Double date.
A noun which means: "a social outing in which two couples partake". A very Midgardian concept. Loki had looked up the meaning on Jane's information device (laptop) after Jane's explanation of what a double date was confused him. Now he was "partaking" in this very tradition, yet he still didn't understand.
Because Loki had been told the concept of "dating" and a "date" related to something of romance and love, something to celebrate the partner, something special and endearing. He had seen dates on Midgardian television and they were soft, gentle times of showing affection while sharing quiet company.
This was anything but.
Jane and Loki were sitting across from a very loud Thor and a very obnoxious Darcy in a booth at Lola's. Thor was repeating everything Darcy was telling him to say in his booming voice. They were all crude Midgardian phrases that cracked Darcy up when Thor mocked them. Naturally, Thor had no idea what he was saying, he just enjoyed Darcy's insane laugh which made Jane wince and Loki glare at the noisy duo. Darcy was laughing so hard that her drink of choice, which was beer, was spraying out of her mouth and she was trying to laugh and eat at the same time in a very un-lady-like fashion.
Thor wasn't being very noble at the moment either. It was hard to watch the alleged "God" of Thunder proudly proclaim, "My milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard," without judging him a little. Not to mention that his booming laughter had practically scared everyone out of the diner.
This was not how Loki had imagined a date to be. He pouted into his meal, not happy with the highly unromantic turn of events. It was like babysitting two adult-sized children and it had been so for the entire week Darcy and Thor had stayed.
Loki missed being alone with Jane and he noticed how secluded they had been before. The house was their own little world and they would rarely go out into the real one occasionally, like it was a field trip, only to hurry back into their little private cocoon.
Their cocoon had been invaded.
What bothered Loki the most was the lack of time he got to spend with Jane. Jane and Loki had to entertain Thor and Darcy daily because if those two were left alone for too long then they were bound to break something, which they did. Jane had offered them her bed since Thor couldn't fit on the couch which she and Loki now snuggled into every night, exhausted from the day's events.
Loki thought about their tiring day, silently sulking about how he hadn't gotten a chance to steal a kiss from Jane since the night before, when suddenly Jane nudged him with her shoulder, shifting closer to him so that their sides were touching.
He mentally sighed at the desirable proximity. He really adored it when Jane randomly would sit on his lap or hold his hand while working. Being close to her made him feel safe and he forgot of his worries.
He smiled at his love, and she smiled back.
"Everything ok?" she whispered into his ear, knowing Thor and Darcy weren't paying attention.
"Of course, everything is just peachy," Loki lied.
"Then why were you trying to burn a hole into your plate with your eyes a minute ago?"
Loki finally gave up his nonchalant expression and openly glared at an oblivious Thor who had French fries sticking out of his mouth and was pretending to be either a walrus or a vampire.
"Because of him. He ruins my life, no matter what realm we're in."
Jane brushed him off. "Oh, stop being so dramatic. You know what, let's go, I'm done eating and it looks like you are too."
"What about the children?"
She winked at him. "They'll find a way home. C'mon it's Christmas Eve! Let's walk around town, it'll be fun."
Loki pondered for a moment. "Will it be a romantic walk?"
"If you want it to be," Jane said quietly.
That made Loki spring out of the booth quickly, pulling Jane with him. The so-called children were being given instructions by Jane who handed Darcy a wad of cash she knew she was never going to see again.
"Make sure you come straight home, okay?" Jane told Darcy.
"Okay, Mom," Darcy sang and Thor chuckled.
"I'm serious, don't be too loud, if they call the police…"
"Shhh, Jane, it's Christmas, a time for peace, love, and harmony, can't we be more positive?" Darcy asked.
"Weren't you the one scaring Thor yesterday about ways mortals can die?"
Thor's engraved smile faltered at the memory and Loki frowned too.
"Hey, that was just factual information."
"Yes, because we have nuclear wars and bear attacks on the daily."
"Ok, ok, I get it, you're right and I'm wrong. Now, go and maybe buy some presents because I don't think Santa comes down chimneys of lawbreakers…"
"Good," Loki said, first time speaking openly in that entire evening. "That jolly beast is not welcome in my home, real or not."
Jane laughed along with Darcy and she walked Loki out the door and down the well-lit merry streets of Puente Antiguo.
!
The black cars raced in a bee-line on the empty highway, a helicopter soaring above them.
Nick Fury listened intently to SHIELD's radio, constantly looking at the coordinates the GPS revealed. Puente Antiguo, New Mexico. He shifted in his seat so his good eye could stare at the plump woman sitting in the backseat. She still had a pink woolen garment on but now she had a golden pin shaped like a bell on her collar, a forced festive remark most of SHIELD ignored.
Because they were in a code red, which had nothing to do with the most wonderful time of the year. No, this was an emergency, the kind you have when you had one, possibly two Asgardian gods loose on the mortal realm.
"What was the other God's name? Loki you said? The God of Mischief?" Agent Fury double-checked.
The woman's fake smile morphed into a real look of distaste. "Why do I find myself repeating everything around here? My, this is exhausting."
Fury rolled his eyes at the dramatic woman. "Just answer the question," he deadpanned.
She shifted uncomfortably, clearly not used to authority figures. "Yes. It was him, I saw him with my own eyes."
Fury nodded and turned back around, staring at the back of the black van in front of him.
"I am curious, Mr. Fury, what are you planning to do with them? The Gods, I mean?"
"We will take care of that ma'am, it's none of your concern," Fury answered, without turning around.
"What about the girls?"
"Darcy Lewis committed a crimes, multiple, she will be imprisoned."
"And Jane?"
"Dr. Jane Foster? Well, she's holding three outlaws in her house, hiding them from the government."
"So, you'll put her in jail too?"
Fury sighed. "Her crime is not little, and she knows too much of our agency. Ms. Lewis can be trusted, even in jail, Jane; I believe is a third party."
"So what will happen to her?"
"Well, we will have to try her in court and see."
The woman settled back into her seat, satisfied for now.
The driver, of the vehicle, Agent Hill, looked sideways at Fury who stared at her back.
She knew Jane Foster was not going to get a trial. Probably neither was Darcy. They needed Darcy Lewis on the team so terms would be negotiated. If she refused, then she'll be imprisoned. The Gods would have to go back to headquarters to be interrogated or they would be permanently terminated.
But Jane Foster wasn't going to get a choice. She was no use to SHIELD.
The agents had already gotten orders. Grab the gods and the agent.
And shoot the astrophysicist on the spot.
The black cars drove on into the dark, cold night.
!
Jane was sure Loki could hear her heart beating wildly. She smiled into the kiss, a habit she had developed. The joy of being loved so dearly always made her smile, an innocent habit that made Loki cherish Jane even more.
His lips brushed hers. It was after a very heavy make-out session that they had finally stopped to sigh at finally being alone.
Their romantic walk had ended short when Loki decided to break into the library to read Shakespeare to Jane again. He had read the plays at home, but he wanted to read to her something very specific, a peace he had found intimate and honest. And since now their house was too crowded, the locked library was the perfect escape.
So here they were, wrapped in each other's arms on one of the comfortable reading chairs, the book on the floor, completely forgotten. Jane had Loki's scarf wrapped around her which connected her to him. Tired, she rested her head on his shoulder and he rubbed his cheek against her soft hair.
Jane yawned. "We forgot to get Darcy a present."
Loki straightened out her legs so she could almost lie down against him. He brushed her hair soothingly, almost trying to get her to sleep. But he liked Jane like this, here with him, with no work or Darcy on her mind. Well, almost.
"Don't worry about that, love, I'll take care of it."
Jane smiled at Loki, a carefree, happy smile. "I love you."
Loki chuckled. "As do I. But Jane can I say something?" he asked, unsure.
Jane popped open one eye to look at Loki. He was thinking his question out and his indecision was clear on his face. She placed one hand on his cheek.
"What is it?"
"Well, I've missed you, love."
Jane tilted her head to look at him. "I'm right here."
"I know but, between my brother and Darcy, we have not been able to…"
"I know; the cons of being the normal ones, eh? Funny how I was all alone for so long and then all you dropped into my life. Quite literally with you, might I add," she nudged Loki lovingly.
Loki laughed.
"But I like this," Jane explained, sitting up, "I like being so busy and taking care of everyone. It's the closest thing I've ever had to a family really," Jane admitted.
At this revelation, Loki changed his attitude. Jane was actually enjoying this. He couldn't take this away from her for his own selfish reasons. Well, he could and he had just tried to, but Loki knew he shouldn't.
"Shall we head back then?"
Jane shook her head and snuggled into Loki again. "No, let's wait a little while longer," she told him, sensing Loki's relief.
"If you insist," Loki tangled himself into Jane as much as the chair would allow and they just stayed there, a magical night already in the making.
This was going to be Jane's favorite Christmas. Finally she was leaving a close-to-normal life.
She didn't anticipate the events that were to come.
!
Neither did SHIELD.
A/N: I keep insinuating that death of characters but honestly, you guys no better right? Thank you to eychasenpai, Princess PrettyPants, odinsdatter9, JigokuShoujosRevenge, and JPElles. I'm shocked 20 chapters are finally done. Happy Friday and thank you for reading, I'm busy these days which is why the updates are irregular. This chapter was not well organized but I pray to all that is holy that it made sense to everyone. Still, I ask you stay tune for the next one. Thank you.