A/N: Okay, random filler and character development! YAY! Not much smut in this chappie, but I assure you there is more to come!
It was of course the biggest piece of gossip SHIELD had since those two computer analysts had that very public break up. So when Stella showed up to work obviously aching and in flats rather than her regular heels the day after her birthday someone just had to ask.
"Alright. So really, what happened? What did Loki do for your birthday that was so special? You haven't stopped smiling since you got here!" Tony had always liked making everyone around him as uncomfortable as possible and this was an opportune time to exploit his own curiosity and make Fury and the rest of the Avengers incredibly awkward.
Stella laughed "I'm sure you really don't want to know." As she handed out folders with various sheets of paper in them regarding missions and stations and other details.
"I'm sure I do! Why is he so great?" Tony pressed, jumping with glee in his head as the other Avengers shifted uneasily in their chairs.
"If you must know we made a sandwich." She grinned wider at the confusion "With two Lokis and one Stella in the middle." And walked confidently out of the room.
The next week Stella spent working during the day and the nights doing promotional work for her book that was coming out the day before thanksgiving. It was rushed but her publisher had been adamant that the book be out before Black Friday. Loki had noticed that Stella was getting a little stressed out but it seemed to reach a high point when her cell phone started to ring three days after her birthday.
Stella and Loki sat together eating a quiet breakfast that Sunday when she heard the quiet 'duh-dun' of the beginning of the JAWS theme song. She froze and willed it to be her imagination. 'Duh-dun' louder and faster this time.
"Oh god! No!" Stella wailed as she looked at the caller I.D. in her last ditch effort to deny who it was that was calling her. The ring tone reached a crescendo and she knew that the shark had gotten her as she answered.
"Hi mom." Loki had to stifle an amused snort.
Loki heard Stella's mother on the other end "Happy birthday honey! I just called to ask what you're doing for thanksgiving. You should come home and meet Jeff; I think you'll really like him."
Stella sighed then replied "Thanks mom but no thanks, I don't really want to meet your new boyfriend. And I'm doing promo stuff for my book so I can't come out."
"That's too bad! Well what about you? Have you finally found a man?" She asked hastily.
Stella ran her fingers through her hair and scratched her scalp, a habit Loki had noticed she did when she was stressed or upset. He reached out and pulled her hand lightly from her hair, holding it gently.
Stella answered "Yes mom. I have found someone but we haven't been dating for that long so I'm not sure-"
"OH! That's so great! I'm so happy for you! When will we get to meet him? Will I like him? What does he look like?" her mom tittered frantically.
"I don't think you should meet him just yet because we haven't been together that long. As for whether you'll like him and what he looks like that all depends if you still don't have a T.V."
There was a confused pause then her mother's shrill laugh blasted out of the speaker causing Stella to yank the phone away from her ear. "Oh you silly thing of course we have a T.V! We have to keep an eye on our little girl." Stella had given up telling her mother that her collection of boyfriends were not involved in her life and she was by no means 'their little girl'.
"Okay well did you see the footage of what happened here in may?" She asked cautiously.
"Of course I did! That Captain America is something else, I'll tell you what! His butt in that spandex-"
"AGH! MOM!" Stella was disgusted but she couldn't say that her mom had never said anything like that before.
"What? Are you dating him or something? Ooh! If you are you'll have to bring him over!"
"No mom, I'm not dating Steve. I'm dating Loki."
There was a long pause. "You mean the one you wrote your book on?"
"Yes. The one that tried to take over the world." Stella hadn't even gone to work and she was exhausted.
Another pause. "Hold on." After some movement and whispering a few minutes later her mother sucked in a breath then whistled it out "Well sweetheart, I have to say he's quite the catch. But would you look at his brother?! What a dish!"
"MOM! He can hear you! He sitting right here! And Thor's not that great by the way; I think I picked the right brother." Stella was embarrassed for her mom and she felt bad for Loki, she knew how much he hated being second best to Thor. She chanced a glance at him; he still held her hand and smiled softly at her.
"Well okay then." Her mother used the tone she recognized as 'I don't agree with you but it's your life and I'll tell you 'I told you so' later'. Then she continued brightly "Well I guess we'll see you at Christmas, and don't forget to bring Loki!" then the phone went dead.
Stella sighed again, putting the phone down she whispered "bye." Then looked over to Loki. "I'm sorry. She's a little eccentric. I'm sure she'll love you."
He looked pensive for a moment then said "your mother and father are not married any longer?"
Stella looked uncomfortable then glanced over at the opposite wall of her apartment not quite sure how to say it "My dad died when I was 14. Cancer." She smiled sadly at Loki as he brushed a thumb lightly over her knuckles. Then, after a moment, she straightened and laughed a little. "He was a great guy. I would say that he would have liked you but I'm not really all that sure he would." Stella started laughing, imagining her father meeting Loki and what he might have done. "He probably would have challenged you to an arm wrestle or something!" she was laughing hysterically and she wasn't sure why. After her laughter dwindled to a little giggle she stood "Well I have to head in to work, will I see you there or are you planning to stay home today?"
"I suppose I could stop by sometime today." Loki smiled up at her from his chair.
"Alright then I'll see you eventually." She said then bent down to give him a kiss goodbye then walked out of the apartment.
Loki smiled after her and couldn't seem to stop. He was happy here with her and he almost didn't want anything to change. But then he reminded himself that he would never be without her and soon enough the dust would settle and he would be on top finally.
When she came home that night she and Loki unpacked the boxes that had sat in the corner of her apartment containing all of her research and other bits and pieces from New Mexico that weren't vital for her to have so they stayed in the box.
Loki took the opportunity to ask a question that had been on his mind for some time. "Darling? What is behind this door?" it was next to the closet but he had never seen her open it and he was massively curious as to what was inside.
"I-It's nothing, just a little extra closet space, that's all. For off season clothes and stuff like that." Stella said, she knew she was a bad liar but she at least tried to save face.
Loki just pinned her with a look and she moved in front of the door.
"Now Stella, you know as well as I that I could easily get into that room and find out what it contains." Loki said smiling at her again.
"But you haven't or else you wouldn't have asked." Stella countered then her shoulders sagged. "I really appreciate you not invading my privacy like that. The least I could do is show you…it's really not that bad it's just..." then she smiled and twisted the handle "Welcome to my little obsession." Then threw open the door.
Loki was not sure what he had been expecting but it wasn't this. The tiny closet, maybe 3 ft. across 2ft. deep and 6 ft. high was stacked to the ceiling with shoe boxes. Though now that he thought about it, it made perfect sense, she had asked for designer shoes for her birthday, she wore a different pair of heels to work every day, it wasn't often that she repeated pairs; she would have to have a huge collection. They did not seem to be arranged in any particular order but they all had a little post-it note on the outside describing the pair that the box held in Stella's messy, blocky hand.
Loki smiled again then turned to her "How many?"
"There's about 40 pairs in this closet and 20-ish in the main closet so roughly 60." Stella said still unsure how Loki was reacting to the news. Becoming even more nervous at his silence she quickly said "I wear them all, it's not like I have them just to have them. Mostly to work, except for a few that are really not work appropriate but the rest-"
"Which are not work appropriate?" he asked suddenly.
Stella faltered then looked at the post-it's for a moment before pulling down a box, looked at the note again then pulled off the lid.
Loki was suddenly very close to her, she felt his hot breath across her ear as he whispered "wear them for me?" a pause "Just these."
Stella couldn't breathe so she just nodded and Loki left to sit on the couch in the living room. He sat for a minute or two before the bedroom door opened and she stood in the door way. Obviously she had gotten her breath back and her confidence was sky high as she leaned against the door frame.
Loki looked down at her feet and he felt his pulse quicken. The black patent leather glittered in the light. The shoes themselves were fairly simple sandals, a thick leather band across the toes with an ankle strap but the thing that really got him was the 5 inch tiny stiletto heel that looked as if it could pierce a man's heart without even touching him.
He groaned at the sight then stood "Those are staying on." He said firmly then threw her bodily over his shoulder and carried her back into the bedroom.
~(maniacal laughter from the author)~
It was her best selling book ever. Apparently the world was ravenous for information about the God that attempted world domination, not to mention the many thousands of women who thought an ambitious, assertive sort of man was highly attractive. Loki was officially a celebrity and with fame came gossip thus it wasn't long before Stella and Loki's relationship came to light and the rumors multiplied. Stella began getting thousands of letters and e-mails from women, some nice and some not so nice. 'Loki can you come look at this letter? I think it's another attempt at anthrax.' Became a common phrase in their apartment and Loki was getting tired of it. Mortals were petty and jealous but of course he had no room to talk (as if he would ever admit such a thing!). 4 days before Christmas Stella decided that it was a good time to finally visit her mother. So she told Fury that she was leaving to get away from the mail, called her mom to let her know they would be there soon and they left that night around 6 for Seattle, Washington.
The two of them stood on the door step of Stella's childhood home, a little blue bungalow with a wraparound porch and a tire swing in the front yard. Luckily it was dark already so they didn't run the risk of being recognized.
"Okay Loki, we're here. I'm sorry in advance if mom says anything that might make you mad, just try not to hold it against her."
"Darling, what do you think she could say?" Loki whispered back jokingly.
"I just don't want you being upset over something she says. It doesn't matter what she thinks, okay?" she looked up at him; her eyes were big and pleading with him.
Loki sagged a bit, giving in to her. She had been affected by all the attention the last few weeks even if she tried to brush it off and coming to see her mother had not done anything for it, the last thing he wanted to be was another stress in her life.
"Very well my dear. I will not take anything she says to heart." Loki agreed then pulled on her wrist as she attempted to violently scratch her nails through her hair.
Stella knocked and held her breath. Soon enough she heard the pounding of footsteps and the door swung open and she was blinded by a wave of salt and red pepper hair.
"Oh Stella I'm so happy you're here!" Her mother pulled away and held her at arm's length looking her over. Then smiled again. She then turned her eyes to Loki and she looked surprised for a moment then her smile was back "Oh my. You're much taller in person aren't you?" she laughed at her own joke then introduced herself "I'm Linda, Stella's mother."
Loki, charismatic as ever, smiled his most dashing smile and took her hand "Truly a pleasure. I am Loki Odinson." Then kissed her fingers politely. He looked up at her and assessed her features, he could see a little bit of Stella in her round face and wide eyes but that was where the similarity ended. If Loki had to guess he would say she was in her mid 50's.
Linda tittered for a moment then said "Well, for a supposed super villain you are quite the gentleman!"
Loki released her hand as the smile left his eyes. "Indeed." Stella recognized the edge in his voice and she looked over at him, he wasn't angry, maybe just a bit put out.
Stella broke the sudden tension "Mom, where are we staying?"
"We turned your old room into a guest bedroom; you and Loki are welcome to stay there" Linda smiled, completely oblivious to any sort of awkwardness that Stella was straining under. She reached for their suitcases when Stella interrupted "Loki can handle it. Upstairs second door to the right."
Loki just nodded, snapped his fingers and the luggage vanished. He waited for Linda's 'ooh's and 'ahh's to end then she invited them in.
"Jeff dear! Stella and Loki are here finally!" Linda yelled.
Loki felt Stella's fingers wriggle through his own and he gave her a reassuring squeeze before heavy footsteps came down the stairs.
Stella was pleasantly surprised with her mother's choice. He looked like a perfectly amiable older man complete with a disarmingly ugly Christmas sweater! Her smile blossomed on her face seeing his jovial expression.
"Stella this is Jeff." Her mother introduced him.
"I've heard a lot about you! Linda is so proud of you." He said holding out his hand. His voice was gravelly and strangely comforting.
Stella smiled wider shaking his hand "I'm happy to meet you. And this is Loki my…um…" Stella searched for a proper word; 'boyfriend' didn't really seem to suit him at all. She looked over to him seeing the laughter dancing just under the surface of his facade. 'What the hell?' her brain said and she finished her sentence. "My boyfriend."
"Well it's good to meet you." Jeff said holding out his hand like he had done with Stella.
Loki hesitated for only a moment then extended his arm and shook the smiling man's hand.
"Okay then! Now that everyone's introduced why don't we go to the living room and get to know each other better?" Linda almost shouted in her excitement.
"Loki and I will be there in a minute, I just have to get a glass of wine." Stella smiled then tugged Loki in the opposite direction to the kitchen.
Loki watched her flit around the kitchen nervously. "Darling, why are you still worried? I think it is going swimmingly."
Stella pulled the cork out of a half full bottle of wine, poured herself a glass then went to re-cork it when she stopped and took a long swig right from the bottle. "It's just the way I get around my mom. She's great for the first half an hour then, just watch, she'll say something about my 'jiggly thighs and butt' and that I should lose some weight-" Loki was behind her suddenly, both his hands planted firmly on her ass.
"Those," he said quietly into her ear "are two of my favorite parts of you." He pulled away then without warning swatted her butt playfully.
"LOKI!" Stella shrieked pretending to be scandalized.
"I cannot be held responsible for my actions, my hands are acting of their own volition-" he smacked her other cheek then acted surprised. "See? Completely out of my control!" he teased her throughout the evening, but still defending her when her mother mentioned her extra weight saying that he thought she was perfect just the way she was.
Finally when they retired to the guest bedroom Stella crushed his waist in a massive hug. "Loki. Thank you! You were so great!"
He smiled down at her and ran his fingers gently through her hair as his other arm rested across her back. "It was my pleasure."
The next few days went surprisingly well; her mother seemed to really take a liking to Loki, telling him stories about when Stella was little while he helped her in the kitchen. Stella found herself wanting to draw more and more until finally she had dug out her old art supplies. But the only thing she really wanted to draw was Loki so that's what she did. After every day the stack of paper grew and Stella finally had to admit to herself that she had completely fallen head over heels in love with the God of mischief.
On Christmas Eve day Stella was looking through her drawings while Loki and Jeff were downstairs talking about various manly things when there was a soft knock on the open door. Stella looked up to see her mother smiling at her. It wasn't her usual mega-watt grin, but a truly contented, happy smile.
"Hey Punkin. Can I talk to you?" she said coming in and sitting on the edge of the bed.
Stella couldn't remember the last time her mother called her "Punkin" but let it go and joined her on the bed.
"Yeah mom?" Stella was slightly nervous but she wasn't sure why.
"I wanted to talk to you about Loki." Her mother hesitated keeping her eyes on her daughter's face.
"What about him?" Stella asked. She was confused to say the least.
"Well I just happened to notice that you're drawing again and all you ever seem to draw is him."
Her mother was being cautious? Since when did that happen? "Well yeah, I mean, Loki is gorgeous and I really love the lines of his face." Stella replied looking out the open door avoiding her mother's knowing gaze.
"Is that all you love? It seems like a lot more than just his lines." Stella looked back to the older woman and saw warmth in her face that put all her fears and suspicions to rest.
"It is more than just his lines mom…I'm in love with him." Stella whispered.
Linda smiled and wrapped Stella in her arms pulling her close. "I'm very happy because I think he loves you too."
"How do you know? How do I know? I hate to say it but Loki is the God of lies, how do I know that he's being sincere? I…I'm scared, what if it turns out like last time? Or worse?" Stella snuggled into her mother's oversized sweater.
Linda shook her head then petted Stella's hair "Sweetheart, you have to let the past be in your past. What Ray did was wrong but it's over and you have to stop pushing men away because one jerk-off cheated on you."
"Yeah, he was a jerk. You're right, I should probably tell Loki…" she trailed off thinking of how he might react.
Linda squeezed her a little tighter then let go and left Stella to her thoughts.
A/N: OOOHHH the plot thickens! Reviews pls?