A/N: Does anyone care that I am still writing. This is just so upsetting. I'm attempting romance. :\

Summer..

Loki hated the heat. He absolutely despised it. The sweat beaded along his hairline like a crown and made his long black hair stick to his pale skin. It made him feel sticky and uncomfortable. However, he also refused to wear shorts. Hazel had convinced him once when she noticed tiny beads of sweat sparkling against his hairline that he usually was quick to wipe away. And then practically fainted from laughing. Despite all of his grace and charm, he had regrettably pale and skinny legs.

"Really they're cute though your highness." She managed through half stifled giggles.

He only scowled at her. "Where are the others? The ones I usually wear?"

"The washing machine." She answered with a sympathetic smile.

In a huff, the fallen prince sunk onto the couch and crossed his arms. "I'm not going anywhere until they're done."

After the one unfortunate time he had ventured the pair of cargo shorts Hazel had dug out of her closet, he wore dark jeans and a t-shirt every day. He went barefoot if they didn't have to go anywhere else but around the farm, and she off handedly commented that his feet looked as thought they should have been carved from marble. He let out a snort and rolled his bright eyes.

"No really! Just look at them!" She sat beside him on the swinging bench on her porch. "They are actually gorgeous."

"You are a strange human." He leaned his head back against the cushion and closed his eyes.

"Well then so are you."

He only laughed after that. He wiggled his toes as a breeze blew through the air and tugged at his long black hair.

Hazel watched him carefully. He was stunning, there was no denying that. He had sharp cheekbones but a kind face. She thought of all the ways there had been chances for him not to come back to her. She could have lost him to the void, or the Chitauri, or the Avengers. But here he was, sitting on her porch and drinking lemonade from a can. Completely human and here with her and her alone. "Tell me about Asgard."

He opened his eyes lazily and looked over at her. "You wish to know about Asgard?"

She crossed her legs under her and leaned as close to her prince as she could manage. "Tell me about your family Loki."

"Tell me about yours."

Hazel opened her mouth, but didn't say anything.

"I'm waiting." Loki gave her a playful smile.

She let out a breath. "Well.. My mom and dad.. They are a long way from here. And they don't really talk to me anymore. I mean well when I moved out here to go to school-"

"What were you going to school for." He interrupted as his eyes slipped shut and he took a sip of his lemonade.

"Oh art history. I wanted to teach it-"

"An educator?" He interrupted her again and turned to her suddenly. "Tell me, why?"

"It's important to me and it's something that too many people care about." She pulled her knees up to her chest and focused on the threads at the bottoms of her pants. "I thought maybe I could make a difference and teach people what is important to me." She shrugged.

He watched her carefully with gleaming green eyes. "You have passion in your heart. I can admire that in ways you will never understand." As sudden as the strange look had appeared in his eyes it was gone and his look were closed again. "Finish telling me of your family."

Hazel was taken aback, but cleared her throat and shook her head. "Um.. Well.. I dropped out of school because I was kind of left on my own once I moved out here. They didn't help me pay for anything-" Loki opened his mouth to cut her off again but she set a hand over his pale lips. "Just let me finish will you?"

He narrowed his eyes, but smiled under her hand.

"Other than the parents who don't talk to me I have a brother who only occasionally doesn't talk to me." She dropped her hands back into her lap. "And when I bought this place it was in horrible shape. I rebuilt in on a tight budget and I barely scrape by every year with the money I make from selling fruits and stuff."

"You are a human of phenomenal perseverance." He conceded after a moment. "Estranged from your family, that is something to which I can relate."

"Tell me about Asgard."

He let out a long sigh. "It's.. Difficult to explain to someone who cannot fathom other worlds. The palace has many cavernous hallways all made of gold. It's a huge place, and where I spent nearly all of my childhood. I know its halls well." He paused and leaned his head back against the back of the bench. "And too be fair, I have a fairly kind family. My mother is a wonder. She is strong and cunning and the most beautiful woman. She taught me all of the magic I know. And my older brother Thor, though he can be quite a brash idiot, is kind as well. He loves Midgard and all the wonders that it supposedly possesses. You would like him. But my father, well, he is not the easiest man to get along with. He is.. " He trailed off and turned to her. "You would like my mother."

She smiled. "She wouldn't like me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well I'm just a weird little human."

He laughed. "I suppose if you say so."

Loki spent the day on the porch. He refused dinner when it was ready and wouldn't come to bed when Hazel came to get him. He stared at the sky with wide empty eyes.

"Loki?" She asked quietly when she was ready to go to bed. She had been on the couch reading in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. "Come to sleep. Please?"

He was quiet for a while. "There's a storm."

Hazel pulled the blanket she had wrapped around her shoulders. "Summer has those sometimes. Please come to bed?"

"My brother is coming to see you." He let out long breath and finally stood from the bench. "Come. I am sorry for being so distant today. I was feeling very strange after thinking of Asgard I suppose. Nostalgic even. Are you okay with my brother's presence? If not I could go to where he is." He set his hands on either side of her neck. "It would be nice to see him."

"Your brother." She muttered and searched his face. She took one of his hands tightly in hers. "I should change. Does my hair look.. Gosh I'm nervous."

"Thor loves everyone and cherishes Midgard like it is his own home world." Loki's voice was quiet. "I am the hard one to charm and look how far you've come. You have looked at me without any sort of intimidation since the moment we met." He smiled softly. "You have nothing to fear."

Hazel rolled her eyes. "You are a sweet heart. I'll be overwhelmed by your brother.."

He watched her carefully as another light flashed across the sky. "You're wonderful."

"What?"

"Loki!" A loud voice made him flinch and close his eyes. "My brother. It is a wonder to see you. You look beyond well!"

"That would be Thor are you ready?" He squeezed her hand lightly before turning to the approaching Asgardian. "Thor it is.. ah.. Good to see you too." He struggled to respond

The massive blonde grabbed Loki into a huge hug, which he managed to return stiffly. Hazel covered her mouth to stop from laughing but a giggle escaped. Thor looked uncontrollably happy. His great smile was snuggled against Loki's shoulder and he shook the dark haired prince back and forth.

"This is-"

"The girl?" Thor dropped Loki, who managed to land lightly on his feet. "My brother's light. You have one million thanks from our mother." He laughed warmly and set his hands on her cheeks before he grabbed her into a tight hug as well. "She would have come herself if more pressing matters had not arose. We are eternally grateful."

"Oh.. oh. No you don't have to thank me." She looked over Thor's head at her dark haired prince. "I.. I wanted to do it. How could I not."

Loki managed a smile. "Brother please don't smother her. She makes wonderful tea. Please tell me what is happening back at home."

It was strange, having royalty in her home. Loki had taken some adjusting to at first. His slim shadowy figure brought her comfort after the adjustment period. He walked with near silent foot-steps on her wooden floors and often snuck around corners and scared her. Something about Thor was different though. He was loud and big and the light cast over Loki's shadowy form. He was completely at ease, unlike Loki had been. He held onto his tea cup as though he could crush it at any second, which there was no doubt that he could in his massive hands. The princes spoke quietly about their mother and father. About things happening on Asgard and the other nine realms and Loki reluctantly seemed interested.

Hazel sat and listened intently. It was fascinating really to listen to them speak to each other about things she never even knew existed outside of Earth. However it couldn't last, nothing ever seemed to with her moonlight prince. An angry pounding on the door made her jump. The brothers turned to her. "No keep talking. I'll get it." She stood and quickly made her way to the door.

"You promised kid to keep me in the loop and now I get energy readings out the ass. This whole you hiding this royal pain in my ass is tonight. We're taking him in." Commander Fury pushed open the door and glared at her. "We're gonna peel his skin off his bones and you are going into a detention cell watching. Do you understand me?" He leaned in close to her. "Where is he."

"Fury. My friend!" Thor's kind voice boomed from the end of the hallway.

"Well that's a surprise." He turned and blinked at the giant Asgardian. "That explains the energy levels we picked up.. When did you get here?" He tapped on a screen on his watch.

He eyed Hazel as she slipped back to Loki's side and took one of his hands tightly in both of hers. "He said he was going to take you. I won't let him-"

"Hush now." He cut her off quietly before turning to the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Thor had begun talking to him with a hand on his shoulder. He told him how he had just arrived to check on his brother, who everyone was deeply worried about at home. He invited Director Fury to tea and complimented Hazel grandly.

"She makes wonderful tea. My brother came back here countless times for her tea alone, although one could argue her eyes are also quite wonderful. Come you must have some Son of Fury." Thor clapped the man on the back with a bright smile.

"No I don't think I will take you up on that offer. Thanks for the invite. From now on we will keep a much closer eye on you." He paused. "Apologies for the intrusion, and the latent threat." He was gone in a sweep of leather and the three of them returned to the living room.

Thor told stories for hours of his adventures after Director Fury left as suddenly as he had come. Loki had told him she had asked about their home and they sat for hours after that. Hazel sat with wide eyes and listened carefully to Thor's every word.

"We were in the mountains of Vanaheim weren't we brother, when Fandral managed to anger the chiefs by flirting with their princesses, do you remember." Thor chuckled.

"I remember quite vividly." Loki rubbed at his eyes.

"Do not forget it was your silver tongue that got us home to Asgard safe." Thor smiled fondly.

"How could you ever doubt yourself your highness?" Hazel turned to her dark prince as Thor began laughing. "You're a hero."

His eyes met hers with a sudden strange look on his face. The same that he had given her on the porch earlier. He searched her face before blinking it away and rolling his eyes. "I don't know what your definition of hero is but I am certainly not one."

"You were once and you will be again my brother." Thor smiled warmly.

Hazel kept her eyes on her prince's face and a light smile on her lips as Thor spoke.

"I think it's time for me to take my leave. My mother and father will be wanting the news." Thor stood and Hazel and Loki followed. "I thank you for the tea Hazel. And the fine company." He took up her hand and kissed her knuckles. "You take care of my brother until I can see you again."

"I will." She answered with a look at her brilliant shadow prince from the stars.

"May I speak with you before you go Thor." Loki managed after a hesitation and a stutter. He glanced back at Hazel.

"Go, go." She insisted quickly. Thor gave him a surprised look and then nodded. Hazel followed them after a moment to the back door and listened carefully through the wood and glass. The muffled voices of the long separated brothers made her smile until she realized what they were talking about.

"-What of father." Loki's soft voice came to her first.

"He hardly speaks of you. Which is to be expected, but mother is worried. I can bring her good news to ease her nerves." Thor responded.

"Please give her my best will you."

"I might come to you sooner next. There is something brewing on the horizon brother."

Loki laughed through his nose. A dry laugh that held no humor. "You would have to be truly desperate to come to me for help."

"Until next time Loki."

There was silence after that. Hazel leaned against the wall, hugging herself tightly. She could practically see the prince on the porch, staring forlornly at the stars as he often did. His eyes distant and slightly glazed over. Instead though of a long silence, the door squeaked back open and he turned to her knowingly.

"You were listening." He commented before turning to walk towards the kitchen.

Hazel huffed indignantly. "Well of course I was."

"At least you're honest." He sat at the table and rubbed at his face tiredly.

"Are you.."

"Not particularly okay no. I feel incredibly human." He peeked up at her through his fingers and hair. "Thor thinks you are a wonder."

"Oh does he?" She asked.

Loki smiled despite himself. "For saving me from myself apparently. You are a wonder for performing the task no one else could. A task no one else wanted, he assures me because it was deemed impossible."

She smiled coyly at him and took a few steps forward. "I can assure you, your highness, I wouldn't let anyone else have the task. It was one that I wanted. The chance to prove to you that there was light in your heart is the greatest honor I could ever hope for."

His smile fell and he so did his gaze. "You're so sure of that. My heart is riddled with shadows."

"I can see the light peeking through." She knelt before him and took his hands from his face and rested her elbows on his knees. "You.. You're wonderful." She whispered.

Loki didn't respond. He studied her carefully with his bright eyes. Hazel let out a breath as her heart stuttered in her chest. Her gaze found his pale lips as she licked her own quickly. Before she could stop herself, her hand hastily found his cheek and she sat up on her knees in a rush to move towards his lips.

"No.. You don't want to-" He cut himself off and set a hand on her neck. His fingers clutched desperately at her skin. "I'm poisonous."

"I don't care." She tried to find his lips but he held her back.

"I can't stay."

"I don't care."

"Hazel don't.."

She could feel his breath on her skin and she stroked his cheek with her shaking finger-tips. Their noses bumped together as she tried to touch their lips together. "You're all I have ever wanted and now you're here and solid in front of me and human and I can't have you." His eyes looked like exploding galaxies when she looked up through her eyelashes.

"I will ruin you."

"You should let me decide for myself what I want." Her voice was a breathy whisper. She could feel his fingers shaking against her neck and she set her hand on top of it and squeezed. "You have never been anything but good to me. I'm not afraid of you."

His expression was guarded. He looked down. "I am tired. It has been a long day-"

"Look at me." She pleaded.

He stood and rushed out of the kitchen, leaving Hazel alone on the cold kitchen floor. The door to the office the fallen prince had been staying in creaked shut and she sighed. She was embarrassed. There would no doubt be an awkward conversation in the morning but the Prince had made his choice and she would honor it. She curled up on the cool floor and closed her eyes. What an embarrassing night.

After that they didn't speak about the attempted kiss again. Loki was cool and collected in contrast to her somewhat flustered and embarrassed air around him. He didn't mention it so neither did she. Once the growing season was in full swing the vegetable stand was always busy. The fallen prince even got confident enough to man the stand by himself.

He was generally tolerant of the people of the town. He was polite in a tight and awkward way that gave off the general sense that he didn't actually want to be polite but he knew it was what was right. People from town liked him too. Hazel smiled fondly as he accepted money from kind older ladies who called him 'dear' and 'sweetie' and he only smiled politely and took the compliments.

At the end of a long night, the prince would slip into the living room where Hazel was usually already sat on the couch reading. He spent time gazing at the summer sky which worried her at first but then realized he must be home sick, wishing his brother would bring him news of his mother. However he would always come inside and sit with her on the couch. He didn't sleep a lot and often times they would end up on the couch in the morning, Loki still awake and Hazel waking from an uncomfortable night on her floral patterned couch.

They never talked about the almost kiss, and the summer passed with warm nights and tight smiles.