"I'm not sure about this Kiddo."
"I am."
"But why?"
"Why not? Think about it, Rogers has access to my floor, so does Barton and Romanov. They are just as deadly, why should they be allowed and not him? They work for S.H.I.E.L.D. the same S.H.I.E.L.D. that tried to kill me. Loki has never done anything to hurt me, in fact he saved my life from S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I'm not going to understand this whole thing with you and Reindeer Games being best buddies."
"Reindeer Games?"
"You never saw the helmet, did you?"
You shook your head. "I never saw what any of them look like, him, Thor, Romanov, and Barton; just you and Dr Banner."
"Really? Well I am the only one worth looking at anyway." He beamed, you scoffed. "What do you two even talk about?"
"Books mostly, I heard about your little stunt with Fifty Shades. That was mean."
"I think I lost a couple of IQ points even purchasing that." Stark beamed proudly. "He actually read it?"
"I think maybe a page or two." He erupted in laughter, you slapped his arm. "Don't do that, that sort of trash would turn anyone to thinking they should destroy a realm, much less someone who already tried."
"You see, this is what I have trouble with understanding; you know what he has done, but you still actually like hanging out with him."
"Really? In this building, he is in good company for despicable acts." You raised a brow. "I am actually the one person here that hasn't that as a personal talking point with him.
"Touché."
"Look, if he is occupied with training and with someone to keep him company, he is not scheming, or at least, has less time for it if he does, so what is the harm?"
"It's you that would be the one injured, you can't defend yourself, you can't…" He shifted awkwardly.
"Tony, we are both aware that I am not able to defend myself, but I am not going to think about that, if I do, I may as well put myself in a care facility, because I will drive myself mad thinking about it. Please, allow the access, or I will do just that. I mean, I am effectively a prisoner here if I cannot even ask to be able to have people come to my floor. Its awkward trying to juggle the harness and books, I just want to…" You played the woe betide me card.
"You are not as cutesy as you try to be, but I know you will actually attempt to go out."
"I am going to go sooner or later." You shrugged. "The day will come."
"Yeah, but only when you and she are ready. By the way, where are you taking her when she needs to…you know?" tony was indicating towards Beauty.
"The roof, I have a patch there she uses."
"That's handy."
"So?"
Stark sighed. "I don't really have a choice do I?"
"Thanks Tony." You beamed.
"We're still closer right?"
A small laugh escaped you. "Oh yeah." You nodded. "No, Tony, I am not going to replace you with an alien model, no one has ever done as much for me as you have, and I will never forget that." You reassured him. "You really are a softy below it all." You shook your head. "And I am grateful for it."
Taking you in a one armed hug, he grinned back. "Glad I can help Kiddo."
"You are never going to stop calling me that are you?"
"Not even when you are watching your genius brat graduate in about fifteen year's time."
"When do you plan on me having this kid, because you know, I really should be at least considering doing certain things if I want to be having a child." You rolled your eyes.
"I suppose not leaving this place puts a dampener on the love life, doesn't it?"
"Because I was one for it before." You replied sarcastically. "I don't see Pepper coming here too often."
"I don't want to risk her safety."
"Well that's understandable; tell her I was asking for her."
"Sure thing Kiddo."
With a sound of disgust at the use of that blasted nickname, you took Beauty's harness and went to the elevator to head to your rooms again. The journey from Stark's lab to the elevator was never a pleasant one, there was always something somewhere to collide with, but Beauty was well used to her role as your guide and the canine assisted you perfectly through the obstacle course that was Tony's workshop.
The elevator pinged to indicate it was at the floor, and you got in and gave the order to be taken to your floor. When you got out, you realised immediately there was someone in your hallway "Doctor." Rogers stoic voice saluted as you joined him. "I was hoping to speak with you with regards a matter."
"Of course, please, step inside." He opened the door and you walked in, releasing Beauty as you sat on your sofa, the dog going to get herself a drink of water before returning to your side, where her cushion was awaiting her. You sensed Rogers watching her as she walked around in circles a few times on the cushion before finally settling on a place to lie down. Truthfully, you were concerned to his being in your rooms; he never once showed interest in speaking with you on a personal basis. "What can I do for you?"
"It is regards Loki."
"Not interested." You rose to your feet again. "I am aware of whom he is; what he is done and what he is capable of, so with all due respect Captain, I have the ability as a fully capable adult to decide whom I elect to be around."
You were slightly startled to not hear him rise to his feet across from you. "I felt I needed to speak with you about it."
"Well I do not want to hear it. I understand your distrust, but I have decided for myself what I wish to do. You're Lord Liberty; you surely respect my right to do so."
"You are supposed to be intelligent."
"And you are supposed to be a man that never let other people's opinion stop him from doing what he felt is right." You challenged.
Finally, he rose to his feet. "He will kill you."
"He might, but that is my risk to take." You shrugged.
"You don't worry about that?" He frowned, confused.
"I live in this Tower, with all of you. On any given day, someone might decide to annihilate you all and destroy it, me inside it too, if I was to worry about what could kill me in here, I would go bald and become malnourished with the stress. If Loki wanted me dead, he could have allowed me to die that day Johnson's team came, and could never have been blamed for it even, but he didn't; perhaps that is worth thinking about."
"I have a feeling you do not like me."
"I do not know the first thing about you Captain Rogers, as you do not know me, so I cannot dislike you, but I do dislike how you speak with regards what you think of my actions. In case you have never realised, I have never asked for your opinion, and until such time as I do, I will ask you to keep said opinions to yourself." You requested politely.
Rogers clicked his tongue before answering. "You're right; I have no right to comment on your life, I will not voice my opinions any longer. Excuse me."
"Thank you, and have a good day." You smiled, before turning and walking towards your bedroom door.
"Are you not going to bring it?" Rogers asked.
"If you are referring to Beauty, no, I am going for a shower; she is not needed for that." You chuckled.
"Right, well, I best leave then."
"It would be rather awkward were you not to." You laughed as you heard him rush down the hallway.
X
"What?" Loki cocked his head slightly.
"I had Stark remove the block from you getting to my floor, so you have another option should you get bored." You shrugged.
"Why?"
"I can have it rescinded if you'd like?"
"I never said I wanted that."
"Well then, that makes things easier. I have some old books from when I could see I wanted you show you, but I couldn't obviously read the titles to give them to you, so now you can see which one it is yourself and see if they are to your liking." You beamed.
"Well, shall we?"
"Now?" Your brow furrowed.
"Why not?"
"True. Beauty." Taking the harness, you ordered her forward. "Plus I need you to tell me what those rooms look like. I have no idea if Tony has me in something resembling the Playboy Mansion."
"The what?"
"Nothing."
X
"I have an idea."
"That sounds ominous."
"A revenge."
"I do not think I should be involved in such things."
"On Stark for the Fifty Shades incident."
"What do you require of me?" The God sat down.
"Is Asgardian technology better than ours?"
"Yes. Your technology is essentially ancient to us."
"Good, I need you to do something for me; I found the audio for that bound toilet paper."
"Why would anyone want to make an audio of that, so the likes of you can be assaulted by it too?"
"We are going to force him to endure it as he uses his new suit for the test run later." You smirked. "The route is safe, so he is of no risk."
"That is genius." Loki commended, his eyes wide.
"I know right?"
"I am impressed."
"So will you help me?"
"Gladly."
Thirty minutes later, Stark left the tower with his new suit, checking flight patterns and the new improved. He was over the Grand Canyon, using the journey from New York to LA to check everything, when the audio started. The more he tried to shut it off, the more horrific the lines became. Hearing him swear and curse through the PA system, you had to grip your sides as you laughed. "I am in so much trouble." You finally were able to breathe out.
"I think I more than you, which was positively diabolical."
"Why thank you." You smiled turning slightly to look at him, having had to share a computer seat as you worked on your evil plan together. It was then that Loki decided to turn also, your noses brushing off one another accidentally as a result. Loki swallowed hard and you momentarily forgot the basic act of breathing, while biting your lip. Loki's eyes darted between your lips and your clouded eyes, wondering if all you had been exuding towards your feelings for him; was as Thor had stated or were you just frightened. But cupping his hand against your face, he realised it was part of both, those not in a negative way. "Loki." Your voice was barely a whisper as he leant forward and pressing his lips to yours.