InsaneJournal

The downside of being a Water Genasi… if you could even call it a downside… was that everything Stephen came into contact with became a little bit moist. It meant every step he took made the ground damp like dew, and if he stood in one place long enough, or sat down, a small pool might form. Concentration could alter the intensity, from moist to sopping wet, to actually being able to have water flow from his body. It didn’t really disturb Stephen, it was just interesting being in this new form… half water elemental. He felt a constant churning in his body, like a river flowing, and he experienced breathing like the ebb and flow of the tide. To be so close to nature in this way gave him a certain measure of peace.

Not everybody he encountered thought the same way. Particularly the shop owner he was speaking with, who told him flat out that he didn’t want him touching any of his wares lest they be ruined. He was a clothes merchant, so Stephen understood the reasoning - having a shop full of damp cloth would be awful, and a turn off for the next customer that came around. However, Stephen’s bag of coins was incentive enough not to throw the Genasi customer out into the street. So, instead, he held up different items for Stephen to look at, and he would make his decisions that way.

It wasn’t Armani, but the quality was good, and comfortable for everyday wear, even after Derleth had left this place. He chose a couple of tunics with leggings, not unlike the clothes he wore while training at Karmar-Taj, and heavy wool cloak, lined with dark fur, in case they found themselves in a place like Hoth again. Some winter boots wouldn’t be a bad idea, but he needed to go to a cobbler for that.

As the merchant wrapped his purchases, Stephen casually looked out the window at the other shops in the area. His new room was tiny and in need of ornamentation. Maybe a wall hanging? A small tapestry? Where would he find one of those? While pondering this question, his gaze traveled to the corner of the road and noticed a sign hanging above the door to a particularly large building. House of Welcome, it read.

“What’s that shop sell?” he asked when the merchant came over to give him a neatly tied bundle.

The merchant followed Stephen’s line of sight and gave a little huff of a laugh. “That there is a brothel.” There was a hint of pride in his voice. “One of the best in the city, and one of the most expensive, too.” Stephen’s eyebrows rose at this news, but then the merchant added, “You’re probably not allowed in there, are you? Being a monk and all. Ah well. Have a good day.”

Stephen stepped out of the shop, package in hand, but his eye kept drifting toward that corner building. Yes, he was currently a monk… technically... but as far as he knew he wasn’t bound to any vow of celibacy. What harm was there in checking it out? Why not, right? Live a little.

---

Loki’s head didn’t throb quite as badly as it had the day before, but he was still experiencing the ill-effects of guzzling an entire trough of ale in the matter of a few hours. If he’d been in his normal Jotunn form then none of this would have been a problem. But apparently unicorns weren’t made for intoxicating beverages. Something he learned the hard way and was still regretting days later. Granted, at least in human form he could do something more about it than roll over in the grass and wait for the pounding in his brain to subside. Not much more, of course, but Mobius had put together some kind of potion that at least eased the sound of drums between his ears. The lethargy, however, would have to fade on its own.

And once again Loki was reminded of how grateful he was to not be some simple Midgardian. He may not have been completely at ease with his Frost Giant heritage, but anything was better than this weak, meandering form. Honestly, it was a miracle that humans could even get up in the morning. All of the sore muscles, nagging hunger pains, and inability to do literally anything of physical merit on their own.

He didn’t think he’d survive.

Loki sat on an overturned barrel outside of a general goods shop that was nestled beside the House of Welcome. He had joined Mobius on his search for some rare magical items, but got tired of walking. (He was supposed to be on four legs, after all!) So while Mobius ventured into various shops and spoke to people who were supposedly knowledgeable of magical wares, Loki took a moment to regain his energy. He did this by sitting quietly—he was instructed not to attract too much attention to himself—and eating a round loaf of bread. Bread was supposed to relieve hangovers, right? Well, regardless, it felt good to finally have something in his stomach that wasn’t an angry liquid.

Which was when he saw good old Doctor Strange.

To be fair, Loki may not have recognized him at first glance. He looked so different in his Water Genasi form. But Strange had a certain strut about him that seemed to transfer to any of his physical forms. It was the walk Loki noticed first. And the legs. Then his peering eyes checked out the rest of him while he was talking to the merchant about the brothel. Ah, yes. Of course. No doubt about it. Stephen Strange in the flesh. The awkwardly sweaty-looking dripping flesh. Huh. Odd.

“I heard they have a serpent lady too,” Loki called out from his barrel seat. “Head and torso as enticing as a queen. Lower body like a snake. Or maybe it was the other way around.”

Total nonsense, of course. Loki was just making stuff up. Loki was always making stuff up.

---

The voice was unmistakable, and when Stephen turned his head to spot Loki sitting on his barrel seat, he wondered how he hadn’t noticed him before. He should’ve been easy to spot, what with his shimmering, skin, almost iridescent in nature. Stephen stopped in his tracks and defensively questioned himself why he should feel embarrassed. As much as he was flustered and irritated by having Loki catch him heading toward a brothel, in a way he was less bothered than if it had been some others from Derleth. There was a certain amount of familiarity he had with Loki that didn’t have with anybody else… sharing a hot tub while naked would do that.

“Serpent lady, huh?” Stephen didn’t have any reason not to believe Loki, besides the fact that Loki was known to be a liar. “That sounds like it could be fun.” He wasn’t being facetious… while traveling through different dimensions and different planets within his universe, he’d come across a wide variety of entities, and as a result physical differences didn’t turn him off as it might others. He changed his direction to walk up to Loki, pausing to glance up at the sign hanging over the shop door. “You’re missing a horn.” he continued, casually. “Mobius’ magic? Where is he? Inside?”

---

Loki raised a brow at the ‘could be fun’ comment. Loki was rarely surprised by people, but he had to admit that Strange had subverted his expectations of him on numerous occasions over the last few months. Not that he’d known the sorcerer well enough to have a very particular opinion, but Loki had a broad assumption where ‘good guys’ were concerned. Especially those who teamed up with his brother in some form. And while Strange may not have been an official Avenger, Loki had always put him in that category. The more he got to know him, however, the more Loki began to question whether Strange was the hero people made him out to be.

“The horn is still there. You just can’t see it.” He held up his hand, waggling his fingers to show off the simple band. “Magical anti-unicorn ring.”

Well, not technically anti, but it did allow Loki the ability to change at will. Which was much more convenient than spending the entire week prancing about on four hooves.

Loki shrugged at the question of Mobius’s whereabouts. Then he took another bite of bread. “He’s inquiring about a book. We’re going to embark on a grand adventure. Well, he is. I’m just going along for the ride.”

He smirked. Then he looked from Strange to the brothel. “Looks like you’re in for a ride, too.”

---

“Ooooooh yeah.” Stephen said with a single nod. “The wedding ring. I read about that.” He also read that it was a misunderstanding and Loki wasn’t really married to Mobius, but he still wanted to tease. “Congratulations. I’m curious about the magic he used to create the ring, though. I can’t use my sorcery this week, but I have a different type of magic. Something more elemental. But I’d still like to know the mechanics of how magic works here.

“Got to hand it to him, though. Mobius. He’s really focused on finding a way to stabilize Derleth.” Here he was out shopping and on his way to having a good time when he really ought to be helping. Tomorrow. He’d get on board tomorrow. He deserved this R & R. “With him at the helm, I actually believe we’ll be successful.” At least Stephen had a lot more faith in Mobius than he did Rick, but that wasn’t saying much.

Loki’s ride comment made Stephen smile, and then sigh. “That’s the plan, anyway. With the luck I’m having, they’ll turn me out for being a monk or something like that.”

---

Loki rolled his eyes. “It’s not a wedding ring.” But his tone didn’t sound quite as annoyed as one might expect. Not that this was anything to read into. Or was it? Hmm. Curious. Was Loki actually feeling some measure of sentimentality towards someone? Or was he simply sick and tired of everyone mocking him?

A little bit of both, perhaps.

He finished off the last bit of bread and wiped the crumbs off his attire. He felt peculiar sitting there in front of Doctor Strange. Despite the fact that he was of his normal height and build, he felt smaller. Perhaps it was the lack of strength and power that he had while in his Jotunn or Asgardian form which made him feel so weak and unimpressive. Maybe it was the fear that someone else would try to cut off his unicorn horn. Or maybe it was merely a holdover from last week’s trauma. Whatever the reason, he couldn’t help but feel a little awkward in front of Strange. As though he didn’t have any leverage of power between them.

Vulnerability was an uncomfortable sensation for a god.

“Well, if the ring survives the reset maybe I can be convinced to let you look at it. Since I won’t really need it anymore.” Did he say that too flippantly? Loki shrugged. “Mobius doesn’t really take no for an answer. Determination barely begins to describe it. So, I suppose if Derleth is going to give into someone it might as well be the man who sees through everything and everybody.”

Loki climbed off the barrel. “I think they’re more likely to turn you away for dripping on the carpet.”

---

“I know it’s not,” Stephen said, still in teasing mode. “But you weren’t all that upset when you thought it was.” At least that was how he interpreted the conversation over the network. Which brought him back to the observation he made two weeks ago, about Loki being stubbornly resistant to the idea that Mobius was in love with him, and that the feeling was mutual.

Not that it mattered all that much to Stephen, except the way it frustrated him. Loki always whining and feeling sorry for himself when it was obvious that there were people who really cared. Again, why would Stephen let that bother him so much? Maybe because he also wasn’t allowing anybody close into his life? He really didn’t care to delve into that level of self-introspection.

Convinced? “Pft. I’ll bypass the middleman, namely you, and go straight to Mobius to ask him myself. That does sound like a pretty apt description of him. After all, he’s managed to see through you.

Stephen looked down at his body… in the short time he took to stop and speak with Loki a small puddle had collected on the road where he stood. “I’ll give them a few more coins so they can buy a mop.” A pause. “You’re not going to open the network to start telling everybody where I’m going, are you?”

---

“Why should I be upset by the idea that a well-groomed, reasonably attractive, intelligent man who clearly has impeccable taste would want to marry me? That’s not upsetting. It’s flattering.” And this time Loki didn’t try to curb his opinion with a facade or a mocking edge to his tone. This time Loki was telling the truth. Because he was flattered by Mobius’s feelings towards him. Just as he’d been flattered by Strange’s obvious physical attraction to him in the hot tub. Loki may have been less bold and overbearing with people since his arrival in Derleth, but he still craved attention in all its forms. And it made him feel good to know that he could still command interest even when he wasn’t reaping mass destruction on a beloved city. “There could be worse choices for a spouse. And while it wouldn’t necessarily be a politically strategic union, it wouldn’t be a bad one. Not for me anyway. But I trust Mobius is wise enough to realize that I am by no means the settling down type.”

Loki unconsciously twirled the ring around his finger, leaving his last comment a little questionable.

“Nothing for you to worry about in any case,” Loki added with a wink. “And if you’re interested in snake women I can assure you that there can be one in Derleth any day of the week. All you have to do is ask nicely.”

Loki gently prodded his finger against Strange’s chest. When he pulled his hand away it was damp. Loki shook it off.

But when Strange mentioned bypassing him for Mobius, Loki raised a curious brow. He’d clearly interpreted that differently. “Well, I at least hope you’ll invite me to watch. The two of you being so transparent where I’m concerned, after all. I should at least have a peripheral involvement in this affair.”

Loki followed the sorcerer’s gaze downward to the puddle. He gave a soft laugh. “Oh, Stephen, darling. I wouldn’t dream of outing your intimate proclivities with people who wouldn’t appreciate them. On the contrary, this is a mental image I prefer to keep to myself. Something to get me through those long lonely nights in the Void.”

---

Were they really having this conversation out in public, in the middle of a busy street? It wasn’t as though any of the locals knew either of them, and in one week’s time they’d never be back again. Still, Stephen would’ve preferred to talk about this topic with a little bit more privacy. However, he sure as hell wasn’t going to back down in front of Loki… if anything, he’d never hear the end of it.

Despite it being somewhat awkward, Stephen was glad that Loki seemed happy. At the very least, content. A happy Loki meant it was less likely for him to go off the deep end, which was always a good thing for the safety of Derleth. Beyond the practical side, it was nice that under these unusual circumstances that somebody like Loki, whose personal history was so rough, was able to find somebody to share his time with, especially when that body was Mobius. It would take a steady and strong man to handle Loki in a relationship.

Invite him to watch? Stephen was confused when Loki said this, then became flustered by the assumption he thought Loki made. When Stephen had said he’d bypass Loki for Mobius, it was in the context of looking at the ring and finding out what magic was used. Taking a moment to calm himself down, telling himself not to make assumptions, he said, “Naturally you can watch. You might learn a thing or two yourself… about magic. Unless that’s not what you were thinking of?” He finished his sentence with a raised eyebrow, the comment about not being the settling down type making him wonder what exactly was on Loki’s mind.

“No thank you,” Stephen declined the offer, although the temptation of snake ladies sounded very interesting. “I’ve been teased by you before.” There was an unusually long pause as his memory drifted to their time together in the hot tub. Was Loki still teasing about having mental images of him? Stephen decided it must. “At least in there I know I’ll get what I’m paying for.” Stephen paused again, this time to deliberate whether or not he ought to say something, but then decided to clarify his motivations by saying, “I’m more concerned about Allison knowing. She reacted poorly when I wrote to Elsa, and even though we’re not together anymore, I don’t want her feelings to be hurt.” He thought for a moment. “Plus… yeah… it’s nobody’s business how I spend my time.”

---

Loki didn’t have a lot of shame. He didn’t care who heard him. He wouldn’t have been troubled if they were having this conversation at the Derleth dinner table, let alone a dingy thoroughfare full of fantastical creatures who didn’t know them. And Strange was right. Loki was happy. Happier than even Loki realized. Because even though he wasn’t at a point where he was willing to admit he had feelings for Mobius beyond the obvious, he did. He liked Mobius. And he liked the person he was around Mobius. Mobius was good for him in many ways and Loki recognized that. Recognized and appreciated it. And he was a little giddy as a result.

Not that this would change who Loki was. He was still Loki, after all. Still troublesome. Still flirtatious. Still a pain in most people’s sides. Still completely capable of going off the deep end. But maybe not directly off the deep end. Maybe not for a while. Not unless something happened to end his current glee.

Fingers crossed that didn’t happen. Because that was the last thing the people at Derleth needed.

“What else could I possibly be referring to?” Cue that insufferable, coquettish grin. The one that told Strange exactly what he was referring to. And it wasn’t magic. Well, not that form of magic anyway.

Loki laughed when Strange subtly referenced their almost intimate moment together. “Stephen, Stephen. If you offered to pay me I would make sure it was more than a tease. And you would know exactly what you were getting.”

Trouble. He would have been getting trouble. But delightful trouble it would be!

Loki winked.

But then Strange’s tone turned serious and Loki followed his lead in that regard. The great impersonator. “I’m fairly certain her feelings have already been hurt. I doubt there’s much more you could do to aggravate them. If anything she’d probably appreciate your decision to visit a brothel. At least then there’s no confusion about expectations. Relationships are much less complicated when currency is involved. Or when intentions are stated clearly from the outset. But you have nothing to fear from me! I have no intention of blabbing to Allison. Or Elsa. Or anyone for that matter. It’s none of my business how you get…”

Pause.

“…wet.”

---

Out of all the adjectives one could use to describe Loki, one of them was definitely not boring. If Loki was a bore, Stephen wouldn’t have bothered with this conversation as long as this. He rolled his eyes out of annoyance. “What sort of payment does the God of Mischief ask for?” he sarcastically asked, not that he was seriously thinking of taking Loki up on his offer. Or would he? It would be one of those situations where Stephen would have to weigh the pros and cons and decide if the trouble was worth it.

Elsa’s name was brought up, and Stephen frowned. He’d pretty much written her off because Loki was being too much of an aggravating, overprotective brother over her, and now he was giving him opposite signals. He’d ignore it, for now. “Clearly stating intentions don’t always work out. That’s what Allison and I had… but then she wanted more from our relationship.”

It sort of made him wish Mazikeen was still around. She didn’t have any problems with casual hookups. “Ha ha,” he continued being sarcastic in response to the wet comment. “This is where I insert a wisecrack about you being horny.”

---

“Favors, usually,” Loki replied, regardless of the fact that Strange’s sarcastic tone insinuated that he may not want an answer. Tough. Loki enjoyed making things difficult for the sorcerer. Enjoyed watching his mind squirm.

Favors were the best currency for a god. Especially one like Loki. There were a few people in Derleth who’d owed him a thing or two over the time that he’d been there. Only once had he ever really called in a favor for something verging on questionable. But that was with Julia and he knew that even with her shade she had very few qualms about doing questionable things where magic was concerned. So, he hadn’t felt bad about it.

As for stating intentions, well, Loki couldn’t argue there. He’d been clear with Fandral and that had gone over like a lead balloon. That was part of the reason he’d avoided having that conversation with Mobius as long as he had. Loki was always deliberately clear when it came to his physical and intimate relationships. And yet somehow people were still confused. Perhaps because they expected him to be a liar. Or maybe it was that cliche notion that a person could change someone else. Whatever the reason, Loki kept finding himself in proverbial pickles with people. Because no one listened to him. Really listened.

“You can’t blame her though. Most people want something more. And you’re an attractive man. You wouldn’t be hard to look at every morning.” Loki’s stomach growled. Apparently that loaf of bread hadn’t been enough. Then he grinned at the horny joke. “Am I? Goodness gracious. You make it sound as though I always wear my sexual desires like a phallic headpiece.”

Smirk. “Sadly only singularly horny this week. You should catch me again on a week when I have both horns.”

Pause. “Or is that three? Hmm.”

---

Owing Loki an open ended favor was generally not a good idea. Who knew what sort of thing he’d ask for? And why the hell was this even issue? As if Stephen would ever consider such an arrangement. Ridiculous, right? He rolled his eyes, but surprisingly not through the compliments.

This hadn’t been the first time Loki used flattery on him. He didn’t need to be told he was handsome, but it was always nice to hear… which only made him suspicious. As much as he wanted to trust Loki, his inner sensibilities made it difficult. Even if you trusted Loki one moment, you couldn’t be sure the next. But didn’t that also make it more enticing?

Instead of further engaging Loki in this battle of wits, Stephen sighed. He’d grown tired of the banter for now, and luckily he wasn’t in any sort of relationship with Loki that required an obligation to hang around any longer.

“It’s time for you to go,” he casually said, nodding his head in the direction of the shop. “I think I hear Mobius calling you. See you later, alligator.”

---

It was a fun game for Loki. A game that he might—one day—allow to be something more than a game if the circumstances were right. There had been a brief moment during his outing with Strange in New York when Loki had entertained the idea of taking things further. Of raising the stakes, so to speak. But Strange had called his bluff on that and left him alone in a hotel room. Pity. He often thought of how interesting that night might have been if the sorcerer had stayed.

Alas, they would never know.

Loki blinked when Strange mentioned Mobius, his sturdy resolve suddenly uneasy. He even glanced in the direction of the shop, surprised that he hadn’t heard Mobius call for him. Loki practically had the sounds of his footfalls memorized. How could he miss—

Ah. Of course. A joke. He shook his head and grinned. “Nice one. Very good.”

But Strange wasn’t wrong. It probably was about time that Loki caught up with his new partner-in-crime. He started to walk away and then paused, casting Strange a glance over his shoulder. “Wouldn’t it be funny if I was the alligator? Food for thought.”

Then he gave another taunting wink and headed off towards the shop.

---

It was a game, one which Stephen felt like he was winning when, for a moment, Loki actually believed that Mobius was calling. Unwilling to let Loki get in the last word, Stephen waited until Loki was on the threshold of the shop before saying, “I know you’re not the alligator. You’re a snake.” Referring to Loki’s previous snake lady comment.

---

Loki smirked at the idea that he was a snake. And while the response wasn't verbal, it was without a doubt the last word.