| Morningstar | A Crossover Story

☆Chapter Twelve☆

Loki ended up not doing anything with the knife. He did, however, tattletale like he knew he was supposed to. Had he not, Loki would have been accused of fraternizing with the enemy and would probably be just as restricted as Bill. He was also on some pretty thin ice. No one really liked him still...

So Loki tossed Bill over his shoulder and tried to make the biggest scene he could muster when he exited the elevator. Bill was screeching to be put down when the doors opened. Steve, Natasha, and Thor all looked up expecting bloody murder. Bill continued to scream even as Loki set him back on his feet. The scream trailed off into a silent, bored groan.

"Brother, what is the meaning of this?" Thor spoke first.

"Yeah, what's the short stack done this time?" Natasha added.

"He's tattle-telling that's what he's doing. Last time I checked we weren't kids in gym class, but this is how it's gonna play out I guess," Bill voices his mild annoyance with his usual snark.

"What do children in a class of Jim have to do with all of this?" Thor asked, visibly confused.

"Nothing, just another figure of speech. But, please tell us what all the screaming was about," Steve interjected.

Thor continued to look confused. Who was Jim?

Bill and Loki exchanged calm looks. Both of them had their arms crossed. Neither of them looked like they would explain all the screaming. Bill looked like he was definetly not giving himself up.

"Well, go ahead. Tell them," Bill grumbled under his breath.

For a moment, Loki hesitated. He thought Bill genuinely sounded sad. Magic was the key to Bill's freedom. Telling everyone now would continue to slim the chance of Bill ever being free. Loki knew how that felt. At the same time Loki was ready to put Bill on the chopping block because he was petty. Loki was being petty and it would sure feel nice if he continued being petty.

Norns, why was he feeling so guilty?

"Alrighty then, if Mr. Bluesky over here isn't going to talk, I guess I'll rat myself out," Bill decided with an exasperated sigh.

Without speaking, and since he already had everyone's attention, Bill conjured a puff of blue fire that grew to lick at his forearms and elbows. The whole time his face was blank.

Steve looked like he was going to throw up. He had gone extremely pale and was now starting to go green. He never took his eyes off Bill. Natasha and Thor were steadily preparing themselves for retaliation. Thor had his fists clenched around the edges of the couch.

"Oh, geez! Stop overreacting all of you! If one of you even tackled me, my fragile bones would probably break. You all act like you don't have more muscle mass than I do," Bill quipped.

The Avengers sitting on the couch realized their wrongs, and sat a little more relaxed. Any of them could take Bill on in a physical fight. He was small. But it was Thor who tensed up again.

"How can we be sure you are not at full power, and are simply trying to fool us?"

Bill pivoted on his heel towards Thor. He crossed his arms, and looked as though he were about to lecture a child.

"Oh, you would know. If I were at full strength, I could separate your electrons from your atoms and turn you into little mortal milkshakes." Bill realized mortal milkshakes sounded weird. "I wouldn't drink that of course. That's just gross."

"And this fire of yours, how do we know this is not enough to make us into 'milkshakes,' as you say?" Thor asked, wanting to be completely sure no one was in danger.