33 : Disappointed Brother

I entered the compound, the atmosphere was charged with tension. The Avengers had gathered, and their expressions ranged from concern to anger as they surrounded Loki and me. My brother stepped forward, his voice booming with accusation.

"You take her on a little 'field trip' without a heads-up, and this is what I get?" Tony yelled at Loki, his eyes blazing with fury.

{Why does he think Loki took you?} Scream questions.

Loki met Tony's glare. "I can't see the future, Stark. I'm not a witch." Loki replied evenly, his tone unwavering despite the intensity of Tony's anger.

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on us. "Tony, I'm alright," I interjected, my voice calm despite the tremor in my hand. "He brought me back safely."

Tony turned towards me, his expression softening briefly before hardening again as he turned back to Loki. "That's not the point," he retorted sharply, his frustration evident. "We're a team. We look after each other. We don't steal sisters without permission."

Loki inclined his head slightly. "I understand your concern, Tony," Loki said calmly, his gaze steady. "But I assure you, I had her best interests at heart."

{Awe.}

(Oh be quiet.) I held back a blush.

Thor stepped forward, his voice a rumble of thunder in the tense silence. "Brother, can you explain what happened," he asked, his eyes soft as he studied Loki.

Loki hesitated for a moment. "They're after Elisa because of Scream," his expression darkening with concern. "Her abilities made her a target."

"Yeah, we got the story from the guy you dropped off in my living room," Tony said, crossing his arms.

(Why do they not seem shocked Loki came back with me when I left with Logan?) I questioned, and didn't like the answer I came up with. "Did all of you know?" I looked at each of them. "How come I'm the last to know that Loki is Logan?"

In unison Tony, Steve, Bucky, basically everyone except Natasha, Thor, and Wanda shouted. The room erupted in chaos. A chorus of surprised shouts – "What?!" "Logan?" "Since when?" – filled the air.

Tony, however, took a different approach. His features contorted in a mixture of disbelief and fury. "What do you mean Loki is Logan?"

My jaw dropped. Confusion morphed into worry as I looked between Loki and Tony. Loki seemed to grow uncomfortable as well. Did they not know?

"You slept with my sister!" Tonys voice was a dangerous growl.

Loki held his hands up in surrender. "Stark. I can explain." Before I could stop him Lokis head shot to the side as Tony punched him. 

"Shit!" Tony cursed as he shook his hand out. "What the hell are you made out of? Vibranium?"

I reached out and looked over Lokis cheek. "Are you alright?" I asked, checking his cheek for any sign of injury.

A ghost of a smile played on his lips. "More than alright," he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

My gaze met Tony's. "What the hell, Tony?!" I roared, finally losing my temper. "You can't go around hitting people."

Tony scoffed. "I can when it involves my sister."

"Hold on everyone," Steve booms, his voice cutting through the cacophony. "Let's take a step back. Tony, stand down."

Tony throws his hands up in exasperation. "This is insane, Cap! Loki's been sneaking around with my sister, and you want me to just 'stand down'?"

"Tony, please," you plead. "Let's hear him out before jumping to conclusions."

Tony hesitates, glaring at Loki. Finally, with a sigh, he relents. "Fine. But you better have a damn good explanation, Loki."

Loki cleared his throat, his gaze flitting nervously between me and the others. "After... after Odin banished me," he began, "I devised a plan to escape. I used an illusion to slip away from the tower." He looked at me, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. "Little did I expect to encounter a woman who would captivate me from the moment we met."

{You lucky woman.} Scream gushed.

I smiled at Loki. I would be lying if our trip back to the compound was silent. I didn't know what to say to Loki when I found out. I questioned everything. Scream helped me remember how Loki was always kind to me. But Loki was the man who tried to take over earth and almost killed my brother.

"I genuinely had no idea she was your sister until the housewarming party, Stark," Loki said casually. "And if she's okay with it... I won't be asking for your blessing." He said looking into my eyes.

"Hold on now." Tony said, but I didn't care for his permission either.

{If you don't I will.} Scream pushed my worries away.

Rising onto my tiptoes, I kissed Loki's lips. "I would love to continue courting you," I said, and Loki's smile brightened.

Tony sighed, clearly exasperated. "You two are impossible," he muttered, shaking his head.

Disregarding Tony's grumbling, I took Loki's hand, our fingers intertwining. The warmth of Loki's hand intertwined with mine sent a jolt through me. Ignoring the grumbling coming from Tony, I couldn't help but grin at Loki.

"So," I began, turning towards Loki. "Now that the whole 'secret identity' thing is out in the open, how about we... actually go on a proper date this time?"

Loki's lips quirked up in a genuine smile. "I can certainly manage that." He leaned closer, seeming not to be bothered by the Avengers surrounding us. "How about dinner tomorrow night? Somewhere a little less chaotic than Avengers lair?"

The image of a quiet cafe, just the two of us, sent a thrill through me. "That sounds perfect," I breathed, ignoring the happy screech from Scream in the back of my head. "Just... no illusions, alright? I'd like to see the real you this time."

"As you wish," he promised, his gaze holding mine. "Just Loki. No tricks, no illusions. Just me."

•{You look wonderful, Elisa.} Scream looked over me as I looked in the mirror.

"Are we sure I should be going out?" I asked.

{Steve said the people who took us were captured and I'm back to full health.}

I sighed and rubbed the wrinkles out of the dress, even though it was fashioned I have them. "I guess." A knock came from my door. "Come in."

The door opened, revealing both Natasha and Wanda, the only women left at the compound. "You look amazing," Natasha said.

Wanda nodded in agreement, adding, "Seriously, you look stunning. Loki won't know what hit him."

I blushed and turned back to the mirror, the emerald green dress clinging to my form until it reached my upper thigh, where the slit began. To be honest, the sleeved gloves feel a bit over the top, but knowing Tony, he picked a spot with both high security and sophistication.

Another knock came to my door, and this time it was a male who came in. "Look, I still think this is a disaster in the making," he declared, eyes scanning me up and down.  "Wow."

I managed a smile. "Think it's, uh, a little much?"

He pursed his lips, then shook his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "Nah, just right. Though, wouldn't be surprised if half the room forgets to breathe."

I snorted, turning back to the mirror for a final check. "Do you think Loki will, uh, appreciate it?"

He scoffed. "Who cares what Reindeer Games thinks."

I sighed, turning back to him. "Come on, Tony," I pleaded, not needing his usual snark right now.  He rolled his eyes. I walked towards him. "Just promise you'll at least pretend to be happy for me, alright? Pretty please?"."

Tony looked into my eyes, and for once I saw an actual brother looking back. "If this whole 'relationship' blows up in your face, don't come crying to me with a sob story about how you should've listened to your genius big brother."

"Alright, enough of that," Natasha said, stepping forward. "Let the girls have their moment." With a roll of his eyes, Tony left the room. Natasha smiled at me. "Don't worry... Loki won't know what hit him."

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