Chapter 4
It’s 5:50 when I get to the training room, and Natasha and Clint are nowhere to be seen.
I figure while I have some time, I should stretch. I know from past experience that whatever the physical activity, I will want to minimize the risk of pulling or tearing something important.
After doing some hip and leg flexors, and extensors, I decide to stretch out my hamstrings.
I’m sitting on the floor, with my legs stretched in front of me and my hands pushed out towards them, when I hear footsteps approaching.
I look at my watch and chuckle. It’s exactly 6 AM.
I look up and Clint and Natasha are standing above me, wearing the same smirk, and the same S.H.I.E.L.D. tracksuits.
“Just make sure to go easy on me guys,” I mumble, feigning despair.
“You wish, Vanek,” Clint laughs.
And easy on me they did not go.
Yoda I am.
Or, should I say, Padawan.
***
4 hours later and I feel dead.
My body feels like it’s dragging behind me as I walk to Loki’s apartment. My feet throb, my muscles feel like jelly, and my posture is shot for the day.
While it was only an hour of physical activity and another half observing, it’s more than I’m used to. While I try to get to the gym when I can, it has always taken a backseat to everything else I do.
First, they had me run three laps around the indoor track with them. They, as to be expected, handled it much better than I did.
While I know they could have run it much faster alone, it was nice to have someone to run with. It’s probably one of the reasons I’ve never been that into running in the past.
After that, they began showing me the basics of hand-to-hand. Just the beginning stuff, like self defense techniques first.
I couldn’t help but laugh when they instructed me to elbow an attacker in the solar plexus.
“What, are you going to have me instep, break their nose, and then hit them in the groin next,” I snorted, bowing over in laughter.
They eyed me, twin looks of confusion on their face.
“Nevermind,” I laughed dryly.
What was I expecting? That two of the top assassins in the world would have the time to watch Sandra Bullock movies?
After the hour was over, they had me observe their sparring session, telling me to focus on their movements and when they made them.
They told me that watching another person fight gives you the upper hand, because you can pay attention to their strengths and weaknesses. It helps you know how and when to attack, and to better counter their movements.
When they were done, and I’d told them what I observed, the three of us walked to the locker room together.
“Are you sure you guys want to do this,” I asked, still not believing that with the free time they have, they want to use it to train me.
“Of course,” Clint exclaimed, throwing open the door.
“Yeah. It’s good for us too you know. Training another person helps you focus more on your own skill and all of the individual movements involved,” Nat added.
I opened the door to the locker I was assigned and grabbed out my shower caddy, a towel, and some flip flops.
“What, don’t want to go into the princes lair smelling like sweat,” Clint teased, rummaging around in his own locker.
“Not really. I’d never hear the end of it if I did. I’m sure you’re aware of how prim and proper Loki is, and I don’t want more fuel on the fire for him to throw at me,” I said over my shoulder, walking into the showers.
***
“Loki there’s hundreds of books on this list,” I say in disbelief, looking at the paper in my hand.
“And,” he asks, sounding annoyed.
“And, I can only rent fifty books at a time,” I reply.
I’m still staring at the paper, kind of amazed that he took the time to write out all of the names of the books. There are literally hundreds listed, as I tried counting them all and lost track somewhere after one hundred and three.
His handwriting is neat and elegant. A unique script, with long strokes and large curves. I have to admit, it’s beautiful.
“What kind of nonsense rule is that,” he asks, still sounding just as annoyed.
“Well,” I start, looking up towards him, “it’s an insurance policy of sorts. It ensures that if someone were to take out books and ruin them, there would only be so many lost at a time. Yes, they would get the money to replace them, but that takes time.”
He gives me a contemplative look, and then nods his head in understanding.
“I will choose the fifty I want first then, and give you a new list tomorrow,” he states, walking over towards the windows overlooking the city.
“Sounds good,” I reply, typing some reminders into my tablet.
I’m standing at the kitchen counter, across the room from him. He’s turned halfway towards the skyline now, looking out at it, so I take the opportunity to take him in fully.
He’s wearing all black, as usual. Today, though, it’s a suit.
Matching black suit jacket and pants, black dress shirt, and a black tie. He’s even got on black leather dress shoes.
From the design of the jacket, I can tell that his ensemble is Armani, and can’t help but be surprised that Tony would be supplying him with such expensive brands.
His hair is slightly curly today, slicked back and falling to rest at his shoulders.
On any other man, I would be repulsed, reminding me too much of rude and overtly sexual guys from the 70’s.
On Loki, though, it works, and makes his overall look that much more handsome.
It might be something about his cheekbones and the squareness of his chin, or his green eyes making the rest of his features more defined and striking.
He reminds me of those beautiful black cats you see, all sleekness and grace with their onyx fur and piercing emerald eyes.
Then I hear the door to the hallway open, and the spell is broken.
Loki turns to look who has come in before I do, and I see his entire demeanor change.
His posture before, which is still much better than mine, had a bit of casualness to it, a sort of relaxation in his stance.
Now, he’s standing stiff and straight, all of the relaxation gone from his shoulders.
I turn to see who can make Loki close up in such a way, in such a fast manner, and see a man walk in.
A man with shaggy brown hair, stubble on his jaw, and moles dotting his neck and face.
“Cameron,” I say, surprised, “what are you doing here?”
“Tony said I should come talk to you,” he replies, surveying the room.
When his eyes fall on Loki, they narrow, then he slides them over to me.
“What about,” I ask, folding the case over the top of my tablet.
“He wanted to let you know I’m now a member of your personal security,” he discloses, nonchalant.
“Personal security,” I echo, confused.
I can see Loki staring at me from the other side of the room, his eyes flitting between me and Cam.
“Tony has appointed me as your personal bodyguard,” he clarifies.
I shake my head, surprised by this new information.
“And he doesn’t think it’s any kind of...conflict of interest,” I say carefully, for some reason nervous to be bringing this up in front of Loki.
Cam doesn’t seem to catch onto my hesitation, as he answers, “why, because we’re seeing each other? No, he didn’t seem to care. I think his exact words were, ‘you’ll be more motivated than ever.’”
He gives me a lopsided grin, seeming more at ease than when he first entered the room.
I finally look at Loki, curious to see what he thinks of this whole exchange.
His face looks about the same as always. Unimpressed and passive.
But there’s a glint to his eyes I haven’t seen before, and I don’t know what to think of it.
“Leave it to Tony to change up the usual rules,” Cam continues, smirking.
“Yeah, no kidding. Well, this announcement comes at a convenient time,” I grab my tablet off the counter and begin walking towards the door, “I suppose it’s time for me to go check in with the others.”
Loki is silent, still looking between the two of us with what looks a lot like contempt.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I say to Loki, it coming out more like a question than a comment.
“I will have that list for you,” is all he says in return.
I nod, turning fully and falling into step with Cam as we leave the apartment.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him smiling to himself and can’t help but follow suit. His smile has always been contagious.
“So how are things going with emo-boy in there,” Cam asks once we are in the hall, throwing his arm over my shoulder and jabbing the thumb of his other hand behind us.
“Generally okay,” I answer, blowing out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“Learning anything from him,” he asks, “other than how to dress like a witch?”
At this he laughs, and I feel his body shaking from where it’s connected with mine.
Just like everyone else, Cam thinks I am working on the Avengers press image. I thought if Tony appointed him as my bodyguard, he would at least tell him what he was getting himself into, but alas, I guess not.
“Just that Asgardians can be very full of themselves,” I laugh with him, not wanting to say much more than that.
I’m about to reach for the elevator button when he stops me with a hand on my shoulder.
“Harper, you know I will protect you, right,” he asks, suddenly serious.
I look him in the eyes, and bring my hand up to rest on his.
“I know, Cam. But it’s not your job,” I say softly.
He raises an eyebrow at me.
“Okay, well technically it is. But you know what I mean,” I huff, “I appreciate that you care so much, and I know you want to keep me safe, but I am the only one that can be responsible for me.”
He smiles, a slight lift to the right corner of his mouth, and moves his hand up to cup my face.
“I guess what I’m saying is that if something happens to me, don’t think it’s your fault. I don’t want you to feel responsible,” I whisper.
“I’ll try not to,’ he chuckles, bringing his other hand up to my face.
I bring my hand down to press the elevator button and Cam walks me backwards into the doors.
“You know it’ll be pretty embarrassing if someone is in there,” I laugh against his mouth, not quite kissing yet.
“Then let’s hope no one’s in there,” he breathes, closing the gap and kissing me.