I did not make up the name of the museum in this chapter. It's an actual place in New York. Also Agent Morse, aka Mockingbird, is a character from the comics like his brother. So is Baron Von Strucker.
I Dream Of Loki
Chapter 3: An Attraction
So I'm hanging upside down. Tied up. Next to Natasha. This hasn't happened in awhile so I'm enjoying it slightly. Well I would be if a whip wasn't hitting my back. I thought this shirt was thicker.
"You still won't say who sent you?" We're being held captive by a guy in a really nice suit. SHIELD has been watching him for some time on suspicion this oil baron, Jacob Hicks, is secretly funneling money to HYDRA, an organization that the Avengers haven't dealt with yet but Steve has. For months Natasha had been undercover off and on as a flirty business woman who wanted to partner up with Hicks. Last night was supposed to have been when they signed the papers but instead he had her drink drugged. Called in off vacation for this, I'd been monitoring everything from outside. Hicks took the mic out of Tasha's ear and ordered me inside or he'd kill her. Of course I went. Which is how we ended up like this. His goon snaps the whip again. God that stings!
"Stop!" Natasha shouts.
"Oh? Are you ready to talk?"
"Yes just stop." I look at her sharply. People who don't know her say she comes off as emotionless at times. That she's a robot or something stupid like that but it's the opposite. I could tell from the way she answered that she has every intention of telling Hicks something, anything for him to stop. The key word I said is ANYTHING, which ranges from the truth to an outright lie. Usually telling the enemy what they want to hear, and you have to be good to know what you should go with, will give you the time you need to work out a plan if you haven't already so then by talking it won't matter anyway because they'll be captured. Absentmindedly I wonder why Steve wasn't called in to help with this. Before the team became official, he'd been doing SHIELD work. As Tasha talks, the big guy with the whip walks around. He pulls out a knife then presses it to my throat.
"If what you have told me is a lie, I'll have Johnson slit your friend's throat."
"It's true all of it!"
"Well I suppose I should feel flattered SHIELD is watching me so closely. I thought you two were with the FBI." He chuckles. "Since I'm going to kill you anyway I suppose it wouldn't hurt letting you in on the secret." Hicks strokes Tasha's cheek. A move that any other time would've gotten him a broken arm. "I was approached by a gentleman calling himself Baron Von Strucker. He made me a very generous offer to use some land I own all around the world. I also help him with small things when he needs it."
"Why would he choose you? What do you have that someone else doesn't?"
"Oh the land mostly. They're in….excellent locations for what he needs. Besides what I'm getting paid more than compensates. Story time is over now."
"That's all?"
"Yes. That you need to know anyway."
"Can I now?" I ask Natasha.
"Fine. You're so impatient." Finally! Johnson's grip has relaxed during Hicks' confession so I head butt him.
"Damn it!" While he's yowling in pain, I grab the knife that they missed on the inside of my pants, just below the buckle. It takes me seconds to cut myself down then to knock out Johnson. Hicks is racing towards the door so I grab the tray that held other torture instruments and fling it at his knees. Before I head towards him, I throw the knife at Natasha's rope without looking knowing it found it's target. I then make it over to Hicks who is crawling towards the door. A boot on his back keeps him in place.
"We'll have to get you something for that," Natasha says referring to my back as she walks up.
"Is it bad?"
"Could be worse." I hand her another earpiece from my pocket. "Hicks the first thing you should've done was given as a full body search. We still would've gotten out but it would've been much harder without Hawkeye's knife."
"That's the sad part. He got so freakin arrogant that he didn't even think of that."
"Can we talk about this? I'm innocent really! The Baron forced me into it!" He pleads.
"Shut up!" I bark at him. "The lady is trying to talk to someone."
"This Is Widow. We're ready for extraction." A pause then she answers, "Copy that. Alright Hawkeye let's get this sniveling idiot upstairs."
"I have men up there! Men who will-"The sound of glass breaking and gunfire shuts him up.
"That would be our team taking care of your men. Now get up." Once upstairs, Hicks is taken into custody. We get a couple thumbs up from the other agents. One that knows me better, remarks on my back and how it looks like I got into a fight with a cat and lost. We have such great comedians. After getting back on the Helicarrier, we debrief. I'm then sent to the doctor on duty to have the marks left by the whip taken care off because first aid on a moving helicopter isn't that great. Finally I'm allowed to leave. Natasha and I catch a ride with a few other agents headed to New York. We part ways once we land, with Natasha off to buy cupcakes. I catch a cab home. After missions for SHIELD I find it much more relaxing to stay at my apartment for a day or so instead of heading right to the mansion. I'm like a zombie as I move up the stairs, saying hello to Mrs. Jones and making small talk with the new neighbors on the second floor. The door isn't locked. Interesting. I'm too tired to care though so I open the door, dropping my bag in the hallway.
"You look awful little bird," Loki says from my couch. From the looks of it, he'd been reading.
"Yeah? Well you look…" I take another step, stumbling this time. Maybe I should've rested more before leaving. The doc did say I lost a lot of blood but I kept insisting I was fine. My head is spinning now. I start to stumble again but I'm caught this time by Loki. I haven't seen him since I jumped out of his classroom window. Right after stopping the Serpent Society, I was called in by Director Fury. That was days ago. Loki must've seen the outline of the bandages through my shirt because he's lifting it up to take a better look.
"What happened?" His voice is tight, slightly angry.
"My assignment which is classified by the way." I push away from him and move towards my room with one hand on the wall the entire time.
"You sustained blood loss," He states. I don't answer. Instead once I'm in my room I flop down on my stomach. Clumsily I pull my phone out of my pocket. When I go on assignment, I leave it behind. After it boots up, messages and voice mails pop up. I set it near my pillow and watch as Loki sits on the edge of the bed.
"I may be able to help with this."
"How?"
"I keep different things from Asgard. I may have something to help heal your wounds."
"Go for it. I need sleep though so sorry if I can't stay awake."
"I'd prefer that. The ointment burns."
"Got anything to help with sleep? I'm exhausted but I can't close my eyes." Probably shouldn't have drunk all that coffee Maria offered me earlier.
"Hmmm…" Loki crouches near my head. He begins whispering, as to what I have no idea. I'm too out of it. When my eyes do close, the only thing I can think of is him.
When I wake up, I'm confused briefly as to where I am. Once my brain catches up to my body I answer the texts I have and listen to the voice mails on my phone, one from my brother and the other from an overly excited Tony about his Mark whatever number he's on now armor. After a few minutes I sit up. Memories of walking into my place come flooding back.
"Loki!" I yell. No answer. There's a clear jar of green stuff on my nightstand. Grabbing it I sniff the contents, smells floral. My back! I rush to the bathroom, yanking off my shirt as I go. My back is healed except for the scars. Holy shit! "Loki!" I call again. I want to thank him for what he's done but as I search my apartment I realize he's left. Slightly annoyed at him, I head to the kitchen only to be surprised by pasta sitting on the stove. He cooked for me too? As I'm tasting it, I realize I have no way to get in contact with him unless it involves me going to another class. That's when I notice the note on the fridge.
Clint,
Get some rest, you looked horrible. I apologize for not being there when you woke. A student needed to meet with me.
Loki
The note was short and to the point. At the very bottom, as if he quickly added it before leaving, was Loki's number. I dial it. The phone rings three times before he answers.
"Yes?"
"Thanks for what you did." His voice sounds even better on the phone. I'm crushing hard, damn it!
"You're welcome Clint. How do you feel?"
"A little better."
"You most likely need more rest. You've only been asleep a few hours."
"I'll sleep all day tomorrow. I'd like to thank you in some way Loki."
"I don't…" he hesitates as if he just thought of something.
"What?" I press.
"Go with me to the museum tomorrow."
"Sounds boring but fine." Actually it sounds like a date.
"There are a few exhibits I want to show you. I want you ready to go by ten."
"In the morning? I'll see what I can do."
"And Clint?"
"Yeah?"
"You dream of me."
"Excuse me?"
"While you slept, you kept mumbling my name. What were you dreaming of?" Though I had fallen asleep to thoughts of him, I'd actually been dreaming about the other Loki, the one from the alternate universe. He was in a cell on Asgard.
"I don't remember," I answer quickly.
"You're lying but I will get the answer out of you," It sounds like a promise.
"But not today so see you tomorrow. Bye Loki."
"Goodbye little bird." I lean against the fridge as I replay the conversation. That could've gone better. I should've come up with a more believable lie but everything slipped from my mind in that moment. As I stand there replaying everything like a lovesick teen, I save his number in my phone then slip it into my pocket. I'm on the kitchen floor eating a bowl of the pasta when I hear my door open. My heart actually skips a fucking beat thinking it's him.
"Hawkguy where are you?" It's only Tony.
"In here!" He pops in the doorway with a case of beer and Sam behind him.
"Clint has anyone ever told you that you should probably move?" Sam asks as he messes with the peeling wallpaper.
"All the time but what can I say? It has a certain charm."
"You cooked this?" Tony grabs the bowl from my hands and shoves a forkful in his mouth before I can stop him. "You never cook Italian."
"A friend did."
"Friend? Who?"
"Is this-" Thankfully Sam interrupts before I have to answer. "God Clint! You have a dead mouse over here!"
"Hey I was going to clean that up!"
"Don't bother. I'll give it to Redwing," he answers referring to the bird he is telepathically connected with. Holding the mouse, he walks out of the kitchen.
"Who's the friend?" Tony asks.
"Will you let it go?"
"Nope."
"Loki alright?"
"Seriously?" I nod. "Does he clean too?" With a dramatic roll of my eyes, I grab the beer and go to the living room. Sam has just shut the window and the mouse is gone. He probably threw it out for Redwing.
"Beer and…" I crouch near my PS3. "Street Fighter?"
"No," Sam and Tony say at the same time.
"Mortal Kombat?" Again I get disapproval. "Call of Duty?" I get a thumbs up on that. So we drink and play Call of Duty. Well mostly Sam and I do because Tony sucks at it. Later in the evening Tasha arrives with Steve and Bruce carrying pizza. The rest of the night goes by in a blur of beer, pizza, video games and Steve's very good impressions of Director Fury.
What the hell is poking me? I rub my eyes as I sit up off the floor. What am I doing down here? Last night! Right. I take in the living room to see it's a mess. Tasha managed to grab the couch. Steve is asleep in my only armchair with his mouth hanging open. Sam is sitting against the wall right under the window. I spot Bruce laying flat on the floor with a beer can in one hand. Where's Tony? Groaning, I manage to get to my feet. The first place I look is the kitchen but he's not there, so I head to my room. He's sitting against my bed with a screwdriver in one hand and my alarm clock in the other.
"Ever wonder how these things work?"
"No, not really. What time is it?"
"9:50 buddy."
"What?! Shit!"
"What's wrong?"
"I'm late!" I grab a towel. "Tony, Loki's supposed to be getting me so we can go to the museum-"
"Another date," He mumbles while examining the inside of the clock.
"No! We're just friends."
"Sure whatever you say."
"Don't scare him off got it?" At that Tony laughs.
"Don't you trust me Clint?" Of course not but I leave without replying. I try to make the shower quick. As I'm brushing my teeth I realize the first thing Loki will see when he comes in are my drunken friends and trashed living room. Great. Holding my towel, I peak out the door. I can hear voices coming from down the hall.
"So you're Clint's friend?" Steve's voice. "Nice to meet you." Well at least he can keep Tony from doing anything stupid. I rush across the hall to my room, trying to find something clean to wear which is a very difficult task because I have nothing clean at least that I can find. I've just slipped on my boxers when my door opens.
"Clint what's taking you so long?" Sam asks.
"I can't find anything wearable. I should've done laundry."
"Why's it matter? Throw something on."
"I can't."
"Why? Oh. I get it. It's a date."
"It's not a fucking date!"
"Then why do you care so much?" I open my mouth to respond but then I think about it. He has a point. He has a very good point. "Hey what about the stuff in your duffle? Don't you usually fill that with extra clothes?" I take his advice and search the bag. Sure enough I find jeans and a shirt to wear. "Alright now can you go out there before he kills Tony?" He says once I've tied my shoes.
"What do you mean?"
"You how Tony is. There's those that can deal with that and there's others who he pisses off. Your friend falls in the latter category."
"I warned him…he never listens." I lead the way back to the living room. It's been cleaned up and now the TV's on. There's a plate of bacon on the coffee table along with several mugs. Tony has one and is standing next to Loki who's sitting on the arm of the couch with an icy smile on his face. Steve gives a nod to Tony and shrugs as if saying 'I tried'.
"I still don't understand why you chose to work at a college. As long as you've been around you could've done anything and you decided to teach. There's something I'm missing," Tony's saying.
"Loki let's go," His head snaps to my direction. The smile turns genuine. Unfortunately Tony notices too. His mouth is moving but no words are coming out much to the amusement of everyone else. "What did you do?"
"A simple spell. He'll regain his voice in thirty minutes." He grabs my wrist as he walks by.
"Hey lock up before you guys leave!" I yell. Loki doesn't speak again until we're near his car, a BMW by the way. "You can afford this teaching at St. Benedict's?" I ask getting into the passenger seat.
"I've visited Midgard many times in the past and accumulated money over the years. Where was Thor?"
"Bruce said he'd gone off to spend time with Jane." I briefly wonder if I should say anything about their relationship then decide to go with it. "You should visit him sometime."
"Why?"
"Well…you know because you seem concerned about him." Whenever me and Barney have fought, we've always made up pretty quickly. I can't imagine going for as long as Loki has without talking to my brother. "Maybe talking with him would help things between you two."
"We're not having this discussion right now." I guess that puts an end to that. My phones goes off, signaling a message. It's from Natasha.
Can you ask Loki to use this spell more often? It's amazing what you can hear when Tony shuts up – Natasha
I would but I've annoyed him by mentioning he should talk to Thor – Clint
Date off to a bad start –Natasha
It's not a date! –Clint
Sam and Bruce think otherwise. Don't bring up Thor anymore unless he does. Obviously it's a touchy subject. Steve wants you to know he's taking your newspaper –Natasha
"We're here." I was so into texting that I didn't notice he'd already parked at the New York Historical Society museum. Even the name screams boredom.
Tell him I want to box later. Gotta go –Clint
I put the phone away and follow Loki inside. I never go to museums because I don't find them interesting and this one isn't any different. "I'm dying inside already Loki." He smirks, the conversation in the car forgotten.
"Keep up," He answers then goes off. I follow him to an exhibit about American history. "I remember much of this," He says quietly.
"You were here during the country's beginning?"
"Off and on. It intrigued me. I never thought that small colony would turn into this. I find history fascinating because I like to see how it's told today compared to what actually happened." Loki leads me to a painting of the American Revolution.
"What did you used to do back then?"
"I mostly watched, rarely interfering. I've met many mortals over the centuries. The majority of my favorites came from this time period."
"Why didn't you teach a history class?"
"St. Benedict's had no openings and no other university caught my attention. Look at this piece." I let Loki guide me around the rest of the exhibit. He was in teacher mode, explaining everything we saw. Then it was off to another exhibit. We spent the whole day there but it didn't bother me. Loki's excitement was infectious and I found myself learning much more than I thought I would've. By closing time, I'm ready to get off my feet. Loki's bought me a poster from the souvenir shop and several books for himself. He hurries me to the car then it's off to a restaurant. The place is packed but he made reservations. We end up at a table near the back where the lighting's low. This does feel like a date. Damn you Tony! We've already ordered our food so now I'm nervously fiddling with my napkin. Loki's laugh causes me to stop.
"What are you so nervous about Clint?"
"I'm not."
"You are. You haven't said a word since we've sat down."
"I'm not nervous Loki." I try acting nonchalant but it isn't very convincing. He tilts his head a bit and still smiling says,
"Do I make you nervous little bird?" I can only stare at him in wide eyed surprise for a few seconds before regaining my composure.
"Of course not!" He takes a sip of his wine.
"If I only wanted to be friends with you then I wouldn't have spent the day with you like this. I have few friends Clint and the ones I do have, I don't take them to museums and restaurants."
"So this is a date then?"
"That is what I've heard it called." Tony and Sam will never let me live this down. Ever. "When I saw you that night in the bar I wanted you. My intention was to make you mine for a night but I've realized today that one night won't do." Is he saying what I think he's saying? I'm not used to this. Usually I'm the one doing the chasing, not the one being chased.
"Loki are you asking me to-"
"Clint." A blond haired woman wearing a black dress hands me a phone then walks away. Perfect timing.
"Sir?"
"Barton I need you on the Helicarrier right now. Agent Dixon is waiting for you outside and will transport you there. I've also called in Agent Romanoff," Director Fury tells me. I glance at Loki who is watching me. "Agent Morse has been captured." This keeps getting better.
"Got it sir." Once I hang up I down the rest of my glass. "I have to go, I'm sorry." He nods and grabs my hand as I'm getting up. He turns it over then begins tracing the lines on my palm, muttering a spell it sounds like. When he finishes, my hand has a strange tingling sensation. Before I can question him he gestures for me to go.
"We can finish our conversation when you return." Loki leans back in the chair causing me for the first time to realize that he's sexy as hell. From his hair, to his eyes to the way he moves. We're staring at each other which has raised the tension between us a hundred fold. When I finally break eye contact and start to move past him, he grabs my wrist and pulls me down. "Come back to me safely little bird," He whispers in my ear. I can feel the nosy stares from the other tables. So I simply nod. It's going to be a long night.
