#righteoushield

     ❝ ...I’m sorry? ❞ The words were murmured, a whisper made in confusion at what had just met the trickster’s ears. Dark brows furrowed as a deep frown crossed the trickster’s lips, a look of utter bewilderment on his face. That admission, that request for the Æsir’s absence so random, so out of the blue and UNEXPECTED. It took Loki by surprise, and there was a long moment where he tried to process what was going on.

     The Captain had grabbed the trickster’s attention now, he was hanging off of the blonde’s every word. Bright green eyes gazed into those deep blue hues as Steve continued to speak, searching them for answers. 

     WHY?

     What had he done wrong? What had he done to Steve to warrant THIS? Nothing crossed the trickster’s mind as a viable reason. He had come to the Captain seeking help, seeking comfort and refuge in the one place he felt safe, in the arms of the one person that he trusted more than anyone. The man he LOVED... Only to be turned away with such a cold shoulder.

     Shaking his head slightly in disbelief, Loki could feel the prickly sting of tears forming in those green hues — but he refused to let them fall. It HURT, to hear such words pouring from Steve’s lips. It felt like a thousand knives being thrust into his heart, a shattering, aching pain, as Steve dismissed him, dismissed what they had together like it was NOTHING. 

     He was speechless for a long moment, out of the sheer shock of it. It felt as if his whole world was crumbling around him, Loki’s one shot at happiness slipping through his fingertips as he tried to desperately to clutch to it. First, Ragnarok — the loss of his very home, then the encounter with Thanos — destroying the rest of his people, the rest of his family. And now... THIS

     He wanted to scream, to cry and sink to his knees and beg Steve not to do this. Not now. Not when Loki needed him now more than ever. But he didn’t. The Æsir wouldn’t allow himself to appear so weak, wouldn’t the Captain to see how BROKEN he had become.

Risky decision had been made not to wake the soldier by dragging the tip of the blade across his throat. Dig so far, the room would be coated in the man’s blood. Instead, he’d dressed himself in the clothing that he knows belonged to him, that was sprawled across the floor as if they had been hastily removed and discarded. Little light trickled into the overall dark room, giving him enough visibility from where he sat. Straight across from the bed, he sits on the small corner desk that’s meant to place baggage and other items on. Hardly comfortable, and still, he sits with his back straight and a knife in his hand. Tip of the blade is against the wooden surface, and he mindlessly turns the knife in circles, carving away until there’s a rustling on the bed that causes him to stop. Turning it in his hand, in case he had to put it to use. Only reason he kept him alive, was quite obvious. 

Common enemies still on their tail. More than one man alone could take on, even for the Asset. What better man to form an alliance with, than the very man that he knew would play along with anything for the very sake of Bucky?

Attachments. A weakness he had no intentions on indulging in, merely manipulating it to his advantage. “Stand - and it will be the last thing you do.” Warning comes in a low tone, a tune much different than Bucky’s even if they sported the very same voice. Clear distinction between the two. Especially the bite, sheathing in a venom that he’d never speak with when it came to Steve. “Until you’ve agreed to my offer, at least.” Not exactly an offer. More of a threat that he knew he would be unable to deny. “I have every intention on leaving this damned country. Too many tails. I’m sure you understand.” Encounters were becoming closer every day. “And I require your assistance.” Standing, he doesn’t make much indication he’s going to move forward. At least, not unless he’s given a reason. “Will you stand in my way, or are you going to be of use?” 

     Loki took very little notice of it to begin with, it was just playful, harmless. But, lately... the sorcerer realised that he may be far more invested in the Captain that he had initially thought. This... tension between them — Loki couldn’t be the only one who could feel it? — it was driving him CRAZY. His thoughts had moved far beyond that of friendship in favour of something decidedly more... CARNAL in nature. And perhaps there were some emotions mixed up in those thoughts as well, a desire for a deeper connection than the one they already shared...

     As the conversation dulled for a moment Loki found himself acting before he could stop himself. Moving forward, the trickster almost pounced on the blonde, the tension between the two of them exploding in a heated kiss. Within seconds, the Aesir had Steve pinned against the nearest wall, pressed up against him, his hands tugging at the Captain’s short blonde hair before roaming over his firm body, grabbing almost POSSESSIVELY at him. It was all... ferocious, passionate, teeth and tongues clashing as Loki melted into the embrace.

     Short of breath, the trickster reluctantly pulled away. That was addictive, and if he had his way — the kiss would have lasted much longer. Meeting the blonde’s gaze, there was an almost WILD look in Loki’s emerald hues, his pupils blown wide. There was a slight blush rising on his cheeks as he closed his eyes at the softer and more intimate contact Steve provided, a contrast to the messy kiss just seconds before. Long fingers, trembling ever-so-slightly, toyed idly with the hem of the Captain’s shirt. For the first time in a long while, the ‘Silvertongue’ seemed a little lost for words. Clearing his throat, he finally spoke, his voice but a murmur.

     ❝ ...I have been wanting to do that for some time...❞

A SOLEMN night was something Karter had learned to appreciate. QUIET was something that was so rare these days that it was next to impossible to MISS it when it did come. HE PERCHES quietly on the building’s rooftop LEGS dangling over the edge as he cards a hand through his hair. 

HE NEEDED a break. Rest. Something. Having this LEECH using his body as a host was waning his strength and it wasn’t bad enough that he had that to deal with but the GOVERNMENT nipping at his heels like some sort of VICIOUS rabid beast. A breath escapes him as he glances up, PALE pallor illuminated in the moonlight as he cranes his head back.

THE NIGHT was the only time he could come out into the world now. He was GHOSTLY in appearance which only made it easier for others to identify him. Not the least of which were the PEOPLE who recognized him and sought to bring about his demise. WITH ALL this he’d managed to steal away a few moments of PEACE. THIS lonely night was timid. UNFAZED by the rough waters that could be compared to Hell’s Kitchen. THOUGH after a moment there’s SOMETHING of a noise that comes from the OPPOSITE end of the roof as he finds himself in the COMPANY of a stranger.

“Long time no see, stranger. You’re starting to look a bit wild there, Steve.”