AN: Hello! :) Big thank you to the favourites, follows and...
Theta-McBride- Thank you! :D
Constance Bonacieux- N'aww thank you! :D
ladylove24- Haha, that's such a coincidence!
Ryle Culler- Thank you, I'm glad you like it! :D
Eva lay next to Loki in the bedroom of her apartment. Her head resting at the base of his neck. She nuzzled against him, resisting consciousness. The day before had been tiresome. It was both physically and mentally draining. Their only wish was to fall asleep next to each other like they had the previous nights. Now Eva did not really want to get up. "Are you awake?" a velvet voice asked her. She could feel the vibrations from Loki's neck as he spoke.
"Mm-hmm" she replied, groggily. Eva forced herself to sit up. Today they would go to Stark tower and attempt to sort things out. She gave an involuntary yawn. "Tired?" Loki asked.
"Mmm" she nodded and he chuckled. Eva ran a hand through her brown hair; hopefully things would go to plan. Eva planted a kiss on Loki's cheek before she left the bed, heading off to the bathroom. Loki watched her go with a smile. He noted the endearing look of her dishevelled appearance. No doubt all this stress was taking its toll. Not to mention the teleporting. She had coped better than he had expected. They would have to travel by those means again to get to the tower.
A shower later, Eva returned feeling more awake than before. Loki had already changed his clothes to his black leather ensemble. "Can you change my clothes as well?" she questioned. Eva only had a small amount of clothes that she had left in her apartment.
"Of course" Loki took hold of her wrists lightly, one in each hand. A golden light surrounded her and her clothes melted into something akin to her S.H.I.E.L.D uniform. She looked over herself impressed with his magic. "Are you ready?" he asked. Eva nodded in return an anxiousness creeping in. What if they wanted to kill Loki? He wrapped his arms around her so they could teleport. She braced herself for the dizzying journey.
xxxx
Clint Barton sat on the roof of Stark Tower. He absentmindedly played with an arrow in his hand, whilst he looked out towards the city. Last night had been unsuccessful in finding Loki and Eva. Once again they had made use of security cameras in an effort to capture a glimpse of the God. Barton suspected he must be in hiding. Maybe he was waiting for something? Hopefully not another army. Clint sighed, walking back into the tower. He decided he would see what the strategy was for today. "Any news?" he asked Steve.
"Stark is suiting up and then we'll head out for another search. If we can't find them…"
"He'll show up, sooner or later" Clint assured. As if on cue, a flash of light outside signalled Eva and Loki's arrival. Clint grabbed his bow, Natasha a gun, Steve his shield and Thor his hammer.
xxxx
Loki teleported onto the roof of stark tower, Eva encased in his arms. She broke loose from his grip, swaying slightly, to survey her surroundings. After a matter of seconds Iron man joined them on the roof. He was closely followed by Natasha, Clint, Steve and Thor emerging from inside the building. Their weapons primed. Loki and Eva were surrounded. Loki put his hands up in mock surrender; not wanting to be shot at, but he had no intention of being hauled away by S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Eva!" Steve exclaimed, beckoning her over. She looked back at Loki who seemed okay with her departure. She made her way over to the Captain. He dropped his shield and gripped her shoulders lightly, looking over her for any injuries. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine" she smiled, appreciating his concern. Steve glanced over at Loki who was eyeing their exchange.
"Let Loki and I speak alone" Thor requested not taking his eyes from his brother. Stark sighed dramatically, before walking towards the building. His suit stripped from him by machines in the floor. The others quickly followed him in, Eva in tow.
Stark moved into the kitchen, retrieving a bottle of alcohol from his secret supply. He poured himself a glass, while the others settled themselves in the room. Natasha sat on a stool at the breakfast bar, confused as to why Loki had let Eva go unharmed. Clint lent against it and Steve sat on the armchair of the sofa, while Eva lingered on the outskirt of the group. She would have to tell them about her and Loki, no matter what their reactions. "There's something I have to tell you" Eva started. Their combined attention was on her immediately. She took a steadying breath. "Loki and me…were…together" she uttered. After that statement, everyone seemed to talk at once.
"Knew it" Stark said almost smugly.
"What?!" Natasha asked, now it made sense.
"How?" Eva asked Tony.
"No" Clint drawled.
"Whatever he's told you is a lie" Natasha reasoned "You can't trust him" she urged.
"I have a sixth sense" Stark replied. Natasha raised an eyebrow, but Stark shrugged it off.
"But I didn't even know" Eva protested, not understanding how Stark could know before she did. Something had always drawn her to Loki, but she could not have predicted this turn of events. "Don't say you love him" Natasha said with a pleading look at Eva. She bit her lip, not wanting to disappoint the assassin. Natasha would not have been so easily compromised. Clint gave her a sympathetic look, while Tony downed his drink. Steve finally broke his silence, "So you two…fondue?"
xxxx
"Say what you must say" Loki spoke, seeing Thor's need to speak his mind. The blond God was impatient with his brother's antics. "Come home" Thor said plainly.
"You speak as if I have one" Loki said, amusement clear on his face.
Thor growled in annoyance "I am tired of your games, Loki"
"My games? Hm, from what I have gathered, you are not opposed to games yourself" Loki added, treading across the roof lightly. He watched the realisation dawn on Thor's face. Guilty, Loki thought, just as he'd suspected. "I did what I thought to be right" Thor protested.
"I know exactly what you did. In fact, I commend your ingenuity" Loki added, waiting for a useful reaction. He continued his leisurely pace across the roof. "I did not seek your praise" Thor replied following his movements.
"Then what do you seek?"
Thor hesitated, not wanting to say something to upset his brother. "I seek a truce. We have both wronged each other, be it recently or throughout our childhood. End this now and we can return to Asgard. Let this conflict continue no longer" Thor plead, hoping to get through to his brother.
"Did you rehearse that?" Loki quipped.
"Loki, please"
"And what if I do return? How am I to be treated?" Loki asked, trying to gain the answer he wanted.
"You are family, whether you like it or not. I will not see you locked away for no purpose. I know you care for Eva" Hm, I knew Heimdal played a part in this, Loki thought. How else would he know? "Asgard could be her home too" There it is, Loki thought. The answer he wanted; Eva and him in Asgard. Her name sounded strange coming from Thor. They had not officially met and Loki had not really wished them too. Loki stopped his movements, appearing to consider Thor's offer. "Alright" Loki managed.
Thor restrained a smile, only nodding once. It was difficult for him to understand Loki's motives. He had learned not to speak too soon when he thought he was making progress with Loki. From what he had seen through Heimdal's gift, Eva was making a difference. No one had suffered at Loki's hand. Loki had done what he could to repay Eva's kindness. Thor knew that Eva was the key to getting Loki back. The real Loki- the man he was supposed to be, had his life not been as ill-fated as it was. Eva's gift could let him redeem himself, rid Loki of his hate so he could trust again. Thor often cursed his younger self for his ignorance. Had he not been so forthright and reckless, perhaps things could have been different.
xxxx
Loki looked up as the Avengers and Eva walked back onto the roof. Loki extended his hand out to Eva as she approached him. She took it and they spoke quietly to each other about what had just happened to both of them. A bright smile spread on her lips when Loki told her they were going to Asgard. Excitement bubbled up inside her: she was going to a whole new world across the stars. She had some reservations, but at that point her curiosity was getting the best of her.
Thor walked over to the other Avengers, keeping an eye on Loki from his peripheral vision. "We will be returning to Asgard" Thor informed the group.
"All three of you?" Steve questioned, but seeing Loki and Eva together he had little doubt he would leave her behind. Thor gave a nod, confirming his suspicion.
"Fury's not going to like that" Clint murmured with a smirk.
"Guess who's going to tell him" Natasha replied, making Clint's smirk vanish. The two shared a quiet discussion on the topic.
"When are we leaving?" Eva questioned. Loki's eyes slid over to Thor who was holding the tesseract.
"We may leave now" Thor said with a smile. Eva returned it, walking with Loki over to him. She was now met with the realisation she would have to say goodbye to four extraordinary people. "I guess this is goodbye" she said to the group. Steve stepped towards Eva, his hand outstretched for a handshake. "It's been a pleasure working with you ma'am" he told her with a small smile, slipping the 'ma'am' on the end. Eva ignored his hand and hugged him instead. His strong arms wrapped around her to return the embrace.
"It's been great working with you too". She looked behind him to see some sort of line formed by the other three.
"Good luck, Eva" Clint told her. You're going to need it, he added silently.
"Thanks Clint" she replied brightly, giving him a hug also. Next was Natasha.
"Don't stay away too long: we might need you back around here" the redhead told her.
"I promise to visit. Tell Banner I said goodbye"
"I will" Natasha assured. The two shared a dainty half hug. Eva stepped over to Tony.
"Well" he started "You kids have fun" he said looking between her and Loki.
"Thanks Tony" she replied flatly. The billionaire gave her hug, not wanting to be left out. Eva smiled at them all, before entwining her fingers with Loki's. Thor extended the other side of the tesseract's handle to Loki. He gripped it, twisting the handle and the three disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Looks like we're going to Asgard! Reviews please! :D