The next following weeks were full of work and Paloma getting settled, leaving the hospital was a lot more emotional than she originally expected. Her boss was not too thrilled she was leaving. But it was a good trade since they were still getting the money. The apartment took about 3 days to pack up and fully move. Loki's room in the tower was furnished already so the couple didn't need anything, Paloma donated a majority of the furniture to women's shelters around the city. While moving the furniture out building her neighbors couldn't help but come out and watch as all the Avengers were helping her move. Lucy, a particularly "friendly" neighbor came out in a sundress and a pitcher of fresh lemonade, keep in mind it is March in New York City, so not the best sundress weather but that didn't stop her.
She walked right up to Steve and Tony offering them each a glass. Paloma and Natasha giggled at the woman throwing herself at the two men, "You know hat? She's bold and I like it." Paloma said once she stopped laughing at Steve's uncomfortable face, drinking a glass that did not have enough sugar.
Lucy made her way around the room and offered everyone a glass but still keeping her eyes on Steve, finally she made it to Paloma and Natasha.
Well Pally, it's going to be so different with you gone" throwing her arms around Paloma, "No more girls' nights and late night chats." With a sigh she released Paloma from the hug she trapped her in. "So when were you going to tell me you were hooking up with America's favorite superhero?" 'Lucy nudging her about Steve, Paloma and Natasha looked at each other more confused than they ever had.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy with me, I was totally hitting it off with good ol' Cap there but he said he was unavailable. And obviously that meant he's got someone on his mind and y'all two were gigglin'."
"Oh Lucy, you've got it so wrong. Haha, Steve doesn't date. He's pretty content with his situation right now."
Something clicked in Lucy's brain that was the complete opposite of what Paloma was talking about, "OHHHH.I got it, he's one of them homosexuals. It's okay I understand completely." Paloma and Nat tried to interject but Lucy had already convinced herself that Steve was gay, but she made it known that she was an ally and supported him in his lifestyle. Paloma and Nat stood there waiting to see what was about to happen as Steve realized what was going on?
He thanked Lucy for her support and quickly ran away moving boxes to the truck, trying to get away from the woman as fast as possible.
On the way home Steve turned around in his seat to confront Paloma and Natasha, "Gay?" A roar of laughter erupted from the truck. Steve just shook his head and laughed, he had been invited to numerous amounts of Pride parades and was on a few floats. He always said he stood for all Americans.
Night fell on the eventful day and Paloma sat in the dining hall, in her favorite seat by the window and ate a bowl of spaghetti. Someone from behind kissed her on the check and as she turned she saw Loki, smiling and sitting next to her.
"Sorry I wasn't able to join you, darling. Thor and I had another meeting with the Orn and it's just been incredibly stressful." Loki placed his hand on his love's leg and they just talked respectively about their days. Nights like this were her favorite, after dinner the pair walked arm in arm along the field in front of the tower and stared at the stars. Loki identified different constellations for Paloma and she pointed out Orion, it's one of the constellations her father taught her when she was little. Making their way back to their room, Paloma and Loki were the only ones in the elevator, Loki looked down at the small woman standing next to him and just smiled, softly. His heart was beating faster than normal as he thought about how much he loved this woman. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Paloma blushed like a schoolgirl. Such a sweet gesture.
She squeezed his hand a little tighter in that moment.
Loki spent more and more days away, he and Thor kept things quiet about what was happening on Asgard but they assured everyone no one was in danger and it was purely for diplomatic purposes. Paloma never worried about Loki not returning, their relationship was strong...right?