When We Lie

Chapter 7

From that day on, your fights turn into playful pranks. Sometimes you wake up with live animal in your bed, sometimes the cereal is an illusion. In rare cases, you surprise Loki by having turned off the warm water in the bathroom.

You still don't talk much, especially not about the grocery incident or Manhattan, but he does ask you about Sweden and your life there. But mostly he asks about the legends.

When Cap, mr. Stark and the others come home, they're surprised to see you and Loki in the living room, watching Supernatural and arguing about who is the best character, Sam or Castiel. You've already agreed you both like Dean.

"What happened while we were gone?" Cap asks and looks between the two of you. "Are you friends now?"

You and Loki make eye contact. "Me, friends with a mortal?" He laughs. "No, but we have come to an agreement."

"So that's why you're rubbing shoulders, eh?" mr. Stark remarks and walk past you into the kitchen. "At least the world hasn't ended yet."

You feel Loki freeze and put your hand on his knee. He avoids looking at you but smiles gratefully.

"Brother, can I speak with you?" Thor asks. "In private?"

Loki sighs in resignation. "I'll be back shortly, my dear," he tells you before following after Thor.

Clint and Natasha follow them with their gazes. When they're gone, the duo follows mr. Stark into the kitchen. Dr. Banner looks between you and Cap and asks Wanda if she's hungry before hurrying away.

"You are so rude," you say and cross your arms. "What's up with the lot of you?"

Cap puts a hand on his waist. "What's up with us? What's up with you? Did Loki bewitch you?"

You frown angrily. "What's that supposed to mean? And for the record, he didn't. I'm perfectly fine, it's just that I realised something important."

Cap nods. "I see. I'll believe you."

"Thanks. Oh, and I have a question." You look away in shame, though you don't understand why you should feel guilty. "The biggest reason you decided I'd be his babysitter was because I love Norse mythology, isn't it?"

Cap purses his lips together in a thin line.

You close your eyes and take a deep breath. "I know I shouldn't be hurt, but I am. You couldn't even tell me the truth."

"Please," Cap begs, but you silence him.

"Mr. Stark asked me how powerful Loki is in the legends. He also said Loki could become an ally."

"You don't want that?"

"It's more like New York doesn't want it. Loki's not fit to be an Avenger, Cap. He's hurt too many."

***

You're in the study, finishing the blueprint for one of mr. Stark's suits, when the door opens and a pissed-off Loki enters. Without a word, he plops down onto the sofa you sometimes nap on, and turn his back to you.

You keep drawing, waiting for him to calm down enough to tell you what's wrong.

"I shouldn't be here," he hisses.

"No? And why's that?"

"I'm not upset your teammates doesn't trust me, but Thor? He felt good leaving me with you for a month, but as soon as he sees we can be civil, he takes me to the side and accuses me of spellbinding you."

"Funny, that's what Cap asked me."

He turns his head around. "Excellent. Marvelous. Maybe I should cause a commotion and—"

"Loki, shut up." You walk over to the sofa and kneel. "Don't let them make you the villain they all think you are. I saw a glimpse of the truth in the grocery store—you're trying your hardest to be better, aren't you?"

He nods and turns around in embarrassment. "It was mother that convinced Odin to release me, and Thor's to let you guard me." He laughs hysterically. "My prison was moved from Asgard to here. I'm still stuck and dependent on someone else. This time, it's a mortal."

You ignore his derogatory use of the word. "Well then, if that's how you see it, let's go do something to get those thoughts out of your mind. Where do you want to go?"

He moves, but doesn't turn around. "I know nothing about Midgardian see-worthy attractions," he grumble.

"Hm, okay. Then how about a road trip?" You smile at him and stand up. "I'll Google some things to do around the world. We'll pack some stuff and then you teleport us to wherever we're going—sounds good?"

He hesitates. "We're doing this, yes?"

You nod, though he can't see it. "Yes. Gimme a few minutes or something to get a plan ready." You walk over to your laptop and start Googling attractions from all over the world. Loki sits up and looks at you. You don't see the small, hesitant smile on his lips.