Well guys, I'm on a roll. I tried really hard not to rush, if I did just point it out and I'll get on it! Hope you enjoy! And thanks for the reviews, nothing too negative yet:)
Steve walked through his room, through the door, and into the lobby of the basement. As he went to board the elevator he was stopped by one of the guards.
"Excuse me Mr. Rogers, we've been notified that you are to be given a specialized key card so you can have access in and out of your new living area. Without the card, you cannot enter the magic-censored rooms we have to keep Loki in." The guard spoke in an orderly fashion and kept his eyes trained on Steve's the whole time. "Have a good day sir." And with that, he had retreated back to his post.
Steve looked at the card in his hand, it looked like a credit card of some type, but with two swipe bars instead of one. He mentally rolled his eyes. So much electronics nowadays. He went to the elevator and decided to go up to the lounge.
The lounge was, of course, Tony's idea. As he was rebuilding the Stark Tower, he decided a rec/lounge room for the Avengers to lay low and relax in would be fun. Since the police had the small crimes and robberies covered usually, the team had a lot of free time on their hands when they weren't training. Leading them to the lounge room. Being Tony Stark of course, there was a bar stocked with lots of alcohol. Every brand of rum, vodka, patron, beer, anything alcoholic, you name it and it was there. There was also a 62" plasma, complete with an entire wall of movies and video games, a full building stereo system, and of course, a large L shaped couch that could fit 10-12 large people.
When Steve walked in, he immediately saw Thor and Tony on the couch, Tony was attempting to teach Thor how to play Halo while Thor, instead of pressing the controller buttons, moved the control with both hands side to side, attempting to move his character. "Small virtual man!" Thor shouted "I command you to move." The mood had lightened up considerably Steve could see, because on another section, Clint and Natasha were sitting, watching Thor in amusement while Bruce had a bag of pretzels in his hand and was reading the science magazine.
Tony noticed Steve first, "Hey there cap, would you like to try the new Halo? Just got it a month before it releases"
Steve shook his head, "electronics remember? Not my strong point." He looked at the clock, it was 8:45 at night, "Have you guys eaten dinner yet?"
Both Clint and Natasha nodded, eyes still trained on Thor, Bruce held up his bag of pretzels, Tony said that he ate with Pepper and Thor had already eaten a good amount of the food in the fridge. Steve looked down at his shoes, it was usually like this, he was left to eat alone in his room, which he didn't mind usually, but tonight was different. Tonight he was reminded painfully of his past and not fitting in. In fact, here he was right now, not fitting in. "Just wondering, see you guys tomorrow." He walked out of the room, and walking out, the only goodbye he heard was a quiet, distracted "bye" from Bruce who hadn't even looked up from his magazine.
Steve needed air. He put on his jacket and went down into the city. The evening had just set in and most of the city dwellers had resigned to their homes. The summer air was fresh and cool, and it felt nice on Steve's skin. He walked down to Andy's diner, right by Central Park. He had gleefully discovered it was still in business after 70 years a month ago, and ate there regularly. When he walked in he was greeted by the cook, who was also the owner, Andy. Not the original Andy, but Andy's grandson. A middle-aged man with slightly balding brown hair and a warm heart.
"Hey there Steve, what's it going to be tonight?" He asked as he dried a glass.
Steve inhaled the smell of the diner, a warm, cozy smell that felt at home to him. The radio played in the background a Frank Sinatra tune while food cooked. He didn't even need to look at the menu to know what the options were. "Could I have two of your italian sausage subs to go please? Extra mustard on one please sir."
"Now Steve, you don't have to call me sir you know" Andy chuckled as he got out two italian sausages to grill.
"My apologies, I'm just so used to the old days. I'm surprised at the casualness of youngsters these days"
"No worries Steve. You just keep saving the world, doing what you do."
Steve sat on one of the diner stools and started to spin. He closed his eyes and listened to Sinatra as the days events passed through his brain. Ten minutes went by and the subs were done. Mustard and all. As Andy put them into a paper bag, Steve grabbed two waters from the fridge, paid, and made his way out the door hearing the ring of the bell on the door and smiling as he went back to Stark Tower.
Stopping by his old room, he picked up the rest of his belongings and made his way down to his new room. The guards watched him as he juggled the food and his bags while he tried to get the card key. After swiping it in, the door didn't open. He muttered to himself and tried again. Still no luck. Glancing at the guards, one of them called out "You aren't doing it right." 'Yeah no shit' Steve thought. The third time he managed to finally open the door, and using his foot to hold it open, he hastily went inside his room. Setting his belongings down, Steve grabbed a book he had brought and he went through the bathroom to Loki's room. He found Loki sitting on the bed, twiddling his thumbs. "Oh good, you're still up" Steve said as he went over to Loki. "I brought you this" he handed Loki the book.
"A Streetcar Named Desire" Loki read aloud, he looked at Steve, "Why are you giving this to me?"
"Well I figured you'd want some entertainment down here, considering you might be here a while." Steve sat down next to Loki and opened up the bag with the sandwiches. "Here, have one" he handed a sub to Loki who clumsily held the sub in both hands, staring down at it. He looked at Steve with questioning eyes. "Consider it your welcoming dinner" Steve said, his mouth already full with an array of sausage, peppers, and mustard.
Loki cautiously unwrapped the sandwich as if it might of jumped out and bitten him. He then carefully and daintily picked up a half with his long slender blue fingers and took a small bite. His eyes widened with delight as he took another bite immediately after. "What is this?" He asked, his voice filled with astonishing wonder.
Loki's approval made Steve's eyes light up like a child's on Christmas morning, "Only the best sandwich ever, it's from a diner called Andy's a couple blocks away, you know it's really funny actually, it's the same diner I got beat up by after school usually. One kid, Joe Merano, he always liked to take my money and leave me behind the dumpster. He usually bought one of the rootbeer floats with that money. Man those root beer floats were amazing, I could see why he took my money. There was this one time where.."
Loki smiled and listened on as Steve rambled on and on about his times at the diner, finally Steve remembered there was another person, and stopped talking. "So you think I will like this book?" Loki asked, picking it up and turning to the front page.
"Of course, I know it may not be as challenging for someone with your intelligence but I think it'll amuse you. It was a best seller back in my day." Steve said.
Loki looked up, his red eyes growing big "You think I'm intelligent?" He asked, disbelief in his voice.
"Of course,Thor told us of how you would learn all those spells, and the way you could manipulate people. Even without powers you're still intimidating with the vast amount knowledge you contain. I mean, that's what I've heard.." Steve turned red, being caught that he had known all this about Loki. But Loki just smiled sincerely.
"Well thank you.. Steve, I hope I enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed the sandwich."
"Me too" Steve breathed out a sigh and smiled back. They sat there for a moment, smiling at each other before they both realized what had just happened. "Well.. I'd better go back to my room. Enjoy the book and stuff, just knock if you need anything." He said, blushing again and hastily getting up. Loki looked away too.
"Of course, have a nice night Steve"
"You too Loki." Steve walked to his room, shutting the door behind him and leaning against the door, put his head back. Only one thought stayed in his mind. What had just happened? And why did he like Loki's smile so much