An Avenger's Tale

15|| Asgard

Reverberating knocks on the door abruptly pulled me from my disgruntled state of sleep. I hefted myself onto my elbow and rubbed my tired eyes. I felt the weight of Loki's arm draped over my waist and peered at his sleeping figure from over my shoulder.

"LOKI! Have you arisen?" Thor's voice reverberated off the four walls of the room.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

I violently turned in Loki's arms and jostled him, trying to wake him up. "Loki, you're brother is about to knock the door down. Loki. . ." I diminished.

"Loki, for the love of Odin, say something!" Thor bellowed outside the door.

In one rapid movement, Loki had climbed out of the bed and glowed green as he magically changed into some Asgardian clothing. He marched towards the door, quietly whispering to JARVIS to open the doors.

The door gushed open and revealed a miffed Thor filling the doorway. He was dressed in Asgardian clothing too, gripping onto Mjölnir aggressively.

"What took you so long, brother?" Thor queried as he brushed past Loki and stepped into the room. His eyes lodged onto my physique as I sat bolstered beneath the duvet. "Lady Sage, what are you doing here?"

"I was-- uh. . . I was just going." I muttered apprehensively and untangled myself from the blankets, not oblivious to Thor's gaze burning into my flesh.

I walked towards the door, consciously holding my head low, gazing at the floor as I passed Thor and Loki on my way out. I could feel their gazes following me as I sauntered into the hall.

"What was she doing in your chambers, brother?" I heard Thor question, albeit he didn't sound vexed.

"That is none of your concern, dear brother. Now would you apprise me why you woke me like some madman?"

"The Tessaract. It has been thieved."

I choked softly at the words and clenched my hand over my mouth. I snailed closer to Loki's door, perking my ears so I could monitor their hushed-up conversation tenaciously. There was a cursory moment of silence before Loki spoke, sounding moderately exasperated.

"That is impossible. The magic I placed upon the Tessaract made it unfeasible to anyone's touch, except--"

"Except yours," Thor interrupted, "I thought it wise to inform you that Stark is implying you laid hold of the Tessaract."

"Of course he is," Loki breathed in an undertone, "the Tessaract I passed to Thanos was a decoy. I did not have any intention in giving him the real thing. Do you truly think so little of me?"

"Loki, I think the world of you."

I hushedly sidled towards the staircase and barreled down the stairs two at a time. The Avengers were all settled around the kitchen island as I passed them on my way to the lab. I emitted a vague hello before sprinting down the flight of stairs mouthing into the lab.

My father, well adoptive father, and Banner turned in my direction as I infiltrated the lab after scanning my palm-print. The diaphanous screen encircled them but with a wave of my father's hand, it evaporated.

"Sage, how are you feeling?"

"You were watching the video clips, weren't you?" I muttered as I lagged closer to them, wrapping my arms around myself in solace.

"Kiddo. . ." My father started.

"Loki didn't do it." I stated instantaneously.

"Sage, you need to see reason. Be rational." He apprised.