#avengers reader-inserts

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

He stared at you, his eyes full of emotions -- there was anger and frustration, curiosity and melancholy, but there was also a mild hope that reminded you of someone who was lost.

So, really, who was the lost creature? You wondered if he noticed the hypocrisy.

Part of you pitied him because you could see a damaged person.

The other part of you wanted to smack him for being so stubborn. He needed help, and he needed to let people help him.

"Thor has tried so hard to make you understand," you said, deciding now to throw in the big brother card. "And what you have done for him? You've tried to hurt him and oust him. Why? Would that make you feel better about what has happened to you?"

Loki stood there, contemplating what you had said. You could see that he was seething. Still, there was value in his rage -- it meant that you were getting under his skin. If you could not overpower a god, you had to destroy him from the inside out.

Only, you meant to rebuild him, too.

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

"Oh, fuck." You massaged your temples with the tips of your fingers, hoping that you could rub the pounding headache away.

What had you gotten yourself into?

You had charged ahead bravely without even allowing yourself options. Your bold behavior surprised you -- you were almost always one step ahead, contemplative and cautious. That was how it was for you in school. You never moved too far without at least understanding the components of your plan B.

But here you were. You pissed off the god that was keeping you hostage, and now you had nowhere to run.

Then again, did you even have a chance to begin with?

You wondered how else the conversation could have gone, and your stubbornness prevailed -- you would not have had that interaction any other way. Well, you could do without Loki's violence, but that was it. You played your cards on a whim, and now you were stuck with your hand.

You made your move, put on your best poker face, and now you were hoping for the best. You did what you could with the shitty cards that were handed to you.

Where had Loki gone?

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

The laboratory was like a maze, filled with abandoned equipment and safes full of failed, and likely illegal, experiments. Of course, the Avengers could not turn their nose quite yet -- they had a job to do, and they would do it for as long as they could still draw breath.

Natasha was having just as much luck. She scaled the height of the building, easily avoiding the lizards and moving past them. Obviously, Loki's henchmen were focused on Steve and Bruce at the entrance. Steve's idea to split up was successful.

She ran as quickly as she could, while utilizing as much caution as possible. She felt anxious, which was rare -- she was usually so calm and collected, but when it came to _____, who was not only a civilian, but someone close to her heart, a dear friend, she felt even more initiative to carry out the mission.

Natasha turned the corner, and she stopped in her tracks. She had lost focus for just a split second when she thought about what horrors _____ might have suffered, but that was a mistake. She should have been more careful because around the corner was a beast of great strength and cunning.

"Fenrir," she said under her breath.

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

"An abandoned laboratory, hm?" Natasha looked unimpressed. "So he's keeping her in there. I thought he'd more tenacious about where he did business." The radar had provided a signal that Loki had sent out -- he wanted them to come.

"Guess it doesn't matter where he kills his hostages," the pilot said.

"He's not going to kill _____," Steve replied stiffly. "Not if I can help it."

"We're going to help it," Natasha said, her steely gaze focused ahead.

Bruce was also glancing out the window. "I would recommend finding the best way in, but I think he's expecting us to come through the front. It'd be rude otherwise, don't you think?"

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

"Let me do the talking," Natasha said. "I have a feeling that Fenrir's not only fully capable of complex thought, but he's also clever. You'll help with the analysis afterward."

The both of you had been discussing the appropriate questioning strategy while Fenrir was being prepared for his MRI scans. Natasha seemed to understand where you wanted to go with the interrogation, and she supplied her own ideas and methods.

If Fenrir could be manipulated, this would work. You could only hope.

Natasha unlocked the door with her access card, and it slid open to reveal white-washed walls and a large room surrounded with glass. In the middle of that glass room, more like a prison, really, was a spacious table, where Fenrir lay. He was strapped down with heaving bindings around his legs, torso, and neck. There were wires adhered to his skin where his fur had been shaved and equipment hooked up to screens in order to monitor his reactions.

You realized that everything being done in this laboratory was an effort to save humanity from Loki's clutches, but you couldn't help but feel a bit horrified. Part of you actually pitied Fenrir for having to suffer through this.

Natasha seemed to read your facial expression right away. "Don't feel bad," she said. "He did try to kill you, and he succeeded in killing many of our soldiers."

"True enough," you muttered, though you weren't entirely convinced. He looked so helpless, strewn across that table on his side. His breathing was calm, likely only because of the sedatives, though you could see a certain disdain in his eyes as you rounded the corner. Even though he was obviously restrained, you did not want to wander too close to him.

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

You woke up with a headache, scanning around the room for something familiar. Nothing. You were laying upon the cushions of a circular seating area, the walls white and the flooring grey. Where the hell were you?

You barely recalled what had happened -- there was a flash of eerie light, the emotion of fear coursing through your veins. "Fuck," you said, realizing that you had been captured. All you could remember was that Loki was responsible.

"Such a coarse word -- hardly fitting for a lady."

You were exhausted, but you turned around to see Loki standing in the doorway. "Where am I?" you demanded.

"Oh, you're far, far away from freedom," he replied, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

"So you're going to talk to the big, bad wolf? That's your master plan?" Clint looked doubtful.

"Yes," you replied. "Thought you might like to be aware of what I'm doing."

"I do not like this idea," Thor said. "Fenrir is a ferocious beast -- he listens only to Loki. If we must talk with him, then I think I should be the one to do it."

You shook your head. "You can't do that, Thor. Fenrir is loyal to Loki, and Loki feels animosity toward you. If you step into that room, Fenrir isn't going to let you speak with him. He's going to be too upset to listen and even consider what you have to say."

"So we turn you into the pit and let you risk your neck?" Steve looked like he did not approve of the plan one bit.

"She'll be perfectly safe," Natasha said. "We're not going to put her in a place where Fenrir can attack her. We're just going to make sure that she fosters a calm environment for him, which means that neither we nor anyone else can be in the room."

"Why can't you do it?" Clint asked. "You're the professional interrogator."

"She can't do it," you said. "She already irritated Fenrir during our MRI experiment. Fenrir's not going to trust her."

[penguiduck]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

You were deep in thought as you paced down the hallway, papers tucked in your crossed arms. Of course, you weren't paying attention to where you were going, and as you neared a curved corner, you collided with someone.

Luckily, you caught yourself before you hit the ground, but your reports scattered in the air, sliding here and there as they floated to the floor.

"Whoops. Clumsy me." That voice belonged no one other than Tony Stark, and he did not seem apologetic in the least.

You gave him a questioning glance, though you quickly sank to the ground to pick up your papers. "Well, I'm no ballerina either." Truthfully, you weren't giving much thought to where you were going, so you couldn't be too angry with him.

Tony also helped you gather your things, but instead of handing your reports back to you, his eyes were focused on one of the pages.

"Give that back," you said, reaching toward him. "You're not authorized to read that."

"But it's about me. You're writing a novel about me? Your darkest fantasies and dreams? I'm flattered." He held you at arm's length as he skimmed the report.