(Alexis P.O.V)

Showering quickly and getting changed into comfortable clothing, I race back to the elevator and head down to the theatre. On the way it stops on, and lets Natasha on.

Her phone was put to her ear and she was talking rapidly. She glances at me and smiles, pressing the button for the ground floor.

"Are you okay?" she asks softly, as the person on the other end of call talks.

I nod. "Yea I'm okay."

She goes to say something to me, but her focus shifts back to the person on the phone. She rolls her eyes at me as the elevator stops at my floor.

I wave goodbye as I walk off and down the hall.

"Alexis," She calls after me, causing me to stop and look back at her. She says something into the phone before taking it away from her ear.

"Are you sure you are alright?"

Again I nod. I didn't want to think about what had happened. All I wanted was to get to the movie room and watch my movie. "I'm fine," I smile.

Nat looks at me, and I can see the disbelief in her eyes. Thankfully, she gets distracted by the person on the other end of the phone again.

Taking my chance, I wave back at her and continue heading to the movie room.

Entering the room, I see Loki reading in the middle of seating. I grin as he doesn't look up at me. Quietly shutting the door behind me, I crouch and sneak up the side of the chairs until I'm at the row behind Loki. Holding back a giggle, I tread carefully behind the row of chairs. As I get ready to jump at Loki, he speaks.

"I know you are there, Aithne." He chuckles as he turns the page in his story.

I huff and stand up.

"How did you know I was there?! I thought I was quiet." I frown as I walk around to him.

Loki grins at me, as I hop onto the chair next to him, 'secret" he winks before turning back to his book.

I roll my eyes at him, before looking around.

"Where is Tony? I thought he was going to be here."

"He got a message on his phone and then said that he would be back in 10 minutes. He said to not start the movie until he returned and that was about 5 minutes ago," Loki said as he turned another page in his book.

Turning back to Loki, I try to get a look at the cover of the book before asking, "What are you reading?"

"It's a book I requested Thor bring back from Asgard when he was last there. It's history of all the realms."

"Realms?" I tuck my feet up and lean closer to him, trying to peak at the book.

Loki sighes, and closes his book. "It is written in Asgardian, so you won't be able to read it, but yes. Realms. Other worlds. There are eight that are linked to Asgard, but there are far more out there."

I sigh, "I wish I could read it. It sounds interesting. I would love to learn about all the realms."

Loki stares at me for a moment before staring at the cover of his book. His brow creases in thought.

"Would you like to learn Asgardian because I can teach you? I don't know if I would be a good teacher but I can try if you are interested."

I didn't even hesitate before nodding. "Yes. absolutely,' I grin. Loki smiles back at me. He opens his mouth to speak, but gets cut off by Tony entering the room.

As Tony makes his way up to where we are sitting, he says, 'Sorry about that, Shortcake. I had to make a quick call, and go and pick something up from downstairs." He sits next to me with a groan, before asking, "So have you and reindeer games here chosen a movie to watch yet?"

"Nope., but I was thinking either Mulan, Frozen or Tangled."

"All good choices, I assure you, but my vote is going to have to be on Mulan," Tony said.

"Then Mulan is what we shall watch then," I decide, before turning to Loki. "If that is okay with you?"

Loki shrugged. "I have no idea what this Mulan is about but I trust your judgement, Aithne."

"Jarvis." Tony called.

"Yes, Mr Stark?" came the reply.

"Put on Mulan and dim the lights, J."

"Of course, Sir."

Curling up in my seat, I ready myself for the movie as the lights dim and the screen lights up. I hiss a bit as I put pressure on my ribs. After all that happened today, I didn't come away unscathed.

"You okay, shortcake?" Tony whispers.

"Yeah. I'm okay." I reply quickly, adjusting myself to not put so much pressure on my ribs. I didn't want Tony to worry more that he already was.

As the end credits rolled, I turn to Loki. "What did you think of that?"

"It was good," he shrugged. "She reminds me a bit of one of Thor's friends, Lady Sif. She became a warrior even though she is a woman. Asgard believed that women cannot fight and should stick to healing, or becoming a wife. She proved all of Asgard wrong by becoming one of the best warriors in the Asgardian army actually"

"But why?" I ask.

"Why did Asgard think she couldn't do it or why did she want to prove all of Asgard wrong?"

"Why did Asgard think that she couldn't do it? Was it just because she was a girl?"

Loki nodded. "Basically. And that is one thing I find interesting about Midgard or Earth. In Asgard, many of the people, if not all people on Asgard, believe Midgard to be below them or more primitive." He shook his head. "And even I did at one point."

"But now?"

"But now I see that Migardians are far more advanced than Asgardians in many ways. You let your women work or fight alongside you. Your short lifespan lets you achieve so much because you only have the few years that you have." He looks down to me and smiles softly as he says, "And even though I tried to destroy your world, you have forgiven me and you have accepted me. All of that is far more than anyone on Asgard has even done."

"And that is why us Midgardians are infinitely more awesome than any other race," Tony chuckles, causing me to look back at him. He groans as he stands up and gestures for us to follow. "I'm not sure about you guys but I am hungry."

"I have to admit that I am also feeling hungry," Loki said, as he stands with his book in hand. He waves his hand for me to go before him. Smiling in thanks, I hurry after Tony who was already almost to the door.

"Did you enjoy the movie too, Tony?" I ask as I catch up to him.

"I always enjoy a good Disney movie, Shortcake." He then leans down a bit to me and whispers, "Sometimes I even watch them by myself when I feel like it but don't tell anyone." He winks at me as he stands up straight and continues out the door. I giggle as I walk beside him.

Glancing behind, I see Loki not too far behind us as we make our way to the elevator. Tony presses the button and we all wait for a moment before the doors open and we get in, and start heading up as the doors close.

"So what is your favourite Disney movie then?" I ask Tony.

He gasps and clutches at his chest in mock pain. "Picking a favourite Disney movie?! I can't answer that. Its like choosing a favourite suit, or a favourite child."

I laugh at his dramaticness as Loki just looks at him with an eyebrow raised.

We make it back up to the common room floor and head for the lounge. Entering it, I see no one else there.

"Where is everyone?" I ask as I go and sit on one of the couches.

Tony looks around, as he makes his way to the kitchen. "Steve and Bucky are probably still out cleaning up which probably means that Nat and Clint were pulled in. As for Thor, he has gone back to Asgard for a bit, while Ms Potts and Bruce are somewhere in the building."

Tony then looks at the time, and grins. "Looks like there is time to make you my famous pasta for dinner, Shortcake."

I stand up wanting to go help but Tony quickly stops me. "Ah no. I know that you will be sore from today and today was a big day. I want you to rest. No arguing with me on this." With that he turned and strode into the kitchen.

I huff but sit down as he requested. Loki was sitting in the armchair next to me, once again reading his book. As if sensing my gaze on him, he closes the book and puts it on the armrest before standing up and turning to me. Sitting down in front of me on the coffee table, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a necklace. It a leather necklace with a small green gemstone on it.

"That is beautiful," I whisper as I admire it. The light catching on the stone making it is glitter.

"I asked Ms Potts if she wouldn't mind ordering this for me on the internet." Loki's gaze returns to me as he continues. "This is a special pendant. While Odin may have put blocks on my magic, I can still access some of it slowly. Never enough to do any big spells in rapid session but I managed to procure enough to put protection on this necklace." He hands the necklace to me. I take it and hold it gently. It was even more stunning up close in a simple and elegant way.

"I want you to have it," he says as he clasps his hands together.

I look up at him, and shake my head. "I can't accept this," I gasp.

"Aithne, you have become precious to me. You are my first friend here on earth or on any of the other realms. When I learnt that you were attacked today, I couldn't stand not being able to help you." He gestures to the necklace. "This necklace will allow me to do that even when I am not with you. The spells will protect you but they will wear down."

I look from him back to the necklace. "Thank you, Loki," I whisper, as I put it on.

"You are very welcome, Aithne." he smiles as he stands back up and picks up his book. "Now about learning Asgardian. Are you sure you want to?"

I nod. "Very sure."

Brilliant," he grins, as he walks and sits by me on the couch. Placing his book on the coffee table, he grabs a pen and paper in return.

Now this is the Asgardian alphabet."