Unfettered (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 43 - Facing the Family

"Oh God," you whisper, covering your face as Tony gets out of the car, stepping into the Mark VII suit and joining the lineup, followed by Thor. You linger inside the limo, struggling to make your feet move.

"Well, if this isn't the strangest case of deja vu," Loki says.

"Maybe, just, don't get out of the car?" you whisper.

"Get out of the car, Loki," Tony calls.

"Well, darling, it seems that won't work," Loki responds to you. "Any other ideas?"

You sigh, defeated. as Loki slides down the seat and opens the door. He steps out, stone-faced, glancing at each one of the Avengers before flashing an uncharacteristically large grin. You follow behind, watching the events before you unfold.

"Welcome back, Sunshine," says Tony. "Have a nice vacation?"

"Not really. Terribly poor weather. Rather overcast," Loki retorts.

The Hulk grunts and takes a step forward, but Natasha holds an arm out.

"I seem to recall the terms being 'one toe out of line, and you go back in the tower', were they not?" asks Tony.

Your eyes dart from Loki to Tony nervously, watching as the tension in the room grows. Loki remains silent.

"Now, if it were up to me, I'd throw you back up there," Tony says.

"Oh, is it not?" Loki jeers.

"Not what?" Tony asks.

"Up to you?" Loki responds.

"No, as a matter of fact it's not. Because we're a team, here. Which means we all get a say in what happens to you. So, we'll go round robin. Natasha?"

"Tower."

"Oh good, that was easy. Barton?"

"Tower."

"That's two votes tower, no votes freedom. Jolly Green?"

"Puny God."

"I'd say that's three votes tower. My vote is of course the tower. Hercules?"

Thor hesitates.

"My brother is a nuisance. And a hazard. But he deserves his freedom so long as he is not a threat to innocent life. And he did no harm in this latest escape. So I will advocate for continued freedom within this tower."

"Well that wasn't unexpected," Tony sighs. "So that's four votes tower, one vote freedom. Rogers?"

Steve looks at you before speaking. You swallow nervously, and your eyes widen in pleading fashion. Steve offers you a small, gentle smile.

"Freedom."

You feel a weight lift from your shoulders. With a soft exhale of relief, you return Steve's smile.

"Well I can't say that's a surprise coming from Captain America," says Tony. "Squirt?"

"For the record," you say, stepping up beside Loki. "This is totally unnecessary. Come on, Tony. Don't do this."

"We all get a vote, squirt," Tony says. "So go ahead. What's your vote?"

"You know my vote, Tony," you frown.

"Yeah, yeah. Freedom," says Tony. "But I'm afraid that leaves you with four votes tower, three votes freedom, pretty boy. Hulk, take our guest to his cell."

"And I get no vote?" Loki asks calmly, but you can hear the vitriol in his tone.

"'Fraid not. That's not how this democracy works," Tony says.