warm and fuzzy
Loki found Steve in his room with the door closed. He carefully knocked and waited. “Go away.” He then turned the music that was playing up louder. Loki knocked again. “I said GO AWAY.” he was shouting to be heard over the music now. Loki huffed and pounded on the door once more. “If you don;t open up this ice cream is going to go to waste and I don't think either of us want that.” He heard the music go down a little and footsteps coming towards the door. Steve opened it a little and peered out. “What kind of ice cream?”
Loki held up the tub “Butterscotch with snicker doodles and strawberry syrup.” Steve opened the door a little more. “Bucky sent you with that?” Loki nodded “He said it was the only way to make my slight right. I was not aware that you feelings for Ms. Carter was a sore spot. I hadn’t even really intended to look like her. I was half expecting it to be….someone else.” Steve raised an eyebrow. “That so? And who did you have in mind?” Loki smirked “well I narrowed it down to either Sergeant Barnes or Natasha.” Steve rolled his eyes.
“Why does everyone think there's something between Natasha and I? She's a great person but I’m not interested in her that way.” Loki followed him to the counter and sat the items down. “I see, you aren’t surprised that I inferred there was something between you and the sergeant?” He laughed “No. that’s been said so many times it doesn’t phase me. Yes Bucky and I...experimented with each other but it was two friends who felt safe enough to try things together. At the end of the day it wasn’t for me and Bucky and I are still thick as thieves.” Loki nodded. “I see. I guess it is a nice concept.” They sat in silence as Steve ate the apology ice cream. Finally he spoke up.
“So um… mind if I ask why Bucky? I mean I know he’s really damn charming but I don’t know he just didn’t seem like your type.”
“My type? I wasn’t aware I had a type. I can’t really explain it honestly. He’s just so...different. He fascinates me. It does help that he doesn’t shy away from my touch. I run rather cold being a frost giant and all.” Steve cocked his head “A what?” Loki seemed surprised that he didn't know. “Somehow I thought Thor would have told you all about that when I invaded with the chitauri.” He shook his head “No he didn’t mention much. He was very defensive about you. You don’t look like a giant though I mean you are fairly….normal in appearance.”
Loki chuckled “Ah Captain, you are so innocent when it comes to magic. I use magic to hide myself.” Steve nodded “Oh ok. Can Thor use magic too?” Loki scoffed “No.. with exception of Odin where I come from magic, sedir, was a woman's art just as being a warrior was a man's art. I am trained in both much to the dismay of many but as you are aware I am much more skilled with my magic.”
“I mean you still fight well. You nearly kicked my ass in Germany. Might have had Stark not dropped in.” Loki smiled “I will take that as a compliment Captain. I would not last long against a warrior such as Thor but I surmise I could hold my own by midgardian standards.”
“So um….. Can I see what you...um what you look like….normally?”
Loki blinked at him a few times their mouth agape. “You...why? Why on earth would you want to see….THAT?” He put his hands up defensively “I didn’t mean any offence I just...I want to know the real you? I’m curious. I don’t want to make fun of you it’s just ya know I never imagined growing up that gods and other ...beings were real.” Loki let out a shaky breath “I see. Well. I shall show you BUT, what you see does not leave this room. You tell no one.”
“Yea I can do that. Secrets safe with me.” He watched as Loki carefully stepped back. Their form became a little taller, a little more gaunt. Their skin was now a shade of light icy blue and their eyes were deep red. He took note of the slightly darker markings on Loki’s body.
“My god...you’re….amazing...can...would you be ok if..I want to draw you.. Like...oh my god the markings and the color….you look so...gorgeous.” Loki took a step back “You...like this? This cursed form is...appealing to you?” Steve stood and moved closer “It’s you...the real you. I like it. It’s spectacular.” Loki was still confused “But...I am a monster...I’m hideous. Why would anyone like to see this.” He shrugged “It’s different, I like different, I mean that is to say I… You aren’t some typical boring human. I won’t show anyone the drawing I just wanted to ask before I did it.” Loki shrugged and resumed their preferred appearance. “You and Sergeant Barnes are so odd. Many in your place would have shunned me.” Steve grinned “Well, I don’t give up on people very easily and I don’t know when to turn tail and run so you are stuck with me thinking you look amazing when you are a blue giant with red eyes. Can I ask why you aren’t that much taller as a giant?”
“I am a runt. I was born weak and sick so my family placed me in the temple in the hopes that I would be blessed to survive. Instead Odin found me and took me home thinking Lauffey was careless with his child and he had hit the political jackpot. Sadly it was only disappointment from then on.” Steve smiled “Looks to me like you got better. I know what it’s like to be the runt.” Loki smiled “Yes everyone tells the tales of the great Captain America, the little guy who refused to give up and allowed the army to use him as a lab rat turning him into a strong brave and perfect hero.” He couldn't help but laugh at Loki’s way of telling it. “Well I wouldn’t say perfect. I still suck at talking to women, I get motion sick still and I get migraines quite easily, let’s not forget the fact that most pain medicine is useless on me and they only use the big stuff if I'm in dire straits. Sure I’m strong but I’m not perfect. No one really is.”
Loki took the empty ice cream bowls and placed them in the sink. “Well I think this makes up for my faux pas earlier. I am going to rejoin James and Beatrice upstairs. She said to let you know that dinner would be ready at 6 and Miss Morgan would like you to see her halloween costume afterwards.” He nodded “Ok i’m gonna go down to the gym for a bit but I’ll be at dinner. Thanks for cheering me up. Sorry if I acted like a bit of an as.”
“No worries Captain. You had every right. I will remember that it is a tender subject.” Loki left him and stepped in the elevator. When the doors closed Loki hugged themself tightly. “He doesn’t think I’m a monster either.” The thought was warming and even comforting after spending hundreds if not thousands of years being told that frost giants were hideous and horrible. Perhaps Thor’s affection for the people of midgard was not as misguided as previously thought. They did enjoy Darcy's company and even Jane was tolerable. It made them almost sad to know their life span was such a small blip in the grand scheme of their existence.