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"Would you like some company?" Loki knocks on Wanda's door the next morning.
The mission in Lagos was going well, but it ended with a catastrophe that Wanda accidentally caused. When it happened, Anya could see people exit the building. Some were injured, and some were already corpses with missing limbs.
Wanda is watching the news now, and looks to her door to see Anya and Loki. Anya waves sympathetically at her, and Wanda nods for them to come in.
Anya sits with Wanda on her bed, while Loki remains standing before them.
"It's my fault." Wanda quietly says.
"That's not true." Anya argues.
Wanda smiles falsely. "Watch the news. I think they've said my name at least ten times. They're being very specific."
"It wasn't your fault." Anya insists.
"Well, to be fair, it is kind of your fault." Loki tilts his head, gesturing around.
Anya widens her eyes and looks at Loki, gaping at him with both irritation and disbelief. Wanda sighs quietly.
Loki continues. "No use dilly-dallying around the truth now, little red. What happened was on you, and it should never repeat itself again."
Anya just stares at Loki in disbelief, and he finally notices how his woman is practically fuming through her ears.
Loki widens his eyes and raises both his hands in defense. "But you didn't mean to do it. That must account for something, yes?" He says before flashing a charming smile at Anya.
Anya rolls her eyes at him and wraps her arm around Wanda. "Don't listen to him. He doesn't know when to shut up."
"No, he's right. This is something I did, which is why I should be held accountable. Doesn't matter if I did it on purpose or not, people still died." Wanda frowns to herself.
Before Anya could say anything, Vision phases through the wall. Wanda scolds him before they are all informed that Secretary Ross is here.
"You're an idiot, you know that? You can't just say that it was her fault." Anya scolds as she and Loki leave Wanda's room so she can talk to Vision in private.
"Was I wrong?"
"Shut up." Anya glares at him, and he just cheekily smiles at her. To which she glares even more. "I really should teach you about Earth manners."
"Oh, please do." He purrs, and she just sputters a chuckle in surprise. "So. Secretary Ross. Who is he again?" Loki asks Anya as they walk together, leaving Wanda and Vision in the room.
"Someone who doesn't really like me very much." Anya mutters.
Loki hums. "Well, that is very telling of his personality then." He nudges her shoulder and Anya smiles despite herself.
***
"While a great many of people see you as heroes, there are some who prefer the word vigilantes."
"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?"
"How about dangerous?"
Anya looks at her hands, somewhat agreeing with him. Loki steals a quick glance at her from the back of the room.
"What do you call enhanced individuals who exercise their will wherever they choose and seem unconcerned of what they leave behind?" Ross pulls up a screen and plays a footage. "New York."
Loki blinks, watching the chaos he brought to Earth through the perspective of the citizens. When Loki sees the Hulk bring down debris on people, he feels Tony glance at him. Loki looks away from the screen, and feels the shame seep through his bones.
"Washington D.C."
Anya watches the Helicarriers go down, briefly remembering being part of the mission against her own sister and Steve. It only occurred to her now that they did leave a lot of damages behind.
When Lagos is mentioned, Wanda flinches visibly and Steve tells Ross to stop. Ross presents the Sokovia Accords.
"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that."
"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are?"
Loki looks at Ross the moment his brother's name is spoken. "My brother's whereabouts is none of your concern. He has bigger problems than Earth." Loki goes to look at Anya. "No offense."
Ross exhales in annoyance. "Not to mention the person who attacked New York is living among you as though he is part of the team." He glares down at the Prince of Asgard.
"Loki isn't an Avenger." Rhodey states. "He's never going to be one."
"Nor will I ever want to be." Loki nods with a humorless smile.
"We've already established that with the UN." Rhodey adds.
"Yes. And he just assists the Avengers in various missions out of the kindness of his heart." Ross says with sarcasm. Loki fights the urge to roll his eyes. "Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the accords. Think it over."
"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asks.
"Then, you retire."
Anya frowns, looking towards Steve with a concerned expression.
***
The Avengers debate on whether to sign or not, and Anya stays quiet in one corner with Tony. Loki brings her and Tony a cup of coffee and she quietly thanks him.
Tony gives him a nod of acknowledgment and drinks the coffee. Loki sighs a bit before he takes a seat next to Tony.
Natasha looks at Anya and Tony, and comments about how they're both being so uncharacteristically silent. Tony then tells them about Charles Spencer, and states that there's no decision-making process to be done. Steve tells them about how agendas can still change, and argues with Rhodey.
Then, the others look at Anya, who has yet to share her opinion. She uneasily stares back at them, shrugging cluelessly and not even daring to speak a word.
Natasha saves her by talking about her own opinion, where she agrees with Tony. Steve leaves abruptly and the team meeting dissolves.
Later, Anya sits in the balcony to watch the view. Loki walks in with a jug of water and a charming smile, which was enough to make her calm down a bit.
"Hey,"
"Hello," Loki places the water on the table, manifesting a plate and utensils for both of them. "Hungry?"
Anya wanted to say no, but Loki seems a bit too cheery at the moment so she sits in front of him. "What are we having?"
Loki waves his hands over the plates and it turns into roasted chicken with seasoning and greens. Anya scoffs, shaking her head at him. "Stole these from a restaurant or something?"
"Maybe." Loki smiles. "Why did Captain Rogers leave so quick?"
Anya stares at him for a moment as he begins to eat. "A person close to him died."
"Oh... who?"
"Peggy Carter."
"How did she die?"
"Old age."
Loki slowly nods, remembering that Steve didn't belong to this decade. "Am I right to assume that Miss Carter was his love?"
"Agent Carter, and yeah. She was." Anya picks at her food with the fork. "What do you think about the accords?"
"I don't think I should warrant an opinion regarding that. It does not matter if the Avengers separate or not, Stark is still going to keep me within his facilities as he promised to my brother." Loki mutters.
"Still. What do you think?"
"I... well, I believe that Stark is right. Individuals as enhanced as all of us should be monitored. Not only for everyone's sake, but for yours as well. If control is questioned, your sister made a point about having one hand on the steering wheel."
"Yes, but what if the government did put us somewhere we shouldn't be?" Anya frowns. "What if when we need to go somewhere, they don't let us?" She sighs. "But yeah, we do need to be put in check. I don't know, Loki. I'm torn between them. Both of them are right and wrong at the same time. It's just..." she shakes her head. "This entire situation is just messed up."
Loki observes her face for a moment before reaching over to take her hand into his. "Well, whatever your decision may be, I hope you know that I will be by your side."
Anya smiles a bit, and watches him raise her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles. Her heart flutters, and she flushes. Are all Asgardians raised to be this romantic? Anya mentally thanks whoever raised Loki to be this way. She always believed that these would only exist in the films she would watch. She wonders how Loki learned to be this way around the person he is with.
Loki narrows his eyes at her, noting the way she is looking at him. "What?"
"Nothing, I just... I realized how much you know about me, but I still don't know the first thing about you."
"I could argue that you may know me more than anyone alive."
"But that's not really true..." she lowers her eyes. "Why won't you tell me more about yourself?"
"What would you like to know?"
"Everything." Anya meets his eyes and offers a small smile. "I want to know about your family, your friends, your life on Asgard. I want to know more about your relationship with your brother." She pauses with hesitation. "Your mother."
Loki's hand tenses around hers. "I... I don't want to talk about her."
Anya just nods without pushing him. "You don't have to."
Silence befalls between them, and Loki caresses her hand with his thumb. "My life on Asgard was a pleasant one. I did have friends, but I mostly kept to myself in libraries and gardens. I grew up as a prince, you see. I could want for nothing," he tells her. "However, I still craved for something more. A natural instinct. Even you humans have it." Loki pauses. "I was second best to Thor in everything my whole life, and all I wanted was to be first at something. Which is why I..." Loki hesitates, unsure if he should tell her about the time he almost destroyed Jotunheim to please Odin. "Which is why I made many mistakes. Envy clouded my judgement and led to my recklessness."
To his surprise, the look on Anya's face never twisted into anything negative. Instead, she offers a kind smile. "Do you regret trying to conquer Earth?"
Loki just stares back at her, and all his walls come crumbling down from the way she looks at him with such admiration. He has never felt this vulnerable around someone before. Vulnerable enough for him to whisper a quiet, "Yes," before lowering his eyes.
Anya reaches over to cup his cheek. "Then, that's all that matters."
He cracks a smile and she pulls her hand back to continue eating. Unbeknownst to her, Loki just watches her with soft eyes and a tiny smile on his face, wondering how he managed to get this far.
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note: next chapter is going to be a bit, um... well, brace yourselves ;)