Amelie Stark - Moral Support
Amelie Stark - Moral Support
We stood still, the sound of our breathing echoing in the empty room. Loki's hand dropped from my arm slowly as he took a step back. I swallowed thickly, looking away.
Loki sighed, his voice low. "I'm sorry I left without telling you or checking in. I didn't realise that you would be so... worried about me. I thought I could go for a walk and come back without any problems." He took a deep breath. "Forgive me."
I kept my eyes on the floor, nodding slightly. "It's okay. I'm sorry too."
The silence lingered for a moment before Loki spoke again. "No one's ever been worried about me before." He said, his voice almost childlike in its innocence. "Except for Thor."
I looked up at him, my lips twitching. "Well someone is now." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Loki looked at me, his eyes wide and surprised before he smiled back. "Thank you, Amelie." He said quietly. "For caring."
I felt my cheeks heat up as I grinned shyly back at him. "You're welcome."
Suddenly, Bucky's voice broke in. "You two done yet?"
I turned to see him leaning against the kitchen counter, having materialised from thin air, a slight smirk on his face. Loki stiffened slightly but offered Bucky a small nod in greeting.
"Yes." I said, rolling my eyes. "You can get breakfast now."
"You heard that then?" Loki asked, his voice almost a whisper.
Bucky shrugged. "Not all of it." He turned to me. "How'd you sleep?"
My eyes flicked to Loki's and back again. "Not great. I was up all night."
Loki moved behind the counter and began busying himself with the tea.
Bucky frowned. "That's not like you, something up?"
Loki stiffened again, a teacup in mid air. I shook my head. "Nah, just one of those nights. Did you guys have fun?"
"Oh yeah, we had a blast." Bucky smiled. "We were at this bar in Times Square, music and dancing and drinks all around. It was great. Reckon Steve's gonna be hiding in his room all day, it's a shame you didn't make it."
I felt Loki's gaze on me as I kept my eyes averted, pretending not to notice. After all, I'd told him I waited around for him all night and I'd meant it. When the others all went out, I'd chosen to stay behind, my anxiety over his whereabouts leaving me unable to relax.
"Yeah I'm sorry I just didn't feel up to it." I mused.
Bucky turned to Loki. "She was worried about you mate, where'd you vanish off to?"
Before Loki could answer, Tony appeared with Lauren at his side. "So is it her or you I have to blame? Are you like, a bad influence or does it come to her naturally?"
Lauren rolled her eyes. "It's you. You're the bad influence."
Tony laughed before looking up at me. "Oh, you're up." He said cheerfully.
I smiled. "Morning. Hi Lauren." She gave me a half wave before putting her hands in her pockets.
"Hey, you ready?"
I stumbled a bit as I rose from the kitchen island, steadying myself with a hand on the cold counter top. Loki's gaze darted between everyone before settling on me; his face softened into an expression of gentle concern. I could feel my fatigue radiating off me like heat, and it was clear to him that his disappearance had taken its toll. "You off out?" he asked softly.
"Yeah, it's Lauren's dickhead-cousin's wedding." I answered him, my tone forcibly polite. Tony snorted. "Lauren this is Loki. Loki, Lauren."
Lauren nodded in his direction. "My husband is in Canada so Ams is going as my plus one slash moral support." She turned to me. "I'm proud of you for being up on time. I was sure we were gonna miss our salon appointment."
A tight smile pulled at my lips. "You're welcome. Bye guys, see you some point tonight."
Everyone murmured their goodbyes as I once again met Loki's gaze. His eyes were full of concern and the slightest tinge of guilt as he watched me leave.