A new update! :)
There's a lot of undercover romance in this chapter, that both characters completely make a conscious effort to over look. Believe me, I write this story, and I just want to make them two just grab each other and kiss.
Sometimes I make myself frustrated with my own stories.
Thinking of Luna, Loki glanced at his phone, pushing his lock button. It was half past eight.
Pursing his lips ever so slightly, Loki looked back to his guitar. He played a sad song that had been stuck in his head for a few days now. Loki wished Luna was here; he expected that her voice would complement it very well.
As if on cue, Loki heard a knock on his bed room door. Setting down his guitar, Loki leaned back in his seat. "Come in."
Luna opened the door, smiling at him. She let the door swing open, crossing her arms across her chest and leaning her hip and shoulder against the frame. She had a brown paper bag rolled up in her hand.
Loki frowned. "How did you get in my house?"
"You left the garage door open. I just walked in."
He shook his head slightly. "Vandal." Luna shrugged softly, lifting the paper bag out to him.
"At least I brought you food."
Loki took it from her silently, pulling out the burrito that was inside. He took a huge bite, watching while Luna walked across his room and pulled out a beanie bag chair.
"You look dressed up." He smirked, swallowing. Luna shot him a mock glare.
In truth, Luna actually did look nice tonight.
Her dark brown hair, that was usually up in a pony tail was down tonight. Layered and wavy, it stretched just over her chest. Luna wore black skinny jeans with dainty silver chain belt around them that sparkled when she turned. She also wore a dark blue halter neck top. She had a simple chain around her neck, which was a matching set with the silver on her pants.
Loki looked at her face silently while she dragged the chair over to his desk. Did she always wear her make up like that? Now that Loki thought about it, Luna barely ever wore make up.
Her eyelashes were longer then usual, and she had a slightly black smokey look around her eyes. Her cheeks looked pinker then normal as well.
Loki pursed his lips, taking another huge bite of his food.
"For once you actually look like a normal girl." Luna kicked him softly. "Ah, I spoke too soon." Loki looked down, eying her boots.
"Hey, these boots look nice, thank you very much."
Loki shrugged, smiling slightly around his food. In truth, he rather liked her choice of clothing. It hugged Luna's curves in all the right places. Loki would never admit that though, and even went to great lengths to not think that way in his own mind.
He cleared his throat. "Do you want to go soon?"
"Yeah, I suppose. As soon as you're done eating." Luna picked up his forgotten guitar and started to randomly pluck the strings. She wasn't quite as good as Loki, but he liked hearing her play none the less.
Loki nodded silently, trying not to spill beans on his jeans.
Loki's choice of clothing was much more simple, but then again, men usually were in that department.
Plain dark gray jeans that lightly hung off his legs combined with a slim black tee shirt that hugged his torso. Same usual slicked back hair that brushed across the tops of his shoulders.
Loki looked at Luna's make up once more and was glad he did not have to worry about that kind of stuff.
Swallowing the last of his food, Loki tossed the wrapper in the garbage. "Why didn't you get anything to eat?"
"Ate on the way here. You know me, I inhale food."
Loki smiled softly. "How you are not obese by now I will never know."
The two began walking towards his door, Loki making sure he had his wallet and phone were in his pocket. "You've already said that before." Luna pointed out. Loki smirked.
"And I'll say it again. It's some kind of miracle. " Loki retorted.
"Especially since I stopped working out."
Loki looked over at her casually as they descended his stairs. Luna did have a nice body, but unlike most high school girls it was toned. It wasn't over done, but Luna obviously had muscle. She could easily pass for a dancer, or a track star.
"Really? Why was that?"
Luna shrugged. "Don't have time to anymore I guess. I used to take mixed martial arts with Tony after..." She cleared her throat and looked away. Loki frowned. "Anyways, that was more Tony's thing then mine. I like running. Used to wake up bright and early every morning to jog. I loved it."
Luna walked out his door, stopping while he turned to lock his house. Loki did not turn as he spoke to her. "Why don't you anymore?"
Luna hesitated for half a second. "It was lonely."
Loki checked his handle, making sure it was locked before he turned. Luna was already walking to her car.
Loki walked up to her convertible, jumping over the door and adjusting his seat. "It's healthy for you." Luna made a noise in the back of her throat, nodding slightly while she started her car. "If you don't like running alone we should start."
She glanced at him in mild surprise. "You'd run with me?"
Loki shrugged. "Sure. I've been wanting to get active again as well. Thor still fights and everything, but... I guess I just got preoccupied as well."
Luna looked at him blankly for a moment before smiling radiantly. "I'd like that very much."
Loki smiled silently, turning his head to stare out the window while Luna drove off.
The ride across town to the Xavier Institute was long, but relaxing. Luna had soft music playing in her car that she would mumble sing to, and Loki felt himself chuckling several times when she would purposefully butcher notes.
They were still a block or two away from the mansion before they already started to see a flurry of cars parked along the street. Luna made a noise of discontent around her finger as she tapped her teeth.
"Looks like we're walking." She said, pulling over and parallel parking between two cars. Loki raised his brows, noting she got it on her first try.
As the two got out of the car, Loki decided to make small talk.
"I never could get the hang of that."
"Of what?" Luna asked without looking up as she leaned over her closed door to lock her purse in her glove compartment. Pulling her keys out of the tiny lock she swung them around her pointer fingers.
"Parallel parking." Luna gave a surprised but short laugh as the two began walking side by side along the sidewalk. "Are you good at everything you do?"
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"You draw exceptionally well, you drive good. Very smart. You can sing and play guitar."
Luna looked at him and waggled her eyebrows. "I play piano too."
Loki felt himself give a surprised laugh before composing himself. Luna laughed softly as well, looking down at her feet and smiling softly as they walked. "Naw, I mean. I dabble in a lot of things, but, oh how did that saying go?" She narrowed her eyes slightly and bit her lip as if in deep thought. "Ace in all trades but master of none?"
Loki smiled silently. "I'm not sure that's how it goes, but I get your point."
Luna waved his comment away. "Either way, you have nothing to talk about. You can do everything."
"Oh really?" Loki smirked despite himself.
"Well, let's see. You also play guitar, better then me I might add," Luna nudged his arm with her shoulder. "You fight exceptionally well, you can drive a motorcycle with ease. You have perfect handwriting."
"You look at my hand writing?"
Luna shrugged, a small playing at her lips. "It's so perfect and straight. It's so elegant it's almost girly."
Loki shook his head, licking his lips without looking at her.
"Let' see, you get perfect grades."
"You do too."
Luna shrugged, closing her eyes. She opened her mouth again, ready to list more things. Loki held up his hand, stopping her. "Okay, okay. I get it."
He stopped walking, turning to her and smirking. She stopped too.
The two met eyes for a moment before Loki heard someone call Luna's name.
Loki and her looked toward the sound, seeing they were now at the out skirts of the institute. The gates were wide open, and a figure was running across the fine grass towards them.
The two walked in the gate, going to meet the figure.
Loki felt slightly nervous.
"Hey zere Luna!" Loki looked at the boys face who ran up to them, but did not recognize him. Luna did, hugging the boy around the shoulders. "Vere have you been?"
Luna smiled brightly and Loki frowned ever so slightly. Ignoring the two for the moment, he looked around the huge yard they were currently in the entrance of. Several groups of kids were all around the yard. By the looks of things, it was obvious this was not the place Loki would normally find himself in.
He felt Luna warp her arms around his upper bicep as she pulled him forward a bit.
"Kurt, this is Loki."
Loki looked at her, surprised before turning to the boy. The boy, Kurt, gave Loki a questioning look before smiling and holding out his hand.
"Hello ein Freund von mir. My name izz Kurt Wagner." Loki furrowed his brows for a moment, racking his mind for what he wanted to say. His German was very rusty.
He took Kurt's hand in a strong hand shake. "Hm... Hallo, es ist schon, Sie zu treffen."
Kurt's face brightened up immediately, and Luna give surprised "huh".
Loki smiled, letting his hand drop. "I apologize, my German is very rusty."
Kurt shook his head, waving his hands between them. "Non. It vas great." He opened his mouth again but was interrupted. Kitty Pryde was calling his name and walking toward them form across the lawn.
The trio looked her way, their attention taken. Loki noticed her face turn slightly sour at seeing Loki. This Kurt may not know who he is, but it was obvious Kitty remembered him from somewhere.
Luna must have noticed to.
"Well, it was nice talking to you Kurt, but I think we should get in side." Luna clasped Kurt's hand in both of hers, shaking it once. "We'll catch up later tonight."
She motioned for Loki to follow her, and walked right past Kitty on her way to the door.
"Hey there Kit!I'll talk to you later, okay? I'm gonna go find my brother."
Kitty stopped, turning slightly and watching the two go with a pout. Loki met eyes with her for a short second before looking away.
The two walked inside the already crowded and loud mansion, stopping briefly in the entry way to look around. It was very dark in here, despite the tons of strobe lights over head. It was also very loud, with obnoxious rap and hip hop playing.
"So where do you wanna go?" Luna asked him without looking at him, her head still turning to look around the room. Loki gazed down at her blankly.
"Lead the way."
Luna looked at him, smiling brightly. She hit his arm softly, motioning him to follow her. She led him to a room of off the side to the open lobby. Inside was about a dozen or so kids where all around the huge flat screen that was on the wall, several more sitting on the couches in the room. A small space was cleared where people were dancing to some hip hop video game that tracked their moves. She shut the door again, although it barely blocked the music. The sounds of the TV were obviously turned up very loud to make up for that.
Luna sat down on a free space on the couch, Loki sitting down on the arm rest beside her. She smiled, watching as someone danced in front of them. Loki looked around the room a few times, picking out the people he knew and did not know. He let his mind wander, feeling out of place and slightly bored.
A few minutes later, Loki saw Luna stand out of the corner of his eye.
He glanced forward again, seeing Jennifer Walters pulling Luna by the hand.
"Come on! Dance just one Lunes!"
Luna laughed loudly, looking back at Loki and smiling. Loki hesitated before shooting her a small smile. As soon as she looked around he let it fall. He folded his hands in his lap and watched Luna stretch her legs quickly as the beginning beats of the song started to play.
Luna gave an embarrassed laugh at hearing what the song was. Loki frowned and resisted rolling his eyes.
She stood, shaking her limps before the first move. Luna started dancing while several people started cheering. Loki noticed her face get red, but she was actually doing pretty good. Loki found himself chuckling.
She turned in circle, shaking her hips. Loki winked at her before she turned, facing the screen again. Luna laughed loudly in surprise before covering her mouth, face blazing red while she re-focused on the dance. Loki noticed a few people glance his way, but ignored them.
Luna bent down to the floor, before standing up again and clapping once. Several people whistled. She started laughing.
"Yeah, get low Luna!" Jennifer yelled at her, causing Luna to blush wildly and flip her off quickly. Loki smiled despite himself.
Luna gave a startled laugh, waving at the crowd in embarrassment when several people started singing along loudly to the chorus that everybody knew.
Luna did her finishing move as the song ended. She held it for a second before sighing loudly and letting her arms fall, hunching over slightly. Luna turned slightly, smile on her face. Several people laughed and clapped, while Jennifer walked forward and slapped Luna on the back.
Luna shook her head at the girl, saying something to her before laughing and walking toward Loki again as someone else walked up and picked a song.
She sat next to him once more, sweat glistening on her chest. She sighed dramatically, her head hitting Loki's thigh before Luna look up. "Oh wow. I wasn't expecting that. Man, that was a work out."
Loki shook his head softly, ruffling her hair. "I think you need a drink."
He stood slowly, and Luna stood with him. He waved his hand at her. "I'll get it."
"Naw, it's okay. I didn't wanna stay in here much longer anyway." Luna smiled up at him.
The two teenagers walked out the door. Loki looked around, spotting a cooler on the floor to their left.
He touched the back of Luna's hand softly, inclining his head that way and walking away. Luna followed behind him.
Loki reached in the cooler, grabbing two waters. He handed one to Luna silently. She leaned against the wall, silently sipping on her water and glancing around.
Loki had personally never been here, but he got the impression is was bigger then how it looked from out side.
And it looked pretty big outside.
The front room was were it looked like the main party was happening. Although this was only technically an entry way, it was huge.
There were two grand stair cases on either side of the big room on the back, leading up the the second floor. One the right were they had just exited was a small sitting room. A little bit along the wall just a few feet to his left was a hallway. A mirror hallways was on the other side of the huge room.
Loki had to admit, the people who set up this party did a good job. Someone had put four large speakers stacked on either side of the main entry way, two on each side. They installed several strobe lights, twirling disco balls of light, and blinking LED lights along the walls. Loki spotted several laser lights shooting through the crowd as well. Combined with a fog machine and the lights off, it actually did sort of look like a club in here.
Loki leaned over towards Luna, talking slightly louder due to the music.
"It seems someone spent a fortune at Spencers."
Luna gave a loud laugh, hitting Loki with the back of her hand across the chest. They smiled at each other for a moment before Luna took a huge but quick gulp of her water. She bent down and set it on the floor, pushing it to the wall.
"Come dance with me."
"Excuse me?"
Luna tilted her head to the side, her eyes crinkling. "Dance with me. Come on."
Loki looked at her for a few seconds, judging if she was being serious. After a moment, he smiled softly, setting his water down. Luna gave a little squeal of delight and pulled him to the dance floor. The two weaved through the crowd till they were just about in the middle of the mass of bodies.
Luna threw her arms up, turning her head from side to side and bouncing to the beat. Loki watched for a second as her hair danced around her, before biting his lip to stop a small smirk.
It took a moment, but Loki eventually got into it. Although the music at Hellfire was a lot more sensuous, Loki just closed his eyes and imagined he was there. He began to dance, liking the feeling of all the people around him.
He opened his eyes, hearing the faint laughing of Luna over the deafening music. She had a smug smirk on her face, and Loki felt his eyes roll. He reached out and pushed her shoulder softly, earning a laugh from her he couldn't hear.
There were people all around them and it was barely ten minutes later that Loki started to feel his skin glisten with sweat.
Another song followed the next, following the next. A rap EDM song that was very popular right now started playing, earning several whoops and shouts from the crowd, including Luna. Loki laughed out loud at seeing this side of her, moving his hair out of his face. For a moment, he stood still, admiring the carefree, fun and outgoing part of his best friend.
His eyes moved up and down her body with a will of their own, and Loki shook his head once, rubbing his chin. He averted his gaze.
Right as the song started playing, a girl he didn't know came up to Luna. Luna threw her head back in a laugh as she started dancing with the girl.
Loki shook his head at the two when Luna wrapped her arms around her friend and they began dancing together, laughing at how silly they were being.
After a few more moments of dancing, Luna wiped her hair from her face. She reached over and touched Loki's arm lightly, smiling.
"I'm going-" Loki leaned his head down to her, his chin nearly hitting her shoulder. Luna turned her head and spoke almost directly in his ear. "I'm going to take a break."
Loki nodded mutely, standing again and motioning with his head for Luna to follow him. He shook his shoulders a few times, trying to get rid of the goosebumps her breath against this skin had given him.
The two weaved through the crowd of people, making their way back to their waters.
They reached the edge of the crowd, walking to the wall. Their water's were gone, so Luna just grabbed them another two.
Loki opened his and took a big gulp, whereas Luna pressed hers against the back of her neck and shoulders.
"Wow, it's really hot in there, huh?" Loki nodded, his lips still around the bottle.
He swallowed, sighing as he did and tilted his head towards Luna. "Wanna go get some fresh air?"
She shrugged. "Sure."
The two began making their way to the front door, weaving through their peers that blocked their path. Finally, they made it too the door and walked outside. Luna walked right down the front steps, walking across the lawn. Loki watched her for a few seconds, before following silently.
Luna walked up to a group of about two dozen kids who where lounging on blankets and lawn chairs.
Luna waved and smiled at several, sitting on the corner of on blanket. Loki followed, sitting next to her and crossing his legs. His back was stick straight as he ignored the looks several people shot him. Out of one of those people, Loki noticed Luna's brother and Pietro standing a few yards away.
They were looking their way, and Loki saw Pietro hit Tony's shoulder, jerking his chin in their direction.
Loki ignored them the best he could.
"Wooo!" Luna laughed, leaning back on her arms. "That was intense."
Loki redirected his attention back to her, his face blank. "I've never seen you dance before." Luna chuckled. "That's another thing we can add to your list."
Loki rolled his eyes. "You weren't too bad either."
Luna glanced sideways at him through her lashes. "Yeah, but I dance different. I dance in the same erratic way everybody else does. You dance so much better. You remind me of a snake."
Loki ignored her comment, but smiled at her. "Oh yeah, that I did notice. My my, if I didn't know you I'd guess you batted for the other team."
"What?" Luna asked, taking a drink of her water.
"Oh, I saw you gyrating on that girl. Got anything to confess?" Loki asked her teasingly. Luna's eyes shot open, and she laughed, spilling water all over her shirt.
Loki, caught off guard by her reaction, burst out laughing as well. Luna composed herself faster then he, smacking him on the arm. "I was not gyrating." She scolded, her voice defensive although there was a smile on her lips. She wiped the water off the best she could. Loki tried not to notice how the water made the skin of her chest glisten, averting his eyes while he continued laughing.
Now was not the time for that.
Loki chuckled a few more times, wiping his mouth softly. "Oh believe me, I'm sure she didn't mind by the looks of it." Loki chuckled, earning a glare from Luna.
"You are such a-"
"Hey guys, what's up?" Loki felt his entire body tense.
He did not know if Luna noticed or not, for she smiled at the people behind him. "Hey bro."
Tony sat next to Loki on one side, another figure sitting on his other side. Loki flexed his arms and clenched his fingers, not looking at them and staring at Luna. He noticed
"You having fun?" Pietro Maximoff asked. He suppressed a groan. Of course it had to be Wanda's brother. Loki could see the boy staring at him from the corner of his eyes.
Tony slapped Loki on the shoulder a few times in what could have been a friendly gesture. Instead, Loki gritted his teeth and resisted breaking Tony's wrist. "I saw you dancing in there." Tony said, and Loki looked to his right at him.
"Did you?" Loki said, looking Tony in the eyes. The boy met his gaze unblinkingly and silently.
Luna spoke up, looking directly at her brother. "Yeah, I saw you dancing in there too Tony." She smiled, her eyes going hard. "I liked the blonde who was grinding on you. When does Pepper get back again?"
Tony glared at his sister before giving an awkward smile. "If you saw that, then you saw I walked away as soon as she came up to me."
"Hmm." Luna pursed her lips, before giving a fake smile and waving the comment off and laughing. Her laughed sounded mean. Loki frowned, shaking his head at her.
"We just came over here for a talk. " Pietro butted in, looking away from Loki to face Luna. "I haven't seen you around lately Luna."
"Yeah, been busy." Luna said in a bored voice. "How's Crystal?"
"Oh she's good. She's around here some where." Pietro turned his head, looking for his girlfriend.
Luna smiled at him. Loki stood then, leaning back on the balls of his feet for a moment. The three people looked up at him as he walked over to Luna, kneeling down over her shoulders. He rest his palms against the top of her shoulders.
Luna turned her head to look up at Loki, confused. Loki did not look at her, instead locking eyes with Tony for a second, before tilting his head and speaking in Luna's ear.
"I'm going to go grab something to eat, you want anything?" He spoke softly, his breath blowing softly on her neck. His lips grazed her ear ever so slightly. Luna tensed slightly, moving her head away a little.
"Yeah... Okay. Just bring me back a snack or something." Loki did not move right away, locking eyes with Tony and smirking.
He stood slowly an walked away, letting his smile fade instantly to a scowl
Loki shook his head to himself. "I am such an idiot." He felt anger fill his chest; anger at himself. What was he thinking?
He remembered how Luna had tensed, leaning her head away from his lips. His chest hurt.
Loki made it to the door, walking inside the mansion and leaning against the wall. He was behaving so well tonight; keeping his feelings under check. Then he had to go out and get riled up by Tony.
Loki groaned out loud, although no one heard over the music.
Of course Luna wouldn't like that. She's probably pissed off and confused right now.
Loki frowned.
"I am a fool. A stupid, idiotic fool."
The song and game Luna was dancing to was "Get Low" on Dance Central 3. I was playing that game the other day and have NOT been able to get it out of my head. Youtube the dance sometime, it's actually not that bad.
Also, EDM stands for Electronic dance music. :) Next chapter should be up in a few days!
"Hallo, es ist schon, Sie zu treffen" means, "Hello, it is nice to meet you.
Or at least that's what Google translate tells me. ;)