A/N: Hi guys! I'm here again and got for you some angst, Loki-Steve and Loki-Darcy friendship, some Tony-Steve relationship, plus a little peak at Thor's opinion. Reviews are love!
Beta: MistressLoki1618
Chapter Eight
Loki woke up and felt horrible. Still having his eyes closed, he could hear the sound of splashing water and deduced Darcy was having a shower early in the morning, as she often did. Loki felt really awful for lying to her when she had woken him up in the middle of the night, but he couldn't actually tell her what his nightmare was about. She would be… clearly shocked but not more than Loki himself was. He wasn't ready to tell her anything since he didn't even know what he should say.
In his nightmare he had seen Thor, lying on a floor in a pool of blood. His own blood. Loki remembered he had screamed horrified but no sound came out of him and no matter how badly he tried to reach him, he couldn't. It was horrible and the worst was that when Loki woke up he didn't have him sleeping beside him as he usually had. Truth to be told, he had quite gotten used to his presence and he hated to admit but he was missing him. And also, he was worried.
His own feelings made him confused and troubled him to no end, driving him to the edge of insanity. He didn't quite understand his own feelings and he was pretty sure that Thor was only playing along with his little games, but without deep or honest emotions. Loki noted miserably that his heart sank at the thought.
For a brief moment he was close grabbing Darcy's phone to call Thor and speak to him but then he just realized how utterly woeful his idea was and quickly dropped it, whining helplessly. Slowly, he opened his eyes, blinking a few times until his eyes got used to the brightness then got up to pack his things. They wouldn't have time to go back to the Stark Mansion because they'd got a call earlier Loki was needed in London, so he and Darcy had to go to the nearest airport.
Then there would be a fashion week, so it was no point of going back to the set for a few days. Loki had never guessed he would miss the Stark Mansion and everyone this much. He just wanted to go back, being hidden from the world, he really didn't have the mood for catwalks, make-up and expensive clothes… but he had no choice.
XxXxX
It was a beautiful day. The sky was cloudless, the sun was shining brightly and the air was filled with the fresh, salty scent of the ocean. Thor was sitting on a braided rocking-chair on the terrace, staring into the distance, being lost in his thoughts. It had already been almost a week. Fortunately, his father was getting better and he could even come home from the hospital the previous day and Thor was supposed to be happy about it. He was happy, really. However, there was something missing. He didn't know what it was, but he knew it was missing and every time he was thinking, he ended up thinking of a certain someone much to his surprise. He was confused what he was supposed to do. His father was still a little ill and his mother and sister needed him there which was comprehensible but also, he wanted to go back so badly it almost caused him physical hurt. They hadn't talked since that particular morning and he was more stubborn than to call. He knew it was mutual. Staring at the cell phone he was holding, he dialed the exact number then immediately deleted it. With a sigh, he tossed the phone to the small table and went back to the house with one thing, or you could say one name to be exact, in his mind. Loki.
XxXxX
*Chris is sitting at the table in his small kitchen, books lying open almost everywhere before him as he is busy studying. He picks a book, reads a page or two then puts it back and takes a few notes. Then repeats it. Suddenly, the doorbell rings and he is surprised but gets on his feet and hurries to the door.
"Scarlett?" He is even more surprised because he has never expected to find Jeremy's girlfriend in front of his door. How does she even know where he lived?
"Hello, Chris." The girl smiles and then adds when Chris is still staring at her dumbfounded. "Can I come in?"
"Oh, yeah, of course, sorry." He mumbles embarrassed and opens the door wider and Scarlett comes in with a sweet smile. Chris coughs awkwardly and she turns to look back at him.
"Don't misunderstand me, but what are you doing here?" He asks with a frown and takes a few steps back while Scarlett approaches him. She trails a finger down his right cheek and smiles again, but this time, it's more like a sneer.
"I'm here to kill you." She whispers and closes her fingers around Chris' neck, squeezing it unbelievably strong.
"Sc-scar-lett?" Chris squeaks and straggles in horror but then goes silent as the girl twists her hand and Chris' neck is broken. After a bit of waiting, she lets him go and Chris' body slumps to the floor lifelessly. She sneers widely in satisfaction and her sharp fangs are visible. Then she turns and leaves.*
"CUT!" Fury yelled and the camera stopped. Steve got to his feet with Natasha's help and they talked a few words then they both turned and walked to the director. It was the second take and it was unusual that Fury was already satisfied, but looked like he was in a good mood today, so he let them go. Steve took a bottle of water on his way and drank it in a rush, he was really thirsty. Then he entered the changing room and grabbed his cell lying to the small table. There were two missed calls from Loki. An assistant girl entered the room in the next moment, ready to remove his make-up. 'Loki can wait a few more minutes.' He thought and smiled at the girl with a nod then sat down, letting her do her job. After a good five minutes he was 'clean' and grabbed his phone again, deciding he would change his clothes later. He dialed the number and waited for Loki to pick up his own phone.
"I thought you died." There came the mocking voice and Steve sighed.
"It's good to hear you, too."
"Why didn't you pick up?" Loki questioned and Steve rolled his eyes.
"We were shooting a scene. I'm terribly sorry for not carrying my phone around on the set." He said ironically and could hear Loki's small chuckle.
"I forgive you. Anyway, I just wanted to ask if everything's all right there."
"Well, if you're referring to Thor-"
"NO!" He cut Steve off sharply and he knew Loki was annoyed and it would be better not to mention the blond haired bodyguard.
"Yeah, everything is okay, I just got killed by Natasha."
"It's a shame I missed it. Damn."
"I love you, too." Just as Steve finished his sentence Tony stepped in with a smile which turned into a grimace as he saw Steve talking on the phone.
"Just a minute." Steve waved him off and Tony rolled his eyes but left.
"What?" Loki asked.
"Nothing, I was talking to Tony."
"Oh, are you two getting all lovey-dovey?" He teased.
Steve wanted to reply with 'Are you envious?' but he knew it wasn't the best time for that kind of joke so he just told him to shut up.
"When will you be back?"
"Well, the fashion week ended today and Darcy is packing, so I really hope we can leave before midnight."
"What about a party or something?"
"Nah. I'm not really in the mood." Loki grimaced and Steve knew there was something definitely wrong with him. 'Loki is not into partying? The world is gonna end!'
"That's a pity because Tony is throwing a huge birthday party tomorrow."
"That's different. I hope I'll be there. I have to take care of you."
"Thanks but I think I can manage on my own now."
"Aww, com'on, we both know you need me when it comes to parties."
"If you're referring to that night of that bottle of tequila and my strip-dance with the pineapple… I can ensure you I've learned my lesson." Steve admitted, still embarrassed at the blurry memory and Loki laughed on the other side of the line.
"We'll see. I'll call you from the airport later. Bye!"
"'kay, take care!" He hung up and tossed the phone to the couch, sitting beside it. He knew that despite Loki's cheery voice and jokes, there was something wrong and he suspected it was very much about Thor.
"Dammit!" Steve cursed half an hour later. He had changed his clothes in a hurry and gone to find Tony but he was nowhere to be found. He had been wandering around in the great mansion and the garden but s(t)ill, nothing. He was probably mad at Steve though he didn't have the slightest idea why. He even tried to call him but he wouldn't pick up. He asked a few staff member if they had seen him but it was useless. Steve headed towards the last place he thought Tony would be, the garage.
He opened the door quietly and peeked in, sighing in relief that Tony was there. He opened the door further and stepped in. "I've been looking for you." He stated slightly reproachfully, approaching Tony.
"I didn't want to disturb your precious conversation again." Tony replied without looking at him. He was busy faking attention to one of his sport cars.
"Oh, please, don't be melodramatic." Steve sighed tired.
"I'm not." Tony retorted firmly.
"Yes you're." Steve argued back but then decided it was pointless to argue with Tony so he might as well try to talk to him properly. "Com'on, it's not such a big deal. I haven't talked to Loki for almost a week. He is my friend."
"You know I'm not that fond of him." Tony admitted and finally turned to face Steve who was standing right beside him.
"Yes, I know but he is still my best friend." He explained then grinned as realization hit him. "Are you jealous?" He teased and the glare he received from Tony proved him right. His grin grew wider and he leant forward, pressing a small kiss on his mouth. "He is my friend. You're my boyfriend. You're the one I love, okay?"
Tony pulled a face. He wasn't really convinced about that. He knew Steve loved him, yes, but he still wasn't sure about his feelings towards Loki and that made him so jealous and annoyed him to no end, no matter how much the younger tried to prove there was only friendship between him and Loki.
"I'm sorry for sending you away while I was talking." Steve knew what he had to say in order to persuade his stubborn boyfriend that he loved him. "So, can we just forget it and let me give you your birthday present?"
"Hm… that depends." Tony thought about it and the perverted glint in his chocolate-brown eyes didn't promise anything good as far as Steve knew.
"On what?" He frowned.
"On what kind of a present is that?"
"I won't ruin the surprise. Let's go back to our room and you'll find out."
"I have a better idea." Tony grinned and drew his face closer to Steve's while grabbing his wrists gently. "Why don't we just stay and celebrate here?"
"I don't have your present here." Steve reasoned and tried to move away but Tony wouldn't let him go.
"Oh, I think you have everything right here with you that I want." The older grinned and Steve found himself being pinned against the hood of Tony's crimson red Lamborghini, the owner of the car claiming his lips hungrily, leaving Steve no choice but to give in. This was going to be a very long afternoon.
XxXxX
"Oh, com'on, man, what's wrong with you?" Darcy glared at Loki as he was practically dragging himself after her.
"Sleeping pills." Loki whined when he caught up.
"I told you not to take them." Darcy reminded him, grinning to herself satisfied and this I-told-you-so-now-pay-for-your-stupidity look annoyed Loki to no end.
"And I told you it was for the sake of everyone." Loki retorted irritated.
"You are a grown-up man, more or less." She added as an afterthought. "And you should have already gotten used to flying. You do it almost monthly."
"I could never get used to that." Loki sighed. He truly hated airplanes and that's why he took sleeping pills every time they flew. He had a good sleep, Darcy could relax and everything was fine until he woke up. Sleepiness was the aftereffect of the pills, and also he wasn't in the good mood either so now he really felt like crap. He didn't want to go back, not to mention the great fuss Stark was making because of his birthday party and Loki knew Steve wouldn't let him slip away. He just wanted to have another long sleep, wanting to forget everything because lately his mind was full of questions, and most of them were about a certain someone. His stomach jumped in nerve as an image of him popped up in his mind and he felt sick. He should really stop thinking that much…
After a good two hour ride, they arrived at last back to the Stark Mansion. It reminded Loki of a mushy Christmas tree. Stark really didn't know when it was enough. The loud music could be heard even at the gate which was pretty far from the actual place and Loki still wasn't in the mood for partying. Unlike Darcy, who was really excited. She had even changed her clothes at the airport, and now was wearing a dark blue dress with high heels and she was making the last corrections in her already perfect make-up in the car. The cab driver didn't even frown, he was probably used to it, Loki assumed.
When she was finally ready she sent a questioning glance at Loki, who nodded and smiled approvingly, knowing it was exactly what she wanted. Then Darcy paid for the ride and then they got out of the car. When they turned to head for the mansion an assistant was already standing there, telling them he would take care of their bags.
They thanked him then headed towards the mansion. Somewhere on their way, Darcy met a guy named Phil or something like that, Loki didn't bother to remember the name, and she left, saying they would go and find Nat and Clint. Loki just nodded, too tired to make annoying comments and he finally entered the place, alone. He would go find Steve, say hello, and then get away as quick as possible. That was his plan, at least.
XxXxX
"Stark is really making a great fuss about his birthday." Clint sighed disapprovingly as he eyed the decoration. The place looked more like a VIP-club than a home, not to mention the deafening music and the amount of food and drinks that were presented in the kitchen. Well, there was at least one good thing in this whole mess… free alcohol.
"Please, don't tell me you are surprised." Natasha looked back and grinned at him.
"I'm not." He replied, taking her hand and walking down the stairs. It wasn't even 11 pm. but the mansion was already crowded, they couldn't get downstairs without accidentally bumping into a few already drunk people.
"I just hope they won't make a mess." Natasha rolled her eyes but knew there was little hope for that.
"Let's go and grab something to drink." Clint suggested. "Has Darcy called yet?"
"Yeah, right, I almost forgot." She took her phone out and there were 3 missed calls from her sister. Darcy was going to be pissed. "Ooops." She grimaced while he dialed her number. "Just a moment." She told to Clint who only nodded.
"Hey, Darcy, it's me. Where are you?" She asked.
"What? I can't hear a damn thing, wait a sec." Darcy practically shouted on the other side of the line and Natasha could guess she was somewhere near the dance floor. "Okay, it's better now."
"Where are you?" Natasha repeated.
"Downstairs, on the corridor. But there's a lot of people here, let's meet in the kitchen." She said, still raising her voice a bit.
"Fine." Natasha said then hung up, turning to her boyfriend. "Let's go to the kitchen, Darcy will be there."
"And will Loki be there, too?" Clint managed a painful grimace but Natasha only shrugged.
"I know he is not your favorite, but please, behave, okay? Plus, I don't know, maybe he is not with her." She said but doubted it. Loki was almost always near Darcy and vice versa, why would this time be different?
However, it turned out to be different since Darcy was with Phil and Loki was nowhere near. Even though she was surprised; she didn't say a thing but knew there was something weird about the raven-haired guy. She wasn't his best friend, but they had lived together for a couple of years and as the oldest, Natasha always knew if there was something wrong with Darcy or Loki. Even after these many years, it wasn't different, but she kept quiet about it, knowing Darcy would tell her the details sooner or later. And considering she was already drinking her second glass of vodka, it was sooner than later.
XxXxX
/You once made this promise to stay by my side
But after some time you just pushed me aside
You never thought that a girl could be strong
Now I'll show you how to go on/
"Oww, com'n man! What's this? A fucking teenage retro party?!" Tony complained about the DJ and swore but Steve only smirked.
"I think this song suits you perfectly." He commented cheekily, the grin never leaving his face.
/Be my bad boy, be my man
Be my weekend lover but don't be my friend
You can be my bad boy, but understand
That I don't need you in my life again/
"Actually, it suits our relationship, too." He added as an afterthought.
"Well, I hope you need me in your life again." Tony grinned slyly as he leant closer to him, his complaints about the DJ long forgotten.
"Hmm… I might not need you," Steve started and Tony gave him a glare as he was still leaning forward, causing Steve to back to the wall. "But I want you." He finished, grinning playfully.
"Good answer." Tony nodded appreciatively and leant even closer, their lips almost touching. "However, I have to punish you for fooling me like that." He whispered in a dangerous yet seductive tone and finally pressed his lips against Steve's. Steve had almost gave in and he nearly parted his lips when there was a loud cough behind them, and immediately after came a mocking question "Am I interrupting?".
Tony grimaced painfully because Steve's lips now were nowhere close to his, and he even slipped away, with a loud, happy yell of "Loki!" Tony let out a frustrated sigh and rolled his eyes, turning towards the man with a scornful smile.
"Who invited you?" Steve was about to scold him for the rude behavior but Loki was quicker to answer, smiling just as scornfully as Tony.
"You know, in my experience, the best parties are the ones you're not invited." He winked, grinning.
"Also,I invited him." Steve added.
"Yeah, I thought so… We'll have words later." Tony sent him a glare then left, causing Steve to shake his head disapprovingly.
"You can go after him." Loki said surprisingly seriously. "I'm not in the mood for partying anyway."
"Nah, he'll be fine… just being dramatic because the world doesn't spin around him." Steve waved off.
"Of course. 'Cause it spins around me." Loki stated proudly, joking.
"You never change, do you?" Steve sighed resignedly then patted him on the back. "Come on, man, at least have a drink with me!" He grinned cheerfully.
"Fine… but only one." Loki stated firmly but Steve only grinned knowingly and waved him off.
XxXxX
Words in / are lyrics from Cascada's Bad boy.
