Third chapter is up, with the fourth hopefully quick to follow. There isn't a lot that happens in this chapter, its just another chapter establishing where Loki and Steve stand. The next chapter will be the start of their individual plans.

Hope you guys enjoy this.

- Illusinia

Loki eyed the clear liquid Stark had poured into a glass for him, despite his protests. He had found last time he lived on Midgard that vodka was the one alcohol form that could get him very, very drunk very, very quickly. Thus, he was reluctant to actually consume that form of alcohol. Still, they were plotting tonight, and Loki needed to feel somewhat comfortable with this.

With a sigh, he took a drink and turned to Tony. "So how would you recommend approaching the matter of modern courting?"

"Well," started Tony...

"...gifts are always good, just like in your time," explained Danya. "But be careful how you approach that. Women have gained their independence now. They don't feel like they need a man. If she's independent, gifts might feel like unnecessary pampering or attempts to buy her affection."

Steve nodded slowly. "So how would I -"

"-keep from insulting her with gifts?" asked Loki.

Tony shrugged. "Keep them simple and small. Little things to prove she's on your mind. You know, a single flower or there to brighten her day, chocolate when she's feeling down, that kinda junk. You're a prince and a magician, be creative. Nothing expensive or flashy though. Darcy's kinda off-kilter and she might slap you if your not careful. Also, make sure that you at least pretend -"

"-to listen to what she's saying," insisted Danya. "I know that sounds cliché, but its anthropological fact that women and men do actually talk differently. As a result, its easy for misunderstandings to occur."

"Listen carefully then," agreed Steve. "I don't want any misunderstandings. But what if I want to spend more time getting to know her?"

Danya shrugged. "Well-"

"-most people do stuff like go out to dinner or a movie," explained Tony. "Dancing is always a good thing too, if you can stand it."

"I have toyed with that idea before," sighed Loki. "We often dance with women of interest on Asgard as a means of attracting their attention. However, I fear my control may be tested if we were to do something so..."

"-intimate," admitted Steve with a blush. "Plus, I don't know how. Perhaps something else?"

Danya snickered. "Afraid you'll poke her with you're flag pole?"

Steve's cheeks burned bright red and Danya laughed harder. "Alright, less intimate. How about-"

"-a play," suggested Tony. "You know, take her to a production of her favorite Shakespeare piece or something like that. Prove that you know what she likes, or that you can at least guess really well."

Loki nodded slowly and leaned back. "I already know her favorite stories, assuming there have been no changes since I left. Few things seem to have changed with her, other than her withdrawn nature."

Both of Tony's eyebrows shot up. "Withdrawn nature? Darcy? You gotta be kidding. The girl flutters around more than a butterfly on speed."

One of Loki's eyebrows climbed at Tony's butterfly comment, but he shook his head none the less. "No, Darcy has withdrawn. She-"

"-isn't as vibrant as she's clearly supposed to be," explained Steve. "I can see it in her eyes sometimes. She's incredibly sad for some reason, though she hasn't offered an explanation about why. Sometimes though, her smile brightens and she looks so happy that its almost painful. In those moments, I just want to look at her forever."

Danya smiled softly. "It sounds like you really like her. Just don't lay it on too strong. Moving too fast might frighten a girl from this day-and-age into running for the hills."

"I'll be careful to avoid that. Honestly, I'm almost inclined to say I more than simply like her," admitted Steve. "I very much believe in love at first sight, and wouldn't be disinclined to identify my feelings as love."

"Well," grinned Danya, drawing out the l-sound, "we'll just have to-"

"-make sure you don't fail then," stated Tony firmly. "Or that you at least put up one hell of a fight."

Loki smiled and nodded. "Agreed. Failure would be a disaster."

"Right, then tomorrow you commence 'Operation: Courting Chaos'," confirmed Tony with a grin as he raised his glass. "To-"

"-success," cheered Danya with a grin, her beer glass held towards Steve.

Steve nodded and clicked their glassed together. "To success."

So, I know. Its short. Please don't kill me for that. I wanted to test out this way of writing quickly. Its supposed to be a way to show both Steve's and Loki's perspectives as well as what they're both being told. Let me know if you guys liked this or if I should never use this style again.