Seeing You Again
Loki finally walked into his dorm room. He placed his backpack on the bed and began to remove his clothes as he walked to the bathroom to take a hot shower. The warmth of the water was just what he needed to wash away the stress of the day. The hot water hit his pale skin, immediately relaxing his muscles. He closed his eyes, letting the steam envelop him, and felt the tension of the day slowly melt away. For a moment, he allowed himself to forget everything and just enjoy the soothing warmth. He let out a long sigh; today had been a long, hard day, filled with a bunch of homework. On the bright side, though, he had made a new friend, Tony Stark. The thought of their lively conversation brought a small smile to his face as he stood under the relaxing stream of water.
He hoped to see Tony again soon and maybe even hang out outside of class. The idea of getting to know him better and sharing more laughs brightened his mood. In the few minutes he talked with Tony, he gave off a vibe that intrigued Loki; there was something magnetic about his confidence and humor. Loki could tell that Tony was someone who had a lot of interesting stories to share. Loki wanted to get to know Tony more and hoped to become friends with him. With only one friend, Mobius, he often felt lonely and yearned for more connections. The prospect of building a new friendship with Tony was exciting and filled him with a sense of hope.
Mobius was the only person from high school that Loki knew attended the same college as he did, but sometimes Mobius could be too lazy for his own liking. Loki often found himself doing things alone or wishing for someone more energetic to hang out with. Either way, the black-headed boy wanted another friend; it was time to give Mobius a break after five long years of friendship. Loki decided it was worth the effort to reach out to Tony and see if they could bond over their shared interests.
Loki continued with his shower until he felt he was clean and turned off the water. He reached for a towel and dried himself off, feeling refreshed and more optimistic about the days ahead. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he stepped out of the bathroom, his mind already planning how he could strike up another conversation with Tony tomorrow. He walked into the room and sat down on the edge of his bed, using the towel to dry his hair. As he ran the towel through his dark locks, he thought about what he could say to Tony that would spark another engaging conversation. Maybe he could ask about Tony's favorite hobbies or suggest they grab a coffee after class. Once he was finished, he walked to his closet. He pulled out a pair of black sweats and a dark green shirt, and quickly dressed. After throwing his dirty clothes into the basket, he walked over to his desk to finish up what was left of his homework.
~*~*~*~
"Hey, it's time to wake up," Mobius's voice called out, shaking Loki awake. Loki's eyes snapped open, and he groggily looked around, momentarily disoriented."What time is it?" he asked as he sat up on his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "It's almost 7:30 AM," Mobius replied. "I'm already leaving," Mobius said, grabbing his backpack. "I left a cup of Starbucks for you," he added, opening the door. Loki nodded appreciatively, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. As the door closed softly behind Mobius, Loki took a deep breath and stretched. He reached for the coffee cup on his nightstand, savoring the first sip.
Feeling the caffeine start to kick in, Loki swung his legs out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. He quickly brushed his teeth and took care of his other morning routines, the lingering warmth of the hot shower from the night before still fresh in his memory. He got dressed in jeans and a plain black shirt, layering a hoodie over it. Sliding his feet into his shoes. With a final glance in the mirror to ensure he looked presentable, he headed back to his room to gather his things for the day ahead. He grabbed his computer and textbooks, stuffing them into his backpack before heading out the door. The crisp morning air greeted him as he made his way across campus, his thoughts already on today's lecturer.
He let out a long yawn, still not used to the early morning schedule. He liked the class, don't get him wrong, but he hated himself for choosing an 8 AM class. As he stepped into the classroom, he stifled another yawn. Tony yawned as he stared off into space. He hated himself for choosing an 8 AM class, especially since Clint's loud snoring made it nearly impossible for him to get a decent night's sleep. Then a familiar raven hair caught his attention. Looking to his right, he saw the guy from yesterday, slowly making his way up the steps to an empty desk. "Loki," Tony called out, his voice cutting through the morning haze. Loki's sleepy gaze met Tony's chocolate brown orbs, and he smiled before changing direction. Tony scooted over to make room for Loki to sit beside him.
"Hey, Tony," Loki greeted, sliding into the seat next to him. "I didn't know you had this class too." Tony chuckled softly, "Yeah, Tuesday and Wednesday I'm here.” Tony mentally slapped himself for sounding so obvious. "Me too," Loki said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It sucks that we never noticed each other sooner." A small smile appeared on Tony's lips. He thought the same thing—it was funny how they had never crossed paths before despite sharing the same schedule. "Well, better late than never, right?" he said, glancing at Loki with a warmer expression. Loki smiled, his green eyes sparkling with a mix of exhaustion and excitement. "Yeah, better late than never," he agreed. It felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders. He finally had the chance to talk to Tony again without having to search the campus for him. The two boys talked softly among themselves, laughing quietly throughout the class period. When the lecture ended, they gathered their things and walked out together, continuing their conversation.
"Do you have another class?" Loki asked Tony as they both walked out of the classroom. They made a right down the hall towards the exit. "Yeah, but not until noon," Tony replied, glancing at his watch. "What about you?" Tony asked, glancing at Loki, whose green eyes stared straight into his. Tony smiled when he noticed a soft red hue on the black-haired boy's cheeks. A strand of Loki's hair brushed against his forehead as they walked, making Tony's heart race.
Loki stifled a cough and said, “No, I’m free today.” He chuckled softly as he scratched his arm. “But tomorrow, I have a couple of other classes,” he added, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. Tony smiled at the black-haired boy, continuing to admire him as they walked. For the first time, he felt truly comfortable with who he was, finding a sense of peace in Loki's presence. He was interested in guys like himself, which was another reason he was friends with Natasha—she was dating a girl named Maria. It felt good to have someone who understood the nuances of his feelings, making his bond with Loki even more special. Before he could say anything to Loki about wanting to grab coffee, Tony was hit in the head with something. It felt like a binder to him, and he spun around to see who had thrown it, rubbing his head as he did so.
"Oops, sorry! I didn't see you there!" He recognized the voice of Natasha immediately. He chuckled as Loki looked at Tony like he was crazy or something. They both waited for the redhead to catch up with them. Loki's eyes widened with amusement.
"Wow, you have nice hair," Loki commented, eyeing Natasha's vibrant red locks. "It's like looking at Kool-Aid," he added with a playful grin. Natasha smiled warmly at the compliment. "Thank you so much," she replied, giving her hair a playful flick. Tony rolled his eyes. "Don't tell her that, Loki. Her ego will go straight to her head," he said with a smirk. Natasha playfully punched Tony's arm, "As if yours hasn't already." They both laughed again. Loki smiled, watching the two banter, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy. He wondered if Tony would ever look at him with the same playful affection he showed her.
"So," Loki said, searching for the right words, "is she your girlfriend?" He asked, glancing between the two. They both stopped their playful banter to look at Loki before exchanging a glance and bursting into laughter. "No way," Natasha said, wiping a tear from her eye, "Tony and I are just friends.""Besides," Natasha added with a smirk, "I wouldn't date a playboy like him even if he begged." Tony chuckled and nodded in agreement. "I wouldn't beg, Natasha," Tony retorted with a grin, "you know I'm too proud for that." Natasha rolled her eyes, but a smile played on her lips. "Sure, Tony, whatever you say," she replied, shaking her head.
Loki raised an eyebrow. "Playboy?" he asked, genuinely curious. Tony shrugged nonchalantly. "A reputation I might have earned in the past, but I've mellowed out," he said, giving a wink to Loki."For now," Natasha said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at Tony. "Let's see how long that lasts." Tony smirked, but his eyes flickered to Loki, hoping he would see beyond his old reputation.
"Anyways, hi! I'm Natasha, Tony's friend who just happens to have a girlfriend," she said, extending her hand to Loki. Loki shook her hand, a small smile forming on his lips. "Nice to meet you, Natasha," he responded, feeling a bit more at ease.
"Loki," he replied, shaking her hand firmly. "I just met Tony yesterday.
Natasha chuckled, "Well, if you stick around, you'll soon learn that meeting Tony is like strapping yourself to a rocket." Tony rolled his eyes, but a grin spread across his face. "And yet, everyone keeps coming back for more," he quipped.
"He isn't so bad," Loki said, scratching his arm thoughtfully.
Natasha leaned closer to Loki, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Let me tell you something about Tony," she said in a low voice. Loki leaned forward, intrigued. "He's annoying and loves to target the weak and innocent," she whispered, her lips curling into a sly smile.
Tony rolled his eyes. "Did you forget I'm right here?" he said, sticking his hands in his sweater pockets and looking between the two of them. Natasha and Loki continued to whisper and glance at him, their playful expressions making Tony shake his head in mock exasperation. Tony flipped the bird and turned to leave, a smirk on his face. Natasha and Loki burst into laughter, quickly following after him. "Wait up, Tony!" Natasha called out, her voice still filled with amusement.
Natasha caught up to Tony and threw her arm around him. "I'm starving, let's grab something to eat," she suggested, her stomach growling in agreement. "Maria didn't feed you?" Tony asked, looking her up and down with a teasing grin. Natasha rolled her eyes, "She did, but it was barely enough to keep a bird alive."
Tony chuckled, "You have money, you could buy food yourself." Natasha nudged him playfully, "Yeah, but it's more fun when you pay." Loki watched the banter with a growing sense of belonging, feeling like he had found the energetic company he was looking for. Natasha smirked, "Besides, Tony, you know I only come around for the free food and your charming company." She winked at Loki. "And maybe for the chance to see you in something other than that ridiculous sweater." Tony snorted, "Keep dreaming, Natasha. You'll never see me strip for free."
Loki's brow furrowed in confusion. "Was that a sex joke?" he asked, glancing between Natasha and Tony. "Yes, it was," Tony replied, annoyed but with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "And believe me, it's not the worst you'll hear if you stick around." Loki giggled, causing Tony to sigh in resignation. "Fine, I'll buy the food," Tony conceded. Natasha smirked triumphantly, "Thank you, Tony. I can't wait to see you pull out that American Express card." Tony rolled his eyes as they walked towards a café, before spotting Natasha's girlfriend across the street. "Look," Tony said, nudging Natasha, "your dessert is here." Natasha's face lit up with a grin as she saw her girlfriend approaching, and she quickly disentangled herself from Tony to rush over and greet her. She left, leaving Loki and Tony by themselves. Tony sighed and glanced at Loki, who had been quietly observing the scene. "Well, looks like it's just you and me now," Tony said, resignedly.
They entered the café, and Tony looked over at the pastries. "I'm not really hungry, but I have to eat something before the next class," he said, still scanning the different selection of food. He walked over to a section where the culinary major students showcased their baked goods. "Let's see what today's special is," Tony murmured, eyeing the beautifully crafted pastries with interest. Tony sighed, wishing he had a friend in the culinary program—it would mean free food every day, and he could definitely live with that. He glanced at Loki, who was still taking in the surroundings with curiosity. "Have you ever thought about learning to cook?" Tony asked, half-jokingly.
Loki burst out laughing, remembering the story he had shared with Tony about his disastrous attempt at making a simple omelet. "Oh, trust me, you don't want me anywhere near a kitchen," he chuckled. "The last time I tried, I nearly burned down my apartment!" Tony couldn't help but laugh at the mental image. "Alright, point taken," he said, shaking his head. "Maybe we'll leave the cooking to the experts and just enjoy the results." Loki chuckled as he picked up a fruit salad. He scanned the expiration date and held it up to Tony. "Look, these look fresh," he said with a grin.
Tony grabbed the bowl of salad from Loki's hands to examine it himself, doing the same thing Loki did just seconds ago. "Yeah, you're right," Tony said, nodding in approval. "Let's go with the fruit salad—and maybe grab a couple of those pastries for dessert." Loki watched Tony look over the pastries, a smile playing on his lips as he observed the brunette. He thought Tony was very handsome, especially the way a strand of hair fell over his face, which he then casually brushed back. Tony's eyebrows were dark and thick, naturally arched in a way that gave him an air of perpetual curiosity. They framed his expressive eyes perfectly, often lifting just slightly when he was deep in thought or amused by something Loki said. His eyelashes fanned over his face every time he blinked, adding to his captivating presence. And when he smiled, his teeth were straight and white, completing his perfect appearance. Tony's voice was warm and rich, with a smooth baritone that had a calming effect on those who listened to him. It carried a hint of playful sarcasm, particularly when he was teasing Loki or making a witty remark. His laughter was infectious, deep. But the most beautiful thing Loki liked about Tony was his eyes—chocolate brown orbs that seemed like pools he could swim in forever. He thought he could stare into them all day, getting lost in their depth and warmth. Loki was undeniably attracted to the brunette, and he didn't even know why.
As they waited in line to pay for their items, Tony held the fruit salad and pastries while Loki opted for a ham croissant with cheese and a Sprite. "You sure that's all you're getting?" Tony asked, eyeing Loki's modest selection. Loki nodded, his thoughts still lingering on Tony's mesmerizing eyes. Loki cleared his throat and asked, "What's your favorite color?" Tony looked up, a bit surprised by the sudden question but smiled warmly. "I have to say red," Tony replied, his smile unwavering. He considered saying green, thinking of the captivating hue of Loki's eyes, but decided against it. "It's always been my go-to color," he added with a playful wink.
"How about you?" Tony asked, curiosity evident in his gaze. "Brown," Loki answered quickly, a small blush appearing on his cheeks. He only said it because it was the color of Tony's eyes. "Forest green too," he added, trying to cover his tracks, though the redness on his cheeks betrayed him. "I see," Tony said, his smile widening as he noticed Loki's blush. He looked at Loki and asked, "When is your birthday?" Tony was surprised by himself for the sudden question, but he couldn't help his curiosity. Loki hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's in December."
"December what?" Tony asked, his curiosity piqued. Loki glanced up, meeting Tony's warm gaze before replying softly, "December 17th." Tony's eyes lit up with genuine interest, "I'll have to remember that." Loki chuckled softly, feeling a strange warmth in his chest. "It's not a date many remember," he said, trying to downplay the significance. "But I'd appreciate it if you did."
Tony mentally saved that date into his calendar. He would have to get Loki something special for his birthday. The thought of making Loki smile with a birthday surprise filled Tony with an unexpected joy.
Why am I thinking this way? He asked himself, puzzled. “I don't really know this guy and I don’t know how long he’ll stay,” but for some reason, the idea of making him happy felt incredibly important.
"May 29th," Tony says as he pays for his things and for Loki, even though Loki had insisted on paying for himself. As they walked out of the store together. "Ah, a Gemini," Loki says with a smirk, "It looks like we're compatible." Tony chuckled, feeling a strange but pleasant warmth at the thought. "Well, let's hope the stars are right," he replied, glancing at Loki.
"I wasn't expecting to be compatible with someone," Tony says, wrinkling his nose playfully as they find somewhere to sit. They sat down on a nearby bench, and Loki leaned back, gazing up at the sky. "You know, my friend is a Pisces, a sign I'm supposed to hate, yet we get along perfectly well," Loki remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Tony laughed, shaking his head. "Maybe it's not all about the stars after all."
Loki chuckled, watching Tony smirk as he popped a watermelon slice into his mouth. The two continued to talk as they ate, sharing stories and jokes that brought out genuine laughter. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, allowing them to open up to each other more quickly than either had anticipated. Before they knew it, it was time to leave. Tony grabbed his backpack and looked at Loki, who said, "See you later, Tony." He was about to turn to walk away, but Tony was quick to stop him, "Wait, let's exchange numbers," he said, digging his hands into his pockets and pulling out his phone. Loki turned back, a small smile playing on his lips as he took the phone from Tony. "I'd like that," Loki replied, entering his number before calling the number and pulling out his own phone from his sweater pocket. He ended the call and gave Tony his phone back before saving Tony's number.
Tony smiled, tucking his phone back into his pocket as they both turned to walk away. "Well, I guess we’re all set then," Tony said, glancing sideways at Loki."Yeah," Loki said, his voice tinged with a hint of something unspoken. As they both turned to walk away, Tony couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something unexpectedly significant.
~*~*~*~
Loki made it to his dorm and suppressed the urge to roll his eyes when he saw Clint waiting for him in his usual spot. "Hey, Clint," Loki greeted, unable to hide his amusement. Clint's earnest attempts to ask him out always made Loki laugh, a mix of sincerity and awkwardness that was oddly endearing. "So, any plans for tonight?" Clint asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. Loki chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No plans tonight, Clint, but you know my answer is always the same," he replied, his tone gentle but firm.
Clint sighed dramatically, but a grin soon spread across his face, "One day, Loki, one day." Loki chuckled as he patted Clint's arm in a friendly gesture. "Keep dreaming, Clint," he said with a wink, before heading towards his dorm. He closed the door behind him, leaving Clint standing in the hallway with a resigned smile. Clint shook his head, already planning his next attempt to convince Loki to join him for a night out. Clint turned to walk away, whistling a soft tune that echoed down the hallway. Loki couldn't help but smile to himself as he settled into his room, the day's events replaying in his mind. Little did he know, the connections he was forming were about to change his life in ways he never expected.