Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Jane Foster, Loki, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...

A/N: The first part of what will likely be a 2-3 part piece! Centered around a friendly Loki/Jane where Jane wants to be something more, and Loki may or may not prove that they are. Or at least, that he thinks more of her than she thinks he does. At this point in time, Loki is on good terms with his family and is living at home once again, Jane and Thor are no longer even romantically an option (except maybe on Thor's part, we'll see whether or not that plays into the story at all - thinking not, but I don't know, I like a jealous Loki), and Jane has been invited to live in Asgard or visit it whenever she pleases.

This started mostly as a promptfic, following the words "flea market", "haddock", and "gaudy", but I liked the feel of the scene and wanted to do a little something more with it.

I quite enjoy playing with the relationship dynamics of these two, it would seem. Though sometimes I wonder if I'm wandering a bit too far away from how they were initially written. Bah~ Canon's for losers (unless it's a canon I happen to like, then it's okay ;P).

Anyway, as usual, this is non-beta'd/no edits, etc. Reviews and critiques are not only welcome, they're encouraged.

And, in case you weren't aware, I really DO try to respond to all comments, favorites, follows, etc as they're made, so don't skip the commentary just because you think I won't answer. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, I WILL. :)

Thanks again, and I hope you Enjoy,
-Selvine

Striding through the many stalls and pavilions of the local flea market, Jane Foster had to wonder what had possessed her to think it might even be a remotely good idea to bring Loki along for the ride. The early morning air was crisp and fresh with the new day, but already it reeked of baked goods, floral arrangements, homemade perfumes, fresh caught fish, dirt, and body odor. Voices raised as people of every creed and color perused the motley of items, bickering in a vague mockery of negotiations. Time and time-again, a gentleman vendor had leered in Jane's direction and offered anything from beautiful to gaudy trinkets.

Jane wasn't certain what it was about these markets that she loved so much, but even the magnificent buildings of Asgard couldn't keep her away. Admittedly, while dressed in a flowing skirt and form-fitting blouse of Asgard, the astronomer felt very much like a faerie tale come true. The rich greens of foliage, bright blues of meadow flowers, browns and pinks, purples and yellows, reds, oranges, and yellows. Even the blue-grey trim and onyx bead work aided in the illusion. Jane Foster, Titania; dressed as she was it felt as if she could quite easily fill the Seelie Queen's shoes.

Loki had wandered off early=on, peering at stalls with derision as he passed and scowling all the while. Quiet comments, snarky and full of the mischief he was known for, slithered from his mouth, as muted as snakes through tall grass. Jane had admired him as he moved, content with the day if only for the fact she was spending it with him.

Long, lean muscle shone as white as always, a layer of porcelain snow over a godly sculpture. Eyes of brilliant green analyzed everything in their path, as keen as always despite the harmless surroundings. Hair, darker than the deepest blacks she'd ever seen, lay sleek against his head. She had, after much conversation, convinced the Ӕsir Prince to wear an outfit a tad closer to that of Midgard, and judging by the stares the God had received on numerous occasions, she had done well in her wardrobe decisions. Closing her eyes while he had wandered away, Jane could picture every line of the fabric, and every contour of his body beneath it.

Lengthy black pants lined slender legs in a crisp, well-ironed fashion. Leather boots adorned with gold, gleamed in a similar shade beneath the fabric. A tunic of white clung delicately to his chest, bound there by a brown denim vest Jane had worked incredibly hard to procure. Gold embroidery depicted a girl, a wolf, a giant snake, and an eight-legged horse, all ferocious and beautiful in their own way. The tale of their origins had been faulty, according to Loki, but he appreciated the sentiment nonetheless.

Green twisted and tumbled through the many items of clothing, playing hide and seek with onlookers. One moment you might see a flash of emerald against the young Giant's legs, another and it would be gone. Laughter had filled Jane's throat during the many encounters where women attempted to gain her companion's attention. And yet, she could not help but feel jealous. Now that he was out of sight, it was much easier for the feelings of unease she'd been battling to settle in.

Frowning, Jane strode through the aisle she had chosen with fierce concentration, attempting to avoid the nagging feeling that she should remain with Loki at all times. She had no claim over the man, why should she keep an eye on him, or on those who might throw themselves at his feet. He was a man of noble upbringing, and of high standards – surely no woman of Midgard would be adequate enough for the likes of such a man.

A pang of guilt, and of stabbing pain shot through the astronomer's heart. She was a woman of Midgard, herself, wasn't she? Though she had been invited to stay as long as she desired in the realm of Asgard, and was friends with Thor, best friends with his brother, and a welcomed acquaintance to the Warriors Three, she was a simple mortal in their minds. They would live on for millennia, and her life would be over in under a century.

Saddness filled chocolate eyes, and dusty pink lips sank into a frown. It might be better if she meant so little to her friends, in the long run. She was but a fly, gone in the blink of an eye. They would live on for ages. How fair was it for her to wish Loki would look her way, to hope he might smile at her, or call her to his side and mean it the way she wanted.

Shaking her head, Jane moved to the end of the row and found a place to sit. She wasn't sure when she had started thinking of Loki so affectionately, and she wasn't sure it was something she was comfortable with, but she knew she couldn't take those thoughts back. She didn't own the man, she had no claim, she had no desire to tie him down and restrain him, and yet she wanted to be the reason he chose to chain himself. The young woman sighed, rubbing her hands over her face as if to cleanse it with cold water. Unfortunately, the gesture did as much good as over-thinking the situation was doing her.

Resigned, Jane began to look about for the man she had brought with her. Suddenly, she wasn't so in the mood to shop. If she were lucky, he wouldn't complain too much, and would take them back to Asgard. If she were luckier, he might agree to take her out to Erik's place and leave her be for a few weeks while she tried to sort out her emotions.

As she searched, a scream sounded off in the distance, high and shrill. Swearing could be heard, uproarious laughter following soon after. Jane paled, she knew the voice behind the laugh.

Panicking, the astronomer bolted from her place at the bottom of the tree and began hunting through the crowd at lightning speed.

A/N: Keep an eye out for Part 2. It'll rear its head sooner or later. ;) My bet is on "sooner".
Thanks for your time, and hopefully for your opinions/words!
-Sel