ISharing the Past- 1
Rachel's Point of View

When I saw what had happened, Bruce hulked out and holding Tony, my first thoughts were for Loki. But after what had just happened, I was quite annoyed with my husband. We were going to have a good talk when we got home, which seemed like it was going to be sooner rather than later.

I wandered over to the bar; I deserved another drink after all that had just happened. Pouring myself a glass of Dom Perignon, I realised that Ezra had never answered me. I still didn't know if my best friend forgave me for the mess in our past. Grabbing a glass, I found a bottle of cola and a bottle of raspberry soda from the fridge. With a smile I poured out equal amounts of both, and thought back to the many nights we'd sat in my room doing assignments and drinking this.

"Ezra," I found her sitting by the glass wall, overlooking New York. She turned her head, watching as I sat on the floor beside her.
"I wanted to apologise for Loki's behaviour," Because Odin knows that he won't do it himself, I thought, "One would think that the Prince of Asgard would know how to behave in public, but apparently not." I smiled half-heartedly and offered her the drink.
"What is it?" She asked, looking at me.
"Dead Lizard," I replied, "Cola and Raspberry, nothing else. Swear on my life." I raised a hand to my heart with a smile as she took the drink I offered.
"You remembered?" She asked softly as she took a small sip.
"Of course," I muttered, as I looked over the city that never sleeps.
"Thank you for your concern before," she said quietly, "It was, touching."
I smiled at her, taking another sip of my drink, enjoying the bubbles on my tongue.
"I think it would be best if, when Loki returns with Thor, that he and I leave." I say honestly. While I wanted to stay and try and talk to my old friend, the events that had just occurred had put everyone on edge, myself included.
"Rachel," I heard a note in Ezra's voice that I couldn't quite recognise. "To err is human, to forgive is divine."
I smiled into my champagne, trying not to smile too widely. I had a love of poetry all through high school, Ezra had remembered, and used a quote to say that she forgave me.
"Your city is most pretty at night," I said instead, the mood around us definitely lightening.
"Not my city, it's Tony's city," She said to me, "But yes, the lights are pretty at night."
"I still would like you to come to Asgard one day," I took a drink, trying not to look at Ezra's face for a reaction.
At that moment I sensed Loki enter the room. With a sigh, I stood up.
"I shall be going, I have a long discussion to have with a certain Norse god in private," I grimaced sadly, "I bid you good night."
I turned to leave when I Ezra spoke again. "Bitch," she said lightly
I nearly choked on my drink, "Jerk," I replied with a laugh. A joke left over from high school, a sign of affection between the two of us.
"There's a small café just up the road. Tomorrow, 11am?" she asked, and I felt all the iciness between us melt away
I nodded, "Definitely. We have a much to catch up on."

We got back to our apartment, and Loki took my hands the minute I closed the door.
"Rachel, I apologise," I was looking straight into his green eyes, and I knew he wasn't lying.
I gently pulled my hands out of his grasp, "I know, Loki," I said with a sigh, I wasn't angry with him, just disappointed. "I should have known better than to put you in a room with the exact team that tried to kill you. Eventually that would have happened." I pulled my clothes off and changed into my pyjamas.
"I will endeavour to try harder to get along with Stark next time," he promised, as he too changed out of his clothing for bed.
"How are you so sure there will be a next time?" I asked tiredly, the night had really drained me.
"I saw you by the window with Ezra," He said, slipping under the covers beside me. "You two have made amends."
I nodded, "We are meeting at a little café tomorrow," I said softly, rolling onto my side and closing my eyes. Loki took the hint and flicked his wrist to turn off the light.
"Good night, my princess," I heard him whisper into the dark and then I fell asleep.

I woke the next morning, the sun streaming through the window. With a growl, I sat up and glared at the open curtains. The other side of the bed was empty and cooling, proving that Loki had been up for a while. I looked around the room, finding no one, when my eyes caught a piece of paper and on it, a glass snowflake. I opened the letter, reading what was written. Apparently Loki had been called back to Asgard, but I was not needed and was allowed to remain here to meet with Ezra. I returned the letter to its resting place on the pillow and, stretching slowly, rose to begin my day.

Just before 11 I started walking down the road, casually making my way to the café. Reaching the small café, tucked away amidst the bustle of New York, I was greeted with the comforting smell of coffee and cakes. I stepped into the premises, and immediately saw Ezra sitting at a table by the window. She looked up and saw me, smiling as I made my way to her.
"Morning," I greeted her, taking a seat.
"Morning," She replied, "The hot chocolate is good here." She gestured to the cup sitting in front of her.
"Do they have any teas?" I asked, much preferring the traditionally English beverage.
"Haha, would you like oolong, matcha, pu -erh, assam or Lapsang? " she laughed as I looked at her in surprise.
"I get the point, they have tea," I laughed, "I'll be right back, go halves in one of those huge chocolate muffins?"
She nodded as I went off to order my drink and a muffin.
"Where's Loki today?" Ezra asked curiously when I returned.
"Asgard," I replied, "Thankfully I don't need to worry about him today." I rolled my eyes as I took a mouthful of muffin.
"Guess someone slept on the couch last night?" She inquired with a smile.
"No," I sighed, "Much as I wish I could have sent him to the couch, that isn't really an option."
"Why not?" Ezra asked curiously.
"We don't actually have one," I admitted , "The apartment S.H.I.E.L.D. gave us is barely 3 rooms. Really just a bedroom, a very small bathroom and something that barely passes as a kitchen," I laughed dryly at how they had treated us.
Ezra gave me a strange look, "Wow," She exclaimed, "I'm amazed that Loki would even allow them to put you guys in a place like that."
I took a slow sip of my tea before replying. "So am I," I placed the mug down on the table and looked at my friend, "but neither of us actually have enough midgardian money to even rent somewhere." I shrugged, "So we don't have an option."
Ezra smiled, the smile she used to get when she was planning something. "Hmmm," she began, "You know, Tony could easily get you a place to your liking." She laughed, "Hell, he could probably build you one if you want."
This surprised me, not the money, I knew Tony was rich. But Tony didn't really like Loki, so I couldn't see why he would do something like this, unless it was more for me and, of course, Ezra.
"Really?" I said, "He would do that?"
"Sure," she replied confidently, "He'd probably go on about it, and probably tease Loki. But he'll do it, he has more than enough money." She stopped and her smile grew, "Also, if it pisses off Fury, he'll do it faster."
I laughed at the look of mischief on her face, "I may need to talk to Loki about this." I said gratefully.
She nodded at me, "Okay, just don't let his ego get in the way." She dropped her voice conspiratorially, "You know how men can be."
I nearly choked on my drink, and Ezra grinned impishly back at me. "You're telling me!" I choked out. "Princes are the worst for it," I continued once I stopped coughing.
Ezra raised an eyebrow at my coughing fit. "Once you've stopped dying, do you want to tell me what you've been up to while you were on Asgard?"
I took a deep breath in, and nodded. "Healing people, watching my soon to be husband go insane, and then I got married," I said casually.
She leaned in, "Tell me more?" She knew exactly how much we sounded like gossiping teenagers. "By the way, I'm upset I wasn't invited to the wedding."
I smiled at her, "I would have invited you, only I could not find you. I didn't have bridesmaids, it was always going to be you or nothing."
"How sweet," she replied sarcastically, the sting of the words entirely softened by her chuckle. "But how did you end up marrying the god of Mischief?"

I had spent hours in the castle, sitting in the library and practising my magic with the youngest prince. We had been friends since well before I was sent to Midgard, and now he was really the only reason I came home for some time during the holidays. He was elegant, intelligent and mysterious. Loki was the opposite to his loud and thunderous brother, Thor.
"What are you thinking about?" a voice came from behind me.
"Nothing," I replied, a little too quickly.
"Liar," Loki called me out, "Do not ever think you can lie to me, the Lie smith." He smiled at me, the harsh words softened by the joking tone of his voice.
"Okay," I admitted, "I was thinking about our friendship. Besides Ezra, you are my closest friend."
Loki turned a strange shade of pink, opening his mouth before closing it again. With a look of resignation, he again opened his mouth.
"I would like it that we were more than friends," He said, "If we may?" He muttered softly.
My hands started sweating, I wasn't sure if he was joking. I wanted to accept his proposal, yet I had to return to Midgard in a few days.
"I have to go back to Midgard, for schooling," I said sadly. "If not, then I would accept your offer gladly." I felt myself turn pink in the dimly lit library.
Loki took my hand, and I felt his magic run along my skin.
"When you return, for good," He said softly, "Would you, as I believe the Midgardians call it, go out with me?" I had never seen Loki like this, so unsure of himself.
I nodded, "Yes, I think that would be most pleasant."

I came back to reality, hoping I hadn't been sitting staring off into the distance for too long.
"Well?" Ezra encouraged.
"Distance makes the heart grow fonder," I replied. "After I was dragged back to Asgard we started, well, dating. And the rest is history." I smiled fondly.
Ezra laughed, "Now you get to lavish around in a castle, with servants to serve you and attend to your every want or need." She joked.
"What about you?" I was curious, "How did my dear, shy friend score the notorious playboy Tony Stark?"