Chapter Text
"Nope. No way. We are not...he can't be one of us," Tony shook his head in disbelief, took off his glasses in a flourish.
"Come on, Stark. This is a changed man, he's not like he was in New York," Thor all but pleaded.
"We talkin' about the same person here? Reindeer Games? Rock of Ages? He looks the same to me."
"His name is Loki..."
"I know what his name is," Tony rolled his eyes, putting his glasses back on and peering Loki up and down. "And the answer's still no."
Exasperated, Thor ran his hand through his hair. "Everyone else has agreed. Besides, without Loki, my people would be dead."
"Right, and because of Loki, the whole New York thing happened."
"Stop being so damn stubborn, Stark."
"Oh, I apologise," Tony turned around sharply, facing Thor. "I apologise that I'm not jumping for absolute joy when you propose your evil adopted brother become an Avenger. I apologise that I'm not so willing to take him under my wing and pretend that nothing ever happened."
"I'm not proposing Loki become an Avenger, Gods no, he wouldn't agree to such a thing anyway. All I'm asking is we let him stay at the compound for a bit. He's got no where else to go."
"Mhm. Seems like a him problem."
Before Thor could say anything else, Bruce walked into the room, head buried in an iPad.
"Banner, just the person I wanted to see," Thor suddenly grinned, pulling the shorter man in for a side hug, tousling his hair roughly with a clenched fist.
"Ow- Thor, what are you-"
"You like Loki, right?"
"I mean, when he's not killing people, yeah he's gr-"
"But he's not killing anyone anymore, is he? After all, we have him to thank after Ragnarok." Thor side glanced Bruce with a pointed look.
"Oh, right, of course. Ragnarok!" Bruce stammered. "Listen, can I go now? I told Natasha I'd show her this-"
"You're free to go after answering this one question," Tony interrupted. "What do you think about Loki staying with us?"
The look of instant fear passed through Bruce's face for a split second, but after noticing Thor looking at him intensely, he nodded. "Sure. Why not. He's changed."
Tony sighed. "Okay, Thor. But I'm gonna hate to see what Fury's gonna do when he finds out about this."
"I shall tell my brother the wonderful news right away," Thor smiled widely. "Leave Fury to me."
"Uh, hold on. There are conditions, that being Loki is your responsibility. Anything he does, doesn't do, that's on you."
"Understood. You shan't regret this!"
As Thor left the room with a spring in his step, Tony grimaced, muttering to himself, "I already do."
»»————- ★ ————-««
"Thor, I really don't want to stay here."
Loki had been lead to the room next door to his brother's. It was atrocious; mostly empty, smelt faintly of wall paint.
"I know the room leaves much to be desired, brother, however the place has just finished construction, so-"
"You know, my room on Asgard had that lovely green wallpaper."
With a flick of his wrist, the walls transformed into a deep emerald colour, a gold four poster bed appeared along with a dressing table and closet to match.
"Impressive, brother," Thor mused, looking around him in amusement. "Could you do the same with my room, but with red walls, of course."
Rolling his eyes, Loki sat on his bed with a grunt, looking out the window which showcased the compound quite thoroughly.
"These are temporary arrangements, I suppose?" Loki asked.
"Of course."
"And I'm not expected to...interact with the others around here?"
"Not if you don't want to."
"It may just be tolerable, then."
Clapping his brother on the back, Thor stood up. "I suppose you want some time to refresh. Bath's in there," Thor pointed over to the ensuite, a spacious affair complete with a large shower, bath and huge mirror overlooking a marble topped sink.
"You know I do not need to go through all that trouble to get clean. I am no mortal, and neither are you," Loki reminded his brother.
"I know," Thor was halfway out the door by this time, calling over his shoulder. "But the water's very pleasant."
With that, his brother closed the door and Loki was left sitting there scoffing at his brother's newfound domestication.
However, that bath did look rather welcoming...