Loki Misses the Asgardian Prison System

Chapter 69

Perhaps Loki's favorite thing about coming to these parties is knowing that Bruce is fully aware of what's happening, but that he's too polite to say anything about it.

When she'd seen Thor and Bruce heading their way, she'd been so sure it would be Thor who made this the most entertaining, especially if that dramatic eye roll was any indication. But while he does make one or two passive-aggressive remarks about her, it's fairly boring compared to Bruce's reaction, which consists mostly of awkwardly watching Loki and only speaking when spoken to directly. He's not really doing anything, but Loki enjoys every moment of it.

The next-best part of coming to these parties is that, other than Thor and Bruce, everybody treats her like a normal person. There's none of the restraint the Avengers usually show when she's in her male form. She gets a taste of what it's like for a normal person to talk to the Avengers, and it's not half bad.

But it gets interesting when Natasha unknowingly brings up her real identity again.

Directing her question to Loki and Thor, she asks, "So how come you two get along so well if you"—she looks at Loki—"don't like Loki and you"—she looks at Thor—"do? Doesn't that get... weird?"

Thor gives Loki the most unamused expression known to man or god. "Did you really tell them you don't like Loki?"

Well, shit.

She hadn't expected him to call her out on any of her bullshit — and especially not bullshit as harmless as her fake relationship with herself.

After the briefest moment of hesitation, she answers, "Do you really have them convinced that you and Loki have been at all close throughout the years?" Deflection truly is the best defense.

Thor scoffs. "Excuse me?"

Logically, Loki knows she should stop there, that all she wanted was to turn the conversation away and she's already done that, but she has the opportunity to really nail this point home. How can she give that up?

"My understanding," Loki says, "is that you only started to care about him when you realized it would be dangerous not to."

Thor crosses his arms, looking at his sister with a brow raised. Loki just smiles. She loves pushing people's buttons, Thor's especially, and this really is something he needs to hear.

Thor chooses his words carefully, his annoyance clear in his tone. "If this is really how Loki feels, I would like to think my brother would talk to me in private about it."

"He probably doesn't think you would listen," Loki says.

Thor just gives him a really? look. Loki responds with a smile.

After a bit of a staring match between the two siblings, Clint finally steps in with, "Well, this is fun."

That seems to give Tony the confidence to speak, because he says, "So you don't like Loki?"

"Of course not," Loki says. "Just as I'm sure you don't, either." And she is completely okay with that. Their mutual animosity has been a staple throughout his time here.

"Eh, I don't know," Tony says with a dismissive shrug.

Loki stares at him. "I beg your pardon?" This is a joke. This has to be a joke. There is no way he's being serious right now.

"What are you talking about?" Natasha asks. "You hate Loki. You hate Loki more than anyone else in this building."

Clint clears his throat, shooting her a look.

Natasha tries again. "You hate Loki more than everyone but Clint."

"Thank you," Clint says.

But Tony shakes his head. "I did, but..." He purses his lips, thinking, then gives another small shake of his head. "Never mind. That's – never mind."