#cuteloki

Ten Years Ago

“Did you see the look on her face, priceless!”

The men laughing and pushing each other around continued to make a ruckus as they went down the street.

Three of them only slowed down at the figure that was approaching from another direction. The leader took one look at the woman ahead, a smile making its way on his face as he nudged his head to the alley close by. Both of them nodded.

“Hey little lady, what’s a pretty thing like you doing out here all alone.”

“I’m not looking for any trouble.”

She replied, speeding up. The man moved forward, and a scream left her lips when two grabbed her from either side. The other placed a hand over her mouth as they pulled her into the alleyway. She pushed and shoved, but it did very little. The one in charge grinned as he began unbuckling his belt. They just kept laughing the more she fought.

The one in front only lifted his head when he saw someone further up.

“Beat it, or you’re next.”

He threatened. Whoever it wasn’t didn’t budge. He stood angrily, marching over to the figure.

“Should have run when you had the chance.”

His face changed, claws appearing. Teeth sharp. The figure took one swing, and the other two men looked up when something hit the ground. It rolled over, and their eyes widened as they released the woman. She screamed, grabbing her purse as she scrambled, sprinting off in the other direction. Both men stood, clearly terrified as they looked back at the severed head of their friend.

“I gave you a chance to stop your antics three weeks ago."

"Now you’re all going to die.”

“Dr. (L/N)."

You jump at the call, and the nurse smiles.

“I’m sorry, I know after last night you probably didn’t get much sleep.”

You nod, sipping at your cup of coffee.

“You’d think I’d be used to the weekend rush by now.”

Rolling your shoulders, you took the clipboard from her as you made your way through the hallway.

“He’s in recovery. After you removed the bullet his vitals were stable. He woke up a few hours ago. Turns out he’s a suspect in the shooting at the bar. They’ve already handcuffed him.” Despite the information, she didn’t look that happy.

“Why so sullen, the police have him in custody.”

“He’s done this before. Kyle Durant is a kingpin. He’s got lawyers and judges under the payroll. It’s the only way he’s been able to get out of all the other charges. “ Her shoulders drop.

“This time next week he’ll be walking the streets again, and I’ll have to tell someone else's mother or father that they’ve lost a child.”

She wasn’t wrong. You gave her a pat, sending her a smile as she left. Sliding open the door, you stepped in. He was laying back on the bed comfortably with a smile on his face. When he saw you, that grin grew wide.

“You must be the doctor that saved my life. Thank you.”

“It’s my job.”

Your tone was flat, and he chuckled. His body was littered with tattoos and that was only the ones you could see.

“Your friend that you brought in wasn’t as lucky. It hit some pretty vital spots. He was dead before he even got on the table.”

“He can be replaced.”

You tightened your fist on the pen as you took notes.

“Just like that huh?”

He was still wearing that stupid grin.

“How about we make a deal, I have a few ways I can repay you if you slip me out of these cuffs.” He jingled them, and you smiled.

Finally you placed the clipboard down. Turning back to him. You approached, and you can feel him straighten on the bed in anticipation. When you’re right next to him, you run your hand over the side of his neck.

“You’re pal was a Lausenschlange, so I’m curious, are you one to?”

His eyes widened, and just as the skin began to shift on his face, you gripped his neck. He was fighting to get his breath as you hold tightened. His machine beeps a bit faster than before.

“I was really contemplating what to do with you Mr. Durant, you’ve been a bad boy.” His face was turning slightly red as he gripped at your wrist. It didn’t budge. He couldn’t get out of your hold.

“I’ve been retired for some time now, but yesterday I had to tell a family that their child was killed, just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Do you think that’s fair?” He shook his head slowly, terrified.

“I’d like to think that if I let the cops take you, maybe when you get released you’ll turn a new leaf, but that’s expecting too much.”

“I-I…I will..” He forced out. He closed his eyes in pain.

“P-Please…don’t kill me..”

“Don’t you think all the people you hurt wanted to live?” His shoulders shook, and you could see him begin to sob.

“If I find out you’re still out there causing havoc, I’ll find you and kill you myself, do you hear me?”

He nods vigorously. You loosen your hold, and when he’s free you straighten, just as the police walk in.

“Well sir, I think you’ll be just fine.”

His eyes show horror, and he fights against his restraints.

“Take me to prison!! Take me to jail now!!” He starts to thrash, and the police usher you away from him. You’re not surprised when Nick walks inside.

“What’s all the noise about?” He asks. Kyle points at you.

“She’s a..”

He woge, and when he looks at Nick, he changes back immediately.

“There’s two of you!!”

You just smile at him and the cops do the best to control him as a nurse rushes in to sedate him.

You step out of the room with Nick.

“You threatened him, didn’t you?”

A casual day at Star Towers is always welcomed. You're lounging in Tony's living room, enjoying an episode of your favorite drama series. Loki strolls through the door.

"Enjoying a peaceful afternoon are we?"

"Yeah, then you showed up." Loki smiles at the joke, and you pat the seat next to you.

"Loki, thank you for keeping your promise."

True to his word, he was less of a problematic asgardian, and more of a dependable partner. The last three missions you didn't even have to use any power. A part of you wonders if maybe your little near death experience sort of made him more conscious. He took the initiative in most of your assignments. It was refreshing to see this side of him.

"Wouldn't be much of a god if I failed to uphold something so simple."

You return your focus on the television, picking at the grapes.

"What are you watching?"

"Criminal minds." You speak nonchalantly.

"Never took you for the type to be interested in such absurd procedural shows. It's a mockery on the reality of true crime. Very rarely is the bad guy captured. "

"Aren't you an optimist?"

"I wouldn't have gotten so far in my endeavors if I went blindly on optimism."

"Maybe if you had a bit more you wouldn't get captured all the time." He chuckles.

"Touche"

Leaning into the seat, you return your focus to the screen. You and Loki share a few words in between. He'd tell you about some of the pranks he pulled on Asgard. You'd give him a bit of the little misadventures you had as a kid. That's how the topic of adoption popped up, which led to his next question.

"Were you abandoned as well?"

"They didn't abandon me." Your response comes out a bit harsher than you intend.

"My mom, she..she had me when she was in college. She couldn't take care of me so she gave me up. I only found out about her because of the accident. Zara lost both her parents that night in a car crash. She had no one."

"You're half sisters?" you nod.

"I still have no idea who my birth father was, probably not that great since he left my mom the minute she got pregnant. "

"Why did you take her in, weren't you angry. If not for the accident she could have gotten the life you wanted. If anything I would think you'd resent her. "

"And what exactly would me hating her gain?"

"I don't know, a piece of mind at least. "

"Loki, it's not just about how I feel. Even if Zara was adopted by them, she's still family. No matter what, you should never give up on your family. "

Loki recalls Thor saying something similar. No matter how many times he betrayed him, double crossed him he always seemed to come back. They weren't truly brothers. Not at all. He supposed now he understood that a little more.

"You'd do anything to protect her." He asks.

"I'd die for her."

Death. Was there someone he would give his life for. The only person he'd ever cared so much about was his late mother. Now though, his view on a lot of things were changing. Thor, the team. You. The last realization causes him to look at you. You pop a grape in your mouth, switching the channel. Loki had become strangely quiet, so you turn. His eyes have settled on you, and you swallow the grape, clearing your throat awkwardly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?" He whispers.

He inches a bit closer. "W-What are you doing?" you demand.

"I don't know what you mean." He knows exactly what you mean because his tone is teasing.

"Loki!" His hand brushes over your knuckles and you glare at him.

"Whatever game you're playing I'm not interested. " You pull back your hand, standing to leave. Loki grabs your hand, and you stop. 

"I'm not playing any games, not with you."

"I don't believe you." You can't take a chance to look back, because if he stares at you again you won't be able to pretend you aren't affected by him.

"Are you saying you don't feel anything for me?" Now you turn.

"W-What the hell are you talking about?" Since when did he care about feelings, much less yours.

"I've been going over a lot of what you said. Having someone to care for, and having that care returned. I used to think those were unnecessary concepts, but your love for your sister, it gives you strength. You blasted a room full of hydra agents to get out, even though there was a chance you could have died. You did it all to ensure you returned to your sister. A girl who's only half of your true family. That courage, that drive, I've never wanted it, needed it. But working here with these foolishly good set of mortals, it's changing the way that I think. The way I feel. " You take a step back when he rises.

"Is it selfish of me to long for more of that strength from you?"

What do you say to that?

"I-I just..I we're not.." you're falling over your words.

He's towering you slightly, and you aren't sure what excuse to make up that would sound at least a little bit believable.

He licks his lips, eyes marking you.

"Is it?" He presses.

"No.." your reply is a bit shaky, and Loki leans in. The doors behind you open and you can hear the laughs of Tony and a few others. That all stops when they spot the both of you.

"And what do we have here?" Tony teases. You move back. "N-Nothing! I have to go." you rush to make an escape, and Loki just stands there a bit irritated at the uninvited guests.

"Perfect timing." Loki grumbles.