Things were different. There was a noticeable change in the atmosphere of Avenger Towers. Everyone felt it. It wasn't just the fact that Darcy wasn't coming around anymore either, though at first that's what they all told themselves. No, it was the fact the Avenger's little brother was gone.

Sure Loki was annoying. He made a habit of visiting at inappropriate times and generally like messing with people when they seemed at their most busy, but they had come to realize how those actions affected them. There was something endearing about someone who thought about you enough to think of ways to get on your nerves.

It was in essence an act of affection.

Loki's lair had been completed and just as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone. He hadn't even said good bye. As a result, Darcy was gone as well, only coming around when Jane needed her.

Tony was the first to notice the difference. He and Pepper had started cuddling on the couch to watch a movie. They made extra popcorn and got an extra soda because any time the pair would cuddle for a move, Loki would appear.

This time he hadn't.

Then it was Thor who expected his brother to pop up while he and Jane were having dinner. Loki had never failed to miss an evening meal with them, even if he only stayed for a little while. They started making extra portions and setting plates for him.

But then he failed to show.

Barton had gone to Loki's room to vent about Natasha. Loki loved those stories and laughed at him freely but he always gave advice and listened to everything Barton had to say, even if it was repetitive.

But Loki's room had been cleaned out.

Bruce had been expecting his regular text message to come in. Every day at three o'clock, no matter what time zone he was in or how many times his changed his number, Loki found a way to text him. He would threaten him, cuss at him, belittle him and then at the end of each message Loki would ask, "Are you angry yet?" Bruce would text back, each time, "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." And Loki would send back an amusing emoticon.

But then it didn't come.

Natasha had waited for Loki in the SHIELD gym. He would come, always with Darcy, and they would fight. Either verbally or physically, Loki would attack her and she would defend herself. Sometimes she lost, but sometimes she would win. It made her sharper and entertained her for a while, taking her mind off the problems in her life.

But one day he wasn't there.

Then that time came around. Sunday brunch, with Pepper and Jane. There were no conversations really. Just the sounds of glass cups hitting the table every now and again as well as the sounds of metal forks hitting glass plates.

Darcy wasn't even there to make snarky comments. She had been opting to stay with Loki most of the time lately. She was doing a pretty good job of keeping him in line. After Doom's arrest and subsequent release, SHIELD was convinced that the Loki Rehabilitation program was working.

And how happy Loki was to find out there was a project named after him.

But Loki was the god of mischief and Steve was sure Loki had to be up to something. It wasn't that he missed him or anything, because Steve didn't really like Loki. He was annoying. Everything about him was bothersome.

Sure Loki used to pop up when he was working out and used magic to make the punching back hit him back. It's not like it made training more fun, or interesting.

"I think some is stealing my cable." Tony said suddenly. "Both my cable and light bill are very high this month."

The room went silent. "You know," Thor started. "This is exactly the kind of thing Loki would do."

"He has been quiet for a while." Natasha said. "A quiet Loki is a scheming Loki."

"I agree." Barton said. "Loki must be the villain behind this."

Pepper and Jane glanced at each other when they heard the word villain. This had to be a joke. They weren't seriously going to suit up and hunt for Loki just because he might have cable boxes in Stark's name.

"We should suit up!" Steve jumped up from his chair. "We assemble in the lobby."

The two women shook their heads as the Avenger ran out to suit up. Pepper looked at Jane. "Men are so stupid."

Jane nodded. "What's Natasha's excuse?"

Pepper shrugged. "Mob mentality?"

000

In full armor The Avenger marched into the Lobby not even sure where Loki's new lair was.

"Maybe we should call Darcy." Steve said. "She would know."

Tony shook his head. "I don't think so. They are a couple."

Natasha put a fresh round of bullets in her gun. "She's turned. She might be complicit in the stealing of Iron Man's cable."

"Then we get to Doom." Thor said. "He'd know where my brother hides as he too would assist Loki with this treason."

They went to go, but Tony noticed something odd. "Hey guys. Since when do we have a down button on this elevator?"

"What do you mean?" Natasha asked.

"There is an arrow pointing down but this is the ground floor."

"We should investigate." Barton said. "But everyone stay sharp. This could one of Loki's tricks."

They entered the elevator and pressed the button with a horned helmet on it. Elevator music came on and accompanied them the whole way down. When the doors opened, they slowly entered he premises. There, beyond the glass barrier, was Loki and Darcy sitting in what appeared to be a living room watching television in their pajamas.

Loki and Darcy turned to them as they entered. Tony looked to the television. "Did you add these cable boxes under my name?"

Loki nodded. "Yeah."

Suddenly Iron Man's armor activated, missiles and lasers point at Loki. With a raised brow Loki looked at Darcy who shrugged.

"Alright, I'll play along." Loki stood up, his magic flickered and suddenly he was wearing his green and black armor along with his helmet. He took a deep breath. "I am Loki, from… whatever." He sighed. "Look guys it's still kind of early and we had a long night…"

Suddenly Steve raised his shield, Natasha cocked her gun and Barton had an arrow set on him. "What about the lights? Are you using my juice?"

Loki nodded. "Well… yes."

The Avengers exchanged glances. "Well cut that cable wire." Steve demanded. "And turn off all these lights."

Loki blinked. "No."

The Avengers glanced at each other again. "Well, how about you pay a portion of the bills?"

Loki turned to look at Darcy. "So? I don't know do I kill them or shoot them? Do we just pay a bill? Do villains have to pay bills?"

Darcy couldn't help but laugh. He looked so very flabbergasted. "Um, given the choices, I say, pay the bills."

He looked back at the Avengers still with guns, arrows and missiles pointed at him. With another shimmer Loki was back in his pajamas with his hands raised. "I surrender. You have foiled my plans to… watch… HBO."

The missiles, guns and arrows lowered. "Alright." Thor said. "But listen well brother. We are not on Asgard. Here we must pay bills and follow the laws."

Loki nodded. "Yeah, I totally understand. I crossed the line with the cable."

The Avengers filtered out but Tony turned back around. "We have brunch up stairs, you know, if you guys are hungry."

There is was, Darcy now understood. She rolled her eyes as Tony left. Loki turned to look at her. "What was that about?"

Really? He didn't get it? He was a villainous super villain/hero and yet he didn't understand what that was all about?

"Loki, they missed you."

"Missed me?" Both words were familiar to Loki but using them together seemed to perplex him.

"Yeah. They came down here to get you to go to brunch."

"Why didn't they just send me text message?"

"Because they didn't know how to tell you." She explained as she stood up and tippy toed to wrap her arms around his neck. "They consider you a friend."

"So, I guess I have to pay my portion of the cable bill huh?"

"Yup. And Con Ed."

"Midgard is so silly. I am a prince!"

"Of Yodelers."

"Jotunheim. Really Darcy, you should learn the name you might be queen of it one day." He stepped away to go get ready for brunch.

She was now the one flabbergasted. Queen? Did he intend to make her a queen? He never said he loved her. But then, he really didn't need to. His actions said everything. From the way he gave her gifts, to how he held her at night, to how he respected her wish not to go all the way, despite lying in bed naked together, he showed her all the time.

But how did she feel about that? Did she want to be the Queen of Loki the supervillain? But then was he even Loki the supervillain any more. Just a few moments ago he stood with almost every Avenger standing in front of him ready to attack and he didn't even feel like giving a monologue.

She was still standing in the living room when he came back out. He was still in pajamas but his hair was brushed and he smelled like toothpaste. "Are you coming?" He asked holding out his hand.

She looked at his hand for a moment, those long fingers out stretched to her. With a smile, she grasped his hand. "Yeah."