Found Again

Nineteen

•An Hour Later•

        You're making small energy balls while sitting on the floor, studying your magic when Bucky walks in.

        You look up, "Hi..."

        Bucky walks over and sits on the floor in front of you, "Hi."

        You look down, "You aren't scared of me, are you?"

        Bucky lifts your chin with his index finger, "No. Never. I'm always going to help protect you, and I understand how confusing and painful it all is. I'm always here for you no matter what you've done or how you feel. I'm always here."

        "May I have a word, Y/N?"

        You look up and see Loki standing at the doorframe. Bucky looks over at you, and you nod your head, so Bucky leaves.

        Loki shuts the door and sits down next to you.

        "I saw what happened."

        You look down and concentrate on making energy balls again.

        "I doubt you can be scared." You mumble.

        "I am."

        You freeze, your energy ball vanishing. You look up to Loki with a devastated expression.

        Loki's face turns sympathetic, "Oh, darling." He moves your hair out of your face, tucking it behind your ear, "I'm scared for you... I don't want anything to happen to you."

        "I wish I could help you control things." He freezes and starts getting nervous, "Not that you need contr-"

        You pull him into a hug. He slowly wraps his arms around you, and you stay in the embrace in silence for a bit.

        You suddenly pull away, startling Loki and turning his lips down into a frown.

        "I think you might be able to help me!"

        Loki's face brightens up, "How? I'll do anything!"

        "You've used the tesseract."

        Loki nods, a bit of sadness returning.

        "No, no. It's okay." You reassure, "It's actually good. You know a lot about it, so maybe you can teach me all you know and help me figure out what powers I might have from it."

        "Yes... yes. I might actually be able to help!" Loki smiles.

        Loki grabs your hands, looking you in the eyes as you both grin. After a bit, you look away as butterflies flutter in your stomach around a turning Ferris wheel.

        "Can we start tomorrow?" You ask.

        "Oh, of course."

        Loki leans in next to your ear and whispers, "Don't tell anyone, but I think you're possibly a better fighter than me."

        Loki goes back to a sitting position while you laugh.

        "Wow... I promise I won't tell anyone." You whisper back.

        You lean forward and kiss him on the cheek. He looks shocked as a very light tint of blush coats his cheeks.

        "I'm glad you know I'm better than you." You tease.

        "Not better, just... different... okay, maybe you're a bit better than me."

        You both laugh.