10 June 2015- Minor edits were done to this chapter. Nothing major.
She stood beside him, a pleased smile on her full lips. Her dark eyes sparkled in pleasure. "Tony, you spoil me." She sighed looking at the necklace that the Jeweler proudly presented to her. Tony smiled and kissed her temple.
"You like it?" He asked. The beautiful woman nodded.
"I love it." She replied. Tony took the necklace and draped it around her neck, clasping it.
"Nothing but the best." He murmured softly. She looked down at the diamond heart necklace and hummed in agreement.
"I can see that." Her eyes met Tony's, and took in their warmth and happiness. She smiled slowly. "How do I look?"
"You look beautiful." Tony kissed her gently on the lips.
"Happy Anniversary Indries."
"Happy Anniversary Tony."
One year and three months and six days had passed since Tony Stark left Loki.
One year and three months and five days since he began actively dating Indries Moomji,
Six months and twenty-one days since the two of them had moved in together,
Four months and sixteen days since they had sworn their love for each other on national television.
Two weeks and a day since they had become engaged.
One day since Loki decided he needed an escape.
Loki had met Bucky Barnes inside the library. Many times Loki had turned to the library to read away his troubles. He had his own seat, in the bck of the library near the fantasy section. Loki had been perched in one of the plush lounge chairs, reading The Hobbit, when he felt a pair of eyes on him. Slowly, Loki lowered the book and came face to face with light blue eyes. Loki blinked unimpressed.
"May I help you?" He questioned after a beat of silence. The man shrugged.
"That depends on what are you doing after you finish that book?" Loki rolled his eyes and motioned to the large stack of books sitting beside him.
"Take a guess."
The man laughed and Loki returned to his book without another word. Almost immediately he heard the sound of a chair being dragged loudly across the library floor. Loki lowered his book and glared as the man dragged the chair until he was sitting across from Loki, and plopped down in it. Loki blinked.
"Is there something you need?" He asked itching to return to his novel.
"Your phone number would be a good start." The man suggested. The God arched a thin brow.
"I have no phone." The other man just shrugged.
"Okay, don't give it to me, do you have a name?" He questioned.
"Yes."
"…Could you tell me?"
"Why?"
"Curiosity."
"Loki. My name is Loki."
"Like the God?" Bucky asked and Loki smirked.
"I am the God." Loki replied airily. Bucky's brows furrowed and he squinted at Loki.
"You…Oh Jesus! Yeah, you're the one who nearly destroyed New York!" He stated with a light grin. Loki noticed that there was no mention of Thor in his words. The God nodded spreading out his arms.
"Indeed." The man held out his hand.
"I'm Bucky Barnes." Loki took his hand with a little smile.
"The Winter Soldier."
"That's classified."
"Obviously not." Loki quipped and Bucky cracked a grin.
"Obviously." For the next forty minutes, Loki and Bucky sat in the back of the library talking in hushed voices, the books forgotten on the table. They left the library together, the sun setting and casting long shadows over the buildings.
"I live with Steve in Stark Tower, if you ever want to come over." Bucky suggested. Loki's face remained aloof.
"You do realize I am enemies with them do you not?" He asked, Anthony's face flashing in his mind. Bucky shrugged.
"I'm not an Avenger and you're not my enemy." He replied lazily. They crossed the street, Bucky's hands shoved in his pockets. Loki gripped the front of his peacoat, his hair whipping around in the wind. They walked by a Starbucks, when Bucky remembered that he had been sent out to buy coffees. Quickly he dragged the God into the busy coffee shop and purchased the drinks on the list Natasha had provided him. Loki watched in amusement as he struggled carrying all the coffees, not offering to hold anything, but he did open the door for Bucky so he was easily forgiven. Stark Tower could be seen from a block down. Loki stilled, his hands reaching to fidget with his scarf.
"So how about it?" He heard Bucky call out, Loki lifted his eyes and looked at the man.
"What?"
"Do you want to get together again sometime? Say…for coffee?" Bucky's smile was good natured and friendly. Loki did not return it.
"Are you sure you would not be reprimanded for drinking coffee with me?" His voice was weary, eyes narrowed. Bucky's hand carded through his brown locks thoughtfully. The coffee resting in his other arm.
"I can't say they would approve, but I really don't care if they do or not." A smirk tugged at Loki's thin lips and finally he nodded.
"Very well, I will meet you for coffee Sunday afternoon." He replied, turning and walking the opposite direction of the tower. Bucky's grin of triumph was short lived as he realized a tiny detail.
"You forgot to tell me which coffee place!" He called after the God, who turned towards him still smirking.
"I did not forget." He stated.
"Well, which one?" Loki licked his lips.
"You'll have to find that out on your own."
"There are about a hundred coffee places around here!"
"Then you better search hard Mr. Barnes." Loki replied approaching Bucky and plucking one of the coffees from the holders and taking a sip with another little smile.
"What?" Bucky's voice came out strained.
"You'll have to find me." Loki stated smoothly, before vanishing before Bucky's eyes.
Bucky was hooked.
Steve was the first to notice his friend's arrival. Everyone was gathered around the television the Super Bowl blaring on the large screen. "Gosh Bucky, what took out so long?" He called out in concern. Bucky grinned.
"I couldn't ignore a nice pair of legs." He replied handing out the coffees. Tony grinned.
"No man can." He replied, Indries smirking at him playfully. Thor took a deep gulp of his hot coffee as Clint watched in fascination. Steve grinned at Bucky.
"So…you get her number?" He asked. Bucky shook his head.
"Nope, but we're having coffee Sunday afternoon." Steve nodded happy for Bucky and thanking him for the coffee, as Tony glanced around in concern.
"Where's my coffee?" He asked, realizing that the coffee he had ordered was nowhere to be seen. Bucky shrugged looking guilty.
"Guess I forget." He replied, remembering watching Loki sashay off with it in his long fingered grasp.