Author's Note: *picks up bucket of fluff and sexual tension*

*dumps it onto this chapter*

Soz.

Queen Martha Pond: Well, if you love Loki Louie moments… EHEHEHE this chapter is definitely for you. Oh I'm glad you picked up on that! Yeah, Loki's super conflicted at this point in time. Let's see what happens shall we? Thanks for the review! :D

Chapter 9

Loki POV

Loki tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Louie to change. Honestly, these Midgardians had the oddest collection of clothes, and not the prettiest, he thought wryly as Louie emerged from the bathroom. She pulled her hair into a scruffy pony tail.

"Okay, let's go," she said, tugging her sleeves down so they covered her fingers completely. As she did so, Loki noticed a flash of purple and blue. He frowned.

"Did you injure your fingers?" To his surprise, Louie went red.

"Er, no." Wordlessly, automatically, he held out a hand and then fought the urge to put in back down. Sighing and looking very much like a child caught doing something wrong, Louie held it out. He noticed that she didn't exactly put her hand in his but instead let it hover over his own. He grasped her fingers, examining them.

He looked up, slightly amused.

"Well someone was touching things that didn't belong to them." Louie's cheeks flushed an even brighter red.

"It was an accident - I swear - the lettering was just curvy - I thought maybe I'd just go through it - who even curses books?" she finished with a huff. Loki snorted.

"Lucky for you, it's just a simple spell. I assume energy surged through your arm?" Louie nodded.

"Damn near took my arm off."

"The marks will stay for a while but they will fade eventually. The whole purpose of the curse is to catch a thief red handed."

"Purple," she corrected. "Next time get your curse's colours right. Damn Loki, you have some serious trust issues." He had serious trust -? Suddenly it occurred to Loki that not a single Midgardian had the capability of jinxing books.

"When exactly did this happen?" he asked suspiciously, a nasty feeling bubbling in the pit of his stomach.

"I, ah-," she stuttered and trailed off, mumbling incoherently.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I got it when I was in Asgard," she said a little loudly and winced.

Asgard? But- how? The only people in the palace who would have known to cast spells were- Immediately he put two and two together.

"What exactly," he asked glowering, "were you doing in my room?"

Natasha POV

Natasha plucked the keys out of Tony's hand.

"I'll meet you outside in five," she said to Louie before heading to the elevator. She was impressed by Louie, she really was. Okay, so maybe she was more than a little crappy at shooting a gun but she certainly had balls. And a certainly irresistible quality, she supposed. Natasha wasn't the least bit surprised when Louie had reappeared with a certain Norse god in tow.

She did not however, thought Natasha wincing inwardly as she watched them walked towards the car, have any sense of style whatsoever.

Louie's outfit of the day consisted of the most appalling long sleeved shirt that looked like it belonged to three generations before her and shapeless black jeans. Her hair was in a tight ponytail once again and on her feet were ratty old sneakers.

Natasha sighed. Maybe she had two people to do shopping for today. Hmm. Maybe she would. She smiled secretly to herself as she fingered the SHIELD issued credit card in her pocket.

Loki, on the other hand looked a little more respectable, in a shirt and black suit pants which she assumed he had magicked up because god damn did he look fine. They trailed behind Clint who led the way to the convertible, sunglasses already on, grim as a funeral. Natasha smiled sympathetically at him as he hopped in without opening the door, claiming shotgun.

"You didn't have to come you know," she said quietly. "I know you don't like being around him." Clint shook his head.

"I'm not leaving you alone with him." Natasha grinned, touched at the sweet gesture.

"For goodness sake," Louie snapped, "I wasn't doing anything! I just found it and I was curious-"

"Don't you Midgardians have some saying about curiosity? How it ah, killed the cat?"

"How was I supposed to know your stupid books were booby trapped?!"

"Why were you even in my room?!"

"I said I was sorry!" she threw her hands up in exasperation. "And now my hand is purple, thanks. Asshole." Loki's eye twitched a little.

"Maybe it will teach you not to go snooping around where you don't belong-"

"You're a horrible person-"

"I'm sorry I try to protect what belongs to me!"

"Your stupid spell dyed my hand fucking purple and blue! It'll never come off!"

"Oh, do stop being so dramatic mortal, I told you it will fade eventually-"

"Oh I'm being dramatic. Hah! That's a riot!"

Ah, Natasha thought, amused. The mystery of the purple fingers was solved. Louie stomped over to the car, her cheeks flaming red with anger.

"Let's go," she said tightly, jerking her head at Loki. Loki took his time strolling over to the car, making Louie drum her fingers on her knee irritably. Natasha rolled her eyes. Children.

"Everything okay?" asked Clint. "Is he bothering you, Louie?" Louie jumped slightly and shook her head.

"No! No, Clint it's all good." Natasha's lips twitched again. Really, she was displaying her emotions way too much lately.

"Okay kids, buckle up. We're going shopping."

Clint POV

If there was one thing Clint knew about Natasha, it was that she treated everything like it was a mission. God, it was like the woman lived to form a plan, decide on a strategy and execute it to the tee. It was the same with shopping.

She walked into every store with a determined expression on her face, a threatening one saved for sales assistants who crept up with an expression of devoted servitude and a glare to keep Loki in line. They were currently in shop number twelve, if Clint's count was right.

"Here," she said throwing a shirt in Loki's face. "Try this on."

"How about this one?" called Louie, holding up a green one. Natasha nodded approvingly. Loki stared at Louie with an expression that said go ahead, throw that, I dare you.

"Also this."

"Oh yes, definitely that." Clint let the words waft over him. He thought they all looked the same anyway.

"Pick out a couple of pants and then let's get out of here," said Natasha. Louie nodded.

"Come on Loki," said Louie. "Let's get you measured for pants."

Natasha dropped into the plastic chair beside him as Loki trooped of behind Louie.

"You know," she said conversationally, "I thought Louie had a terrible sense of style, but really the only thing she sucks at dressing is herself. Lack of self confidence, I'll bet you my Widow's Bite."

"Natasha. I have no idea what you're talking about," said Clint dryly. Natasha sighed.

"Men." Clint grinned, tucking a curl behind her ear.

"Where to next?" he asked.

Loki POV

"Come on, you," said Louie, pulling Loki's sleeve. She ignored the look of contempt he gave her. "Let's find a sales assistant."

They found one, a small dainty looking Midgardian with a name tag that read Belinda. Belinda talked far too much for Loki's liking.

"Oh, you're so tall," she chattered away, her voice high and girlish, "I'm only five foot one, you're practically a giant…" Loki's heart almost dropped into his stomach at her words. Louie tugged on his shirtsleeve gently and raised an eyebrow questioningly. He shook his head.

"We love our tall men, don't we?" Louie said, smiling widely at Belinda.

"Oh yeah, one that can literally sweep you off your feet…" Belinda droned on and on and Louie kept smiling and nodding at what Loki assumed were the appropriate moments. Finally Loki felt himself being shoved in one direction by a Louie who was thanking Belinda profusely.

"Finally," she muttered rolling her eyes, her smile disappearing the minute Belinda and her mouth turned onto some other unsuspecting customer. Loki noted that he too was tall. Louie mimed shooting her blonde little head.

"Sweep you off your feet," she mimicked in a furious high pitched whisper, "just because she's small and cute – ugh, and what does she leave for us beanpoles?" she demanded of Loki, grabbing a couple of things off a rack, "Nothing! That's what! Come on, I see a dressing room. Let's try these on."

Louie shoved Loki and his faceful of clothes inside the square room, and pulled the curtain shut. A quick second later, she slid it open.

"Try on each one and show them to me," she said. Loki gaped.

"All - all of them?"

"Yes, genius. All of them. Try the shirts on first." With that she drew the curtain back firmly. Loki pulled off his shirt, a little irritated at her bossiness. He paused to take a look at his bare back. There, under his shoulders blades was the seal, a black intricate tattoo spreading from one shoulder to another. One wrong move and that seal would work its way all over his body, strapping his limbs to his sides and burning him from the inside. It still ached sometimes, although it wasn't too bad today. He stared at his face in distaste.

Frost giant.

Monster.

"Are you- oh! Sorry." In a flash of frizzy mane, Louie disappeared. Loki rolled his eyes and shrugged on one shirt. He frowned. Buttons. There were far too many buttons. Patiently he attempted to do them, cursing every now and then when the fiddly little things slipped right through his fingers.

"You okay in there?"

He managed a strangled, "Fine, mortal," as he put the last button in place under his chin. Somehow it didn't quite feel like the clothes he had magicked on for the trip.

"Louise," he sighed. "Help me." She entered, her eyes downcast before they flicked up quickly and shot back down. Shyly, she peeked upwards again. Her lips twitched. He settled for putting his hands on his hips and glaring.

"You, ah, buttoned it wrong," she said, her fingers covering her smile. He looked at his reflection once again.

"You mean to tell me there is no extra button at the top?" he asked curiously. Louie chuckled.

"No, your highness. Here. Allow me."

Pushing him backwards gently, she unbuttoned the shirt, her lower lip almost invisible as she pressed them together. Loki felt his cheeks heating up as her fingers undid the last button under his chin. Briskly she tugged down the shirt, straightening it out and began buttoning it again. She left the top button off, a gesture Loki was secretly thankful for.

"There," she said cheerfully, smoothing the material over his shoulders. They both turned to look at the reflection.

"Not bad," she said approvingly. "Not bad at all. You sure you don't want a haircut?"

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"It's too long. You're Loki of Asgard, not Tarzan of the Jungle." Loki blinked, not understanding the reference. Louie waved her hand.

"Never mind, I'll show you the movie later. But first, that hair has got to go." Loki crossed his arms.

"Mortal, I refuse to cut my hair." Louie sighed.

"Do you want to blend in or not?"

"I believe that was primarily your concern, not mine. So no."

"Good point. Do you want Natasha off your back or not?" Loki paused. It was true, the Black Widow was a menace. Plus, defying Romanoff meant Loki had to defy Barton and he really didn't want to do that.

"I don't see why I have to cut my hair to get Agent Romanoff off my back."

"Because," said Louie patiently, "it's too conspicuous. She'll keep asking you to cut it. You're striking enough with your good looks so you'll turn heads. Did you see the way Blonde Belinda drooled all over you? There are chances people may recognise your with your beautiful raven locks." Loki was a little amused at how casually she threw out a compliment and managed to twist it into a sarcastic barb.

Louie seemed to think his silence meant he was contemplating the idea. Her voice turned wheedling.

"Look, I'm not even saying you should chop it all off. Maybe just shorten it up to your neck. I can just picture you now with short hair-," she cut off quickly, frowning. Loki tilted his head, waiting for her to go on.

"Anyway," she waved her hand, abruptly changing the subject, "we'll get a bunch if these and some t-shirts. Now, I'm going to go so you can try on the pants. Or do you want help with that too?" she added, her eyes twinkling.

"Out," he said looking heavenward.

So maybe he struggled with the button again, he reasoned, but this time it was just one.

Louie POV

Loki was surprisingly compliant during the entirety of the shopping trip. After a drive in angry silence, we had to be nice to each other because Natasha asked (threatened) us to do so. Also, I couldn't hold a grudge to save my life and I ended up breaking the silence anyway.

Now, on the way home it took all of my self control not to bury my face in my hands because Loki of Asgard was undeniably the most attractive thing I have ever met in my life.

My mind flashed back to the dressing room, buttoning up his shirt and seeing the flat plane of his stomach beneath, smoothing out the soft fabric and feeling the lean muscles under my palm. My mouth went a little dry at the thought.

Stop, stop! What if he's reading your mind right now, hmm? I flushed at the thought. I glanced at the Asgardian in question. He was looking straight ahead as the car purred its way through the city streets.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked wryly. He didn't reply immediately, although he opened his mouth several times like he was trying hard to form words.

Finally -

"I have decided," he said stiffly, "perhaps I will let you cut my hair."

Was it just me or had Natasha just giggled?

"If it does not look good, mortal, I will make you pay," he said menacingly. I waved aside the threat like it was nothing. It had been a couple of weeks since we bought out half the mall and it had been a pretty successful trip. Maybe a little too successful, because whenever I went out for my morning run with Steve and Loki followed, half the health conscious population (male or female) of Manhattan would salivate over the man. It was annoying and, as Steve said, highly risky. Sooner or later someone would recognise him. So after days of putting it off, I was finally forced to actually cut poor Loki's hair. The god looked like he was regretting his decision to let me do this very, very much.

"Trust me. I know what I'm doing." He snorted disbelievingly.

"Well, on the plus side, if I get it wrong you can fix it with magic," I said wryly. Loki huffed. I pointed to the edge of the bed.

"Sit." Loki sat. I disappeared into the bathroom for a minute or two before reappearing with a pair of scissors, a comb and a large white towel. Loki eyed the sharp scissor warily.

"Don't worry," I said more cheerfully than I felt. "I've done this before. Sure it's been a while," I eyed my own waist length, bushy mane. "But I think I remember."

"That comforts me, it really does." His sarcasm earned him a snap on the shoulder with the towel. He glowered but I just rolled my eyes at him. Couple of days stuck with him and you get used to the death stares. Even grow attached to them, really.

Draping the towel around his shoulders, I picked up the scissors and comb and paused, suddenly at a loss. How short could I cut his hair? It had to be much shorter to pass off as ordinary, but I didn't want to chop it all off. Running my fingers through the silky stuff would always be so very, very tempting… I blushed at the thought and shook my head. Okay, focus.

Slowly, hesitantly I approached. Loki sat on the corner of the bed, his knees apart and elbows resting on them. He glared at me.

"If you don't watch out, your face will freeze that way." His scowl deepened. Swallowing, I moved to the corner. His thigh was almost brushing against my leg.

"Okay, I'll start with the back. Sit straight." Carefully, I combed a lock of hair and with my fingers, marking off the limit.

"This seems about right," I murmured. Loki grunted. Holding the lock steady, I snipped off the rest. Now his hair was short enough for the back of his smooth, pale neck to be visible. Taking a deep breath and praying to god he wouldn't kill me, I set to work. Minutes passed in silence, the only sound being the scissors snip-snipping away and the creak of bedsprings as we readjusted on the bed.

Soon enough, the back was done, and I moved on to the sides. Carefully, I leveled the hair near his ears, and combed it down to reveal any stray ends. Once this was done, all that was left was a little bit in front. I stepped back for a moment and rolled my shoulders. I grinned at the sight of the short hair with only two thick locks in the front at their original length.

My smile faded as my eyes met Loki's. He was looking at me curiously, his green eyes shimmering. I gulped. Something about that look made my stomach do funny things. I cleared my throat, trying to speak normally.

"Just a little bit left." My voice seemed higher to my own ears. I winced.

"So to do this bit I have to-," I laughed nervously as I stepped in between his knees. His eyes widened. Swallowing again, I took the locks in my hand and snipped them down to size.

Ignore it, ignore it, ignore it, I chanted silently as I finished off.

"There," I said brightly a moment later. "All done." Tilting my head back I observed the final product. His hair was now much shorter, brushing against his jaw line.

"For the finishing touch," I said dramatically and whipped the towel off his shoulders before running my fingers through his hair, slicking it back. He leaned back a little at the motion, eyes still boring into mine. I ran my fingers through his hair again, slower, slightly massaging his scalp as I did so.

His eyes slid shut and he exhaled slowly. I did it again, and again. A small groan escaped him. I gasped a little, almost chuckling. What were we doing? The same thought seemed to occur to Loki because his eyes shot open, dark pools of green that burned into mine. His lips parted slightly and a thrill of excitement shot through me.

It would be so easy to lean forward and press my lips against his. So very easy. I wondered how good a kisser he was.

Probably very good, said a small voice in my head. He was a god, he had had centuries to practice... Wait. Reality crashed into me like a speeding car. He was a god. This was Loki, God of Mischief. What was I thinking? Blinking rapidly, I snatched my hand out of his soft hair.

"There," I repeated. My voice was still doing that funny high pitched thing. "All done." Loki blinked too, like he was coming out of a trance.

"Wanna see?" I might as well be a chipmunk; my voice was so high. Without waiting for an answer, I pulled him up and pushed him into the bathroom. Nervously I bit my lip as he narrowed his eyes at his reflection. After a painfully long moment, his mouth tilted upwards. I relaxed.

"Thank you," he said tilting his head.

"Oh, it was no trouble at all." I said sending a private prayer of thanks to the deity that had heard me.

"Indeed." I fixed my eyes firmly onto the wall, knowing he was staring at me.

"Louie!" Darcy's voice floated through the room. "Where are- oh, there you are. Natasha was looking for - whoa." She stopped and stared at Loki who stared right back. His eyes dared her to speak.

Darcy didn't disappoint. She gave him a slow once over, from the top of his newly cut hair, to the fitted green t shirt he wore, to the long black pants and bare feet. "Wow, Rudolph, you really do clean up good. Nice job, Louie." I grinned my thanks and shot Loki a quick wink. Tentatively, he smiled back at Darcy. I beamed. Nice to know he was becoming a tad more social.

Darcy was still looking at Loki in approval. I clicked my fingers in front of her face.

"You were saying, Darcy?"

"Oh! Yeah, Natasha was looking for you. Something about your lessons." I nodded.

"I'll go find her," I said and turned to Loki. "I'll see you in a bit then?" Phew. No more chipmunk voice.

"The library. Three hours."

Yes, Sir, I replied and watched him head off for the elevator. I could tell by the way his back stiffened that my telepathic message had gone through. I smirked.

"He kinda grows on you doesn't he? Who would have thought we'd be able to live under the same roof with him?" said Darcy. I nodded slowly.

"Seriously though." Darcy looked at me, "he's actually more bearable when you're around." I shrugged, feeling a little pleased. Our gazes followed his fantastic rear end into the elevator, until a loud "LOUIE!" from somewhere within the tower sent us scurrying away.

Loki POV

What just happened? Loki rubbed his face furiously. What had just happened? What was that? Loki didn't know where to begin forming coherent thoughts. She was - distracting. A mystery. Irritating. But –

"I saw that, Reindeer Games," a voice filtered through the library. Tony strolled towards him, apple in hand and a grin stretching from ear to ear. "A little longer and you'd have been at it like rabbits." Loki didn't reply. Tony bit into his apple, chewing slowly.

"We all like Louie," he said abruptly. "She's a good kid. Helpful. Probably the only normal superhero around."

"Your point being?" Tony shrugged.

"You mess with her and I'll kill you. And so will Bruce, Steve, Clint and Natasha. And three other angry women you do not want to see in a flying temper. I can't vouch for your brother but I'm pretty sure he won't stand by idling either. So unless you want the entire building coming down on your head, you better watch what you do."

Loki shook his head and even managed a laugh.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Tony snorted.

"Right." Taking another bite of apple, he spun on his heel and left.

Putting his hand in his face Loki swore. That girl - that girl was trouble. Then why, why was he okay with getting into some?

He thought if the way she pursed her lips in concentration, her quiet smile of triumph as she conquered a particularly stubborn stray end and her clear brown eyes. And when she had stepped in between his knees, his head level with the hollow of her collarbone... his stomach clenched. He exhaled. No. No.

He was just deprived, that was all. In the past few years, he had done nothing to satisfy his ah, urges, and now he was paying the price by being attracted to some - Midgardian. He clenched his teeth. This was ridiculous. Maybe he should speak to his brother about getting a wench.

No, he contemplated, that would be too humiliating. And besides, Thor's type wasn't his type. Thor preferred tiny, breakable, delicate things. Loki thought he had too, but now found he would rather it was someone with more height and curve and incredible brown eyes -

Oh Hel.

A/N: Really you guys, I had no idea this was going to happen I just put them in a room together and they end up having sizzling chemistry I mean sheesh what can you do. Damn, I may have to change the rating lol.

I don't think that Nat is a particularly feminine character, but TWS did give her a more emotional and sensitive side so I decided to wing it and make her a little less silent in this chapter. Sorry if it got a bit ooc.

Also, now, don't go thinking I'm changing the Norse god we all know and love by putting away his armour and chopping off his hair – I have good reason to do so – it's more of a 'reverting to a younger, more vulnerable person' kind of idea that was swimming in my head. Did I manage to get that across?

Heyyy, we passed 40 followers! :D *hands out chocolate* I'm so happy that this many people are actually interested in this story :')

Also, COME ON YOU GUYS, ONLY ONE REVIEW FOR THE LAST CHAPTER? D:

I'm so sad *sniffs*

Anyway, I hoped you liked this chappie :3 DO leave a review if you did, please I love hearing from you.

25/07/2015: BIG GRAMMAR EDIT

Until next time!

Much love,

xo