemed to come around the tower more often and stay longer. You as well as the others kept your strength secret from the mischievous god, but it soon came out when you and Tony managed to find yourself in an argument. Without hardly even flinching your hands had torn through the metal table and when he had raised one of his gauntlets at you, you nearly crushed it on his arm before stopping yourself. It was one of the only times you had nearly lost control and it nearly caused you to injury a dear friend. It was Loki who went looking for you after the incident.

You explained everything to him and abruptly he took your wrist, pulling you to the elevator and down several floors to an open space. "Just imagine, we could be unstoppable." His smirk was malicious and he seemed to have no second thoughts about this delirious thought of training with you. Yes, he was a god and frost giant, but you had even managed to put both Thor and the Hulk in their place one time.

Quickly you realized that it was evenly matched. He was a strategist and opportunist. His strength was in the mind, in the tricks he played and magic he wielded. By the time you had finally managed to pin the god against the wall he faded into nothing and it was now you who was pressed to the cool surface. Both yours and his breathing was ragged, sweat beaded on his forehead and your shirt clung to you. "Not even my brother has ever managed to land so many blows." Loki's voice was tired but impressed as he still held you against the wall.