It happened like a movie…
It happened like a movie, except that they couldn't just slow-mo cool-walk away. It happened like a movie, except now Loki lay passed out on the ground and all Peter could do was cry for help.
It happened like a movie. They met on the battlefield, when Loki saved him from an outrider. He hadn't been looking, too distracted by Thanos' arrival, and Loki had sent a dagger through the creature's eye socket a second before it could slash at him. They acknowledged each other, nodded quickly, and moved on with the main event- namely, kicking Thanos' wrinkly purple ass. That was the first time they met.
They met afterwards, too. In the temporary base set up post-battle, they met each other properly, shaking hands and exchanging words for the first time. That's when Peter started to think that maybe he would like the God of Mischief, because there was something about the way those green eyes sparked in banter and the way his touch felt against Peter's skin that made his stomach erupt in butterflies- and not of the spidey-sense variety.
They seemed to run into each other more after that, though neither admitted to seeking the other out. Still, amidst all the Avengers, the mixed feelings of sorrow for those lost and triumph for those saved, the old hurts and emerging hope, it was nice to have someone else that understood what it meant to be new to the fold. It didn't hurt to have someone of similar age, either. When all the old crew were sat around stirring up old drama, it felt good to be able to meet eyes across the room and silently agree to meet on the roof, whether it be to plan pranks or simply enjoy the warm sunlight and clear air.
Peter appreciated that Loki always wanted to include him and never talked down to him- at least, no more than he did everyone else. Half the time Peter didn't even think Loki meant to sound so superior, and the other half he was sure that the other boy was simply playing what was to him a particularly fun character. Loki, for his part, was simply grateful to have one person who didn't treat him like he was responsible for this whole mess. Sure, the Avengers had grown to tolerate him, but they didn't bother hiding their suspicion and blame, either. He was tired of being looked at like he was one bad day away from trying to conquer the planet, even if he sometimes felt like he was.
It happened like a movie. They were two newcomers in an old crew, two kids among adults, two people who never felt quite good enough to be standing amongst heroes. They found understanding in each other, and they sought solace in each other's company.
It started small: a movie night. Peter had valiantly tried to invite the others, only for them to give one excuse or another. Thor and Mr. Stark came, but Thor soon fell asleep and Mr. Stark soon drifted back to his workshop. After Thor blearily stumbled to his room, Peter and Loki had stayed up to see the sunrise, bolstered by junk food and Risky Business. The morning found them sharing a blanket on the balcony, watching contentedly as the sun rose to greet them.
It progressed quickly after that, yet it didn't seem to be all that fast at all. It happened in a million little things - a soft smile, a gentle brush of pinkies, a sweet laugh.
For Peter, it was like this: Loki was laughing softly at something he had just said, eyes bright and body loose, as he leaned forward to issue a retort. Peter couldn't tell you what was said, exactly, but he was sure it was clever and brilliant and so utterly Loki that all he could do was grin so, so wide as his face made a fool of itself trying to convey something only his heart could say.
For Loki, it was like this: Peter leaned into him gently, head falling ever-so-sweetly onto Loki's shoulder as he gave a breathy sigh of contentment. Loki was suddenly aware of his own heartbeat, its wild beat drowning out whatever inane Midgardian movie Peter had picked out this time, and he silently hoped the other wouldn't notice it as he adjusted minutely, melding with Peter like they were meant to fit together.
It happened like a movie. Every accidental run-in, every endearing little flaw, every picture-perfect date; a cosmic camera directed their life like it was a sappy rom-com, the kind that Peter insisted they watch whenever it snowed. It was everything they could've never hoped for. It was perfect… until it wasn't. Until they went out for late-night shawarma and Peter had been too dopey on love to notice his spidey-sense tingling.
The hairs on his neck rose just a second too late, Loki somehow reacting quicker and pushing Peter away as a man shouted at Loki and threw something that seemed to hang in the air as Peter watched its arc-
It exploded in mid-air, inches away from Loki's back. Turned to shield Peter, Loki bore the blast with surprising impassivity, and Peter almost expected him to grin, to roll his eyes and make a joke about foolish Midgardians attacking a god. But his breath caught when he heard Loki's wheeze, and his heart dropped in tandem with Loki's graceless tumble to the ground. Somewhere far away, the man fled, and Peter felt himself drop to his knees beside a rapidly-fading Loki.
It happened like a movie, except that they couldn't just slow-mo cool-walk away. It happened like a movie, except now Loki lay passed out on the ground and all Peter could do was cry for help.