Always a Responsibility

Author's Note: 800 followers AND 3,000 reads already?!? *insert mind blown emoji here* THANK YOU as always, for the reads, likes, and comments xx

Loki's eyes widen, realizing what he just said, "MY....responsibility." Loki quickly corrects himself.

Those words. Specifically that word, 'responsibility'. You take a step back from Loki. Nothing is different. It never was. Not with Tony. Not with sending you on a mission. "When did Tony talk to you?" 

Loki's takes a deep breath, "Y/N..." Loki's voice is just above a whisper when he says your name, taking a step to you while side-eyeing the room.

"When? Day before? A few hours?" you try to whisper as well, but you're louder than Loki, your anger taking over.

Loki's tongue rolls across his top teeth, "...right after he told us about this."

You take Loki's arm and drag him onto the balcony, making sure no one is around, "I don't need to be anyone's responsibility!"

"It was only because this was a mission. Stark had said th..." Loki tries to explain, but you truly don't want to hear it.

"Tony's oblivious sometimes," you shake your head and laugh.

Loki's brows furrow.

"I'm ALWAYS someone's responsibility! God," you pinch the top of your nose, starting to pace. "Whether it was a school event, going to a concert, movie, literally ANYWHERE, Tony always sent someone to 'watch over me'."

Loki says nothing, just shifts on his feet, listening to what you're saying.

"I always knew someone was lurking behind the scenes, far enough away mind you, keeping an eye out for my safety," you grip the railing behind you. "And I know you're seeking the team's approval, but..." 

That breaks Loki's silence, "I seek NO ONE'S approval!" He moves closer to you, "I was forced onto this mission just as you were. Do you think I WANTED to spend time with you here?!"

You lean off of the iron railing, closer to Loki, "Just as I was JUMPING WITH EXCITEMENT to do so with you!"

Both of you pause, just glaring at one another, ignoring the dagger feeling of the other's words.

"I'm going to the bathroom," you step around Loki. "I think I can do that without supervision," you walk back inside.

Even though you were just outside, walking back into the crowded ballroom feels refreshing and more spacious. You pause for maybe 3 seconds, before making a straight speed-walk for the bathroom. 

You're nearly there, when Marcus steps in front of you, "Hey. You ok?"

"I'll take that drink when I get back," you say in a short, cold tone, moving past him.

"Deal. IF you get back....Cassidy," he mumbles your name once you are far enough away.

Just as you round the second corner, your arm is pulled and you're shoved against a wall.

"Hello, Y/N....Stark," a person with a mask holds their arm under your chin. Not only is this corner of the hall dark, but the mask on their face makes it impossible to make out any details.

You play off your shock as it just from being pushed, not at them knowing your name, "Who? Look, you have the wrong person."

"Do I?" you can hear the smile under their mask. "When I deliver your body to Tony Stark, he may think otherwise."

Your jaw clenches, "What do you want?"

"That's more like it," the person finally removes their arm. "Come with me, cooperate, and we will have no issues. You'll walk out of here once we're done."

You straighten your dress, "A simple, 'I would like a word with you' would have sufficed."

"That would have been less fun," a hand is placed on your elbow to lead you further down the hall. "You are quite the charmer though."

"So I've heard," you huff and roll your eyes. 

A few turns later, you're dragged into an office, and pushed into a chair. The person walks to the door and locks it. While their back is to you, you touch the side of your glasses to record what's happening, which gets sent directly to Tony and the team in the tower. 

When the person comes back, they pull of their mask to sit in the chair across at the head of the desk, "You can call me Ward. Your brother and his minions will have a record on me."

Ward has shorter hair like Marcus, but almost black, dark eyes, and a slight scruff of a beard and mustache. You take in his appearance, even though the glasses are doing the same. 

Tony, Steve, Pepper, Nat, and Thor are sitting in the main room when FRIDAY speaks, "Incoming video feed from Y/N."

The news was on, but it switches to everything you're seeing.

"What the hell is this from?" Nat leans closer and puts the volume on louder.

"FRIDAY?" Tony moves closer along with everyone.

"This is live footage, Mr. Stark," FRIDAY clarifies.

Ward folds his leg over, now pouring himself a drink, along with one for you, "So, what does your brother have planned for HYDRA?"

You match his leg crossing, "I wouldn't know. I don't get involved in his....line of work." You leave your drink on the desk. 

"Hm. And yet," he motions to you with his hand. "Here you sit, alone on a mission for him."

"FRIDAY, get Loki on the phone. NOW!" Tony grits his teeth back in the tower.

Loki is still standing on the balcony, fuming, when his phone rings, "Not surprised." He picks it up, "Y/N runs to the bathroom and immediately calls you to complain."

"Y/N isn't in the bathroom, Reindeer Games," Tony starts pacing, putting the phone on speaker.

That causes Loki to stop walking, "What? How could you possibl...?"

"WHAT. HAPPENED?" Tony questions.

"We...may have had a disagreement," Loki rubs his forehead. "But Y/N was heading for the bathroom; I swear it."

"Well, Y/N is currently sitting in an office with some guy. I'm sending the location to your bracelet now. It'll let you know when you're close," Tony uses his tablet to track the blueprints and your location in the building.

Without another word from Tony, Loki begins shoving past people at the gala, making his way to where you are, not even realizing that he's also changing back into his regular, Loki appearance.