Shadows and Secrets (A MCU FanFic)

Chapter 16: Toasters

trigger warning: mild language that may be offensive or upsetting to some readers

Sam's POV

    "Hello, Midgardian friends!"

    Sam, Steve, and Nat were engulfed in a bone crushing group hug.

    Sam hadn't known that Thor was coming back today. He didn't know exactly how he felt about the over excited Asgardian. Sam had had very little interactions with Thor, they had never fought together, but he seemed nice. Very energetic, but nice.

    "I didn't know you were coming back today," Steve said when Thor released them. "It's nice to see you, Thor."

    "It is nice to see you as well! I brought my sister, Loki!" Thor pulled the scowling teenager into view.

    "Thor," Nat said, alarmed. "Why did you bring Loki? After New York—"

    "I was being controlled," the slender, raven haired teen said.

    Sam had not been an Avenger during the battle of New York, but he knew that it had been very destructive.

    "Wait, did you say sis—" Sam elbowed Steve. He would have to explain gender identities to him later. Sam was pretty sure that Loki was gender fluid.

    "Well," Nat said after staring at Loki intently. "You can stay, for now. Tony's not going to like it, though."

    "A disappointment, to be sure."

    "Wonderful!" Thor said. Sam wondered if Thor had not noticed the sarcasm, or just elected to ignore it. Sam thought it was the latter. He got the sense that Thor was very intuitive, even if he appeared otherwise. "Speaking of, where is Stark? And everyone else, too."

    "Probably sleeping," Steve guessed. "It is only six, afterall."

    While Steve and Thor talked, Sam eyed Loki. She was wandering around, picking up and replacing random objects in the exact same position. It was very sus. Nat had disappeared to who-knows-where, so Sam followed Loki around subtly.

    Loki slowly walked around in random patterns, which eventually led him away from the living room, through the hall, opening and closing random doors, and ended up  in the kitchen.

    When Loki started poking the toaster with a knife, Sam decided to interrupt. "What are you doing?"

    "Wouldn't you like to know," she sneered, trying to shove the knife into the toaster.

    Sam stared incredulously at her. "You're going to electrocute yourself."

    "Am I?" Loki said idley, perching herself on the counter.

    Sam struggled to find an answer to the confusing question. "I'm Sam," he said, giving up. Sam held out his hand to shake.

    "Loki," she said distastefully, eyeing his hand with suspicion. Sam let his hand fall, unoffended. Strangely, he was reminded of Bucky; although their mannerisms could not be different, they were both paranoid about any physical contact.

    "It's nice to meet you," Sam tried. Loki just raised an eyebrow. "Soooo...."

    "So?" Loki asked snobbishly.

    "So," Sam said firmly, and awkward silence prevailed. Loki continued to stare at Sam with her piercing green eyes. Normally, Sam was extremely extroverted and the life of the party, but he was starting to feel the social anxiety.

    The cycle of awkwardness was broken when Bucky walked into the room. (Strange. According to his normal schedule, he should have come down hours ago.)