Amelie Stark - Knowing Where One's Towel Is
Amelie Stark - Knowing Where One's Towel Is
Thor guided me down the hallway, and I chanced a quick glance back - Loki was still standing in the same spot. When we reached Clint, his lips curved upward into a smile, but there was no joy in his gaze. “You okay?”
I nodded. “In shock I think. Couple of grazes, but I’m alright. Is Bruce okay?”
Clint looked to Thor before returning his eyes to mine. “Nat’s with him.” He said simply.
I nodded, my heart breaking slightly as I realised how hard Bruce would take this. “Can I see him?”
Clint shook his head. “Not yet. Let’s get you cleaned up first.”
I perched myself on the kitchen counter while Clint treated the gashes on my skin. Thor hovered near the island, wanting to assist but not having any idea how to do so. Loki was nowhere in sight and Bruce was somewhere with Nat. “There. Nothing too serious, though I think your jumper would disagree.”
I smiled tightly. “Thanks.”
“Is everyone alright?” We all turned to the doorway as Bucky came in. He held a small backpack in one hand, otherwise unchanged from when I’d last seen him.
I gave him a subtle nod as he came over. His face contorted when he saw the stains on my outfit. "Do I need to kill anyone?" He said, his voice hard. I was relieved when Clint detailed what had happened for him, not feeling like I had the energy to do it myself.
“Got any good news for us?” Clint washed his hands as Bucky placed the backpack he’d been holding on the kitchen island.
“Grabbed this off of one of the intruders. Followed their van for a couple of blocks but I lost them on the freeway.”
Clint nodded. “We can check the security camera footage. Nice work.”
I jumped down from the counter, being mindful not to tug at my side too much. Everyone in the room turned in my direction as I stretched out a bit. “I need a shower.” I said simply.
Clint nodded again as I looked between them.
“I also need to talk to Bruce. I can’t let him torture himself.”
Thor came closer to me, a serious look on his face. “He will return when he is ready. Go and take some time, you have been through a lot.”
I sighed as I started walking slowly toward the door before turning back to face them all. “Will you tell me when you see him?”
“As soon as he’s back.” Clint promised.
I nodded before heading to my room.
I undressed slowly, careful not to disturb the abrasions on my body. As I stepped into the hot shower, I massaged a generous dose of shampoo into my hair and watched as all the dirt swirled down the drain. I stayed in there for a few more moments, letting the heat relax my muscles and ease some of the stress away. My thoughts fell to Bruce.
Once he’d regained control and seen what had happened…
I swallowed the lump in my throat, silently willing for him to be okay.
When the intruders had broken into the tower, I’d been alone in Bruce’s lab. Hearing the windows smash I’d unthinkingly run to the next room, searching for the others. I entered just in time to see Bucky launch himself out the window, climbing down the way the intruders had come in and chasing them as they ran. Nat had run to the window, watching Bucky as she assessed the situation with her usual coolness under pressure. Stuck somewhere between shock and disbelief, I'd stood there in the doorway looking on. I heard something strange next to me and had turned to see Bruce on the floor. His head was in his hands and his shoulders heaving.
Without thinking, I’d reached my hand out hoping to calm him, but as I touched his shoulder, the fabric had torn as his skin rippled green. I’d backed away slowly as he changed, unable to call out to Nat or say anything. As the Hulk took control, his eyes had narrowed in on me, unable to distinguish between me and the bad guys.
I shivered despite the hot water, turning the shower off before stepping out. Wrapping myself in a large white bath towel, I walked into my dressing room and picked up my hairbrush from the side before carefully pulling it through my wet hair. I still felt dazed, though I was certain that was the shock. I looked in the mirror and thought back to the memory of Loki holding me by the shoulders; I’d never seen him so desperate. Loki’s gaze had been demanding as he clutched onto me and begged me to talk. It had confused me at first until I'd realised he was more concerned about me than anything else.
The brush paused in my hair as I continued to think, going over the memory in my mind. The moment Loki had steadied me, I felt safe; the rush of being pursued fading away as his hands provided a comforting heat on my shoulders that meant it was all finished. I cocked my head to one side and gazed into my own reflection, my own eyes looking back at me. His face had been so angry. Did he really believe that Bruce had been in control?
I knew that we’d become friends, I was proud of how much Loki had begun opening up to me, but I hadn't expected him to show such concern for my welfare.
When I heard a gentle tap on the door, I jumped in surprise. Realising it might be Clint with news on Bruce, I dropped my hairbrush before running quickly to answer it. Pulling the door open, I froze as Loki’s eyes met mine. He looked tired, fatigue worn on his features and he was still covered in dust from the destruction downstairs. He smiled tightly, leaning one hand against the doorframe. “I owe you an apology.”
I blinked at him, confused. He simply stared back at me, his eyes searching mine. When I said nothing, he tilted his head slightly, a deeper emotion than concern settling into his expression.
Shaking my head, I stood back as I held the door open. Once he was inside, I closed the door behind me and leaned against the frame as it clicked shut. His hands were folded behind his back and he stood facing the windows while speaking without turning to me. “I must apologise Amelie. I lost my temper.” I frowned slightly, saying nothing as I waited for him to explain. “I was concerned for your safety, but I allowed my emotions to get the better of me. Today’s events have been stressful enough for you and I do not wish to burden you further.”
I inched closer to him, my heart beating faster with each step. I hesitated before carefully placing a few of my fingertips on his arm and gingerly turning him to face me. I tried to ease the tension by giving him a timid smile, but it only made his gaze more intense. I straightened my back and looked up into his eyes, determined to show him that I was okay. “Loki, you have nothing to apologise for. You found me and made sure I was okay! If I hadn’t been so in shock then I would have thanked you immediately; but I can thank you now. Please don’t feel bad, I’m so grateful you got to me.”
Loki's gaze bore into me as I spoke, barely blinking. The silence stretched but soon a small smirk began to tug on the corner of his lips. A glimmer of relief rushed over me as I saw that smile, yet I couldn't help but feel a tingle deep in my chest.
“Thank you Loki. I mean it, thank you.”
Loki’s smile widened as he looked down at the floor. Satisfied, I felt my shoulders relax. As his gaze returned to my face, Loki suddenly froze, panic in his eyes as he pulled in a sharp breath. Concerned, I reached a hand toward him. “Loki?”
His gaze lingered on my hand, before skimming further down my body and back up again. At that moment, I realised I was still wrapped in nothing but a bath towel. Stood toe to toe with a god with nothing but a thin layer of fabric between us.
Heat flushed my cheeks as my arms instinctively covered my chest, Loki’s own face darkening as we avoided eye contact. Clearing his throat, he spoke quickly. “I’ll leave to uh, I’ll get back to the others and… thank you and sorry and… uh yes. Right.”
I stumbled back, holding the towel tightly as I hurried to the door, breathing heavily. As I reached for it, I paused before turning back to apologise, suddenly feeling foolish for the silly situation.
Loki was right there, having followed behind me closely.
Surprised, I quickly moved to give him space, slipping backwards. Loki instinctively reached out to steady me. His hands were strong on my arms and his gaze held me captive, making it hard to breathe. Our bodies were pressed together, every inch of him warm under my hands as I grasped onto him for balance. I could feel his heart hammering in his chest, matching the wild pounding of my own. His spicy scent enveloped my senses and I looked up into his smouldering gaze.
The room was silent as we stood frozen, our breathing rapid and our gaze locked.
I searched his eyes, tracing the details of his irises that I’d not been close enough to notice before. Slowly, his eyelids lowered as he continued to stare at me and I felt the heat from his gaze as he examined every inch of my face. I inhaled sharply as he dropped his eyes to my collarbone, tracing the delicate skin with his stare and I could have sworn I felt sparks race through me wherever he looked, as if a trail of fire was being left on my skin. My chest heaved against him, my breathing slightly restricted by his weight leaning into me.
My heart raced in anticipation as he brought a hand to my face, almost touching me but not quite. His fingertips danced over my cheek, sending a tingle down my spine that left me weak in the knees. The warm feeling from moments earlier had now spread throughout my body, leaving me completely lost to this moment.
He moved closer to me, his breath fanning over my lips as his eyes roamed hungrily over them. I parted my lips slightly in a silent invitation, and the air between us thickened. His eyes darkened as he lowered his face to mine.
A knock on the door made us both jump. We stared at each other, eyes wide. Loki pushed back from me, a guilty look on his face. I pressed a hand to my chest and felt my heart beat racing before the door knocked again.
“Amelie?” Thor called.
I looked to Loki who was staring at my door, eyes wide and a hand in his hair. Straightening up, I pushed myself gently away from the door, bringing a finger to my lips to gesture for him to be quiet. He nodded once before turning to the window, leaning one arm against the glass with his back to me.
I cleared my throat before answering Thor. “I’ve just got out the shower, you okay?”
“I just wanted to tell you that Tony and Steve are back. We’ve told them what happened, Tony wants to know if you’re alright.”
I flicked my eyes to Loki, his back still turned to me. “I’ll just get dressed and then I’ll be right out.”
We stayed silent as we heard Thor’s heavy footsteps move away down the corridor. I swallowed thickly, holding my towel tightly at my collarbone. “I should get dressed.” I said quietly.
Loki hesitated for a moment and I wondered if he’d heard me. He pushed away from the window, pulling at his shirt to straighten it before he turned to me, his face unreadable. “I’m sorry.” He muttered. “Forgive me. I’ll leave you to get dressed.”
I watched as he left, listening to my heart rate as it slowed. Walking over to my bed, I sat down heavily and dropped my head to my hands.
All that work to earn Loki’s friendship, and I’d nearly ruined it by putting him in an awkward situation. I chastised myself as I scrunched my eyes closed, trying to push the embarrassment from my mind. It seemed I was developing a crush.
I rolled my eyes as I stood up, pacing back and forwards slightly as I frowned.
A crush, on a God.
I eyed myself in the mirror as I tested the words in my head.
Shit.