Stephen/Loki 1+5
Loki has been living with his brother for a few months, looking for a job to get back on his feet, and Thor hasn't minded in the least.
Loki finally got one, as a barista, not very glamorous, but acceptable...
As he gets there for his first day he lays eyes on another man in the same uniform as him.
"Oh, hi, I'm Stephen," the other man greets.
"Loki."
"It's my first day."
"Likewise."
~~~
For his "first day" Stephen has been getting everything down on practically his first try.
Loki on the other hand...
"Shit!" The young man curses as he accidentally spills scolding hot coffee on his hand.
He feels so distracted, yet he can't put a finger on why...
"Oh, ow, let's run that under some cold water," Stephen grabs his wrist gently to lead him to the sink.
Loki glares, but complies.
~~~
Loki slams the door to his brother's home, exasperated.
"Brother, you will not believe my first day of work! There wa-what are you doing here?!" Loki spots Stephen on his couch, speaking with his brother.
"Ah! You have met our new neighbor, Stephen already!" Thor cheers.
"We work together," Stephen supplies.
"Neighbor?" Loki growls.
"Yes, he has just moved in next door," Thor nods.
"I...will be upstairs.." Loki spits.
~~~
One thing Loki has prided himself on after “falling from grace” so to speak, has been his revitalization of his brother's garden.
Thor never had much time to take care of it, making it a sad sight, but since the younger moved in it has been thriving again.
At least...he prided himself on it, until Stephen moved in.
While the Odinsons' yard was still beautiful it paled in comparison to Strange's.
"Oh! Hi Loki!" Stephen greeted as he saw his neighbor out taking care of his lawn too.
"Hello, Strange," Loki glares.
~~~
Loki's at work and Stephen is absent.
He's actually doing a decent job, even making friendly banter with another worker, Wanda.
"And then--"
Loki's story is cut short by Stephen Strange walking in, and completely ruining his mood.
"I know I'm late, I slept in," The older man explains.
The manager waves it off and points him to the back.
"Hi, Stephen! You're just in time, Loki was just telling the funniest story about his brother," Wanda chirps.
"Oh?"
"No...no...the moment is gone, perhaps I will finish another time," Loki denies.
~~~
Loki practically throws himself onto the couch next to his brother.
"Long day, brother?" Thor pats his head.
"Infuriating is a better word.." Loki sighs.
"Rude customers?"
"I hate my coworker."
"Stephen?" Thor frowns.
"Yes, Stephen, who else?" Loki rolls his eyes.
"He seems like a decent man, and I am unable to think of anything he's done to spite you out of my knowledge," Thor muses.
"His existence is a burden on my soul," the younger brother huffs.
"What's the greasy emo complaining about?" Tony asks, just letting himself in, as always.
"What brings you here, Stark?" Thor shrugs off the question.
~~~
Another day of work, and once again, Loki and Stephen show up at the same time.
"Hey, Loki! I brought you some bluelet seeds!" Stephen offers an envelope to Loki.
"Bl--what?" He frowns, looking over the envelope.
"I saw you looking at mine the other day and thought maybe you'd like some," Stephen smiles.
"That is...very kind of you...th-thank you," Loki clears his throat.