Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even Loki.

GAAAAAAH!

I watched Thor and The Avengers the other day, and now I've been Loki'd. Big time. Like, I have a board on Pinterest dedicated to him.

Anyway, in anticipation for the new Thor movie, I have been inspired to write this little fiction. Once again, what ifs. What if, instead of taking Loki back to Asgard, Thor dropped him in a tiny little town all by himself and forced him to live among humans? What if he didn't have his powers, aside from lying and getting into trouble?

So, why don't we find out?

Sit back and enjoy!

Love always,

Avoline

Meeka sat at the table, indulged in the book before her. She had waited months for it to be released, and now nothing would interrupt her attention. She did glance up every so often when the door to the coffee shop opened, only to see an ex-boyfriend walk in, or a stranger and his girlfriend. She sighed, wondering when she would find her own Prince Charming.

She had tried numerous times. Each boy she dated seemed to only have one thing in mind. She wasn't that kind of girl; she had standards and wouldn't settle for anything less. No one eligible in this pathetic town seemed to meet her standards, and she didn't have the money to move away.

Guess I'll just die an old maid.

"Excuse me?"

She looked up, stunned to see a man before her. He was different somehow. His looks were nothing like the others in town, and she wondered if he was just moving to town or if he was simply passing through.

"Yes," she answered, her voice even.

"May I sit here," he inquired. "I would understand if you said no." She laughed, kicking herself when he gave her a confused look.

"Of course," she replied, marking her place in her book. "I could use a companion." She set it aside as he took a seat across from her. "So, I take it you're not from around here?" He shook his head.

"No, I'm not," he responded solemnly. "I... came here cause I haven't anywhere else to go. I have... embarrassed my family, and cannot return home."

"So you're looking to make a new home here," she asked, wondering why he would choose such a hopeless place. He smiled, and was caught off guard by how handsome he was. His green eyes twinkled with... regret, maybe? Or was it mischief?

"This was the first place I came across that seemed appropriate," he stated simply. "So far, you're the first friendly face I've seen. And you seem to enjoy literature." He gestured to her book, Clockwork Princess. She grinned.

"I've read the first two five times waiting for that one," she informed the handsome stranger. "It's the last one in the series, and I'm curious to see what the author has in store for the character's lives." She glanced at her watch. "I hate to cut our conversation short, but I've got to get home and feed my dog."

"May I join you," he asked, and she picked up on the small amount of fear in his voice. She met his gaze. "I used my remaining funds getting here, and-"

"Don't have enough for a hotel," she finished for him. He nodded, and she pondered the possibilities. She did have a spare bedroom, and an air mattress that she could sleep on for the night.

"Sure," she began. "But only for one night. Handley isn't fond of strangers, and I'd hate for her to yank off your hand." He chuckled, and she couldn't figure out why her heart was fluttering. She didn't even know his damn name, and had just met him.

This was going to be a long night.

"Here we are," she announced as she put the KIA in park. "It's not much, but it's home." She watched as he assessed the small, double-wide modular home.

True, it wasn't much. A tiny kitchen, and two even smaller bedrooms. But it was enough for her. She didn't need that much room, anyway, and the neighborhood was quiet. Why should she care what a total stranger thought?

"I'm sure it's nice inside," he commented. She shook her head and got out of the car, making her way to the door. She swiftly unlocked it, and they both entered the small house.

"Handley," she called, and was greeted by the small Jack Russel terrier. Before she could blink, the dog charged at her guest, her mouth clamping around his leg. "Handley, no!"

"It's okay," he laughed, clearly not phased by the sudden attack. "She can't bite through my boot. She's not hurting me." She watched, stunned, and he reached down and scratched Handley behind the ear. The animal let go of his leg and licked his hand.

Well, this was certainly different.