Hidden in Plain Sight // A Spiderfrost Fanfic

Chapter 44

Peter's POV

The hall erupted. Spectators and even guards started talking to one another, discussing the evidence that floated in the air. Loki closed the screen and the hologram disappeared.

"SILENCE!" Odin roared, slamming the butt of his spear onto the marble floor. Everyone fell quiet, fearful of Odin's angry expression. I could feel his rage emanating across the room. It nearly triggered my fight or flight, but I held my ground.

He pointed an accusing finger at Loki. "You dare lie to me? You are the god of lies and trickery, you really think I would believe you?"

I glanced over at Loki. He dropped the screen. His hands were balled up into fists and his jaw was clenched.

"You come into my kingdom, my home, and spread your lies? You have the power to shapeshift! You really thought you could fool me, simply because your eyes were blue?"

"He's not lying-" I was cut off with a sharp tug to my chains. I fell to my knees, coughing and choking from the blow to my neck.

"Stop!" Loki shouted. I looked up and saw he was struggling against his chains, trying to get to me. Guards swarmed him and he was forced back into place.

I stood shakily, my legs sore and my neck aching. "I'm okay," I promised hoarsely.

He grit his teeth and glared up at Odin.

"Now that interruption has been concluded, we can begin issuing punishment. Loki, you have tormented the human race, killed innocent people, caused carnage and strife, and most importantly, you lied to my face. I hereby sentence you to isolation for the rest of your natural life. Your.. accomplice will be coming with me for interrogation. You will never see him again," He announced coldly.

My mouth fell open. Was he kidding? I glanced over at Loki. He was focusing on a spot on the ground, shaking slightly. I saw his eyes fill with tears.

Panic filled my chest as I realized too late. "Loki no-!" I shouted, but the rest of my words were lost in the sudden explosion of magic.

The guards that were holding him down were thrown back. The chains disintegrated from Loki's body as his green magic began swirling around him. Chaos unleashed and spectators and guards alike began to scream and panic. My own chains broke apart, standing so close to Loki's magic. Green magic shards cut my exposed skin and I could just barely see Loki fall to his knees within the storm. I tried to yell and catch his attention, but it was fruitless. He couldn't hear me.

Odin began issuing evacuation as Loki's power began destroying the room. Thor ran up to me and tried to pull me away as I tried to push through the bubble.

"Peter! We have to go!" Thor screamed above the roaring wind, pointing at Odin and the other fleeing people.

"Go without me!" I yelled back. "I'm not leaving without Loki!"

Thor bit his lip and nodded, before running down the hall, in hopes to avoid the razor-sharp attacks. I clenched my jaw and turned back to Loki. I noticed that the green shards and light from the surrounding storm began to break off pieces of the castle. I needed to save him before it was too late. Without time to second guess myself, I braced myself and marched into the fray.

Pain erupted from all over my body as the storm began to shred my flesh and clothing. I inched my way through the chaos, being extra careful to keep my balance. If I fell now, the storm would tear me apart. My mind flashed back to the S.H.I. E.L.D. prison where Loki had a panic attack from our separation. I focused my gaze on Loki and began counting the distance, hoping to distract me from the sharp pain that encased my body. 12 steps. 11 steps. 10 steps.

As I drew closer, I realized Loki had curled into a ball. The storm was just a representation of his feelings. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and the pain began to fade to a tugging in the back of my mind as I was filled with new rigor. I began to advance more quickly and reached out to Loki, so close I could nearly touch him.

Just as I was about to reach him, I was thrown back. I caught myself just before I fell. I recovered and tried slamming my fists on the invisible bubble of magic that surrounded Loki. He was locking himself in, and everyone else out. Panic seeped through my confidence and I could feel my energy fading. If I didn't get in there soon, I would die.

"Loki!" I shouted, pounding on the wall. "Let me in! Please!"

Loki shook his head and covered his ears. "Leave me alone! I'll only bring you pain! Odin is right! The only thing I'm good for is causing misery." His words were almost lost in the wind and I barely caught them. I was shocked for a brief moment before my anger began to boil.

"Odin will never be right!" I screamed, my voice cracking. I hit the magic as hard as I could with each word. "You. Are. Not. A. MONSTER!"

The bubble suddenly vanished. I almost fell, surprised by the lack of resistance and hurried into the eye of the storm with Loki. He had tears running down his cheeks, and his face was scrunched up in emotional agony. I rushed over to him and got onto the ground to comfort him.

I didn't need words. All I did was hold out my arms. Loki whimpered and latched onto me immediately. He sat atop my lap with his legs wrapped around my waist and his hands clutching onto the back of my shirt.

"It's alright. I'm here. And I'm never going to leave you," I promised. "Let it all out."

Loki let out an anguished scream and began to sob into my shoulder. Tears started leaking out of my eyes as I listened to Loki 's pained cries. I rubbed circles on his back. The storm began to decrease little by little. The wind started to slow and his magic was no longer taking chunks of stone out of the beautiful architect.

The storm eventually stopped, but Loki continued crying, too distressed to calm down. I held him close and whispered sweet nothings in his ear. My shirt was soaked through but I didn't care. The wooden creak of doors caught my attention. Loki noticed the presence of others too and whimpered fearfully, clutching onto me tighter. I put a hand on the back of his head to reassure him and hugged him strongly.

I raised my head to see Thor and Odin, staring in shock at the scene before them. Loki crying in my lap amidst the destruction and rubble of the throne room. I realized with a jolt they had probably never seen him cry.

"What is this?" Odin asked in disbelief. "Son?"

"He is NOT your son, you one-eyed monster. I do not toss that word around lightly, so you better believe I mean it," I snarled.

Odin turned red. "Why you little-"

As he raised his voice Loki squeezed me tighter and started to shake. I felt new tears fall onto my shirt. I fixed my eyes on him and my gaze softened. I brushed his exposed cheek and he looked up at me, effectively making Odin falter.

I wiped his face with my sleeve. "Tears are not fit for royalty," I quoted.

Loki sniffed and took in a shuddery breath. "I'm sorry," He apologized quietly.

I dropped my hand from his hair and pulled him back into a hug. "Don't you dare apologize to me. Feelings are nothing to be sorry about."

I glared at Odin and Thor from behind Loki. Thor tugged Odin's arm. "He is capable, Father. Let's give them room."

Odin scowled back at me. "Fifteen minutes."

I smiled triumphantly at their backs as they turned to leave. Odin's cape swished back and forth as he walked away. Only when the door slammed shut did I relax.

"They're gone," I assured him.