A Feather's Trick ➸ Loki fanfiction

Chapter 6

I struck the bull's eye repeatedly, wishing I had moving targets. It was not challenging, but it was therapeutic at least. It felt familiar.

"You're a pretty good shot." Barton emerged from the inside, carrying a bow of his own. "I don't believe we've met officially. I'm Clint."

"Luft." I replied, "We have met. In New York." I said bitterly, imagining that he had just forgotten and would have a similar reaction to Tony.

"Ah yes." He shot an arrow, hitting a near bull's eye. "Damn. I wanted to make a good first impression." He smiled. I smiled back slightly. "So how did you end up here?" He asked. My frown returned immediately.

"I am sure Tony will be glad to tell you in great detail." The moment of hope for a new friend vanished. I scowled as I thought about it more. I turned to walk away, shooting one last arrow without looking. I heard it strike the target and Clint whistled.

"Damn. You aren't just a good shot, you're a great shot!" He called after me as I left.

I hid out in my room as long as I could, sulking, until Steve of all people knocked.

"No."

"We could use some team bonding." Steve begged.

"I am not part of your team."

"Not with that attitude." Steve smiled a boyish grin. I rolled my eyes and smiled to myself. "Ah... I see a smile!"

"Oh shut up. What do you have in mind exactly?" I asked.

"Follow me." He did not answer my question. I trailed behind him.

We passed many rooms I had never been in yet, before stopping in the common area. He gestured towards the sofas and coffee table, which had boxes strewn about.

"What are these?" I asked, eyeing the boxes.

"Board games!" He exclaimed.

"This is your idea of team bonding..." I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Neither of us are particularly apt at using technology." Steve said with a smile.

We began by playing Blackjack. I did not know this card game, and that frustrated me further.

"I do not understand. This game is pointless!" I cried out in exasperation.

"A simple game for a simple mind then." Tony said as he walked in the room. He'd been pacing in and out since Steve announced this plan. I glared at him. He explained the concept of Go Fish.

Steve and I played together for some time. He seemed to really enjoy it. I, on the other hand, was quite bored.

"Just because I do not know how to play a dull card game, does not mean I do not know how to play anything." I smashed the cards down as I won once again.

"What do you propose?" Steve asked. I pondered for a bit. I didn't know what games they might have.

"Do you know All-Father?" I asked. Steve's blank stare told me my answer. I listed other familiar games, all of which fell short of Earth's realm. I sighed. "Chess?" I asked as a last resort.

"I like chess." Bruce piped up from his spot.

"Then let us play." I smirked.

Steve continued to play Go Fish with Clint. Meanwhile Tony played Blackjack with Thor and Natasha. Bruce and I's match grew more intense, oblivious to the others. It was only in the final moves that I noticed they had stopped playing to see who would win.