Hey everyone! Yay a new chapter! I know it's been a bit longer than I said it would, but the chapter's slightly longer too, so I hope it's okay.

I don't own the Avengers, only Emma and the story plot.

Edit: I just corrected a confusing Miami to Malibu as it should be :) Next chapter will come soon, for anyone waiting (and seeing this)!

Chapter 10

Cuddles and 'fangirling'

"I'm sorry," Loki says, when we're sitting on the couch after eating breakfast. Both Bruce, Nat and Clint have gone elsewhere, so it's just the two of us. We're talking casually together, when he suddenly blurts the words out.

I frown and look confused at him. "For what, Loki?" I don't recall him doing anything worth apologizing for in the last couple of days.

"You've been so good this week, trying to cheer me up. You've really comforted me, and I haven't even thought to ask you how you are," he says, looking me in the eyes; he looks concerned but I can't really figure out why. I'm still confused.

"Not that I don't love that you care about me, but why should you ask how I am?" I ask him.

"I should have asked, because your father is sick and left, and you've been so caught up in my drama, that I'd completely forgotten it," he explains.

My mouth falls slightly open at his explanation. I can't even begin to fathom how much he's changed. Here he is, actually apologizing for not asking how I've been since my father left. His words don't sit all too well with me, though, because the truth is that I have been thinking about my father, trying to forget about it by focusing on Loki. And his words kind of make it seem worse than it is. Worse than I'd like to think it is, anyway.

"First off, he left to get better, which is good, and he's with Pepper, which is also good. Secondly, I want to know how you feel and I want to be 'caught up in your drama'; don't worry about it," I say, grabbing his hand and entwining our fingers. "And thirdly, thank you so much for asking me that question. Thank you so much for caring." I feel myself getting a bit emotional and try to swallow the feeling.

Loki seems to realize it, too, because he squeezes my hand slightly and kisses my temple. "I know he left to get better, and he's going to get better, I don't doubt that. You have a strong father, Emma, and he has a lot to return to." He smiles at me. "But you're still allowed to miss him, and if you need to be with him, I understand."

I widen my eyes; this I didn't see coming. "Oh no, Loki, I think my father would prefer it if I wasn't there actually; I think it might be easier for him to be alone with Pepper. I think he would hate that I saw him like that, he likes to pretend that he's invincible." I smile softly. "But I do miss him, of course I do. I know he's going to come home and be okay, that's what's keeping me up. To be honest it's easier for me to focus on you; that way I don't have to worry about him."

Loki pulls me into a warm hug, surprising me completely. He squeezes me close, letting me know that he's there for me, and honestly, I just feel safe in his arms. I close my eyes as I rest my head on his shoulder, hugging him tightly. I feel a lump in my throat, feel the tears about to burst out of my eyes, but I push them back. I don't know how he does it, or how he knows, but right before my tears fall, he pulls back and kisses my forehead before smiling.

"I should get you something else to focus on then," he says, smirking the tiniest bit, and just like that, my tears and the lump in my throat are gone and I'm smiling back.

"What are you thinking?" I ask, tilting my head.

He stands up suddenly, still holding my hand. "I want to ask you out on a date," he says.

I chuckle. "Okay," I say, "Where are we going?"

"To the park," he decides and I stand from the couch. "We can make a picnic."

I raise an eyebrow. "You know what a picnic is? Not that it's not a good idea, just, isn't that kind of a new word?"

(Loki's POV)

I can feel her tremble slightly, giving me enough of a warning to pull back. I just know that I have to cheer her up, like she did for me, like I owe her.

I smirk a bit, "I should get you something else to focus on then."

I really appreciate everything she does for me. Who knew I'd find someone who would be there every day to cheer me up? I certainly wouldn't have guessed. Nor do I think I deserve it.

"What are you thinking?" she asks, her voice curious.

She does, however, deserve something for comforting me, for being here. That's why I say, "I want to ask you out on a date," whilst standing from the couch.

When my words make her chuckle I know I've made the right decision.

"Okay, where are we going?" she asks then, looking up at me, and that's got me thinking. Because I didn't exactly plan anything. I do remember Natasha's words, though.

"She'd probably like classic dates, like going out to eat, going to the movies, having a picnic, going bowling; stuff like that," Natasha says to my hesitant request for date ideas. I'm not exactly well-versed in Midgardian dating rituals. And to be honest, I really want Emma to have the best.

"I don't know what a picnic or bowling is, though," I say, trying not to seem too anxious about the prospect of doing something wrong.

Natasha laughs then. I frown slightly, but it doesn't seem like she's making fun of me, it sounds happier than that. "A picnic is when you pack some food and go to eat it at the park, sitting on a blanket or something like that. Bowling is a game, but I think you should stick to what you know. You can always ask her to take you bowling, if you're interested," she said.

"To the park," I say. "We can make a picnic."

I pull her up to me. "You know what a picnic is? Not that it's not a good idea, just, isn't that kind of a new word?"

I turn around, walking towards the kitchen. "Natasha told me." I quickly walk towards the fridge, going to pack for our picnic.

Emma stands by the couch for a few seconds, before I feel her catching up to me. She chuckles softly when she catches my arm, "You asked Natasha about dates?"

I groan playfully, ignoring her question, successfully making her laugh again.

(Emma's POV)

"Should we just sit here?" I ask, pointing at the grass underneath a big maple tree. Funnily, there isn't a lot of people in the park today, not that it matters. Really, I think we both prefer to be alone.

Loki nods and hands me one corner of the blanket we brought, so we can spread it out evenly.

I sit down on it, smiling up at him, until he sits down next to me. I smile again when I think about how he apparently asked Natasha for date ideas; I like the fact that he seems to care about things like that.

"What are you smiling about?" Loki asks; he's opening the cooler bag which we brought, filled with, I hope, delicious food and drinks, since I wasn't allowed to see.

"You're just sweet," I smile, looking lovingly at him. He smiles back genuinely. "What did you bring?" I try to peak into the bag, but he denies me access by moving it behind him.

"I know this isn't going to be perfect, because I made it in five minutes, but I made this for us," he says then, revealing simple sandwiches.

I smile, moving to grab one. "It is perfect, because you made it. Thank you, Loki!"

He smiles, too, clearly relieved, making me smile inwardly. "This is what you're supposed to eat at a picnic, right? I don't want you to pretend it's good if it's not."

I can't help but burst out laughing. "I'm not pretending, don't worry. Sandwiches is just right for a picnic."

"Stop teasing me!" Loki says, pretending to be angry, but his actions prove otherwise as he tugs me forward into a kiss.

The reason for the lack of people in the park is suddenly made very clear, when the sky opens and the rain starts pouring down. Before we've even properly realized what's going on, we're drenched.

"We should pack it up again," I say, starting to laugh as the reality sinks in. Loki starts laughing, too. We're both laughing as we stand to fold the blanket and put the sandwiches back in the cooler bag.

"Let's run," Loki says, his eyes twinkling as he grabs my hand and starts running. I follow closely behind him, my hand safely tugged in his, as we hurry home.

(Loki's POV)

"Where have you been?" Natasha asks immediately as we step inside of the living room, completely drenched from the rain.

We glance at each other, before we look back at Natasha. "Outside," Emma says, shrugging.

Natasha rolls her eyes, glancing at Clint with a head shake. "Obviously," she says. "If you get sick, no one is telling Stark."

Emma chuckles, "He won't hear about it from me." I smile inwardly at her response.

Emma looks at me then, "I'm going to take a hot shower. We can continue our date afterwards." She kisses my cheek softly, before moving to her room and bathroom. I follow her with my eyes, her wet shirt clinging to her back, till she disappears from my sight.

"You should probably take a shower too, Loki," Natasha says, glancing me over. I shrug in response, moving towards my own room.

Clint chuckles by the couch. "And you might want to make that a cold shower."

I turn around to glare at him, only to find him laughing. I shake my head slightly, and move towards my room again.

(Emma's POV)

I can't quite believe that Loki has changed so much. Or maybe he's just changed back to who he was before he was told the truth of his parentage. I'd like to believe that. That he was once like this; nice and caring.

It's weird to think maybe, but I can't help but picture a life with Loki when he's like this. It's far out in the future, if it even has a future but I refuse to go down that road, but still it's a nice thought. I'm not sure what my father would think though. And his father; I scowl slightly at the thought. I wonder if we continued this relationship if I'd be able to visit his home with him, Asgard I mean. I kind of want to; to see the place I've read of in the myths, but most importantly to see the place where Loki grew up. Maybe Loki wouldn't want me to, though.

To be honest, I like sassy smirking Loki a lot, when he's not killing people of course, but I might like caring smiling Loki even more. I think he is both, and he still is, and I want him to continue to be both. I just want him to be himself actually. The guy controlled by Thanos killing hundreds of people, was never him. It was his actions, of course, but not him. At least I don't think so, and he's proving more and more that I'm right. Anyway, I like this Loki a lot, I might even love him.

I shake my head at myself. Love is a big word, I shouldn't just throw it out; I'll wait and see. I don't know if I love him yet, but I am in love with him.

As I step out of the shower I immediately notice the black bird outside the window. I wrap the towel around me, and step closer to the window to look closer at it. It's definitely a raven; I briefly wonder if it's the same bird I saw in the amusement park, but quickly dismiss the thought, cause how could it be? It screeches suddenly, making me squeak in surprise as I step back. Its gaze seems to be piercing me, like it can look right through me and see all of my thoughts and feelings. It keeps screeching, though, so I quickly backtrack out of the bathroom, feeling quite creeped out by the bird.

I get dressed quickly in comfy clothes, moving to the living room to meet up with Loki.

"What now?" Loki says, when he steps into the room, immediately sitting down on the couch.

"Now," I say, grabbing his hand. "I show you the home theater, so we can watch a movie."

"I can't believe you haven't made me watch a movie yet, actually," Loki says, smirking, "The day is finally here."

I smack his arm with a huff. "I'm not that bad," I say, a small whine making its way to my voice.

"Of course not," Loki says, throwing his arm around me with a grin.

Once we've taken the elevator to the right floor, we move down the hallway until we reach the door at the end. I open it to reveal a large home theater with comfortable couches, dim lighting and a large television.

"What are we watching?" Loki asks, sitting down on a couch in front of the screen. I sit down next to him, getting comfortable as I put my legs up and snuggle close to him.

"Harry Potter?" I offer, shrugging slightly, not really caring as long as I get to cuddle him.

Loki shrugs in response, "I guess I have been wanting to get to know that story."

I perk up a bit at his words. "You can borrow my books, too, you know. The books are better."

He smiles softly at me. "I might take you up on that offer. For now, let's just watch it."

I smile back. "Jarvis?" I say, turning my head slightly.

"Already on it, Miss Stark," the calm voice says.

"Thank you," I say as the screen erupts in color and the familiar tune begins. I cuddle closer to Loki when the movie begins properly.

"Doesn't he have a wolf skin? How does he transform into a wolf?" Loki asks, as we're watching the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It's the last movie we're going to watch for now, even though we have fetched the food Loki made, and also made a supply of snacks. Watching three movies in a row is still kind of tiring. Also, Loki has a lot of questions, and I mean a lot of questions; concerning the magic and pretty much everything. Which is completely fair, I know, but a bit tiring for me, when I was just expecting to cuddle comfortably.

"He's a werewolf, so he just transforms 'naturally' when there's a full moon," I explain. "Why would he have a wolf skin?"

"As far as I know you need to wear the wolf skin to transform, then you're a wolf for nine days and nights, and on the tenth night you'll become yourself again," Loki explains.

I pause for a second to ponder the thought. "Well, I guess this is just another type of werewolf then."

Loki nods. "This reminds me, though."

"Of what?" I ask curiously.

"The goblins at the bank, aren't they just dwarves?" he asks.

I frown. "I guess… I don't know…"

"I think they're similar," he says then. I just nod and un-pause the movie.

"Hey Pepper," I say on the phone, having called to check up on my dad. She replies, sounding happy. I smile; that must mean it's going well.

"The House point hourglasses weren't in the movies, were they?" I hear Loki ask me from the couch. I ignore him though, waving him off to continue talking to Pepper.

"How're you doing in Malibu?" I ask, turning slightly away from Loki to focus on Pepper.

"We're doing okay, Emma," she answers. "Your dad's doing a bit better, though he still refuses to see a psychologist." I can practically see her shake her head at the words.

I chuckle softly. "I didn't expect him to, to be completely honest." I bite my lip slightly, "Can I talk to him?"

There's a silence on the other end, making me say, "It's okay if he doesn't want to, I…"

"Of course he wants to, Emma, I was just calling him," Pepper says, laughing a bit. "He misses you a lot, you know, just didn't want to bother you." I smile, I've missed him a lot, too. "He's here now, bye Emma."

"Bye, Pepper."

"Hi, Em!" my father says happily.

"Hi, dad!"

"How's it going?" my father asks.

I chuckle. "I should be asking you that, Dad." He stays silent, so I continue, "It's going fine. We're all fine, though I'm sure you're in contact with Natasha, Clint and Bruce, so you already know that."

My father huffs. "They only tell me if something's wrong. Besides, no matter what they think, they don't know everything." I laugh; I can practically see him roll his eyes teasingly. "What have you been doing, Em?"

"Hmm," I hum, trying to think of what I've actually been doing since he left almost a week ago. "I took Loki to an amusement park, where Natasha and Clint followed us, of course; I'm sure you told them to do that."

My father chuckles. "Kind of, yeah," he answers. "That sounds fun, Em. You both enjoyed it?"

I hum in affirmative. "Yeah, it was great. We had fun." We continue talking about what I've been up to; the amusement park, the 'failed' picnic and so on. But only of my life, not his; I'm determined to get into that later though.

"I feel like the ghosts appear more in the book, than they did in the movies," Loki says, interrupting my conversation. "I like Peeves."

"Hold on a sec, Dad, Loki's saying something," I say, before turning to Loki. "What did you say?"

Loki looks at me, "Nothing important. Just continue talking with your father."

I roll my eyes teasingly at him, and sit down on the couch to continue talking more comfortably. "Sorry, Dad, it wasn't important."

"That's okay, sweetheart," my father says. "What's he doing?"

"Oh, he's reading Harry Potter," I say, and then the conversation continues for at least half an hour.

"Of course we didn't get sick, Dad, we were careful," I say. "Anyway, how are you doing?"

I can tell he doesn't really want to answer by his delayed answer, but I want to know.

"I'm doing okay, Em', I swear. I'm sleeping and everything," he says finally.

I sigh in relief. "That's good." I bite my lips softly, before asking, "So, why don't you want to see a psychologist then?"

"Because I don't need to," comes the answer.

"Daaad!" I groan. "It can't make it worse."

"It might not make me better either, Emma."

I shake my head. "No, but it might, Dad." He's about to say something, deny it probably, so I cut him off, "Listen, Dad, what if it did? Then you'd be able to come home much sooner. Wouldn't it be worth it?"

I can hear my dad sigh on the phone. "Fine, Em', I'll consider it, I promise."

I beam. "Good, I'm glad, Dad."

"Hermione's pretty smart," Loki says then, looking up at me. I roll my eyes for the nth time this phone call.

"Um, Dad, I think I might have to go. Loki wants to talk and I might have to make dinner soon, too."

My father hums. "Okay, Em'. I love you and take care! I'll call again soon."

"I love you, too, Dad. And you to. Talk to you later!" Then we hang up.

I turn to Loki. "What?" I ask him teasingly.

"I like Hermione," he says, "She's tough."

I laugh and move closer to him, so that he can put his arm around me. "Yeah? I like Hermione, too. What part did you reach?"

"Oh, I finished this," Loki says then, making me frown at him. He doesn't notice my slightly confused look though, and just continues to talk, "Honestly, Harry and Ron wouldn't have survived if it wasn't for her. She lied to the professors about the troll, so they didn't get in trouble; she put Snape's robes on fire, so Harry wouldn't get hurt on the broom; she solved the potion riddle. And this is only the first book!"

"I'm glad you're so excited about it," I laugh. "And you're right, she gets so much cooler further into the books."

"Maybe I should continue reading now, then," Loki suggests, already moving to go to my room to get the book. I laugh, finding it hard to really be angry with him for leaving.

(Loki's POV)

Finally, we're continuing the Harry Potter movies. I must say, if I'd known they were going to be this good, I would have asked to watch (and read) them a long time ago.

Emma was right, though, Hermione definitely got even more tough and bright in the next books. I'm sad that some of her cool moments wasn't in the movies, though. The fact that she stood next to Harry to protect Sirius by the lake when all the dementors arrived, without even knowing the charm to shun them, is amazing. And that's really just part of it.

I think it's a good idea to watch the movies first, though, because then I get positively surprised when reading the books, instead of disappointed when watching the movies.

We've made it into the second half, I think, of the fourth movie (Harry has just jumped into the lake with the other contestants), when Steve enters the room.

Emma and I are both cuddled up on the couch, completely engaged with the movie. It's only when Steve clears his throat that we both look up and Emma pauses the movie.

"Steve!" Emma exclaims and stands from the couch to hug him.

I can tell that Steve is grinning, though when he looks at me it's with a slightly more warning look. I hesitantly give him a small smile, purposely not doing anything that might anger him, before I know why he's back.

"Why are you back already? Did you have a good trip? I'm so happy to see you," Emma exclaims, the words rushing out of her mouth.

Steve smiles at her. "I realized home is best," he simply answers, but then shrugs and adds, "And I met Tony in Miami, saying he'd left the rest of you here alone."

Judging from the small shake of her head, she rolls her eyes. "We're fine, you know, it's not like we're alone."

"Of course," he says, before holding both hands up. "Forget it, I just wanted to let you know I'm here." I can't help but see his words as a threat, especially when he glances at me shortly at the last words. I'm sure Emma didn't notice though, too busy being happy. I smile at her enthusiasm, refusing to think about the words until he mentions it again.

Steve turns to leave the room, and that's Emma's clue to hurry back next to me, beaming as she tugs herself under my arm and un-pauses the movie.

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