This is one part of the extreme AU that has been playing in my mind for a couple of months. At the heart of it, Loki has returned to Earth after it's discovered that he wasn't completely responsible for his actions in Thor and The Avengers. In order to help him reform his ways, S.H.I.E.L.D. has taken him in and Steve Rogers has become a vital part of his progress.

There's a lot more running around in my head, so if people seem to enjoy this story then maybe I will commit more of the story to digital text. Happy reading!

"Good morning, Washington DC," the clock radio blared into the quiet bedroom, "and Happy Fourth of July!"

Steve sighed at the reminder of the date. Who would believe that Captain America was actually born on the fourth of July? Birthdays had been a somber affair ever since his mother died and had been entirely forgotten in the year after he came out of the ice, but this year promised to be different. Last week, Loki had told him to keep his evening open: no S.H.I.E.L.D missions, no Captain America appearances, no hiding in his room. Loki made him promise and when Steven asked him why, he'd replied "Agent Hill has been teaching me about Midgardian birthday celebrations. I will take care of everything."

In spite of himself, Steve grinned as a wave of gratitude swept through him. No matter what, today would be interesting; Loki would make sure of that. Ready to face the day, he pulled himself out of bed and headed into the kitchen to make breakfast. Steve turned into the kitchen and froze when he saw that breakfast was already underway.

Loki stood at the stove with two frying pans going at once, an expression of serious concentration on his face. Steve leaned against the doorway to enjoy the sight of his demigod roommate making breakfast. He watched Loki flipping pieces of French toast and bacon and tried to reconcile this Loki with the Loki who had attempted to subjugate Earth and its people. Yeah that's not going to happen.

Steve chuckled. "When did you learn how to make something that involves the stovetop?"

Loki's head snapped up and he grinned. "It's amazing what you can learn from a simple Google search." He stepped away from the stove and enveloped Steve in an affectionate hug. "Happy Birthday, Captain."

The first time Loki had hugged him, Steve had tensed, ready to fend off an attack, but now he returned the hug with ease. He had taken for granted how physical Bucky and the Howling Commandos had been: quick to toss their arm around a fellow soldier's shoulder or give a hearty pat on the knee. The modern S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were more reserved and Steve hadn't realized how much he missed the friendly touches until Loki had come into his life. Like the Commandos, Asgardians warriors were prone to physical displays of fraternal affection and as Loki and Steve had grown close, the touches had become a commonplace part of their friendship.

He gave his dark haired roommate final squeeze as Loki gave him a couple firm pats on the back. "If I'd known you were making breakfast, I'd have slept in."

Loki pulled back with a doubtful snort. "No you wouldn't," he stepped back over to the stove, "plus, I had no intention of bringing you your breakfast."

Steve took a seat at the kitchen bar. "And here I thought breakfast in bed was standard for a birthday."

"Don't press your luck, Rogers," Loki kidded, handing him a cup of coffee.

Steve took a sip of the coffee and smiled into his cup. Just the way I like it, as always. "So what are your plans today?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"Oh no you don't," Loki chided, dishing out two plates. "You are going to go visit Peggy, do your S.H.I.E.L.D. duties, and be back here and prepared to go out at 7 pm sharp." He handed Steve his breakfast and sat down beside him, bumping him with his shoulder. "Now shut up and eat your breakfast."

Steve saluted with his fork and cut into his French toast, eager to see if the demigod had managed to pull off breakfast. He popped the first bite and sighed as the half-forgotten flavor of homemade French toast flooded his mouth. He took another bite and the pair settled into an easy quiet.

As Steve ate his birthday breakfast, he marveled at how different this comfortable quiet was to the unbearable silence that had once filled the apartment. In the months before Loki had moved in, Steve had hated coming back to the D.C. apartment because it reminded him how alone he was in this new unfamiliar world. Living alone in that apartment had been a silent reminder that everyone he knew was long dead or so changed by time that he barely recognized them.

All that changed because of Loki. If someone had told Steve nine months ago when Thor had landed on Earth with a changed, penitent Loki, that the demigod would become a welcome and permanent fixture in his life and home, he wouldn't have believed them. But through some bizarre twist the reformed villain was become a friend and more. Loki had become the someone else that Steve had been missing. The sounds of him getting ready in the morning, his endless stacks of books, the subtle brush of his arm against Steve's as they walked together, his shoes and jacket by the door, each one a little reminder to reassure him he had someone in this world. Even now, the subtle warmth of Loki's leg not quite touching his, the sound of his fork against the plate, the smell of his soap, subtly different from his own, were all there to remind Steve that he was no longer alone.

Steve stole a peek at Loki out of the corner of his eye, bent over a book and nibbling on a piece of bacon, and smiled to himself. He must have felt Steve's eyes on him because he gave him a toothy grin.

"How's your breakfast?"

Steve popped a bit of bacon into his mouth. "The powers and knowledge of Google continue to amaze me. Everything is delicious."

Loki's face lit up with smug satisfaction. "Excellent." He glanced at the clock. "Now I better be off or I'm going to be late. Don't even think about doing the dishes," he scolded. "I'll do them later." He grabbed his bag and stepped around the bar to stand at Steve's side. "I will see you back here ready to go at 7 pm sharp or there will be hell to pay."

"Yes, sir," Steve teased, turning to look up at Loki. He stared down at Steve with his ever mischievous blue-green eyes.

Familiar warmth bloomed in Steve's chest and with it the overwhelming urge to reach up kiss Loki. Side by side like this, it seemed almost natural for him to wrap his arm around Loki's waist or for Loki to lean down and kiss him goodbye. He stared up at Loki and felt his face flush. Steve could see it in his mind's eye and for an instant he considered giving into the unexpected desire, but he squashed it down.

He swallowed roughly. "Thanks for breakfast, by the way," he said, breaking the silence, his voice a little breathless.

Loki blinked several times and nodded. "You are most welcome." His voice had an odd note in it as he made his way towards the door. "I'll see you tonight. Don't be late." And with that he was gone.

Heart still pounding, Steve cleared his own breakfast dishes and tried to forget that he'd fantasized about kissing his roommate. We're close and thoughts like that are bound to happen, it doesn't mean anything.