Chapter Text
'I have thought of a wonderful present for you...shall I give you despair?' ~Sephiroth (Advent Children)
Loki sat quietly in his cell, the muzzle still fitted tightly on his mouth. He could feel the strap pulling his hair and he knew that there would be a great deal missing. Growling to himself, he curled up into one of the darker corners. The guards would be by shortly with Thor to feed him and he would rather not be seen.
It wasn’t long before he heard the tramp of boots making their way to his cell. Even when Thor came for his meals, there was never any light in the cell, and the Trickster rarely left his corner. Which meant the dull witted Thunder god has not noticed the mess his brother (not) is.
“Loki, come brother, it is time for your midday meal.”
Loki shifted just enough for Thor to see that he was awake, but did not leave the corner. As the older man entered, the muzzle left Loki’s face. “Come now, Loki,” Thor said sadly, “Are you still going to sit in that corner?”
The Trickster did not answer. He gestured with his hand for his plate. Sighing, Thor slid it to him and watched it disappear into the corner. “The healers are going to come today,” he said, “Father wants to see you at the last meal of the night, in our private dining hall.”
Loki stiffened and threw the plate away from him. The food spilled across the floor, landing near Thor’s feet. “Loki!”
The dark haired demi god lurched out of the corner and stared at the taller man. “Why?” he rasped, “Why would he bother with me after tossing me down here?”
He laughed and looked at his hands. The long fingers were dirty and one looked to be broken. Finger nails were missing, as if torn out. Thor gasped at the state his brother was in. “Loki, what happened?”
Loki laughed and shook his head. “Ohhhh, I don’t know, ask the guards,” he hissed, “Or, perhaps you knew and want to play the loving brother, come to save me.... tell me, how is Jane, does she scream like I used to?”
Thor glared at his brother. “Loki, come now, that was ages ago,” he said.
Loki smirked. “What, does that mean all of it meant nothing to you, did you not love me?” he asked calmly, “That having your little brother writhing underneath you was simply a way to prevent a bunch of little Thor’s from running around?”
Thor closed his eyes. “I will bring the healers in,” he said, standing.
Loki began to laugh, but it was cut off once Thor left the cell and his gag was back on.
Thor hurried to his father’s room. “Father, there is something wrong with Loki,” he said.
Odin looked up from his papers and frowned. “What is that, my son?”
“His hands, a few of the fingers look to be broken, they are bloody and cut up,” Thor said, “They are also incredibly thin, more than normal.”
Nodding, Odin stood and called for the healers. “I will see this for myself,” he said, and gestured for Thor to lead the way.
The dungeon was dirty and dark. Odin avoided the walls as he walked down, but, did not fail to notice the fear on guards faces. He filed that away for later and stopped in front of Loki’s cell. The door opened and the gag appeared in Thor’s hand. “Loki?”
A soft laugh was heard. “So, Thor, went to get your father, for what?”
Odin sighed and walked in, the entire cell lighting up. Loki flinched back into the corner, not used to the light. Odin’s eye narrowed when he saw his son. “Thor, get him out of here,” he said, “and bring me the guards that were in charge of him, NOW!”
Thor lifted Loki, who struggled weakly. “Brother, have you been eating?” he asked.
“Of course not,” Loki said calmly, “The food was poisoned, I would like to live a little longer, to make your life a living Hel.”
Thor frowned and looked at his father. Odin nodded and gestured for Thor to lead the way. Carrying his brother through the palace, Thor glared at anyone who stared a little to long. Loki had his head on Thor’s chest. He didn’t really have the energy to do much else. The healers met them at the door and ushered Thor to one of the beds. “Lay him down, one of the attendants has gone to fetch supplies.”
Loki kept his eyes closed against the light and turned his head to one side. “Why bother, Thor?” he asked, laughing, “I am just going to be executed anyway.”
“Father is not going to execute you,” Thor said, sternly, “We have decided your punishment for here and Midgard.”
Loki continued to laugh, even as the healers began to remove his prison clothes. Thor began to see red as the bruises littering his brother’s skin were revealed. “Document this,” he said, “I am going to speak with the All Father.”
The healers looked nervous about being left with the fallen prince, but Thor had already left. Two guards took his place and they continued to work.
“Father!” Thor called, hurrying to meet up with the older god, “He looks terrible, he shouldn’t be in this state!”
Odin nodded. “I will see to him,” he said, “When Loki is on Midgard, we will return and speak to the guards.”
“Did you speak to the two that were in charge of him?”
“I did and I believe they are lying to me...so, your mother will be with us when we speak to them again.”
Thor suddenly felt a deep sorrow for those two men.
Loki slowly opened his eyes and looked around. When had he passed out? He looked down at himself and realized he had been cleaned. Oh and dressed. Two healers were working on his open sores and another was checking his hands. “Your Majesty, I need to adjust the bones, so they heal properly.”
He shrugged and held out his hand to her. Her look of disgust amused him and he found great pleasure in making her squirm. Curling his fingers a little, he watched as the bones twisted under the skin. “Your Majesty, please,” she whimpered, taking his hand.
Loki sat still and allowed her to manipulate the bones back into place. She was nearly finished when the doors flew open. Odin and Thor walked into the room. The nervous girl barely had time to kneel before the All Father swept up to them. “Young lady, how is my son?” he asked.
“Majesty,” she stuttered, “He is beginning to heal now, but there is a great deal of damage done to his body, physically, broken bones, torn skin, bruising....”
Odin nodded and looked at Loki. The demi god cocked his head. “My son, I hope that you will hear me out now.”
“Not like I have much of a choice,” Loki said bitterly.
Sighing, Odin turned to the Healer. “Leave,” he said, “I will have my son call you back in when we are finished.”
She nodded and hurried out. Thor watched her leave and sealed the doors behind her. “Loki, your punishment has been decided,” Odin said, “I had to find a way to rectify what you had done here, on Midgard and Jotunheim, so I have decided that you will be bound to a mortal on Midgard, under his watch and control.”
Loki sat up quickly, wincing as his body screamed in pain. “What?!”
Thor grinned. “You are getting a chance to prove yourself,” he said, “and make reparations for the damage done to Midgard!”
“So, you are going to send me, defenseless.. to a realm who wants to kill me?” Loki asked.
Odin raised an eyebrow. The trickster began to clap slowly. “Good thinking,” he continued sarcastically, “They will execute me, so that you don’t have to dirty your hands with it, right?”
“Loki!” Thor exclaimed, “Father does not want you to die!”
“And yet, he is sending me to the executioner.”
“LOKI!” Odin snapped, “I have already spoken to the mortals your brother assists and they have agreed to allow this... you will not be executed.”
Loki shook his head. “No, but good as,” he said, “I have seen what their little group does to their prisoners... your punishments in the dungeons will seem like feast day.”
Odin sighed. “You are not going to believe a word I say, are you?”
“Hmmm, no, Liesmith, remember?”
Thor frowned. “Loki, please.”
Loki looked from Odin to Thor. “Why are you two even bothering to argue with me on it?” he asked, “It is not like my words will sway the Great All Father in his decision...I am just speaking so that when I am dead, you will know that I was right and suffer for it.”
“Enough Loki!” Odin said, “Enough, you will come back to us, wholly yourself again.”
“Or, broken,” Loki sneered, “Which is what you will prefer.”
Thor grabbed Loki’s arm. “He is offering you a chance to redeem yourself,” he snapped, shaking the smaller man, “Take it!”
“I have no choice but to take it,” Loki said, laughing, “Let me go, you dumb ox.”
Thor dropped him. Odin waved for a guard. “You will wear this,” he said, taking a silver bracelet from the guard, “this will bind you to the mortal that has been chosen for you."
He reached down to take Loki’s arm, but the Trickster jerked back. “Do not touch me,” Loki hissed.
Thor grabbed his arm and held it tightly. “Allow Father to put it on you,” he said quietly.
Loki tried to twist away from Thor, but the larger god was so much stronger than him. Odin placed the bracelet on him and sealed it in place. The reaction was instantaneous. Loki shrieked in pain, fighting harder to get away from Thor. The Thunder god looked at his father in confusion. “What is happening?” he asked.
Odin frowned and saw the skin on Loki’s wrist starting to blister. “Father, take it off!” Thor exclaimed.
Working quickly, Odin undid the seal and removed the bracelet. Loki was panting, his voice hoarse from screaming. “I do not understand,” Odin said softly, “Ahhh, I do now, remain here, I have a better instrument for this.”
Loki held his wrist tightly, his green eyes burning with hatred and anger. Thor sighed and beckoned for the healer. “Come, bandage his arm while we wait for the All Father.”
She hurried towards them, gathering what she needed as she went. “Hold out your arm, Your Majesty,” she said.
Loki stared at her, the anger fading from his eyes. He had relaxed, to the point of leaning on Thor and releasing his wrist. Blood dripped to the floor, but the dark haired god made no effort to lift it for the girl. Thor frowned and pulled Loki’s arm up, expecting his brother to fight. He was worried and suspicious when the expected fight did not happen.
Odin walked back in and frowned when he saw his youngest. “Loki?”
Green eyes focused on him, Loki’s face completely void of any expression. Thor was holding the injured arm for the healer wrap. “Father, he seems to have shut down,” the Thunder god said sadly, “He will not answer.”
“Loki, what is wrong?”
Loki flinched away and tugged at his arm. “Father, he is shaking,” Thor said.
“It hurts,” Loki whimpered, “Make it stop, please, I will do anything.”
He snatched his hand back from Thor and shrank back from him further. “I will get it done,” he hissed, “Just, stop!”
Odin waved for the healer to leave. She moved away slowly, her eyes watching the shaking Prince carefully. “Get out!” Odin shouted.
She jumped and ran, slamming the door behind her. Loki jumped as well. “Loki, brother,” Thor said gently, “Talk to me.”
Odin’s shout seemed to have brought Loki out of his trance. “I am not your brother,” Loki snapped.
Sighing, Odin placed his hand on the back of his youngest son’s neck. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“Why should I, it is not like it would change anything,” Loki hissed, “Let’s get this over with.”
“If that is what you want,” Odin said sadly, “Until I can adjust the bracelet, you will have to wear this collar.”
Loki balked and leveled a glare at the older man. “Ahhh, I see, a pet for the favorites,” he snarled.
“No, Loki,” Odin said, “This is only until I can adjust the magic in the bracelet.”
Thor stood and took the thin silver collar from his father. Leaning over Loki, he put the band in place. “You cannot even tell, Loki,” he assured, “It simply looks like an adornment.”
“Does my mortal keeper get a leash with it?” the Trickster asked snidely.
“Enough Loki!” Odin snapped.
Loki fell silent, his anger burning. He tried to ignore the feeling of the band on his neck. Thor cleared his throat. “I believe that the human that Loki will be bound to has been chosen,” he said, “I agree with the choice as well, though, the good Director was not as pleased.”
Odin nodded. “Your mother has chosen the guard that will accompany us down to Midgard,” he said, “I want some rules set, before I trust my youngest’s punishment to them.”
Thor reached and helped Loki stand. The younger jerked away. “I see my mother couldn’t be bothered to say goodbye to me,” he sneered, “Ah well, let us go, we wouldn’t want to keep my new masters waiting.”
Odin bit his tongue and gestured for Thor to do the same. Turning, he motioned for the guards to follow and lead the way to Heimdall.
“I will call for you when I am ready to return,” the All Father said to the Guardian, “Thor and Loki will remain.”
“I will keep watch over the Princes,” Heimdall said, “When you are ready.”
Odin nodded. Loki closed his eyes when he felt the pull of the Bifrost. The feeling was disconcerting, he felt off balance and drained. Thor steadied him when they landed. “Brother, are you well?”
“Shut up, you idiot,” Loki hissed through clenched teeth.
He looked around and saw all but two of the Avengers, plus Director Fury. He tensed and looked back at the guards. Odin sighed (he felt like he had been doing that a lot lately) and focused on the group that had gathered. “Greetings,” he said, “I appreciate your assistance with my son’s punishment.”
Fury smirked. “Oh, I am sure the pleasure is all ours,” he said.
Tony laughed. “Now, now, Nickie,” he said, “You know that Point Break wanted me to be the one to babysit Reindeer Games.”
Thor nodded. “My father also has some provisions, though,” he said.
Fury gave Thor an odd look. “What kind of provisions would a war criminal need?”
Odin cleared his throat. “He is still my son and still a Prince of Asgard,” he said harshly, “He is here to learn, to pay his debt, harming him will not help him to learn his lesson.”
Fury shook his head. “What are we supposed to do with him then?”
“Thor and I have already discussed this,” Tony put in, “Don’t worry, Bambi will repay his debt,as much as he can.”
“Fine,” Fury snapped, “So, how are we supposed to keep him from running wild?”
“He will be bound to your Iron Man,” Odin said, “I am hoping, however, that Mr. Stark will be able to refrain from taking advantage.”
“Hey, hey, I am NOT his Iron Man,” Tony protested, “But I will not take advantage, Scout’s honor.”
Steve rolled his eyes and spoke up from the back of the room. “How does binding him to Tony protect the rest of us?”
Odin looked at his son for a moment. Loki felt a stab of dread, adding on to his already tense psyche. “The bond will allow Anthony to issue orders to Loki that he will not be able to ignore or disobey,” Odin explained.
Loki flinched. “So, I was right,” he laughed bitterly, “A leash is given, only this one is not seen, I am nothing more than a pet.”
“Loki..,” Thor began.
“No!” the Trickster snapped, “Why not just kill me, if I am so hopeless that you leave my punishment to the mortals... I would rather be dead than have to obey the very beings that would take advantage of having me here!”
One of the guards stepped forward and removed Loki from Thor’s hold. He held Loki’s undamaged arm with one hand and the other went around his waist. Loki looked up at the guard and completely relaxed. “Calm yourself, my Prince.”
Thor stared at the guard and then looked at his father. “Mother chose the guards?” he asked.
Odin nodded. “He was the head guard to your brother’s nursery,” he said, “Besides your mother, he was the only one who could calm Loki as a child.”
Tony stepped forward and looked at the guard, his hand raised. After receiving silent permission he moved closer. “Loki,” he said, “Thor and I worked out a set of rules and this is the kind of promise that I am not willing to break.. you are not my pet, I do not keep people as pets... well, unless they are into that kind of thing, I knew this one girl who loved to be yanked around by her....”
Tony trailed off when he noticed everyone was staring at him. “What?!”
“Not the time, Stark,” Steve said, pointing to Odin.
“Ahhh, yeah, sorry.”
Odin smiled. “Do not think on it,” he said, “I am relieved that you have a sense of humor, I think that Loki needs that.”
Loki had not moved from the man’s arms and he didn’t seem inclined to do so any time soon. His fingers had curled around the armored wrists of his guard, his knuckles white. “My Prince, you will be home with us before you know it,”’ the guard said softly, “Your brother will not allow harm to come to you.”
Odin walked to Tony. “I need to tune the binder to you,” he said, “Sadly, right now, it is around his neck... until I can adjust the magicks on the original bracelet.”
“All right,” Tony said, “Tell me, if I misspeak, how can it affect Loki?”
“Misspeak?”
Tony sighed. “Like I say to go take a flying leap, not to Loki, but in a general sense, he won’t go and do that, will he?”
“No, your intent will be read,” Odin said, the smile returning, “I trust you, you have shown more compassion for this, than is necessary or expected.”
“Hey, that’s me.. Mr Totally awesome compassion man!” Tony said, ignoring Steve’s coughed ‘bullhockey.’
“I hope that you remain true to this though,” Odin said, “I am placing my son in your hands.”
Tony grinned. “Well, he is a pretty sight,I am sure I can.....”
Once again, he noticed everyone staring at him. He swallowed hard when he noticed Loki’s guard glaring. “Ok, let’s remember that I am a playboy and have absolutely no brain to mouth filter.”
Steve sighed. “Your mouth is going to get us killed someday.”
Tony waved him off. “You worry too much, Ice Age,” he said, “I can talk myself out of almost anything!”
Nick looked at Odin. “I want to test it, to make sure this magic works,” he said, “Considering he was able to just walk out of my cells.”
“He did say the cell was not built for one like him,” Steve said, “Perhaps his father can do better than you.”
Tony laughed and looked at Thor. “Well, I trust your dad,” he said, “Anyway, I am getting to the point where my unwanted guests are wearing out their welcome.”
Steve rolled his eyes, while Fury remained focused on Odin. The All Father shook his head in annoyance and beckoned for Tony to come closer. “Touch the band on his neck,” he said, “You will be the only one, other than me, that can activate it.”
“Test it, Stark,” Nick said, “Or I will have three agents in your house until he leaves.”
Tony looked at the two older gods. Odin nodded to Thor. “Go ahead,” he said,turning back to Tony, “I trust you to not abuse it.”
Thor sighed. “Loki, go and see Tony.”
The trickster made an obscene gesture at his brother and curled closer into his guard. Tony frowned. “Loki, come here,” he said.
Loki’s eyes widened as he fought the compulsive power, but found he could not win and walked over to Tony. His green eyes glared death at his father and brother. Body tense, Loki finally looked at Tony. “Good enough, Nick?” Tony snapped, staring into Loki’s eyes.
“For now,” Fury said and looked at Odin, “How long is his punishment, because I am hoping for a lifetime.”
Loki flinched and opened his mouth to speak. “Not now,” Tony whispered, “Just look at me for now, ok?”
Those vivid green eyes focused on him again, betrayal screaming at Tony. The genius moved closer to the bonded man and leaned in to speak to him. “Nick has no say in your punishment,” he said softly, “But, when he leaves, we will talk and I will let you know what Thor said, all right?”
Loki blinked at the mortal in amazement. Odin watched them for a moment, before turning to Nick. “He will be here as long as it takes for my son to return to me,” he said, sternly, “and to help rebuild your city... he will have his magicks, since your Anthony Stark can prevent him from harming others.”
“Excuse me, your majesty,” Steve said politely, “If he has his magic, what is to prevent him from finding a way to remove the collar?”
“The magic that is woven around that collar is older than I,” Odin said, “and it is not easily displaced, Loki would have to weaken himself considerably to remove it and if he did, he wouldn’t have chance to escape.”
Steve nodded. “We must depart now,” Odin said, “I will leave my son in your capable hands, Mr. Stark and Thor will be here to assist.”
“Hey, before you leave,” Tony spoke up, “What happened to his arm and well... the rest of him?”
Loki cradled his damaged arm to his chest and retreated back towards his guard. Odin glanced at his son and then at the mortal. “A miscalculation with the original silver is the cause for his arm,” he said, “I believe I know why that particular spell caused such a horrifying reaction, the rest ... I believe the guards that were in charge of his cell were a little.. overzealous and ensured that nothing showed when Thor or I went to check on him.”
Thor stood before his brother. “Loki, I will return shortly,” he said.
Loki turned his face away, looking back over at Tony suspiciously. Tony nodded. “Fine, he will be here in my home,” he said, “Looks like he needs some kibble, so we will get that going as well.”
Odin nodded. “Loki, I know any gesture of kindness will be rebuked as of now,” he said, “Just know that we want you home, that your mother misses you.”
Tony watched as the All Father tried to get through to his son. It was painful. Thor sighed. “We must go father, mother is going to want to see you,” he said.
Loki flinched. “Loki?” Tony said.
“She wants to see you and Thor?” Loki asked, moving away from the guard, “Of course, I am not her real child, she couldn’t be bothered to at least spit at me.”
Odin went to speak, but Loki kept going. “Go, be the happy family you want, because I know how this goes, remember, you have done this before,” he forged on, “I know how these mortals think... your rules will mean nothing to them.”
“Loki, enough,” Tony said softly.
The god stopped talking and stared at Tony. “Come on,” the man continued, “Why don’t we get you settled into one of the rooms and tomorrow, I will take you shopping for clothes.”
Loki simply nodded and allowed Tony to lead him away. He cast one more look at his guard before disappearing into the elevator.
Odin sighed. “I hope this does not backfire,” he said, “Thor, we must go and deal with the men who harmed Loki.”
Nick glared. “I thought he was staying here.”
“I will return,” Thor said, “However, Tony seems to have this well in hand, I am only here for support.”
“Fine, when you return, we will have a debriefing, to let Agents Romanav and Barton know about this turn of events,” Nick snapped, “Steve, you are in charge of telling Banner.”
Steve sighed. “Yes, sir,” he said, “Any idea of how to get ahold of him?”
“Ask Stark.”
Odin smiled inwardly. “Come Thor,” he said, “I want you to be able to return swiftly.”
The Thunder god nodded and followed his father out of the building.
Loki sat quietly in the room that Tony had set up for him. Said genius was currently wandering around the room, making mental notes of any changes that may need to be made. “Loki.”
“What?”
“Geez, testy,” Tony said, smirking, “Look, I know this is not the best situation for you to be in, but, it was either me or Nick... I am the better choice, right?”
Loki glared at him, but said nothing. Tony shrugged. “You don’t have to like it, this is your punishment,” he said, “You will start working for my company next week, while we help to rebuild, you will retain half of the pay you would make as my employee, the other half will go to the families of the dead and injured.... you know, reparations.”
“I understand why I am here, mortal,” Loki growled.
“Your mood swings need some help as well,” Tony retorted, “I think a therapist is in order.”
“A what?”
“Therapist, someone who you talk to and they tell you psycho babble bullshit to try and make you feel better,” Tony said, “Apparently, this helps some people.”
“I do not need help, being your pet is humiliation enough.”
Tony grit his teeth in frustration. “You are not my pet,” he snapped, “Like I said, if I wanted a human pet, that person would have to be willing.”
Loki stood and moved right in front of the shorter man. “If you did not want a pet, why did you agree to this?” he asked sarcastically, “Or.... do you enjoy the thought of having the God of Lies at your beck and call, waiting excitedly for your next command?”
“No!” Tony said, “I want you to get your shit together so you can go home, I want you to cause problems for your people, not my home planet.”
Loki froze and seemed to be confused. “Damn you,” he hissed.
Tony sighed. “Loki, just go and sit on the bed,” he said, “I will come and get you for dinner, all right?”
“As you wish, master,” came the sarcastic reply.
Tony walked from the room and ran straight into Fury. “We need to talk, Stark.”
“About what?”
“Your new pet.”
“What the fuck... he is not my pet!” Tony snapped.
Nick smirked. “Well, he will be,” he said, “He had better be compliant to all of us, or he will find himself in SHIELD custody.”
“Are you willing to risk an intergalactic war?” Tony asked, “Because I seriously doubt Thor would be there to help us win that one.”
“What Thor doesn’t know, won’t hurt us.”
Tony sighed. “No, Nick, I am not going to do that,” he said, “Thor and I made an agreement and I am sticking to it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Nick said and walked away, “I will be back tomorrow morning.”
Loki listened in on Tony and Fury, his insides twisting as he thought of how helpless he actually was. He hoped Odin’s spell would only work for Stark, because if not, he was truly fucked.