#glitchedfics

[glitchthewitch]

New chapter and I updated some of the tags! Reminder that this is a problematic fic and for mature audiences. Please mind the tags, and don't hesitate to ask me to add any!

#fellswap au #glitchedfics #x reader #papyrus x reader x sans #fellswap sans #fellswap papyrus

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part One

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror

During the attack on New York, Loki encounters a strange woman in Stark tower. A woman who looks to be as much of a monster as Loki feels.

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven - Part Eight(Final)

Playlist

    Stark tower rose above New York, a gleaming monument to humanities ego and a perfect place for Loki to use to bring humanity to its knees. He jumped off one of the gliders and strode into the open floored suite that jutted out near the very top.

    Loki didn’t bother to check the room, figured Stark or one of his many employees got everyone out once Selvig and their team moved in. If not, a mere mortal wouldn’t stand in his way, not when he was close to victory, so close he could nearly taste it. The only piece needed to fall into place was the portal to open and his army to arrive. He had the patience to wait it out. After the void, after what he endured. Waiting was easy.

    He knew the fools would try to make a stand against him, his brother included, and he was sure it would be grand. Loki paced, while he waited for the portal he was itching to see what trouble he had caused after the incident with the beast.

    In his failure to check the room he missed the young woman curled on the couch. The left half her face was obscured by a loosely wrapped scarf and the hood of her overshirt, leaving only one weary eye able to watch him. Her eye flicked to the door and back to the pacing man before she slowly, slowly started to inch off the couch.

    One of her comically long sleeves got trapped underneath her and she lurched forward, landing on the smooth title with a deafening thud. Loki whirled at the sound and frowned at the woman. He was annoyed at himself for not seeing her, not even sensing her there. Loki smirked. If she was there, she was Stark’s and taking her over could be useful.

    “And who are you?” He asked, strutting towards her, spinning the scepter in hand. She scrambled to her feet and pulled her arms around her. She took extra care to pull the right sleeve down, making sure the cuff fell far below her hand. The rest of her overshirt she left a ruffled mess.

    “I should be asking you the same question. I mean, I live here.” She tried to take a step towards the door and Loki shifted around, blocking her escape. There was a small flicker of recognition in her eye and she frowned. “You are that Loki guy who has been a thorn in everyone’s side, aren’t you?” She glanced out the large pane windows and pointed with her left hand. “They will probably be here soon, ya know. So if you don’t mind I’m just going to...” She thrust her thumb towards the door.

    “Oh I am aware that they will come, I am betting on it.” Loki grinned at her. “You, however, could be very useful.” He advanced on her, spear lifted and point angled towards her chest. She was quicker than her frail state made her look, ducking out of the way and circling around him towards the door. Loki lunged forward, hand wrapping around her wrist like a steel trap. She yelped, and nearly slipped when her center of gravity shifted suddenly. Loki yanked her closer, expression smug.

    “Let go of me!” She snapped, giving her left arm another hard tug.

    Loki tilted his head, brow arching. “Oh, I don’t think so.” She tried to pull away, wriggling with all her might, but the fight was quickly leaving her. This close, Loki could see why. She looked like he had felt when he first arrived on Earth, skin pale and visible eye bloodshot, socket bruised. He had a small pang of sympathy for the woman, but he shook it off and pressed the scepter against her chest. There was a small flare of blue, but the light guttered. He pressed harder, willing the scepter to work, drawing blood.

    She sagged in his grip and he pulled the scepter away as to not impale her on it. He held her still, blinking in confusion as the specter's light faded.

    The woman moved, pulling her arm free with a growl no human throat should be able to produce. She stumbled back, shoulders sagging and left hand pressed against the small wound on her chest. “You should have let us go.” She panted her legs giving out as she sat down heavily.

    “That should have worked. What are you?” Loki asked, voice tight.

    She gave a small shrug, taking deep, shuddering breaths. “I don’t know. A monster, maybe. Probably.” She laughed bitterly and glanced up at him. “I’m sure you know the feeling. I mean, no normal person goes around trying to take over the world.”

    Loki bristled at that. “I am a god and rightful king of Asgard.”

    “Ok, so you are a monster with an ego.”

    Loki growled and took a half step forward, scepter blade ready. He paused at her completely nonplussed expression. “You don’t look much like a monster.”

    She snorted. “No? Well, you haven’t seen the whole package.” She stood, biting into her lip with the effort. “Look, I don’t feel well.” She inhaled sharply, wrapping her arms tight around herself. She took a few shaky steps before her legs gave out again, this time hitting the solid floor with a heavy thud.

    The woman curled in on herself, body twitching in pain and Loki was left standing there torn between helping her and leaving her. She cried out and her right hand shot out from the sleeve, large black claws leaving gouges in the floor.

    She looked up at him, jaw set, tears staining her face. “In the fridge...there are needles...grab one. Please.”

    Loki hesitated briefly then moved to the fridge to pull out an uncomfortable large needle. He knelt by her, setting the scepter at his feet. “What am I to do with this?”

    With great effort she sat up and pulled down her hood, dislodging the scarf around her face in the process. Loki nearly dropped the syringe when he saw why she wore the scarf. In the hollow of her left cheek was what looked like a vestigial mouth, lined with small, sharp teeth. In the middle, staring up at him was an eye.

    “Base of the neck.” She hissed. Loki slid the mess of dull, red hair up and looked from needle to neck, frowning. She reached up and the rest of her sleeve slipped down. Her right arm matched the hand, deep black and armored, like a beetle, with small scales running from fingertips to elbow. Another scale tore through her flesh and she made a small whimper of pain. She pressed the tip of her fingers at the base of her skull, were spine and skull met. “Here, now hurry. Please.”

    Loki eyed the needle and gave a small sigh. “This is not going to be pleasant for you.”

    The woman choked out a small laugh. “We know, oh we know.”

    She screamed when the needled slipped in. When he pressed down on the syringe her scream went hoarse. Loki grabbed her as her back curved as every muscle in her body went rigid. She writhed in his arms, eyes screwed shut in agony as the injection did its job. Slowly she relaxed, collapsing fully against him and letting out a long, shuddering breath.

    “That was shit.” She hissed. She tried to sit up and failed, falling back against him. “I know this goes against your whole mo right now, but mind helping me over the couch. You do kinda owe me.”

    Loki looked indigent. “Owe you for what?”

    “Whatever powers that stupid scepter basically activated survival mode. And here I was doing so well not having shit randomly show up. It’s been months!” She slapped her right hand against the ground, the claws tapping against the tile.

    Loki sighed. “Fine.” He scooped her up, grabbing the scepter along the way. She slid out of his grip and slumped into the fine leather of the couch, letting her head fall back. Loki stared down at her, frowning. “I am assuming this is why you call yourself a monster?” She nodded. “I can see why.”

    She laughed weakly. “Surprise.”

    “Care to explain?” He asked, crossing his arms.

    She gave a small shake of her head. “No, not really.” She rolled her head forward and hunched down into the couch.

    He debated, briefly on summoning a dagger, using a blade to carve our and answer. Instead, he walked closer and knelt down, making himself seem less threatening and getting more personal. Intimate. He reached out, fingers running through a few strands of hair closest to the strange eye.

    “I did help you. A small explanation would be appreciated.”

    A look crossed her face so fast that Loki had little time to place. Later he would know that look, as it was a look he had worn many times. Need. Her gaze was focused beyond his shoulder and she gave him a wry smile. “No time. Looks like we gotta cut our date a little short.” Loki glanced over his shoulder and frowned.

    There was the hum of thrusters and thud of metal behind him. Loki turned to face Iron Man. The armor was pulled away and Stark stalked forward, locking eyes with her briefly.

    “Alice.”

    “Hey, Tony,” Alice said, waving weakly from the couch.

    Loki turned fully, strutting across to Stark, smiling lightly. “You keep interesting company. I didn’t realize you were keeping more than one monster.” He ignored the weak hey the woman, Alice, muttered from the couch and kept a laser focus on Stark.

    “Yeah, see, she isn’t part of the whole saving the world thing so don’t get her involved.” Tony snapped.

    Loki shrugged. “It will be all the same in the end. She will kneel under my rule. And you, are you here to appeal to my humanity? Beg me to stop?”

    On his way to the bar, Tony got a good look at Alice, her deathly pallor and thin sheen of sweat made his hackles rise. He zeroed in on the discarded needle and frowned.

    Tony slipped behind the bar and shook his head. “No, I am here to threaten you. Would you like a drink? It will give you a chance to explain why Alice looks like shit and why you were hovering over her, all over a nice scotch.”

    “Your...” Loki hesitated, eyes flicking to where she sat. The bemused expression on her face not helping. “I was not hovering!” Tony raised a brow. “She had an episode, begged me to help.” He refrained from mentioning the issues was his own doing when he tried to take control of her mind. That little fact may not go over well.

    Tony shrugged. “Blinding pain does make people a bit stupid so I can forgive her for needing help from you.”

    “Hey!” Alice protested.

    Tony gave her a grin. “I’m sure Alice would have kicked you out a window if she wasn’t feeling like garbage. You sure you don’t want a drink? What about you Alice?” Loki glanced back as she shook her head.

    Loki sighed. He was tired over this. “They are coming. Nothing you do can change that. What do I have to fear?”

    “The Avengers for one.” Loki frowned. “It's what we call ourselves, sort of like a team. `EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES' type of thing.”

    Loki snorted. “Yes, I’ve met them.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alice sit up and start slinking closer to Stark. “And you say she isn’t one of yours? Not some altruistic hero?”

    Alice laughed and Tony gave her a blank stare.

    “Hardley. All you need to worry about. Just worry about the numbers. You are outnumbered. We have your brother, the demi-God; a super soldier, a living legend who kind of lives up to the legend; a man with breathtaking anger management issues; a couple of master assassins, and you, big fella, you've managed to piss off every single one of them.”

    Loki smirked. “That was the plan.” He could deal with the woman later. Whatever she was, he needed to know. Needed to know how she stood against the power of an infinity stone.

    Tony leveled him with a withering look. “Not a great plan. When they come, and they will, they'll come for you.”

    Loki gave him a wicked grin, spreading out his hands. “I have an army.”

    He stepped around the bar. “We have a Hulk.”

    Loki chuckled. “You may yet have to rely on the girl since your beast seems to have wandered away.” Or fell from your flying fortress, Loki thought.

    “You’re missing the point.” Tony snapped. “There's no throne, there is no version of this, where you come out on top. Maybe your army comes and maybe it's too much for us, but it's all on you. Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be damned well sure we'll avenge it.”

    Loki smiled smugly. “I fear they will be far to busy trying to stop you.” Alice twitched forward when he raised the scepter and tapped it against Tony’s chest. The tink of metal on glass echoed loudly. Loki growled and glanced back over to Alice. “Don’t tell me he is like you.” He tapped the scepter again, once more getting a loud tink. “No, you were flesh and bone. You bled.” Tony’s eyes narrowed at that. “This is something else.”

    “Well performance issues, you know?” Loki’s arm shot forward and grabbed Tony by the throat. He tossed him across the room with ease and stalked forward, growling.

    “JARVIS, hurry it up!” Loki grabbed him a second time, this time tossing him through the window in an explosion of glass.

    “Tony!” The woman shot towards the window, stopping just at the ring of shattered glass. She whirled on Loki, glaring. She opened her mouth, but the blast from Tony knocked Loki down, sending him sliding across the floor. Tony rounded on him, another blast powering up.

    The air changed, growing heavy with ozone. The air shimmered just before the portal ripped a hole in the sky.

    “Right. Army.” Tony turned to Alice. “Go somewhere safe. And get away from him.” Alice went to protest, but Tony had already flown off, heading into the city.

    Loki got to his feet and Alice stood there, shifting uncomfortably under his steady gaze. “For someone who seemed protective, I am surprised he left you here alone with me. ”

    Alice shrugged. “You haven’t killed me yet. You threw Tony through a window, so it’s not like you couldn’t try. All I got was a small nick.” She pulled down the collar of her shirt and frowned at the wound. Loki was sure it was a trick of the light, as the drying blood looked black. “Anyway. I usually can cover my own ass.”

    Loki chuckled. “Are you sure of this? Not ten minutes ago you were begging for my help.”

    Alice glared. “Yes. I am sure.”

    “Loki!” Loki glared at the landing Thor, annoyed by the interruption. He turned towards his brother, sweeping past Alice and giving her a small smirk. “And I was hoping to test your assertions.” There was a small part of him that wasn’t sure who he was lying to anymore.

    Alice took the chance she was given, slipping deeper into Stark tower just as chaos erupted around New York. She scrounged up a laptop and got JARVIS to pull up any and all cameras he could so she could watch what was happening.

    She wanted to help but knew it would be unwise. Tony had kept her away from S.H.I.E.L.D for a reason. He was afraid they would want to keep her contained, run tests on her, or worse.

    The building was wracked by explosions, but Stark engineering stood true. A small intruder alert lit up and Alice rushed back out into the suite in time to see Hulk grab Loki and crash him around like a rag doll before leaping back out into the fray.

    Alice gingerly stepped around broken tile and shards of glass to stare down at the injured god a mix of worry and amusement playing on her face.

    “Tony did warn you that we have a Hulk.”

    Loki groaned. There was a fog in his mind that was slowly clearing, making everything become sharper, clearer. There was a dawning realization of just how screwed he really was.

    Alice knelt next to him and offered him her normal hand, giving him a tight smile. “You help me. I’ll help you, at least a little.”

    Loki stared at the offered hand for a heartbeat before nodding and letting her help him to the small set of stairs behind him. He lay against them, collecting himself while she sat down next to him. Loki glanced up and smiled. “Can I have that drink now?”

#loki laufeyson #loki #loki fanfic #loki (marvel) #loki X ofc #glitchedfics #not humanfic

[glitchthewitch]

I've started a new fic, but please mind the tags. This one is mature, and features the fellswap au, master/pet, and noncon/dubcon elements.

#fellswap #fellswap sans x you x fellswap papyrus #undertale au #alternate timeline #glitchedfics #posting shit near 3am? more likely than you think

[glitchthewitch]

MC meets some of her roommates

#undertale #swapfell #underswap #underfell #papyrus #sans #fellswap #reader-insert #self-insert #glitchedfics #fellswap gold

[glitchthewitch]

I’ve started a project on AO3! Yes, it’s a self-insert Undertale fic... Featuring the lovely @absurdmageart‘s main 14. And no I don’t have a beta reader.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/27901459

#undertale #glitchedfics #I think I'm gonna make that my story tag

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part Two

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror

Loki is caged and awaiting transportation back to Asgard. In the meantime, Alice and he started getting to know each other.

Part One

    Everything was sterile, from the blank white walls to the clean lines of electronics and the cold, steel floor. In the center was the cage, containing a subdued looking Loki.

    Bruce was on guard, half buried in a book with a half drunk cup of cooling coffee by his side. The guard station was a desk with a small bank of computers, monitoring devices and chair with a couch and coffee table set off behind the desk.

    There was a soft beep and the door opened. Bruce glanced up and Alice gave him a small wave. She had a ratty bag over her shoulder and a sealed thermos gripped in her hand.

    “It’s time to switch. Go home, you look like hell.”

    Bruce smiled tightly. “He has been quiet since I got here.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Honestly he is creeping me out. He kept watching me the entire time I was here. I may see if I can...”

    Alice nodded. “Talk to Fury. See what he can do. Maybe we can all take on more shifts.” Alice glanced over at Loki. “I don’t mind, I don’t really have anywhere else I can be.”

    Bruce gathered his things and gave her a small nod. “At least he stopped trying to break out.”

    “Yeah, whoever Fury got to reinforce this cage was good.”

    Bruce headed for the door and gave her left shoulder a pat. “Well, have fun kid.”

    It had been weeks like this, each Avenger rotating guard duty into Selvig and Thor could get the Tesseract into a functional transportation device. The data from S.H.I.E.L.D helped, but much of it was lost with Loki’s arrival, leaving everyone working in near darkness.  

    Fury had pulled some strings and had a cage crafter for the god, using some contacts that he refused to go into details about. Alice guessed wizards because the cage reeked of magic. Alice had wiggled her way into guard duty by sheer persistence, using the fact that the scepter didn’t take over her mind to eventually sway Fury over to her side. After he got over her very existence that is.

    Alice ignored the small guard station, dropping her backpack by one of the chairs and sitting her thermos down on the desk. She pulled out a small blanket and book before going to lean directly against Loki’s cage, sliding down until she hit the ground with a soft thump.

    Loki hadn’t moved from his position since Alice had come in. He was seated on the small cot, shoulders hunched and head bowed and hands folded in his lap.

    He spoke, still not moving. “I thought you were not involved with their lot, yet you keep coming to be my dutiful guard. I wonder if your hero friends have started talking.”

    Alice chuckled, tucking the blanket underneath her. “Only Tony is my friend. Maybe Bruce, if you squint. The others keep their distance from me.” She let out a soft snort. “I mean, you said it yourself. I’m a monster.” She wiggled her right hand in emphasis, her knuckles lightly clicking against the glass.

    “That still doesn’t explain why you are here? Especially if you are not part of the Avengers. Are you here to make sure I don’t escape?” He stiffened. “Or are you here for my company?” He muttered.

    Alice tapped her claws against the steel floor and frowned. “Company mainly. It’s you, Tony, or the AI. And as much as I like JARVIS....” She frowned. “And Tony has other things going on, that and he has way too much...dad vibe sometimes. It really is as simple as that.” She gave a small shrug. “It’s your fault anyway.”

    Loki’s head finally shot up and he leveled a small glare at her back. “How?”

    She turned to look at him over her shoulder. "You help me, you get stuck with me. It’s how this works. Just ask Tony." She shifted, turning so she faced the cage and pulled her knees to her chest. "Why did you help me anyway? For all, you knew I was going to try to stop you as soon as I recovered.”

    Loki still had no for that. He had sat here, thinking on it. Obsessing over it. And he still didn’t know. To take her mind, to use her against her friends? It was his initial plan, but once he saw what she was that changed. He was intrigued and had theories on what she was. Theories he wanted to be proven. Or disproven.

    “Control.” He lied. “You would’ve been used to stop them.”

    “Except the scepter didn’t work so...” Alice gently pointed out, the corner of her mouth quirking upward.

    “I don’t know!” Loki snapped, frustration finally bleeding through. “Curiosity, maybe.” He fidgeted with his hands, rubbing his left hand. “Why does it matter so much why I saved you. Did Stark get the same treatment?”

    Alice chuckled. “Curiosity? Good enough. It’s one of the reasons we keep asking for more guard rotations.” She shook her head and grinned. “And no, Tony did not get the same treatment. Tony is like my adoptive dad, you...I dunno yet.”

    Loki arched his brow at her slip. She had done it often, referring to herself as we. It played into one of his theories. He was also surprised that she had asked to be around him more. “You have done that often, why do you refer to yourself as a collective?”

    Alice blanched, eyes going wide. “Shit, I’ve worked so hard on that too. It's hard to explain why. I mean, it’s not hard to explain why, but there is a lot of backstory there that needs to happen to explain why.” She let out a breath. Okay, well you’ve seen the eye." she pointed to her wrapped face.

    He gave a small nod and pointed to the hood and wrap. "You still hide your face, but not your arm?"

    Alice looked down at her arm and gave the scaled appendage a small poke. "It freaks people out less. That and the sleeves keep falling into my cereal, it gets really annoying having milky sleeves. Anyway, the eye freaks everyone out. They complain it watches them."

    "I am guessing they would be right?"

    Alice gave him a quick nod. "Yep, not that I am going to be telling them that, of course, whoever is watching this now knows. Crap. He kept an eye on you while you were helping me. Called you a high and mighty ass."

    Loki looked momentarily gobsmacked, giving her a bewildered look. “He? And he called me an ass?”

    "The other part of the we. And he called you a high and mighty ass." Alice sighed and turned back around, pressing her back against the glass. "Like I said explaining this shit involves a whole lot of history on my part and I really doubt you are curious enough or care enough about m...this to listen to me go on and on about myself."

    She started to stand, the shifting of her clothes covering up the sound of his catlike footsteps.

    "I'm curious." She glanced over, finding herself startlingly close. He was watching her, arm against the glass in a position reminded her of Natasha's interrogation with him. She took a small step back, swallowing hard. "Why so suddenly nervous? I'm the one in a box."

    "Yeah you've been in one before, look what happened."

    Loki laughed at that. She was surprised at how genuine his laugh sounded when the sarcasm and smugness were stripped away.

    "You do have a point. This time, I am truly trapped. Whatever magic is weaved in these walls are strong and I don’t have the energy to break through.” He cast his eyes down and sighed. “And if I were to escape, where would I go? Your Avengers would hunt me down. My brother would find me.” He looked back at her, a small smile playing on his lips.“Even you would probably be able to find me.”

    To that, Alice had no answer, so she gave none. She stepped over to grab her thermos. "Okay. If you really want to know, I'll tell you. I guess."

    Loki nodded and Alice flopped back on the ground, scooting so that her knees pressed against the glass and the thermos sat next to her. She pointed to the ground in front of her and stared up at him. "Grab yourself a seat. I’m not looking up at you the whole time, you are way too tall for that."

    Loki mirrored her position, settling down so they were eye to eye. More or less. He waved his hand toward her and she nodded.

    "I don’t actually remember how long it was. Hell, I don’t even know how old I am. I lost a few years to this. I remember the attack though. I was heading out early and some guy came out of the dark and he was, wrong. Like walked out of the Thing wrong.

    Teeth and eyes coming out of everywhere. You think I look bad, this guy, shit. He was also melting, which was not the best thing for anyone to see. I don’t think he was trying to hurt me, he was...scared when he grabbed my arm. I could see it in his eyes.”

    She ducked her head and shivered.  “But, teeth and scales and eyes, yeah. He clawed up my arm before melting. It’s like his skin forgot how to be skin and he just fell apart. It wasn't a great start to the day." She glanced up and gave Loki a mild smile. She hesitated, picking at a small hole in the knee of her pants. When she spoke again her voice was quiet.

    "I...started hearing a voice, calling me, talking to me. I seriously thought I was losing my mind. I mean, I’m attacked by some melting guy and now I am hearing voices. What else was I supposed to think?”

    She curled her hands in the fabric of her pants, the claws catching and making tiny little holes in the linen. “It knew my name, everything, and it kept getting louder every day. Then the arm happened, sort of. I woke up with my skin literally falling off and claws ripping out from underneath my fingernails. It is surprising how much blood you can lose before passing out. Again, bad way to start a day."

    Loki huffed out a small chuckle. "That seems a bit of understatement."

    Alice gave him a toothy grin. "Oh, buckle up! It gets better. And by better, I mean more nightmarish. The skin that didn’t fall off started turning black, and as someone who watched a lot medical shows, my first worry was frostbite for some stupid reason. That was before the scales starting showing up and then...oh and then!" She held up her arm and pressed her palm flat against the glass. "See that line? Looks like a scar?" Loki nodded. "It's not."  She locked eye her face suddenly blank. “I wish it was.”

    Eye still locked on his, her arm split between the ring and middle finger, the bones popping apart as a row of teeth unfurled from deep inside the pale pink flesh. "It's not the best to wake up one day to find your arm has teeth." A long, grayish pink appendage lolled out. “Or a tongue.”

    Loki's eye had gone wide as he watched and he swallowed thickly. "That...that is..."

    "Not quite normal?" Alice quipped, as the parts of her arm slowly locked back together, the teeth sinking down and holding tight, looking like the world’s most terrifying zipper. "Calling me a monster isn’t exactly wrong. "

    "No? Perhaps to humans, but there is an entire universe out there that has many strange creatures. There is always a place to fit in."

    At that Alice laughed. "Nice try trying to make me feel better, but no. That would only be true if all this mess came from this universe."

    Loki straightened. "Meaning? I assumed you were a symbiote."

    Alice scrunched up her face. "I didn’t think that was unclear, it’s not from this universe. And no, I have no idea what a symbiote is, so no that is not what we are."

    Loki’s eyes positively sparkled and he leaned forward. "I had assumed. I had heard of them but had not seen one in person. They function in a similar manner to you. So what are you, where did this come from?"

    Alice gave him an exaggerated shrug, lifting her hands into the air. "I'm human, but I’m human infected by some...parasite? Virus? A sentient portion of something greater.” She glanced down, furrowing he brows. “I don’t really get the how’s. I think it’s a parasitic life form. Kinda?" Loki gave her a confused look, brow arched.

    Alice tapped her fingers along her knees and gave a single nod. “Okay, so this is going to be weird. Just deal with it.” She closed her eyes and her face went slack. She was still except for shallow rise and fall of her chest. A moment passed and her entire posture shifted. She leaned forward and opened her eyes, giving Loki a wolfish smile.

    "Alice has asked me to explain. She finds it difficult." The vast change in her voice threw Loki, the deeper, sandpaper-rough voice making her seem far more deadly. "She calls me monster, though I have no real name. Nice meeting you Loki. Never met an Asgardian before." She swayed slightly, the clawed hand making small flourishes.

    "You aren’t Alice?" Loki knew it was a stupid question the moment he asked it.

    The smile was mischievous and monster nodded, eyes glowing. "No, I am not. I am a separate intelligence, a sapient parasite if you will. Alice is my dear host, but, we are more. Physically we are the same body. We cannot be made separate. Ah, I do appreciate the help offered her earlier, no matter how unneeded it may be."

    "Unneeded?"

    Monster shrugged, hand reaching around to where the injection was placed. "We are perfectly bonded, she is one of the few who has been able to handle the infection and survive more than a few hours. Human bodies are not usually up to the task. Yes, I change her, alter her body, it’s a side effect that I can’t really do anything about. Stark is working on a cure, but like I said. We are one body now. The injections are designed to slow the process and ease the pain. However, they are setting off a survival instinct built into my DNA. One you saw when you used your scepter. You kind of set us back a bit."

    "My apologies," Loki said. “Now, what are you? Where are you from?” Loki was fascinated by the stark difference in expression between this creature and Alice.

    "Hmm...That is the tricky bit. Clearly, you’ve been around. Are you familiar with the Endless Ocean and the Everskin?” Loki, who was leaning closer and closer to the glass pulled back like he'd been burned and Monster laughed. “I’m guessing yes?”

    "The only thing I know are children's stories. There is a dimension that is an endless ocean and the only sound is the hush of waves and the quiet screams of billion lost souls. The ocean itself it a hivemind called the Everskin. It is a fiction. A story to scare people away from the dark parts of the universe."

    Monster lifted its shoulders in a half shrug. "I am not fiction. And keeping away from the dark parts of the universe is wise. I am a fracture of the Everskin, severed from the hivemind.”

    Loki visibly swallowed. "You cannot be a spawn of the Ocean."

    Monster spread its hands. "I am. Stark tried to hold the changes at bay as do I. I know she wishes things were different, but they aren't. If she would just, I don’t want to say give in, but accept me more readily, this would be much easier.     There would be less pain. Less horror.

    The Ocean doesn’t call to me, like many of its spawn. It is the only reason, I think, we have survived so well. The goal of all Ocean spawn is to return the Everskin, me...I just want Alice happy, as happy as I can help her be. Of course, Alice is very, very stubborn.” Monster grinned. “Maybe that is why she likes you so much."

    Loki was caught short, giving monster a purely baffled look. "What do you mean, likes me?"

    Monster’s laugh made his skin crawl. "That...that is what you glean from all that? You gloss over the fact that Alice and I are part of a monstrous, world-devouring entity that shouldn’t exist. That isn’t the important nugget of information here. Not that, no, you cling to her liking you? Are you blind or just stupid? Of course, Alice likes you, she wouldn't have a daily fight with Stark just to be able to have her ass down here as much she does. He doesn’t like her around you...” Monster tilted its head and grimaced.

    “Ah, I think I have said too much. Anyway, now you know, or know as well as I can explain. I'll let Alice take the reigns again, but I’ll be watching. Monster pointed to the cheek and winked. Her eyes unfocused and after a heartbeat she shook her head, blinking away the strange glow and sagging back into her own posture. "He explained?"

    Loki nodded. "Yes. Do you understand the gravity of what you are part of?"

    Alice stared hard at her hands, picking again at the hole in her pants until it had grown in size. She looked up, face grim. "Of course I do. Why do you think I hide? Why do you think I..." She hesitated. “Why do you think I consider myself a monster? Everyone thinks your bad, but...I know what I could do if I lost control.” Alice bit her lip, brows furrowed.

    “Monster told me everything once. it's a nightmare place, a literal endless ocean filled with this...world-devouring, interdimensional nightmare that perverts the very nature of physical reality. It's just great to be a part of that  She leaned against the cage, splaying her normal hand against the glass.

    Loki copied her action, pressing his hand opposite of hers and gave her what he hoped to be a reassuring smile. It wasn’t his strong suit, but he would try as her pain was all too familiar. "You could be dead. Which would be a shame."

    Alice laughed bitterly and pulled her hand away. "Right. The guy who openly admits to hating humanity, who tried to kill us or rule us, and brought an army of aliens down on us, yeah, he really gives a shit that a freak of nature like me had the possibility of being dead. Well, color me suspicious."

    "You are intriguing. Maybe I see a bit of myself in you." Alice arched a brow. “I am not fond of mortals, but are you anymore? Are you really?”

    Alice quickly stood and stared down at Loki, expression inscrutable. "Maybe. Maybe not. Does it matter?" She turned before he could answer, snatching up her thermos and blanket before stalking over to the guard station.

    "I don't know anymore," Loki whispered to her retreating form.

#loki laufeyson #loki fanfic #loki (marvel) #loki #loki imagine #glitchedfics #not humanfic

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part Eight (Final)

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror, tooth rotting sweetness

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven

The two weirdos finally get their heart-to-heart, and it is as sickly sweet as it could be. 

    Alice’s room was a nice change from the rest of the Avenger’s, the rich earth tone a warming contrast to the cold white and chrome the haunted the rest of the compound. The miniature forest of potted plants that seemed to have taken over the room, leaving very few surfaces uncovered.

    Loki ran his finger along the leaf of a nearby plant, his fingers ghosting over one of the paper-like orange flowers.

    Alice cleared her throat and nodded her head to the plant. “That Alistair, he is a flowering maple. One of my favorites.”

    He glanced back at her, a brow arching. “You name your plants?”

    She made an indignant noise in the back of her throat. “Of course I name my plants,” she reached over and pulled Loki further into her room. “Helps them grow better.” Cheeks pink, she quickly snatched up a handful of tan blankets from a small, brown futon that was shoved in the corner of the room and dumped them unceremoniously on the floor. She motioned to the futon and gave a faltering smile. “Have a seat. Any chairs I may have had are now currently plant stands so the only seating I have is the futon.”

    Loki did, smoothing his hands down his legs to rest his hands on his knees. Alice sat down stiffly next to him and let out a quiet puff of breath. She kept her eyes downcast and picked at a hole in her pants, slowly pulling the threads apart with her razor claws.

    “I guess..,” she cleared her throat. “I guess we should finish last nights little conversation.” She let out a high pitched noise that was caught between a giggle and a full-blown laugh.

    Loki shook his head and shifted his gaze over to her, fingers curling against his knees. “Only if you wish to. I would understand if you would rather leave my question unanswered.” Loki’s gaze dropped and he pulled his hands into his lap. He shifted away slightly, giving her an out.

    Alice looked up at him, brows knitting together. She rubbed her face and let out a soft puff of breath. “That’s not it,” Alice angled herself to look fully at him and pursed her lips. “What we said we meant. Yes, we said it while blinded by rage, but that doesn’t really change that it is true.” Loki caught sight of her cheeks flushed before she dropped her head again, hiding behind a curtain of dull red hair.

    “I..,” Loki swallowed thickly, at a loss for words. “I will admit that anyone feeling anything positive towards me is surprising.” Alice peered up, brows scrunched together. “I believe that, before this,” he waved his hand between them, “continues, I need to explain a few things about myself.”

    Alice leaned back and gave him a gentle smile. “If it’s what you need to do, go for it. Anyway, it’s only fair.” Her smile turned wry. “I mean I did tell you my whole damn becoming an extra on the Thing so, ya know, only fair.”

    Loki stood, smoothing his hands down the front of his suit. He starting pacing, fiddling with his hands in silence. “You may or may not know that New York wasn’t my first attack on Earth.”

    Alice shifted, pulling her legs up on the futon. “Yeah, you were the cause of that town in New Mexico not really being a town anymore? That big...robot thing?”

    Loki gave a small nod. “Yes. I-...prior to my brother’s banishment I found out my true parentage and it doesn’t sit well with me, I lost myself as it were. I discovered my life had been a lie. I am not Asgardian, I am from Jotunheim and am a Frost Giant.” Loki glanced at Alice, a pained look crossing his face. She unfolded herself from the futon and stepped over to him. Her right hand hovered above his chest, hesitating only a moment before pressing down flat.

    Loki went still and looked down at her, only to be met with a half smile. “Not gonna lie, I have no idea what a Frost Giant is, so I have no real point of reference for why that is such a bad thing to find out.” She said, voice quiet.

    Loki let out a huff of laughter. “The Jotun were the monsters parents told their children about, a race of creatures that were feared for endless years, and suddenly I found that I was the spawn of one, their own king. I did not handle the revelation well.” He reached down and brushed his fingers along her cheek, just under the unblinking eye. “We are both monsters from children’s tales. When you said you were infected by the Endless Ocean I- I had- I had a small flicker of hope for once- that, that someone would be able to understand.”

    “Hey,” Alice whispered, “us monsters gotta stick together.”

    Loki gave her a tight smile. “Since my discovery, I have made many poor decisions. Many of these have had a lasting impact on the universe as a whole and I must live with what I have done, the deaths that I have caused- my own- my mother. I will never be capable of making amends for what I have done. It is why I had agreed to Doctor Strange’s plan in the first place. Thanos was, in part, my own fault and if I had died doing this, then perhaps I would have made some small redemption.”

    Alice gave his chest a pat and lifted her hands to cup his face. “You fucked up. We all do. I mean look at me! At least you didn’t basically eat half of your own family.” Loki’s eyes widened at that and she gave her head a small shake. “You just learn to live with it. If you don’t it will drive you absolutely, fucking crazy.” She grinned up at him. “Anyway, you aren’t alone in this. You have your brother, hell even some of the others Avengers would be willing to give you a chance. Bucky would. So would Steve. Steve has a heart of fucking gold, and I think, once he sees what and why these things happened, he may be there. And well, hey- You, uh, you got me.” She finished, voice fading to a hoarse whisper. Loki was still, face blank as he worked to process what she said. Alice pulled her hands away and started to step back to allow him space, allow him the time to work through her words. She got a half step away before Loki stopped her.

    Alice’s protest was cut short as Loki leaned down and stole his name from her lips. She fell into it, pressing herself against him as her eyes slide shut, her heart pounding in her ears. He pulled away, just barely, breath ghosting over her lips.

    “I apologize. I should have asked.” Loki said, hand splaying on her back.

    Alice cast him a dopey smile. “It’s fine...it was. yeah, no it was fine!” Her voice got higher, until she managed to squeak out the last part, another blush fighting it’s way up her cheeks. Loki pulled her into a hug, folding his long arms around her.

    Alice made a small noise and pressed her face into his chest. “So does this mean you uh..,” she cleared her throat, “Uh...fe-”

    “Yes,” Loki whispered into her hair.

    “Oh, good,” Alice said, voice going up in pitch. “If not that would have made this really, really awkward and I don’t have that kind of energy right now.”

    Loki gave a warm laugh and Alice revealed in the sound. “I suppose that would make things a bit less agreeable.” He rested his hands on her shoulders, thumb pressing lightly against the curve of her throat. He drew his brows down and frowned slightly. “This is not something I am familiar with...” He waved his hand in the air. “I have kept everyone at arm's length for much of my life. It seems I will have to work on changing that.”

    Alice reached up and gave his cheek a small pat. “Yeah I’m kinda garbage at the whole people thing as well or the whole being around people or being with people. I guess I am lucky that I haven’t had to wall myself off since, ya know, I can look kind of off-putting.” She poked his chest and grinned up at him. “You, on the other hand, are an absolute snack so you had to do the whole emotionally closing yourself off thing. Cause I know there had to of been people after you, and if there wasn’t Asgardians are insane or blind. Or both.”

    Loki blinked down at her, a look of confusion falling into place. “I-I  am a what now?”

    Alice blushed and buried her face in her hands, muffling the ‘oh god’ she groaned out. She looked back up at him, eyes sparkling. “Sorry, I forget you don’t know some of our old Earth slang. Basically, you are attractive to the point it should be illegal.” She glanced away, cheeks still flush and chewed on her claws.

    Loki ducked his head and let out a low chuckle. “Only this illusion of me I’m afraid.” He stepped back and let the illusion drop. Alice’s brows shot up and Loki looked away. “This is what I am. The monster.”

    Alice stepped towards him, laughing. “Loki, between the two of us, I’m the one with teeth and eyes where they really shouldn’t be.” She grabbed the edge of her shit and lifted it the show just the bottom of her ribs where a thin line of small teeth were starting to form. “Most of my wounds do this now.” She scrunched her nose and dropped the shirt. “So, let’s put it this way,” She grabbed the lapels of his jacket, forcing him to lean down. “We are freaks, there isn’t getting around it. But so is everyone else here, we just wear our freakiness on the outside.” She was a hairsbreadth from his lips and she peered up through her lashes, a small grin tugging at her lips. “So,” she whispered, breath warming over his cold lips. “Let’s be freaky together.”  

#loki laufeyson #loki fanfic #loki (marvel) #loki x ofc #glitchedfics #not humanfic

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part Seven

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror, Infinity War Spoilers

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six

Alice wakes up and Loki and she keep trying to have a conversation and that doesn’t go well. 

    Alice woke in the dead of night, her room quiet except for the soft hum of machinery and the steady breath of someone in the chair next to her. She sat up, sore everywhere as she tried to clear away a months worth of fog from her mind. It was monster’s needling that had finally brought her back. Part of her wanted to remain in that cold, quiet fog that whispered so nicely to her. She saw no reason to come back. Thanos was dead, the world was safe. Everything was fine. Monster had other ideas and kept at it. Kept demanding. It took her a week to regain full consciousness, to crawl out of the small ocean of darkness that pooled somewhere deep, deep in her subconscious.

    Alice rubbed her eyes, trying hard to adjust to the pale watery light that filtered in from a curtained window. She swallowed loudly, her throat bone dry and raw.

    The person next to her yawned and she turned to ask for a glass of water. The question died on her lips and her jaw dropped when she locked eyes with a very apologetic looking Loki.

    “Hello, Alice.”

    She snapped her jaw shut and narrowed her eyes, bristling. “I hope I didn’t get brain damage while out and you really are...”

    “You didn’t. And I am.” Loki interrupted.

    “Good.” Alice was surprisingly quick for someone who hadn’t moved for over a month. Loki winced at the impact and his cheek started to quickly redden. Alice’s hand fell away and she stared at him, chest heaving from the exertion. “You absolute utter bastard. I could have, I almost...” She curled her hands in her lap, claws popping through the thin sheets pooled around her waist. She looked at him, unshed tears making her eyes shine in the dark. “I was so close to letting go. To letting it sweep me away. When I saw him I knew he needed to die. I wanted to kill him over and over and over. And I could. The Everskin called to me. The ocean is full of the dead and they all scream at once. Did you know that? Their song was so tempting.” Alice laughed, panic edging into her voice. “Monster pulled me back. A steady voice telling me to stay me. He made me come back. He felt the tooth, he suspected you were still...”

    Loki leaned forward, covering her hands with one of his. “I had to be dead. It was the only chance we had. I hide in Banner, a very tricky bit of magic. It is why he could not become the Hulk.”

    Alice stared down at the hand around hers, jaw tight. “You were not subtle sometimes. I guess Bruce’s body couldn’t contain that much sass.”

    Loki let out a small bark of laughter. “Probably not. It was a bit crowded in his mind. You must get tired of sharing yours.” Loki shifted from the chair to sit next to her on the bed, crossing one long leg over the other. “I hated doing it. Usually lying comes so naturally, but...” He trailed off and gave shrugged.

    “Must be a weird feeling.” Alice huffed, voice still bitter.

    Loki reached out and grabbed the hand closest to him and pulled it into his lap. He held the clawed hand, thumb rubbing along the small ridge of scales down her fingers. “It wasn’t the strangest feeling I’ve had recently.”

    Alice eyed him, brows knitting together. Finally, she let out a huff and leaned against him, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. “You realize you are stuck now? I am never letting you leave.”

    Loki hid his surprise and the sudden contact with a cool smile. “Oh is that so?”

    Alice nodded against his shoulder, fingers threading with his. “Yes. You vanish again and I will use everything I can to find you.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And I mean everything.”

    Loki pulled away and leaned down, his lips inches from her ear. “Happily, I have no intention of going anywhere.”

    “Uh...Good.” Alice mumbled. She cleared her throat and slide her hand up, curling her fingers loosely around his wrist. “Anyway,” she gave him a wolfish grin, “I could easily stop you.”

    Loki arched a brow, giving her a look of amused disbelief. “You think? I am able to hold my own against even my brother. You now claim to be stronger than Thor?”

    Alice shrugged. “Were you not paying attention when I bit off Thanos’ hand? Because that was a thing I did.” She paused, pursing her lips. “I mean, fair I was very, very pissed. But it was because of you being...Well...”

    “That must have tasted terrible.”

    Alice stared at him face blank before bursting into laughter. Her laughter turned into coughing and she pressed a hand against her chest, wheezing. “Okay, laughing is a no go. If it isn’t too much, could you get me some water?”

    “Of course.” Loki unfolded his legs and he twisted. He paused, feet on the ground and poised to stand. Loki glanced back at her, wetting his dry lips. “Alice? When you were confronting Thanos you made an interesting declaration. Was there...” He gave her a searching look, eyes hopeful. “Was there any truth to that?” Loki hated how timid he sounded. How he had to fight to keep the wavering out of his voice.

    Alice flushed, red staining her cheeks and creeping down her neck. She reached out and grabbed his arm, locking him in place. They stared at each other, a heavy silence filling the room. “Loki, I...”

    The door swung open and the two jumped, Alice, pulling away, still scarlet. Tony, disheveled and sunken-eyed, strode into the room, trailed by a tired looking Pepper. In his hand was a bottle of water, fresh from the fridge if the condensation was any indication.

    Tony stopped, eyes shifting back and forth, his smile dropping. Pepper, noticing the blush, gave Alice a single arched brow.

    “Good to see you awake,” Tony said, handing Alice the water. Alice grabbed the water and downed nearly half the bottle in one go. “FRIDAY let me know you were awake.” He gave Loki a smirk. “But looks like she may have delayed that a little.”

    Alice, still pink, sipped the rest of the water and said nothing. Loki pulled himself back on the bed, stretching out his legs and pressing his back against the headboard.

    “It seems there was no need to get you water after all.” He draped an arm around Alice's shoulders and she choked on her latest sip, coughing a bit. She went from pink to red when Loki pulled her against his chest as he gave Tony a rakish grin. Tony bristled, puffing up in annoyance.

    Pepper cleared her throat. “I am glad to see you are okay Alice, Tony has been a pain. Looks like we should come back in the morning, catch up then.” She gave Tony a look and he deflated. “See you in the morning.”

    “I...” Pepper gave Tony another look and he sighed. “Yeah, we will check up on you in the morning. Don't push yourself and you,” he pointed at Loki, “Just don't be an ass.”

    “Yes, father.” Loki snapped, causing Alice to let out a surprised giggle. Pepper grabbed Tony and dragged him out of the room and down the hall, Alice could hear him ranting all the way down.

    Tucked against Loki, Alice found herself starting to drift. She figured she wouldn't be tired but being in a coma was apparently very, very exhausting. Alice shifted, curling further against him, the interpreted conversation nearly forgotten.

    “I still would like an answer,” Loki whispered, his breath hot against her neck. Alice’s eye popped open and she couldn’t remember when she had shut them. She craned her neck to look up at him, eyes hooded. “Rest. It can wait and we can speak tomorrow.”

    Alice nodded and yawned hugely. She snuggled back against him and made a small noise. “Promise. Sorry, I’m crashing fast.”

    On impulse, Loki leaned down and pressed a kiss on the top of her head. Alice twitched in surprise and Loki smoothed a hand down her arm. “Sleep.”

    When morning came Tony found them asleep in a tangle of limbs, Loki’s long arms curled around her. His suit jacket was tossed haphazardly across the back of the empty chair, leaving him in a fitted white top that seemed to glow against the black scales of the arm that was wrapped around his waist.

    Morning brought with it a revolving line of visitors and doctors that quickly whittled the hours away. Loki’s patience slipped with each passing hour until he eventually retreated to a corner and pressed himself against a wall to keep from snapping at someone. The irony wasn’t lost on him, the few times he wishes to speak and if he isn’t allowed it.

    Alice kept looking over at him and even from his position he could see her own patience wearing thin. When the person, her doctor stepped through the door she looked ready to flip a table in sheer frustration. He could relate.

    The doctor smiled brightly at Alice, fingers curled around a plastic clipboard. “Good news. Everything came back golden so you are good to be released. Honestly, I am shocked with how long you were out.” He gave her a once over. “I will attest that to your unique physiology. If anything comes up, just pop on over or have FRIDAY let me know.”

    Alice sagged in relief. “I will doc.”

    He looked over at Loki, tilting his head up and squaring his shoulders. “I will have to ask you to step outside, sir. I need to remove the IV and catheter.”

    Loki crossed his arm and glowered. “No. Not unless Alice wishes it.”

    Alice gnawed on her bottom lip and sighed. She was too tired to explain to Loki what a catheter was. The doctor huffed and frustrated breath. He was done dealing with a bunch of childish superhumans and his tiny team had enough on their hands when it was just Stark.

    “It’s okay. One of those requires some level of uh...embarrassment.” Alice gave Loki a reassuring smile.

    Loki quirked an eyebrow and nodded. He peeled himself off the wall and pointed to the door. “I will be just outside should you need me.”

Alice nodded and the doctor gave her a thankful look.

    Loki leaned against the whitewashed walls of the small medical wing, crossing his arms. All morning he wanted nothing more than to ask the question nagging at him, but the never-ending stream of people made that nearly impossible. The few minutes they had alone were brief, certainly not enough time to have a true heart to heart. He growled, startling a passing nurse.

    Loki whirled at the sudden press of magic next to him and found himself face to face with a bemused Doctor Strange. Loki vanished the dagger and gave to man a small nod.

    “Tony told me they were releasing her soon.” Strange leaned against to wall next to Loki, letting out a small puff of breath. “I am glad she had no neurological damage.”

    “Probably because it was not some human illness,” Loki muttered.

    Strange nodded. “Yes, probably. Her injuries were minor. He minds...that was a different story.” He gave Loki a hard look before continuing. “You are staying on Earth?”

    “Where else could I go?” Loki asked bitterly. “My home is gone. Thor will try to remain here, maybe try to build a home once the rest of my people arrive. Earth is, unfortunate as it is, all I have now.”

    Strange rubbed the bridge of his nose. “For now that is fine. While you are at the top of my list of dangerous things I don’t want kicking around Earth, right now I don’t think you will pose any problems.”

    Loki chuckled. “A wise place to have me,” he gave Strange a small smirk. “I will try to remain on my best behavior. A few small tricks here and there, of course. I am the God of Mischief, but I am striving to try to be more...What that is, I must find out.” He pulled the fang from his pocket and twisted it between his fingers.

    Strange was quiet, watching the different emotions play across Loki’s face. He pushed himself away from the wall and turned to face Loki. “We all have our own problems,” he looked at his own scarred hands, “tragedies that made us who we are. Sometimes we find ourselves. Sometimes we need some help.” He offered his hand to Loki, who hesitantly took it. Strange gave his hand a small squeeze and shake. “You just need to allow that help. Alice was willing to ruin reality for you, so I don't think she would mind helping you find yourself.”

    “Thank...you?” Loki said, confusion washing over his face. “I got the impression you were not fond of Alice.”

    Strange shook his head. “The opposite. I like her well enough, she has a good heart and does try to do what is right. I am simply weary on anyone who has that kind of world-ending power. I have seen some of her futures, mainly to assess how much of a threat she is. Alice, in the end, just wants to find a family,” He gave Loki a meaningful look. “A feeling we all can appreciate and I do not mind lending a hand along the way. Even if it involves you.”

    “I feel like I should be offended,” Loki quipped, casting Strange a rueful smile. The door by him opened and the doctor paused, glancing between the two men.

    “She is all done and getting dressed now. I do advise having someone keep an eye on her for a while as well as take her home. She is still a little shaky.” The doctor’s gaze fell on Loki. “Am I right to assume that would be you?” Loki nodded. “Keep an eye on her, anything abnormal and bring her in.”

    “Of course,” he gave the doctor a tight smile and turned to Strange. “Now if you both will excuse me.” He stepped around the doctor and gave the door a solid knock.

    Alice pulled the door open and grinned up at him, face uncovered and hood pulled back. “Please get me out of here before someone else shows up,” she ground out, through her grin. Loki glanced at Strange and Alice peered around the door, grin falling. “Oh, hi.” She wiggled her fingers at Strange and looked back at Loki, expression urgent.

    Loki gripped her shoulders and navigated her past the two men and down the hall. Once they were out of earshot he leaned down. “I don’t actually know my way around here. Where are we going.”

    Alice rolled her eyes and hooked her arm around his. “C’mon, I’ll show you la casa de Alice.”

#loki laufeyson #loki fanfic #loki (marvel) #loki x ofc #loki #glitchedfics #not humanfic

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part Six

A/N: I have pretty much finished this so should have most of it up soonish...?

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror, Infinity War Spoilers

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five

The aftermath of Thanos’ arrival leaves a bunch of sad folks and one out of action Alice. 

    It had been a month since the arrival and death of Thanos. A month of confusion as Loki, with Bruce vouching heavily for him, tried to explain what he could of the plan Strange gave too him. During that time Shuri had been working endlessly to return Vision, she had backed up what she could just before the attack, but she was still in need of data Tony may still have.

    Alice was dead to the world, in a coma that seemed, to her doctors, self-induced. She had been moved to the medical facility on the Avengers headquarters and fussed over by the best doctors that were still willing to deal with a group of mildly insane superhumans.

    A stroke of luck came in the form of a sleek ship carting the rest of the raccoon, Rocket’s friends as well as a tired Tony, Strange, and Spider-Man.

    “It was dangerous to allow her to go so far,” Steve said with an exhausted sigh.

    Doctor Strange leaned forward steepling his hands. “Dangerous, but necessary.”

    With everyone gathered, Doctor Strange had finally begun to explain his plan and Loki managed to get some manner of relief. He had been on his best behavior once he revealed himself, not that he could do much after the bone-crushing hug Thor gave him. Loki needed to be careful if he was going to keep up with his attempt at being more.

    Everyone started at the doctor like he had grown a second head, Strange took it in stride, giving a small shrug and wave of his hand. “I saw all the possibilities and there were very, very few we won.”

    Tony gave him a look and frowned. “You said there was only one.”

    “I lied,” Strange said, matter-of-factly. Tony huffed out a breath and rubbed his eyes. “We won a few, but much of those few involved allowing Thanos to win, to complete his plan. Fully. Those were sacrifices I did not feel should be made. This plan, while unconventional,” he glanced over at the hunched Loki. “And involved putting a great deal of trust in two of the most unstable creatures we know, it was still the option with the least deaths. If it succeeded. If it failed, well, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.”

    Tony sat up a bit and gave Strange a hard stare. “I get reindeer games here being unstable, but Alice?”

    Doctor Strange titled his head up, staring at the ceiling in exasperation. “You are companions with a woman who could unleash a horror that will never stop. Can never stop if her mind and her control slips enough. She is not on the top of my list of relatable people.”

    Tony opened his mouth to argue. He gave up and gave a half-hearted shrug. “Okay. Point.” Tony glanced over at the aforementioned god, who seemed to be trying his best to become the chair he was in. He was still, except for the small movement of his thumb as he rubbed the tooth Alice gave him like a worry stone. “She is going to be pissed at you.” Loki’s head shot up at Tony’s words, glaring at the half smile Tony cast his way. “How did you come up with this insane plan anyway? When?”

    Loki shifted, tucking the tooth away into a small pocket in the sleek, black suit he wore. “He came to me New York,” he waved a hand towards Doctor Strange, “Just before I was taken back to Asgard. I am assuming via the use of the time stone, in some manner. Obviously, I was skeptical, considering my position at the time.” Loki’s expression darkened. “He knew of Thanos and of how much of threat he is. I was never given too many details, something about it possibly ruining how events will unfold. All I was told was that I needed to survive Thanos, and Alice needed, for a time, to believe I was dead.” His eyes flicked over to Tony, who was getting ready to ask the inevitable. “Yes, I did ask what would happen if I were to truly die.” Loki chuckled dryly. “What was it you said, doctor?”

    Strange gave Loki a half smile. “Don’t.” The doctor paused, glancing between Tony and Loki. When he started again his tone was cautious. “The possibility I saw if Loki had truly died was rather bleak. Alice may have been okay, but more likely than not she would have snapped. Fully. Thanos would still be killed, but we would be left with a much worse monster to contend with.” Strange pinned Tony with a hard stare. “So it was Loki, or very angry, very crazy young woman who could pull an entire world-destroying entity into our reality. I went with Loki.”

    Steve stood, giving his head a small shake. He paced a few steps before turning to Loki. “She still thought you were dead, and she still was slipping. During the fight with Thanos...she...” He rubbed his face and sighed. “Scary.” Steve paced again, letting out a puff of breath. “What if she had gone too far? You would have forced our hand, we would have had to go against our friend.”

    Strange nodded. “That was a possibility, but it was small. Loki was having Banner’s body for some time there, I figured his excessive personality would bleed through.”

    Bucky snorted and Loki titled his head in agreement. “Some was one purpose,” Loki said with a wry smile. “She spent enough time around me during my confinement. I assumed she would be able to pick out anything that was distinctly different from Banner.”

    Tony leaned back. Exhaustion weighed him down, sagging his shoulders and lining his face. “And you were alright with this?” Tony leveled the question at Bruce, who had hidden in the corner.

    Bruce laughed. “Not really, but,” He looked over at Loki with a smile that bordered on a grimace. “Loki, I guess, isn’t all that bad.”

    Tony stared at Banner, shock evident on his face. “Okay.” He blinked and turned back to Strange, voice still disbelieving. “So you didn’t think to let us in on this? Or maybe find a way to get Alice to him sooner? Remember,” Tony looked over at Quill and Nebula, both who were still lost in their own grief. “Some of us lost people still.”

    Strange looked away and focused down at his hands. “No. And I am sorry for it, but for Thanos to die everything that played out had to play out as it did. The lives lost were not lost a vain.”

    Quill suddenly stood with a low growl. He glared at Stange, shuddering with barely constrained rage. “So what? Gamora had to die so your plan would work!” He spat the word plan and curled his fists. Nebula reached out, putting a hand on Quill’s elbow.

    Strange held up a hand, trying to quell the other’s man’s rage. “Yes.” He whispered, voice rough. Quill sagged back into his chair and squeezed his eyes shut.

    “Now what?” Tony said, breaking the tense silence. “We have the stones, what do we do with them? What if another Thanos shows up, we can’t keep them together.”

    Strange gave a nod of agreement. “No, we can’t. That I still haven't found a good solution to.”

    Loki opened his mouth, but it was thor who spoke up. “Alice. She could place them in that dimension. No one should be able to get them there.” Strange curled his fingers around the Eye of Agamotto. “The time stone can stay in your hands, of course.” Loki pressed his lips into a thin line, brows knitting together. The others stared at Thor in a mixture of horror and awe.

    “Did you miss the memo that this ocean thing is a very bad place?” Quill snapped. “How about we use the stone to fix what Thanos did. We could do that, right?” He directed the question to Strange, who simply shrugged.

    “My brother's suggestion is sound,” Loki said quietly. “Alice would not become part of the ocean, or even use it for her own power. In theory, she is able to pass into the dimension without becoming part of it.” He worked to keep his own uncertainty out of his voice.

    Natasha sat up and frowned. “Would they be safe there? This thing is world destroying and sentient. Wouldn’t it want to use the stones?”

    Loki frowned as she voiced his own concerns. “I don’t know. From what I have seen, no. I don’t even believe the stones have any effect on anything from that place. The mind stone did not work on Alice as it did on you.” He waved a hand towards Clint, who gave Loki a glare in return. “We would have to ask her, I think.”

    “So wait,” Rocket said, voice strained, “the scary girl is our best chance of getting rid of super powerful stones and that is only because she can maybe hide them in a scarier place? That’s just great!”

    Loki gave Rocket a halfhearted shrug. “Possibly. There may be no need, but with Nova Prime and Asgard gone, the list of those that can keep the stones out of the hands of people, well like me, are slim.”

    Loki pushed himself out of the chair and stood quickly. He did not miss Steve’s small flinch forward and the way Tony’s jaw tightened. “Until we come to a decision, I am going to excuse myself. If it’s all the same to you? He can explain the rest.” Loki motioned to Strange. “I have somewhere I would much rather be. And I have a feeling that you would all much rather me not be here either.” He glanced at his brother. “Except for Thor.”

    Loki stepped away and set his sights on the double door that led into the gleaming halls of the compound.

    At some point, Tony had the place equipped with a small medical wing, staffed by a few brave souls that were willing to work with the occasional non-human patient. Loki had grown to know these halls well and grew to dislike them more and more each passing day. The whole place felt so sterile with its sleek edges and bright, clean colors. It was a far cry from the bright gold and warm glow of the halls of Asgard. He never thought he would be homesick, but now with no home, it came in waves, crashing over him.

    The quick fall of footsteps behind him gave him pause and he turned. “Yes?” Loki didn’t bother to hide the frustration that laced his voice.

    Tony gave him a look halfway between concern and annoyance. “You and I need to talk.”

    “And why now?” Loki asked, trying to keep his calm.

    “Because now I know the whole picture. Look, I don’t get it, why Alice latched onto you.”

    Loki frowned and leaned his hip against one of the tall windows lining the hall, crossing his arms loosely over his chest. “Have you ever asked her?”

    Tony looked away, frowning. “No. I should have. Maybe,” he hesitated, “maybe you and she are more similar than I would like to admit. I tried to understand.” Tony walked over and stood next to Loki. He gave his reflection a hard glare. “But I’m not what she needs. Not really.” He glanced up at Loki and took a deep breath. “I hate to say it, but Alice could use having you around. I just never realized how bad she had it for you. You do know how much I want that to not be the case, right?”

    Loki gave Tony a grim smile. “I imagine quite a bit.” At that Tony gave a mirthless chuckle. Loki pushed away from the window and turned to face Tony, hands clasped in front of him. “I feel a bit like a boy being lectured by a disapproving father.”

    Tony coughed out a real laugh. “In a way that’s kinda what is happening here.” The humor bled from his face. “Somehow I kept ending up accidentally adopting wayward kids. First Alice, and now I’ve got Parker. They are my responsibility now and I don’t want to fail them. I never should have let her near you, I failed her there.” Loki opened his mouth to protest, but Tony held up a hand to silence him. “You know damn well who and what you are. Especially back then. But I get it, things have changed. You have changed. You are not the same asshole who tried to take over the world. If you were we, you wouldn’t be standing here talking to me. I don’t trust you. Not yet, maybe not ever. But, for Alice, I can play nice. I failed her once. I won’t fail her again.”

    Loki was quiet, his gaze fixed solidly on the ground, wearing an expression of shame and surprise. When he finally spoke, his voice was only a hoarse whisper. “I do know who and what I am. It has been a contention for me for some time. The things I have done beg no forgiveness and I will not ask for something I do not deserve. All I wish is to have a chance to see if my brother is right. If I am capable of being more than just the God of Mischief.”

    Tony surprised Loki by clapping him on the shoulder, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Well, if you survive how pissed she may be, how about not being an asshole? Maybe even join us?”

    Loki stared at Tony in shock. “You are serious, aren’t you? Me? Joi...You think she will be that mad at me?”

    Tony turned and gave him a small wave. “Could be. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when she wakes up.”

#loki laufeyson #loki fanfic #loki #loki (marvel) #loki x ofc #iw spoilers #glitchedfics #not humanfic

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part Five

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror, Infinity War Spoilers, some gore

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four

The battle for the universe begins and Alice doesn’t handle things well, not well at all. Also, we will just pretend the end if Infinity War didn’t happen.

    Wakanda stretched out below them, strikingly beautiful. Alice was too preoccupied to enjoy the scenery. She fidgeted, glancing over at Steve every few moments.

    “You did give T’challa warning about me, right? I don’t want to shock the hell out of them. I mean...” She pointed to her arm and face.

    “Yes, Alice, I warned him. He has seen you before so you won’t be a surprise.” He glanced at the spot by her ribs that she kept poking at. “He was the one that helped patch us all up.”

    “Wait, patch you up?” Bruce interjected, sitting up in his seat. “You were injured?”

    Alice looked back at him and nodded. “Yeah. I tried to stop Tony from killing Bucky. He wasn’t really expecting me to be there or to, uh, be the way.” She gave a small shrug. “Got a neato scar out of it at least, though it sometimes itches and may be growing teeth!”

    He pressed his lips together. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to remain in Bruce as every scrap of new information made him hungry for more.

    The quinjet landed with a soft rock and Bruce sidled up to Alice, placing a hand on her elbow.

    “A suggestion? Just go as you are. No hiding.” She furrowed her brows and frowned. “Spending two years as my own worst enemy gave me a, uh new perspective on things. And there won’t be any battlefield surprises.”

    Alice squared her shoulders and gave a sharp nod. She pulled down her hood and shrugged out of the baggy outer shirt. Squeezing her eyes shut, she pulled off the scarf, letting lay where it fell.

    The infection had spread over the years, creeping up beyond her elbow giving the impression she had dipped her arm in ink. There was also now a smattering of small, black scales along her shoulder. The disfigurement of her face remained nearly unchanged, the eye still sitting in its bed of teeth.   

    With her head held high, she stepped off the Quinjet and into the bright Wakandan sun. Behind her she heard Rhodey quickly converse, Bruce, he needed to bow, allowing her a much-needed smile.

    Bucky gave her a small smile, his eyes crinkling. “Hey kid, looking better.” He wrapped her in a tight hug, new metal arm snaking around her waist.

    “Same could be said for you. Got a replacement?” She asked, tapping the arm. The metal was hard and Alice gave him a thumbs up.

    “So he is carrying the stone?” T’challa asked, nodding towards Vision. He was still injured, still weak from his attack and Wanda didn’t bother to hide her concern.

    “Yes,” Steve said. “And we need to separate him from it so Wanda can destroy it before Thanos gets here.”

    Okoye scoffed, eyes flitting from face to face. “This Thanos? We know for sure he is coming?”

    “Oh yeah.” Bruce sighed. “He needs them all. And once he has them all, we are in quite a bit of trouble.”

    “Bring him to Shuri. You will guard him?” He asked Wanda. She nodded, wrapping her arm more tightly around Vision. “Good.” He turned to Steve, shaking his head in amusement. “Get this man a shield.”

    It was mayhem. The Outriders were nigh unstoppable and they kept on coming, pouring through the barrier like water.

    Alice ducked under one of the Outriders clawed arms, bringing her own claws to bare, ripping through the beast. Another slammed into her, knocking the breath from her lungs. She rolled out of the way, gulping for air, just in time for the massive hammer ax of the big alien to come down where her head had been mere seconds ago.

    From behind her came a third Outrider, Alice felt the nanotech come to life. She had never used them in combat, but the nanotech was there, slipped into her very blood to help corral the infection and make her more dangerous.

    The nanomachines flowed over her normal arm, mirroring her right arm, right down to the claws. The Outrider tried to bite down on her right wrist, but the arm had split, leaving empty air and it’s head between razor teeth. She twisted the arm and the teeth tore through its neck, snapping back together through bone and flesh.

    “Remind me not to piss you off.” Bucky panted, shooting another of the Outriders that was pouncing. Before she could retort more Outriders converged, flowing over both of them. Alice tore through what she could, but it was like fighting against the tide.

    There a flash of light, a light that haunted Alice’s dreams.. Something flew by, killing the Outriders and leaving the heavy smell of ozone in its wake.

    Back in its owner's hand, the dust from the energy pulse cleared and there stood Thor, flanked by a gun-wielding raccoon and a  walking tree.

    Thor lept into the air, lighting dancing around his body and crackling to the ground. “Bring. Me. Thanos!”

    Alice let out a whoop, jumping in the air in glee. Somewhere in the fray, she heard Bruce yell, “Oh you guys are screwed now!” and she grinned in agreement.

    He slammed into the ground and the very earth quaked as lighting shuddered outward, killing thousands of the Outriders in one glories blast. She had to get to Thor, had to ask the question that kept burning at her mind. Heart thudding she ran to him.

    One of the Outriders that had survived the blast took her down, sweeping her feet out from under her. It pinned her down, jaws snapping inches from her nose. Alice roared, face contorting in frustrated rage. She clawed at the Outrider, digging deeper and deeper until it’s fell away, face nothing more than torn flesh. Alice rolled to her feet, eyes filled with a pale, milky light.

    “Thor!” She skidded to a halt next to him, chest heaving, before throwing her arms around him in a desperate hug. “We thought you may be dead and you aren’t! And shit was that some entrance.” They both ducked as an Outrider fell mid-jump, the raccoon taking it down with a wild grin. She turned to him, worry creasing her brows. “Loki...”: She was terrified to know, to ask. Knowing that one answer could undo her.

    Thor’s face darkened and she had her answer. “Thanos will die today.”

    Alice felt as if she were suddenly in freefall. All she could hear was the pounding of her own heart in her ears and the low, whispering sound of the ocean, lapping at the edges of her mind.

    “Are you sure?”

    Lightning crackled and another of the beasts fell. “I am never sure, but...” He looked haunted. “I watched helplessly as that monster strangled the life out of him. I heard his bones break.”

    Alice sucked in a breath and ducked her head. She let the whisper of the ocean in, monster crowing in the background. When she looked back up at Thor he took a step back. Her expression was murderous, the glow in her eyes shifting like light through water.

    “How many times do you think we could kill Thanos?” She asked, her voice layered with the echo of the screams of the ocean. Her arm snapped out, claws slicing through an Outrider. Eyes never leaving Thor’s.

    Her head shot up, the air shifting and Thor tightened his grip of the hammer. There was a rumble, quiet and deep. “I think,” Thor said, squaring his shoulders. “We are about to find out.”

    Alice snarled. “For Loki.” 

    They were smart, drawing out Wanda with massive machines that tore through the land. Alice dodged through Outrider and machine, tearing both to shred in her rage, losing herself further to the ocean. She was dimly aware of pain, of her blood seeping into her clothes.

    Alice felt his arrival, felt the hum of the Infinity Stones fighting against the cry of her own, unnatural nature. She twisted towards the forest, to where the power called and ran.

    Vision lay lifeless with Wanda, eyes dead staring at his colorless corpse. Thanos stood above them, smug in his victory and Alice fully snapped.

    “Murderer.” She hissed, voice distorting as her teeth elongated and the edge of her lips split further and further. Teeth filled in behind the split, ripping through bone, muscle, and flesh.

    Someone behind her hissed out a horrified “Shit!”

    Thanos regarded her with a wary curiosity, fully confident in the power of the stones to keep him safe from the thing before him. “And who are you little one?”

    Alice glared and stood tall. She let her arm split open, the tongue-like tendrils lolling out. She tilted her head, bird link and chuckled. “We are Alice, we are monster, and we are the ocean the never end. The endless flesh.” Thanos narrowed his eyes, slowly connecting the dots. Alice felt the hair on the back of her neck rise and grinned, shark-like. “And you are so fucked.” She sidestepped than jumped at his gauntleted arm, tendrils wrapping around it like snakes, pulling the fingers apart. Thor’s ax was slammed deep into the mad titan’s chest and Thanos’ eye went wide in shock, uncertainty clouding his eyes.

    “I told you that I would kill you!” Thor growled, pressing the ax deeper.

    Thanos’ tried to move his hand, tried to shake off Alice, who had wrapped around him, claws dug deep. He glanced at her and his eyes went wide when he realized too late her plan. She had unhinged her jaw, teeth curling out in a nightmarish visage. She made a sound halfway between a scream and a growl and she bit down. Hard. Flesh and bone, even a titan’s, had no chance against the pure hell of the Endless Ocean and his hand fell away, gauntlet and all.

    Alice let go and kicked the severed hand away, towards Steve. She ignored the look of terror of his face. She circled around, standing to face him and growled. “You are fucked.” She hissed, her voice hollow with the echo of the scream of a thousand civilizations.

    Thor, for his part, tried to keep his fear in check. Ignoring the instinct that was demanding him to take her out.

    Banner had gotten free of the Hulkbuster armor, and watched in horror. His unwanted passenger was in a similar state and he hoped Strange had been right as he watched, helpless as the Endless Ocean slowly took control.

    ‘Banner, hide, I am dropping the spell, but I need to remain unseen. For now.’ Bruce didn’t even argue, just slipped away. The spell fell away and Loki stepped out of Bruce’s body, shaking out his long limbs. He concealed himself, magic flowing around him like a second skin.

    Loki knew he should stop her, but he had his instructions, and now was not the time. The quiet whispering of the Ocean was everywhere and he wondered if Thanos heard it. If Thanos really knew what manner of creature stood before him. His hand went to his pocket, where the tooth lay hidden and he hoped she could come back from this.

    Alice leaned in, claws digging into his shoulder, punching through the skin.  

    “We know your mind. You act like a savior, but you are no less a monster than us. Maybe even more” Her polyphonic voice made her laugh all the more unnerving. “The sacrifices you made, they may have not been in vain, but you made one fatal error. You let revenge get the best of you. You killed Loki.”

    Thanos’ eyes widened. He would have laughed if he wasn’t losing ground. “This is about Loki?” He asked, voice hoarse from pain.

    Her claws dug deeper and she curled the tips under the muscle, pulling slightly. “We are a simple creature. My host and I. You took away the one she loved.”

    Loki’s heart nearly stopped at the hissed admission.

    “So, in turn, we will take away everything from you. Everything you worked for.” She leaned closer, another pair of eyes sliding open to stare at the mad titan. “I wonder how many times I can kill you if I drag you into the Endless Ocean?” Her expression went feral as everything clicked in place for Thanos and his expression changed to one of fear.

    Alice shuddered, pulling back slightly. Her face slowly knit together and she took a deep, angry breath. “No. No.” She gave her head a shake and bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood. “You death isn’t ours to take.” She ripped her claws free from his shoulder, pulling up a long strip of flesh. “You death is Thor’s.”

    She stumbled back, shaking as she used every ounce of energy to gain control of her own mind and body. The gauntlet and T’challa were gone, taken away during the scuffle and Alice sighed. Steve reached over, cautious and helped steady her. She leaned into him, wheezing.

    Stormbreaker cut through Thanos’ neck in one smooth stroke and the mad titan fell, dead at Thor’s feet.

    Alice let out a relieved sigh before the fight left her and she collapsed into Steve’s arm, darkness overtaking her.

#loki laufeyson #loki fanfic #loki (marvel) #loki x ofc #iw spoilers #glitchedfics #not humanfic

[glitchedbones-blog]

Not Human - Part Three

Loki x Original Female Character

Warnings: Body horror

Part One - Part Two

Loki and Alice do a little bonding and Loki learns more about what she is before he is shipped off back home. 

    The beep and hiss of the door opening signaled another shift change, one Loki was deeply glad for. His brother has spent the better part of the last three hours trying to have a meaningful heart to heart. Loki was more than done with Thor. He had spent the last half hour with his face buried in his hands, thinking of more and more creative ways to murder his brother.

    “Ah, Alice! Alice?” Loki’s head shot up at the worried tone Thor’s voice took.

    Alice looked exhausted, skin pallid and eyes sunken. It reminded Loki of when he first met her, but something was off. Loki watched the tight smile Alice gave Thor, eyes narrowing.

    She waved him off with a soft chuckle. “I’m fine. Just a little tired is all. Now scoot, I can get some relaxing done while keeping an eye on this guy.” She gestured with her thumb over to Loki.

    Thor frowned brow arching just slightly. “If you say so, but you must let us know if this guarding is getting to you. We can always bring Bruce back in.”

    Alice shook her head, Bruce had asked to be taken off, Loki’s staring had bordered on obsessive and Hulk had started to take issue with it. To keep incidences down Alice and Thor took up Bruce’s shifts, splitting them evenly.

    She dropped her bag down and gave him a dismissive wave. “Really, I’m fine. Go.” She glanced at the ground. “Honestly, I probably will feel better here versus anywhere else in the compound.” She muttered.

    Thor stepped past her giving her shoulder a firm squeeze and casting her a knowing smile. “Seems we are the only two.” He gave Loki a grin over his shoulder. “Alright brother, I will see you next time. I will try to bring books for you!” Loki watched Thor leave and waiting for the door to hiss shut and the alarm to beep. He turned his attention to Alice and frowned.

    “You are a terrible liar.”

    She shrugged, not even bothering to argue and took her place against the glass of his cage, blanket tucked under her. “You aren’t wrong, but why do you say so?”

    Loki stood, stretching out like a cat before walking over to her. He was fidgeting with his left hand, a nervous tick that started to fascinate Alice more and more. “I have seen you tired.” He fanned his hands out. “It is how we met.” With that he took his own place, sitting across from Alice. He dropped his elbow to his knee and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. “This. This is much deeper than exhaustion. You look...” Loki paused, watching the emotions play across her face, his eyes widened slightly when he pinned down what he saw. “You look sad, almost...Heartbroken.”

    Alice gaped at him, moth opening and closing as she tried to come up with some sort of protest. Instead, she just sighed and sunk into herself. “I guess I am. A little. And the reason is really stupid, so don’t ask.”

    “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Loki said, giving her a smirk.

    Alice huffed out a half-hearted laugh. “Ass.”

    Loki gave an overdramatic sigh. “I am deeply hurt.” He caught her eye and leaned forward, hand pressing against his chest. “I am willing to listen,” he rolled his eyes, “even if I did just spend three hours avoiding a heart to heart with my brother.”

    Alice gave him a mirthless smile. “They finished. The Tesseract thing.” She drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, ducking her head down.

    Loki stilled, eyes going wide in shock. “When?”

    “This morning, after Thor started. I don’t think he knows yet.” She muttered into her knees. She took a deep breath and looked up, wearing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “But hey, you get to home in a couple of days.”

    Loki wet his lips and let out a huff of breath. He carded his hand through his hair and took a deep breath, looking down at his lap. “I see.” He glanced back up, brows lifting. “This is why you are upset? Because of...”

    “You leaving. “ Alice finished, blushing slightly. She bit her lip and sniffed. “I told you it was stupid. Here I am, actually sad that the jerk who opened a portal in the sky and nearly got Tony killed is leaving. How stupid is that?” She glared at him. “Don’t answer that.”

    “If it is any consolation I am not keen on returning myself. I will not be welcomed with open arms. I have fallen out of favor with my...father. Not that he held me in that high of regard, to begin with.” Loki said, bitterness lacing his voice.

    Alice moved, tucking her legs back under her and leaning forward, eyebrows scrunched together. “What will happen to you?”

    Loki glanced around his current cage before looking back at her. “Either I remain in another cage or execution. Maybe exile, but I doubt that is an option.”

    The horror in Alice’s face was a surprise to Loki. “Your own father would...kill you?”

    “Adopted.” Loki snipped.

    Her jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed. “But, you weren’t even...” She wrinkled her nose. “Or at least, I have a theory that you weren’t, ah in complete control. That stupid scepter, I think had some influence. Not as much as Clint, but still.”

    “And if I wasn’t under control?” Loki asked, leveling her with a dark look. “It is a nice theory, but it is just that. A theory.”

    Alice huffed. “Do you have any regret for what you did?” Alice asked point blank.

    Loki reeled back, eyeing her. “My plans had a different outcome than what occurred. From before I let go and fell into that void. I did not want my brother exiled, I did not want any of this to really happen,” he waved his hand out. “But it did. I do not regret, but my plans were not so much my own anymore.”

    Alice sat up fully, folding her hands in her lap. “Theory holds true. Look, I wish things had gone way different for you. I do. I know what it’s like getting the short end of the shit stick, I mean, look at me.” She put both hands out, palm up. “Oh, one hand you got the bad end.” She folded her left hand away. “But, on the other hand, on a more selfish note, I got to run into you.” She folded her right hand shut and dropped the hand to her lap.

    “You are glad to have met me?” Loki asked, incredulously, staring at the hand on her lap. “As your friend Stark has pointed out, I have killed a great many people, and yet meeting me makes it, what? Better?” He looked back up at her, lips pressed into a thin line.

    “No? Yes. Look, I’m not like the others when it comes to this hero stuff. Anyone with eyes can see that. You aren’t the only one who has killed people here.” She snapped, crossing her arms. Her eyes widened slightly and she stiffened, before staring straight down.

    Loki leaned forward. “You?”

    Alice flinched and tightened her jaw. “Yes. I don’t like to think about it. Talk about it, but, we all have a little blood on our hands. In your case, a lot.” Her narrowed gaze flicked up to him.

    Loki pressed his hand against the glass and dropped his voice to a whisper. “Who?”

    Alice deflated, curling her arms around her torso and letting out a long, shaky breath. “My family.” She looked up at him, eyes glassy. “When all this happened I lost control, completely. We killed them all. Either directly, or by infecting them.” Her voice broke and she let out a small sob. “I never lied when I said I was a monster.”

    Loki knew that level of self-loathing. Was intimately familiar with viewing yourself as nothing more than a nightmare. A monster from children’s stories. His fingers curled against the glass, fist pressing hard against the smooth surface as he poured what magic he could to break through. He hadn't’ had anyone there for him when he had found out his true parentage and he was ill-equipped to offer comfort, but he was damned well going to try. He owed to her. And himself.

    He glared over at the camera in the corner of his cage, willing whoever was on the other end this one reprieve. Allow the cage to open.

    Thor has been quiet since leaving the cage room, a fact Tony was glad for. The big man was nice, but it was hard to get work done when you have an overzealous god bouncing around like a puppy.

    “Tony?” Tony glanced up from his work, hiding his groan. “I think Alice may not be alright. She seemed off today.”

    Tony’s mouth twisted and he gave Thor a look. “She seemed fine to me. Tired maybe.” He went back to his laptop. An email came in, confirming more details about the Tesseract. Tony shook his head, amazed he forgot. “Oh, Tesseract is done, you guys are going home.”

    Thor gave a small nod and thin-lipped smile. “I am guessing Alice knew?” Tony nodded. “That would explain why she seemed down.”

    Tony stopped typing and pushed himself away from the laptop to fully face Thor, confusion etched across his face. “Why would Alice be sad about either of you leaving?” His voice was measured.

    Thor laughed, giving his knee a smack. “Surely you jest? She has gotten deep under my brother’s skin and I think he has gotten under hers. Have you not seen it?” Thor’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

    “Alice wouldn’t...care about...” Tony snapped his mouth shut at Thor’s thoroughly disbelieving look. “Your brother is not exactly on the top of the list of good people she has interacted with.”

    Thor nodded in concession, rolling his shoulders in a half shrug. “True, Loki has been just the worst lately, but he is not the monster he thinks he is. Or the one we think he is.” Thor said matter-of-factly, clasping his hands behind his head.

    “Excuse me, are we talking about the same guy? The one who tried to take over the world? That guy?” Tony wrinkled his nose, mouth slightly agape.

    “Yes,” Thor said slowly.

    “And you think Alice what- has a crush on him?” Tony’s tone was harsh.

    Thor leaned forward, leaning his hands on his knees. “I think Alice is in far deeper than a simple crush, Tony.”

    Tony pressed his lips together and muttered a rushed excuse me. He rushed over to a bank of monitors. “JARVIS, bring up the cage audio and video.” The audio cut in just as her broken confession drifted out of the speakers. Tony felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.

    He knew a bit of her history when he first met her she had been silent on what happened, but over time opened up to both him and Pepper. She had lost her family, but she never elaborated, refusing even when he pushed. She wouldn’t even give him her last name. So he gave up, stopped pushing. She didn’t want to share.  

    And now he knew why.

    He could feel Loki staring at him from the monitor. It was strange seeing such a desperate expression on someone who was usually so controlled. Tony’s fingers danced over the keyboard, giving Loki one minute. One minute to do what he was going to do before the cage resealed. If he wasn’t in it, Loki will find himself dealing with whatever magic the Ancient One weaved into the outer room.

    Tony hit the mic. “You have a minute out of that cage. Don’t make me regret this, reindeer games.” He confirmed the command and hoped he made the right choice.

    The cage door slid open, a small klaxon staring the moment the sequence started. Loki was on his feet and out the door as fast as he could. Alice was stunned to find him on the wrong side of the glass and was even more shocked when he gathered her in his arms and pulled her back into the cage. The door shut with a whoosh of air and the klaxon fell silent. Loki gave the camera a small nod before giving his full attention to Alice.

    He sat her on the cot, she was still, rapidly blinking in stunned confusion. Loki sank down in front of her, reaching out to press his fingertips against the tears still trailing down her cheek. “Alice...” She shook her head, face crumbling before crashing into him. She buried her face into his throat as his arms snaked around her shoulders. The odd position put a strain on his back, on impulse Loki pulled her down into his lap, getting a small yelp of surprise in return.

    The sat curled against each other for ages before Alice pealed herself away and rubbed her eyes with the edge of her hood. She looked up at him, frowning. “How am I in here?”

    Loki nodded up at the cameras. “Whoever was watching realized there is little comfort to be offered when there is a glass wall in the way.”

    “Oh.” Alice looked down and realized she was curled in his lap. She tried to move, get up and put some distance between them, but was stilled by his hand around her right wrist. She froze, staring as he ran a thumb over the curve of scales and along the small seam between her fingers. “You can...Uh, I’m ok now.”

    Loki simply shook his head. “No.” His other hand found her cheek and he pushed away the scarf, careful not to snag the fabric on the small teeth hidden underneath. The eye stared out at him, glowing slightly in the harsh light.

    “Loki?” Alice asked carefully, sitting stock still.

    “Shhh. I am trying out this being comforting thing and I have no idea what I am doing.” He gave her a tight smile.

    Alice snorted, her cheeks going pink. “You’re doing fine.”

    Loki gave a small, contented sigh, fingers ghosting further along her cheek. “Good. Us monsters have to keep together, we are all we have..”

    Alice rolled her eyes at that and gave his chest a small poke. “I still don’t see it. Why you think of yourself as a monster.”

    Loki grimaced. “Just know it is true.” He let his hand fall from her face and looked away. “I wonder if my brother can convince Odin to not kill me, or maybe mother can. At least there could be a small chance that yo-” He trailed off, not even allowing himself to give voice to his thoughts.

    Alice's eyes brightened and she pushed herself back, giving her arm room to move. “I have an idea!” The arm split open once more. This close Loki could hear every pop of bones and slide of tooth as each long fang slipped out of the muscle. Alice grabbed one of the longer fangs and pulled. Hard.

    The tooth ripped out, leaving a small hole that quickly started filling with blackish red blood. Her arm snapped shut with a small squelch and she grinned at him. She grabbed his hand and pressed the tooth into his palm before folding his fingers over, careful not to squeeze.

    “So, as weird as that was, I have a reason,” Alice explained, wincing at his vaguely nauseated expression. “It’s like an otherworld horror version of the lock of hair shit people did back in Victorian ages. Kind of a hey, now you can’t forget me cause you have my arm tooth.” She blushed and gave him a sheepish smile.

    Loki brought the tooth up, turning the curved fang in his fingers. It reminded him of a snakes fang, delicate and deadly. He closed his hand around it and smiled. “Thank you. Is this you implying you want a lock of my hair?”

    Alice shook her head. “Horrible body parts only. Anyway, I doubt I’ll uh...have trouble remembering you.”

    Quickly, Loki leaned forward, pressing a small kiss on her cheek. Alice went deep red and swallowed hard. “Thanks.”

    Loki rested his hand on her neck and sighed. “If only there was more time...”

    Alice furrowed her brows and leaned forward. “What?” She cleared her throat. “What would happen if there was more time?”

    Loki pulled back and gave her a wry smile. “Find a way to Asgard. To me. And I will find a way myself.”

    He licked his lip, shifting forward just a fraction. He froze and pulled away, before pulling her off him and up on the cot. Alice was left gaping at him.

    She snapped her jaw shut and stood shakily, putting the wrap and hood back in the proper place. “Oh, we will find you.” She stressed the we. “Even if we have to twist reality itself.”

    The klaxon sounded and the door opened. Alice ducked under, pausing to look back at Loki. He was grinning at her, the hand with the tooth pressed against his heart.

    “I look forward to it.”

    She pointed at his hand. “Don’t lose that.” She turned, hiding her face in the hood and slipping out of the cage room.

    Tony was waiting on the other side, arms crossed. Scowling. Alice simply stepped around him, head down, hoping to hold herself together long enough.

    Alice wasn’t about to admit what seeing Loki in that muzzle and those cuffs were doing to her. Instead, she turned to Tony and tried to school her expression into something disapproving.

    “Is the muzzle really necessary?”

    “Yes.” Clint snapped. He was still, understandably sore about being under Loki’s control.

    Thor gave her an apologetic smile and turned his attention to Loki. “Ready, brother?” Loki simply stared at him, eye defiant as his fingers curling around the other end of the Tesseract device.

    Loki locked eyes with Alice, giving her a final nod before the brothers vanished in a wash of blinding light.

    Alice flinched and Tony gave her shoulder a small pat. “Come on, kid, let’s get you home.”

    She nodded, trying to ignore the tears pricking at her eyes. “Hey, Tony?”

    “Yeah?”

    Alice steeled herself for a fight. “The injections need to stop. They aren’t helping.”

    Tony looked alarmed, glancing to the place Loki stood and back to her. He narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure?”

    She squared her shoulders and gave a firm nod. “Yes. What will happen will happen and I am this. There is no cure. So I need to learn to finally deal with it.”

    “Alright, though...” Alice narrowed her eyes at him and he gave her a mischievous grin. “What are your feelings on nanomachines?”

#loki laufeyson #loki fanfic #loki (marvel) #loki #loki x oc #loki x ofc #glitchedfics #not humanfic

[glitchedbones-blog]

The Forest Eats Your Heart - Part Three

Part One - Part Two

Warnings: Mention of insects

Bucky and the bug gal get to know each other a bit better. All to the dulcet tones of Bob Ross. 

    Bucky was growing tired of the constant nightmares waking him up and stealing away the little bit of sleep he could muster. In the quiet of the compound, Bucky could hear the heavy fall of rain and the rumble of distant thunder from a storm that had been going full force all day. He debated briefly on staying in his room, crawling back into bed, and trying to let the rain lull him back to sleep. He decided against it.

    Book in hand, he padded to the common room, half hoping someone else would be up to distract him from his exhaustion. He paused when he saw her sprawled out on the couch, asleep. The television casting a harsh glow across her, making her look even more alien.

    As quietly as he could, he stepped over to turn off the television, keeping an eye on her. Which was his undoing as he knocked his hip into the end table. He glanced over and she was blinking up at him, rubbing one of her spidery hands over her face.

    “Guess I fell asleep out here,” she was interrupted by a jaw-cracking yawn. “I got- The show was fun to watch, but easy to drift off to.” She nodded towards the tv. The guy painting on the screen did have a surprisingly soothing voice. She sat up fully and snuggled down into the couch. “I am guessing you really don’t sleep much?”

    Bucky shook his head. “Nightmares from...from before. I don’t how much you were told about everyone here and our pasts.” He sat down near her, leaning back into the too soft couch.

    Locust cocked her head. “I- Remember I read papers about Captain America. There were some mentions of- You were in one or two. Being the same age as him, I put things together. That and I watched- Tony gave me access to watch some of the archive stuff. You were kind of a- A myth.”

    Bucky frowned. “Only because of the horrible things I’ve down.”

    Locust shook her head. “No- Yes, but it wasn’t-” she bit her lip and took a deep breath. “Steve filled me in on what was done to you. No one should have to deal with that. The fact that you are still good,” she leaned forward and poked his chest, right above his heart, “that you still have a good heart. It’s- I think that is impressive.”

    He smiled at that. “What about you? You were-” he cut himself off, frowning. He took a small breath and gave her a small frown. “In a forest, by yourself. I’m betting that wasn’t by choice?”

    Locust sunk deeper into the couch and nodded. “No, it wasn’t. My family- I was weird, and this was before superheroes and villains were commonplace. They- We had a small hunting shack and they sent me there. I think- I know they forgot about me there. They didn’t want a, whatever I am, for a daughter. I did learn how to make rabbit taste really good!”

    Bucky gaped down at her, eyes wide as she smiled brightly up at him. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

    She gave a half-hearted shrug and waved her hand dismissively. “It happened. No point in dwelling on it.”

    Bucky inclined his head and gave out a small huff of laughter. Maybe I should take that approach. When we sent out the team for you, why did you put up no fight?”

    “Why would I?” Locust asked, furrowing her brows. “They weren’t threatening. I- It was a chance to maybe be part of something. Have- Be part of a,” she ducked her head. “A family. Even if it’s a little-”

    “Dysfunctional?” Bucky provided. Locust giggled at that and nodded quickly. He grinned. “Well, that certainly sums us up.”

    Locust yawned and stretched out her hands in an almost catlike movement. “Sorry. I- Sleep is still kind of hard without forest noises.” She gave Bucky a small smile. “It’s weird not having a bunch of crickets chirping around me.”

    Bucky nodded, fully understanding. While his sleep was stolen by nightmares most of the time, when he could sleep it was never great, his mind waking him up constantly. Just in case there was any danger. Being on the run after living as a weapon had broken him.

    He clapped a hand on his knee and grinned at the idea that popped into his head. “I think we can talk to Tony. Maybe get something that makes forest sounds for you.”

    He was surprised to find his arms suddenly full of Locust. He returned her hug, awkwardly wrapping the metal arm around her shoulders. “That is- You think we can do that? It’s possible?”

    Bucky chuckled. “I bet it is. I know there are things online that you can find, so I am sure Tony can get something set up for you.”

    She pulled back, grinning at him. “Now we just need to find a way for you to sleep better.” Locust let go, and snuggled back into the couch and pointed at the television. “For now we can watch this guy paint his friend;y little trees. Maybe he can help you fall asleep too.”

    Bucky shrugged. “Worth a try.” She tossed half of her blanket over his legs. Bucky, taking the hint, tucked his legs up on the couch and turned his attention to the tv. Each brush stroke and calming word working to slowly draw him closer to the edge of sleep.

    Bucky was the first to stir, the hushed voices of someone finally breaking through the fog of sleep.

    “I feel bad,” Steve whispered, amusement plain in his voice.

    “We need the couch, Rogers.” Natasha sounded less amused, but still decidedly not upset. Steve sighed, a little too loudly and walked towards them. Bucky cracked open his eyes, blinking away what felt like a weeks worth of sleep as he slowly became aware of the weight against him.

    Locust had ended up tucked under his arm, face buried in his chest with one arm draped over his torso, long fingers lightly curled into his shirt. Bucky glared up at Steve’s all too smug expression. He shifted and Locust woke, pulling herself out from under his arm with a quick apology. She looked up to see Steve and Natasha’s twin expressions of sheer amusement and pressed her hands to her face and ducked her head, groaning softly.

    “I hope I didn’t drool on you.” She finally mumbled, peering out between her fingers at Bucky. He laughed and gave her a small, warm smile.

    “It’s fine. It’s one of the first times I managed to sleep well.”

    Locust dropped her hands into her lap and sighed, relief evident on her face. “Oh, good,” She looked up at the two still standing there and cleared her throat. “I’ll- I will get out of your way now. Need to change, clean up.” She slipped off the couch and power walked away, muttering softly to herself.

    Bucky turned his attention to Steve and Natasha, brow arched. “So what is going on?”

    Steve shifted and glanced over at Natasha, frowning slightly. “Look, Bucky, we uh...” he trailed off and pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh.

    “We found some of HYDRA’s old people. We haven’t gotten much intel on them yet, but there were prototypes for,” her gaze flicked to his arm. “For that. For you.”

    Bucky stiffened. “I see.” He said voice strained. “What is the plan?”

    Natasha gave him a wary look and cast a quick glance at Steve. She started to speak, but Steve cut her off.

    He gave Natasha an apologetic shrug, “Find where they are and clear them out like rats.”

    Bucky stood stiffly, heart pounding in his ears. There had to have been more HYDRA ops, of course, there were. He was simply hoping to never have to see or hear of them ever again. “Let me know when you find them.”

    “Buck, you don’t have to do this,” Steve said softly.

    Bucky let out a harsh bark of laughter. “Yes, I do. I can’t let them win. If I let my fear get me, it’s just another way they have control over me. And I’m done with it.”

    Natasha grinned. “Good. Having you along is always handy, you can keep an eye on the new girl.”

    He felt like he had been doused in freezing water. He stared at Natasha, face blank. “What?”

    Steve gave him a small, encouraging smile. “It’s probably one of the safer missions. No gods, no aliens, no insane alien with a god complex and an ugly gauntlet.” Bucky chuckled. “Just some soldiers. She won’t be the front line, but if she wants to be part of the team, it’s a good introduction.”

    “I guess you are right, better her face what can be technically called humans before easing her into the more superhuman side of things. I’m curious to see how that will work.”

    Tony strode in a small swagger to his step as he fiddled with a device in his hands. “Oh, that’s easy. Her little bug show was only the tip of what I think she can do, just going by what she has said. I can’t wait to see. It’s going to be handy to have someone else with powers on the team. After Thanos,” Tony’s expression darkened. “After that, we need more powers.” He took his attention away from the device and gave a wry smile. “Also, we found them. So we make a plan and we suit up.”

    Bucky nodded. “I’ll go tell Locust.” He sidestepped Steve, trying to ignore the knowing smile his friend gave him.

    Tony slipped the device into his pocket and clapped his hands. “Alright, well while he is doing that, Cap, can you tell Hawkeye that it’s his turn to babysit Reindeer Games?”

    Steve laughed, “Oh he’ll be thrilled.” He headed off towards where Clint usually stayed, chuckling all the way.

#bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x ofc #bucky #tfeyhfic #glitchedfics

[glitchedbones-blog]

The Forest Eats Your Heart - Part Five

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four

Warnings: None

Bucky helps a sorta traumatized Locust and also tried to channel his pre-Winter Solider self. 

    Bucky didn’t bother to change out of his mission clothes, he simply stipped off body armor and left it where it fell, intending to deal with it later. Locust had been quick and the door to her room was already shut when he got there. Bucky paused, he debated simply charging inside, but didn’t want to make things worse. He knocked and held his breath, hoping. She looked bad, with her tears streaking down her cheeks and eyes bloodshot.

    “Can I come in?” Bucky asked, dropping his shoulders to make himself seem smaller. Locust stepped to the side and waved him in. “I’m not going to ask the obvious. I know you aren’t okay.” She cracked a smile at that. “But you will be. I’m here if you want to talk.”

    Locust simply shook her head. “I- No, I am not a talker. I just- Can you just keep me company?” She sat on her bed and patted the space next to her. Bucky sat down and gave her a small nod.

    “Sure. I can do that.” Locust leaned up against him and ran her fingers along the joints of his arm. “Before all this, Winter Soldier and Avengers stuff Steve and I used to do a lot of stupid things. Once we tried to sneak into this fair, right? Saw a couple of pretty girls, but we had no money to get tickets. So we jumped the fence, but Steve, his shoe got stuck. So we make it over, but Steve is missing a shoe and these girls just look at us like we are the biggest losers. Which, Steve I could see. What I didn’t know was that I had ripped my pants on the way over, right on the back. So Steve has no shoe and I’ve got a rip in my pants and we are penniless in this fair. So what do we do? We ask the girls if they wanna get outta there. In the end, we got kicked out and pretty badly embarrassed.”

    Locust snorted and glanced up at Bucky, eyebrow arched. “That was a terrible story.”

    He gave her a shrug. “Well, it has been nearly 70 years since it happened so, memory isn’t the best. I figured something stupid might help you feel better.”

    Locust’s smile faltered, but she nodded. “It did. A little. It was stupid.”

    Bucky looped his arm around her shoulder and leaned down, grinning. “I have a bunch more stupid stories if you are interested.”

    Locust nodded. “Very, Mr. Barnes.”

    Bucky spent the rest of the night telling Locust story after story of his childhood exploits with Steve. From simple fishing trips to Steve getting his ass handed to him by a couple of thugs, but still fighting back. When he ran out of stories from his childhood, he went into stories from his time with the 107th and even the Howling Commandos, being careful to keep any real fighting out of his tales.

    Locust found herself drifting in and out of sleep and slowly started to press heavily against Bucky’s side. Her head rolled forward and she was falling, Bucky just caught her before she found herself getting familiar with the floor.

    “Alright, doll, it's time for you to go to sleep.” he helped her back onto the bed, offering a steady arm as she sleepily slipped under the thin covers. Bucky made to go, but was stopped by her soft grip around his wrist.

    “Please don’t- Stay here, please. You can keep the nightmares away.” Bucky chuckled at that. Locust tightened her grip and stared up at him. “I don't want to be alone.”

    Bucky sighed and kicked off his shoes and socks and pulled off the overshirt and tossed them into a pile. “I scare away your nightmares, you scare away mine. Deal?”

    Locust pulled him down making him lay next to her. Bucky wrapped her in his arms and she snuggled against him. “Deal,” she mumbled into his chest.

    Bucky smiled down at the mop of black hair and sighed. “FRIDAY, can you get the lights?” The lights dark. In the soft light of the coming dawn, Bucky caught sight of a small, white, moth sitting on the window. He chuckled and Locust made a small, questing hmmm. “Your moth is back.”

    Locust simply shrugged and tried to burrow deeper into Bucky’s arms. He pulled her closer and had q heartbeat of calm before the panic set in. The realization hit him full force and he stared down at the now sleeping woman, eyes wide. He tried to calm his galloping heart as he fought with the realization that he never wanted to let her go.

    He took a deep breath, telling himself it was too late, or too early to deal with this. He would sleep on it, see if he felt the same way in the morning. A growing part of him certainly hoped so.

    Morning, or mid-afternoon made morning, came and Bucky woke to find himself alone in a pile of rumpled sheets. He sat up, heart pounding as he glanced around the small room. He noticed a small pile of fresh clothes atop a chair with his shoes neatly tucked underneath.

    The door to the bathroom opened and Locust stepped out, toweling off her damp hair. She caught Bucky’s eye and gave him a half smile.

    “I- You needed fresh clothes so I had Steve bring them down.” She pointed to the clothes. “You can use my shower if you- You can use it to clean up.”

    Bucky nodded and padded towards the bathroom, stopping to grab the handful of clothes. He dumped the clothes on the sink and stepped into the shower and let his mind drift as the water washed away the last missions grime.

    Sleeping on his thoughts hadn’t helped and Bucky still didn’t know what he wanted. What he planned to do. Too much time had been lost as the Winter Soldier. Too much of him. He could practically hear Steve teasing him about no longer being such a lady killer. Bucky snorted. Dancing. Or dinner. That’s what he would go with. Back to the old days, before he was a murderer.

    A quick dry and dress and he steeled himself. Locust was perched on her bed, the little moth from before sitting on her fingertips, it’s soft wings vibrating slightly.

    “Hi. I- Thank you for keeping away the nightmares. Looks like it worked.” She smiled brightly and Bucky chuckled.

    “Yeah, well I can pretty scary.”

    Locust gave a small shrug. “Maybe. Apparently, I can be as well.”

    Bucky smiled in agreement and plopped down next to her, resting his elbows on his thighs. “That you are, doll.” He leaned back and cleared his throat. “I was wondering,” Bucky gave a nervous cough and ran a hand through his still damp hair. “Would you, maybe, want to go get something to eat? Together?”

    Locust stared at him, eyes wide and hand with the moth frozen in midair. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before giving a small huff. “I- Yes. That would be good. Together. Food!” She dropped her hand and the moth fluttered off. “Let me- I just need to change into more outside clothes.” She waved a hand at her tank top and sweatpants. Bucky nodded and stood.

    “Sure, yes. Fifteen minutes in the lounge. I’ll meet you there.”

    Locust nodded and shooed him out. “Yes. Yeah. Fifteen is good.” Locust nearly shut the door in his face and Bucky couldn’t help but grin as he strolled down the hall towards the lounge. It wasn’t until he almost got there that he realized his shoes were still in her room.

#bucky barnes fanfic #bucky x ofc #bucky fanfic #tfeyhfic #glitchedfics

[glitchedbones-blog]

The Forest Eats Your Heart - Part Four

Part One - Part Two - Part Three

Warnings: Mention of insects doing bad things to bad people.

The crew heads off to find a Hyrda base and get a bit more than expected. 

A/N: This thing was a beast to write and I have no idea why. I rewrote it a billion times and still am not super happy with it. 

    Locust was pacing when Bucky knocked on her door. She froze and gave the door a small glare before slowly pulling the door open, peering at her visitor through the narrow crack. Bucky gave a small wave and she pulled the door fully open, giving him a nervous smile.

    “Is there- Did something happen?”

    “No, nothing happened. We had something come up that we need to look into. It will be your first run as a...As an almost Avenger.” Bucky shifted his weight and leaned himself against the doorframe. “We are going to find some Hydra remnants.”

    Locust blinked owlishly. “Aren't they the- They are the ones who did...” she trailed off and glanced at his metal arm. Bucky nodded. Locust frowned and ran a hand through her hair. “Is it- This seems too important to bring someone like me along.”

    Bucky shook his head and pushed away from the doorframe, taking a half step towards her. “The Hydra group are all, as far as we know, human. No super powers, no magic, just people with guns.” He smiled wryly at her. “It will probably be the most normal mission we go on.”

    Locust kept picking at the new clothes Tony had insisted she wear. The clothes were woven through with a new form of nanotechnology that Tony had created. Making the clothes bullet resistant and perfect for the regular humans on the team. The nanotech made the clothes too thick for her liking and the top clung far too tight for comfort.

    Bucky gave her a sympathetic look as she pulled down at the edge of the long sleeved shirt for the thousandth time, trying to get more comfortable.

    “Trust me, being a little uncomfortable is much better than being shot.” She glanced up at him and rolled her eyes, but finally gave up and simply sunk into her seat on the quinjet.

    Locust leaned forward to get a better view out the front of the jet, frowning when all she saw was clouds and endless darkness. She shifted back and started picking at her nails.

Bucky watched her, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. She's adorable, he thought. Bucky blinked, surprised by his own stray thought.

    “We’re here,” Steve called from the front. Bucky shook his head and filed away the thought to deal with later. Now wasn't the time.

    Locust looked a bit pale and she stiffened as the quinjet begin to descend. Bucky gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You’ll do fine. You've got Tony, Steve, and me to keep you safe.”

    She relaxed a little and pressed her hand against his metal arm. “Thank you.”

    The quinjet settled down in a small clearing, Steve making sure to use the tree cover to keep the jet hidden from Hydra eyes. The forest they landed in was thick, the huge, dark trees standing tall over a carpet of moss riddled earth. Locust took a deep breath and grinned. It felt like home. Even if the air was cooler and the trees far taller than she was accustomed too.

    “How are you?” Bucky asked, glancing down at her.

    Locust grinned up at him. “This. This I can do.” She let her eyes fall shut and took a deep breath. “We have many friends here. I don’t- I am not familiar with what they are, but they are here. Waiting.”

    The base was well hidden, tucked against a small mountain range and behind a nest of huge pines. From the air, the base would have been invisible. From the ground, it was nearly so.

    Tony held up a hand and pointed towards a decently sized outcrop of tree and rocks. The five ducked behind them, with Bucky keeping a wary eye on the thin strip of visible base.

    “Any idea how we are getting in there?” Tony asked. “We have no one outside, but FRIDAY found a couple of camera, heat sensors, and there are two guards right inside.”

    Locust raised a hand. “I have one.” She poked her head over the rocks and pointed at the entrance. “There are vents- Not big vents. Probably for air, but, I can send in something small to take out the guards. There- I am sure there is something venomous around here. Or I could just have ants crawl in their clothes.” She shrugged. “It would- Less chance of hurting them.”

    Steve gave Tony a small nod but Tony shook his head. “Like the idea, but hold off. I want to use her as our surprise.” He glanced back over their hide, frowning when FRIDAY helpfully chimed in that the guards were no longer at their post.

    Locust reacted first to the snap of a branch, too heavy to be from an animal. She ducked, the first shot grazing her arm, the nanotech leaving her only bruised instead of bloody. A second shot rang out and deflected off Bucky’s hand, burying deep into the soft soil.

    Hydra soldiers swarmed out from the now open base, the heavy clank of metal filling the quiet of the forest. Locust blanched, falling back against the rocks, fingers digging into the earth. Bucky stood over her, Glock leveled at the closest soldier. The soldiers had them surrounded, caught between a wall of well-armed men and the rocks they were hiding behind.

    “These are the great Avengers? So easy to corner like rats. We knew you would come, such easy bait.” One of the soldiers eyed Bucky and grinned. “And you brought us the Winter Soldier? What a nice gift.” Locust went stiff, eyes narrowing. “Drop your weapon, boy, or we shoot you all.”

    Bucky dropped the gun and gave Locust a quick glance. “You may want to be a surprise.”

    Locust nodded stiffly. She screwed her eyes shut and reached out into the earth, into the trees and called. And they answered. The heavy hum was quiet at first, so soft it could hardly be heard over the breathing of the Hydra soldiers. The sound grew exponentially and Locust stood, tucking herself between the three men as she focused.

    The swarm blotted out the moon. The noise deafening as they descended upon the soldiers.

    “Shit.” Tony hissed. Gunfire cut through the thick swarm, but it was far too little far too late as the insects tore through the Hydra soldiers. Biting, stinging, eating. Locust yelped as a stray shot grazed her cheek and she pressed herself against Bucky’s back. He pulled her around, wrapping his arms around her narrow shoulders and she burrowed her face into his chest.

    The screams and the hum of the swarm slowly faded and Locust peeled herself away from Bucky, looking on in horror at what was done. Bucky grabbed her face and turned her away from the carnage. “No.” She looked at him, multifaceted eyes unfocused. “You are okay.” He whispered. “You saved us. Me. Do not their deaths get to you. You hear me?”

    Locust locked eyes with him, taking a deep shuddering breath. “I’ve never- I didn’t want to kill anyone. But they- That man was going to try to take you back.” She dropped her gaze and sniffed. “After knowing- When I was told what was done to you and then them even implying after,” she swallowed audibly. “After you worked so hard to not- Worked hard to break away. I just wanted them gone. The insects only know what I tell them.”

    Bucky pulled her into a tight hug, smoothing a hand down her back. “It’s okay. You did what you could. It okay.” He scooped her up, stepping around the fallen soldiers and quickly taking her to the quinjet. She was quiet on the trip back her gaze never leaving the floor.  When they disembarked she quickly left, heading to her quarters and leaving the three men frowning. Bucky gave Steve a look before heading after her. He knew, better than anyone, what killing could do to you. And he was damned if he was going to let her suffer that guilt alone.

#bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x ofc #tfeyhfic #glitchedfics

[glitchedbones-blog]

The Forest Eats Your Heart - Part One

Bucky X OFC

Warnings: None

Bucky’s nightmares keep him up and he is surprised to find Tony awake, waiting for a new, possible superhuman to be brought to the compound. 

    Bucky felt like a ghost in the Avengers compound, flitting around the darkened halls to chase away the nightmares that plagued him. There was a light on in the kitchen and Tony was leaning against the counter with a mug of coffee in one hand and a display pad in the other. He glanced up and gave Bucky a small nod, before going back to his reading.

     “Couldn’t sleep.” It wasn’t a question, but Bucky shook his head in response. Tony hummed into his coffee and peered over the tablet. “I’ve had those nights.”

Bucky padded over to the kitchenette and poured himself a cup of the coffee and glanced over at Tony. “What’s keeping you up?”

    Tony turned the tablet towards Bucky, the readouts made little sense, but the top corner had the picture of a young woman with wild eyes and tangled hair staring back at him. “She was seen up in the Appalachians, we sent out Wanda, Hawkeye, and Vision to try to bring her in. Word is she may have some sort of powers.”

    “Like Wanda or-?” Bucky asked, before blowing on the too warm coffee.

    Tony rolled his shoulders. “We don’t know. It’s why Vision went cause I don’t really want to send anyone into that blind, but at least with Vision and Wanda, they can probably keep her controlled.”

    Bucky downed the rest of his coffee and went to pour himself another cup. “You could have sent me in.” He tried to keep the edge out of his voice, Tony and he were friendly, but there was still an underlying strain. A deep tear that would take time and patience to repair.

    Tony gave him a small, wry smile and chuckled. “Would have if I knew you were still awake. Those three were, not that Vision really...sleeps.” Bucky chuckled at that. Tony sat his cup and the tablet down and clapped his hand together. “Well, now that you are here, you can help keep everything under check. They’re almost here.”

    Bucky trailed behind Tony as they made their way to the landing pad. The quinjet roared into view, banking to the right before leveling out and slowly touching down.

    Vision was the first to come out, giving Tony and Bucky a small nod before glancing back. “She is not in good shape, but she is not a danger. We will need to get her medical attention and perhaps some food.”

    Tony sucked in a breath, “She was that bad off?” Vision nodded. “Shit.”

    From the shadows of the quinjet, he saw her being carried out, half supported by Wanda and Clint. She did look terrible with torn, dirty, clothes and a wild tangle of hair hanging around her narrow face. Tony glanced over at Bucky and frowned. “Well, looks like we really didn’t need to send half the Avengers after her. Feel free to continue your not sleeping.” Tony waved him off, but Bucky hesitated, eyes locked on the girl being slowly carted into the Avengers compound. After a beat, he nodded and turned away to head back into the compound and walk off his two cups of coffee.

    A thought occurred to him and he paused and turned back to Tony, “You said she may have powers and it looks like she was found alone in the woods and she looks like that?” He watched Tony’s brows down and his eyes narrow as the weight of Bucky’s words hit him.

    “Shit,” Tony whirled, power walking to the trio while Bucky shook his head. Tony was brilliant, but the man could miss the forest for the trees.

    Another night another nightmare. Bucky was tired of not sleeping, tired of his past constantly eating away at him day in and day out. Tony had recommended therapy, but what therapist could unravel the mess his head was in? How many people had been mind broken and hijacked to be a killer for years on end?

    His time in Wakanda had helped, but he wondered if he would ever recover.

    Bucky was aimless in his wandering, flitting through halls and eye scanning each dark, empty office he passed. He paused when something out in the grass caught his eye. Bucky hadn’t seen the girl since she arrived, they had kept her away from everyone doing evaluations and tests, making sure she wasn’t dangerous.

    He hesitated, shifting from foot to foot, before finally heading out into the cool night air. Bucky made his steps loud, made himself noticeable, it wouldn’t do any good to scare her.

    “Hello,” he said quietly. She glanced up at him, eyes wide, her eyes flicking to the metal arm. Bucky could have slapped himself when he realized, too late, that he hadn’t bothered to throw on a shirt. He tried to play it casually, ignoring how she stared at the scars where metal met flesh.

    He was glad to see she looked healthier, her sunken cheeks now filled and her black hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail. Her eye caught him off guard, the way the fluorescent lights from the compound reflected wasn’t usual. Almost like they were faceted.  

    “We haven’t met yet,” Real smooth Buck, he thought to himself, of course, we haven’t. “I’m Bucky Barnes.” He offered her his hand and for a moment he thought she would leave him hanging.

    “Locust,” she said softly, taking his hand and returning the greeting. Her fingers were long and spidery, much too long for a normal person. Bucky blinked at the weird name, but with friends like Thor, Loki, and Vision- Well the name Locust could be downright normal.

    “May I?” Bucky asked, pointing to the patch of grass near her. Locust inclined her head and went back to staring out into the darkness. Once, long ago, Bucky knew how to talk to people, to use his charm to get them to open up. Now he was stuck, floundering for anything to say.

    “You are the second I’ve met. Mr. Stark has- he wanted to make sure I wasn’t a danger before- so I can join the team?” She glanced back over to Bucky and gave him a ghost of a smile. “I think I passed.”

    Bucky chuckled. “Is he planning on introducing you to everyone?”

    Locust gave a tiny shrug. “I think, yes? Maybe- He- Mr. Stark said only when I was ready. Yeah.” Something green landed on her knee and she reached out, gently taking the katydid in her hand. She turned to Bucky, face lit by a real smile. “I didn’t know you had these around here!” Locust ran her finger along the katydid’s back and starting whispering to it. Bucky overheard the words adorable and cute so many times he was sure that was a puppy, not a bug. Eventually, she lifted her hand and the katydid gave a quick call before flying off into the night. She hunched a little up and slowly looked over at Bucky, cheeks slightly flushed.

    “I am guessing you like bugs?” Bucky asked, trying and failing to keep the amusement out of his voice.

    She nodded hard enough that a small chunk of hair slipped out of her ponytail. “Yes. Insects were- they- I only had them most of the time.” she finished softly. Locust cleared her throat. “They- they are also really fascinating!” she said, a little too loudly.

    Bucky’s words were caught by a massive yawn as his exhaustion washed over him. “It was nice meeting you, Locust.” He got to his feet and gave her a warm smile. “I will see you in the daylight hours. I need to chase this sleep before I lose it.”

    Locust nodded. “Nice meeting you to Mr. Barnes.”

    He held up a hand a shook his head. “Just Bucky.”

    She grinned and ducked her head. “Alright, just Bucky. Goodnight.” She went back to staring into the tree line beyond the compound and Bucky wondered, just briefly, if she was homesick.

    Bucky settled down onto his bed, unnerved still, by how soft everything was. The sheet, the mattress, the pillows. All too soft. He burrowed into the blankets and another yawn overtook him, jaw cracking in intensity.

    There a soft sound, a quiet thump, and Bucky shot to attention. Fluttering against the window were a pair of small, white-winged moths. The spiraled up and away from the window until they hovered around a beam of light that turned their wings into a silver glow. Bucky stood with a small yawn and opened the window to chase them out into the night. The fought him for a time, dancing around his hands and avoiding his attempts to shoo them towards the window. Finally, a breeze shifted their course and the swept outside, disappearing into the darkness.

    With a small snort, Bucky crawled back into bed and slowly slipped into a fitful sleep.

#bucky barnes #bucky fanfic #bucky x ofc #tfeyhfic #glitchedfics

[glitchedbones-blog]

Part Eight and maybe the final part of Not Human should be coming up here soonish? It’s done, but boy howdy rereading it and it needs some retooling. So once I’ve escaped the grip of my job for a few days I will get to that. 

I am also working on a Leon Kennedy fic because of course I am. When that will come....ehhhhhhhuuu. When it is halfway not garbage. 

I have also been watching Night Manager and have ideas...weird ideas. 

So stay tuned for aliens, monsters, and eldritch horrors! 

#glitchedfics #glitchedupdates