Credit to scarletwitch0 for this word/oneshot/whatnot!

Dance (verb): move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps.

NOTE: I once noted these chapters as unrelated, but they really are. I will eventually capture the essence of many things hinted in oneshots (like the blckmail one everyone is curious about), throughout the tale of Loki and Darcy's relationship.

So disclaimer: I don't own Thor.

It is really all Jane's fault.

Since Darcy is supposed to be dating Loki (key word: supposed), Jane had the brilliant idea of a double date. Yes, Jane, how thoughtful of you; it isn't like Darcy has anything she wants to do today or anything. No, of course, she'd love some time with the crazy psychopath who is her technical "boyfriend" now of two weeks since the disastrous first (blackmail-induced) date.

And honestly, what does Jane expect? That this night is going to go well? Of course it isn't! Thor doesn't understand Earth stuff, Loki hates everybody's guts, and Darcy...well, she just doesn't want to be there. So, of course, Jane should just accept that the whole night (and what happened) is all her fault, and no one else's, because Jane let something very bad happen.

She took them to a dance club.

Hey, Darcy has always been partial to dance clubs (vodka shots and hot, sweaty boys), but this time, she knows the time here is doomed because of exhibits A and B. Exhibit A: Thor doesn't get what grinding is, and Jane has to explain it to him. Exhibit B: Loki is currently telling off the guys who had been staring at Darcy (complete with death threats and everything).

"-so look at her once more, you filthy mortals!" finishes Loki now, hissing through his teeth at the swaying guys who seem too drunk to have understood his tirade. He's a good distance away from Darcy and is currently moving away into the crowd, and yet Darcy can still hear him. You'd think he'd be more subtle.

Darcy rolls her eyes and takes a long drink from her beer, cursing Jane in her head. Thanks to Mr. Don't-Look-At-The-Girlfriend-Whose-Life-I-Had-To-Threaten-To-Get-Her-To-Date-Me, she hasn't had a single guy approach her, and Jane has strictly told her no shots tonight. No shots! No guys are one thing, but Darcy needs vodka like a fish needs water. How can Jane be so cruel? The woman, of all people, understands Darcy's pain when it comes to Loki.

And speak of the devil, here comes Jane now.

"Hey, Darcy," says Jane apologetically as she stands close to the bar stool Darcy is seated on, the look on her face as apologetic as her words. "Um, are you having a good time?"

Darcy resists the urge to roll her eyes again. Of course she's having a good time, Jane! She's been in a cramped, sweat-smelling place full of drunk guys and has had no freaking vodka shots for an hour now, and don't forget that her freaky psychotic boyfriend is scaring guys away from her. Ah, isn't this date going so well?

"Can we please just leave already?" asks Darcy, pointedly ignoring Jane's question. "Thor keeps harassing women and asking them why they're dancing so near to each other, Loki keeps harassing any drunk guy whose eyes even wander ten feet in my direction, and I'm about to harass someone unless I get some vodka in my system."

Jane presses her lips into a thin line, still looking apologetic, but not relenting her decision for a double date. "I know, it's kind of a disaster right now-" she starts slowly.

"Disaster? That's an understatement. Relate this to the Titanic incident," Darcy retorts, "except the ship is my social life, and Loki is the iceberg that is fucking everything up."

Jane is quiet a few seconds before she says, "So this is about Loki."

Darcy nearly chokes on her beer. Of course it isn't about Loki. Darcy is just upset because she doesn't have vodka, not because she's now (technically) dating Loki and can no longer have a social life ever and can't have her usual routine of dancing with a guy and usually going home with him and- shit, it is about Loki.

"Aw, fuck," Darcy groans, and she places a hand over her face as Jane watches sympathetically. "Yeah, I guess it is," she adds, and her face twists in disgust. "Ugh, it's like I'm married. Add that to my list of stuff not to do."

Jane takes a seat beside Darcy now. "I'm sorry," she apologizes. "I really didn't think this through, did I? You and Loki have been together for a while, and you're having withdrawals from being single...and from not having your life threatened unless you agreed to date Loki..."

Darcy takes a long gulp of beer. "Exactly," she agrees.

"And I forced you to come and acknowledge that you're dating the guy. Oh, Darcy, I'm sorry," repeats Jane. "It's just that Thor was so excited, and I liked the idea too, and-"

"It's fine, Jane," Darcy interrupts. "I don't like it, but I can be cool about it."

Jane sighs. "Darcy, I know you're not keen on the idea of all this," she says knowingly. "But, when you think about it, this isn't a bad situation. You have a...boyfriend of sorts, and you're sober! Those two events never happen when you're at a bar."

"Well the second could be easily remedied with some vodka, but-"

"No. You have to be sober. It's a double date, and Thor would be crushed if you got drunk," Jane reprimands. "Just try to have some fun, okay? One that doesn't involve alcohol." Here, she shoots a pointed look at Darcy's beer. "You can even dance with Loki or something."

Darcy sets down her beer carefully, pondering Jane's words. Dancing with the guy who tried to take over New York? The definition of the word "insane" needs a new definition that just says "Darcy Lewis," because Darcy decides that she's going to do it anyway; that's what boyfriends are for, right?

"Fine," agrees Darcy finally, "but if the guy doesn't dance with me and somehow manages to burn this place to the ground, remember, it's on you."

Jane smiles, relieved. "Great. I'll go find Thor now and be out of your hair."

"Tip: he's probably still asking random strangers what grinding is."

Jane winces. "I know," she says, sighing, before she stands and leaves.

Darcy looks down at her beer, considering leaving it, but she finally gives in and downs it (knowing she needs all the alcohol she can get) before standing up to find Loki. Unsurprisingly, she finds the elusive God in his natural habitat: yelling at people he believes are beneath him.

"Hey, E.T.," calls Darcy, tapping Loki's tense shoulder.

Loki whirls around to face her, mid-rant of whatever it is he was terrifying two young women with, his face one of unmistakable fury and his lips curled into an expression of disgust.

"What do you want, mortal?" he sneers.

Darcy rolls her eyes. "Dude, we gotta work on your people skills," she says, shaking her head slightly. "Firstly, you can't call me mortal if we're going to be dating or whatever. And secondly...I don't really want anything with you, but if it's going to save people from hearing your boring-ass talking, then I need you to dance with me."

Loki's facial expression morphs into one of confusion. "Pardon?" he says.

"You, " says Darcy slowly, "need to dance with me."

Loki starts to scowl. "I will not."

Darcy hadn't expected the guy to exactly start moonwalking in agreement, but she also didn't expect a rebuttal. Is he not the guy who wanted her to be a part of a relationship with her? He should know right now that if he's going to date her (at least for the time being, because Darcy is still trying to find a way to get out of it), Darcy is never going to let him refuse what she tells him to do.

"Yes, you will," Darcy says as Loki starts to turn away from her.

Loki is back around in a second. "I believe I made myself clear to you, mortal," he hisses, moving dangerously close to Darcy so his face is angled just above hers. "I will not repeat myself."

"Neither will I." Darcy crosses her arms and tries to look intimidatingly up at him, but it really doesn't help that he is so tall and she so short.

Loki doesn't falter in his stare, but his words are softer when he says, "I will not dance. Look at the way these mortals move. It is unbecoming and most distasteful.

"Yeah, well, guess what, asshole? I wasn't saying you had to dance like everybody else. I said you have to dance with me," says Darcy, now pissed off. "You're the one that wanted this relationship, right?"

"Yes, but I believe I am regretting the decision."

Darcy ignores him and continues, "Then if we're in a relationship- no matter how freaking weird it is- we have to do stuff. Couple-y stuff, like Thor and Jane do. And dancing is something we have to do. Got that?"

Loki frowns. "I do not appreciate your tone," he says coldly.

"Get used to it, buddy," snarks Darcy in return. "Now c'mon, we're dancing."

Loki looks into the sea of young men and women grinding on each other, and his face slowly showcases his horror. "You desire that we dance as such?" he asks, gesturing to the scene.

Well, Darcy would- she's got this body, so she might as well flaunt it- but since she's dating (for now), it'd be inappropriate to do so (because she can't dance with single guys, and she is not grinding on Loki).

"We can dance in some other way if you'd like," offers Darcy. "I mean, you're one half of this relationship too..." Awkward. Sooo awkward. "How do you dance on Assgird?"

"Asgard."

"Same difference. Just answer the question."

"I believe you have something called ballroom dancing here on Midgard. It is very near to one of our own dances back on Asgard and will have to do if you insist upon dancing," answers Loki informatively.

Back the fuck up. Ballroom dancing? Darcy knows something about ballroom dancing, but it's not the actual dance that makes her uneasy. It's the whole glorified metaphorical meaning of it. Ballroom dancing is for a princess and her Prince Charming, not for a blackmailed not-princess and her sorta-evil and maybe sorta-but-not-really-charming excuse of a boyfriend.

"Fine," Darcy says finally. She could just give up on the idea of dancing with Loki, but sue her, she feels bad for the guy. And also she's not going to give him the satisfaction of going through with something she told him to. "Let's dance."

Loki steps away from her, tucking his hands behind his back. His face is unreadable, but his voice is cool and collected when he says, "Very well, but I do not find that this establishment is a suitable setting for such a dance."

"Then let's go outside. Either way, you're dancing."

Darcy, who has only seen Loki to be angry, rude, and posh all night, is surprised to see that his face morphs into one of amusement, and he even cracks a small smile.

"You are different, Darcy Lewis," he says, his voice tinged with amusement as well. "I find that I rather endear your frankness. However, you forget that we do not have music, and therefore, we cannot dance." He then smirks at her. Wow, the bastard thinks he's really getting out of this, isn't he?

Darcy smirks at him. Two can play at that game. "You're right, Loki," she says. "But you've forgotten something too: I have something magical called my iPod for this." Proudly, Darcy takes out the true embodiment of magic (screw Loki's illusions) and holds it up.

Loki, if he is put off, does not show it. He does, however, appear to want to dispute the matter further, and Darcy just doesn't have time for this shit right now. So, in an act of boldness (or is it just the alcohol?), her hand shoots forward and grips his wrist, tugging him outside. Loki, in surprise, lets the scene unfold.

Outside is much better than inside. The night is still young, and the air has begun to cool. The breeze feels just right on Darcy's cheeks, and that makes her sigh in contempt. Loki isn't affected by the change of scene, though he does look at Darcy, clearly waiting for her next words.

Darcy inhales the cool air and says, "So...guess we should pick a song."

"We should, yes." Loki keeps his eyes trained on her. They're a nice green, Darcy muses. And when he looks at her, it's almost like he's a different person. He looks...normal.

Darcy clears her throat. "So, what's your poison?"

"Pardon?" Loki furrows his brow at the choice of words.

"Right, you're an alien and stuff. I mean, what's your jam? What type of music back on Assgird do you hear that really gets you going?" Darcy asks.

Loki frowns. "Asgard. And as for music, all music is relatively the same. It is always harmonic and soothing, and just right for dancing."

"All of it? So you don't have an equivalent to Fall Out Boy out there? Geez, no wonder your life sucked," says Darcy. "Well, what type of music do you hear since you've been on Earth?"

Loki just keeps frowning. "Only the abominations you have forced on me," he says.

"Abomi-what-now? I will ignore that dig towards the gifts that are the bands Bring Me The Horizon and Falling in Reverse because I know you're just naturally an asshole. But seriously, you don't like any music here? What about The Beatles?"

"Beetles? Are they not bugs?" asks Loki, confused.

Darcy has to do a double take. "Bugs? Wha- oh my God!"

"Yes?"

"No, you're not my God! I mean what the hell?! No one has showed you The Beatles?" Darcy gasps, because clearly, that is a tragedy! "Wow, when S.H.I.E.L.D is hard on their prisoners, they're tough."

Loki looks annoyed now, and that's saying something. "Well, do tell me what these bugs do already," he snips. "I am not a patient person."

"Yeah, I know that, but- hey, quit calling them bugs! They are-er, were- a legendary band! And they are currently going to be the artists of the song we're dancing to, because even though ballroom dancing goes with tasteless music, we're screwing tradition over today."

Loki raises an eyebrow at Darcy as she fumbles with her iPod, muttering obscenities to the screen about how her music collection is too big and that she can't find the song.

"Aha!" Darcy clicks the name of the song triumphantly. "Since you're a Beatles virgin, we're going with the song that started it all: 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'. Now, um, do you really know how to dance?"

"Of course." Loki looks offended at the suggestion that he doesn't.

"...Okay then. Um," Darcy starts, "I don't know what exactly to do. I mean, I kinda do, but then again, I kinda don't. So..." She is caught off guard when Loki steps forward and sets her iPod aside, carefully arranging a hand on her waist and using the other to take one of hers.

"You talk far more than other mortals," he notes, tightening his grip on her waist subtly. "I believe, as mortals say, you should follow my lead."

Darcy looks up at him and into those green eyes that are just a little to vibrant tonight. She gently places her other hand over the one he has around her waist and manages a soft nod (and also hopes in her head that she won't mess up and step on his feet or something).

Loki stays true to the promise that he will lead. Even to the unfitting music, he has a gentle, smooth way of moving that just blows Darcy away. Every step and careful, calm look her way is precise. Every movement he makes is graceful and calculated. Even the way he holds her is gentle and smooth; his hands are there, and yet, it feels like they're not.

Darcy, in turn, can somewhat hold her own. She hasn't stepped on his feet (yet) and can somehow move her feet to match his, though her movements are sometimes out of step and sloppy.

"Um...Loki?" says Darcy slowly, unsure if her voice works.

"Yes?"

"I..." Darcy trails off. What exactly is she going to say? So, Loki, why exactly do you even put up with this? And that is just the start if her questions. Why ask her out (aka blackmail her) and actually listen to her when she tells him to do something? Why not just have his way with her and leave her? Why does he want a relationship with her? Why is he trying to have a relationship with her?

"You appear troubled," notes Loki, and he gently tugs her closer. It's a smooth, quick gesture and actually makes Darcy's heart pick up quickly for like two seconds, but she knows she is not going to get distracted by this guy who might actually be more charming than she imagined.

Darcy pushes back slightly. "Whoa, buddy, personal space," she says. "And, for the record, I'm not troubled. I just wanted to ask, um, what you think of The Beatles now."

Loki actually seems to pause and think about it. "They are adequate," he says, and he looks into her eyes with those green pools of mystery and adds, "I do agree that the type of music is not tradition."

"Well, they've broken music barriers," Darcy offers lamely. "Their whole legacy wasn't tradition, but now, it's commonly accepted. Kinda like..." Dating a guy who can kill you in a second. Wait, what? That's not common. Or acceptable.

And yet Darcy is doing it.

"Like what?" asks Loki slowly, and his words are drawn and lazy and it is enough to make Darcy swoon (British accent on an alien, hello), but luckily, she refrains from that weird thought.

Hold up, why is she suddenly so tongue-tied around this guy? Because she's noticed that he might actually like her, seeing how he puts up with her? Because he's attractive and can dance better than any past boyfriend she's ever had? Because...damn it, she's over thinking it. This whole dance ruined everything.

Everything. Her thoughts of Loki, her thought to not be attracted to him (but let's be honest, that thought was nonexistent), her thought of finding some way to get out of this relationship (but she'd better keep doing that, to be honest, because you can't just trust a murderer like that). And just one dance did that.

Ugh, this is all Jane's fault. Jane pushed Darcy to get Loki to dance. Darcy agreed. Loki agreed. And now Darcy feels like maybe she should give Loki a chance, which is a very bad thought, considering who the guy freaking is! Damn The Beatles for having such sexy voices, and damn Loki's firm hands, and damn Jane...

"Like...stuff," blurts out Darcy after a prolonged silence.

Pause. "Stuff," repeats Loki slowly.

Darcy groans in her head. She is so going to go die dramatically on her bed after this at how lame she is. And also get Jane to die with her, because it is still Jane's fault.

"Yes...stuff." Darcy offers nothing else but that.

Loki stares at her for quite a while before he nods slowly. "I suppose I will take your word for it, then," he says finally, and it's an awkward attempt to save the conversation, even for Loki.

Darcy winces. "I-" She pauses and suddenly notices that while The Beatles are still singing away, it is clearly not the song she put on. "Hold up, when did the song end?"

Loki looks at her, puzzled. "About five minutes ago," he says.

"And you kept dancing?" Darcy can't believe her ears. Five minutes. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts and Loki and Loki thoughts that she didn't even notice.

"I believe we are a couple, and couples do such," Loki says. "Is that not so?"

Darcy opens her mouth, about to reply, but she is cut off.

"Darcy! Uh...Loki," comes the distinctive voice of Jane as she stops dead in her tracks to see the two of them. "What-? And The Beatles-? Wait, you know what, I don't want to know."

"Jane!" Darcy practically shoves Loki away from her. "Hi! I mean-"

Jane just blushes slightly. "Uh, sorry to interrupt, but, Thor was worried, and I thought maybe I should find you guys...and get going. Unless you want to stay?" she says awkwardly.

Loki looks amused, and is about to speak, but Darcy cuts him off.

"Yeah, no, we're fine to go! We're...great to go," she babbles.

"Great..." Jane looks at Loki, and then at Darcy, and the look on her face is enough to make Loki smirk at the discomfort and confusion she showcases. "I'll tell Thor..."

"You do that," says Darcy awkwardly.

Jane nods and slowly moves away. When she's gone, Loki moves close to Darcy so he is angled over her shoulder and simply says, "You handled that in a very strange way, did you not?"

Darcy groans lowly. Of course he'd put her on the spot, the asshole. "Whatever," she mumbles, pointedly ignoring the gaze of Loki, the same guy she knows her feelings are suddenly are scrambled for. "Let's just get to Thor and Jane, okay?"

"As you wish," says Loki amiably. Too amiably. Great, that's just what Darcy needs: for the asshole with the big ego to think she's all flustered because of him, and for the asshole to be right.

Stupid feelings for betraying Darcy like that.

Stupid Jane for making Darcy even go ask Loki to dance.

Stupid dancing for showing just how strange her relationship with Loki is.

Stupid mind for not making a decision about Loki yet.

Now Darcy has to sort out her feelings for a guy she shouldn't even be involved with. And it's not like she hates him or likes him, but really, shouldn't there be a middle for it? Being neutral? Ugh, she really has no clue what's going to happen next, with him being so confusing (blackmailing a girl and genuinely wanting to date her) and being so attractive (the way he moved was just...damn).

But one thing is for sure: she is so going dancing with him again.

Hey everyone! Sorry for not responding to reviews this chapter, but I promise it will never happen again! For now I'll just give you all shoutouts and hope you forgive me.

So, thanks to:

awong111

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FloraIrmaTylee

windmelody

JigokuShoujosRevenge

DoubleDee068

rachelisafallenangel

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Nolesr1

scarletwitch0- Thanks for the word suggestion! :)

So keep sending in words! Letter E is next, and I really have no clue what to do with it. Also, as a bit of shameful self-promoton, check out my modern twist of Tasertricks in my story "Shattered Ambitions." Which I also have yet to thank people for too. Oops...