For Tony Stark

[throneenvy]

Sometimes Loki could not quite remember why he had set himself down the difficult path of redeeming himself. Each punishment that he had to bear, each scornful look or insult thrown at him that had to be borne without retaliation, each bitter reminder that he was still the second son in every sense, all made him question the wisdom of his own decision.

Yet he did not turn back from it.

He had no other choice now, it had become an ultimatum between execution and redemption. The All-Father had made it clear that only the memory of Frigga's love and hope for him had motivated this last chance, and that any further acts of hostility would not be met with lenience. No more prison, no more trickery, simple execution. Even then, he might have chosen death over bending knee once more to the man who had lied to him for so long, but there had been Thor.

Stupid, bumbling, arrogant, trusting, loving. He had never given up on Loki however many times they had faced one another in battle, no matter what he had said. and, in the end, Loki had been unable to turn his back on that for the final time.

He had not apologised. Nor would he, for that would be more than his pride could bear, but he did the punishments required of him with as much grace as he could muster. It had been the All-Father's idea that he should spend some time on Midgard, serving the mortals, in order to pay restitution to them. It had been Thor's idea for that mortal to be Tony Stark, trusting in his friend (possibly foolishly) not to abuse the power given to him.

Which was how Loki of Asgard came to be once more outside Stark's home, though this time knocking on the door rather than destroying the architecture. He covered his wariness with a mask of calm nonchalance, and held himself in a proud, upright posture as he waited for the door to open.

Comments

[throneenvy]

That was unexpected.

Loki's eyes widened in genuine surprise, and no small amount of distaste. While he had known his purpose in coming here, he had not imagined it would involve that much hands-on time with mortals outside the Avengers. To imagine himself having to sit and meet with the youth of this realm was near horrifying.

"Are you certain that is wise?" His voice manages to maintain an even keel despite the sneer on his face. "How certain are you that I can be trusted around such impressionable and helpless creatures?"

[gbpp]

Tony couldn't help but take a quick peek at whatever expression he'd presumed Loki was wearing - and to say he was incredibly satisfied with the result was an understatement.

He ducked his head only slightly, glad for the fact that the screen was imposed on the table top so it didn't look like he had a smirk to hide.

"They'll love you. Kids love a good villain."

[throneenvy]

[ooc: I am very sorry about the wait on this tag. Things kept getting in the way of responding. If you don't want to continue, I understand, however I am up for it if you are :)]

"I am sure they will love the experience of meeting with me. Those who survive shall be able to bear their battle scars proudly and sit in places of honour at warrior's feasts."

It would likely not be the best idea to attack small children. He was supposed to be here paying reparation for his crimes, to add further crimes to his tally a scant few hours after arriving on Midgard would not go down well. He had no real wish to be hauled back to Asgard and thrown once more into a cell.

"Think well before you settle their fate on your shoulders. Is this really the task you would set for me?"

[gbpp]

[ooc: It's okay!! I'm good to keep tagging on things until the end of time. =D]

"If you know what's good for you, you'll make sure these kids go away believing that you're someone they can look up to." He batted back, quick - to the point, and with a look that he wore so much more often these days. Sincerity is there in his tone, but even he knows that with Loki it means nothing unless there's more backing the words up.

They both knew that it would take one word and Loki's life would end before it could properly begin. Odin and Thor saw a different side to Loki than the one that the people of Earth had caught a glimpse of, and Tony sorely hoped that the faith he placed in their confidence wouldn't land them all in huge trouble.

"They're children. It's not difficult."

[throneenvy]

"If entertaining your youth is such a simple affair, then you should undertake the task yourself and I shall complete a different assignment."

He has not had experience dealing with children in many years. He had been the youngest of his family, the children that had been encouraged at court or in the palace hallways had been sons and daughters of an age to be companions for himself or, more commonly, Thor.

To know how to deal with such innocents, especially the fragile children of Midgard, was not something he was equipped for. He had not the patience, his temper still too raw beneath the surface and prone to bubbling out if his pride became ruffled.

"To entrust this to me is folly even you should know to avoid."

[gbpp]

"Loki. It's happening."

With a look across the table, Tony swept his hand, palm and fingertips across the table - quite literally pushing aside all the data he had open on the screen. As soon as that was done though he shifted his feet, setting them up on top of it, one over the other - leaning back to focus all his attention on his guest.

"Trust me. I've got your back on this one."

[throneenvy]

"Trust is a commodity I have not traded in for many years, why do you think I should make an exception for you?"

Loki still saw trust as weakness. It bared the back for a knife to sink inside with ease, it exposed vulnerabilities that should be kept hidden, and it allowed for the one let inside to manipulate things to their advantage.

No, Loki Laufeyson did not trust. Not even Thor.

"If this is a task I must do, then so be it. The responsibility for the outcome, however, is yours."

[gbpp]

This was a mammoth task. Tony himself hadn't been so sure that this approach would work, but when they'd stacked up the other ideas against one another this seemed like the best way to approach the situation.

There were plenty of other people who could have been in his shoes, and yet no one else they all felt was capable of it. Funny how things happened that way sometimes. Keeping his thoughts to himself, mostly, Tony simply shook his head and reached for his glass again, pulling it toward him and taking a sip as he considered what Loki was suggesting.

"Looks like you got your first shares." He muttered, uncertain whether Loki's knowledge of Earth was vast enough to understand their economics, or whether the notion that Tony trusted him might just have gone over his head.

"We've got to start somewhere, don't we?"

[throneenvy]

If Tony Stark truly intended to gift his trust to Loki, then he was far from the genius that everyone lauded him as. No matter his intentions here on Midgard, Loki was a known liar and murderer and had shown no real remorse for his actions, nor would he. He still did not quite see why his actions upon Midgard were punishable. He would have ruled fairly, and he had not done more harm than Odin often had to other realms in the past.

"Very well, if you insist on this farce, let us do it and be done."

Loki rose from the seat he had taken and gestured impatiently to the smaller inventor. He had no wish to spend any time around human children, but if he must then it must be done now.

"If all of my tasks are so insulting then my patience shall wear thin, however."

[gbpp]

There was no way in hell that Tony intended to give Loki free reign of anything, and an inch of his 'trust' would take them a long way as far as he was concerned. The trick, he believed, was to try and build something, and to start with the children's hospital - well, he'd hoped that perhaps they could brighten spirits and perhaps Loki would see what good he could do.

That - and he'd made a promise to several of the hospitals staff and patients that he would pay a visit and bring a friend. Friend, in the loosest sense of the word, but someone who looked ridiculous enough to play the part well.

"We're going tomorrow. Did I mention that?"

Tony would rather not have a lengthly discussion about patience, so instead he leant back - watching to see what Loki's next move might be.

[throneenvy]

"No, you failed to disclose that particular piece of information."

Loki's eyes glittered with irritation. He disliked people getting the better of him, even in small ways, and this grated under his skin like an itch he could not reach.

Instead of taking his seat once more, Loki instead moved towards the small kitchen area off to one side. If he would be force to remain in this place then he would at least make sure to sate his hunger and thirst liberally with Stark's supplies.

"I trust I am to be given chambers for the evening?"

..... hi

[gbpp]

"It's not until the afternoon." If that's an consolation. He can't be all doom and gloom, and although there's a pleasure in getting the better of Loki, there's that twinge of guilt that he can't stand. His feelings about Loki are mixed. On the one hand, he hardly deserves this chance at redemption, and on the other - isn't he just a kid walking in his big brother's shadow?

Tony pushes up off the chair, following after Loki - passing him and wandering up toward a set of stairs across from the ones they'd come up through before. There's a long balcony with doors and corridors that lead off to guest rooms - he'll walk Loki to his.

"Set up a space especially." Which wasn't a lie exactly. He'd had someone else change the sheets, tidy up a bit. Tony had a place for each one of the Avengers here, with art work and objects he thought would appeal to their individual tastes, but the room he'd chosen to put Loki in was pretty bare. A lot of white.

It's a considerable size, there's an en suite. If Loki didn't just magic himself clean, showered and dressed in the morning.