A/N: So here is chapter two! atm I think I will swap pov every chap but it might change. Thank you those who followed this! :D I'm glad you liked it enough to do that. anyways... if you can review that would be really nice. I unlike others I need constant praise! lol or at least someone pointing out my mistakes. It really would help. Oh well enough of that. Just Enjoy! (it gets a bit cute for a bit!)
Steve POV
Chapter two: Spangled Memories
After the whole invasion thing and then Thor taking Loki back to Asgard. We all split up, Tony and Bruce went off to do some kind of science that's way over my head. Clint and Natasha went back to SHIELD and I, well I travelled for about two weeks before I got a call from Tony.
"Trouble Tony?"
"Yep, need you at Avengers tower straight away."
"Wait we have our own tower now?"
"I emailed everyone about it last week,"
He sighs
"Right of course you didn't get the memo. Stark tower is now Avengers tower. Now get your butt over here."
Then he hung up on me. Of course I sped straight there only to find Tony just wanted to show me he finished my new room, well rooms, which I had no idea about. I think he thought it would take me a long time to agree to move in but really why wouldn't I? He gave me enough of my own space so I could focus on my art when I wanted to. Also the idea of see people every day, not just people but a team, my team, gave me the opportunity to get to know them, maybe even make friends with them. Bruce had already been living there, Natasha and Clint said yes shortly after I did and I don't think anyone asked Thor, I think we just told him. Plus the tower was pretty fantastic and only slightly intimidating once inside.
On my level there was rooms for Bruce, Thor and me and also a spare area for future members, not that we had anyone in mind. Natasha and Clint shared a floor too, that was also split into four so had two spare areas. Tony had his own floor, Pepper lived with him there. Then under the bedroom floors we had two floors of training areas, a quarter of one was a weaponry and there was five floors of labs under that which of course was just for Tony and Bruce to play in. Then the top floor was a common area, a very large kitchen, lounge room, games room, a library and a formal dining area that no one used, instead we just used the large eight person round table in the kitchen.
And that's where everyone was when I got back from my talk with Loki, well except Pepper who away and Thor who was back in Asgard again, I missed him quite a bit, when he was here we trained together every day. They fell silent when I stepped out of the elevator. I walked over to the table taking my normal seat, over the year we had so many meetings and dinners together we had formed a habit of sitting in the same seats, so much so that Clint had carved our names into the backs of the solid wood chairs, which meant Tony had a meltdown. But honestly he did such a beautiful job each name in an elegant scroll, even Pepper had a chair, I think Tony really loved it. From my right we sat, Tony, Bruce, space, Pepper, Natasha, who secretly loved having a female friend, then Clint, Thor and back to me. Since the new additions of the names we never moved seats, even if there were gaps from Thor being in Asgard, Pepper on one on her many business trips, Tony who sometimes went with her, Clint and Natasha on a mission, Bruce who would just disappear when he felt stressed and rarely me on a mission. We were all quiet for a few minutes everyone waiting for me to speak and me not sure what to say. We have had quite a few heated discussions about Loki and it had taken me a long time to get them to see things even a little bit my way and I understand, they hadn't seen everything I had seen...
After the invasion attempt Loki had been too injured to travel, Thor wanted to see Dr. Foster before he left and who was left to guard the prisoner, of course Captain America, well I am the leader and I heal the fastest and who am I kidding? I would have put my hand up for it anyway. So here I was in a prison slash hospital with only a TV to entertain myself. The room was horrible all white and glass and it had somehow been made to suppress magic, not that I trust it or think it has been tested. There were two hospital beds push against either wall and a small couch in the middle and a TV built into the opposite wall, in one corners was the door and the other a very small bathroom which thank god had walls but I know probably had cameras.
Loki himself look horrible. Scratches and cuts all over his body, he was paler then normal and smaller too. But even in his sleep he was striking, beautiful lines and wonderful contrast, someone any artist would love to use as their muse. He wore just a basic pants and t-shirt, the short sleeves revealing his toned arms. Which of course the artist in me noticed.
We had him for nearly a week, the first day Thor was there still too worried about his brother to leave, until I finally convinced him it was fine and I wasn't going to leave his side, at the end of the second day he woke up, never said a word just glared, on the third he finally spoke to me. Sure he only told me to leave with as much venom as he could muster, but through the anger I could see a sadness and what surprised me, a relief.
We had a few movies not many, so when I was on my break, the only one in three days, I ran into Clint and told him my problem, Clint said he had just the thing and I followed him to his room and he showed me his wall of DVD's, he room was pretty small, but he still had so many we had to sit on his bed while looking at them. I tried to focus on what he was saying but it was incredibly overwhelming. I felt like I was in a nest, it was cramped and warm. I let out a nervous laugh at the thought which luckily he assumed it was just from all the DVD's which I guess was true enough. So he just handed me a few boxes that all look like the same cartoon and told me to pass on a message when I was done with those.
For the next few days we sat and watched them, Loki in his bed to proud to show weakness at getting up and me on the couch, it was a show called Dragon Ball Z and though I wouldn't of pick it, it wasn't that bad when you got the hang of it. Plus this Goku guy seemed pretty cool guy, always helping and trying to do the right thing. After the first disk I had enough but when I looked to Loki he actually seemed to be watching it, so we kept going. After a few more hours I almost jumped out of my seat when Loki spoke.
"Now this Vegeta seems like a worthy warrior."
I stare at him for a moment, then back to the screen.
Arlian Guard: Sire, earlier today we captured two aliens. They're in the dungeon now.
Arlian King: Aliens? Have the guards bring them to the arena immediately. Maybe they can provide some entertainment fit for a king.
Vegeta: Don't put yourselves out. We're already here.
Arlian King: What's the meaning of this!? Why don't these prisoners have an armed escort in my chamber?
Arlian Guard: I don't know sire, no orders were ever sent to the dungeon.
Vegeta: Your guards met with an unfortunate accident.
Vegeta, prince, thinks highly of himself, powerful, bad guy, always a smirk on his face. I look back to Loki and can't help but laugh at the parallels. Loki looks up at me surprised and then when he sees I am laughing at him he glares at me.
"What is the meaning of this?"
I calm down now with that and smile apologetic at him.
"Sorry Loki, it's just Vegeta is exactly like you."
For a brief instance I see shock from what I think was my apology. Then anger. I regret laughing now.
"Loki I'm sorry I -"
He holds a hand up to stop me and turns back to the TV. He looks hurt. After a while we turn it off and go to sleep. The next day I have my hour off again and I see Clint. I ask him if he has something else to watch, thinking maybe we need a break, he just grins and practically runs to his room to find me something else. When I get there he has a dozen or so movies on his bed and he is looking though them talking to himself of which would be the best choice. I take the time to look at the other things in his room, there is a shelf with thousands of arrows and a few bows. There is a small dresser with a few things on top, a photo of a circus, a horseshoe, unused arrow that looks like it's there for a special reason and then there is a large bowl with all sorts of buttons and patches. They seem to mostly from cartoons, my eyes glance across them until one catches my attention, there is one with Vegeta on it. I pick it up running my thumb over its smooth top. I turn to Clint asking if I can have it, he looks up to me for the first time. He says sure and I quickly walk back to the cell, not hearing Clint calling out asking if I still wanted some more movies.
I burst into the cell
"Loki!"
It makes Loki jump and he gives me a confused look. I blush feeling embarrassed at my outburst. I sheepishly grin rubbing the back of my neck. I take a few steps forward and hold out my hand face up with the button on my palm.
"Uh, I got you something to make up for yesterday."
He wearily reaches out to take it, keeping his eyes on mine. I think he is looking to see if this is a trap, his fingers lightly tickle the skin of my palm as he picks it up, sending sparks up my arm and tightening my chest. Only when his arm is out of reach does he look down. After a moment when he still hasn't looked up or said anything I speak, trying not to sound nervous.
"If you don't like it its fine, I wasn't meant to bring anything in here anyway."
He looks up then eyes filled with gratitude and confusion.
"Thank you Captain."
A thank you, Loki thanked me? To say I'm gobbed smacked isn't enough, dear god I hope I'm not standing here with my mouth open, yep I think I am he is smirking now.
"Shall we keep watching Captain?"
I pull myself together and nod. I walk over putting the next one on and sit down on the couch, as the theme music plays I hear Loki moving and I look over to find him getting out of bed and sitting next to me. We sit in silence stealing glances at each other for the rest of the day. He is so close I can almost feel his shoulder touching mine, but we aren't touching it is just that phantom feeling you get when something ghosts over your skin that makes your hairs stand on end. When Vegeta starts helping the good guys I look to Loki to see a sadness that wasn't there a moment before. We keep this up, sitting close but not touching, watching Dragon Ball Z and a few other movies until it is time for him to leave.
I stand by the door waiting for him to come out of the bathroom, he has changed into his Asgardian armor and looks very much the defiant prince now and I find myself missing casual Loki.
"Well I guess that's it Loki, it's been-"
I trail off, fun? Not really, but also a lot better than I thought it would be. He nods to me and gives the smallest of smiles, not a smirk, a smile and I can't help but smile back.
"Goodbye Captain."
And then Thor comes in and back is the mask and the smirk. When we are in the park just before they leave for Asgard I see his eyes drift to mine and all too quickly he is gone. And I should be relived but…
"Cap?"
I look up and I realize I have been lost in my thoughts for quite some time. Tony speaks again.
"So Cap what happened? We know you found Loki, Jarvis found you both by satellite but you weren't in the best spot so we couldn't see that well or hear you."
That is why I picked that park. I sigh and sit up straight, somehow I had slouched back in my chair without knowing it. Natasha speaks up when I still fail to find the right words.
"Steve, did you ask him why he was here?"
Her voice is unusually soft and I smile to her in thanks.
"Yeah, he has no plan on taking over this or any other world and he isn't here to commit any crimes."
Bruce asks next.
"So why is he here?"
I look back down again, not knowing what or how to answer. I am thankful Bruce is here though, besides Thor he seems to be the only one to understand even slightly why I see the good in Loki.
"I'm not sure if its boredom or..."
I trail off not wanting them to know just yet that it could just be loneliness or something else I hope for but I don't think I have enough evidence for. Natasha sees I need to move on and offers another question instead.
"Did you tell him about your idea?"
I let out something between a huff and a chuckle.
"Yes and I guess it went well as expected but I knew it would be a long shot. I did get him to agree to think about it though."
Tony gets up and pours himself a drink and after a nod from Natasha one for her too. My eyes follow him, he is always rather quite when we talk, fight, over Loki. Bruce clears his throat.
"Well I think that is a lot more than most of us thought you would get."
I nod slowly, Tony hands Natasha her drink and sits down giving my shoulder a squeeze and I smile to him. He really has become a good friend. When I moved in I had a lot of trouble working out how to use pretty much everything in the tower and after a few wise cracks he saw I was smarter then I looked. It took a while but now I can get by with most things they throw at me, phones, computers that sort of thing I can manage myself now. At least once a week he would sit down and show me something and then get me to practice it until I got it.
We leave the topic of Loki there everyone knowing I don't want to discuss it anymore and talk about random things for a while until Tony gets a call from Pepper and he leaves. Bruce offers to make dinner tonight and Clint offers to help. After a minute or two Natasha moves to the seat next to me and waits for me to look up at her. I sigh and let out it, knowing she won't tell the others.
"He looked sad Tasha."
She puts her hand on mine.
"You can't help everyone Steve."
I force a smile.
"I know, just, everyone needs another shot right?"
"That's the argument that got me to let you give it a try, we just don't understand why you are doing this?"
I look out to the city trying to find the words.
"Maybe you guys are right about this being a terrible idea."
She stands.
"Steve as much as we don't trust him, we trust you more."
And with that she walks off till dinner. Straight after dinner I excuse myself and head to my room to draw. I draw nothing but Loki. Him as the most inquisitive bird I have ever seen, with beautiful dark green wings. Then next one is him looking angry and hurt when I told him too much of what I saw in him. I don't spend long on that one, it hurts too much. The last one I draw, which I also spend the most time on is his face when I had a hold of his hand. My heart aches at the sight and memory his voice saying my name, asking why. He was so lost and scared and yet hopeful. That is the reason I am doing this. It is a look that no one should bare. The torment he has suffered bleeds through. It was the eyes of someone looking for somewhere or someone to belong but too scared to hope for that much. It gets late and I fall asleep on my desk looking down to those heart breaking eyes.
A month passes by and still no word. Thor had come back at some point and we filled him in on the things he had missed and he was ecstatic. Not only had his brother not tried to kill us but he had tried to help a bit and even agreed to think about joining the team. I wish I could feel as optimistic, but he hasn't even been hanging around following us like he normal does. At SHIELD I am just about to get new recruits and his help would be nice. On my day off I take my sketch pad to the park I talked to Loki and sit in the same seat. I sketch for a few hours, kids playing tag, one dog having a nap in the sun, an older couple walking holding hands.
"I didn't realize how sentimental you were Captain."
I smile.
"I told you to call me Steve."
I look up to see Loki standing in front of me wearing dark skinny jeans and a simple black t-shirt looking very relaxed. I motion for him to sit and he does. I stay quite knowing my patience will pay off, but I find myself wishing the seat was built for two not three.
