Beyond The Stars (UNDER REVISION)

Becoming Closer

My eyes flutter open. I stretch, a happy groan escaping my mouth. I instantly freeze when my hand touches something. Turning my head, I look at a shirtless Loki sleeping beside me. I let out a breathy laugh, remembering the night before. Loki moved into my room two months ago, a month after that moment in the hallway. I press my lips against the back of his shoulder before brushing the hair behind his ear. Maybe he'll let me braid it soon? He stirs in his sleep. Before he can open his eyes, I run my fingers into his hair. He smiles softly. "Good morning," He groggily says. 

My heart flutters, "Morning," I run my hand down his back, my nails softly scratching his pale skin. I look at the pile of movies in the corner. "So much for movie night, huh?" I laugh. 

He finally opens his eyes. "You were... distracting." He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. 

"Oh, I was distracting? Here I was, trying to watch Chicago and you couldn't keep your hands off me."

"How could I? In my defense, you were wearing that," He points to the shorts and oversized sweater on the floor. 

"My pajamas?" 

He bites his lip. "You're beautiful in anything you wear." 

I smile and flicker my eyes away for a moment. "Well," I climb out of bed, stealing the sheet to cover my mostly bare body. "I'm wearing this then," I snatch his shirt off the chair. I feel his eyes on me as I drop the sheet and pull the button down over my torso. I walk over to my dresser and slide on some underwear. I didn't even hear him rise out of bed. His hands land on my hips as he pulls me close. I giggle softly when his lips land on my neck. 

"Did I say you could steal my clothes?" 

I spin around. "I don't need your permission to do anything." 

"Oh?" He raises his brow at me. 

I smirk. "Come on. We have to eat breakfast before class." 

"What are we covering today?" 

"The Age of The Avengers." He groans. "Hey, that's me, ya know." 

"Mm, don't remind me," he rubs his shoulder where I twisted his arm. 

I snake myself under his arm. "I'm hungry." 

"You can't go out like that," He gestures to my lack of proper clothing. 

I look at myself in my full length mirror. "I could make it work." I walk over to my dresser again, pulling out a pair of black jeans. I tie his black shirt into a crop top. "See?" 

"Ravishing," He smirks at me. 

I look back at him. "And you need to get dressed." 

Without effort, he's suddenly dressed. "Tada."

"Somethings don't need magic." 

"Ah, but it's so much easier." 

I scoff and grab his hand. "We're gonna be late." 

"And after the defeat of Ultron, the destruction of Sokovia caused a rift between the citizens of the world and The Avengers. Then, in Lagos, in an attempt to save the city, Wanda Maximoff, The Scarlet Witch, accidentally destroys a building, killing many. A lot of people and rulers decided to no longer allow The Avengers to work freely. 177 nations signed The Sokovia Accords, which would make a United Nations Committee in charge of what  missions they take. Some Avengers, meaning myself, Iron Man, Black Widow, War Machine, and Vision all agreed to the Accords. While Captain America, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, and James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes all disagreed. Spider-man and Black Panther joined our side between the time of the meeting and the battle in Germany. Cap refused to agree with the Accords. This caused a split between the team, ultimately dividing us. There was a big battle at the airport. Luckily, no one was killed. Black Widow ended up switching sides mid-battle. Team Captain America, as people like to call them, all went into hiding. I haven't seen them sense. I left Midgard once again, for what I thought would be forever. Some things don't last, but what is important is that we all spend time with those we love." I pause for a second. "Well, now you are all completely caught up on the history, let's talk mannerisms?" I smile. "First, no smashing of cups in the presence of Midgardians. We don't do that. We simply compliment the drink and ask for another. 'That was some lovely tea. May I have another?' is the most formal way. In a handful of countries, like America and England, we tip our servers. If they did a good job, the normal is about 10-20 percent, but it's all up to you. I normally tip 10 on a bad server and 20 or more on a good server." I notice Loki waiting for his cue. "If you don't mind telling them the differences you've noticed, Loki?" He nods and stands. As he teaches, his voice tunes itself out as I just watch the way he hides the passion he has for humans. 

"We shall be close enough in one month," Thor says while we eat dinner. 

"You sure it'll be close enough for my links to work?" 

Loki nods and Thor speaks up again, "We'll be in the same realm, so yes." 

"Good." I look at my food, not eating.

"Is everything alright?"

I look up to see everyone watching me. "Yeah, no. I'm fine."

Dri?

I'm fine, Loki. I promise. I push him out of my mind. "I'm going for a walk." I stand up and walk away from the table. I walk through the mostly empty halls. Everyone is at dinner now. I stop at one of the windows, looking out at the vast space I once adored. Now it just feels lonely. I let out a sad sigh.

"Dri?" I close my eyes tightly, not responding.

After a moment of silence, I look at the persons reflection in the window. "Hey, Heimdall."

"Are you alright?"

"Just enjoying the view." I rub my brow. "It's just been so long. How are they? My mom, my brother."

He looks out at the stars with me. "They do know what has happened. They expect your return very soon."

"What are they doing?"

"Adam is playing video games and your mother isn't at home."

"Where is she?"

"A restaurant."

I furrow my brows in confusion. "With who?"

"She's alone. She's been there for a while, but hasn't ordered anything. She's waiting on someone."

"Oh, mom..."

"Heimdall, if you'll excuse us?"

I turn around to see Loki. "Of course," the gold eyed man puts his hand on my shoulder before departing.

I turn away from Loki, not really wanting to get into how I'm extremely happy, but very lonely all at once. I don't want to make him feel bad. "Dri, talk to me?"

I pause for a moment. "I just can't."

"Can't what? Talk about your problems with the person you love?"

My eyes go wide and it turn back at him. "L-... Love?"

He looks shocked, but instantly covers it. "You do feel that way, right?" I avoid eye contact. He takes in a sharp breath and goes to walk off, but I grab his hand.

"Wait!" He stops, turning back to me. I see the tears beginning to build in his eyes. "I-... Loki, I-..." I let out a sigh, feeling my own tears build. "Of course, Loki. Of course I love you."

"Then why didn't you say it?"

"Because I'm scared? I feel like that if I let you know how much you actually mean to me, you'll disappear. Every time we got close to where we are, you'd go away... I don't want you to go away again."

He smiles softly, "Darling, I'm not going anywhere. I love you. I will never leave you." He steps up to me, wrapping his arms around me.

"I love you too."

"And me you."

I bury my head in his chest. We stand, interlocked into each other. Suddenly, he stiffens. "What's wrong?" I ask, looking up at him. I follow his gaze. I see the large ship blocking the light. "Loki?... Who is that?" He looks so scared. "Loki?" I step back from him. I enter his mind, but something scares me out of it. The darkness. A feeling I haven't sensed in so long. I feel my heart drop. "Is that...?" I look back to the window, Loki's fear feeling my body, mixing with my own. "Him?"