Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Steve was returning home from the gym late one night. He did his usual rounds, stopping by the town' small shop run by a mom and pop to pick up some items for that night's dinner. He stashed the bags into the trunk of his jeep and began heading home. 

He pulled up into the parking lot of his apartment. Cars dotted the lot here and there. From his place in his jeep Steve can see several lights glowing in the windows indicating that the occupants are either still awake or winding down.

"Oh Steve, how are you doing son? Out late at the gym again I see." came an elderly voice prompting Steve to look at her, a smile spreading across his lips.

"Oh, hello Mrs. Sochat" the blonde starts "I guess you can say that. How have you been?" he asked the elderly woman who had made her way over to him and is now hovering around his vehicle. In her grasp, he can see, was a fat gray flat faced cat held snugly against her chest. Its eyes half closed as if dozing slightly.

Mrs. Sochat smiled and backed up as the first Avenger began to get out of the jeep and followed him to the trunk of his vehicle all the while watching him intently as he lifted the back and began gathering his groceries.

"Oh, aren't you just a dear." Mrs.Sochat beams clearly showing no sign of stopping their conversation any time soon. "I am fine, I went to the doctors office today, as you know I have had pains in my lower back." She adds in. Steve nods, being ever so patient with the elder "Yeah, you told me about that, is everything alright?" He says softly.

"Yeah, as it turns out everything is fine. You'd never guess what it was" she pauses mostly for effect but doesn't give the old man a chance to answer "turns out I just had a bruise from falling in the yard." she said laughing. 

Steve looked confused and concerned all at the same time. Mostly because she's fragil old woman and two, there isn't any real yard here at their complex "Yard? What yard?"

Sochat just smiles and said "The one at Mr. Garcia's village home silly boy." Steve 'oh'd' but smiled nonetheless and gestured to the cat who now looked like it was frowning. Clearly upset with still being outside and in the middle of this conversation unwillingly.

"What about ol Simon here?" Steve asked as Simon was dumped into his free arm who in return just went limp. Mrs.Sochat clearly pleased at the sight.

"Oh he is fine, except yesterday he swallowed a baby snake whole, I was so scared I took him to the vet and I was told not to worry." The elderly woman laughed before she finally noticed the large brown paper bags in his other arm despite having watched him pull them from his car.

"Oh honey you have food, you should go stick them inside before they spoil! Now go on, go on and good night young'un." she said before taking up the cat and scurried off back into her home.

With her finally gone Steve sighed, it felt wrong that he was relieved that she was gone. He didn't hate her, not at all. It was just...she talked too much and he didn't want to be rude telling her that she talked a lot. He couldn't blame her, she was lonely with the passing of her husband. She had no one to talk to and Steve had met her when he had given Simon to her the day after Mr.Sochat's funeral as a gift.

And to be honest...she was the closest thing to a friend he had. After thawing out, he was lonely. Bucky was somewhere in this world either an old man surrounded by grandkids and with a Mrs. Barnes or maybe as dark and sad as the thought is there is also a chance that his dear friend is probably dead.

Steve said one last good night to his elderly neighbor as he watched her head indoors safely before turning to head for his own apartment. Sighing he begins the small journey of going up the steps, unlocking the door, and entering his home.

Once inside he closed, locked the door, and flipped the light on. The space is decently sized. Furnished to resemble the simple apartments away back in the 40s that Steve is familiar with.

He walked to his kitchen and sat the bags down on the table, and began to unpack his groceries. Setting them on the table top only to pause when the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He looked around wearily, he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched which was strange because he was the only one in the apartment.

He shrugged it off, he had nothing to fear. He figured it was the creepy stalker girl that often watched him from the apartment building across from his own. But if it was something in his home had his muscles and height over whoever or whatever it is and surely they would surely flee at the sight of him.

He began storing the food and when he reached the fridge and stored a package of deli meat inside did he hear something that sounded like old springs creaking coming from his living room. He stood up quickly, hitting his head on the fridge before he bent and backed out of the door rubbing his head.

He walked around the corner and peered into the living room. Yet strangely he didn't see anything. Now Steve was starting to feel weary, a slight unease settling in his belly. He thought his mind was messing with him. Maybe it was exhaustion from his workout though he didn't tire that easily. 

He honestly hated that he lived alone, he should really get a cat or a dog. Maybe he should've kept Simon.

Then it happens. A sound that will haunt him for the rest of the night…a sniffling sound followed by a broken sob.

Steve was now scared, and it took a lot to shake him up. He shivered as he fled to his room, yanking his shield off the dresser and reentered the living room. With a deep breath he mustered enough courage to say in what he had hoped was an intimidating voice "Show yourself! I don't want to hurt you!"

No response.

Steve was a sensible guy at least he believed he was. He didn't want to jump to the immediate conclusion of ghosts, he knew that SHIELD had technology that could turn you invisible. He knows that according to the files he was given over the course of being re-welcomed into SHIELD and getting the hang of the 21st century, Steve learned that there are others under SHIELD's radar. Skilled in many techniques, namely Stark and the sharpshooter Barton and his friend the ex-Russian Spy Romanov. So with that knowledge he assumed it was probably Coulson in his house again.

Steve didn't hate the man but he kind of creeped him out with all his knowledge on Captain America with the thought of the Agent in his home he glared and then began to swing his shield over his armchair, nothing. 

Then he swung it around the love-seat, nothing. 

Yet when he swung it over his long couch, it made contact with a solid object with a sharp twunk sound. Whatever it was that he had hit proceeded to cry out in pain and Steve jumped back dropping his shield with a nosy clatter.

Steve wasn't expecting that. Nor was he expecting what he saw next.

The other being suddenly became visible, it was a young man, who looked about somewhere between late teens to twenties. He had raven hair that was slicked back, his face was pale as if he stayed in the shadows or in a dark room, his eyes were green, and he had a narrow jawline. Steve never saw this man in his life but at the same time he couldn't help but find him handsome.

Steve couldn't help but study him more. He was dressed in a black suit with a white and green scarf, but the thing that seemed to worry Steve the most was the fact his eyes were glassy with unshed tears and that his shoulders were visibly shaking. Like he was struggling to not cry almost like he was afraid to.

The strange man was clutching his shoulder where Steve's shield had hit him. Feeling guilty for hitting someone on the verge of crying looked away before looking back at the pale man.

"I hope I didn't hurt him too bad."  Steve thought.

Both men stared at one another before Steve approached cautiously "Who are you and why are you in my house...how did you get in here anyway?" he asked the stranger.

The man, still gripping his shoulder, looked down, he paused for a moment before saying in a raw voice "I'm Loki...L-Loki Odin-Laufeyson..." the last name came out choked and full of pain.

"As for what I am doing here...I-I needed a safe place to get away- I wasn't th-thinking where..." he said voice breaking. "As to how I got in...I-I teleported inside."

Steve was concerned that he had hurt him to the point of tears but he could see in his eyes that something more was paining him. Something far more serious, something internally.

"Hey, what's wrong? I didn't hit you that hard did I? I tend to not know my own strength." he admitted as he sat near Loki. "Let me see." he said, taking a hold of Loki's arm and lifting it. This caused Loki to grit his teeth in pain "Okay I think you might have a bruised you...we need to get this off." Steve said, pointing at the jacket.

Loki looked at him worried but nodded. As Loki began to take his top off Steve went to go get the first aid kit out of the bathroom cabinet.

"What's up with this guy, where's he from...why does he look like he's going to cry? What happened before he showed up here?" he mumbled.

Steve took the kit out of the cabinet and looked down at it "At least it's not Coulson. But I wonder what happened to him, maybe he's like me...from the past and suddenly thrown into the future. But the only way I can really find out is if I ask him." With that said Steve closed the cabinet and walked out the restroom.

When he returned to the living room he found the pale man still in the same position as he had left him. Steve watched him some he didn't really move aside from the short movements of lifting his hand to wipe at the stubborn tears.

Steve walked over and sat near Loki, who had now taken off the dress jacket. Steve frowned when he noticed the long sleeve white dress shirt and the blood that bloomed on the shoulder that he had hit.

"Hey, um Loki was it? Can you take off your shirt? You're bleeding."

Loki glanced at his shoulder and ohs softly. He tugged off his shirt and sat sadly on the couch. 

Steve opens the kit and pulls out a wipe where he begins to cleans the blood from his upper arm which reveals a small but deep cut. He continues to clean up Loki's shoulder before taking up a needle and thread, the sight of the needle and thread causes Loki to gasp slightly and inch backwards. 

Clearly afraid.

Steve found this odd, but didn't question it. He knew everyone had their fears, he for example feared icy waters, Loki must fear needles or threads...or quite possibly both. Wanting to show the younger male that he wouldn't hurt him he looked up into the sad and scared green eyes "It's okay, I'm just gonna stitch you up."

Loki didn't like the sound of that and he narrowed his eyes "What wrong have I done? If it's over the fact I stored away in your meager home then please forgive me...I-I'll be taking my leave...just don't use that on me, I wish not to suffer anymore than I am!" Loki cried out. If there was an attempt at aggression in his voice it failed miserably however his eyes did flash between madness and pain. 

Steve was now confused. He didn't know what to think but he could figure out why Loki was so scared of the items he held "Someone used these to hurt you? Why would they do that?" 

Loki simply shuddered at the thought, the sharp pinch of the needle entering his soft lips followed by the searing pain of the rough stringy thread tearing into the hole ripping it into an even larger wound. His shouts, pleas of mercy and forgiveness, and sobs were silenced by the thread. He remembered the blood he shed along with the tears, how he had gotten sick from infection and he wanted nothing more than to die. 

He remembered how everyone laughed and mocked him for he couldn't speak, eat, or drink. But it hurt the most when he remembered how Thor was so aggressive with him, how he pinned him down, he who said that he would never do anything to harm him, he who said he would protect him from harm and pain, he held him as they sewed his lips shut.

"LOKI!"

Loki looked up and toward the man who addressed him "Pardon?" he asked, his voice coming out small.

Steve frowned, "Are you going to be okay?" he asked.

Loki shrugged "Doesn't matter..." he whispered as Steve stood and approached him.

"Well, it matters to me, I don't know what happened to you to make you so frightened of needles but I don't want you losing...any...blood?" Steve trailed off confused, the wound he inflicted was now completely healed!

"How?" Steve thought.

"My...my fear...it stems from my punishment." he heard Loki say "I was careless back then...I cut the hair of my brother's friend and he was furious at me...I had to go and restore her hair, so I sought help from some elves. Needless to say they had done a marvelous job, but as they were making the hair, I grew restless...and started to tease them as they worked...Once we returned home with the gifts and wig, the gifts to make amends. I might have said more that I wished...and I had my lips sewn shut..." Loki explained.

Elves? Steve was wanting to question the other man but noticed that he walked over to the other couch and laid down onto it with his knees drawn to his chest, the experience must have been traumatic. Steve couldn't imagine going through something like that, he shivered horribly at the image of Loki with sewn lips that played in his mind.

"Well, it was only that one time...it's not like you have done other things for punishment..." Steve said, trying to brighten the black haired man's mood. But the look on Loki's face when he looked up at him had Steve questioning who this man is and his morals.

"You faced more punishments?"

A nod.

"Are they worse than your lips being stitched?"

Another nod.

"I blame who I am! Maybe if...maybe if I was born Aesir instead of Jotun...then maybe I wouldn't be this way...Maybe if I was Aesir...if I was Aesir...I would...I..." Loki felt tears fill his eyes. 

"Why do I always have to suffer?! Why!? Why can't I be like Thor?!" Loki sobbed sitting up shouting out loud to Steve. Steve knew the questions were rhetorical but he couldn't help but feel bad that he couldn't answer them for Loki.

But he had his own questions "Loki, what's the difference between an Aesir and a Jotun? I am assuming they are races...and why does it matter if you're like Thor or not. I am also assuming he is your older sibling." he asked the other who now sat sullenly.

"Aesir, are the people of Asgard. They are everything I am not. Whilst Jotuns...are from Jotunheim they are the monster parents tell their progeny about...they are big ugly creatures who dwell in ice and snow. They kill because they find it amusing and thrive off the screams and cries of pain..." Loki said, swallowing thickly. 

He paused shortly and took in a shaky breath "Thor is my older sibling, he is the joy of Odin's life...he is strong, muscular, and skilled in weapons...fit to be king, the child that can do no wrong, the one that always pleases the parent. While I am adopted, the one that can never seem to do right in fathers eye. I am not like Thor. I lack muscle, I lack strength, I lack skills in weapons, though I am fairly good with daggers. But what Thor lacks in brains I make up for. I am skilled in magic and tricks, but instead of praising and encouraging me, Odin sought it best to tell me to stop with magic, that only women use such things." he hissed as his sadness turned to rage.

"He would never compliment me, he'd compare me to Thor and his friends. He would...he..." Loki fell silent as he wiped at his face. "If I was like Thor. Then maybe my father would have loved me..." Loki sighed shakily.

Steve walked over and sat by Loki, all that was a lot to take in. Aesir were basically like the models of wherever Loki came from while the Jotuns were the low-lives, the killers and creeps that you hear about on the news. If Loki was a Jotun, he must be one of the thousands to look handsome for he did say they were ugly. Steve placed a gentle hand on Loki's back causing him to quake "Don't say that...it's not true. Your father loves you." he said to Loki.

Loki growled and jumped up to his feet "If he loved me he would have told me! He wouldn't have done all those cruel punishments to me! He wouldn't have taken my children and done whatever he wished to them! He uses his own grandchild as his own personal horse! He wouldn't have told me tales of the Jotuns being monsters, he wouldn't have told me that Jotuns are to be killed on sight and that they are evil, only to just now tell me that I am a monster, that I'm evil." Loki shouted motioning with his hands as he talked, his  louder, higher, and is now starting to break as he rambled on about the Jotuns.

"He used me! He used me...I was just another stolen relic to remind him of his victory that day..." Loki now had tears running down his cheeks "He told me that he hoped to win peace through me with the Jotuns...do you know how much that hurt hearing that that is the only reason why he s-save me. Not out of love or concern...but as a treaty of peace. That is why I shall never rule Asgard...they don't want the throne soiled with my existence." Loki sobbed.

Steve frowned, at least he now knew what was paining him. Steve stood and walked over to the man who was desperately trying to stop his tears and he wrapped his arms around the thin other. He felt Loki stiffen and squirm, it was clear he wasn't used to physical contact.

"Is he hated that much? Hated to the point where contact with others in a kind way is foreign to him?" Steve thought. 

He had to show Loki he wasn't going to hurt him, he pulled him closer and placed one hand on the back of Loki's skull and gently pressed him closer, shushing him in a soft gentle tone, the same tone a mother would to her frightened infant.

To his surprise Loki all but melted into his embrace as he buried his face into the crook of Steve's neck. "It's going to be alright. It's okay, it's okay...shh I know...I know. It's okay, I'm here...just let it all out...it's okay." Steve uttered gently as Loki began to sob openly. Not caring that this strange yet kind and caring man saw his breakdown. He was finally able to let go of so much bottled up pain and he wasn't going to be judged because of it.

As Loki cried he cried about all the unfortunate events of his life, how he wished he could change things about himself and how he hates himself. But what hurt Steve the most was what he said next.

"Th-Thor lied! H-He said he would al-always be there for me...whenever I need him...I didn't mean to get him banished...I-I just want to keep us alive...and when I need him most...he-he is gone! I have no one! Odin con-conveniently falls prey to the Odinsleep as soon as he tells me my true parentage and reasons for saving my life!" Loki sobbed as Steve continued to hold him.

Steve had to help him somehow. He couldn't just leave him like this, he learned so far that he's the black sheep of Asgard and his father gets the worst father of the year award. So he had to do something, that's when an idea popped up.

"Hey, I have an idea. Why not go and do something to prove your loyalty to your father? Something that only you can do, no one else. Now, I'm not saying go and blow up the Jotunheim or whatever it's called because that could just make matters worst. You could...oh! I know, go duel the king or whatever of Jotunheim and win. Your father is bound to be proud of you."

Loki looked up "Do you think that will work?" Loki asked in a tiny voice, Steve nodded and Loki looked hopeful before resting his head on Steve's shoulder suddenly overcome with exhaustion from his tears.

About an hour or so later Steve laid Loki on the couch and pulled a blanket over him that sat on the love-seat. To his surprise the man was now a dark blue with complex lighter shade of blue markings. Tears lingered under his eyes and on his cheeks and Steve used his thumb to wipe them away. But did it quickly and swiftly to not for his blue skin burned to touch.

"So that's what a Jotun looks like." Steve thought.

"Loki...I wish you the best of luck."

Loki looked up and over at the other "Thank you, for everything...you showed me kindness when no other would. Your advice I shall take and hopefully win my fathers love. And I hope we can meet again in the future...as friends."

Steve smirked "I hope so too. G'night Loki."

"Night...Captain..." Loki whispered as he closed his blood red eyes. The same eyes Steve found strangely cute, he watched as Loki's chest began to rise and fall slowly in his sleep and he found it odd that the Jotun man knew his hero name. But like the other things he pushed aside he figured he saw his name somewhere or his picture.

Chapter Text

Steve couldn't even look in Loki's general direction. The sight of the black haired villain was enough to get him riled up to the point he wanted to box Loki's ears. Though the god of Mischief and Lies seems to have used up what little strength he had left to transform into him and parrot back 'On my way down to organize search and rescue'.

Though the odd muzzle is also probably playing a big role in squashing whatever playful antic Loki might've sought to unleash. But now as Loki is sitting alone in a small room in the Stark Tower, his eyes are downcast and Steve couldn't tell if he was dozing or just had them closed.

'Why did I have to be the one to bring him food?' 

Steve frowns as Thor was the painfully obvious choice when it comes to Loki's care. But being lumped with the title of 'One of the Nicest Avengers' made it hard to get the others to fall in line. Then again now that he thinks about it he's probably the best choice. Stark would rile Loki up, Clint would most likely spill Asgardian blood and that would lead to another big battle, Bruce would snap on him and most likely do some far worse damage than slamming the trickster into ground leaving him bloodied and broken. Steve's thoughts go to Thor and he knows that Loki would play on his sibling's heartstrings, Natasha would lose her patience with him and it would end with blood being spilt.

And the possibility of it being both of theirs is incredibly high.

And then there's himself.

He's incredibly strong and fast and has the patience of a saint. Thus him being the one picked to win Loki over. He steps up to the keypad and hits a few buttons to slide open the door of the room Loki is holed up in. Stepping inside he can see that Loki now has his eyes on him. They now lacked that intense bright blue, and are now somewhere between blue and green, or maybe it's a mix of both honestly.

The heavy door slides shut as soon as Steve is in the room. He shows Loki the to-go bag before setting it down besides the trickster and reaches up to his mouth to undo the muzzle. Once the contraption is gone Loki rubs at his jaw and smirks clearly pleased that it is Captain America that is the one visiting.

"Thank you for the marvelous advice." Loki says smiling. He doesn't know how long he has waited to thank the super soldier, who knew that some Midgardian would have the best of ideas. 

Steve doesn't say anything. Thor had warned them all that is a talented liar and would do anything to get under your skin.

"I did exactly as you said. I fought my birth father and ridded the Nine Realms of his pathetic existence. Just like you suggested. I had even taken it a step further and tried dueling my dear brother. But of course that part didn't play in my favor." Loki says his smile is still present "But it did give me the chance to broaden my mind, I had been shown things I never knew about." He pauses for a breath "Given a new glorious purpose!" Loki grins manically as he says the last part in a sing-song voice.

"You know that that's not what I meant." Steve lectures "And was your big glorious purpose exactly? Was it to hurt all those innocent people? To instill fear into them." He snaps. His eyes showed anger but his voice was surprisingly calm.

"My purpose was to be a king!" Spits Loki venomously "I was born to be a king! As you all were born to be ruled!" He fires back.

"Kings don't do that!" Steve growls back gesturing to the wall, though Loki knows he means the destruction outside "Out there is the work of a heartless monster, the monsters you told me about. The monsters that you told me you weren't." Steve was now in Loki's face and he could see something wobble in his eyes. That cold act he had put on looked like it was trying to slip.

Loki turns his head, his gaze softens slightly before hardening once more "You don't know anything about me."  

"Says the guy who broke into my apartment bawling his eyes out." Steve snaps. How could he forget that night? It's not easy to forget seeing a complete stranger who had blue skin and red eyes.

Loki glares at him.

"And I know that the man I met in my apartment a few months back would have never done something like this." Steve shouts "What happened to wanting to make your father proud of you?" 

"What does it matter to you!?" Hissed Loki.

"What does it matter to me?" Steve echoes back "Loki, I've been worried about you since the day you left my apartment. You have been on my mind since then, so you can imagine how surprised I was to not only hear that our mission was about you but to also see you in Germany standing over innocent people." Steve snaps.

Loki looks away before flicking his eyes back up to the blonde man. His gaze was cold and hard, untrusting.

"Liar!" Spits Loki.

"I don't lie." Steve starts.

"Everyone lies at some point, especially when they are trying to achieve a goal."

Steve wasn't buying any of Loki's words and if anything all this that he is say, it felt more like a defense mechanism from the black haired man to keep himself from feeling any bit responsible from the actions and the truth of that night.

"As I told that old fool-"

"And like I told you, I didn't see eye to eye with the man standing over those innocent people."

"No…I suppose you wouldn't." Loki narrows his eyes "Not when you share so much in common with Thor. Bigger, stronger, blonde, with an air of ignorant just about you both." Loki huffs rolling his eyes and shaking his head "So no, of course you wouldn't see my side of things. You wouldn't see the right in what it is that I do." Loki hisses "No one ever does." 

Loki looks at his cuffed hands and balls them into fist "Because no matter what I do, I'll always be lesser than. I'll always be in the shadow of someone else's greatness…The villain in this story." 

Steve shakes his head "So quick to slap a label on yourself." 

Loki glared "Oh sorry for not being one to jump on hero or sidekick like the rest of you." Loki draws his lips back into a growl "I refuse to blindly follow like sheep to the slaughter." He snarls.

"Is that what we're doing?" 

"I don't know…you tell me."

"Loki, what we're doing is bringing not only hope but peace to the people. When you had brought that army onto us, it was our job to bring the people something you stole from them."

"A false sense of security?"

"Hope. Reassurance. The realization that someone will always have their back when things get chaotic. To be the one to ease their pain when the world is crashing down. That's what we gave back to them."

Loki glares as he turns away, it's clear that something within the green clad villain shook up. Though Loki plays it off with a soft laugh "So you feed into their fantasies instead of letting them face their nightmares head on? Real mature."

"Of course you'd think of it that way. But in reality, our kind comes together in ways you'd never imagine." Steve says smiling "So imagine how great it is to know there are people out there who will gladly take on the dangers for you." 

"To know that all those things you read about and see in the movies are real…it's scary but incredibly fascinating all at the same time."

Loki doesn't say anything. And that's when Steve sees something in Loki's eyes that he would've missed if he had been focused on his anger. That's not to say that he wasn't angry but he wanted to get to Loki in a way that he knew the others wouldn't be able to. He wanted to show Loki the good cop side first.

But why? Why was he so bent on getting through to his man? Steve could feel the answer. It's in the way that Loki spoke, the way his sharp blue-green eyes pierce him, the way he is acting like none of this was a big deal when he knows the reality of those actions and how he, Steve, is getting irked by this charade.

He loves him.

That funny feeling that bubbled up when he first saw him all that time ago came back. And it was stronger than before. He honestly couldn't recall the last time he felt this strongly about someone, let alone someone like Loki.

He wasn't sure if the other felt the same, and that's okay. 

Loki on the other hand was finding it hard to look at Steve. Why is that when this man spoke he could feel riled up? But not in the sense that he wanted to drive a dagger through his chest. But instead scream at him to make him see his side, until he understood why he did what he had done. In his frustration, tears begin to make his eyes glassy. But why? Why was this mere mortal making him feel this way? His heart longed for him to understand....

Loki wanted Steve to side with him. And it hurt that he wasn't, didn't.

This was all the opening Steve needed.

"You want to know something Loki? Seeing you I can't help but see that you have so much potential." Steve starts "You are blessed with some incredible powers. You have magic, real magic and you have a way with words and you're wasting those gifts on being a villain." 

Loki lowers his gaze.

"You can be so much more, you can do so much with your powers." Steve adds as he takes Loki's hands into his own "You can be anything in this world, you can be someone who helps people, someone good." Steve continues and with Loki's hands in his grasp he can feel them trembling. Loki's breath hitches as a lump forms in his throat and his eyes start to sting even more.

Loki shakes his head "It's too late…." He says with a stuttering breath.

"It's never too late Loki, what's important is that you try. You are never stuck in one role, Thor has spoken so proudly of all the good you've done before all this." As Steve speaks a tear rolls down Loki's cheek and he turns his head as he pulls his hands away from Steve and goes to wipe at his eye but the first Avenger beats him to it. He gently thumbs away the tear before going to remove the big handcuffs just as another tear splashes onto the red gloves.

He pulls Loki into a hug and begins to rub comforting circles into his back. He can feel Loki sag against him and a small sob leaves the silvertongue. And with how broken it sounded screams volumes to Steve with just how hurt Loki is. 

"I had no choice! He threatened to kill my mother, my brother, even my children." Loki sobs as he clings to Steve's shirt "A-And I only agreed so my loved ones wouldn't be hurt. But even then he t-tortured me into submission, and then brainwashed me." Chokes out Loki.

With those words Loki breaks further and all Steve could do was hold him closer, he could feel his tears on his neck wetting the material of his Captain America costume. Steve knew that Loki has a lot on his chest, on his mind that he just can't get out.

Loki lets out another miserable sob as he clings to the hero's outfit, he wasn't sure why he felt the need to come clean to this hero. To this man who was his enemy hours before. But did. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Steve made him feel safe.

As for Steve wanted to show Loki that he cared about him, that he well… loved him. Steve lifts Loki's chin ignoring the little wobble in his lower lip and kisses him on the cheek.  

Loki stares at him caught off guard before Steve goes in once more to press another gentle kiss to his lips. Still surprised at first Loki stiffens. Clearly not sure how to react. Not feeling the kissed returned Steve pulls away, his face red.

"S-Sorry." He stammers as embarrassment settles in his chest.

Loki is also blushing with embarrassment, he hadn't expected to be kissed. It wasn't the fact that he had been kissed by a man either, for he has shared kisses with both men and women especially with the big extravagant feasts Odin would hold.

No it was the fact that a hero had kissed him. Someone who, he had thought hated him.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-..."

"N-No…it's quite alright…." Loki mutters and Steve can't help but notice how Loki's ears turned pink. He smiles and reaches up towards Loki's head, the trickster watching the action carefully. Being gentle as ever he goes to brush a strand of black hair behind Loki's ear.

The two stare at one another before going in to kiss one another again, this time they both can feel the affection and love they have for each other. 

Once they separate both are breathless from holding their breath. Steve smirks then chuckles "Were you holding your breath?" He teases.

"Yes. Only because you were holding yours." Accuses Loki "It's been sometime since I have ever kissed someone." He admits shyly.

"Same." Steve reassures "But that doesn't mean we can't practice." 

Loki looks up at him "Are you saying that you and I are a-...." 

"Couple?" The first Avenger laughs a bit "Been a long time since I could say that."

"Well, I certainly don't want to disappoint you…" Loki smiles "Tell me, are you okay with the fact that you're dating someone with kids?" Loki asks.

"I love kids! I'm sure they are all just as smart and handsome as you." Steve's words are filled with excitement for he means every bit, he tries to recall exactly what Loki told him back then. Something about a horse? He can't really remember. Still he's eager to meet Loki's children.

Wait if their relationship grows more that means he'll be a father. He looks at Loki wondering how many children he has exactly. How old are they? Would they even want to be around their Earthling stepfather?

Loki chuckles; he can practically hear the gears going and see the smoke rolling out of his new boyfriend's ears.

"Worry not, my children are very loving. And they love to meet new people, alas I must admit my daughter takes after me…and because of that she's been sent away." Loki looks down "She's a wonderful girl, truly. But the Allfather saw something in her that he had never seen in me…he blamed her parentage for her nature." 

Steve steps over to him and pulls him close. "She's not to blame, nor are you. It just sounds like Asgard just isn't the best place to raise kids." 

"Oh trust me it's not. Especially if you are born to royal blood. I never excelled in combat. I wasn't the fastest learner when it came to brute strength. You can only imagine the horror on Odin's face when he learned that I had literally broken into tears when little Lady Sif bested me in several of the training activities and pinned me to the ground." Loki laughs "But that was all before I learned to wield knives, daggers were an interesting weapon. A woman's weapon is what I had heard them called. A tool only for cooking." Loki summons one of his beloved knives "They mock it, but they forget that one of the sharpest knives makes a feast taste all that much better." He says smiling.

"A long range weapon ensures that you live to see another day. But being this close, being right up on your prey makes the victory taste all that much sweeter. You fight up close at times and I respect that."

Steve had opened his mouth to say something but is cut off when he hears Loki's belly growl. Loki coughs trying to ignore it. He wasn't surprised, the mention of the feats back home had him daydreaming of taking in all the juicy scents of roasting goose, bread baking, the roasted and slightly charredness of the vegetables, and the sickening sweet aroma of the wine. It was enough to make Loki's mouth water.

When was the last time he ate? That's when he remembered the lousy cup of nuts and raisins he had been given by Eric Selvig claiming it to be a taste of home. It tasted nothing like the nuts and fruit of home.

"How about we grab a bite?'

"Are sure that's a good idea?" Loki gestures to the now soggy take-out bag "I am fine with eating.. whatever this might be.: 

It was just some burger he had grabbed along the way, but seeing the state the bag is in and topped off with their silent confession it just seemed wrong to have Loki eat a cold soggy burger alone in a cold cell.

"Just trust me on this, I think you'll love this place." He says smiling and offers his hand to Loki. But he doesn't take it. Instead he looks up at him shyly "It's just, the night will be ruined…taking me out to have a meal after what I've done…" Loki trails off. And that much was painfully true, Steve had been caught up in the moment that he had forgotten for a second Loki was a wanted criminal.

"Then, we can have dinner here." He smiles "I can make something, is there anything you want to eat? Or I can order us something-" he stops as an idea surfaced up "I know a place." He says as he grabs the to-go bag "JARVIS." Steve calls out.

"Yes, Mr.Rogers."

"Please, assist Loki anyway you can."

"Of course." 

Steve smiles as he asks JARVIS to open the door allowing him out Loki watches as Captain America exits and he smiles before getting to his feet "JARVIS, is it?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Could you perhaps direct me to the facilities? I would like to freshen up, a shower or a bath." Loki asks.

"Of course. May I suggest borrowing clothes from Mr.Rogers wardrobe?" 

"Excellent!" 

"Of course sir, the bathroom has towels. I'll open Mr.Roger's bedroom door for you."

"Thank you JARVIS."

"Is this a date, Captain?" Loki asks as Steve passes him a glass of wine, the pair sit together on the floor of Loki's room cell, the lights are dimmed at a comfortable level setting the atmosphere. Soft music plays from somewhere over head. He smiles as his gaze goes to the old school Captain America shirt Loki has on and the plain dark gray sweats that Steve recognized as his own. Loki noticed and he smiled "If it's any consolation, I just used my magic to conjure up a similar look."

"Now I don't know if I should be hurt or offended." He jokes yet the trickster looks a bit confused. "You're more than welcome to actually wear my clothes." Steve tells him as he begins to plate the chinese take out onto a plate. 

"I wasn't too sure what you'd like so I just went with the basics: rice, sesame chicken, egg rolls, dumplings, crab rangoons." He picks up a little baggy "They even tossed in these tiny chicken wings." He adds and passes Loki his plate.

"This really does feel like a third or fifth date kind of thing does it not?" Teases Loki as he sets the plate on his legs and takes and takes another sip of his wine. 

"Does it?" 

"Yes. But to be fair I've never been past the first one." Loki admits "I've only read about them in books."

"Well, same here. I honestly thought fondue was something…else." 

Loki looks at him curiously "Fawn dew?" He echoes "What's fawn dew? Does it have to do with little deer?" Loki asks as he picks up an egg roll "And why are these called egg rolls? They don't resemble eggs. I half expected rolled eggs."

"No no, fondue. It's a term used for dipping food like fruit, bread, etc into melted cheese or chocolate. Nothing about baby deer." He smiles "We should do it together, do you like cheese or chocolate more?" Steve asks curiously.

"Well, we have cheese on Asgard."

"No chocolate?"

Loki shakes his head as he takes a bite of rice chewing it "Then the first thing we'll do is get you some chocolate."

A small moment of silence falls between them but it's not uncomfortable. They sit together dining, the only sound being that of the clinking of silverware hitting the ceramic plate. 

"So what's it like on Asgard?" Steve finally asks as he passes out a second helping of a bit of everything between them. Loki thanks him, a thoughtful look crossing his face "The scenery is breathtaking, when you first arrive you'll see the wondrous bifrost. The shimmering rainbow of the bridge as it leads all the way to the golden palace of Asgard, it's all spectacular. The air is clean and crisp, the buildings that surround the palace are all made of stone. The springs are cool, summers are warm, falls are chilly, and winters are blistering. The people-...." Loki trails off.

"Well, from what I've seen at feasts they are kind, spirited, and love their home, and most of their people." 

"Most?" Steve asks softly "Does this mean you're not part of that?"  

His gaze softened when he sees Loki's face darken some "Well, being honest…my reputation there amongst my people isn't the best." Loki closed his eyes "You can say that I've worn out my welcome for some. I do know that I have only myself to blame. I know my playfulness tends to get the best of me and not many if any shares my love for my tricks." 

The silvertongue opens his eyes, and Steve can see that tears have begun to form in his eyes. "I've never meant any harm, my tricks were never meant to be malicious…." Loki shakes his head "I soon gained the reputation of-...well…" Loki trails off and Steve can see the pain in his eyes. He sets his plate down and moves Loki's to the bed before sitting down beside him. This close he can see the light scars left behind from when he had his lips sewn shut. Steve lifts his hand and gently runs his thumb over Loki's upper lip before going in to kiss him once more. He's surprised how it feels much more natural this time to kiss the prince. He moves his head away and pulls Loki up onto his lap. He hugs him from behind and Loki tests the waters and leans against the old Avenger, his head resting on his shoulder.

Much to his own surprise, he wasn't pushed away or moved. Instead while being held Steve begins to gently rock him."What will happen to you once you go back to Asgard?"

Loki lowers his head and takes a deep breath "I will most likely be put in chains and thrown into the dungeons. I'd be lucky if I got away without being whipped." He adds.

He didn't like the sound of that, not at all. Honestly he knows that Loki needs to be punished, the city and its people want him punished. In fact the whole world might want him punished. But at the same time Steve found that he can't bring himself to see Loki hurt. Heck seeing Loki crying hurts him.

He couldn't imagine the feeling he'll have seeing him broken and in pain.

"I will speak to Fury, I'll see what I can arrange for you here. I don't want you to go to Asgard only to be beaten up. Loki, look at me. No please just look at me. There you go." 

Loki's eyes shimmer with the unshed tears that are threatening to fall. 

"I don't want to see you hurt. I don't want you to be in pain. I will do everything in my power to make sure that you are safe, even if it means not going back to Asgard." Steve says and takes Loki's hand's into his own.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Captain." 

"Please, call me Steve."

Steve steps out of Loki's makeshift cell, he gives him one last longing look taking in the sight of the demi-god for a bit longer. Loki lays sleeping, snoring softly in the bed that he has been provided. It was much that he could offer, but he had decided to stay with the sorcerer until he fell asleep. He didn't think he was going to fall asleep that fast but he figured leading an alien invasion and being Hulk smashed into the ground was exhausting. 

Steve had covered him up and gathered the food and dishes. Which is where he finds himself now just smiling at the trickster.

"Goodness, you're so beautiful." He hears someone say in a mocking tone as the door slides shut causing him to startle.

Whipping around he sees Tony standing there grinning at him expectedly. 

"S-Stark!?" He sputters, Tony bats his eyes at him "Please call me Tony." He mimics before turning on his heels following after the elder "You couldn't sound anymore like an old man, you know." 

Steve tried to play off the comment "Just so you know, we all heard it. JARVIS played the whole thing for us." Tony pipes as he gestures around vaguely "Though to be fair, he had only done it because I asked him to after he sent me a little notification that Loki's heart rate spiked." He paused, "Thought Bambi here was having a heart attack or something." 

"Nope, turns out you two were having a moment…" he stopped at the bar as Steve put away the food and began washing the dishes that they used "But like out of everyone on the team, heck the world for that matter why him?"

"I don't know…I know I shouldn't but the way he moves, speaks, and everything…I just-you know." 

"But if it had to be an alien, why not Thor? At least you know you can trust him."

"And I trust Loki."

"Weird thing to say about someone who tried to invade our planet." Tony stops himself and looks at Cap "I just don't want you hurt by him." 

"I know. But I have a good feeling about this."