Strangefrost Oneshots

part fifteen ~ the market (3)

{set after Avengers: Infinity War. AU where the Avengers defeated Thanos the first time and no-one dies. takes place in the Avengers Compound in upstate New York. part three of three}

Previously...

"I know where Loki is."

Outbursts and gasps erupted and a million different voices spoke at once, like an orchestra of instruments that had fallen out of sync into their own panicked, chaotic melodies.

"Where is he, wizard?" Thor boomed, his voice louder than the rest, who fell quiet.

"I will tell you on one condition," Stephen said quietly, picking up various phrases from each Avenger's cognition to make sure none had any vicious intent upon Loki. All this mind-reading was taking a lot of his energy and he was tiring fast. "You do not hurt him in any way."

"Why is his well-being your concern, Strange?" Steve asked, eyebrows furrowed in suspicion.

Stephen bit his lip. "He's been under my... care for the last few weeks. We're friends."

A ripple of shock swept through the group. Peter sniggered and Stephen snapped his head around to glare at him.

Tony dragged his hands over his face. "Okay, okay, okay! We're not gonna attack your precious God of Mischief, just tell us where he is. We need to speak with him."

Straightening up, Stephen unhooked his sling ring and drew a portal to the Sanctum behind him. After a few impatient moments, with all eyes glued to the portal, Loki stepped out into the room and immediately clung onto Stephen's arm, his eyes wide and proud. He'd changed into the outfit Stephen had found him in. The long, thick coat tucked around him as tight as a pea in a pod.

"Loki," Thor breathed, crossing his arms in anguish, earning a sympathetic smile from Loki.

"Brother," he greeted, cautiously glancing around at the team, all of whom had their jaws on the floor. Except for Shuri, who seemed to be looking at him rather thoughtfully.

"You know," Shuri said from across the room. "I thought you'd be much more intimidating since you're, you know, a god and everything."

Insulted, Loki stepped away from Stephen and transformed himself to his full glory - his horned helmet, battle armour and all. His gold glinted in the fluorescent bulbs of the overhead lights. Somehow, Shuri still looked a little unimpressed. 

"This is the god-man's brother?" Drax muttered to Quill, who shrugged, irritated. "His hair looks as though it could be spun into black gold. And -"

"Yeah, okay, Asgardians are a little good-looking," Quill sniffed, pouting slightly. "Big deal."

Thor gave them a strange look. Fortunately for them, Loki hadn't heard. 

"We could set you up with a much better vibranium upgrade back in Wakanda, if you'd like." She cocked an eyebrow. Now, amongst every person in the room, even Stephen had a shocked expression.

"That - that would be fantastic," Loki said, phasing back to his coated attire. "I must say, I was expecting a much more violent welcome."

"Yeah, well," Tony said, looking sort-of defeated. "Your boyfriend over here told us we couldn't hurt you, so vibranium upgrades are all you're gonna be served today, Reindeer Games."

Loki pouted in thought, tapping his chin with his index finger. "You know, Stephen, 'boyfriend' is too much of a colloquial name for me." He slipped his hand into the crook of the sorcerer's elbow. "Something like your 'partner' or your 'betrothed'. Ooh! How about 'escort'?"