are you broken? so am i. (Strangefrost story)

VII.

Strange was internally panicking. What if he scared Loki up by the compliment? What if Loki is laughing at him, thinking what a fool he is. And he felt like one. How could Loki even like him after all their fights and insults? Stephen's mind was spinning around, thousands of thoughts running back and forth. 

'It would for the best to act like nothing happened to see how Loki's gonna behave towards me.' Strange decided for himself. 'Maybe I could go on a dinner with Christine. Just dinner. It's been a long time since I've seen her and no one will suspect anything. Or maybe not? What should I do?' He couldn't admit to the world the truth.

It's been two weeks since Loki saw his mother, the experience changing him. He became a happier person, finding a strength to forgive Odin for good and his self-esteem, knowing he was a loved child, not hated and abandoned one. However, his mind kept going back to the Strange's words, not knowing for sure how to understand it. 

After days and nights of thinking about it, he was convinced those were just words Strange said to calm Loki due to his state after the events. After all, Strange wasn't even attracted in men, he dated Christine, he told Loki about her that evening in the pub. 

Days went by and everything seems to be normal. Loki and Strange acting like nothing happened, having missions, training, hanging out with others, just being friends. But something was there, something in the air, something no one could lay a finger on.

Loki was watching a movie in the living room with Bucky, both chilling after a tough mission when a young lady, all dressed up and smiling, walked in. "Excuse me. Where could I find Stephen?" Loki turned to her, "probably in his room. I'm sorry. Who are you?" He asked confused. 

"I'm Christine. Stephen may tell you we're going to have dinner tonight." Loki's heart sank. "Oh, Christine, you're already here." Loki turned to the voice, seeing Strange all dressed up and ready for his date. "Let's go then." Strange smiled at Christine, both leaving soon. Loki wasn't in a mood to watch the movie anymore, excusing himself, he went to his room, the pain in his chest unbearable.

The next morning, Sam came up with a new mission: "You've already heard about the fires all over Australia. They need our help." "Since when do we help koala bears and kangaroos?" Loki scoffed, sarcastically. "Since the government doesn't have enough means to copy with the situation and your magic gonna be useful for once." 

So here they are, Strange, Wanda and Loki flying among the fires, lifting amounts of water and using their abilities to quell the flames, others helping on the ground and with the transport of animals. 

Everything was going well when suddenly wind cause a flame to blame unexpectedly, burning Loki's arm. Strange saw it and flew immediately to check him out. "Are you alright?" He asked Loki, audible concern in his voice, gently taking god's hand to examine the injury. "I'm ok." Loki scoffed. "But your arm-" "I said I'm ok!" Loki shouted, ripping his hand out of Strange's grip.

When they came back, Strange offered himself to take care of Loki's injury, he wanted to talk to him. They were sitting in the compound infirmary, Strange carefully cutting off the sleeve from Loki's arm. Loki enjoyed Strange treating him, watching him closely, how focused he was, wrinkles between his eyebrows, the strand of his hair falling down his forehead. 

He couldn't be angry at him, even though the jealousy were eating Loki out. "Stephen," he spoke up softly, Strange looking into god's eyes as he heard his voice. "I'm sorry about that before." The sorcerer smiled at the god's words: "It's ok, don't worry about it." "How was the date?" Loki continued, trying to keep the conversation going. 

Strange chuckled: "It was just a dinner." Loki's heart jumped with excitement. "How about a bar tonight, just two of us? As my apology. We haven't hanged out for a while," Loki suggested happily, wanting to make it up for Strange and their friendship back to normal again. "Why not?" Strange smiled once again.

"So you want to tell me such a beautiful lady, as Christine is, didn't catch your eye?" Loki said with amusement in his voice, sipping his drink. "Not really, to be honest, I loved her but it's been over for a long time." "Oh" was everything Loki could say. Loki noticed Strange still looking at a girl every now and then. "Whom are you eyeing, Strange?" 

Loki chuckled and pointed to the girl Strange kept observing. She was beautiful, long dark hair, the blue tight dress showing her perfect figure, deep green eyes, all so mysterious, eyeing the sorcerer since they entered the bar. "Someone got your attention, I see," Loki smirked, hiding jealousy. 

"I thought about asking her out but I doubt she would agree," Strange said, finishing his drink, feeling the alcohol running through his veins. "Are you kidding me? Go for her or I'll do it by myself." Strange was too tipsy to care but still sober enough to be able to actually do it. "Alright. Thanks, you're really the best buddy," Strange said, patting Loki on his back, heading to the girl.