A/N: So this is a Loki/Steve pairing or Stoki or whatever else you wish to call them. I hope everyone likes this, I've put a bit of effort into it so I would love if you could review! If you do I will.. well there isn't much I can do except reply back to you. Anything you can tell me would be great. good or bad! also I already have the next 2 chapters pretty much done and I will try to update every week about the same time. Now please enjoy!
Loki POV.
Chapter one: Innocent mischief
To say that Steve Rodgers was a man of routine would be an understatement. It didn't take me as long to realise this, after the second day I had known I wouldn't see anything different. Dawn, get up go to the bathroom and put on shoes then run for an hour. Come back shower, dress. He would then go to the common area (he and all the other members of the team had moved into Starks tower after, well me.) and have breakfast, even though no one else would usually be awake at such an early hour. Well of course I'm awake as well. Then he would leave for shield and run the new recruits through a few drills and then head back to the tower have lunch with whoever was there and then head back to his own living area.
He had a bedroom, bathroom and living room. As new and modern as Stark had made it, the Captain had somehow made it cosy. Old photos were scattered throughout of whom I can only assume were people from before he was frozen in ice. There was one new photo however in centre of the living room, making me think this was his favourite, of the Avengers all of them posing awkwardly, well except Stark who was always one for the limelight. Though as awkward as it is they seem almost happy to just be together. One half of the living room, in front of a window, there is a desk with art supplies neatly smothering it. His beloved sketchbook left in the centre. An easels next to the desk and a group of canvases leaned against the wall.
He spends most of his time there, sometimes drawing the skyline, but more often drawing those he knows. Or knew, he tears up when he draws those ones from his past, but he never lets the tears fall. Sometimes after a battle he would even draw the foe they fought that day. If one of the team had gotten hurt, even if it was minor, he would be angry the whole time he drew. How I long to sit and look through those sketches. Only to gain insight of course. But I know that JARVIS would detect me straight away in my weekend state.
After that dinner, oddly the whole team always try to have dinner together. The only one who doesn't join is Thor who is most likely back in Asgard. The Captain is always happiest then, relaxed and at home. Then they spend time together until bed, watching movies or talking about their day, nothing important, just spending time together as some sort of family.
Now I know what you must be thinking 'Loki you said you worked this out after two days, why does it sounds like more than two days?' Simply, because I have been watching more than two days, it has been more like two weeks now, two weeks of spying normally disguised as some lesser animal. And again you ask why? Well the reason is at the end of the second day I was just about to move on and study one of the others when Rodgers, who was laying in bed about to sleep, let a single tear fall. He didn't flinch or make any noise. I had almost missed it. A single tear ran down his cheek and he didn't wipe it away he just laid there in a quite sadness, a true sadness. And I, well I'm unsure why I felt compelled to keep watching, but I knew I had to.
Halfway through the second week I got bored and decided to make some entertainment. I was thinking of the perfect prank, something to give me the most enjoyment but still remain unseen, when I saw the Avengers begin to assemble, Well Stark, Barton, Romanoff and the Captain. No Thor and no Banner, I could have fun with this. I turned into a bird, changing my appearance was still easier than teleportation, and I followed them. They are at some warehouse and it is the most boring fight I have seen in some time. It's only a group of Hydra henchmen, no one worth fighting, but time consuming with just the sheer amount of them. So I decide to subtly intervene. One goon runs to attack Captain America and slips on something unknown and falls head first in a trashcan getting stuck. That makes everyone pause for a moment to watch as the man rolls in an awkward circle trying and failing to free himself, occasionally yelling a muffled help, to which no one does, then back to fighting. I see three of the thugs surround Agent Romanoff, backing her into a corner. Before anyone can come to her aid I make one of them rip his pants revealing bright pink lace underwear. His teammate next to him begins to laugh until he feels something shift in his hands, his gun is now a fluffy teddy bear he shakes it and it rattles, all the weapons start to change. The man next to him looks down and in his hands is a black widow spider which makes him let out a very unmanly shriek and fling it to the ground. Near Ironman all the man get different boxes, the first springs open revealing a jack in to box, making him yell and drop it and a few others to jump. The next one for some reason pulls the string attached and it shows a picture of a cow and loudly says 'the cow goes moo' and moos. A few just throw them to the ground which makes them explode with brightly coloured paint or goo which sticks to their shoes. The few thugs near Hawkeye end up with penguins wearing bowties and top hats. The men put them down and they all waddle off together and I am unsure if there is more noises of cuteness or laughter. Everyone has stopped now, the leader of the group stands forward, holding a Ken doll in a tux and takes his mask off.
"What is going on?"
Everyone, Avengers and Hydra alike, burst out laughing. He is now wearing a full face of make-up, bright red lipstick and thick black eyelashes. He growls looking down and seeing he is also wearing a red ball gown. The Captain is the first to recover and quickly throws his shield knocking him out. Within two minutes the thugs are all knocked out or tied up. As always Stark is the first to speak, laughter in his voice.
"What's going on with Hydra? This was a complete circus."
In answer I paint Ironman's mask with a sad clown face and the Avengers and even a few of the conscious goons laugh. Stark doesn't understand for a moment and then realize.
"Something just happened to me too didn't it?"
To my surprise Steve, I mean the Captain speaks first.
"It looks like Loki was a bit bored today."
He looks up directly to me. How long has he known I was here? He must see my surprise because he gives me a smug smile. Yes Captain America smug, strange. They all look to him and then follow his gaze, but I'm no longer there. I have teleported to stand in front of the whole group.
"May I ask Captain just how long have you known I was there?"
Stark jumps, Barton turns pale, Romanoff doesn't even blink. The Captain though, there is only a slight twitch to the corner of his mouth before he answers.
"I'll answer if you fix Ironman's face."
I nod and give a slight wave, the Captain nodding thanks in return.
"On the way here I saw the strangest thing out my window, a dusky seaside sparrow. Now not only are they known to be from Florida, I have also learned that they are extinct now."
All I can do is nod. I feel everyone stare at us having at what is now turning into very awkward conversation.
"Thank you for that information Captain I shall not make that mistake again."
I then disappear before anyone could respond. I spend the next few hours waiting for them to return to the tower and I turn into a fly on the Captains window when he begins to draw. Yet again that day he surprises me. Not only is he drawing me, but he is smiling while doing it. So I stay and I watch. He draws me sitting atop of the beam I was perched mischief clear in my eyes. I don't dare move trying to work out this man and I try to tell myself, as I had in the beginning that he is their leader and that is why I must learn about him not the others, because of course I intend to watch the others. Well this is what I tell myself until a week later when the Captain is drawing again and I see my face. He has never drawn a villain a second time and he has only drawn them when he has seen them that day. The lines are soft and there is a glint in my eyes, a slight mischievous smile on my lips. I do what anyone would do, I leave.
For two weeks I am gone, left alone with my own thoughts. Thoughts that make me feel the madness seeping back in. It is hard not to remember the pain and the dark. My bones begin to ache. I also have thoughts of that picture so soft and a hint of mischief. Thoughts of Steve smiling while drawing of all people me. I try to keep busy, studying old texts, learning, mastering new skills. But my thoughts always return to the man sitting there smiling and drawing me, I don't understand why. I know I have to go back, I have to understand this man, this man who draws me with a smile on his lips who knew I was there but did nothing and when I spoke to him he just spoke back to me as if he saw me as an equal, not as a lesser being, not as a god. So I do go back. Watching, waiting for my moment, my moment to gain understanding.
I have never liked waiting so quite quickly I get bored. I see Agent Barton watching TV, I grin and wait for someone to walk in, Dr. Banner finally does and I change the channel to something a lot more intimate. Barton's eyes go wide as he tries to change the channel and explain that it wasn't him. Banner just nods not believing and walks away. Barton fixes the TV and relaxes. The next person to come in is Stark and I put My Little Pony on. I can see Stark laughing his ass off teasing the agent until he leaves and I can see Barton won't relax so the next person who walks in, Romanoff, I do nothing. Then he relaxes. With perfect timing The Captain walks in next and I change back to the intimate channel and can't stop my laughter as Steve turns red and quickly leaves the room without a word. Barton turns the TV off and leaves in a huff.
The next day I follow the Captain to SHIELD and sneak in. He runs his troops through their drills one of them tries to undermine the Captain at every chance and I can see the Captain is about to lose his cool, so I give him my assistance. The next time the recruit opens his mouth to speak I make sure his voice pitches, just like any other adolescent. A few men snicker at him. He clears his throat and tries again, but it is worse now and he sounds like a thirteen year old boy. I can see the Captain fighting the smile but it reaches his eyes and that's enough for me. Not that I should care if the Captain is smiling, but it is nice to see others enjoying my humor, yes that's it.
Throughout the week I don't find a chance to talk to the Captain so I keep up with the light pranks, my heart not really in them. I change the chocolate mud cake in the cafeteria to actual mud, a few even get a worm or two. The odd person gets bumped into someone, there are three fights and one trip to a broom closet that I was not expecting. At the tower I change all of Barton's shirts to my Little Pony shirts and the only thing that stops the laughing is him jumping Stark thinking he did this. Banner is walking past Romanoff when I make him stumble in such a way she thinks he is slapping her ass. She glares but doesn't do more from fear of waking the Hulk. So I quickly get bored of Banner. Stark's Ironman suit gets a makeover, I morph the shape and the colour to look like the Transformer known as Bumblebee, Stark ends up having to use it out in public a few times before he put together a new one. Steve I have to admit has seamed a bit clumsy and always spilling things on his shirt enough for him to have to keep removing them to put new ones on. This I probably do too much, but how could I resist?
One day after defeating Dr. Doom, which I just watched no pranks, Barton is slightly hurt. When they go to their debriefing with Fury, he is pissed off. He starts blaming the Captain for the mistake. It was of course no one's fault, even Barton tries to explain that. After five minuets of yelling and the Captain just taking it, I have had enough and the Director is now sporting an afro. Only the Captain keeps a straight face as the rest snigger. Fury has no idea what is going and gives up and walks out with the new hairdo. Stark again speaks first.
"So we all think Loki is hanging around right?"
Everyone nods except the Captain who just gets up and walks out. I follow and I'm surprised to find him going to a small park near the edge of town and he just sits and waits. But what is he waiting for? After about half an hour he speaks for the first time and I'm glad I'm a bird again as it hides my shock.
"Loki just sit down already."
After a moment I turn into my normal self and sit next to him. We stay in silence for awhile before he speaks with laughter.
"It took everything I had not to laugh at that afro."
I grin and relax. After a while I answer.
"Well I aim to please."
He looks to me for the first time eyebrows raised.
"Do you now?"
I stare back at him for a moment a touch too long.
"Yes I suppose I do, now."
He leans forward a bit with something I wasn't expecting in his eyes, playfulness.
"Can I just ask?"
He pauses unsure. My voice comes out softer then I would like.
"Ask away Captain."
He smiles playfully, making me swallow.
"Did you really need to keep making me spill things down my shirt?"
He is grinning now and I smirk back.
"Well I did find it quite enjoyable. But do tell me Captain how long have you know I have been around?"
He pulls back and thinks for a moment on how to answer.
"You do know you turned a cake into mud right? I mean you're usually much sneakier."
"Perhaps I wasn't aiming for stealthy?"
He grins and gives a soft chuckle staring out to the park. A long silence falls over us and I am about to speak when he looks back to me, his expression is soft with almost a hint of sadness.
"Why are you here Loki?"
Honestly I'm not sure what to say. So I just sit and wait for him to speak.
"It's been close to two years since the whole Chitauri invasion thing, a few months since your punishment ended, why here? Why now?"
I can't stand the searching in his eyes so I look back out to the park. He is right to ask such things, but how can I answer when I'm not so sure. Strange I have always been sure. Well I do know why now, I finished my punishment and it took me longer to heal then I would care to admit, after that I did a few, errands I guess you would say. Now here I am, with a few weeks of, observing. As for why here? It started as me needing to know how to defeat them. Not because I want to fight them again, my punishment changed that, but just in case they chose to get revenge. Now though, I have an idea why I still watch but it is too hard to admit to myself let alone Captain America.
After a long moment I finally speak, not answer.
"What now Captain? Will you take me back and lock me in a box again?"
He lets out a small puff of a laugh.
"Can I be honest with you?"
Now that gets my attention, I look back and his eyes only show honesty and what might be caring.
"I don't want that, not one bit, some people will, but not me."
He waits a moment for that to settle in before he goes on.
"Thor-"
I flinch at the name, but he presses on.
"Thor told us you have been punished and though I'm sure he didn't tell us everything, I know that it was enough, too much. No one deserves to be treated like that, no matter what they did."
He sighs and places his hand on mine, which I didn't realize had been balled into a fist.
"Loki, I need to know why you're here"
I pull my hand away and brings his hand back to his own lap. I pull my mask back into place before looking back to his eyes.
"All you need to know Captain is I have no plans to rule this or any other kingdom."
"And no more committing other crimes?"
I playfully smirk.
"Nothing planed at the moment."
He smiles.
"Well in that case call me Steve."
That throws me. Call him Steve? Ridiculous and yet he is laughing.
"So if you don't plan to arrest me, what is your plan?"
"Who says I have a plan?"
"Captain America always has a plan."
We stare at each other for a while before he gives in and smiles.
"Well I guess you got me there, but I don't think you want to hear it."
I smirk.
"Try me"
He sighs and looks to his hands.
"Well it's a bit of a long shot, but-"
He looks up through his lashes at me, making me pretend not to notice how long they are.
"Since you're not going to be a bad guy anymore I, I think, I, want you to join us."
I can see he is torn between looking at me for an answer and hiding embarrassed. I keep my mask on but inside I can not believe he just said that. He wants me? Loki, to join the Avengers, the Avengers who I tried to destroy, who were, are, were my enemies.
"I know I have been gone for awhile Captain -"
He gives me a look at the name.
"Fine Steve, but could so much have changed that you think I, Loki God of Mischief, should join you, The Avengers, the ones I tried to destroy?"
He doesn't hesitate.
"Yes."
I stand up at a loss, no longer able to listen to this fool. He doesn't say anymore, so I begin to pace. Trying to keep my head from swimming. Trying to work out his motives his master plan with all this. For surely this is some form of trap. But the Captain, who I am now allowed to call Steve, is a good honest man. It is not in his nature to lie and manipulate. I continue to pace for a few more moments, stopping only to ask a question.
"Have you voiced this plan to the rest of the team?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And Bruce was ok with it, Tony and Natasha said maybe, Clint said no, Thor thought it was the best idea I have ever had."
"But you didn't tell SHIELD?"
"No."
"Why?"
"It's my team."
I stop in front of him and he looks up.
"Why?"
He looks confused,
"Why..?"
"Why would you want me to join your team?"
I can see him looking for the right words.
"You have been back for weeks now and you haven't been a threat. If anything I think you have been helping, with Hydra, just now with Fury and I have noticed a few of my more disruptive recruits have had a few odd things happen to them, which I assume was you. Also you have already fulfilled your punishment and have a second chance and well there are a lot of reasons, I suppose the best being that you are very powerful, which would be a big help and you lack a purpose now you're not trying to take over the world. I think helping us save it might give you what you need."
I feel my anger rising. How dare he presume to know so much about me? I can feel the venom in my words.
"What would you know of my needs?"
He stands angry now too. We are so close I would only need to lean forward for us to touch.
"Loki I just want to help you."
His voice is soft and I lose all my steam then.
"Steve, I, why?"
He smiles softly
"Everyone needs a bit of help sometimes."
I pull back and I start looking for the easiest way to escape. This is too much, I can't risk believing him. He reaches a hand out to mine.
"Don't leave,"
His voice but a whisper. I look up to him and the long weeks of living as an animal catch up to me, I feel tired. I stare at his hand holding mine and I glance at his questioning. He blushes and pulls back.
"Come talk to the team and then we can go from there."
I take another step back.
"Steve you ask a lot of me, I think I should leave now."
He takes one step forward.
"Wait-"
I stop hearing the urgency in his voice.
"Loki, at least think about it. You can come and tell me when you're ready."
I nod and he smiles and then I'm gone.
It is only when I'm alone with my thoughts that I realize Steve had thrown me so much I hadn't got the answers I seek. Only more questions. I guess I'll need to go back, but really join the Avengers? Absurd.
AN: Ok that's chapter one done, did I mention I would love you to review?! Thank you in advance!