I remember a shadow living in the shade of greatness. - Loki
Chapter 2The lunch could have gone a lot better if Steve had to give his opinion on the matter. In between Bucky getting ready to jump across the table to beat up Loki and Loki continuing to be...whatever the hell he was. Steve would have laughed at their antics if it had been any other day.
"How did you get my umbrella?" Bucky asked Steve once their food was brought out. Loki was adding sugar and cream to his coffee when he heard the question. He peered over at the two young men. Watching curiously as Steve brought out the umbrella.
"This isn't yours, Buck. It's mine. Loki gave it to me," Steve said to him. Bucky took the object away from his friend and turned it over. In the wood handle of the umbrella the name Bucky Barnes was roughly carved. He frowned as Bucky poked him in the side with it.
"Ouch, Buck," Steve protested. He rubbed at the spot as his friend settled back in to enjoy his food. Bucky was already eating the burger and wolfed it down in less than five minutes. Steve glanced at Loki who was only giving the bigger of the two a pitying look.
"How did you filch my umbrella? I was carrying it down the street only a minute ago!" Bucky said soon after he had inhaled his burger. Loki only gave him a shadow of a smile in response.
"Magic," Loki answered crisply.
"Right and I'm Napoleon," Bucky shot back at him. Loki only raised an eyebrow at him, but didn't comment on it. Instead taking a sip of his coffee and choosing not to comment on the matter.
Steve picked idly at his onion rings. He nibbled at one, but his appetite hadn't come back. His poor ma...the idea of going back. Never seeing her again or hearing her laughter. Never hearing her nag at him to get up in the morning no matter how bad he felt. Steve hated it. He wished it was him buried in the ground. His ma would have Bucky to take care of. The healthy son she deserved, probably had always secretly wanted. The one who didn't keel over if it was too hot or cold outside. A son who could actually bring home some extra cash at the end of the day instead of scraping by...
"Steve?" Loki said to him. Steve looked up at the sound of his name. Loki was gazing at him intently. Those emerald green eyes fixated on him. Bucky had cleaned his plate and was already ordering a piece of pie to finish off his meal. Good old Buck, never passing up a free meal.
"Sorry, I'm just not...hungry," Steve muttered. Loki studied him for a minute before he nodded.
"Young lady, could you please bring me the check?"
"Separate or all together, sugar?"
"Together please," Loki said to her. Steve had felt a flutter of fear Loki wouldn't pay, but the man didn't even bat an eyelash. When the waitress brought the check Loki took out a slim back wallet. Before the two boys Loki pulled out a crisp $20 bill and laid it in the waitress' booklet. Closing it and setting it down on the table just as Bucky's fork clinked onto his second empty plate.
Steve and Bucky locked gazes when Loki laid the money out. Steve had caught a brief glimpse into Loki's wallet and felt his heart jump. There were was a lot more cash in there then just the $20 bill he had seen. He felt his mouth go dry as Loki got out of the booth. Bucky's eyes were nearly popping out of his head as he got out as well. Taking his umbrella with him as he waited for Steve.
"Thanks for the meal," Bucky murmured to Loki. Steve nodded to Loki in appreciation too, but his mind was still thinking about all that money. Loki nodded offhandedly as he walked them out the door.
Outside it was still raining, but it wasn't as bad as it had been before. Steve still shivered when a wind picked up. Bucky wrapped an arm around his friend small shoulders. Steve was glad for the warmth and enjoyed it immensely. Loki was gazing at the two young men quietly.
"You're very welcome. Are you two going to be okay?" Loki asked them. Steve looked up at the handsome man again. Loki was gazing down at him quizzically. Steve felt his face grow hot at the question.
"We're fine mister, thanks for the meal," Steve said with chattering teeth. Bucky rubbed the small of Steve's back. Trying to keep him warm.
"Well...here. In case you two get hungry again," Loki said. He took out two more $20 bills. Bucky's eyes widened at the small fortune in Loki's hand. Without preamble the trickster gave Bucky one of the bills and before Steve could protest had tucked one into the coat pocket of Steve's suit.
"Hey! You already did enough. We don't need it," Steve argued. His face flushing red as he reached for the large bill. Loki's cool fingers came down on Steve's. Wrapping around them protectively. Despite himself the younger man blushed as he looked up at the older man. Momentarily caught off guard by the touch.
"Just..keep it. It's a gift," Loki said to him softly. Steve's breath caught in his throat when Loki withdrew his hand there was an old coin in between Steve's fingers. On one side there was a helmet emblem and on the other was a crow.
"Steve, we need it. We don't have any food at the house," Bucky whispered to him. He didn't mention that there was money due on a few of their bills. Paying for the funeral had been expensive. In order to make sure Sarah had a good sendoff, Bucky had laid down a good chunk of his savings at the funeral home. He never told Steve about it because he knew how his friend would react. Steve glared at Bucky and elbowed him in the ribs, but the damage was done.
"You can pay me back later," Loki promised the two of them. Steve frowned as he gazed down at the coin in his hand. Unsure of what he was supposed to do with it.
"I have to go now, but if you ever have need of me. Simply flip that coin and call my name," Loki said to him. Steve looked up into Loki's striking eyes again. He felt his heart flutter a bit at the concerned look on his face. Steve took a deep breath. The tip of his tongue touching his bottom lip as if about to speak. At that exact moment Loki gave him a beatific smile. His eyes lighting up before the man vanished right before his eyes.
Steve heard Bucky give out a shuddering gasp. People walking on the sidewalk appeared to not have noticed someone into their midst disappearing into thin air. Steve was equally stunned. Staring at the spot where Loki had been only a split second before. He rubbed at his eyes again to try and clear them. His vision growing blurry for a few seconds from the rubbing. When he lowered his hands again the spot where the strange man had been earlier was still completely empty.
Steve felt his a drop of water hit his head. Dimly aware he should probably start heading home. Behind him he heard the shuffle of Bucky opening his black umbrella. The soft patter of rain hitting the waterproof cloth as Bucky shared the small space with him. He looked up at his friend who was gazing down at him solemnly. Dressed in their Sunday best and standing in the pouring rain, Steve couldn't help but wonder what a sight they must look. He nodded silently to Bucky.
In union, the two men turned around and made their way home. Bucky walking behind Steve and slightly to the left. A silent buffer between Steve and the rest of the world. Steve wanted to snap at him, but for what he didn't know. He just felt tired and exhausted. Slowly, he trudged back home the several blocks to their brownstone apartment.
By the time they reached it the storm was in full swing again. Thunder booming in the distance and over their heads. Once they reached the door Bucky shook out his umbrella before unlocking the door. Like always he pushed Steve in ahead of him. A gentle hand in the small of Steve's back that normally the smaller of the two would snap at him about. Not today though. Today, he wanted some of that quiet protection. To know Bucky was still there to care about him.
Once they were inside the pattering of the rain on the roof calmed Steve's frayed nerves. He closed his eyes as he went to the table. The light in the small apartment was dim. There was a bedroom where there was a small closet and a desk. Along with a dresser he and Bucky shared. Farther down at the end of the hall was a bathroom that only slightly bigger than a broom closet. Everything in the small one-bedroom apartment was crowded and set close together. The only decent furniture was the square table with two faded chairs set on each side. To the right of that a living room with a fading carpet, couch, and threadbare rug his mom had given them.
"Was he real?" Bucky asked. Breaking the steady silence of the room. Steve had bowed his head at the table. Holding his head as he tried to fight off the ache developing behind his eyes.
"Who? Loki?" Steve asked quietly. Bucky nodded as he came into the small room. Bucky shed off his jacket and threw it unceremoniously onto the back of the couch. Steve had to bite the tip of his tongue to keep from ordering Bucky to hang it up.
Ma hates when you do that!
"Yeah, you're...friend," Bucky said. He wasn't sure if a strange guy like Loki could be called a friend, but he decided to stick with it.
"Hell if I know, Buck. For all I know he's nobody."
"So, we just walked out of a restaurant without paying?" Bucky asked him with a wry grin. Steve couldn't tell if his friend was trying to joke or to lighten the mood. He just shook his head and Bucky dropped the joke. Coming over and pulling out a chair to sit across from Steve.
"Rogers, it'll be okay."
"I know."
"I don't have to work down at the docks tomorrow. You want to go pick up some groceries and get something to eat?" Bucky asked him. Steve blinked tiredly at his friend.
"No, I have to run errands for Mrs. Adler and Mr. Clinton tomorrow. Maybe after we can," Steve said to him. He didn't voice aloud they had to pay off their rent before they did anything.
As if remember the bill Steve touched his pocket. He heard the crinkle of paper and reached in. He pulled out the crisp bill Loki had given him and gazed at it quietly. Combined with the money Bucky had been given. They had more than enough to pay off the last of their rent for the month and other expenses with plenty leftover to buy some food for themselves. He stared at it quietly. Trying to remember the cool fingers pressing into his own.
"We have to pay this back," Steve said quietly. Bucky nodded, but he seemed reluctant to agree. Steve locked gazes with his friend and frowned.
"I'm serious, Buck. We have to."
"I know, Steve, but with what cash? We don't have anything but what he gave us," Bucky said to him.
"Forty bucks is a lot for two guys like us. We'll have to do it by...four bucks a month for ten months? That seems fair, right?" Bucky said reluctantly. Steve knew how his friend felt. They didn't have the money to spare. Let alone pay back the cash Loki had given them.
"We'll work something out," Steve agreed quietly. He put the money away until his hand touched something else in his pocket. He frowned and pulled it out.
It was the coin Loki had given him. Steve turned it over and over in his hand. The coin was solid. A lot heavier than Steve thought it should be. It was about the size of a quarter and just as thick. Steve flipped it and heard the clink of the coin hitting his nail. He caught it easily and opened his palm. The coin had landed on the helmet side.
"Call his name," Bucky whispered. As if there was a spell cast by flipping the coin. Steve frowned and shook his head.
"He said only to call him if we needed something. If we call him now he might take it away," Steve said. Bucky made a dismissive sound in the back of his throat. Still, his friend dropped it and stretched. Leaning back in his chair as he stretched his arms with a low groan.
"Alright, whatever you say Rogers. I'm going to bed. I'm taking the couch," Bucky said to him. Steve nodded quietly as his friend got up. There was a blanket folded neatly over the back of the couch along with a pillow for just that purpose.
As Bucky took off his clothes and threw them into various corners of the living room, Steve decided he was tired too. He was secretly thankful to Bucky for taking the couch. The living room was the coldest part of the apartment. Only the bedroom really got any heat from the radiator. Steve too got undressed and climbed into bed. He picked up his sketchbook and tried to draw to distract himself.
He didn't know how much time had passed. Steve let his pencil wander across the page. Scratching out shapeless forms that had no purpose. He couldn't concentrate. All he could think about was his mom and how she had been laid to rest. He knew Bucky had something to do with the service. Even with the little money Steve earned, he knew there was no way he could have ever afforded such a nice sendoff for her. Still, he appreciated the silent gesture. His ma deserved something nice for people to remember her by.
Outside the sky became darker, but Steve still could not sleep. His mind was too busy and restless. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't. He could hear Bucky snoring in the next room over. He knew Bucky was exhausted. Bucky had to work at the docks six days a week. On Sunday his friend was usually passed out on the couch fast asleep for most of the day.
Steve got up and placed his head in his hands. His head hurt and his chest ached. He reached over and turned on his bedside lamp. A sickly yellow glow lit up the bedroom. Steve dug around in his dirty clothes until he found his suit. Reaching into the pocket he took out the coin again. He turned it over and over in his fingers. The metal oddly warm to the touch.
Closing his eyes, Steve flipped the coin.
"Loki," he whispered. The name falling from his lips like a candy. He opened his eyes when he felt a sudden rush of air over his head. When he opened his eyes he saw the earnest face of Loki gazing at him. Only a few inches from his own.
"Hey Loki," Steve whispered. Partially amazed the trickster had appeared. He had begun to think Loki was nothing more than a dream. Standing before him though Steve had to admit he looked real enough. He could smell ink off of Loki and fresh air. The other man was dressed in some strange outfit of green and gold that didn't look out of place in a medieval court. Steve found himself admiring it even until Loki spoke.
"A bit late to be calling on company, isn't it?" Loki said to him softly. Steve looked up at him. He felt so small beside this man. As if he could fall over and be lost forever for no one to remember him.
"I couldn't sleep," Steve answered. Loki nodded quietly as he continued to study Steve. The two stood in silence for a long time. Steve still trying to wrap his mind around the man standing before him.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Did you want me to keep you company until you drifted off? Or perhaps have something to eat?" Loki asked kindly. How the man could be so patient, Steve had no idea. He rubbed at his face again. Gazing up at Loki quietly.
"Actually, I...do you have something that could make me sleep?" Steve asked him. He swallowed dryly. Only then did the tears begin to fall. Tears for his mom. For her passing away long before her time. His bottom lip began to tremble and Loki damn him gave Steve that pitying look again.
"It's okay, Steve. Relax," Loki whispered to him. He reached over and pressed his hand to Steve's forehead. Whispering a spell to give him good dreams and a deep sleep.
"When you wake up in the morning I'll be here waiting for you. Okay? For now, just relax. Go to sleep," Loki whispered to him. Steve opened his mouth to speak. He felt something cold seeping down from Loki's hand to his collar bone. Instead, the trickster put a hand on Steve's back. Drawing him close to him and hugging him.
Steve closed his eyes and hugged Loki back. Feeling the tears streaming down his face. Blurring his vision even as his mind begun to slow down. He made a soft sound, almost like a whimper, as he began to fall asleep. Loki caught the small body before it hit the floor. Lifting it up effortlessly, he cradled Steve close to him as he carried him back to the bed. Setting him down gently on the mattress. Steve was fast asleep, his full lips slightly parted in deep sleep. Loki smiled at seeing the young man rest. Poor little thing, Loki thought.
"Rest now, Steve Rogers. Have good dreams of your mother. In the morning, you'll feel better," Loki whispered to him. He pressed a soft kiss to Steve's cheek. Loki undid the clasp of his green cloak and threw it over the young man and tucked it in at the edges. The room was deathly cold and already he could see a slight shiver gracing Steve's shoulders.
Once he was satisfied Steve was comfortable Loki left the room. He checked on Bucky who was fast asleep on the couch. Curled up in one corner of it to conceal heat. Loki sighed and summoned a thick blanket. He placed that over the other young man and tucked him in too. Bucky barely moved a muscle as Loki tucked the edges of the blankets in under Bucky's arms. He patted the young man's hair idly before he vanished.