Loki's fall (sequel to loss and Loki)

I'll Drown My Beliefs

Brother,

That word.

Like I was suddenly trapped inside a collapsing building with no room to breathe and nothing to do except watch the chaos and drown within it. I knew, I knew in the back of my mind that this was a misunderstanding, a trick, a ploy. But it didn't stop my heart racing faster than it had ever thrummed before.

I stiffened, visibly, every muscle in my body tense with the wariness I couldn't help but feel. Loki had clearly sensed it and I felt his shadow grow closer, his hand hovering at my back, radiating a chill through my clothes as I swallowed and forced the grimace back down my throat.

"God damnit Stark, how fucking stupid could you be?" I grumbled tiredly, masking the chill that rippled through me as I took another sip and set the glass down, doing my best to avoid Tony's uncomfortable expression.

"You were really naive enough to let one of the corporate monsters that are out to get me into your place, simply because they stated they were my brother?" I scoffed, allowing myself a tiny laugh as I shook my head, mentally shaking off the irritating tension that still had a tight hold of my body.

"Well done you, you idiot." I laughed, ignoring the somber look Tony wore on his face as the room seemed to go silent and all that was left were the sneaking tendrils of quiet that sniggered at me from the deep corners of the room, from under the table and from my shoulder where they'd wound themselves.

"Ace-"

"I think we'll go, before he turns up and attempts murder."

"Ace I took a DNA sample..."

My mouth opened and closed again as I fought for a response, but found none.

"It matched yours."

I scoffed out loud, a sudden, impulsive reaction to the shock of Tony's words and the feeling of a hand protectively gripping my waist as I felt my chest constrict.

"When the fuck did you take a DNA sample from me, asshole."

"Someone finally asking the real questions." I heard someone mutter dryly, through a mouthful of food and I snapped my head round to see Coraline standing by one of the entryways, bundled up material in her hands as she took another bite of sandwich and tried to hide her smirk.

"Go back into the other room, Cor..." I uttered carefully, articulated as I stared Tony down, trying to measure the wariness in his softened brown gaze. Trying to figure out if it was from me or for me.

"Fuck you, A. I ain't taking orders from you." She sniggered, shifting her position as she took another large bite. I flexed my jaw, uncurling my clenched fists as I efficiently bit back a smile, muttering 'attagirl' under my breath, too quiet for anyone else's ears.

And then there was another presence. One I sensed before anything else, a dark shifting essence of familiarity looming just behind Charlie, clouding her sharp warmth from my gaze. My hairs bristled and I choked down a growl, my body suddenly tense as the energy grew closer and my eyes swivelled to meet its very own hazel green ones.

"Aurora..."

His presence stood slanted, exhausted, the ghosts of nostalgia and crippling fear marking his gait. His eyes were gaunt and dripped with an emotion I despised over anything else. His dirty blonde hair hung loose around his jaw and a dotted stubble freckled the sharp line of his jaw, gritting the flushed flesh of his cheeks. And the look on his face was one of trepidation, raw shock, like he'd seen a phantom and, it had turned into the image of a memory. One he'd suppressed, never hoping to relive.

I clenched my jaw, now feeling the sharp, angular tension from Loki radiating in waves against mine that spiralled off me in blood red coils. I swallowed a growl, easing the shock that had solidified the blood pumping through every muscle tensed to the point of bursting.