Eris' POV

The next day, I woke up the way I had before-in Loki's embrace. I smiled to myself, I could get used to this, though, I knew I shouldn't. I knew there was no excuse for my behavior, if Matt ever found out, he'd be pissed. I sighed to myself and tried to get up, waking Loki in the process. I looked down at him and smiled gently.

"Morning, reindeer games."

I quipped, remembering Tony had called him that whenever I mentioned Loki. The god narrowed his eyes at me and sat up.

"What does that even mean?"

He groaned through a yawn. I chuckled and shook my head.

"It's a movie, I might show it to you someday."

I replied, sliding out of the bed. Loki sighed and rose from the bed as well.

"So, what is it that we are doing today?"

The Aesir inquired, running a hand through his disheveled hair in an attempt to tame it. I thought for a moment, and suddenly remembered the deadline Fury had given me.

'You have month, to get him a job, and used to the way of life here in New York. If you can't, then he will be sent back to Asgard.'

Getting him a job would be hard, though, I did know someone who owed me a favor. I wondered just how many New Yorkers remember the invasion Loki had caused- that taken into account, not too many people would be jumping to hire him...a favor from an old friend it is!

"Well, today, I thought I'd show you around the area so you know where everything is if you go out by yourself. And we kinda need to get you a job."

I told him, wincing slightly as I spoke the last part. The raven haired man looked at me inquisitively.

"What will my job be?"

He asked, walking over to me.

"I'm not really sure yet, I need to make a call and see what I can do. Without any prior work experience on Earth, it'll be nearly impossible to find you a job. Unless..."

I stopped my words and rushed into the living room, picking up the file Matthew had given me. I riffled through the papers I had yet to sign and found what I was looking for.

"Aha!"

I yelled gleefully, turning to my confused friend.

"Those clever little shits at S.H.I.E.L.D made you a social security card, and a birth certificate. This won't be nearly as painful as I thought."

I smiled, flailing the papers around in the air triumphantly. The god chuckled at my curse.

"Don't you count as one of those 'little shits at S.H.I.E.L.D'?"

He teased, crossing his arms over his chest. I felt my face get a little red from embarrassment and stood akimbo before him, trying to look authoritative.

"Shut up. If we're getting you a job, there's a couple of things I need to teach you first."

I grumbled crossing over to the guest bathroom. Once Loki followed me inside, I pulled back the shower curtain and gestured to the tub and shower.

"This, is called a "shower". We use this to clean ourselves and I believe it's high time you learned to use it."

I announced, looking back at the god. He gave me a slight glare and crossed his arms again.

"I've used them before, remember, I was stuck on this rock for months."

He retorted defiantly. I smirked and raised my brows in mock surprise.

"Really, then, why don't you show me how it works, darling?"

I challenged, stepping out of his way. His green eyes locked with mine for a moment before he approached the shower. He leaned down to look at the knobs and turn handle, staying that way for a little over a minute.

"You can start any time."

I chimed in, knowing he would fail to turn it on correctly. I only received a grunt in response as he finally made his decision. He turned one of the knobs and straightened a bit, looking up at the shower head for a response. It was a delayed reaction due to the old nature of the pipes in my apartment, but surely enough, cold water came rushing out of the shower head before Loki could move. He made a feral hissing noise and pulled his face out from under the stream of frigid water. My friend turned to me and glared daggers at me as I tried half-heartedly to stifle my laughter.

"You did it!"

I cheered through another giggle. He narrowed his eyes at me and I threw a towel at his head before coming over to turn of the water and dry Loki off. I gently ruffled the towel over his hair and pulled it off of his head, using it to sponge away the rest of the water from his neck and face. I gingerly ran the towel across the god's face in small, slow strokes. His eyes ensnared mine for a moment before I gained the self control to look elsewhere while I dried him.

"You're pride is unwavering, I see."

I said quietly, carefully swiping away a few droplets of water left on his sharp cheekbone. Loki smiled once I was finished and planted a quick kiss on my temple.

"Let me just show you this time instead, alright?"

I chortled, switching places with the towering man. Once I felt he understood how to start, stop and change the temperature of the water, I let him alone to shower. While he was getting clean I decided to make my phone call.

"Hello, gorgeous. Long time, no speak. What've you been up to?"

Ronni sang over the phone. I giggled at the sound of his over dramatic greeting and smiled.

"Well, we can talk the details out later, but for now, I need a favor."

I informed him.

"Anything you need, sweetie."

He replied cheerily. I was relieved that he seemed so eager to help without knowing what I needed yet.

"You guys are still hiring, right?"

I questioned, making a glance at the door of the guest bathroom. I heard a sigh over the receiver and some rustling.

"Yeah, I mean, we've had several people come in already but I suppose we could see one more. Who are we seeing, anyway?"

He inquired absentmindedly, he was most likely daydreaming.

"It's gonna be a surprise, but we'll stop by today before your shift ends."

I said, smiling to myself. Ronni scoffed.

"What are you talking about? My shift never ends."

He whined, earning another chuckle from me.

"We'll see you soon."

I assured him.

"Alright, see ya later."

Just as I hung up, Loki wandered out of the bathroom like a frightened animal. He always seemed so lost without my instruction. Oh lord, he was still only in his towel. I stiffly forced my limbs to move and walked over to the god. I helped him dry his hair and pick out an outfit for the day- something that wasn't too dressy, but enough to show that he cared about his appearance. Honestly, he didn't look half bad in the fitted white button up, dark, fitted pants and a black, leather jacket. He would certainly blend in, I thought to myself as I put a green scarf around his neck. The god smiled down at me, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else. He was so distracting sometimes...damn him.

A Little Later

I decided it would be easiest to show Loki around if we traveled by foot. Despite it being New York, the foot traffic seemed rather sparse today, allowing us to walk at our own pace. I introduced the man to the subway system and taught him how to use it. I pointed out a few of the grocery stores and shopping centers that were nearby before finally directing him towards the coffee shop on the corner of my street. The bell overhead chimed as we entered the busy little café. I went up to one of the counters and asked for Ronni. I turned back to notice Loki was still standing at the door, looking around at all the people. I could tell he felt uncomfortable with the amount of people in the shop and that some of the younger women were staring at him with hungry eyes. I sighed and walked over to him.

"Come on, it's okay. Let's go meet your new boss."

I said with a smile as I grabbed his hand. I led him back to the counter I was waiting at and kept an eye out for my flamboyant friend from college. When he finally emerged from the back room, he smiled brightly at me and greeted me with a tight hug and a peck on the cheek.

"Hey, sweetie!"

He gushed, making me smile back. His demeanor changed completely when his eyes wandered to who was behind me. I could have swore he was on the verge of fainting.

"Oh my god, is that-"

I clamped a hand over his loud mouth to shush him.

"Yes, it is. And it would be really great if you didn't have a fanboy attack, alright?"

I hissed, trying not to draw attention to the situation. The blond man nodded and I released him before turning to Loki.

"He was a Norse mythology major back in college, so he's always been a big fan of yours."

I told him with a sheepish grin. Loki smiled a little and tilted his head slightly.

"A fan? I thought most Midgardians would resent me after...what happened a few years back."

He muttered lowly, so not to be overheard. Ronni swooned a little at the closer proximity and I made sure his feet stayed firmly planted on the floor.

"W-well, I wouldn't have minded having you as ruler of the planet."

The blond squeaked out, his words making me bust out laughing. I leaned my head on his shoulder, nearly crying from laughing so hard.

"You really shouldn't feed his ego and god-complex."

I sniggered in his ear while glancing at the surprised god in front of us. A wicked smile spread across Loki's lips and I wasn't sure what it would be the end of any sensible thoughts left in Ronni's face. The god gently tilted the other mans face up towards his own and I stepped back a bit. There was a mischievous glow in his eyes as he pierced my smitten friend with them.

"Then, are you submitting to me? Do I have your loyalty?"

Loki husked, putting on an air of sexuality that made me feel very uncomfortable with the developing situation. My eyes darted between the two men and the cafe, happy to see that no one else was watching this act of seduction unfold. Ronni's face had grown flush as the god of lies trapped the smaller man between his body and the counter. Loki leaned in closely to the blond's ear and grinned.

"Will you give me whatever I desire?"

The raven haired man breathed in my friends ear. This strange behavior was making me tense and I simply prayed that whatever Loki was up to, it would be over quickly.

"Y-yes..."

Ronni stuttered, his eyes half lidded. Oh lord, make it stop! Everything about this situation disturbed me to my very core but I couldn't quite look away. The god pulled back to look the panting mess that was my friend in the eyes.

"Then please, supply me with a job here."

He cooed, smirking at the reddening man beneath his gaze. Ronni could only nod in response, his voice obviously lost somewhere. Loki smiled and stepped away from the blond, breaking all physical contact but still staying close to the other man's body.

"Wonderful, when do I start?"

He asked kindly, pretending like whatever just happened, hadn't happened at all. Ronni opened his mouth as his brain scrambled for a proper response.

"Ahh- F-Friday, you'll start Friday at 9:00 AM."

The blond finally stammered out.

"Excellent."

Loki chirped. I shook my head and patted Ronni on the shoulder.

"Well, go on and clean your shorts, hot mess. And I'll make sure he gets here early Friday morning."

I teased, giving the stunned young man a kiss on his cheek before heading for the door with Loki in tow. Once we were outside, I spun around to look at the Aesir as I walked.

"What the Hel was that?!"

I exclaimed, demanding an answer. Loki simply gave me a smug look before replying.

"I was ensuring that we obtained what we had intended to go there for."

He answered, still looking at me with a proud expression on his face.

"By making a rather sexual advance on your potential boss?"

I barked, laughing in disbelief at his actions.

"Precisely."

Loki confirmed with a curt nod. I shook my head, still laughing.

"You're such a manipulative person."

I half scolded him. He smirked at me as he joined my side to walk with me.

"It takes one to know one, my dear."

He retorted, placing an arm around my shoulder. I sighed, he was right about that. But I felt I might as well jab at his pride for making Ronni look like an idiot back there.

"Are you sure you don't just fancy other men?"

I accused, chancing a quick glance up at the god. Loki stopped and grabbed my shoulders firmly before pressing me up against a building, keeping himself at arms length.

"Jest not, I'm sure you know I only fancy a beautiful woman."

He murmured, caressing my cheek gently but there was no trace of humor or deceit on his face. His eyes were dark, somehow intimidating and hard to meet with my own. And I felt it again-the almost unbearable yearning to kiss him. Luckily, he have me a smirk before abruptly releasing me and continued down the sidewalk. I stayed glued to the wall for a moment, trying to calm my heart. Maybe if I had Matt over, I could pretend a little longer, I thought as I caught up to Loki. Perhaps I'll have him over for dinner tonight. I smiled a little, hopeful that my plan would work.