A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

Outburst

—-Sam—-

I don't think I like us living in New York everywhere we go Loki gets recognized and harassed. I'd ask him why he doesn't just change his appearance but I think I already know the answer, he's not going to pretend to be something he's not, not after everything that's happened. I also worry some part of him thinks he deserves it.

He tries to hide how much their words hurt him with jokes and comebacks made at their expense. He's cruel with his remarks, if you didn't know him you would think he didn't care what anyone thought of him, that he felt no guilt for his actions. I know better. I watch as the words wear him down. He pretends not to care even to me if I bring it up but one day I find him a sobbing mess.

"Loki..."

"Sam I'm fine-"

"No you're not."

This is plainly obvious. He tries in vain to argue he's ok.

"Sam..."

"It's ok you don't have to say anything just let me sit with you."

I don't need an explanation of exactly what happened that finally pushed him too far and made him break down like this. I just need to be here. I don't want him to be alone with his thoughts.

"Of course."

Seconds pass and I hear him whisper.

"...thank you."

He tries to be alone when he's upset where no one can see him, he thinks it makes him weak. It doesn't, not to me. I know he won't talk to me if I press him so I sit there for over an hour. When he's ready to talk to me he will and not a moment sooner for now my job is to simply be by his side so he remembers he's not alone. He finally breaks the silence.

"They hate me."

He sounds so defeated. Their words have cut him like a knife. I counter.

"They don't even know you."

He seems to disregard me.

"They're probably right to."

"No listen to me."

I move his head with my hand so he's looking at me.

"What happened, what you did, that wasn't you. You were used. These people don't understand what happened because it's easier for them to just blindly hate than to try."

He's silent for a moment. I soften my expression and give him a hug.

"Everything's gonna be ok."

He holds onto me allowing himself to openly show vulnerability in front of me. My heart is hurting to see him so upset but at the same time I'm happy he trusts me enough to let me see him like this I know he doesn't even let Thor see him this way most of the time, when this kind of thing happens he usually rides it out alone. I hear his muffled voice then.

"I don't deserve you."

I hold him closer. 'What a dumbass!' To think he doesn't deserve to be comforted or loved is a truly brain dead thing to come out of such a smart man's lips.

"Shut up, don't be stupid."

He pauses taken aback by me reprimanding his remark but then he leans further into my embrace.

"Sam... god I love you."

I smile at this glad I'm able to comfort him.

"I love you too."

—————————————————————

The next day We're out and about getting dinner. I know someone's going to be a problem before they even see us. They're being rude to the waitress catcalling and stuff like that. The exact type of guy that would have been a regular customer to my captors. The waitress is trying her best in this situation and brings the man his drink.

"Thanks sweetheart, you know my offer still stands if you wanna be with a real man."

"I have a boyfriend Bill."

The man reaches over and takes her arm.

"He doesn't have to know."

Finally Loki's had enough of this guy.

"If I'm not mistaken the young lady has made her position on the matter quite clear and some of us are trying to enjoy a night out."

The waitress gives him a grateful look. The man looks over and I see he recognizes Loki.

"Hey buddy ain't you that asshole who attacked New York?"

Loki goes quiet.

"Oh right I forgot you're an Avenger now. You think because you help put out a couple fires everything's forgiven?!"

Now I've heard enough. I grab Mjölnir which had been cloaked as an umbrella up till now. I surprise myself by standing up and stepping closer to the man. The man sees Mjölnir and does a double take. I find myself shouting at him despite normally being unable to convince my lips it's safe to utter a word around men I don't know.

"You need to shut up!"

The man looks at me stupidly this pisses me off.

"Sam?"

I hear Loki but ignore him for now and address the asshole in front of me.

"You don't know anything! So keep your mouth shut!"

The man looks scared.

"Sam."

Loki has his hand on my wrist. I suddenly realize I had walked over to the man in my rage and had the collar of his shirt in my hand and Mjölnir in my other. Everyone was staring at the scene I was making. I let go and take Loki's hand. I set a large tip on the table though we hadn't ordered anything yet and start pulling him towards the door.

"We don't need to hear this. Let's get out of here."

I'm surprised by my outburst, I had been so afraid for so long but I couldn't sit and listen while yet another person tore Loki down. I'm never letting that happen again I decide. No matter my fear I'm not letting him get torn down.