(loosely inspired by this gifset)
Steve's knees were starting to ache by the time Loki came to him. He hadn't tried to move, well aware that the way he was trussed up would only mean tipping over if he made the effort, so he just stayed where he was, staring straight ahead with his teeth gritted.
Loki's boots clicked a little on the floor as he crossed the cell to crouch down in front of Steve, settling neatly into his field of view with his smile full of teeth. Steve tried to look past him at the wall, but his eyes kept drifting back to Loki's face, his angular jaw, his smile.
"Hello again, Captain," Loki said, almost friendly, like this was a chance encounter. "Always such a pleasure to see you."
The way he rolled the word pleasure around his mouth made Steve want to shift, vaguely itchy. He said nothing, keeping his mouth shut. That always seemed to get to Loki the most.
Loki pursed his lips. "Oh, really now. Are you really going to be difficult, this late in the game?"
"It's not a game," Steve said flatly. Loki laughed, the smile returning, though now it was genuinely delighted.
"So you would say," he said. "And yet." His eyes were sharp and intense and Steve had to try not to meet them for too long. "You almost made it easy for me to catch you this time. I could think that you wanted it."
"Tell me to stop," Loki said, leaning back on his heels. "Tell me to leave you alone."
"Leave me alone," Steve said. It sounded weak. Loki cocked his head a fraction to the side.
Steve tensed his jaw and said nothing. Loki smirked and extended a hand; Steve flinched and Loki stopped.
"Do you think I intend to hurt you?" He asked. "No, Captain. I wouldn't dream of it." He paused, and added, "unless you were to ask, of course. But that is...another matter." His smile was almost a leer, and Steve could feel his face heating.
"What do you want," he asked harshly.
"What a complicated question," Loki said. This time when he reached out, Steve made himself hold still. His touch was cool where it brushed Steve's cheek and ran down his neck. Steve could feel his pulse hammer when Loki's fingers paused briefly over it. "Can you not guess?"
"Revenge?" Steve asked, though he could hear the doubt in his own voice. Loki pulled away.
"No," he said. "Oh no. Not anymore." He stood, and the ropes holding Steve suddenly went slack. Steve froze, and Loki smirked at him. "I'll give you a head start this time, Captain," he said. "How far do you think you'll get?"
An odd, uncomfortable heat rose up in Steve's stomach as he stood up, rolling his shoulders. "What's the catch," he asked.
Loki's smile just broadened. "Why don't you start running," he said, "and we'll see? Maybe this time I won't catch you." He took a step toward Steve and raised his hand - Steve tensed - and vanished.
Steve stood there, frozen. He heard the click of the lock on the door and didn't move, staring at where Loki had been. There was a tingle on his skin like the memory of where Loki's fingers had rested.
Why don't you start running and we'll see?
Steve let out an explosive breath and headed for the door.