Mischief on Midgard

Science Bros

Later on, after Loki had been led inside the 'Avengers Tower,' Tony stood staring at Steve. His brown eyes were narrowed on the man in a sharp-looking gaze, and a frown marred his lips. Steve looked right back at the other man. His own blue eyes, in turn, were steady, calm, and somewhat stern. The two men were just standing there, locked in a starring match of wills and determination. It was as if they were measuring each other. Testing each other on how serious they were about their respective viewpoints.

"So... Let me make sure I understand this. You want me," Tony began, pointing one finger at himself before waving his hand almost dismissively in Loki's direction. "To help keep this guy safe. But I won't get anything out of it. It's just a favor... to you?"

Steve nodded in agreement, his face serious.

"That right," he answered, before sighing softly. "Tony, you know I wouldn't ask you for something like this if it wasn't serious. You know what happened with HYDRA by now, right?"

"Yup," Tony said, rolling the 'p' into a loud pop sound even as he grinned in triumph and waggled a finger at Steve. "I was right. I told you that S.H.I.E.L.D. was full of shit, now, didn't I?"

Steve sighed deeply as if he was mildly perturbed by Tony's childish antics.

"Yes... Yes, you did," Steve admitted and shook his head. "Happy?"

Loki hadn't spoken up as of yet as the two talked. He'd elected to keep himself in the background and wait for the two to finish their discussion. It was hard not to jump in, though! Very hard.

Loki so badly wanted to step forward and join the conversation. To call Tony by the name 'Anthony' to start off with. Maybe a few other names too. He didn't know precisely what it was about the man. It was rather easy to play the role of a well-meant idiot in front of the Captain, Bucky, and Sam, but Tony Stark? The Man of Iron? Oh, how he wanted to talk down to him. There was just something about him that invited the thought of poking and prodding at the man's mind. Maybe a prank or two-

NO! Loki mentally shook himself. Contain your urges Loki. You need him to think that you are a total stranger. To make him feel like he owes you a debt just like the good Captain. Acting like yourself would clue the fool in on who you are. Don't say a word. Stay quiet. Just stay quiet.

"Of course!" Tony said smugly. "I was right. I'm always happy about being right."

Oh, but that was such a good opening to sass the other man. Why was this so hard?

"But see, it's because I can't trust S.H.I.E.L.D. that I have to go to you for this," Steve informed the other man in a severe tone. "Robert here? He was the one who revealed to us that HYDRA had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. itself to such a degree. He's in danger, Tony, and we need your help."

Tony frowned and then turned at Loki.

"You're the leak?" he asked with a flick of his fingers. "Alright, so, what are you then? An ex-HYDRA agent that defected or something?"

His eyes were narrowed and filled with open distrust. Clearly, he wasn't going to believe Loki that easily, even if Steve had given 'Robert' the good word. Tony was the smartest one yet when it came down to things. Loki had come well prepared, however. He had already 'written' Robert's background, having repeated it to himself over and over so he wouldn't accidentally say something that contradicted his story.

"Not... exactly," Loki began slowly, as if mildly embarrassed. "I'm... a mythologist, actually."

That made both Steve and Tony blink in surprise and confusion.