Strangefrost Oneshots

part four ~ someone you loved

The air in the small, cramped kitchen was tense.

Unwashed dishes lay forgotten in the metal sink.

The Sanctum had never been this quiet, even as the moon settled brightly above.

Stephen brought his whisky glass to his lips and opened his mouth to say something but decided against it.

Loki had his back to Stephen. He was bristling.

Stephen sighed. "Loki, love -"

Loki spun around. "No, no," he snapped. "Don't you 'love' me!"

"Loki," Stephen said loudly, clattering his glass down onto the table angrily. "You need to listen to me!"

"No, Stephen," Loki snarled. "I am not about to listen to that foul mouth of yours - not after this morning."

"I did that to protect you! Why can't you see that?" Stephen exclaimed, exasperated.

"You put yourself in danger! You put the whole team in danger! You jeopardised the entire mission for everyone!"

They were standing nose to nose, chests heaving. Loki's eyes blazed. Stephen was losing himself in them.

Loki flared his nostrils. "You made me look like an amateur sorcerer in my own shoes! I did not need help, for God's sake!"

Stephen's voice was trying to be soft. "I did it to protect you, sweetheart -"

"OH MY GOD, STOP!" Loki screamed.

Stephen blinked. 

"Stop pretending! Stop acting like you care!" He raged. "You -" he poked Stephen in the chest. "You were showing off. You don't care about anyone except yourself."

That hurt. Stephen took a breath. He took a step backward. Loki stuck his nose in the air. 

"What about you?" Stephen murmured.

"What about me?" Loki spat.

"You weren't showing off with your stupid green magic?"

"What of it? I put no-one in danger."

"I saved you -"

"You almost killed everyone else!"

Stephen threw his hands into the air. They were shivering worse than ever. 

"I am not doing this with you! I was protecting you!"

Loki scoffed. He crossed his arms. "You think that's going to make me forgive you? I am not some damsel in distress, Stephen. I can look after myself."

They stared at one another for a long moment. 

Loki laughed a mirthless laugh. "I don't think I can do this anymore," he said, walking backwards.

Stephen paled. "No, Loki, please!" He pleaded, grabbing a hold of his hand. Loki held his fingers into a fist, refusing to reciprocate.

"Let me go," he breathed, gritting his teeth.

"No." He tightened his grip.

"You are hurting me."

"You hurt me."

Loki huffed. "Oh, did I offend you, Sorcerer Supreme?" He snarled. "Did I tread on that dastardly cloak of yours? Did I rain on your parade?"

"Loki," Stephen warned. He was suddenly aware of his nails digging into Loki's skin. He loosened the grip. His heart was thundering.