Loki x Reader: Into the MCU

Chapter 16: Bit of Tension

"It's a city of gold on an alien planet, Loki, who wouldn't want to stay?" you asked irritably, knowing he would milk this for all it was worth.

"Yes, but the way you defended me," he teased, stepping around in front of you, "Makes one wonder if the archer was right, and you let your love for your favorite character blind you."

"Yeah that must be it," you said in a mocking tone, "Because simply admitting that someone defended you just because it was the right thing to do and thanking them would mean letting go of your ego."

"Well, then, thank you," he said, his expression not changing but his voice much kinder than usual.

"You're welcome. I'd say I'm sorry about Barton, but he does have his reasons."

"Plenty, I can assure you."

"It'll take time, but perhaps if I can help this universe stop Thanos now, then there's a future for you and Thor where the Avengers eventually don't hate you as much."

"Please, I have never sought after nor needed the approval of your self-righteous band of clowns."

"Everyone needs friends at some point in their life, Loki. If not friends, then at least allies. And there are worse allies to have than the Avengers. They're good people."

"I know, which is what makes them so repulsive," he said in a disgusted tone.

You laughed and he smirked, obviously proud of himself.

"Ok, but why did you invite us to stay? You hate Barton and I was about to finally leave. I may have vouched for you, but don't think I don't know you do everything for a reason."

Loki smiled, "You're quite right. Seeing as how this was all fantasy to you a mere two days ago, I figured you'd like to spend one decent night in Asgard. Afterall, it appears I owe you for coming here to save my life, and I hate being indebted to anyone."

"Aw, so it isn't because you wanted to hear more paradoxical questions?" you asked in joking disappointment.

He gave you an 'I'd rather die' look and you laughed again. You were happy that Loki was as funny in person as you'd hoped he would be.

"You must really hate being indebted if you were asking Clint to stay. I thought you two were going to brawl it out right here. Then Barton would probably get killed, I'd have to explain it to the Avengers, they'd want to, ya know, avenge, and then I'd have a whole new problem on my hands to fix."

"Sounds dreadfully tiring," he smirked.

"Oh you have no idea. Cleaning up your current problems is draining enough."

"Well, should he have remained in Asgard, I can assure you that it inevitably would have ended in a fight."

"And yet your stupid head thought it was a good idea to try to convince him to stay?"

"I did no such thing," he said with an insulted look, as if the thought of what you suggested was outrageous.

"Dude, you literally asked us both to stay and then almost fought him over why he could trust you."

"I may have asked the two of you to remain, yes, but, contrary to what the bowman thinks, he was the pawn once again."

You thought for a second before your mouth shot open.

"You little sneak, you mean to tell me you knew he'd leave?"

"Oh, I was counting on it. It was you who I owed, not Barton."

You slow clapped. "Wow, I gotta give it to you, that was good. You even made me vouch for you, you jerk."

Loki was chuckling now, "I simply knew you would."

"You're lucky I'm such a nice person then, otherwise you'd look real stupid wouldn't you?"

He smiled at you mischievously, "Luck means nothing, darling, when you can read a person as I can."

"Before you say it, I get it 'blah blah blah, favorite character.' I've already told you that's not why I stayed. Betting that I'd find a way to argue in favor of staying in a place I've always wanted to see is not 'reading people', Loki, it's common sense."

"Whatever you say, darling." With that he walked to the giant double-door entrance to the room. You followed, not planning on letting him lock you in again. When the pair of you reached the entrance, he opened one of the doors and held out his arm for you to take.

"Well, darling, I have a debt to repay and an hour or so of daylight to do it. Shall we?"

You couldn't hold back how excited you were to see Asgard, and you knew Loki saw it all over your face. Oh well, you didn't have to try to be tough all the time.

You wrapped your arm around his and he led you out of the room, beginning your tour of Asgard.