#so he's only just gotten his mind back from loki and has loads and loads of trauma that he's denying

[normaltothemax]

((To Clint from Imogen)) "Good afternoon, Mr Barton. Make yourself comfortable." A sleight woman, no really, she looks like she could be knocked over by a puff of air. Blonde. Upper class British. Sitting in a comfy chair, hair tied in a high ponytail, and writing in a notebook with a fountain pen. "Water machine is just to your left. Hot water options, mugs and snacks are on the coffee table. Help yourself." Welcoming and kind but not exactly warm. Factual, perhaps. "Don't worry, I won't be looking to dive into anything deep during our first session. The first three sessions at least will simply be us getting to know each other and deciding if we are a good fit." Welcome to therapy, Clint.

He very clearly does not want to be there, and he really doesn’t care if she knows it. Clint’s there against his will. Well, mostly. Really, he could just not show up. Never go to a single session and continue on without therapy forever. But he’s been officially benched until he can pass his psych evaluations, and part of that involves going to futzing therapy sessions. He’s already scared off three other therapists, and he’s pretty sure Fury’s long past out of patience for him. This is most likely Clint’s last chance.

So. Here he is, sunk down in his seat, arms crossed, scowling out the window behind his newest doctor. He couldn’t give two shits about drinks or snacks right now, but still tucks away the knowledge that there’s hot water options. For one, coffee, but also, cold things, including drinks, have the nasty knack of sending him into panic attacks, these days. He’d rather not risk that here.

“Agent Barton.” That’s an important distinction, because he is still an agent, even if everyone at SHIELD hates him now and is clearly waiting for him to snap and turn on them again. Hell, he’ll even take just plain old Clint, but “Mr. Barton” was his father and he’d rather claw his skin off than be compared to that man in even the tiniest of ways. The smile he gives her doesn’t even come close to meeting his eyes. “Fantastic.” Sarcastic? Him? Never.

@personae-obscura

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Dirty Work 17

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as bullying, familial discord/abuse, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: You start a new gig and find one of your clients to be hard to please.

Characters: Loki

Note: It's friday again.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!)

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

Once Leslie leaves, you lock yourself away again. Your father's taken to the cold shoulder over his previous aggression. You don't mind, it assures you of a tenuous peace. So long as you don't draw his attention, you're okay.

Your anxiety remains piqued. Not only by your father's stewing ire but the thought of what looms both behind and ahead of you. With all that happened at work, you have little hope of tomorrow being better. There is also the question of Mr. Laufeyson's surprise... you can't even begin to guess what he has in mind.

Another test, no doubt. Like today. You're certain you failed that one too. You took his kindness and showed yourself to be ungrateful. You questioned him when you should have just accepted it with a smile on your face.

It is not your place to worry about his intentions, as he has made it clear, you are not on the same level. He is your boss and you do what he says. So you will do that and nothing more.

Is that his voice in your head?

You sneak out for a shower but it doesn't do much to calms your nerves. You spend another night tossing and turn, kept awake by the television set a top volume and the dissonance of your anxiety. Even with the extra hours granted, you find yourself painfully awake at the same splitting hour.

You get up to make your tea. Your father's snoring on the couch at the TV continues to blare. You don't disturb either as you put on the kettle and ready a mug. You rub your eyes and yawn. Leslie will be here soon. You should wake him and get breakfast going. It will lighten her load.

When you have your cup steaming, you stay at the counter and sip tentatively, weighing your next steps. You leave your father as he is and return to your room, dressing and cleaning up before you descend again. You have your phone in hand, almost hoping a notification will pop up. Maybe Mr. Laufeyson will change his mind and you can be off before you have to face your dad. The phone remains lifeless. 

You sigh and shut off the television, hoping the sudden silence might rouse him. He continues to snort loudly. You bite down on your cheeks as your skin buzzes and itches. He's not a morning person. 

The memories of him exploding to consciousness in a furor of hollers and kicks keep you from shaking him. You back away as the doorbell rings and does the job for you, your father grumbling as you go to answer it.

Leslie enters with her usual blustering brightness. She greets your father and stops short, hands on her hips as she tuts.

"Now what is the meaning of this?" She huffs, "Charles, you can't sleep down here."

"I'm not," he sits up and hacks into his hand before sliding the oxygen tube back into place. "You woke me up."

"What's gotten into you?" She accuses, "I told you yesterday I'm not here for your attitude. You're not some teenager, you're a grown man."

"Bah, I need coffee," he snarls.

"You need a cold shower," she retorts as she goes around the couch and snatches up the pack of smoke on the cushion beside him, "and a swat on the snout. What're you doing with these things?" She pauses and looks at you, "he can't be having these in the house."

"I don't... know where they came from," your murmur.

"Don't matter, if you see them, you toss them," she reproaches, "this is a team effort, alright? Now yesterday, this place was a right mess. I'm here to help, not play maid."

"I'm sorry, I..." you snap your mouth shut. You did clean up, as best you could before work, but you'll have to do better.

"Not her fault she's useless," your father quips.

"Charles," Leslie warns as she points at him.

"Sorry, hon," he puts his hands up, "was only a joke."

"Not a very nice one," he rebukes.

"I know, I know," he chortles.

"So don't apologise to me," she flicks her finger towards you.

Your father stops his laughing and quiets. He crosses his arms and slumps his shoulders as you stare at the back of his head. You wait as Leslie tilts her head dangerous and cross her arms.

"Charles," she girds.

"Don't worry about it," you croak, "it's fine. I'll... I'm going in late so I'll get breakfast started."

"Oh yeah, she don't gotta go polish that man's silver early," your dad growls.

"Charles," Leslie snips again, "I mean it, be nice."

"I am nice, hon, I'm being funny."

"You are not," she insists.

"Come on, Les," he lowers his voice as you pad towards the kitchen, "I'll be good, alright? Don't give me that look."

She sighs but you don't look back, "alright, no more smokes."

"I'm tellin' ya, honey," he speaks so softly you barely recognise his voice, "I didn't touch 'em. Found them in the couch but I didn't smoke any. Don't be mad at me."

You shake your head and try to roll the tension out of your shoulders. She's been here just over a week and he talks like he's known her forever. He's actually nice to her. He cares about what she thinks, what she feels. But you, his own daughter, you get the blame for it all. You're the reason he hates himself and his life. Maybe if you'd never come along, he'd still have the woman he loved. 

🧹

You set off just after eleven, the bus due not long after. As you come down the overgrown walk with its cracked pavement and uneven tilt, your eyes are drawn up by the snap of a car door. Footfalls scuff on the pavement as you look over the curb to the shiny car parked there. It's an unusual sight in the rundown neighbourhood.

Mr. Laufeyson proudly steps up as the window on the passenger's side rolls down. A pair of similarly green eyes peer out as she takes in the sight of the yellow duplex. You want to run and hide. You can't imagine either of them ever had to dirty themselves in a place like this.

"Mr. Laufeyson," you rush towards him, "I--- you said noon."

You pull the phone out and check the time. He puts his hand on the roof of the car calmly as you stop a few feet away. He chuckles, amused by your panic.

"It's so quaint," Frigga remarks as she remains firmly in the front seat, "dear, how are you?"

"Um, I'm well, Frigga," you answer with a tight gulp.

"Good, good, you look well," she praises, "a bit tired. Tell me he's not overworking you."

"Mother," Laufeyson shoots a glance in her direction.

"Er, it's fine," you clutch the strap of your bag, "I... did I do something?"

"No, no," Frigga waves off your suspicion, "I simply insisted my son bring me to see you while I'm in town."

"Oh, I was just on my way..." you look at Laufeyson confused as he gives an expression you can't quite read. He's expecting something but you're not sure what.

"We have lots to do so no sense in waiting around," she trills.

"Oh?" Your lips part. "Did something-- is the house okay?"

"The house is just fine. That old place only needs a little light, but see if my own son hears me," he rambles, "Loki, don't be rude, get the door."

He flinches and drags his hand away from the top of the car, "yes, mother."

He moves to open the back door, gallantly opening it for you. You feel like you've been dropped into an alternate universe. This can't be happening.

"Get in," he says. 

You blink at him and he tilts his head, gesturing to the back seat. You obey with some reluctance and sit the large leather bag beside you. You slowly pull the seat belt down and click it into place. Laufeyson strides around the bumper as you peek in the mirror at Frigga's silvering curls.

"Right, then," Laufeyson opens the driver's door and lowers himself into the seat, "there we are."

"How are you feeling, darling?" Frigga's eyes meet yours in the rearview before you quickly look away, "are you very hungry or can you wait a bit longer for lunch?"

"I... Lunch? I'm okay," you assure. You can't figure this out. "Thank you."

The car whirs and rolls into motion. You're uneasy as you watch the street pass by. If he takes a left, he can get back to the main roads and-- no, he's going right?

"Mm, alright, the boutique first then," she orders her son, "I'm wondering if perhaps they could squeeze us in at the spa. It has been a while since I had some clay done. Oh, and my nails are ragged."

You try to connect the dots as your brows stitch together. Is this his surprise? His mother? Why are you there? You should be figuring out what's going on with the squeaky hinge on the closet. 

"I can't wait to see the new season's colours," Frigga carries on as you tune her out, lost in the riddle of her presence and your own.

Surely, you're being brought along as some sort of valet. Of course, Laufeyson would offer you to carry her bags as she splurges on her pretty dresses. And she is always dressed so nicely whenever you see her. And make up, her lips are a pleasant shade of rose. She would likely spend even more on shoes, don't forget the silver sparkling at her throat and the gemstone dangling there... 

Right, you see. Another lesson. He wants you to remember what you don't have. After your slip-up yesterday, he has to remind you of where you belong; squashed under his sole.

"Oh, is Eliana still at the salon, I should stop in and say hello," Frigga's voice once more punctures your distraction. "She was always so sweet."

"Mother, I... don't know about that. Maybe a different salon."

"You are such a pessimist, what are the odds we run into her?" 

"Don't even tempt fate," he warns.

"No one said you were invited, hm? You said you had business down at Heimdall's."

"You are stubborn, mother," Laufeyson tisks.

"It's where you got it from, dear," she taunts, "so, darling," she peeks in the mirror again and you shy away, "how about it, you and I? It will be so nice. I haven't gotten a day out in so long."

"Oh, you haven't? Should I ask father about that?"

"Let's not mention your father," she rebuffs him smoothly and his shoulders slump.

"Um, well, that's nice, but..." you protest meekly

"It's my treat," she insists, "please. You're doing me a favour."

"I really don't know--"

"I don't mind," Laufeyson interjects, "and it won't affect your hours."

"I did soften him up a bit," she purrs.

"Mother," he hisses again.

"Oh you are so serious," she chides, "she needs this more than I do, I'm sure, with a stickler like you."

He twitches but says nothing. You sense he wants to say it again, 'mother', in the tone of please be quiet. It would be laughable if you weren't so perplexed by it all. Maybe it is a dream. Maybe you didn't wake up and you're oversleeping your alarm, having stress dreams about what will happen when you wake to reality.

"He's a good little chauffeur," she pats his arm playfully, "so he will drop us at the salon, won't you, dearest son?"

He grips the wheel tight and you see his knuckles turn almost translucent, "yes, mother, whatever you wish."

🧹

Mr, Laufeyson drives through the downtown area. You don't come there much, or at all. You passed through on your way to the hospital and on occasion to sort out a billing issue with the bank, but there wasn't much for you there. Along the west side, the nicer shops reside and several buildings with businesses you could never figure out.

Laufeyson pulls up into a marked spot beside a meter. As you stare out, still puzzled by it all. Everything's going so fast and you just want it to slow down. You look at your boss and feel a pang in your chest; how many times had he mentioned your clothes? This isn't a favour, this is him saying you're not good enough.

"Come, come," Frigga gets out and opens your door for you, "let's not drag our feet."

You undo the seat belt and go to grab your large leather bag. As you get out, Frigga catches you by the shoulders. "You won't need this," she takes the bag and reaches past you to put it back in the car, "only your pretty self."

"Oh, uh, sure, okay," you look again at Laufeyson but you're not sure why. He isn't going to help you. He's plunged you into this situation. He only arches a brow in response.

"Just going to give you a nice refresh," Frigga pulls on your elbow and shuts the door, tugging you onto the pavement. "You would do wonderful with some highlights."

You stumble along beside her, overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. She directs you to the shining transparent windows of a salon, a sign overhead with a curled iron bar across the top. You peek over your shoulder again as Mr. Laufeyson lingers another moment before steering out into traffic.

The door chirps as it opens and you're ushered inside to the sound of jazzy pop covers. You can't choose where to focus as the sleek shelves of colourful bottle behind the pure white counter refracts the lights of a spindly chandelier. Velvet chairs are arranged around a table in the little waiting area as stylists gab with clients in chairs.

"Frigga," a woman with platinum locks flutters over with the clacking of heels, "oh, it's been so long."

"Eliana! It has, look at you," they embrace and part, Frigga playing with the tall woman's pin-straight tresses, "what happened to the black?"

"Got a few grays and a divorce," the woman, Eliana you presume, cackles, "and who's this?"

They look at you as you're ready to fade into the black and white stripes on the wall.

"Oh, a friend, she's lovely," Frigga comes back and takes your hand, drawing you forward, "she just needs a little touch-up."

"Oh, she's a natural, she won't need much at all," the stylist approaches you, "I know just the woman; Luciana," she claps and looks back, "I have someone to fill in that cancellation.”

[astaroth1357]

The MC is a Valkyrie

Demigod MC Series: Intro

Greek: Aphrodite, Hermes, Hades, Dionysus, Demeter, Athena, Hades Pt. 2, Poseidon, Ares, Hestia, Nyx

Norse: Valkyrie

A bit of a change of pace this time! No worries, I'm not done with the Greeks or anything. I just had this idea and wanted to get it out. 

Valkyries aren't really demigods, but are a part of Norse myth as the minor divinities that help choose and deliver fallen warriors to Valhalla to join the ranks of the einherjar (the souls who will fight when Ragnarok comes). Valkyries are depicted as women who are fierce warriors in their own right. Despite their place as the gatekeepers of the Chosen, they've been said to sometimes take heroes and mortals as lovers or take residence in Midgard posing as daughters of royals/nobility. 

Lucifer 

At first, they thought they grabbed an heiress - which would have been bad enough - but then the MC grew wings, drew a spear, and asked who among them wanted a glorious death...

How hard is it to find ONE damn human on Earth? Isn't that realm supposed to be full of them??

Diavolo was thankfully able to talk their winged friend down from skewering Asmo and accepting the exchange on behalf of the human wo-… Midgard. 

Living with a Valkyrie is different for sure. The MC is a proud woman who takes her role very seriously and she's seemingly deemed him and his brothers as candidates for einherjar (despite being demons).

He's tried many, many times to explain to her that they're not interested, but she's unconvinced. Now the MC watches his brothers like a hawk waiting to cart one of them off to Valhalla! Any mortal wound could be an excuse...

He's had to save Beel and Satan twice from getting dragged to that infernal palace… For whatever reason, she seems to have taken to them the most. Is it old Norse culture to favor the brash and strong? He has no idea...

At the very least, she knows better than to try to drag him into her little plans. Though he's sure he could qualify for the einherjar (obviously, why wouldn't he?) he has no interest in leaving his life here behind.

To think he'd actually have to put surveillance on his own brothers for their safety… But they're not going to get drafted into some ancient Norse war, not if he can help it.

Mammon 

She’s an heiress… An heiress!!

Well, her human world identity is an heiress to a well-respected (and rather magical) rich family but that still technically counts! She’s crazy loaded back there! He’s in love!!

The only problem is that in the Devildom she doesn’t have a cent.

… and the fact that she keeps trying to get him killed. That’s also a problem.

In a way, things are not as bad and exactly as bad as that sounds. The MC apparently wants him to go to Valhalla (dope) but she can’t just take him there… He technically has to die in some kind of “vallent battle” first.

Her solution? Pick fights with nearly anything that moves and drag him into it!

Honestly, it’s pretty annoying… Sometimes he just wants to have a fun night out without getting into a barfight, you know??

At least the MC can handle herself… Hell, he was her "babysitter" but she barely even needed him. A lesser demon once made the bad idea of trying to cup her ass and lost a hand for his trouble…

Though, what this amounts to is the MC starting something then fighting alongside him like back-to-back badasses while looking for any excuse to scoop him up and fly him to Asgard!

Why does he put up with this? Well for starters human world rich is still rich, all he has to do is get himself a portal then he's living the high life! And secondly, well… what's the harm?

Sure, she technically wants him dead but he's the secondborn! The list of people who can take him down is so slim that it's not like he's in any danger. She even fights with him so things are a piece of cake!

Is this a case where he's 100% more forgiving because she's rich? Yes. Absolutely. But a golddigger's gotta eat somehow, right?

Leviathan 

Is it weird to be jealous over someone not wanting you to die...?

Okay, that's an oversimplification but Levi can’t help but feel snubbed that the MC doesn’t have any interest in taking him to Asgard. Like, none! And why not??

He’s strong! He’s tough! He’s part snake too! Don’t the Nords have a thing about that? Like, there’s a giant snake they’re all worried about?? Maybe he could communicate with it!

Logically, Levi knows that he really shouldn’t press her on this… MC is pretty much a Grim Reaper with a Norse coat of paint and Asgard doesn’t really sound like his speed. No anime, no video games, not even cable! It’s just eat, train, and drink all day… Ew.

But still… What makes him an odd one out? 

At best, she just knows he wouldn't be happy there. At worst, she's underestimating his skill… or maybe she's gauged him just right? He's always known he was weak!! 😫

Oh well... at least she's not a bore to be around. Far from it. She treats EVERYTHING like a life or death trial - he's pretty sure that if he challenged her to rock, paper, scissors she'd commend him for his bravery and swear on her sisters that she won't lose.

He once made the mistake of inviting her and Simeon for a game of Devil Party and they both got so into it that they nearly had a duel to the death as a tiebreaker… 

Thank Devil that the game had a pre-programmed minigame for that kind of thing… It would have gotten messy otherwise.

Well, even if his other brothers go to Asgard, he can just chill out here with Lucifer and Asmo… right…? Actually, no, that sounds horrible! MC, he changes his mind!! Take him too!!! 😭

Satan 

How many times does he have to say that he doesn’t want to go to Asgard?!?

Well, okay that’s not entirely true. Out of scientific curiosity, seeing the godly realm of the old Nords would be fascinating but he doesn’t want to stay, which the MC seems to have trouble understanding…

He’s not even sure why she's singled him out for einherjar status… Any one of his brothers are powerful beings in their own right and he’s not particularly, uh, “even-tempered” himself...

His best guess is she saw him wipe out a handful of lesser demons at some point and declared him Ragnarok material. He always ends up throwing around at least three of those idiots a week so checks out… 

If he's being honest, her very existence raises so many questions… Does this mean that Ragnarok is real? Will the human world be swallowed up by the sea? Will the gods of Asgard fight and die as a new world is established? When??

Unfortunately, the MC won't tell him when it all will come to pass (he suspects even she doesn't know) just that Loki will trigger it… Someone keep tabs on that guy.

Until then, he just has to put up with her attempts to convince him but his patience is wearing thin… He's pretty sure he threw a bookshelf at her once but she caught it anyway so yeah...

He did challenge her to a proper duel too but… well let's say she's a Valkyrie for a reason and leave it at that. (Being saved by Lucifer was so humiliating… He's done here, move on already!!)

Asmodeus

First things first, she's gorgeous. Beautiful! Divine! (Literally 🤭)

Now that that's out of the way… She may also have a screw or two loose.

Like, he gets it. She's a Valkyrie and snapping up strong souls is her thing but come on… Mammon? Really? Why would he get into Valhalla instead of him, huh??

Why can't he get to go to the beautiful afterlife of the old Norse with all their strapping warriors, lovely maidens, and endless partying?? It's not fair!!

Ugh… and now she's got him sounding like LEVI! How frustrating…

Well, it may not be that bad. According to MC, he'd have to do battle training in Valhalla and that wouldn't really agree with his beauty routine. Like dirt, sweat, blood, and muscles? No thanks! Not for him.

He asked MC if he could get some kind of pass, but no dice… Maybe he could still convince her to let him vacation there… Or go for a visit? Just one? Surely that couldn't be so bad right?? He's heard that Thor looks NOTHING like people think he does and he's so curious!!

The closest he's ever gotten was challenging the MC to a fashion contest for a visit, but he dropped that idea quick when she proposed that they somehow include a wrestling match in the dressing room (and he knows she didn't mean the fun kind...)

As much as he'd love to get skin-to-skin with MC, the idea of getting locked in a chokehold was less appealing for some reason. 🤔

Ah well, he'll just have to make due admiring her wonderful body clothed for the time being… There's something to be said about muscular ladies, no?

Beelzebub 

So she’s almost convinced him to join the einherjar like twice now…

He’s not the best at making decisions when he’s hungry and the MC keeps hyping up the food… Apparently it’s really good up there and MC says that she’s never seen an empty platter... Just thinking about it makes his stomach do backflips.

Thankfully for him, Lucifer usually steps in before Beel can sign his soul away and reminds him that he can’t just abandon the family for a meal, even if it is a feast.

You'd think he'd be annoyed but Beel isn't really bothered by her habit of trying to bring everyone to Asgard. At least not on a personal level.

Like Lucifer, he doesn't want to see his family broken up so he'd rather she wouldn't… But she's a Valkyrie right? It's what she does. It's not like she can help it.

In a weird way, he also thinks she means well. She just respects them and wants them to have a good afterlife. It would be kind of sweet if they didn't have to die for it first…

If he's being honest, he's not that worried about it anyway. His family is pretty tough, not a lot in the Devildom can take them down. As long as they're careful, everybody should be alright. 🙂

Maybe he could get MC to make some Valhallan food for them in the Devildom… Or he could get one of those immortality apples?? Though those would extend his life wouldn't they…? Oh well...

Belphegor 

Belphie's attempt to kill the MC went something like this:

Belphie: *switches to his demon form* "I can't believe you actually trusted me!"

MC: *blinks* "Oh. So you want to challenge me then?"

Belphie: "What?"

MC: "Ah, now I see! You want to fight to prove your valor then die by my hand??"

Belphie: "What are yo-??"

MC: *summons wings and golden spear* "I like your spunk, demon!! Fight me with all you have and perhaps I'll take you to Valhalla! May you join us in our fight as a brother!!"

Belphie: "What the hell are you talking about!?!"

To his credit, he put up a good fight and probably would have gotten into Asgard if Lucifer hadn't intervened to save his life.

It can be said that the MC's Valkyrie-hood took Belphie completely by surprise. Sure, he thought she was a little weird for a "human" but challenging him to a duel to the death? That came out of nowhere!

His uneasiness about her only grew after he found out that she's been literally trying to get Beel killed! How in the world were his brothers so relaxed about this?? She's insane!!

So say what you will about the MC, but she's managed to do the impossible. She got Lucifer and Belphie to make up and work together on something! (i.e. making sure she doesn't send them all to their deaths)

Between Lucifer monitoring his brothers and Belphie watching the MC, they'll keep everybody in the Devildom where they belong. That's a promise!

[iamanartichoke]

Another totally unprompted ask, on the assumption that you are definitely no longer in need of them… another thing I’m trying to work out about Loki characterisation in preparation for perpetrating fic torture on him is how suicidal the poor sod is most of the time. This is another thing I’ve seen referred to a lot but only in passing. Though obviously this is a pretty triggery topic, so ignore if you want.

I am always in need of totally unprompted asks, otherwise I just assume no one wants to talk to me lmao

So, hoo boy. I have been mulling over this for, apparently, three days now bc there's just ... there's a lot to unpack here. Putting under a cut for obviously triggery content and also for length bc fml.

In my opinion, the response to "how suicidal is Loki most of the time" is "very, but whether or not he wants to do anything about it varies from moment to moment" (see what I did there? I'll see myself out). In other words, I have always had a headcanon that Loki is consistently, passively suicidal. This is a headcanon that comes straight from TDW, bc I'm certain that Loki never had any intention of surviving their mission. And that could be a whole other post, really, but the point is that even though this is a TDW-centric headcanon, I have come to adopt it as applying to Loki in general as well, not just in those specific circumstances.

When I say passively suicidal, I mean that Loki is just sort of ambivalent about the value of his own life. He feels like he doesn't deserve to be alive, and feels like there's little point in being alive. Which - I don't mean to sound all gloom and doom, like, poor uwu emo Loki (and I kinda hate that I have to pause to disclaim that, no, I don't just have a fixation on Loki being depressed for funsies/the aesthetic/whatever); I think that this mindset stems from really complicated places that I'm not sure I can articulate, but I will try.

I view Loki as someone who suffers from a severe inferiority complex, and I feel like it stems from being abandoned as an infant. Loki's life started with a traumatic event and, even if he doesn't remember the event itself, the feelings he experienced stayed in his subconscious. Feelings of loss, of fear, of despair and abandonment, of suffering - these are all feelings that burrowed into his bones and lived there for his entire life, feelings that colored how Loki viewed himself as a person as well as how he compared to the people around him.

Keep in mind that Loki didn't know he was abandoned until the events of Thor 1, obviously. We don't really know how old Loki is, in human years, but I have always assumed that he and Thor were at least adults (not teenagers), maybe the equivalent of early twenties - and the reason I bring that up is because it means Loki made it all the way to adulthood carrying the weight of a trauma that he did not remember or even knew had happened, so to him, there was no real reason for how wrong he felt. There was no explanation for the feelings of loss, of neglect, of fear. So on top of struggling with those feelings, Loki was also burdened with the alienation that comes with wondering why one can't just be like everyone else, why one can't just "snap out" of depression, why one's sense of self-worth has always been lacking.

So imagine what it's like to grow up as Loki. He was traumatized as an infant. The trauma has been with him his entire life, along with the confusion/alienation of not understanding why he feels the way that he does, and then on top of that, his basic personality lends itself toward introspection and isolation, so he likely felt even further removed from Thor and from his peers. Loki's too smart for his own good, and he's got an enormous capacity to feel and I feel like this is a combination that works against him as much as it does for him, bc it probably means he spent a lot of time examining himself and identifying all of his perceived flaws - and then berating himself for said flaws.

People with depression are probably pretty familiar with the bully that lives in your head, the one who is always there to remind you that you're stupid, or ugly, or that nobody likes you, or that you have nothing of value to contribute to anyone, etc. Loki's no different; he's got that bully in his head, too. Add onto this the fact that his brother is literally perfect, that he feels his father doesn't love him (or love him as much), that his interests in things like magic are looked down on in his culture, and that he's a prince (meaning that along with the privilege comes pressure, and being in the public eye, knowing that everyone around him is comparing him to Thor as much as he compares himself to Thor, well.) and you have a total clusterfuck of a mindset, and Loki's been existing inside of that clusterfuck for nearly all of his life.

I always go back to the quote where, when filming I think the vault scene, Kenneth Branagh directs Tom by saying, "This is the moment where the thin steel rod holding your brain together snaps." And it's such a significant moment for Loki bc this is where it all crumbles for him, learning the truth, but I also fixate on the "thin steel rod" part of the quote bc that's not how one would describe a healthy, stable person's mind. The implication, to me, has always been that Loki wasn't that stable to start with due to his general upbringing, his internal struggles, and his personality, so of course the devastation of learning he's adopted, and Jotun, would send him over the edge. One doesn't go from zero to 60; one doesn't fall over the edge unless they were balancing fairly close to it in the first place. And to me, the "thin steel rod" basically equals the aforementioned clusterfuck of a mindset.

THE POINT IS. (Holy shit, I ramble.) This is the foundation on which I'm basing my headcanon that Loki neither values his life nor feels as if he even deserves to live it - bc his default mindset is one of inferiority, of loss, of pain. And I think that going from being a general unstable person pre-canon to being passively suicidal post-canon is a thing that happened because, somewhere between the vault in Thor 1 and the dungeons in TDW, Loki just stopped caring.

Life is exhausting for everyone, but even moreso when your mental load becomes more than you can carry. Loki is exhausted. His experience is that things just keep getting worse and worse for him - he's never been valued, he's always been found wanting. He discovers that he was literally thrown away as an infant, unwanted and left to die, and things haven't gotten much better for him since then. Everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. His plans spin out of control. He's unable to prove his worth and his value and when he is, in fact, rejected, he literally tries to kill himself (only to survive and end up in an even worse situation).

It all just continually goes downhill, and Loki is fucking exhausted. He's done. He has no hope that anything is ever going to change - he will never be valued or even seen, he's unable to connect to anyone, he has no family (aside from Thor, but their relationship is so fraught with pain). As far as he's concerned, his life has been nothing but a waste since he was born and if no one else values it, why should he?

So - passively suicidal. He places no value on his life, and doesn't shy away from situations that could cost him his life. It's possible that the only reason he's not actively suicidal is bc his previous attempt not only failed but led to such a horrible situation that he's probably too afraid to intentionally seek out death again. He doesn't want to fail and end up worse off for it.

And - not that you asked this in particular, but - my biggest disappointment in the series is that none of what I've just written is addressed in a satisfying way (to me). That is, we don't get any real explicit acknowledgement of the trauma of Loki's abandonment as a baby or how that affected his mental health growing up; we don't get to explore how devastated he was to learn of his adoption; we don't ever see him reconcile his ingrained belief that jotuns are monstrous savages with the fact that he is jotun. He says "I betrayed everyone I loved, but I'm different now" and we're supposed to infer what he means without Loki actually articulating why he feels that he's the only one who should be held responsible for all these things that had happened or what "I've changed" even means to him (aside from not betraying Sylvie).

I would have liked to see these things addressed for a lot of reasons, but one of those reasons is that I would want to see how Loki comes to terms with all of his issues and his pain enough that he stops being passively suicidal. We never get to see that; after TDW, the time that passes allows for Loki to kinda chill, resulting in the Ragnarok version, but if there was any real healing or recovering going on, it was happening off-screen, with the audience expected to just go with "yeah Loki was going through it for awhile but he's kinda better now."

Furthermore, much of what I've written here is based on prime Loki's development through TDW, but doesn't account for series Loki's split from that timeline nor the theme of "Lokis survive" that's so prevalent in the series. So I don't think the "passively suicidal" headcanon is really appropriate for series Loki but, at the same time, I'd like to have seen why. I'd like to have seen Loki learning to value his life, or where the "we survive" mindset comes from, since that's not really been a thing before now. (Out of universe, I suspect it comes from the context of Loki just not dying whenever he tries to, but since TDW and IW haven't happened, and Loki didn't intend to survive his fall from the bifrost, framing Loki as an innate survivor doesn't really make sense, but to be fair, I'm just being picky.)

So, yeah. I'm not saying Loki doesn't experience growth or development in the series, I'm just saying that his arc left much unsaid and, furthermore, framing his growth as "wanting a throne to not wanting a throne" without addressing that Loki doesn't actually want the power of the throne, he wants the value and self-worth he associates with the throne, is - well, again, unsatisfying. Not bad, but it leaves viewers like me wanting bc we're cognizant of how much more could have been done.

I ... am going to end this now. This is probably nonsensical and all over the place, so I'm very sorry, and I'm sure this is why I don't get meta-starter asks lmfao bc no one's out here trying to read my dissertation submission for a Ph.D in Loki, but well, sometimes it just be like that.

Thank you for the ask and the opportunity to ramble.

[lokis-little-kitten]

Teaching Assistant 2

Title: Teaching Assistant Writer: Lokis-Little-Kitten Pairing: LokixReader Rating: Mid Warning: spankings, mentioning of masturbation, ED, college, teacherxstudent Summary: You get a job as a teaching assistant for you professor Loki Laufeyson. Quickly the relationship takes a turn when Loki offers to teach you the robes of BDSM.

‘’Print Goddamit,’’ you scream at your small printer when it refuses to deliver you your story. You had gotten up in time to print those damn papers but nothing… It was on and everything. 

Angrily you slap your Laptop closed and put it in your bag. Another class awaits you in a moment. You pack up your things and leave for your class. A nervous tingle is in your stomach. This will be the first day that you’re the official teaching assistant from Professor Laufeyson!

‘’There is my bitch,’’ Dimitri calls out when he sees you on campus. ‘’I can’t believe you managed that girl.’’ He pulls you into a tight hug while congratulating you. ‘’Thanks,’’ you shyly reply. 

Then the interrogation starts. Dimitri asks you a thousand questions about yesterday. He buys you your coffee and then you leave for class. 

Meanwhile in professor Laufeysons office. He walks in and turns the lights on. He runs a hand through his glorious hair before striding to his office. The professor gets everything ready for the day when he suddenly notices his printer. A stack of papers hangs out of it and some lay on the ground. 

He sighs deeply and starts to gather it. My Pleasure. Y/N Y/L/N. He frowns deeply. Why would you randomly send this to him? Probably he just needs to read and correct it, it wouldn't be the first time a student wants him to read their work. Sending it ten times, however, is a little overdone. 

He takes a map and places one version of it. Afterwards, he bins the leftover papers since they are unnecessary now. Loki starts to prepare for his first lecture then pushing the story to the back of his head. He’ll read it when he has time. 

The day passes quickly full of lectures and students asking all kinds of questions. He gets quite some papers turned in that are to be graded before he can return to his office. When he arrives you are waiting on the bench for him. 

‘’Punctual are we,’’ Loki sighs unlocking his office, ‘’I didn’t expect you for another ten minutes?’’ He gives you a look as he lets you in. ‘’My professor let me go earlier, professor…’’ He nods a little and closes the door behind himself. 

Loki takes out the papers he received and lays them out. ‘’These need grading. The only thing I expect you to do is grammar and spelling check. I want you to be stern and merciless, think you can do that?’’ Quickly you nod as he hands you a few papers with a red sharpie. ‘’Yes professor…’’ You lay it down on his desk and start the job immediately. 

The grading takes a long time but that’s fine. You learn a lot from it. After a few hours, Loki puts away his marker again. ‘’Could you please go get me a black coffee?’’ he hands you five pounds while still reading. 

‘’Yes… Of course!’’ You take the five pounds and grab your jacket. ‘’Go get yourself one as well.’’ You look a bit surprised when he says that and not. ‘’You drink latte’s, don’t you,’’ Loki frowns while thinking, ‘’get yourself one of those.’’ ‘’Thank you.’’ 

Quickly you get to the cafe close by to get the coffee’s that one cost one pound fifty so you have two pounds left to return to him. When you return you notice the new stack of papers in need of grading and hold back a sigh. This is your life from now on… 

The next days go the same until it is finally weekend! Glorious weekend! Loki has been the same cold, stern and rude professor to you the whole week and you can’t wait to take a well-deserved break! 

You spent your weekend, writing, working on Saturday, drinking coffee and watching movies. Your quite a domestic person. You like being at home without anyone else but you love the occasional party as well.  

Loki lives further from Campus. You are still in the dormitory but have a room for you alone now and made it your own. It is a bit of a maze because of the closets, bed and other things but it is yours. 

You again try to print some of your stories but again your printer refuses to spit out the papers. You mumble something rude and then decide to leave it alone. You’ll print at Dimitri’s later or in the library. 

Back at Loki his office he just came to bring some graded papers and get some other things. He walks in and lays the stab of essays down when he notices his printer is on and loads of papers are printed once again. He gets the papers quickly before pulling the plug from the damn thing. 

Again you… He should have a word with you that you shouldn’t abuse his printer like this. He gets the map in which he placed the other stories you sent him. He takes those home too, he might as well read them then. 

When he gets home to his flat on the top floor of a large building he sits down on a chair near the window while looking out over his beloved city. He starts to read the stories with a flaming red Sharpie in hand to point out all of your mistakes. 

Soon, however, it becomes clear that this is not what he expected it to be, at all… The more he reads the deeper the frown on his forehead gets. What were you thinking? He needs to have a good talk with you Monday… 

Back home you are seated on your four-poster bed watching a show before bed when you get a text from the professor. 

Professor Laufeyson.

We need to talk. It’s important. I have already informed your teachers you won’t be coming to class. I require you to be at my office at 9 AM, you better be there on time!

Y/N Y/L/N Yes Professor. I hope it is nothing too serious?

Professor Laufeyson. I’m afraid it is Miss Y/L/N. I will see you tomorrow.

Nerves are tangled in your stomach. You have been awake almost the whole night. You worried about the situation you got yourself in. What happened, what did you do? You feel like a small child again, kicked out of yet another family for no reason… 

You are now seated on the bench next to his office unable to keep your mind straight. Hot tears burn in your eyes from pure fear of the professor… 

When he finally turns around the corner he doesn’t even acknowledge you. No look, nod or ‘good morning’ he just walks past you and opens his door. He eventually does call you in and tells you to take a seat. 

When you sit down you feel scared and small, even more now you are in the presence of Professor Laufeyson… He looks at you sternly for a second before opening his bag and pulling out papers. You frown a bit. What is that? 

‘’Do you understand that it is highly disrespectful to send your professor such rubbish? If you weren’t my teaching assistant and liked you I would step to the dean right away.’’ You look at the raven-haired man with large eyes. Whatever is he talking about? 

‘’I’m so sorry professor but I don’t know what this is about,’’ you carefully chime in. He slaps the papers on his desk. ‘’So you didn’t write this rubbish?’’ ‘’Write what?’’ ‘’You really do not know what this is about?’’ He stands up and walks around his desk to the side where he leans on it again. 

‘’His hands tangle in hers when his large dick thrusts into her. She screams out while he simply groans. Legs are tangled while Jonny thrust into her womanhood with great force.’’ Tears start to gather in your eyes. 

The stories were printed out here that's why your computer kept saying it was printed but your actual printer didn’t do a thing… That means he read it. Your secret is out and you will be expelled for it! How did this happen to you?

‘’Jenny her hands tangle into the ropes Jonny tied her up with.’’ He sighs deeply and walks towards the fireplace. He is now behind you while tears start to stream down your cheeks. This can only happen to you… 

You can feel Loki his presence right behind you. He throws the papers in front of you. They are full of red marks. Oh no… He actually read it? You expected that he would have stopped after he found out what it really was… 

‘’I’m so sorry. I tried to print them at home. They were never supposed to get to you, professor. I swear it is just a misunderstanding!’’ He lets out a sarcastic laugh. ‘’It better is! It is clear you never even met a treu dom… You clearly don’t know what you are doing or what that community really is.’’ 

Suddenly his large hand crawls up to your neck. ‘’But don’t worry, little girl,’’ he speaks in a now softer tone, ‘’I’m willing to teach you everything you need to know. If you agree to it of course.’’ You swallow unable to say a thing. 

What is he proposing? For you to become… To become his sub? What does that even really mean? He is right after all, you don’t have an ounce of experience. 

‘’I…’’ You don’t know how to reply. Do you want this? Do you want this with him? You have to admit you had the occasional fantasy about him in the bedroom but that won’t be a reality. Maybe you want to find out what that reality is? 

‘’Tell me, little one, are you going with my offer?’’ ‘’Yes.’’ He leans in further until his lips are right next to your ear. ‘’Good. Rule number one then, always address me with Master, understood?’’ You take a deep breath before replying. 

‘’Yes, master.’’ ‘’Good girl.’’ 

Permanent Taglist @sherlocksuperfan666  @ms-marveleous  @straya4lifemate@ lexiiiii28 @ thegoddessnyx02 @marvelfangirllll  @gingers-writing king-stony@mr-hiddlestons-pet@ dark-night-sky-99@metalheadspider @fuckthatfeeling @ god-save-loki @ devilbat  @mariekoukie6661 @darkprincessloki92 @ gravitational-anomaly @ welpsher @ umi4724

Loki Only Tag List @bambamwolf87,  @mr-hiddlestons-pet, @meyoko10  @notan-applepielife @suchannoir  @deputy-orange-juice @wolfcore227 @green-nightlight loving-life-my-way

[rose7420]

Best of Friends

Summary: Loki becomes curious about the whereabouts of a certain tiny Avenger reader. Lots of fluff and some angst

I know I have requests to do but I had this idea and had to make it come to life, Enjoy my friends!

Loki walked into the kitchen of the Avengers Tower. The smooth white counter shone with impeccable cleanliness. He had been here for about two and a half weeks now and had barely spoken to anyone. He was very lonely but took no offense to the shunning of the superheroes. During his attack in 2012, he knew he had caused a lot of pain and loss. He had sat in his jail cell on Asgard contemplating his actions, regretting many of them. Finally, after two miserable years that held the loss of his mother, Odin had thought it a brilliant idea to come back to the very planet he had nearly destroyed and ask that he live with the very people he had fought violently against.

He reached the cabinet that held snacks of various sorts, ones he usually stuck his nose up to, and opened it to find disappointment once again. All junk. Releasing a deep aggravated breath he went to the refrigerator. Cold air grazed his face as he opened the door and found nothing there either. He turned to the counter and searched for the basket of fruit that usually was placed there. Holding red apples, bananas, and oranges the colors made an ugly mix. He reached for an apple and shined it on his shirt. Taking a bite out of it then swallowing, he relished the feeling of having food in his stomach. Those awful times he spent in the cell, the guards would often forget to give him his meals, he winces at the awful memory of a truly empty stomach.

His attention is drawn down to a small object near the bowl. He plucks it up and inspects it to realize it is a minuscule black boot. His inspection is halted from the sound of footsteps belonging to the Black Widow who enters the kitchen, most likely for another cup of coffee. She nods her head in greeting and continues her process of making the warm drink. Although distant to him, Natasha holds no menace in her gaze when she looks upon him almost as if she understood the predicament he was in while terrorizing New York. She takes a sip of her freshly brewed coffee and turns around to look at him when she notices the tiny object pinched in his fingertips.

“That’s Y/N’s.” She says motioning with her head towards the tiny boot as if finding a tiny shoe is a normal occurrence.

Loki is astonished that someone could even wear this boot, it wouldn't be able to even slide onto his pinky finger.

“Who is this Y/N?” He asks curiously.

“She’s like us, goes on missions, fights the bad guys but just in a more secretive way. Maybe she’ll come out for you to see her one day, doesn't like the attention from us big guys much often.” Natasha says taking another sip.

“What do you mean by “big guys” agent?”He asks although he thinks he knows the answer already.

“You’ll find out soon enough. Just leave the boot on the counter she’ll come back for it. Don’t bother keeping watch for her to come to get it, she’ll find a way to get past your sights.” She says walking out the door holding her cup. Loki is astonished to know that there is a tiny person living here with him, and he hadn’t even known. Not to mention that she goes on missions. He aches to find out more about this tiny being, but he will heed Natasha’s advice and not go searching for her. Something tells him that this little person is skilled enough to evade even the Trickster’s awareness.

True to Natasha’s word: The little boot was gone by the next morning

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days later, Loki sits at a table in the grand library of Tony Stark’s. Books cover the walls and reach up to the tall ceiling. Before Loki had started occupying this space he had figured no one had used this library in years from the heavy coat of dust that had lied on every inch of the room. What a shame to waste such knowledge. Books were splayed out in front of Loki of all he could find on “tiny people”. He had read over the term "borrower" and "fairy" many times already. Perhaps this tiny being had been a borrower and gotten caught. His curiosity was practically burning holes in him. A faint huff and oomph draw his attention, his gaze leaving the printed paper. His emerald eyes go wide when a positively tiny person drags themselves upon the surface of the wooden table. They appear to stand at only a grand two and a half inches tall carrying a piece of paper fit to their size along with a pen.

“Whatcha starin’ at big boy?” The tiny girl asks Loki fearlessly.

Loki snaps his jaw up to close his wide-open mouth. He, for the first time in a while, is at a loss for words.

“You’re a talkative one, eh?” Heavens be, this little being is full of sass.

“My apologies, my name is Loki. I presume you to be Y/N?” Loki finally says.

“You would be correct Loki. So you like to read. Huh?” Y/N walks up to the books splayed open and smiles widely at the title, “All You Need to Know About Borrowers”

“Little people, yeah? Well, I hate to break it to ya, but I ain’t no borrower or fairy. Wasn’t born like this if that helps any at all.” Loki blushes when she reads the title but listens intently to what she’s saying. She wasn’t born like this, as she shrunk? He wisely chooses not to ask her that question.

“May I ask why you are here?” Loki says, inquisitive to how could she attempt to read these books that are five times her size.

Y/N holds up the little slip of paper she carries and shows it to him.

“Stark takes the books I want and shrinks them down to my size so they’re a bit more manageable. Ain’t much to do for a gal like me other than to read and eat.” She says with a hint of humor in her voice. She doesn’t seem affected by her situation; embracing it rather than hating it. An idea pops into Loki’s head.

“Perhaps I could shrink it for you? Less hassle than having to wait for Stark.” Loki offers.

“That's right you’re that wizard dude, gotta lot of magic tricks huh?”

Loki laughs and he watches her eyes lit up with excitement as she hands the paper to him after scribbling another title onto it.

“Are you sure you can read my writing? It’s awfully small for your eyes.” And indeed the print is. The paper slip barely covers the pad of his fingertip.

“No worries about that,” Loki reassures her. He grows the paper to his size and goes to retrieve the books written down. He sets them down lightly on the table, watching as Y/N stumbles from the heavy load of them all. He apologizes but she waves him off.

“Are these the right ones?” He asks to make sure.

She strides towards the novels and looks them over from the spines that show, and nods with affirmation. He shrinks them to her size, watching as she bends down to gather them in her arms. They cause significant distress in her tiny arms so he offers his assistance.

He watches her pause with concern. After a few moments, she accepts and places the now-tiny books into the palm of his hand, watching as they slide towards the natural dip his palm creates.

“Would you like me to carry you?” He asks imagining the trip to be longer for her than it is for himself.

“O-oh n-no! I’ll be fine, if you don’t mind you could just follow me?” Her voice is high-pitched with obvious anxiety. He agrees and assures her there is no problem, watching her movements with fascination when she scales down the table leg.

The trip to her room is long, one step of his equalling ten of hers. Not to mention his trepidation of stepping too close, and accidentally hurting her. He also notices how every footstep of his causes her to stumble minutely. After about twenty minutes they arrive at her door. Which is normal-sized and puzzles him until he notices the tiny door situated in the middle. She steps in through her door then calls out to him that he can come in. He does so opening the normal-sized door and steps into her room. He searches for her form, whipping his head around at the non-furnished room until he comes across a dollhouse that sits on the floor. She walks across the floor and motions for him to come nearer.

“Could you uh, put the house on the desk? So it’s easier for you to see.”

He nods and sets the books he has in his hands down on the table. Standing what feels like a hundred feet over a dollhouse no bigger than a medium-sized box he truly feels like a giant. He picks the house up and sets it up on the desk. Ready to offer a hand for Y/N on the floor, he is surprised to not see her there anymore. Instead, he hears a voice call his name from the desk.

“Thank ya for helping me out, I really appreciate the books!” She says.

Noticing the awe on his face from the miniaturized objects she explains: “Stark shrinks everything for me, that’s how I get by. Got everything I need in here so I never gotta come out unless I need more groceries.”

Loki assumed that a life like that could get very lonely, but he said nothing as he had before. He only kneeled to be level with her carrying on a conversation that actually held his interest.

Soon after that day Y/N and Loki started hanging around each other much more often. Finding themselves in the library together, watching a movie of the book they had both read, or simply eating together. Her small stature proved to be no hindrance in their friendship, other than Y/N purposely avoiding his hands. One night as they sat down in Loki’s room (since Loki couldn't fit in Y/N’s) ready to watch a movie on the television that Y/N had practically begged Loki to put in his quarters. She sat on the arm of the deep green couch he had placed in his room, looking a tad uncomfy. She munched on a shrunken-down bag of Goldfish. Earlier, while in the kitchen she had dragged the towering bag towards him with pleading eyes. She perched on the cushion every time they watched films together but this time she looked lonesome there all by herself. With gentleness in his voice, he asked Y/N casually if she would like to sit upon his shoulder.

Y/N’s posture became rigid. But surprisingly she agreed. He figured she would start scaling his shoulder but she waited as if expecting something.

His hand.

He realized it when her eyes flickered towards the one closest to her so he obliged. Slowly as if approaching a scared kitten his hand unfolded to display flattened fingers that she could step easily onto. She stood up slowly and neared his index finger. Her impossibly tiny hand on his digit made him twitch minutely. He cursed himself inwardly for such actions that he could not control. She sat in the dip of his palm weighing nothing more than a feather, and his breath caught in his throat at her fragility. He lifted his hand slowly to his right shoulder and waited patiently for her to dismount onto the broad platform. Tiny grunts of effort reached his ear as she situated herself nearer to his neck, her movements raising goosebumps on his skin. The small noises stopped as she finally found a comfortable spot.

“Are you comfortable?” Loki asked, making sure to keep his voice low.

“Y-yeah, I’ve never been on a shoulder before. You’re really warm.” Her voice was very clear and easy to hear when she was right next to his ear. Perhaps he should do this more often. Loki smiled at her comment, happy to provide comfort for his tiny friend.

Y/N and Loki had criticized the characters and plot the whole way through the film. Well maybe halfway for Y/N as she had fallen asleep upon his shoulder. Little breaths and snores escaped her mouth bringing a smile to Loki’s lips. Gently he brought her down from his shoulder into his cupped palms, trying to not wake her. Her little frame was dwarfed by the immensity of his hands. Despite the big-boss attitude she brought he was reminded of her delicateness. He walked to her room with a careful gait and came upon her house. There was no way his entire hand could fit through the door, and he wasn’t going to leave her there on the floor. So he turned around and headed to his own room once again.

Perhaps on a pillow, she would be comfortable, but he worried she’d become cold as she had mentioned before how sensitive she was to the elements. Out of pure instinct because it was a rather warm and soft place he placed her upon his chest. As he did so he realized how much his breathing could affect her and immediately tried to restrict his chest from rising and falling. That caused his heart to beat even harder and faster thumping rapidly under Y/N’s body causing her to slightly move. Eventually, he found a normal rhythm in both patterns of his normal body functions and drifted to sleep.

Y/N awoke to an unfamiliar but comforting rocking and thumping sensation. Blinking her eyes open tiredly she looked at the undulating expanse of black cotton fabric that surrounded her. Her gaze snapped up to Loki’s face. He slept soundly, not disturbed by her awakening. The puffs of air from the exhale he released faintly blew her face. How did he not have morning breath? She wondered how she had gotten up here on his chest, or even in his bed. She remembered falling asleep on his shoulder but couldn't he have woken her or set her in her bed in her house? Then she realized: His hand was probably too big and Loki cared much for her sleeping schedule, and he would feel guilty if he had awoken her from slumber. Loki soon awoke and greeted Y/N with a sleepy smile. He said nothing about the sleeping situation. In the nights to come, Y/N would find her bed less comfortable than Loki’s chest, his hand atop her warmer than her fluffiest blanket. An odd comfort, yet, soothing in its gentility and peacefulness.

Y/N had rarely been outside. With a grand height of two and a half inches, the world outside was a much more dangerous place than here in the tower. But with Loki, perhaps she could change that…

“Hey Loki,” Y/N climbs onto the book he currently reads, leaving little footprints of dust behind from her dirty boots. Loki notices this and pinches her waist lifting her so he can close the book allowing her to stand on the cover.

“Yes, little Y/N?” Loki has taken a liking to the nickname and to his surprise, Y/N hasn’t commented on it either.

“Do ya think we could maybe go outside on a walk or something?” She asks with nerves in her voice, she doesn’t want her request to be rejected.

“I see no problem with that as long as you stay on my person the entire time. You can even sit on my shoulder, I’ll be able to cast an illusion to make you unseen to others’ eyes.”

Y/N beams and her mood is immediately uplifted, all anxiety gone.

“Oh my goodness yes! Let me go get my sunglasses and my sandals. Oh!” Y/N keeps naming off things as she sprints back to her room excitement in every step.

Loki laughs loudly at her rambling, a blush rising to his cheeks.

The sun warms Y/N’s body as she perches on Loki’s shoulder, true to his word, no one spies the two-inch girl. Loki’s gait rocks her with every step and she clings to his shirt collar for support. The sky is blue with a gentle breeze in the air cooling the warmness around them. Loki wears his black hair in a low bun; before they had walked outside he insisted on wearing it up, worried the dark strands would get in Y/N’s way. They enjoy each other’s company in a comfortable silence until Loki asks her if she likes ice cream. It had been a while since she had tasted the delicacy and sweetness of the cold treat. After her run-in with the whole shrinking episode, she had been on her own for quite a bit. Scavenging for food when it came, she was not picky in the slightest. Ice cream was a dessert she came by not too often.

“What is your favorite flavor?” She asks Loki before they walk into the small shop.

Loki ponders for a moment wetting his lips with a swipe of his tongue.

“I like vanilla.” He states, making Y/N turn towards him with astonishment.

“Vanilla! That’s like the plainest one yet! Come on, you gotta have a better one than that.” She exclaims.

Ignoring her disagreement with his choice, he asks: “What is your favorite?”

“Oh definitely, one hundred percent cotton candy.” She says without missing a beat.

“That’s terribly sweet don’t you think? I believe vanilla is the better choice here.”

“Hey! I like my choice very much, thank you!” She laughs lightly hitting his jaw, watching as his face lifts with a smile from their playful banter. The rest of the day played out nicely after they had both eaten their ice creams. Loki offered to shrink Y/N’s but she insisted she’d rather have more to eat. He had laughed a full belly laugh when she ended up falling into the mound of ice cream herself. He had used his magic to clean her up.

The next day Loki found out that Y/N and he were put on a mission together. Infiltrate an enemy base to get valuable information. Easy enough he thought. He was wrong. Turns out keeping an eye on a tiny person is harder than it sounds.

Halfway into the mission, Y/N’s voice went quiet on his headset. She had been tasked with exploring the vents for easier access to the archive room where the records they needed were kept. He had no way to physically reach her, because of his size. The best he could hope for was her voice to sound in his ear again through the headset. Anxiety pumped through him, his mind coming up with terrible scenarios that could’ve happened already. He tried to keep a clear head, focusing on the task at hand. He made it to a doorway held guard with two men carrying heavy guns. He simply illusioned himself as another soldier, using the keycard he had swiped off the soldier he was illusioned as of now. Making it into the security room he checked the cameras for any sign of Y/N. To his horror, he saw that they also had cameras in the air vents. Where Y/N had been previously.

He exited the room in a calm fashion while panicking immensely on the outside. Running his hands through his hair, he paced back and forth. He usually kept a clear head in stressful situations, but the thought of losing Y/N made him sick with worry and terror. That’s when he felt a weight hit his boot. He immediately looked down and saw Y/N’s panting, exhausted form sprawled out on the toe of his shoe. He knelt quickly scooping her up, bringing her to his eye level. She rolled over to meet his gaze.

“Are you alright, what happened? You worried me sick?” Loki blurted.

She held up a rectangular box showing it to Loki. The flash drive.

“Got it. But we gotta move, there are cameras in those vents, and I’m pretty positive they caught sight of a certain tiny person.”

Loki groaned with aggravation but was relieved to have his tiny friend back in his grasp.

He dropped Y/N into his pocket gently, he had asked that most of his clothes come with pockets from now on to hold Y/N safely with him.

“Remind me to never let you out of my sight again.” Loki jokes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That night after hot showers and a good meal Loki and Y/N were ready to go to sleep. Y/N laid peacefully on Loki’s chest, rising with his every breath. Loki lay down with a hand over his eyes. But a certain nagging question still held his mind from sleep.

“Y/N, how did you get to be…” He can't finish the last word, worried he’ll bring up unwanted emotions and memories.

“How’d I get so small?” Y/N finishes for him.

“You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.” He reminds with a gentle fingertip rubbing circles onto her back.

“No, no...I need to tell someone. I’ve been keeping it under lock and key but I trust you Lokesters.”

He smiled at the new nickname she had given him watching as she turned towards him, sitting criss-cross. He propped his head with his hands to see her clearly.

“I didn’t have the best parents out there. They struggled with bills, because they were too worried about getting their drugs, So one night when I was ten years old they took me to a restaurant. We never went to restaurants, kind of a fancy thing for me you know? I was excited and had gotten my favorite blue dress on to go. I started to realize they had lied to me when we passed the restaurant and kept driving. They took me to a HYDRA base, but I didn't know that at the time, all because they wanted money. So they gave me up for experiments and left me for their high.”

Y/N took a deep breath to stop the tears from coming and continued.

“The scientists or whatever strapped me down to a table and stuck me with this needle. Well, I guess you know what happened and they kept me for three years in a cage with all types of different tests to measure my strengths. They were tortuous, so I had to escape and I did. But when I was about thirteen and a half I was able to sneak away. I lived in boxes on the streets, outside under rocks, trying to scavenge by. Even met a couple borrowers like you were reading bout’. They were awfully nice fellows but were barely getting by themselves so I couldn’t take off of them. But one day I was stealing or whatever you wanna call it and got caught by no other than Nick Fury himself. Told me he needed little guys like myself and offered me a place to stay, food to eat, and a job of my own. So I took it and here I am.”

Loki was astonished by the strength of this small girl, how she’d survived through such hardships and still had a good heart and kind soul. He hugged her closer to his chest, careful not to smother her.

“Well little one, you got me now and I'm not going anywhere.”

Y/N popped her head out from his grasp and eyed with scrutiny.

“Even for the Tesseract?” She asked.

Loki laughed and hugged her again, watching as she embraced him as well.

“Even for the Tesseract.”

———————————————————————

Please reblog if you liked it! Lots of love ❤️

[natrogersfics]

After All - Chapter 5/5

Cover art by @faith2nyc​ Read on AO3

Natasha’s always prided herself in being a master at regulating her emotions. Years of field experience as a journalist has allowed her to hone the skill of taking a step back, drawing in a deep breath, and powering through the job. For regardless of how she personally felt about the matter at hand or how much she despised the person she was interviewing, the objective was to report the unadulterated facts. Right now, though, as she stands in Isabel’s room watching as Loki finishes suturing Isabel’s brow while Steve – who had to step in her place as Loki injected the anesthetic – holds her still, it’s as if her training cannot meet the moment.

Motherhood has transformed her in many ways, but one of the most notable changes is that she’s become a constant worrier. Some days the worry is dull, manageable – propelled by something as simple as whether or not Isabel’s had enough water to drink for the day. Nevertheless, the feeling is always underlying. But there are moments where such is its intensity that breathing becomes arduous, and in spite of the fact that Isabel’s cries have since tapered, she finds that this is one of those times.

“Okay,” Loki says in that saccharine tone she only ever hears him use when addressing Isabel. “That’s a wrap on these pesky needles.” He leans forward, tapping Isabel on the nose and eliciting a tired smile from the little girl. “Good job, Miss Isabel. My best patient without question.”

“She’s going to be okay, right?” Steve asks before she can, and she notes how tight his voice sounds as Isabel turns in his arms and snuggles into the crook of his neck.

“Yes, she will be,” Loki says without a hint of reluctance as he nods at Steve before turning to where she’s standing by the door. “Her reflexes are fine, and she isn’t exhibiting any signs of a concussion. Battle wound notwithstanding, she’s alright.”

The sigh she lets out at Loki’s words is loaded with relief. But the sensation is fleeting, replaced quickly by surprise when she hears Steve speak again. “Thank you, Loki.”

Loki nods once more, a little smile on his face as he balls up the remaining gauze and sutures and throws it into the bin. “The little one should get some rest, so I’ll see myself out,” he says, rising from his seat with his kit in his hands. “I’ll check up on her again in the morning.”

“I’ll walk you out,” she says, stealing a glance to where Steve is rocking Isabel to sleep before stepping out into the hall.

The living room is empty as they make it out, and as she and Loki silently walk towards the direction of her foyer, she catches sight of the note on her dining table with T’Challa’s familiar handwriting. While she feels terribly about having ruined their Christmas Eve, a part of her is glad that she does not have to face them too right at this moment. She lets out a sigh for what seems to be the millionth time in the last hour, turning back to Loki just as they reach her front door.

“Quite an evening, huh?” Loki says, smirking.

In spite of his attempt at humor, she finds that she can only look down. “Loki…” she says. “I-”

“She’s going to be okay, Nat,” Loki says, placing a hand on her arm.

“No, I know.” She looks up at him to find his eyebrows knitted together in question. “I trust you,” she says in clarification. “I trust your assessment. What I meant to say is I’m sorry. I’m sorry for tonight and for how Steve acted when you were just trying to help. I don’t know what happened.” She shakes her head. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

Loki chuckles quietly, a soft smile forming on his lips when she only stares blankly at him in response. “Is this love, Miss Romanoff?” he asks. “Because it sure looks a lot like it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she says, practically scoffing. Loki arches a brow at her, and she sighs. “If tonight's any indication-”

“If tonight's any indication, it’s that there’s obviously a lot that’s been left unsaid,” Loki finishes, shaking his head. “Natasha, my darling, forgive me if I sound like a broken record at this point. But you’re truly one of the brightest people I have had the pleasure of knowing, rivaling perhaps only my own mother for the top spot, so I know it’s only a matter of time.” He reaches to cup her face, running his thumb along her cheekbone. “Open your eyes and listen. For all our sakes.”

“Loki…” she whispers, holding his gaze.

With a smile, Loki leans down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Merry Christmas, Nat.”

“Merry Christmas,” she repeats, mustering a smile as he turns and leaves.

As the door closes behind him, she pads back to the living room, making it as far as the couch until her legs feel too heavy to make it a step further. She sits down, putting her head in her hands as her shoulders sag with fatigue from the last few days. How a night that started out on such a high note devolved so quickly, she can’t begin to process. But if she knows one thing, it’s that she can’t take much more of this.

“Natasha.”

She looks up at the sound of her name to see Steve standing where the hallway and the living room meet. “Is she asleep?” 

“Yes,” he says, moving closer to her. “Nat-”

“Do you know that Izzie has trouble sleeping?” she interrupts, rising to her feet to see him stopped in his tracks. He blinks in surprise, and she nods. “Yeah, there are nights when she’s practically inconsolable… That is until I play her a video with the two of you.” She chuckles humorlessly. “At first I thought it was just a coincidence. And admittedly, there’s a tiny part of me that was wishing that maybe by the time I cave and reach for my phone, that she’s already tired herself out enough to go to sleep. But then I realized that she hasn’t had an episode since you arrived.” She sighs, looking him right in the eyes. “She’s your daughter. I know that. God, if I don’t see that in every little thing she does, every single day. And if there’s ever a time that I made you feel like that wasn’t the case, I am so deeply sorry. That was never my intention. But this?” She shakes her head. “I’m incredibly exhausted, Steve. And not just from tonight. All these years, all I’ve been doing is adjusting to what you want-”

“Excuse me?” he practically spits out, his eyes wide. “What I want?”

“Yes, what you want!” she volleys back bitterly. “You wanted a no-strings-attached arrangement, you got it. Wanted in on our daughter’s life? Check. You wanted to come here for Christmas? I said fine.” She straightens her shoulders, raising her chin. “So, tell me, Steve. What exactly is your problem this time? Because I want this to work, but I am at the end of my rope here.” She sighs, her voice falling to a whisper. “I have nothing left to give you.”

“Nothing left to give me,” he mouths the words, incredulous. “Natasha, all I’ve ever wanted was for you to give me a chance!”

She scoffs. “You’ve had several years’ worth of chances to take, Steve, and I’ve been waiting just as long for even the faintest sign that you wanted one!”

“How was I supposed to know that when all you do is walk away?” he challenges. His words bring her to a pause, and as she stands frozen in place, all she can do is blink. He sighs. “Natasha, I thought everything was going well until that morning in my apartment-”

“Don’t you dare!” she says, throwing her hands out in frustration as she cuts him off. “I woke up to find your ex-fiancée thanking you for selling her back the house you bought together. The very same house that you told me you saw yourself raising a family in. What did you want me to do? Wait around for you to break the news to me when it was clearly standing right at your front door?”

“I wanted you to let me explain!” he says. “Because if you did, then I would have told you that I didn’t sell the house back to Sharon because I didn’t love you and didn’t see a life with you. I did it because I did!” He pauses, sucking in a breath to compose himself. “I didn’t want us to start a life together in a place that I wanted for all the wrong reasons.” He shrugs, defeated. “But then you were serving me a custody agreement so fast my head spun, and then there you were taking the job here before I even had time to recover.”

“I asked you if I had a reason to stay,” she says quietly.

“You did,” he concedes with a nod. “And I should have been brave enough to tell you that you did.” He sighs. “But that doesn’t matter anymore, does it? Because you’ve moved on.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “Moved on?”

“Yeah, Nat,” he says. “And you’re damn good at it, too. All you keep doing is moving on, it seems. You’re over me, over us, over New York. And then you’re here, moving on with him-”

“Wait, what?” she interjects.

“Loki,” he says simply, exasperation seeping into his tone. “Look, I’m sorry about how I’ve been acting, but- are you laughing?” His head tilts to the side, and as her laughter escalates, he looks at her like she’s lost her mind. “You’re laughing right now?”

“That’s what this is about?” she says, nearly breathless. “That’s the reason you’ve been acting like a crazy person these last two days?”

“I…” he trails, his forehead wrinkling. “Nat, he has a key to your flat, he’s in your kitchen... He calls you darling.” He scoffs. “I mean, Izzie practically rushes into his arms every time she sees him! And I don’t know how far into your relationship you two are- I mean, I can assume, I suppose. But even if he hasn’t told you, as the world’s leading expert on what it’s like to be in love with you, I’m telling you right now that he is.” His eyes are full of sincerity as he looks at her. “You’re you, Nat. It’s outrageously hard not to love you. Believe me, I’ve tried.”

The fog clears, taking with it all the questions and the doubt that’s plagued her in the last couple of years almost instantly as she stares at him and takes in his words. “Okay,” she says, chuckling as she rubs the back of her neck. “Steve, I’m alone. A lot. Yes, I have Izzie. But after a while, there’s only so much you can talk to a toddler about.” She pauses, and he nods silently in agreement. “And quite frankly, between parenting and working, I don’t get around much, so I don’t have that many friends here. T’Challa? Nakia? They’re out of town, travelling for the paper, as they should be. I see Pepper, what? Once a month if we’re lucky?” She sighs. “Loki’s the only person I can talk to these days because he lives next door and works weird hours. Heck, the only reason we even started talking was because I saw that he liked the same wine and I found out that we agree that men can be the absolute worst-”

“Natasha, I get it,” he interrupts, shaking his head. “And I’m so glad you’ve had someone to talk to. That you’ve found a confidante-”

“Yeah…” she says, raising a brow. “Because it really gets rough out here when men only seem to break our” – she makes sure to emphasize the last word, watching his reaction carefully – “hearts.”

“Right, I know,” he says. “He put you back together when all I did was hurt you. And while I’m devastated to have missed out on the chance to be with you, because I am still, and have always been insanely in love with you, I really do get it. I do. Loki’s a great guy. He’s dreamy, and for crying out loud, he saves babies! And fig loves him. I know that. I’ve accepted it. And the accent…”

“For God’s sake, Rogers,” she mutters, crossing the distance between them. He’s still ranting when she makes it to him, cupping his face in her hands as she pulls him down to her. He groans in surprise when her lips meet his, but just as he begins to respond to her kiss, she pulls away. “Loki’s gay, Steve.” 

For a moment, he only stares at her, lust and confusion swirling in his blue orbs all at once. “Oh…” he says, blinking. His brows furrow as he parts his lips as if to say something, only to press them back into a line. “Oh.”

She bites back a smile. “Yeah… the guy he was seeing broke up with him around the same time Izzie and I moved here.”

“Well, that guy’s dumb…” he mumbles, cringing as he adds, “not unlike me.” His eyes are wide as he turns to her, his expression sheepish. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

“Because that’s not really my information to share,” she points out, to which he nods in concession. “Plus, how was I supposed to know that you wanted to be together too?”

“Too?” he clarifies. “So, I’m not too late?”

“Oh, my God,” she says indignantly. She steps closer to him once more, clutching the collar of his sweater in her hands as she looks right into his eyes. “I am still, and have always been, insanely in love with you too, you big oaf! I-”

Her words are cut off when he lowers his head to slant his lips over hers, his hands falling to her hips to pull her flush to him. Whereas their first kiss had been chaste, this one is hungry, needy – quickly growing teeth and making her head spin in no time at all when she tastes the combination of wine and something wholly and distinctly Steve. She snakes her arms around his neck, rising onto the tips of her toes to card her fingers through his hair, tugging at the ends. He moans her name longingly at that, and she smiles at the way his lips chase hers when she pulls away momentarily, a teasing comment already making its way to the tip of her tongue. But before she can say it, he bends at the knees, scooping her into his arms as he captures her lips in another searing kiss. Then like a practiced dance, she wraps her legs around his waist, letting him walk them down the hall and into her bedroom.

The second he walks in, she sets her feet down, placing her hands flat on his chest and pushing him towards the bed. He falls back onto it, a laugh escaping him as he bounces slightly, but it lasts but a second as she straddles his lap and her lips find his again.

“Natasha,” he says breathlessly between kisses, his hands covering hers as they find their way under his sweater. “Nat, wait-”

“It’s fine,” she says, guiding his hand up her arm and pressing down to let him feel where her implant is as she continues to kiss a trail down his jaw and to his neck. “I’m safe, and there hasn’t been anyone since you.”

The groan he lets out in response is almost pained, and she gasps in surprise when he flips them over, his pupils blown wide as he stares down at her. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“Me?” she asks, flummoxed. “You’re the one flying here, showing up in your stupid leather jacket and then parading around my flat without a shirt on!” Her eyes narrow. “Do you have any idea how many cold showers I’ve taken in the last few days?”

His mouth twists into an amused grin. “I told you, Izzie ruined my shirt,” he says, reaching up to brush the hair out of her eyes. “And for the record, there hasn’t been anyone since you, either.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” she asks, desperation slipping into her tone as she squirms underneath him. “Less talking, more stripping!”

He chuckles, and in spite of her patience waning, she finds herself grinning at the sound. “You, Natasha Romanoff, would test the patience of a saint.”

“Did you get canonized recently or something?” she asks, huffing out a breath when he rolls his eyes at her. “Don’t you think we’ve waited long enough?”

“I know, baby,” he whispers, leaning down to kiss her again. “And you have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” He shakes his head. “How much I want you.” Even as his eyes have grown dark and stormy, the pining in them is as clear as day, making the blood sing in her veins. “But I don’t want to rush this, Nat. I want to start over. I want-” He pauses, taking in a deep breath. “I need to get this right.”

“But it is right.” She moves to sit up, prompting him to sit back on his knees. “Steve, I thought that everything that happened between us was proof that we were a mistake, that everything I’ve been holding onto was a lie.” He looks down at his lap, his expression twisting as if he’s reliving the pain of the last couple of years all over again. “Hey, look at me,” she says, reaching over to hook a finger under his chin, tilting his head up. “I was wrong.” She shakes her head. “The last twenty-four hours notwithstanding, I haven’t been as happy as I’ve been these last few days in a long, long time. I won’t speak for you, but-”

“It’s the same for me,” he interrupts without a trace of hesitation in his voice, holding her gaze. “Exactly the same, Nat.”

She smiles. “Then if there’s something I know for sure now, it’s that you, me… fig. It’s right. It’s always been right.” She sighs, running her thumb over his jawline. “I love you, Steve. I want to be with you. So please, no more waiting. No more wasting time.”

It takes a beat, but then he’s surging forward to kiss her, pushing her onto her back once more as her arms wrap around his neck. “I love you,” he whispers against her lips. “I love you so damn much.”

“Then show me,” she says, smiling when with a groan, he pulls away and lets his hands trail to the hem of her blouse, pulling it up and off of her. She leans up on her elbows as he sits back again, letting her gaze trail hungrily down his chest and to the smooth planes of his stomach as he reaches behind him to rid himself of his sweater.

“See something you like?” he asks, smirking when he catches her staring.

She peers up at him from underneath her lashes. “More like something I need.”

“Good,” he says, causing the breath to get caught in her throat at the way his eyes flash. “So do I.”

He brings his lips back to hers, reaching behind her to undo the clasp of her bra, and she slides it off her arms when it comes loose around her before throwing it unceremoniously to the floor. Gently, he pushes her shoulder, guiding her back down as he peppers kisses down the column of her throat and lets his hands wander over her torso. He cups the swell of her breast, ghosting a thumb over her nipple, and she feels him smile against her skin at the gasp that slips from her lips.

“Steve.” She sighs his name brokenly when his mouth moves from her neck to her sternum, worshipping every inch of skin it finds in its trail. It’s when his lips hover past her navel, his fingers hooking into the waistband of her leggings that she places her hands over his, keeping them in place.

He moves back up her body to look her in the eyes. “Let me,” he says the same time she tells him he does not have to, and as she blinks up at him, chest heaving, he smiles softly. “Can I, Nat?”

There’s an undercurrent of desperation in the way he asks the question, as if he needs this – craves this – and despite how much she aches to feel him against her, to have his skin against hers, when she takes in the unadulterated desire in his eyes, she finds herself powerless to do anything but nod. She lets go of his hands, biting her lip in anticipation as he moves back down her body. Cool air skims over her newly exposed skin as he pulls her leggings down along with her panties, making her shiver as her heart picks up in her chest, and she gasps when he presses a kiss to the inside of her thigh, propping one of her legs over his shoulder.

“Steve,” she moans loudly – wantonly – into the darkness of the room when he licks up her center. Her head falls to the side, her hands scrambling for purchase on the duvet as a litany of curses slip from her lips, and that’s all he needs to hear to bring his hands to her waist, holding her still as he flicks his tongue against her bundle of nerves. The sensation that pulses through her is almost too much too fast, but her body craves it all the same, and she bites her lip to keep from laughing out. It’s pathetic that he has her teetering off the edge this quickly, this suddenly, but at the same time, she’s not surprised. He learned her body long ago, and she’s infinitely glad that in spite of the time that’s passed since they’ve last been together like this, he still knows it like the back of his hand. It’s when he pushes two fingers into her, curling them as they work in tandem with his tongue that she finally keens, her vision a white-hot blur as she calls out his name.

“Hi,” he whispers when she finally opens her eyes moments later, her heart still ringing in her ears. “You still with me?” His lips turn up in a boyish smile when she nods. “Good.”

He pulls away from her, and despite her first orgasm still coursing hotly through her veins, she whines at the loss of contact. “Steve.”

“I’m here, Nat,” he says, returning to bracket her body with his own after making short work of his pants. When she attempts to pull him down to her, he chuckles. “Remind me again where Izzie got her impatience from?”

“Want you,” she says, ignoring his quip and not caring one bit about how desperate her tone has gotten. “Want you now.” He smiles, but it’s quickly replaced by a groan when she reaches between them, wrapping a hand around his length.

“Fuck,” he all but growls, his eyes slamming shut as she begins to pump her hand up and then down. “Natasha.” 

“Please,” she says, her breath hot against his ear, and that’s all she has to say to make him shift his weight onto his forearms as she guides him to her entrance, hissing when he brushes up against her. A gasp falls from her lips, her toes curling into the sheets as he begins to sink into her, inch by inch, and it isn’t until he’s bottomed out that she realizes how much she’s missed this feeling – how much she’s missed him. He leans down, brushing her lips with his own, and making her crave the friction that much more. “Steve,” she calls out, digging her nails into his back. He looks down at her, his jaw clenched, and only then does it dawn on her that he’s stilled for her benefit. “It’s okay,” she promises as his eyes search hers for affirmation. She smiles. “Move, baby.”

With a nod, he begins to roll his hips, drawing out a mewl from her as his lips find her collarbone. She knows there’ll be marks tomorrow, but she can’t bring herself to care. The lazy snap of his hips coupled with the warmth of his mouth on her skin as he nips and teases is addictive, dizzying, and she wants more. She needs more. With that, she wraps her legs around his waist, pushing the heels of her feet into his lower back, encouraging him to go deeper, faster. He groans, the last of his restraint seemingly crumbling when he intertwines their fingers and pins their hands above her head, picking up the pace and making her gasp at the delicious shift in angle.

Pleasure curls in her gut in no time at all, coiling tightly, and it isn’t until he’s shushing her gently that she realizes her moans have grown louder. “I’ve got you,” he says, whispering the words and other sweet nothings into her lips again and again. “I’ve got you, Nat. With me, okay?”

She manages a nod, catching the smile that forms on his lips. And then he’s slipping a hand down between them, making her back bow off the mattress as he thumbs at her bundle of nerves. Her belly clenches as pleasure pulses rapidly through every synapse, every nerve, and though she could feel it coming, a surprised gasp still slips from her lips when her orgasm washes over her, stealing the air right out of her lungs. He kisses her as she tumbles over the edge, pushing into her once, twice, and then with a grunt, he goes still, following her right into the abyss.

Quiet settles over them, their labored breathing the only sound as they come down from their highs. Her body hasn’t completely stopped trembling when he pulls out of her, eliciting a whimper from her as he brushes against her still sensitive flesh, and he kisses her temple consolingly as he shifts onto his back and pulls her to him.

“I’m sorry,” he says later on when their breathing comes back to normal. She lifts her head off his chest to look at him, her eyebrows knitting when she finds his eyes filled with contrition. He sighs. “I’m sorry for not fighting for you… for us, sooner.”

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “We’ve both made mistakes.” She reaches up to push the hair out of his forehead. “I’m sorry for assuming… well, everything. And for not giving you a chance to explain.”

He takes her hand, bringing it up to his lips to kiss the inside of her wrist. “Any chance there’s still one in those years’ worth of chances that’s still up for grabs?”

She smiles. “I think so.”  

She’s warm. That’s the first thing that comes to Natasha’s mind when she stirs awake, her eyes blinking as they adjust to the pale morning light. But as her vision focuses, she realizes the warmth she’s feeling has less to do with the comforter she’s cocooned in and more with the arm draped over her waist. She turns to her other side to see Steve, his outrageously long lashes fanned out against his cheeks as he sleeps, and as memories of the last few hours come flooding back to her, she smiles.

It was past midnight when they finally found the wherewithal to clean the remnants of the feast she prepared, sharing a plate of leftovers and a few glasses of wine as they transferred the food into containers and loaded the dishwasher. They’d even gotten around to wrapping the last of Isabel’s Christmas presents, laying them neatly under the tree before finding themselves a tangled mess of limbs on her bed again, taking their sweet time this time around to get reacquainted with one another. After, they’d spent the rest of the night talking, laughing, and though they’d spent many nights like this in the past, this time felt significantly different. They still had so much to discuss, but with all their cards on the table, it’s as if their conversations – their plans – finally had a shot at permanence, a chance to become reality, and it would be a lie to say that the idea didn’t make her heart absolutely sing.  

“You’re staring.”

Steve’s voice interrupts her musing, and she chuckles when she looks to find his eyes already open. “Some people find that romantic, you know.”

“In movies, maybe,” he says through a yawn. “But in real life, it’s just creepy.” She glares at him, giving his chest a shove, and he grins sleepily as he pulls her in for a kiss. “Merry Christmas, Natasha Romanoff.”

“Merry Christmas,” she whispers back, beaming.

He brings a hand to her hip, rubbing circles into her skin with his thumb. “You okay?”

The question causes her to bite her lip, stifling a smirk. It’s not as if last night was their first time – one need not look further than their daughter sleeping down the hall for proof – and yet, it was such a Steve thing to ask. She smiles. “Never better.”

Had it been any other morning, she might have called him out on the smug smile that crosses his lips, but she decides that today, she’ll let him have it. “So, tell me,” he says. “At what point in the last six months did you become a morning person?”

“It’s cute that you think your daughter let me have a say in the matter,” she deadpans, reaching up to cup his face and letting out a contented sigh. “And I’m just happy.” 

“Yeah?” he asks, pulling her over him until she’s straddling his hips. “How happy?”

“I think…” she says, biting her lip as she leans down to whisper in his ear, “I’d rather show you than tell you.” He raises a curious brow at her as she pulls away, watching her carefully as she kisses her way down his neck, and she smiles when she feels his skin prickle under her lips.

“Hi!”

They both freeze at the greeting, sharing a wide-eyed stare with each other before turning to see Isabel watching them by the doorway, her stuffed Corgi in hand. “Oh, my God, Izzie,” she says, quickly grabbing her robe that’s dangling on the bedpost and wrapping it around herself. She hops off the bed, managing to throw Steve his boxers before she makes it to Isabel, bending down to pick her up. “How did you get out of your crib, babe?”

Isabel’s only response is to laugh, waving over her shoulder. “Hi, Dada!”

She turns just as Steve emerges from under the comforter. “Hi, fig.”

“You good over there?” she asks, biting back a smile.

He shoots her a withering look as she makes her way back to the bed. “Come here, you little escape artist,” he says, reaching for Isabel and making her giggle as he smothers her with kisses. “What did we say about climbing things?”

“Pwe-sents!” Isabel says, smiling widely.

He chuckles, turning to her just as she settles down next to him, leaning back against the headboard. “Do you want to have breakfast first?”

“No,” Isabel answers before she can get a word in, prompting them both to shake their head in amusement.

“In case you haven’t noticed, she’s kind of the boss around here” she says, smirking.

He laughs. “Presents it is.”

The floor of her living room is a sea of torn up wrapper and discarded ribbon, but as she brings her mug of hot chocolate to her lips, she finds that she couldn’t care less about the sprawling mess as she watches Steve help Isabel rip open her presents. For her part, she’s dutifully played photographer, cataloguing Isabel’s reaction to each gift – as requested by the competitive bunch of aunts, uncles, and grandparents all hellbent on one-upping each other.

“Last one, Iz,” Steve says, handing her a rectangular box.

“What is it?” she prompts excitedly as she puts her mug down to hold the camera back up, capturing the moment Isabel gets the last of the wrapper off and pulls the item out.

“Hat!” Isabel says, turning in Steve’s lap to show him.

“Close,” Steve says, nearly chuckling at the way Isabel’s brows furrow in dismay at his response. “It’s called a beanie. Though it’s just not any other beanie.” He looks her way as he adds, “It’s a beanie uncle Buck chose.”

The laugh slips freely from her lips. “Oh no!”

“Oh yes,” he confirms, his fingers feeling for something in the fabric. “Tada!”

“Wow!” Isabel exclaims, her big blue eyes filling with elation as the antlers on the Reindeer beanie light up, the array of colorful lights twinkling brightly. “Am-a-zing!”

“You hear that?” Steve asks, shooting her a smile. “It’s am-a-zing!” He turns to Isabel, pointing at the camera. “Say, thank you, Uncle Buck.”

“Thanks Buck!” Isabel says.

She chuckles as she cuts the video and rises to her feet. “I hope you still think it’s am-a-zing when she wants to go out in public with that thing,” she tells him in a sing-song voice as she opens up a trash bag and begins to collect the discarded wrapper.

“You mock the beanie now,” he says, standing when Isabel runs off to play with her new mountain of toys. “But when she runs off and the lights make her easy to spot, you might be singing a different tune.”

“The faith you have in our daughter keeping something on her head for more than five minutes is inspirational,” she says, turning to see him grab more wrapper off the floor. “Truly, it is.” She laughs as he rolls his eyes, slipping the bunch he has in his hand into the bag she’s holding as he comes to stand in front of her. “Is that everything?”

“As far as the wrapper’s concerned, yes,” he says, smiling as he produces a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. “But you still haven’t opened this.”

Her eyebrows furrow as she takes the paper from him. “Who’s this from?”

“Me,” he says simply.

“Steve.” His name falls from her lips like a chastisement, and she can only sigh when his response is to encourage her to open it. “Well, now I feel bad,” she says as her fingers work to unfold the paper. “I got you that gift from the aquarium to be funny and then you got me that book, and now…” Her words trail off as she opens the paper all the way, her eyes scanning over what’s scrawled out on it:

Will you go out on a date with me?

“I meant what I said about starting over,” he says when she looks up. “Or, at least, doing the parts we skipped.” His lips twist into a smile. “And I figured since contracts seem to be our thing, maybe you’d say yes if I asked you in writing.”

“You’re kidding, right?” she asks even as her lips turn up in amusement.

“I’m completely serious,” he says, shrugging at the incredulous stare she sends his way. “We could get dressed up, go to dinner and a movie…” He wiggles his eyebrows as he adds, “maybe even make out in the back of the theater.” She snorts at that last bit, and he smiles. “What do you say?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, okay?” she says, her expression growing serious. “But Steve, usually, a guy asks a girl out before she has his baby.”

When she smiles, he throws his head back, laughing. “Okay, well, usually a girl agrees to go out with a guy before she asks him to have a baby with her, so I guess we’re not really into chronology here.” He smirks as she narrows his eyes playfully at him. “Besides, your manufactured indignation would be a lot more convincing if you didn’t practically jump my bones last night.” 

She gasps at that, stealing a quick glance over at Isabel to make sure she’s not listening before looking back at him, lowering her voice. “Oh, fuck you.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, a glint in his eyes as he pulls her to him. “Is that not what you were doing last night?”

“Whatever,” she says, unable to keep a smile from forming on her lips. “Fine. Yes, I will go out on a date with you.” His eyes light up at that, and she holds a finger up. “But if you give me another note at the end asking me to go steady, I’m leaving.”

He beams. “Yes, ma’am.”                                                                                    

She rises to the tips of her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck as his mouth finds hers for what feels like the millionth time this morning. The taste of his lips mingled with the hot chocolate they were sipping on is a heavy combination, and she lets out a happy sigh into their kiss when his hands curl around her waist, his thumb brushing against the patch of skin left exposed between her shirt and her pajamas. She nips at his bottom lip, making him groan, and it’s only when they hear someone clearing their throat that they pull away and she moves to look behind Steve.

“Sorry,” Loki says from where he leans by the doorway of her living room, his arms crossed over his chest as he grins from ear to ear. “I only came to check on the little one. I swear I knocked, but um…” 

She bites her bottom lip just as Steve turns as well, but before she can say anything, Isabel is already up and running. “Yo-ki!”

“Well, hello there,” Loki says, picking Isabel up. “Someone’s chipper on this Christmas morning, I see. I’ve come to check on your stitches, which I tried to tell your Mum and Dad” – he turns back to them, smirking – “but they were busy.”

“Stitches, right,” she says a little too loudly, pointing towards the couch to hide her blush. “After you, Doc.” 

Loki asks them a few of routine questions about Isabel as he sets his medical kit down on the coffee table, and as she and Steve take turns answering them and sharing their observations, she realizes that it’s nice to know that someone else was quietly sharing her worries throughout the night, picking up on the little things she was finding as well. They go silent as Loki begins to examine Isabel, checking her reflexes and changing the bandage covering her stitches.

“Okay,” Loki says, finally breaking the tense silence that had fallen over them. “This sweetheart is free to play with all her Christmas goodies.” 

“Yeah?” she says. “Everything looks good?”

“Everything’s just splendid,” Loki says, turning to her and Steve as he helps Isabel off the couch. He drops the flashlight into his kit, zipping it up. “She’s not exhibiting any signs of a concussion and her stitches are healing up well and should dissolve on their own fairly soon.”

“Thank God,” Steve says, relief thick in his voice, and she finds herself nodding along to the sentiment.

“Thank you for coming to check on her,” she tells Loki, who only smiles in return. “I owe you one.”

“As do I,” Steve adds. “Any chance we could start the repayment with some breakfast?”

“I appreciate the offer, but actually the reason I came by early is because I’m on my way to my mother’s,” Loki says, smiling as he nods towards the both of them. “It’s nice to see you two have patched things up, though.”

“Yeah, about that,” Steve says. “Loki, I’m sorry for my behavior last night. There’s no excuse. I was an ass.”

“Oh, that’s quite alright,” Loki says, waving off his apology.

Steve shakes his head. “It’s not. I-”

“He thought you and I were together,” she blurts out suddenly, smiling when Steve’s eyes widen, a sheepish expression breaking out on his face. 

“Well, that explains a lot,” Loki says, grinning graciously as his gaze goes from her to Steve. “In any case, I’m flattered that you’d consider me a worthy adversary.”

She smirks. “He also thinks you’re dreamy.”

“Does he now?” Loki asks, clearly amused.

“And on that note,” Steve says, turning to glare at her. “I think I hear our daughter calling.”

She and Loki snicker as Steve, ears red, walks away. “You sure you can’t stay?” she asks. “It won’t even take ten minutes to get the waffles going.”

“I’m sorry, darling,” Loki says as they begin to make their way towards her front door. “I don’t want to hit traffic and you know my mother will kill me if I so much as have a bite before I come to her home.”

“Tell Frigga I said hello then,” she says as she opens the door, leaning against it.

“Oh, believe me, that’s not the only thing I’ll be telling her,” he says, smirking as he gestures to her collarbone. She looks down, and he laughs as she adjusts the collar of her shirt to hide the mark still there. “Long night, was it?” She shoots him a withering look as he leans down to kiss her cheek, cocking a brow up at her. “I fully expect a detailed play by play when I get back.”

She chuckles, shoving him away playfully. “Get out of here!”

Loki smiles. “I’m happy for you, Nat.”

“Thank you,” she says with a nod. “Merry Christmas.”

With a wink, Loki waves goodbye, and she waits for him to make it down the stairs before shutting the door. She walks back to the living room, stopping just by the threshold to see Steve carrying Isabel as they both peer out the window. She smiles. “What are you two goofs up to?” 

“Is ’nowing!” Isabel says, pointing out the window as Steve turns.

“Is it?” she asks as she pads to them, making a show of checking out the window. “It is! Maybe if there’s enough later, we can go outside and try to make Olaf.”

Steve’s brow rises in question. “Who’s Olaf?”

“Glad you asked,” she says at the same time Isabel utters snowman. Steve only stares blankly at them, making her laugh. “Don’t worry, you’ll get acquainted with him, Elsa, and Anna... Probably three times before this morning is over, if you’re lucky.”

“Still don’t know who those people are,” he says, pulling her in with his other hand until she’s pressed up against his side. “But I’ll gladly find out if you two introduce me.”

“What’s the saying again?” she muses, looking up teasingly at him. “Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it?”

He grins. “I think I may already have.”

The affection that fills his eyes is so remarkably perspicuous that she wonders how she’s missed it all these years, and as her lips turn up to mirror his smile, she makes a silent vow to never doubt its existence ever again. He leans down, but before his lips can meet hers, Isabel turns in his arms, effectively wedging herself between them.

“Mish-tow!” Isabel says, pointing above them.

They both laugh as they look up, and sure enough, the bundle of mistletoe she had put up yesterday looms above them. She smirks. “You know what that means, right?”

“I think I do,” he says, nodding knowingly as they both turn to Isabel, who’s watching them curiously.

“Fig sandwich!” they both yell as they lean in, pressing a kiss to Isabel’s cheeks and delighting in the way their daughter’s joyous laughter echoes throughout the room.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

[frozen-hearts-club]

The blue moon part 2

This story will have graphic murder scenes.

It had been a week since Davids investigation started. The girl was considered a Jane Doe for now. The DNA from the bite marks was not in their database. There was plenty of evidence all over her but no one to match it to.

David sat at his desk blinking hard at the photos of the crime scene sitting before him. The police station had Jane Does picture all over the news paper all over the television . Nothing important ever happened in Conyers. The girls missing case before this one had been the first thing to happen there in years.

David had let himself sink into this case. At night he would close his eyes and see the young girls body Twisted and bit up. The look in her eyes never leaving his mind.

David arrived at work the next morning early. His boss was on everyone's case about the dead girl. The hole town was flooding the police station with questions they did not have the answers to. Random calls would come in saying they knew the girl or that they had seen her that same day. But all was dead ends. Even her DNA was not in the system and nobody was coming forward to claim her.

Later that evening David and the other officers set off to search the woods for more missing evidence. David walked along the side of the rushing waters that ran down the side of the small hills. Until he came across a set of boot prints leading into the woods. David followed them deeper and deeper untill there was no more prints. It was like that had just disappeared.

That's when he looked up. He saw a run down looking deer stand. It looked like it had been abandoned for years. David blinked hard a few times looking at make shift ladder going up the tree. He slowly starting to climb up. The wood underneath him began to creek. Inside the stand was dusty. Old spider webs covered the walls and a small hole was in the roof.

He saw tally marks carved into side of the wall. He counted each one. There was 20 all together. David figured it was the amount of Deer kills the hunter had gotten. Under the tally marks there was initials carved into the wall. R.L. David didn't think much of the stand since no one had been up there for years. But little did he know someone was watching him from far away through binoculars.

Another week went by. There was literally no leads at all. Nobody ever come to claim the young womans body. David had almost felt sorry that the office was just going to cremate her and put her ashes on one of there shelves in the basement. But it had ran cold there was nothing to go on.

More time went on. The towns people stopped talking about the young girl. Everyone was starting to get comfortable again with going back out. They was certain that it was just a drifter who committed the awful murder. It had been 3 months now.

David sat in his back yard he had a small bond fire going. He was laying back in a chair enjoying his drink looking up at the hills that ran though Conyers. The moon was full and beautiful. The light from it alone lit up his back yard. The moon light shined bright against the snow. It was so peaceful. David sucked in a deep breath his fire had went out completely now so he decided it was time to head to bed

***DING***

David woke up to his loud cell phone going off way to early in the morning. He answered the phone very irritatedly.

"Loki here"

It was Davids boss

"" David you have to get down to the creek. Some hunters discovered another body.""

David jumped from his bed. His mind starting to cloud over with confusion and anger. How could this be happening again!? Everyone believed it just a drifter. There was no way that someone could have done that again.

David arrived at the top of the hill where the creek was.The same loud rushing waters filling his ears back up. The same exact spot. David could not believe his eyes. There lay another young woman horribly twisted with her neck broken just like the first one. The young girl had medium length bright red hair. Her big blue eyes screamed death. She also had deep bit marks all over her naked body. Her feet was the same as Jane Does. Cut up and muddy. David knelt down beside the young girl she had to be around the same age as the other one. David opened her hand slowly to see a number 2 burned into hand.

This was it David knew then that this was not going to end well at all. Conyers had it's very own serial killer.

David was in the interrogation room with the hunters who found the young girl. Both of them looked to be the same age. They definitely did not have a hunting's license. Both boys was under age, 16 and 17. The two brothers has hunted squirrels and raccoons in the woods since they were younger with their father.

""Why were you there? How long have you been hunting the areas? Did you see anyone else? Did you know her?

David loaded up the the boys with same questions over and over again for hours. By the time he was done they were crying ready to go home. David knew if they had known anything they would have broke a long time ago. They had no helpful information at all.

David was again at a stand still. He and other officers did the same as before. They walked the hills they looked and nothing was to be found.

David growing more frustrated as the day went on. He slowly made his way down to the morgue. He wanted to take another look at the young womans body.

There she was but cleaner this time. The workers had did the best they could on cleaning her up. Her hair glowed bright under the fluorescent lights. They had no news for him either only the fact that it's the same DNA just no one to match it to.

as the days went on the new young woman's picture was in the news on the television. This time the townspeople were a lot More scared than before. News reporters different people from town all circled outside the police station. So many questions and no answers at all to give these people. Everyone was growing frustrated everyone was scared.

David had a feeling that both girls having red hair was something definitely in common. He figured the killer must have a thing for redheads.

David didn't know just how deep this case would truly go

[fanficshiddles]

Caught in his web, Chapter 25

Chloe was a trembling, sweaty and panting mess as Loki collapsed down next to her, he was a bit of a mess himself after that exercise.

She could feel his seed inside of her, slowly trickling out and making a mess of his bedsheets.

‘You are far too delightful, doll.’ Loki purred, trailing his fingers lightly across her chest.

She trembled under his touch, making him smile as he moved closer and buried his face into her hair. Breathing in deeply, enjoying her scent.

Loki pulled her in tightly to him and was delighted when she didn’t try to pull away or leave, she just snuggled up against him with a content sigh.

‘I will be out most of today, some business to attend to. If you’re wanting to go out with friends, Ralph will be on call for you. Just ask Pete to call him.’ Loki said, stroking her arm.

‘Ok… Thank you. I was hoping to meet with them before going to college. And I need to get a couple of things, is that alright?’ Chloe tilted her head back to look at him, he smiled at her and nodded.

‘Of course. You’ve got the card, it’s yours to use.’

-

‘So, how’s things with your hot sugar daddy?’ Amanda grinned.

Chloe rolled her eyes. ‘He is not my sugar daddy. Don’t even go there, that’s just… eww!’

‘He’s hot. He lavishes you with gifts. He is rich as fuck. That’s sugar daddy material right there.’ Amanda laughed, so did Georgie.

Chloe shook her head and stabbed into her lunch. ‘He is not a sugar daddy.’

‘Well, how are things going with Loki?’ Georgie asked.

‘Umm. Good, I guess. As good as things can be when you’ve been kidnapped by the most dangerous man in the city.’ Chloe shrugged.

‘Come on, Chloe. This is no normal kidnapping, you’re out and about, right now. You’ve got a boat load of money to spend. Is it really that bad?’ Amanda said.

Chloe sighed and sat back on her chair. ‘No, it’s not… But that’s the problem. It should be. I’m hating myself right now because I feel like I’m falling further and further under his spell, and I don’t know what I should be doing. I’m fed up of fighting him, because truthfully? I am starting to like being with him… I just, I just feel like it’s wrong.’

Amanda and Georgie looked sorry for her. Amanda reached out and gave her arm a squeeze.

‘It must be difficult. But… he is looking after you, you have your freedom still. I guess the only bad thing is that you don’t stay with your parents anymore. But his house is better, isn’t it?’ Georgie asked, trying to help her see the best of it.

Chloe smiled at her friends, knowing they were only trying to help. And she loved them for it.

‘Yeah, I know… Look, he said I can invite you both round tonight for a girly night. If use fancy it?’

‘Really?’ Amanda asked.

‘Yeah. Honestly, I could do with getting drunk with you both and just… forgetting for a little while.’ Chloe said.

‘Well, count us in.’ Georgie and Amanda said at the same time.

Chloe asked Ralph to drive them to Georgie’s place and then Amanda’s so they could collect their things, then Ralph drove them to Loki’s.

‘Holy shit! This place is amazing!’ Georgie said when they walked inside.

‘Why thank you, Georgie. I’m very proud of my home.’ Loki said, startling the girls a little as they all turned around to see Loki walking out of the living room with a big smile.

‘Hi, Mr Laufeyson.’ Amanda said politely.

‘Please, just call me Loki.’ He said warmly.

‘Thanks for having us over, Loki. It’s been ages since we’ve had a good girls night.’ Georgie said.

Chloe was slightly amazed at how confident her friends seemed around Loki. But she was glad. Hoping it would help her out, too. Because she was still so damn conflicted a lot of the time.

‘There’s loads of snacks in the kitchen, alcohol too. So help yourselves. I’ve also set up the TV in the living room with an array of film options.’ Loki moved over to Chloe, cupped the back of her head and pulled her into him as he kissed her forehead. ‘Enjoy your night, girls. And you know where I am if you need me.’ He said to Chloe.

She blushed as he left them to it and went to his office. Amanda and Georgie looked at her with a look.

‘Don’t even go there.’ She hissed and pointed a finger at them.

Chloe was shocked at all the snacks Loki had gotten for them. And the film choices were every film in the world, including the new releases. She wasn’t even going to question how he managed to get good copies of them.

She enjoyed her night with her girlfriends. It was nice to just relax and have fun with them, to forget about everything else for a while and let loose with plenty of alcohol.

‘Come onnnnn, Chloe. My sex life has been dull for the last few years, so spill. He looks kinky, I bet he is into all kinds of kinky shit!’ Georgie giggled, sipping her drink.

Poor Chloe groaned and put her hands over her face.

‘Spill!’ Amanda joined in.

‘It’s… Not… I dunno. Can we just change the subject?’

‘You’re blushing! There’s something!’ Amanda screeched excitedly and jumped onto her friend. ‘Tell us!’

‘No, no, no.’ Chloe tried to push Amanda off while also trying not to spill her drink.

Eventually Chloe managed to change the subject away from Loki and his dominant, kinky side that she didn’t really want to share with her friends.

When they decided to call it a night, they all headed upstairs and were pretty drunk. Chloe gave Amanda and Georgie her bed while she took the large sofa in the corner.

But she’d forgotten one thing… Amanda was one hell of a snorer when she’d been drinking. Georgie had passed out straight away, but Chloe was struggling to get to sleep with what sounded like a pig coming from her bed.

She groaned in frustration and sat up, head in her hands. She sighed and then dragged herself off the sofa, with her blanket wrapped around her she quietly crept out of her room and down the hall. She couldn’t believe she was about to seek him out… But, well, here she was at his door now.

Taking a deep breath, she was about to knock but then decided against that in-case he was asleep. But would he want her to just enter? Would he be pissed off? Maybe she should just go back to her room, or downstairs to the living room, perhaps...

She was toying in her mind with what to do, she never heard Loki coming up behind her from down the hall. So when a hand landed on her shoulder, she let out a screech and turned around, eyes wide, but she relaxed when she saw it was Loki.

‘Sorry, doll. I didn’t mean to startle you.’ He eyed her up and down, wondering why she had a blanket wrapped around her. ‘What are you doing?’

‘I… I… couldn’t sleep. Amanda is snoring like a trooper. She always does when she’s been drinking. I was coming to see if I could… maybe… sleep with you… But then I thought you might be asleep, I didn’t want to disturb you. Then I wasn’t sure about bugging you, if you’d even want me tonight or not.’ She rambled quickly.

Loki grinned and reached out to hold her chin, he brushed his thumb against her cheek. ‘Why would I mind having you sleep with me?’

‘I… Don’t know.’ She breathed out heavily, then frowned. ‘What are you doing up at this time?’

‘I was working late on a conference call with an acquaintance in Australia. Time differences can be a pain in the ass.’ Loki put his hand to her back and opened his bedroom door, guiding her inside.

‘Do you have a lot of acquaintances all around the world?’ Chloe asked.

‘I do indeed. It can be both a blessing and a curse.’ Loki said as he started to undress.

Chloe got into his bed and got comfortable under the covers, leaving her blanket behind on the floor. She looked over and watched as he took off his tie.

‘Why?’

‘Well, it’s a blessing because it’s nice to travel, see different countries. And a curse because of nights like this, when I have to stay up late just to converse with someone.’ He looked over at her and flashed a toothy grin when he saw she was watching him somewhat intently. ‘Although, it was rather delightful to find you waiting at my bedroom door.’ He winked at her as he started undoing the buttons on his shirt.

‘Do you travel abroad often?’ Chloe asked, looking away from him, she lay down and tried to just look up at the roof.

‘Every few months or so. I have my own jet, so it’s easy enough to travel even just for shorter business trips if necessary.’ Loki said as he folded his clothes over the back of a chair and then got into bed next to her.

‘Of course you do.’ Chloe said louder than she had meant to.

‘What’s that suppose to mean?’ Loki asked as he suddenly came into her view, looming over her. His hair cascaded down, tickling her face.

‘I… I just mean that it should be expected you’d have your own jet. You seem to have everything else.’ She trailed off quietly.

Loki chuckled as he gathered her wrists into one hand and pinned them straight up above her as he leaned down and kissed her neck.

‘Mmm, I certainly do have everything.’ He chuckled against her lips.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Eye of the Storm 10

Warnings: nonconsensual sex (series), teasing, some good old grinding and power plays.

This is dark!Thor and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: You are a new servant at the palace of Asgard but the job isn’t so easy as you thought.

Note: Well, this if officially the calm before the storm but not really because the storm is already blowing and this shit only gonna get worse from here. Let me say thank you to you all for your support for this series. Usually Thor and Loki aren’t really popular on my blog but I’ve had so much fun writing them.

And as always, @lokislastlove​ is the actual devil. 

Thank you. Love you guys!

As always, if you can, please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

When at last Loki let you rise, you felt hollow but full. Your legs were jittery but heavy. You bent to gather the blanket as he dropped the book in the basket. You dumped the folded fabric atop the rest of your load and felt a brush across your ass and stood straight.

The prince acted as if his fingers hadn't just been wandering across your rear. He was rather good at acting the innocent. You hooked your arm through the handle of the basket and choked down your anger. You suspected the more you gave him, the more he'd take.

He smirked and turned his back to you, waving you to follow him. You kept behind him, just a few steps back, and watched the ends of his dark hair that hung between his straight shoulders. He walked as if he had not a care in the world, even after his brother had gotten the best of him. Well, in turn, Loki had got the best of you.

When you returned to his chambers, his silence persisted. He shed his heavy jacket and disappeared into his bedchamber. He returned, his tunic collar open wide across his chest and untucked from his trousers. His boots had been disposed of as well and he reclined over the chaise.

"I should like to finish my book, if you could bring it here," He said at last.

You set the basket down and dug around for his book. You crossed to him and held it out. He took it, his eyes on you as he did, and rested it against his chest. His long fingers picked at the edge of the cover as he watched you.

"Shall I read to you again?" He asked coyly.

"Your highness," You uttered, "I must dispose of the crusts we did not eat and take the blanket to the laundries."

"Leave them for now," He cooed.

"And your chambers will need sweeping. Some dusting at least along the mantle." You insisted.

"Go ahead then. I am certain you can listen and clean at the same time." He took the book and opened it. "It might make your work easier... or harder, depending on your perspective."

"I do not like the story," You argued. "I'd prefer silence."

His eyes flashed and he lifted a brow as he looked to you again.

"I would prefer silence as well. From you." He said sharply. "I will not abide that tongue for much longer if you insist on impudence."

You averted your eyes and sighed quietly. 

"My apologies, your highness." You eked out.

He grinned and nodded. He opened the book then closed it. He sat up suddenly and placed the book down beside his leg as his other hand shot up, his index pointed in epiphany.

"I have devised a way to make our work more... entertaining," He said. "At least, for me."

You blinked. You knew by his tone that it would not doubt make your work more difficult.

"Take off that ugly dress." He demanded. "And the presumably stained shift you wear beneath. You may dust my chambers then... I shall try not to be too distracted from my reading."

"Your highness," You spoke between gritted teeth. "I--I..."

"Darling, would you rather I remove them myself? I fear they might not be left in a wearable state should it come to that." He warned. "So go on," He grabbed his book and laid back down. "I expect you to be about your chores by the time I am done the first page."

He propped his head up on the end of the chaise and lifted his feet up on the other. He found his place as you glared at him and begrudgingly untied your apron. Loki grinned and began to read.

'A veil of sunlight shone over her, illuminating the simple yet intricate curves of her body. She was like a statue come to life, chiseled painstakingly to perfection...'

You could not repress your spite as you undressed, one piece at a time, and when you were naked, you kept your back to him and cursed whatever tainted fortune had led you to this point.

You fished inside your apron pocket and let it fall back with the rest of your clothing. You took the cloth and went to the mantle as his voice carried through the airy chamber. You took each ornament and wiped away the few specks of dust upon them and then the shelf itself.

'Her sleepy eyes peered up at him as he held himself above her. She tasted like cinnamon as he kissed her. She grumbled but did not pull away. He felt his desire growing and soon prodding against her thigh. He needed her again. Badly.'

You dropped the cloth as you shook away the scene etched in your mind by Loki's voice. You bent to retrieve it and heard a hum. You glanced over and the prince winked at you.

"The table," He gestured to the low table that faced the chaise. "Don't forget that."

You approached the other side of the table but realised there was no where to hide; no vantage from what he would not see most of you. You kept the table between you and bent to wiped the smooth surface. He watched you before slowly turning the page and finding his spot.

'Her lips were so delicious, he wondered what every part of her tasted like. He slowly retreated, holding himself above her as he pushed himself back, his mouth leaving a trail of kisses along her tender flesh.'

Your lips parted without thinking and you gripped the edge of the table. You felt that same warmth between your legs and as you moved, you felt a dampness there as well. You turned away to hide your confusion and went to the side table along the wall, giving extra attention to the vase there.

'...And her most sacred part tasted like paradise. He delved into it without restraint. Lapped her up as her legs pressed against his head in her want for him...'

You looked around for another task and caught your foot on the leg of the table. You stumbled and crashed to your knees. You cringed and shakily climbed back up, embarrassed at your clumsiness. Loki had stopped his reading.

"Are you well, dear?" He asked.

"Quite," You lied. "Careless is all, your highness."

"Mmhmm," He purred and raised two fingers, bending them as he beckoned you close. "Come here."

You pouted without thinking. He raised his brows and you obeyed. You neared him and reached to take the cloth from you, tossing it so it landed on the low table. He grabbed your wrist and drew you closer until your legs met the side of the chaise.

"Get up here," He set aside the book and patted his stomach. "Just atop me."

"Your high--"

"What did I tell you about that mouth?" He warned. "Do not be so nervous, I am fully clothed and I mean no harm."

You pushed your tongue against the roof of your mouth in frustration. He let go of your arm and you turned, lifting a leg over him as you climbed up onto the chaise, straddling him beneath you.

His hand went to your hips and grazed your sides, sending a chill through you. He cupped your tits and let out a heady breath.

"Tell me," Loki said. "Has a man every held these before? Held you?"

You stared at the wall and shook your head. He tweaked your nipple and you looked at him.

"Answer me aloud," He ordered.

"No, your highness." You answered stiffly.

"Never?" He asked. "A pity."

He played with your tits a little longer, his eyes followed his hands. You felt something stir beneath you, just within his trousers. His hands settled on your hips once more and he led your pelvis back then tilted it forward again. You gaped at him curiously.

He rocked you again, slowly at first as he kept up the motion. Then you felt it, the way his bulge rubbed against your bud, the way your arousal spread across his pants. Your lips formed an O as you looked down at yourself and planted a hand on his stomach as you tried to stop him.

He let go of you and grabbed your wrists. He put your hands on his shoulders and held you like that.

"Move your hips, darling," His voice was low and lurid. "Don't make me tell you twice."

Your lips twitched but no protest could rise above your fear. You did as he said. You rocked as he had guided you to before. Slow, nervous, and yet each time felt better than the last.

"Faster," He urged and your brows drew together as his eyes went between your bodies. "Faster, dear."

You obeyed. Again. You felt helpless and yet it was you. You were riding him and you didn't want to stop. The heat began to swell within you and the slickness which had seeped into his trousers only added to it. It was wrong, you knew that, but you just didn't care.

He purred as you grinded against him harder and your hips picked up without thinking. You bit your lip and pushed your head back as your fingers curled against his shoulders. 

His thick breaths turned to animalistic grunts and his hand fell to your ass. He pushed you against him as he lifted his pelvis just a little, his cock rubbing through his pants against your clit. You bucked as you got closer, closer, closer.

You shuddered as you came and kneaded your ass. He snarled and swore as he squirmed and grasped your hips to slow you. He was panting as he stilled you entirely and his hands slipped down along your legs. He smiled, his eyes dilated and dazed.

"My dear maid," He slithered. "I thought you were supposed to be tidying my chambers, not making a mess of me."

🌩️

Loki didn't let you dress until he dismissed you. After his little game, he allowed you to return to your work only to resume his reading. You hated how he could make you both so angry and so entirely weak. You hated him but somehow he could make you want him. You didn't understand him or what he did to your body.

As you made your way down to the lower levels, you felt as if you were walking through water. As if every step was a struggle. You were tired, overwhelmed, and utterly perplexed. By Thor and his politics, Loki and his teasing, and yourself, more than either of them. 

You should go; get out of the palace. You thought of running away but where could you go that they wouldn't find you? Of course, they'd search the docks first and they wouldn't stop there. The king had enough guards to scour the kingdom a dozen times over and you had no gold to take you away from Asgard. And even if you did leave Asgard, where could you go?

As you turned the corner to the corridor lined with the servants’ shared chambers, you caught yourself. There was a shadow not far ahead, waiting for something or someone. It only took a moment to recognize the large silhouette.

You backed up on tip toes and felt along the wall as you retreated around the corner. Your hand caught on a handle and you pressed the lever down slowly. You eased open the door, praying the hinges didn't betray you, and slipped behind the heavy wooden barrier. You coaxed it back into place and leaned heavily against it.

You turned your back to the door and slid down to the floor. You drew your knees up and listened. The king's boots scuffed softly on the stone as he paced. He wouldn't wait all night. He couldn't. You were trembling.

You closed your eyes and lowered your head to your arms crossed over your knees. Thor's footfalls harried from patient to frustrated. You heard his breaths, almost growls, and a grumble to himself. He cursed his brother and marched away from the servants' quarters and past the closet you hid within.

You didn't dare emerge, even as his steps faded away and you were left only with the still silence of the palace. You slumped down onto your side, unknotting your apron to bunch up beneath your head, and fell into an uncomfortable slumber.

You dreams were a blur of blue and green eyes, hands reaching for your body, voices swirling in your ears. Run, run, run, but you could never hide. In the end, you would be caught. As it was, you already were.

🌩️

The next morning, you awoke with a crick in your neck, slightly disoriented by the racks of brooms and rows of buckets. You stood, bracing your sore back, and stretched with a suppressed groan. The tension had nestled between your shoulders.

Well, since you were already there. You took a broom, a pan, and a bucket. You carried your lot to the prince's chambers and left them just inside the door before you descended once more and fetched his breakfast.

Upon your return, he was awake. He stood in the bedchamber doorway as he rubbed his forehead and smiled as he saw you carrying the tray. He was unashamed of the ten at the front of his trousers or his bare torso.

"I will enjoy my breakfast on the balcony," He announced and strutted through the archway.  "It is such a lovely morning."

You followed him with a sigh and set the tray before him. You removed the lid as his eyes skimmed over the scenery of the palace yard. He took a lush berry and popped it in his mouth and chewed. He swallowed it with a contented hum.

"I have decided to work from my chambers today." He declared. "And you... will serve me as you did yesterday."

You frowned. Did he mean--

"I do hate the way that apron gets in the way," He tugged on the fabric that hung from your waist. "A woman like you shouldn't hide herself and I suspect you've done so most of your life, dear."

"Your highness," You gulped. "Out... here?"

"Trust me, darling, those below barely have the same vantage as I," He smirked. "So let's avoid the threats and this little act you have. I've seen it all already."

You shifted your weight from one foot to the other. It didn't matter that he'd seen you naked before nor that he'd touched you. Not even that he'd made you feel so... delightful. It was still absolutely degrading.

You sniffed and began to undress. You left your clothing on an empty chair around the table and swallowed your shame. You looked at Loki as if you were not bare and folded your hands before you.

"Did you require anything else for you meal, your highness?" You asked.

His eyes searched your face then drifted lower. His thoughts brewed behind his green eyes and he shrugged.

"No, you may go about your usual duties. I do expect to bathe when I finish," He bid. "And you might tidy my desk before I get to work."

"Your highness," You bowed your head and turned away. 

His hand snapped across your ass, a stinging slap, and you flinched but kept on. You strode over to the broom and took it, tempted to return to the balcony and hit the prince over the head with it. Instead, you dragged the bristles over the stone.

You finished sweeping the receiving chamber as Loki appeared in the archway. You went to draw his bath and he wasn't far behind, shedding his loose silk pants before sinking into the steaming tub. You left him and neatened his desk.

When he emerged, he dressed in the clothes you set out and sat at his desk. You retrieved the broom and began to clean his bedchamber. He was unbothered by the constant scratching and barely seemed to notice you. 

His work continued well until noon as you kept yourself busy in the receiving chamber. Then a knock came and you stopped dead, a cushion in hand that you'd been fluffing up. The banging came again, louder, and Loki swept into the room. You covered yourself as well as you could with the pillow.

"Fetch some goblets and a bottle," He said. "And put that thing down."

"Your highness, I--"

He smirked and tilted his head. "I gave you an order."

He continued to the door and opened it. You went to the cabinet and opened it carefully. You took a pair of cups and nearly fumbled the bottle.

"Brother," He greeted, "Do come in. I have some wine and we will discuss my proposal. I think it would do the farmers well if we subsidized them."

"Oh, yes, I do rather enjoy talking about seeds," Thor replied dryly as he entered. "I really do not have--"

He stopped as you spun around. He blinked at you, his lips parted slightly, than glanced at his brother. He sniffed and cleared his throat. He went to the straight-backed chair and sat. Loki remained standing as you set the cups on the low table and poured.

"Make it quick," Thor snarled.

"Not an issue if you've read my proposal in full. A subsidy would only be a temporary loss and in the end a profit to the crown," Loki said smoothly.

You offered Thor his cup and he took it without looking at you. A vein stood out along his forehead as his eyes narrowed at Loki. He didn't drink but cradled the cup over his lap. You then handed Loki the other goblet and he sipped before continuing.

"Not only that, but it would be good for your reputation among the common folk," Loki smiled. "And it is not as if we cannot afford it."

"Fine. Do it." Thor barked as he stood, restless. He put the cup down so hard the wine sloshed over the rim. "I know you did not me bring me here to speak of crops. What is the meaning of this?"

"Of what, brother?" Loki prodded.

Thor looked at you at last and his nostrils flared. His eyes sparked and electricity seemed to pulse beneath his skin.

"You know what." Thor hissed.

"It has been a hot summer, brother," Loki taunted. "And I am doing no different than you have done. I know you've not so quickly forgotten--"

"You wait." Thor jabbed his finger in the air and a crackle flew off of it, dying in the air before. "You are still just a prince. As you will ever be."

Thor turned and his cape flapped around him as he stomped towards the door. He slammed it behind him as he stepped out into the corridor. You were breathless, stunned. Loki however only seem amused as he chuckled.

The room suddenly turned dark and you turned to look through the archways. You stepped closer and lightning shot across the sky, eerily black in the daytime. A sudden hale of rain began to batter at the balcony as a storm raged without and added to that within you.

"Well," Loki neared and peered out. "That was fun."

[sserpente]

A/N: Request from anon. Really liked the idea! ♥

Words: 1392 Warnings: fluff and being followed (?)

You were being paranoid. At the very least—that was what you tried to tell yourself when you turned around the corner and glanced behind you, seeing the very man whose eerie eyes had been on you all night do the same.

Now, working as a bartender had its perks—you got to sleep in every morning, got drinks on the house and on Mondays, the club was closed. But it was stressful, of course. And sometimes… sometimes there were pushy customers. Like tonight.

The man had been staring at you for a good two hours, ordering one beer after another. He did not seem interested in the music or the dance floor at all. Not even the other revealingly dressed girls ordering drinks at the bar. His eyes had been on you only, all night long. And now, he was right behind you.

Quickening your pace, you clutched your bag tighter. Your heart was in your mouth as you glanced back again, noticing the man kept coming closer and was now walking faster as well.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit! Panicking, you turned around another corner, away from the rescuing tube station which was only a few more minutes away, if anything to convince yourself that the creepy guy was headed to the tube station as well.

But he wasn’t. For in the next moment, you found him turning around the corner too. Now what? You had read, so often, what to do when being followed and yet, your mind was blank. You were breathing heavily, playing with one of the charms on your bag nervously. He had gotten closer.

Whimpering quietly, you sped up, letting out a relieved sigh when you suddenly spotted yellow light coming from another, still open bar in the distance. Open meant there were still people. People. You needed people around you.

The man was only a feet away from you now. Staring at the bar stubbornly, you refused to look back again and instead focused on the group of men outside the bar. Dressed casually, they were chatting exuberantly, each holding a pint in their hands. Surely one of them would be able to protect you. That’s when the idea struck you.

Breaking into a run now, you approached the man closest to you. He had his back to you, wearing dark trousers and a grey hoodie, complimenting his long black hair. Unceremoniously, you pushed past the other men in the group, your heart still beating like a steam hammer, and wrapped your arms around his middle, hugging him tightly.

“There you are! I missed you…” You looked up the moment the stranger glanced down at you, confusion and indignation sparkling in his blue eyes, along with a surprised and annoyed frown. Only then did you realise who it was. It was Loki. The Loki. God of Mischief… the man who had almost destroyed New York a few years ago. A brief look around you… and you stared into the faces of Thor, Tony Stark, Captain America and Bucky Barnes. You gulped.

There was no time to dwell on dramatic memories, however. Anxiously, you glanced over to the man who had been following you and had now come to a halt only two metres away from the Avengers. Insecurely, he eyed them down, hesitantly. Obviously, he recognised them. You were so lucky.

Loki followed your gaze. His expression darkened when he spotted him, his blue eyes narrowing. And the he did something you would have never expected from him. He put his arm around you, pulling you close to him and flashing you a mysterious smirk. He seemed to have understood what was happening.

“I have missed you too, my dear.” His eyes wandered back to the man—who, at this point, was ready to clear off. “Is there a problem?” He spat, leaning forward threateningly. Intimidated, the man shook his head and, finally, bolted. Only then did you let out a relieved breath, a load taken off your mind. There was no denying now. He had been following you—and Loki, of all people, had saved you.

“T-thank you.” You choked out, letting go of him so fast you almost stumbled. Thor only chuckled, yet your eyes were glued on the God of Mischief only.

Loki nodded in response. He was… so unlike the way you had imagined him. You would have expected this man to lash out and shove you away and instead… instead he had analysed your miserable and dangerous situation and helped you out. Wow… how could he possibly be the bad guy the Avengers had made him out to be? Or was that in the past? After all, he was having a drink with them right now.

“Are you alright?” He inquired quietly. You nodded, your heart still beating fast.

“I am… I’m so sorry. There was a man following me to the station, I had to… I didn’t know what else to do.” Frantically, you blinked the tears forming in your eyes away, only realising now how badly you were shaking now that the adrenaline wore down.

“Breathe. He is gone now.” Yes. Yes, he was gone. Loki was your saviour. But his words, although comforting, did only little to calm you down. What if the man suspected your reunion with the God of Mischief had been but pretence? If he waited for you around the corner or near the station?

“I’ll call a cab. It’s on me.” Tony spoke up just then, pulling out his phone already. Gratefully, you nodded. A cab. A cab was a good idea.

Loki frowned, making Thor smile yet again. “Is that safe?”

“Yep. The driver is going to drop her off right in front of her door and can wait until she’s inside.”

He did not seem convinced. His frown deepened when he turned back to you.

“I will go with you.” He announced without even thinking about consulting the others first. His tone allowed no contradiction. Nodding obediently and thanking him yet again shyly, you told Tony your address and then waited for about two more minutes until the Uber driver already pulled up and you climbed into the car, followed by Loki.

You swallowed after greeting the driver, silence spreading in the car quickly. You were rather reckless for getting into a car with yet another stranger—especially someone who had almost subjugated your planet and yet… when you had looked into Loki’s blue eyes, you had seen genuine concern.

“Why are you helping me?” The words slipped out before you could stop them.­ You didn’t mean to anger him and you sure did appreciate his help. You just couldn’t figure out why Loki would be so kind to you in the first place.

“I know what it feels like to live in fear of something… or to be running from someone.” He responded absently, looking you deep in the eye and sending pleasant shivers up and down your spine. “And I must admit I was quite smitten by how you outsmarted him eventually.”

Was that a compliment? Smiling, you looked into your lap, blushing. Perhaps that creepy man following you had had its upsides too. You gathered all of your courage when the Uber driver was about to come to a stop in front of your flat. You were not one to judge people by what other people told you. You had heard on the news how villainous Loki was and he had succeeded in proving them all wrong by a single act of kindness. You wanted to get to know him.

“W-would you… would you like to have some coffee with me some time?”

The God of Mischief frowned at first, almost surprised by the fact a mortal seemed to have taken a romantic interest in him. But then, a mischievous smirk spread on his lips.

He could tell you liked him, of course—and as of now, he was bathing in the confidence it gave him.

“Coffee?” He repeated after a moment, a wicked playfulness in his smooth voice.

“Yes, coffee.” You replied, biting your lower lip nervously, watching him look past you at your flat.

“I will know where to find you.” He announced cheekily, making you grin and beam with delight.

Surely, this wasn’t the last time you had seen the infamous God of Mischief then.

A/N: Would it be sneaky that this Imagine has an alternative ending?

If you enjoyed this story I would be flattered if you supported me on KoFi! kofi.com/sserpente

[imagine-loki]

Caught in his web, Chapter 25

TITLE: Caught in his web CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 25 AUTHOR: fanficshiddles ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki is a crime lord, a very dangerous man in the city. He is owed money, but the man is unable to pay Loki back, so Loki takes his daughter as payment instead.  RATING: M

Chloe was a trembling, sweaty and panting mess as Loki collapsed down next to her, he was a bit of a mess himself after that exercise.

She could feel his seed inside of her, slowly trickling out and making a mess of his bedsheets.

‘You are far too delightful, doll.’ Loki purred, trailing his fingers lightly across her chest.

She trembled under his touch, making him smile as he moved closer and buried his face into her hair. Breathing in deeply, enjoying her scent.

Loki pulled her in tightly to him and was delighted when she didn’t try to pull away or leave, she just snuggled up against him with a content sigh.

‘I will be out most of today, some business to attend to. If you’re wanting to go out with friends, Ralph will be on call for you. Just ask Pete to call him.’ Loki said, stroking her arm.

‘Ok… Thank you. I was hoping to meet with them before going to college. And I need to get a couple of things, is that alright?’ Chloe tilted her head back to look at him, he smiled at her and nodded.

‘Of course. You’ve got the card, it’s yours to use.’

-

‘So, how’s things with your hot sugar daddy?’ Amanda grinned.

Chloe rolled her eyes. ‘He is not my sugar daddy. Don’t even go there, that’s just… eww!’

‘He’s hot. He lavishes you with gifts. He is rich as fuck. That’s sugar daddy material right there.’ Amanda laughed, so did Georgie.

Chloe shook her head and stabbed into her lunch. ‘He is not a sugar daddy.’

‘Well, how are things going with Loki?’ Georgie asked.

‘Umm. Good, I guess. As good as things can be when you’ve been kidnapped by the most dangerous man in the city.’ Chloe shrugged.

‘Come on, Chloe. This is no normal kidnapping, you’re out and about, right now. You’ve got a boat load of money to spend. Is it really that bad?’ Amanda said.

Chloe sighed and sat back on her chair. ‘No, it’s not… But that’s the problem. It should be. I’m hating myself right now because I feel like I’m falling further and further under his spell, and I don’t know what I should be doing. I’m fed up of fighting him, because truthfully? I am starting to like being with him… I just, I just feel like it’s wrong.’

Amanda and Georgie looked sorry for her. Amanda reached out and gave her arm a squeeze.

‘It must be difficult. But… he is looking after you, you have your freedom still. I guess the only bad thing is that you don’t stay with your parents anymore. But his house is better, isn’t it?’ Georgie asked, trying to help her see the best of it.

Chloe smiled at her friends, knowing they were only trying to help. And she loved them for it.

‘Yeah, I know… Look, he said I can invite you both round tonight for a girly night. If use fancy it?’

‘Really?’ Amanda asked.

‘Yeah. Honestly, I could do with getting drunk with you both and just… forgetting for a little while.’ Chloe said.

‘Well, count us in.’ Georgie and Amanda said at the same time.

Chloe asked Ralph to drive them to Georgie’s place and then Amanda’s so they could collect their things, then Ralph drove them to Loki’s.

‘Holy shit! This place is amazing!’ Georgie said when they walked inside.

‘Why thank you, Georgie. I’m very proud of my home.’ Loki said, startling the girls a little as they all turned around to see Loki walking out of the living room with a big smile.

‘Hi, Mr Laufeyson.’ Amanda said politely.

‘Please, just call me Loki.’ He said warmly.

‘Thanks for having us over, Loki. It’s been ages since we’ve had a good girls night.’ Georgie said.

Chloe was slightly amazed at how confident her friends seemed around Loki. But she was glad. Hoping it would help her out, too. Because she was still so damn conflicted a lot of the time.

‘There’s loads of snacks in the kitchen, alcohol too. So help yourselves. I’ve also set up the TV in the living room with an array of film options.’ Loki moved over to Chloe, cupped the back of her head and pulled her into him as he kissed her forehead. ‘Enjoy your night, girls. And you know where I am if you need me.’ He said to Chloe.

She blushed as he left them to it and went to his office. Amanda and Georgie looked at her with a look.

‘Don’t even go there.’ She hissed and pointed a finger at them.

Chloe was shocked at all the snacks Loki had gotten for them. And the film choices were every film in the world, including the new releases. She wasn’t even going to question how he managed to get good copies of them.

She enjoyed her night with her girlfriends. It was nice to just relax and have fun with them, to forget about everything else for a while and let loose with plenty of alcohol.

‘Come onnnnn, Chloe. My sex life has been dull for the last few years, so spill. He looks kinky, I bet he is into all kinds of kinky shit!’ Georgie giggled, sipping her drink.

Poor Chloe groaned and put her hands over her face.

‘Spill!’ Amanda joined in.

‘It’s… Not… I dunno. Can we just change the subject?’

‘You’re blushing! There’s something!’ Amanda screeched excitedly and jumped onto her friend. ‘Tell us!’

‘No, no, no.’ Chloe tried to push Amanda off while also trying not to spill her drink.

Eventually Chloe managed to change the subject away from Loki and his dominant, kinky side that she didn’t really want to share with her friends.

When they decided to call it a night, they all headed upstairs and were pretty drunk. Chloe gave Amanda and Georgie her bed while she took the large sofa in the corner.

But she’d forgotten one thing… Amanda was one hell of a snorer when she’d been drinking. Georgie had passed out straight away, but Chloe was struggling to get to sleep with what sounded like a pig coming from her bed.

She groaned in frustration and sat up, head in her hands. She sighed and then dragged herself off the sofa, with her blanket wrapped around her she quietly crept out of her room and down the hall. She couldn’t believe she was about to seek him out… But, well, here she was at his door now.

Taking a deep breath, she was about to knock but then decided against that in-case he was asleep. But would he want her to just enter? Would he be pissed off? Maybe she should just go back to her room, or downstairs to the living room, perhaps…

She was toying in her mind with what to do, she never heard Loki coming up behind her from down the hall. So when a hand landed on her shoulder, she let out a screech and turned around, eyes wide, but she relaxed when she saw it was Loki.

‘Sorry, doll. I didn’t mean to startle you.’ He eyed her up and down, wondering why she had a blanket wrapped around her. ‘What are you doing?’

‘I… I… couldn’t sleep. Amanda is snoring like a trooper. She always does when she’s been drinking. I was coming to see if I could… maybe… sleep with you… But then I thought you might be asleep, I didn’t want to disturb you. Then I wasn’t sure about bugging you, if you’d even want me tonight or not.’ She rambled quickly.

Loki grinned and reached out to hold her chin, he brushed his thumb against her cheek. ‘Why would I mind having you sleep with me?’

‘I… Don’t know.’ She breathed out heavily, then frowned. ‘What are you doing up at this time?’

‘I was working late on a conference call with an acquaintance in Australia. Time differences can be a pain in the ass.’ Loki put his hand to her back and opened his bedroom door, guiding her inside.

‘Do you have a lot of acquaintances all around the world?’ Chloe asked.

‘I do indeed. It can be both a blessing and a curse.’ Loki said as he started to undress.

Chloe got into his bed and got comfortable under the covers, leaving her blanket behind on the floor. She looked over and watched as he took off his tie.

‘Why?’

‘Well, it’s a blessing because it’s nice to travel, see different countries. And a curse because of nights like this, when I have to stay up late just to converse with someone.’ He looked over at her and flashed a toothy grin when he saw she was watching him somewhat intently. ‘Although, it was rather delightful to find you waiting at my bedroom door.’ He winked at her as he started undoing the buttons on his shirt.

‘Do you travel abroad often?’ Chloe asked, looking away from him, she lay down and tried to just look up at the roof.

‘Every few months or so. I have my own jet, so it’s easy enough to travel even just for shorter business trips if necessary.’ Loki said as he folded his clothes over the back of a chair and then got into bed next to her.

‘Of course you do.’ Chloe said louder than she had meant to.

‘What’s that suppose to mean?’ Loki asked as he suddenly came into her view, looming over her. His hair cascaded down, tickling her face.

‘I… I just mean that it should be expected you’d have your own jet. You seem to have everything else.’ She trailed off quietly.

Loki chuckled as he gathered her wrists into one hand and pinned them straight up above her as he leaned down and kissed her neck.

‘Mmm, I certainly do have everything.’ He chuckled against her lips.

[centuryofdean]

Of Food and Comfort - Part 9

Author Note:: So sorry that this took forever. This chapter was difficult for me because I have had the worst writers block. Hopefully it was just for this chapter and the next one will come more easily. The story is starting to come to a close! (Sorry if this chapter wasn’t as exciting).

Author Disclaimer:: Marvel and its characters are not mine. I take no credit. Instead I claim the maybe not so great plot, writing and characteristics of the reader insert character. I am not a die hard Marvel fan, I haven’t read all the comics, but have watched the movies. I may get some things wrong, so please don’t hate me. I also have been incorporating Old Norse as terms of endearment.

Summary:: You worked for Tony Stark as a…mechanic of sorts. Anything around the Avengers compound that needed a technicians touch, you handled. With working and living there, you had grown to be friendly with the super heroes. Of course you had grown to have feelings for one of them. The muscled Thunder God to be exact.

Rated:: M for Mature. Please do not read this story unless you are 18+. Smut. NSFW

Pairing:: Thor x Reader

Thor had picked out a dress for you to wear and laid it on your bed while you showered. What he picked out was one of the nicer dresses in the closet. Not that they weren’t all nice, but this one was particularly elegant, used for special occasions. It was a deep navy blue and sleek, but comfortable. You took the time to freshen up in the bathroom with the supplied fragrances and lotions, combing out your hair and styling it perfectly. All the while your mind wanted to wander to what happened in the library not even an hour ago.

You could feel the cold hard wood on your knees still as your nose remembered the smell of Thor’s deep musk. The thought of your mouth on him brought a deep blush to your cheeks and chest. Did you really give him a blowjob in the library, in the middle of the day? What on Earth has gotten into you?

A soft knock came in the door, so you left the bathroom to answer it expecting to find Thor.

Instead you were surprised to find Loki.

After your first morning when he walked you around the palace for a while—you hadn’t seen him since. Perhaps it was a dinner with the whole family instead of just the three of you as you had assumed?

Dark green eyes started your feet and trailed up to take in your appearance. “Dressing to impress Darling,” he inquired. He stepped aside and threw an arm out to gesture me to leave the room.

“I guess,” you said slowly. “Thor picked this out for me.” Immediately your fingers drew up to your new necklace, tracing the cool metal, suddenly a little nervous. While you both walked, you could hear him humming softly as he strode forward. The tune was a little familiar, but nothing you could pin-point.

“Are you finding your new home to your liking,” he asked as you both descended a set of stairs.

At his words, you missed a step and stumbled, hanging onto the railing for dear life with a hitch in breath. “My new home,” you asked confused.

Loki stopped in the middle of the stair set, smirking slowly before leaning a little closer to you, easing into your personal space.

“Oh Darling,” he chuckled, “Asgard of course. Why else did you think Thor brought you here?”

“To just show me around, to show me where he grew up—”

“To introduce you to your father-in-law and new home.”

Father—that is absolutely absurd. Even the thought of it had you scoffing and laughing outright. Thor and you only just started any sort of a relationship past friends not even a week ago. There was no way he was bringing you to Asgard before that was even established on the basis of marriage.

“That’s not true,” you supplied easily, pushing past the trickster and down the stairs. “He just wanted to bring me to somewhere new. It was a silly prize for being able to lift Mjölnir.”

“A silly prize,” Loki scoffed. He had already surpassed you on the stairs and was walking down them backwards to speak to you as you climbed down yourself. “That hammer holds some of the most unexplainable powers of the realms. Those who harness that power control Asgard.”

Very slowly you came to a stop again, this time at the bottom of the stairs. You noted how Loki said control instead of lead or rule. For some reason this discussion felt like a test and a taunt all in one. “I bet loads of people can lift the hammer,” you said softly. “It takes a great deal more leadership and good sense of ethics to be able to be a King of anywhere, let alone Asgard.”

“There are only four people whom were able to lift Mjölnir,” Loki hissed out between his teeth. With each word he had taken another step closer and closer to you, shoulders hunched up in intimidation. “Odin. Mother. Thor. Now, some small meek girl from Midgard.”

Suddenly all you could hear was the erratic beating of your blood pounding in your ears, but Loki continued you talk and you strained to listen.

“Odin has become an old fool with time, weak with age. He has been waiting for my oaf of a brother to accept the position of King. Until now he has refused, but now that there is supple flesh that has proven useful—well it would only make sense that he is more accepting of the position,” Loki’s voice grew quieter with each and every word. In the end of it all, it was as if he was whispering a secret or a sweet nothing into your ear.

“Are you—are you saying Thor only wants to be with me because I can lift the hammer,” you whispered back just as quietly, almost afraid of the words that were leaving your mouth.

The edges of Loki’s lips started to curl inwards, but the look in his bright green eyes didn’t seem playful.

This couldn’t be true—it was just another game that the God of Mischief was playing to get under your skin. Right, he was just looking to get a rise out of you because he had nothing better to do. Thor wouldn’t be so superficial, right?

Thinking back on everything, you did your best to filter through your memories with Thor to see if what Loki said had any ounce of truth. Instead, you only proved to cause more panic and anxiety within yourself. Thor had always been so kind and friendly at first, because he was just a polite man. Even after Jane and him broke up, you never remember any moment with him that insinuated that he was interested in you in such a way. Not until—not until the night you lifted Mjölnir.

Even though you were drunk out of your mind, you had remembered Thor dragging you back to your room. Days after the event you were horrified to remember asking him to take off your pants for you. It wasn’t until you were standing at the base of the stairs of Asgard starring right into Loki’s eyes that you remembered Thor asking if he could be your bed warmer—only hours after you proved worthy of Asgard.

All the time after that, there wasn’t another moment between either of you, not until Christmas when he almost kissed you in the kitchen. Everything else could be deemed friendly; yet nothing more than platonic happened until after you took your shot with the hammer.

“Drotting,” Thor’s voice called out deeply from behind you, “there you are. I went to your rooms looking for you.”

Breaking out of your trance, you turned to Thor. Anything you were thinking about slipped from consciousness at the sight of him. You couldn’t tell if he was dressed for battle or for dinner. The leather-like pants he was wearing were adorned with patterns, but hugged his legs nicely. He was wearing a deep navy blue shirt that seemed as if it was made in mind of the dress you were wearing.

What really caused you to become speechless was his hair. Half of it was pulled up like normal, but different types of braids and beads traced in and out of the loose locks. His beard was even trimmed evenly and shaped nicely into the scruff on his cheeks. All of it dimmed in comparison at the smile he was wearing. Had you ever seen him this happy before? His blue eyes were bright and crinkled at the sides from the force of his smile.

In seconds he had you wrapped in his arms, bringing his lips down to press against your own for a long chaste kiss.

“Come now,” he spared a questioning glance at Loki, “let us meet Father in the Dining Hall.”

Loki trailed behind you both as Thor guided you through the halls by your hand intertwined with his.

The Dining Hall ended up being much smaller than you anticipated. Perhaps it was just a private dining room for the immediate family? Odin was already seated at the large round table. The table could have easily sat a dozen people side by side, but instead there were only four seats evenly spread out.

Thor led you to one of the seats and helped you down into it before grabbing the empty plate in front of you and starting to pile it was food.

“Oh Thor,” you reached his arm and held it in place instead of it hovering over the next bowl of vegetables. “I can make my own plate.”

“I know,” he murmured softly, “I can make my own as well, but you always make mine for me. It is my turn to take care of you.”

A little embarrassed, you settled down into your seat and looked down at the table while Thor put more food on the plate than you thought you could eat. As he sat it down, he pressed a kiss to your forehead and left to the seat closest to you. He had seated you directly across from his father.

“Lady Y/N,” Odin began to speak, gesturing to your plate of food you hadn’t touched yet. “Please eat at your leisure.”

Slowly, you reached for the fork closest to you and started to stab into the first green you saw. Being put at the same dinner table as three Gods was a little intimidating, so you ate slowly and savored the tastes of the food in front of you.

“I would like to apologize for the greeting you received from me your first morning here,” Odin huffed out after taking a drink. “Now that we are all here, there is much to discuss.”

You took a long sip from the glass of wine closest to you. Out of the corner of your eye, you could still see Thor beaming to your left. He had no hesitation in eating, half of his plate was empty. To your left, you could see Loki picking at his food, moving it around but not really eating it.

“Thor has told me much about your life on Midgard,” Odin continued. “You are a—mechanic?”

“Yes sir,” you coughed out a little. “I work on machines—well any type of technology.

“Wasn’t Jane a well-educated scientist,” Loki shot off from his end of the table, looking bored.

The empty nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach only grew at his statement. Anxiety was already eating away at you the moment Thor said you were to have dinner with his father, but now it was consuming you quickly.  

Jane had already been here. Both his father and mother met Jane. She was a well-educated scientist. Just from her area of expertise alone she probably knew more about Asgard and the other realms better than you—

“Jane is not the woman Thor has chosen,” Odin said plainly. No, Thor did choose her, but she just didn’t choose him back. “How has Asgard been treating you dear?”

“It’s been really lovely,” you worked past the lump in your throat. “Everything from the buildings to the gardens and the hospitality of your people is beautiful. I feel very welcomed, thank you for having me.” It was true, even the friendliness of all the Asgardian’s you encountered. Thor’s friends in particular did what they could on the few occasions you met them to make you comfortable.

Thor smiled at you again between bites, becoming oddly silent while his father and you spoke to one another. After you had eaten a good portion of your food, it became easier to talk to the older man. He asked numerous questions about you, your life, what you did for Tony Stark, what you see yourself doing in the future. They were typical questions you would have received from meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time.

Towards the end of dinner, you were completely relaxed and laughing softly with Thor over something Odin had said. Loki had wandered off again in the last handful of minutes. A soft yawn had taken you by surprise after you finished your wine.

“I will not hold you both any longer,” Odin sighed himself. He did not smile, but he seemed happy and relaxed like yourself. “Please remember Lady Y/N, Asgard is your home now too.”

You rose slowly from your chair onto shaky legs at his words, met by Thor who ushered you into his arms to guide you from the room after a bid of goodbye to his father. The anxiety from earlier started to make its way back into your chest, making it harder to breathe.

Asgard is my home now too.

Was it though? Could I really move myself to another realm away from what little family I had, and my friends? There was no way to communicate with them from Asgard. Thor had told you how the Bifrost was destroyed a while ago, what if it became destroyed again if you decided to even move to Asgard?

Why are you even thinking about this? These kind of decisions shouldn’t even be thought of until you had dated someone for a good five or six months, not the handful of days you have had with Thor.  

Just thinking of Thor and you together, even as he was walking you back to your rooms, you groaned softly in frustration.

It seemed that Loki had gotten what he wanted—to leave you upset and questioning everything between Thor and you.

Once you both reached the door to your rooms, you turned to Thor and crossed your arms softly. “Is it possible that we could go back to New York tomorrow,” you asked a little upset with yourself. You really didn’t want to leave beautiful Asgard behind, but the anxiety and panic you had been dealing with the past few hours was making it hard to think straight. All you really wanted was to curl up in the blankets on your bed and a bowl of comfort food to try and relax. You wanted your warm soft Earth clothes—hell you would prefer Thor’s warm soft Earth clothes.

“Of course,” he replied quickly, a little confused. “If that is what you wish drotting.”

“Sorry,” you apologized, feeling more flustered at possibly offending him. “Its just—”

“No need to explain yourself Y/N,” he smiled softly before kissing your nose. “We could even leave now if you wanted.”

 It only took about twenty minutes for you to collect your things. Thor insisted that you take some of the dresses with you. He didn’t have anything to take back with him from his rooms, so you both left the palace and made your way through the streets towards the Bifrost dome. Through every turn and pause, his hand was still clutched almost desperately into your own. He shared a few words with the Heimdall, who looked at you with a soft smile and nodded before opening the bridge between Asgard and Earth.

It was dark when you finally opened your eyes after the gut-wrenching trip. The cool night air of New York was brisk, causing you to shiver in your sleek Asgardian dress. It was still January after all, of course it was going to be cold and covered in snow. Thor took it upon himself to carry your bag for you, and guide you through the snow and ice of the lawn and into the building.

Wordlessly he followed you up to your rooms, sitting your bag of clothes on the familiar homely couch and plopping down next to them. It was odd, seeing him decked out in Asgardian Princely clothing, simply sitting on your plain Earthling couch. “I’m going to change into something to sleep in,” you murmured nervously and scurrying into the bathroom.

You were still confused on where you stood with Thor. If this past week has shown you anything, it was that you were helplessly in love with him. How did he feel though? Did he simply settle for you because of what Loki said—or did he genuinely have feelings for you like you hoped? What you really needed to do was just talk to Thor, but you almost were scared to. What if he reveals that what Loki said was right? What if he thinks you’re too much to deal with after coming up with three different scenarios in your head?

Trying to remain calm and not succumb to the panicked anxiety, you stripped down out of the dress and into the first thing your hands grabbed. The smell of rain and static filled your nose, calming you down a fraction. It was one of the many shirts of Thor’s you had stolen for knitting purposes, but had yet return to his room.

You continued with your nightly routine, stalling for time before you had to actually talk about your feelings and fears to the one man who has already ruined you for all others.

Once you finally emerged from the bathroom, you found Thor sitting in your bed in a tank top and basketball shorts, munching on popcorn while his eyes took in the television show he was watching.

You slid into the covers next to him, fluffing the pillows in contentment. The familiarity of your own things, the smell and softness alone was making you feel better. The braids in his hair were a little crumbled, but still held true when he turned to watch you. The smile on his face dimmed a bit when you finally met his eyes.

“You are unhappy,” he said softly, sitting the bowl of popcorn on the stand closest to him. “What’s wrong?”

Damn he was good. Determined to get it all sorted out and over with, you refrained from saying, “nothing”.

“Are you only with me because I lifted the hammer? Is it because Jane walked away and you were lonely,” you asked quickly.

Thor’s arms wrapped around you, pulling you over his lap to sit astride it. “Of course not schat. My feelings for you date back since before you lifted the hammer,” he said. “Minjor doesn’t control my feelings. If I were lonely because of Jane, I could have chosen another woman to keep me company much sooner. I waited for you, because you are the most beautiful, smart and kind woman I have ever met.”

A little emotional, you felt the heat in your eyes trying to ignite. He was complimenting you and assuring you all at once.

“Do you expect me to leave here and move to Asgard with you,” you hurried on to ask, trying to get everything out before you got cold feet and backed off.

Thor didn’t answer for a few moments. Instead he ran his hand up and down your bare thigh while the other ran up and down your back. “I don’t expect it of you,” he murmured. “I would very much like it, but I do not expect you to. What happened that—Loki.”

Even as he said his brother’s name, his eyelids closed in frustration in sync of him banging the back of his head against the headboard. “Do not listen to anything my brother tries to tell you,” he whispered, pressing his lips to my cheek. “He will try to and say whatever he can to wreak havoc in my life. Jane is gone. I chose you before I knew you could handle Mjölnir and I would have chosen you still if you hadn’t moved it at all.

“Let us not worry about the future at the moment drotting, we can take everything a day at a time. Promise me that whenever you have thoughts and concerns like this, you will talk to me?”

All the pressure building in your chest and head seemed to ease out with his words. It was so relieving you started to get a little sleepy again, happy and content. You nodded your consent to a promise, cuddling into his side more firmly, resting your head on his chest while your hands hugged him to you tightly. This is what you always envisioned with Thor, the ease and comfort of just simply being together.

A muffled crunch startled you into being awake again suddenly.

Trying to make your eyes stay open, you could see Thor’s hand move from a bowl next to you both, yellow kernels fisted in his fingers and he raised them to his face.

Blindly, you reached forward to the bowl to grab a few pieces and sneak them into your mouth to chew slowly as the buttery goodness melted on your tongue. “Mmm,” you sighed, “good.” Warmth encased you everywhere as you slipped back into sleep in Thor’s arms.

Previous Chapter << Part 8: Citrus

Next Chapter >> Part 10: Chilli

@jumpingmanatee @thorfanficwriter​ @lancsnerd​ @captainamericasbeard​ @jennie22feona​ @alyssatjuhhh​

[the--sad--hatter]

Mischief, Meet Your Match - Chapter Fourteen (Loki x Reader)

WARNINGS: Violence, Swearing, Smut, Loki

SUMMARY:

Being caught in the cross hairs of The God of Mischief would scare a saner person but not you, you enjoy it. There’s just something about Loki that draws you to him, and you couldn’t help it even if you wanted to. Tricking the Trickster is exhilarating but you quickly find yourself becoming attached to him as you’re unwillingly dragged on the adventure of a lifetime.

While The Avengers race to get you out of Loki’s clutches, you find yourself teaming up with him to try and defeat an enemy who threatens everything you hold dear.

When you’re tangled up with the God of Chaos, there’s no way of winning and it’s anyone’s guess which you’ll lose first, your heart or your life?

Masterlist

Chapter Fourteen -  Outfitted For War

When one woke up with god of mischief hovering over them, a dagger in his hand, the sensible response wasn’t to yawn at him and lazily swipe his hand away.

 “Good morning Kitten.” He purred, teasing the skin under your ear with the tip of the blade.

 “Morning Mischief.” You sighed sleepily.

 There was a tugging motion on your scalp and Loki moved away from you, standing up.

“Did you just cut my hair?” You frowned.

 He held up a lock of your hair between his fingers and you grimaced.

“Why?” You asked in confusion, patting your head.

 Your fingers found a thin braid pleated into your hair, behind your ear and you pulled at it, studying the plait.

 “I’m sorry, is this some kind of Asgardian version of a friendship bracelet? Why have you braided a lock of your hair into mine?” You chuckled.

 “So I do not lose you.” He shrugged, dumping a tray of breakfast foods onto your lap while you sat up.

 You just looked at him until he graced you with a better explanation.

 “It is to ensure that I can locate you, no matter where you might end up. I will not be able to stay by your side on Asylum, this ensures I can find you again.” He elaborated.

 “Fair enough.” You shrugged.

 You were trying to act nonchalant about it but there was something strangely intimate about what he had done, in a primal way and it was making your heart pitter patter in your chest. You toyed with the braid while you picked up the goblet of coffee with the other hand and sipped happily at it.

 “Eat it all, you will need your strength.” He ordered in a tone that brokered no argument.

 You picked up a slice of toasted yellow bread and made a big show out of biting into it which seemed to satisfy him.

 “From what I was able to find out, Glahn-Betn not only still resides on Asylum but the army has grown considerably. We are running short on time to stop him.” He dictated.

 Guess you weren’t even allowed to finish eating before you moved into the pre-mission briefing. At least he had given you breakfast in bed, that was thoughtful.

 “Good thing we’re going now then.” You said once you swallowed a mouthful of fruit.

 “Tell me again what you must do.” He said tightly.

 That was when you realized it. Loki was nervous. Considering he wasn’t the one walking into danger, that meant he was nervous for you. You played along with him, trying to soothe his nerves by being as brisk and serious as you could be.

 “I need to fight for a place within the army and continue to impress them so I move up the ranks and swiftly. I need to be skilled enough to draw attention but not so much that Glahn-Betn will see me as a potential threat. Once I am high enough up in the ranks I start watching his movements and patterns until I find an opportunity to strike. Then I kill him and run as fast as I can.” You summarised.

 “You will need to lie about who you are, do not let them suspect you are from ‘Earth’. Show no signs of weakness or mercy, do not question your orders. Be a good soldier, obedient and loyal.”

 “Be strong but not too strong, be obedient but not mindless, be noticed but blend in. Be a walking contradiction, I’ve got it.” You assured.

 “Most importantly, be careful Kitten.” He reminded you.

 “Stop fretting mother hen. I know what to do, I’m prepared and I know the price if I fail.” You said, finishing off the last bite of food and washing it down with a swig of coffee.

 “Did you say goodbye?” He asked, nodding towards the door.

 “Yeah, you missed a hell of a party.” You sniggered.

 You had told Elder you were departing the next morning and the villagers had all come together to send you off. It had been a night of dancing around the flickering flames of a bonfire, hand in hand with the children you’d come to adore. You’d dutifully kneeled in the dirt and allowed people to say prayers to their gods on your behalf, your heart bursting with fondness and your eyes burning at the thoughtful gesture. You had drank cup after cup of amber liquor, proving to them that you had an inhuman tolerance for alcohol. You had laughed until your chest ached and danced until your head spun.

 At some point during the festivities you had been pulled into the blue grass with Elder, the sage old man clasping his hands with your own and offering you a departing piece of wisdom.

 “I don’t know what it is you are setting off to do but I can tell it weighs heavy on you Sky lady. It is clear you and your husband are warriors of a kind and knowing your heart as I do, I know whatever your cause, it is a righteous one. I wish you luck.”

 “Thank you.” You said softly, squeezing his hands.

 “We will miss you, you fit in well with us in a way few visitors have.” He mused kindly.

 “Maybe… Maybe I’ll return one day.” You said wistfully, hopefully.

 “You won’t. Your heart does not belong on this small corner of the universe, it belongs elsewhere. But I can see it is torn. You are stuck between who you are, who you want to be and who you think you should be.” He warned you.

 Were you an Avenger or an assassin? A hero or an anti-hero? Or were you something else entirely? Were you Captain America’s daughter or the God of Mischiefs friend and could you find a way to be both?

 “What do I do?” You asked, pleading with him to help you figure it out.

 “There is no easy answer. Perhaps you think I will tell you that you should be true to yourself, but that is such an easy answer and yet the most difficult thing to do. You must live Sky lady, live your life and make your choices as you go. Let love and loyalty guide you and never stay stagnant between two choices.” He advised.

 “I told you to rest.” Loki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

 “I did. Will you stop fussing and let me go wash up?” You laughed, clambering out of the bed and breezing past him, towards the bathroom.

 “Do not tarry, we leave as soon as you are ready.” He shouted through the door as you kicked it shut.

 You rolled your eyes at him even though he couldn’t see it and pulled doff your tunic, turning the taps on.

 It was sweet in a way you didn’t think he would be sweet. But if even Loki was worried about you, how screwed were you?

 As you bathed you pondered the coming mission and tried to stuff your nerves into a box in your mind, locking them away as best you could.

 You felt like something was missing, like you were forgetting something, but you knew what it was. A patented Captain America pep talk, with added Stark sass peppered throughout. You’d never gone on a mission without one. You’d never ever done this alone.

 It didn’t feel right, not having Bucky hovering over you and checking all your weapons were properly loaded and holstered. You wanted Sam to come and double check you were hydrated and sneak chocolate bars into your pocket. You needed Clint to offer you a fistbump and a wink. You missed Wanda squeezing your hand, seeking assurance and offering it at the same time. You needed Nat to throw extra ammo at you and assess you with a discerning look before she gave a confident nod, telling you that you were ready. You even missed Tony blatantly complimenting how well the suit fit you while he side-eyed a seething Steve.

 You missed your family. You needed them.

 “You’re a grown ass superhero, you don’t need you daddy to come and tell you how to do this.” You hissed angrily, pulling yourself out of the water.

 You dried and dressed as quickly as you could, metaphorically beating your doubts into submission.

 Before you opened the door you took one last deep breath and readied yourself.

 “You can do this.” You vowed to yourself.

“I wish I had my Avengers suit with me. I feel stupid going off the warn in jeans and a t-shirt.” You grumbled as you walked back into the room.

 “I thought you might.” Loki said, tossing something at you.

 It was a long black coat, made of tough but smooth leather. It wasn’t quite Midgardian style, but it wasn’t quite Asgardian either. You looked up at him in surprise and he nodded towards the bed where the rest of the ‘outfit’ was lain out. There were a pair of tight leggings made of a similar material to you Avengers suit, a solid but breathable material, a leather corset with a surprisingly modest and high necklined undershirt and a pair of knee-high leather combat boots.

 You turned around to ask him where he’d gotten this and more importantly, to thank him but he was gone. Probably giving you privacy to change into it, so that’s what you did.

 No offence to Tony and his eye for design, but you felt infinitely more bad-ass and put together in this than in the skin tight combat suit he’d provided. The material of this outfit was tight, but not uncomfortably so and there was a lot of give in it, allowing for ease of movement. There was a holster along your spine that held Mischief securely and you found that it was incredibly easy to reach behind your head and pull it out or slide it back in. Slipping the heavy coat on you found that it didn’t hinder your movements either. You were dressed as a warrior but you didn’t outwardly appear to be so.

 You were outfitted like an assassin.

 You had to hand it to Loki, he’d done good. You might have expected him to dress you in green but he’d opted for all black, except for one very important detail. There was a flap of material over your torso that when peeled back revealed a fabric insignia sewn in. Unless they knew to look for it, nobody would find it. The emblem of Captain America’s Shield contrasted well against the black leather and in the centre, where the star usually resided, was the Avengers A. He’d had the foresight and kindness to make sure you had a symbol of home pressed to your heart. He’d probably had to swallow a lot of pride and distaste to do it as well.

 You strode out of the hut with a newfound confidence, your shoulder thrown back and your head held high. Loki looked up as soon as you walked through the doors and for a moment he froze.

 “How do I look?” You asked, holding your arms out.

 “Like someone to be feared.” He said with weight.

 He stepped forward and pulled open you coat, sliding an array of his own daggers into the attached sheaths.

 “Thank you, for all of it, but especially for this.” You whispered, tapping your chest where the secret insignia was.

 “They would be proud, if they knew the truth about all this. They would be proud of all you have done and all you will yet do.” He said dismissively.

 You hoped he was right.

 “After all, you made an ally of one of their greatest foes. Without bloodshed, without fighting, you have defeated me.” He added with a sassy smirk.

 “Are you defeated, Mischief?”

 “Without a doubt.” He said without hesitation.  

 He gently tugged your coat closed and looked down at you, his face startlingly close to yours while his arm slid around your waist for a heartbeat, you thought he was going to lean in kiss you but your hope was shattered when you saw the Tesseract in his hand and the ground disappeared from beneath your feet as the blinding blue light filled your vision.

 As soon as it cleared you were visually assaulted by a bevy of colours and a sycophancy of loud noises.

 “Ah, my eyes!” You winced, shielding them.

 Loki dragged you somewhere while you held your hand over your eyes and you didn’t dare look until your back met a wall. You opened them to see you were in some kind of small alcove down an alleyway and unable to resist, you peered out onto the street again.

 “What Fresh hell is this?” You asked, scrunching up your nose.

 “This is Asylum.” Loki said stiffly.

 “Then why does it look like… well, the 80’s?” You asked.

 It looked like a Bizzaro version of Earth, all neon signs and fluorescent colours and more diverse than even The Distillers Planet had been in terms of different aliens you could see walking down the street. It looked like what you imagined the inside of Elton John’s brain looked like but with a fuckton more aliens, a murky yellow sky and…

 “Is that building made of bones?”

 It definitely was, and now that you were looking you could see it wasn’t the only one. Apparently Asylum was where the Stone Age hooked up with the 80’s for an acid-fuelled apocalypse party. After the peace and serenity of Clarius, it was a shock to your system.

 Loki tightly grabbed your elbow and tugged you around the corner again.

 “Follow this street until you see the recruitment base, you won’t miss it.” He said, refusing to meet your eyes.

 “Ok.”

 “Remember what you have to do Kitten. You’ll need to battle another recruit to gain a place in the army, from there you need to impress them enough to work your way up the ranks until you find yourself close to Glahn-Betn. I won’t be able to help you or advise you. You’ll have to use your own judgement.”

 “Fate of the universe depends on me using my brain… We’re all doomed.” You joked.

 “No we aren’t.” He snapped.

 Apparently he wasn’t in a joking mood.

 “I know what to do Mischief. I’ve got this.” You said with as much bravado as you could muster.

 You knew the plan, you knew what was required of you, all that was left was to see if you could pull it off. You took a step backwards, towards the alleyway and lighting fast, he grabbed you, pulling you back into the alcove and his hand closed around your wrist. You wanted to get on with it, to walk into the lions den before your nerve failed you. But in an ironic twist of events, Loki was the one in need of comfort and reassurance.

 “I’ll be alright Mischief. I’ve got this.” You promised, twisting your wrist out of his grasp and sliding your fingertips along his arm softly, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.

 He exhaled forcefully and nodded stiffly at you.

 “I’ll be close by, as close as I can be without risking running into anyone who may know me but I will be disguised. Do not remove your braid for any reason, promise me.” He demanded.

 “I promise.” You said firmly.

 “If you do… our connection will be lost. I will have no choice but to assume you are dead.” He warned.

 And he’d flee Asylum was what was left unsaid at the end of that sentence.

 You bit your tongue. His eyes were flashing dangerously, almost overflowing with emotion and you knew that he wasn’t refusing because he wouldn’t do it, he was refusing because he didn’t want to entertain the idea of you failing.

 “See you on the other side. When the chaos starts, we meet back here.” You said with a note of finality, stepping away from him.

 Your heart was clenching painfully and the steady, overpowering thrum of your nerves were making you dizzy. A few more steps and you would be separated from him and even if you succeeded in your assassination there was a high chance you weren’t going to survive. This was likely a suicide mission, which meant that unless you were very lucky, this may be the last time you ever saw Loki. He had your goodbye letters for your family but you hadn’t said goodbye to him. You hadn’t said what needed to be said.

 Three words. Just three little words. You could say them and then leave with a clear conscience. You wouldn’t even have to wait around to find out if he would say them back, you didn’t need to take that chance. You could tell him what you so desperately wanted him to know.

 I know you could never love me back, I know that you don’t need the affirmation from a mortal but I love you. I love you so much it’s consuming me.

 “Mischief I…” You began.

 “Don’t.” He interrupted, snapping out the word angrily.

 “You will not say farewell to me Kitten, do not dare. Leave me as if you intend to return to me.” He demanded.

 He lowered his head until his forehead was pressed against yours and let out a shuddering breath.

 “Return to me.” He said, a plead and not a demand this time.

 For the first time you felt something like hope building inside you. His torn apart emotional state was so out of character for him that it was making you wonder, was all this fear and concern really just for a friends safety? Or was it possible he felt something more for you?

 “I will always return to you Mischief. Nothing could keep me away.” You swore.

 His grip on you tightened almost painfully before it gradually loosened and he stepped back. You nodded once, more to yourself than him and made to walk away.

 “Aren’t you forgetting something Kitten?” He asked.

 He looked at you blankly, his expression giving no hint as to what he was alluding to but somehow you just knew what he was asking for and it made you smile.

 Balancing on your tiptoes you reached towards him and the corners of his lips twitched as he leant down for you. At the last second you moved your head and the kiss you’d been about to place on his cheek landed purposefully on the corner of his mouth instead.

 “I’ll see you soon Mischief.” You breathed into his skin.

 You stepped away, walking backwards so you could hold his gaze. His eyes were dark with emotion as he stared after you, slack-jawed at your actions and with one last wave, you left the alleyway, stepping onto the street and you couldn’t see him anymore.

 You exhaled forcefully, your emotions spilling from you in a gust of breath as you turned around and started walking.

 The last time you’d been alone you had still been a regular human, wandering the world without a cause, living town to town. Now you were a superhero, with a family, with so much love in your heart that you could barely contain it. This was your first solo mission, the first time you didn’t have Bucky watching you through the scope of a rifle or Sam flying overhead. You didn’t have Steve stood beside you, shield in hand. You didn’t have Loki or his tricks keeping you safe.

 You were alone again, but this time you were on an Alien planet with the fate of billions resting on your shoulders. But you weren’t alone, not really. You had Loki in the shadows and The Avengers in your heart and unconsciously touching the braid in your hair, you realized you’d never felt stronger.

 You kept your eyes ahead, not wanting to look like an obvious tourist but even still, there was a lot to look at. While shopping wasn’t on the agenda, it was hard to resist peering into the stores you passed. Half of them looked like mystical apothecaries, and you were convinced you’d just walked past a blacksmith’s but there were a lot of strangely modern looking stores as well. You did a double take at what for all intents and purposes could essentially have been a Hot Topic, the alien edition.

There were Taverns and chic bars, a nightclub that you were itching to see the interior of, café’s and restaurants.

 It was a mind-bending blend of several Earth era’s and distinctly alien. When Loki had told you the whole planet was an Asylum like it had been named, you’d expected a neat, clinical, cold, militaristic atmosphere. This was the polar opposite and despite how jarring it was, it was kind of awesome in a Las Vegas way.  

 Not all of it nice. Not all of it was fantastical and wonderful. You steadfastly ignored everyone trying to engage with you but you were fairly certain that you knew exactly what was being offered when a thin, seven foot tall, green humanoid sidled up to you and asked…

 “Need a fix, you look like a being that needs a little fix.? I didn’t take mine, wanna make a deal?”

 You’d sidestepped him and kept walking but it left a chill in your blood. If this was an Asylum, a hospital, then where were the attendants? The Nurses? The Doctors? Who was looking after these people?

 Now that your attention had been drawn to it, you could see it everywhere. These creatures were sick. Blanks stares, nervous ticks, frenzied pacing, wailing and crying, agitated aggression… You could see people exhibiting signs everywhere you looked.  Once again you felt a surge of anger for Glahn-Betn. This planet was supposed to be a refuge for these people, a safe place. He had taken that from them, he had brought chaos to a planet that really couldn’t handle it.

 You quickened your pace. The sooner you got to the recruitment base, the sooner you could get on with your mission and carve that bastards chest open, just to see if he had a heart.

 Like Loki had promised, you couldn’t miss the base. You reached the end of the long street and there was a crossroads. Ahead, more of what lay behind you, to the right, the same. But to the left, down a winding hill, there was a fortress.

 At first glance you thought it was just a black mountain but your eyes adjusted and you could see it was man made, a collection of spires and towers carved from shiny black rock and surrounded by a moat. If this was an Asylum planet, that must be the maximum security ward. Before Glahn-Betn it must have housed the criminally insane and now it housed… the criminally insane. It took nearly twenty minutes to reach it, your heart picking up it’s pace as you drew closer and slipped into the crowds of people heading in the same direction.

 You had just stepped onto the black stone bridge over the moat when the sky rumbled above you and you looked up to see a humungous spacecraft descending towards the fortress.

 “Look, more conquests. Hope we get to fight one of the captives. Doubt they have much fight left in them.” An alien behind you sniggered.

 As the craft slowed down it’s flight and neatly hovered behind the fortress, landing behind it, you tried to decipher what the alien had just said.

 Conquests and captives. Glahn-Betn was waging war and forcing prisoners to fight for him. How many planets had already fallen to this tyrant? Why was nobody doing anything?

 You’d thought this was a madman attempting a sinister plot but it went far deeper than that. This was already full scale intergalactic terrorism. Even if you killed Glahn-Betn and put a stop to his plans, he had already done so much damage that couldn’t be undone. Not for the first time you started to think that you were in way over your head. How could you, one woman, bring down an entire regime?

 Because nobody would expect one woman to be stupid enough to try.

 And this wasn’t your plan, it was Loki’s. Even if you were starting to doubt yourself, you didn’t doubt him. You had the blood of the greatest soldier of all time in your veins. You had been trained by literal gods, infamous assassins and the greatest minds your world had to offer.

 So you squared your shoulders, put on your metaphorical big girl panties and walked through the wide doors into the base.  

 The cavernous hall was bustling with activity. It was teeming with crowds of hopeful recruits, nervous recruits and guards. Ignoring them all you strode purposefully to the far side of the hall, to the lines of recruits being admitted through the doors into the heart of the fortress.

 You chose a longish line so you had time to study the admittance procedure. There were dozens of platforms raised slightly off the ground that were surrounded by a shimmering golden sphere, a force field of sorts. Every platform was manned by two guards apiece and, tall, statuesque, intimidating blue aliens with futuristic monitors in their hands. One by one the recruits stepped onto the platforms and had a short conversation with what you’d guessed were the recruitment officers. The platform you were in line for was manned by a beautiful blue woman with a stiff posture and eye catching black splotches on her skin.

 As you got closer you could hear what she was saying and as you watched carefully, a man who could easily have been human stepped onto the platform.

 “Why do you want to join the Commander of War’s mighty army?” She asked robotically.

 The man looked around desperately, his jaw clenched. The woman leaned forward with a hard gaze, as if she was finally interested.

 “Why do you want to join the Commander of War’s mighty army?” She asked again, harshly.

 “Reconnaissance for the Nova Corps.” He spat out, looking terrified when he realized what he’d said.

 He made a run for it but he didn’t even get one step away before he was shot, his body thumping to the ground. Someone grabbed him by the ankle and dragged him out of the sphere while the woman ignored it, looking at the next recruit in line who stepped into the sphere without care.

 You subtly studied the sphere and put the pieces together in your mind. It was some kind of truth field, it must be. Which meant that nobody could lie when they joined the army, you couldn’t lie.

 Shit.

 You ground your teeth as the line moved forwards, mentally trying to solve this puzzle before you were called into the sphere. All to soon, you were at the front of the line and as a hulking creature was waved to the other side, having passed the recruitment questions, you had no choice but to calmly step onto the platform. The field caused no sensation as you walked through it and if you couldn’t see it, you wouldn’t have known it was there. The woman looked at you with cold disinterest as you stepped up in front of her.

 “Why do you want to join the Commander of War’s mighty army?”

 “I’m here to work my way up the ranks of the army, to prove myself, so I can make my father proud.” You said smoothly.

 “Name?”

 “They call me Kit.” You said.

 Well it was true, some people did on occasion call you Kit.

 “What planet are you from?”

 “Clarius.”

 You had just come from there.

 “Race?”

 “I’m the result of an experiment.” You said quickly, thinking fast on your feet and stretching the truth as far as you could without breaking it.

 She didn’t blanche, just swiped something on the monitor.

 “Give me your wrist.” She said, holding her hand out impatiently.

 She snapped a black band onto your wrist and after a moment it flickered orange.

 “We do not provide weapons to recruits, if you did not bring your own, tough.”

 “I brought my own.” You assured her.

 “Through the doors, find the corridor that corresponds to your band. If you observe any rituals or pray to any deities or gods then do so now, you’ll be dead by the end of the day.” She said dismissively.

 You’d just stepped outside of the truth field but at her words you stopped and stepped backwards, back into the sphere.

 “No, I won’t.” You said confidently, looking her in the eye.

 You walked away, allowing yourself a quick triumphant grin. You’d done it, you were in. Now the hard part began.  

A/N - I know the last chapter was a bit of a filler chapter that was there to point the plot in the right direction but I hope this makes up for it and I really hope you enjoy this chapter.

We're in the thick of it now, Kitten's got some trying times ahead of her. Wish her luck! (And wish me good luck in writing it!)

P.S - I think I’ll be stopping the gifs at the beginning of each chapter from here on in and maybe I’ll make a mood-board to use instead. Or maybe I’ll use gifs that relate to the chapter and aren’t always Loki ones. Or maybe just stick with what I’m doing right now. Thoughts??

MMYM Taglist (Open) @woohoney @vikkleinpaul @veralaska25 @elvira212007 @libbymouse @nobody0660 @marceylina @a-smokeless-flame @dark-night-sky-99 @ikneelbeforemygod @lokislilslut @p3ryt0n @twhgirl @unicorniorosacomefruitillas @czygrlm @buckysblondie @brazen88brat @riverdaleserpent04 @criedwolfwritings @sleepingspacedragon @bxckybxrnxs @elvira212007 @hryedwrdstles @tell-me-a-poem @carostar2020 @timetraveler1978 @lowkyvoid @lilith15000 @aurorawitchcraft @iamverity @khioneholmes @olyamoriarty @cutie1365 @humbledarkness @boowoomuu @damnsmutbroh @lelliefant @gravedollie666 @aquaastrid @dreamsfromanemptyteacup @jn-wolf @constant00 @littleredstarfish @jana-jaeynnee @termaks @myoxisbroken @themusingsofmany @shirukitsune @cyberpastalightbiscuit @firstyear-ravenclaw @infallible-thoughts @daddyloki @daisyboo11 @call-me-ziphon @stuckybanner @absolutecraziness13 @suddenlydaggers @malikwilly @butterflyoftheearth @toothpaste-bandit

PERMA TAG LIST (Closed) @likes-to-smell-books @thelostallycat @dilaila95 @dropthepizza346 @destiel-artemis @hiddles-rose @myfandomlife-blog @thosesexytexasboys @liveonce-sodoitright @spnrvt @tarastudiesalot  @dahkness @sexyvixen7 @jaynnanadrews  @littledeadrottinghood  @pinkisokay @angieptt @anamcg317 @belladonnarey @queen-kayy92 @breezy1415 @penumbrawolfy @fairislesheets @lianadelphius @coolmassivenerd @youhavebeenspared @candyxcyanide @musingpredilection  @isaxhorror @destiel-artemis @my-drowning-in-time @isabelcrichards @teh-nerdette @dlcita @deathofmissjackson @life-wanderer @cleo0107 @spicymagz @drdorkus @inquisitor-selvala @le-mow @zeannastardust @nighmxre @blue-cat-1989 @writingforbucky @abo4280ooof @mad4oak @jsmith509 @aven-gers33 @helloimanavenger @brownlee-22 @amoonagedaydreamer @barnesb1tch @scarletraine @cowardlycandy  @secondsineternity @mywinterwolf   @luminous-lillies  @stressedandbandobessed7771 @jamesbucktitybarnes @thirstofgames @boxofteenageideas @dark-angel-be-thirsty-af @cdwmtjb8 @happybookmuffin

[ceealaina]

Title: Caught Somewhere in Time Collaborator Name: ceealaina Card Number: 3088 Link: AO3 Square R2 - Time Heist Ship: Steve Rogers & Tony Stark Rating: Teen Major Tags: Avengers: Endgame - Alternate 2012 Timeline, Team Bonding Summary: There was something weird about the aftermath of the Battle of New York, too many coincidences and Tony hasn't been able to stop poking at it. Turns out, Steve's been noticing some weird things too. Word Count: 1703

SOMEWHERE IN AN ALTERNATE 2012

Tony frowned, watching the footage from the Battle of New York aftermath yet again. Something about that entire thing wasn’t sitting right with him. Tony wasn’t a big believer in coincidences at the best of times, and this was entirely too many of them. The arc reactor randomly malfunctioning, the Tesseract somehow ‘falling’ out of the locked case, Loki getting his hands on it and then using his newfound freedom to wipe the floor with Rogers, grab the scepter, and then… Disappear entirely? None of it made any damn sense. And there was something else niggling at the back of his mind. He barely remembered it, on account of being in the middle of dying at the time, but there’d been a SHIELD agent, someone he hadn’t been able to track down, calling for a medic in a voice that was painfully familiar but in a way that he couldn’t quite place. 

Unfortunately, information from that day was seriously lacking. Half the lobby security cameras had gone down in the battle, and since the tower wasn’t supposed to be open to the public yet, and it wasn’t like he kept proprietary information in the lobby, he hadn’t bothered giving them backups and failsafes yet. Which meant he had exactly one angle that would show how the supposedly secured case spontaneously opened, and that was blocked by a view of Thor’s gorgeous rear end as he restarted Tony’s heart with a bolt of lightning. In addition to that, there was absolutely nothing on the mysterious SHIELD agent that nobody seemed to remember — although, there was an audio file of him calling for the medic, so at least Tony wasn’t making it up. He did have a clear shot of the Tesseract sliding to Loki’s feet only to have him pick it up and vanish, but there was nothing of Steve’s fight with Loki. 

And that was something else too. Steve had been weird after that fight, obviously unsettled in a way he hadn’t been since Tony had met him in Stuttgart. The man had just woken up to find himself seventy years in the future a week ago, Tony had expected him to freak out any number of times. And sure, it didn’t take a psychologist to see that his mental health probably wasn’t the greatest, but he’d been fine — certainly as good as Tony on some of his better days. So what was it about that five-minute fight that had finally been the thing to throw Rogers off? 

“Sir, you have a visitor requesting entry.” 

JARVIS’ voice pulled Tony from his thoughts, and he blinked down at the camera feed only to startle at the familiar form of Steve standing at parade rest as he waited in front of the lab doors.

“God, I hope I’m not suddenly developing psychic powers,” he muttered before waving at the door. “Let him in, J.”

The last that he’d heard, Steve was supposed to be in Washington. After the mess following the battle, SHIELD had lost their shit, Alexander Pierce throwing a hissy fit and pulling rank. They couldn’t actually do anything with Tony or Thor, and Tony had managed to get Bruce tucked away before they could even try anything with him, but in revenge they had recalled both Clint and Nat. Then they claimed that Steve was one of their assets too, and while Tony had been ready to fight them on it, Steve hadn’t argued. Tony had let them all know that they had an open invitation to stay at the tower if they got tired of SHIELD’s bullshit, their biometrics already inputted in the system, but he hadn’t heard a peep from any of them in the six weeks since. So what the hell was Steve doing here now?

He swiped his hand, flicking away the surveillance footage just as the sliding doors opened and Steve stepped through. He was dressed in civilian clothing, a pair of well fitted jeans (thank god, Tony might have cried if he’d been back in those khakis with the grandpa pleats) and a grey t-shirt, but it didn’t stop him from standing at parade rest. Tony resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Steve tilted his head in a slight nod. “Stark.” 

Tony gave an enormous, exaggerated sigh, letting his entire body heave with the force of it. “Jesus,” He drawled. “You’re killing me, smalls. Kick back a little, relax, cool it with the American soldier routine. We saved the world together, Cap. You can at least call me Tony.”

Steve gave him a crooked smile, some of the tension easing out of his body. “Tony,” he corrected himself, his voice a little warmer than before. “Sorry,” he added after a moment. “Washington has been… Hectic. Sometimes it’s easier to just fall into routine, wear it like an armour, you know?”

Tony arched his eyebrows, a little weirded out by how well Steve seemed to know him sometimes without even realizing it. “Yeah, I think I know what you mean,” he said with a rueful grin. “Still,” he clapped his hands together, titled back precariously in his wheely chair. “You’re among friends here, Steve.” He shifted forward again and hooked his ankle around the leg of another chair, hauling it away from the table. “Sit down, take a load off. Tell me what’s troubling that star spangled mind of yours.” 

That earned him an eyeroll, but Tony could tell Steve was fighting back a smile as he dropped into the offered seat. “So the thing is…” He trailed off a moment, rubbing at the back of his neck as he tried to work out what he wanted to say. “I’ve been working with this new team, out of SHIELD? I think they were one of the teams that stepped in here, after the Battle?” 

“And what, you’re missing the old crew already? Wanna get the gang back together?” 

“No. Well…” Steve huffed out a soft laugh. “It’s not quite the same,” he admitted. “But that’s not why I’m here. There’s… There’s something up with the STRIKE team.” 

Curiosity piqued, Tony leaned forward, elbows on his thighs. “Oh yeah? What’s up?” 

“They keep saying weird things to me.” Steve met Tony’s gaze steadily. “Like, ‘Hail Hydra.’” 

It took a minute for Tony to even process the words, and when he did he let out a low whistle. “Shit,” he said. 

“Yeah,” Steve agreed. “Shit.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I don’t know who in SHIELD is compromised, who we can trust… how this is even possible? I haven’t seen Natasha or Clint since we arrived in Washington, and well... “ He shrugged helplessly. “I couldn’t think who else I could come to with this.” 

Tony arched an eyebrow at him. “You trust me?” 

Steve gave him a pointed look. “We saved the world together, Tony,” he said, echoing Tony’s earlier words. “Of course I trust you. And whatever I think of your methods, I’m damn sure you’re not a fucking Nazi.” 

Tony grinned, trying to ignore the ten-year-old Tony in his head losing his shit over the fact that Captain fucking America trusted him. “Definitely not,” he promised him. He hesitated a moment, and then flicked his hand again, bringing the surveillance he’d been purviewing back up. “You’re not the only one who’s noticed weird stuff, for what it’s worth.” He offered him a smile. “I’ve been busy, since you’ve been gone. We’ll figure out what the fuck is going on.” 

Steve grinned, kicking his foot against Tony’s. “Glad to have you on my side, Iron Man,” he told him, and Tony couldn’t help grinning back at him. Then Steve’s smile faded slightly, a frown crossing his features instead. 

“What?” Tony asked. “What is it?” 

“There’s something else,” Steve admitted. “When I was fighting Loki, after he escaped?” He drew in a slow breath and Tony leaned back, waiting for him to finish. “I know you read my file, Tony. You know about the Commandos?” He waited for Tony’s nod before continuing. “He told me that Bucky’s still alive.”

“He… What?” 

“Yeah.” Steve gave him a helpless look. “I just… I can’t get it out of my head. If it’s not true, why would he do that? If he was trying to throw me off to get an advantage, how would he know to use Bucky? That’s not how Loki’s powers work -- is it? And if, if it is true…?” He trailed off, looking so lost for a moment Tony felt like he should give him a hug. 

“Okay,” he said instead. “So what we need is a team. People we can actually trust.” He hummed consideringly. “Thor and I have been working to try and track down Loki, not that we’ve gotten anywhere, but I don’t know how much help he’ll be. I feel like this’ll require a level of… subtlety that he doesn’t usually manage.” He grinned when that got a huff of laughter out of Steve.”Bruce is still lying low, which is probably for the best right now. I can find Clint and Nat, don’t worry about that, but we’re gonna need someone else, someone we can trust.” 

Steve considered this, nodding slowly. “I maybe know a guy,” he offered. “Back in Washington. He’s sort of my running buddy?” 

Tony arched a skeptical eyebrow. “You found someone who can keep up with you?” he asked, second eyebrow joining the first when Steve laughed at some kind of private joke. 

“Nah,” he admitted. “But that’s kinda what I like about him. Anyway, he’s good, I know he is. I mean, I know it know it, but also I ran a background check on him?”

“You know how to do that?” Tony teased, laughing when Steve kicked the leg of his chair in retaliation. “Okay, okay, sorry. So we’ll bring in your Washington running buddy too. I know it’s not much, but it’s the start of a plan. And you are the man with a plan.” 

Steve rolled his eyes. “Hilarious.” 

Tony just shrugged. “What do you say, Steve? Time to bring the team back together? Take down the bad guys?” 

 Steve grinned back at him. “Avengers Assemble.”

@tonystarkbingo

[theatrelove3000]

Moving Day

Hi! I hate writing these so I am keeping it short. I procrastinated this for the last 13 days but I finally finished it! Also, @thatavengersbitch if you post about my misspelling Stark tower, you will get no Irondad.

Summary: Loki and Noelle move into Stark Tower and watch the Baby Starks.

Warnings: Idk. Swearing maybe? There are references to sex but nothing to crazy. Mostly kissing.

Moving Day

Noelle PoV:

“I think that is everything.” I say breathlessly as I drop the last box onto the floor of the bedroom.

Loki comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. Placing a kiss on my cheek and setting his chin on my shoulder, he starts to complain.“I still do not see why we cannot just share a bed chamber. I know they do not know we are courting but... well. I don’t really sleep without you.” Loki says softly.

I turn in his arms to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. “We are going to share a room. We just can’t do so publicly yet. We have to lay low for a while.” He huffs and pouts, his lower lip jutting out slightly. I laugh and press my lips to his for a moment before backing away and starting to unpack the boxes. 

“Are we going to let them believe we are simply friends? I am not sure if you have noticed but you do not look at me the way you would a friend.” He asks, picking up his box of books and starting to put them in the bookcase.

I scoff, “Me?! What about you? It’s like you have suction cups for fingers!”

“Me? Initiating physical contact? Never.” He comes up behind me and growls the ‘never’ in my ear. He is close but not actually touching me. My automatic reaction is to lean into him. It isn’t until after I did it that it occurs to me that I proved his point.

He laughs triumphantly and wraps his arms around my waist, bending to kiss my neck. Before we can go any further, we are interrupted by a knock on the door. I sigh and Loki groans, releasing me. I open the door and am met by the Iron Man himself.

“Good, you aren’t busy.” He enters the living room, looking around.

“No, no. We aren't unpacking or anything.” I mutter sarcastically. Tony didn’t seem to hear me.

He rounds on me and starts talking again. “So I have a gala tonight and I remembered that you aren’t the biggest fan of crowds so I wondered if you could watch Morgan tonight. Pete is staying here, too, so he will help out. I am willing to pay you to babysit if you want.”

“I’m down. What time are you leaving?”

“About 6:30. I can drop her here but she needs to end up in her room at my place.” He adds, glancing at a text he got.

“We can chill in the lounge and carry her to her own bed.” I say. I catch a glance at who he is talking to and what the contact name is. Spiderson. “Have you adopted the kid yet?” I chuckle.

Tony’s head shoots up to glare at me. “If you must know, I just talked to his aunt about it. I am waiting for the paperwork to show up.”

“That’s fantastic, Tones!” I hug him and he willingly reciprocates. We have been working on physical affection and he has gotten a lot better about it. “Congratulations. Have you told him yet?”

“No. I am waiting for the paperwork to ask him. Don’t say anything about it yet, okay?”

“Got it. Hey! Could I take Morgan with me to the grocery store? It would be better for us to go later in the day so that we aren’t recognized as much.” I throw an arm around his shoulders.

“We normally have things delivered if you’d prefer that than going to a store. We haven’t really been going out since the news of Sokovia broke. Quite the uproar.” He pokes my ribs, trying to make me laugh through the seriousness of his statement.

“Nah. I got this. I am better at disguises than you dweebs. Sunglasses, baseball caps, and hoodies? Amateurs!” 

“You can change your appearance at will!” Tony argues back.

“You can?” I hear a voice behind me and both Tony and I jump.

“By the Norns, Loki! That isn’t funny. You can’t just pop up behind me like that; you’ll hurt yourself.” I warn him, raising an eyebrow.

He laughs and teasingly pats my head. “But then I would never get any of those amusing reactions. And you didn’t answer my question, Noelle.”

I sigh, “Yes I can change my appearance at will. I practiced with Frigga after you fell from the bridge. I thought I told you this?”

“I feel as though-”

“Okay! Time out for thee and time out for thee.” Tony stops us dramatically, “Focus on issues or focus on me.”

Loki and I pause for a moment, looking at the man of Iron. 

“So the kid showed me Thomas Sanders and I think he’s funny. Sue me!”

“I am using that.”

“Thanks a lot, Tony.”

“Blame the kid! Will you come with me for a bit? I need some help with things only you know the answer to.” Tony tips his  head towards the door.

“Uh, sure. You keep unpacking, I will be back.” I say to Loki as I follow Tony out the door.

We head to the elevators and he pushes the button leading to his personal apartments.

“Are you sure he is safe to be around?” he asks.

I roll my eyes and sigh. “Yes. If you are worried about how he will be with Morgan, he had a son before. And from what I have seen at the garden parties, he is excellent with her age group.”

“Wasn’t his son a horse though?” 

“No!” I laugh, “He was Asgardian and looked like we do. Those stories of his ‘children’ were rumours Thor made up and spread to the Midgardians that worshiped them.”

Tony chuckles. “Whatever. If you stay with him, fine. Don't leave him by himself.”

“Yeah. Okay.” He opens the door to his apartment and I am suddenly hit with the smell of pizza and the sound of a toddler playing with her future older brother.

“Hey, kiddos!” I say as I walk in.

“Auntie Elle!” Morgan cries.

“Hi, Baby Stark! How are you?” I ask, lifting the two year old up and onto my hip. She nuzzles into my neck and Peter comes over, doing the same. 

“We are great! Morgan and I missed you. Have you brought Mr. Loki this time?” Peter questions lively.

“I did! He is downstairs unpacking the apartment. He is gonna be helping me watch you two tonight.”

Peter does one of those weird dances and Morgan squeals. The children have never met Loki but Peter really wants to and Morgan doesn’t really know the difference. She is too young to have prejudices against other people. 

I set Morgan on her feet and watch her take off back to the table where she colours while Pete does his homework. I spot Pepper enter the room and make my way over to give her a quick hug.

“Are you settling nicely? Apartment is to your liking?” She asks me, pulling away and patting her daughter’s head. 

“It’s wonderful. Thank you both for letting us move in. We really appreciate it.”

“Nonsense. You don’t need to thank us, Elle. You are family. We wouldn’t have let you live in the streets.” Tony chimes in, draping an arm around my shoulders. “Plus, free babysitting!”

“Woah, woah, woah there, Iron Man. You said you’d pay for my services.” I tease, pushing him away.

He laughs and ducks away from me, “Are you asking for compensation, Lady Darkness?”

“No,” I sigh, “But I am not totally opposed to you buying my groceries?” I cock an eyebrow at him. Pep laughs and hands me a credit card with my name on it. 

“Company card. Whatever you need, we got you.” 

“Thanks, Pep. I am going to go help Loki unpack the rest of our stuff. That is, unless you need me for anything else?”

“Nope. get outta here. See you in a few hours!”

I wave to the children and head back to my room.

~~~~~Le Time Skip~~~~~

Loki is sitting in a chair with a book open in his lap while I am in the common kitchen making tea for both of us. When I finish, I take him one of the mugs. He thanks me and lets his fingers linger on mine for a moment longer than necessary. I walk away before he can decide that he doesn’t care if the others know of our relationship. 

As I sit on the couch and open my book, I hear the elevator doors open and the patter of two little rubber soles running as fast as they could to the couch. 

“Hi!” cries the culprit of the noise. 

“Hello, Morgan! Are you ready to go to the store with me?” 

“Yes!” 

“Okay. Let me put my shoes on and we can go.” I tell her and set her on the couch next to me. 

“We will be back around one or two. Behave yourselves, don’t burn down my tower.” Tony pops his head in and sends Peter into the room.

As I lace up my combat boots, I hear Peter approach Loki. I look up to watch what the kid does.

He sticks his hand out to shake Loki’s hand. “Hi, I’m Peter!”

Loki glances at me before setting his book aside and taking Pete’s hand. “Loki of Asgard.”

Peter releases Loki’s hand and bounces on the balls of his feet. “So… are you really a… bad guy? Auntie Elle says you aren’t but you hear things.”

Loki smirks at the spiderling’s question. “Well, Peter. My villainy varies from moment to moment.”

“Okay! So on a scale from one to ten, ten being, like, killing puppies and one being ‘I’ll spit on your hotdog’, where are you right now?” 

Loki chuckles and purses his lips thinking about it. “Maybe a three?”

“Cool.” Peter says happily, “Just let me know if it gets above a six okay?”

Loki nods and whispers in my mind ‘I like him.’

‘I knew you would!’ I reply. “Okay, kiddos!” I say, out loud this time. “Are we all ready to go to the store? We need to get stuff to make cookies!”

Morgan cheers and tugs my shirt to lift her up. “Before we go… Morgan, this is my very, very good friend, Loki.” 

The toddler gives him a big smile and he waves at her, smiling just as wide at her. The four of us get on the elevator and take it down to the garage level and load into one of Tony’s cars. I drive because a car is not a horse and Loki doesn’t get to drive Tony’s Mercedes. 

~~~~~Le Time Skip II~~~~~

After making cookies, we all sit on the couch for a while and watch Morgan’s favorite movie: Frozen. Morgan is weary of Loki at first but after he uses his magic to turn off the lights and makes a glowing golden orb appear, she is totally comfortable with him. She even tells Peter, “Issa wizard, Petey!” making all of us laugh.

As the night grew later, Morgan warmed up to Loki considerably. She actually ends up crawling over to him and leaning into him during the movie when she gets tired. She falls asleep on his chest and he carries her up to her room. 

She wakes up when he sets her down and she asks him to read to her. 

“Of course, smár einn. What would you like to hear?”

She grins, scrambles out of bed and over to her little white bookcase. She pulls out the book she wants and hands it to Loki.

“Goodnight Moon?” He reads the title and she nods enthusiastically. He nods and helps her back into bed. He sits beside her after she tucks herself in. “Ready?”

“Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. In the great green room; there was a telephone; and a red balloon; and a picture of; the cow jumping over; And three little bears sitting on chairs; And two little kittens; And a pair of mittens; And a little toy house; And a young mouse; And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush; And a quiet old lady who was whispering ‘hush’” 

Baby Stark is falling asleep but is obviously trying to fight it. She keeps trying to keep her eyes open after a particularly long blink. I have to admit I feel a little sleepy myself, what with my lover reading one of my favorite stories from my childhood aloud. How could you not with a velvet voice like his?

“Good night room; Goodnight moon; Goodnight cow jumping over the moon; Goodnight light; And the red balloon; Goodnight Bears; Goodnight chairs; Goodnight Kittens; And goodnight mittens; Goodnight clocks; And goodnight socks; Goodnight little house; And goodnight mouse; Goodnight comb; And goodnight brush; Goodnight nobody; Goodnight mush; Ang goodnight to the old lady whispering ‘hush’;Goodnight stars; Goodnight air; Goodnight noises everywhere.” He finishes at a whisper. She is asleep. 

“Well done.” We hear a whisper at the door. I jump slightly but Loki doesn’t react much. “She never falls asleep that fast.” Tony says, slightly begrudgingly. 

“His voice is soothing to everyone. I am half asleep myself.” I nudge Tony as we all walk out to the elevator. “Have fun tonight?”

He rolls his eyes. “Tons. I am going to bed now. Thank you again.”

“Any time, Tones.” I say as the doors close and Loki and I are finally alone.

He stands relatively close to me and lets his fingers brush my own. If I wasn’t positive of the cameras in the elevator, I would kiss him right here and now.

‘I figured as much.’ He says.

‘I want my bed.’ I groan.

‘I love when you are in bed.’ He smirks. I roll my eyes and elbow him, causing more of a bruise to myself than any damage on him. He chuckles as the doors open again and we enter our apartment. 

As soon as the door is closed behind us, my back is to it and his lips are on mine.

“Calm down.” I whisper against his lips when we come up for air.

“It is difficult knowing that I am in a society where touching you isn’t scandalous and not being able to because we have to keep our relationship a secret.” He growls against my throat. “I am touch-starved.”

I laugh and run my fingers through his hair. “I really am tired, Loki.” I whisper.

“Let me escort you to our chambers then, my love.” And with that, he scoops me up into his arms and carries my to the bedroom. He sets me on the bed and I start to stand up to change into pyjamas but he pushes me back down. He moves to the dresser and pulls out his black sleep pants and my flannel shorts. He throws them to me as I start peeling my clothes off my body.

“You didn’t give me a top.” I tell him. He pulls his own shirt off and hands it to me.

“Problem solved.” 

I laugh and tug his shirt over my head, breathing him in. He smells like tea and old books and the forest. Like home. 

Laying back, I settle against the pillows and watch him move across the rooms to catch the lightswitch. He crawls in next to me and lets me curl into his warmth. 

“You are very good with her.” I whisper.

“She reminds me of Nari. Just as happy as he was.” He mutters.

I let my hand stroke his face, comforting him anyway I can. Nari dies centuries ago but the loss of a child never heals completely. “He loved you.”

“He would have loved you, as well.”

I smile. He thinks his son would have loved me.

Loki starts humming to me. It’s an old Asgardian lullaby that never fails to knock me out. 

I fall asleep minutes later.