King Loki

Chapter 33
"Is that all you've got?" Krystoff mocked Captain Rogers. He wasn't impressed by the mans strength like some were. He might have been some kind of impressive experiment to the humans, but to Krystoff he was just another mortal.
No matter how many insults Krystoff threw the Captains way, Steve Rogers proved he could at least keep his head. Krystoff enjoyed having this man acting as his practice dummy, even if he wasn't aware of it.
With each knock Krystoff gave Steve, he imagined it was Loki. Not because Loki was sharing a bed with Cephera, that didn't matter to Krystoff. Sex meant nothing, it was a physical act that brought pleasure. He hated Loki because Cephera looked at him with such hope and affection. Because the way Krystoff saw it, Loki stole Cephera from him, whether he meant to, or not.
Krystoff couldn't wait to see the day that Loki's true colors showed and Cephera would gaze at that man in disgust and regret. Krystoff would take her away and protect her like he always did and all would return to normal.
She was just confused was all. Probably her snarky sister saying rude things about Krystoff behind closed doors. Cephera was a kind girl, a good girl. In the end she would see what was good for her and come back to him. Until then, Krystoff would wait and grab hold of every opportunity he could get to make Loki look like the foul beast he is.
Steve Rogers was back on his feet and the two men were circling the mats once more, ready for combat. Krystoff kept his eyes focused on Steve, who also never removed his eyes from him. Krystoff launched forward, Steve dodged backwards and landed a blow to Krystoff's stomach.
They'd been sparring long enough now to realize this Mechanovian could take a real beating. Krystoff was not some squishy human. The blow barely winded him and gave him an opening to stretch his arm out across Steve's wide chest and throw him to the mats below.
Steve grunted against Krystoff's alien strength. "You'll be helpful in the field." Steve admitted pulling himself to his feet once more.
"I look forward to it," Krystoff said. It would give him something to do other than watching Cephera tag behind Loki all day. The King kept her close, smart move on his part, though he did notice a little tension in the air during the last week of breakfast with them.
Something was going on and Krystoff was dying to know what, but kept his mouth shut. The best thing for him to do was to watch silently.
"Has Loki given you orders yet?" Steve asked wiping his face in a towel.
"Not yet. I'm surprised. I thought he might be happy to get rid of me for a while." Krystoff was aware that the Resistance had gone quiet. They'd made one attempt to shut down the food trades to Loki's rubble city but Loki had sent someone to fix that already. Since then a week had gone by with a word from the rebels.
"It's been quiet. Too quiet," Steve Rogers said as if reading Krystoff's mind.
"If I were the enemy and I'd gone off the radar like this, I'd be out there somewhere plotting something major. I'd be putting all my ducks in a row as your people say."
"Agreed." Steve nodded. He grew silent, thoughtful before speaking again. "What do you hope to get out of this?" Steve asked. "I've heard the rumors about why you're here."
"Cephera and I have history that dates back 100's of years. It's not surprising she grew bored and confused. I believe her to be experimenting, she's a curious woman, and naive. I won't leave here without her." Krystoff replied.
"She seems pretty sure of her choice." Steve pulled his shirt back on after having ditched it when the room grew warm from combat.
"I know Cephera better than anyone here. She doesn't know what's best for her and just needs time to realize the truth." Krystoff's tone stiffened as did his posture. He didn't like the look Steve gave him either. Krystoff didn't even say goodbye to the superhuman. He left without another word.
He travelled through the halls knowing he wouldn't see Cephera in them. She was, no doubt, with Loki as she usually was. Tucked away in his tower or bedroom. It didn't matter. Nothing he would say would change her mind at this time, but his chance would come.
Reaching his bedroom he locked himself inside for some deep meditation and thoughtful planning. Exposing the King for the fraud he was wouldn't be easy and Krystoff was not below creating lies to trick Cephera. After all, it was doing her a favor to get her away from Loki. She was better off and safer with Krystoff.
"Hello," a heavily accented voice greeted Krystoff from across the room. Krystoff resisted the urge to jump, startled. He remained composed and instead glared at the white haired man sitting causally in a chair.
"It's rude to just enter someone's room whilst they aren't there," Krystoff said.
"Had to be done. We have private business to attend to." Krystoff had seen this man around. Never up close, but from afar.
"Do we? And who are you?" Krystoff was somewhat intrigued as to what might be going on.
"They call me Pietro," he replied. "And you and I have a common goal." Krystoff titled his head to the side.
"Which is?"
"To get rid of Loki. Our reasons may be different but the goal is the same." Pietro shrugged.
"And here I thought you were Loki's new pet?" Krystoff was amused, recognizing the name. This was the speedy human.
"He likes to think so," Pietro replied with a smirk.
"I assume you have a plan. I'm willing to hear you out. Maybe..., just maybe if your plan is beneficial to me, I'll help." Krystoff smiled and took a seat. It wouldn't hurt to at least listen.

Notes