Hello Readers! I'm here to give a few warnings before you read. This story contains an abusive relationship for some parts, so if any of that triggers or offends you then I suggest not reading. I do have other cuter stories I have written!

To all of you who have stayed past the warning: Please Enjoy and leave a review at the end!

I also do not own Marvel, Avengers, or any character's except the ones of my own creation.

Also all of the chapter titles will be (Or try to be) a play on song titles. I will recommend listening to the songs that will be in each chapter.

For this chapter I recommend listening to Sia's California Dreamin' when you see the *

Chapter 1: Loki Dreamin'

Loki was begrudging but given his circumstances, he knew that refusal would only result in his being dragged along with the other's anyway. As part of a deal to get him out of prison and to show he had reformed, Loki had to join the Avengers. At first, he hated it with every fiber of his being. Yet over time, the god of mischief had found he actually enjoyed the praises of people he helped with the team.

Now he was in his private room in the Avenger's tower, dressed in a crisp all black suit with an emerald and gold tie. He smoothed his hair back with his hand as he observed his image in the mirror. There was a party tonight to celebrate one of the Avenger's recent victories over HYDRA. Loki was told that it was mandatory for everyone to be there, which naturally made him not want to attend. It was only the constant threat of Thor dragging him to the party that made him relent. He slid an emerald and gold tie pin on to polish off his outfit. He was a god… and gods had to look regal at all times. As the mischievous man made his way to the door, he cursed as he suddenly heard the one key component of this party that the billionaire had stressed in his head.

"It's a masquerade so don't forget your mask!" Tony's all too chipper voice echoed in Loki's' head.

The raven haired male sighed as he looked back at the mirror. A single slender finger glowed with emerald magic as he waved it over his eyes. His magic created an elegant gold and black mask over his eyes. With the finishing touch finally applied, he straightened his jacket before finally exiting his room. In the hallway, Thor waited outside the door to his room. The thunder god had dressed less formally than his brother, but it showed their differences. The blonde looked over at the raven haired approaching him, giving him a brotherly smile.

"How very like you Loki." Thor compliment. "Always dressed to pull at the heart strings of all the young maidens that lie in waiting."

Loki just rolled his eyes. "I was under the impression that the event was formal brother."

Thor laughed heartily at Loki's formality. He clapped a hand on his back, nearly causing the taller male to fall over.

"They always are intended to be, but by the end of the night everything becomes much more relaxed." Thor's voiced boomed joyously.

It was then the voices of the rest of the team soon echoed down the hall as the two Asgardians turned their attentions to the others. The team soon was walking down the hall and into the extravagant ballroom of Stark Tower. The room erupted into applause as all the other masked guests turned their attention to the heroes. They all soon dispersed into small groups. Tony, Rhodey, and Thor were mingling with many of the higher ranking SHIELD agents. Natasha, Bruce, and Sam were all at the bar trying to get drunk enough to interact with these snobs. Steve stood awkwardly in a corner, but conversed with some of the older guests. Loki, however, held a glass of rich red wine in his fingers as he sat at the bar with his legs crossed. He enjoyed watching how human's interacted with one another, his devious emerald-cerulean eyes falling upon a cluster of women he could tell were fawning over him. Even here he had that effect on women. A grin played across his lips as he noticed a few of them mustering the courage to come over and talk to him. Much to his dismay, Tony stepped in front of them, eliciting a groan from the god.

"You might want to get a closer seat." The billionaire told Loki, causing the taller male to quirk an eyebrow. "Let's say, your brother told me how fond you are of music and you do not want to miss the entertainment I booked for tonight."

Just then, the crowd hushed and all of them turned their attention to the stage where a microphone stood. The soft sound of heels echoed off the perfectly polished floor. Loki rose from his seat and followed Tony towards the stage, his wine glass still in hand. A woman dressed in an emerald dress which clung to her perfect hourglass figure with off the shoulder sleeves stood before the microphone. Tony stood before her on the floor. A delicate black lace mask covered her face just around her doe-like hazel eyes.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Nightingale of New York, Ms. Iris Blake." Tony introduced the singer just as the piano began to play.*

Tony took his spot by Loki. It was true he admired music greatly, but he was extremely critical and found most modern singers to be dull and lacking in their voice. The god of mischief had never been left speechless until he heard Iris begin singing.

All the leaves are brown

And the sky is grey

I've been for a walk

On a winter's day

He couldn't take his eyes off of her as her voice echoed across the hushed crowd. Her voice. It was unlike any he had ever heard. She had him completely hypnotized with the ebb and flow her perfect control, flawlessly switching between a soft hush to a powerful belt. He didn't know when, but Tony had leaned closer to him.

"Told you so." Tony smirked.

"Hush." Loki quickly shushed the billionaire so he could properly focus all of his attention back to Iris.

I'd be safe and warm

If I was in LA

California Dreamin'

On such a winter's day

Throughout her performance, not a single person could take their eyes off of her. In Loki's mind, her title was a perfect fit. He saw others began to mingle once more as she continued singing, but he found himself unable to move from his spot. He tucked a hand into his pocket as kept his entire focus on the singer before him. She was like the mythical siren and he the sailor she had captivated. After about thirty minutes, Iris bowed her head to take a break as the pianist helped her down the stairs of the stage. She let the gathered part of her dress in her hand fall as she stepped onto the hardwood floor. Her heels delicately clicked toward the bar, Loki following not too far behind her.

"What will it be for you sweetheart?" Natasha asked, playing the role of bartender for the night.

"Just a water please." Iris smiled sweetly. "Maybe after my next set I'll get a glass of wine."

Natasha chuckled softly as she handed the woman a bottle of water. Iris took the glass bottle into her hands, opening it just as Loki settled himself against the bar next to her. The god towered over her smaller form as he looked for Natasha to give a refill of his wine.

"Are you enjoying your night sir?" Iris asked formally, looking up as Loki's emerald eyes looked down at her.

"I will admit I wasn't, until you began singing." Loki admitted, turning on his full charm toward the mortal woman before him.

Natasha set his wine glass down between them before heading down the bar to help a few other guests. His slender fingers carefully took the glass.

"Well I'm glad I could brighten someone's night. I must admit…. This is a little more extravagant than where I usually sing." Iris chuckled as she sipped on her water.

"And where do you usually perform?" Loki asked, raising an eyebrow as he was genuinely curious.

"The shower mostly." A male interrupted, speaking before Iris could as he walked over to the pair. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling the small singer close to his side. "I don't think we've had the pleasure of meeting: Erik Thompson, head researcher for Stark Industries."

Erik extended his hand to Loki, who shook it out of formality rather than wanting to. This Erik gave the god of mischief a feel of dread as he noticed Iris' whole demeanor changed at his appearance.

"Loki Laufeyson." Loki introduced himself as he shook the man's hand.

Iris' eyes went wide. She had been talking to an actual avenger just a few moments ago? Erik's hold on her side tightened a bit before loosening. She looked up at her boyfriend, confusion dancing around her eyes.

"I think it's time for your next set love." Erik smiled, kissing her temple before giving her a gentle nudge toward the stage.

Iris nodded silently, taking a few steps toward the stage before turning. She smiled at the god of mischief.

"It was nice to meet you Mr. Laufeyson." Iris spoke softly before turning back and walking to the stage.

Loki watched her disappear into the crowd of people before his attention was snapped back to the man next to him. He took a sip of his wine to try and wipe the annoyed look from his face. Erik now held a drink in his hand, also taking a sip of it. The atmosphere around Erik has suddenly changed as Iris now took the stage again.

"That's quite a woman you have there Mr. Thompson." Loki tried to be cordial with Erik.

"Oh she is." Erik chuckled darkly. "Though she's a bit hard to control, though you usually don't have a problem with controlling people do you?"

Loki merely rolled his eyes. This mortal worked for Stark so of course he had known about his previous attempt to take over Earth and about his powers. Loki set his glass down on the bar before turning to fully face the shorter male next to him.

"I don't need my powers to get any woman I want." He coolly stated with a grin.

"Then take any other woman you want." Erik took up Loki on his challenge, glaring at the god. "Iris is mine and I'm the only man that she will ever need…"

"My, my, my, you mortals do have a habit of playing god don't you? Well Mr. Thompson let me give you some advice; a mask can only hide so much. Pretty soon your ugliness will be revealed and no one will want you…" The god of mischief stabbed back with his insult before turning on his heel to end the conversation.

What an arrogant little shit that Erik was. Loki had to walk out onto the balcony to settle his rising anger before he lost his cool. His pale hands gripped the railing as he stared out over the New York skyline. It was not as magnificent of a sight as Asgard, but still a beautiful sight for Earth. Was he growing soft from his extended time spent here?

"What's bothering you Frosty?" Tony's voice called out from the doorway.

Loki scoffed at the nickname that the billionaire had thrusted upon you as an "initiation" to the team. He turned to face Tony.

"I just wanted to get away from the crowds for a bit is all." Loki told him before turning his attention back to the sky.

"You're missing Iris sing though." Tony retorted.

"I don't think her little guard dog would like me watching her so closely." He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Thompson you mean? That guy is such an asshole. Don't listen to him Frosty. Go enjoy yourself and I'll remind Thompson who signs his checks."

Loki actually chuckled at the threat Tony could cut the arrogant little man with. After a few more moments, the raven haired male turned back and headed back into the full swing of the party. However, as he made his way to the stage, he found that Iris was no longer up there. Scanning the room, he found she wasn't there either. Maybe she had already left? He sighed to himself before he used one of his illusions to appear that he was still there as the true Loki exited the doors to the hallway. As he walked down the hall, he could faintly make out the barely audibly sounds of two people fighting. Loki silently stalked the hall until he found the source of the quarrel.

"Let go of me Erik." Iris quietly pleaded . "You're hurting me!"

"Shut up!" Erik snapped, causing a whimper to escape from the singer's lips. "You think I didn't see what you were doing?!"

Loki hid around the corner as he eavesdropped on the two's argument.

"You're trying to whore your way into the Avengers now." Erik spat venomously as another soft cry escaped from Iris's lips. "Don't think I don't know what you were doing. I'm not an idiot!"

"I was just talking to him is all…" Iris cried softly.

"You know that only I am allowed to have you…. You know that they would never accept a monster like you into their team." Erik sneered at his trembling girlfriend. "If they knew half of what I did, you wouldn't of been here tonight… If I knew Stark had asked you to sing, I would have told him to find someone else."

"I just wanted to sing Erik… That's all." Iris's voice cracked with her plea.

Then the sharp crack of a hand hitting her cheek echoed off the wall as Loki could hear her fall to the floor and cry out in pain. If Loki's blood wasn't already boiling moments ago, it certainly was now. He wanted to intervene, but would it truly make things any better for the singer? Would he just make things worse and cause her more pain at the hand of this cruel man? It was when he heard another cry escape her lips that all of his rational senses snapped. Loki quickly rounded the corner, grabbing the wrist of the hand of Erik, who was about to grab Iris by the hair. Erik turned to look with burning eyes at the god of mischief.

"I believe you should leave Mr. Thompson." Loki spat as he easily tossed him down the hall toward the elevator.

Loki offered a hand to Iris, who accepted it with her trembling one. He helped her to stand and guided her back down the hall and into another elevator. He pressed the "B" button, watching as the door closed. Iris kept her gaze low as tears pricked at her eyes. Erik had been cruel to her for years, but never like this. Never in public.

"Is there anywhere I can take you dear?" Loki spoke sweetly as he offered a golden handkerchief he summoned with his magic.

"My apartment…" Iris spoke meekly as she dried her eyes before trying to hand the cloth back to Loki.

He merely placed it in her hand, using his larger hand to curl her fingers over the silky fabric. He hadn't once looked at her the whole elevator ride down, but now his emerald eyes glanced over her form. A new form of anger rising in him as he saw what that man had done to her. Iris still kept her gaze to the floor as Loki's eyes roamed from the bruise on her cheek to the bruises on her wrists.

"I'll make him suffer." Loki mistakenly said out loud.

Iris shook her head. "Don't… I... It'll only make things worse… I'm not worth it…"

Before Loki could argue the elevator door opened and he guided Iris out of the cool steel structure to one of the many cars in the underground garage. One thing he had found himself enjoying while on earth was driving. For some reason it was a great stress relief to him. He migrated to his favorite of Stark's vast collection: A dark green and black sports car. He opened the passenger door for Iris, ensuring she was fully in and buckled before shutting her door and getting into the driver's seat.

"FRIDAY, please have the GPS take me to Ms. Blake's address." Loki instructed the AI as he started the car.

He pulled out of the garage and into the seemingly empty New York streets. Iris stared out at the scenery that passed by, trying to ignore the burning pain in her wrists. She felt a coolness encompass the wrist she had rested in her lap. Hazel eyes wandered from the window to see Loki's larger pale hand resting over her wrist. She could have sworn his hands were warm when he helped her up. As if sensing the question forming in her head, the god let out a small chuckle.

"Being a frost giant has some perks." Loki answered as she turned to look at him.

"I thought giants were like over forty feet tall." Iris replied with a smile on her face.

Before Loki could even open his mouth to make a smart remark, Iris' small voice spoke.

"Thank you Mr. Laufeyson." She cordially thanked the god seated next to her.

"Loki." He corrected her with a playful smirk on his lips. "There is no need to thank me, Ms. Blake."

"Iris." She corrected him back in the same manner he had corrected her.

Soon enough, he pulled up to the sidewalk outside her apartment. He removed his hand from her wrist as he exited the car, walking around to open her door for her. Iris gladly accepted the hand he offered her as he helped her out of the car and onto the sidewalk. The night air was cold, causing the singer to shiver a bit before she was encompassed by the warmth of Loki's suit coat as he rested it over her shoulders. He followed directly beside her as she walked into the building before them. It was a short elevator ride to the third floor and an even shorter walk to the door to her apartment. Iris turned back to look up at the much taller male behind her.

"Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?" Iris asked as a soft smile came across her lips.

"I would be delighted to accept your invitation, Ms. Bla…" Loki started before correcting himself. "Iris."

Iris opened the door to her apartment, hanging her purse on a nearby coat hook. Loki removed his jacket from her shoulders and hung it up as well. Emerald eyes danced around the abode, taking in every detail. It was larger than most apartments he had been in and lightly decorated. His eyes wandered over to a bookcase, which housed records and CDs instead of books. A record player sat on a wooden table next to bookcase. The singer took a few more steps before a meow echoed throughout the apartment, causing her to turn to Loki.

"I should warn you," Iris began to explain, "I have a cat. Her name is Amber and she isn't too fond… of…"

The sight before caused Iris to cover her mouth to hide the goofy smile spreading across her lips. Amber, her tortoise shell cat that everyone said was too ugly to get adopted, was rubbing all against Loki's legs and purring as loudly as she could. Seeing the god of mischief, bend down to pick up the cat and stroke it ever so gently melted her heart into a puddle on the floor.

"Well hello there Amber." Loki greeted the feline, earning him an affectionate nuzzle of her head to his chin. "It's very nice to meet you."

"I think I'll go change before I make the tea." Iris told him as she made her way to her bedroom.

She shut the door and sighed softly to herself, softly cursing herself for inviting Loki in. She tore the mask from her face and tossed it onto her bed in irritation. It wasn't because she didn't want him to come in… but she felt bad because she had had to been rescued by him. She sighed again before pulling the zipper to her dress down her side, letting the soft fabric pool at her feet before stepping out of it. She walked over to her dresser and tossed on a simply oversized sweater and a pair of leggings. Grabbing a hair tie from on top of her dresser, she tied her hair up in a messy curled ponytail before exiting her room. As she rounded the corner to the living room, she smiled as she saw Loki sitting on the couch with Amber curled up in his lap. He too had removed his mask.

"Which kind of tea do you like?" Iris asked as she crossed the living room and into the kitchen area behind the couch.

"Surprise me." Loki glanced back at her, as his hand mindlessly petted Amber. "Iris… There is something I have been meaning to ask you since the car ride over."

"And what's that?" She asked as she filled the kettle with water before setting it on the stove.

"What did Erik mean when he said that if we knew half of what he did that you wouldn't have been at the party tonight?" That was what had bothered him the most. Well that and… "And why did he call you a monster?"

Iris had to juggle the coffee cup in her hand at Loki's sudden straightforward questions. She tried to calm herself as she finally regained control of the cup and set it down. Her hands trembled on the ceramic surface. He had heard all of that? Iris shook her head. She knew that she couldn't tell him… at least not yet.

"He was just angry and drunk." Iris replied after a few moments of silence to calm herself. "He… he always says stuff like that when he's angry and we've been together for almost 5 years so he knows a lot about me that most people don't."

Iris opened a cabinet, cursing that her good tea was on the very top shelf. She huffed softly as she tiptoed up to try and grab it. However as the barely tips of her fingers skimmed the bottom of the box, a pale hand reached up and grabbed it from behind her. She quickly spun around to see Loki directly behind her… and also on the couch?

"H…how?" Iris asked inquisitively as she carefully took the box of tea from the second Loki before it disappeared with a puff of green smoke.

"A simple duplicate." Loki explained. "They don't call me the god of mischief for nothing."

Loki could tell that Iris was lying with her answers. She could tell him when she was ready to, but for now he would be content with having saved her. Silence filled the room as Iris moved to prepare the cups of tea. The kettle began to whistle and she quickly turned the stove off, pouring the boiling water into each cup.

"Honey or sugar, Mr. Laufeyson?" She asked him as she grabbed both the sugar and honey jar in front of her.

"One spoon of honey please, Ms. Blake." Loki said overly cordial to tease the singer.

She chuckled as she put a single spoon of honey into both before bringing the two cups over to the couch, setting them on the coffee table in front of them. Amber had decided to move to the seat just to the right of Loki, allowing Iris to sit to his left. She held her cup in two hands as she cautiously sipped the steaming amber liquid. Loki had his cup in one hand, sipping from it as his emerald eyes wandered over Iris. His eyes stopped on her wrists, which now only had light yellow and green speckled bruises. Were his eyes deceiving him? He could have sworn that they were purple in the car ride over.

"I don't think I could ever repay you for your kindness tonight." Iris' voice broke him out of his concentration.

"Hearing you sing tonight is payment enough." Loki let a genuine smile slip across his lips. "Of all of the Midgardian music I have heard, none compare to you in talent or beauty."

A blush spread across her cheeks as she shyly looked into her cup of tea, causing a chuckle to escape his lips.

"Well… I'm singing at a night club tomorrow night," She detailed, "You…. And the Avengers should come. It'd be nice to have some morale support there."

"We would be delighted to see you perform Iris." He accepted.

The rest of the night was spent just talking and sipping on their tea. After one of the many stories Loki was sharing about his many misadventures as a child in Asgard, he glanced over at the clock. It read 4:36AM. He looked back over at Iris, seeing the sleep that threatened to overtake her. He set his cup on the table before them before carefully taking her's out of her hand and setting it down as well. Carefully hooking an arm under her knees and around her shoulders, he picked her up and carried her to her bedroom.

"Thank you." Iris tiredly thanked the man as he set her in the bed, pulling the blankets over her.

"You're welcome, my dear." Loki smiled as he tucked some hair behind her ear.

"Could you grab my phone out of my purse?" She asked as she rolled over, almost immediately falling asleep. "It's my alarm for work tomorrow."

Loki stood up and teleported to the door of her apartment, spotting the black leather bag hanging from its strap on the coat hanger. He reached in and fished out the small cellular device. The home screen activated as it showed that Iris had 65 unread text messages and 26 missed calls, all from Erik. His emerald eyes rolled as he tapped on them, thankful that she didn't have a password. He deleted all of the messages before teleporting back to Iris' room.

"I've got…" He cut himself off as Iris had already fallen asleep.

He plugged her phone onto the charger by her bed before walking around the bed to look at Iris' sleeping face. He bent over, his slender fingers gently running down her cheek as he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. With that, he teleported out of her apartment and down to the car on the sidewalk.

A person sat in a car, watching the green and black sports car pull away. The figure pulled out a phone, pressing a contact and holding it up to their ear.

"This better be good." A male voice came from the other end.

"I have information regarding your missing Siren." The person looked up at Iris' apartment as they spoke.

"I'm listening." The man spoke in a more interested tone.

"I've found her location. Have your men come to pick her up in three days. I can assure she will be alone so everything will go according to plan." The person smirked.

"Very well. Three days. Hail HYDRA."

"Hail HYDRA."