Beauty and The Beast ((Bruce Banner/Hulk love))

Chapter 15 (EDITED)

-Aero's POV-

After I had woken up from my nap and watched Bruce and Tony work for a bit longer, I felt my phone vibrate on my belt. I pulled it free from its pocket and looked at the message that had come in. It was from Fury. 'Find out what Loki's angle is' was all the text message read. I hopped down from the counter I had been sitting on, catching the attention of both Bruce and Tony. "Duty calls, Boys. I will return." I gave a small wave to them before heading out of the lab. Once in the hallway, I used my speed to zip down to Loki's cage in a flash. Loki was pacing in his cage, but as he reached one side he paused in his step. He turned his head to look at me.

"There's not many people who can sneak up on me," Loki spoke with mild amusement in his voice. "You remind me of someone," He commented but let it go quickly.

"You figured I'd come?" I asked tilting my head a bit to the side to watch him closely.

"After what ever tortures Fury could concoct, you'd appear... as a friend, as a balm." Loki started over towards the glass, causing me to step towards it as well. I let him think that he was drawing me in, at least for the time being. "And I would cooperate," Loki smiled smugly at me.

"I want to know what you've done to agent Barton," I spoke flatly trying to get the point across that I was not there to make friends, simply to get information. Loki smile only widened when I asked my question.

"I'd say, I expanded his mind," Loki mused. He was obviously very proud of himself. I tilted my head back to its centralized position and walked closer to the glass descending down the three small stairs that separated us. My eyes stayed locked on Loki's the entire time.

"And once you've won," I stopped just a foot or so from the glass. "Once you're king of the mountain, what happens to his mind?" I crossed my arms over my chest waiting for my answer.

"Is this love, Agent Mitchell?" Loki cooed sarcastically.

"No, Love is for fools," I snorted in almost amusement at the idea. "I owe him... a lot." I left the statement mostly open ended. I didn't need to give Loki any more information than need be. Loki smirked, pleased with himself and took a few steps back. He reached a small bench and settled down to sit. His eyes never lost mine the entire time.

"Tell me," He coaxed. I let out a long sigh as if I was thinking about sharing the information with him. I knew that if I could get him to believe that I was opening up to him, I could get him to boast enough to give me the information I needed.

"I was raised by SHIELD," I started to explain. I turned to find a chair set up across from the one he was sitting on. "Barton, along with others, played a big part in raising me." I looked down at my hands as I remembered all of the years I spent alongside Barton and Natasha and the others. "I have gotten my hands dirty in more than one way, but Barton never gave up on me. He never let me slip too far." I glanced up at Loki with honesty in my eyes.

"What will you do if I vow to spare him?" Loki countered.

"Not let you out," I quipped.

"No, but I like this." Loki leaned in a devilish grin painted across his face. "Your world in the balance and you bargain for one man," Loki seemed thrilled about the idea that I would throw the fate of the world away for the safety of Barton.

"Regimes fall everyday," I commented with a small shake of my head. "I tend not to weep over that. I'm an agent," I commented dryly. He asked what I was now. "Its really not that complicated, I owe him a debt, and I plan on paying it." I shot back standing up from my seat and re-crossing my arms over my chest.

"Can you?" Loki asked calmly. "Will saving him repay that debt? What about the others you want to save? Natasha? The beast?" My body stiffened automatically at the crude name he used for Bruce. He was not a monster, and I hated that Loki called him that. "Ah, I see." He hummed standing up with amusement. "So the beauty has fallen for the beast, how cliche." Loki acted disgusted by the idea, and I tried my best to keep my cool. "Pathetic Fool," he hissed at me. "You lie and kill in the service of other liars and killers, Is he the beast or are you?" He taunted through the glass. He slammed his fist against the glass, causing me to flinch back a bit at the sudden sound. "I wont touch Barton, and I wont touch Bruce. Until I make him kill you," He threatened through the glass. "Slowly, intimately, in every way both he and you fear." Loki growled out to me as he leaned further into the glass. "Then he will wake just long enough to see his good work, and when he screams I'll split his skull." Loki continued to speak darkly. I let out a small gasp and turned away bringing my hands to my face. "This is my bargain, you mewling quim." I let out a couple of fake sniffles, trying to let him see me as scared or afraid.

"You're a monster," My voice trembled as I spoke.

"Oh no, You brought the monster." He sounded so smug and proud of himself. I lifted my head and turned to face Loki. I obviously was not crying or upset, my face pretty neutral. Loki looked down right confused by my lack of emotion.

"So Banner, That's your play." I commented. I had figured that he was targeting Bruce from the very beginning when he started making comments about monsters and the cage. Now I was sure, He was planning on causing Bruce to hulk out in some way. I pressed the intercom in my ear. "Loki means to unleash the hulk, I'll be right up. Send Thor as well." I headed for the exit and Loki mirrored my steps behind the glass. I paused before the exit. "Thank you, for your cooperation." I commented smugly in return to him. I gave him a small wave and was gone in a blur. I met Thor and Natasha outside the lab that Tony and Bruce were working in. 

(Word Count : 1125)