I Don't Sleep (I Dream) 3/3
Natasha strolled through the offices with the air of confidence that a woman like Natalie would need to have. She believed in an equal workplace and took pride in her work despite the fact that she was a PA. If pressed, Natasha could recite entire monologues that Natalie would know if she was a real person, and smiled at the few people that glanced her way. None of them seemed to pay her much attention though, which was a good sign. There was a bluetooth device in her ear because she needed to be able to hear Clint if she needed to run.
“So far, so clear,” Clint said in her ear. Clint was a rare form of point that tended to keep their distance from the heat of the action until he was needed. It was not a bad thing because he often drew crowds away from the dreamer. Natasha stopped in front of Loki's office and knocked a few times.
“Come in,” his voice said from behind the door. Natasha pushed the door open and flashed a smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Odinson,” she said walking into the room. “I'm Natalie Rushman and I'm working as Ms Leifdottir's assistant while Richard is on vacation.” Loki did not know that Richard was back from vacation so he eyed her for only a moment.
“How can I be of service, Miss Rushman?” Loki asked. Natasha was not fond of metaphors but Loki reminded her so much of a snake ready to strike as he watched her. It unnerved her but she was well versed enough to hide her tells.
“I have a file that Miss Sif sent over for you,” Natasha said, handing over the file. As soon as Loki took it, her phone rang and Loki looked up at her. “May I take this?”
“By all means.” Loki did not look up as he waved her off and began to look through the file.
“Plant the seed, Tasha. Use the keywords as many times as possible,” Steve said. “And administer the sedative.”
“Yes, thank you, I will do that,” Natasha replied and she hung up the phone. “Mr. Odinson, Miss Sif said that your brother contacted her.” As she suspected Loki's back stiffened at the mention of Thor.
“And why would he do that?” Loki asked carefully.
“Still all clear,” Clint said in her ear.
“Just to remind you that the two of you are due at a family dinner the day after tomorrow. Mr. Odinson wanted to make sure that Miss Sif was invited since it is a family affair.” All of Clint's research (and stalking, depending on who you asked) showed that Loki drank coffee when he was irritated. The mere mention of Thor was enough to irritate him and he eyed the coffee pot across the room. Natasha followed his gaze to the pot. “Do you need a cup, sir?”
“If you don't mind, Miss Rushman,” Loki said, sitting back in his chair. She could feel his eyes watching her as she made the coffee.
“How do you take it, sir?” she asked. Clint had not been able to give her a definite answer as to how Loki took his coffee so the sugar and cream were both spiked.
“Just cream, please,” Loki said as Natasha finished the cup. The cream was spoiled as well and would be a good enough reason to get Loki to leave the office and follow her as the sedative kicked in. She handed him a cup and he took a long drink. His face twisted in distaste and he looked at the coffee. “Someone let the cream spoil again.” He stood, no doubt to go yell at someone, and went to walk pass Natasha. He stumbled once and she reached out to take his arm.
“ Are you all right, sir? You don't look so well,” she said holding him steady. “Let me help you to the restroom.”
“Very well,” Loki grumbled and they walked out into the office.
“Keep an eye out, Tasha, but they don't seem to be interested. When you're two doors away I'm going to make my way over there,” Clint said. Natasha was two doors away from the office and she knew that no one else was watching. Loki was stumbling as they came to the door and no one seemed to notice when she practically carried him into a conference room. Loki was nearly unconscious by the time they got to the conference room and he did not see the faces of anyone else on the team.. As she laid him down Natasha noticed the small smirk on his lips. He looked amused about something, like he was trying so hard to keep from laughing, and it turned her stomach. Clint joined them moments later and Natasha knew he noticed the smirk as soon as he saw Loki. She trusted Clint, and if he said he did not trust Loki then she did not either.
“Are you ready, Clint?” Steve asked as he helped Bruce and Tony with the lines. Thor knelt down next to his brother and smoothed out his suit. Natasha knew that his heart was in the right place but she could not shake the immorality of the entire situation.
“Yes,” Clint replied tersely.
“I'm all set here,” Bruce said. Natasha laid down on the ground and ignored the pinch in her arm from the needle. “Good luck.” Bruce pushed the button and the PASIV rushed to life. Loki was still smirking, even in his sleep, and as the somnacin rushed through his veins Natasha hoped that Clint was going to be wrong just this once.
---
Steve opened his eyes and immediately knew that something was wrong. The apartment building was supposed to be bright and airy but this one resembled a dungeon more than an apartment. Someone had changed the design, and he knew that it was not Clint. His phone rang and he picked up.
“Please tell me I'm alone in the basement for a good reason,” Steve said.
“No,” Natasha said firmly. “Loki is changing the dream somehow. The maze is completely reworked.
“Who are you with?” Steve asked, putting a hand on his weapon.
“Tony and Thor. Do you know where Clint is?” she asked.
“Right here,” Clint called from down the hallway and he jogged to catch up with Steve. There was a gun on his hip and a collapsible bow on his back. Clint had an creative set of quivers for a job like this and liked the simplicity of it for when he needed to be on the front lines. Steve clicked the phone to speaker. “No sign of any projections or Loki. We're completely alone. This is not my maze.”
“I don't know what that jackass did. I've never seen a mark change a level before,” Tony said and he sounded furious.
“Please hold your tongue concerning my brother,” Thor said firmly. “He is many things but he is still my brother.”
“Well your brother might have botched the entire job,” Clint said. “We need to find him and figure out how to swing this our way.”
“Start to look around and get a feel of what we're dealing with. What did Bruce say about this formula? What are our odds of dropping into limbo?”
“He said he was 95% sure that we would not fall into limbo but there was no way of testing it without dropping someone. One of his rats did not wake up with this formula,” Tony said. 95% was a lot better than what Cobb had had when he had done an inception job but it still made Steve's insides twist.
“Natasha, I want you to keep Tony and Thor with you and start to look around. Keep in regular contact and get in touch as soon as you find something,” Steve said.
“Affirmative,” Natasha replied. Steve trusted Tony and Thor with Natasha, who was one of the most capable people he knew, and he hung up. “Don't say it.”
“I wasn't going to,” Clint snapped. He ran his hands through his blond hair and made it stick up in all directions. “I wasn't going to say that I fucking told you so.”
“And there it is,” Steve pulled out his gun and checked his ammo. “Do you want to stick together?”
“When we find the projections, I'm the one they are going to go after. I should be on my own because I have a feeling they are going to be creative,” Clint said. “I can handle myself.”
“I never doubted that,” Steve said.
“No, you just doubted my instincts.” Clint pulled out his gun and checked its ammo. Steve wanted nothing more than to argue that there was no evidence, but it would be pointless now. Something was not right and fighting was just going to agitate Clint more.
“Keep in contact,” Steve said.
“Yes, sir,” Clint said, turning and starting down one of the dark hallways. Steve watched him vanish around the corner. He was not going to let this job fall apart, he was going to fight for it, whatever it took. They could do this, he was sure of it, his team could handle anything. Steve pulled out his gun and began to walk down the hallway. The sinister feeling in the air and the dreary aesthetics of the dream made him wonder what he had gotten his team into.
---
“I do not understand what is happening,” Thor said as they made their way through the dream.
“Of course you wouldn't,” Tony said not even concealing his bitterness. Someone had destroyed his dream, his maze, and he hated it. “You're a tourist and you shouldn't even be here.”
“Mr. Stark, I am your employer--” Thor began but Tony turned on his heels, glaring. Thor had a good six inches on him and could probably break his spine with two fingers but he was not going to be bullied. The dreams were his home, his turf, and no one told Tony Stark what to do.
“Actually, Steve hired me and you hired Steve. I don't need your money, point break, and you certainly don't get to pull that 'employer' bullshit on me.” Tony stood a little taller as something dark crossed Thor's features. Tony briefly wondered if he was going to find out what it was going be like to get decked in a dream but Natasha stepped between them. Natasha was many things but no matter where she was or what she was doing she was a commanding presence.
“Why don't you both keep talking and alert the entire dream that we're here?” she said. “We need to start mapping this area out. Stay close to me and stop arguing or I'll leave you here to fend for yourself.” Considering the fact that they had no idea how Loki had managed to change the dream so drastically, being alone was the last thing Tony wanted. He was not the dreamer but that did not mean that they would not come after him.
“Yes, ma'am,” Tony said without a hint of mocking or irony. Natasha nodded, satisfied, and looked at Thor.
“I apologize, ma'am,” he said also completely serious.
“Good, now let's get going.”
---
Clint was furious. He was not even sure if 'furious' could possibly convey how angry he was. He knew that there had been something was off with Loki, he had tried to warn his team, but none of them had listened. Natasha had agreed with him but she had not tried to back him up either. It all just made him so angry he could scream. He had his bow in hand with an arrow nocked, ready to put a projection down at a moments notice. In the real world he was a very good archer, but realistically he needed to use a gun. In dreams, however, he was able to indulge in whatever he wanted and that meant that his collapsible bow was something he was able to use. He had two other pistols strapped to his person as well and there was no use in being subtle with ammo either. Loki was on to them, he was sure of it, he just did not know how.
Clint turned a corner and listened. He had not seen anyone yet, had not heard even a sound, and the dream seemed to go on forever. There was no telling how vast this maze was or what would happen if they tried to kick themselves out. He was halfway down the hallway when his keen ears heard someone moving behind a door on his right.
“I have movement,” he said into the comms. Steve started to say something but it faded into static. “Hello? Can anyone hear me?” He was met with nothing but white noise. There was no reason for that unless something was blocking his signal. Clint pulled the bluetooth device off and tossed it to the side, slowly making his way toward the door where he had heard the sound. There was no use in being careful; Clint kicked the metal door open and held his bow out. The room was small with an adjoining door to the side. He took a step inside and someone kicked the bow out of his hand. Clint turned to pull the gun from his hip but a hand wrapped around his neck and slammed him against the metal door hard enough that his teeth rattled.
“Hello, Mr. Barton,” Loki said, smiling with too much teeth, and he squeezed so Clint was gasping for breath. “I think it's time we had a chat.”
---
“Clint? Can you hear me? Natasha?” Steve asked but he was met with static. He thought he had heard Clint say that he had some sort of movement before the entire line went dead. There was no signal on his phone either. He turned a corner and touched the ground. There were boot prints on the ground, boots like the ones that Clint often wore in the dreams, which made no sense since they had gone in opposite directions. “A paradox maybe? Loop in the maze?” There was no one to answer him and Steve made his way through the dirt and dust following the prints. If nothing else, now that they had lost communication, they did not need to be alone.
Steve stopped and picked up a bluetooth device from the ground where Clint must have dropped it. Clint would have never done that unless he thought it was going to be some sort of distraction. Steve followed the boot prints to a door. There was evidence that the door had been kicked in at one point and was now closed again. Clint would not have done that unless he felt threatened and was trying to gain his bearings. Steve kicked the door in with his gun raised but he felt his blood turn to ice as a warm smile greeted him.
“Bucky?”
---
“We've lost all communication,” Natasha said, saying some rather nasty things in Russian. The entire atmosphere of the dream shifted and it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Tony and Thor must have felt it too because they both stood up a little straighter. Natasha raised her gun and turned a corner to find a hallway full of projections waiting for her. Men and women of all ages and sizes looked back at her and smiled the same, slick smile that Loki always did. Tony and Thor stared at the mass of people in front of them.
“We need to run,” Tony said.
“Yes,” Natasha said, taking a step back as the projections began to advance. “Run, now!” The pounding of feet told her that the chase was on.
---
Bruce blinked and glanced at his sleeping team members. For half a second he was sure that he had seen Clint flinch. That made no sense because he should have been too deeply asleep. Deciding he must have imagined it, Bruce turned back to his computer that was currently hacked into the security cameras all over the building. The projections seemed fine, moving through their duties, not snapping at each other, everything seemed fine. All he could do now was wait and hope that everything was going well below. He did not usually like going into the dreams, but having spent enough time with Tony, he felt confident in his ability to manipulate the maze to keep himself safe.
Movement in one of the cameras caught his eye and Bruce frowned deeply as he looked at it. Someone was standing in the middle of the lobby looking directly at the camera like he knew he was being watched. Bruce took control the of the camera and zoomed in on the person’s face and felt his eyes widen as the face became clear; it was Bucky. He pointed his finger at the camera like a gun and mouthed 'bang.'
The entire dream seemed to shift, Bruce could feel it, and every single projection in the building stopped what they were doing. Bucky was grinning like he had just won the lottery as all of the projections turned and looked at the cameras, looking at Bruce, and he knew they were coming.
Bruce triggered the lock down in the building, bolted the door shut and began to set up every trap he knew. Behind him, Clint flinched again.
---
If Clint was honest with himself, he was annoyed that Loki had gotten the drop on him. There were not many people that could do that in a dream or in reality, and the fact that this rich brat had done it annoyed him. The only way someone could have moved that fast in a dream was if that someone knew that physics did not apply here. Someone that was not just militarized but trained. There was a knife to his throat and if he so much as swallowed it would slice him open.
“I knew there was something off about you,” Clint sneered. Loki grinned and pulled Clint's gun out of his hostler, pressing the barrel against his temple. Clint made a mental note that the safety was on, but Loki obviously did not believe in trigger discipline.
“Let's not get snippy, Mr. Barton,” Loki said, pressing the knife in a little closer so that Clint had to try and become one with the wall so he did not kill himself. “We need to have a chat after all.”
“I have nothing to say,” Clint said.
“I was worried you were going to say that,” Loki said but he did not look worried at all. Instead he smashed the butt of the gun into Clint's forehead so hard that he briefly wondered if he was going get knocked out and the entire dream would collapse. He stumbled as pain exploded in his head and blood began to run into his eye. “This is the second time you've been in my mind and I want to know why.” Loki held the gun up and clicked the safety off.
“I knew that extraction was too perfect,” Clint mumbled, unable to stand from the swimming in his head; Loki packed a punch.
“I knew from the moment I walked into that restaurant, but I had a little help, too,” Loki replied. “But we're not talking about that. I want to know why you're here.”
“And I said I have nothing to say.” Clint barely finished his statement before a hard kick to his ribs made it hard to breathe. He coughed and he could feel the grinding that came from broken ribs, like every gasp of breath made it hurt more, and he hated the groan of pain that escaped from his lips.
“I can do this forever, Mr. Barton, but I'll shoot you awake if you tell me what my brother is trying to steal from me. Tell me what is so important that he is trying to perform two extractions on me. Tell me why he is trying to write me off.” Loki was screaming now, waving his gun, eyes so wide Clint could see the white around them. When he did not answer fast enough Loki kicked him again and he tasted blood. When he smiled, Clint knew his teeth were red because Loki did not know about the inception.
---
Steve felt the dream shake as he stared at Bucky. His friend was wearing the same clothes he had worn the day he died, but there was no blood and all of his bones were in place. Just the sight of him made Steve's stomach clench into a tight knot. There was no furniture in the room save for the small chair that Bucky was standing next to.
“Why is the dream shaking?” Steve asked, but Bucky smiled, walking toward him. He looked so real and Steve wanted nothing more than to close his eyes because his heart could barely stand the sight of him.
“Don't worry about that,” Bucky said, taking Steve's hand and pulling him further into the room. The gun that was in his hand was abandoned on the floor near the entrance, removed by swift hands that had once stolen them money for food. “I know you, Steve, I know you better than anyone, and I know you want to know why I'm here.”
“I followed Clint's prints here and I want to know where he is,” Steve said. There was another door connecting this small room to the next but he could hear nothing over the pounding of his own heart.
“I have a better question.” Bucky led Steve toward the chair and pushed him down into it. “How about how much you're trying to absolve yourself of guilt for my death that supposedly was just an accident?"
“Your death was an accident,” Steve said firmly, but he was not sure who he was trying to convince.
“If that was the case, I wouldn't have become a shade. I would have just wandered in your subconscious, popped up every now and then, but you're beating yourself up over it.” Bucky touched Steve's shoulder where the bullet had pierced him. “You hate yourself for letting go.”
“You know I do,” Steve whispered and he did not fight it when Bucky climbed into his lap, at the warm press of the body he knew so well, because he was right.
“And I'm still here because you won't let me go again,” Bucky said, running his fingers through Steve's hair and tugging at the small one's at the back of his neck just the way he knew Steve liked it, because this was Bucky and he knew everything there was to know about him. “I don't want you to ever let me go again.” Bucky kissed him and Steve lost himself in that touch, that talented tongue, and when the dream shook he only fleetingly thought about how Clint was usually so stable.
---
Natasha kicked the teeth of a an old lady in and shot her in the head. She did not flinch because she knew this was a dream, that the blood on her hands was not real; none of those things were making her stomach drop. The dream had shaken and that made no sense. Clint was a sniper and had learned years ago how to stand still in a way that most people could not understand. The reason he had the second level was because things could get dangerous and he was the most competent to keep it all together. She glanced at Tony and he nodded because he understood; if the dream felt unstable then there was something wrong with Clint.
“They are trying to keep us away from that hallway,” Thor said, nodding down a projection filled hallway to their left. “They have consistently tried to back us away from that hall, I am sure of it.”
“Are you absolutely certain of that?” Natasha asked over the gunfire, and the man nodded.
“I know when someone is trying to back me into a corner. We must go that way immediately,” Thor replied. Tony clearly wanted to argue but they could not just stand there and do nothing. The dream was unstable which meant that something was happening to Clint to make him nearly black out. The entire thing would fall down on their heads if he died and possibly drop them all into limbo.
“Lead the way. I'll provide back up,” Natasha said. Thor grinned and pulled a hammer out of nowhere as he began to bludgeon projections with it. Tony laughed like it was the funniest thing ever, and Natasha could only think about how Clint was right: he did do much better when smashing things with a blunt object.
---
Bruce loved traps and tricks but there was only so much they could do against the horde of projections. He was not eager to do so but there were lines of explosives around most of the building. Setting them off, however, could be dangerous to the dreamers under his care. If anything happened to them here they would only die slowly in the dream or fall into limbo. He could not risk any of that because despite his formula and his calculations there was still the chance that they would never wake up. Not to mention there was no way he could wait the dream out now because the projections would get through and tear them all to pieces.
He glanced over his shoulder, folded his hands and tried to buy them some more time before potentially blowing them all straight to hell.
---
Clint could barely see straight. If he died here, the entire thing would fall apart and he would send all of his friends to limbo, but there was only so much abuse he could take. His body was bruised and broken, Loki relentless as he grilled Clint over and over again about why Thor had ordered two extractions. The fact that he knew it was a dream was bad but the fact that he had not guessed they were planning an inception amused Clint more than he could possibly say. He spit blood onto the cold floor and tried to ignore the ache in his bones. None of it was real, he knew that, but it still hurt so much.
“Do you know how I knew about the extraction?” Loki asked, kneeling next to Clint and smirking. “That phone call before I walked into that restaurant with the person mocking Sif to my face. A young man phoned me and told me that it was a dream, and I told him I already knew that. Then he told me your names, where you live so I could find you topside, that my idiotic brother hired you, told me oh so much. Said he used to run with you all, a James Barnes?” Clint had to bite down on his tongue to keep from saying anything because of course it was Steve's shade that had ruined this. “Your friend, Steve, he cares about you, right?”
“Not enough to take my advice and get us the hell out of dodge the second I saw you,” Clint said through his teeth. Loki took his chin in hand and forced Clint to look at him.
“He's in the room right next door with Mr. Barnes as we speak. Your dream is shaking so he must know something is wrong, and he knows you're close because he followed your bootprints here, but he would rather be with his lover than look for you.” Clint spit blood into Loki's face and the kick he received made spots form in front of his eyes. Loki stood up and circled Clint again. He was going to die and possibly send them all to limbo but if he had to spend an eternity with these people he was grateful he would be able to use it to teach Loki a lesson.
---
Steve knew somewhere in the back of his mind that this was not Bucky, that this was not real, and that he was two levels down in the mind of someone that was probably unstable but he could not pull away. He knew he should snap Bucky's neck and not frame his face with his hands. He should get his gun and shoot Bucky, not pull him tight against his body. He wanted this so badly, so much, that nothing else seemed to matter.
“Let me protect you,” Bucky whispered against his mouth. “I can make them all go away so it's just us again but you need to let me help you.” It was tempting, it was so tempting, and he was moments from giving an answer when Bucky's back stiffened. Steve thought he heard movement and the door was kicked open by Natasha. She took one look at them and her eyes widened. “Do you mind? The room next door is being occupied but the rest should be clear.”
“Wait, what do you mean?” Steve asked.
“You didn't notice? I mean, he's been right next door the entire time.” Bucky smiled, a sinister smile unlike anything Steve had ever seen on him, and it felt like someone had dropped a ton of lead in his stomach. “I wonder if you were quick enough to get to him this time, Tas--” Natasha did not give the projection (projection, projection, that was a projection) time to finish his thought as she pulled the trigger. Thor, holding a giant hammer that made no sense at all, kicked the other door down and froze. Steve was on his feet in seconds and if he had any food in his stomach he might have lost it. Loki was standing over a beaten and bloodied Clint, smiling like this was the best day of his life, gun in hand.
“Ah, I was wondering when you would arrive,” Loki said. “And my brother tagged along for the ride. Now I can get my answers from the source. Why are--” Loki's speech was cut short when a dart hit his neck and he dropped to the floor in seconds. Steve turned and saw Tony putting away his tranquilizer gun.
“What? I didn't want to hear his villain rant. This is not the time,” Tony snapped as he closed the door leading into the rooms and bolted them shut. Natasha dropped to her knees and began to look Clint's body over to see how bad the damage was. Steve could not believe he had let a projection distract him when all of this was happening mere feet away from him.
“He knows,” Clint said.
“What does he know?” Natasha asked softly.
“Everything that matters. He knows our names, where we live; he's going to come after us in the real world. He knows about dreaming, he knows that we performed an extraction on him,” Clint replied and he swallowed. “He knows our weaknesses.” Clint only glanced at Steve for a second but he knew that it was directed at him. Loki had made sure that Steve was the one that Bucky found because he knew that Steve could not kill him.
“I promise you, nothing will happen. You have my protection, you are all under my protection, nothing will happen, I swear it,” Thor said but Tony waved him off.
“You can't make promises like that,” Tony said before he turned to Steve. “You want to explain why you were macking on Bucky while all of this was going down?”
“It doesn't matter,” Natasha said before Steve could even begin to defend himself, not that he had any excuses. “The job is lost. We should try to kick ourselves out of here and hope we don't fall into limbo. We failed.” An uncomfortable silence fell as Natasha ran her long fingers through Clint's hair and tried to soothe his wounds.
“Maybe not,” Steve said and they all looked at him.
“He knows that he's dreaming,” Clint said.
“Maybe we can use that to our advantage. Make him think that he woke up. Go to him as ourselves and not anything else. If we go down a level and show him that Thor did all of this because he cares maybe he won't come after us.”
“He thinks Thor is trying to cut him out, steal from him,” Clint rasped. “He told me as much himself. He does not know that this is an attempt at inception.” A million ideas whirled through Steve's head as he tried to put it all together.
“Natasha, I need you to forge as Clint. If he sees Clint perfectly healthy then he'll assume he woke up. Tony, I need you to contort the dream to as much of a replica of Thor's apartment as you can. I know your eye for detail and I know you can do it. He'll know how he got there so he'll assume he woke up. Then we find some way of convincing him that we aren't here to hurt him, that this was done with the best of intentions, even if it isn't the best way of doing it.” Steve chose to ignore Tony's scoff at that because it was not important. “If he forgives Thor he won't come after the rest of us. Only a professional would remember what happened three levels down, there is a good chance you won't remember,” Steve gestured to Thor who shrugged, “but it might be the only shot we have.”
“Loki's anger is directed at me. You are just things linked to that anger,” Thor said.
“Who will guard this level then?” Natasha asked. “You need me, Tony is the dreamer, you need to be there because you need to plant this crazy idea, and it won't work without Thor there.”
“I can do it,” Clint said as he pushed himself to his feet. A smart person would have pointed out that no, he couldn't, there was no way, and Natasha looked ready to do just that but he looked straight at Steve. “I can do it,” he repeated. Steve nodded and dreamed a PASIV into the room with them. They could not change the maze but at least they could do this. Natasha was whispering to Clint and he could not understand the words. Steve lay down as Tony began to set up his line.
“I hope you know what you're doing,” Tony mumbled and Steve could not hide the bitter laugh that followed.
“So do I but it's the only shot we have,” Steve replied. Tony finished setting up the PASIV and Clint knelt down next to the machine. “Hold them off until we get back and kick us out if it looks like it's all going to hell. I believe in you.” Through the blood and the bruises Steve saw that cocky grin he knew all too well.
“As you should. Don't have too much fun without me.” Clint hit the button and the world faded away for the third time.
---
Steve blinked and realized that he was far too thankful that he was standing in what looked like a perfect replica of Thor's apartment. Tony's attention to detail was second to none but that did not mean that Loki would not notice. Thor was also not the best actor but he really could not think of anything else that they could do. The sight of Clint was horrifying for a moment until he nodded a certain way that was so un-Clint like that Steve knew it was Natasha. The layout was exactly like the room actually was save for the absence of Bruce and the actual Clint. Steve hoped that Loki would believe that this was reality. He was asleep, still hooked up to an inactive PASIV.
“Whatever happens, just go with it,” Steve said. He wanted to tell them that he had a plan and it was going to be fine, but really he was just going to gauge how Loki reacted in the real world. If he was unhinged in reality as he had been in the dream he was not sure how extreme Steve was going to go. Everyone nodded because they seemed to think he knew what he was doing. Loki was beginning to stir and Steve kept a hand on his gun. Tony looked a little distant but he must have been tweaking the dream. It was going to make Loki's projections catch on. Loki blinked and looked at them.
“I knew it,” he hissed through his teeth. He was so angry that he was almost vibrating but he gave no indication that he knew this was still a dream. Three levels down could throw off the most seasoned dreamers but his team looked grounded. “I knew you were trying to steal from me.”
“The plan has changed, Mr. Odinson,” Steve said, keeping his voice even. “I was told by my associate that you know us.”
“I won’t let any of you get away with this, especially you, brother.” Loki spit out the word 'brother' like it offended him. Steve looked at them all and shrugged. He turned and pointed his gun at Thor and Loki's face fell. Thor looked taken back but he put his hands up slowly. “What is this? He hired you.”
“Yes, and I said the plan has changed,” Steve replied and he gestured to Natasha. She moved across the room as Clint, a flawless forge, and pointed a gun at Loki.
“Now, now, don't do that. I felt everything you did to me, you son of a bitch, but anything I do to you right now won't go away,” Natasha snapped. It was eerie because it was exactly the thing that Clint would say. The muscle in Loki's jaw twitched and it looked like he was holding something back.
“What did he hire you to steal?” Loki asked through his teeth.
“I was not trying to steal from you brother,” Thor said softly. “I just wanted to know why you were trying to cut me out of your life.”
“You're lying,” Loki snapped.
“He's not,” Steve confirmed. “And we did find the information. We know about your adoption and your plan to leave.”
“How boring,” Tony said, speaking for the first time. He looked pleased with himself and Steve almost wished he could see the work that Tony had just put into the level. Loki thought it was reality so his subconscious had not quite caught on yet but it would.
“We got the information, but you decided to try and hunt us down which we can't let happen,” Natasha said, cocking her gun for dramatic effect despite the fact that it was not needed. It was the right move because Loki paled considerably. “I was taught to get rid of the evidence and you're evidence.” Steve was not sure who was talking right now because it could have been either of them.
“Easy, Clint,” Steve said. “We'll make a deal here. You drop this vendetta against your brother and us and we'll let you both walk away from here. I don't think I need to say what will happen if we don't.” Thor looked up at Steve but said nothing. Steve was not sure what was going to happen because he could not shoot Thor without the risk of dropping him into limbo.
“I won't let this pass and you won't shoot either of us,” Loki said but he did not sound too confident.
“Are you willing to put your brother’s life on the line?” Steve said, moving his finger to the trigger and clicking the safety off.
“He's not my brother,” Loki said and Thor looked hurt in a way that was not acting. Steve hoped he was not losing his grip on reality and that he remembered that this was a dream.
“Blood does not matter. You will always be my brother no matter what happens. I hope someday you can forgive me for this act of violation. I will not try to justify myself to you because the only excuse I have is that I would do anything not to lose you.” The apology felt real and Steve wished that Loki would remember the entirety of it. He also hoped Thor would do it again in person.
“Last chance,” Steve warned. He glanced at Loki but then back to Thor. He saw Loki look at the ground and say nothing. Thor closed his eyes and nodded because there was no way around this. Steve knew that as well because threats would not work on someone like Loki. Thor knew the risks and he had nodded nevertheless. Steve pulled the trigger and Thor dropped to the ground, blood seeping from the head wound. Loki's head snapped up, his eyes wide like he could not believe what was happening.
---
Clint could feel his broken ribs grinding against each other as he fired shot after shot at the projections but they just kept coming. They were trying to corner him in the room with the others and it was working better than he wanted it to. He threw a grenade out and closed the door, bracing against it. The hiss of the PASIV was the only sound for a moment as the projections regrouped. He looked toward the team and tried to resist the urge to kick Loki's teeth in for using him like a human punching bag.
Thor gasped awake and Clint would admit to no one (well, he would probably tell Natasha, but she didn't count) that he let out an extremely manly yell of surprise. The man glanced around as if he could not believe what had just happened and wincing like something hurt Clint was about to ask what had happened because someone only got that look when they had just woken up in an extremely unpleasant way when someone slammed against the door. Thor looked up and scrambled over to help Clint hold the door shut. Projections would find a way to get through the steel door if it was the last thing they did.
“What happened?” Clint asked, breathless and wishing he could just lie down.
“I think Steve has a plan,” Thor replied. Clint did not say that Steve always had a plan but that did not mean it was a good one, because it would have been unhelpful and he needed Thor to help him keep the door closed but it was a close thing.
---
Bruce set off the explosions and felt the building rock. They were running out of time because the explosions were the last line of defense. He had some guns but Bruce had never been that great with them. He loaded up a rifle and put himself between the door and his team. He glanced over his shoulder and tried to will all of them to wake up.
---
Steve glanced at Natasha and she nodded slightly. He trusted her and told Tony to guard Loki as she ran out of the room, saying that she needed to do crowd control against anyone who could have heard the shot. Loki did not seem to care much as he crawled over to the body of Thor and looked down at him. There was no doubt in his mind that Loki thought they were in reality now and that he had just lost his brother. Steve knew that look in Loki's eyes, what it felt like to lose someone that you cared about more than anything, and he would not wish it on anyone.
“His blood is on your hands,” Steve said because he knew that feeling, what it felt like to have blood on your hands that would never go away. Steve tried to compose himself because this was a dream, he knew that, but he also knew that look and how much it hurt.
“I heard gunshots!” a voice called from the room where Natasha had gone. “Loki! Thor! Where are you?” Moments later Sif burst through the door and Steve loved Natasha's instincts more than anything right now because that was perfect. She raced over to Loki and fell to her knees. “Loki, what happened?”
“I didn't-” Loki stammered still floored by the sight of Thor.
“Yes, you did,” Tony said walking around them and keeping a gun on Loki. “Tell her what you did.”
“Loki?” Natasha asked, tears in her eyes as Sif. “He's your brother. You love him, and he loves you. What did you do?”
“He's not my brother,” Loki whispered.
“Of course he is!” Natasha was practically screaming. “He would move the world for you and you know it. He's your brother and he loves you.” Loki looked down at Thor and said nothing. Steve was about to add something, to tell him about how this guilt was never going to fade, but the dream tilted and the dream crumbled.
---
Steve blinked awake to see Thor already on the ground a bullet hole between his eyes and Clint barely holding the door closed. Their eyes met as hands clawed at Clint. Without a moments hesitation Clint fired and the last thing Steve saw were people starting to drag Clint to the ground.
---
Steve opened his eyes and looked around. Natasha was leaning over Clint who was still asleep but he gasped awake moments later. He looked a little green and Steve did not want to think about how Clint must have been kicked out of the dream. Everyone else was awake and Bruce was staring at them with wide eyes.
“I'll explain later. Right now we need to get out of here,” Steve said.
“Right away,” Bruce said, pushing a button as a painless toxic gas began to fill the room. It made him sleepy and it was the most painless way Bruce had come up with to wake everyone up. As he collapsed to the ground Steve closed his eyes tight against the sight of his friends dying.
---
Steve eyed his coffee with distaste. It was not that he disliked the beverage but it felt like it was going to replace his blood if he did this any longer. He watched the people walking on the sidewalk for a moment
. It was peaceful and it eased some of the tension from his shoulders. After nearly ten minutes of watching people walk by Steve felt more relaxed than he had in a long time. He barely noticed someone sitting down at the table with him but he looked across without worry.
“Hey, Bucky,” Steve said.
“You're such a cliché with the cafe and perfect spring weather,” Bucky said with a grin. “Couldn't you dream up a better place for us to meet? Maybe something historical. I've always wondered how I'd do in a World War II dream.”
“We won't be meeting again,” Steve said, and it hurt to watch the way Bucky's grin fell from his face.
“Of course we will. You're not going to let me go again so we'll always see each other,” Bucky said.
“Actually I think I should let you go this time, Buck.” Steve folded his hands on the table and stared at the man he loved and missed more than anything. “It was an accident and I think it's time I accepted that. I didn't let you go on purpose soI have nothing to feel guilty about, and you will eventually fade away.”
“You love me,” Bucky said angrily. “You lusted after me for years and you could barely let me out of your sight when you finally got me. What makes you think you can get rid of me that easily?”
“I don't.” Steve shrugged and Bucky recoiled like he had been slapped. “I don't expect that I'll ever get rid of you because I'll never forget you and I don't think I want to. I just hope you become like the real Bucky now that the guilt has gone away. You're part of me, literally and figuratively, and I accept that now.” Steve pushed himself to his feet and leaned down pressing his lips to Bucky's forehead. “I'm sorry that I dropped you but I can't taint your memory anymore by twisting you into something this ugly in my head.”
“What if I've always been this ugly? What if I was always capable of selling you out?” Bucky asked, his eyes fixated on the table. His fists were white knuckle tight and Steve knew that his nails were biting into his palms.
“You weren't.” Steve turned his back on the projection and knew this was not going to be the last time he was going to see Bucky. He felt lighter though and he knew that was not the poison that he had put in his coffee kicking in. He stumbled and fell to the sidewalk. Projections walked around him like he was not there. As the world began to fade Steve felt hands on his cheeks and cool lips on his.
“I love you,” a voice that was barely there whispered and the dream faded.
---
Steve blinked awake and stared at the ceiling of Bruce's lab in Stark Tower. It had only been five minutes in the real world and less than twenty four hours since the job. Everyone was finished with the clean up and Thor was going to confront Loki soon. The man had vanished not long after Thor had returned from being debriefed at Stark Tower. Steve sat up slowly and realized that his cheeks were wet. It had been a long time since he had cried during a dream and when he looked over at Bruce he knew that Bruce was not going to ask why. They all had demons in their subconscious, shadows lurking in the corners, and they were not topics of conversation one brought up easily. Instead Bruce smiled slightly and removed the line to his PASIV.
“You all right?” he asked.
“I will be,” Steve replied honestly. Bruce nodded and helped him to his feet. They both walked out of the lab and into the living room. Pepper, Thor and Tony were all talking to each other quietly but there were easy smiles on their faces. Clint and Natasha were talking as well but they both fell silent when Steve entered the room. Tony looked like he wanted to ask about the dream but Pepper pinched his arm when he opened his mouth.
“Thank you for all of your hard work,” Thor said after a moment of silence. He had admitted that there were flashes from the third dream and moments from the second that he remembered but not all of it. Steve wanted to tell him to apologize to Loki, to try and work something out, but he could not fix the real world. “You all have an ally with me. Feel free to come to me any time you need any help.”
“Are you sure that's the best idea?” Steve blurted out without thinking about how rude that was.
“Yes, I am,” Thor said and he offered Steve a hand which he took carefully. He did not entirely trust this new alliance but having someone to fall back on would be a good thing. Thor went to every member of the team and thanked them personally. He looked like he wanted to say something else to Clint but kept it to himself. “I look forward to doing business with you all again. The money will be in your accounts in an hour. Thank you.” Thor walked into the elevator and the doors closed.
“I should get going,” Bruce said carefully. “Betty is threatening to do things with restraints that do not sound fun.”
“Keep in touch and remember the top floors of this tower are all R&D if you ever need somewhere to play,” Tony said, grinning. Bruce nodded and they all exchanged handshakes and hugs. Bruce could make a fortune with his new formula but Steve had a feeling he would not send it off without a 100% return rate. They were lucky no one had dropped into limbo but Bruce would not forgive himself if it failed.
“Steve,” Clint said. They had not spoken much since waking up from the dream and Steve had not asked when he woke up to the sound of Clint screaming. He could only imagine what kind of memories Loki's torment in the dream must have unlocked and Steve could not make himself ask. “I've decided to work with Natasha for a while.”
“I understand,” Steve replied because Clint did not trust him right now and if they needed time apart then he was more than willing to give it.
“You're going to be lost without me,” Clint said with an easy smile that Steve knew all too well. It was going to take time but he knew that Clint was going to forgive him someday.
“Of course I will but I'll manage until then.” Steve offered a hand which Clint took and they shook tightly. They were going to be okay.
“I'll see you around,” Clint said as he turned to Pepper and Tony. “Pepper, keep that asshole in line. And Tony? Your security might have some weird loophole in it.”
“Really. Would this be a loophole that is going to have your fingerprints all over it?” Tony said but there was a small grin on his lips. Clint smiled to himself as he caught the elevator.
“I can neither confirm or deny that statement,” he called out and the door closed. Tony muttered something under his breath as Natasha stood up. She strolled up to Steve and smiled softly. It was a private smile, one usually reserved for Clint, and Steve had only seen it once before.
“He'll come around,” she said. “And when he does we'll find you.”
“Whether I want to be found or not,” Steve said with a smile. Natasha laughed softly and said her goodbyes to Tony and Pepper.
“You sure you don't want to stick around, big guy?” Tony asked.
“No, I need to get back out into the real world. This luxury living just doesn't suit me,” Steve replied.
“Suit yourself,” Tony said, shrugging but he looked uneasy. Pepper elbowed him and he glared at her which she matched and then some. “Fine. Look, Steve, I know I've gone legit and all but.” Tony paused and Pepper elbowed him harder. “If you need someone for a job you should give me a call. I won't ignore you or threaten to have security haul you off this time.”
“I will, Tony, thank you,” Steve said. Pepper hugged him tightly and Tony refused his handshake for a much more casual fist bump and one armed hug. Steve walked into the elevator and listened to the hum of the gears as it slowly made its way down the ground. New York was warm and crowded and it was easy to fall into step. Steve vanished into the crowd as if he had never been there.
---
Thor pushed the door to his apartment open and was surprised to find Loki sitting on his couch. Since the attempted inception Loki had not been seen or heard from. Thor had promised his protection to the people he had hired and had listened carefully when Steve told him that inception was not a perfect science so there was a good chance it had not worked. The job had been a mess and there was a darkness to his brother that Thor was only now beginning to see. That did not mean he was not elated to see Loki sitting on his couch as if waiting for him.
“Brother, I can explain everything--” Thor began, determined to tell Loki as much as he could without giving his team away.
“I know what you were trying to do,” Loki said, holding up a hand. Thor stopped halfway to his brother and watched as he stood. “I feel like I should be yell at you and tell you that you should have come to me but we both know I would have lied. I was ashamed of my parents, the type of people they were and the things they did ,and I did not think you would see me as a brother anymore.”
“Your bloodline means nothing to me.” Thor took a few steps further and stopped so he was standing close but not too close to Loki. “You are my brother, and some piece of paper is not going to change that. I'm sorry I went about trying to keep from losing you so poorly.”
“And I apologize for leaving you no other choice.” Loki smiled and Thor pulled his brother into a tight hug. The inception had taken, his brother had forgiven him, and he was not going to lose his family.
Loki hugged his brother back and smirked to himself.
<-- back masterpost -->
“So far, so clear,” Clint said in her ear. Clint was a rare form of point that tended to keep their distance from the heat of the action until he was needed. It was not a bad thing because he often drew crowds away from the dreamer. Natasha stopped in front of Loki's office and knocked a few times.
“Come in,” his voice said from behind the door. Natasha pushed the door open and flashed a smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Odinson,” she said walking into the room. “I'm Natalie Rushman and I'm working as Ms Leifdottir's assistant while Richard is on vacation.” Loki did not know that Richard was back from vacation so he eyed her for only a moment.
“How can I be of service, Miss Rushman?” Loki asked. Natasha was not fond of metaphors but Loki reminded her so much of a snake ready to strike as he watched her. It unnerved her but she was well versed enough to hide her tells.
“I have a file that Miss Sif sent over for you,” Natasha said, handing over the file. As soon as Loki took it, her phone rang and Loki looked up at her. “May I take this?”
“By all means.” Loki did not look up as he waved her off and began to look through the file.
“Plant the seed, Tasha. Use the keywords as many times as possible,” Steve said. “And administer the sedative.”
“Yes, thank you, I will do that,” Natasha replied and she hung up the phone. “Mr. Odinson, Miss Sif said that your brother contacted her.” As she suspected Loki's back stiffened at the mention of Thor.
“And why would he do that?” Loki asked carefully.
“Still all clear,” Clint said in her ear.
“Just to remind you that the two of you are due at a family dinner the day after tomorrow. Mr. Odinson wanted to make sure that Miss Sif was invited since it is a family affair.” All of Clint's research (and stalking, depending on who you asked) showed that Loki drank coffee when he was irritated. The mere mention of Thor was enough to irritate him and he eyed the coffee pot across the room. Natasha followed his gaze to the pot. “Do you need a cup, sir?”
“If you don't mind, Miss Rushman,” Loki said, sitting back in his chair. She could feel his eyes watching her as she made the coffee.
“How do you take it, sir?” she asked. Clint had not been able to give her a definite answer as to how Loki took his coffee so the sugar and cream were both spiked.
“Just cream, please,” Loki said as Natasha finished the cup. The cream was spoiled as well and would be a good enough reason to get Loki to leave the office and follow her as the sedative kicked in. She handed him a cup and he took a long drink. His face twisted in distaste and he looked at the coffee. “Someone let the cream spoil again.” He stood, no doubt to go yell at someone, and went to walk pass Natasha. He stumbled once and she reached out to take his arm.
“ Are you all right, sir? You don't look so well,” she said holding him steady. “Let me help you to the restroom.”
“Very well,” Loki grumbled and they walked out into the office.
“Keep an eye out, Tasha, but they don't seem to be interested. When you're two doors away I'm going to make my way over there,” Clint said. Natasha was two doors away from the office and she knew that no one else was watching. Loki was stumbling as they came to the door and no one seemed to notice when she practically carried him into a conference room. Loki was nearly unconscious by the time they got to the conference room and he did not see the faces of anyone else on the team.. As she laid him down Natasha noticed the small smirk on his lips. He looked amused about something, like he was trying so hard to keep from laughing, and it turned her stomach. Clint joined them moments later and Natasha knew he noticed the smirk as soon as he saw Loki. She trusted Clint, and if he said he did not trust Loki then she did not either.
“Are you ready, Clint?” Steve asked as he helped Bruce and Tony with the lines. Thor knelt down next to his brother and smoothed out his suit. Natasha knew that his heart was in the right place but she could not shake the immorality of the entire situation.
“Yes,” Clint replied tersely.
“I'm all set here,” Bruce said. Natasha laid down on the ground and ignored the pinch in her arm from the needle. “Good luck.” Bruce pushed the button and the PASIV rushed to life. Loki was still smirking, even in his sleep, and as the somnacin rushed through his veins Natasha hoped that Clint was going to be wrong just this once.
---
Steve opened his eyes and immediately knew that something was wrong. The apartment building was supposed to be bright and airy but this one resembled a dungeon more than an apartment. Someone had changed the design, and he knew that it was not Clint. His phone rang and he picked up.
“Please tell me I'm alone in the basement for a good reason,” Steve said.
“No,” Natasha said firmly. “Loki is changing the dream somehow. The maze is completely reworked.
“Who are you with?” Steve asked, putting a hand on his weapon.
“Tony and Thor. Do you know where Clint is?” she asked.
“Right here,” Clint called from down the hallway and he jogged to catch up with Steve. There was a gun on his hip and a collapsible bow on his back. Clint had an creative set of quivers for a job like this and liked the simplicity of it for when he needed to be on the front lines. Steve clicked the phone to speaker. “No sign of any projections or Loki. We're completely alone. This is not my maze.”
“I don't know what that jackass did. I've never seen a mark change a level before,” Tony said and he sounded furious.
“Please hold your tongue concerning my brother,” Thor said firmly. “He is many things but he is still my brother.”
“Well your brother might have botched the entire job,” Clint said. “We need to find him and figure out how to swing this our way.”
“Start to look around and get a feel of what we're dealing with. What did Bruce say about this formula? What are our odds of dropping into limbo?”
“He said he was 95% sure that we would not fall into limbo but there was no way of testing it without dropping someone. One of his rats did not wake up with this formula,” Tony said. 95% was a lot better than what Cobb had had when he had done an inception job but it still made Steve's insides twist.
“Natasha, I want you to keep Tony and Thor with you and start to look around. Keep in regular contact and get in touch as soon as you find something,” Steve said.
“Affirmative,” Natasha replied. Steve trusted Tony and Thor with Natasha, who was one of the most capable people he knew, and he hung up. “Don't say it.”
“I wasn't going to,” Clint snapped. He ran his hands through his blond hair and made it stick up in all directions. “I wasn't going to say that I fucking told you so.”
“And there it is,” Steve pulled out his gun and checked his ammo. “Do you want to stick together?”
“When we find the projections, I'm the one they are going to go after. I should be on my own because I have a feeling they are going to be creative,” Clint said. “I can handle myself.”
“I never doubted that,” Steve said.
“No, you just doubted my instincts.” Clint pulled out his gun and checked its ammo. Steve wanted nothing more than to argue that there was no evidence, but it would be pointless now. Something was not right and fighting was just going to agitate Clint more.
“Keep in contact,” Steve said.
“Yes, sir,” Clint said, turning and starting down one of the dark hallways. Steve watched him vanish around the corner. He was not going to let this job fall apart, he was going to fight for it, whatever it took. They could do this, he was sure of it, his team could handle anything. Steve pulled out his gun and began to walk down the hallway. The sinister feeling in the air and the dreary aesthetics of the dream made him wonder what he had gotten his team into.
---
“I do not understand what is happening,” Thor said as they made their way through the dream.
“Of course you wouldn't,” Tony said not even concealing his bitterness. Someone had destroyed his dream, his maze, and he hated it. “You're a tourist and you shouldn't even be here.”
“Mr. Stark, I am your employer--” Thor began but Tony turned on his heels, glaring. Thor had a good six inches on him and could probably break his spine with two fingers but he was not going to be bullied. The dreams were his home, his turf, and no one told Tony Stark what to do.
“Actually, Steve hired me and you hired Steve. I don't need your money, point break, and you certainly don't get to pull that 'employer' bullshit on me.” Tony stood a little taller as something dark crossed Thor's features. Tony briefly wondered if he was going to find out what it was going be like to get decked in a dream but Natasha stepped between them. Natasha was many things but no matter where she was or what she was doing she was a commanding presence.
“Why don't you both keep talking and alert the entire dream that we're here?” she said. “We need to start mapping this area out. Stay close to me and stop arguing or I'll leave you here to fend for yourself.” Considering the fact that they had no idea how Loki had managed to change the dream so drastically, being alone was the last thing Tony wanted. He was not the dreamer but that did not mean that they would not come after him.
“Yes, ma'am,” Tony said without a hint of mocking or irony. Natasha nodded, satisfied, and looked at Thor.
“I apologize, ma'am,” he said also completely serious.
“Good, now let's get going.”
---
Clint was furious. He was not even sure if 'furious' could possibly convey how angry he was. He knew that there had been something was off with Loki, he had tried to warn his team, but none of them had listened. Natasha had agreed with him but she had not tried to back him up either. It all just made him so angry he could scream. He had his bow in hand with an arrow nocked, ready to put a projection down at a moments notice. In the real world he was a very good archer, but realistically he needed to use a gun. In dreams, however, he was able to indulge in whatever he wanted and that meant that his collapsible bow was something he was able to use. He had two other pistols strapped to his person as well and there was no use in being subtle with ammo either. Loki was on to them, he was sure of it, he just did not know how.
Clint turned a corner and listened. He had not seen anyone yet, had not heard even a sound, and the dream seemed to go on forever. There was no telling how vast this maze was or what would happen if they tried to kick themselves out. He was halfway down the hallway when his keen ears heard someone moving behind a door on his right.
“I have movement,” he said into the comms. Steve started to say something but it faded into static. “Hello? Can anyone hear me?” He was met with nothing but white noise. There was no reason for that unless something was blocking his signal. Clint pulled the bluetooth device off and tossed it to the side, slowly making his way toward the door where he had heard the sound. There was no use in being careful; Clint kicked the metal door open and held his bow out. The room was small with an adjoining door to the side. He took a step inside and someone kicked the bow out of his hand. Clint turned to pull the gun from his hip but a hand wrapped around his neck and slammed him against the metal door hard enough that his teeth rattled.
“Hello, Mr. Barton,” Loki said, smiling with too much teeth, and he squeezed so Clint was gasping for breath. “I think it's time we had a chat.”
---
“Clint? Can you hear me? Natasha?” Steve asked but he was met with static. He thought he had heard Clint say that he had some sort of movement before the entire line went dead. There was no signal on his phone either. He turned a corner and touched the ground. There were boot prints on the ground, boots like the ones that Clint often wore in the dreams, which made no sense since they had gone in opposite directions. “A paradox maybe? Loop in the maze?” There was no one to answer him and Steve made his way through the dirt and dust following the prints. If nothing else, now that they had lost communication, they did not need to be alone.
Steve stopped and picked up a bluetooth device from the ground where Clint must have dropped it. Clint would have never done that unless he thought it was going to be some sort of distraction. Steve followed the boot prints to a door. There was evidence that the door had been kicked in at one point and was now closed again. Clint would not have done that unless he felt threatened and was trying to gain his bearings. Steve kicked the door in with his gun raised but he felt his blood turn to ice as a warm smile greeted him.
“Bucky?”
---
“We've lost all communication,” Natasha said, saying some rather nasty things in Russian. The entire atmosphere of the dream shifted and it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Tony and Thor must have felt it too because they both stood up a little straighter. Natasha raised her gun and turned a corner to find a hallway full of projections waiting for her. Men and women of all ages and sizes looked back at her and smiled the same, slick smile that Loki always did. Tony and Thor stared at the mass of people in front of them.
“We need to run,” Tony said.
“Yes,” Natasha said, taking a step back as the projections began to advance. “Run, now!” The pounding of feet told her that the chase was on.
---
Bruce blinked and glanced at his sleeping team members. For half a second he was sure that he had seen Clint flinch. That made no sense because he should have been too deeply asleep. Deciding he must have imagined it, Bruce turned back to his computer that was currently hacked into the security cameras all over the building. The projections seemed fine, moving through their duties, not snapping at each other, everything seemed fine. All he could do now was wait and hope that everything was going well below. He did not usually like going into the dreams, but having spent enough time with Tony, he felt confident in his ability to manipulate the maze to keep himself safe.
Movement in one of the cameras caught his eye and Bruce frowned deeply as he looked at it. Someone was standing in the middle of the lobby looking directly at the camera like he knew he was being watched. Bruce took control the of the camera and zoomed in on the person’s face and felt his eyes widen as the face became clear; it was Bucky. He pointed his finger at the camera like a gun and mouthed 'bang.'
The entire dream seemed to shift, Bruce could feel it, and every single projection in the building stopped what they were doing. Bucky was grinning like he had just won the lottery as all of the projections turned and looked at the cameras, looking at Bruce, and he knew they were coming.
Bruce triggered the lock down in the building, bolted the door shut and began to set up every trap he knew. Behind him, Clint flinched again.
---
If Clint was honest with himself, he was annoyed that Loki had gotten the drop on him. There were not many people that could do that in a dream or in reality, and the fact that this rich brat had done it annoyed him. The only way someone could have moved that fast in a dream was if that someone knew that physics did not apply here. Someone that was not just militarized but trained. There was a knife to his throat and if he so much as swallowed it would slice him open.
“I knew there was something off about you,” Clint sneered. Loki grinned and pulled Clint's gun out of his hostler, pressing the barrel against his temple. Clint made a mental note that the safety was on, but Loki obviously did not believe in trigger discipline.
“Let's not get snippy, Mr. Barton,” Loki said, pressing the knife in a little closer so that Clint had to try and become one with the wall so he did not kill himself. “We need to have a chat after all.”
“I have nothing to say,” Clint said.
“I was worried you were going to say that,” Loki said but he did not look worried at all. Instead he smashed the butt of the gun into Clint's forehead so hard that he briefly wondered if he was going get knocked out and the entire dream would collapse. He stumbled as pain exploded in his head and blood began to run into his eye. “This is the second time you've been in my mind and I want to know why.” Loki held the gun up and clicked the safety off.
“I knew that extraction was too perfect,” Clint mumbled, unable to stand from the swimming in his head; Loki packed a punch.
“I knew from the moment I walked into that restaurant, but I had a little help, too,” Loki replied. “But we're not talking about that. I want to know why you're here.”
“And I said I have nothing to say.” Clint barely finished his statement before a hard kick to his ribs made it hard to breathe. He coughed and he could feel the grinding that came from broken ribs, like every gasp of breath made it hurt more, and he hated the groan of pain that escaped from his lips.
“I can do this forever, Mr. Barton, but I'll shoot you awake if you tell me what my brother is trying to steal from me. Tell me what is so important that he is trying to perform two extractions on me. Tell me why he is trying to write me off.” Loki was screaming now, waving his gun, eyes so wide Clint could see the white around them. When he did not answer fast enough Loki kicked him again and he tasted blood. When he smiled, Clint knew his teeth were red because Loki did not know about the inception.
---
Steve felt the dream shake as he stared at Bucky. His friend was wearing the same clothes he had worn the day he died, but there was no blood and all of his bones were in place. Just the sight of him made Steve's stomach clench into a tight knot. There was no furniture in the room save for the small chair that Bucky was standing next to.
“Why is the dream shaking?” Steve asked, but Bucky smiled, walking toward him. He looked so real and Steve wanted nothing more than to close his eyes because his heart could barely stand the sight of him.
“Don't worry about that,” Bucky said, taking Steve's hand and pulling him further into the room. The gun that was in his hand was abandoned on the floor near the entrance, removed by swift hands that had once stolen them money for food. “I know you, Steve, I know you better than anyone, and I know you want to know why I'm here.”
“I followed Clint's prints here and I want to know where he is,” Steve said. There was another door connecting this small room to the next but he could hear nothing over the pounding of his own heart.
“I have a better question.” Bucky led Steve toward the chair and pushed him down into it. “How about how much you're trying to absolve yourself of guilt for my death that supposedly was just an accident?"
“Your death was an accident,” Steve said firmly, but he was not sure who he was trying to convince.
“If that was the case, I wouldn't have become a shade. I would have just wandered in your subconscious, popped up every now and then, but you're beating yourself up over it.” Bucky touched Steve's shoulder where the bullet had pierced him. “You hate yourself for letting go.”
“You know I do,” Steve whispered and he did not fight it when Bucky climbed into his lap, at the warm press of the body he knew so well, because he was right.
“And I'm still here because you won't let me go again,” Bucky said, running his fingers through Steve's hair and tugging at the small one's at the back of his neck just the way he knew Steve liked it, because this was Bucky and he knew everything there was to know about him. “I don't want you to ever let me go again.” Bucky kissed him and Steve lost himself in that touch, that talented tongue, and when the dream shook he only fleetingly thought about how Clint was usually so stable.
---
Natasha kicked the teeth of a an old lady in and shot her in the head. She did not flinch because she knew this was a dream, that the blood on her hands was not real; none of those things were making her stomach drop. The dream had shaken and that made no sense. Clint was a sniper and had learned years ago how to stand still in a way that most people could not understand. The reason he had the second level was because things could get dangerous and he was the most competent to keep it all together. She glanced at Tony and he nodded because he understood; if the dream felt unstable then there was something wrong with Clint.
“They are trying to keep us away from that hallway,” Thor said, nodding down a projection filled hallway to their left. “They have consistently tried to back us away from that hall, I am sure of it.”
“Are you absolutely certain of that?” Natasha asked over the gunfire, and the man nodded.
“I know when someone is trying to back me into a corner. We must go that way immediately,” Thor replied. Tony clearly wanted to argue but they could not just stand there and do nothing. The dream was unstable which meant that something was happening to Clint to make him nearly black out. The entire thing would fall down on their heads if he died and possibly drop them all into limbo.
“Lead the way. I'll provide back up,” Natasha said. Thor grinned and pulled a hammer out of nowhere as he began to bludgeon projections with it. Tony laughed like it was the funniest thing ever, and Natasha could only think about how Clint was right: he did do much better when smashing things with a blunt object.
---
Bruce loved traps and tricks but there was only so much they could do against the horde of projections. He was not eager to do so but there were lines of explosives around most of the building. Setting them off, however, could be dangerous to the dreamers under his care. If anything happened to them here they would only die slowly in the dream or fall into limbo. He could not risk any of that because despite his formula and his calculations there was still the chance that they would never wake up. Not to mention there was no way he could wait the dream out now because the projections would get through and tear them all to pieces.
He glanced over his shoulder, folded his hands and tried to buy them some more time before potentially blowing them all straight to hell.
---
Clint could barely see straight. If he died here, the entire thing would fall apart and he would send all of his friends to limbo, but there was only so much abuse he could take. His body was bruised and broken, Loki relentless as he grilled Clint over and over again about why Thor had ordered two extractions. The fact that he knew it was a dream was bad but the fact that he had not guessed they were planning an inception amused Clint more than he could possibly say. He spit blood onto the cold floor and tried to ignore the ache in his bones. None of it was real, he knew that, but it still hurt so much.
“Do you know how I knew about the extraction?” Loki asked, kneeling next to Clint and smirking. “That phone call before I walked into that restaurant with the person mocking Sif to my face. A young man phoned me and told me that it was a dream, and I told him I already knew that. Then he told me your names, where you live so I could find you topside, that my idiotic brother hired you, told me oh so much. Said he used to run with you all, a James Barnes?” Clint had to bite down on his tongue to keep from saying anything because of course it was Steve's shade that had ruined this. “Your friend, Steve, he cares about you, right?”
“Not enough to take my advice and get us the hell out of dodge the second I saw you,” Clint said through his teeth. Loki took his chin in hand and forced Clint to look at him.
“He's in the room right next door with Mr. Barnes as we speak. Your dream is shaking so he must know something is wrong, and he knows you're close because he followed your bootprints here, but he would rather be with his lover than look for you.” Clint spit blood into Loki's face and the kick he received made spots form in front of his eyes. Loki stood up and circled Clint again. He was going to die and possibly send them all to limbo but if he had to spend an eternity with these people he was grateful he would be able to use it to teach Loki a lesson.
---
Steve knew somewhere in the back of his mind that this was not Bucky, that this was not real, and that he was two levels down in the mind of someone that was probably unstable but he could not pull away. He knew he should snap Bucky's neck and not frame his face with his hands. He should get his gun and shoot Bucky, not pull him tight against his body. He wanted this so badly, so much, that nothing else seemed to matter.
“Let me protect you,” Bucky whispered against his mouth. “I can make them all go away so it's just us again but you need to let me help you.” It was tempting, it was so tempting, and he was moments from giving an answer when Bucky's back stiffened. Steve thought he heard movement and the door was kicked open by Natasha. She took one look at them and her eyes widened. “Do you mind? The room next door is being occupied but the rest should be clear.”
“Wait, what do you mean?” Steve asked.
“You didn't notice? I mean, he's been right next door the entire time.” Bucky smiled, a sinister smile unlike anything Steve had ever seen on him, and it felt like someone had dropped a ton of lead in his stomach. “I wonder if you were quick enough to get to him this time, Tas--” Natasha did not give the projection (projection, projection, that was a projection) time to finish his thought as she pulled the trigger. Thor, holding a giant hammer that made no sense at all, kicked the other door down and froze. Steve was on his feet in seconds and if he had any food in his stomach he might have lost it. Loki was standing over a beaten and bloodied Clint, smiling like this was the best day of his life, gun in hand.
“Ah, I was wondering when you would arrive,” Loki said. “And my brother tagged along for the ride. Now I can get my answers from the source. Why are--” Loki's speech was cut short when a dart hit his neck and he dropped to the floor in seconds. Steve turned and saw Tony putting away his tranquilizer gun.
“What? I didn't want to hear his villain rant. This is not the time,” Tony snapped as he closed the door leading into the rooms and bolted them shut. Natasha dropped to her knees and began to look Clint's body over to see how bad the damage was. Steve could not believe he had let a projection distract him when all of this was happening mere feet away from him.
“He knows,” Clint said.
“What does he know?” Natasha asked softly.
“Everything that matters. He knows our names, where we live; he's going to come after us in the real world. He knows about dreaming, he knows that we performed an extraction on him,” Clint replied and he swallowed. “He knows our weaknesses.” Clint only glanced at Steve for a second but he knew that it was directed at him. Loki had made sure that Steve was the one that Bucky found because he knew that Steve could not kill him.
“I promise you, nothing will happen. You have my protection, you are all under my protection, nothing will happen, I swear it,” Thor said but Tony waved him off.
“You can't make promises like that,” Tony said before he turned to Steve. “You want to explain why you were macking on Bucky while all of this was going down?”
“It doesn't matter,” Natasha said before Steve could even begin to defend himself, not that he had any excuses. “The job is lost. We should try to kick ourselves out of here and hope we don't fall into limbo. We failed.” An uncomfortable silence fell as Natasha ran her long fingers through Clint's hair and tried to soothe his wounds.
“Maybe not,” Steve said and they all looked at him.
“He knows that he's dreaming,” Clint said.
“Maybe we can use that to our advantage. Make him think that he woke up. Go to him as ourselves and not anything else. If we go down a level and show him that Thor did all of this because he cares maybe he won't come after us.”
“He thinks Thor is trying to cut him out, steal from him,” Clint rasped. “He told me as much himself. He does not know that this is an attempt at inception.” A million ideas whirled through Steve's head as he tried to put it all together.
“Natasha, I need you to forge as Clint. If he sees Clint perfectly healthy then he'll assume he woke up. Tony, I need you to contort the dream to as much of a replica of Thor's apartment as you can. I know your eye for detail and I know you can do it. He'll know how he got there so he'll assume he woke up. Then we find some way of convincing him that we aren't here to hurt him, that this was done with the best of intentions, even if it isn't the best way of doing it.” Steve chose to ignore Tony's scoff at that because it was not important. “If he forgives Thor he won't come after the rest of us. Only a professional would remember what happened three levels down, there is a good chance you won't remember,” Steve gestured to Thor who shrugged, “but it might be the only shot we have.”
“Loki's anger is directed at me. You are just things linked to that anger,” Thor said.
“Who will guard this level then?” Natasha asked. “You need me, Tony is the dreamer, you need to be there because you need to plant this crazy idea, and it won't work without Thor there.”
“I can do it,” Clint said as he pushed himself to his feet. A smart person would have pointed out that no, he couldn't, there was no way, and Natasha looked ready to do just that but he looked straight at Steve. “I can do it,” he repeated. Steve nodded and dreamed a PASIV into the room with them. They could not change the maze but at least they could do this. Natasha was whispering to Clint and he could not understand the words. Steve lay down as Tony began to set up his line.
“I hope you know what you're doing,” Tony mumbled and Steve could not hide the bitter laugh that followed.
“So do I but it's the only shot we have,” Steve replied. Tony finished setting up the PASIV and Clint knelt down next to the machine. “Hold them off until we get back and kick us out if it looks like it's all going to hell. I believe in you.” Through the blood and the bruises Steve saw that cocky grin he knew all too well.
“As you should. Don't have too much fun without me.” Clint hit the button and the world faded away for the third time.
---
Steve blinked and realized that he was far too thankful that he was standing in what looked like a perfect replica of Thor's apartment. Tony's attention to detail was second to none but that did not mean that Loki would not notice. Thor was also not the best actor but he really could not think of anything else that they could do. The sight of Clint was horrifying for a moment until he nodded a certain way that was so un-Clint like that Steve knew it was Natasha. The layout was exactly like the room actually was save for the absence of Bruce and the actual Clint. Steve hoped that Loki would believe that this was reality. He was asleep, still hooked up to an inactive PASIV.
“Whatever happens, just go with it,” Steve said. He wanted to tell them that he had a plan and it was going to be fine, but really he was just going to gauge how Loki reacted in the real world. If he was unhinged in reality as he had been in the dream he was not sure how extreme Steve was going to go. Everyone nodded because they seemed to think he knew what he was doing. Loki was beginning to stir and Steve kept a hand on his gun. Tony looked a little distant but he must have been tweaking the dream. It was going to make Loki's projections catch on. Loki blinked and looked at them.
“I knew it,” he hissed through his teeth. He was so angry that he was almost vibrating but he gave no indication that he knew this was still a dream. Three levels down could throw off the most seasoned dreamers but his team looked grounded. “I knew you were trying to steal from me.”
“The plan has changed, Mr. Odinson,” Steve said, keeping his voice even. “I was told by my associate that you know us.”
“I won’t let any of you get away with this, especially you, brother.” Loki spit out the word 'brother' like it offended him. Steve looked at them all and shrugged. He turned and pointed his gun at Thor and Loki's face fell. Thor looked taken back but he put his hands up slowly. “What is this? He hired you.”
“Yes, and I said the plan has changed,” Steve replied and he gestured to Natasha. She moved across the room as Clint, a flawless forge, and pointed a gun at Loki.
“Now, now, don't do that. I felt everything you did to me, you son of a bitch, but anything I do to you right now won't go away,” Natasha snapped. It was eerie because it was exactly the thing that Clint would say. The muscle in Loki's jaw twitched and it looked like he was holding something back.
“What did he hire you to steal?” Loki asked through his teeth.
“I was not trying to steal from you brother,” Thor said softly. “I just wanted to know why you were trying to cut me out of your life.”
“You're lying,” Loki snapped.
“He's not,” Steve confirmed. “And we did find the information. We know about your adoption and your plan to leave.”
“How boring,” Tony said, speaking for the first time. He looked pleased with himself and Steve almost wished he could see the work that Tony had just put into the level. Loki thought it was reality so his subconscious had not quite caught on yet but it would.
“We got the information, but you decided to try and hunt us down which we can't let happen,” Natasha said, cocking her gun for dramatic effect despite the fact that it was not needed. It was the right move because Loki paled considerably. “I was taught to get rid of the evidence and you're evidence.” Steve was not sure who was talking right now because it could have been either of them.
“Easy, Clint,” Steve said. “We'll make a deal here. You drop this vendetta against your brother and us and we'll let you both walk away from here. I don't think I need to say what will happen if we don't.” Thor looked up at Steve but said nothing. Steve was not sure what was going to happen because he could not shoot Thor without the risk of dropping him into limbo.
“I won't let this pass and you won't shoot either of us,” Loki said but he did not sound too confident.
“Are you willing to put your brother’s life on the line?” Steve said, moving his finger to the trigger and clicking the safety off.
“He's not my brother,” Loki said and Thor looked hurt in a way that was not acting. Steve hoped he was not losing his grip on reality and that he remembered that this was a dream.
“Blood does not matter. You will always be my brother no matter what happens. I hope someday you can forgive me for this act of violation. I will not try to justify myself to you because the only excuse I have is that I would do anything not to lose you.” The apology felt real and Steve wished that Loki would remember the entirety of it. He also hoped Thor would do it again in person.
“Last chance,” Steve warned. He glanced at Loki but then back to Thor. He saw Loki look at the ground and say nothing. Thor closed his eyes and nodded because there was no way around this. Steve knew that as well because threats would not work on someone like Loki. Thor knew the risks and he had nodded nevertheless. Steve pulled the trigger and Thor dropped to the ground, blood seeping from the head wound. Loki's head snapped up, his eyes wide like he could not believe what was happening.
---
Clint could feel his broken ribs grinding against each other as he fired shot after shot at the projections but they just kept coming. They were trying to corner him in the room with the others and it was working better than he wanted it to. He threw a grenade out and closed the door, bracing against it. The hiss of the PASIV was the only sound for a moment as the projections regrouped. He looked toward the team and tried to resist the urge to kick Loki's teeth in for using him like a human punching bag.
Thor gasped awake and Clint would admit to no one (well, he would probably tell Natasha, but she didn't count) that he let out an extremely manly yell of surprise. The man glanced around as if he could not believe what had just happened and wincing like something hurt Clint was about to ask what had happened because someone only got that look when they had just woken up in an extremely unpleasant way when someone slammed against the door. Thor looked up and scrambled over to help Clint hold the door shut. Projections would find a way to get through the steel door if it was the last thing they did.
“What happened?” Clint asked, breathless and wishing he could just lie down.
“I think Steve has a plan,” Thor replied. Clint did not say that Steve always had a plan but that did not mean it was a good one, because it would have been unhelpful and he needed Thor to help him keep the door closed but it was a close thing.
---
Bruce set off the explosions and felt the building rock. They were running out of time because the explosions were the last line of defense. He had some guns but Bruce had never been that great with them. He loaded up a rifle and put himself between the door and his team. He glanced over his shoulder and tried to will all of them to wake up.
---
Steve glanced at Natasha and she nodded slightly. He trusted her and told Tony to guard Loki as she ran out of the room, saying that she needed to do crowd control against anyone who could have heard the shot. Loki did not seem to care much as he crawled over to the body of Thor and looked down at him. There was no doubt in his mind that Loki thought they were in reality now and that he had just lost his brother. Steve knew that look in Loki's eyes, what it felt like to lose someone that you cared about more than anything, and he would not wish it on anyone.
“His blood is on your hands,” Steve said because he knew that feeling, what it felt like to have blood on your hands that would never go away. Steve tried to compose himself because this was a dream, he knew that, but he also knew that look and how much it hurt.
“I heard gunshots!” a voice called from the room where Natasha had gone. “Loki! Thor! Where are you?” Moments later Sif burst through the door and Steve loved Natasha's instincts more than anything right now because that was perfect. She raced over to Loki and fell to her knees. “Loki, what happened?”
“I didn't-” Loki stammered still floored by the sight of Thor.
“Yes, you did,” Tony said walking around them and keeping a gun on Loki. “Tell her what you did.”
“Loki?” Natasha asked, tears in her eyes as Sif. “He's your brother. You love him, and he loves you. What did you do?”
“He's not my brother,” Loki whispered.
“Of course he is!” Natasha was practically screaming. “He would move the world for you and you know it. He's your brother and he loves you.” Loki looked down at Thor and said nothing. Steve was about to add something, to tell him about how this guilt was never going to fade, but the dream tilted and the dream crumbled.
---
Steve blinked awake to see Thor already on the ground a bullet hole between his eyes and Clint barely holding the door closed. Their eyes met as hands clawed at Clint. Without a moments hesitation Clint fired and the last thing Steve saw were people starting to drag Clint to the ground.
---
Steve opened his eyes and looked around. Natasha was leaning over Clint who was still asleep but he gasped awake moments later. He looked a little green and Steve did not want to think about how Clint must have been kicked out of the dream. Everyone else was awake and Bruce was staring at them with wide eyes.
“I'll explain later. Right now we need to get out of here,” Steve said.
“Right away,” Bruce said, pushing a button as a painless toxic gas began to fill the room. It made him sleepy and it was the most painless way Bruce had come up with to wake everyone up. As he collapsed to the ground Steve closed his eyes tight against the sight of his friends dying.
---
Steve eyed his coffee with distaste. It was not that he disliked the beverage but it felt like it was going to replace his blood if he did this any longer. He watched the people walking on the sidewalk for a moment
. It was peaceful and it eased some of the tension from his shoulders. After nearly ten minutes of watching people walk by Steve felt more relaxed than he had in a long time. He barely noticed someone sitting down at the table with him but he looked across without worry.
“Hey, Bucky,” Steve said.
“You're such a cliché with the cafe and perfect spring weather,” Bucky said with a grin. “Couldn't you dream up a better place for us to meet? Maybe something historical. I've always wondered how I'd do in a World War II dream.”
“We won't be meeting again,” Steve said, and it hurt to watch the way Bucky's grin fell from his face.
“Of course we will. You're not going to let me go again so we'll always see each other,” Bucky said.
“Actually I think I should let you go this time, Buck.” Steve folded his hands on the table and stared at the man he loved and missed more than anything. “It was an accident and I think it's time I accepted that. I didn't let you go on purpose soI have nothing to feel guilty about, and you will eventually fade away.”
“You love me,” Bucky said angrily. “You lusted after me for years and you could barely let me out of your sight when you finally got me. What makes you think you can get rid of me that easily?”
“I don't.” Steve shrugged and Bucky recoiled like he had been slapped. “I don't expect that I'll ever get rid of you because I'll never forget you and I don't think I want to. I just hope you become like the real Bucky now that the guilt has gone away. You're part of me, literally and figuratively, and I accept that now.” Steve pushed himself to his feet and leaned down pressing his lips to Bucky's forehead. “I'm sorry that I dropped you but I can't taint your memory anymore by twisting you into something this ugly in my head.”
“What if I've always been this ugly? What if I was always capable of selling you out?” Bucky asked, his eyes fixated on the table. His fists were white knuckle tight and Steve knew that his nails were biting into his palms.
“You weren't.” Steve turned his back on the projection and knew this was not going to be the last time he was going to see Bucky. He felt lighter though and he knew that was not the poison that he had put in his coffee kicking in. He stumbled and fell to the sidewalk. Projections walked around him like he was not there. As the world began to fade Steve felt hands on his cheeks and cool lips on his.
“I love you,” a voice that was barely there whispered and the dream faded.
---
Steve blinked awake and stared at the ceiling of Bruce's lab in Stark Tower. It had only been five minutes in the real world and less than twenty four hours since the job. Everyone was finished with the clean up and Thor was going to confront Loki soon. The man had vanished not long after Thor had returned from being debriefed at Stark Tower. Steve sat up slowly and realized that his cheeks were wet. It had been a long time since he had cried during a dream and when he looked over at Bruce he knew that Bruce was not going to ask why. They all had demons in their subconscious, shadows lurking in the corners, and they were not topics of conversation one brought up easily. Instead Bruce smiled slightly and removed the line to his PASIV.
“You all right?” he asked.
“I will be,” Steve replied honestly. Bruce nodded and helped him to his feet. They both walked out of the lab and into the living room. Pepper, Thor and Tony were all talking to each other quietly but there were easy smiles on their faces. Clint and Natasha were talking as well but they both fell silent when Steve entered the room. Tony looked like he wanted to ask about the dream but Pepper pinched his arm when he opened his mouth.
“Thank you for all of your hard work,” Thor said after a moment of silence. He had admitted that there were flashes from the third dream and moments from the second that he remembered but not all of it. Steve wanted to tell him to apologize to Loki, to try and work something out, but he could not fix the real world. “You all have an ally with me. Feel free to come to me any time you need any help.”
“Are you sure that's the best idea?” Steve blurted out without thinking about how rude that was.
“Yes, I am,” Thor said and he offered Steve a hand which he took carefully. He did not entirely trust this new alliance but having someone to fall back on would be a good thing. Thor went to every member of the team and thanked them personally. He looked like he wanted to say something else to Clint but kept it to himself. “I look forward to doing business with you all again. The money will be in your accounts in an hour. Thank you.” Thor walked into the elevator and the doors closed.
“I should get going,” Bruce said carefully. “Betty is threatening to do things with restraints that do not sound fun.”
“Keep in touch and remember the top floors of this tower are all R&D if you ever need somewhere to play,” Tony said, grinning. Bruce nodded and they all exchanged handshakes and hugs. Bruce could make a fortune with his new formula but Steve had a feeling he would not send it off without a 100% return rate. They were lucky no one had dropped into limbo but Bruce would not forgive himself if it failed.
“Steve,” Clint said. They had not spoken much since waking up from the dream and Steve had not asked when he woke up to the sound of Clint screaming. He could only imagine what kind of memories Loki's torment in the dream must have unlocked and Steve could not make himself ask. “I've decided to work with Natasha for a while.”
“I understand,” Steve replied because Clint did not trust him right now and if they needed time apart then he was more than willing to give it.
“You're going to be lost without me,” Clint said with an easy smile that Steve knew all too well. It was going to take time but he knew that Clint was going to forgive him someday.
“Of course I will but I'll manage until then.” Steve offered a hand which Clint took and they shook tightly. They were going to be okay.
“I'll see you around,” Clint said as he turned to Pepper and Tony. “Pepper, keep that asshole in line. And Tony? Your security might have some weird loophole in it.”
“Really. Would this be a loophole that is going to have your fingerprints all over it?” Tony said but there was a small grin on his lips. Clint smiled to himself as he caught the elevator.
“I can neither confirm or deny that statement,” he called out and the door closed. Tony muttered something under his breath as Natasha stood up. She strolled up to Steve and smiled softly. It was a private smile, one usually reserved for Clint, and Steve had only seen it once before.
“He'll come around,” she said. “And when he does we'll find you.”
“Whether I want to be found or not,” Steve said with a smile. Natasha laughed softly and said her goodbyes to Tony and Pepper.
“You sure you don't want to stick around, big guy?” Tony asked.
“No, I need to get back out into the real world. This luxury living just doesn't suit me,” Steve replied.
“Suit yourself,” Tony said, shrugging but he looked uneasy. Pepper elbowed him and he glared at her which she matched and then some. “Fine. Look, Steve, I know I've gone legit and all but.” Tony paused and Pepper elbowed him harder. “If you need someone for a job you should give me a call. I won't ignore you or threaten to have security haul you off this time.”
“I will, Tony, thank you,” Steve said. Pepper hugged him tightly and Tony refused his handshake for a much more casual fist bump and one armed hug. Steve walked into the elevator and listened to the hum of the gears as it slowly made its way down the ground. New York was warm and crowded and it was easy to fall into step. Steve vanished into the crowd as if he had never been there.
---
Thor pushed the door to his apartment open and was surprised to find Loki sitting on his couch. Since the attempted inception Loki had not been seen or heard from. Thor had promised his protection to the people he had hired and had listened carefully when Steve told him that inception was not a perfect science so there was a good chance it had not worked. The job had been a mess and there was a darkness to his brother that Thor was only now beginning to see. That did not mean he was not elated to see Loki sitting on his couch as if waiting for him.
“Brother, I can explain everything--” Thor began, determined to tell Loki as much as he could without giving his team away.
“I know what you were trying to do,” Loki said, holding up a hand. Thor stopped halfway to his brother and watched as he stood. “I feel like I should be yell at you and tell you that you should have come to me but we both know I would have lied. I was ashamed of my parents, the type of people they were and the things they did ,and I did not think you would see me as a brother anymore.”
“Your bloodline means nothing to me.” Thor took a few steps further and stopped so he was standing close but not too close to Loki. “You are my brother, and some piece of paper is not going to change that. I'm sorry I went about trying to keep from losing you so poorly.”
“And I apologize for leaving you no other choice.” Loki smiled and Thor pulled his brother into a tight hug. The inception had taken, his brother had forgiven him, and he was not going to lose his family.
Loki hugged his brother back and smirked to himself.
<-- back masterpost -->