#luna fields

"It was good," Luna managed to say. Her voice was a little too quiet, and she feared it gave her away, but Loki didn't seem to notice.

She milled around by the dresser, pretending to look for fresh underclothing when Loki turned off his phone and set his gaze on her again.

“Everything alright?” he asked. Luna scratched at the dresser drawer and then her hand.

“Uh, yeah. Just, uh,” she trailed off.

To further her anxious fidgeting, she grabbed a pair of underwear from the top drawer and twisted them about her fingers. Loki quirked a brow at her obvious display of mannerisms.

“You seem anxious.”

“Really?” Luna squeaked out and sighed, relenting to his unwavering stare. “Yeah.”

“About what?”

"About," she started but relinquished the sentence with a heavy sigh and set the underwear on the dresser.

Luna chuckled dryly and fiddled with the tie around her waist, eyes fixated on the ground by Loki’s feet. He waited patiently for her to do something; speak, walk towards him, even so much as look at him. But her eyes remained locked on something he couldn’t see, with the gears in her head turning faster and faster.

As Loki prepped something else to say, he watched Luna yank the knot free and dropped the robe to the ground, striking every thought from his head. Every luscious brown inch of her body lay bare to his admiration. Of all the things he counted on her doing, this surely was not one of them.

But every second Luna waited for a reaction, the more regretful she became. She can be so impulsive sometimes. Perhaps this was another one of those times, and she'd stepped right through a door best left closed. Her ears burned, and her stomach turned as she bent her head, already predicting dismissive words.

“Uh … this was a mistake,” she muttered and crouched to retrieve her robe. She shook her head sadly. “Never mind. You go shower.”

Before her fingers could grasp the plush fabric, she felt Loki’s gentle fingers caress her cheek and ease her face up to look at him. He’d moved so fast that his sudden presence startled her, but his soft touch guided her back to him.

Luna slowly rose from the floor, Loki's fingers never leaving their spot under her chin. He looked into her eyes, never breaking contact as her face neared his. They told him everything he needed to know, and he hoped his could speak to her the same. He needed her to know what was right and true in his heart, and in there lied nothing she need be afraid of. He refused to look away, even as he grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled it off in one rough motion, flinging it to the corner of the room. He watched her eyes roam his bare torso and glance at her own. Now, they were even.

Loki touched her cheek again, letting his fingers drift down and take in every centimeter of her skin he had not been privy to before. He felt the breath catch in her throat as they passed over the side of her neck and heard a sharp exhale once they met her collarbone. He continued down, feeling the stiffness of her sternum and then the softness of her breast.

“Your heart’s beating very fast.” He could see how each beat made her skin quake and vibrate. Her breathing picked up, too, pressing his hand further into her chest.

“Can you blame me?” Luna whispered, her voice like silk in his ear.

“No.” He couldn’t, for his was hammering so hard, he was sure she could hear it.

Loki’s finger drifted to the side and traced the side of her scar. Her skin prickled from the slightness of his touch, but she didn’t shrink from him. She lifted a hand and slowly traced the top edge of his scar, lingering as leisurely as he did, gently plucking the nerves beneath his skin. He held back a shudder and felt blood rush to his pelvis. Was she aware she played him like a harpsichord? It didn’t matter. He was happy to be her instrument.

In a stroke of urgency, Loki took Luna’s face in both hands and brought her in for a kiss. It was full and ripe with such passion Luna felt the wind get knocked out of her. Luckily, it returned to her, and she kissed him back with equal fervor. Loki wrapped his arms tightly around her, pressing their bodies together as he deepened the kiss even further. The taste of her mouthwash filled his mouth, dancing upon his tongue as his danced upon hers.

Never had they been so close before, and the effects were unforeseen. It felt like they were standing beneath an icy waterfall with the water flowing through them, washing them from the inside out. Luna was drunk with it, drunk with him. She could tell less and less where she ended, and he began with each passing second. The feeling in her feet faded along with whatever was left in her fingers. Outside of her dreams, this was the closest she’d ever felt to flying.

And soon enough, she was.

Loki tightened his grip around Luna’s hips and lifted her just enough to walk quickly to the bed. He slowly eased her onto the mattress, one hand supporting her back and the other pressed into the plush comforter. They separated for a moment as Luna pushed further up the bed to get more comfortable. Loki slowly crawled after her, peppering her skin with kisses as he moved up her body. One on her hip, a couple on her stomach, and a line up the middle of her chest, each one pulling a gentle gasp from her mouth.

Loki’s hair draped around his face and dragged along Luna’s skin, touching her everywhere he didn’t get to. Her hands danced about his shoulders as he kissed along her collarbone, making her whine and squirm. His touch was electric, and it sent chills racing up and down her body. He ate it all up with the bottomless satisfaction of a king in a banquet hall, her soft moans the sweetest melody to his ears. But as sweet as she sounded, she needed to like the sugar he was giving her.

Kissing up her neck, Loki whispered into her ear. “Is this ok?”

Luna shivered and let out a breathy “Yeah.”

Loki kissed her mouth again, and she arched her back, pressing her body tight against his. She felt everything; his heart hammering wildly out of sync with hers, his ribs digging into hers with every heavy breath, and his unmistakable throbbing erection resting on her inner thigh. He was rock hard, and it made her insatiable.

Enticed, Luna lifted her leg and let Loki’s hips rock against her thigh. A groan came from deep within his throat, and he ground down harder. The little moans and groans he made were so delicious Luna's mouth started to water. It was so good, but he wanted more.

Loki maneuvered his knee inside Luna’s leg and nudged it aside. He slid his hips between her thighs, pushing them further apart until he felt the soft warmth they held. Even through the fabric of his pants, it was so hot and delectable, and he knew he’d never get enough as long as he lived. He watched her face as he gently rolled his bulge against her tender edge. She let out a sharp exhale and pulled sharply at his waistband.

“Do you like that?” he whispered, voice thick and deep with arousal.

“Yeah.” Luna’s words tiptoed on a sigh like she was afraid a noise any louder would invite the world to listen in.

Loki tucked his face into her neck and thrust harder, just as she wanted.

“Gods, I want you so bad,” he groaned against her. “Can you feel it?”

Luna’s fingers loosened their hold on his pants and gripped his back instead.

"Uh-huh," she moaned, feeling the rough frost forming on his skin. She wished for a moment to see it, to admire him in his natural glory, but the thought passed as soon as he moved again. However, instead of moving closer, Loki sat back and pushed his waistband down.

Snapping to attention, Luna gasped and grabbed his hand.

“Ah-ah, keep your pants on,” she said, catching his gaze, their eyes red as blood and hot as desire. “I want it this way.”

“Ok," Loki said and settled back down. He'd give her anything she wanted in whatever way she wanted it. But for the sake of his comfort, he paused again. “Ah, wait.” He slipped a hand into his pants and adjusted his cock to lay against his lower abdomen. “Oh, that’s better,” he sighed as he pulled his pants a little higher.

“Oh, yeah,” Luna breathed out. How right he was. She could feel every decadent inch of him from under the rough cotton. “Oh, wow!” He was huge, and he was all hers.

The bedsheets crackled with every shift of his weight. Their icy embrace left a clear, dewy imprint and outline of their bodies, but neither noticed nor cared. The only thing worth worrying about was the ecstasy behind their every shared breath.

Once Loki’s hips fell into a quick rhythm, he let his hands drift delicately about his lover’s skin, kissing her all the while. He couldn't stop, and she didn't want him to. He pulled her leg higher up on his waist, feeling the taut muscles beneath her periwinkle skin. He felt the bumpy scars as his hand slid up her thigh and the little jump she made when he pressed his thumb against her hipbone.

His hand traveled higher and higher, tracing the scar on her abdomen and feeling the underside of her breast. He slowly wrapped his fingers around it and squeezed, his thumb playing and passing over her nipple. Luna wrapped her other leg around his waist and held on tight so he had nowhere to go. As if Loki wanted to be anywhere else.

“You like that?” he asked, smirking against Luna’s cheek.

She nodded and sighed, “Uh-huh,” her mouth quivering.

Loki kissed down her neck, nipping her skin a little to egg her on, and it seemed to work. Eyes closed, she rolled her head back and started letting out a few of those moans trapped in her throat, each one pressing Loki closer to his edge. His hands and knees trembled, but he commanded them to steady. Luna came first.

He could feel her nearing her end as well. Every muscle in her body was tight and shook as she held him. Her breathing was short and fast as her moans picked up pace, and her heart beat wildly against his hand, a perfect dance that was more than ready to reach its show-stopping climax.

“You’re close, aren’t you?” Loki murmurs against her throat.

“Yeah!” Luna called out, voice cracking a little. “Oh, don’t stop!”

Her eager wish was his ready command. He groaned deeply and thrust faster, a little for her and a little for himself. Together, they stirred up the perfect storm and waited for lightning to strike. Electricity buzzed through their bodies, bouncing from one to the other, picking up energy and velocity.

Loki tucked his face into Luna's neck, moaning louder and louder, eyes squeezed shut, and his mind abuzz with nothing but chasing the high. He heard hers in the surrounding air, of course; it was the only thing he bothered to listen to as he answered with his own passionate song. He nipped and licked at her wintry skin, letting his tongue work its magic.

Luna felt herself toeing the line, and she clung to Loki for dear life, nails digging deep into his back. He was all she heard, saw, tasted, and felt. Even behind her closed eyes, she could see him in her mind, and despite his nonintrusive nature upon her, she swore she could feel him deep inside her, winding up the energy in her belly. Imagine what it would feel like for real. She groaned and took a deep breath. That was for another time.

She felt her climax swirl and build like a tidal pool against a dam where cracks began to form. Her mouth sat open, but she made no sound save for a few shallow breaths. It all waited for the right moment.

And then, in an instant, bang.

The lightning struck and shattered the dam apart. Luna came with a sharp gasp and held Loki’s waist in a death grip between her thighs. A string of high-pitched moans finally broke free and made their way out into the air, and she scrambled to roll her hips to ride it out for all it was worth. Fireworks sparked in her eyes as the insurmountable pleasure made her melt and raked her nails up his back, scraping up a thin layer of ice.

The sudden sensation pushed Loki to the very precipice of his climax, and he gripped the headboard by Luna’s head in anticipation. He balanced on the brink of it, ready to fall after her. She was so soft, so beautiful, and all his. All mine. The thought gave him a light shove, but it was all the force he needed to dive head-first.

He came a little softer, spilling into his pants as he’d planned, his cock twitching with every extra thrust he needed to bring it to a close. His moans were louder and wavered as his body shook but were still low and feather-soft in Luna’s ear. They tickled her and etched themselves into her memory. If only she had seen his face and memorized that too, but it would have been unfair. He didn't get to watch her either. They promised themselves to do it next time.

The tension released itself from their bodies, and they fell limp on the bed together. Luna's grip relaxed to a soft embrace, and Loki relinquished his hold on the headboard as he eased his body down to rest. His head dropped beside Luna’s, his nose grazing the shell of her ear, and he opened one eye to look at her. He saw nothing of note, only slivers of glittery blue skin and thick layers of ice.

Interested, he lazily brought a hand up and touched the top of her head. Luna’s damp hair was now covered in shards of ice, holding it back and away from her face. He felt her heart hold hands with his and slow to a steady pace together, then her real one drifted up and stroked the back of his head. They felt true bliss and couldn’t help but close their eyes and enjoy it.

However, Luna felt discomfort that urged her to get up.

“Hey,” she whispered, patting his back. “Can I go pee real quick before you shower?”

"Yeah," he responded and shifted off of her to lay beside her. “Go on, then.”

She wasted no time sliding off the bed and hurrying toward the washroom, but Loki couldn't help himself and piped out a wolf whistle. Luna stopped, looked back at him with an amused smile, and picked up her robe.

"Hey, yourself," she shot back and playfully threw her robe at him. It didn't make much distance, but they laughed anyway.

Luna relieved herself, cleaned up a bit, and dried off the rest of the melted ice in her hair. It interested her, and she made a mental note of it but stopped her thought there. Her time with Loki was not a science experiment.

Upon exiting, she saw Loki was up and straightening the sheets on the bed. Bits of ice still clung to the fabric, so he lifted the entire thing and snapped it sharply, sending the shards up and dispersing them into the air. As Luna grabbed her underwear and slipped them on, Loki flattened the sheets out with his hands and nodded in satisfaction. He turned around and noticed Luna already out and looking lush as morning dew.

“Hi,” he greeted. “The bed was covered in ice. So strange.”

"Not very, but," she took a step toward him, "how about another time we investigate it?"

“Sounds like a plan,” Loki said with a slight smile. “Oh, and we should do laundry tomorrow.” He pulled at the fabric of his pants as he passed her by. A sizable wet spot had made a home on the front. Luna tilted her head, unsure of what was her fault and what was his, but it didn’t matter.

She watched him slide them off his legs, put them in the wash pile, touch the doorframe in thought, and walk back over to her. He gently took her face and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. It was brief, like a single music note, but as poignant as one.

Loki parted from her and whispered, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Luna whispered back.

“For trusting me.” He stroked her cheek. “I know how hard it can be,” she nodded, “so thank you.”

“Yeah.” Luna felt her throat tighten. “Thank you for being someone I can trust.”

He kissed her forehead and headed back to the bathroom, finally walking through the door and closing it to wash up.

On her own again, Luna felt the tears build, and she let them flow. She sat down and cried quietly into her hand. She never thought she’d be the ‘cry after sex’ type, but here she was, crying. Loki wanted her, and he chose her all on his own, scars and all. It felt so good to be loved this way that she couldn’t help but weep a little.

By the time Loki was done and dry, Luna had calmed down, put some lotion on, and gotten comfortable under the covers with her phone in hand to wind down. Loki grabbed a fresh pair of pajama pants, turned off the lights, and got under the covers with her. She spared him a glance and looked at the headboard.

“That’s new,” she said.

Loki scrunched his brow. “Hm?”

"That." Luna pointed, and he followed her direction. The edge of the headboard was slightly dented in the pattern of four fingers. Loki traced the curves, realizing he was responsible.

“Hm,” he hummed and looked at Luna. “Don’t tell Tony.”

The pair chuckled. “Promise,” she responded.

Loki's smile faded, and he cleared his throat. “Did, um,” Loki bit the inside of his cheek, “did you like it?”

"Hm? Oh, yeah! Of course, I did!” She moved closer to him. “Why would you think I didn’t?”

He shrugged and picked at the comforter. “Well, I had something more romantic in mind. I really wanted to take my time and pamper you.”

“Hey.” Luna put her hand on his cheek. “I liked it. It was just what I wanted.” She put her phone down and scooted up next to him. “I think taking it slow might be a good thing.” She drew circles on his chest with her fingertip. "A little something each day or every other day makes it exciting." Loki smiled at that, and she leaned closer. "What I felt was different than anything I’ve ever felt before, and I want to navigate that with you.”

“So it wasn’t just me,” Loki whispered. He paused in thought and continued. “I can’t explain it. It all felt so different.”

“Huh,” Luna breathed out and smiled. “We have a lot to talk about, but how about we sleep on it? Save it for tomorrow?”

Loki nodded. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”

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A/N: why did this take so long, you ask? Well, its half “I was trying to complete part of my thesis project” and half “I didn’t feel like it.” Also, scenes like this are waaaay harder to write than you think, certainly more than I thought and especially if you want it to hit. Like, wow. I certainly hope it hit. And give em (and me) time before they fuck crazy. The build is where its at.

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In classic fashion, Loki had dozed off not long into the flight; his head slumped back and to the side, and Luna had followed suit with her head resting on his shoulder. The ease of the ride and their lack of proper sleep lulled the couple back into a brief slumber. Wanda kept an eye on them to ensure they didn't lean too far and fall off their seats.

Ayo lowered the talon fighter down with as much steady skill as she did flying it, slowly maneuvering it to hover over a clearing in the forest. None of her passengers noticed they had stopped until she set her controls aside and spoke up.

“We are here,” she said as she stood.

“Wait, really?” Sam replied. “There’s no way this thing can fly that fast.”

“Yes, way,” Bucky whispered.

“This craft is faster than any other, American or otherwise,” Ayo said and motioned for the door to unlock.

Natasha and Steve stood up to collect their bags from the other side of the cabin. Wanda waved at her little pile of belongings and made them float over toward her while she nudged Luna awake with the other hand. Her friend inhaled sharply and turned her head to look her way.

“Hey,” Wanda said breathily, “we’re here.”

“Mm?” Luna groaned, rubbing an eye. “So fast? What time is it?”

“It’s early. The sun isn’t even up.”

Luna’s movements and talking roused Loki from his nap. He rubbed his eyes as well, stretching his arms and massaging his neck. The awkward position left him stiff and delightfully numb in his entire right arm. Whatever nerve he had pinched was let loose as feeling painfully trickled back into his fingers.

“Are we there?” Loki grumbled, flexing his hand.

“Mhm,” Luna hummed. She braced her back for a deep stretch and roughly stood up. "Come on," she beckoned him. "Hopefully, there's a clean bed to nap in."

Lured by such a promise, Loki blinked the cloudiness from his eyes and stood up. He was wobbly at first, but he quickly regained his footing. He strode forward, trying not to bump into people as he slowly woke up.

Wanda and Sam were slinging their bags over their shoulders while Natasha and Steve waited patiently by the door. Bucky tightened his left bag strap and made his way over to Ayo.

“Hey,” he greeted her.

“James,” she said back. “Are you ready?”

He shrugged. "Ready as I'll ever be. I, uh, I just wanted to say thank you." He paused to tighten his jaw. "For, uh, for everything. I know it was your job to look after me, but I'm grateful." His throat grew tight, and he swallowed. "I couldn't have done it without you."

She smiled slightly. "You're very welcome. You've made great progress, and I hope you make more out there."

“Yeah, I’ll, uh, I’ll do my best. For all you guys.”

Ayo peeked over Bucky’s shoulder at the little crowd by the door.

“I should let you all go now. You can’t stay in here forever.”

“Yeah, and you need to report back.”

She pressed kimoyo bead on her bracelet, and the door dropped down, revealing the little set of stairs to bring them safely to the ground. Bucky slowly made his way for the door.

“Good luck,” Ayo spoke to them, and Bucky looked over his shoulder.

"Thanks. You, too," he said and continued out the door and down the stairs.

"Thank you for flying us!" Luna called to Ayo on the way out, and Ayo just smiled and resumed her position in the pilot's seat.

Once the group was far enough away from the craft, she started it up and gently guided it up into the sky. The seven stared up and watched it disappear into the dark. Steve started walking towards the house, prompting everyone to follow suit.

“It’s dark out,” Loki commented.

“Time difference,” Luna responded. “Wakanda is about halfway around the world from here. The sun should just be reaching the East Coast, so a bit more time and it’ll be here.”

“Hm, watching the sunrise might be nice.”

“You feel up to that?”

“Only if you are." Luna heard the smile in his voice, and she returned it with her own.

“Well, I accept.”

Steve unlocked and opened the sizeable glassy door, holding it open for everyone else to file in ahead of him. Once they were all inside, Steve locked the door, triple-checked the alarms, and switched the lights on.

Natasha felt a twinge of panic as the rooms lit up. The entry and living space were huge and surrounded by enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, all of them lacking curtains. The entire design spelled "getaway house for a comfortable multi-billionaire." Anyone within a mile would have seen it light up like a lantern, but that was the catch: there were no neighbors to be spoken of. The nearest town was over a 30-minute drive away. Remembering this, Natasha dropped her shoulders and continued, feeling free to explore and pick her room.

“Wow, this place is amazing!” Luna exclaimed. “So much bigger than in those pictures!" She maneuvered her foot to toe off her shoes, but Loki was quicker.

"Ah! Darling," he said, halting her movements. She looked at him, puzzled, as he stepped in front of her. “Allow me." He lifted a hand and presented her slippers in a wave of green light.

Luna smiled widely as he got on one knee and helped her out of her shoes.

“Oh, thank you,” she said, bracing a hand on the wall.

The group stopped their moseying and stared, going completely unnoticed by the couple.

Natasha nudged Steve. “Why don’t you ever do that for me?”

He shrugged. “Well, you never really bother with slippers.”

Natasha nodded. “Ah, yeah, you’re right.”

“Plus, I’m scared you’ll kick me in the face.”

“What? I thought you liked that.” She bumped his shoulder and walked away with a bright smirk on her face. Steve scrunched his nose and glanced over at Sam, who was already eyeing him.

“Dude, you got to get that under control,” he said. Steve laughed sarcastically and resumed his exploration, with Sam chuckling behind him.

Once Luna’s slippers were on and her shoes situated to the side, Loki stood up and offered his hand.

“Where to next?” he asked.

Luna pondered for a moment and took his hand. “How about the kitchen? I believe we have some things to tuck away there.”

Loki nodded curtly and strolled with her about the living room. They admired the sectional couch as they passed it, tracing it with their eyes as it wrapped around the massive fireplace, atop which sat a flat-screen TV that was equally as large. Its emptiness was ominous and depressing, so the pair moved on, both well aware they had little idea of where they were going.

Eventually, through a bit more idle exploring, they found the kitchen. Luna was first taken aback by the counter space, and she guessed there was at least ten feet of clear, usable workspace. Then it was the island in the middle. It looked about as big as her twin bed, but instead of a flat surface to sleep on, there was a touch-surface stove and an incredible silvery chrome vent hovering above it.

Loki and Luna separated and went around to open each of the cupboards. Aside from a few very expensive-looking glasses and plates, there was nothing of purchase to be found.

“Hm, they really sent us here and gave us nothing,” Luna said.

Loki hummed in agreement. “Good thing we grabbed things before we left.”

He eyed her knowingly and closed the cupboard door in front of him, motioning for her to do the same. He waved a hand, and his trademark band of green light wafted over the expanse of cabinets. They waited for a second longer, and Loki opened the first door in classic grandiose style. Instead of emptiness and dust, he found all of Luna’s plates and glassware.

Upon seeing her things again, Luna opened cabinet after cabinet to find all her spices, snacks, and other dry ingredients all in place. She cracked a bright smile and looked over at Loki, who was standing proudly as he watched her.

“You’ve saved us once again,” he said.

“We did,” Luna corrected and walked up to him. “I couldn’t have done this without you. You make everything so much easier for me to deal with.” She snaked her arms around his waist.

“Really? I’m so much more used to making life increasingly difficult for everyone around me.”

“Hm, me too. I have a penchant for making things very hard for people.”

A sly smirk appeared on Loki’s face. “Mm, yes you do,” he growled suggestively, pulling her tight against his body and peppered several heated kisses to her neck.

Luna gasped in surprise and pawed at his shoulders. “Ah, stop!” she squealed, gigging all the while her body erupted in tingles from his touch. He was joking with her, but she couldn’t let it get any further. He relaxed and let her go, giving her one last chaste kiss on the cheek. She sighed and stepped around him. “Ok, I can’t be mad. I walked right into that one.” She patted him on the shoulder.

“And I am smart enough to catch you,” he muttered in her ear and stepped up to the fridge. He opened it to reveal nothing but clear empty shelves, and he closed it back and put his hand on the top. “And now, for my next trick, I will make all our food reappear inside of this drab refrigerator.”

Luna's eyes went wide, and she gasped comically. "Ooh!" She acted like an eager audience member of a mysterious magic show.

Loki waved his hand again, more dramatically, and opened the door again. "Tada!" Inside were all of Luna's assorted Tupperware and partially used ingredients.

Luna gave him an exaggerated round of applause. “Brava!” Loki shut the door, cracked a grin, and bowed. “How ever did you do that?!”

He leaned on the fridge door, looking smug as can be. “Now, now, a magician never reveals their secrets.”

Luna stepped towards him. “Oh please, just this once?” She stopped inches from his face and placed a hand in the middle of his chest. “For me, your biggest fan?” she whispered.

Loki’s gaze roamed over her face, from her eyes to her mouth and back again. “Perhaps I can make an exception.” He took her hand. “I can show you better in the bedroom,” he scrunched his brow and blinked in realization, “which we should pick out before the others get the good ones.” He hurried out and around the kitchen island, pulling a slightly bewildered Luna behind him.

“Wait, there are good ones?” she commented. “I thought they were all the same.”

“We can’t take any chances.” Loki was one step away from the hallway when he slowed his pace and stopped. “Oh, hold on. One more thing.” He looked back at the counter space and waved a hand. All of Luna’s kitchen appliances appeared in a flash, lined up against the wall. He flicked his eyes down to her and watched her smile gratefully once more and look up at him.

“Nice,” she said, and he smiled back.

The pair traipsed back to the entrance area and found it devoid of people, but it was to be expected. They'd taken enough time in the kitchen for everyone else to have vacated the area. There were more hallways to go down on the other side of the building, but for now, they chose to ascend the stairs to the next level.

Loki’s ears were quickly met by the layered sounds of clothes shuffling, idle chatter, and loud zipping of zippers. Luna’s ear caught them soon after and followed him toward the source.

Steve had taken the first room on the left with Bucky. He wanted to stay on guard for the group in case anything happened. And Bucky didn’t feel like being alone in a brand new place, so he stuck beside Steve and made a little nest on the floor. He left the option of moving to an empty room at some point if he wanted to, but not just yet. Natasha and Sam took the rooms across the hall. Unlike their busybody friends, they explored the room first and left their unpacking for later.

Wanda left an empty room between her and Steve for no other reason than to have an extra layer of privacy. She had no trouble unpacking with the use of her magic. Her belongings flitted around the room and organized themselves where they needed to be; clothes in the closet, delicate wear in the drawer set, books by the nightstand, and so on. Luna didn’t want to stand by and stare too long for fear of embarrassing her, so she quickly moved on in search of a good room.

Near the end of the hall, she and Loki finally found one, and it was the furthest one down for a reason. The interior was bright and big, clearly designed for an extravagant couple. The bed was a king, the bathroom a suite, and the windows bright enough to inspire a painter.

With no bags to worry about, Luna excitedly ran around the room, looking in every drawer and mentally measuring every pocket space. There was room enough for both her and Loki and then some. It was perfect, and it was theirs for the time being.

“So I take it this is the one?” Loki asked. Luna turned back to him and nodded.

“Only if you like it too,” she answered and looked up to admire the light fixtures. “I think it’s grand.”

“Then this one it is.” Loki spread his hands, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Luna felt the air shift in rising surges, and she tensed, staying as still as she could.

In one grandiose wave, everything appeared to decorate and set the room perfectly. All of Luna's books, movies, and CDs piled onto the empty shelves, the closet and drawers filled with their clothes, fresh pillows and blankets refreshed the old ones, and the bathroom stocked with every little thing a pampered prince and his lover could desire. The stereo popped up in an unoccupied corner on the right side of the bookshelf. On the left, the overly expensive record player appeared along with her one cherished record, all perfectly intact. Luna’s jewelry collection emerged upon the dresser in as orderly a fashion as she had left it in her old apartment.

Aside from the little Christmas tree and electric heater, Loki left no stone unturned and no detail forgotten. In an instant, he made the airy room feel like home again.

Luna looked around in wonder and let her gaze direct itself back to her object of desire. Loki spied the glittery look in her eyes and stepped towards her.

“And now for the final touch,” he said and held his hands out.

With the greatest care of all, he supported the base of the flower pot as it appeared in his hands. He watched it like a hawk until every blue rose petal was present and accounted for. From there, he shifted his gaze to an unoccupied spot on a side table and made way for it. Luna kept an eye out for anything in his way and didn’t make any quick movements until their flower was safe and stable in its new spot.

"There, now it's perfect," Loki said and smiled at Luna once she was by his side.

Feeling so inclined, she took his face into her hands. “You are so amazing,” she said breathily and kissed him with a fevered passion all her own.

Loki swished his arm at the door, closing it with the force of his magic, and wrapped it around Luna’s back. He gripped the fabric of her shirt as he urgently returned her kiss. He loved her kind praises, her sweet kisses, and being able to give her some of his own.

Luna separated from him first to gaze up at him, eyes full of sparkles. She encircled an arm around the back of his neck and briefly stroked the tip of his nose.

“I’m going to take you everywhere with me,” she muttered.

Loki grinned. “Mm, is that a promise?”

“More of an offer.” Luna picked at his shirt collar. “It’s hard to be exciting all the time.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I do enjoy a well-placed bout of boredom,” Loki stressed the word as he picked her up, “every so often.” He carefully took a few steps back to sit on the bed. “How else would I get any rest?”

Luna adjusted herself in his lap, so her knees sat on either side of his hips and twirled a lock of hair framing his face.

“Well, boredom tends to leave you alone with your thoughts, and those can get scary sometimes.”

“Good thing I know where to get nice ones.”

“Oh really? And where might that be?”

Loki laughed breathily and bit his tongue. “Ooh, I’m not sure you really want me to say.”

“And why’s that?”

“You might get embarrassed and scold me.”

“Ah-ha, so they come from there?” Luna laughed, and Loki giggled along with her. “Well then, we can leave that for later.” She patted his chest and eased off of him to lay down by his side. Loki eyed her for a moment and stretched out on the bed, one arm above his head and the other gently grazing Luna's side. "One more thing, though,” she said, tapping his arm. He hummed in response. “Since we are totally laying on the bed in our outside clothes, we're going to have to change the sheets again.”

“It’s no problem. Remember, I can tidy anything up in just a snap." Loki snapped his fingers for effect, and Luna smiled briefly.

“Is that how you look so prim and proper all the time?”

“Half the time.” Loki turned on his side and rested his jaw in his hand to get a good look at her. “It is fun to put in a little effort sometimes.”

“Yeah, it is. You looked real good at that party last night. Have I told you that yet?”

A flattering smile slowly appeared on Loki's face. “Oh, I don’t know. I might have been distracted by the prettier one in the room.” He tapped the tip of Luna's nose, and she gasped.

“Sweet talk will get you nowhere, mister,” she joked.

“Nowhere?” Loki repeated, tilting his head. “I think I know at least one place it can get me.”

He leaned down a little closer, and Luna watched him until he was a hair’s length away from her face to lean up and kiss him. It was gentle and nearly a routine at this point, but it still made her stomach tighten with excitement.

It wasn’t supposed to last long, so before he could kiss her breath away, he separated from her and resumed his lounging position beside her. She bit her lip, relishing for a moment the giddy feeling in her chest, and spoke up again about her curiosities.

“Do you have any memories of the 70s?”

Loki nodded. “Oh, yes. I adored the 70s.” He eased onto his back. “Clothing was awful, but Bowie always made it work.”

Luna lifted her head. “Bowie? Like, David Bowie?" She moved to lean her chin on her hand as Loki had done.

“The one and only.”

“Did you know him?”

Loki fiddled with his fingernails. “In passing. Before he chose sobriety and married that model.” He covered his face with his hands. “Oh, I did so many drugs,” he groaned and let his hands fall away. “They never worked, though. It was like inhaling flour, so all I did was sneeze.” Luna giggled at the imagery. Loki did as well as he remembered how treacherous his sneezing fits were. As the amusement faded away, he snapped his fingers at the memory of something else. “Oh, one of my favorite times was when I impersonated Elvis Costello.”

Luna gasped, eyes wide. “You didn’t!”

Loki nodded. “I did, and I was quite good.”

“Even at shows?!”

He scoffed. “Hardly. It was terribly difficult to imitate his presence, so his bandmates could tell the difference.” He paused and flashed a grin. “However, the man himself did pay me compliments on my performance.”

Luna shifted her head. “You can sing?”

“Of course, I can. My voice alone has wooed many a maiden and field hand.”

She pushed up and turned to lay her chest on his. “But you didn’t need to sing to woo me.”

“No, I didn’t, and just my luck.” Loki let his fingers graze against her hip. “Perhaps if I do sing for you, you’ll never have eyes for another.” His eye wandered away from her face, and Luna gently stroked his cheek.

“Oh, you don’t need to do all that. I don’t want to have eyes for anyone else,” she said as lovingly as she could. Loki met her gaze again and smiled, and she smiled back, letting the moment settle before patting his chest. “But it’s good to know you’d be no fun at karaoke. We can save everyone else the embarrassment.”

Loki scrunched his brow. “Me? Not fun? There’s no such thing.”

“The fun of karaoke is when you know you sing badly, but you do it anyway, and everyone else sings along and cheers you on. It’s even more fun when you’re drunk.”

“I take it you’ve done this before.”

Luna shook her head. “Oh no, never. I am also,” she paused, “no fun at karaoke.”

Loki's brow relaxed and raised in surprise. “Is that so? Then you must sing for me, my darling.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I promise to be your most attentive listener, and in the end, make it all worth your while.” His half-smirk at the end told her everything she needed to know.

“How can I refuse after such a vague offer?” she joked and tugged at his shirt collar. “But knowing you, I think I know what it is.”

Loki conceded. “Great minds think alike.”

“Yes, and also horny ones.” They both broke into scandalous laughter. Luna felt so taken by her humor she bent her head to hide her face.

“I thought we weren’t going to talk about my secret musings,” Loki commented through his subsiding giggles.

“Not so secret.” Luna poked the hollow of his cheek. “You’re not the only person who likes somebody.”

“Ooh,” Loki cooed and spoke lowly. “What illicit thoughts lurk about that pretty head of yours?”

Luna steadied herself, biting the inside of her cheek. “As I said, we'll talk about it later. For now,” she slid off of him and set her feet on the floor, “we can watch the sun come up.” She swiveled around and sat down beside him.

Loki pushed back to a sitting position and indeed saw the sky lightening to deep gold. “Has it really been so long?”

Luna wiggled to get comfortable. “We sure know how to talk the time away.”

“My goodness, it’s almost like I enjoy our conversations,” Loki joked as he scooted centimeters closer.

Luna leaned on his side and smiled. “Really? I would never have guessed.”

----------

A/N: And there we have it! First lil chapter of book two! How was that? I hope it was a good start. I have a lot planned. And yes, if you couldn’t tell, it’s gonna get more mature and steamy and explicit, so if any of you youngsters want to watch out, here’s your warning. However, if you’re a freak like I was as a 15 year old, I can’t really tell you what to do, so proceed however you like XP

———-

“Mm, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that,” Thor commented. “The flavors are so enveloping.”

Loki grinned. "Trust me; you'll be happy you won't." He took another bite of his meal. He sipped on his drink and remembered what he wanted to ask Thor. “The sorcerer paid me a visit earlier.”

Thor’s brows shot up. “Oh! A nice visit, I hope.”

“Yes, nicer than I anticipated,” Loki glanced to the side, “though he said something rather peculiar.” He paused and propped his chin on his hand, looking back at Thor. “He mentioned having taken my name off a list that he has, and he said that you would know what this list is.”

“Really?” Thor beamed. “Oh, Loki, this is wonderful! How trusting he has become!”

Loki’s eyes narrowed. “Uh-huh, but what is this list?”

“Uh, a bit of a watch list of dangerous persons.” Loki blinked and remained silent, so Thor elaborated. “As a Mystic Arts wizard, he safeguards time and space, so he needs to keep track of individuals who threaten those things the most. One of those things was you until, apparently, quite recently.”

“Really?” Loki sat up and crossed his arms. “I don’t know whether to be thankful, flattered, or mildly disappointed.”

“Disappointed?” Thor was confused.

“Well, I’m no weak little thing.”

Thor raised his glass. “How right you are, but are you a threat to this world?”

“Goodness, no,” Loki quickly replied, feeling almost offended at the notion. “Threaten this place? I’d have to be demented.”

“Then you have your reason, so you should be thankful.”

Loki pondered but declined to say anything, so he finished the last dregs of his meal and sat back satisfied. He sighed and looked down at his hands.

“Oh!” Thor continued. “Are you doing anything interesting later?”

“Reading a new book, and maybe asking Luna to dinner and a long walk.” Loki looked up. “Why?”

"Really? Didn't Luna tell you? Hm, perhaps she forgot.”

“Forgot what?”

“When I stopped by earlier, I told her that the princess invited us all to a dance club tonight!” Thor said excitedly. “Disco, I believe. Whatever that is.”

“A dance club?” Loki reiterated. “And what did she say?”

Thor leaned in. “She was very eager. And earlier, I overheard Natasha talking with that magical Maximoff girl about going shopping, so I bet they’re all out now with the rest of the ladies.”

Loki was a little slack-jawed. “Uh-huh.”

“So,” Thor leaned back, “how interesting is that book of yours, again?”

“Not that interesting.” Loki crossed his arms. “Honestly, it looked a bit time-consuming.”

“Great,” Thor grinned, “because I already invited the two of us for our own shopping trip.”

“‘The two of us’?” Loki echoed. “How many more are there?”

Thor glanced over his shoulder and spotted their waiter coming towards them. “You’ll see.”

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

After their check was settled, the two princes sauntered out of the restaurant and down the street, presumably to where the rest of the group would meet them. Thor and Loki take turns waving to passersby and taking pictures with anyone who wants them. Thor was a little more used to the attention than Loki, but it didn’t go unappreciated.

Once they stopped at a crosswalk, Loki took out his phone to send Luna a quick message.

“Thor just mentioned this disco thing to me. Are you going?”

As he lowered his hand back to his pocket, his phone buzzed with a new text. Surprised and eager to read it, he opened his phone again.

“Depends. Are you game?”

Loki smirked as he crossed the road with Thor by his side. Luna was obviously playing around with him. She would never turn down an outing like that. Once he was safely across, he replied.

“To dance with you? Always.”

He tucked his phone in his pocket after hitting ‘send,’ hoping it brought a smile to her face. Yes, it was true that he would never pass up an opportunity to take her hand and would even go so far as to create one, but he wanted to flatter her.

“You asking her?” Thor chimed. Loki glanced over with a happy gleam in his eye.

“Just making sure.”

Thor nodded. “Good.”

Loki's pocket buzzed again, and he whipped his phone out again to check his new text.

“I got a couple of surprises too.”

Loki quirked a brow and slowed his pace.

“Oh?”

“Yup. New outfit, and about to get a haircut.”

Loki bit his lip to stifle his grin.

“Well, would you look at that? I suddenly have more incentive.”

He wondered if his little jest amused Luna.

Thor led Loki around another corner and down another avenue until he came upon a crosswalk. There, as he waited for his turn to cross, he spotted Tony Stark’s familiar silhouette on the other side, accompanied by the rest of their friends and acquaintances. A head turned towards Thor, and they waved, prompting Thor to do the same.

Once they could cross, Thor went ahead of Loki, jogging across the empty street with his eyes glued to one friend in particular.

“Ah, there he is!” Bruce called to Thor.

“Banner!” Thor responded and wrapped his arms around the more petite man in a tight embrace. Feeling bold, he straightened his back to lift Bruce a few inches off the ground. “How wonderful it is to see you!”

“You just saw me this morning,” Bruce refuted as he was set back down.

Thor shrugged. “Always nice to see a friend.” He slung an arm around Bruce, allowing him to slip an arm around Thor’s back as he approached the rest of the group. “Quill! Good to see you too, my friend!”

Loki carefully observed the interaction until he felt a tap against his shoulder.

“Hey,” Tony muttered to him, “since when did they get so chummy?” He stuck a thumb at Thor and Bruce, and Loki shrugged. Tony glanced over at his two friends chatting away, and he leaned his head back. “Hm. I guess every scientist has to have a pet god or vice versa.” Loki made a face, but Tony disregarded it and latched a hand on Loki’s shoulder. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here! Maybe you and I can teach a few of these peasants how to really dress.”

Loki chuckled under his breath and smiled slyly. “Challenge accepted, though beware. Thor has an impeccable sense of style when he feels like it.”

“So, the three of us against everyone else?” Tony looked ahead. “Piece of cake.”

“If you’re roping him in to join a boy band, don’t forget about me,” Rhodey chimed in as he strolled up to the pair.

“Oh, come on, Rhodes,” Tony said, “You know you're always the 'duo' to my 'dynamic.'"

“Not how the phrase works, but you’re right.” Rhodey stepped up to Loki and held his hand out to him. “Hey, man,” he greeted. Loki glanced down and grasped it.

“Colonel,” Loki grinned. “You look fetching as ever.”

Rhodey grinned bashfully and waved a hand. “Oh, please. I’m just keeping up with my core exercises.” Tony separated from Loki as the group started to move down the sidewalk. Rhodey and Loki shared a look and fell into step with each other. “So, uh,” Rhodey lowered his voice, “how’s your thing?”

Loki blinked. “My … my thing?

“You know, your blue thing. How’s it going with that?”

“Same as always.”

“Really? Even with touching that big ice cube?”

Loki scrunched his nose. “Not really a pastime I enjoy.”

“Ok,” Rhodey nodded. “What about Lu? Anything on that front? Because a lot of the details are still lost to me.”

“Not much,” Loki said and tilted his head. “Even she’s still trying to understand it, so there isn’t much to be missed.”

“Heh, yeah, you’re right. I mean, that was almost two weeks ago. Time sure flies." Rhodey sighed. "I just hope she ends up ok. All this death-defying stuff is a protocol for folks like us, but not her. She's the," he paused, "mind-your-business-and-take-care-of-the-world type."

“Yeah,” Loki chuckled, “yeah, she is.” He sighed and looked over at Rhodey. “So how, uh, how are you?”

“How am I? Oh, I’m doing great. Yeah, with all the information I’ve given my superiors, they’re reconsidering my court-martial. Should be all taken care of by tomorrow afternoon.”

“That’s wonderful for you,” Loki smiled.

"Mhm, but that's the easy part. The first step in a long legal process for you guys.”

“Mm, debating my name in the press. What fun,” Loki replied sarcastically, eliciting a little laugh from Rhodey.

“Hey, we all saw what went down here, so you’re safe in that department.” Rhodey comforted him, giving his shoulder a friendly rub.

Up ahead, Steve led the group around and down another street. He paused by a café to check his phone for directions, lifting his head to wave at a pedestrian shouting ‘hi’ at him. It warmed his heart a little. Once he got a grasp of where he was, he pocketed his device and resumed his walk. To his right, he felt Sam nudge his arm.

“Hey,” Sam said, “why isn’t Bucky here? Kinda miss the cyborg.”

“Duty calls,” Steve answered. “Those goats of his need tending to, and he told me he already has a nice outfit. Also, I don’t think he likes shopping that much.”

“Mph, too bad. I was looking forward to seeing if I could convince him to wear a pink suit.” The pair shared a laugh.

“Maybe later when he’s warmed up.” Steve also wanted to see his friend dress up. He deserved a little pomp after decades of unfortunate circumstance.

As Sam shoved his hands in his pockets, he felt something bump his shoulder. He turned his head to inspect the intrusion and came face-to-face with an expectant Thor, Bruce long having separated from him to chat with Tony.

“Samuel,” he greeted.

“You know you can just call me Sam,”

Thor smiled gratefully. “Sam. Hi, hello.” He swallowed anxiously. “Uh, do you know where we’re going?”

"Steve does," Sam replied, gesturing to the aforementioned man. “T’Challa told him about this place when he said we should all go dancing tonight.”

“Hm, very kind of him. How come he’s not with us?”

He shrugged. “Oh, something about his girlfriend or fiancée coming earlier, so he’s skipping our little shopping trip. He should be coming to the club, though.”

Thor nodded. “Ah, yes. I remember him mentioning she’s been away. Good thing she’s home.”

“Hey, guys, it’s just up ahead,” Steve announced, pointing in front of him. Any small talk fizzled out for the attention to be paid to their upcoming destination.

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

The first thing Loki was taken with was the shop’s formality. The next was its size, and lastly, the variety. All colors and shapes as far as the eye could see. For lack of a better word, it was Candyland for the stylish man, and he couldn’t wait to have a taste.

“So,” Tony whispered to Loki, “do you have any idea where to start?”

“Absolutely none,” he replied, still in pleasant awe of his surroundings.

“How about that way?” Sam suggested as he pointed to the right. His fellows exchanged confirming glances, and they all set off to see what was in store.

The group stayed close together in fear of separating and getting lost in an unfamiliar space. It also helped to have a friend or two nearby to assist in picking clothes, especially those that were hopeless in style.

Loki and Tony shopped in parallel, rifling through shirts upon shirts and pants upon pants. It was frustrating work and felt longer than it was. They dreaded the try-on process, but Tony was looking forward to showing off, so it took the edge off for him. Loki, however, wished Luna was beside him to help him choose. He wanted to impress her, no matter if he didn't need to. He valued her opinion.

“So,” Tony broke the silence, “where is Lu anyway? Thought you two were attached at the hip by now.”

Loki smirked at his comment. “I can stand being away from her without perishing.” He paused and slung a matte green turtleneck over his arm. “She’s out shopping with the others. Probably getting a haircut now.”

“Really?” Steve questioned, having overheard from the other side of the aisle. “I should get one too,” he passed a hand over his facial hair, “and a proper shave while I’m at it.”

“Don’t you dare!” Loki rebuked. “Not when you finally look handsome.”

“Woah.” Steve was taken aback.

“He’s right,” Thor commented from the other aisle.

Steve turned to look at him. “I thought it put you off a little.”

Thor raised a brow. “Me? I’m a god, so I’ll always be the most handsome. To emulate my style makes you a close second.”

“Thanks?”

“You’re very welcome. Now,” Thor moved out of the aisle and approached Steve, “since we’re not worrying about hair, we can worry about our outfits. Come, I’ll assist you.” He put a hand on Steve's shoulder to usher him.

“You? Assist me?” Steve chuckled, allowing his friend to lead him.

Thor smiled kindly. “Yes. I didn’t spend all that time around royal tailors to learn nothing about style.”

Tony giggled, drawing Loki’s attention back. “God, I missed that guy.”

“Rogers?” Loki questioned, and Tony’s face fell.

“Nah, your brother. Steve can get lost.”

“My, my. So hostile.” Loki admired an iridescent button-down. “What happened?”

“Lu didn’t tell you?” Loki appeared confused, but Tony backtracked. “Oh, that’s right, she doesn’t really know.” He sighed and held a pair of geometric-patterned pants against his hips. “What do you think?”

“Very nice. Now, what did he do?”

“Kept secrets when he shouldn’t have.” Tony draped the pants over his arm. “Thought he was my friend, but he went behind my back with stuff I should have known about.”

“That’s why you got so mad. At Luna.”

“Yeah. Not my brightest moment, but yeah. I thought she was covering for you, but I realized I’m not the only victim here.” He smiled wryly at Loki and stepped around him. “Hey, let’s check over there. Barely anything in my size here.” He peered at Loki’s dismal collection. “And you too, by the looks of it.”

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

It was a struggle, but after an eternity of Loki doing his best to help Tony determine if a shirt was rose gold or an odd shade of orange, the pair finally made it to the fitting rooms, arms full of clothing options. Loki sighed and adjusted the pile he held. Having wrestled with his need to show off to everyone, now he desperately wished Luna was with him. She would have made for a more bearable shopping experience. He surveyed the sitting area, spotting Rhodey and Quill seated next to each other and chatting about something or other, and muscled through the exhaustion he felt for his company. At least the place was shiny and expensive, or he would have given up long ago.

“Hey,” Tony said, gently bumping him, “before you decide on anything, I like this one.” He snuck a hand out from under his pile and pinched the exposed sleeve of a shirt Loki held. Loki inspected it and briefly recalled which one that was.

“Noted,” Loki affirmed. “Now we see if it fits.”

“Can’t you just make anything fit? With your,” Tony wiggled his fingers, “whatever?”

Loki smirked and shrugged. “If I like it enough. It’s all about intention.”

“Right,” Tony said, sounding a bit flat. “I still don’t get how all that magic stuff works.”

“Depends on who you talk to. Anyway,” Loki tilted his head to the entrance to the fitting rooms, “shall we get a move on, as they say?”

"Yes, please." Tony shuffled alongside him. "I spend any longer holding this, and my hands will fall off."

Loki giggled. “Can’t have that, can we? What would you say to Miss Potts?”

"You know, you said that, and I immediately thought of 'Beauty and the Beast.'" Loki looked at him, confused. "You know, the cartoon movie? With the big furry beast guy and all the singing silverware?"

“Are you sure this wasn’t a nightmare you had?”

Tony pondered for a moment and shook his head. “No, I’m sure! I saw it in the theaters when it came out! Well, first, I smoked way too much and then bought out the theater, but I was there! It’s real!” Loki laughed aloud as they walked through the entrance and past the floor-length mirror. “What, you don’t believe me?”

“No, it’s just funny when you act like that,” Loki managed to say.

“Eh, just ask Lu about it later. It’s a shot in the dark, but she might actually like that movie.” Tony spotted the door to a fitting room slightly open and peeked inside. Seeing no person or possessions, he pushed the door with his elbow. “I’ll take this one. I think there’s one over there that’s empty.” He shut and locked the door without waiting for a reply.

Loki looked to his left and surveyed the doors. A few were closed with shadows moving beneath the bottom gap, but he spied a door sitting ajar not far from where he stood. He carefully approached it and gently knocked it with his toe. Like Tony’s room, it was empty and devoid of recent activity, so he went in and closed the door behind him. He hung up the clothes he picked and took a moment to admire the fitting room. It was tidy, well-lit, and befitting for his desires.

First, Loki tried on the tunics he picked up. They were exquisite but not for the occasion he intended, so he set them aside. He may still purchase one or two, but the thought was on the back burner of his mind. Next was the top he was most excited about; the shirt Tony favored.

And he was right to favor it. The semi-translucent black material was silken against Loki’s skin, like cool water on a warm day. He ran his hands down his chest and sides, smoothing the fabric out, and pulled the sleeves further down his arms. The hems sat snug around his neck, wrists, and hips, hugging his body like the rest of it. He twisted his shoulders to the left and right, bending forwards and backward. Upon inspection, he found it hardly rode up from where he had set it, giving him more reassurance it would last him through a night of dancing.

Against the light, Loki admired the emerald green sheen of the hexagonal design streaked up his arms like a racing stripe. This flair initially caught his eye, and upon seeing it donned on him, he fell more in love with it.

The more he looked in the mirror, the more he noticed about it. The hexagon shape permeated the shirt material, but the pattern could only be seen right as the light caught the pearlescent borders. Also, if viewed at the right angle, Loki could see the scar of a stab wound given to him by Corvus Glaive during a gruesome reconditioning session. He shuddered at the thought and frowned. He didn't want those to be the center of attention, and the shirt allowed that to happen if someone ogled him for a second too long, but he didn't want to give it up. So, in a quick fix, like he'd done many times, a wave of green washed over his body, effectively hiding any and all questionable marks.

Loki looked down and twisted his torso this way and that, staring hard at his reflection to see if he missed a spot. He even went so far as to lift the bottom hem to check his abdomen, but to his relief, his skin was the smooth alabaster from before he fell from the Bifrost. He sighed in contentment and tugged the hem back into place. Now, he was perfectly presentable.

Opening the door, Loki exited slowly, looking this way and that for any prying eyes. Seeing none, he stepped out and made his way to the exit. As he neared, he could make out his brother’s resounding voice from the lounging area.

“And where is Tree? I thought he liked dancing.”

“Oh yeah, he does,” answered someone else, “he just doesn't wear clothes. It makes no sense to go on a shopping trip if you don't wear clothes.”

“Yes, how right you are. And what about the rabbit and your large friend? They wear clothes.”

Thor must be talking to Quill. “Upon request to His Majesty, Rocket is getting his outfit specially tailored, but he and Drax are only going for the booze. No dancing, apparently.” Quill scoffed. “Spoilsports.”

“What? But it’s so fun!”

“That’s what I try telling them! But Drax insists it’s only for stupid people.”

“Well, his loss. More for us, then.”

Loki smoothed the shirt down one more time and stepped through the arching exit. He spied Tony’s back for a moment as he was gathering advice from his friends, so he cleared his throat to get his attention.

“Well, Tony,” he announced, making the man turn around, “I hate to say it, but you were right.”

“God damn!" Tony exclaimed and hurried over to Loki. “This is what you were self-conscious about?” He grabbed Loki’s shoulders. “Jeez.”

Loki smirked. “I have my moments.”

“Brother, this is an excellent choice!” Thor said, joining the ogling party. He peeked over Tony to admire Loki. “It’s like it was made for you.”

“Oh, well, I helped, so this is also half me,” Tony added, laying a hand on Loki’s chest to obtain a little bit of praise. Loki stiffened a bit at the contact but kept his composure.

“Tony?" he mumbled and glanced down at his hand.

Tony looked as well and withdrew it. “Yeah, sorry. It’s just … wow.” He looked admired him one more time. “Lu’s gonna go crazy.”

“In a good way, I hope.”

“In the best way.” Tony punctuated his reply with a wink.

“Well, I’m not the only one with an excellent eye.”

He waved a bashful hand at Loki. “Stop. You’re making me blush. Anyway, this is the one,” he gestured to Loki’s top, “so it’s my turn now. I’ve almost narrowed my choices down,” Tony stepped around Loki and towards the fitting rooms, “and I need your gorgeous green eyes to help me decide what’s what.”

"Fair enough," Loki remarked and watched his friend leave. He sighed contentedly and turned to Thor. "I think I'll change out of this now."

“Yes, good,” Thor replied. “You definitely want to keep this fresh for tonight. I know how you love to look presentable.”

Loki smiled at his brother and went back to his changing room. Once he was back in his original outfit, he gathered his selections and headed back to the sitting area. The empty seat beside Rhodey caught his attention, and he rushed to it, lest anyone else make a break for it. He leaned back against the seat and set his legs apart, draping his bundle of clothes over his left thigh. He pondered texting Luna to pass the time, but Rhodey took his attention before he could execute his thought.

“You better watch yourself,” said the colonel. “I think Tony might develop a crush on you if you aren’t careful.”

Loki chuckled. “The competition already defeated him, so I think he’ll have to remain with Miss Potts.”

“Yeah.” Rhodey smiled in amusement, glad he caught the little joke. “The shirt looks great, though. I mean it. That moon girl of yours is going to swoon.” His smile slid into a sly grin.

Loki’s brow furrowed. “Moon girl?" he questioned but answered it himself. “Oh, right. That’s what you call her.”

“Yeah. Everyone’s got a little nickname for her. Don’t you?”

Loki blinked. “Not really.”

“Just pet names?” Loki made to answer, but Rhodey interrupted. “You don’t have to tell me which ones. Sometimes they’re … gross.”

“Sometimes," Loki nodded, then sighed, letting silence fall between him and Rhodey.

The two sat together, admiring the surroundings and casually eavesdropping on their friends. Loki remembered his desire to message his beloved, but it seemed Rhodey had more to say. The message would have to wait.

“Coming back to your outfit,” Rhodey said, eyeing Loki’s pile on his leg, “you got any pants picked out?” Loki looked at him. “High-waisted ones are very disco. They were all the rage when I was a kid.”

“I haven’t, but thank you for the suggestion. And since Tony might be a while,” Loki gathered his clothes and stood up, “I’ll go have a look.”

“Good. You can leave all that here if you want.” Rhodey pointed to Loki’s bundle. “I can watch it.”

Loki glanced down at it. “Oh, alright.” He set it in his spot. “I shan’t be long.” And with that, he left for the clothing aisles.

Without a partner for a second opinion, perusing all the pairs of pants took an extra eternity. Loki would easily get distracted and sidetracked. He quickly started to miss Tony’s energy and keen sense of fashion. He wished he had some company to help him decide and maybe look where he hadn't yet.

“Hey, uh, Loki. Right?” said a voice to his left. Loki looked over and met the gaze of one Peter Quill.

“That’s correct,” Loki answered. Peter was nowhere near the company he wished for, but he may prove helpful if push came to shove.

Peter brought his hands together in front of him. “Great. Uh, I just wanted to say thanks again for, uh, you know,” he stepped closer, “saving Gamora.”

“Don’t thank me,” Loki huffed. “I really wish I hadn’t.”

Peter took a step closer. “Look, I get it that you hate her. You’re not the only one in the universe. But she means everything to me. Like, everything. I really love her, man, and I get the kind of guts it took not to cut and run, so I want you to know that I really appreciate that you stuck it out and brought her back.” His voice cracked near the end, betraying his emotional state.

Loki sighed, feeling his hostility ebb away. "Well, you're welcome." He tilted his head and turned back to the clothing rack. “I suppose I’m still perplexed as to why you would love someone like her.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I mean, you’re a human from Earth, from here, and she’s a …” Loki trailed off as he caught the final word before it was released into the air. But Peter wanted him to finish.

“A … what? Murderer?” He wasn't angry or even offended on Gamora's behalf. He knew better by now.

“Monster,” Loki finished, his voice soft and regretful. He felt like he was calling himself out. “What made you overlook it?”

Peter shrugged. “I didn’t run with the most ethical of crowds, if you know what I mean. I’ve stolen for a living since I was ten years old. I learned how to pilot spaceships when I should have been going for joyrides in my uncle’s Cadillac and shot ray guns when I should have only done that in arcade games.” He chuckled to lighten the mood and let his smile fade back out. “It wasn't a normal human life, but it was a good one. Gamora was searching for a good life after years of a bad one, and I just," he dug his toe into the floor, “I don’t know, she’s pretty.”

“I suppose,” Loki said, looking Peter up and down. “So you forgave her because you found her pretty?”

“No! I mean, I always thought she was a total smoke show, but it was the fact that she was trying to change her life for the better, even if it meant that she might not get out alive. She had more courage and heart than I could ever imagine when I met her. More than I ever had for myself. She showed me how to be a better man, made me want to be better. You know?”

Loki grinned in acknowledgment. “Now that I’m familiar with.”

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

With his new pants selection in tow, Loki made his way back to the sitting area. He didn’t want to go back to a fitting room and try them on, and luckily, he didn’t have to. Tony was correct in his assumption of magical adjustment. Plus, Loki was good at eyeballing and strongly speculated that the pants would fit perfectly well.

Loki greeted Rhodey with a nod as he picked up his garments and sat back in his seat. They would have struck up small-talk if it weren’t for Tony’s commanding voice, demanding to seek positive opinion.

“Ah, there you are. I was wondering where you ran off to,” Tony said to Loki. “Now, what do you think about this?” He gestured to his body, specifically the deep red wrap shirt he was wearing.

Loki tucked his clothes close to his body and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his widespread knees. He squinted his eyes as he roamed his gaze over Tony’s torso. It was a good top and flattered his physique, but it had one flaw he couldn’t ignore.

"It's a bit tight on the shoulders," Loki answered and leaned back.

“See? I told you!” Tony remarked to Rhodey, who most likely fibbed just to try and get out of the store sooner.

Loki giggled at the bickering best friends, his attention fizzing out as he felt a familiar vibration from his right pocket. He not-so-discreetly fished out his phone to find a new message from Luna.

“Hiya! I think we’re all through get our hair done, those of us that went. What are you up to?”

His little smile remained as he typed out his response.

“Still in the shop. Tony is very fussy.”

“Lol yeah, he can be like that. Are you going to get your hair done too?”

“The only one allowed to touch my hair is you.”

Loki set his phone down and twirled the little braid by his ear around his index finger. It was simple, but he wouldn't trade it for the great stylist in the universe. Nothing would feel the same.

After some more minutes of Tony deliberating, Loki’s phone buzzed again.

“Do you have your eye set on anything?”

Loki picked through his clothing bundle to peek at the shirt he had in mind.

“I think so. It’s promising.”

He was playing vague on purpose, leaving just enough room to stoke her curiosity. Though he knew she knew what his body looked like, she'd never seen him in anything so risqué. He wanted it to be a surprise.

“It is green?”

She probed some more. The color was specific, but he gave her an assurance, a little one for free.

“It is. Why do you ask?”

“Well, I love how you look in green.”

“But you say that about blue.”

“What can I say? I love how you look in everything <3 Or nothing at all ;3”

Loki’s eyes went wide as he felt his cheek flush with heat. Mouth agape, Loki’s phone slipped from his hand as he brought it over the lower half of his face and turned his head to the side. It wasn’t so much the lewd comment but the fact it caught him so off-guard. And, to add to the fire in his face, he’d never heard such a thing from Luna.

But his moment didn’t go unnoticed.

The thud from the cell phone caught Bruce’s attention. “Wait, are you,” he said, leaning closer, “are you blushing?”

Loki’s attention snapped to him. “What?” he muttered from behind his hand.

“Oh, he is!” Tony affirmed. “He’s blushing! Aw,” he plopped down next to Loki and threw an arm around him, poking his cheek, “so cute!”

“I didn’t think you could blush,” Rhodey commented from next to him.

Loki gently waved Tony off. “Stop.” But Tony squeezed his shoulder.

“Who’s got you so flustered? Huh? Who is she?”

Loki bit the inside of his cheek to suppress a grin and keep acting exasperated. “Is this what it’s like now? You tease me relentlessly?”

“Yeah, so get used to it.” Tony pat Loki’s cheek and left to attend his last outfit choice.

Breathing a heavy sigh, Loki leaned down and picked up his phone from where it dropped. He turned it back on to check the time and spotted a second message from Luna.

“Was that too much? Did I embarrass you?”

He bit at his thumbnail and typed out a response.

“Tony did the embarrassing. But you flatter me, darling, <3”

"Oh ok, so it was horrible and devastating for your ego? got it XD"

Loki chuckled at her sarcasm and kept it going.

“Horrifically so. you have to come kiss it better now”

From down the couch line, Steve and Sam watched him with the utmost discretion.

“You know,” Steve said, “that would really weird to watch if I didn’t know who he was talking to right now.”

“He’s acting like a teenager with a new girlfriend,” Sam replied. “Or boyfriend. I heard he’s, you know,” he rotated a hand, “like that.”

“Hm,” Steve grunted. He didn’t feel like adding fuel to that fire. “Well, I guess I’m glad he’s not with just anyone.”

“Yeah. Guess we don’t have to worry about him trying to rule the world while he’s here,” Sam joked with a smile.

Steve leaned closer. “Unless you-know-who asks him to.”

The two shared a pensive look and then a short burst of laughter.

“I forgot you could be funny,” Sam said, still in the midst of laughing.

“Hey, I still got plenty of good jokes in me,” Steve said with a grin. Their laughter died down with a contented sigh, and Steve looked back over at Loki. "But really, we're lucky." He leaned back in his seat. "She'll keep him stable."

----------

A/N:    Loki: bitch

           Gamora: blocked

           Loki: no wait unblock me I have something to say

           Gamora: ok unblocked

           Loki: bitch

———-