Most Interesting

Steve recovered faster than the Healers had expected, the natural balms and herbs used as remedy working wonders in combination with his super soldier serum.

'I would strongly recommend you to stay in bed, sir,' a young Healer said as she spotted the captain, who was trying to sit up. 'If you would like to use the bathroom I could give you a-'

'No, thanks, I'm good,' Steve gave the caring woman a quick smile, his feet dangling over the edge of the bed as he stretched his back.

It had been three days since he last felt the floor under his feet, the once gaping wound in his chest stopping him from leaving his bed. But now, now he was fully healed, or close enough at least.

It had also been three days since he last saw Loki, or the King. He wondered if the God of Mischief had come into trouble with the Allfather for giving him his meal, a heartbeat of panic shooting through his chest.

He placed his feet on the floor, taking a shivery breath as he stood up and found his balance. His first careful steps were supported by the Healer, but Steve soon managed to walk just fine without her.

'Well, look at you. Already on your feet I see.'

The woman and the captain looked up, meeting Thor's sky-blue eyes. Steve, however, was more interested in the raven god standing behind him.

Loki was pale, even more so than the last time the blond had seen him. The black circles under his eyes were accentuated by the shadows that fell on his downward gaze. He looked tired, exhausted, that single shred of energy that Steve had seen in his gentle smile three days ago long gone.

'I've been in bed for three days,' Steve straightened his back, his expression stoic as he felt a soft sting in his chest. 'I think that's more than enough.'

Thor glared at the captain for a moment longer, a smile soon taking its place. 'You amuse me, Steven of Midgard.' He placed a strong hand on Steve's shoulder, shaking it in jest. 'Well then, it seems like I will be leaving for Algor today since you are at full strength again.'

His grip on the man's shoulders tightened, his voice softer as he spoke, 'If anything were to happen to my brother during my absence, I will make sure you will never see daylight again.'

It was with this guarantee that Thor packed his belongings and headed for Algor, leaving Asgard for three full weeks. He had hugged and kissed his little raven goodbye, making him promise that he would think of him with every single heartbeat.

Loki had sent Thor off from the palace courtyard, Steve loyally at his side. The gates closed immediately as the King was out of sight, making sure no one would enter nor leave during the Allfather's absence.

'So,' Steve started as Thor's ship had completely disappeared in the sky. 'I know you planned on me to stick around but-'

'I have no need for you,' the raven cut him short, struggling to find the energy to speak.

Steve frowned as the trickster turned around and started to walk back into the palace. He decided to do so as well, following him through large corridors and up golden stairs from a distance. 'Look, Thor said that if I didn't-'

'Thor is not here now, is he?' Loki stopped at a large door and placed his hand on the handle. 'Now, if you will excuse me,' he turned around, eventually sighing as the captain's deep blue eyes stared back at him in confusion. 'Look, Steven, I am sorry for everything that has befallen you. I truly am. I shall try to deport you back to Midgard as soon as I can, but for now I... I cannot.'

'Wait, you know how to get me home?' Steve's eyes widened in disbelief. He scoffed, placed his hands in his side and shook his head. 'Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why can't you-'

It was when the god of lies collapsed to the floor that the captain stopped his questioning. He was on his knees and at the trickster's side in a heartbeat, his arm around his shoulder as he tried to support him. 'Loki? Are you okay? What's wrong?'

The raven had closed his eyes, a deep sigh drawn from his lips as he laid his head to rest against the captain's chest, feeling the warmth of his arms around him. 'I am fine,' he breathed, his heart beating softly at the concern clear in Steve's voice. 'I just... I just need to rest.'

Steve couldn't argue with that. Loki looked exhausted, his body almost lifeless in his arms. He helped the trickster back on his feet, moving him into the room that turned out to be Loki's bedroom. He let him sit on the edge of his bed, making sure the god had opened his eyes before letting him go. 'You okay? Need anything?'

'I am tired, not dying, captain,' Loki managed to smile, though he immediately let himself fall back on his mattress. 'I just need to rest... for a couple of minutes.'

Steve nodded in silence, 'Want me to help you, or...?' He asked hesitantly, gesturing towards the trickster's clothes.

Loki, however, had already fallen asleep, his raven hair framing his pale face in peaceful rest.

Steve stared at him, at the morning sun rays that hit his softly heaving chest and at the colorless lips that were slightly parted. His hands hovered over the zipper that started at Loki's left shoulder, uncertain whether he should help him undress.

In the end, he just settled with placing the trickster's legs on the soft mattress and gently covered him with the fur blankets that were folded at his feet. He looked at Loki one more time, his hand carefully moving a strand of raven hair behind his ear, before walking through the grand threshold and closing the door behind him.

Steve spend the first few hours of his freedom roaming through the palace. He ventured through the royal gardens, inspected the towering walls and explored every hall and chamber he came across. He thought of searching for a way out, this seeming to be the perfect time now that the ever-watchful King and the Prince were both off his case.

It soon became clear, however, that this was a quest soon to be abandoned. With but one heavily guarded gate for the passage of supplies opened, soldiers marching at every corner and all other gates sealed, Steve had nowhere to go. No way to escape.

The captain gave up after ten hours of searching for ways to leave the palace, considering that it was best to wait for the Asgardian Prince to help him. He waited, patiently, in front of Loki's door, not knowing where else to go.

But the trickster's door remained closed.

Ten hours.

Fifteen hours.

Twenty hours.

It was after twenty-four sleepless hours that Steve decided to knock on Loki's door, entering even though, or maybe because, he heard no response.

'Loki...?' He spoke softly, not knowing what to expect. It was when he saw the trickster squirming in his bed, legs kicking and head tossing and turning that he dashed inside.

'Loki,' he called his name, strong and earnest, hoping to pull the trickster from whatever horror he was experiencing. 'Loki, can you hear me? Come on, you need to wake up.'

Steve placed his hands on the raven's shoulders, trying to pull him from his sleep.

The raven instinctively wrapped his hands around Steve's wrists, blunt nails scratching at his skin as he woke up with a startled cry. 'Let go of me!'

'Loki, relax, it's me, Steve,' he immediately pulled his hands back, holding them up as a sign of surrender while vicious red stripes marked his skin.

The trickster breathed frantically, the nightmare that was still haunting him clear in his troubled eyes. He was hyperventilating, short breaths stuck in his throat leaving his lungs to burn. He started to claw at his clothes, every layer of fabric weighing a ton on his constricted chest.

'Easy, Loki, try to take deep breaths,' Steve's voice was calm, even though knowing the task he just asked the trickster to do must feel impossible. 'That's right, steady now. Try breathing into your stomach instead of your chest.' His voice was so soothing, his hands so gentle as he placed his finger tips on Loki's stomach. 'That's right, you're doing great. Almost there.'

It took about fifteen minutes for the raven to regain his breath, his mind and his calm. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, sweat dripping from his temple and the nape of his neck, down the rest of his body.

'Here,' Steve said as he walked into the trickster's room again and handed him a glass of water. 'You okay?'

'Quite,' Loki cursed mentally as he heard the soft quiver in his voice. 'My apologies.'

'That's alright,' Steve sat down next to him, oblivious in concern to the way their bodies touched. 'Listen, I know nightmares can be horrible, I've had my share ever since I- well, let's just say a lot happened... So, if you ever feel like talking-'

'You ask of me to speak my mind, to vocalize my fears, yet you let out none of your own,' Loki hissed sharply, his piercing green eyes staring straight at the man next to him.

It was the small flinch that shot through Steve's body that made Loki swallow, damning his silver tongue and conceited nature. 'My apologies... again.'

'That's alright, again,' Steve smiled, though he knew that the raven was right. How could he expect someone to open up to him if he himself would not speak? He looked at the trickster's face, the strands of raven-black hair in great contrast to his pale skin. His hand moved, without his awareness, to gently tug the lose hair behind Loki's ear.

His eyes then suddenly snapped to those of the trickster, whose face had slowly started to turn red. 'I- I think it's my time now to say sorry, huh?' Steve tried, adding a nervous little laughter.

'As you should. How dare you touch a god without praying for his consent?' The raven snapped sharply, a soft chuckle following immediately after as Steve's entire body tensed, his eyes wide. 'I was merely speaking in jest, Steven.' He stood up before the blond could answer. 'I am going to take a quick bath. Feel free to help yourself in the kitchen or to use the bed in the room next to mine.'

It was the silent smile that Loki gave him over his shoulder before walking out his room that left Steve staring after him, his heart skipping a beat.

.

.

Countless thoughts raced through Loki's mind as he let his body soak in hot water, trying to physically rinse himself from his nightmares. He pressed his eye shut, blue eyes peering at him even as they were out of the palace and out of this Realm.

Thor was everywhere, his voice echoing in his mind, his eyes constantly in his sight, his touch ghosting over his skin.

He tried to breath calmly through his nose, tried to distract himself by thinking of something pleasant, just like his mother had once taught him.

A soft smile.

Warm hands.

A kind and calm voice.

The raven sighed in frustration, realizing that once again the mortal captain was there to help him. He gulped and held his breath, letting himself fully submerge into the water. His heart was fluttering in his chest, a fuzzy sensation in his stomach. Yet the scariest, most terrifying of all was the smile that was threatening to form on his face.

Loki was not an idiot, he recognized the feeling of love and the warmth and comfort that came with it. He hated it. Hated how much he longed for it, hated how much he needed it.

It was the memory of his brother flashing before his eyes that made him jolt straight up again, coughing and gasping for air.

He could not be in love with this mortal. Steve was nothing more but a kind smile, a warm voice, but most of all a welcome distraction that would leave him as soon as he would get the chance.

Nothing more.

Loki got out of the bathing room, dressed himself and went back to his bedroom, only to find the captain waiting for him, a plate with sandwiches in his hand.

.

.

After about an hour of searching Steve had finally found his way back into the trickster's room again. The palace was huge, and the blond wished that he had a map of the place, though he had to admit that J.A.R.V.I.S. was a very good help, navigating him through the countless halls. He entered the raven's bedroom, a plate of sandwiches in hand, happy to have finally found the right room.

It did not take long for Steve to stand face to face with the god of chaos, his eyes falling on the simple, yet gorgeous dark blue and ochre tunic he was wearing. 'Uh,' he started after he finally came to realize that he had been staring, 'I found the kitchen.'

Loki frowned at the plate that Steve held up, a questionable substance dripping from between the slices of bread. 'What... what kind of concoction is that?'

'PB & J,' Steve smiled, but the god was still frowning. 'You know? Peanut butter and jelly sandwich? I know it doesn't look all that royally but it's actually pretty good.' He held out the plate, gesturing with a smile for Loki to grab a piece of bread. 'Go on, try it.'

'...If you say so,' Loki hesitantly took the offer, brought it to his mouth but took a careful sniff first. 'I do not assume the chefs made this, did they?'

'No, not really,' Steve shrugged, taking a big bite. 'You said for me to help myself in the kitchen. So I did. I figured you would be hungry too, so I made some for you as well.'

'You made this... especially for me...?' Loki tried to fight the soft blush that was coloring his cheeks as the captain nodded with a smile, his mouth full of the Midgardian treat.

The raven stared at the captain's contagious grin, having to remind himself that Steve will be gone the moment he gets the chance. He shook his head and took a small, hesitant bite, expecting the food to unleash a wave of nausea in his stomach.

Except, it didn't.

Steve was right. Though the sandwich was far from anything he had ever eaten before, he did not feel the urge to run to the bathroom and get it out of his system. Maybe it was caused by the new and surprising flavor combination or by the strange texture in his mouth.

Or maybe it was because he was in good company.

He looked at Steve through his lashes, seeing how the captain almost greedily took his last bite.

They ate the rest of their meal in silence, Loki, for the first time in ages, managing to eat an entire sandwich.

'That was quite the unexpected flavor,' the trickster said as he opened the balcony doors adjoining his chamber.

Steve stepped outside and took in the view, this new Realm, Asgard, displayed in front of him in all its ancient glory. 'Is that a fancy way of saying you didn't like it?'

There was something of a sly grin forming on the captain's face and Loki could not help but chuckle at it. 'Quite the contrary, I rather enjoyed it. You were right though, I would have never eaten it if it were not for your… culinary skills.'

'Pfff, skills,' Steve snorted, his eyes drawn back to the city that was bathing in the late afternoon sun. 'I never really learned how to cook. At least, not how people cook now a days. I learned to boil everything and... well, that's about it.'

'Ah, that is right,' Loki noted, curiosity playing through his words. 'You are a man out of time, am I correct?'

'Yeah...' there was an emotion shimmering through the captain's features which Loki could not quite grasp. 'I fought in WWII, defeated the bad guy on a plane. It was en route to New York City and it was going too fast for me to think of any real plan to stop it. The only solution for me was to crash it in the ice.' Steve looked at his fingers, fiddling nervously as the ice-cold water started to fill his lungs again. He took a deep, constricted breath, 'That was over seventy years ago... I thought I'd die but it looks like I was wrong.'

'Is that what your nightmares are about?' Loki asked bluntly, though not in any way discourteously. 'The war? The losses? The fear of dying?'

A shiver ran down Steve's spine. The trickster's directness took him a little off guard, his words sounding cold, yet his voice was as smooth as ever. 'Uh, yeah... that's- that's basically it.'

'... I am renowned for many traits and characteristics, yet being tactful has never been one of them,' the raven admitted, now hardly daring to look at the captain as a sense of shame washed over him. 'I just... I tend to forget an other's feelings when I want to know certain information. I apologize for my lack of empathy…'

'That's okay,' Steve gave him a half-sided smile, waiting for Loki to meet his gaze. 'It's actually kinda refreshing, I suppose. Tony and the others are always tiptoeing around me, they try so hard not to upset me and to get me used to this new world that, well, I guess it's just nice not to be treated like fragile glass or something.'

Loki merely looked away from Steve, his hands clasping around the balustrade as he leaned on it.

'Where's your sharp tongue now, huh?' Steve chuckled lightly, nudging the trickster with his shoulder as he stood next to him. 'I know that must've sounded funny.'

'No, it- it did not,' he mumbled. 'It actually made some sense. You are rather clever, for a simple mortal being.'

The wide grin on Steve's face left Loki's heart to flutter in his chest. He swallowed nervously, his fingers fiddling, 'I know that that you have questions for me as well. There is certain information which you seek, which you know I can provide.' He cursed silently as he noticed his muttering. He straightened his back and decided to look the captain straight in the eye. 'I will allow you to ask one, though I cannot guaranty my answer to be spoken out of truth.'

Steve nodded, finding it somewhat strange that Loki felt the need to warn him for his lies. Usually people would just pretend to tell the truth, smiling and laughing along to cover their deceits. But then again, the trickster was like no one he had ever encountered before.

He was silent and cunning, peculiar and clever. Yet most of all he was unique and kind. With eyes as green as the deepest forests, skin as perfect as porcelain and a voice as smooth as the finest silk.

'Steven?'

Steve blinked his eyes, snapping out of his thoughts as that honeyed voice called his name. 'Hmm?'

The raven chuckled lightly, his skin glowing in the warm afternoon sun. 'Has no one ever taught you that it is rude to stare?'

'Oh, yeah, sorry,' the captain scratched the back of his head, his eyes averting to the ground as he regained his composure. 'Okay, so, there are a thousand things I would like to ask you about this place but there's one thing in particular which I just can't seem to understand… Now I know it is a very personal question so feel free not to answer it, okay?'

'Not to worry, I do only as I please. You will know when I will not feel like answering,' The arrogance and pride dripped through his words, a false display of control and calmness. Loki already feared knowing what the question would be about, and the very thought of even mentioning his brother's name left his heart to pump loudly in his chest.

'Okay,' Steve snorted, falling for the god's perfect deception. 'So, I was wondering, you and Thor-'

'Please excuse the interruption.'

The British voice coming from the captain's pocket startled both men, causing them to jump up, Loki instinctively taking a step back and creating some distance between himself and Steve. 'Was that Selfone?'

'Uh,' Steve frowned at Loki's pronunciation for a second but then grabbed the device from his pocket. 'Yeah, I guess it is. You wanted to tell me something, Jarvis?'

'Quite,' the voice spoke, buzzing in the captain's hand. 'I have some news which I believe you will find most interesting.'