Stumbling into the kitchen proved difficult as I rubbed furiously at my eyes, my hip colliding with the edge of the counter. I winced but the pain in my head seemed to block it out, only reminding me again about the pounding headache I'd woken with. Blinking back tears – manly tears though – I began to search the cupboards for a box of painkillers.

"You've got to be kidding me," I murmured.

After exhausting every nook and cranny within sight the only thing I'd found was a surprisingly large collection of pop-tarts. I sighed and collapsed into a chair, grimacing when the sharp action made the agony in my head flare. I could barely focus with this damn headache. Hearing footsteps, my head shot up, once again causing me to curse and clutch at my temples.

"Hey Liv?" I opened my eyes, meeting the concerned gaze of Clint. "You alright?" he questioned.

He sat down next to me, leaning against the counter, and watching me carefully. "Apart from the fact it feels like the Hulk is going on a rampage inside my skull, yeah I'm just chipper," I muttered.

"Why are we playing the blame game?" Bruce teased, entering the kitchen with a stifled yawn. "And why am I the one losing?"

Sighing, I carefully dropped my head against the counter. "Anyone seen any painkillers?" I inquired instead, leaving the lame attempt at humour to fade.

Clint chuckled softly. "I think Tony sleeps with them," he informed me. "Just in case of emergency."

Snarling, I muttered a few curses into the counter top, the cool top soothing the pain.

"You're lucky that counter is muffling what you're saying, young lady," Bruce scolded.

My shoulders shook with a silent chuckle, and almost instantly I groaned aloud, my head exploding in pain. As the agony went back to its usual beat, I mumbled something again.

"Huh?" Clint loudly asked. "Did you say something?"

Reaching up, I swatted him around the back of the head, ignoring the snort of laughter. "I give up," I moaned a few seconds later, licking my lips before grimacing. Again.

Bruce shook his head at me, placing a glass of cool water before me. "Drink this," he instructed, moving around the counter. "I'm pretty sure I have some painkillers in my lab, or maybe my room. Be right back."

Nodding slightly as he left the room, I picked up the glass, downing the water with a loud sigh. Tony chose that moment to enter the room, his brown eyes roaming over us before dropping back to his phone in disinterest.

"Morning Cupid," he greeted, nodding to both of us. "Dominatrix."

I choked on air, my head shooting up. "Dominatrix?" I demanded, gritting my teeth against the pain arcing through my neck and head.

Tony looked back to me, shrugging with an expression of indifference. He raided the fridge, one hand tugging out an unlabeled container before he disappeared the same way he'd came. I groaned at his retreating back before dragging myself through an archway, plopping down on the couch.

"What's with the groaning?"

I looked behind me, frowning as Steve and Clint both turned to me, the archer pointing a single finger. When blue eyes met mine, I – childishly – poked out my tongue, huffing quietly and drooping further into the couch cushions.

Steve chuckled, moving to lean over the back of the loveseat and pinch my cheek. "What's the matter with wittle bitty Wivy?" he questioned, throwing on the baby voice.

I glared at him, roughly slapping the hand away before rubbing my abused cheek. Tony chose that moment to come back in, whistling as he watched me slap the man. "Getting handsy with Dominatrix are we, Captain V?" he asked, laughing as a blush crept onto the man's face.

Furrowing my brows, I blinked dumbly as the others Avengers – minus my dear Bruce – ambled in, covered in sweat and panting. I suppose headaches were good for some things – like allowing me to miss the morning workout.

"Captain V?" I asked dumbly, gathering attention one again.

Steve mumbled something, moving to shuffle into the kitchen. I forced myself up, following close behind. "Why did he call you Captain V?" I asked again. No answer. "Tony?"

The genius just laughed. "Guess what that V may stand for," he dared me, the smile fading into a smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I fell into thought. Knowing Tony – which sadly I do – it had to have something to with sex or alcohol. Sighing, I bit my lip and thought harder.

"Captain Vandal… Captain…" I looked over to Steve, pursing my lips. "Captain Virgi – Oh."

Steve's blush spread down his neck and up his ears. I frowned in sympathy; nobody needed Tony Stark making crude jokes at their expense. Turning to the billionaire, I placed both hands on my hips. "Really?" I questioned.

"Oh come on," he whined. "He is like, the only virgin in the room, I need someone to tease. He's just too easy!"

I stared back. "Well he's obviously not easy if he's a virgin!"

The group dissolved into chuckles as Steve's skin reddened – I didn't know it was possible – his hands coming up to rub awkwardly at his neck. I frowned again before bringing my gaze back to Tony, lifting a brow in challenge.

"Only virgin, aye?" I commented, turning to walk out of the room.

Tony followed me. "Yup," he declared, popping the p. "I know for a fact that I'm not, I mean who doesn't. Brucie told me after a few hours of not-so-subtle comments and me nagging. Natasha brags, who'd have thought. Thor has Jane. Clint told me, but only after Natasha left and Loki's gotten it on with the Asgardian's." He smiled, leaning against the wall. "All that's left is Steve, and you."

I shifted uncomfortably and tried not to meet his eyes. "And me," I echoed.

His eyes brightened. "Oh no, no, no, no, you've got to be kidding me," he murmured. "Oh god, you're not kidding me."

"Shut-up," I whispered harshly, looking behind him and making sure no one else heard. "God, you have such a big mouth," I muttered.

Tony shook his head. "Oh no," he declared. "I'm going to have some fun with this," he decided.

"What? No you wouldn't – Don't – Hey!" I called, moving to chase after him. "Tony!" I tried again, watching him march straight back into the kitchen.

"Steve!" he began, just as I burst into the room. "I have gotten you a new comrade!"

With a flourish, he pointed to where I stood, smirk in place. "Captain V; Junior!" he announced, throwing his hands in the air.

Freezing on the spot, I shut my eyes with a groan. Fuck you very much Tony, I mentally hissed, reopening my eyes. The Avengers stared at me, their expressions ranging from amusement to shock. I shook my head, grumbling under my breath as I noticed the headache was getting that much worse.

I opened my mouth to explain, but before I could say anything, Bruce wandered back into the room. "Liv, you only need to take one of these tablets, they're pretty strong."

Looking back up, he frowned, slowly walking further into the room. "What'd did I miss?" he questioned.

Tony opened his mouth, but I bet him to the punch."Oh you know, just about how some people need to be hit," I shrugged. "In the face. With a chair." I smiled brightly before pointing at the chair Tony was leaning against, narrowing my eyes. "That chair right there."

Bruce sighed, rubbing a hand across his brow. "Tony what did you do now?" he demanded.

Tony adopted a smug expression, the corners of his lips lifting in a smirk. "Oh, I was just telling Captain V here that I got him a new comrade in arms," he announced, moving forward to slap my shoulder.

Blinking dumbly, Bruce frowned. "Captain V? A new comrade? Honestly Tony you're not making any sense and I'm not in the mood for – Wait… Captain... Oh dear," he muttered quietly. "He didn't."

"He did," I grunted, crossing my arms and glaring daggers at a certain billionaire. "Steve, wanna go out for some lunch? I feel surrounded."

Laughing nervously, Steve nodded. "Please…"

I gently took the glass from the scientist across from me – who was still muttering apologies under his breath – and downed it, swallowing the powdery pill along with it. "Come on then," I finished, grabbing Steve's arm and beginning to drag him from the room.

Looking over the rim of my cup, I cocked a brow at the blonde man across from me. "Hey, you alright?" I questioned, watching him nervously twist his fingers.

Steve grunted, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. "Yeah, it's just… Tony can go a little bit too far sometimes. It makes me a little uncomfortable…" he admitted.

I nodded my agreement. "I understand," I soothed before sighing. "I'm never going to hear the end of this am I?"

When Steve shook his head, I cursed under my breath, taking another swig of the bittersweet liquid in my mug. Damn it all. Just as the plain white ceramic hit the table top, a bearded man carried over twin plates, offering a flirtatious smile as he gave us our food.

Blinking dumbly, I stared down at our food. "Now," I began. "What in the nine levels of hell is this?"

Steve chuckled, already picking at his food happily. "Shawarma," he informed me simply, taking an impressive bite.

I nodded, both my eyebrows high on my head as I poked at the strange dish. "Right…" I allowed before shrugging and taking a small, experimental bite. "Hey, this isn't that bad!"

"Tony heard about it and you know him; he had to have it," Steve spoke around his mouthful, smiling slightly. "Speaking of him, we have a fundraiser event tonight, to celebrate Stark Industries and the Avengers," he explained.

I swallowed, licking my lips. "I don't have to go right?"

"No, well not yet at least," he soothed. "I know Loki's skipping this one, maybe you could just stick with him?" he offered, once again taking another bite and leaving a gaping hole.

Ignoring the way my stomach seemed to leap, I nodded absently, refusing to think about alone time with the dark haired man. Bringing my thoughts back to the present, I spoke distractingly. "I guess I can live with that, as long as there are no more pranks of course…"

I let my sentence hang between us as the door to the corner restaurant opened, the small bell above it ringing obnoxiously. Clint sauntered into the shop with a smile, going up to speak with the worker animatedly before his shoulders slumped slightly. With a nod he turned, spotting us and taking up the same shit-eating grin once again.

"Hey guys," he called, pulling up a chair. "Having fun?"

Narrowing my eyes, I nodded. "Oh, heaps," I commented dryly.

"Aw, come on," he groaned loudly. "Don't be like that; you know how Tony can be…" he argued. "Anyway change of topic, enjoying your food?"

"Enjoying your stalking..?" I muttered back, rolling my eyes.

Clint chuckled, running a hand over his face. "Nah, I'm not stalking you; not now at least. We just got hungry and placed an order… I then proceeded to lose our game of paper, scissors, rock and had to come pick it up," he finished with a pout.

Laughing, I flicked a small bit of food at his face. "Poor dear," I mocked.

"Hey Olivia, don't waste your food," Steve scolded, completely serious. "Eat, you missed breakfast."

I studied the blonde before shrugging, reaching over to pick up some of his food before once again flinging it across the table. "Oi, would you stop?" Clint demanded, wiping some cabbage from his cheek.

Giggling lightly, I caught Steve's gaping expression. "What? You said don't waste my food," I argued defensively, proceeding to take a hearty bite. "So I didn't."

Steve snorted, beginning to argue while the other occupant of the table became distracted by another worker. I ignored the blonde as my own mouth dropped open, watching as Clint struggled to carry a multitude of bags.

"What the hell are you trying to feed? King Kong?" I demanded, shocked at the sheer amount of food and the large wad of money used to pay for it.

Clint shook his head. "Thor," he explained simply.

We hurried back to the tower – We need to be back by five! Tony's going to kill me! – with only a few minutes to spare, the engine of the expensive car purring every time I pressed down on the accelerator. The entire ride back was spent with complaints echoing in the silence of the vehicle, the blonde superhuman managing to find flaws in every little thing his designers did. Just as I thought the torture was over, Steve continued to ramble through the elevator ride as well, going on about the amount of make-up he was forced to wear.

I was actually relieved when we entered the room only to be faced with an annoyed Tony Stark.

"Where the hell have you been? You were meant to be back ages ago," he complained, dragging the younger man through an archway to god knows where.

I smiled at the mournful look the blonde sent me, actually beginning to feel sorry for the man. "Poor sod," I mumbled, turning to go back to the room.

A loud eruption of complaints had my movements halting and curiosity peaking.

"Please brother, convince them I need not wear such heinous clothes and these female cosmetics!"

Chuckling, I recognized the other blonde of our group, moving forward to enter a room bustling with energy and movement. Thor stood in the centre of the chaos, his face ashen as an endless stream of people worried over him. My laughter only escalated when I heard the assistants and designers complaining about the god's skin tone and bulk physique, their voices managing to drown out Thor's cries for help.

I only then noticed Loki standing against the far wall, a shit eating grin on his face as he laughed heartily. His face was flushed red, hair in slight disarray as he shook his head. "Now why would I want to do that brother? I find myself to be enjoying this… What a sight to behold," he purred mockingly.

I chuckled again and gained the older brothers' attention, earning large puppy like eyes. "Lady Olivia, please, you must stop this torture."

"Why?" I winked, stopping the closest assistant next to me with a hand on their elbow. "Excuse me, I don't mean to tell you how to do your job, but don't you think Mr. Odinson's eyebrows are a bit… Thick?" I smiled.

Almost as soon as the words left my mouth, a high pitched shriek cut through my ears. "Mother of pink!" An older looking man rushed to Thor's side, his perfect skin marred with frown lines as he examined the god. "My god, she's correct. Get me tweezers now!"

At Thor's look of pure betrayal, I smiled. "I recall telling you not to call me Lady Olivia," I announced, turning sharply on my heel and moving across the room. Loki smiled at me as I approached, his laughter still heard over his brother's cries of pain. "Hey, movie night?"

"You, my dear, have yourself a deal but only because you have a truly inspirational dark side," he allowed, smirking down at me.

I snorted quietly. "I do have you as a mentor remember."

I waved, using the tips of my fingers as the world's greatest heroes piled into the elevator, eyes downcast. The males looked damn right miserable, either sporting obviously fake eyelashes or beautifully thin eyebrows while Natasha looked relaxed and stunningly beautiful.

"Have fun guys," I called, watching as the elevator doors closed. "Jarvis?"

The artificial intelligence answered promptly, his voice hesitant. "Yes, Olivia?"

Rocking on the heels of my feet, I clasped my hands behind my back endearingly. "You wouldn't mind granting me access to Tony's room would you?" I asked sweetly.

"I am sorry Olivia, but his room's are not to be accessed at anytime," he replied quickly. "My apologies."

Scowling, I slumped. "There goes that plan," I muttered.

"What plan is that, my dear?" Loki voiced, sauntering into the room lazily. "And why is it no longer in effect?"

My heart fluttered – traitor – at the use of endearment, and I shrugged. "Oh, you know harmless pranking," I answered innocently. "And because I'm not allowed in Tony's room."

"If I truly am your mentor, Olivia, there is no such thing as harmless pranking," Loki scoffed, almost looking as though he took offence at the words. "And since when has Stark's rules stopped either of us?"

I cocked a brow, leaning on my hip. "Since his A.I won't open the doors?" I offered.

"We don't need to use the doors," Loki announced matter-of-factly, picking at his nails. "I can get you in another way…"

I felt my brow furrow, lips tugging down at the corners. "How?" I demanded, taking a step closer.

With a smirk, he reached out and grabbed my hand, dragging me too him. I slammed into his – admittedly lovely – chest, and blinked dumbly. "Ever heard of magic?" he murmured, eyes sparking in mischief.

As I went to answer, I felt a rush of cool air and quickly closed my eyes. For the next few seconds it felt as though I was falling; my stomach sadly being left behind. Grunting in discomfort, I opened my eyes, blanching when all I saw was an endless sea of green.

Loki's eyes.

Shifting awkwardly, I swallowed and blinked, trying to find something to say. Neither of us broke the eye contact, and he opened his mouth to speak –

"Mr. Stark will not be overly pleased to find out you've been in his room," Jarvis said simply, his tone almost bored with our antics. "Yelling may be involved."

Loki made a noise, looking up at the ceiling with a cocked brow. "Now Jarvis, how will he find out?" he asked smoothly. "I'm certainly not going to tell him."

Jarvis didn't seem to have a reply, and with another smile Loki brought his eyes back down from ceiling. "So," he began, stepping back carefully. "What did you have in mind?" he questioned, looking around the room in curiosity.

"I heard Tony talking about how a certain song is banned from the tower," I commented playfully, moving around the room myself and poking at a few photographs.

Loki cocked his head. "Which song is this?"

"I whip my hair back and forth," I shrugged, smiling when the dark haired man winced. "Familiar with it then, I take it?"

As the lines of disgust smoothed out, Loki nodded. "I've heard that song," he admitted, shaking his head. "Thor had a phase, you see…" his sentence faded, one hand lifted in an awkward wave.

I chuckled, shaking my head along with the god. "Lucky you," I murmured, studying the room. "So, are you able to do a little magic trick for me?" I asked hopefully, offering a shy smile as well.

Instantly, Loki nodded. "Of course," he allowed, hands folding behind his back. "What do you require?" Waving him forward, I whispered the well thought out plan into his ear, smiling brightly when he nodded. "Oh yes," he chortled. "You're my student alright."

As Loki wandered into the bathroom, muttering words of magic under his breath, I idly strolled around the room myself; changing alarm systems and electronic equipment. Most of the gadgets in the room were easy to tamper with, allowing me to use the blue tooth systems on my phone to pull the song across. I was finishing setting the alarm on the bed side table when Loki came back into the room, pausing as he watched me.

Sighing, I wiped my hands on my jeans, smiling. "Done and dusted," I announced, looking over to him and waiting for his affirmative nod. "Great, now… how the hell do we get out?"

Loki shrugged. "The same way we got in," he told me smoothly. "Of course."

He held out a hand, and I hesitated, watching him carefully. "Of course," I echoed, taking his hand firmly. He pulled me to his chest again – gently this time – and held on tightly, murmuring more words under his breath. Prepared, I closed my eyes just as the rush of wind brushed me by, whistling in my ears.

When I heard nothing but Loki's light breathing, I opened one eye and peeked out. "You can open both, you know?" he whispered, rolling bright green irises.

I did as he said, but only so I could send a heated glare his way. "I know," I defended, stepping back and brushing imaginary flecks of dust from my sleeves. "What now?"

Loki all but dragged me into the living room, depositing me on the couch. "Movie night," he reminded me, moving towards the endless shelves of disc's himself. "Your idea remember? Now what do you wish to watch?"

Struggling to my feet, I walked over to his side, a sigh slipping from my lips. "That looks good," I smiled, pulling out a case. "Well, it is good."

Loki frowned, reaching out to grab the case. "If you've seen this… Firefly show already, why watch it again?" he questioned, reading the name aloud.

"For memories," I offered, rolling my eyes. "Just put it in, you'll like it."

Watching me in doubt, Loki nodded. "Very well, it sounds entertaining. Do you wish for to me to get something to eat?" he asked, pausing as he went to sit down.

I shook my head, waving him aside. "I got it," I shouted over my shoulder, moving into the kitchen. "Wait there, and don't move!"

I bustled around in the kitchen for a few minutes, trying to keep the noise to a minimum before I reentered the room, beaming. "Popcorn!" I announced, witnessing the god reclining in the spot I'd vacated. "Get it while it's hot," I finished, brandishing the bowl with a flourish.

As I sat down, he moved so his arm was around the couch – and my shoulder. Turning to arch a brow, I made a small noise of protest. "Do you wish for me to move it?" he asked mockingly, hiding a smile.

I glared at him and shrugged, shifting so I sat snuggled against his chest. Challenge accepted. "No," I replied sweetly, feeling him stiffen before relaxing again.

Mock glaring at me, he reached out for a handful of popcorn, stuffing the buttered pieces into his mouth and cursing around them. I chuckled, relaxing a little, and with each episode I leant more and more into the warmth at my side, slowly but surely falling asleep.

Loki

I couldn't tell you why I put my arm around her shoulder – well the couch technically – but I couldn't seem to stop myself once the notion was running through my mind. It was odd, admittedly, but pleasant. She smelt strangely sweet; like cinnamon and peaches and the scent wafted up to me as we chatted idly, her body slowly relaxing until she was completely resting against my chest.

In all honestly, I don't know why I allowed that either. Shaking my head at myself, I absently chuckled at something the characters did on screen, frowning when I heard no laugh from my companion.

Looking down, I realized Olivia had fallen sleep, her mouth open in a small pout. A voice in the back of mind noted that she trusted me enough to sleep not only in my presence, but on me. Deciding that my actions were not my own this night, I reached out and stroked down her hair, curiosly studying the dark locks.

She stirred at my touch, her eyes blinking open. "'Oki?" she slurred, looking over to me groggily.

"It's just me," I softly reassured her, stroking her hair still and hoping to lull her back to sleep.

I felt her shift, and looked down. "What's the time?" she asked, continuing to move until she was comfortable again; face plastered against my side.

"It's…" I turned to the small digital clock on the wall. "Just after midnight," I informed her. "Why?"

"No reason," she slurred again. "Do you want me to get off?" she asked.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "No, it's fine, go back to sleep."

Something in the back of my mind said that this was a weakness. Yes, I was close to the other Avengers, but this was closer than I ever allowed most people. Sighing, I closed my own eyes; hoping sleep would take me away from the slight confusion.

I heard my guest mumble something I didn't catch. "Sorry, what was that?" I murmured.

"I said that I don't wanna move anyway, and thanks," she repeated, smothering a yawn into my dress shirt. "Night Lokes."

Looking down at her, I blinked in confusion, a frown working its way onto my features. "Good night, Olivia."

Edited; 3rd August 2015

Another chapter down, hope you enjoyed it. Loki's never an easy character to write, but I'm getting better. (In other stories of course, not this one heh)

Taila xx