Chapter Text
Clint jumped up and pulled a pair of pants on, while the samurai hunted for the scroll that Odin had left. The archer hurried from the room. “JARVIS, building on complete lockdown, no one comes in or leaves, period,” Clint said, “Shift and Hide is in effect.”
“Yes sir.”
“Wake the others and call Natasha.”
He grabbed Loki’s laptop and pulled up a video file. Typing quickly, he entered the password and waited for the others. Thor and Jane wandered out first, both looking like they were still asleep. “Tiny archer, why have you woken us up at this unholy hour?” Thor yawned.
“Tony is gone, missing, I just got the text.”
Thor’s eyes widened. “Do you know anything else?”
Clint shook his head. “No and that will be explained as soon as Loki gets in here.”
Jane frowned. “Did he leave his Iron Man suits here?” she asked.
“No, he normally carries a more compact one with him, so I have no idea what happened.”
Loki shuffled out and glared at Clint. “What in the Nine realms do you want?” he grumbled.
“Boss, sit, please, you have to watch something.”
Loki raised an eyebrow. “This could not wait until the morn?”
“Nope, now.”
Shrugging, Loki sat on the couch and grabbed his laptop. The video was ready and started playing the moment Loki touched the computer.
Tony was looking into the camera and the god felt his heart hitch.
“Hey babe, I made this video the same day I spoke to your mom and Clint, so, if you are watching this, that means something happened to me.”
Tony took a deep breath.
“In the event that I cannot be there to keep Fury off of you, I asked Clint to take on the job of keeping your bond, until I am either found alive... or your father comes to retrieve you... so, what ever happens, know that I do love you and I am sorry to do this to you.”
Loki touched the screen, his hand shaking violently. Thor sat down beside him and put an arm around him, expecting to be rebuffed. He was surprised when Loki leaned on him. “He isn’t coming back?” he asked softly.
Clint knelt in front of him. “Until Pepper calls me, I am assuming that he was taken and still alive,” he said, “Stark is worth more to people alive than dead, which gives me a good feeling that he is alive.”
Loki nodded, but continued to shake. Clint took the laptop from him and Thor pulled him closer. “I will call to my father and see if he can have mother come down.. or let Loki return to Asgard.”
“NO!” Loki cried, “No, I can’t go back, not until I know if he is all right.. please Thor!”
“Shh, my brother, it is all right,” the large god whispered, “I will have mother come to help then, is that agreeable?”
Loki nodded miserably. Clint looked back at Hogun, who handed him the scroll.
“Sir, Fury is at the entrance of the building and is arguing with the guards to let him in.”
“Give me a visual,” Clint said, taking the scroll and opening it.
He handed it to Loki. “Read it for me,” he said, “This is just to keep you from falling into Fury’s hands, I promise.”
Loki sniffed. “I understand,” he said, and began to read the scroll.
He could feel the bond move and twist to fit Clint and he broke. As the spell finished, he began to sob into Thor’s shirt, his fingers fisting the material. “Am I so loathsome that even the fates are against me?” he whimpered.
“No, no brother, we will find your Tony Stark, I promise,” Thor said soothingly, “Do not worry yourself ill.”
Clint looked at Thor. “Go and get your mother,” he said, “Hogun and I can handle Loki, ok?"
Thor nodded and looked at Jane. “Please, in any way you can, help him.”
She nodded. “He will be fine, go now.”
Thor looked up at Hogun. The samurai sat next to him and took Loki into his arms. “Loki, I shall return,” Thor promised and rushed outside.
Clint took a look at the monitor and frowned. “JARVIS, where is Fury?” he asked.
“Attempting to hack into my system from his van, sir... he is failing miserably.”
Clint laughed. “Put him on the phone.”
“Certainly.”
“BARTON, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON UP THERE?”
Clint held the phone away from his ear and made a gesture at Hogun, to signal he was going into the other room. “So, why are you here, Fury?”
“Two agents reported to me that Tony was missing,” Fury said, “Which means that Loki is a hazard.”
“Not exactly sir,” Clint said, “See, Stark made a deal with the good All Father that if something were to happen to him...Loki would be put into my care, until either Tony returns.. or, in the event of his death, Thor takes him home.”
“That was not part of the original agreement!”
Clint giggled. “I know, but, you see, Tony went and banged Loki, so now, The All Father and the government see this as a good thing,” he said, “Meaning, Loki stays happy and our world stays safe from his temper tantrums.”
“Barton, open up the Tower.. now.”
“No can do, JARVIS only responds to Loki right now.”
He could practically hear Fury grinding his teeth in anger. “I have every right to force my way in there,” he ground out, “You are harboring a fugitive.”
“No, Director Fury, he is not a fugitive, not anymore,” Clint snapped, “So, unless you are going to be helpful and tell me whatever you happen to know about Tony... or this conversation is over.”
“I have no idea,” Fury growled, “He was in his hotel room.. oddly enough, alone, two men went in and grabbed him.”
“Thanks,” Clint said and hung up.
“JARVIS call Pepper.”
“Clint... oh god Clint,” Pepper sobbed hysterically, “They knew who Tony was... I was... I went to the bathroom.. Oh.. is Loki all right... he was so upset yesterday morning.”
“Pepper, calm down, where are you?”
“I am at a police station in Berlin,” she said, sniffling, “They left the room a mess...stole the Iron Man suit... everything.”
Clint frowned. “Well shit,” he mumbled, “Did they leave anything to give us a hint?”
“No, though, Tony did get a few texts off before they broke his phone,” she said hurriedly, “The one you probably received and one that said he knows who they are... but he never got to tell me.”
“I told Loki that he is worth more to people alive than dead... I hope I am right about that,” Clint said.
“Yes, you are right,” Pepper agreed, “The government would actually negotiate for him... so, hopefully, they make their move soon.”
“Ok, when are you going to be back in the states?”
“I leave as soon as I can get out of the police department,” she said, “So, if you could pick me up at the airport.. keep Loki inside until we know for sure what is going on.”
“No issue, Hogun and Thor can keep an eye on him when I come to pick you up, just call me with the details of your flight.”
“All right... Clint?”
“Yeah?”
Pepper swallowed. “Are we going to get him back?”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “Thanks.”
They said goodbye and Clint went back out to the sitting room. Hogun still had a hold of Loki, the trickster in a restless sleep. “There isn’t much we can do until Pepper gets home,” he said, “I doubt Fury is going to be much help now.”
“You should not assume,” Hogun said quietly, “Losing Stark completely would be a detriment to him and his organization.”
“True,” Clint said, “Are you all right with Loki right there?”
“I am fine, he used to sleep like this all the time,” Hogun said, “Too good to sleep on the ground, so he would curl up with Thor or myself.”
Clint shook his head. “Sounds about right,” he said, smiling.
He looked down at the god and frowned. “He needs to go to bed,” he said, “Though, I don’t want to leave him alone.”
“We all need some sleep,” Hogun said, “Thor will be gone until the morning and I am certain that the Lady Jane would like to finish her sleep.”
She nodded. “JARVIS will let us know if anything happens,” she said.
“Of course I will.”
Clint sighed. “Yeah, but should Loki sleep alone?”
“We can sleep in with him,” Hogun said, “I have a feeling Skjold will also be joining us.”
“Skjold?”
“Loki’s childhood guard,” Hogun explained, “The Queen will want him near, just in case.”
He stood, lifting Loki with ease. “A few more hours of sleep,” he said, making a motion for Clint to follow, “Goodnight, Lady Jane.”
Jane stood and nodded. Clint looked at Hogun. “Are you suggesting we sleep in with Loki?”
“Yes, he will sleep better and we can prevent him from doing something irrational.”
Clint sighed. “All right, come on,” he said, then grinned, “Ohhh, let’s go snuggle in their big ass bed.”
“Lead the way.”
After getting Loki laid out in the bed, Clint got in on one side, Hogun on the other. “Good night,” Clint said softly, touching Hogun’s arm.
“Sleep well.”
Loki opened his eyes slowly, feeling warm and quite surrounded. He wondered what Tony had talked him into the night before. Shifting, he looked over and realized it was Hogun in bed with him. He then started to tense as the events of the night before came flooding back. “Tony?” he whimpered.
Clint woke up quickly. “Hey, Boss, how are you?” he asked gently.
“What happened?” Loki asked, “Where is Tony?”
“We don’t know, but, we are going to be looking, I promise.”
“I can still feel him,” Loki whispered, “The bond is strained, but, I can feel him... it hurts.”
Clint stared at him. “You can feel him?”
Loki nodded. “But, he is weakened, or contained by a magical barrier,” he whispered, “I can’t .... I can’t figure out where he is.”
“Then, for now, you know he is alive.”
Hogun woke and sat up. “Prince Loki,” he said softly, “He will be returned to you, I swear it.”
Loki nodded sadly. A crash of thunder made the building shake and Loki jump. “Your brother is back.”
Thor hurried in, followed by Frigga and Skjold. Loki launched himself off the bed and into Frigga’s arms. “Mother,” he whispered, “How more much I pay?”
“I don’t know my son,” she said, holding him tightly.
Skjold put his hand on the back of Loki’s neck. “My little Prince,” he said.
Loki turned a little and faced the older man. “You came,” he said in awe.
“Of course, my little one, you are in need.”
Frigga smiled. “He told you he would always help you in your time of need,” she said.
Loki nodded. He looked at Hogun and Clint. “Thank you,” he whispered, “You ... you think we will find him?”
Clint grinned. “I know we will. “
There was no answering smile, but a sad nod. Frigga pulled Loki towards the couch and sat down with him. Thor hovered anxiously, unsure of what to do. Frigga gestured for Thor to come closer. “I need you to find out if Heimdall can see him,” she said, “Or maybe the general area he was taken to.”
Thor nodded. “I will return, hopefully with new of glad tidings.”
Frigga nodded. “Now, my Loki, you must keep yourself busy,” she said, “It would not do you or Anthony any good if you were to become ill.”
Loki shuddered. “I’m scared.”
Frigga looked sad. “I know, sweetie, but, you have to be strong... you are Loki, you are my son, but you are also a Prince of Asgard,” she said, “Now, Clint, is there anything he needs to do today?”
Clint shrugged. “I am not sure what his schedule is like,” he said, “JARVIS... did Loki need to do anything?”
“He is to go to a manager’s meeting, however, I do believe they may reschedule, in light of the circumstances.”
“That may be a good idea,” Clint said.
Loki nodded. “We need to concentrate on finding Tony,” he said.
Thor came back quickly, but with a sober look on his face. “It seems that they have a way to block his sight,” he said, “Though, they did not do so until after taking Tony on a plane and stopping somewhere over Norway.”
Loki perked up. “I can still feel him, if I could get to Norway, I know I could find him,” he said.
“Unless they have already moved him,” Clint pointed out, “However, Nat is in that area, I will have her check.”
Loki slumped and buried his face in his hands. “They have the power to block Heimdall’s sight,” he said, “Which means they knicked some of my own magic.”
Frigga frowned. “How would they have done that?” she asked.
Loki gave her a look. “Mother, my magic flowed through that scepter...and the wonderful group known as SHIELD had their hands on it for a little while.. not to mention the Tesseract,” he said, “Who knows who has been hacking into their systems.”
Clint nodded. “True, Tony did it easily.”
Thor frowned. “They kept bits of my brother’s magic?” he asked, “How?”
Clint shrugged. “Don’t ask me, all I know is that Fury can do it.”
“When does Ms Potts return?”
“Waiting for her to call,” the archer said, “She said she would try to get the earliest flight out here.”
“Sir, SHIELD is once again trying to hack into my system,” JARVIS said, “Tony put new protections in place, but, I would refrain from speaking of the current situation.... just in case.”
“Damn, they just don’t give up do they?” Clint muttered and looked at Hogun.
“Perhaps a well placed bolt of lighting will thwart their attempts.”
Thor grinned at his friend and walked outside. He saw the unmarked van right across the street and raised Mjolnir. Lighting flashed and a low pop was heard as it struck the top of the van. Thor waited a moment and saw Fury hurry from the vehicle, along with two other agents. He walked back in, looking smug. “He shall not try that again for a while,” he said.
Skjold touched Frigga’s shoulder. “I am going to have a look around,” he said, “I wish to make sure that you and the Prince are safe.”
Thor gestured for the man to follow. “I will show you around,” he said, “Friend Stark is a wealthy man here.”
Skjold bowed. “Thank you, my Prince.”
Jane wandered out a moment later and smiled at Frigga. “I wish to apologize to you for my horrible behavior the last time you were here,” she said, “I assumed too much and should not have pushed Loki.”
Frigga nodded. Loki sniffed and sat up. “I spoke with her mother,” he said, “We have made amends.”
She then smiled brightly. “I am glad,” she said, “Come, Jane, I am afraid I have not made the best impression on you either.”
The human woman sat down next to the Queen. “I understand your behavior towards me, you were simply trying to protect Loki.”
Clint’s phone went off and he looked down at it. His eyes widened. Hogun and Loki stared at him. “What is it?”
“JARVIS, tell me if this is real?” he said.
Loki leaned forward. “What is it, Barton?”
“It appears so, Agent Barton.”
Clint showed the phone to Loki. There was a text from Tony. The demi god tensed and Frigga laid a hand on his arm. “Calm, my son.”
Clint opened the message and frowned. “Tell Loki not to worry.” he read, “and not to answer my texts to his phone.”
“JARVIS?”
“This is Tony’s second phone, one he keeps hidden on him in emergencies,” the AI replied, “It is similar to a blue tooth, texting by voice and untraceable.”
“Damnit Stark, can he get texts back from us?”
“No.. this was only to get him out of a fix.”
Clint rolled his eyes and his phone went off again.
“Will be the last text, they are moving me again... not sure who they are... though, they know me, because they are talking about ransom...sorry Loki.”
Loki looked around. “Ransom?” he asked.
“Yeah, money for Tony, however, we have to wait until they make a move.. until then, we are in the dark.”
“Agent Barton, Ms. Potts is at the airport, she was able to get permission to use Tony’s private jet.”
Clint sighed. “I am going to get her, Loki, stay here, don’t do anything stupid, ok?”
Frigga stood and pulled Loki with her. “Loki, dear, show me where the morning foods are kept,” she said.
A dazed nod and Loki walked into the kitchen. Clint left quickly, pulling Hogun with him. Jane looked at Thor. “Wait, JARVIS, what would be the reason for Loki not to read Tony’s texts that go to his phone?”
“It is possible they could be having Tony build something for them and that access to you would hurry him along,” JARVIS said, “Or he is worried about them tracking him... by sending texts to him, posing as Tony.”
She nodded. “All right, we are going to have to keep an eye on him,” she said, “I hope this is resolved quickly.”
Frigga looked at her youngest. “Loki, do you want to return to Asgard?” she asked gently.
He shook his head. “No, I need... I need to know if he is going to come home,” he said sadly, “Either way.”
“Then I will stay with you until then,” she said.
“What about Father?” he asked.
She smiled softly. “This is the happiest we have seen you in a long time,” she said, “Tony makes you happy and that is all we want for you.”
Moving around the kitchen with practiced ease, she pulled out various items that she thought looked good. “Your father worries for you, so he told me to stay here with you.”
“You both truly see me as your son?” Loki asked in wonder.
Frigga mock glared at him. “Of course I do!” she said, “Now, come, we will food for the others and ourselves... you need to eat more.”
Loki gave her a look. “I have gained a great deal of my weight back,” he said, “Mother...where are Fandral and Volstagg?”
“They are on Midgard, I believe that he placed them within this country, so that your brother could keep an eye on them, but far enough away that they do not bother you.”
“I see...then there is no way they could be involved?”
Frigga nodded. “They are powerless here, at least, compared to you and your friends.”
He did not look comforted, but smiled anyway. “Very well,” he said.
They were in the kitchen until Clint returned with Pepper. Frigga slipped out and smiled at the woman, who looked to be still crying. Loki walked out and Pepper ran over to him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, “I should have paid more attention, should have stayed in the room with him, something.”
“It’s not your fault,” he said, his voice shaky, “You should not blame yourself.... I certainly do not place blame at your feet.”
Pepper sniffed and nodded. “We’ll get him back,” she said, almost as if she were trying to convince herself.
“I .... know.”
Loki looked like he was going to try and smile at her, but he couldn’t. He closed his eyes, trying to hold back more tears. “Until we find him, how do we proceed with his company?” he asked, “It will not stop because he is missing.”
“I will continue to run it, with you helping,” Pepper said, “I know you will want to be out there helping with the search, but, you know this company almost as well as I do by now.”
Loki nodded. “I understand,” he said, “Tony would not wish for us to ... to neglect what he finished building.”
She nodded. “Come, we don’t have to do anything yet,” she said, “Clint, did you have a plan?”
The archer nodded. “JARVIS can look at any satellite surveillance camera in the world,” he said, “I am going to have him run through all of the ones that he can access in the areas that we believe Tony to be in and I am going to take Loki’s phone, in case they try to text or call him...we can use that to track as well.”
“We are assuming that the kidnappers are idiots and know little about Tony, aren’t we?” Pepper asked.
Jane shook her head. “No, he has a point,” she said, “Unless they know Tony personally, they have no idea how far reaching his technological prowess is.”
“Then let us pray they are imbeciles like my dear brother,” Loki said.
Frigga shook her head, but said nothing. Jane smiled. “He is not that bad, Loki,” she said, “Granted, he is a lot slower on the uptake than you.”
Loki gave her a wry smile. “I know.”
Skjold and Thor returned, the older guard finding his place behind Loki. “My prince, I can see why you are comfortable in this place,” he said, “Do you wish me to stay?”
“Yes,” Loki said quickly, “I don’t... I can’t bear being alone.”
He noticed the others looks and quickly said, “I meant at night, Clint, Hogun, I cannot expect you both to stay with me.. as your privacy is important as well.”
Hogun looked at the archer, who stared at Loki. Thor looked between his friends and brother, his mouth open. “How do you mean, brother?” he asked.
Loki looked shocked. Hogun shook his head. “Figure it out Thor,” he said.
Clint sighed and flipped Loki off. “I am going to contact Nat and see if she has found anything.”
Loki watched him go and then looked over to Pepper. “I need to stay busy, let’s get some work done.”
She nodded sadly. “I agree.”
Natasha had not found a trace of Tony. JARVIS found small clues, but they seemed to be operating with knowledge of Tony’s far reaching fingers. Six weeks had gone by and Loki was getting more anxious than before. Pepper kept him busy and Frigga did her best to quell his fears. Skjold stayed in the room with the younger prince, keeping him calm at night. Charlie became a regular visitor to the tower, trying to find ways to help Loki.
Pepper was beside herself, trying to convince the investors that Tony was alive and keeping it away from the media. Loki tried to help her, but he was lost. Skjold and his mother helped, but he still felt empty. The weight he had gained fell away, as he could not bring himself to eat a great deal, even with Clint using the bond against him.
Natasha, Thor and Hogun took turns scouring the planet for Tony. Clint was beginning to have suspicions on who had taken the genius, but he needed more proof. He felt helpless standing by and watching Loki waste away.
After three months, Pepper could no longer hide the fact that Tony was missing. She and Loki decided to hold a press conference, to explain why Tony Stark had not been seen in many weeks. The demi god looked as bad as he had when he first arrived back on Earth, but, Pepper had magical makeup artists who made him look somewhat healthy. “What if they insist I return to Asgard?” he whispered before the conference began.
“They can’t,” she said, “Until he is found or declared dead, you can remain here to finish off paying your debt.. which.. has been done in spades, but I have been lying to keep you here.”
Loki looked at her gratefully. “You truly are a gracious woman.”
She blushed and smiled. “Skjold will be here soon,” she said, “Do you want him out there with you?”
Loki nodded. “I understand that this is far from what you originally have come to know me as, but, without Tony, I feel... lost, I need.... damn, I do not even know anymore,” he said, “I have never had someone that close to me, to my intellect to speak to before... and now that he is gone.”
Pepper tapped him on the face. “He will be found and he will come home,” she said, “This is just to keep you here and the business running.”
Loki nodded. She smiled at him and looked out at the crowd gathering. “Skjold is here and it is time to start, come on.”
The warrior walked up next to Loki and placed a hand on his back. “Come, my prince.”
Pepper walked out and smiled sadly at the press as they began to take pictures. Loki followed her out, Skjold close behind. “All right everyone,” Pepper said loudly, “There will be no questions at this time, just listen.”
Loki nodded to her. She took a deep breath and continued. “Mr. Anthony Stark was kidnapped three months ago, from his hotel in Germany,” she said, “We have had some contact with him, but not enough to locate him and it ceased about four weeks ago.... as such, I will remain CEO of his company and his companion, Loki Odinson, will take his place as head of the company, per Mr. Stark’s wishes.”
Loki looked over at her in surprise as the room erupted with shouts of questions. Skjold moved closer to Loki, his hand on his dagger. “Ms. Potts.... what are you talking about?” Loki hissed tensely.
“Tony put that into a living will of sorts,” she said, “It was a long discussion with him, his lawyer and I, but, everything is completely legal and you can’t leave Earth since you are acting as owner of the company.”
Loki swallowed hard. “He is going to be found, right?”
“Yes,” she answered firmly.
“Then I will do anything you ask.”
Tony opened his eyes, flinching in pain as the light hit him. He knew.. knew he had to get home. He could feel his bond with Loki weakening. Shifting, trying to look around, he heard some familiar voices. Coughing, he turned his head, but could only see shadows.
“Well, Stark, looks like you finally woke up again...once your little lover is back in the proper hands, you will get to go home.. until then, you get to stay with us.”
After that, all he knew was pain as they beat him into unconsciousness.