"Wow, yeah he'll love that! Ooh what about this? No he has one of those, it's at home I think… hmmm, we could try the other one down the street!" Pepper was enveloped in a sea of Christmas shoppers, looking for the perfect gifts here and everywhere. Loki held a small package in his hand, it was light brown in colour, he was waiting in the queue for it to be wrapped.

"I can do it myself you know, honestly I am rather good at it, I promise."

"I suppose you did do a beautiful job and Howard's present. What did Tony say when you told him?"

"Oh… I completely forgot to tell him about that actually…" But Pepper was already concentrating on a rather cute little snow globe with the empire state building and a miniature elf figurine in the middle.

"This'd be cute for my baby cousin. Aw it's gonna be her first Christmas! Yes yes and yes." She put the snow globe in her already stuffed hand carrier.

"Ugh, that's about as much as I can afford for the time being. I'm getting a bonus next week so that'll help with the rest of it I suppose. I still haven't found Tony's yet, and obviously not yours…" She looked at him guiltily, remembering suddenly of her shopping partner.

"Pepper for the last time, I'm not even a fan of gift giving in the first place… there is really no need to spend anything on me, I have all that I need."

"A-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Not another word, thank you! Do you think Thor will like this? I'm not so sure now…"

"Trust me I'm his brother I know exactly what he'd like. Actually I envy you for having such a great gift finder such as myself, I've given you all my best ideas." Pepper smiled innocently up at him.

"You are, amazing by the way thank you. I would never have known what to get Clint without you ugh I'm terrible."

"It is of no trouble, my dear. There's something I would like your help with however. It's about Tony actually…"

"Oh you got the hots for him already? Well I must say it's hard not too…"

"What! I-uh um-"

"I'm just joking Loki chill chill!" Loki rubbed his forehead, letting his exasperated sigh escape.

"No… well… it's more to do with his… habits. I've never seen as many girls come through our apartment before, nor have I seen him behave so reckless, like a child. I know it's just him but… I am at my wits end trying to warn him before he does something stupid… I don't know what I'd do if he… if he got liver poisoning… mugged… or something even worse!" Loki had his hands out in front of him, as though he was waiting for the answers to fall into his hands.

"You worry too much about him… but I suppose that just shows how much you two have grown together since… well yeah. God actually you're both always so worried about each other I'm starting to wonder whether you two should get together and start a family. Not to mention you resemble an old couple most of the time…"

"Pepper, be serious."

"Look, I know you know him as well as I do… so maybe if you just sit down and try talking to him, y'know? It's always worked in the past with me. But if that doesn't work, take away something like his work tools and threaten him if he doesn't pipe down. That will probably work… but, talk, first."

"Mmmm, good idea. Why I never think of this is beyond me…"

"You're too close together to be able to take a step back and properly look at the situation. Don't worry it happens with every couple. Oh wait, 'friends', sorry." She waved her hand in the air, dismissing her mistake, like it was nothing…

Loki cleared his throat, uncomfortable. This feeling he had building up inside him couldn't be put down. Almost like he was going to throw up…

"LOKI! Are you alright?" Pepper took a step back, holding Loki's hair behind his face. A shop assistant came running over with a mop bucket, raring to clean it up.

"Wow, I'm so sorry, thank you!"

"I've been doing this all week, I've started to recognise the signs… ha." The man had it cleaned in a minute, and Loki was stumbling outside accompanied by a dumbfounded Pepper.

"If you were that sick you only had to say honey, I'm not that mean, I promise." Pepper smiled, apprehensive.

"Pepper, if you don't mind I would be very much obliged if I could wait out here. You go on back in and finish up, I'll be absolutely fine, I assure you."

"Well… If you're sure-"

"I am, j-just some fresh air?"

"Alright, I'll be super quick I promise."

Loki smiled, leaning against the shop's outside wall, his face whiter than usual but his cheeks were flushing red. The air bit at his skin but he didn't mind the cold, but instead relished it. He leaned his palms into his knees, breathing deeply through his nose wishing for Pepper to hurry up.

"Loki…?"

Loki slowly looked up, his eyebrows raised, as if the last thing he wanted right now was a Christmas unscheduled reunion. The person in front of him wore a pair of extremely dark sunglasses that he could see his own reflection in, black jeans and a light grey sweater. His mouth was slightly open, standing fifteen feet away from him.

"S-Steve?" Loki was incapable of reacting. It took him a minute to recognise the situation. Steve looked wildly around him, as if half expecting the FBI to bust his ass.

"I…I shouldn't have… never mind, I have to go." He started walking briskly, not bothering to look back. Loki stood up straight, almost feeling the urge to run after him.

"No… Wait-Steve!" But he had vanished, a disappearing act into the huge crowd.

What was that? Oh if there was anything left in me I could get sick again. What is his problem? Does he not know when to just leave it alone. I'm not ready for that why must he feel the need? The sickening nerve of that despicable, callous human being. The bare sight of him, how dare he, a man of such cowardice, malice, ever cross me. But I can't… I don't want to deal with it. I still… no, don't bother. It's not worth it, just… just focus on your breathing.