Fragmented Thoughts Chapter 25 (Reader x Loki)

You really wish you could rot, with how bored you feel. It's only been a day, and so far what usually keeps you entertained on slow days is now the most uninteresting thing on the planet. Deep down you know you should stay inside, mostly because you value your life (for all your lack of self-esteem, you still say you're too young and pretty to die), but part of you just wants to go outside simply for the mischievous act of pushing Steve's buttons. Earlier today you placed a toe through the doorway that leads to the outdoor helipad to see if JARVIS would say anything, and then made a game of jumping in and out of said doorway so that Steve and Tony would get annoyed with you messing with JARVIS' warning system.
After that you've been locked in. JARVIS doesn't even open the doors for you anymore. So, out of complete boredom and need to do something to keep your brain from overloading, you go downstairs to the lobby. Fancy high-class people in nice suits and office clothes sit in leather chairs all around the room while a receptionist sits at a glass semi-circular desk off to one side, shuffling through files while managing calls. Two TVs on either side of the room are projected onto the walls for entertainment, displaying the news and other things you really don't care about.
You pick up the sound of a woman speaking on one projector. All you catch is "attack on Manhattan" and you look to the TV. A brunette with dark eyeliner is displayed on the wall, headlines scrolling on red tape below her. You move closer to listen.
"-at the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree. Dr. Doom has revealed himself to be the leader of this organized attack, and his terrorist group has sworn to keep up their attacks on American soil until they get what they want. Whatever it is they are looking for-"
"Suddenly interested in the local news?" a voice says behind you. You turn sharply, startled. A tall man in glasses, a black suit and a gray scarf sits with his leg crossed over the other, a magazine in his lap. He has an obvious accent. He smiles to you.
"I've heard about this, even from where I live," he continues. "This is not the first time that man has made threats here."
"Dr. Doom?" you ask. You've heard the name a lot recently but no one ever explained who he was.
"You don't know?" His brow raises as he closes his magazine. "Dr. Doom was once a wealthy scientist and businessman. Quite a genius, in fact. But when his team fell apart after an accident at his space station, he turned savage. Now he's trying to create some kind of aristocracy in his own country where he overlords." He shakes his head. "It's a wonder. Anyways, you look awful familiar. What is your name, darling?"
You notice, now, past the glasses, he looks really familiar. "Loki?"
He makes an "ehehehe" sound, laughing, and shakes his head, taking off his glasses. "No, I'm afraid not, though I perform as him in the documentary films about his team." He runs a hand through his curly dirty blonde hair. "I'm Tom, actually. Tom Hiddleston." His smile is warm and kind compared to Loki's wicked and mischievous one. He raises a hand to shake. "It's wonderful to meet you, darling."
You shake his hand hesitantly. Darling...? Hiddleston...? Was this another of Loki's tricks...? His skin is dry, but not cracked, his hand soft to the touch and fine, like the hand of an artist or someone who is skilled. He pulls his hand away.
"I'm sorry, what was your name?" he asks again. "You look familiar."
I could say the same for you, you almost say, but you hold back. Is it safe to tell him your real name...? Maybe it's better to just use an alias, since Tony and Steve are trying to keep you safe. "I'm uh...Betty Crocker," you tell him.
He smiles in a 'I know you're lying, but I'll humor you,' way. "Well, Betty, it is wonderful to meet you. And why are you here, amongst these white collars and high-ends?"
"Um..." you look around the room. It's just now that you notice you're the only one in a jacket, tee shirt and jeans. "I uh...I'm the messenger girl," you say, nervously brushing a hand through your hair. "I send messages through the offices. Like...I help someone get a fax and...stuff." Too much, too much.
He nods. "I see." He looks around. "Myself, I've heard word that the big man himself wishes to see me," he says. "Mr. Stark says he has interest in a new role for me. Some kind of...play, I've heard." A smile plays on his thin lips again. "He wants my input."
"Oh, cool," you say. "A play? Like...you're a playwriter?"
He laughs. "No, but it's my deepest passion. I have always worked around the theater. My platform, my work, started on the stage. I have always loved it." His pale green eyes light up like bright magical orbs. You could swear it's Loki. You try so hard not to think it's Loki. "It would be an honor to be asked to help write one," he says in an awe-filled voice.
You nod dumbly. You've seen plays, but it wasn't really something that held your interest as much as it did this guy. Tim Hilldeston or whatever he said his name is.
"Mr. Hiddleston, he will see you now," the receptionist calls after hanging up her phone. Tom stands up, straightening his suit. He's huge, you realize, like a tower above you. He smiles to you one last time.
"It was wonderful to meet you, Betty," he says again, shaking your hand before leaving to the receptionist's desk. You watch him as he goes. Even if he is Loki, the vibe he gives off is so different, you can't imagine it being a prank. Either he really is somebody else, or Loki is really good at pretending. Either way, you stare, trying to figure out which is right. You'll ask Loki later, see if you can catch him in the act.
As you begin to realize, 'why would Loki even do something like this anyway?' you hear the woman speaking again.
"-Stark and the Avengers have given no word on what they might know about Dr. Doom's attacks, but they do say that no matter what happens, they will always be there to protect us."
Yeah, and place you under house arrest like a fugitive, you add mentally as you leave to go back upstairs.