#pointless fluff

Before anyone can take the blame, FRIDAY is announcing the arrival of the two Asgardians. You're sitting closest to the door when both Thor and Loki walk in.

"If it isn't my favorite Midgardians," Thor says, his voice booming through the conference room. He steps up behind you and ruffles your hair. You wrinkle your nose and push your head up into his hand. "Hi, Thor."

"Hi, Loki," you exclaim, though you still haven't turned around to look at either of them.

"What exactly is she doing?" Loki asks the room.

"Cat's Cradle," you answer.

"Hah, but where's the cat?" Thor interrupts.

"There's not a cat. It's a game," Bucky grunts, his fingers still intertwined in the thread.

"What's the objective of this game?" Thor continues.

"I'm not explaining this again," Bucky mumbles.

"So you're responsible for this!" Tony exclaims, gesturing to the way you've tangled both yourself and Bucky.

"And done!" you announce, showing off the pattern you made and pecking Bucky on the lips to thank him, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Bucky smiles at you.

"Hold on, the two of you?" Loki interrupts, looking around the room to see if anyone else finds this pairing strange.

Bucky's head snaps away from you and all evidence of the warm smile is gone when he glares at Loki. "Is there a problem with that?"

"I think what my brother is trying to say is that it's...unexpected. You and Rainbow Sunshine over there," Thor says, gesturing over to you, who's starting a new pattern already.

"Me and Steve did not spend all that time playing Cupid for anyone to have a problem with the two of them," Sam huffs, crossing his arms. "You should be thanking us- Bucky's way nicer now."

"Bucky was nice before," you interject.

"Yeah, that was only to you," Wanda corrects.

Tony stands up, directing all attention to the head of the table. "You know as thrilling as talking about Barnes' relationship, I have a better use of our time."

"Yes, thank you, Tony. Back to the meeting," Steve impatiently nods, ready to start the meeting that was supposed to start half an hour ago.

"Hold on, Cap," Tony interjects. "Before we get to the boring stuff, I have a hypothetical. Pinky pie, Wanda, and Loki, who would win?"

"I would," Thor proudly declares.

"You're not in this," Tony dismissively sighs. "Just the three of them."

"I wouldn't fight them- they're my friends," you reply, looping a thread around your fingers again. You sigh in defeat as you realize you've messed up your pattern again, and Bucky affectionately sighs before fixing it for you once more. 

"As nice as that is- you don't actually have to fight them," he sighs. "It's not actually going to happen. Just think about it for a second."

"Okay," you shrug, still more focused on your game.

"Well, it's quite obvious that I would win," Loki boasts, pridefully crossing his arms and sitting further up in his seat.

"I actually don't think it's that obvious, especially considering I'm probably one of the most powerful people in this room. Not to brag or anything," Wanda confidently remarks.

"I think she would win," Bucky says, nudging his head to you.

"You think...she could beat me?" Loki says, looking at the way you've just tangled your fingers again. And the way your shoes are completely unlaced, so you could play this game. "Just look at her."

"I could just set the two of you on fire," you offhandedly remark. And other than Steve practically spitting out his water, the room goes silent as everyone turns to watch you. You look up after a second to find out what's got everyone so quiet. "What? What did I say?"

"Good Lord," Sam mumbles, finally breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I think you and Barnes need to break up," Tony says, gesturing to the two of you.

"Wait, why?" you whine.

"He can't actually make us break up, Doll," Bucky assures you, gently stroking your arm.

"Right," you nod.

"I think I've made friends with the wrong mortals," Loki says, popping up in the other open seat next to you. "Hello, little one," he purrs, winking at you.

"Move before I move you," Bucky barks, watching the way Loki's leaning into you.

"I've got 20 bucks on Loki," Steve whispers to Sam.

"I'll take that," Sam wryly whispers back. "No way she lets Loki touch him."

"You two know that I can hear you?" Bucky hisses to his two friends.

"No need to be jealous, James," you say, leaning further into his shoulder. "But Sam's right - I'd protect you."

Emily had never been able to determine which was her favourite type of kiss from Aaron. She changed her mind every time. The slow lazy ones first thing in the morning as he pulled her into consciousness when she ignored her alarm. The harsh ones that were all teeth and tongue as they fought for dominance. 

He was always kissing her. Putting his lips on any part of her he could. Her shoulder, her cheek. Her temple as he snuck past her at their kitchen counter as she made coffee in the morning. Emily thinks it’s his way of trying to press love into her skin, reminding her how precious she was to him. 

As if he ever made her feel anything other than loved.

It was part of why she was so pissed off. She was sick, a bug she had caught from Jack, and had all but banned Aaron from kissing her until she was better. A self imposed punishment she hated herself for suggesting. 

He had been driving her crazy, and the worst part was she knew she was being unreasonable. That he was simply looking after her, trying to make her better with tea and soup and stroking her hair until she fell asleep. 

After two days of what felt a little too close to coddling for her liking, barely letting her get out of bed or off the couch, she snaps. At him and at Jack, who had been almost as bad as Aaron in his quest to make her feel better. She had immediately felt terrible as Aaron led Jack out the room, saying she needed to sleep, a kind smile on his face she felt she didn’t deserve. 

An hour after she shouted at them a tentative knock came to their bedroom door, followed immediately by Aaron walking in. His hands in the air like she’s an unsub holding him at gunpoint, a smirk on his face that she hates as much as she loves. 

“I come in peace.” 

She sighs and puts her hand out, inviting him over to the bed she is sprawled in the middle of. He smiles at her and walks over, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking her hand. 

“I’m sorry.” She sniffs, lamenting all the times she was able to breathe out of her nose properly and took it for granted. “I’m just not used to having people around when I’m sick.” 

“No need to apologise, sweetheart.” He lifts her hand to his lips and presses them to her knuckles. “I realise we were probably going overboard.” 

“No, it’s sweet.” She argues. “I’m just a terrible sick person.” 

“Well I can’t argue with that.” 

She opens her mouth in outrage, having half expected him to disagree with her, but before she can say anything further another knock comes to the open door. She looks over and sees Jack standing there, a tentative look on his face that makes him look so much older than his 7 years. 

“Jack, come over here honey.” She beckons him over and he bounds across the room, joining them on the bed. He sits on her other side and she is struck by how happy and safe she feels in between her Hotchner men, in the house she shares with them. Jack leans against her side, sharing his fathers love for being near her as often as possible. 

She runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry I yelled, Jack. It wasn’t nice.” 

“It’s ok, Daddy is grumpy when he’s sick too.” 

She bites her lip at that to stop herself from smiling. She looks at Aaron, the look of indignation on his face enough to make a laugh bubble out from her. 

“He does get grumpy, huh?” She jokes, tickling Jack as she does. 

They sit there for a while, the three of them talking and enjoying each other’s company until she yawns twice within a couple minutes, and Aaron decides she needs to nap. She’d argue, but the exhaustion seeping into her bones has her agreeing.

Aaron has the nerve to tuck her into the bed, something she narrows her eyes at him for, but he presses his lips to her forehead and she melts. He whispers words of love against her skin before he kisses her there again. 

Jack, sweet kind adorable Jack, kisses her forehead too, mirroring his father like he did with everything.