A/N: (I apologize for this being so late! I have had this done for a few days now, but not only did school get in the way, but the stupid site was down or something. It was refusing to upload anything. So I was forced to wait a while.)

Alright, so I'm not sure how many of you wonderful people will like this chapter, but I do appreciate all the lovely, lovely reviews! You guys make me so happy every time I get an email notification about another review for this story! Love to everyone!

So, I don't know how many noticed, but I did change the rating to this story. I felt that it was growing in a different direction, and just to be safe, I bumped up the rating. If anyone is not cool with rated M stories, well, I'm not sure what you are doing searching for stories under the rated M section. Haha no offense.

Please tell me what you all think, I'm a little nervous about this. Also, I did not have the time or energy to edit this right away. I do apologize! I really just wanted to get this up so you eager people could read! Love y'all. Lol.

Songs listened to: "Do What You Want" by Lady Gaga; "ET" by Katy Perry; "Lights" by Ellie Goulding; "Under the Sheets" by Ellie Goulding; "Alive" by Krewella; "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry; "Moment for Life" by Nicki Minaj; "Starry Eyed" by Ellie Goulding; "You Could Be The One" by Late Night Alumni

Kisses and Fireworks

"Oh, come on, Eduardo!"

The skinny, dark haired man behind the front counter of Darcy's apartment building shook his head, "I'm sorry, amiga. Your rent is already late and I've moved the due date for you twice. I can't help you with this one."

Darcy's shoulders sunk, "But who wants their power to go out on New Year's Eve?!"

Eduardo thought a moment as he gathered some things behind the counter, busy with work. "Probably people that pay their bills, no?" He said with his thick Spanish accent.

Darcy glared and watched him head for a back room marked Employees Only. "You're evil, Eduardo."

The short Spaniard smiled happily, "And you owe me four dinners and a $200 gift card to Hollister, Senora Lewis." With that he left her alone in the empty lobby.

Darcy groaned. She hadn't realized she owed him four dinners already. "Note to self," She said as she slugged her way towards the elevators. "Never ask a short, gay Spanish man for favors."

The elevator lifted her up seven floors before it sounded its usual bing and opened for Darcy to exit. She sighed and fixed her bag on her shoulder, weighing down painfully. Darcy left the elevator and found her apartment door within seconds. Jiggling the key in the lock, she opened the door and let her bag drop to the floor of the threshold with a harsh thud.

At the abrupt sound, a pair of snake-like green eyes met hers. "What are you staring at?" Darcy grumbled and turned into the kitchen, pulling herself a beer out of the fridge.

Loki sat up on the sofa and lifted a brow, "Someone seems a bit cranky today." He watched her throw her head back and take a large swig of beer. "I've heard most people don't start the drinking until the sun goes down."

Darcy slammed the beer on the counter and raked a hand back through her hair. "Yeah, well, they can go screw themselves." She gave him a final look before storming into her bedroom.

Loki's brows lifted halfway up his forehead, but he remained quiet. Darcy hadn't closed the door to her bedroom and he suddenly began to see items of clothing flying across the room. He leaned forward a bit and caught sight of a pair of colorful bras shoot across her bed and hit a lamp. He frowned. She's lost it, he thought.

Minutes later, Darcy was standing in the door way of her bedroom.

"Does this make my dress make my ass look huge?" She asked, turning slightly to reveal the outline of her profile.

Loki just about chocked on his saliva.

Darcy had wiggled herself into a rather short, strapless black dress that glittered from the kitchen light. Loki assumed that if she were to bend over, he would be granted a preview of what undergarments she'd chosen—if she had chosen to wear any at all. Loki swallowed and tried to channel his voice to speak. "No, not at all," He answered calmly. It was a lie, of course. But he found he didn't mind that it made her ass look ravishing. He stood and made his way into the kitchen, pouring a cup of tea.

"Good." Darcy smiled and turned into the bathroom to pull her hair up in an oddly twisted bun. It was slightly messy, thin locks falling at her ears and short ones down over her forehead. She examined her face in the mirror and applied little makeup: black eyeliner and eye shadow that would cause a sexy smoky look. Once done, she slid her glasses back on. It added a spunky look, she thought.

"What exactly are you dressing up for?" Loki questioned from the kitchen.

Darcy began applying sweet scenting lotion to her smooth legs and arms. "It's New Year's Eve!" She called out to her guest of several weeks.

Loki watched her as she adjusted her bosom in her delightful dress and walked over. "What are you drinking?" She asked with a brow raised. Before Loki could answer, she grabbed the cup and downed some of its liquid. She immediately grimaced. "Tea?" Darcy exclaimed.

Loki gave her an odd look, keeping his eyes from straying too far down. Goodness—what was happening to him? After this morning's TV events, it seemed it was hard for him to keep his senses in check. He'd seen Darcy in dresses before. Hell, he'd seen her on the toilet before. And never did he forget the once instance Darcy ran out of shampoo in the middle of the shower and insisted once Loki retrieved some for her, he would be the one to rub it in. Apparently the exam she had taken an hour before took too much energy out of her arms, or else she would have done it herself. Loki had been on the other side of the curtain and refrained from looking at anything wet and nude.

Now, however, Loki found a small piece of his insides regretting that decision. Looking at Darcy now—somewhat of a hot nerd—it made his skin crawl a bit. This is unusual, he thought to himself, half annoyed. He shouldn't be feeling so bothered. After all, he had a mission. He needed Darcy. He needed her for something very special, indeed. The question was: how was he going to bring the subject up casually?

"Yes, tea." He confirmed, taking the cup back and raising it to his lips.

Darcy grabbed it from him and poured it out in the sink, tossing the cup in after. "No. No tea. Are you kidding me?"

Loki's eyes narrowed, "I do not kid. That was perfectly good tea."

"It's New Year's Eve," She repeated. "We are going to be drinking everything but tea."

Sighing, Loki leaned his hip against the counter and folded his arms, "What are you going on about? Aren't you going out tonight?"

"Funny story, actually!" She said bitterly, "Everyone cancelled. The end."

Loki remained silent for a moment. "That wasn't very funny."

Darcy rolled her eyes, exasperated. "No shit!" She then grew a large smile that caught Loki by surprise. "That is why we are going to party together! Right here, in my apartment. With drinks and music and whatever else we want!"

Loki was about to protest, not being very fond of partying. Then a thought came to mind. Maybe he should party with Darcy. He could easily sit back and let her get drunk off her ass, and then she wouldn't know the difference between normal and strange. Leaving him with the perfect opportunity to bring up the topic of Midgardian male penises and possibly show her his. It was brilliant, and he approved. "I see," Loki said and noticed Darcy looking at him hopefully. Slowly, he grinned and stood straight. "Should I go change?"

Darcy's face lit up like he hadn't seen before and she nodded excitedly, "Yes!"

While Loki changed, Darcy settled the TV station on a music channel and lifted up the blinds to the windows behind the couch. She lifted them as high as they could go, revealing the city's bright lights under the darkening sky. In the kitchen, she unloaded the beers and margarita mixes. Quickly, she picked up what mess was left in both rooms, leaving plenty space for the cups of alcohol she was planning to consume. This was a night of celebration, right? It was the beginning to a new year—a new beginning! She should have the best time of her life, right?

Darcy tried not to think of how lonely she felt inside. She had been disappointed greatly when all her friends from class cancelled on her—all having plans with relationship partners. And of course Jane was spending it with her godly boyfriend that rocked an apron and knee socks so well it made her want to punch an old lady.

Losers, she thought enviously.

No. Tonight was going to be great. She was going to get drunk, watching the fireworks and dance to loud music that would probably get her in trouble with the neighbors. But who the hell cared? She looked hot, anyway. Any cop would have to think twice.

Darcy poured herself her first official drink of the night and turned when she saw Loki exit the bathroom from the corner of her eye. She swallowed down her drink with a burn.

"I hope this is appropriate for the occasion . . .?" Loki said, a bit awkwardly.

Darcy nodded, "It's perfect." She said, approving of his nice dark green button-down (the top few buttons undone, and elegantly so) and his slick back trousers. Neither of them bothered with shoes, and Darcy smiled. "Are you ready to get this party started?"

"Not particularly." Loki replied, taking the beer Darcy held out for him.

"Too bad," She turned up the bouncy music and sat back on the couch.

Hours into the night and Loki found he had actually quite enjoyed himself. He and Darcy had talked and laughed at about almost anything and everything. She told him about past New Year's celebrations she had had with family and Jane. Loki learned quickly that Jane was completely useless when it came to holding down her liquor, but that she seemed to be a pretty hilarious drunk, as well.

Loki listened to Darcy sing along with songs she heard and the banging on the door from the old hag that lived across the hall, shouting they turn down the music. Darcy would shout back for the lady to do something quite vile and then tip her head back for another swig of beer.

Though he wasn't a very big drinker, Loki had downed three beers. It didn't him absolutely nothing, for Midgardian beer was nothing like the drinks back on Asgard, but it didn't hurt to try. Darcy seemed to be enjoying herself quite nicely with this choice of drink. Those, and the colorful ones in fancy glasses.

There were some points in the night Darcy had gotten up and tried to drag Loki with her, begging him to dance. He'd declined more than once, and she eventually gave up.

Through everything, Loki remained patient. Waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. After all, he refused to take the easy way out and show her at just any time, resulting in him obliviating her memory afterwards. No. No—he wanted this to be different. For some odd reason, Loki felt the need to burn the image of himself in her mind so she'd never forget. He wanted—and he wasn't sure exactly why—to be something—an image—that stayed with her for, well, ever.

"It's close to midnight! Only an hour to go." Darcy squealed. "And I'm only tipsy! Damnit."

Loki smirked, "I don't even have a buzz."

Darcy rolled her blue eyes, "You've only had a few drinks. Of course you don't even have a buzz!" They chuckled together and then she turned to him with a smile, "Let's play a game!"

Loki lifted a brow at her, "A game?"

"Hell yeah, a game!" Darcy giggled and sat back on the couch.

"What kind of game?" Loki questioned, taking a sip of his beer.

Darcy thought a moment and then gave him a wry smirk, "Truth or Dare."

Loki laughed, "That sounds ridiculous."

"You're scared." She moved to the coffee table, sitting directly across from him now. "That's cute."

Loki's eyes narrowed, "I am not scared."

"Then play," She challenged, taking a final drink of her beer and putting it aside.

"Fine. Let's play your stupid little game." Loki put aside his own beer and sat up, crossing his legs properly. "You begin. Show me how to play."

Darcy explained, "I say 'truth or dare' and you pick one. If you say truth, I have to ask you a question and you have to answer honestly."

Loki laughed out loud, "You're asking the god of mischief and lies to answer truthfully no matter what the question?"

"Shhh, I'm not done!" Darcy said, nudging his knee with her foot. "Now, if you say dare—I will dare you to do something, and you have to do it."

This intrigued Loki, "And it goes the same way for you?" Darcy nodded in response and he grinned. Oh, yes. "Alright. Let's play."

"Okay, I'll go first." Darcy cleared her throat, "Truth or dare?"

Loki thought a moment, "Truth."

It was Darcy's turn to think. "Have you ever seen Thor completely naked?"

Loki rolled his vibrant eyes, "Yes." Darcy began giggling and he cut through it. "Truth or dare, Miss Lewis?"

"Truth," She answered quickly.

The next forty-five minutes were filled with questions and dares that Loki hardly found as interesting as he'd hoped they'd be. Darcy might have not been drunk yet, but she was tipsy. Everything he said or did set her into a fit of giggles. It was as if she got enjoyment out of anything they were saying and doing. As bored as he was getting, he was strangely happy she didn't feel the same.

Without hesitance, as it was his turn to be asked a question or dared to do something, Loki decided it was time to make things interesting. "Truth." He said simply.

"Are you happy here?" She asked curiously.

"As happy as I can possibly be while being a world-wide realm-wide villain and reject." He answered. "Alright, truth or dare?"

"Truth," Darcy answered, sitting back with her palms flat against the table top. She crossed her legs at the knee and bounced her heel.

Loki inched his head to the side and held her eyes, "Are you wearing underwear?"

Darcy felt her face flush with heat at his sudden bluntness, "Yes." She tried to pull away from his gaze as she asked, "Truth or dare?" Oh, two can play at that game, she thought.

"Dare," Loki answered with a smirk.

Darcy then stood and climbed on top of the coffee table, the remote in her hand as she turned the dance club music up a tad more. Outside, the music from the other people's celebrations was loud and hyper. Lights flashed from windows of another apartment complex across the busy street below. "Dance with me," She said and tossed the remote onto couch.

Loki ran his hand back through his dark hair and stood. With Darcy on the coffee table, she was roughly at eye level with him. He stared at her, waiting for a reaction of some sort. He wasn't sure what. Silently, he set his hands on her hips.

Darcy breath hitched and she placed her hands flat on Loki's shoulders. He slowly lifted her and gradually placed her on the floor. "Just this one song," He said quietly, but firmly, never taking his eyes off hers.

Carefully, Darcy laced her fingers with his and led him to an empty spot between the kitchen counter and the living room. The floor was cold on her naked feet, but she refrained from showing any sign of that. Instead, she looked up at Loki and took both of his hands in hers. Loki looked down at her blankly and she placed them lightly on her hips—secretly loving the length of his elegant fingers on her body.

They danced into the song for several quiet minutes, and Darcy tried to make the best of it. She would lift his hand above her head and do a twirl—making her more dizzy than expected. She would turn her back to him and move her hips with his, looking up at him over her shoulder. Loki only gave her annoyed looks, and it made her laugh.

Soon enough, she worked Loki into moving deeper with the music than before. He would swirl her into his arms and out again. They'd spin together and laugh slightly on occasion when Darcy would stumble on her feet. Though, through it all, Loki kept a safe distance. Never touching her for too long. Darcy did nothing but notice.

The song that had been playing ended in a soft, fading melody and the two stared into each other's eyes with thick tension growing steadily. Darcy looked upon Loki's face, neon colors from outside flashing across his face every other second. Blue. Green. Pink. Blue. Red. Purple. Green. She swallowed and licked her lips.

"Truth or dare?" He asked in a low tone, his eyes running across her face and neck, down to her cleavage and back up again. Loki inched a bit closer, the heat in the air warming his skin and sending his senses into a haze. It was oddly . . . enticing.

Darcy found it hard to speak. "Dare."

"Kiss me."

Beneath her ribcage, Darcy's heart skipped a beat and was sent spiraling into a chaotic thumping in her chest. It was hard to hear any music or shouts from the lively city when the muscle pounded in her ears. "K-kiss you?" Had she already passed out from too many drinks and was dreaming?

Loki leaned in close, "Kiss me, Darcy."

Before her brain could register to do anything else, Darcy pounced and threw her arms up and around Loki's broad shoulders. Her mouth crashed against his and it felt like a million bolts of electricity shooting up from the pads of her feet to the very tips of her fingers. Somehow, it felt free.

Darcy moved her mouth against his, noses crushing in the process. Within short, exhilarating moments, Loki's tongue was tracing the seam of her lips and prodding for access. Darcy granted it instantly and felt his long tongue tangle and battle with hers.

Suddenly her entire mouth felt as if she'd inhaled sharply on a very cold winter's day. Her tongue stung with the cold and it tickled every inch of her mouth.

Darcy gasped and pulled away, staring with wide eyes.

Loki looked flustered—his hair messy and unraveled, his lips swollen and dark pink. Slowly, he grinned like sin itself. "Darcy," He said and dipped in to capture her lips with his once again.

Their kisses turned hungry, needy. Loki pressed his hands everywhere they could reach and Darcy returned the notions quite eagerly. She gripped his shirt and pulled it apart until the buttons popped off. Loki hadn't noticed until she ran her hands up his torso with shaky hands. He pulled away from her lips and gave her a coy look.

Outside, the sounds of a countdown began to grow loud. People all over the city were calling out the seconds until the ball dropped in Time Square and the new year officially began.

"Yes?" Loki breathed against her mouth, sending his frosty breath into her mouth. It sent chills down her spine and back up.

Darcy nodded quickly, "Yes. Yes." Loki hoisted her up in his arms, her legs obediently wrapping around his waist. He turned and walked them back towards her bedroom.

At the entrance of the small room, Loki set her down gently. Darcy hadn't noticed her hair had fell from her bun and cascaded down her back and shoulders—quite messily. Though, she failed to care. Her attention was on the Asgard god in front of her, sliding off his shirt, letting it fall to the ground, and then pressing the tips of his fingers to her abdomen. "What are you—" She began, confused.

"Shhh," Loki silenced her calmly and pressed his fingers against her a little harder. They then began to light up. A bright blue color beamed from beneath his fingernails, causing a small pinch of pressure to erupt inside Darcy's belly.

"Loki—" It was an odd feeling, but Darcy couldn't bring herself to mouth the words she wanted to shout. What the hell was he doing? She was too much in a tizzy to really focus on the bright lights in his fingers. It was making her feel dizzy and weak. Her eyes hurt from looking at his hand too long, so she looked up and his concentrated features. His lips were tugged up at the corners in the faintest of smirks.

When the blue lights faded out, he looked into her eyes with a glint of mischief. "We can't have you giving birth to little hybrid babies, can we?"

Darcy simply bit her lip and let the tickling sensation in her womb die down.

Loki began to back her up to the bed until the bend of her knees hit the edge and she fell back, suddenly feeling a light breeze. Darcy looked down and saw he had gotten rid of her dress, leaving her in her lacy bra and underwear. "Loki!" Talk about subtle, she inwardly cursed.

"You're stunning, Darcy." Loki said leisurely, milking the view of her beautiful figure lying on the bed he stood in front of. It was—it was so thrilling. He'd never seen her in such a light before. Loki couldn't believe how aroused he felt by just simple kisses and the sight of her so bare, her hair sprawled out across the sheets. "Absolutely exquisite."

Darcy was blushing as she lifted up onto her elbows, staring up at him through her thick lashes. He wasn't so bad himself. She raked her eyes down his fine upper half. His nipples were a pleasant shade that blended perfectly with his alabaster skin. The muscles lining down the center of his torso weren't overly defined, but still apparent in the dark lit room. And then there was the trail of dark hair that sprouted from his navel and hid down beneath the waistband of his black pants. Oh, hell, Darcy thought, biting her lip. He was utterly gorgeous. And she wanted him.

Loki leaned down and moved over her, moving his lips against hers in a slowly, sensual kiss that left her breathless.

The city chanted, "Five . . . Four . . ."

Darcy deepened the kiss and then pulled her lips from his, "Truth or dare?"

Loki's breath was like ice, filling her lungs with a subzero fire. "Truth," He answered, his green eyes boring into hers.

"Three . . . Two . . ."

"Will I remember this in the morning?" She asked, playing her fingers through the ends of his hair at the base of his neck. There was something stirring about this—something exciting—it was something Darcy couldn't resist for the life of her.

"You won't ever forget it." He answered, pinning her down.

"ONE!" Cried the city.

Fireworks blasted through the sky, illuminating the dark night alongside the stars and moon. They erupted into bright colors, glittering through the air as the people went mad. Screaming and shouting was everywhere, colors flourishing in every direction and filling Darcy's bedroom like an ostentatious night party.

The best fireworks, however, were the ones that burst behind Darcy's closed eyelids the moments Loki's mouth connected with hers deliciously. They were bright, intense and striking all in the best ways.

"Happy New Year, Darcy." Loki grinned against her lips.

"Happy New Year, Loki." Darcy grinned back and pulled him hard against her, kissing him passionately.