Animus (Loki x Reader)

IV - First Day of House Arrest

"You're putting me under house arrest?"

Tony shrugs and ambles to the side of the table. "No, you just won't be able to leave your apartment, outside of work purposes."

You lean back in your chair, cross your arms, and stare at the billionaire. "So, you're putting me under house arrest."

"Not forever." He drops into a seat on the opposite side of you." Just until we find this guy and put him behind bars."

You silently stare at him with a baffled expression. He stares back and pops a blueberry into his mouth. "Questions?"

"Yes, actually." You sit forward and lean your forearms on the table. "Who's on babysitting duty."

Without missing a beat, he responds with "FRIDAY is making a schedule."

With a sigh, you pull your hand down your face. "Any objections? Besides the obvious ones?"

You rest your chin on top of your interlaced fingers. "You do realize that I could stay with a friend, right?"

"What friends?" He stands up and gives you a smug look. You give him an unamused glare. "Would they be able to keep you safe?"

"Yep!" You emphasize the 'p' sound.

He places his hands on the table and leans against it. "Are you sure about that?"

"Tony," you whine and lean backward with your chair.

He pulls out his phone and quickly scrolls through something. "We couldn't get anyone to watch you tonight, but Barnes will be there tomorrow."

You rest your elbow on the armrest and push your fingers into your cheek. "Well, that was fast. Any more rules I should know about before I go?"

"Your curfew is ten."

With a huff, you push yourself to your feet and move towards the door. "Thanks, Dad, I'll see you on Saturday."

"What happened to Uncle Tin Man?"

You don't look back at him as you simply answer with "Demoted."

Bucky winces as you slam the meeting doors shut and stomp off down the hall. He follows behind you, staying a good three or four strides back. "What's the schedule?"

"You're with me tomorrow, and my curfew is ten, otherwise I don't know."

Impatiently, you jab your thumb against the down arrow on the elevator. "So." He bounces on the balls of his feet. "What're you going to do?"

The elevator opens and you slink in. "Stock up on books from a friend before I become a part-time shut-in."

The doors start to shut until Bucky sticks his arm out. Then he steps forward and wraps his arms around you. "We'll get this guy, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." You shrug him off. "Thanks. See you tomorrow."

When he gives you a concerned look, you drop your gaze to the floor. The elevator jolts, your stomach jumps, and you slowly descend. The tip of your nose burns, and you feel your eyes start to gloss over. "Stupid," you mutter while wiping at your watery eyes.

~~~

You trudge up the steps to the Sanctum and find yourself on the second floor after the first knock. You turn around and spot Stephen sliding a book off the shelf, and another book back in its place. "They weren't too rough, were they?"

Rolling your eyes and slumping into a nearby armchair, you groan and contemplate falling asleep right where you are. "No, but I won't be able to come over for a while."