Okay, so here's the next chapter! As I said earlier, hopefully this one makes up for the super short one from before. This chapter has a bit off fluffiness in it, so it's at this point where we're now getting into the romance aspect of this story. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Robin.

I walked hurriedly down the busy sidewalk, trying to avoid the large throng of New Yorkers as best as I could. It seemed like my problems were only growing. I had a villain stuck in my head who constantly talked to me, and now everyone knew about it. What would happen now between the Avengers and me? Would they stop trusting me because I never told them the truth about what happened? I stopped walking, already a good distance from the looming shape of Stark Tower, and sat down with my back against the wall of a dull gray building. I pulled my knees up to my chest and let out a distressed sigh, resting my head on my knees. Fuck my life. . .

I heard a man's voice with a rather unique accent next to me, "Why the long face?" he asked with a chuckle.

I growled, not even raising my head, "Go away, I'm not in the mood."

Yet he did not leave, he only chuckled and replied, "Well, that's not a way to treat an old friend, is it?"

I looked up, seeing a handsome young man about my age looking down at me. He was pale and his black hair was short, but it was slicked back neatly. His dark eyes looked at me warmly, but they had a mysterious glint hidden in them. I did not recognize this man. I stood up, not even bothering to smooth out my wrinkled shirt as I looked him in the eyes, "Look, I don't know who you are or who you're looking for, but I don't. . ." I trailed off, noticing the way the mysterious man held himself. It was a way no one else did. His head was held high and he had no sign of a slouch. It gave him a sense of pompous authority and a rather regal appearance.

He smiled, noticing the recognition in my eyes, "So, you saw through my disguise. Smart mortal. I was afraid I'd have to tell you upfront."

I widened my eyes slightly, and then said in a low voice, "Loki, what are you doing here?"

Loki shrugged, "You looked upset, so I thought you needed company. . ."

"But . . . why?"

He rolled his eyes, "Again with the questions. Why must you constantly question me?"

"I just," I sighed, "I just don't understand, that's all."

He smiled softly at me, "One day, then, you will understand."

I sighed, slightly frustrated, "Hopefully soon, I hate being confused." I continued walking, Loki walking beside me. He looked at me for a moment and hesitated a bit before putting an arm around me. I looked up at him warily, confused by his action.

He sighed, "Cheer up. You're not as amusing when you're sad. . ."

I was surprised by the statement, "Uh . . . okay . . ." I was baffled, and I didn't know how to react. I simply sighed and looked ahead, not even bothering to move his arm, which was wrapped around my shoulders. I suddenly stopped, looking at a bright, neon blue sign in the fading sunlight that read "Ben & Jerry's". Loki looked at me, confused by my sudden halt. I paid no heed to his confusion and said to myself, "Ice cream sounds really good right now. . ." I smiled a bit and looked to Loki, "Want some ice cream?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Ice cream?"

I nodded, "Yeah! It's really good! Ever had any?"

He shook his head, "I don't believe I have."

I gasped and placed my hands on his shoulders, looking at him squarely in the eyes, "You poor, deprived soul. But do not fret! We shall fix your sad, sorry state and get you some ice cream!" He looked at me, confused by my sudden mood swing, but before he could reply, I exclaimed, "Well, come on then! Let's go!" I grabbed hold of his wrist and darted towards the shop, dragging the poor, surprised, and confused God after me. Once inside, I let go of him and walked up to the counter, "I'll have a chocolate and vanilla ice cream cone and," I trailed off and glanced back at Loki, who was standing behind me, looking curiously at the buckets of ice cream. "What ice cream do you want?"

He looked up at me, "What? Oh, the same thing you are having, I suppose."

I nodded and relayed the order to the woman at the counter. I paid the money to the cashier, and by that time more people were waiting in line. I stepped away from the counter, gently tugging Loki towards me. He looked at me, surprised that I moved him. "When we place an order, we step back while waiting so that other people can order," I explained softly.

He gave me a curt nod, "I see." He looked around the shop, looking at the soda machine curiously. I giggled softly at his overall reaction, but at the same time, I felt pity for him. Everything around him must have seemed so strange to him. I wondered if he ever felt lost or homesick when stuck in such a strange world. I soon grew tired of standing and plopped down in a wooden chair, resting my elbows on the round table.

Loki soon joined me, sitting down in the chair across from me. "How long is it going to take?" he asked impatiently.

I giggled, "Should be done in about. . ." I stopped when the boisterous voice of the cashier called out my order, "Now!" I finished with a smile. I got up and walked over to the counter, grabbing the ice cream and a couple of napkins. "Here you go!" I proclaimed, handing Loki an ice cream cone and a napkin. I sat down in the chair again and started eating my own ice cream cone. I looked at Loki expectantly, watching him eye it with and odd stare, and then gingerly taste it. "Well? How is it?"

He widened his eyes slightly, "It is surprisingly good for Midgardian food."

I grinned, "Of course it is! Dessert is the best kind of food anywhere!"

He chuckled, "True."

I smiled brightly at him and continued happily eating my ice cream. I soon finished it and started munching on the cone itself. I suddenly let out a happy exclamation, "Oh my God!"

Loki raised an eyebrow, surprised by my outburst, "What is it?"

"They put chocolate at the bottom of the cone!" I answered in a sing-song voice.

He smiled, chuckling at my excitement, "What a pleasant surprise."

I giggled, "I know, right!" He had soon finished his cone after me, and I leaned back in my chair, a content smile on my face.

Loki smiled softly at me, "I am glad to see you happy again."

"Really? Thanks! Ice cream always makes me feel better! Wanna know why?"

"Why?"

"Because stressed spelled backwards is desserts!"

He paused, probably spelling it mentally, and chuckled, "You're right! I have never noticed that before."

I smiled, "Yeah, it's amazing how we all easily miss the small details in life when we don't look closely enough."

"Indeed."

I glanced out the window, seeing the sky turn to a pitch black, "Wow, it's already dark out."

Loki nodded, "So it is. . ." I could detect a faint hint of sorrow in his voice.

"Time sure does fly."

He sighed, "Sadly. . ." I glanced at him, and his eyes were closed, "I do not wish to leave, though."

I widened my eyes slightly and hesitated before saying, "Same here. . ." He looked at me, obviously surprised by my statement, but I continued talking, "We could do this again tomorrow, maybe."

He smiled, "I'd like that. . ."

"Me too." I stood up, "But we should probably head out now in case we get kicked out."

He chuckled softly, also standing up, "Very well. I can walk you home, if you wish. . ."

I smiled, "Sure!" He offered me an arm and I took it. Before we walked out, though, he hesitated a moment before leaning in and giving me a kiss on the cheek. I blushed, not expecting such an action, and then, out of reflex, I tried hiding the obvious pink tint on my cheeks. I believed it was futile, though, because I could tell by the smile on Loki's face that he had seen it.

Ah, nothing like a little "ice cream date" between a God of Mischief and a crazy, psychotic pyromaniac to sweeten things up. XD