Unknown location at an unknown time...

Sylvie's POV

WAKE UP!
I jolted back into consciousness as the ice cold water stung my skin. I dismissed my mental alarm and fought to keep my eyes open. Heavy breaths and puffy eyes showed them signs of my exhaustion, but they don't know I was not to break that easily.
The burly man stepped right close to me, close enough for me to inhale his stale drunk breath. He smirked while gliding his serrated blade over my face. I hissed in pain as he drew blood with the cut he made on my cheek. "Oops! Sorry," he raised his hands in apology and later ran his finger over the same cut. "Shame to have ruined such a beauty," he said before he licked the blood on his finger.

"That right there is honey. No wonder they both vouch for you. Now close your eyes once again and I promise they won't open again to see them one last time."

Fighting back the droopiness of my eyelids, I stared directly into those stone cold brown eyes and smirked. "Challenge accepted."

*****

Some days earlier...

Loki's POV

".. And three hundred! Good job, Tom," she flashed me her wide set of teeth as I accomplished today's task of the 'five minute plank'. Of course I can do this all day, but let's not overcomplicate things to unknowing mortals. But most importantly, I couldn't be happier knowing I was recovering fast without my magic.

A knock on the door announced Sylvie's entry with a tray carrying three cups of the special concoction Margaret prescribed for, as she quotes 'cleansing our body.'
I was satisfied sipping on my drink when Margaret's question made me choke on it, "So, lovebirds ready for their honeymoon?" Sylvie and I exchanged flushed looks as she caressed my back to stop the coughing. Oh, why was I always stuck between these two?

"I stepped into personal territory, didn't I? Sorry, couldn't help knowing," Margaret surrendered and went on sipping from the cup. Hell you did. To clear the awkwardness, Sylvie just smiled, "Oh, it's nothing like that. Just a personal vacation we were planning all these years, finally put to place. Right, darling?" She nudged me gently by her elbow. "Yeah, a chance to spend some quality time together," I added before I focused on my cup again.

"Happy for you guys," Margaret said plastering a smile across her lips before she pretended looking at her wristwatch. "Anyways, some other person is patiently waiting for me on the other side of town." Shoving her phone in her jean pocket and grabbing hold of her handbag, she enquired, "When can I see you again then?"

"We would be away for a while since today evening, probably returning after a week," Sylvie replied. Making a mental note in her mind, Margaret planted a kiss on my cheek and left abruptly. Sylvie shot a very specific look at me, which couldn't be described aptly in words. Jealousy? Anger? Cringe? A mix? "Well that was something," she shrugged and placed the cups back on the tray.

"Someone's trying to lure your husband away from you, and that's all you'd say, Sophie Hiddleston?" I pressed on, trying to bring about some more reaction from her.

"Such flirting has never made you move an inch," she countered and started for the door.

"I sniff a gust of jealousy in the air," I smirked and she stopped in her tracks.

"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter?" Her fandom side was showing off again.

"They call me the 'silver tongue' for that."

"Oh do they? I'd like to try that out sometimes," the gap of the closing door revealed her wink and playful smile, leaving me stupefied. And that's the Sylvie I always adore.

*****

In the evening...

Sylvie's POV

Oh fuck. I should have anticipated this. I mean not that I had already seen this coming, but I didn't expect such severity.

"By Odin's name, stop bickering you two!" I shouted, putting an end to the argument. The duo eyed at me, waiting for my explanation. "Can we just put this behind and enjoy this trip harmoniously?" I asked meekly.
"No!" came the loud abrupt reply from both parties and I smacked my forehead. Oh, this is going to take some time Sylvie.

*****

Some time before...

Bucky's POV

Stark's taste in jets is admittedly great, I thought as I climbed up the steps of one standing on the runway. A pretty airhostess welcomed me inside and helped me with my two luggage bags in the overhead storage. My cell vibrated with a message which I could bet was Sylvie's.

《Reaching there before you. Five minutes tops ;)》

Me:《You lost this one love, I'm on the plane already.》

Sylvie : 《:( now I'm gonna come at my pace...》

I chuckled imagining the disappointment on her gorgeous face. The cute grumpy face she makes when something doesn't go according to her plan or liking. And I couldn't help craving more of her cuteness with each passing day. What are we? Just two best friends from two completely different origins and past? Sometimes I imagine taking this bond to the next level, but could this happen in reality?

The wheels of my imagination now set into motion took a different turn now. The last time I sat on a charter flight was during the expedition of my best friend's and his group's elimination. Instead of the leather jacket were adorned the bulletproof vest and holsters which would have carried the weapons of the Avengers' extinction. Zemo accompanied me on the flight, giving me instructions and hammering the plan in my mind, as if I ever forgot anything.

The violence, pain, grief, all of it was slowly coming back to me until I heard the muffled speech and steps at the bottom of the steps. I eased back into the leather seat, did a rapid three part breathing exercise as she taught me, and got up feeling excited like a child once again. Nothing is going to go wrong this time Barnes. It's just Sylvie and you, and it's going to be the most memorable trip ever.

My smile knew no bounds when I saw Sylvie, but it faded away too soon on seeing the anonymous person enter the cabin.
And now everything's wrong.

*****

Loki's POV

No way this is happening. I did not just survive Sylvie's overspeeding just to see this imbecile in front of me. Since the dawn of realisation of what Bucky feels about Sylvie, my despisal and contempt about him just crossed boundaries. He thinks of himself worthy enough to steal Sylvie away from me? And I would just let that happen?

"Excuse me, I assume you got on the wrong flight," I started calmly, fully knowing this would get heated up real soon.

"And I assume you just tagged along with my partner without permission," he countered, stepping closer to me.

"There is absolutely no role of a third person in a couple's private vacation," I went on.

"Guess it's high time for you to realise Sylvie ain't your real wife," he said. "She told me about this trip and I will be her travel partner."

"Vegas is our destination," I pointed towards Sylvie and me, "and I do mind your presence here. So before I make you regret entering this cabin, I suggest you to leave." My anger boiled up and I didn't mind engaging in a physical feud with him right this instant. And by the look in his eyes, I supposed he didn't either. But before we could raise our fists against each other came Sylvie between us and saved the jet.

"By Odin's name, stop bickering you two! Can we just put this behind and enjoy this trip harmoniously?" She intervened, and our replies were in negative.

"Why did you lie to us Sylvie?" questioned the metal arm man. "Even after knowing what would happen when we discover it?"

"Don't blame it on me. As if telling the truth would get you two together on this very same flight," Sylvie defended. "I know I hid the truth, and I apologise for it, but there was no other way I could manage getting you here."

"Either one of us stays, or we cancel our trip," Bucky whipped up two choices. I stayed silent. I wasn't going to leave Sylvie alone with this moron and have the time of his life. I'm not letting him burn my plans with her to the ground. "I'm staying, he's leaving," I declared, settling on the plane seat with arms crossed over my chest.

"Nothing is getting cancelled, and no one is leaving," Sylvie concluded, "We three are going to Vegas together and have a good time there peacefully. Deal?" Bucky and I hesitated for a moment, but we bitterly shook hands with each other, and then with Sylvie. She gave us a smile and headed to the cockpit to inform the captain about the takeoff. Bucky sat down grumpily in his seat and gave me a death glare which I countered back with another.

And this is how my Vegas episode starts. Best of luck Loki.

*****

At the same time...

Unknown POV

《Are you positive about their status?》

《Yes. Their plane just left.》

《Remember the plan. Go with the flow of action. I'll join you soon. Good luck.》

"Excuse me ma'am," the airhostess chimed in with her usual fake sweet voice. "The flight is about to take off, so I'd request you to switch off your mobile and put on your seatbelt."
Giving her a fake smile as a reply, I did the needful. She left, but I could sense she made that face when passengers ignore the first call. My bad that I was too busy to follow the captain's instructions. The airplane picked up speed on the runway and soon we were among the fluffy clouds and the setting sun. They do look cute though.

Unlike my job.

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~~~The End of Vol. 1~~~