No More Fear
Loki lay beneath Ophelia with his eyes focused on her moving form. Slowly she moved her torso down to his and pressed her body against his. She held his face in her hands and kissed him. Loki wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight as they floated above Ophelia's bed. A swirl of red and green light enveloping their bodies as they rose higher. Ophelia pressed her forehead to Loki's and allowed him access to her mind. In her most vulnerable state Ophelia allowed Loki in. She showed him a memory.
Ophelia and Loki sat on opposite sides of a park bench. It was fall so the leaves on each tree were starting to change color. The weather was cool and the breeze was just right. They sat both holding their own copy of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Ophelia peaked over her copy at Loki, known as Levi in this memory, and thought to herself how peaceful it was to just be near him. How much she enjoyed his company. And how much she so desired his love. Loki looked up from his copy and winked at her. She hid her face immediately to hide the slight blush to her cheeks. She didn't want him knowing the feelings she had for him yet. Or even at all at this point. And then the memory zoomed onto Ophelia's lips. She pressed them together and let out a quiet deep breath. And behind the security of her book she mouthed "I love you."
When the memory had finished Loki pulled Ophelia's lips back down to his and kissed her with a gentle fever. After a moment he released her and they floated back down to the comfort of the bed. They lay tangled together for a while until they became tired for the first time during that long night. And just as Ophelia's eyes began to flutter shut to give in to sleep Loki spoke.
"And I you." Is all he whispered. And a feeling of warmth spread through their bodies. A magical bond forged out of trust.
THREE DAYS LATER
"Hey Tracy thank you so much for letting me have the next few days off. I really appreciate it." Ophelia said slinging her bag over her shoulder as she walked over to clock out of work for the day.
"Of course! We just hired the new girl Riley so you're covered." Tracy said pushing her bangs out of her face.
"I promise I'll tell you everything when it's all sorted out. I just can't right now." Ophelia said with an apologetic look.
"Seriously don't worry about it! Unique Vintage will be here when you get back. And if you need another day just let me know. You never take time off and it hasn't been very busy lately." Tracy replied.
"The Holidays are coming. It will pick up." Ophelia said with a smile then waved to Tracy goodbye as she left. She had opened that day so her shift was over early evening. It was around 5:00 PM and Ophelia was heading out to meet Loki at her place to prepare for their visit to the Avengers Compound. A decision they made together to face their demons head on. To take control of their lives.
Ophelia teleported into her living room from the alleyway she always used down the street from Unique Vintage and there Loki was flopped on her sofa throwing one of her favorite mugs up in the air and catching it. She huffed and grabbed it mid air. He looked over at her annoyed.
"Rude." He said flatly.
"Not my good mugs." Ophelia said and then walked over to her kitchen and put the mug in it's rightful place in a cabinet. Loki just rolled his eyes and ignored her comment. Their annoyed banter becoming more frequent the more time they spent together as their true selves. Well Loki as Loki that is. "Are you ready?" Ophelia asked him as she shrugged off her coat and hung it up on the wrack by her door. She pulled a jean jacket over her black sweater instead of her heavier long jacket because she wouldn't be walking around in the cold this evening.
"I suppose." Loki replied without enthusiasm. Ophelia sensed his worry and walked over to the sofa. She stood behind it and ran a hand through his soft curly hair. He sighed at the gentle touch of her hand massaging his scalp. He hummed in acceptance as she untangled his dark locks. A few seconds later she pulled his arm up guiding him to stand beside her in the small dining area of her apartment. She opened a portal to the Avengers Compound front yard area with one hand and gripped his hand with her other.
"No more fear." Ophelia said before walking through the portal with him by her side.
Upon their arrival Ophelia and Loki were greeted by a swarm of security. Ophelia looked around her as the sun was slowly starting to set. The orange and purple hues of the sunset highlighting the scene around them.
"This is hardly necessary." Loki said with a smile and a chuckle.
"Where the hell have you been!?" A voice sounded above them and Loki and Ophelia looked up in shock. A man with wings flew down and stood before them. "Loki Odinson. The God of Mischief in the flesh." The man said then reached out a hand tentatively and poked Loki's shoulder. "Just making sure." The man said then his wings retracted into a metal case on his back. "You must be Ophelia. Spider dude said you were coming. But he said you were coming with a guy named Levi. Never guessed you would bring an Asgardian instead. Name is Sam Wilson. Nice to meet you." Sam said and extended a hand to her. She shook it and introduced herself. "Shall we?" Sam said and smirked at Loki.
The security disbanded and allowed the trio to walk over to the building. The large A on the side of the building lit up as the night sky began to take shape. Ophelia took several deep breaths as she walked into the compound. Her heart racing in the anticipation of possibly seeing Bucky again. But she knew she couldn't turn back now. No more fear.
Sam, Loki, and Ophelia walked the halls of the Avengers Compound until they found themselves in a casual sitting area with various leather couches and chairs. A large wooden coffee table sat in the center of the room and a fire place warmed the area. Peter sat with Happy on one of the couches and Tony sat next to Pepper on another.
"Look what the cat dragged in." Sam said and everyone turned to look at him.
"I knew it!" Happy shouted pointing at Loki. "Hand it over kid." Happy said holding out his hand and Peter groaned and pulled out his wallet from his back pocket. He pulled out a five dollar bill and placed it in Happy's open hand. Happy laughed and Peter rolled his eyes.
"Welcome back Mr. Odinson. Are you finished with your latest game of hide and seek?" Tony asked standing and walking over to Loki.
"Obviously." Loki retorted. Tony laughed then patted Loki on the back. He shooed Ophelia away and she backed up a few paces from Loki with a grimace on her face. Tony wrapped his arm that wasn't in a sling around Loki's shoulder and smiled wide.
"Come on Pep, capture the moment." Tony said and Pepper reluctantly took the photo of the two. Tony smiling wide and Loki stone faced and stiff as a board. Tony turned to Loki and frowned mockingly. "Aw cheer up champ! We got the fam back together." Tony said.
"I hardly consider you family, Stark." Loki said begrudgingly.
"This one!" Tony said and laughed.
"BROTHER!" A booming voice shouted from the hallway. Everyone turned in the direction of the shout except Loki. He knew who it was.
"For fucks sake." Loki said.