Chapter Text
Amora had the worse timing. Loki didn’t know what her plan was, or why she decided to attempt it now, but it didn’t end well. At first, he hadn’t noticed her as he was too busy battling his brother. But the moment he was tossed into her and heard the breaking of glass, he couldn’t help but notice. She was holding a broken fragrance bottle above him. The base crushed by his scepter and the contents currently all over him.
“You ruined everything!” She screeched but he could hardly see why this was his fault. She was the one that thought it wise to approach them when they were obviously engaged in a private battle. Of course, it wasn’t that private when conducted in the middle of the street in a highly populated city, but he issued her no invitation. She came on her own. What did he have to do with any of that? What did this godawful perfume that assaulted his nose have to do with any plan she had? Whatever plan she was concocting in that strange mind of hers obviously couldn’t come to fruition without it.
“You’re only supposed to use a little!” Well, Loki could certainly see that. The smell was obviously rather potent. He could only pray that his nose would grow accustom to it soon, so he wouldn’t have to be conscious of it. Amora huffed and made some strange inhuman noises in her anger. “I guess you’ll have to suffer the consequences.”
With that, she left. Loki was confused. What consequences? Was the perfume supposed to transform him in some way? He didn’t feel any different. He looked to his brother and saw him merely staring at him with the same foolish affection he always had. Nothing out of the ordinary here.
“Alright, Reindeer Games, show's over.” Great, his plans must have been thwarted again. It wasn’t really a problem. He did them more for show and out of boredom these days. However, he was a bit disappointed it hadn’t lasted longer this time.
Turning to look at the metal man, he had a witty remark at the tip of his tongue. Well, he did untill he saw the man's face. Tony Stark, had opened his mask and was staring at him in a very odd manner. Loki’s eyes widened. Did he look strange? What did that concoction do? Fingers looked the same. Hair felt the same. Didn't feel like he had grown anything on his head or face. After a brief panic, Loki looked back into the man’s eyes. There was no trace of fear or confusion there. That meant whatever had happened to him wasn't unpleasant to view. This thought led him to realize what emotion those eyes held: Desire. Loki gulped.
He soon found the other avengers surrounding him. At first, they seemed ready to dish out what ever justice they thought deemed fit, but one by one each male stopped in their tracks. Male because Romanov seemed like the only one unaffected. They were all looking at him with a sort of odd affection. It was as if they were all seeing him for the first time. Suddenly, it dawn on him what all this meant. Was the perfume a love potion? Was that what he was currently drenched in? It seemed only to affect the male population though. Desperately, Loki turned to Thor who looked the same as always. Perhaps it didn’t affect Asgardians. Amora shouldn’t be so angry with him then. Her plan was doomed to fail regardless.
“I’m sure we can come to some sort of agreement.” Loki felt himself backing up as they all came closer. This was unsettling. He didn’t know how powerful the potion was and what it made the ones affected want to do to him. If Tony’s desire was any indication of what could happen, he wasn’t willing to satiate their lusts.
“Puny god!” The green beast wasted no time to close the distance and pull him into an affectionate hug.
“Let him go, Hulk.” The captain spoke with a strangely angry tone. Was that a hint of jealousy? Loki would have teased him if he had any breath left in his lungs. “He’s still a criminal.”
“A sexy criminal.” Tony supplied not even hiding the lust on his face. Loki shivered.
“Tony!” It seemed the potion affected each one of them differently. The Captain was trying his best to resist, but it seemed to be a losing battle with how red his face was becoming.
“What’s going on here?” Romanov eyed every one of them suspiciously. She would be a problem if Loki was to use this to his advantage.
“Friends, the day is won, and we have stopped my brother once more.” His brother seemed as confused as Romanov. He would also need to be dealt with.
“Yes, so we should lock him up.” Barton suggested. So, it didn’t affect him either? Loki peered over at the archer and watched as the man looked down sheepishly. No, it did. He was sure of it.
It was time for some emotional manipulation.
“Really, lock me up, Barton?” Loki did his best pout and fluttered his eyelashes. He should be ashamed of doing such a childish type of flirtation but the look on the archer’s face was all worth it.
“But you’ve done so much wrong.” He tried to argue but his face got redder the more he spoke. He looked up at Loki and the trickster did his best pitiful look. There it was in the man’s softening eyes: So much worthless affection. “At least... one day.”
“One day!? Clint have you gone insane?” Romanov glared at Loki. She surely believed he was the one who had bewitched them. He had but not on purpose. It wasn’t his plan nor his potion, though now, he wished it was. Amora truly outdid herself.
“Surely, you jest.” Thor looked at the archer like he had grown another head. Loki glared at him, though Thor paid him no mind and continued. “I am glad you have found mercy in your heart for my brother. But if I recall, you had wanted to do far worse than just imprisoning him. Of course, I am not arguing with your new decision. I welcome it.”
Did he suspect something? He sounded like he did but wasn’t willing to argue about it. Loki stared at his brother trying to figure out what the man was thinking but of course, it was impossible. He used to pride himself on understanding his brother but after all that had come between them, he supposed they both had changed. He shook his head. No, he more than Thor had changed. His brother was so dimwitted anyway, so he probably didn’t realize anything was amiss.
Turning his head, Loki saw Romanov thinking very hard. She definitely was his other problem. She probably was trying to work out how any of this was possible but he knew she couldn't begin to figure it out. Such were the limits of mortals. Too wrapped up in their own world to see the many possibilities. She walked towards the Hulk, looked up at him and narrowed her eyes. Loki did his best innocent look, but he was sure it wouldn’t fool her. Nothing really did. The Hulk didn’t even notice her, however, as he was too busy hugging Loki close like a child with a doll.
“Well, we can keep him in the tower afterwards. Make sure he doesn’t do anything funny after the day.” Barton was trying so hard to argue why only one day of prison would be fine for Loki. Both Tony and the captain were easily persuaded and even Thor was starting to like the idea. Then Barton said something that made all the men straighten up. “I’ll keep an eye on him. Closely.”
“Oh, right.” Tony crowded Barton’s space with his arms folded over his chest. “I have cameras throughout the tower, I’m sure you don’t need to keep an eye on him.”
“We’ll all keep an eye on him.” Oh, poor Captain. He really didn’t want to be left out. Also, all those stolen glances at Loki were kind of endearing. But all thoughts of that were stripped from his mind the moment he felt the arms around him tighten.
“Yay! Puny god stay! Hulk take care of Puny god!” The Hulk jumped up and down in glee causing cracks on the pavement.
“No, Hulk.”
“Hulk take care of Puny god!” Loki knew he had to stop this beast from squeezing the life out of him. He swore he could hear his bones cracking. He could not endure this violent affection any longer. Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile and wiggled one arm out of the beast’s embrace. Slowly, he caressed the side of the creature’s face and did his best caring expression.
“I’m sure you’ll take very good care of me.” He made sure that each word was said slowly and sensually. It seemed to do the trick as Hulk visibly relaxed and began to shrink. Loki felt himself slowly be brought to the floor as Bruce became the man holding him instead, and by the look on his face, wasn’t about to let go. He smiled sweetly up at Loki and despite himself, Loki felt the urge to smile back. There was a sweet tenderness in his gaze that the other avengers sorely lacked. Speaking of which, all the other men, besides Thor, were busy glaring at Bruce with more than a hint of jealousy in their eyes. Even Romanov seemed affected as her mouth gaped. Though, Loki supposed her jealousy was for another reason.
“Seriously!” Romanov sputtered. “Something is wrong here.”
“Nothing is wrong, Lady Natasha.” Thor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “My brother’s feeble attempt to attack the city was easily thwarted. So, I find the proposal of him being imprisoned for one day favorable.”
It made sense. For Thor that was. In Asgard, people have been outright pardoned for more serious crimes. He damaged a few buildings, terrorized a few people. It wasn’t that big of a deal. Just a normal Tuesday really. If Thor had done this to a village in any of the other eight realms, he would probably had been sent to his rooms for a few days. Loki sighed. Who was he fooling? Thor would probably had been praised regardless with no fault brought to him. They would even have a feast and ask him to regale the tale. He was the golden son after all. It was only Loki who would get punished.
“What about all the other things he has done?” Romanov demanded. Well, that was a bit harder to pardon. Even Loki could admit that, but he couldn't have his admirers worry about that. He needed to use thier affection to his advantage. He had to get them on his side. All of them.
“I promise I won’t do anything evil anymore.” Loki did his best to sound remorseful and weak. Enough to gain sympathy. He wasn’t completely lying. Why would he do anything else when all the avengers would be at his disposal? Of course, Romanov won’t but he was sure she’d come around when all her superiors are just as love struck as well. Why hadn’t he thought of this? Midgard would easily come under his rule now if he had wanted it to. However, the looks the avengers were giving him was satisfying enough. Yes, adore me. He thought as his eyes caught the Captain’s making his face turn bright red. So, satisfying.
“Truly, brother?” There were unshed tears in Thor’s eyes that made Loki’s own roll. Ridiculousness. It was then that he realized Bruce still hadn’t moved his arms. Oh, the sweet admiration of Dr. Banner. The intensity of his affections reflected in those eyes looking at him like he was a wonder to behold. This was how things should be. Everyone looking at him with nothing but admiration and affection. Now Thor would know what it was like in the shadows. None of his shield brothers would even care for his company now.
“That’s all I need! It’s all in the past.” Tony shrugged and moved towards Bruce and Loki obviously disapproving of the doctor’s prolong holding of him. Loki liked this. They all wanted his attentions. Tony nodded and placed a hand on Loki’s shoulder gaining a wince from Bruce. “This is now.”
“Friends, this is a glorious day indeed. It truly warms my heart to see you have all chosen forgiveness.” Oh, foolish Thor. Foolish, dim witted Thor. He truly believed that his friends had just decided to forgive him and will take the god of mischief's word? Loki had a tough time suppressing a chuckle. This was going to be fun.