This must be the most random story I've ever written... And I am not afraid of being a bit random on occasion. Also fluffy. Very fluffy. I mean no copyright infringement and I am not claiming to own the Avengers films - I haven't even seen them!

TapTap

Loki left Steve sleeping in their soft bed and somewhat gratefully, if also with some regret, changed his form back to his natural one, swimming back down to his father's castle, and his own rooms. He had always loved it there, but he was grateful to have privacy with Steve. Then, of course, there was Steve and air. He had to be able to breathe, after all, and needed much more sleep than Loki did, too. No doubt, he'd be comfortable there.

It was true enough; he was, for a while. Then came the longing for his family. They were close, but Steve was in all practical ways trapped, confined to the luxurious quarters he didn't quite share with Loki. And Loki was rarely if ever there when he woke.

It had only been three days of their new situation when Loki first started to notice a difference in Steve. His human lover had started out being what he at least had thought was pretty content - his family safe and them being able to be together, but he was quickly growing restless and - far more perplexing - seemingly grew more sad every time Loki saw him.

"Steve?" Loki stepped into the little study, where there was a merry fire burning, to find Steve sitting in what could only be described as an upright fetal position. When he first came here, he had often been sitting by the edge of the bubble, watching the sealife outside with fascinated attention, but Loki hadn't caught him doing that at all for the last two days.

Walking up towards his lover, Loki gently ran a hand down his shoulder, hoping to catch his attention. "Are you alright?" Steve looked up, smiling with what Loki recognised well as an attempt at reassurance by now. "Yeah... just... I miss my mother and sister". "Oh" Loki blinked and bent closer, nuzzling his neck. "I can come bring you in the mornings if you like. Or send someone I trust for that matter... You do not have to stay in here all the time" he gently nuzzled Steve's neck with his nose "this isn't a prison, you know".

Steve looked up, and Loki found his heart breaking somewhat at the look in his eyes " isn't it? Did you hear your father when you brought me by to see him yesterday?" Confused, Loki sat down next to him on the bed "what do you mean? You do not need to be afraid of my father, Steven. He likes you".

"Oh, but I do!" Steve took a quick, shuddering breath "you do realise he could have my entire family killed if he wanted to?". Agast, Loki merely stared at him as Steve continued, no longer looking at him "he... he told me to 'be good' to you. I wish I knew what he meant - I know a threat when I see one..."

Loki opened his mouth to speak, but found he had no words. What could he say? He did not believe for a moment that his father had meant to threaten Steven, but he also knew that he could be very intimidating, and there was no doubt some seriousness there, never mind that what his father had doubtlessly meant was merely standard "be good to my child now, you hear" and not a serious threat, the way Steven had clearly taken it. And the thought that Odin would drown two innocent women for someone else's crime... No, Loki couldn't see that. But then again, he knew his father, and his lover didn't.

After a brief hesitation, Loki pressed his lips into Steven's hair. "My father forgets how intimidating he can be. He would never harm your family, love, I promise". "I don't want to displease your father" Steven mumbled "and how can I be with you if that is what I think of?" Loki felt himself go cold "how can I love you, if I am not your equal?" "Steven..." Loki begged, tears appearing at the corners of his eyes.

Then, suddenly, Steve was kissing them away "it isn't about trust, because I do trust you. I do not believe... No, I know, that you wouldn't give me away, you wouldn't run to your father if we did not agree... And I want to be with you... Always. I just never thought of... We were always afraid to be caught, back up on the surface - but what would happen here? I do not know, and that scares me, because I suddenly realise I still have just as much to lose".

"The consequences would depend on why anyone came to our private quarters in the first place" Loki was relieved for something he could actually answer to "my father wouldn't be happy to see me neglect my duties to be with you. But I am not, and he wouldn't hurt you, Steven, even if we did fall out. I know my dad, love. I know he scared you, but all he meant was literally what he said. And you are good to me. My father knows that, or else you wouldn't be here".