Loki woke up to find Steve gone from the bed, he frowned. The sound of music and humming could be heard, some light Jazz, Steve's favourite. Loki didn't particularly want to get out of bed, even if it was already 11 am - what could he say, he just wasn't a morning person - but he knew he had to.

Trudging through into the kitchen on their floor of Stark Tower, in just his boxers, Loki saw Steve packing things into a wicker basket. Loki kissed Steve on the cheek on his way to make a cup of tea.

"What are you doing?" Loki asked, mildly interested. Why was he making food then packing it away, did he not want to eat? For he should not have made food if he wasn't going to eat it.

"Packing the picnic basket," Steve replied, momentarily pausing from his task to smile at Loki.

"What is a picnic?" Loki had never heard of a picnic. Steve frowned.

"Surely you've been on a picnic before, on Asgard maybe?" Steve's American accent made Loki smile, it was so adorable.

"No," Loki replied simply. Pouring the boiling water from the kettle into his mug.

"Well, you'll see. Have your tea then go get dressed, we're going out." Steve ordered. Loki still didn't know what a picnic was, he wasn't sure if he wanted to go on a picnic, but any chance to leave his unofficial prison which was Stark Tower was welcome. Loki picked up his mug carrying it with him as he went back to his room to get dressed. Today was a pleasant Summer's day so he decided on a pair of black skinny jeans and a white tight-fitting top, he liked the style some of the young adult Midgardians had rather than the older ones.


Steve had chosen a similar outfit only he was sporting a pair of dark sunglasses too, he said it was to stay more 'under the radar'. Loki thought they suited him quite nicely. Steve led Loki to a grassy area filled with numerous people, some jogging by with dogs, some playing games, others just sitting on blankets like the one Steve had brought. Steve chose a spot in the sunlight, on the slope of a small hill and laid the blanket down.

Loki sat down on the left side of the blanket, laying back to soak up the sun. In Asgard the light was never like this, there was no sun in the sense there was here, only moons, and everything was clearer here, it was refreshing. Loki let out a small sigh as he rested his head on his forearms.

"Nice isn't it," Steve said, mimicking Loki's position. Everything here on Midgard had been so very different to what Loki had expected, but Loki probably put that down to the company rather than Midgard itself, even Midgard couldn't make Loki feel bad when Steve was here.

"Yes," Loki replied simply, not quite sure if the question had been rhetorical or not.

After laying for a few minutes, watching the shapes of the few clouds in the sky, pointing out some of the more trivial figures the clouds morphed into, Steve sat up and started getting out some of the food. Loki had to admit the food on Midgard was exquisite. Back on Asgard, they couldn't serve anything unless it had been boiled or roasted, or perhaps boiled and roasted! It made everything taste the same - very rich - but on Midgard, they had such a wide variety of tastes, some things sweet, some sour, some cool, others spicy, it was truly delicious, especially this thing called ice-cream which came in many flavours!

However, Steve did not have ice cream with him presently, instead he got out a few sandwiches with various fillings, a little fruit, some sponge cake - which was also a favourite of Loki's - and a beverage that Loki had been informed was lemonade.

Handing a cup to Loki, Steve poured him half a cup of this lemonade before pouring himself one. Loki took a hesitant sip, waiting for Steve to drink a little first and found, like with much else on Midgard, he enjoyed it. The faint fizz reminded him of ale.

They spent a while eating and talking about nothing in particular, they had still not reached the point where Loki was willing to open up very much, he was sure Steve noticed how closed up he was and it probably bothered him but Steve had wisely chosen to say nothing about it as of yet. However, Loki knew it was only a matter of time before Steve brought up a sensitive subject and began pushing for information, for that was the type of person Steve Rogers was, he was set in different ways, very patriotic, trusting ways, so very unlike Loki. Perhaps that was why they got on so well, they were stark opposites, yet despite all that, they had things in common. But now was not the time to delve into such deep thoughts, instead, he studied Steve, for he was a beautiful man. His blond hair curled ever so slightly at the tips, complementing his tanned olive skin. He thought of the clear blue eyes behind the dark sunglasses, they always seemed to sparkle with some hidden radiance. The tight-fitting shirt he worse did nothing to hide the curve of each of his defined muscles. Loki longed to reach out and touch him, to make a trail with his fingers across Steve's body, however, he did not think Steve would appreciate such a thing. He would blush at the mere suggestion, never mind what his reaction would be if he actually followed through with any of it. No matter, he would do them all with time. Loki smirked.

"What are you smirking about?" Steve asked, pushing his sunglasses onto his forehead whilst he rested his cheek on his knuckles. Loki contemplated telling Steve the truth or not, wondering if it would ruin the very pleasant mood they were both in, but eventually decided against it.

"Oh, nothing," Loki replied and Steve sighed.

"You know, you never tell me anything." So Steve was going to do this now? Loki frowned. "I get it you know, you've had a hard life, and being the person you're labelled to be you've had a hard time trusting people. I'm not doing this for some ulterior motive you know, you can talk to me." Loki wasn't quite sure what to say, Steve was pleasant but Loki found it hard to believe he knew how Loki felt, especially after that fall through the void... No, Steve could never know or understand the things Loki had been through, of course, Loki distrusted people for everyone betrayed him at some point, so would Steve one of these days, he would realise how pathetic a person he was and then abandon him as everyone else had done.

When Loki still didn't say anything Steve cupped Loki's face, turning his head so Loki was meeting Steve's gaze. Steve could see the many emotions Loki was feeling at the moment, the confusion that he felt. "Hey, you don't need to tell me anything now, just..." Steve sighed again before continuing, "I'm here for you." Loki had a feeling that wasn't what Steve had originally intended to stay but didn't question Steve. He knew the Captain had a good heart, he knew he wanted to help but he had not come here looking for pity and that was all he would get from Steve if he started retelling tales from his past. His past was gone now, there was nothing he could do to change that so every time Steve tried to get him to open up and talk about the many things that had happened to him over his life he got angry, angry was the emotion that could mask others, it was what Loki had taught himself to do it had become an instinct by now. However, it was good to know he had the option of turning to Steve if he ever had a change of heart.

Loki planted a kiss on Steve's palm before moving so his head rested on Steve's lap. "With time, dear Captain." He said quietly, barely loud enough for him to hear. Thankfully Steve didn't press further instead decided to stroke Loki's soft, black hair as they both relaxed. It had been a while since he had got much time alone with Loki since everyone had found out about Steve and Loki's relationship - that was an embarrassing story for another time - suddenly there was constantly some mission for him, Steve was half convinced they were setting up the 'threats' just to keep the two of them separate because they certainly didn't approve of the former enemy now being with him.

Moving slightly so he was again lying flat on his back, with Loki's head rested on his lap, Steve entwined the hand that wasn't stroking Loki's hair with Loki's hand and rested them against his chest. Loki sighed, snuggling a little closer to the Captain, it was surprisingly nice just... Being with the Captain, not really doing anything except watch the world pass by.

"Did you finish that book, darling?" Steve asked, the word 'darling' slipping from his lips so easily he hadn't realised he'd used the term until he'd already said it. Loki was an avid reader, that much was obvious, no doubt he'd finished the thick book the same day he'd started it, not moving from the curled up position he'd been in on the sofa on Steve's floor in Stark Tower - where Loki had been staying with Steve the past few weeks, secretly at first until everyone found out, then he practically moved in any way - for the whole day it seemed, he read at a stupidly fast pace.

"The final instalment in the Harry Potter series?" Loki asked, "Yes, it is most curious to see how you Midgardians perceive magic to be, though I must admit the plot itself rather bores me, I do not like the young wizard myself. Personally, the only character worth even mild interest is Professor Snape," Loki went on to say a little more, and Steve listened intently, of course, Loki's favourite character would be the misunderstood villain of the books.

For a while, after that things fell silent between the two, not an awkward silence but rather a content silence, nothing was needed to be said they were happy enough laying there together in the sunshine. With time Steve heard Loki's breathing evening out and knew that Loki had fallen asleep on his lap, he was not particularly surprised after all the sleepless nights Loki had been getting because of nightmares. Steve just carried on lightly stroking Loki's hair, watching a group of bikers pass by for a few seconds before turning his gaze to other things. There was always a lot going on in Central Park, Steve usually came for a morning run, often passing through as part of one of his many different routes.

Eventually, it started getting late, though Steve wasn't sure exactly what time because he'd left his phone and watch at the Tower.

"Loki," Steve said quietly, it was time to wake him up and go back. Loki mumbled something inaudible but didn't wake up. Loki wasn't known for his heavy sleeping but he wasn't the lightest of sleepers either. Steve nudged Loki and slowly he began to stir.

Loki awoke to Steve leaning over him slightly. He mumbled something before sitting up slowly to find the park was emptier than it was before, he must have fallen asleep at some point. Loki didn't particularly want to get up, he was very comfortable lying on Steve, and he was conscious of how close he was to Steve's manhood. He chuckled slightly but slowly sat up regardless.

As Loki awoke properly Steve packed everything back into the picnic basket ending with rolling up the blanket and stuffing that in the top of the wicker basket.

Loki entwined his hand with Steve's as they leisurely strolled back to the Tower. Hopefully, he hadn't missed anything, though no doubt the rest of the Avengers would not approve of his sudden decision to spend the day out.


"There you are!" Tony said, relieved as the two walked out from the elevator into one of the communal floors of the building. Loki stood awkwardly as they walked into the living area, still not entirely comfortable being around the Avengers - Banner in particular, not after he'd decided he would try and decorate the floor with Loki, that was not fun, and the pain was still fresh in Loki's mind.

"Come on Tony, don't act so surprised you knew where the two love birds were," Natasha called through from the kitchen. Steve looked at Tony, raising an eyebrow.

"Ye, well paparazzi saw you, photos are already on the internet," Tony said casually as Jarvis brought up photos of the two. The first few were just of them eating, the next of Steve cupping Loki's face and then of Loki kissing his palm. A few of them laughing together, and finally a collection of shots from when Loki was sleeping on his lap. Steve had grown annoyed with all the media trying to learn everything of his personal life, they had been particularly interested in this new 'friend' he had been seen with recently. Steve hadn't officially come out of the closet, nor had he revealed who exactly Loki was to the world but it was not something he was particularly interested in telling everyone, not yet at least.