Avengers One-Shots

(Loki) All This Pains Me

Tony sat at the head of the wooden table where the Avengers had gathered around with the Asgardian leaders.

The billionaire had zoned out, staring intently at the detailed parquetry flooring.

It had been awhile since Thor showed up with Bruce in tow along with Asgard's vast population.

"New Asgard," as they call it, had been put together in a span of months. Buildings had been constructed in peculiar ways, the people were divided in their brand new homes, and everything was peaceful.

For now.

"Tony."

He looked up, eyes darting around to finally meet Steve's.

"Yes?"

It came out like a question.

"Did you hear even a word of what Bruce said?"

Tony glanced at the scientist and looked back at Steve, but the look on his face said enough.

No.

"He flew to space as Hulk, trapped in his body– What was that metaphor you used, Banner?"

"It was like the Hulk locked me in the trunk of the car and took the wheel... Not fun."

The engineer nodded leisurely, "Is there more?"

Thor smiled. "Stark, we have only begun!"

Tony propped one elbow up on the dark oak table and leaned his head sideways into one hand, looking bored and uninterested.

Bruce then went about explaining his time on Sakaar, with Valkyrie or Loki filling in quietly at times.

They had gathered everyone who had been there to witness the Sakaarian spaceship landing on Earth, with Thor stumbling out along with his people.

Natasha stood nearby the entrance, Loki settled himself in the far corner, so in order to look at him one would have to fully turn their head obviously.

Wanda had found herself in between Tony and Vision, whom the android was allowing the witch to grip his hand tightly for comfort.

Steve towered over all the sitting Avengers, standing straight across from Tony's sitting form.

Sam and Bucky were nowhere to be found, Clint wasn't even notified, and Thor was sitting closer to the exit than Wanda.

Bruce, seated in front of Tony, turned to Look at the god of Thunder.

He said one word.

"Sakaar."

Silence.

"Is that a made up word?"

Thor smiled at the young Avenger, "It's a planet. In space."

Bruce propped up his elbows comfortably on the table, resting his chin on his fidgeting hands. "That in one point in time Angry Girl, Thor, Loki and I all found ourselves on."

Thor smiled warmly.

"But first, before I arrived in Sakaar, I had been in Muspelheim, continuing my extensive search for any of those infinity stone-gems."

Steve noticed something in Loki shift uncomfortably once the topic was brought up.

He didn't even try to hide his discomfort.

Huh.

"I was drawn to go search for Surtur because, well–" After a moment of thinking, Thor threw his hands up in defeat. "I am not sure anymore, but I called for the Bifrost to bring me back to Asgard after I collected Surtur's Crown as a trophy."