King Loki

Chapter 39
Loki had never spoken to Tony Stark for so long before. Neglecting his usual daily duties to get things straightened out. Back and forth they argued. Stark making it clear that he didn't trust Loki and wasn't willing to give him that kind of power without specific condition.
Loki consistently getting more annoyed by the second, almost wished he'd kept his mouth shut, but he didn't give up.
They'd finally come to a point where both of them were beginning to seriously debate what they were willing to do. The conversation turned far more serious than even Loki expected. He hadn't known Stark could be this serious.
"You might not remember any of this to get a chance to change it." Tony finally said.
"I thought about that. The keystone you created seemed to have been lost, most likely it's wherever you managed to warp yourself to. If the Keystone survives the trip with me, we will redesign it to hold a letter of some kind." Loki had given this part a lot of thought. The chances of waking up in the past and remembering absolutely nothing was slim, but he might need a little something to get him to realize what he was remembering was real.
"Alright, easy enough. How do I know you won't come back here and make your reign as King more successful?" Loki growled. He'd explained this to Stark at least three times already.
"Because I never truly wanted Earth. It was an option I thought was the best out of any other. Given the chance to never return to this boring domain I will take it." Loki replied dumbing down the answer this time.
"And Cephera?" Tony's face hardened every so slightly. It was clear the inventor didn't approve of their close relationship.
"What about her?" Loki replied.
"If you are successful in going back, I want you to stay away from her. She doesn't need you in her life." Loki wasn't surprised by this command.
"The girl is a pass time. I assure you I won't be needing her if I were to change my past." Loki lied. It rolled off his tongue with ease. He knew he wouldn't be able to resist going after Cephera once more, but Stark didn't need to know that. Loki told him what he wanted to hear.
"I knew it. You bastard." Tony scolded. "I warned her about you. Told her not to get attached."
"All the more reason for you to help me succeed. I'll be out of your life and out of hers." Loki remained calm, forever keeping his face passive on the matter. Tony scrutinized him a moment.
"I'll need materials and Pepper. I'm going to need a helping hand," Tony smirked, his dark humor returning.
"This stays between the three of us then. The less people here that know about it, the better." Loki warned. "You have a week."
"A week?" Tony was shocked. "Are we forgetting about my current health issues?"
"Time is not on our side Stark. Something is brewing. The resistance have been far too quiet and I am no fool to think they've given up." Loki adjusted is grip on his scepter.
"I can't make any promises, but I'll see what I can do." Tony reluctantly agreed. Loki was still weary whether he could trust Stark or not. Only time would tell.
XxX
Cephera wasn't usually nosy. It was not often anything happened that made her question other people's secret behavior, but Loki's trip into Tony's room and the fact he hadn't yet come out worried her.
She wondered what he might be saying to her friend. Worried that talking wasn't on the agenda at all. The fact that Tony had been caught trying to undermine Loki made Cephera wonder if Loki was inside that room punishing him.
She didn't dare go in. That and three guards were blocking her path. They watched her with stiff stances, as if waiting for her to make a move.
"This is the third time I've passed by, and you're still here." Krystoff voice startled her from her thoughts.
"It's nothing. I'm waiting for Loki." Cephera replied.
"You look worried." He commented, placing a hand to her shoulder in concern. Cephera politely pushed his hand off her.
"Just wondering what's taking him so long." She replied, unwilling to share her full concerns with him. He hated Loki enough already.
"You don't know what he's doing? He didn't tell you?" Krystoff had that tone of voice he often got when trying to place Loki into trouble. Like Loki was doing her a great disservice by keeping her in the dark.
"I'm sure he'll tell me later. He seemed in a hurry this morning so it may be something he thought of on a whim." She replied trying to sound confident.
"Maybe," Krystoff replied. "I never kept secrets from you when we were together." He reminded her.
"My relationship with Loki isn't like the one with you and I don't expect it to be." Cephera glared.
"I'm sorry. I've overstepped. I miss you." He told her.
"Why can't you just be happy to be my friend?" She asked, frowning.
"Because I feel like I could have done better and I desperately wish I could have that second chance. I would be the man you deserve the second time around."
"You should have thought of that before you lost me. It shouldn't take me leaving and moving on for you to realize you had a shitty attitude." Cephera turned from him.
"I should have. You're right." Krystoff sighed. "If you ever need to talk, at least give me a chance to prove that I can listen." He offered before his footsteps signaled his departure.

Notes