I have this silly idea… lets imagine Loki (Gamora and Nebula too) can be free from Thanos and infinity war doesn’t happen at all.
Thanos influence wilted and died at some point and the universe is free of that ugly wrinkled wet paper tissue of a titan.
Loki’s punishment after the avengers wasn’t staying in a cell at Asgard, instead he was forced to do a sort of “community service” in Midgard.
Meaning: helping the Avengers and however of the team needed his assistance on missions.
He could do magic but restricted, of course. He couldn’t do malicious or destructive magic (nor illusions) at all.
Except at enemies and in that context it was also more controlled.
That didn’t stop him from annoying the team sometimes.
Doing mischief is in his name, a little bit of jokes and games is expected, right? On his own words he does it to “spice things up”
One of those things was making Steve stop talking for a while. Making him partially mute. In a harmless way of course.
(It sounds worse than it actually is)
Loki’s reasoning is that Steve talks and expresses more of what others expect of him than talking his mind. He got used to going through the motions, and being by himself, only caring when other people are in danger/at risk. Once they got to Bucky it was making sure Bucky was okay and comfortable.
He wants Steve to unwind for once in his life. And of course making him a little bit embarrassed. Its fun watching him blush and splutter after all.
For missions and work he can talk perfectly fine. In dire circumstances too. But on a normal Thursday?
Without the weight of the world on their shoulders? That’s fair game to him.
This little trick works this way:
Only some of Steve’s thoughts can be voiced out loud, but they’re completely out of context (of his train of thought) or uttered in the most inconvenient of times as they come (if Steve is screaming inside it will be voiced that way out loud).
Only him (Loki) and Steve can hear all of what the captain is trying to say and communicate that way if Loki is feeling like it. (Loki is not going to invade Steve’s mind more than that, even if its really tempting)
And Loki is so entertained by all of it (the mind of the captain, the endless confusion of the team, the jealousy that some of them feel, the discussions that seem unilateral but are really funny to him and make him laugh out loud) that he started to bring a bag of popcorn and soda everywhere.
Tony: Ok, So… how are you doing cap? Still can’t get a complete sentence yet?
Steve: Im so tired of this, and yes Tony I still can’t talk normally.
Loki: ohhh? My my Captain… Are you still trying to find a way out of it? You can’t. You’ll need to get used to it.
Steve: not you Tony. Loki!
Steve: i want to talk Loki! Let me talk, this is ridiculous.
Tony: no robocop, YOU shut up!
Loki: No. this is too entertaining, you think i want to end one of the only things that gives me joy? You’re out of luck Steven.
Steve: ughhh, fuck me… I hate you so much sometimes Loki
