The Daughter Of Love & Mischief

11/12

Steve sits with Bucky at the central breakfast bar, Bucky's eyes on Ali, Loki and Aphrodite across talking softly, catching up.

"So...are you and Ali?" Steve asks, Bucky turns to him. "Together?"

"Together?" Bucky asks, Steve nods.

"You know, together" he repeats, Bucky shakes his head fighting a smirk, he knows damn well what Steve is asking about, Bucky just wants to see how far he can push Steve. "Bucky....and you....fonduing?" Bucky stares at Steve before he is laughing, Steve blushing ridiculously red and looks down.

"Oh my God" Bucky wheezes out. "Are you still saying that?" he asks patting Steve on the shoulder. "No" he answers. "No me and Ali are not....dating, or sleeping together, she's my friend.....we're just friends. Not that she's not beautiful and kind and stunning, I just...I'm not ready" Bucky smirks and leans closer. "You interested?" he asks. "In Ali?"

"Shut up" Steve snaps knowing that the gods across from them could possibly hear them, Bucky smirks wider and nods a little, even after all this time he still knows his best friend oh so well. Pretty girl is in the room and Steve is a blundering mess. Seems some things don't change. Loki glances to Barnes and then back to Ali who smirks a little.

"We're just friends" Ali repeats to Loki. "I...made a few mistakes with men, one particularly, and I'm being careful"

"Husband?" Loki asks, she nods sadly, Aphrodite frowns.

"You got married?" she asks. "That's..." she stops her congratulations seeing Loki and Ali's features. "Not good?" she asks.

"I haven't seen him in....13 years" Ali admits. "It's fine....I don't care" she shrugs and glances to the window in front of her, in it she can see the reflection of Steve and Bucky. Steve is blushing away as Bucky laughs. Ali smiles seeing her friend happy. Loki touches her hand, still unsure that she is actually there, so many years of hope behind him, and so many years of disappointment too. She takes his hand back and turns to him. He gives her a small smile.

..........

Steve sits with Ali as Happy drives them through New York, Steve is...escorting her home, it had gotten dark and whilst they all know she is capable of looking after herself given what she is, Steve still thought it a good idea he takes her home. The car pulls to a stop and Steve raises an eyebrow looking out the window, he'd spent most of the drive watching her as she looked out the other window, his eyes traced her face, he can see why it's her, why it's her that found Bucky, why it's her that helped his best friend with his memories, took care of him, brought him back to Steve. There is something truly beautiful about her, mind, body and soul.

"You live in Brooklyn" he comments, she nods, he smiles a little following her as she climbs out of the car.

"It's the only place in New York I can afford to live" she counters.

"I know" Steve agrees. "I would love a place away from the tower but the prices are..." he shakes his head and looks to her as she smiles. "What?" he asks.

"You're still looking for a home" she comments softly, he looks down and scuffs his shoe a little. "It must be weird for you, the world's changed so much since the last time you had time to breath" he lifts his eyes to hers.

"Exactly" he agrees. "The others, they don't really understand"

"Well this isn't exactly Asgard either" she offers, he smirks and nods.

"No, I suppose not....do you remember much before...?" he asks unsure how to word it just right.

"I remember a lot" she answers. "It was the gardens that always caught my attention" they both turn and head towards her apartment. "Flowers more beautiful then anything you've ever seen and the smell..." she smiles. "I have never found anything that remotely comes close"