At the door of Stark Tower

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He doesn't really have a phone anymore, at least not one that isn't a burner on the end of it's life, and that phone never had the number he needed in it, so he didn't call ahead. Instead, he's just there, heading for the front desk to see if perhaps, just maybe, he has a friend here. Or at least an ally.

"Steve Rogers for Tony Stark, please?"

Comments

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"So what do you think might have followed you here?"

That's the important part.

[godofbadideas]

"Well, nothing that I'm aware of, though now that you mention it, I probably ought to check..."

Loki's eyes go a little distant, as he extends his magical senses, and sips idly at the (quite good) beer. After a moment, he shakes his head.

"Nothing nearby."

[actuallyhasaheart]

Tony sips his own drink, and shakes his head. Steve is doing a good job chatting up Loki; he'll keep his mouth shut as long as he can, and watch for. Something. Lying, trickery, some clue that this Loki is anything other than what he claims to be.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve's quiet for a moment, obviously considering something before he speaks.

"Loki, I'd like to ask you a question and I'd appreciate as straight an answer as you can provide."

[godofbadideas]

Loki's lips quirk up.

"Only you, Steve Rogers, would ask for truth from the god of lies. By all means."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He tilts his head towards the destruction of New York City.

"The other you... he was able to do something to people, mess with their heads, get inside and... well, make them into something they weren't."

It's obviously hard for him, but he keeps going.

"If you're really upset about what he did and you want to help... can you undo something like that if it was done to them?"

[godofbadideas]

"Maybe. I would have to see them first, at the very least, but I'd certainly give it a try, especially if it's something Other Me did."

He kind of really doesn't like most of the Other Hims. Doesn't really much like himself, some days.

[actuallyhasaheart]

Okay, that's not something Tony ever expected to hear, and that's not a look he ever expected to see anywhere near Loki's face.

Maybe he was telling the truth, sort of.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He wants to lie. He REALLY wants to lie. But it's not in him, not on something like this.

"Loki didn't do it. But this person... helping them out would help a lot of people."

[godofbadideas]

"And what would be in it for me?" Loki asks, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve looks at Tony in the suit. Then he sits up a little taller.

"The thanks of the Avengers."

He leans in.

"And I'm pretty sure that means something on your world as well as this one."

[actuallyhasaheart]

Tony gives a little nod; whatever it is - and he can take a few guesses - if it's something Steve wants, it can't be bad.

[godofbadideas]

"It does," Loki allows with a slight nod. "But you're in this universe, and I am normally in mine."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Except that there's a vortex here that could pull you this way at any time," he points out, "and I'm sure that when you get into a jam with the Avengers in your world, they'll sure appreciate that you helped Captain America out, now... won't they?"

[godofbadideas]

Loki laughs a little, grinning at Captain America.

"You know I realise what you're trying to do, and it won't work unless I choose to let it?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He's not really grinning back, but it's clear he's not uncomfortable at the words.

"That doesn't make it any less true."

[godofbadideas]

"All right then, in that case, I accept - with one provision," Loki replies, raising a finger. "I'd like to have a chat with Other Me."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve leans back on the couch.

"Unfortunately, not possible. He's imprisoned on this world's Asgard, under firm lock and key. Thor's up there too. We haven't seen him in a bit. Not since London."

He glances over at Tony.

"London was him, I think."

[actuallyhasaheart]

"Yeah, it was," Tony confirms. "JARVIS got the footage, even though SHIELD tried their bast to keep it under wraps. Like you could keep yet another space invasion under wraps."

[godofbadideas]

"Well, that's hardly a surprise," Loki says. "In that case, an affidavit of safe-conduct will do; I can get to Asgard on my own. And hopefully Other Me won't have gotten bored and escaped by then."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

No, he's just RUNNING ASGARD.

"I'll give you my word on paper. I can't speak for the others."

[actuallyhasaheart]

"I'll add mine," Tony adds. "Providing to come through on your end."

If nothing else, it'd get Loki out of their hair, and off to Asgard.

[godofbadideas]

"Works for me," Loki says with a shrug. "So, who needs fixing?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He looks to Tony and holds out his hand for the file.

"He's called the Winter Soldier."

[godofbadideas]

"Oh."

Yeah, Loki knows who that is.

"No wonder you're willing to ask for my help. Do you happen to have an electronic copy?"