Title: The Lucky Ones
Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes & Loki aka Lucky
Captain America/Thor crossover, though it takes place during the Captain America timeline, so before the events in Thor. We'll get to those at some point.
Rated M for slash - small lemon here
A/N - Long time reader, first time writer. I don't own the characters, just the plot.
-The Lucky Ones- Chapter 6
As Loki lay there wrapped in the arms of this exceptional creature, he marveled at just how perfect this moment was. Bucky laid on his back, with Loki curled up facing him, his head resting on Bucky's shoulder. His long fingers toyed with the dog tags around Bucky's neck and the soft hair that grew on his chest. Neither man felt the need to get dressed; each seemed to naturally prefer the added skin contact. Loki was sated in a way he never could have thought possible. Who knew that all it would take for him to finally be content was a mortal? A human being whom Loki wouldn't have ever given a second, or even a first thought about. Was it fate that brought him to Midgard that day? Was it luck?
"You never did tell me how you got on that train," Loki said.
"Oh yeah. I was going to, but I got distracted." Bucky replied, and kissed the top of Loki's head. "Well after Steve rescued me, he knew we had to go back and stop Schmidt. Steve and I and a couple of other guys tracked some of his operation to a train. We got on board and, well, let's just say it didn't go so well for me.
Loki took in the words with his eyes closed, enjoying the rumble of Bucky's deep voice under his head. He couldn't remember feeling anything quite as soothing as that vibration. He thought about Bucky's story, as well as what he was told the day before.
"I did not know that a human could survive a fall like that. When I found you, I thought for sure you'd be dead." Loki shuddered at that memory and Bucky's arms squeezed him tight. "You said that this evil man was doing experiments on you. Do you know what was done?"
"No, I have no idea. I never got a chance to ask, and the building burned down, so who knows if there are any records." Bucky replied. "Do you think it was something-"
When Bucky stopped suddenly, Loki picked his head up to look at him. "What is it?"
"I think Schmidt had used the same sort of stuff that they used on Steve. It turned Steve from a scrawny kid into an invincible muscleman. But it didn't do the same for Schmidt." Now it was Bucky's turn to shudder as he remembered the villain peeling the false skin off of his ugly red skull. "It turned Schmidt into a monster."
"You don't look like a monster," Loki looked at the human questioningly.
"But if Schmidt used something similar on me, it may explain why I lived through that fall." Bucky stated.
"And it could be the reason you healed so rapidly." Loki agreed. He looked at Bucky, examining him.
"What?" Bucky laughed, embarrassed a little by the scrutiny.
"I am merely wondering what else this "stuff" could have done to you." Loki poked and prodded over Bucky's torso and arms, making the human giggle. "Is any other part of you changed?"
Bucky grabbed hold of Loki's hands and rolled over so they were laying side by side, facing each other. Loki swallowed, wondering what brought on this new intensity in the other man's eyes.
"There is one part that is changed," Bucky said, looking directly into Loki's eyes. "I think it's changed in you too."
Loki gasped softly. Oh yes, he knew exactly what Bucky was talking about now.
"Your heart," he whispered.
"Yours, too." Bucky replied.
"Yes," came the simple answer.
"I remember seeing you as I was laying there in the snow. I remember your eyes, right before I passed out. I think it started then, for me." Bucky still held Loki's hands clasped in his own.
"For me as well. When I saw you there, when I saw your face, I could feel it then. I did not understand it, and I am not sure I do even now. But I no longer fear it."
"I've got no idea what it is either," Bucky admitted. "This has never happened to me before. I've never been the type to fall in love, with anyone."
"Love," Loki tested the word on his tongue. It was not one he had used often. Not one he knew very well. "I confess, I do not know much of love."
"I think you do now," Bucky smiled and leaned in to kiss Loki's lips. Loki felt warm hands on his cheeks, and suddenly the emotion was too much for him to bear. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, trying to keep the tears from escaping. Soft kisses were pressed against his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks. When those lips met his, something inside Loki shifted and suddenly he was kissing back with everything he had. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, but he did not care. The mood was no longer about comfort or sweet feelings. The air crackled with raw need and want and Loki could not seem to get close enough to Bucky. Tongues and teeth and hands were everywhere all at once. Their hips rocked together, creating the most exquisite friction.
Suddenly a loud knock sounded at the door, startling both men.
"Loki, open the door!" came Thor's voice from the other side.
Loki dropped his head back to the pillow and groaned, covering his face with his hands.
"Oh shit! Are we going to be in trouble?" Bucky gasped playfully, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Loki reached behind his head, pulled out the pillow and smacked Bucky across the face with it. The pounding started again, and Loki knew Thor was getting upset.
"I will be right there!" he called out, sitting up and moving to get out of bed. Bucky did the same, and both men got dressed quickly. Loki was about to walk to the door when Bucky stepped up to him.
"Listen, I don't know what's going to happen now, but I want you to know that no matter what, I will never regret this." Bucky said with heartfelt earnestness.
"Never." Loki stressed and placed a kiss firmly on Bucky's lips. "Now let us see what awaits us."
-oooooooooooooooo-
Bucky took a deep breath as Loki walked over to the door. He stood back, over by the desk, trying to appear nonchalant, like he didn't just screw the brains out of Thor's brother. When Thor strode forcefully into the room, Bucky felt himself quail. Luckily, the hugely intimidating figure was more focused on his brother than on him.
"What is going on, Loki?" Thor demanded.
"Bucky asked to see my chambers, I was showing him around." Loki replied, cooly.
Thor glanced over to Bucky, who gave a nervous grin and nodded.
"And why was your door locked?" Thor looked again to Loki, skeptical.
"I hadn't realized it was locked." Loki lied easily. "What do you need, Brother?"
"Father has called for you. He says it is time for the human to return home."
Loki paled at that and looked over at Bucky with such dread in his eyes, Bucky had to grip the edge of the desk behind him to stop himself from going over there. He knew this time was coming, he should have been more ready than he felt like he was right now.
"Please go and tell Father that I will be right there." Loki said, the defeat and sadness clearly evident in his voice.
"Brother, what pains you?" Thor asked, placing an arm on Loki's shoulder. He could obviously sense Loki's troubled state as well.
Loki threw off Thor's arm and stomped away. "Nothing! Please leave me now, brother," He snarled.
Thor gave a questioning look to Bucky, who dropped his eyes, not knowing how to respond. After a few moments, Thor sighed and walked back out the door. Bucky walked over and shut the door, then approached Loki slowly. He placed his hand lightly on Loki's back, but even that gentle touch was too much, and the god sunk to the ground. Bucky immediately dropped down to the floor in front of him. Loki's head was down, eyes shut tight. Bucky leaned in and rested his forehead on Loki's, saying nothing.
He was at a loss for words, which was an unusual thing for Bucky. He was so out of his element here, it made his head swim. His desire to stay, to be with Loki was so strong. Stronger than any other feeling that he could remember. But he knew he needed to go home and make sure Steve was okay, that his family was okay. The thought of them all mourning his death made Bucky's heart break. He also knew he didn't belong in Asgard. It wasn't his home. Even if he was allowed to stay, would Loki be enough to make this strange place feel like home? Loki didn't even feel entirely comfortable here. Maybe it would be better if they both returned to Earth?
"Come with me," Bucky whispered. At that, Loki raised his head and both men looked at each other. Tears trailed freely down Loki's cheeks, and Bucky wiped away what he could. "Come back to Earth with me. You don't fit in here any more than I do."
"My father...he won't allow it." Loki's voice broke, and then Bucky was crying too.
"I don't...I can't say goodbye yet. Please, Loki. I love you." he said desperately.
"No!" Loki said, his voice suddenly cold and his whole demeanor changing. He stood up quickly, wiping at his cheeks. "I need to go see my father."
Bucky rose slowly, confused by this sudden shift in Loki's attitude. This was not the reaction he was expecting after confessing his love. Loki walked to the door, pausing to look back to Bucky.
"You can wait here, if you like. I will return shortly." There was an odd tone to his voice, which sent a chill up Bucky's spine.
"Loki wait!" But the door had already closed, leaving Bucky alone, with only his despair to keep him company.
-oooooooooooooo-
As soon as Loki closed the door, he used his magic to transport him not to the All Father's chambers, but to a secluded area outside the palace walls. It was a familiar place. As he looked around, he saw the spot where he had sat and spoke the words that transported him to Midgard not so long ago. This was really where it all began, and it seemed fitting that it would end here too. Loki paced, needing a few moments alone to compose himself before even thinking of appearing before his father. Odin always had the easiest time seeing through Loki's charades and this was going to be the hardest one he'd ever had to pull off.
Oh, how it had killed him not to return those three words to Bucky. They were true! Truer than any words the God of Lies would have ever said. He loved Bucky. But to say the words would have been to invite more heartache, for both of them. Bucky needed to go home, and Loki's home was here. He knew he had no say in anything. He was a prince, his life had been planned out since he was born. The king would never let a prince of Asgard run off to Midgard to live with the mortals.
No, it was better that Bucky believed his love was one-sided. Loki was not deserving of such devotion in the first place. He could not kid himself that anything good could come from someone loving him. As much as it pained him, he knew he could never tell Bucky the truth.
Loki sat among the trees for a while, lamenting the circumstances of his life. A flash of light caught his eye and he stood to see what it was. It came from the direction of the bifrost.
"NO!" Loki screamed. His heart froze as he watched the light blink off, the bridge closing once again. Far in the distance, he could see Odin standing with Heimdall, with Thor standing by their horses a few steps away. Loki let out a slew of curses, all the worst ones he knew. He transported himself back to his room in a rage. Once there, he started throwing things to the floor, smashing anything and everything he could reach. Using his arm, he swept his desk clear, papers and books and ink bottles scattering loudly. He took his chair and flung it across the room with a loud cry of anguish.
Finally, after not much was left unbroken, Loki slumped in defeat. He wandered over to his bed and fell down on it. Feeling something strange under his head, he sat up and looked down at the rumpled sheets. Laying there, in the middle of his bed, were Bucky's dog tags, still on the silver chain. Loki lifted the tags reverently. There was also a small scrap of paper, which Loki picked up with his other hand.
I love you and I will no matter where I am. Always.
The paper crumpled in Loki's hand as he fell back against the bed. Holding all he had left of Bucky clutched to his chest, Loki cried.
Sorry for the cliffy(blame Bucky!)! I'll get the next chapter up soon, I promise!