Stella and the Storm
Chapter 18: Stella and the Storm
Stella picked up the vial that was sitting in the middle of her couch. She kicked her shoes off her feet as she settled on the couch. She asked JARVIS to turn off the lights in her room. She then hugged her knees to her chest as she rolled the vial in her hand.
Her stomach felt like a storm in the middle of the ocean. Loki attempted to kiss her twice but he didn’t do it the third time he had a chance. She thought, maybe it really won’t happen. They say the third time’s a charm but he didn’t make a third attempt. She concluded it was all for nothing, that it was just Loki being the god of mischief. She rested her chin on her knees.
She kept telling herself to stop feeling in a certain way for him, her mind waging war against her heart. She closed her eyes and buried her face into the crook of her elbow. As she did, she then saw snippets of when Loki was gentle to her. Kalambaka, Athens, here in New York. She saw the smiles and the softness in his eyes that anyone barely saw. She remembered how Loki was surprised and seemed to be impressed when she glanced at him back on Asgard. She groaned.
“Shut up, Stella. Stop this madness.”
Since she started working as a detective on top of being a guardian, she swore off dating. She thought it was going to be bothersome. She wanted to concentrate on protecting the realms. Also, if there was someone in her life, they would be in danger, especially if they are mortal.
But Loki was no mortal. He was a god, even. Did her mom have this dilemma when she found out she was dating Zeus? Or did Zeus impregnate her mom like what they said he did back in the ancient times? She shuddered. No, I don’t think so. Her thoughts were going in different directions when Loki was supposedly dead. Now she can’t think of those thoughts, it would be a sin to repeat those scenes in her head when he’s just a door away.
She wanted to talk to someone, but she didn’t know who. She could talk to Alexis but they never had these kinds of conversations before. Sure, she knew how Alexis ended up marrying the girl he liked, she was part of that scheme, but she never opened up about the people she liked. Alexis doesn’t have any idea of this side of her.
She got off the couch, placed the vial on her bedside table, and headed to the bathroom.
In the other room, Loki was in the same boat. He was tossing and turning in bed and ended up sitting with his back on the headboard, his blanket sprawled across his legs. Whenever he would think of Stella, he could feel his stomach churning. He cursed himself for not kissing her right there and then. He didn’t even care if Thor saw them.
He closed his eyes and he remembered the time they were in that hotel room in Athens. Remembering how Stella curled up beside him, pulling him down to the bed, searching for his warm body. Remembering how her scent filled him as he nuzzled her curls. Remembering how her hands looked so small in his.
He exhaled a moan, his right hand inching down to the waistband of his black sweatpants.
Loki woke up early the next day, too early for his liking. It was still dark outside when he got up. He conjured a black hoodie, socks, and black running shoes, covering all that needs to be covered. He left his room, intending to spend all the time in the gym until the sun rises.
Everyone was still asleep when he asked JARVIS of the others. Everyone, well, except Tony, who was still in his lab. Loki wondered why the Iron Man rarely gets any sleep. Midgardians should at least get some 8 hours of sleep per day, and here comes Tony Stark who rarely sleeps. He surely was not an immortal like him and his brother. He headed straight to the treadmill when he arrived on the gym floor.
Loki didn’t notice the hours that passed until he saw Thor standing in front of him. He slammed the red button in the middle of the panel and wiped the sweat from his face with the microfiber towel he brought with him. “What do you want?”
“Can’t I spend time with my brother, who was gone for almost three months, without anything in return?” Thor stated.
Loki sighed and pursed his lips. “That never happens.” He got off the treadmill, picking up the bottled water that was on the caddy.
Thor frowned. “Heimdall told me you were communicating with him while you were gone.”
He drank before answering him. “I had to, for information. And I had his word, he would not tell anyone until I came back.” He threw the empty bottle into the trash that was located next to a post.
“Where were you all those times?”
He tossed the towel on his shoulder. “So you’re here for information.”
Thor approached him and placed a hand on the crook of his neck. “Brother, I am concerned. I just want to know where you have been. If there were people you wronged, I need to know who they are so I can be ready to fight when they come.”
Loki scowled and shoved Thor’s arm from him. “What is this all about? You didn’t ask me what happened and where I was when I fell from the Bifrost,” he gravely replied. “And what makes you think there is someone else? Aren’t we looking for someone, and that someone is Ares?”
“You had the scepter after you fell from the Bifrost. You were not the Loki that I knew when you came back until I cornered you up there.” Thor pointed up, referring to the balcony on top of the tower.
Loki’s face was emotionless, his lips pursed. But deep inside, the memories of being tortured by The Other came rushing back to him. He felt the searing pain The Other and his cohort had inflicted on him; the searing pain he had to endure as they invaded his memories. He could feel his heart race but he steadied his breathing.
“Stella was not herself when she stabbed you,” he told Loki.
“I am aware,” Loki replied in a steady voice. “I was there. I saw it with my own eyes.” The hurt he felt when he saw Stella going under the scepter’s energy came flooding back, making his eyes sting.
“Do you know why that happened? What it was?”
Loki knew. But he kept his mouth shut. “The stone within it is a sentient being. It carries immense energy, thus sending out beams that can kill even an immortal.” Oh, how many times he wished he used it on The Other and the whole Chitauri army. “Where is Stella?”
“I have not seen her yet,” Thor observed Loki. “You deeply care for her, don’t you?” Loki didn’t answer. He just gave Thor a look. “You can’t deny what you truly feel, Loki. I know that you do.”
“It’s none of your business,” he muttered.
Thor smiled. “It’s okay, brother. I just want to know that you’re okay.”
Loki sighed. “Thor. I’m fine.” His brother frowned. “At least I’m alive. Isn’t that what you want?”
“If you insist, brother. Just remember, I’m here for you.”
Loki gave Thor a curt nod and left the gym floor.
It was already midday when Stella woke up. She checked her band and, as she had predicted, her healing capacity has increased to 95%. After noticing the envelope icon on the upper right corner of her band, she picked up her phone and checked the messages.
From: Dr. Faiza Hussain
Message:
I noticed your healing capacity has reached 90% overnight. How are you feeling? Give me a call as soon as you read this message. Would recommend a quick check-up on you with a doctor.
She placed the phone next to her pillow and faced the ceiling. Her to-do list was currently empty, but one thing’s for sure: she had to update Loki with the developments of the case. The problem is, she didn’t want to face him today, not after his two failed attempts to kiss her. She was wary she couldn’t take the professionalism straight. Her phone beeped once more. She picked it up.
From: Tony Stark
Message:
I received a notif saying your healing cap’s up at 95%. How in the world did you do it? Show up in the lab when you’re up. Faiza asked if you can be checked by Banner.
“Looks like that is my to-do list,” Stella told herself and flipped the blanket off her. She stretched before standing up and then made a few more stretches before she sauntered to the bathroom. Out of habit, she locked the bathroom door behind her and turned on the shower. One by one, she picked out the pins that held her braids and placed them on the soap caddy. In the next few minutes, her bathroom started to smell like fruits and flowers.
After her bath, she dried off, wrapped her hair with a towel, wrapped her body with another towel, and got out of the bathroom. She decided to dress up like a normal human being so she opened her closet and rummaged through her available clothes. She was tired of wearing shirts so she pulled out a white, short-sleeved, button-up shirt. She pulled out a black bralette, wore it first, before putting on the shirt, leaving the buttons from the top down to the hem of the bralette open, leaving a reasonable opening for her bralette and some skin to peek. She then wore her straight cut, denim jeans, and slipped on a pair of black loafers.
Then she headed to her dresser and put on some light makeup. Before leaving her room, she grabbed her necklace and attached it around her neck as she walked to the pantry of the floor’s common area. Seeing the empty coffee machine, she started preparing a fresh batch of coffee for her and the next person when she heard the elevator ping. She didn’t mind it that much until she heard her name being called. She placed the coffee pot on the machine and turned. It was Natasha.
“Did you just wake up?” Natasha asked.
“Yes, I did,” she replied as she looked for the reusable coffee cup she stashed somewhere in the cupboards.
Natasha opened a cupboard and pulled out a mint green thermal coffee cup and placed it near where Stella was. “Are you looking for this?”
Stella peeked from where she was ducked and stood up when she saw the cup. “Where did you find this?”
“You left it lying around upstairs months ago.” Natasha leaned on the counter.
“Wow, months.” Stella poured coffee into the thermal cup. “Can’t believe it has been, what, 3 months?...since we started on this. Coffee?” She offered. Natasha shook her head and said thanks. “And we’re nowhere near solving it.”
“You’re an impatient kind, aren’t you?”
“Guess you can say that. By the way -” she took a sip of her coffee - “Loki’s back.”
Natasha raised an eyebrow. “Is he now?” Stella nodded. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
“Nope. Thor saw him yesterday.” Stella sighed. “I still have to update him on the things that had happened so far, the things we have discovered.”
A hopeful smile slowly showed up on Natasha’s face. “So, does this mean you won’t spend the rest of your life in prison?”
For the first time, Stella smiled at it. “Yeah, Loki talked to Athena when we believed that he had passed away, and she told him that it wouldn’t happen. No wonder no one was showing up.”
“You scared yourself for a while there, Stell.”
Stella chuckled. “Yeah.”
Natasha noticed there was a distant look on her face. “Is there something else?” Stella gave her an inquisitive look. “Aren’t you glad Loki’s back?”
She nodded. “Yeah, yeah. I am. I’m relieved.”
“So, is there something else? You look like there’s something else.”
Stella studied Natasha while she was also studying her. “Aren’t you so perceptive?”
“These kinds of missions don’t end fast, Stell. It’s normal to last long, especially when we’re after someone who’s like a ghost. You should find time to slack off in the middle.”
“I’ll take note of that and consult Dr. Banner, ask him if I can trust you on that.”
“Hey!” They laughed. “But, no. I’m serious.”
Stella refilled her coffee. Looks like she was the one who can finish the whole pot. “What can you suggest, Agent Romanoff?”
“Go around New York, which I know you constantly do. Go see a movie or play on Broadway. Or try going out on a date -”
“You do that?”
“Nope, too risky. But I think you can.” A quivered smirk appeared on Stella’s face. “Or, is there already someone?” Stella started to blush. “Oh, there is someone.”
“No, there’s no ‘someone’.” Stella immediately replied.
“Your face says otherwise.”
Stella rolled her eyes and chuckled. “That was uncalled for.”
Natasha moved to the counter, leaning across it. “It’s okay. If there’s someone, I hope I get to meet them someday.”
She shook her head, her chuckle escalated into a giggle. They ignored the sound of the elevator. “I’d like to do that but unfortunately there’s no ‘someone’.” Then Loki entered the common area. Stella bit her lip and eyed her cup.
Natasha observed her as the blush on her cheeks brightened. She turned to the catalyst. “Huh.” Stella flicked her sight to Natasha. “You’re back.” Stella exhaled in relief.
“Indeed I am, Agent Romanoff,” Loki smirked. Stella was snatching glances of Loki when she saw him looking at her.
“So, you weren’t dead?” Natasha moved to Stella’s right.
“No. As you can see I am very well alive,” he replied as he walked to the cupboards.
“There’s coffee in the pot if you want some,” Stella told him without looking at him.
Loki moved to the coffee machine and placed a hand on Stella’s elbow, making her jerk a little. “Thanks,” he said over her shoulder, making the hair on her neck stand up. He dropped his hand and proceeded to pour himself a cup.
“So, there’s no someone?” Natasha asked in a low voice. Loki raised an eyebrow. Stella saw Loki’s back in her peripheral vision. She chuckled and shook her head. Natasha pursed her lips like she knows something Stella doesn’t - because she knows something. “Okay.” She stood straight. “As you say.” She winked and left the common area pantry.
When Loki feels Natasha has left and is already out of earshot, he turns. “Who’s that someone you were talking about?”
Stella jerked and placed a hand on her chest. “Oh, damn. I forgot you’re there.” She faced him. “Nah. It’s nothing.” Loki narrowed his eyes as he sipped his coffee. “No, I mean it’s nothing important.”
“Uh-huh.” He licked his lips. “But if there’s someone important, let me know.”
Stella’s brows furrowed but composed herself right away, remembering that this man in front of her is as perceptive as Natasha. “By the way, I still have to update you on the things that had happened.”
He raised a finger. “Before anything else, have you eaten?”
Stella blinked. Then she showed him her coffee cup. “I’ve had coffee.”
“That’s not a proper meal.” He crossed his arms on his chest. “You should get something to eat. The potion won’t work if you don’t take care of yourself.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her in the direction of the elevator.
Stella grabbed her cup. “Wait! Where are we going?” She caught up with him and twisted her arm for him to release her wrist.
“Bringing you to the dining floor. You can’t just walk around hungry while your body is recuperating.”
“I’m not hungry.”
They entered the elevator. “Your body is.” Loki pressed 74 and he leaned on the wall. Stella’s phone beeped and she pulled it out of her pocket. She started typing a reply with her left hand after reading. “Is it something important?”
She shook her head. “It’s just Tony, asking if I was already up. I was supposed to head to the medical bay right now for my checkup.”
“The potion worked?”
She put her phone back in her back pocket. “Yeah, it did. Thanks.” She gave him a small smile but looked away the second he looked at her. Stella didn’t want to act awkwardly around him but now she is and she hates it. She leaned her elbow on the elevator’s rail and stared at her loafers.
Loki, on the other hand, could feel Stella’s uneasiness, and he knew where it stemmed from. It was all because of his failed attempts yesterday. He was frustrated. He badly wanted to do it right now but it didn’t feel right. He shifted on his feet and straightened his back.
“You want to catch up on the developments over breakfast?” Stella asked.
“It’s already lunchtime, but, sure,” he replied. “What has happened?”
“Aside from my panicking, not much.”
Loki smiled smugly. “If you had been paying attention, you wouldn’t be doing that.”
Stella felt her face warming. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. Well, at least you’re here now.” Loki bit his lip but he couldn’t resist giggling. Stella looked up at him and crossed her arms. “What’s so funny?”
“I remember your reaction when I first showed up in your room.”
Her cheeks went beet red. She took a deep breath before speaking. “First of all, I killed a prince, which brings us to the second part: it’s punishable by a life sentence in Olympus.”
Loki stopped smiling. “But even if I died, it’s not your fault.”
“It is. You were not considered as an enemy and I killed you.”
Stella was telling facts, and it made him feel different, but not in a bad way. He felt wanted, important. It made him want to be allied with Athena or Stella forever. As Athena told him, “we are equals.”
“I didn’t want to kill you,” she continued. “I didn’t want to lose you.”
Loki was about to reply but snapped his mouth shut when the doors opened. He extended a hand, gesturing for her to go ahead. There were three people in the kitchen, people unknown to Stella. She heightened her guards as they approached the island.
She blinked when one of them greeted them and gave them a paper. “I didn’t know Tony hired chefs,” she whispered to Loki.
“Thor told me they’ve been here for quite some time now,” he replied as he scanned the menu. He motioned to the chef and told him he’s having a muffaletta. The chef nodded and faced Stella.
“I’ll have a chicken and pasta salad.” He nodded and proceeded to prepare their lunch. Stella and Loki settled on the dining table, across each other. “So -” Stella folded her arms on the table and leaned forward - “do you have any questions?”
“Did you say that demigod was Hermes’ son?” Stella nodded and asked why. “I’ve never heard from him for a long time now.”
Stella’s eyes narrowed a little. “Are you saying you know Hermes?”
“Mmhmm. Last time I saw him was probably 2 centuries ago.”
She gawked at him. “Oookaayyy. I kinda forgot you’re way older than any of us.”
“Not really.” She tilted her head in question. “I’m relatively young. We’re probably the same age, or younger.”
She smiled and shook her head. “You still lived through history.” One of the chef’s assistants brought their food to their table and she said thanks. “Don’t tell me you’ve met my father.”
He took a table napkin and wrapped his sandwich with it. “No, but I personally know Hermes and Hades.”
“So you’re part of the bad boys club?” She waved her fork with a skewered fusilli at the other end.
“What?” He gave her a confused look.
She smiled. “It’s a nickname we gave to them. Though no one can overthrow Zeus as the baddest.”
“And what are the criteria for this?”
“They both cause havoc within the court sometimes and we get to hear the stories about those events.” Loki still has the puzzled look on his face. “It’s a joke among us demigods.” Loki bit into his sandwich pensively, nodding slowly as he chewed. “What’s in your mind?”
“Nothing.”
She raised an eyebrow. “For the god of lies, you're not that good at hiding the fact that you look like you have something itching in your head.”
Actually, there are tons of things running through my head right now, the first being you. “I was wondering why we didn't cross paths before. I mean, before you snatched Ares from me,” he finally said.
She reflected on his statement. “Now that you brought that up, I don’t think we did.” Her eyes locked on him, trying to remember if she had seen his face before the attack in New York happened. Much to her surprise, she has a glimpse of him, looking younger, and black spots in her memory. “We never crossed paths but I have seen a glimpse of you.”
He wiped his fingers with the table napkin. “You worked with Odin and my mother but we never crossed paths?”
She concentrated, trying to unearth that moment when she had talked to either of the princes but was met with black spots. “As I remember correctly, we were not introduced to each other until that time Ares attacked you on Asgard. Well, we weren't introduced formally.”
Loki was not one to forget, but the only memory he has with Stella was when she snatched Ares from him when Ares first attacked. He sat there across Stella, also trying to remember if they had an encounter before that attack. There’s this feeling that tells him that they had met, back when he was younger and Stella was much younger. But the thing was when he was tortured by The Other, some of his memories were tampered with. After that, he lived trying to figure out what happened and what didn’t. He used his sorcery on him to unveil those memories lost but it would always drain him. If he did continue with that, he would drain his seiðr, leaving him powerless. If his mother was still alive, he could use some help.
Now, he’s trying to think and believe that they have met before.
“It would be impossible not to meet you if Odin lets the council consult with you regarding external affairs,” he regarded.
Stella agreed. “But I really can’t remember. Most of my memories have blank spots.”
He looked up in surprise. “Did that happen after the scepter incident?” He asked nervously.
“No. It was like this growing up. Why? Will the exposure to the scepter affect the memory?”
Loki composed himself, hiding his fear that was resurfacing. “No. I believe Agent Barton’s sanity is still intact.”
After breakfast, Stella refilled her thermal cup with coffee, much to Loki’s dismay, and they headed to the elevator.
“Would you want me to walk you to the medical bay?” He asked.
“No need to do that, thanks.” She smiled and waited for the elevator. “Oh, by the way. I need your help.” Loki asked what it was for. “I need you to test my energy.”
A sly smirk played on his face. “I’d love to. When?”
Stella entered the elevator. “Meet me in the firing range, 39th floor, after my checkup.”
“Care to explain what happened here?” Bruce said when he saw Stella enter the room.
Stella scanned the charts on the holoscreen Bruce was studying. “I took a healing potion from Athena.”
“From Athena? And how did you gain access to it?”
A nurse gave Stella a hospital gown and she got in a small room to change. “Loki gave it to me.”
Bruce looked up from his clipboard. “Loki...what? How?”
Stella got out of the room. “He’s back from the dead.” Bruce’s brows met. “Ask Thor and Natasha. They saw him.”
“How in the world…?”
“Oh, there you are!” Tony blurted out when he saw Stella. “You got Faiza worried.”
The nurse guided her to the bed. “I’m fine. It was just the healing potion.”
“Healing potion, you say? Where did you get it?” Tony picked up his water bottle.
“Loki brought it back from the dead.”
Tony almost spat his water. “Who?”
“Loki is back,” Bruce told him.
Tony tilted his head. “You’re kidding,” he told Stella.
“Nope. I’m not. Ask Jarvis.”
Tony exhaled heavily. “Jarvis? Is Loki in the building?”
“Yes, Mr. Stark. He is on the 53rd floor,” the AI replied.
“Are you sure he’s not an illusion?”
Windows popped up on the holoscreen, revealing Loki’s vitals. “Very much alive, Mr. Stark.”
“Huh.” Tony closed all the windows. “That means one thing, kid.” He faced Stella. “You’re spared for lifetime imprisonment in Olympus.” He smiled at her.
Bruce smiled rather reluctantly. “Well, at least we have that good news.”
“Worth to have my energy back,” Stella replied.
“I still can’t believe Loki is back,” Bruce commented.
“Well, you can see him for yourself after this.” Tony winked at him and he rolled his eyes.
Stella’s checkup gave promising results. Her healing capacity has steadied, and her injuries had completely healed, thanks to the vial Loki brought back from Athena. She headed to the 39th floor right after the checkup. When she entered, Loki was already in the middle of the practice space, meditating. She switched into her battle attire, minus the swords and the dagger.
She stopped behind him. “Loki?”
Loki opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder. “How’s it?” He stood while a green mist ran through his body, replacing his casual clothes with his black, green, and gold leather attire.
“I’m cleared. Everything has healed. Thanks for the vial.” Loki smiled in reply.
“So, what do you want me to do again?”
Stella rolled her shoulders as she took her position a few feet away from him. "Hit me," she answered.
His brows furrowed. "I beg your pardon? Are you out of your mind?"
"Not yet. I just want to gauge where I am in my progress and who's the best person who can test that but you." She stood firmly. "Now hit me."
“By the Norns, not yet…” He shook his head in disbelief. “Is this what I came back to?” Stella, who’s getting a little bit impatient, sent an energy bolt next to him, triggering him. He smirked. "Very well. As you wish."
Loki flicked his arm towards her, sending sharp beams of green. Stella has not completed creating her force shield, thus letting his beams blow her to the wall.
She pushed herself up and shook her arms. Loki sent beams once more. Stella bent her knees and clapped, enclosing herself in a bubble of blue shield. The bubble deflected the green beams.
She diffused her shield. Loki gave her a menacing look. She hurled blue bolts just when he pushed his green mists, absorbing her beams. The collision exploded, pushing them back, away from each other.
This went on for hours. Loki pushed Stella to the limit and Stella worked like there isn’t. Her misses were getting less and less as the hours went by and her accuracy is back.
At the last stretch, Loki sent a single beam at her. Upon the sight of it, Stella's sword materialized in her hand and she hit the green-gold beam, disintegrating it into a thousand pieces.
"It seems you have your magic back." He quipped.
"I didn't know I could do that." She said as she ran her fingers on her blade. "I've never done that." Her eyes twinkled in delight.
The corners of his mouth turned up as pride swelled within him. He was happy for her. "It will be useful when we face Ares. Good to be well-equipped for battle."
She returned her blade to her subspace. “I hope that can be applied to anything.” She wiped a bead of sweat on her temple and noticed Loki ambling towards her. She stopped breathing when he smiled coyly at her. Her eyes widened when he stopped in front of her and placed a gentle hand on her cheek.
“You’re alluring, do you know that?” He declared. She opened her mouth but what came out was only a croak. “You’re the reason I fought my way back. I can’t leave you behind as much as you don’t want me dead.”
Stella’s eyebrows crunched, her emotions blending into each other inside her, but her attention zeroed in on his second sentence. “What do you mean ‘you fought back’?”
That was not the reply he was expecting. “I’ll tell you another time.”
“Loki, are there more?” She asked, her voice a tone lower, and it’s showing her worry. He dropped his hand but she caught it, cradling it on hers. She sighed. “Loki, whatever that is, you can tell me anything,” she said as she caressed his hand with her thumbs, giving him comfort. “We’re in this together, remember? I hope you can trust me as much as I trust you.”
Stella’s words were like music to his soul. No ill intentions. Just plain but heartfelt ‘I trust you.’ For his whole life, he never had this experience, people fully trusting him.
Loki moved his hand to hold hers, then he raised it to his lips, planting a kiss on her knuckles. Stella smiled softly at his gesture.
Loki’s lips parted with her hand. “Yes, I trust you, Stella.”
She smiled softly. “Thank you, Loki.”
After their sparring session, they went up to their floor together, talking about anything under the sun, anything except what Loki did after the Jericho Castle incident. Loki told her his concern about Tony not sleeping for days and she suggested that he check on the Iron Man, which he disagreed on.
Then their conversation moved to Loki reminiscing the pranks he pulled on his brother, the moments he turned himself into a snake, which made Stella tremble. And that’s how he found out Stella is immensely afraid of snakes. He apologized and wrapped his arm around her when he noticed her losing color.
“It’s the bane of my existence,” she said as she leaned on his chest.
“I’m so sorry,” he said through her hair. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay.” She looked up to him. “You didn’t know.”
When Stella thought he was going to finally kiss her on the lips, he instead kissed her forehead. At least there’s progress.
“If you’re afraid of snakes, how did you defeat a gorgon?” He inquired.
“By sheer luck and courage.” Loki laughed. She moved back a little to check on him. “What?”
“Sounds like a trigger-happy, war maniac.”
“Did you just call me a trigger-happy, war maniac?” He was still laughing. She pouted and lightly punched him on his leather-covered chest. “I’m not Ares.”
She pushed herself off him when the doors started to open. She was not prepared to be seen like this with Loki. Loki understood her silent sentiment and let go of her. They got out of the elevator, told each other ‘see you later’s, and Stella waited for Loki to enter his room before knocking on Natasha’s door.
“Who’s it?” She heard Natasha call from the other side.
“Nat, it’s Stella.”
The door opened. “What’s up?”
Stella gulped. “About your question.”
A smile crept on the redhead’s face. “Is there an answer?”
Stella took a step back, covering her face. “Uh, no. I think this is a bad idea. I’m going ahead of myself,” she muttered to herself.
“Oh, come on. Maybe you’re not?” Natasha suggested. Stella leaned on the opposite wall, her armor clanking as it hit. Natasha leaned on the doorframe. “So?”
Stella’s eyes wandered all over before it rested on Natasha. “I think there’s someone.”
Natasha beamed. She got out of her room to pull Stella in.