Chapter 2: Normal Mortal
Darcy had a brief moment of complete confidence of the situation she had been thrusted into when she had called Loki by his nickname given by Stark. And to have him trail after her clearly bewildered, well it had just felt downright badass adding a bit of a spring to her step as they made their way down the hallway.
But now that they were alone in the elevator together, Darcy was just plain nervous. In the few seconds from entering the elevator and pressing the up button Darcy had decided she was going to give Loki something he probably didn't deserve. The benefit of the doubt. He had done some very, very wicked things and now, as she was told, he was trying to start anew. He was becoming an underdog if you will. And until- no Darcy, unless, not until. Don't jump to the worst conclusion. Unless he shows otherwise, Loki was getting a second chance from her. Please don't make me regret this.
She began to fidget with her hands, lost in thought. The only thing she knew about this man, no, he was a demi-God technically, was wicked things. Things peppered in with a few personal facts Thor had revealed about their childhood in order to keep Darcy from sending electric volts from the taser into Loki after her rage had taken over her. It felt unfair to her that she knew he was adopted, an intimate detail in someone's life, without him telling her himself. After all, he knew nothing about her other than that she was pissed about what he did to New York, New Mexico and that she was close to Jane and Thor, and worked for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Darcy cleared her throat, bringing herself back from her musing to the task at hand. Get Loki emerged into the city.
The elevator doors chimed and they reached the makeshift lobby of the S.H.I.E.L.D building. The location was a secret, and to someone not involved in the agency it looked like any Wallstreet building on this floor, not a multi-national organization that has superheroes on retainer to kick alien and super villain butt whenever needed worldwide.
"So, um, what should I call you? Do you prefer going by your first name? Last name?" She asked Loki breaking the silence as they walked out. She quickly noticed he walked behind her, not next to her. What was with that? Walk next to me, I'm not above you, if anything you're above me...
"Loki is fine Ms. Lewis. Reindeer Games if you do prefer…." Loki spat back a little bitterly looking upset.
Whoops. She clearly had hit a nerve but she had been just so angry and the rage had broken through her.
"Okay. Welllll…" She stretched the word out. "I'm sorry for saying that to you. We definitely got off on the wrong foot. So lets start again. If you are okay with it, I'll call you Loki."
"Loki is preferred Ms. Lewis." He mused glancing at her backside as they walked.
"Please, call me Darcy. And Loki, by the way, do you have any other items to wear?" She asked, glancing back to him and gestured to his green garments clearly not from this realm as they made their way to the revolving door.
"This is all I have. I would change appearance instantly, however I no longer have magic." He winced at thought. Magic was all Loki knew.
He had been studying magic since he realized he could do something so "special", by Earth terms, things that not even his brother could do, at a very young age. Shape shifting was his favorite trick. As a child he would shift into guards, and once, just to see what it would feel like, into the mirror image of his brother. He walked over to his father, worried he would realize it wasn't Thor but actually himself, but Odin could not sense the difference. Odin merely tousled his hair and asked what he was up to before bringing him up onto his lap and began telling him a tale of a battle his grandfather fought long ago, saying he, as in Thor, would be a great worrier like him. However Loki was different from Thor. He had dreamt of learning, of knowing all the history, of studying everything he could get his hands on of Asguard history. Fighting was not his specialty, but considering the competition for affection he had with his father Odin (dare he call him that since he banished him here), Loki learned how to defend himself using magic. He used throwing swords, and shape shifting, and took it upon himself to learn a bit of hand to hand combat (not really grasping it but attempted to try), to be useful in battle in attempt to make Odin proud.
"Loki?" Darcy said gently noticing he had zoned. He had gotten so caught up in remembering something that had happened long ago, that he had stopped walking all together.
"Apologies Ms. Lewis. Er… Darcy. I was just taking this room all in." Loki improvised hoping she didn't see the pained look on his face. Odin had made him feel so loved when he had pretended to be Thor, even if it had just been for a few moments. Was it really his previous heritage that caused such a wedge between them?
Before Darcy could respond to him someone from S.H.I.E.L.D appeared out of nowhere, shoving a manila envelope into her hands.
"Here." The man muttered and sauntered off without even making eye contact.
"Well hello to you too!" She mumbled, annoyed at this reoccurring tactic. Everyone here was so goddamn serious and caught up in their own lives that they chose not to interact if necessary. They reminded her of worker drone bees she saw on Discovery Channel.
"Is it normal for one not to introduce themself in this realm?" Loki asked, watching the exchange, displeased at the lack of tact.
"In New York, it can be in some places. In the city, most people are a lot kinder than they are made out to be in the media. However, here at S.H.I.E.L.D when you don't have a lot of clearance, or just have your soul sucked out from constant work, it's pretty normal. And extremely annoying. I mean where is the friendly banter of 'How are you?' 'How is the weather?' Bleh." She answered eyeing the envelope that had her name sprawled on it.
"Friendly banter?" He raised his eyebrow. Loki had no idea what this mortal was saying.
"Oh. Um." Darcy paused. How to explain? This isn't going to be as easy as she had thought but Loki seemed like a fast learner. "Well it's polite when you see someone at work or a friend to ask how they are and how their day is going. Unless the person is your best friend you say you're okay and then move on to small talk, which usually consists of complaining or complimenting the current weather." She answered chewing on her lip hoping that made more sense.
"Come here a second please." She asked before he could respond to her explanation, still clutching the envelope and walked over to one of the couches and coffee tables near the doors. Plopping down while Loki stood above her, she peaked into the package, and realized it was intended for him.
She dumped the envelope out on the coffee table and looked at the contents. It contained a government ID with his name, picture and new address on it, a cell phone, two credit cards, a wallet, a small amount of money, a set of apartment keys, a level two S.H.I.E.L.D. access card that would get him into the food court, bathroom and Coulson and Fury's office, plus a quick note to be read.
"And what if you are not 'okay'? Why would you say you are if you are not?" He asked curiously while watching her put the items from the envelope into the wallet.
"Like I said, it's just polite. Usually when you ask someone you don't know that well, which is why I said if they aren't your best friends in the world, you just say okay. You don't actually care, you're just being kind, making small talk…" Darcy trailed off, thinking that was a gloomy social standard that was currently in place. She had never thought of it that way until she had to explain it. She wondered for a moment how many people where actually miserable when she had asked that in passing. Some human customs were just plain stupid.
"That doesn't seem very fair. To ask a question and to receive a lie if they aren't "okay". However, if I understand correctly if the person is some you are very close to, you are honest. Which means that here it is a custom to lie to those you don't particularly care about. Maybe it won't be so hard to fit in after all." He mused smirking at her and the Misgard custom.
Darcy giggled at his interpretation of what she had told him and placed the last credit card in the wallet, a Black American Express card.
"Sweet! We are so using your Black AmEx to get you a new wardrobe and then get drunk and eat fancy food. It's the perfect way to start your first day as a normal mortal." Quickly glancing over the note in the envelope it explained a few instructions concerning Loki that where now her responsibility. For instance he was to report to S.H.I.E.L.D every Monday through Thursday and to be escorted into the building by her. He also had a good amount of money thanks to S.H.I.E.L.D taking care of things, and that the apartment across from hers would be fully furnished and full of groceries by Five PM that day.
"AmEx?" He echoed, again at a loss.
"It's how you pay for things. I'm not sure what people on Asgard do when they need things, trade or barter, just give it to you, but here you need money to purchase everyday things such as food and clothing. Usually you work to get money. Which I guess you are doing since this note says to report to S.H.I.E.L.D offices four days a week. Anyway, an American Express black card is the most prestigious card in the world, so consider yourself lucky. I myself just have a Capital One card. Someone must like you to give you such astounding credit." She smiled wondering where to take them to dinner since price was no longer an issue.
Darcy put all the items into her purse, intending on giving him the items and explaining what they were for after they found him proper attire. She looked up at him still smiling and found herself staring. She had only gazed at him since properly meeting, never taking him fully in. She realized in that brief moment he was quite handsome and extremely different from his brother. His body was lean, but not scrawny and not all bronze-y like Thor's. Something she actually preferred in a guy. Oh man did she really let her mind go there? His eyes were an emerald green and his skin was pale like hers. He had at least six inches on her, putting him at at least 6'1 since she was a little on the short side of 5'5. She noticed his face was currently scrunched up and confused, probably contemplating money and the use of an AmEx. Darcy couldn't help herself but she found the sight absolutely endearing.
Stop it. Focus.
"Okay so, lets get you some new clothing before someone beats you up." She said sitting up from the chair.
"Do you think people won't recognize me in different clothing?" He asked.
"You've been thinking about that haven't you? Well, right now, you look like you're wearing almost the same exact gear you had during the New York thing a few years ago and lets just say, you aren't a fan favorite… A pair of jeans and leather jacket and you have less of a chance of being recognized Loki. Lets put this card to use okay?" She grinned and motioned for him to follow her through the doors.
After quite a few attempts on Loki's life while walking to the nearest Neiman Marcus, Darcy was cursing her choice of walking the few blocks instead of grabbing a cab. She unfortunately had to taser the first man who had approached Loki who accused him of killing innocents and then attempted to choke the life out of him. If she had not intervened and brought out her taser, Loki's vocal chord would have been crushed. A few blocks later lead to the second incident. This involved Loki muttering something about mortals and an attempt to to use magic (clearly forgetting he no longer had this power) leading Darcy to kick the guy in the shins, grab Loki's arm and run the rest of the way to the store.
The whole ordeal had left Loki fuming, not only did a small girl have to protect him, but he kept forgetting he was without magic and was stuck sticking out like a sore thumb in this realm.
Right before ducking into the store, a guy who had been eyeing Loki the last block of the way finally approached them before the duo could enter.
"Shit." Darcy muttered and quickly stepped in front of Loki before he could try to throw a weak punch again to defend himself. That had been embarrassing enough for her and him since he was so off balance as he threw up his arm he almost toppled over onto his face.
"I got this." She hissed back at him before he could try something else to save face.
His response to her was a mixture between a groan and a growl. He was less than pleased at his first outing, wishing they had just stayed at S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters. It would have been less humiliating for him to be a punching bag for Hawkeye and Black Widow.
"Dude, before you start, relax. My friend here lost a bet. He's stuck cosplaying it up as one of the worst guys in New York history. Give him a little break!" Darcy held up one hand, the other in her purse clutching the taser hoping her little story would work before the guy in the New York Yankees jersey tried to call Loki out. Almost two years later and he was still target zero. Not that she really blamed anyone.
"Man you must have lost a big bet." Yankees fan said after a pregnant pause and grinned. "You really went to big lengths. I could have sworn you were that guy from a few years back. Next time just wear a dress, probably less embarrassing and dangerous." Yankee guy smirked and gave them a head nod and passed them by.
"Oh man, get inside now Loki. I underestimated this. I am so sorry!" Darcy admitted and grabbed his arm, gently pulling him into the safety of the suave store.
As she dragged him into the men's section they received more looks but no one approached them. She found a sales associate and quickly handed her a few bills, asking for a personal shopper and for quick service. The associate, Trish, hesitated, looking at Loki, trying to place where she had seen him but Darcy quickly diffused the situation with her cosplay lie. Trish gave a sympathetic nod, laughed and smiled, then showed them to a few seats and said she'd be right back with something to drink.
Darcy looked at Loki who had been silent the whole way in. He was discernibly fuming.
"Loki, I'm sorry. I didn't think it would be that bad…" She began wrenching her hands in her lap nervous. She had one job, get him acclimated, but in less than two hours it was going less than smooth.
Loki grunted and continued to stare ahead not looking at Darcy.
"Loki… It won't be easy to get to life here but I promise I'll be there for you." She offered him. She knew he was giving it a new go at life, but the people of New York did not.
Loki was caught by surprised. Despite being humiliated and frustrated he was not expecting something so kind from someone he had just met. He turned to face her while sitting in their chairs, and watched her for a few moments. She was twisting her fingers out of stress, and had a tight bite on her luscious lower lip while staring at her brown boots. It was obvious to him that she honestly meant him no harm, only offered acceptance, and for that he was grateful.
"Darcy," he said as he placed one of his hands on top of hers. "Thank you for your undeserving kindness and for keeping me safe today."
Her nerves melted as he squeezed her hands. It was a brief embrace, but it felt so natural, and all she could do was smile.
Trish returned with champagne for them both, and asked a few questions about what they were looking for, style wise. Loki looked to Darcy to answer the question, and she said simple yet stylish. He was in dire need of a few designer jeans, a variety of t-shirts, button downs, one nice suit, a variety of sweaters, shoes, a warm winter jacket (it was November after all and there was a nip in the air), boxers, socks and other essentials. The sales associate nodded, deciding on the perfect items to pick out for the mans frame. Trish then asked for his measurements and Loki, yet again, looked to Darcy for an answer.
"Sorry man. Can't answer that one for you. But if you want I can grab a tap measure and try your inseam." She chuckled sticking out her tongue feeling the stress dissipate. Loki looked confused and Trish blushed at the offer to measure his inseam for him. Trish offered to measure him for an accurate fit and promised it wouldn't take long.
Darcy began giggling, knowing what he was in for and that it was his first time getting a proper fitting here on Earth. And seeing how terrified Loki was as Trish lead him away to a private changing room to get proper measurements made her laugh even harder. Loki looked so out of place in his Asgard gear that everything just became absolutely comical. Here she was, sipping champagne with a demi god who didn't know if he was a medium or a small. After her much needed laughing spurt she continued to sip on her drink sighing a deep breath. When she awoke today, the last thing she thought was that she would be doing was this.
Loki had been fitted with a brand new outfit, his Asgard gear tossed out in the garbage. He walked out of the store in black jeans, a white V-neck t-shirt and black leather jacket with matching casual black suede loafers. After approving of the clothing choices and purchasing the items they made their way back to Darcy's (and now Loki's… she reminded herself) apartment complex to drop it all off. His apartment would not be ready until after they had dinner but she was in dire need of a quick outfit change. On the cab ride there she explained to him the means of a wallet and cellphone and even managed to get him to call Thor to test out his new phone. She gently reminded Loki to keep his wallet, phone and keys on him at all times when he left his place, as this was necessary to adapting to everyday life and he would almost quite literally be lost without it all.
She unlocked the door to her place, two doors down from his, and ushered him inside.
S.H.I.E.L.D had given her a generous living space, complete with a full kitchen, living room and two bathrooms. A half bath in-between the kitchen and living room and a full bath in the master bedroom. It even came with a balcony that fit an outdoor couch and telescope, her favorite spot to visit on lonely nights.
"Make yourself at home Loki. There is fresh water in the fridge and plenty of munchies in the cabinets. I'll just be a few, I want to put something warmer on before we go out to dinner." She told him showing him the kitchen before exciting into her bedroom.
As Darcy changed out of her work attire, Loki helped himself to browsing the books on Darcy's shelf. He enjoyed reading anything he could get his hands on and found it fascinating the variety of books she had collected. They ranged from sci-fi, romance to astro physics. He browsed until he stumbled upon one Thor must have given her. It was on Asgard myths. It was the same book his mother had read to him, only in English. He looked at the spine of the novel, realizing she had read it from cover to cover as the spine was cracked in many places. He flipped through it and felt a ping of guilt. Poor mother…
"Okay. I'm all set". Darcy emerged interrupting Loki's examination of her books.
He quickly placed it back in place and spun around to her. She had changed into a green silk shirt that almost matched his eye color and dark pants with heels. She looked absolutely ravishing.
"Darcy, you look lovely." He complimented sincerely. "Where are we going for dinner?" He asked not allowing her to respond to his compliment.
"How do you feel about Mexican food?" She asked smiling. He had called her lovely.
"I don't think I have had the pleasure to partake in it." He responded.
"Well, let me tell you the place I am about to take you has the best tacos in this world!" She smiled, unaware that three hours from now she'd be back at her apartment, properly drunk, leaning on Loki and asking him to stay the night.