Loki didn't necessarily dislike Jack Frost. He liked him as well as anyone else in his life. Perhaps even better. At least the winter spirit enjoyed his pranks, as long as no children got hurt. Blasted children. No, Loki didn't dislike Frost. He disliked-no, hated-the cold that Frost brought with him. He wanted no reminders of the monster that he was.

Perhaps he was even afraid. Afraid that if Jack found out what he was, that he was the monster under the bed, then he'd hate him. That he'd never speak to him. So, rather than suffer the inevitable, Loki drove the boy away. Just like he drove everyone else away. He didn't need anyone else. He was perfectly happy. Sure, he had been banished from Asgard, but when had they ever accepted him? He had a penthouse now, in New York. Right under the Avengers noses. Two streets over, in fact. No, he didn't need anyone. He was happy right there.

He was sitting in front of the large bay window, watching the snow fall and contemplating his next move against the Avengers. As much as he hated to admit it, he rather enjoyed this. This giant game of chess, played with buildings and people and magic. Maybe that was why he hadn't rid the world of the meddling superheroes. After all, he could. He was powerful and intelligent. He wasn't exhausted and under the Chitari's control now: it would be child's play. But he was having fun.

When the front door opened, he didn't turn around.

"I don't need you today Maria, thank you." He called to the cleaning lady.

"Maria? Wow, Bunny said I was petite, but I didn't think I looked like a girl." Jack Frost. Loki gritted his teeth. The boy had visited several times after he had returned from Asgard. Anytime Frost was passing through, he would let himself into Lokis house. The trickster god still wasn't sure how the teen got in, but he couldn't stop him. Didn't really want to, even if he would never admit it.

"Jack. Why are you here?" A burst of cold air and Jack landed lightly in front of him.

"What, is there some rule against visiting friends?" He asked, going to inspect the window. Loki sighed when frost patterns started to form on the glass.

"If you're looking for Thor, I'm afraid him and I don't get along very well anymore. You'll find him with his new friends, the Avengers." He said. It was almost a ritual now, and they had the beginnings of their meetings practically scripted.

"Nah, he's somewhere in New Mexico. I haven't been able to catch him." Jack said, stepping away from the now fully frosted window.

"What a shame. Perhaps you should go to New Mexico." Loki suggested. Jack grinned.

"You're more fun." He said simply. That statement shot straight to his heart, and Loki stood to hide it, beginning to pace.

"You planning your next prank?" Frost asked, twirling his staff. Loki gave him a glare of irritation.

"They are not pranks. They are attempts at freedom." He said sharply. Freedom from, well, he wasn't sure, but he wanted freedom from something. He knew that much. Jack shrugged.

"Tomato, tomahto. What are you doing this time?" He asked, a gleam in his eye. Loki glared again.

"None of your business. Didn't I tell you to stay out of New York?" Not that he ever listened.

"I forgot," Jack lied easily, "you know, if you don't tell me, I could always tell Khione* that you love her and that's why you got yourself banished." He said, an evil grin spreading across his face. Loki narrowed his eyes.

"You wouldn't dare." He hissed. Jack shrugged, mischief dancing in his blue eyes.

"Oh, Khione, he thinks that you're beautiful! He just loves your frosty stuffiness." He said in a falsetto. Loki growled.

"Fine. But only if you agree to freeze the streets that I tell you to." He bargained. With that, his plan would work perfectly. Jack considered it.

"Would anyone get hurt?" He asked. Loki shrugged.

"No guarantees. But if everything goes according to plan, only my brother and his friends will get hurt. And they are more than capable of handling it." He answered. Jack thought about it, then grinned.

"Let's do it."

*Daughter of Boreas, the north-wind and Greek goddess of snow.

Yeah, I see Jack and Loki as being bff's. :D Luckily for me, this was actually confirmed by FrostSprite as being true to Norse mythology. So, yeah, hope you enjoyed it! Review!