The repetitive sounds of Palomas alarm went off but she couldn't be bothered. This was the first time in a long time her boyfriend was still in bed by the time she woke up. Paloma hit snooze and turned to face him, Loki. The God of Mischief, Brother of Thor, sometimes an Avenger. He laid there in her bed, arm still wrapped around her, shirtless. Paloma couldn't help herself from staring at this beautiful man, she rested her head on his chest and just looked up in amazement, "If you keep staring at me like that, my pet, I'm afraid you'll be late to work." He pulled her into his chest and gave her a soft squeeze. He gave her a smirk, still with his eyes closed. Loki could feel Palomas body blush and heart start to race at the thought of what he may have had in mind.

How did this small midgardian somehow take up so much space in his heart and mind? That is something Loki wondered more than he'd like to admit.

This woman could have the God bow to him if she was so pleased, he would never tell her that and was grateful she wasn't that kind of person but damn, did he love her.

"Where'd you go last night?" She asked while struggling to get out of bed, trying to escape her lovers arms.
"Stark needed assistance with some technology from Asgard, since Thor is off with Jane right now, I was the only one he could call."
"Must be nice being on the good side of those calls now, huh?" Paloma teased, knowing of Loki's past.

The clock beeped at 7:30am, "Ughhh, why did I decide to be a Doctor again?" Paloma flopped back on her pillow, she had to be at the hospital in an hour and all her body wanted to do was stay in bed with Loki.
"Because you are good and like to help people, I don't know why, but you do. So you need to keep your promise and your job." Loki gave her a kiss on the head and got out to bed, "besides I can't fulfill your dirtiest sexual desires today, I'm due back at Starks."
Paloma gasped at the sentence Loki just said as if it were regular conversation…could he read her mind? She wondered...no...wait….no, he would've said something by now. It's been 3 years since they've been together. He may not have the power to read minds but he definitely could read her like a book.

"Will you be home tonight? I don't like coming home to an empty apartment." Paloma never felt like she was unsafe, quite frankly the opposite, she knew how to defend herself and after all her boyfriend is a God, she always knew he would be around when she needed him, she just got lonely.

"I don't know, my pet. Stark has found something headed towards Earth, he isn't sure what it is or who it is. Looks like I may be spending more time at the tower than normal." Loki didn't like spending so much time away from Paloma, she was the only one who ever made him feel...normal. Like he wasn't a God, or a monster, and definitely not like Thor's brother. He got up from the bed and headed towards the shower, normally Paloma joined him for some morning...exercise but today was different.

"Oh." Paloma wasn't sure what to say.

It seemed like he was spending more and more time at the tower and things just didn't feel as strong as they used to. Not to mention, he had not even once brought up the idea of her going with him. She was a Doctor, sure but she could get some time off. If he asked her to. She hadn't even met his brother, though that may be for other reasons. Whatever the case may be, she knew she was his secret and it wasn't a good feeling. There was a brief pause before Paloma got up from the bed and grabbed her clothes from the closet. She chose a simple white button down and a pair of ankle length black pants. Normally she'd wear heels and a skirt but this morning she didn't feel like dressing up.
"Darling, are you not joining me this morning?" Loki asked, hoping he didn't upset her.

"No, I showered last night…" Paloma paused but she knew she needed answers, "are you ashamed of me?"
Loki was caught off guard by her question, she was a beautiful, intelligent, and caring Doctor. Who would be ashamed of her? "What are you talking about?" He asked confusedly.

"It's been 3 years Loki, I haven't met any of your friends, family, or coworkers and I know, I know what you do is pretty much classified but don't think I don't see in the newspapers and magazines the parties Stark throws up there in the tower. I see the women that go to those parties, the models and actresses, socialites...am I not good enough?" He could hear the defeat in her voice and see the tears forming in her eyes. Loki walked to her and put his hands on her waist as he pulled her in for a hug.

"Ashamed of you? P- you're the most intelligent, caring, funny, and beautiful person I have ever laid eyes on. You put anyone else to shame." Loki rested his chin on top of her head and let the woman cry into his chest. It broke his heart to know she had been feeling this way for so long. "I haven't brought you around because I don't want you to become a target. Right now you are unknown, you are safe. What happens if someone finds out the God of Mischief and Chaos has a weak spot?"
Paloma hadn't thought about that. Mostly because she forgets he's a God sometimes.

"I didn't think of it that way." Paloma backed up a bit from Loki so she could look him in the eye, her face stained with tears was red and eyes puffy. No matter how she looked Loki always looked at her as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. "I'm sorry I'm so insecure; I just haven't felt this way before and I'm afraid of losing you…"

"The only way you could lose me is by saying you don't want me anymore and even then, my love, I will watch over you. Always."
Loki knew all the right things to make Paloma feel safe and secure.
Paloma looked at the clock and realized time had escaped them.
"Shit! I'm going to be late, I've got a big meeting with one of our investors at 8:30." She scrambled to collect her things and kissed Loki on the cheek. "I love you, if you can come home tonight for a bit. I'll make dinner." Then she rushed out the door.
Loki stood there for a moment before heading to the shower, this woman, he thought. Even a crying mess, she still looked beautiful. He believed it was her humanity that made her so perfect in his eyes. The way she did things, spoke, rushed around like she had limited time...which she did. He was immortal...she was not. He never intended on falling in love, especially a human.

One day she will die and how is he supposed to go on when the love of his life is gone?