#“violating the shots shes in where barnes used to stand instead as a shield” your mind.

[sisterpaxton]

@mrreed analysis on the cinematography is so good.

[diaryofabeautyfiend]

Alcohol and lots of it. This chapter is cute. Our dear reader acts like an ass. She’s not the only one. Be prepared to feel bad for Loki.

Small Time Witch (7)

At 3:50 your alarm went off but you didn’t stir. Loki turned it off and closed his eyes again. A few hours later the sun was seeping in through the curtains forcing him to open his eyes. You still slept clutching him. He reached your bedside table to grab your phone. It was 8:00am. You had several messages and missed calls from the team. Only one was from Steve.

He rubbed your back trying to rouse you. You snuggled deeper mumbling something about quitting. “Darling. Wake up. You’re extremely late.”

“I don’t care. I’ve embarrassed myself enough over the last few weeks. I have no reason to go back. Let me sleep. I need a day.” He slipped out of your grasp to call Thor. He thought maybe the two of them could smooth all this over. Seeing you burrow into your sheets without a care made him irrationally angry. It wasn’t his job to clean up your messes.

He pulled the sheets off of you in one swift motion. “Get up you brat. You will go. You will do what you have to and you will shut your mouth about it. Do you think this will be your first mistake? Do you think this will be the only time you embarrass yourself? This is a minor blip in what is sure to be a long and tumultuous relationship between the Avengers and SHIELD. You will fail many more times. They will fail you. It is how you handle the falling that matters. At the moment you are choosing to give up. Stop it. You are better than this. Now get up before I drag you out.”

You sat on the bed your mouth agape. He left the room in such a huff he forgot his shoes at your bedside. You got dressed and found him sitting on the sofa eyes fixated on the entryway where you were standing. His jaw was clenched. He held his thumb to his lips and his brows were knitted together. You sat down and handed him his shoes and then put on your own. You didn’t speak.

You texted Wanda that you were fine but slept through your alarm. You were on your way shortly. Loki was still in the same spot in deep thought. “Are you ready to go?” you asked keeping your eyes trained on the floor.

“No, mortal. I’m going to stay behind. You have a sincere apology to make to Sergeant Barnes. I hope you prove me wrong and you find yourself mature enough to make it. You should go.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“No. I suspect, based on your behavior, that you were neither disciplined as a child nor were you raised to be independent. It’s time you learn.” He watched you walk out of the door with the same thoughtful look knitted on his face like he just wasn’t quite sure what to do with you.

You made it to the compound and found Wanda. The two of you went to the training room where Clint was waiting. You did your usual thing. Sparred a little with Nat then broke for lunch.

Since you and Loki weren’t meeting you set off to find Bucky. Bucky Steve and Sam were hanging out in the kitchen. When you walked in you felt like you were intruding. You thought about turning around but you made yourself go in.

“Sgt. Barnes, do you have a minute to talk to me?” He followed you into the hall and crossed his arms. While you collected yourself he shifted impatiently.

“I just really wanted to apologize to you. I had no right to violate your mind the way I did. I acted impulsively. That’s not an excuse but I did. I’m sorry for scaring you.”

“Thank you for apologizing. We’ve all done some fucked up things. Hell when I was brainwashed I killed Tony’s parents. We manage to still work together. Come on. Come eat with us.” He put his arm around your shoulder and you went back into the kitchen.

He purposely took the chair across from you so you could sit next to Steve. You and Steve smiled at each other. He held your hand under the table. As the rest of the team trickled in you all talked and laughed. You and Tony worked on dinner. You felt like you were back home cooking with your sisters. You missed Loki though. You broke away for a minute to text him.

Y: We’re having dinner. Come over.

L: I’ll be along shortly. Did you apologize?

Y: Yes, daddy. We’re all good. 😇

L: 😈 See you soon.

After dinner you all gathered in the big living space where the bar was. You got Steve another beer and poured more wine for yourself. He was sitting in an oversized arm chair. When you handed him his drink he pulled you down to sit on his lap. Several brows raised but Steve didn’t notice or care. Loki sat across the room watching the two of you flirt. He and Wanda whispered to each other. You felt his jealousy. You sat up a little trying not to look too obvious. Steve leaned in to whisper in your ear. His breath was warm and made your skin shiver into goosebumps, “You ok, doll?”

“Yeah.” You turned your head to plant a chaste kiss on his lips.

Loki stared at you. Thor stared at him. The whole room seemed to be collectively holding its breath when Clint said, “Let’s do shots. Y/N you drinking?”

“Absolutely!”

“That’s my girl!” He took a head count and started pouring. “One for the little lady and one for Cap.” He winked and went to hand the rest of them out. On the count of three you all slammed back your shots. Immediately your throat was on fire. You coughed and sputtered. “What the hell was that?!”

“That was from my father’s vault on Asgard. You’re lucky to still be upright, mortal.” Thor said with a booming laugh.

“Ready for round two?!” Clint shouted from behind the bar.

Steve patted you on the leg and moved to stand. “Nope. No way. We are not doing this again.”

“Yeah, man. Last time we drank this shit Bucky tried to wrestle me naked. I have nightmares about that night.” Sam shuddered.

“You loved it!” Bucky shouted from the corner.

“Your taint touched my forearm. I did not love it. As a matter of fact, stay your ass over there for the rest of the night.”

You went over to the bar to browse the shelves. “Why don’t we shoot Jameson instead?” A chorus of cheers and you poured out the next round. You grabbed the tray and started handing out glasses.

“Ok, Y/N, you’re new here so you name it. What are we drinking to?” Tony raised his glass and looked to you.

“Umm. To our health and absent friends.”

“Here here!” Another one two three and you slammed it down.

You started feeling a little woozy so you went back to your seat. Nat came by with the next round. Everyone took another shot but Loki declined. He watched you going from buzzed to a little more than tipsy. By the time you started doing body shots off of Nat he excused himself. He said goodnight to the room. Thor patted his back and bid him goodnight. He smiled at you before he left the room.

“Hey. Wait.” You stumbled over to him. You had a bit of lime juice dripping down the corner of your mouth. He wiped it away with his thumb and licked it off.

“Where are you going?” You rested your arm on him to keep your balance.

“To bed.”

“Are you not having fun?” He rolled his eyes.

“Loads. You and the solider look like you’re having a great time.” You lost your footing a little so he grabbed you to hold you up right. His hand was on your hip and yours were on his shoulders.

“Wait. Do you like me?” you whispered.

“This is not the time.”

“No. You like me. I can feel it. Remember?”

You really couldn’t stand now so you plopped down on the floor.

“I do remember. Come on. I’ll get you to bed.” You slapped his hand away.

“I’m having fun. I want to go back to having the fun.” You got up and wandered back into the room looking for another drink. With a heavy sigh Loki went back to Thor’s room and tried to fall asleep.

“There you are. Where were you hiding?” Steve asked. He took both of your hands and pulled you close to him. He looked down at you through his lashes.

“Bathroom.” You didn’t know why you lied. “I’m drunk” you slurred.

“I noticed.” He smiled and kissed your palm.

“I’m going to bed with you tonight.” You rested your head on his chest and swayed a little.

“Not tonight. Not like this. You’re going to sleep in Wanda’s room.” You pouted and whined a little.

“But you’re so warm. Like sunshine.” He laughed as he nuzzled your hair.

“Come on. I’ll tuck you in.” He picked you up and slung you over his shoulder. You giggled when he smacked you on your bottom.

Wanda was already in bed just as drunk as you were. Steve gave you a tshirt to wear and pulled the covers over the both of you. You both giggled at something though he wasn’t sure at what. “Ok then. You two get some sleep.” More giggling.

“No gym tomorrow.” You shouted.

“Yeah. Boo gym!” Wanda echoed. You both cracked up laughing. When he turned Nat was busting through the door.

“Hey! I want to come to the slumber party.” She jumped on the bed and scooted between you and Wanda. There was so much more giggling. Steve shook his head and laughed. “Sleep, girls.”

“Yes, sir Captain sir!” You said in a stern voice. When Steve closed the door behind him Bucky was walking that way. “Where are you going?”

“Slumber party.” he growled.

“Don’t think so. Your room is that way, bud. Let’s go.”

When he was falling asleep Steve replayed the night in his head. He smiled remembering how much Bucky and Sam made you laugh. How intently you listened to Thor talk about his home. He loved watching you and Tony in the kitchen arguing over which restaurant makes the best red sauce as you fed Bruce a spoonful of yours. He even loved how careful you were with Loki’s feelings. How you constantly checked on him and made him feel included. You have a gift for making everyone feel like they are the center of your universe. He closed his eyes and the last image in his head was your smile.

M I S S I O N P R E P D A Y

Light streamed through the break in the curtains. The beam hit Nat just enough to wake her. She opened her eyes to a tangle of red hair on one shoulder and (y/h/c) on the other. She saw her own hand on your bare back. Looking down her own breasts were exposed and Wanda appeared to be naked too. Whoever suggested tequila shots after shots of whiskey is dead to her. Then she remembered that it was her and she groaned.

“What time is it?” Wanda’s voice was muffled coming from Nat’s shoulder.

“I don’t know. The clock is on Y/N’s side. Hey. Witchypoo. What time is it?”

You groaned and snuggled up to Nat more. One eye opened when your hand connected with her breast.

“Why are you naked?” you grumbled.

“We all are.”

Before you could roll over to look at the clock the door flung open. Tony had the intention of coming in to be obnoxious instead he stood in the doorway trying to form a sentence. A chorus of “Get the fuck out!” and “Shut the door!” shrieked from the bed. He stumbled out of the room narrowly missing the business end of a shoe that Wanda hurled at him.

Steve came down the hall with a tray of coffee water and headache medicine.

“Morning.” he said to Tony who was still standing there with his mouth open.

“Oh you can’t go in there. They’ll rip your head off.” Steve cocked an eyebrow at him.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Tony stepped aside stifling a laugh.

“Ladies. I have coffee.” Steve said through a crack in the door.

“Just put it in the room and leave! We’re naked.” you shouted.

“All of you?”

You lifted the covers to take a look, “It appears that way, yes.”

He opened the door gingerly keeping his eyes squeezed shut. He set the tray on the floor and heard it wooshing through the air. The cups gave a final rattle before settling on the bed.

“Nice, dude.” Wanda said to you. You shrugged your shoulders.

“I love witches.” Nat sighed.

Steve backed his way out of the room and spoke again through the door.

“Do you think you’ll all be ready to have a meeting in say thirty minutes?” The three of you conferred.

“Make it forty five.” Nat said, “And bring bagels!”

“What kind?” He knew If he didn’t ask there would be hell to pay. He heard more bickering “.....I like the lemon poppy seed from the bakery down the street....I don’t like lox!” Finally Wanda said, “Assorted with cream cheese.”

“Thank you, Steve!” you added sweetly.

“You’re welcome, doll.”

“You’re such a suck up” Wanda jabbed your side.

“No. It’s because that’s her boyfriend. We saw you two last night and that was before shots.”

You took a gulp of your coffee, “I plead the fifth.”

“It must be nice to be the shiny new toy this week.”

“Nat, you shouldn’t say that. Hon, don’t listen to her.”

“Who’s shiny new toy?”

“Oh please! Like you didn’t notice Loki practically eye fucking you from across the room. Steve’s clearly obsessed with you. Thor probably wants you now that you licked tequila off of his abs.”

“That was you.”

“Oh. Yeah. Anyway. You have Steve and Loki dangling on a hook. What’s your move?”

You sighed and fell back on the pillow. “Why does there have to be a move?”

“Because you can’t lead them both on. Sweetie, you look so happy with Steve.” Nat said

“I would agree but the other night Loki and I slept together. We didn’t have sex. We slept together in my bed. He allowed me to feel something. It was deep and we were both completely content like that’s exactly where we were supposed to be.”

“Look, no one is asking you to make a choice right now. Let’s focus on this mission and we’ll worry about this later. Your boyfriend hates us to be late so to the showers!” Wanda smacked your ass and then Nat’s. You threw a tshirt over your head and went running for Steve’s room.

You knocked but no one answered. You poked your head around the corner and saw it was empty. You sent him a text letting him know you were jumping in his shower and you’d be down shortly. He smiled down at his phone knowing that, when you came downstairs, you’d smell like him.

If you need a t-shirt or anything help yourself. Top drawer.

His top dresser drawer was perfectly organized with perfectly folded t-shirts arranged by color. You selected a solid gray and grabbed your sweat pants from your bag. You learned your lesson over the last few weeks and decided to start packing a few extra clothes for when you came to the compound.

The warm water felt marvelous rolling down your frame. You inhaled the fragrance of his body wash getting lost in the warm aroma. You wished he was in the shower with you. You wanted to get lost in his hands. His lips. You shook the thought out of your head so that you could finish up. You were sure to be running behind.

You threw your damp hair into a clip and slipped on his t-shirt. It was soft and well worn. Maybe he’d let you keep it. You hurried to the conference room. Nat was already in there but there was no sign of Wanda. You slipped in leaving a seat empty next to you for her to sit.

“Is that everyone?” Steve asked

“Sorry! I got caught up.” Wanda ran on tiptoes and gingerly sat in the chair next to you. She grabbed a plain bagel and cream cheese. She handed you half. Nat sat on your other side. Your eyes were fixed on Steve but you still managed to reach over and grab her lemon poppyseed. You were all trying to be really quiet but it wasn’t working out. Tony went to the front of the room to start.

“Ladies? You good? Are those the right bagels or do I have to fire an intern today?”

“They’re perfect” you said with a full mouth. He smiled and bit his lip.

“Maybe later you can tell us what happened last night. Let Capsicle do his thing then a little story time? Just the four of us?”

Nat rolled her eyes, “How you haven’t been slapped with a harassment suit is beyond me.” Steve’s jaw was clenched and he sighed noisily.

“Ok! Cap! Take it away.”

You went over the mission briefing. Everyone had a part to play. Wanda would be with the team. Loki would stay with you. “Isolate the weapon. Incapacitate hostiles. No fatalities.” Steve’s plan was solid. You and Tony ran over the schematics one more time. You laid out your plan. Loki’s job was to protect you and keep you away from harm. Easy. “Once the system is shut down and we’re in, both of you get as far away as possible. Am I clear?” Steve was all business. You both nodded and he moved on to the next thing.

After the briefing a few members of the team were going to the gym. Some were going over weapons. Clint wanted to bring you to the firing range. He thought you should have a gun even though you assured him you would be fine. “Please, kid. I won’t be able to concentrate tomorrow if I haven’t given you everything to defend yourself. It’ll take an hour or less.”

Once you were finished you picked up your things and went to find Loki so you could find out if he was coming home with you. Steve found you wandering the corridors looking lost.

“You lost, Princess?”

“Looking for Loki. I’m about to head out.”

“Where are you going?”

“Home. I will be ready to go on time tomorrow. Don’t worry.” He slid his arms around your waist and pulled you closer.

“Will you have dinner with me tonight? I promised a second date.” Your hands found their way up his arms to his biceps. You gave them a squeeze.

“I thought maybe you’d find me too distracting the night before a mission.” You started to sway together to some melody only the two of you could hear.

“A welcome distraction.” He pressed his forehead to yours. “Come on. It’s only dinner. Just the two of us. You don’t even have to change. We’ll eat here.” He kissed the tip of your nose then your forehead.

“Ok. I still have to find Loki though.”

He groaned, “For what?”

“So I can give him the keys to my place.”

“Are you staying here tonight?” He sounded hopeful.

“Let’s see how dinner goes before I make plans to spend the night.”

He chuckled and kissed the top of your head, “Deal.”

You found Loki hanging out with Thor in the atrium. When they saw you coming they both visibly perked up.

“Hey, Lok. Are you going back to my apartment tonight?”

“Yes. I am ready when you are.”

“I was bringing you my keys. I’m going to have dinner with Steve. Might just stay here. Thor you are welcome to stay over too. I have food in the fridge that needs to be eaten.” You smiled sweetly at him to let him know it was more of a demand rather than a request.

“I’m sure I can manage alone. So you’re staying with the solider then?” Loki was slightly offended that you thought he needed a babysitter.

“I haven’t decided yet. Right now just dinner. I’ll text you either way.”

“Please, mortal. I’m not your keeper. You don’t have to check in with me.”

You hugged him and rested your head on his chest. The two of you lingered for a moment neither wanting to be the first one to pull away.

“What’s this for?” he asked against your hair.

“No reason. I’ll see you later ok?” You pressed the keys into his palm kissed him on the cheek and walked back into the building.

The two brothers stood in silence. Loki watched you walk away. You looked back at him smiling every time. Once you disappeared inside Thor opened his mouth to speak. “Don’t.” Loki stopped him.

“Do you know what Mother would say to you in this moment?”

“I said don’t.” Thor ignored him.

“She would say my darling boy your heart is too fragile for love. Find a woman who will try to mend it not a woman who will stomp it into smaller pieces. You owe it to yourself to tell her how you feel.”

“She knows how I feel! She can feel it.”

“I’m surprised at how quick you knocked down your walls and for a mortal no less. Are you in love with her?”

“In love? That’s not the phrase I’d use to describe it. I know her. I’ve known her for lifetimes.”

“How do you mean? Compared to us she’s a baby.”

“It feels like I’ve known her. She’s the woman I’ve dreamed of since I was a boy. Her heart fits with mine so completely. She’s never been afraid of me. She’s never treated me like a monster. I may have only physically know her for a few weeks but I’ve been searching for her for thirteen hundred years. And now, it seems, I’ve found her.”

“Why haven’t you told her? Why haven’t you courted her like Steve has?”

“Because I’m afraid, Brother. I’m afraid she won’t have me. I’ve waited this long haven’t I? I can wait until this relationship implodes.”

Thor grabbed Loki’s shoulders, “How do you know? They seem enamored with each other.”

Loki gave a half smile, “Simple. He’s afraid of her power. I’m not. Inevitably she’ll use it really use it and he’ll judge her for it. I will never judge who she is.”

Thor hugged his brother trying to give him as much love as he could push through to him. This time Loki hugged back.