AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know, what a shock right guys?! An actual fan fic from me?! This fic is actually based off an rp me and a friend did about a year ago. I loved the story we came up with and a few months ago was re-writing it from memory. I debated about posting it (I have an entire body of work/half-finished fanfics/short stories that will probably never see the light of day) and then I thought to myself, "Self, you love sharing stories. What happened to that? Why don't you share this one?"
Not gonna lie, it's a bit rough around the edges for the earlier chapters. I did go through and correct the grammar errors I could catch. I like the story for what it is though and just enjoyed the process of re-living this story again. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did.
You'll kill me? Evidently there will be a line.
- Loki
Chapter 1
He walked among the gravestone of the mortal men. Gazing around at each marker that showed the birth, and death, of each individual, buried there. He found it so curious. Mortals lived and died so frequently. There were mortals whom upon birth passed away into another realm. And so the cycle continued again and again and again. An endless circle of life of death whose wheel would crush any mortal, or immortal, in its wake.
How long had it been since had visited Midgard? 100 years? 200? It could very well be five hundred for all he knew. Even with the thought he pulled up the collar of his coat. Hoping to block out the chill of the wind as it picked up. Above his head the sky had turned a soupy gray. Clouds gathering as they loomed ominously over the graveyard.
Loki sighed as he shook his head at the gathering clouds. He peered around the graveyard and saw a small gathering of mortals. They were dressed completely in black and gathered around like crows near a casket. Loki stopped beneath a tree to watch the proceedings. He heard the priest's voice floating over to him. An old man with a receding hair line. Typical. He studied the crowd and saw all their heads bowed. Ah, a prayer then?
As he gazed at them one young man caught his eye. He had a shock of wavy blond hair. Standing out from the mixture of brunette and black haired people standing around the casket. By his height Loki guessed him to be a teenager. Fourteen perhaps? Thirteen? So young to see someone pass away. It just about broke his heart.
Bucky swallowed thickly as he listened to the priest. He was barely paying attention to what was being said. He was focused on his friend standing beside him. Steve had been deathly silent all that morning from the moment his friend had woken up to them driving to the funeral. Steve had not said a single word to him.
When the reading was done the priest nodded to the gravediggers. Solemnly, they lowered the casket into the grave. Being careful to not let it rock. Steve choked back his tears as he picked up the first handful of dirt. Tossing it into the grave onto his mother's casket. There were soft murmurs around him as he did it. People whispering good wishes and goodbyes to his mother.
"It'll be alright, Steve," Bucky whispered to him. He put a hand on Steve's shoulder and squeezed. Steve turned his head to gaze at his friend. His bright blue eyes shiny with unshed tears. He just shook his head at his friend, not wanting to say how he felt.
Around him people began to move. Gripping his hand and wishing Steve well. Telling him how wonderful his mother was. How she would be missed. If he needed anything to just call them. How could he tell them though? Tell them he needed his mother back?
It didn't take long for the crowd, small as it was, to disperse. Rain began to patter down. Turning the freshly dug dirt to mud on his mother's final resting place. As the rain fell back umbrellas unfurled like roses, rising up in the air like mushrooms to protect the heads of the people as they departed hastily out of the graveyard. Leaving Steve and Bucky alone near the grave.
"Steve, it's okay," Bucky whispered to him. He put his arm around his friend's shoulders and gave him a squeeze. He was tempted to hug him, but Steve hated being coddled. He hated anyone touching him too long or feeling sorry for him.
"Thanks, Buck. Can you...give me some time alone with her?" Steve asked his best friend quietly. Bucky nodded and gave him a sad look. Steve appeared to be so lost. Turning his head, a stranger in a black wool coat and slacks was gazing at them intently. The stranger's piercing green eyes were what had caught the young man's attention.
When their eyes met the stranger appeared momentarily startled. His thin lips opening up a fraction of an inch as if he wished to say something, but thought better of it. Instead, nodding to Bucky knowingly. Acknowledging the loss Bucky and Steve had suffered.
"Sure, you want me to wait for you?" Bucky whispered to him.
"No. I'm...I'm gonna be a while," Steve said thickly. Bucky nodded and gave his friend another squeeze. Steve's thin fingers came up, touching where Bucky's hand rested on his shoulder. It was a brief touch, but just enough.
"Alright, I'll wait back at the apartment for you," Bucky whispered to him. He gave Steve one final squeeze before he released him. Opening his own black umbrella as he quietly left the graveyard.
Steve waited until he saw Bucky leave before he focused on his mother's grave. He bit the inside of his cheek, feeling a thick lump in his throat starting to well up. His heart began to flutter, causing him to cough. Damn his health.
"I thought I would always go before you did, Ma," Steve said to the grave. He clenched his fists. Seeing every shovelful of dirt blocking her from view, he had the sudden urge to fling himself into the grave. To scream and cry until his mother woke back up.
"Ma...I..." Steve choked.
Loki watched the other young man go. Leaving the smaller of the two behind. So, he was the party left behind in this tragedy? Loki usually didn't mind funerals, if anything he found them fascinating. How creative mortals became over the concept of death. Depending on the individual, the funerals could be quite elaborate. While other were so simple and uneventful Loki had been feeling generous enough to let a spray of flowers bloom over the grave the next day in a sort of "miracle" to honor the dearly departed.
From his vantage point he saw the young man bowing his head, struggling to get the words out. Loki felt his own heart go out to the young man. To be left alone at such a young age? It was a cruel twist of nature. Looking around Loki decided he might as well get involved. After all, mortals lived such short lives. It wouldn't hurt to brighten the day of just one. Would it?
Moving forward, Loki checked the name of departed. He read the name "Sarah Rogers" on it. The gravestone was unremarkable, a clearly cut marble with the name deeply engraved in it. Loki did have to admit it would last a long time. It was polished to a high sheen, and would no doubt draw the eye on a sunny day. He glanced over at the young man, who hadn't taken notice of him yet.
"It's cold out, you know," Loki said. Draping his gray and black scarf over the young's man's neck. He could see a slight shiver going through him. Loki didn't usually show such kindnesses even to his own servants, on the other hand though he certainly felt he could not ignore this mortal either. Who knew? Perhaps he had just been in a good mood today.
The distinct voice startled Steve as did the sudden warmth of something soft and silky being draped around his neck. His hand automatically flew up to touch the offending object. He yanked it down and saw it was a scarf. When he looked up he saw a tall man with black hair and piercing green eyes gazing down at his mother's grave. Steve's face flushed red as he clenched his fists, feeling as if his privacy were being invaded.
"What are you doing, mister?!" Steve snapped at him accusingly. The man gave him a pitying look. A look Steve had seen growing up far too many times and had grown to hate.
"Paying my respects to the dearly departed. Poor dear," the strange man responded calmly. Right before Steve's eyes the man summoned a pure white rose. Each petal crisp and new. The rain began to pearl on the petals as the man laid the rose on top of the gravestone. The gravediggers didn't appear to notice, continuing their job silently as Steve stared at the man.
"Who are you?! And how did you do that?" Steve asked him. He had seen the rose appear out of midair. His mind tried to rationalize it and the only explanation he could come up with was that the man was some type of performer. One of those cheap stage magicians maybe?
"My name is Loki, much as the information may please you. It's cold out here, young man. Why don't you seek some warmth and shelter?" The man responded kindly. No, Loki. Steve felt the urge to lash out, but the sincerity in the man's gaze stopped him. He glanced at the rose resting on his mom's gravestone. No one had thought to bring her any flowers. Not even him. They just weren't available, at least none he could afford, this time of year.
"Well Loki, thanks for the scarf. But I won't be needing it," Steve said stiffly. His fist was still clenched around the damn thing though. Loki gave him an amused look, one of the few Steve had seen in days.
"You're quite the firecracker, aren't you? Keep it. I have more at my home. Besides, it's cold out. I quite say you need it."
"I don't."
"You're shivering and you're really going to stand there and tell me you don't need a scarf? On top of which it's raining, too?" The man asked him. Steve held back from punching the man in the jaw. He could reach him if he lunged. He only glared at him before he wrapped the scarf idly around his neck. It was warm, he could feel the silk and whatever else was weaved into the fabric warming his neck instantly.
"Thanks," Steve said. Losing some of his steam as he glanced once again down at his mother's grave. Loki caught sight of his change and his heart softened even more. No harm in getting more involved, was there? He had just used a bit of magic in front of this young mortal to begin with. Though, up close now he could see the mortal wasn't young as he had first thought. He had to be at least 16 or 17. The tone of voice spoke volumes, perhaps he was 18? It was entirely possible.
"It's cold out. Why don't you and I go get some coffee and a bite to eat? Hm?" Loki said to him gently.
"Warm up a bit?"
"I would if I had the money," Steve said with a hollow laugh. Loki frowned at him at those words. Steve didn't know if the man was mad he had said he had no money or the fact that maybe the man meant to rob him.
"Nonsense, I'll pay for it. Come on, you shouldn't be alone right now anyway. People die from broken hearts you know," Loki said to him briskly. Steve scowled when the man put a gentle hand on his shoulder. The fingers were long and slim. Pianist fingers if Steve had to guess. They matched the scholarly air the man seemed to have about him.
Steve glanced up at the man again. Once again those kind eyes of sincerity, they even showed a hint of pain for his predicament. Steve sighed, and allowed himself to be led away by Loki. Those slim fingers warm on the small of his back as the man led him away. As they walked away from his mother, Steve could not help but feel the knot in his throat tightening even more. He had barely eaten the last three days due to dealing with his mother's passing. Bucky had been by his side most of the time, but had been dealing with going to the funeral for Steve to help make arrangements for the funeral. A task Steve found himself useless at trying to complete.
As the rain fell it began to soak through his suit, Steve shivered as he wrapped the scarf around his neck a second time. His neck was warm, but only if the rest of him would warm up too. Loki noticed the young man shivering and wordlessly took off his coat, draping it around Steve's shoulders.
"Mister, I don't need your charity," Steve snapped at him. Feeling the coat being draped around his shivering body. The warmth from Loki's body was still in the coat and it was a huge relief from the freezing rain that had begun to fall harder. Despite his tough words he gripped the edges of the coat, pulling it around him even as he spoke.
"I just invited you out to lunch young man. I do feel I'm at least somewhat responsible for your current predicament," Loki stated with a small huff. Steve let out a sharp breath as he finally relented to it. He wanted to protest, but at the same time he felt a bit of relief. He liked letting the man take charge.
Loki kept a close eye on the young man as he scanned the street. The poor mortal was deathly thin. In this weather Loki was worried the boy would be blown away. He searched for a place for them to eat and spotted a diner. It looked nice enough. Inside, Loki could see people warming up over cups of coffee and plates of food. It was clean and even carpeted. He glanced down at Steve and nodded to the diner.
"You don't mind eating there, do you?" Loki asked him. Steve nodded quietly in agreement and together the two went into the diner.
As soon as they were inside Steve felt the warmth wash over him. He let out a happy sigh as Loki talked with the hostess. Putting on an air of dignity and charm he had not done with Steve. Steve snorted when the hostess blushed and showed them to their seats. Once they were seated firmly in a booth, thankfully in the back, she handed out their menus to them.
"Should I start you gentlemen off with drinks?" A waitress asked as she walked up. Grinning ear to ear at them. Loki gave the woman smile as he nodded.
"Coffee please and whatever my friend here wants," Loki said to her. She nodded and turned to look at Steve.
"A water and coffee please, ma'am," Steve said to her politely. The waitress nodded and quickly hurried away to get their drinks. Once she was out of earshot Steve rounded on Loki.
"How did you do that earlier?" Steve demanded of him. Loki had picked up the menu and opened it. His slender eyebrows furrowed as he scanned the food items. At the sound of Steve's voice he looked up, momentarily startled at the question.
"Magic of course. How else did you think I did that?"
"Where did the flower come from?"
"My personal garden," Loki answered calmly. As if Steve should have known this fact. Steve frowned at Loki's explanation, but the man didn't offer another one.
"So, you're telling me you used real magic to pull a rose out of thin air?" Steve asked him dubiously. The man gave him a charming smile as if in answer. Offering no other explanation as he turned his attention back the menu.
Steve sighed and glanced down at the menu. There was a lot of good food. He thought of Bucky and remembered their empty ice box back at the apartment. When was the last time Bucky had eaten? Steve swallowed dryly as he thought about it. Gosh dammit, had Bucky been skipping out on meals again because of him? Steve gritted his teeth at the thought of the charity from his best friend. He would have to pay it back later.
If he ever got the money that is.
Steve glanced out the window to distract himself. Outside the wind and rain had picked up even more. The idea of walking through it made Steve catch his breath. It was probably freezing outside. The temperature had been dropping steadily the last couple of days. Today seemed to be the coldest one yet.
"Since you're so keen to help me out. Why not get me an umbrella too?" Steve asked him. He wasn't really expecting it. Maybe he had passed out by his mother's grave and this was all a dream. Loki lowered his menu to give Steve a puzzled look before he shrugged his shoulders.
"All you had to do was ask," Loki said to him. He snapped his fingers and Steve felt something hit his shoulder. He winced as he felt his skin bruise, that was going to leave a mark. He peered down and saw black umbrella sitting on the seat beside him. He picked it up and leaned it against the wall, mildly impressed Loki had even listened to his request.
"Thanks for making it fall on me," Steve said to him. Loki blinked at Steve's words. As if he couldn't quite understand why Steve wasn't impressed with his cheap magic tricks.
"My apologies," Loki apologized. Steve just shrugged his shoulders and went back to looking at his menu. Unbeknownst to him and Loki, Bucky was just a block down the street. Trying to figure out how his umbrella had, quite literally, vanished into thin air.
Steve only snorted at the explanation as the waitress came up. She was a cute little number. She had a head of curly brown hair and liquid hazelnut eyes Steve knew Bucky could charm in a heartbeat. When she smiled she presented a row of neat white teeth. Steve offered a tired smile back as Loki only peered at her politely.
"Hello boys, what can I be getting you today?" The waitress asked politely.
"I'll just have the cheeseburger and coffee please," Loki answered as he folded up the menu and handed it back to her. The waitress smiled at him. Steve noticed how her eyes flickered up and down to take in Loki's handsome appearance. Well, no wonder he thought. With all the able bodied young men enlisting for the new war effort handsome men were hard to come by.
"A plain burger and onion rings, please," Steve added hastily. The woman nodded as she gave Steve a polite smile. This one less genuine as she gazed at Steve. Steve smiled back, but he knew he didn't stand a chance with this woman.
"Alright boys, I'll have that ready for you as soon as I can," she said. Writing their order down in her notepad. She took the laminated menus from them before walking away. Steve let out a slow breath as he heard the woman calling out their orders to the cooks. He turned back to Loki who was once again peering at him again.
Steve didn't know what to make of the man. Did he want something? Loki didn't look as if he would force him to do anything. Loki had done nothing but be polite to him. As he gazed intently at this stranger he heard the door to the restaurant open and close. Steve turned when he heard a familiar voice complaining about the rain. His eyes widening when he saw it was, albeit a soaking wet, Bucky Barnes.
Bucky himself was cross as it was. He had checked his pockets and seen he at least had enough money to spare for a coffee. He would wait out the rain as long as he could before he was either kicked out of the place or it closed. He shook his head like a wet dog, heedless of the other patrons muttering behind their napkins as he peered around for a spare table. He was surprised when he caught sight of Steve sitting in the corner. He grinned at his friend and made his way to him.
"Hey Steve, I thought you were heading home? Why are you..." Bucky trailed off when he saw Loki. He stared at the handsome man and then at Steve. His eyes turning back to Loki who was gazing at him with an increasing frown.
"Steve, this mook bothering you?" Bucky asked harshly as his fists clenched. Loki's frown grew more pronounced as he glared at the young man. He recognized him from the funeral, but he wasn't about to be polite to him.
"No Bucky, he's...a friend," Steve finished. He didn't know what the hell he was going to call Loki. He certainly wasn't a friend, but he wasn't exactly an enemy either.
"What's wrong with you?! I knew there was something fishy about you waitin' there starin' as everyone was laying her to rest!" Bucky accused Loki. Loki's anger flared at the accusation and he stood up, glaring Bucky down as he spoke.
"I assure you young man, my feelings towards your friend are completely neutral. My own mother passed away only a few weeks ago. I know the pain of such a loss and know how in a time of mourning being left alone can break the soul. So, pardon me if I was concerned your friend was walking by himself home alone," Loki snapped harshly. Bucky opened his mouth to speak again, but a sob caught in his throat. He gazed at Steve as the guilt weld up inside of him making him choke a bit.
"Guys, calm down. It's fine. And Bucky, sit down. This is Loki. He just offered to buy me something to eat. He'll pay for your food too," Steve said to him. Loki shot Steve a glare, but reluctantly nodded his head. Sitting down in the booth again.
"Scoot over," Bucky said to Steve. Steve made room for Bucky as he sat down. When the waitress brought Loki and Steve their drinks she gave Bucky a puzzled look. Bucky smiled at her and even with his hair plastered to his face from being caught in the rain. The waitress blushed as she smiled back at him uncertainly.
"I'm sorry, an associate of my friend's decided to drop by. Would you mind taking his order?" Loki asked the waitress. His tone completely cold and showing he did not approve of Bucky being there. The waitress hesitated as she glanced at Bucky, unsure of how to handle the situation.
"Hey precious, I'll have a bacon cheeseburger and a soda if you don't mind?" Bucky said with a big grin. The woman blushed and returned his confident smile. Steve sighed and rolled his eyes as he looked back out the window. He ignored the two bickering idiots as he thought about what he would do when he got home.
"O-of course you can, sweet pea," the waitress said sweetly. Way more sweetly than she had said to Steve. Bucky gave her a suggestive wink. Steve caught Loki's eyes fluttering as he rolled them as well. He smiled a bit at the trickster catching on to Bucky's flirting. He thought it was a little ridiculous too.
Loki shot Bucky another glare as the waitress, completely flustered, promised to bring them their drinks before she hurried away. Steve smiled a bit when his eyes met Loki's. The trickster's eyes flickered towards Bucky and he rolled them a second time. Steve snorted and covered it up by resting his chin on his fist. Bucky frowned at his friend, but didn't say anything.
Hell, who knew? Maybe this Loki character wasn't so bad, Steve thought.
