Worthy

Part 35 - I'll Consider It

The rest of the team are huddled around the meeting room table, listening and watching you both. Except for Tony who is pacing around the room, not being able to settle after Loki brought up your brother "She's going to kill us if she finds out we're listening." He grumbles but it was something that Fury had insisted on, even though he wasn't even in the damn room.

"We gotta put an end to this," Bruce shakes his head. "He's trying to manipulate her."

"She looks like she's handling herself," Clint laughs as he watches you play with the trigger as well as your last statement to Loki.

"Well I don't like it," Bruce stammers, getting up and walking over to Tony. "Are you even listening to this?"

"Yes," Tony snaps. "I'm furious, but me barging in there isn't going to do her any favours either."

"Well I'm going." Bruce starts marching out of the room, looking at Tony one more time for help before Steve gets up and starts following him; both getting stopped by the large frame of Thor standing at the door.

"What's going on?" he asks, looking around the room and no one meeting his eyes. Nat quickly reaches over and puts off the monitor, not sure how Thor would react.

"Oh nothing." Tony doesn't look at him, in fear of starting another argument. "Only your brother giving Kate the run around, again." He walks over to the door, pushing past Thor. "Now if you'll all excuse me, I've got a party to organise." He quickly turns back, pointing at him. "And you better show up tonight Point Break. For both your sakes."

Storming over to the monitor, Thor leans over and presses the same button Nat does, finally listening in to your conversation with Loki. Almost all the team feel the tension in the room, and decide to leave, except for Bruce and Nat.

***

"I feel like we understand each other a little better Kate." Loki sighs to which you simply nod, feeling the anger that was once pulminating the room disappear. "If you're in love with him, then why are you sitting here with me?" Loki asks.

"Because it's my job." You sigh. "Because that man you're scared of talking about is after these stones, and you have information that can help me." Loki just nods. "My turn. If you love your brother, why did you do what you did? To us both?"

He thinks for a minute before answering. "You didn't know Thor. Not how he used to be. He was arrogant, vain and self obsessed. Craved war and power, his only ambition in life was the throne." He waves his hand dismissively. "I assumed his feelings for you were simply due to the mortality my father inflicted upon him during his exile." He looks down at his feet. "I didn't know how he truly felt, but..." he hesitates. "But I must apologise for the way it affected you. Both."

"So it had nothing to do with the fact that you're cruel?" You snide, earning a small smirk from Loki.

"That's two questions Kate. But I'll answer. Yes, I'm cruel, I'm unkind. I am the way that Odin made me."

"Thor doesn't see you that way."

"Sometimes he does. And he's right. I only ever wanted to be his equal, be by his side at all times. Looked at as though I was truly a Prince of Asgard. Not mocked or looked down upon because I was different. Something I'm sure you understand."

You nod. "I do. But it still doesn't make sense to me is all."

"In what way?" He tilts his head slightly, finally leaning back.

"Thor only ever spoke so lovingly and passionately about you. From day one, his biggest regret was knowing he could have been a better brother and that he'd never get to tell you that. How could you not have seen that?"

Once again Loki pauses. "Conversations like these would not go down well on Asgard, they are a proud people. Odin is wise but..."

"Emotionally stunted?" You smirk, earning a small chuckle in return. "Then why not talk to your brother?"

"Did you not hear about the type of man he was..." He sighs in frustration, you put a hand up to stop in.

"I'm not talking about before," You lean over and gently push the holographic sceptre towards him. "Why didn't you talk to him AFTER Thanos did what he did to you?" Loki's eyes follow the sceptre; you can feel the nerves rise in him. "Why couldn't you explain it to him then?"

After a brief pause, Loki picks up the sceptre, staring at it in both fear and awe. "It's my turn." He smirks a little, despite the fear in his eyes looking at the sceptre and not you. You roll your eyes but decided to continue the game. "If I give you all the information you need, if I tell you all about..." he pauses, swallowing hard. "Thanos. Will you do me a favour?"

"Yes," you lean over and place your hand on his arm. Shocked at the gesture his eyes dart to you, making you take your hand back in fear of offending him; not wanting to meet his wrath again.

Getting up, Loki walks over to you, placing the sceptre back in your hands. "Tell my brother how you truly feel." Leaning down to his knees so that you're face to face, his tone is quiet, but you can feel the honesty and sincerity in his voice. "Because if the mad Titan is on his way, we may not have much time." He grabs your hands, ensuring all your attention is on him. "Promise me Kate."

"I don't think this is the best time.." A swelling of emotion fills your heart as you finally see real emotion on Loki's face, as well as him finally admitting his feelings towards his brother. "I promise that I'll consider it," you squeeze his hands back. "Can I ask one more question?"

"Of course," he laughs a little, his smirk reminding you of Thor.

"Can you do the same?" He raises his eyebrow slightly. "Tell your brother everything." He tries to let go of your hands, but desperation makes you grip on even tighter, keeping him in place. "Trust me Loki, you almost lost him once." Pain fills your heart as you remember that day in New York. "If you lose him for real, then you'll feel nothing but anguish. Believe me when I tell you, you can't come back from losing a sibling."

Thinking your words over, Loki nods, with a sympathetic smile. This is the gentlest he has been with you since you had met him, and despite very little being discussed between you, you start to feel like you truly understand him and Thor a little better. "Then let's get to work." He pulls a chair beside you and reads over the file you have in front of you. You slip the trigger into your back pocket, doubting you'll need it again.

***
Bruce and Nat's eyes never leave Thor's throughout the entire encounter; his never leave the monitor, or more specifically you. Once you and Loki start actually talking about the tesseract he switches off the screen, a mixture of thoughts running around his head.

"This is a good thing right?" Bruce whispers to Nat. "It means all this awkwardness is over with."

"With Loki around?" She whispers back. "I don't know. But it's a start."

Finally unclenching his fists Thor turns to them both. "I need your help," He sighs. "Both of you."