Marvel (MCU only) Stories

I Didn't Kill Anyone Today

Summary:

A few months after Loki was assigned to the Avengers team as his punishment for attacking Midgard, the Avengers have a meeting to decide if Loki will allowed to stay.

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"Peter, sit down," Steve orders. "You're not even supposed to be here. You're too young to be attending these types of meetings."

"No, Loki has changed. He's not a bad guy anymore. He never was."

"I feel the need to remind you that he killed eighty people in two days when he attacked Earth," says Natasha.

"How do you know he's changed?" questions Steve.

"He talks to me, Cap. He trusts me, and I trust him. With my life." Peter says firmly. He is not about to let the adults decide to send his friend away. Loki has changed from the bitter, malicious god he used to be. Peter believes it with his whole heart. He will vouch for Loki until the day he dies.

"Peter, people like that don't change," Tony says gently.

"You did," Peter says without hesitation. "Bucky did."

The room is quiet. It is an unspoken rule that nobody mentions Tony's previous job or kidnapping. The haunted look Tony always gets in his eyes for days afterward is not something anyone wants to witness.

Tony takes a shaky breath. "You're right. I did change. I didn't kill those people personally, though."

"You knew you were creating weapons that would kill people."

"HYDRA brainwashed me," Bucky points out to fill the silence.

"If you cared to talk to him, you'd know Loki was too."

"Alright, bring him in, and we'll talk to him," Steve decides.

"Cap, you can't be entertaining this," Clint says in disbelief. "That freak fucking brainwashed me and made me kill-" he chokes on a sob.

"Clint, we gave our word to Odin and Thor that we would give Loki a fair trial run. We agreed to let him temporarily join our team for a few months and fairly impartially judge his actions. Despite our personal opinions, that is what we must do." Steve says.

Clint bangs his fist on the table. "Fuck this. I didn't agree to nothing." He leaves the conference room.

Steve sighs heavily. When Thor first approached him with Odin's idea of Loki's punishment, Steve knew it wouldn't be easy. However, he didn't account for how stubborn Clint could be. He hasn't exchanged more than five words with Loki in the six months the god has been living in the tower.

"Go on, Peter. Let Loki know we're ready to talk to him."

"Thank you!" Peter races from the room. He doesn't knock when he gets to Loki's room. He throws open the door in his excitement.

Loki startles and almost falls off his bed. "Peter, we have discussed this before. I understand the primitive beasts that inhabit Midgard raised you, but you must know to knock and wait for an acknowledgment before you enter a room."

Peter hangs his head at the scolding. "I'm sorry. I'm really excited. Steve said they want to talk to you."

"Lovely. The Avengers decided not to kick me out immediately. What fun."

"Be nice. They're deciding your fate."

"I'm never nice."

"You're nice to me."

"That's different."

"How?"

"You're Peter; they're not."

Peter sighs. He grabs Loki's wrist and tugs him down the hall. "Just come on."

Loki stops outside the door leading into the conference room filled with Avengers.

"What's wrong, Loki?" Peter asks worriedly.

Loki takes a moment to orient himself. "What if they don't allow me to stay here? Where will I go?"

Peter blinks in surprise at the normally apathetic god showing genuine fear and worry. To be honest, Peter is the only person Loki feels comfortable enough.

"If they make me leave, Odin will only torture me again. He only sent me here because Frigga found out what he was doing. He wasn't expecting me to live long here. He hoped one of your teammates would kill me and spare him the task."

"They're your teammates too. You're a part of us now. They won't kick you out. Cap isn't that type of man. Show them the real you. Not the mask you put up to keep people out. Show them the real Loki Thor, and I know exists."

Loki smiles gratefully at Peter. "I'm ready." He straightens his shoulders and walks confidently into the room. There is no sign of the doubt that had previously consumed him.

He glares at the Avengers. They glare back. Peter hovers awkwardly at Loki's back. Finally, Loki can't take it anymore. "What are you waiting for? An invitation? I'm not here to talk to myself," he snaps. He places his hands on his hips.

Tony stares at Loki's hands. "Are your nails painted black?"

"What of it?"

"Nothing," Tony stays quiet at the glare Loki sends him.

"Everyone shut the hell up. Loki's nails are what we are here to discuss." Natasha says.

"He's right," Bruce steps forward. Loki steps backward. "Peter seems to trust you. Why should the rest of us."

"Uhh..." is Loki's intelligent answer, fitting for one of the universe's greatest minds.

"Exactly, you haven't done anything to make us trust you," Natasha says smugly.

"Hey, I didn't kill anyone today! Or even try!" Loki exclaims suddenly.

Steve falters. Tony takes over. "What do you want? A gold star?"

"Is that an accomplishment to you?" Steve questions.

Loki nods his head proudly. "I've not stabbed anyone either."

"I know how hard it is not to stab you guys, so I say we give him a chance," surprisingly, Natasha stands up for Loki.

"My brother does enjoy killing people. He must be truly changed if he has not attempted to kill or maim anyone today," Thor nods in agreement.

"Goddamnit! He can stay! But if he kills one of us, he's out! Bruce, you can babysit it." Tony walks out of the room.

Loki pales at the mention of Bruce.

"Tony, I don't want to babysit," Bruce protests. "I have things I'm working on."

"Not to mention, I am over a thousand years old," Loki points out.

Tony pauses in the doorway. "I don't trust you, so we need someone to ensure you behave. I believe Bruce is the perfect fit for certain reasons."

"I listen to Peter."

"Peter is fifteen. He is not a reliable babysitter. You both get into trouble for doing stupid shit when you're together. Don't think I've forgotten when he convinced you to dye all my Iron Man suits pink."

Loki and Peter snicker at the memory. They quiet down when Tony glares.

"Banner can watch me," Loki acquiescences. Loki waits until the Avengers have left before he speaks again. "Peter, I'm starting to think living with the Avengers was a bad idea."

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Words:

Published: 9/5/23

Also posted on AO3 (Jasper_Raid)