Generally when Steve decides Loki needs the rest, Loki curls up on the bed and Steve works in the art-studio corner of the small apartment. This time, Loki has managed to fall asleep on his shoulder on a bench in the park after insisting he didn't need the rest.
This might be the first. Not even Peggy had attempted to sleep leaning her head on his shoulder. But reasonably, she didn't have the same sleep deprivation issues as Loki. Fury was not seeing reason at the moment and probably wouldn't until they 'crack' Loki.
What do?
Steve listens to gut, and a arm quietly goes around Loki. No, he's not tempted to play with the black curls. Not at all.
If Steve only knew it, this kind of trust from Loki is so rare as to be almost nonexistent. Especially now, in a hostile realm filled with enemies, out in the open, vulnerable. He should be more cautious.
But Steve is calm and quiet, good-humored and serious. And comfortable, it seems.
He hadn't intended to fall asleep. He'll move soon.
He knows, or is aware enough to realize this is a matter trust and exhaustion. If he has to truly think about it, he would blame the exhaustion and the growing dark circles under pale eyes and the bothersome thinness. The man was already slender before but almost too much so now. Lean and hungry.
The soldier said he would make sure Loki would be treated fairly until Odin sent for his lost son. And at times he sees the sparks in the other man of the brother Thor obviously loved. A sharp intelligence and wicked sense of humor when Loki allows it to slip past.
And he has no intention of moving. Unlike most people in this era (even his era), Steve knows how to wait, Steve knows patience. Having a dozing 'friend' on a warm June day is an easy enough setting for his patience.
Some amount of time passes before Loki starts with a sharp intake of breath, fingers gripping tight on Steve's shirt as the last dregs of the nightmare swirl before his eyes and dissipate in the sunlight.
"...forgive me, Captain," he says softly as he loosens his grip, but he doesn't move. He's too aware of the way Steve's arm around his shoulders makes him feel...protected, in a way he hasn't felt in some long time.
The time lost isn't too much of a bother for the soldier, though he noticed the slight twitching moments before Loki wakes up. His hand that had settled comfortably on Loki's shoulder lets go as he watches the Jotunn try and sort things out.
"Forgiven, your highness." He replies softly, not making a move to get up until Loki was ready. "But next time I may not believe you when you're telling me you're tried."
Months ago, Loki had taken the title to be Steve's attempt at sarcasm. He'd just failed in his bid to rule Midgard, after all, been cast down from Asgard, he had no right to any sort of title. Now it makes him lower his eyes and smile quietly as he sits up.
"Perhaps I was wearier than I realized," he admits, scrubbing his fingers through his hair as he tries to banish the last memories of the dream. "I'm fine now." He still makes no move to rise, glancing around the park. No one looks twice at them. He would have been angry at the perceived slight, months ago. Now he takes comfort in the anonymity.
Once again, people assumed he didn't have a sense of humor. He knew sarcasm, quick but gentle. Used in times of stress or used with undeniable affection under the words. The late Peggy Carter and not so late Tony Stark could attest to Steve moments of awe ("Taller") or frustration ("It seems to be powered by some sort of electricity").
And until someone from Asgard tells him that Loki is no longer a prince, because Thor hadn't pointed that out, he will assume Loki is a prince. Notably, he thinks, when it makes the Jotunn react with a smile.
"Are you sure? It was still a short nap. I think Dr. Banner would dub it a power-nap." Steve tilts his head in consideration, "What was the dream about? You woke up pretty rough."
"Yes, it was..." Loki falls silent at the question. He could lie. Steve has gotten better at knowing when he's lying, but that doesn't mean Loki has ceased to tell him lies. Despite seeing the hurt when he does.
Sometimes the hurt is what he's looking for.
"Nothing," he answers quietly and doesn't meet Steve's eyes.
Hurt and comfort tiemz~am_a_heroJune 17 2012, 02:31:06 UTC
[ After the attack of the alien race, his suit was battered so extensively that steve literally had to rip off his iron man suit because it had malfunctioned and its system was so shot that it would not automatically come off stark like it was programmed to do. The fall had given him scrapes and bruises and the billionaire was pretty damn sure he had a sprained ankle. Tony was just lucky the captain had taken it upon himself to take care of him, help him into stark tower and get him into bed. Oddly enough, the cap had stayed with him but tony couldn't manage to look at the supersoldier- don't get him wrong, he appreciated the other but .. Well, he rubbed him the wrong way the majority of the time and he still was a bit upset with the man questioning his capabilities as an avenger and the point steve made that he wasn't a hero simply because he had no powers ]
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What now, dear Captain?
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This might be the first. Not even Peggy had attempted to sleep leaning her head on his shoulder. But reasonably, she didn't have the same sleep deprivation issues as Loki. Fury was not seeing reason at the moment and probably wouldn't until they 'crack' Loki.
What do?
Steve listens to gut, and a arm quietly goes around Loki. No, he's not tempted to play with the black curls. Not at all.
Gosh darn it, Trickster.
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But Steve is calm and quiet, good-humored and serious. And comfortable, it seems.
He hadn't intended to fall asleep. He'll move soon.
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The soldier said he would make sure Loki would be treated fairly until Odin sent for his lost son. And at times he sees the sparks in the other man of the brother Thor obviously loved. A sharp intelligence and wicked sense of humor when Loki allows it to slip past.
And he has no intention of moving. Unlike most people in this era (even his era), Steve knows how to wait, Steve knows patience. Having a dozing 'friend' on a warm June day is an easy enough setting for his patience.
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"...forgive me, Captain," he says softly as he loosens his grip, but he doesn't move. He's too aware of the way Steve's arm around his shoulders makes him feel...protected, in a way he hasn't felt in some long time.
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"Forgiven, your highness." He replies softly, not making a move to get up until Loki was ready. "But next time I may not believe you when you're telling me you're tried."
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"Perhaps I was wearier than I realized," he admits, scrubbing his fingers through his hair as he tries to banish the last memories of the dream. "I'm fine now." He still makes no move to rise, glancing around the park. No one looks twice at them. He would have been angry at the perceived slight, months ago. Now he takes comfort in the anonymity.
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And until someone from Asgard tells him that Loki is no longer a prince, because Thor hadn't pointed that out, he will assume Loki is a prince. Notably, he thinks, when it makes the Jotunn react with a smile.
"Are you sure? It was still a short nap. I think Dr. Banner would dub it a power-nap." Steve tilts his head in consideration, "What was the dream about? You woke up pretty rough."
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Sometimes the hurt is what he's looking for.
"Nothing," he answers quietly and doesn't meet Steve's eyes.
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You can leave, you know. You don't have to stay.
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