Fic [WIP]: Charcoal Memories - Loki/Steve (3/6)
Title: Charcoal Memories
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: The Avengers
Prompt: Written for this prompt at avengerkink.
Summary: Titanic AU! Loki is a young English gentleman stifled by strict societal expectations and exponential family debt. His voyage on the Titanic only bringing him closer to his inevitable marriage to a young heiress waiting for him in New York. Steve is a down on his luck artist making his way back to America to find adventure and maybe even fortune.
Loki hastily put away his drawing inside the heavy safe-box that sat beside his armoire. He locked the door securely and looked up at the clock, it was nearly 10:00 pm, much later than he expected. Loki cursed to himself silently, he thought he had more time, however he knew that Thor would be sending someone to check on him at any moment.
Loki snatched a pair of dark trousers that sat on a near-by chair and quickly donned a clean white shirt and simple brown waistcoat. He wasted no time with cuffs or a collar but grabbed a pair of socks and shoes before he headed into the bathroom. Loki examined himself in the mirror and made sure he was presentable by at least second-class standards. He turned on the tap to let the cold water run when he caught a glimpse of his wounded arm in the mirror and gingerly ran his fingers over the self-inflicted wounds- they appeared to have already healed a great deal as the angry red welts of the past two days were merely pink marks that evening. Loki bent down and repeatedly splashed his face with cold water. It felt good against his skin that still felt hot with excitement. "I'm almost finished- I just need to dry my face and we can go," he called to Steve who still sat in the parlour.
Eyes closed and face still dripping with water Loki turned off the tap and reached blindly for a towel. Instead his hand found something else. Whatever it was- it was warm, it was rough, and it was firm. It took a few seconds for Loki to register what his hand had found was not a towel but were a pair of pants and that what he had just fondled underneath…
Loki's upper body shot up like a whip and he turned to apologize but before the words could escape his mouth he felt the pleasant softness of a towel pat his face dry. Loki exhaled a soft moan. When the towel was removed Loki opened his eyes and to his surprise Steve stood a mere nose length away. Loki found it hard not to blush at the close proximity of their bodies as he shifted nervously on his feet. He wanted to close the distance between them and feel Steve's body against his own. He wanted to feel the pressure of Steve's hard kisses against his mouth, his neck, his chest and the rest of his body. As these thoughts rushed through Loki's mind he instinctively bit his lower lip.
Steve lowered his gaze to Loki's lips, his eyes blurred with equal desire and anticipation. He raised his hands and touched Loki's flushed cheeks as he stepped forward closing the remaining distance between them. Loki closed his eyes and leaned into the chaste kiss while his hands slowly made their way across Steve's lower back. He marvelled at the unexpected feel of Steve's lips that were soft, warm, and seasoned with what he could only imagine was coffee and a lot of milk.
Steve caressed Loki's lower lip with his tongue before he gently coaxed the other's mouth to open. Loki willingly obliged Steve's intrusion and teased Steve's tongue with flicks of his own. He could feel the heat in his body follow Steve's large hands as they moved from his face to grip the back of his neck pulling him even closer. Steve moaned loudly as he pushed Loki up against the tiled wall as the kiss deepened and hands became more frantic with passion.
Undaunted by the sudden change of momentum Loki pushed back allowing Steve's leg to slip between his own and rub against his growing erection. Loki turned his head gasping for air as Steve pulled his head back to grant him access to the curve of Loki's neck which he kissed and sucked enthusiastically. Meanwhile Loki fumbled with the back of Steve's tucked shirt as he attempted to expose any form of skin to caress. Steve was in heaven as he moaned and rubbed against Loki. He was more than surprised by his desperate need to touch the man underneath him and the speed at which his body appeared to move in desperation to do so. All he could think of was how they needed to make it back to Loki's bed before they finished in that very spot. As he pulled Loki away from the wall and shuffled towards the bedroom something he heard instantly brought him out of the haze.
"Wait, I think I hear something," said Steve as he pulled away and strained his head to one side.
Sure enough the sound of a key unlocking a door echoed within the empty parlour. Steve quickly shut the bathroom door, allowing a crack to peek through, just in time to see Anthony Stark open the door of Loki's suite. Loki could feel Steve's heart pound against his chest; his own heart beat just as fast while he tried to refrain from breathing too loudly. He gulped hard as Anthony Stark causally looked about the room picking this and that item up in his hands. Venomous words hung to the tip of Loki’s tongue- how he hated Stark and everything that he stood for and what he had done to him. He bit back the urge to throw himself into the parlour and beat the man senseless, to yell and scream in his face, to humiliate and belittle him just as Stark had done to Loki on previous occasions. They watched Stark walk around the parlour before he headed towards the bedroom and as he entered Steve and Loki knew this was their only good chance at escape. Steve grabbed hold of Loki's hand and pulled him through the door not caring if their hurried footsteps were heard.
Anthony stalked out of the bathroom door just in time to see the tail end of Loki's leg fly out the front- the chase was on! Anthony bolted to the door and whipped his head around the corner to see the pair of men running hand in hand as fast as they possible could down the brightly lit hallway. They smiled as they ran past scores of passengers who cried out indignation as they rushed to get away from their stately pursuer who was only feet behind them. Loki and Steve crashed hard into an elevator and hurried the operator to take them down into the depths of the ship. They waved happily good-bye as they saw a pair of angry eyes come round and reach the closed elevator gate as they disappeared below.
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It was bright and sunny in the late afternoon when Loki made his way down the long and busy boat deck. He scanned the lounging forms of passengers as he made his way up and down the sides of the ship. It had been less than 12 hours since his attempted suicide and surprise rescue by good Samaritan Steve Rogers. Loki, wracked with shame and guilt over his foolishness, had been unable to go to sleep and had paced about his suite as his brother looked on in alarm. After an hour of coaxing Thor was finally able to get Loki to take a mild sedative allowing him some rest. When he awoke Loki found that he had slept nearly the whole morning away and had little time to seek out and thank his hero privately. Loki, uncomfortable with the idea of trying to navigate the confusing hallways and stairwells of steerage below, decided his best shot would be to catch his rescuer as he came up for air. After several rings around the ship, Loki afraid he might have lost his chance, caught sight of Steve lazily sitting on one of the ship's many benches.
Steve sat with one leg propped upon the other as he hunched over what appeared to be a sketchbook that occupied both his hands and attention for he did not notice Loki as he approached. Loki carefully walked up to the sitting man and smiled awkwardly at Steve as he looked down to see what he was doing. "Hello," he said as Steve looked up from his work. A smile as large as his face threatened to break free as he replied to Loki's greeting enthusiastically, "well, hello again!"
"Care to go for a walk," Loki asked in a hopeful voice and without hesitation Steve closed his sketchbook, rose from his seat, and motioned for Loki to lead as he followed close behind. They walked quietly for some time, passing men and women who lounged in wooden deck chairs and who’d glance up curiously as the mismatched couple as they made their way. Loki appeared as any proper gentleman would: his face clean-shaven, hair combed back, and a homburg hat to top it all off. He wore a light grey woolen suit that looked soft and warm while a light green crisscross pattern reflected in the sunlight; his dark green tie accented the outfit perfectly. Steve, while also tidy and clean-shaven, was rougher around the edges compared to his upper class counter part. His hair was messy and caught in the wind, his leather boots were well creased, his dark pants faded and frayed while his dark blue button down was rather thin. Steve’s dark brown leather jacket marked him as a carefree wanderer who did not belong in the company of men or women of standing.
Unsure of how to begin Loki looked to Steve and shyly stumbled over his words, "Mr. Rogers, I feel-"
"Please call me Steve," he interrupted as he raised his hand.
Loki paused before beginning again with more conviction in his voice, "Steve, I feel like such a fool for the other night but I… I wanted to thank you for what you did." Loki stopped to lean over the deck's railings looking down at the people below. He continued with his voice barely above a whisper, "not just for pulling me back… but for your discretion as well."
Steve moved closer to Loki and mimicked his pose; hands locked and elbows spread wide, their arms so close they almost touched each other. "You're welcome," he said plainly as they stood together in a moment of contemplative silence.
Loki looked up from the action below to scan the horizon, one hand held tight around the railing, as his spat his next words bitterly, "Oh, I know what you must be thinking! What does a fine gentleman such as myself know about misery?" Steve touched Loki's wrist tenderly, drawing it to himself as he said with kindness, "no, that's not what I thought at all."
Loki stared at his hand in Steve's own as Steve continued to speak, "I wondered what could have happened to hurt you so much as to think you had no way out." Loki allowed the touch to continue because for that moment he just did not want to break the comforting contact.
"It wasn't just one thing," he signed quietly, "it was everything."
Loki pulled his hand away as if burned by the sudden feeling of eyes upon them. "I just had to run and run and run and run... and before I knew it I was standing at the railing with no where else to go but up and over. All I needed to do was let go and I wouldn't have to suffer any longer," Loki said unable to stop the frantic flow of words from his mouth. He lowered his face to his hand in embarrassment at what he had just admitted to Steve who, up until last night, was a perfect stranger. Hit by this sudden thought Loki wheeled away cursing at himself for being such a damned fool.
Unable to leave the man alone Steve caught up to Loki with little effort. He felt drawn to Loki and the life that seemed to brim behind his bright eyes. It made Steve want to get to know him, to figure out what was behind the upper-class facade that seemed so fragile last night. He wondered what Loki liked to do with his spare time: did he like to go for walks in the woods or horseback riding? Did he enjoy going to the movies or reading a book? What cities had he been to and where would he like to go in the future? Loki seemed like a man in need of someone to rely on, someone who could listen to his problems and sit by his side. Loki needed a friend.
Steve wanted to converse with Loki and he searched for anything in his mind that he knew could start up a conversation. "So I get that the formidable blonde brute from last night was your brother but what about the other stiff neck," he asked in an attempt at some humour. Loki chuckled at Steve's question and shook his head. "That was Anthony Stark. The brilliant, womanizing, genius, millionaire, inventor from New York," he said in a stuffy voice playing with the words as the came, "he's really quite abrasive once you get to know him." Both men chuckled at Loki's quip.
“I take it you don’t really like him very much,” asked Steve. Loki pursed his lips and frowned. “He’s been my brother’s friend for as long as I can remember and he’s always had some bone to pick with me…” he trailed off unwilling to elaborate any further.
"What about her," Steve asked as he nudged Loki's hand with his bent arm. Loki stared coldly at his hand as if he just noticed the ring it bore, as if it was a stranger’s hand, and he sighed loudly in annoyance.
"She is the reason I'm on this ship…"
Steve bent his head to look into Loki’s eyes, "I take it you don’t want to marry her?" Loki turned his head and with a hard voice and narrowed eyes said, "you’re right I don’t. It’s my bother’s wish that I marry her."
"So don't marry her," Steve replied as he scrunched his shoulders to his neck.
"If only it were that simple Steve," Loki said exhaling hard as he threw his arms up in defeat. Steve placed a gentle hand on Loki’s shoulder and stopped him in his place.
"But it is that simple Loki," he said.
They stood together in silence on the busy deck as the sun begun to set in the distance colouring the two men in warm tones of yellow, orange, and red. Unexpectedly Loki reached for the sketchbook still in Steve's large hands. "May I," he asked with a single eyebrow raised as he took the book from Steve's grasp and walked away from the surprised man. Loki flipped through the sketchbook slowly as he took his time to examine each page holding them up to the light.
Loki's eyes flew back and forth between Steve and his sketchbook. Impressed with the work he saw Loki traced an image with one of his long elegant fingers and said, "these are really quite good!" Steve rubbed the back of his neck at the compliment. "I'm glad you appreciate them as the highbrows didn't think too much of 'em in Paree," Steve said as he kicked at an imaginary ball at his feet. Loki gasped in surprise as a gust of wind blew hard and took with it a number of loose sketches. Steve threw his hands in the air as he scrambled to grab as many of the dancing pages as he could grasp. He cursed quietly to himself as the rest were taken over the rails of the ship to the ocean below.
Loki gripped the sketchbook tightly and raised his hands to cover his mortified face, "Oh- Oh no, I'm so very sorry."
"Don't worry," said Steve as he snapped his wrist shaking the remaining crumpled images in his hand, "I just seem to spew 'em out. Besides, they're not worth a damn anyway." To emphasis his point Steve threw his drawings dramatically into the wind and both men watched as they sailed away. Loki taken by surprise by Steve's decision laughed enviously at the man's carefree actions. "You're absolutely deranged," Loki said as he motioned to the lost artwork with his free hand.
Loki continued to examine Steve's sketchbook as he walked to a bench and sat down. He paused, his breath caught in his throat, eyebrows raised as he came across a set of nudes. "My, my…" he said as he flipped through one after another- a blush rose to colour his cheeks. Transfixed by the incredible beauty of Steve's artwork Loki's jaw dropped in awe. He was surprised at how well Steve was able to capture the life behind each of his models' faces. They were such intimate portraits of real people unlike other artists’ simple charcoal pictures in the shape of human forms. Loki looked up to Steve with a single raised brow. He was perplexed at how a man such as Steve who seemed so large and intimidating could articulate such exquisite detail in such a delicate medium.
"That's one of the great things about Paris," Steve motioned to the book with his hand, "lots of girls willing take their clothes off."
Loki frowned at this admission and returned his attention to the art. "You liked this woman. You used her several times," said Loki as he flipped between drawings of the same model while a feeling akin to jealousy churned in his stomach. A mischievous look crossed Loki's faced as he smirked, the green of his eyes danced playfully in the setting sunlight.
"I think you must have had a *love affair* with her…" he said as he slowly accentuated the words.
Steve laughed loudly surprised by Loki's playful jib and shook his head in denial, "No, no!" He leaned back into the bench while his small smile grew into a larger one, "she just had beautiful hands." "You have a gift," Loki said as he looked up from the sketchbook to stare into Steve's eyes, "you see people as they really are…" Steve nodded his head. "I see you…"
"a-ha! There it is-"
"It's that piercing gaze again," Steve said as he matched Loki's own intense gaze. He reached his hand forward to touch Loki's own while he leaned dangerously forward for the sensibilities of proper company. "And what do you see," Loki asked as he stood his ground, his hands tightly clutched the sketchbook.
Steve cocked his head and said knowingly, "you wouldn't have jumped."
At this statement Loki rose from his seat excitedly and with vivid airs turned to Steve, "You know my dream has always been to just chuck it all away and become an artist… like an actor!" Steve chuckled at this sudden admission as he watched Loki pose dramatically on the railings and recite some passage of a play he didn’t recognize.
"Do you really think that it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are more terrible temptations that require strength, strength and courage to yield to- to stake all one's life on a single moment, to risk everything on one throw, whether the stake be power or pleasure, I care not - there is no weakness in that!"
Loki turned to face his audience of one. "My, my… it seems you've got talents bursting from the seams," said Steve impressed by the intensity of Loki's speech and stood to join his friend.
"Tell me some of your adventures as an artist," demanded Loki, his eyes bright with curiosity and wonder. Steve rolled his eyes his while his hands clasped together behind his head, "there's not much to tell in all honesty." Loki nudged Steve's side with his elbow imploring the man to go on. "Before Paris, well before Europe, I was down in Los Angeles sketching portraits down at the pier for ten cents a piece," he said as he looked at the clouds wistfully.
"Ten cents," cried Loki unable to fathom how a person could live in such meager means.
Loki's disdain went on unnoticed as Steve continued lost in pleasant memories, "it was great money, I could make a dollar a day in the summertime but when it got too cold I decided to go see Paris- to see what real artists were doing." Loki felt tremendous envy towards his newly found friend. He wanted to be just like Steve. He wanted to be able to do what he wanted whenever he wanted to do it. "Why can't I be like you? Just head out for the horizon whenever I felt like it," said Loki in a defeated voice his head bent down in despair.
Steve paused in both movement and thought.
"Okay let's do it," said Steve as his hand went to rest on Loki's shoulder. "We'll go to Los Angeles where we can drink cheap beer, ride the roller coaster until we throw up, and after that we can ride horses on the beach right into the surf." Loki and Steve stopped to imagine the possibilities that lay in front of them.
"Alright, we'll go to California where I'll be a movie star and you can be an artist," said Loki with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.
As they laughed together Steve caught notice of Loki's abrupt change in demeanour and turned to follow his line of sight. Not more than 10 meters away stood Thor, Anthony Stark, and a number of friends who had emerged from the ship. Instantly becoming more composed Loki stepped toward his brother and spoke in a submissive voice. "Brother, you remember Steve Rogers," he said as he turned to face the others while his hand gestured to Steve demurely. Thor nodded his head curtly as Anthony Stark tried to hide a wicked smile. While the others examined Loki's rescuer with curious amusement, Pepper, a young socialite with new money, spoke up with a smile, "well, Steve, it sounds like you're a good man to have around in a sticky spot." Steve attempted to compose himself in front of the group and replied, "It was my pleasure ma'am." As the bugle sounded for dinner, Loki waved good-bye to Steve and followed his brother, leaving Steve and Pepper to stand alone on deck.
"Do you have the slightest comprehension of what you're doing," asked Pepper who was fascinated by the young man. Steve smiled and looked down as his feet sheepishly as he shifted his weight, "no ma'am, not really." Pepper clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes at his response. She raised a gloved hand to her face and gestured to his whole body, "you're about to go into the snakepit. What are you planning to wear?" Steve stood silent in front of her, as he had nothing to wear but the clothes on his back. Pepper signed and grabbed a hold of one of his arms, "I figured as much, well common then."
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To be continued...
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Notes: The text Loki recites is from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde. I wanted something with a little umph that wasn't the typical Shakespeare.
Comments: Got a little naught this time around. heh. I'm slowly working my to the dinner party, sex, and some nice cameo's if you will. I believe there will be two more chapters before I finish. This has been such fun to write!
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: The Avengers
Prompt: Written for this prompt at avengerkink.
Summary: Titanic AU! Loki is a young English gentleman stifled by strict societal expectations and exponential family debt. His voyage on the Titanic only bringing him closer to his inevitable marriage to a young heiress waiting for him in New York. Steve is a down on his luck artist making his way back to America to find adventure and maybe even fortune.
Loki hastily put away his drawing inside the heavy safe-box that sat beside his armoire. He locked the door securely and looked up at the clock, it was nearly 10:00 pm, much later than he expected. Loki cursed to himself silently, he thought he had more time, however he knew that Thor would be sending someone to check on him at any moment.
Loki snatched a pair of dark trousers that sat on a near-by chair and quickly donned a clean white shirt and simple brown waistcoat. He wasted no time with cuffs or a collar but grabbed a pair of socks and shoes before he headed into the bathroom. Loki examined himself in the mirror and made sure he was presentable by at least second-class standards. He turned on the tap to let the cold water run when he caught a glimpse of his wounded arm in the mirror and gingerly ran his fingers over the self-inflicted wounds- they appeared to have already healed a great deal as the angry red welts of the past two days were merely pink marks that evening. Loki bent down and repeatedly splashed his face with cold water. It felt good against his skin that still felt hot with excitement. "I'm almost finished- I just need to dry my face and we can go," he called to Steve who still sat in the parlour.
Eyes closed and face still dripping with water Loki turned off the tap and reached blindly for a towel. Instead his hand found something else. Whatever it was- it was warm, it was rough, and it was firm. It took a few seconds for Loki to register what his hand had found was not a towel but were a pair of pants and that what he had just fondled underneath…
Loki's upper body shot up like a whip and he turned to apologize but before the words could escape his mouth he felt the pleasant softness of a towel pat his face dry. Loki exhaled a soft moan. When the towel was removed Loki opened his eyes and to his surprise Steve stood a mere nose length away. Loki found it hard not to blush at the close proximity of their bodies as he shifted nervously on his feet. He wanted to close the distance between them and feel Steve's body against his own. He wanted to feel the pressure of Steve's hard kisses against his mouth, his neck, his chest and the rest of his body. As these thoughts rushed through Loki's mind he instinctively bit his lower lip.
Steve lowered his gaze to Loki's lips, his eyes blurred with equal desire and anticipation. He raised his hands and touched Loki's flushed cheeks as he stepped forward closing the remaining distance between them. Loki closed his eyes and leaned into the chaste kiss while his hands slowly made their way across Steve's lower back. He marvelled at the unexpected feel of Steve's lips that were soft, warm, and seasoned with what he could only imagine was coffee and a lot of milk.
Steve caressed Loki's lower lip with his tongue before he gently coaxed the other's mouth to open. Loki willingly obliged Steve's intrusion and teased Steve's tongue with flicks of his own. He could feel the heat in his body follow Steve's large hands as they moved from his face to grip the back of his neck pulling him even closer. Steve moaned loudly as he pushed Loki up against the tiled wall as the kiss deepened and hands became more frantic with passion.
Undaunted by the sudden change of momentum Loki pushed back allowing Steve's leg to slip between his own and rub against his growing erection. Loki turned his head gasping for air as Steve pulled his head back to grant him access to the curve of Loki's neck which he kissed and sucked enthusiastically. Meanwhile Loki fumbled with the back of Steve's tucked shirt as he attempted to expose any form of skin to caress. Steve was in heaven as he moaned and rubbed against Loki. He was more than surprised by his desperate need to touch the man underneath him and the speed at which his body appeared to move in desperation to do so. All he could think of was how they needed to make it back to Loki's bed before they finished in that very spot. As he pulled Loki away from the wall and shuffled towards the bedroom something he heard instantly brought him out of the haze.
"Wait, I think I hear something," said Steve as he pulled away and strained his head to one side.
Sure enough the sound of a key unlocking a door echoed within the empty parlour. Steve quickly shut the bathroom door, allowing a crack to peek through, just in time to see Anthony Stark open the door of Loki's suite. Loki could feel Steve's heart pound against his chest; his own heart beat just as fast while he tried to refrain from breathing too loudly. He gulped hard as Anthony Stark causally looked about the room picking this and that item up in his hands. Venomous words hung to the tip of Loki’s tongue- how he hated Stark and everything that he stood for and what he had done to him. He bit back the urge to throw himself into the parlour and beat the man senseless, to yell and scream in his face, to humiliate and belittle him just as Stark had done to Loki on previous occasions. They watched Stark walk around the parlour before he headed towards the bedroom and as he entered Steve and Loki knew this was their only good chance at escape. Steve grabbed hold of Loki's hand and pulled him through the door not caring if their hurried footsteps were heard.
Anthony stalked out of the bathroom door just in time to see the tail end of Loki's leg fly out the front- the chase was on! Anthony bolted to the door and whipped his head around the corner to see the pair of men running hand in hand as fast as they possible could down the brightly lit hallway. They smiled as they ran past scores of passengers who cried out indignation as they rushed to get away from their stately pursuer who was only feet behind them. Loki and Steve crashed hard into an elevator and hurried the operator to take them down into the depths of the ship. They waved happily good-bye as they saw a pair of angry eyes come round and reach the closed elevator gate as they disappeared below.
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It was bright and sunny in the late afternoon when Loki made his way down the long and busy boat deck. He scanned the lounging forms of passengers as he made his way up and down the sides of the ship. It had been less than 12 hours since his attempted suicide and surprise rescue by good Samaritan Steve Rogers. Loki, wracked with shame and guilt over his foolishness, had been unable to go to sleep and had paced about his suite as his brother looked on in alarm. After an hour of coaxing Thor was finally able to get Loki to take a mild sedative allowing him some rest. When he awoke Loki found that he had slept nearly the whole morning away and had little time to seek out and thank his hero privately. Loki, uncomfortable with the idea of trying to navigate the confusing hallways and stairwells of steerage below, decided his best shot would be to catch his rescuer as he came up for air. After several rings around the ship, Loki afraid he might have lost his chance, caught sight of Steve lazily sitting on one of the ship's many benches.
Steve sat with one leg propped upon the other as he hunched over what appeared to be a sketchbook that occupied both his hands and attention for he did not notice Loki as he approached. Loki carefully walked up to the sitting man and smiled awkwardly at Steve as he looked down to see what he was doing. "Hello," he said as Steve looked up from his work. A smile as large as his face threatened to break free as he replied to Loki's greeting enthusiastically, "well, hello again!"
"Care to go for a walk," Loki asked in a hopeful voice and without hesitation Steve closed his sketchbook, rose from his seat, and motioned for Loki to lead as he followed close behind. They walked quietly for some time, passing men and women who lounged in wooden deck chairs and who’d glance up curiously as the mismatched couple as they made their way. Loki appeared as any proper gentleman would: his face clean-shaven, hair combed back, and a homburg hat to top it all off. He wore a light grey woolen suit that looked soft and warm while a light green crisscross pattern reflected in the sunlight; his dark green tie accented the outfit perfectly. Steve, while also tidy and clean-shaven, was rougher around the edges compared to his upper class counter part. His hair was messy and caught in the wind, his leather boots were well creased, his dark pants faded and frayed while his dark blue button down was rather thin. Steve’s dark brown leather jacket marked him as a carefree wanderer who did not belong in the company of men or women of standing.
Unsure of how to begin Loki looked to Steve and shyly stumbled over his words, "Mr. Rogers, I feel-"
"Please call me Steve," he interrupted as he raised his hand.
Loki paused before beginning again with more conviction in his voice, "Steve, I feel like such a fool for the other night but I… I wanted to thank you for what you did." Loki stopped to lean over the deck's railings looking down at the people below. He continued with his voice barely above a whisper, "not just for pulling me back… but for your discretion as well."
Steve moved closer to Loki and mimicked his pose; hands locked and elbows spread wide, their arms so close they almost touched each other. "You're welcome," he said plainly as they stood together in a moment of contemplative silence.
Loki looked up from the action below to scan the horizon, one hand held tight around the railing, as his spat his next words bitterly, "Oh, I know what you must be thinking! What does a fine gentleman such as myself know about misery?" Steve touched Loki's wrist tenderly, drawing it to himself as he said with kindness, "no, that's not what I thought at all."
Loki stared at his hand in Steve's own as Steve continued to speak, "I wondered what could have happened to hurt you so much as to think you had no way out." Loki allowed the touch to continue because for that moment he just did not want to break the comforting contact.
"It wasn't just one thing," he signed quietly, "it was everything."
Loki pulled his hand away as if burned by the sudden feeling of eyes upon them. "I just had to run and run and run and run... and before I knew it I was standing at the railing with no where else to go but up and over. All I needed to do was let go and I wouldn't have to suffer any longer," Loki said unable to stop the frantic flow of words from his mouth. He lowered his face to his hand in embarrassment at what he had just admitted to Steve who, up until last night, was a perfect stranger. Hit by this sudden thought Loki wheeled away cursing at himself for being such a damned fool.
Unable to leave the man alone Steve caught up to Loki with little effort. He felt drawn to Loki and the life that seemed to brim behind his bright eyes. It made Steve want to get to know him, to figure out what was behind the upper-class facade that seemed so fragile last night. He wondered what Loki liked to do with his spare time: did he like to go for walks in the woods or horseback riding? Did he enjoy going to the movies or reading a book? What cities had he been to and where would he like to go in the future? Loki seemed like a man in need of someone to rely on, someone who could listen to his problems and sit by his side. Loki needed a friend.
Steve wanted to converse with Loki and he searched for anything in his mind that he knew could start up a conversation. "So I get that the formidable blonde brute from last night was your brother but what about the other stiff neck," he asked in an attempt at some humour. Loki chuckled at Steve's question and shook his head. "That was Anthony Stark. The brilliant, womanizing, genius, millionaire, inventor from New York," he said in a stuffy voice playing with the words as the came, "he's really quite abrasive once you get to know him." Both men chuckled at Loki's quip.
“I take it you don’t really like him very much,” asked Steve. Loki pursed his lips and frowned. “He’s been my brother’s friend for as long as I can remember and he’s always had some bone to pick with me…” he trailed off unwilling to elaborate any further.
"What about her," Steve asked as he nudged Loki's hand with his bent arm. Loki stared coldly at his hand as if he just noticed the ring it bore, as if it was a stranger’s hand, and he sighed loudly in annoyance.
"She is the reason I'm on this ship…"
Steve bent his head to look into Loki’s eyes, "I take it you don’t want to marry her?" Loki turned his head and with a hard voice and narrowed eyes said, "you’re right I don’t. It’s my bother’s wish that I marry her."
"So don't marry her," Steve replied as he scrunched his shoulders to his neck.
"If only it were that simple Steve," Loki said exhaling hard as he threw his arms up in defeat. Steve placed a gentle hand on Loki’s shoulder and stopped him in his place.
"But it is that simple Loki," he said.
They stood together in silence on the busy deck as the sun begun to set in the distance colouring the two men in warm tones of yellow, orange, and red. Unexpectedly Loki reached for the sketchbook still in Steve's large hands. "May I," he asked with a single eyebrow raised as he took the book from Steve's grasp and walked away from the surprised man. Loki flipped through the sketchbook slowly as he took his time to examine each page holding them up to the light.
Loki's eyes flew back and forth between Steve and his sketchbook. Impressed with the work he saw Loki traced an image with one of his long elegant fingers and said, "these are really quite good!" Steve rubbed the back of his neck at the compliment. "I'm glad you appreciate them as the highbrows didn't think too much of 'em in Paree," Steve said as he kicked at an imaginary ball at his feet. Loki gasped in surprise as a gust of wind blew hard and took with it a number of loose sketches. Steve threw his hands in the air as he scrambled to grab as many of the dancing pages as he could grasp. He cursed quietly to himself as the rest were taken over the rails of the ship to the ocean below.
Loki gripped the sketchbook tightly and raised his hands to cover his mortified face, "Oh- Oh no, I'm so very sorry."
"Don't worry," said Steve as he snapped his wrist shaking the remaining crumpled images in his hand, "I just seem to spew 'em out. Besides, they're not worth a damn anyway." To emphasis his point Steve threw his drawings dramatically into the wind and both men watched as they sailed away. Loki taken by surprise by Steve's decision laughed enviously at the man's carefree actions. "You're absolutely deranged," Loki said as he motioned to the lost artwork with his free hand.
Loki continued to examine Steve's sketchbook as he walked to a bench and sat down. He paused, his breath caught in his throat, eyebrows raised as he came across a set of nudes. "My, my…" he said as he flipped through one after another- a blush rose to colour his cheeks. Transfixed by the incredible beauty of Steve's artwork Loki's jaw dropped in awe. He was surprised at how well Steve was able to capture the life behind each of his models' faces. They were such intimate portraits of real people unlike other artists’ simple charcoal pictures in the shape of human forms. Loki looked up to Steve with a single raised brow. He was perplexed at how a man such as Steve who seemed so large and intimidating could articulate such exquisite detail in such a delicate medium.
"That's one of the great things about Paris," Steve motioned to the book with his hand, "lots of girls willing take their clothes off."
Loki frowned at this admission and returned his attention to the art. "You liked this woman. You used her several times," said Loki as he flipped between drawings of the same model while a feeling akin to jealousy churned in his stomach. A mischievous look crossed Loki's faced as he smirked, the green of his eyes danced playfully in the setting sunlight.
"I think you must have had a *love affair* with her…" he said as he slowly accentuated the words.
Steve laughed loudly surprised by Loki's playful jib and shook his head in denial, "No, no!" He leaned back into the bench while his small smile grew into a larger one, "she just had beautiful hands." "You have a gift," Loki said as he looked up from the sketchbook to stare into Steve's eyes, "you see people as they really are…" Steve nodded his head. "I see you…"
"a-ha! There it is-"
"It's that piercing gaze again," Steve said as he matched Loki's own intense gaze. He reached his hand forward to touch Loki's own while he leaned dangerously forward for the sensibilities of proper company. "And what do you see," Loki asked as he stood his ground, his hands tightly clutched the sketchbook.
Steve cocked his head and said knowingly, "you wouldn't have jumped."
At this statement Loki rose from his seat excitedly and with vivid airs turned to Steve, "You know my dream has always been to just chuck it all away and become an artist… like an actor!" Steve chuckled at this sudden admission as he watched Loki pose dramatically on the railings and recite some passage of a play he didn’t recognize.
"Do you really think that it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are more terrible temptations that require strength, strength and courage to yield to- to stake all one's life on a single moment, to risk everything on one throw, whether the stake be power or pleasure, I care not - there is no weakness in that!"
Loki turned to face his audience of one. "My, my… it seems you've got talents bursting from the seams," said Steve impressed by the intensity of Loki's speech and stood to join his friend.
"Tell me some of your adventures as an artist," demanded Loki, his eyes bright with curiosity and wonder. Steve rolled his eyes his while his hands clasped together behind his head, "there's not much to tell in all honesty." Loki nudged Steve's side with his elbow imploring the man to go on. "Before Paris, well before Europe, I was down in Los Angeles sketching portraits down at the pier for ten cents a piece," he said as he looked at the clouds wistfully.
"Ten cents," cried Loki unable to fathom how a person could live in such meager means.
Loki's disdain went on unnoticed as Steve continued lost in pleasant memories, "it was great money, I could make a dollar a day in the summertime but when it got too cold I decided to go see Paris- to see what real artists were doing." Loki felt tremendous envy towards his newly found friend. He wanted to be just like Steve. He wanted to be able to do what he wanted whenever he wanted to do it. "Why can't I be like you? Just head out for the horizon whenever I felt like it," said Loki in a defeated voice his head bent down in despair.
Steve paused in both movement and thought.
"Okay let's do it," said Steve as his hand went to rest on Loki's shoulder. "We'll go to Los Angeles where we can drink cheap beer, ride the roller coaster until we throw up, and after that we can ride horses on the beach right into the surf." Loki and Steve stopped to imagine the possibilities that lay in front of them.
"Alright, we'll go to California where I'll be a movie star and you can be an artist," said Loki with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.
As they laughed together Steve caught notice of Loki's abrupt change in demeanour and turned to follow his line of sight. Not more than 10 meters away stood Thor, Anthony Stark, and a number of friends who had emerged from the ship. Instantly becoming more composed Loki stepped toward his brother and spoke in a submissive voice. "Brother, you remember Steve Rogers," he said as he turned to face the others while his hand gestured to Steve demurely. Thor nodded his head curtly as Anthony Stark tried to hide a wicked smile. While the others examined Loki's rescuer with curious amusement, Pepper, a young socialite with new money, spoke up with a smile, "well, Steve, it sounds like you're a good man to have around in a sticky spot." Steve attempted to compose himself in front of the group and replied, "It was my pleasure ma'am." As the bugle sounded for dinner, Loki waved good-bye to Steve and followed his brother, leaving Steve and Pepper to stand alone on deck.
"Do you have the slightest comprehension of what you're doing," asked Pepper who was fascinated by the young man. Steve smiled and looked down as his feet sheepishly as he shifted his weight, "no ma'am, not really." Pepper clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes at his response. She raised a gloved hand to her face and gestured to his whole body, "you're about to go into the snakepit. What are you planning to wear?" Steve stood silent in front of her, as he had nothing to wear but the clothes on his back. Pepper signed and grabbed a hold of one of his arms, "I figured as much, well common then."
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To be continued...
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Notes: The text Loki recites is from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde. I wanted something with a little umph that wasn't the typical Shakespeare.
Comments: Got a little naught this time around. heh. I'm slowly working my to the dinner party, sex, and some nice cameo's if you will. I believe there will be two more chapters before I finish. This has been such fun to write!