Eviternity | Loki

a beginning

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❝ We are here to laugh at the odds

and live our lives so well that

Death will tremble to take us ❞

~Charles Bukowski

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It wasn't long before the team returned to the tower. Neither Loki or Asta were there to greet them when they came back. Usually debriefings were too classified for them to be a part of, so they made a habit of making themselves scarce the minute they could hear the quinjet. 

Tony went straight to his office, printing dozens of files off and checking the security feeds to locate his two newest heroes. It took him only a few seconds to find them, and he raced down to the training room where they were sparring. 

Asta was steadily backing Loki into the corner of the ring when Tony barged in, waving the papers in the air. He looked on as the mutant landed a few heavy punches, followed by a kick that sent the god spinning into the ropes. She lifted her foot to push on Loki's chest in an act to keep him incapacitated, and turned towards Tony.

"Don't you have a debrief to be at Stark?" Nela asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Impressive," Tony complimented her and she rolled her eyes at him. "Actually I'm here to tell you we're debriefing now so get your asses upstairs." Her eyes widened as Tony left and she looked down at her sparring partner. 

"Well, this should be interesting," she confessed. Loki nodded back at her as she relaxed, moving to release him. Before she could react he grabbed her ankle, standing quickly and kicking her other foot from under her. She landed hard, flat on her back and he grinned, standing over her.

"Hah, who's impressive now?" She coughed and rolled her eyes dramatically, taking the hand he offered her to pull her to her feet.

  ♡  

By the time they made it up to the conference room the rest of the team was quietly waiting for them. They pushed open the door still bantering and laughing loudly, and were met with tired glares. They glanced at each other immediately and clamped their mouths shut before taking seats across from each other at the table.

"Okay. So we stormed one of the few remaining Hydra facilities together. Just to bring you two up to speed," Tony looked between the pair of them. "And we found a bunch of files about who was involved with them. A good number of them are still alive. We can't exactly let them just...get away with things." The room remained silent and he continued.

"So next steps require us to track the rest of them and get them to proper authorities at whatever cost. We've decided as a team, that Loki and Asta, you two are the best suited next to Nat. So Nat will be taking some files and you two will be taking the rest. It's road trip time!" 

Asta raised her eyebrows at her friend across the table and he did the same. 

"Alright I guess that's it, dismissed." Tony pointed at Loki. "Except you and Asta, you stay." They did as they were told and stayed seated while the others left. Nat hung around outside the door, presumably to wait for Tony. 

"What's up Tony?" Nela questioned, turning to look at the Iron Man.

"You're going to be taking a road trip. I have the files here for you, and a camper van. I'm sure you'll love it. Everything you could need is in there." He slid the files across the table and walked toward her, sitting on the edge of the table. "You're sure you can handle him?" She saw Loki roll his eyes and stifled a laugh.

"I'm certain."

"Good." He clapped her shoulder and smiled. "You leave first thing in the morning. If you need anything else you can let me know. I think Nat's waiting out there for you, go on." She did as she was told and left, shooting a questioning glance over her shoulder to her partner as she did so.

"Asta, I was hoping we could talk." Natasha pounced on her the minute she exited the room, walking alongside the mutant.

"About what? You've barely acknowledged that I exist until now." 

"Yeah well, occupational hazard I guess. I'm just worried about you." They entered the elevator together and Asta pushed the button for her floor.

"I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. You have no reason to be concerned."

"I know you can take care of yourself, I just want you to be wary of Loki." Asta turned to look the spy in the eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You're still on about this aren't you?" She shook her head. "I can't believe you people. How come its so difficult to believe that he's changed. I have spent more time with him these past months than you ever will, and I trust him. So don't tell me he isn't who I believe him to be." She put her hands up and took a step back as the elevator doors opened.

"Just hear me out, Asta. The fact that you have spent time with him is what concerns me. I don't want your feelings to get in the way of your judgement." Asta wrenched open the door to her room and turned to face the redhead.

"This is the first time you've said  more than two words to me. My feelings? You're concerned about my judgment and my feelings? I don't know what you think is going on, but I don't need your help with this one." Just then she shut the door, her face flushed with anger. 

  ♡  

The second Asta left Tony turned to Loki, pointing his finger at the dark haired god.

"Okay, I'm trusting you with this, Rock of Ages." Loki narrowed his eyes and leaned over the table.

"Oh, you're trusting me, are you? Or are you threatening me about not getting your errand done?" Tony threw his hands up in the air in exasperation.

"Well, actually I wasn't threatening you, but now I am. If you lay a finger on the girl there'll be hell to pay." Loki laughed genuinely, sitting back in his chair.

"Seriously? You really think I would do anything to harm her? She's the only decent person around here. And she shares in my distaste for most of you. In case you hadn't noticed, none of you pay her the love and attention she deserves." He sighed dramatically and stood, walking around to come face to face with the other man. "If I were you, I'd spend my time worrying more on your relationship with her, not mine. She's brutally powerful you know. I don't have one doubt that she could tear your little team apart before you even realize you're under attack."