A few weeks had gone by, work was getting easier. Faustine was getting a hang of everything she had to do. She grew a little closer from the Avengers team, which, at the same time, made her fail on her own resolve of not flirting with the trickster god. It was just a few glances, discreet eyelash batting, one second too long to leave the same room he was.

After beating herself up, during her lunch hour, the secretary grabbed her phone and started reading some fanfictions written about him. Even though she was right beside him, with all the excuses to start a conversation, why would he be interested in her? Well, at least in stories, she could fulfill her fantasies.

Loki was walking through the hallways, as usual, refusing to be anymore helpful as he needed to be. Maybe if he found something to do, for his own sake. The god had summoned his list of possible things to do, nothing seemed interesting enough.

Faustine was sitting at the table, lazily sipping water from her oversized bottle while reading on her phone. She was reading a oneshot romance, working on her facial control to not give any hints to passers-by of what the true contents were. When she reached the end of the story, she gave a scornful laugh, seizing Loki's attention.

- Sure…. Call me stupid with that ending…. - She said to herself, scorn still present in her voice.

- Please do share. I can't ignore a good scornful laugh when I hear one. - Loki said, entering the room.

- Lo-! Mr. Laufeyson. I am sorry for my behaviour. Can I be of any assistance? - Quickly locking the screen of the phone and bolting up to answer the Avenger.

- Yes! Of course! - He nonchalantly walked to her table. - You can start telling me about the story you just read. As I just asked.

- The story… well… It was about a prince, who tried to kill his older brother and take the throne. He was locked away for treason. At the end, his mother came to tell him that his beloved was happy with another man, a simple warrior. For me… it doesn't add up…

- Is there any other information that you aren't telling me? I… can see why it is natural for a normal person to choose that. - Loki asked, sitting on Faustine's table.

- There is… but I -

- Ms. Michaelis! - Peter Parker barged into the room.

- Yes, Mr. Parker? Can I be of assistance? - Faustine shifted her attention.

- Am I interrupting… I mean…. Yes! Aunt May is calling me! I said I was working a summer program at Stark's industries.

- ah, I see. Do you want me to talk to her?

- Yes! I'm sorry!

- Not a Problem. Please, hand me the phone. - Faustine said before picking the ringing phone. - Stark Industries. Advanced Technologies research branch. Faustine Michaelis speaking.

The two males were impressed by her quick wits. The conversation over the phone was long, leaving Loki forgotten in the background, until the god walked away. Faustine provided all information to Peter's concerned guardian and the boy could breathe once again.

It has been far too many close calls to escape him. If there was a higher power in charge… What was it doing? Was it to keep them apart? Was it to warn her of him? When Faustine accepted the job, she knew what she was getting herself into. She could have a little fun, couldn't she?

For the displeasement of Loki, the bug-kid kept the attention of his new midgardian pet all to himself. Toying with her has entertained him, taking away the bitter taste of helping his brother to be even more beloved and more cherished by people.