synopsis: When you're the only Avenger who treats Loki like a friend (with a side of shameless flirting), you don't expect much in return, especially not feelings. But when you start getting closer to the good captain, Loki's feelings manifest themselves in mischief, of course.
The Tower was uncharacteristically quiet when you slipped into the lounge with two mugs of coffee. One plain for yourself and one laced with just enough cinnamon to please a particular god who would swear he didn’t have preferences. Loki lounged on the sofa like an indolent cat, leafing through a thick volume of Midgardian mythology (half-scoffing, half-cackling at every other paragraph.)
You set his mug beside him. “Morning, Your Highness of Questionable Reading Material.”
He didn’t glance up. “You persist in these unnecessary offerings. I do not need Midgardian stimulants.”
“And yet your hand is already reaching for the cup.”
His long fingers hesitated, then casually closed around the handle. Slow enough to imply disinterest, quick enough to betray the opposite. A tiny grin tugged at the corner of your mouth. You’d made it your personal mission to treat Loki exactly like any other teammate. A little teasing, a dash of flirting, but never the fear or reverence everyone else showed him. And it was paying off; he rarely tried to hex you these days.
Rarely.
Today, though, he only sipped once before muttering, “If Thor discovers I indulge in mortal comforts, he will never cease braying.”
“Oh, please,” you drawled, sinking into the armchair opposite him. “Your image is safe with me. Though, if you want to upgrade from coffee, I have a killer recipe for hot cocoa—”
“Enough.” His gaze flickered to you, emerald eyes unreadable. “Your incessant hospitality will not soften me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Though the thought of softening you is intriguing.”
The book snapped shut. “You are incorrigible.”
“And you haven’t told me to stop.” You winked. A faint, almost imperceptible flush bloomed along his cheekbones before he vanished behind another sip.
A WEEK LATER
Steve Rogers laughed as you regaled him with a story about your first disastrous attempt at piloting the Quinjet. You tossed a casual arm over his broad shoulder, nearly knocking his shield off the back of the sofa. Friendly, harmless, the same brand of camaraderie you’d shown Loki a hundred times.
But, from the hallway’s shadow, the god of mischief watched. He did not like the tight clench in his gut, nor the ping of something that felt embarrassingly like hurt.
The next morning, Steve’s alarm clock rang at four a.m. and immediately sprouted legs, sprinting laps around his bedroom in a screeching circle. At breakfast, his protein shake turned into bright-green lime gelatin mid swallow. During training, every punching bag he struck let out a high-pitched giggle.
You caught him in the corridor afterwards. “Cap, why do you look like you’ve fought a circus?”
“I think I am fighting a circus,” he muttered. “A very magical circus.”
Across the room Loki strolled by, inspecting his nails, looking all but utterly innocent.
Later in the day, you were perched on the edge of the Mission Room table while Nat patched code into the computers. “Seriously, why is Loki tormenting Steve all of a sudden? I thought we were past the ‘random harassment’ phase.”
She didn’t look up. “You’re cute when you’re clueless.”
“…Thanks?”
“Jealousy, genius.” She saved the file with a final keystroke and faced you. “Loki has a crush. You’re the object of his affection. Steve is collateral damage.”
You opened your mouth; nothing came out except a weak, “Loki? Crush? On—on me?”
Natasha arched an eyebrow. “Try using those brilliant deduction skills on yourself for once. Talk to him before he turns Steve’s shampoo into glow-in-the-dark glitter.”
Starlight flooded the glass dome as you approached Loki that evening. He stood alone, arms folded, gazing at New York’s nightscape as though he’d rather be anywhere else. “Got a minute?”
“I always have minutes. Whether I choose to waste them is another matter.”
You came to his side. “Why are you tormenting Steve?”
Loki gave a theatrical sigh. “I was bored.”
“Try Sudoku next time.” You leaned on the railing. “Nat thinks you’re jealous.”
“Romanoff needs a new hobby.”
“So you’re not jealous?”
Loki rolled his eyes. “Please. I have no reason to covet the company of that star-spangled fossil.”
You smirked, poking the bear. “Good, because I was thinking of asking him out.”
The reaction was instantaneous. A crackle of green energy flickered at his fingertips before the city lights behind him dimmed as if intimidated. “Absolutely not.”
You tilted your head, enjoying the rare crack in his composure. “Why not? Steve’s kind, handsome, heroic—”
“He is insufferably noble and far too occupied with his moral compass to keep you entertained.”
“Hmm. So who would be worthy?”
“Someone clever.” Loki's voice softened despite himself. “Someone who sees past façades and understands the burden of a façade of his own.”
You swallowed a grin. “Someone wearing green, maybe?”
He glared. “If you must be obtuse.”
Your hand found his. “Then I’ll date the clever one in green.”
His eyes darted to where your fingers meshed. “I do not ‘date.’”
“Fine. Court? Consort? Raid the Nine Realms with? Pick your vocabulary.”
A reluctant smile tugged his lips. “You are intolerable.”
“And yet you tolerate me.”
After a heartbeat, he interlaced his fingers with yours properly, squeezing just once. “Inform Rogers he is safe. For now.”
“I will.” You leaned closer, dropping your voice to a murmur. “But you still owe him a few normal days of shampoo.”
“Ugh. Very well.” He turned away, but not before you saw the smile on his face. “Now cease your blathering and show me this ‘hot cocoa’ I have heard rumors of. I reserve the right to despise it.”
You bumped his shoulder with yours. “Deal. But if you love it, I will never let you live it down.”
Omg, could you please do a Loki story where Jotuns are basically space penguins, so now Loki has a crush on you and is frantically and meticulously looking for the perfect pebble to give you while Thor just watches and laughs.
The Pebble and the Frost Giant
Pairing: Loki x female reader (y/n)
Summary: Loki is trying to deny his feelings for you so he doesn't ruin your friendship but when he passes an area filled with pebbles and small rocks, he's unable to resist the urge to bring one back for you and tell you he loves you.
A/N: OMG! This is the cutest ask ever, I literally had to write it the second I got it. Most of the time it takes a week or so for me to get an idea from an ask but this one was pretty instant. Thank you so much for sending this, I really hope you like it! 💚
Also, I absolutely love the movie The Pebble and the Penguin! If anyone hasn't seen it, you should! 🐧
"Come on brother," Thor pats Loki on the knee and the younger prince looks up from his book in annoyance.
"I'm not going," Loki resumes reading as if Thor isn't there.
The older Asgardian sighs, "We've got at least an hour until the jet takes off. Let's go down by the water."
"I'm perfectly fine here," he licks his finger before flipping the page. Thor grins and pulls the book from his brother's grasp. "Give it back you oaf!"
"Just twenty minutes," Thor holds the book over his head.
"This trick worked much better when we were children and you towered over me," the younger prince easily reaches up to grip the book.
Before Loki can pull it free from his brother's grasp, Thor yanks it back and tosses it to the ground at their feet. "This is uncalled for," Loki bends to pick up the book but suddenly falls back, landing hard on the jet floor with a grunt.
"Is there a problem?" Thor asks with a smirk.
"No," Loki looks down at Mjolnir as it rests on top of his book. He stands, flicking his hand to produce a second book from his pocket dimension in a haze of green smoke. "I'll just read this-"
Thor chuckles as he pulls the book free from Loki a second time.
"Seriously?" The God of Mischief asks with a defeated sigh.
"Twenty minutes on the beach and I'll leave you alone for the rest of the night," Thor offers.
"For the rest of the week," Loki counters.
"Fine," the God of Thunder agrees and Loki's second book vanishes as the two brothers step out of the jet.
Thor and Loki walk down by the water in silence, the older Asgardian's eyes drift up towards the clouds floating by while Loki scans the beach in boredom. He looks down to check his watch when he's suddenly distracted by a small pile of tide polished stones ahead of him. Without thinking, he leaves his brother's side and begins walking towards them.
"Where are you going?" Thor asks but Loki doesn't answer. He's too focused on the scattered rocks in front of him.
He kneels down, picking up a stone from the top of the pile, looking at it closely then tossing it to the side. "No," Loki mumbles to himself as he picks up a second then a third rock. "No," he shakes his head as he examines each for a few seconds.
"Loki," Thor comes closer, standing over his younger brother as he discards a handful of stones. Without a word, Loki gets up and moves to a nearby pile. "Okay seriously, what are you doing?"
"None of these are good," Loki answers, dusting his sand covered hands on his pants.
"They're rocks," Thor chuckles, amused by his brother's sudden obsession.
"Yes but there has to be one here that's good enough," Loki says. "Not just good, no, it needs to be perfect," he adds in a quieter tone.
"You're not making any sense," he follows the younger prince to yet another pile. "Perfect for what?"
"For who," Loki responds vaguely.
Thor thinks as he follows his brother along the beach, trying figure out who Loki is referring to. To say he has few friends is an understatement, there's really only one person who even comes to mind. "Do you mean Y/N?" Thor asks.
Loki nods, his attention stolen away by an almost perfect stone. Almost isn't good enough though, he thinks as he tosses it towards the water in frustration.
"Why do you need to find one for Y/N?" Thor asks as Loki sits on the sand and picks up a handful of rocks, throwing each away one at a time. "Does she collect rocks? I've heard some Midgardians do that. I wonder if that's more interesting than collecting stamps like Jane does?"
Loki doesn't answer this time, too lost in what he's doing, what he needs to do. I have to find it, he thinks. I don't have time for Thor and his ridiculous line of questions. It doesn't matter if he understands why, Norns I don't even understand why but that doesn't matter now. All that matters is finding Y/N the perfect stone. It can't be too big or too small, the size of her palm should work. It can't be broken, no cracked edges or holes, that won't do either. It needs to be perfect because- his frantic thoughts are cut off by his brother shouting.
"Norns! I know what you're doing," he stands over his brother who shifts to stay out of his shadow.
"I doubt that," Loki says without looking up from the stones in his hand. Because I don't know what I'm doing, he thinks.
"You're in love with Y/N," the older god announces when Loki gets up again to continue down the beach.
"Don't be absurd," Loki denies the truth he hides from everyone including you as he kneels down and begins the process of picking up each stone in the new pile one at a time.
"You are!" Thor laughs excitedly. "This is a Jotun thing."
"What Jotun thing?" Loki looks up at his brother.
"I know this! I read about it when we were younger," Thor says then sighs as he thinks. "I can't remember the technical term for it but when Jotun men are in love, they bring their potential partner a stone as like a proposal."
"What?" Loki asks as he sits in the sand and looks up at his brother. He had never heard of this tradition before now but he also knows very little about his Jotun heritage. When he was a child, frost giants scared him terribly so he never studied them. Now that he knows the truth, he is almost too afraid to learn what horrid tales about them were accurate and which were only made up stories.
"Penguins on Midgard do it too," Thor continues excitedly as he remembers what he read centuries ago. "Ahh! Pebbling, that's what they call it. You're pebbling, you can't help it, it's like an instinct Jotun's have."
"That's ridiculous Thor. I'm not pebbling, or whatever you want to call it, because I'm not in love with-" Loki tries to argue with his brother but the words die as he finally finds it. The perfect stone for the most perfect woman on Midgard, Loki thinks as he turns it over in his hand. Norns help me, my brother is right and I'm not sure I'll be able to hide my feelings for her any longer.
Loki opens your office door after knocking and you get up from your desk as soon as he steps inside. "Hi," you greet him happily, meeting him in the middle of the room. "Welcome back."
"Thank you," he smiles when you wrap your arms around him. "I'm glad to be back," Loki says but what he really means is that he's glad to be back with you.
You rest your head on his chest and his hands settle on your back, holding you tightly to him. You could stay in his arms forever and sometimes you think Loki might let you. He doesn't let go first, he never does.
"You know you spoil me with these hugs," you tell him and he chuckles. "You're going to make me think I'm special cause I'm the only person that gets them."
He rubs your back lightly with one hand, "You are special."
You blush and slowly drop your arms, taking a step away from him. You don't want to let go but if he keeps talking like that, you're afraid you'll do something stupid like kiss him.
Loki's heart pounds in his chest when he catches a glimpse of your blush despite your best efforts to hide it. "I have something for you," he says, clearing his throat.
"You do? You didn't have to do that," you tell him as a smile spreads across your face. You can't help but feel excited by the idea that Loki thought of you while he was away. He never brought anything back for you before.
"It's nothing big," he says with a shrug, "It's actually probably stupid." This was a bad idea, he thinks. How could I possibly think she would accept a silly rock and suddenly be mine? I never should have listened to my idiot brother. Loki puts his hand in his coat pocket, running his thumb over the flat edge anxiously.
"I'm sure it's not stupid," you tell him, putting your hand on his arm. "What is it?"
He sighs and you can tell he's nervous which you find both adorable and interesting. You've never seen him act so unsure of himself and it really makes you want to hug him again.
He pulls a palm sized flat stone out of his pocket. It's perfectly circular and a pale gray with a hint of a blue when it catches the light. "I found it on the beach while we were waiting for the jet," he tries to steady his hand when you take it. He knows it's just a simple rock but the Jotun part of him is truly desperate for you to accept it, to accept him.
You smile and take it from him, bringing it close so you can study the smooth stone, "Loki it's so pretty."
"Really?" he asks in disbelief.
"Yeah," you nod quickly, your eyes still on the gift as you walk over to the window and turn it on the light. "Oh, look! it sparkles in the sun," you giggle.
He breaths a sigh of relief and walks over to you. "You like it?"
"I love it," you reach up and kiss the god's cheek lightly without thinking. "I'm sorry," you apologize quickly but when you look up at Loki you're completely surprised by his reaction.
His cheeks redden and he smiles. "It's quite alright," he tells you, his eyes never leaving yours.
You giggle, suddenly feeling even more nervous than you would have if Loki had seemed uncomfortable with the kiss and take a step away from him. Turning your back to him, you move to your desk but you can feel him following you, "I'm gonna keep it right here so I can see it when I miss you." You place the stone in between a photo of your friends and a mug your nephew made you.
"You miss me?" he asks.
"Yeah... when you're away on missions," you suddenly worry this conversation is going to lead to you accidentally telling your friend you love him if you don't figure out how to keep your mouth shut.
"I miss you when I'm gone too," Loki moves a bit closer to you until he's right behind you.
You turn to face him again, "Really?" You can't help but not believe him. For months you've been hoping he might care for you the way you care for him but its been so difficult to get past all of his walls.
He nods, "Always Y/N. The second the jet takes off, I start counting down the minutes until I can see you again."
Now it's your turn to blush deeply when he reaches out to take your hand. When you feel his fingers intertwine with yours, you suddenly get enough to courage to open up a bit more. "I try to plan my meetings around when I know you'll be back," you tell him. "This way I'm free to see you as soon as your home."
He chuckles and cups your cheek, "I would storm in here even if you were in a meeting with Fury just for one of your hugs."
You giggle knowing he's not lying.
"Y/N," he says, "Since we're being honest, I need to tell you one more thing." You bite your lip but the way he smiles relaxes you instantly. "I want to be more than just your friend, I want to take you on a date." I want you to be mine because I love you, he almost adds but he doesn't want to scare you away.
You're unable to form any words at first, looking up at Loki nodding which causes him to laugh a little nervously. "I'm not sure if that's a yes," he says.
"Yes!" you finally find your words but then they flow a little too freely. "I love y-" you stop and correct yourself hoping he won't notice your slip. "I would love to go out with you."
He strokes your cheek gently, moving closer to you as he puts his other hand on your lower back. "That's not what you were going to say," he smirks, the confident Loki you know returning swiftly.
You shake your head and bite your lip, suddenly losing your nerve.
"Fine, I'll go first," his lips are inches from yours. "I am hopelessly in love with you darling."
As soon as the words leave Loki's lips, you press your lips to his, closing your eyes and gripping the fabric on the back of his jacket. He kisses you back and when you finally break the kiss and chuckles, kissing your nose lightly. "Go on, say it," he smiles, holding you close.
You giggle, "I love you too, Loki."
A few weeks later, you walk with Natasha and Wanda through Central Park on the way back from lunch. You nod as you listen to Wanda complain about Tony, agreeing with her when you accidentally kick a rock on the path in front of you. You stop to take a look at it and smile.
"What are you doing?" Nat asks as you bend down for a closer look.
"I don't know, I just thought this one looked cool," you tell them.
"The rock?" Wanda asks.
"Yeah," you pick it up and turn it over in your hand. It's not very large but the rough stone is heart shaped and such a deep gray it's almost black. "I think Loki might like it."
"You two are so weird," Nat laughs.
You smile and put it in your pocket, "That's why we're such a cute couple."
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Summary: you get kidnapped by some goons and Loki comes to your rescue [WC 1k] [ao3]
Warnings: mafia au, angst, fluff if you tilt your head to the left and squint hard
Request: @samanddeansannoyingsis Mafia Loki who's sweet wife has no idea he's in the mafia. Shes just a sweet little librarian at the public library and then gets kidnapped one day and they ask about her husband.
The library always smelled like paper and quiet. It clung to you the way your husband’s sweaters did when you stole them from his side of the closet. It was safe here. Predictable. Rows of stories that always ended the same way no matter how many times you opened them.
That’s why you didn’t understand.
Didn’t understand why your wrists were tied to a chair. Didn’t understand why the room smelled like metal and something sharp and wrong. Didn’t understand why the men in front of you kept asking about Loki.
Your Loki. Your husband who kissed your forehead every morning, who brought you tea when your migraines got bad, who listened to you ramble about books like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
“C’mon,” one of them sneered, crouching in front of you. “You really expect us to believe you don’t know what he does?”
Your throat felt tight, frantically looking around the room. You had no idea where he had taken you. Or who this man was. Or what he was talking about. “He—he works in business.”
The room went quiet for a second.
Then laughter. Harsh. Mocking. “Business,” another echoed. “Yeah. That’s one way to put it.”
You shook your head, panic starting to claw its way up your chest. “I don’t understand what you want from me. I told you—I don’t know anything.”
The first man sighed like you were inconveniencing him. “Your husband runs half this city. Weapons, money, people. Nothing moves without his say-so. And you're telling us you have no idea how diabolical he is?”
Your heart stuttered. “No,” you whispered, because that didn’t make sense. It couldn’t. “No, you’re wrong. Loki wouldn’t—he’s—he’s—”
Kind. Gentle. Careful with you like you were something fragile.
The man grabbed your chin suddenly, forcing you to look at him. “He’s a liar. And you’re either stupid… or you’re lying for him.”
Tears blurred your vision. “I’m not lying…” Your voice cracked, small and helpless in the cold room. “I swear, I don’t know anything.”
There was a beat.
Then a sound echoing in the ditance. A thud. Another. Raised voices outside. Shouting. Something breaking.
The men froze. You felt it before you understood it—the shift in the air. Like a storm rolling in. Heavy. Inevitable.
One of them cursed under his breath. “Shit—”
The door burst open. And everything stopped. Because Loki stood there. Not your Loki. Not the man who brushed your hair out of your face while you read in bed. This Loki was dressed in black, coat immaculate, eyes cold and sharp like cut glass. There was blood on his knuckles—fresh blood—and men behind him who looked just as dangerous.
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Loki’s gaze found you. And everything—everything—in his expression shattered. “Darling.” His voice dropped, softer than you’d ever heard it, like the word itself might break you further.
Your breath hitched. “Loki…?”
He crossed the room in seconds. The men didn’t even try to stop him. Didn’t dare. He dropped to his knees in front of you, hands suddenly so careful as they hovered over your face, your shoulders, like he was afraid to touch you too roughly. “Are you hurt?” he murmured, frantic now. “Did they—did they touch you—?”
“I…” Your voice trembled. “They said—”
You looked at him—really looked. At the blood. At the men behind him. At the way everyone else in the room refused to meet his eyes. “…they said you’re… in the mafia.”
Silence. It stretched. Heavy.
Loki closed his eyes briefly, like he’d been dreading this exact moment for a very long time. When he opened them again, the softness was still there—but underneath it was something darker. Something powerful. Something real. “Yes,” he said quietly.
The word felt like it split the world in two.
You flinched. Not away from him—never that—but from the truth itself. “…you lied to me.” It wasn’t angry. That made it worse.
Loki’s face crumpled just slightly, guilt flickering through all that control. “I protected you.”
“By lying?”
“By keeping you safe,” he corrected, sharper now—but the edge vanished the second your eyes filled again. “By making sure you never had to see this part of me.”
Your lips trembled. “But it’s still you.”
That hit him. You could see it. He swallowed, something raw breaking through his composure. “Yes.”
Your gaze dropped to his hands—the same hands that held yours so gently—now stained with blood. “…did you hurt them?” you whispered.
Behind him, one of the men shifted nervously.
Loki didn’t look away from you. “Yes.”
The honesty was terrifying.
And yet still, he reached for you slowly, like approaching a frightened animal. “But never you. Never anything that belongs to you. Never anything that breathes near you.” His voice dropped, something dark curling through it now. “They took you.” The room seemed to shrink around those words. “And for that,” Loki continued softly, “they don’t get to keep breathing.”
Your heart pounded. You should’ve been scared. You were scared. But not of him. Never of him. Your voice came out small. “…you still love me?”
Something almost offended flashed across his face. He leaned in, pressing his forehead to yours despite the blood, despite everything. “You are the only thing in this wretched world I have ever loved,” he whispered.
Your breath caught.
“And I would burn every empire I’ve built to ash before I let harm come to you again.”
Your eyes closed, tears slipping free. “…okay.”
It was quiet. Fragile. But it was enough. Loki exhaled like he’d been holding his breath since the moment you were taken. Carefully, gently, he untied your wrists—his fingers trembling just slightly as he checked for marks. “I’m taking you home,” he murmured.
Home.
The word felt different now.
He stood, then hesitated… before shrugging off his coat and draping it around your shoulders, shielding you from the room, from the men, from himself. From what he was.
But as he helped you up, your hand clutched his sleeve.
He paused. “…you’re still my Loki,” you said softly.
And for the first time since he walked in, the monster disappeared. Just for you.
Summary: A continuation of "Have Mercy." Loki tries so hard to get you to kiss him again but you resist him. Until he comes up with a plan on New Year's Eve.
Pairing: Loki x Female Reader
Word Count: Over 3.5k
Warnings: Fluff, kissing, cameos from multiple Avengers, the use of Y/N
It had been weeks since you saved Loki’s life and brought him back from his near-death experience. Or as Loki fondly likes to call it, “the time you asked him out on a date.” He was relentless with his flirtations towards you. He would seek you out at all hours, multiple times a day, just to wear you down.
One time he caught you by the kitchen pouring yourself a cup of coffee. “There you are, my angel.” He slid on the side of the counter, pulling up right next to you. “I have a headache. Do you think you could kiss it and make it all better?” he crooned so sweetly.
“No,” you answered him flatly and walked away, sipping your coffee.
Or, that time you were kickboxing with Sam. While Loki and Thor just happened to be training on the mat across from you. Thor had knocked him down with a single blow. Loki immediately cried to you from the floor. “Darling! My brother doesn’t seem to know the difference between practice and actual combat. Could you spare me a kiss so that I can continue and teach him a lesson?” He lay on the floor with his hair falling from the loose bun he kept it in. His arms spread apart, looking up at you through thick, long lashes.
“No, Loki!” You were so irritated that you took your fighting gloves off and threw them on the floor. Missing his head by an inch. Loki didn’t even flinch as he watched you storm off in anger. “Go to med-bay if you’re injured!”
“My angel,” Loki purred this morning after a team meeting. “I seem to have a paper cut on my finger. Can you-”
“No! Loki I will not kiss you!” you asserted, gathering your materials to get out of there quickly.
“I was going to suggest you lick it. But if that’s what you prefer, I’ll take it as a consolation prize,” he smiled and puckered his lips towards you. Your palms had never itched more, wanting to slap the kiss right off his mouth. You growled in frustration as you turned on your heel and walked out.
Loki heard light chuckles coming from the end of the large meeting table. Wilson and Barnes were shaking their heads, having watched the whole scene play out. “Is there something that you two find amusing?”
“Ya, man. You!” Wilson answered.
“I’m glad my shortcomings amuse you,” Loki answered with a slight upturn of his lip.
“Let me give you some advice,” Sam said walking over to him.
“Not warranted. Nor requested.”
“I’ma give it to you anyway.” Sam clapped a hand on Loki’s shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. “You need to chill.”
“I beg your pardon?” Loki said astounded.
“The more you push, the harder she resists,” Barnes interjected.
“Stop harassing her,” Sam continued.
“You, constantly being around her, reminding her of that kiss, is not gonna go well for you,” Barnes added.
“Are you saying that she regretted healing me?” Loki questioned.
“No,” they both answer in unison.
“Anyone can see that she was smitten with you from day one!” Sam declared.
“And she wouldn’t just kiss anybody. She offered to heal my arm once, though,” Barnes said to Wilson. “I wonder if she would’ve kissed me then?” He said introspectively, biting his lip in thought. Loki sneered at the notion.
“But she thinks that you’re just teasing her. That you’re not sincere with your feelings and you’re just looking for a way to provoke or annoy her.”
“I honestly don’t know how I can make it any clearer for her that I’m interested other than to ask her flat-out naked!”
“NO!” they both screamed again.
“Well, it would've worked on Asgard.” Loki pouted, crossing his arms as he sat on the ledge of the conference table.
“I’m sure it would’ve,” Sam nodded sarcastically. “Look, do you really like her?” Loki gave him a sardonic look, appalled that Wilson would even ask such a question.
“Then prove to her that you’re worthy of her affections. Wait for her to ask you. That way you’ll know she wants you too and not just because she’s trying to save your life.” At this last drop of wisdom, Barnes and Wilson left Loki in the conference room, pondering ways to prove his sincerity towards you.
You hurried towards your room, scenes from the last moments with Loki replaying in your mind. How could everything have gone tits up in just a couple of weeks?! You left the meeting today exhausted more than ever. You weren’t sure if it was misplaced gratitude for saving his life or if he genuinely is attracted to you but you didn’t think you could resist Loki anymore.
You know he’s just mocking you about what happened. He doesn’t have any real feelings towards you. It’s in his nature to be playful. But every time he comes anywhere near you and he puckers those lips of his, your knees buckle and you almost give in.
Screw it! If he wants to tease you so badly, maybe you could call his bluff and kiss him back. Perhaps then he’ll realize that his joke had gone way too far and he’d stop. Yes! The next time he teases you, you’ll kiss him right back.
But he never did. After weeks of trying to get under your skin, he finally relented. Morning coffee breaks were innocuous and pleasant. Sometimes, he would have a cup waiting for you, just the way you like it. No quips. No lewd gestures about kissing. Just a handsome smile and a friendly, helping hand.
There were times you would see him walk out of the training rooms with Thor, holding on to his side in pain. You were ready for him to make a quick jab about needing your kiss to heal the ache. But none ever came. Only a quick, “Hello, darling,” in passing as he limped off in the direction of med-bay. You’ve missed your chance.
Days later, holiday lights still glittered around the buildings of New York. Remnants of Christmas still decorated Fifth Avenue. The frigid air nipped at your cheeks making you hold on to your faux mink tighter.
Tony’s New Year’s Eve party was different this year. No celebrities. No politicians. Just the Avengers, along with the friends and family that loved them. He had rented the whole rooftop of the Marriott Marquis, overlooking Times Square. Soft velvet settees were strewn across the space under a luxurious pergola and a fantastic view of the ball waiting to be dropped.
Lounging next to one of the many heat lamps, you wrapped your coat tighter around your shoulders. “So, who are you kissing when the clock strikes midnight?” Nat asked you, pouring you a glass of Bollinger. Her red lipstick was as bright as her hair. With one side of her fur falling down her shoulder, she looked like the classic Hollywood vixen, ready for her next close-up. Fitting for tonight’s Vintage Hollywood theme.
“I don’t know,” you lied, taking the stem from her hand. You knew exactly who you wanted to kiss tonight. “I haven’t really thought about it.”
“Liar.” She said so cooly. You smirked, chastising yourself for trying to lie to one of the world’s best interrogators. “I bet I could guess who!” She sang as you rolled your eyes.
“Even if I did want one of them to kiss me, that doesn’t mean that they will.”
“Come on. I’m sure one of them would love to snog you at midnight,” she chuckled. “An extra blessing of good health and fortune for the coming year…” She wagged her eyebrows and elbowed you.
“Oh, please.”
“Ok, there’s Steve.”
“Your ex?!”
“Ya!”
“No!” you exclaimed.
“He’s a great kisser.”
“Then why don’t you kiss him at midnight”
“We’re trying to get YOU kissed. Not me, remember? OK, what about Thing 1 and Thing 2?” She said pointing to Sam and Bucky.
“No,” you said laughing.
“Why not?”
“No. I just don’t see them that way. It’ll make for an awkward kiss.”
“How ‘bout Bruce?”
“Bruce isn’t even here.” You said looking around the party.
“Ok then, what about Thor?”
“He’s with Jane.”
“Why not try your luck with tall, dark, and stabby then?” she said pointing to Loki with her champagne flute. You snorted at her nickname for Loki nearly spilling champagne as you took a calculated sip. “Oh my god!”
“Nat! Please. Keep your voice down!”
“No one can hear me! It’s a loud party.”
“Yes, a party with superhuman beings who have superhuman hearing!”
“Good! Maybe he’ll make a move!” She said slightly louder, hoping to grab his attention.
“Shh! Shh! Keep it down!” you laughed as you tried to calm her. “He’s been making moves. But I think…I dropped the ball on this one.” You looked over to where Loki was standing, trying to see if he had caught anything that Nat was saying. He was standing proud, having a conversation with Steve. His long black coat fit him snugly while the fur lining of his collar accented his sharp jaw. His gloved hand squeezed tightly around the cane he was holding, making you wonder if he did hear Nat. God, to have that gloved hand wrapped around my neck.
“He’s staring at you.” You heard Nat whisper to your ear.
“What?!” you turned to Nat and then back to Loki quickly, meeting his stare. You were so caught up in imagining his hands that you missed his eyes on you.
You see Loki and Steve staring at both of you, saying things under hushed tones. “They’re probably looking at you,” you explained. “What’s the deal between you and Steve, anyway?” You changed the subject. “How long has it been since you guys talked?”
“A while.”
“How long is a whi-”
“Listen, since I don’t have anyone to kiss either, why don’t we just kiss each other at midnight? Deal?”
You paused at her ability to change the subject. You gave her a knowing look but allowed her to escape your scrutiny. “Deal!” you sighed, giggling as you clinked your glasses again and took sips readying for round two.
Loki smirked as he listened to your entire conversation. Up until now, he’s been patiently waiting for you to come to him. Giving you compliments. Finding small but lingering ways to touch you. He didn’t know if his tactics were working until he overheard your conversation with Agent Romanoff. He was confident you returned his affections.
Nerves shot through his entire body. Excitement and anxiety all rolled into one giant emotion he could not define. Who knew that Barnes and Wilson’s advice would work? “Tell me, Rogers, what is this tradition you guys have about kissing each other at midnight?” Loki asked as he watched you and Romanoff.
Steve followed Loki’s stare and saw you and Natasha lounging and laughing over a bottle of champagne. He remembered how he and Nat kissed at midnight last year, promising each other to try. But ultimately failing after six months.
“It’s a stupid superstition that doesn’t mean anything,” Steve said bitterly. Loki gave him a look to continue. “It’s said that whoever you kiss at midnight, will be your sweetheart for the rest of the year. Or if you’re already in a relationship, make it stronger.”
“I see,” Loki said contemplatively.
“It’s just superstition, Loki, don’t buy into it.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to find my brother.” Loki excused himself, already putting together details of a plan in his head.
“Thor! Thor…” he said pulling him aside. “Did you know about this Midgardian tradition of kissing at midnight?”
“Yes! Jane and I planned on it when the hour strikes. Who will be your intended, dear brother?” Thor asked happily. Loki looked at him pointedly. “Oh! You got the priestess to agree to kiss you?! That’s wonderful news!”
“Not quite. I need your help.”
“Get Help?”
“NO! For Father’s sake, if you throw me across the room, I will END YOU!”
“Alright, alright. I jest Loki. What can I do to help?”
“I’d like to kiss her at midnight, but too many people are vying for her attention. Too many variables. Too many options.”
“Don’t worry little brother, I’ve got this!”
Ten minutes before midnight, you can feel the buzz in the air as everyone scrambles to ring in the new year. You and Nat had graduated to the bar. Both of you nursing new flutes of prosecco.
Behind you, Thor rushes through the crowd looking for Steve. “Rogers, who are you kissing at midnight? Nat or Wanda?”
“Nat or Wanda? What do you mean?”
“Well, you have to kiss someone. Isn’t that your Midgardian tradition? And I figured you wouldn’t want to kiss Nat, I mean with your history and all…”
“Well, ya…” Steve rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about Thor’s proposition. “But what about Y/N?”
“Oh, Lady Y/N is kissing my brother.”
“Loki?! But, I…”
“Oh, I apologize. Did you want to kiss my brother instead?” Thor asked quickly. “I can look for him and change his mind. I didn’t know you had…”
“NO! No, I don’t. But, um…”
“Wonderful! So, Nat or Wanda?”
“I guess Wanda,” Steve shrugged. “Nat and I do have a history.”
“Perfect! I’ll let Wanda know.”
“Now hold on just a second…” Steve’s voice trailed away as Thor sprinted into the crowd. His eyes searched for the Scarlet Witch among the revelers and found her amidst a harem of men all rivaling for her attention.
“Wanda!” Thor shouted, frightening some of the men in the group. “Come. Steve says he wanted to kiss you at midnight!”
“I knew it! He couldn’t hide behind that shy act for long!” she said standing up and smoothing out her dress.
“Perfect! You should go to him right now, and make sure no one else claims him before you do.” Thor said. Wanda nodded with determination and marched her way over to Steve.
“Oh, come on Thor!” Wilson said behind him. “I was just about to ask her!” Thor turned to see Sam and Bucky amongst Wanda’s many admirers.
“Uh…you’re in luck, my dear friends. I know someone anxious to kiss you both.” Thor gleamed.
“Us both?” Bucky questioned. Thor pointed to where you and Natasha sat.
“Ooh, nice choice. But I doubt that Steve would actually like that.” Sam said.
“And I believe Y/N is already spoken for,” Bucky added, pointing to Loki walking in your direction.
“It is for Steve we do this!” Thor wrapped his bulging arms around each of their necks. “We all know how miserable both he and Natasha are right now. Make him a little jealous. Perhaps he’ll rise to the occasion and get back his true love.”
“His true love?” Sam questioned.
“For true love!” Thor repeated, squeezing their necks tighter.
“The things we do for our friends,” Bucky grumbled under his breath.
Meanwhile, Loki made his way to the bar where you and Nat were laughing. “Ladies,” he said in that low baritone of his. “I’m sorry to disrupt your merriment, but may I speak to you privately, Agent Romanoff?”
You and Nat exchanged glances as she raised her eyebrow. A smirk fell upon her red lips and that’s when you felt it. A sharp pang of jealousy that twisted a knife in your gut. You hoped that your smile was still plastered on your face. Lord knows Nat could spot a tell from a mile away and you weren’t as good at hiding it as she was.
Loki offered his hand and Nat took it, hopping off the barstool, hand in hand with the man you’ve been pining for. You waited till both their backs were to you when you turned back around to the bar and let your smile die.
“Can I get a shot of tequila!” you yelled to the bartender, holding up your hand. You watched as Loki led Nat to the middle of the room, his arm wrapped around her delicate waste. “Make it a double!” you said with a huff. The sight in front of you was too much to witness. You had accepted that you might not get to kiss Loki at all tonight, but to watch him kiss someone else would be devastating to you.
With nothing, and no one else, keeping you at the party you decided to leave. You ran from the party as quickly as possible with your head turned down, holding back tears and feelings of betrayal.
“Loki, I hope you’re not gonna ask me for a kiss at midnight. That’s a hard pass.” Nat started before he took her very far.
“No, my dear. I overheard your conversation earlier with our dear healer. I was hoping to alleviate your promise of kissing her at midnight by offering you an alternative.”
“What alternative?”
“Two, alternatives actually.” At this, Loki gently grabbed Natasha’s shoulder and spun her around to see Bucky and Sam by the DJ booth. Sam held his drink up to her in greeting, while Bucky just grinned.
“Two! Steve wouldn’t like this.”
“Roger’s is kissing the Witch tonight.” He pointed to where Steve and Wanda were talking. Jealousy burned inside Natasha. A quiet resolve cemented in her and she was set on making him pay for it. “But what about Y/N?”
“As I said, I plan to take charge of her kiss from midnight, and all her kisses thereafter,” Loki winked at her.
“Don’t play with her heart, Loki.”
“I should warn you of the same with your soldier, agent.” He bowed slightly as Nat sauntered her way over to the two soldiers waiting for her.
When Loki turned back towards the bar, his face had fallen realizing that you were no longer there. Panicked, he looked around and found a trail of your coat just as it disappeared inside the hotel. Loki looked at his watch- three minutes left. The crowd below started getting restless and the giant numbers on the large screen on top of the prismatic ball had started ticking down towards midnight.
“Darling, where are you going? The clock is about to strike.” Loki caught up to you at the elevators. You gulped at the sight of him coming towards you. Inside the lobby, the heat was almost suffocating, and Loki unbuttoned his coat to be less stifling. You watched as he removed his gloves, finger by finger, and stuffed them into his coat pocket. The action mesmerized you until you were face to face with him.
“Loki! Shouldn’t you be with Natasha right now?” You said as you looked up at the elevator numbers ticking by so slowly. You pushed the call button praying for the lift to come faster.
“She’s currently entertaining Thing 1 and Thing 2. If my memory of your conversation serves me correctly.” You stared at him in disbelief. You might have had too much to drink. But not enough to miss the implication of what that meant.
He knows. He overheard your conversation and he knows!
He placed his hands on your waist and pulled you towards him, leading you away from the elevators. Away from the notion of running.
His fingers were soft and warm as he cupped your cheek. “Since you’ve saved my life, I have plotted and asked several times for you to kiss me again, my angel. I will not ask again.” His lips were grazing your skin. The heat in his breath intoxicated you. You closed your eyes at the overwhelming sensation of being held by him. “I told myself that the next time we kiss, it would be because you asked me to. Not out of any obligation. But because you want me. As much as I want you.”
Outside you could hear the deafening roar of people counting down from ten. It melded with the electric buzz going through your body being held so close by Loki. “But I truly can't resist you any longer. I have thought of nothing else since you kissed me that day on the field.”
“Loki…”
“Please ask me.” Three.
“What?” Two.
“Ask me to kiss you.” One.
“Kiss me Loki-” you barely said his name when his lips found yours and held on tight. A slight whimper fell from your lips, and he reacted by holding you tighter against his body.
Your fingers were entwined in his hair, holding him close to you. You pulled away to catch your breath, and his lips followed yours—unsatisfied from the short amount of contact they had received.
This kiss was different than the last. There wasn’t a threat of losing his life hanging over you. Instead, the urge was from longing and desire. There was fire and vigor in his lips. And you consumed him easily like a starved woman.
“Happy New Year, my dear,” Loki exhaled between kisses.
Taking his time to get to know everything you love, from books to movies, nothing is too small for this God.
Wanting to court you properly. As he was brought up as a prince of Asgard, he wants to treat you like his prince or princess.
Giving you compliments on the smallest things you do that he finds utterly beautiful, he isn't called a silvertongue for nothing. As the way you scrunch your eyebrows together when concentrating is just adorable to him.
Kissing your hand constantly, especially in front of the Avengers. As you trusted him when nobody else would.
Loki showing you the softer sides of his magic, especially during dates. Conquering butterflies one night while you two are having a picnic in Central Park, all to see your eyes widen in wonder.
When fighting during a mission, he keeps an eye out for you because you are one of the only reasons he chooses to stay a hero. You saved him from himself, and he'd be damned if he couldn't keep you safe.
Reading together. ALWAYS reading books together. Long series or standalone books, he doesn't care, as you have both found someone who enjoys reading as much as the other.
Pranking the Avengers together, sometimes with the help of a few other members like Kamala Khan, Peter Parker, or Yelena. Which then turns into a full-on prank war.
Taking you to Asgard to show you the Royal Achieves after months of teaching you how to read Asgardian.
Looks of longing from across the room at the beginning of the relationship, whenever you are talking with someone, and then either catching your eye with a smile or pretending to look at something else
Learning a little bit more every day that you love him despite his past and flaws. As he used to be so scared that one day you would leave him, though you never did.
Waking up every morning to him saying "Good morning, my love" and falling asleep every night to "Goodnight, my heart."
