Father's Daughter

1.05

CHAPTER FIVE

The night draped over the Helicarrier like a velvet cloak, casting long shadows across its labyrinthine halls. In the dim glow of the detention section, Loki paced like a caged animal, his movements slow and deliberate. Every step he took resonated in the confined space, the sound eerily amplifying the tension.

His head lifted slightly, sensing her before she even spoke. "Hmm. There aren't many people who can sneak up on me," Loki's voice was smooth, the tone amused as he turned to face the woman now standing in his peripheral.

Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow, stood just beyond the glass, her stance neutral, arms resting at her sides. "But you figured I'd come," she responded coolly, stepping further into his view.

Loki offered her a sardonic smile, his eyes flickering with mockery. "After whatever tortures Fury can concoct, you would appear as a friend, as a balm." He leaned closer to the glass, voice dropping to a silky whisper. "And I would cooperate."

Unfazed, Natasha crossed her arms, her eyes locking onto his with a cool intensity. "I want to know what you've done to Agent Barton."

Loki’s smile widened as if this were all part of an elaborate game. "I'd say I've expanded his mind."

Natasha took another step forward, her expression hardening. "And once you've won, once you're king of the mountain, what happens to his mind?"

Loki tilted his head, eyes narrowing in a mockery of concern. "Is this love, Agent Romanoff?"

"Love is for children," she replied instantly, her voice sharp as steel. "I owe him a debt."

At that, Loki leaned back slightly, as if preparing for a story. "Tell me."

Natasha gave him a cool glance but played along. "Before I worked for SHIELD, I made a name for myself. I have a very specific skill set. I didn't care who I used it for or on. I got on SHIELD's radar in a bad way. Agent Barton was sent to kill me; he made a different call."

"And what will you do if I vow to spare him?" Loki’s voice was dripping with mock curiosity.

"Not let you out," Natasha shot back, not missing a beat.

Loki let out a cold laugh, the sound echoing eerily in the chamber. "Ah, no. But I like this," he continued, his voice soft yet sinister. "Your world in the balance, and you bargain for one man?"

Natasha's eyes didn’t waver. "Regimes fall every day. I tend not to weep over that; I'm Russian, or I was."

Loki’s interest piqued, and he leaned forward slightly, his tone softer now, almost intimate. "What is it you want?"

"It's really not that complicated," Natasha replied, her voice steady. "I've got red in my ledger; I'd like to wipe it out."

For the first time, Loki’s expression darkened, something more sinister flickering behind his eyes. "Can you?" he asked, his voice low, challenging. "Can you wipe out that much red?" His voice rose, his words cutting deep as he spat names like venom. "Dreykov's daughter? Sao Paulo? The hospital fire?"

Natasha’s gaze faltered for the briefest moment as memories flashed behind her eyes.

Loki pressed on, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Barton told me everything." His voice grew louder, more vicious. "Your ledger is dripping, gushing red, and you think saving a man no more virtuous than yourself will change anything?" He rose, slamming his hands on the glass, causing Natasha to flinch. "This is the basest sentimentality. This is a child at prayer... pathetic!"

Loki’s mocking words hung in the air as the scene shifted, intercutting with Tony and Banner working at their monitors. Stark cursed under his breath as the screen flashed red—*virus detected*. Fury paced behind them, barking orders to Hill, who moved swiftly to check an agent’s viewscreen. Meanwhile, Steve opened a crate of HYDRA weapons, his jaw tightening as memories of the past resurfaced.