An unconventional trio

Snowflake

Nova's POV:

As Bucky stands in front of me, I feel a whirlwind of emotions crashing within me. His unexpected presence sends my heart into a frenzy, making it hard to find my voice. "Bucky? What... are you doing here?" I manage to rasp out, my throat tight with anticipation.

His soft smile sends a jolt through me, "Hi," he replies gently, his voice like a familiar melody soothing my nerves. "Can I come in?"

"Yes!" I answer, mentally scolding myself for sounding too eager. *Way to play it cool, Nova,*I chastise myself silently as I step aside to let him into my space.

As he passes by me, his gaze stays locked with mine, sending a shiver down my spine. I hold my breath, unable to tear my eyes away from him until he finally breaks the intense connection with a grin. My cheeks flush as I realize how much my 5'3 self wants to climb this man like a god damn tree....

Bucky's voice shatters the heavy silence as he strides further into my suite, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut. "So... I heard something about you and an... alien?" he asks, his tone hesitant, and my heart lurches in my chest.

*Oh, fuck.* Panic surges through me like a tidal wave as I try to comprehend how he found out. My mind races, desperately grasping for explanations, but all I can think about is how he must perceive me now. *He's going to think I'm a... I'm a... hoe bag!* The realization sends a wave of horror crashing over me, and I feel like I'm drowning in shame.

My eyes immediately drop to the floor, unable to meet Bucky's gaze as I nervously pick at my fingers. "Bu... I... well... it just... you were... you kissed me... and I... he... I didn't... oh god..." I stammer, my words stumbling out in a jumbled mess of confusion and embarrassment.

"Nova," his voice breaks through my rambling, and I lift my gaze hesitantly to meet his. His eyes are gentle, filled with understanding and something I can't quite decipher.

"You... you're smiling," I observe, my confusion evident in my voice. "Why are you smiling? Aren't you... mad?"

His grin widens, and a chuckle escapes him. "No, doll. I'm not mad," he reassures me, his tone warm and comforting. "Not at you. The alien, yeah," he adds with a playful quip, "but not at you."

I couldn't hold back the relieved sigh that escapes my lips as my head falls back, however a pout forms on my face as I come back up to look at him.

"Aww...doll what's wrong?" He asks through a grin as he steps closer to me.

"HE RUINED MY LIPS!!" I whine.

I felt a warm shiver run down my spine as his fingers delicately brushed my hair behind my ear. His closeness was intoxicating, and I found myself getting lost in his gaze as he towered over me. "Well... that's an easy fix..." he whispered, his voice sending a pleasant tingle through my body.

"I mean... if you want to..." I whispered back, a playful smile dancing on my lips. "Although, if you're going to keep kissing me like that... I may need to invest in more underwear. I just foresee me soaking through all of them so..." I grinned up at him, unable to resist teasing him a little.

"You... probably should," he replied with a grin of his own. "I don't plan on... not kissing you like that... but... cards on the table?" He paused, his expression turning more serious, and I tilted my head, curious to hear what he had to say.

"I... want to take things slow with you," he confessed, and my  heart skipped a beat.

"Ok... what does that mean?" I  asked, my laughter bubbling up. I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with anticipation at his words.

"Well, I know it's going to sound... old fashioned, but..." he begins, but I playfully interjected, unable to hold back.

"Why? Because you're old?" I quipped, a grin dancing on my lips. His response was swift, accompanied by a playful shake of his head.

"Wow. Rude," he retorted, his own grin mirroring mine, the tension momentarily lifted. "Technically, I'm not that much older than you...I don't think," he replied, his tone laced with uncertainty. I couldn't help but seize the opportunity to tease him further.

"Bucky, is that your way of asking me how old I am? Because you should know to never ask a lady her age," I quipped back.

His response was quick and sharp, delivered with a smirk. "You're...not a lady."

"RUDE!!!" I exclaimed back, trying to push him playfully, but he stood firm, his grin unwavering.

"I've never heard a 'lady' say fuck as much as you do."

"How could you have? You spent most of your time as an ACTUAL snowflake..."

As the last syllable left my lips, my eyes go wide as I watch in horror, his expression shifting, his usual grin replaced by a look of hurt. "Oh god...I...I didn't...my filter...oh shit...Bucky...I'm..." I stammered, my words tumbling out in a panicked rush. *Do you have to say EVERYTHING that pops into your head, Nova?* I berate myself internally, feeling a pang of regret for my thoughtless remark.

"Huh...I guess that's why you don't feed the Mogwai after midnight..." he softly replied.

"Bucky...I'm so...so sorry. I...that was...mean. I didn't...I'm sorry," I said, my voice trembling with regret as I pleaded for his understanding. I desperately wanted him to know that my words hadn't been intended to hurt him.

His gaze fell to the floor, and my heart sank. "I know you didn't mean anything by it, Nova. That it was just your brain being...well...your brain," he paused, finally meeting my eyes again. "But...I um...I need a little bit. It's late. We can talk more tomorrow," he finished, his words heavy with a sense of distance that made my stomach churn, threatening to leave more than just word vomit on the floor.

"Sure," I whispered, the weight of my own remorse pressing down on me like a lead blanket.

"Good night," he said gruffly as he turned to leave my suite, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the lingering ache of regret.

*Way to go, dumbass. You ruin everything*

My brain berates me as the silence of the room closes in on me. I can't help but shake my head at the fact the my inappropriate thoughts and poor timing...fucked me...again.

*No wonder you're 36....and alone*

Loki's POV:

The image of her with Bucky haunted me—her lips on his, his hands on her skin—the jealousy burning inside like an unquenchable fire. "Why am I jealous of him?" I questioned, bewildered by my own emotions. As a god, I was used to effortless fulfillment of my desires, especially matters of the heart. Yet, this mortal woman challenged me in ways I never anticipated.

"She's making me work for it," I conceded, feeling an envious respect mingling with frustration. And in that moment, I realized I craved not just her submission, but her genuine admiration—the kind she effortlessly gave to Bucky.

As I lie there, replaying Nova's hurt expression, guilt gnawed at me. I knew invading her mind and exploiting her vulnerabilities was wrong—a maneuver more fitting for a snake than one seeking redemption.

Yet, her turmoil drew me to offer solace, even as I knew my actions were tainted. Our kiss momentarily silenced my turmoil, but the weight of deception lingered, reminding me of the darkness within. I wanted to erase him. His kiss from her lips. His touch from her skin.

Despite my genuine care for her, I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, of exploiting her fragility. As I replayed her yielding to the kiss, uncertainty gripped me. Would she forgive my trespasses, or had I irreparably damaged any hope of redemption?