Everybody Wants to Rule the World // Frostiron

Nowhere Man // Chapter 2

Fuck. That was the first thought to cross Loki's mind when the horrible realization dawned on him that he was not in his own apartment. The night was a blur in his mind and worst case scenarios flashed through his head. Had he been drugged? Had he made the mistake of going too far with a bar-goer? Another threesome- those had never ended well. Regardless of his worries, Loki didn't seem to be in too bad of a predicament. There was a soft green blanket thrown over top of him, his head was rested on a pillow, and the room around him wasn't horrendously decorated. Yet no worst case scenario could prepare Loki for what he saw next.

One very underdressed Tony Stark strolled into Loki's line of sight carrying a mug of what seemed to be tea. "Anthony Stark?" Loki said a bit too loudly.

Stark jumped, almost spilling the hot tea. "Ah, you're awake."

"What happened? Why am I here?" Loki tried to sit up, but was too disoriented.

"That's exactly what I'm wondering. You sort of ended up on my doorstep. It didn't take the press too long to find you. How you got there, I'm not sure."

"And you brought me to lie on your couch instead of letting the police take hold of me?"

Stark shrugged. "It wasn't my choice. Fury told me to bring you inside and lie to the press, so I did."

"No original thoughts, eh, Stark? I heard you're real good at lying to the press- making them think you're a good guy and whatnot," Loki tried to be snarky but in his weakened state he was nothing but an annoyance.

"I could kill you."

Loki let out a pained laugh. "Exactly. You could. You won't."

"What makes you think that?"

The god was silent in thought. Any clever replies escaped him.

Stark sighed, "You're right for now. I won't kill you yet. I'll wait for Fury's order to do so."

"And if he doesn't?"

"He will. You won't survive this time."

"This time?" Loki asked, exasperatedly. "Do you mean to suggest you think I'm planning another attack on New York?"

"World domination, likely. That's what you want, isn't it? Why else would you be back."

Finally mastering the ability to sit up, Loki buried his face in his hands. "Everybody wants to rule the world, Stark. However, I'm in no position to. I've been stranded here on Midgard for Odin knows how long."

"And why, exactly, is that?"

"If I answer you will it make my death quicker?"

"No?"

"Then what motivation do I have to answer you?"

Stark held out the cup of tea. "Tea?"

"I'd prefer something harsher. Bourbon, whiskey, wine, vodka? Anything?"

"That'd be a bad decision on your part considering how hungover you are, but if you want to inflict more misery on yourself, I'm all for it."

"Just give me the tea."

Stark slid the mug across the coffee table. "Now tell me. Why are you on Midgard?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. It makes the interrogations easier later."

The god sighed. "Might as well get it out of the way now then, huh?"

"None of that good ol' trickster spark, eh? Not gonna fight for life? No sarcastic remarks? C'mon Lokes, fight back."

A harsh laugh escaped Loki's lips. "You really have no idea what I've been through, do you?"

"Enlighten me."

"You don't deserve to know. You don't get to know me or my struggles. All you are is a high and mighty billionaire who's caused more harm than ever doing heroic deeds."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

Loki leaned back in his seat. "I don't? Everyone knows. Everybody knows your secrets. The guilt is written all over you. Your eyes, your frown, your posture- they all tell what your lips don't. You live with burden of all the death you've caused."

"And you don't?"

"It's not about me," he said, massaging his temples. "I face the consequences wherever I turn, but you don't. Do you, Stark? You're a hero and I'm a villain, but what's the difference between us, really? You've killed more people than I have and yet you're paraded around in your tin can. Well, fuck that. Fuck you."

Tony clenched and unclenched his fists before walking away. Loki sipped his tea.

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