Chapter 2
“Stop staring at me.” Bucky’s rough voice cut through the room, slicing the silence and the after-glow of their coupling. He had his eyes closed but even if you disregarded that his senses had all been heightened he could feel the other man's eyes on him. They had a psyhical weight to them and Bucky did not like the attentation. Steve averted his gaze from Bucky’s relaxed face, letting the hand circling lazily across his chest come to a standstill. He felt the other man’s heartbeats against it and swallowed thickly.
“I’m sorry.” he offered quietly and got an unamused snort in return.
“If you’re really sorry I’ll beat your ass into next week, Steve.” Bucky opened his eyes and turned them towards his friend. “I’m not sorry. I’d actually want to do it again. Sometime. When we have time.” He flashed a smile, a smile like the ones he used to give. It warmed Steve’s heart, melted it too. He nodded and leaned over, giving Bucky a small peck on the lips. Worry left him and in its wake were instead the images from before their own intimacy.
Tony and Loki.
Bucky seemed to read him because he sat up, reached for his clothes on the floor with haste and efficiency. Cuddling was definitely over.
“We need to get back to the tower, the rest should know. But not through a comm. If the god has put some sort of mind control on Stark then we’re all in danger.” Bucky pulled his shirt on, standing up to slip into his underwear. Maybe Steve took a small peek at his ass, maybe he didn’t. But he did nod in agreement, reaching for his own clothes.
“You’re right, let’s get moving.”
Suddenly the pair felt a shift in the air. The hair in the back of both their necks rose as a low - and all too familiar - voice spoke.
“Captain.” Loki said with a smirk as he took in the scene before him. “It would appear that my earlier display had an unexpected effect.” Malice shined through his eyes as he imagined everything he now could do with this information. Too bad this opportunity had to be wasted, the supersoldier and his assassin already had leverage on him.
Bucky had grabbed a knife as soon as Loki had spoken and now he held it tight while he warily eyed the god before them. He was ready to attack, ready to kill. Steve had merely stiffened. He kept his composure and instead of giving the god too much attention he continued to dress himself.
“Loki, what a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?” he answered, shooting him a friendly smile. Loki returned the smile and put his hands up in a show of peace before answering.
“I come with no ill intentions, I assure you.” Loki glanced towards Bucky. “And there is no need for any violence.”
He took a small breath, seemingly to collect his thought before continuing.
“I am here to discuss the events that transpired today, or as you mortals like to say - we need to talk.” Loki’s smirk had disappeared, his voice betraying no emotions. Though the god’s regal posture showed his position in the matter, Loki was dead serious.
Steve rose, stretching a bit as he did - his joints popping at the action. His eyes never left Loki though. Bucky kept his stance on the other side of the bed, waiting for any sign from Steve to move. Steve was ready to give it any minute. Loki was, after all, highly unreliable.
“You mean we need to talk about you fornicating with Tony Stark?” his voice was casual even if his thoughts weren’t. “So what's the deal? You’re controlling him? Like you did Clint?” he asked, crossing his arms across his chest. He might have flexed his muscles just a little. Might.
Loki felt his anger flare, squinting his eyes as he growled quietly.
“You think of me as a rapist, mortal?” The trickster snarled, the facade of calm disappearing in an instant.
“I would never force myself on anyone in that matter!” He took a step towards Steve, anger burning through him as he shouted. “Neither do I have the mind stone no longer, the ability to mind control is beyond me!”
Loki suddenly stepped back, this was not how he had planned this. He could not lose his posture if he wished to keep Anthony by his side. The thought of losing the inventor displeased him greatly, maybe even more than it should.
It was a good thing that the god had stepped back - Bucky had moved forward swiftly, crossed the bed and now stood almost by Steve’s side. His knife was raised, as was his fists, in combat mode and his furious eyes were locked on Loki’s jugular.
Steve had never once during the outburst let his gaze waver from Loki but now he let it wander to Bucky as he raised a calming hand.
“Don’t.” he mumbled and searched Bucky's face quickly Before he turned once more toward the god when he felt that Bucky was under control. He seized Loki up with a passive face. “I wouldn’t put it beneath you, no.” he answered calmly and coldly. “However, even if it’s… consensual… I have to report this to the others. To your brother. Tony is compromised. You’re a notorious troublemaker and after Ultron we can’t risk losing face again. The world is fragile as it is.”
Loki looked up alarmed. If Thor would find out that he was alive, he would be in severe trouble. The god let a weak smile show, realising that no lies would help him now. But maybe, if he just bent the truth a little bit.
“Please.” Loki said quietly, facing the two avengers as he let the dread he felt show in his eyes. “I cannot part ways with Anthony, it…” Loki paused, mildly shocked as he realised that he meant his words.
“He has come to mean more to me than just a partner in the bedchamber” Loki clamped his hands together, feeling his magic vibrate with unease. He was sure that the soldier could see his discomfort.
Steve’s eyes tightened and his gaze became much more incredulous. On his side one could see Bucky mouthing ‘Anthony’ with a disbelieving expression plastered over his face. But Steve thought the god’s words over, prodded mentally at them and tried to think of any loopholes the villainous man might exploit. He could find none. At least none he would have evidence to back up.
With a sigh he uncrossed his arms and stared the Asgardian down, his back straight and chin up high.
“I really hope you’re sincere, Loki. I really do. And because Tony is a friend I won’t tell the others just yet. But I will have a talk with Tony and I would like a… word or promise from you - if you’re capable of an honest one that is - that you won’t hurt or exploit him. The second I get any reason to believe that you are, I will tell everyone. Especially Thor. Are we clear?”
Steve raised an eyebrow, extending a hand towards the man.
Loki stared in disbelief at the offered hand for a second, it had worked. The god hesitated, too used to things being more difficult. The title as god of lies had made sure of that. He searched the soldier’s eyes for any deceit, finding none Loki smiled softly and accepted the hand.
“You have my word, Rogers.” Loki said, relief flooding his system as the firm hand shook his. “The truth is - and know that if you should ever tell anyone this, I’ll silence you for good - the truth is that Anthony makes me… happy. I do believe that I can hurt him no longer.”
Loki let go of the soldier’s hand and turned towards the exit, a smirk once again showing on his face.
Steve on his part furrowed his brows with a low muttered ‘right’. He did not fully believe the god yet it was enough to let it go for now. He turned towards Bucky, picking up his jacket from the floor. He pulled it on as Bucky sheathed the knife and in silence they both moved towards the door. It was high time they left even if they weren’t going to tell the others of what they had witnessed.
They left like they came, through the roof and soon the city’s noise and shadows had swallowed them up.