Tori sat at a bench in the park not far from the Avengers Tower. She had her skateboard leaning up against the bench and her iPod blaring Black Veil Brides in her ear. Across the sidewalk from her was the skate park. Beyond the Tower the sky was darkening and she figured she had a good hour or two before it began to rain. Right as she was about to get up to leave, someone drew her attention. He seemed out of place and very familiar. In a split second she decided to follow him. She made sure he didn't notice her as she followed him over to a deserted picnic area where he picked up a long stick. He looked at it for a little bit before he swung it around as if he was fighting an unseen enemy. She watched him for a bit before speaking up.
"You know that's a stick you're holding, right?" Tori asked walking up to him. She didn't mean to be rude but she was concerned that a grown man was swinging around a stick in the middle of a park. It was partially deserted but still.
"I was pretending." Loki said in a low but strong voice, pointing the stick at her.
"Pretending? I didn't think grown-ups could pretend." Tori said as she sat down on the picnic table closest to him. Loki consider this girl for a moment, she was young and looked to be in her mid-teens. Her hair was unlike any color he'd seen and her eyes were like a cold, dark emerald with a tiny hint of warmth hiding away inside.
"So you're saying I can't pretend because I'm above certain age?" He asked her lowering the stick.
"For grown-ups it's a very thin line between pretending and lying." She said as she hopped off the table and picked up a stick of her own. "And you look like you're lying to yourself."
"You're just a child, what would you know." He said harshly.
"I don't know much," Tori said as she swung the stick at him calmly. Loki dodged it and stepped away from her. "But there is one thing I do know. What's the point in picking up a stick if you're not going to use it."
"What's the point in beating a child with a stick?" He asked her with an annoyed look.
"Some people would argue that the answer to that is discipline." Tori said as she dropped the stick and picked up her skateboard. "I know for a fact you have nowhere to stay. So, if you want, you're welcome at my home."
"I won't take help from someone who's way beneath me." Loki said angrily.
"You've fallen so far nothing is beneath you. Mighty God or not, it's going to rain and you're gonna get wet." Tori said. "You can follow me or get a cold."
"What kind of human offers their home to a stranger?" He asked as he set down the stick.
"You're not a stranger, not really." Tori said she then turned to leave without hesitation. Loki waited for a minute to see if she would turn around to see if he was following her. When she didn't he quickly caught up to her.
"Had to think about it first didn't you?" Tori asked, without looking at him. Loki said nothing as they walked towards the city.

"This is where you live?" Loki asked in disbelief as they entered the Avengers Tower. He was ready to run out at any moment.
"Yeah, why, It that a problem?" Tori asked. "If you're worried about my dad don't be. He won't even look up from his work. Just let me do the talking."
"And you're sure about this?" Loki asked. "I think it's fair to tell you that I'm a handful."
"I'm sure I can handle it." Tori said as they got in the elevator. Once they got off, Tori motioned for him to be quiet.
"Hey dad," Tori called to Tony who was busy working at a touch screen.
"What's up kiddo." He said without looking away from the screen.
"I found a...lost puppy." Tori said looking at Loki. "Can I keep it?"
"Sure hon." Tony said still completely focused on the screen. "But it's your job to take care of it."
"Thanks Dad. I'll be in my room if you need me." Tori said as she pulled Loki through the door that led to the hallway.
"A lost puppy, Is that what I am to you?" Loki asked angrily.
"Well it was that or 'Dad I found Loki in that pack can I have him?' and I'm pretty sure the answer would be no." Tori said as she grabbed a hold of his sleeve and lead him down the hall and into her room.
"Am I to stay in your room?" Loki asked with a slight smirk.
"You can sleep on the couch over there or I can tell your brother that you're here." Tori said as she put her skateboard in her closet.
"Very well." He said as he lay down on the couch.
As Tori slid off her shoes someone knocked on her door. Loki got up and hid behind the couch as she went over to the door.
"I know he's in there Tori, open the door." Thor's voice boomed from the other side of the door. She opened it quickly and yanked him inside.
"Not so loud!" She hissed at him, irritably . "My Dad doesn't know. How did you know?"
"I saw you bring him in." Thor said "Now where is her?"
"Right here brother." Loki said as he stood up from behind the couch.
"That's some lost puppy you have there." Thor said to Tori.
"You heard that?" Loki asked
"Yes I did, Brother." Thor said with a smile. "It's quite funny."
"So I can keep him right?" Tori asked.
"Of course. Just not in your room." Thor said.
"Then the empty one next to mine." Tori said. "He's my puppy and I'm supposed to take care of him.
"Will the two of you stop it with that puppy business?" Loki said angrily. "I'm no lost puppy."
Thor and Tori simply smiled to each other as Loki sat down on the couch and crossed his arms. Later on Tony and the rest of the avengers found out and were laughing and poking fun at Loki the whole night. When no one was looking, Loki slipped away and headed towards the room next to Tori's. When he got there she was leaning against the door. Finally had enough of them huh?" She asked. Loki simply nodded." Sorry, my fault really."
"It's fine." Loki said not wanting to show her how angry he really was.
"You know, " She began to say as she pulled out his spear from behind her. "As long as you stop lying to yourself, you won't be a lost puppy anymore."
She handed his spear to him and quickly disappeared to her room.