Loki stood outside of Bruce's door with a small suitcase and a duffle, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. As he waited he felt a shiver go down his spine, and he realized that for the first time in his life he was scared and nervous. If this is what it meant to be mortal then he would go back to Hel, get his powers back and be done. Just as he was about to turn and leave Bruce opened the door, with an eyebrow raised. "So, the God of Mischief actually had the balls to show up!" As he spoke he opened his door to allow Loki access.

As he entered he quickly took in Banner's apartment - a small one bedroom, one bathroom with a den that looked out onto Central Park. As he looked at his new home, he felt something brush against his leg and he looked down to see a Westie sniffing about his legs before wagging his tale. Bruce came to stand beside Loki, "You should feel honored, Steven doesn't accept everyone so easily - there is good in you yet." Loki glared at Bruce but found the man to be completely sincere. Bruce pointed toward the den saying, "This will be your room for the next year, sorry we will have to share the bathroom." Loki slowly entered the room, quickly taking in the bifold bookcase that hid his bed, as well as a desk. He slowly sat down at the desk, before murmuring a quiet thank you to Bruce.

The rest of the evening passed quickly as they set Loki up in his new home. That night, as he lay in bed with Steven at the bottom of the bed, he wondered just what in Valhalla's name he had gotten himself into.

The next morning found Loki waking to the smell of bacon, eggs and coffee. He slowly got out of bed, shuffling into the kitchen. "Good Morning sleeping beauty, sleep well?" Loki glared at Banner before grabbing a cup of coffee. "Ah, I should've known the God of Mischief wasn't a morning person." As Loki slowly woke up, he spoke in a low voice, "So what is on the agenda for today?"

"Well, I have to go to work at Mt Sinai so today you'll be taking care of Steven and then going to your first Yoga class."

"What the fuck Bruce! You're leaving me to dog sit and sit cross legged on the floor? I could have done that at home with my powers."

Bruce glared at the man before saying firmly, "Remember you came to me for help. It took me years to figure out what worked, but I know what does. So, you are going to do as I say or this 'experiment' of yours," Loki could feel the air quotes and it took everything within him not to throw his cup at Bruce's head, "will be over before you can say 'Ergi'. Understood?"

"You would dare call me a coward, mortal?" Loki spat out.

Banner stood, and towered over the sitting Loki, "Do you understand?"

Loki, for the first time in his life was in awe of someone else, silently nodded his head before muttering, "Fine."

Bruce nodded, sat down and asked, "Are you not even curious as to why I am having you be a 'dog sitter'?"

Loki just raised an eyebrow not even dignifying the question with an answer. "Well, there are several health benefits to owning a dog, one of them being reducing depression. Let's face it, many of the things you have done have been out of selfishness and a spiraling depression. Helping to take care of Steven is the first step, of many, to help those things. Besides the physical benefits, yoga will also help you build community so you learn how to work with others without the need to dominate, or use them for ulterior motives." Loki, knowing he was beaten, asked, "Why the fuck did you name himStevenanyway?" Bruce smirked before responding, "Well, have you ever heard of a show called 'Dynasty?"

The first few weeks passed quickly as Loki settled into a routine of yoga, mindfulness and taking care of Steven. While Bruce was at work, Loki began to binge watch "Dynasty" and began to have more questions about the scientist's personal life. One night, after dinner while they were enjoying coffee on the fire escape, Loki asked, "Why Steven? Why not Alexis or Fallon? Blake is kind of an ass but handsome."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, "Been watching 'Dynasty' have we?"

"Well, I had to have something to do while you abandoned me!"

Bruce was quiet for a moment, gathering his thoughts before answering. "Growing up, not only was my father an alcoholic but a severely abusive one. He beat my mother regularly and as I grew older me as well. I was very intelligent, even as a child, and my father hated me for it. His loathing intensified, if possible, when he found out I was gay - quite by accident I assure you. So my severe beatings began when I was 13, the only positive thing was the beatings of my mother almost stopped. Well, Dynasty had just started and Steven was one of the first openly gay men on television—which in the early 80s was revolutionary. Seeing his struggles that seemed to mirror so many of my own, including a homophobic father, gave me hope - hope that maybe one day I could have a normal life but until then I had the Hulk. If I couldn't have an ally like Steven did in Crystal then the Hulk did it until I found my own peace and purpose."

Loki, unsure of what to say, said nothing. "Really, nothing? No mocking?" Loki shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know what to say, so I thought nothing would be better." Bruce shook his head in disbelief, "If taking care of Steven and yoga brings this kind of progress, I cannot wait to see what the next steps will bring."

Loki smirked at Bruce, saying, "Okay Mr. Scientist, what's next?" Bruce shook his head before replying, "My secret oh God of Mischief. I wouldn't want to ruin the experiment for you." The two finished their coffee then headed back inside.

Bruce was unsure how to proceed with the next stage of his plan. The first part of the had succeeded beyond his wildest dreams but how to get Loki to volunteer and to possibly see a therapist? It was a problem that sat with Bruce for the next couple of weeks, and was distracting enough for even Loki to notice. The pair had begun daily walks with Stephen around Central Park shortly after Loki's arrival, and though neither would admit it - the walk had become the favorite part of their day. Bruce had gotten to know the God of Mischief and quickly realized how much of his bravado was an act as a result of the centuries of abuse at the hands of Odin, and inadvertently by his adoptive mother and brother. Although, Bruce was sure that Thor would be devastated to know he had contributed to his brother's pain and torment.

As the two sat on a bench, drinking coffee and throwing a ball for Steven, Loki sighed and said, "Banner, something is clearly distressing you. What is it?" A slight blush appeared on the scientist's face at having been so easily read, and cleared his throat before responding. "Loki, I am unsure how to proceed in the next stage of our experiment. Clearly, mediation, yoga and taking care of Stepehen has done wonders for you; however, I believe you are coming to a plateau and I am worried about how you will respond to the next part of your…our…journey."

Loki turned to face Bruce, "Banner I came to you for a reason. I watched you for over a year. I saw the balance you had managed to achieve with the big green man and the life you chose to lead with the Avengers and being a scientist. I haveneversaid this to another living being, human or otherwise, but I trust you Bruce. You and that big green man you have come to terms with. What you want me to do, I will do."

Bruce stared at Loki, mind blank, stunned at the admission made by this prankster. Loki gave him a side eye as he threw the ball, "Bruce, are you having a stroke? Do I need to call your place of work?"

Bruce shook his head as if to wake himself up, "No, you just surprised me with your admission, our experiment seems to be working so far and I am surprised at how quickly you've made progress." He bit his lip for a moment before proceeding, "The next step for you is counseling. Now, before you interrupt I know a mere mortal would never do so I talked to Thor, who turned me to your mother who gave me the advice to talk to Eir. Eir has agreed to come here twice a month to talk therapy."

Loki eyed Bruce for a brief moment before nodding, " I am surprised she agreed to come toMidgard but thank you for taking the time to arrange it. When is the first meeting?"

As the weeks passed, Bruce began to notice subtle shifts in Loki. He was more open and caring with the people he trusted (mainly Bruce, Natashia, and Bucky), and began to form solid relationships with each. Loki could often be found with one of the three at his favorite local coffee shop or bookstore.

When not at his favorite local haunts, the God of Mischief had also begun volunteering at local homeless and animal shelters. Occasionally, Bruce volunteered as well and was astounded at the gentler side of the man who, just two and a half years earlier, had tried to conquer earth. Loki, at Eir's request, had also joined a therapy group for people from abusive families and relationships. Loki, who had spent centuries thinking that he alone was the cruelest man who walked the universe, was surprised at man's ability to hurt the vulnerable and innocent to hold up their fragile ego. Loki spent many sessions dissecting that with Eir, and coming to terms with how he had been a pawn for so long in Odin's twisted game and how he actually had the freedom to be who he wanted to be.

One evening, Bruce came home to the smell of freshly made palak paneer and naan. Quietly entering the kitchen, he found the God of Mischief contently placing the finishing touches on the meals while listening to a podcast about anxiety and mental health.

"Smells wonderful Loki," Bruce said softly, "This is my favorite you know."

Loki responded, "I know, Eir and I had a hard conversation today that involved you so I thought I would make your favorite meal."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, and for some inexplicable reason a knot began forming in the pit of his stomach as he went to shower and clean up before sitting down to dinner. Bruce entered the kitchen and sat down as Loki was plating their meal, pouring each man a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The men sat in silence as the began to eat and despite the nerves Bruce let out a quiet moan as he took his first bite of the palak paneer causing the God of Mischief to blush slightly (although he would deny ever doing so) at the sound, "I take it the meal meets with your approval?"

"God Loki I don't know what you plan to do but being achefshould definitely be a serious consideration."

Loki stared at Bruce for a moment, seeming to lose all thought before responding, "Thank you Bruce." He simply nodded as they continued to eat; however, after a few minutes Bruce could no longer take the suspense and broached the subject. "So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Loki put down his fork, thought for a moment and began to speak. "Today while talking with Eir I had a breakthrough. I spent a majority of my life blaming myself for Odin not loving me, for the fact that I was never seen as an equal to Thor and as a result lashing out in often extreme ways. Eir helped me to realize and accept that most of my actions came as a result of my neglect and abuse. It was easier to blame my actions on others than to accept responsibility. I have slowly begun to repair my relationship with Thor, but honestly that big oaf and I will never really be close. My fuckwad of an adopted father will never change so I am not even going to attempt that." Bruce tried to interject at the last statement but Loki held up his hand, silencing him, "Even Eir agreed with my assessment about my father. However, the reading recommendations given to me by my therapist have shown that families come in all shapes and sizes which is a comfort to me. I believe in the time that I have been here you and Steven have become my family. I have also come to trust Natashia and Bucky as well - it has been eye opening to have a support system."

"Oh…" was all Bruce could muster out before the two sat in silence for a moment. "Loki, I truly don't know how to respond to that except to say that I am honored that you would consider me family. I have come to see you in a different light as well after living with you for the past several months. It will be difficult to see you leave as our time here is coming to a close."

"That is one of the things I wanted to talk to you about Bruce. I realized I have come to depend on you, Natashia and Bucky in a way I didn't think was possible before. I want to continue to live here, on Asgard, to continue to become better. Although, I believe I would want my powers back and we would have to move into a bigger apartment. I refuse to sleep on that mattress anymore."

"Hey! That's a damn good mattress thank you very much!"

Loki snorted, responding "Fine then you can have it in our next apartment. I've done research and there is a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment opening up at the end of this month and I have already put our names on a list…." He stopped when he saw the look on Bruce's face. "Fuck, you don't want that do you? Dammit, when I talked to Hel she said it was a good idea. I should have talked to you first…" Before he could continue on his nervous rambling Bruce gently placed a hand on top of Loki's, "No, you mistake me Loki. I was also dreading the end of our experiment, I would very much like that. Thank you." For a beat longer Bruce's hand remained on Loki's as they stared at each other before Bruce coughed and continued to eat his dinner. A subtle shift had occurred between the two men, leaving both to wonder what would happen next.