>> This gets right away into some pretty dark waters. <<
Yes, it does. Some stories in this series are fluff, but this is one of the edgier stories. Marvel really set up the dysfunctional family dynamics in Asgard.
>> (I like it! But I also like your habit of warning All The Things.) <<
I'm glad I could help.
>> Good for Loki, being honest with himself. <<
In some ways, he really does know himself, despite what Frigga said. (And sheesh, way to throw rocks from a big glass house, lady.) But there are places he has some awful blind spots. Loki has, at this point, clarified a lot of his feelings about Clint and Eric.
>> I do hope he and Thor get to join Game Night, <<
That's the plan, if I have time to carry the series that far.
>> but that's going to involve some serious ouch with Clint. <<
Yes, it will. Clint is still hurting from what happened between them, but unlike Loki, he has the advantage of a great support network. So Clint is making terrific progress on this topic. By the time Loki arrives, Clint is going to be waaayyy ahead.
That changes the dynamic between them from what is usually rendered in fanfic; almost everything is some flavor of "Clint tries to or actually does kill Loki for mindraping him," "Loki abuses Clint all over again," or "Clint wanted it all along and everything is fine." So there is very little about them working through the mess they've made of each other, really dealing with what you do when your fucked up childhood has made you hurt someone you care about -- which applies to both of them, because remember, Clint was fighting even though some of what Loki offered did appeal to him.
>> On the other hand - his wanting them to desire him, to desire to serve him - that's a note that rings true and clear, <<
I'm glad that works for you. I think it's a vital part of Loki's personality. He craves respect and he wants people of his own, not just sloppy seconds from Thor. What he really wants -- personal servants, friends, and colleagues -- is hidden under what he claims to want, ruling Midgard.
>> and I wonder how Phil in particular will react to that, since it isn't an ingredient anyone else really seems to bring to the mix. <<
Phil wants what is best for the team as a whole and for the members as individuals. In order for Clint and Thor to heal, they need to repair their relationships with Loki. The potential conflict of loyalties can be resolved if Loki can be brought all the way into the teamfamily instead of hanging off the edge and dragging it out of balance like he is now. They can't just abandon Loki; cut him, Clint and Thor both bleed. It helps that Clint's subordinate relationship to Phil and Loki is different, so they're not directly competing for him. But it's still going to be very sticky for a while.
>> I'd be very interested in the potential sparks between that element of Loki, and the Avengers whose expression of affection revolves around service. It could so easily be toxic - but if it weren't, it'd be beautiful. <<
The toxic aspect comes from the fact that Loki both craves and resists having anyone take care of him. Look how he fights with Frigga when she is honestly trying to help him (however mangled by her relationship with Odin). Loki was able to do it with Clint because Clint was under his control. Accepting that kind of intimacy from anyone else will be difficult, even if he needs it, perhaps especially if he needs it.
Bruce is going to be worried as hell about Loki, because Loki is so obviously broken and Bruce is such a nannyhammer. Steve doesn't like bullies, and most of the people in Loki's life -- including Thor -- regularly bullied him. Which is going to drag Bucky in too, because he's the one who gave Steve that imprint in the first place. So that's going to mess up whatever progress Thor has made in merging with the team.
The real tangle is with Phil and Clint, though, because Loki and Clint touched minds. That creates an extremely intimate connection that tends to spill over memories. So now Clint sees Thor partially through Loki's memories; and Loki sees Phil partly through Clint's memories. Loki's instincts will be screaming that nobody can be trusted, while Clint's memories will be urging him to lean on Phil, especially when Phil is trying to take care of him. Conversely Clint still has his awareness of what Loki wants and needs, and a desire to serve, because Clint is a follower at heart and Loki chose him. But Clint is also touchy as hell on the topic of mind control and without the staff holding him steady, he is going to wobble like fuck, trying desperately not to want what he wants and know what he knows.
And Natasha, who hates Loki, is going to chop his heart to dogmeat because in Clint's memories she is his sister.
>> Even if not, this peek into Loki and Frigga in this universe has been very satisfying. <<
Yay! I'm happy to hear that.
>> I love your portrayal of her as intelligent, sneaky, and still in hotter waters than she can handle alone. <<
No matter how powerful you are, there's always something beyond your ability to solve completely. Domestic abuse is a hellish nightmare, especially when people around you are going, "Why doesn't she hit back? Why doesn't she just leave?" But it's never that simple.
Thank you!
Yes, it does. Some stories in this series are fluff, but this is one of the edgier stories. Marvel really set up the dysfunctional family dynamics in Asgard.
>> (I like it! But I also like your habit of warning All The Things.) <<
I'm glad I could help.
>> Good for Loki, being honest with himself. <<
In some ways, he really does know himself, despite what Frigga said. (And sheesh, way to throw rocks from a big glass house, lady.) But there are places he has some awful blind spots. Loki has, at this point, clarified a lot of his feelings about Clint and Eric.
>> I do hope he and Thor get to join Game Night, <<
That's the plan, if I have time to carry the series that far.
>> but that's going to involve some serious ouch with Clint. <<
Yes, it will. Clint is still hurting from what happened between them, but unlike Loki, he has the advantage of a great support network. So Clint is making terrific progress on this topic. By the time Loki arrives, Clint is going to be waaayyy ahead.
That changes the dynamic between them from what is usually rendered in fanfic; almost everything is some flavor of "Clint tries to or actually does kill Loki for mindraping him," "Loki abuses Clint all over again," or "Clint wanted it all along and everything is fine." So there is very little about them working through the mess they've made of each other, really dealing with what you do when your fucked up childhood has made you hurt someone you care about -- which applies to both of them, because remember, Clint was fighting even though some of what Loki offered did appeal to him.
>> On the other hand - his wanting them to desire him, to desire to serve him - that's a note that rings true and clear, <<
I'm glad that works for you. I think it's a vital part of Loki's personality. He craves respect and he wants people of his own, not just sloppy seconds from Thor. What he really wants -- personal servants, friends, and colleagues -- is hidden under what he claims to want, ruling Midgard.
>> and I wonder how Phil in particular will react to that, since it isn't an ingredient anyone else really seems to bring to the mix. <<
Phil wants what is best for the team as a whole and for the members as individuals. In order for Clint and Thor to heal, they need to repair their relationships with Loki. The potential conflict of loyalties can be resolved if Loki can be brought all the way into the teamfamily instead of hanging off the edge and dragging it out of balance like he is now. They can't just abandon Loki; cut him, Clint and Thor both bleed. It helps that Clint's subordinate relationship to Phil and Loki is different, so they're not directly competing for him. But it's still going to be very sticky for a while.
>> I'd be very interested in the potential sparks between that element of Loki, and the Avengers whose expression of affection revolves around service. It could so easily be toxic - but if it weren't, it'd be beautiful. <<
The toxic aspect comes from the fact that Loki both craves and resists having anyone take care of him. Look how he fights with Frigga when she is honestly trying to help him (however mangled by her relationship with Odin). Loki was able to do it with Clint because Clint was under his control. Accepting that kind of intimacy from anyone else will be difficult, even if he needs it, perhaps especially if he needs it.
Bruce is going to be worried as hell about Loki, because Loki is so obviously broken and Bruce is such a nannyhammer. Steve doesn't like bullies, and most of the people in Loki's life -- including Thor -- regularly bullied him. Which is going to drag Bucky in too, because he's the one who gave Steve that imprint in the first place. So that's going to mess up whatever progress Thor has made in merging with the team.
The real tangle is with Phil and Clint, though, because Loki and Clint touched minds. That creates an extremely intimate connection that tends to spill over memories. So now Clint sees Thor partially through Loki's memories; and Loki sees Phil partly through Clint's memories. Loki's instincts will be screaming that nobody can be trusted, while Clint's memories will be urging him to lean on Phil, especially when Phil is trying to take care of him. Conversely Clint still has his awareness of what Loki wants and needs, and a desire to serve, because Clint is a follower at heart and Loki chose him. But Clint is also touchy as hell on the topic of mind control and without the staff holding him steady, he is going to wobble like fuck, trying desperately not to want what he wants and know what he knows.
And Natasha, who hates Loki, is going to chop his heart to dogmeat because in Clint's memories she is his sister.
>> Even if not, this peek into Loki and Frigga in this universe has been very satisfying. <<
Yay! I'm happy to hear that.
>> I love your portrayal of her as intelligent, sneaky, and still in hotter waters than she can handle alone. <<
No matter how powerful you are, there's always something beyond your ability to solve completely. Domestic abuse is a hellish nightmare, especially when people around you are going, "Why doesn't she hit back? Why doesn't she just leave?" But it's never that simple.