A Series of Events
Loki Laufeyson x Avenger!reader
warnings:
a/n:
prompt:
Tony’s gasp for breath stopped everyone in their tracks as he collapsed to the floor and hoped for quick thinking. “Give him some room!” You demanded from the surrounding agents that hovered over him, but while you weren’t looking, the Tesseract case had somehow travelled across the room. “We need a medic!” You shouted and watched Thor go to work with Mjolnir, but were quite startled by the sudden entrance of Hulk and the slight panic that ensued.
“No stairs!” Hulk growled and stomped away, bringing your attention to that side of the room just in time to see Loki with the Tesseract back in his hands.
“No! Loki!” You alerted the guards, but you knew that they couldn’t do anything in time so with your enhanced speed, you rushed to snag the piece in time, but you were just a millisecond too late and instead, were taken with Loki.
You two traveled through space by the stone and ended up in a desert, still on Earth. The landing was rough and you ended up having to spit sand out, but once you gained your bearings, you were ready to finish this once and for all.
“You just don’t know when to quit, do you?” You stood up and brushed off your suit. “Now look where you are. Happy with yourself?” Loki’s smirk only angered you more, you were moments away from strangling him yourself.
“Oh, indeed, I am. It’s just you and I, Avenger. I think I can take you.” He claimed, which was bold. This god knew that you could take him out in a literal split second, but he also believed he was quite formidable. Just before you decided to take a swing at him, a mysterious translucent door appeared and, miraculously, soldiers emerging from it.
“Who are you?” Loki turned to the group as the scanned the Tesseract he’d forgotten on the ground. “Don’t touch that!” He warned while you quietly observed the occurrences happening in your presence.
“Appears to be a standard sequence violation.” The leader of the squad announced to her soldiers. “The branch is growing at a stable rate and slope,” she explained out loud, which left you both puzzled and intrigued, “Variants identified.”
“I beg your pardon?” Loki interrupted and you used your arm to slap him on the chest, staring at the soldiers wide-eyed. You knew that something was very wrong and you knew it had to do with you and him.
“You know, I’m happy just going back to New York, right? I really didn’t ask to come here, I was just trying to stop this troublemaker from escaping.” You motioned to your most recent enemy with your right thumb. “Guess I blew it.” You tried to chuckle off the mood of impending doom, but the continued on.
“On behalf of the Time Variance Authority, I hereby arrest you for your crimes against the Sacred Timeline.” The leader instructed as the surrounding soldiers powered up their weapons. “Hands up. You’re coming with us.”
“I’m sorry, who’s ‘us?’” Loki asked a question you had just been thinking yourself. You leaned over near his ear just after.
“Truce?” You suggested with reluctance in your voice, but things were not looking too good for the two of you and it was time to get creative.
“Last chance, Variants.” She commanded and it led Loki to chuckle. You stuck your face in your hands as you realized that he was about to make another one of his drawn-out speeches.
“It’s been a very long day, and I think I’ve had my fill of idiots in armored suits telling me what do do—” You looked up from your gritty palms and glared at him.
“Hey, maybe if you listened to us we wouldn’t be in this mess right now, jackass.” You snapped at him, but he just ignored you and kept on.
“Anyways…if you don’t mind, this is actually your last chance.” You knew just what Loki was about to do and contemplated joining him or if it’d just make the situation worse, but he acted too fast for even you and. “Now get out of my way.” He commanded while moving forward and you immediately followed suit until he got bashed in the face and began moving in slow motion. You had to do a double take to make sure you yourself weren’t using your powers at the moment, but apparently you weren’t since the soldiers were still moving in real time. The leader of the team explained what was happening and you decided it best to surrender before any more damage was done.
“Sorry!” You interjected and pulled out your phone. “I’m just going to take a quick picture of this real quick.” The team stared at you closely as you took a few snapshots of a foolish, pained Loki. “Still kind of pissed at him for killing and torturing some of my people. I’m sure you get it. Okay, aaaand…done. Sorry about that.” You put your phone away and were immediately grabbed by the shoulders and secured by a security collar.
“Reset the timeline.” The leader instructed her team as you and Loki were taken away.
“What the hell does that mean?” You asked, trying to get a glimpse of what was going on behind you. Loki and you looked terrified as your saw a light begin to consume all that surrounded it, but soon were pushed through the doorway and into a building with an orange tint that made you nauseous. You and Loki had many, many questions regarding the mysterious place with retro technology and many interesting characters.
You played along with the whole thing. It was just what you do. But Loki was foolish enough to think he could run for it and you got to see exactly what those collars do and he was transported back beside you. Again and again. “Loki, has anybody told you how much of an idiot you are?” You poked fun at him.
“Anyone who has didn’t live for very long after.” He warned before threatening the soldier that brought you in. The two of you were then processed one at a time, which was a relief once you were stripped down on the first step. You were then asked to confirm everything you’ve ever said and kept silent as you did so. Following along might give you a chance. And then you confirmed you were not a robot. It was all a little odd, but you’d seen a lot of odd before.
Next, you were asked to take a ticket for a line and once you did, you turned around to see Loki entering the room. “Long time, no see.” You joked and waited up for him. Although you really did despise him and all he stood for, you were a little freaked out and could use a familiar face.
“I hate you.” He simply told you, but as another “variant” started arguing with a soldier, you saw him get disintegrated and decided it might be best to comply. It really did scare Loki straight and he held onto his own ticket tightly. “After you, y/n.”
“Scared?” You asked Loki as you walked just a bit ahead of him.
“Me? Scared? You really don’t know me at all, do you?” Loki went on the defensive as he followed you.
“I am. Just a little. This is just really weird.” You admitted while watching the little informational cartoon on the TV. “I guess we weren’t supposed to take that trip to the desert, huh?” You asked while still looking upwards, but Loki just went on another rant about how this was all ridiculous and outrageous and you had to remind him that he was a god from outer space and you were a super-speedy Avenger and you teleported across the planet by a cube.
Soon you were taken to a courtroom in front of a judge who announced your names. “Laufeyson. Variant L1130, AKA Loki Laufeyson. L/N. Variant L1131, AKA Y/N L/N—”
“I’m before you.” Loki whispered to you as you approached the stand and you found it both funny and stupid that he would be competitive about something like that.
“…are charged with sequence violation 7-20-89. How do you plead?” She asked and you just knew that Loki was about to say something stupid when he let out that chuckle like, oh, I don’t know, “a god doesn’t plead.”
“Madam, a god doesn’t plead.” He informed her and you immediately rolled your eyes. As the variant and the judge bickered, you patiently listened while trying to collect information about the workings of this mysterious place. And then he accused the Avengers of being the people they wanted.
“Well, we have an Avenger right here.” The judge motioned to you and you gave her a little wave and smile.
“Hi.”
“No, not their Avengers. You see, I came into possession of the Tesseract because they traveled through time,” he explained to the room. You looked shocked at his claim, wondering how that could even be possible. “Oh, believe me, you can smell the cologne of two Tony Starks.”
“Yeah, you’re right about that one.” You commented under your breath, still trying to process the thought of your teammates traveling back in time to that day. What if there was another you there and you didn’t even know it?
“How do you plead?” She asked once more and you cut in.
“If I say ‘guilty,’ will you guys like, wipe my brain and let me go back?” You asked and she took that as your pleading.
“And Mister Laufeyson?” She turned her attention to Mr. “Glorious Purpose,” the god you were burdened with.
“Guilty…” His answer caused you to raise your eyebrows, but when you looked at him he was getting ready to attack. “Of this.” He looked quite foolish as he tried his best to conjure his weapons, you and the woman who brought you in began to giggle at the sight.
“You see what I have to put up with?” You looked back at her and she nodded back.
“Magic powers? They no good in the TVA, Mr. Laufeyson.” The judge informed.
“Do physical powers? Like, those that are apart of your DNA?” You didn’t want to try because you were afraid of being disintegrated yourself. She nodded in response and Loki looked very betrayed by the fact.
“But you will be shocked by that collar if you try it.” She let you know. “The court finds you both guilty, and I sentence you to be reset.” Yours and Loki’s stomachs both dropped and your faces went flush as you tried to figure out what “reset” meant. Loki went on another rant right after and managed to get a response from another worker in the TVA. But it seemed he was on your side.
“And who are you?” Loki asked the gray-haired man who’d just gotten you out of what you assumed was a death sentence. His name was Agent Mobius and he needed you for a mission, he was a very kind and entertaining man. Humored Loki quite a bit.
“Time theater, huh?” You read the wall of the room as you were offered a seat. Loki was still hesitant of the whole situation, but you started to feel like you were on a team with him—reluctantly, of course. “If they were going to kill us, they would have done it at the courtroom. I think we’re safe for now.”
Loki went on to explain his life’s work and plan and you couldn’t help but snicker. His standoffish behavior was entertaining, you were glad Mobius gave you snacks. “This is good! In my time, this stuff stopped being made about twenty years back. Delicious.” You kept slurping as loud as you could to annoy Loki and it was working.
“Would you stop eating like a pig, y/n?” Loki requested and you laughed in his face.
“Would you not kill my friends and destroy my home, Loki?” You shot back and began chewing your chips with a mouth wide open.
“I like you, y/n.” Mobius told you right in front of Loki to antagonize him, making Loki scoff.
“I don’t see why anyone would like them.” Loki commented and leaned back in his chair to pout.
“It’s because I don’t invade worlds and dress like I’m compensating for something.” You informed him with a smile he’d like to wipe right off your face. “The heroes are much more likable than the villains.”
“Darling, you and I ended up in the same place, so don’t think you’re that special.” He pointed out and caused you and Mobius to peer over at each other. Loki was obviously very upset that he was just told he was destined to fail, but there was still more news to break as you were shown what could have happened if you’d never went after Loki.
The Avengers stuck together, had plenty of other adventures. You joined forces with Captain America bringing SHIELD down when it was corrupted. Tony and Bruce created a sentient robot that created a sentient android. You met another speedster that you got along with very well. You had a very good, wholesome friendship with Thor (one so good that while Loki was watching your life play out, he managed to get quite jealous). The Avengers broke up (Loki made fun of you for that). You were arrested (Loki made more fun). You made it out and went on to save more lives (exasperated Loki). Thanos appeared.
“Now, Loki. I want you to pay attention to that big purple guy. You know he’s important.” Mobius paused the showing to let him know.
You met up with Thor in an unfamiliar land. Thor was quite upset with Thanos and you told him that you’d help get revenge on him. Revenge for what? And then you lost. You lived five lonely years (Loki was judging him for wallowing after a loss because Asgardians don’t do that), then decided to revisit the past. Your past self was in New York, and they were proud of you. You went back to the present. Beat Thanos.
“Alright, that’s enough for you, y/n.” Mobius stopped the showing and switched to Loki’s show. His “greatest hits,” so he called them. But when Coulson’s death was shown to you in person, you lost your nerve a bit. It was still fresh in your mind and you weren’t expecting to see that image so closely. “I’m sorry you had to see that, y/n.” Mobius apologized. “I’ll give you one free swing at Loki if you’d like.”
“That’s okay. I’d like to be better than him. It bothers him.” You took a deep breath and looked over at Loki, who decided to put a cherry on top of this fun showing by insulting Coulson. Mobius went on to keep insulting Loki himself and it truly did help. You knew that these showings would be all his defeats. He wasn’t all that clever. “Wait. You’re D.B. Cooper?!” You looked at him in shock and his face darkened red.
“I was young and I lost a bet to Thor.” He defended himself as if that made it any better. After a little more teasing, Loki had enough, but Mobius wasn’t done. He was shown more defeats, more heartbreak. You watched diligently, excited to see what was in store for Loki. You honestly felt bad that he had to find out he was responsible for his mother’s death, but maybe that could be some sort if wake up call for him. Loki and Mobius began shouting at each other and you felt secondhand embarrassment from Loki’s utter stupidity.
Mobius was pulled from the room not long after and Loki and you were left to scheme.
“We’re a team, are we not?” Loki soon asked you.
“We got taken in together. I still don’t like you. I’m tolerating you because I don’t know what to do or what’s going on.” You paced around the room, starting to get antsy about how slow you were going, but you wouldn’t dare try to use your powers and embarrass yourself in front of Loki.
“Come with me, y/n. We can escape together.” He seemed to be pleading with you, but you knew better than that.
“Why do you need me so bad?” You asked and he paused. “You’re gonna give me up. Use me as a bargaining chip, huh?” You figured him out pretty fast. He’s like an open book and he didn’t even know it.
“You don’t have a choice.” Loki grabbed the remote that controlled your collars and teleported you out to the hallway. “Now come on.”
“You are literally the worst.” You started sprinting down the hall and deciding to go with Loki’s plan. He seemed to think he had it all figured out. And if not, you were quick on your feet. Maybe you could get the collar off sooner rather than later.
After some exploring and finding what he called “Infinity Stones,” something changed. “Loki, what are those?”
“The greatest power in the universe. Or…or so I thought.” He wandered off and had what looked like an existential crisis. About time. And just as you two were about to be pruned by that soldier from earlier, he decided to save both of you by teleporting you back to the time theater.
“You saved me?” You asked him while helping him off the ground.
“Oh, don’t act so surprised. I still need you.” He walked around the table and watched some more of his life play out, letting you watch with him.
“I’m sorry about your mom.” You offered your condolences when you noticed he seemed much more upset this time around. “I lost my mom some time ago. She was murdered, too.” Loki only gave you a quick glance before he went back to the clips. His father telling him he loved him, then dying. It sent him to tears. Loki was crying in front of you. Something had changed. His brother showed him appreciation. They fought together. They became friends once more.
And then Thanos appeared on the screen.
“It’s him.” You whispered and Loki’s expression hardened. Loki had attacked him in the showing and as this played out, he rose from his chair. Loki on tape was soon strangled and the moment his neck was snapped, your Loki gasped and tears fell down his face as he looked back to you.
“You were avenging me.” Loki put the pieces of your two stories together as his file ended.
“Who would have thought.” You gave him a weak smile and scratched the back of your head. “I guess you did become a better person, huh? I’m impressed.” Loki stood there with his thoughts for a moment, laughing in such an unsettling way just before that soldier intruded. You didn’t know who you were more worried for, but you stood up, ready to fight.
“What’s so funny?” She asked him.
“Glorious purpose.’” He answered with that famous line and the two of you approached the soldier, double teaming her in order to make sure neither of you got what was coming. Loki was able to deactivate both of your collars and even used his against her.
“Thanks.” You told him as you cast it aside.
“Think of it as repayment for avenging me.” Loki let you know where you stood just before he began toying with the soldier and the collar. You still didn’t trust Loki, but maybe he was changing for the better. When the soldier was cast away, Loki sat down on the floor and ran his fingers through his hair and you decided to join him, giving him the silence you thought he needed. Mobius entered with one of those scary pruning sticks and made sure that the two of you wouldn’t try anything.
“We can’t go back, can we?” Loki asked your only friend at the TVA and you both looked up at him with desperation in your eyes. You’d seen on that screen that your lives got so much better, they were actually worth living. Mobius’s silence answered your collective question and you lowered your head to mourn your unmade memories while Loki went on. “I don’t enjoy hurting people. I…I don’t enjoy it. I do it because I have to, because I had to.” He admitted in such a way that shocked you. Was it just a trick or was he finally being reached?
“Explain that to me.” Mobius asked as if he were Loki’s therapist.
“Because it’s part of the illusion. It’s the cruel elaborate trick conjured by the weak to inspire fear.” You couldn’t believe your ears, Loki may be taking responsibility for his actions.
“You mean that?” You asked Loki and he diverted eye contact from you, trying not to let you see him cry anymore today or ever.
“A fugitive variant’s been killing our Minutemen.” Mobius finally revealed to you what exactly it was that he needed the two of you for.
“And you need the God of Mischief and an Avenger to help you stop him?” Loki suggested to the agent as you and him stood up, ready for the challenge.
“That’s right.”
“Why us?” You inquired.
“The variant we’re hunting is…you, Loki.” Mobius’s information stopped you in your footsteps. Two Loki’s? Absurd and uncalled for.
“I beg your pardon?” Loki’s eyes widened and he looked back at you to see if you were just as confused. Yes.
“You think like a Loki,” Mobius folded his hands together and pointed at Loki with his two index fingers, then moved to you, “and you can defeat a Loki.” The mission made you a bit uneasy to say the least. “Are you in?”
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