'Cause if You Don't

Author's Note: More music. Why so much music? If the Avengers are this obsessed with music, they should do a musical.

"Now Loki," said Pepper, tossing me a scarf, "tonight you're going to sing along and behave yourself and not make any kind of commotion. Do you understand?"

"I don't want to sing," I said sulkily.

"Well, you'll do it anyway," said Pepper in a stern voice. "Come along."

The Vision had decided to sit this one out. So had Pietro and Wanda, and Clint and Tony, and even my brother, Thor. In fact, the only people who were going were Pepper, Natasha, Cap, and myself. If everyone else could opt out, why not I?

We were going to a performance of The Messiah, but if that weren't bad enough, it was a sing-along performance. Valhala save us! I had a nameless forboding.

"I haven't been here since Bucky," said Steve wistfully, looking around. We were in DC at the Kennedy Center where the performance was to be held.

"We're going to have to wait in line for hours," said Pepper. "Otherwise we won't get seats."

"NOW you tell me that!" said Nat. "I was going to spend the day with Sam at the Smithsonian."

"I thought you were with Bruce!" said Steve.

"I can't handle long distance relationships," said Nat defensively. "Can you hold my place in line? I don't want to leave Sam hanging."

"Yeah, go ahead," said Pepper resignedly. "Loki, don't get any ideas. You're not going anywhere."

So we sat on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center among thousands of bodies packed together, playing loud games and wearing ridiculous reindeer hats.

"You should have brought yours," snickered Steve, elbowing me in the ribs.

"I can't take all these peasants!" I groaned. "Must... have... air!"

"Relax," said Nat, showing up and flopping down beside me. "It's just people."

I groaned again.

"How was the date?" asked Pepper eagerly.

"It was nice," said Nat. "But I don't think he's quite my type. Hey, Steve," she added roguishly, "he has a sister."

"Um, no," said Steve hurriedly. "I don't need any more complicated relationships."

"The line is moving at last!" said Pepper. "Come on, Loki."

"Excuse me," I said, straightening my coat. "You need not pull my ear, thank you very much."

"Look, he's learning manners," said Nat.

"And he shall purifyyyyy!" sang the choir. And the audience. And my companions.

Pepper was a soprano, and unfortunately she had made me sit beside her. Now my ears were ringing from her high trills.

"Sing, Loki," she hissed when there was a short section where the sopranos didn't sing.

"I shall very much not," I responded, crossing my arms and pouting.

"Loki, you need to behave," said Pepper. "Do you want me to have to call Thor?"

That was the last straw. I opened my mouth to shout at her when I had a better idea.

What if I did call Thor?

I sniggered and pulled out the mobile phone I had pick-pocketed from Tony. Then I dialed Thor.

"WHAT IS IT, BROTHER?" said Thor. He thinks that unspeakable volume is necessary when a phone is involved.

"I need you to come to DC," I whispered. "There has been an attack!"

"I WILL BE THERE SHORTLY, BROTHER," said Thor, and I heard static and lightning on the other end of the line.

I rubbed my hands together and chuckled. "Any moment now," I said.

There was a thunderous roar from somewhere above us.

"BROTHER, I HAVE COME TO RESCUE YOU!" shouted Thor from a balcony.

With gasps and shrieks, the performers and the audience turned toward him just in time to see his hammer lift high and summon lightning through the roof.

"What is he doing here?" moaned Pepper, covering her face in embarrassment. "Oh, gods!"

"We're not related," I pointed out, just so everyone was sure of that fact.

"Loki, do you have something to do with this?" asked Nat suspiciously.

"There you are, Loki," said Thor, descending upon us with a mighty sonic boom. "What is your trouble?"

"Ehehehe, Loki'd!" I said.

And as I was flying across the auditorium I yelled, "It was only a jooooooke!" before crashing head-first into the wall.

"You lied to me!" he shouted, rushing at me again. "Of all the people I'm not getting presents for, you are the one I'm not getting presents for the most!"

Author's Note: It's getting close to Christmas, is everyone done with shopping? :)

RussianAssassin- Of course not! Loki never forgets anything! P/N: Except putting his socks in the wash... A/N: SHUT UP MORTAL *ahem* Thank you for reviewing! :)
LadyOfAnfalas- Lily's sister-in-law got a fondue pot as a gift at her wedding. I think it had been re-gifted like ten times before that. SPEAKING of which, has anyone done a white elephant this year? Lily went to a really funny one.
Elessar's Daughter- I have not yet gotten tickets, but I can't wait. There is a rumor going around that Lily's cousin is going to drive us to the theatre to see it, but I don't know yet. I can't wait. Do you think it would be worth seeing in 3D? I've never seen something in 3D before.

Thanks guys!