Chapter Text
Bella wandered into the lounge late that afternoon. Her hands buried deep within the pockets of a pair of Steve’s joggers. She had entered the lounge with the vague idea of finding some coffee, or perhaps a few uninterrupted moments alone with her thoughts — neither of which was likely in a tower filled with Avengers and a cosmic war criminal.
Bella paused, pursing her lips gently. Loki sat alone in the corner armchair, his legs crossed almost elegantly. An open book sat in his lap, the pages turned wordlessly, without being touched. Loki didn’t look up right away, which meant he knew exactly where she stood.
“You were up early” Bella said quietly, her fist clenching within the pocket. She swallowed thickly.
“I don’t sleep much,” Loki replied, still not looking up. “Your realm hums too loudly at night… it’s distracting”.
Bella stepped forwards cautiously, her head tilting slightly. She eyed the book, recognising it instantly. “That book’s from Tony’s antique shelf. He only keeps it there to look smart, I think”.
“Then it’s a good thing one of us is reading it”.
Bella’s lips curved, just slightly. Almost forming a smile. “I bet he’ll love that”.
Loki looked up finally, and for a moment, his expression was unreadable. Calm, and collected. Not malice as it had been the first time they had met. His eyes flicked over her, not in the way she was used to men ogling at her, but instead like he was studying unfamiliar.
“I thought your kind slept late after a battle” Loki said finally.
“We didn’t fight,” Bella said simply. “You were handed your sentence and then crammed into our living room. It’s not quite the same”.
Loki hummed, seemingly in agreement. Bella took his silence with caution, stepping further into the room. She settled by the far couch, not sitting, but not leaving either. She crossed her arms loosely around her chest, frowning.
“You seem different, like this,” She said.
Loki dipped his head, looking back towards his book. “Less homicidal?”.
“Less smug”.
He smiled. It was a small smile, but noticeable nonetheless. It warmed something within Bella, almost comforting her at the sight. Loki kept his eyes up the book before him, no longer acknowledging Bella.
“Don’t get used to it” Bella added sharply, before she gave him the opportunity to twist the moment.
“I wouldn’t dream of it”.
The room settled into a strange silence, different from the one that had lingered upon her first entrance. Less hostile, she supposed. Bella’s eyes drifted to the cover of the book, curious.
“I didn’t think you read Midgardian history?”.
“I don't,” Loki replied. “But I find the way you write your stories telling. So much fiction wrapped in the illusion of fact”.
Bella tilted her head, raising a brow curiously. She settled against the arm of the chair behind her. “You mean we lie to ourselves”.
“You romanticise your victories”.
“Maybe we like second chances”.
Loki’s head snapped up from his book, staring towards the woman before him imploringly. He made a desperate attempt to read her, to no avail. There was something about Isabella Stark that continued to hunger him strangely, something inviting. Loki shook his head to himself and Bella raised a curious eyebrow. Loki closed the book carefully, his fingertips lingering against the leatherbound sleeve.
“Do you believe in them?” He had asked. “Second chances?”.
Bella’s throat tightened, her expression hardening. “No”.
“You surprise me”.
“Don’t read into it” Bella bit back, almost too quickly. And Loki studied her with an unsettling stillness, not threatening or challenging, just there. Almost as if he were waiting for something to happen.
“You hated me,” He said finally.
“And I still do”.
His head tilted slightly, a short grin etched upon his face. It unsettled something deep within Bella. “Yet here you are”.
“I didn’t know you’d be here” Bella shot back, almost instantly.
He smiled faintly. “Liar”.
Bella almost laughed. Almost. Instead, she felt her eyes roll as she returned to her feet, a low groan escaping her lips. She turned for the door, shaking her head gently. “Try not to steal anything”.
Loki watched meticulously as Bella left, his stare remaining fixated on the exact spot she had stood moments prior for almost too long. Almost as though he was making a desperate attempt to understand the strange connection between the pair.
Loki glanced down at his book, though he did not reopen it. Silence had fallen over the lounge once more, yet it felt different somehow. As though Bella’s presence had altered the air. Loki leaning back in the chair, a short sigh escaping his lips.
His eyes narrowed on the empty space that had been filled by Bella only moments ago. His mind lingered on her words. There had been truth in her eyes, painted as clear as day. Loki recalled the way Bellas had looked at him when they had first faced one another, a memory lingering in his mind much longer than it should have. She had impressed him, that much had been evident to the pair. He had not forgotten the way she had looked at him then, nor would he forget the way she had looked at him just now.
“She doesn’t trust you” A voice came from the doorway.
Loki sighed, dropping his head slightly as he feigned a laugh. Thor.
“No one does,” Loki replied, not looking up.
Thor entered slowly, his arms crossed firmly across his chest. “That is not entirely true, brother. There is a difference between suspicion and hatred”.
“I’m well acquainted with both”.
Thor was quiet for a moment before speaking again. “You should speak more plainly with her”.
“That would ruin the fun,” Loki replied.
“You’re testing her?”.
Loki finally looked up, meeting Thor’s accusing stare. “She’s testing me”.
Thor’s jaw tensed, he pursed his lips. “And she has reason to”.
“Perhaps,” Loki said softly, looking away from his brother and towards the elevator that Bella had vanished inside of. “Reason is overrated”.
Thor’s brow furrowed in uncertainty. “What do you mean by that?”.
Loki did not answer. He simply stood, smoothing out his tunic with elegance. He turned his back to his brother and walked from the room, not towards his quarters, but the elevator that would lead him to the rooftop. Where he hoped Bella might find him.