Chapter 8
I wish I knew you before
It had been a week since the last time he had seen Darcy and he would be lying if he wasn't a little bit disappointed in her lack of presence. He spent his time reading books, since he needed to recover some more after being rendered unconscious from such an act of magic. Now, whether that was because he was still recovering from Dr. Banner's assault or whether it was his weak mortal body, he didn't know, but he hadn't bothered to try a second attempt since. Next time, he would definitely stay away from the edge. Because this time, he would die.
Loki had found himself watching the films in the morning; each one some form of sad story, from the Notebook, to A. I., P.S. I love you and a walk to remember. Each were sad in their own way, though as usual he did not cry. A.I. he came close to, but nothing. He did find them interesting to watch, however, but none that he would care to visit again. Oh, Loki did like re-reading a book after a very long time, but it had to be a particularly good one. After all, he knew what was to come, so what would be the point in revisiting? It would not hold the original excitement, the mystery, the pleasure. Loki had seen the advert the day before, just after he had watched the film, for the next one. That they were moving on to romance films and chick flicks. Whatever they were. Loki had figured out how to use the television by now and he had set today's one to record. He didn't know why.
Instead, he lay across the length of the sofa, having used some magic on it to make it longer, and opened up a book. Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings. Loki had spotted it in the library years ago on a trip to London and had finally decided to read it. However, he heard his door opening and looked up to find Darcy coming in with a bunch of things in her arms. She walked over towards him, looked at him briefly before shrugging and settling herself on his ankles. The nerve of her. Not that she was heavy; he could withstand much heavier weights, but that was beside the point. And yet, he was oddly amused by her daring. He held his book, staring at her until she turned her head.
"So, they're starting the chick flick season now. Annnd for some reason I thought it'd be a shame to start it without you, so, I've brought snacks. Jane gave me the day off since Thor decided to take her out for the day. So, how about it? These films are much better than the ones we've watched," Darcy said. Loki managed to remove his feet from under her and straighten himself out, putting his book down.
"Very well," Loki said, before Darcy beamed and turned the TV on, and they watched a film called Bridget Jones' Diary. Loki noticed that Darcy was much more vocal whilst watching this particular film and it was more agreeable to her person, rather than the sadness that rolled off her when watching the tragedies. It was not an unpleasant film and he did particularly like the conflict between the two men. He would have found the woman rather stupid to have gone with the man called Daniel. Once it ended, he heard and felt the changing of Darcy's position on the sofa.
"So? What did you think? I heard you laughing," Darcy said, her eyebrows wriggling. Loki shook his head at her expression.
"It was enjoyable; far better than the other ones," Loki answered.
"Ooooh, then you're one for romance, eh?" Darcy grinned.
"It at least means someone is having some fortune in their romantic lives; I personally prefer to read it than experience that particular, inevitable heartache," Loki said.
"So even before you went crazy you weren't popular with the ladies? Why not?" Darcy asked. Loki raised an eyebrow at her.
"Why not? I was not particularly popular with most; I was always different and a lot of the time the females would look past me and onto Thor," Loki said impassively. Before Darcy's little kiss, it had been quite a while since he had experienced anything remotely romantic. Judging by her attitude, she thought no more of it than he did. A simple, heat of the moment action that spoke more of gratitude than anything else.
"Huh. Weird," Darcy said.
"How so?" Loki asked.
"It's just, you know, if you hadn't done all those stupid things, I'd probably be all over you," Darcy said. "You're handsome; like, way more than Thor. Sure, he's cut big time, but I find you more attractive. Just don't take that to mean I've got a crush, I don't."
"Hmm. How odd," Loki responded, but puzzled inwardly over her words. He didn't know what she meant by 'cut', but he assumed it had nothing to do with scars or wounds. Thor hadn't gotten himself into any such trouble so bad it would leave scars. Even then he probably would have had them healed by now. This mortal found him attractive, when most in Asgard preferred Thor. Loki had courted outside of Asgard, of course; after all, those outside were a little more likable. "Worry not; if you had a crush, then I would certainly have to question your sanity."
"I'll book myself into the crazy ward if that ever happens," Darcy laughed.
"I will make sure to visit," Loki said. "Perhaps in disguise; would not want you to get excited."
Darcy laughed some more. "Aww, that's so sweet," she said, sarcastically and they both shared a laugh before going silent. Loki had to admit, if only inwardly, that her presence wasn't unbearable. He was already at that point where he would miss her presence and he cursed himself for that; getting attached. She didn't even overly like him, considering his actions, and he was plenty glad that she didn't. Unlike Thor, Loki did not want to make such attachments only for them to die in half a dozen decades, give or take. Darcy stood up. "I should probably go, rather than bother you any further. I'd say we'll do this again tomorrow, but alas, work calls." Loki nodded at her, standing up and leading her to the door, opening it.
"It's been fun," Darcy said with a smile, before returning to her room. Loki closed the door behind her and looked around his room, before returning to his book.
Darcy got out of work the next day at about 5pm and she was ready for some her time. Jane was trying to figure out how to successfully create her Einstein-Rosenbridge thingy so that they could get to Asgard. Maybe even help fix the Bifrost. Though how they would do that she didn't know. Darcy wouldn't stress over that; it was not her job. Unlocking her door, she entered and closed it, dropping her stuff by the door before making a beeline for the kitchen. More specifically, the fridge. Something caught her attention before she got to the fridge and she stepped to the counter. A piece of paper with fancy green handwriting on it. Paper? Scratch that; parchment. Who the hell used parchment? Unless—
Darcy,
I have recorded today's showing of 'Maid in Manhatten', if you wish to view it.
Loki.
Darcy must have stood there blinking at the message for ten minutes, or at least it felt rather long. Loki actually wanted to watch it with her? He had always been the one having his privacy invaded and she had always just watched it regardless of whether or not he actually wanted to. It was just so shocking that he would go out of his way to ask her. Darcy wasted no more time and got some snacks, leaving her room and entering Loki's. He was sat down on his couch and looked up at her when she entered. Darcy walked over and plonked herself in front of the TV. There was a small part of her that felt like teasing the guy, but she didn't; quite frankly, whatever this was, she was happy to carry on their film tradition. They watched in silence and when it ended, she could see he had been transfixed.
"Liked it?" Darcy asked.
"It was acceptable," Loki responded, which made Darcy scoff.
"Whatever man. All I know is that you liked it," Darcy said. They were silent for a moment. "You know, I was really surprised by your note; I totally thought that you were just tolerating my presence and the films because, hey, big brother could cause some trouble for you, or whatever."
Loki did not bother to correct her. "It distracts from the monotony of life in this tower," Loki said.
"Okay, Rapunzel, but you don't have to stay in your room, you know," Darcy said.
"I think the last time I exited was enough excitement for the time being," Loki said dryly.
"That was pretty scary, but you just need to be more careful, that's all," Darcy said. "Thor says you're mortal now, so we would have both been cracked eggs on the sidewalk."
"Yes," Loki answered, before going silent.
"Speaking of eggs, is the myth about the eight-legged horse true?" Darcy asked.
"Sleipnir is real, but I am not his mother," Loki said.
"Aww, that's a shame," Darcy said. Loki raised an eyebrow at her. "It was the best myth! And I could totally have a lot to tease you about then."
"Thankfully he is not my child," Loki said.
"Hey, there's nothing to be ashamed of. If the myths are right, you're a shapeshifter and thus it would be natural," Darcy said. "It just so happens a number of us mortals would find it strange. I would find it cool."
"I assure you that Asgardian opinion would not differ much," Loki said dryly. "In some ways Asgard is more advanced than Midgard, in others not."
"You don't have TV; you're totally cave men," Darcy joked, which made Loki roll his eyes, but she detected a hint of a smile there. So, he was not completely loyal to Asgard; whether he would be like this before he went bat-shit crazy, she didn't know, but this was definitely something. "You know, you're a lot nicer like this."
"And you are foolish if you think that," Loki said. Darcy wasn't sure whether he was just trying to appear tough, but whatever.
"Maybe I am," Darcy replied nonchalantly.
Later that evening, Loki heard a knock at his door. He put aside his book and stood up, walking to the door and opening it to find Thor there. He silently let him in, closing the door and returning to his spot on the sofa. Thor came and sat down on the other end of the sofa and they sat in awkward silence before Thor finally spoke up.
"What happened last week?" Thor asked finally, not having spoken to him properly in a while. He didn't particularly care; their relationship was strained and mainly one-sided. Thor had high hopes, Loki was quite sure of it, and Loki couldn't really bring himself to fill them. Still, the oaf could dream if it helped him sleep at night.
"I was ridding the atmosphere of the pollutants…mortal technology is filthy," Loki responded, picking up his book and finding his page. He missed the look of surprise on Thor's face.
"That is—," Thor started, but Loki cut him off.
"Selfish. Perhaps going out of my way will allow me my original form back," Loki lied seamlessly. Thor frowned, though Loki missed this expression as well.
"If that is so, why would you confess to such?" Thor asked.
"Odin would know regardless," Loki said, with a shrug. Thor sighed and left Loki to his own devices, not wishing to deal with him anymore today.
A month passed and Darcy and Loki had gotten into a routine of watching films Loki would have recorded while she worked, or they watched on a random day Jane would give her off. In the meantime, Thor had been visiting Loki here and there, respecting Loki's wishes if he didn't want visitors, but being allowed to the majority of the time. Which was an improvement in his eyes. Thor had spoken with Darcy with regards of Loki's confession, which surprised her since she had seen Loki tear up. She told Thor exactly what happened and although Thor couldn't be sure or understand why Loki would attempt to make himself look bad in Thor's eyes, he was still hopeful. He felt like it was entirely possible that he could have his brother back. Thor had talked to Tony Stark and the removal of the pollutants was definitely useful. Thor felt proud that such progress had been made in his brother; that action was not something he was obligated to do, not really. But he did it anyway. He saved Darcy as well.
Thor sat with Jane in the lounge with Tony, Pepper and Bruce. Thor had his arm around Jane and was smiling down at her. Darcy walked in with Steve, between them holding eight boxes of pizza and many boxes of fries. They put them down on the coffee table between their sofas and also put down various dips.
"Still the extra pizza?" Tony asked.
"Hey, you never know," Darcy said. "You've no idea how awkward it is when someone you thought wasn't coming turns up and there's not enough pizza. And it's not like it goes to waste." Darcy threw a glance at Thor and Steve. Darcy sat down and opened each pizza. "Okay, that's Tony's." And she started giving them out.
"Well, look at that, looks like Thor and Steve won't be demolishing the last," Tony said. Darcy looked up and spotted Loki in the door way. Looking at Thor a moment later, anyone would think that it was his birthday.
"Brother! Come and join us; we have a pizza for you here as well," Thor said. Loki stepped towards them looking a little unsure of himself and sat down on Darcy's other side. Darcy handed him the last pizza.
"It's anchovy and mushroom; Thor said you weren't a fussy eater," Darcy said before handing him a box of fries. "There's some dip on the table if you want it."
"Oh, drinks, what would you like, Mr. Potter?" Tony asked, ignoring the bored look he received from the green-eyed God. Instead he saw a drink appear in Loki's hand instead. "Or you can Harry Potter yourself some instead, that's cool."
They ate in silence for a few moments, Darcy carefully not looking at him and likewise.
"So, Loki, do you really have an eight-legged horse for a son?" Tony asked.
"No," Loki replied, exasperated. Luckily for him he missed Darcy's smirk.
"How about wives or children…?" Bruce asked.
"Nah, do you really think he'd be here alive if he had a wife? No," Tony said. Loki sighed and shook his head, focussing back on his pizza. He heard Thor laugh and the girl next to him snigger, but otherwise their conversation was blocked out. The thought of having had even one wife was laughable. Two? That was absurd. He finished his pizza and chips, as everyone else had and Pepper stood up to tidy away, but Loki waved his hand and all of the rubbish disappeared.
"Oh! Thank you," Pepper said. Loki nodded. He sat there and listened as chatter carried on around him, and he noticed that the agents weren't there. Probably a good thing; he knew from what Thor had told him that Barton was furious that Loki was here and the only reason he didn't move out was because he'd rather be there to ward off a second attack. Barton thought it inevitable, apparently. Selvig, on the other hand, had upped and left after Jane told him. Loki could not blame him, really. After listening to some of the chatter, he decided to take his leave. He had made an effort here and didn't particularly fancy anything drawn out.
He ignored Thor's encouragements to stay and left.
