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“This really isn’t a great idea; you know how this little one gets when she watches a scary movie.” Thor warned, patting the top of your head as Tony chose a horror movie for the group to watch for movie night.
You smacked Thor’s arm away from you, “I can handle it! I promise!”
“You didn’t sleep properly for weeks after the last one,” Wanda giggled, handing you the bowl of popcorn.
You scowled at her while you shoved a handful of popcorn in your mouth.
“You do know that we see arguably more horrific things in real life than you could ever see in one of these movies…” Steve joined in, suppressing a teasing smile.
“This just proves that she’s probably not as tough as she claims to be.” Bucky chuckled, stealing the popcorn from you.
“Ugh, you guys are the worst!” You groaned, grabbing a throw pillow, and whacking everyone nearby with it.
Loki watched the scene with mild irritation, he didn’t like seeing the others tease you like that. Even if it was over something innocuous such as a movie. They weren’t wrong, you were terrified of horror movies and would most certainly have difficulty sleeping for many nights to come. He wanted to offer for you to come sit with him so that he could offer protection from the imagined danger that the movie presented. His heart fluttered when he pictured you snuggling into his side and hiding your face from the screen, while he rubbed your back reassuringly. He wanted that more than anything, but he knew there was no hope of that.
It's not that you hated him, it’s that you simply appeared to not know that he existed. Or it seemed that way. You weren’t actively nasty to him, like the others sometimes were. He didn’t blame them; they were weary of his intentions and Midgardians often took a long time to forgive. Not that he expected them to. You however would remain neutral when you were paired up in training with him, or when you were forced to go on missions with him. You regarded him with a polite indifference which drove Loki mad some days. He was waiting for you to lash out and become angry at him, or look at him with suspicion or disgust, but it never happened. You’d make polite conversation with him in common areas or in meetings but nothing of substance.
It baffled Loki that someone could be so indifferent to him, he was so used to people either scowling or swooning, he wasn’t used to neither. Therefore, you occupied a great deal of his thoughts, not that he’d ever let anyone know that.
Loki watched you curl up on the corner of the couch, keeping the throw pillow you had picked up in your hands close to your face in case you had to cover your eyes quickly. When the opening scene of the movie was unfolding, he could see the terror in your eyes right as a character was about to meet an untimely, bloody end when Barnes clapped his hand on your shoulder, making you shriek in terror. Everyone erupted into raucous laughter, everyone except you and Loki.
You stood up, appearing angry and threw the pillow at Barnes before stomping over to Loki and taking a seat next to him on the further couch. “I’m sitting with Loki because he’s the only one not being an asshole.” You crossed your arms over your chest and pouted. “He’s actually NICE.”
Everyone gave you an apologetic look that they had taken it too far but turned back towards the movie.
Nice. She thinks I’m nice? What does that mean? Loki thought to himself, his brows furrowing. Have I been nice? Or does she assume I’m nice? Is her standard for niceness this low? If so, then I am concerned about her ability to judge people’s character.
“I’m guessing you don’t like these movies either,” your voice pulled him from his internal monologue. He jumped slightly that you were speaking directly to him, and he watched you huff out a laugh. He turned to look at you, surprised to find that you had moved closer.
“Sorry?” Loki asked, slightly confused.
“The look on your face, you look like the movie’s bothering you. I don’t like them either. Too gory, reminds me of work I guess.” You whispered, staring up at him. “I honestly should probably just leave so that I don’t get nightmares.”
You went to get up when Loki stopped your retreat with his hand on your wrist, “Do you need company?”
Loki’s mind felt like static, he spoke before thinking, realizing how vulnerable he left himself for rejection. He was about to take back his offer when you nodded, “Actually, that would be nice.” Feeling relieved, Loki followed you out of the living room, thankfully the others didn’t notice. Or else he was sure they’d make ridiculous comments.
You had breathed a sigh of relief when you exited the living room, “Phew, I’m glad that’s over. Now what?”
“Uhm, I am unsure of what would be to your liking.” Loki said, feeling suddenly nervous.
You tapped your chin, appearing deep in thought. “Hmm, what do you do around here for fun? I feel like I never see you.”
“I am mostly in my room, reading.” Loki chuckled, “However… I do like to go to the roof and watch the stars.”
He felt his heart flutter in his chest when your eyes lit up, “I’d like that! I’ve never done that here yet. I didn’t even know we could access the roof.”
Loki gestured for you to follow him, “right this way.”
Both of you walked towards a hidden staircase, which Loki asked FRIDAY to open. You gave him a confused look.
“Stark went up here once to test something out. I overheard him.” Loki explained.
You nodded, “that makes sense.”
Both of you made your way up to the roof, the cool, night air hitting you as soon as you opened a second door.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful,” you gasped as you looked up at the sky.
Loki grinned, thrilled to see your reaction. “It doesn’t compare to the Asgardian night sky, but it is pretty.”
You laughed and playfully nudged Loki’s side, causing his cheeks to turn pink. You had never voluntarily touched him before.
You laid down on the smooth concrete roof, still gazing up at the sky. Loki followed suit, laying beside you.
“I like stargazing, its so quiet and still and yet it’s so profound at the same time. It makes you feel insignificant compared to everything else in the universe.” You said softly, taking a deep breath.
Loki looked over at you, “You think that you’re insignificant?”
“Aren’t we all? In the grand scheme of things?” you chuckled, looking back at him.
Loki was silent for a moment, returning his gaze to the stars. He swallowed, trying to make his voice as clear as possible. “You’re not.”
“Hmm?”
“You are not insignificant.” You opened your mouth to argue his point but then Loki added, “to me.”
You fell silent, biting your lip.
Loki was not looking at you, fearing that he may lose his courage to say these things to you if he looks at your face.
“Wow, it’s not everyday that a girl gets told she’s special by a literal space god.” You laughed.
“You occupy my mind more than I would be willing to admit, I can’t seem to figure you out.” Loki confessed.
“You could always ask.” You said, sitting up and looking at him.
Loki finally looked over at you, your expression was unreadable, perhaps slightly curious. He sat up, not breaking his gaze. “You said that I was nice earlier. Do you truly believe that?”
To his surprise you reached out and placed your hand over his that was resting on the ground. “I do. I know the others are a bit harsh, but… everyone deserves a second chance.”
“You are much too kind to me, little one.” Loki smiled.
“Do you trust me?” you asked, removing your hand from his.
Loki tilted his head, giving you a questioning look.
“Close your eyes.” You told him.
Loki shut his eyes, even though leaving himself this vulnerable was not something he liked to do, he felt like he could trust you. Before he could ask what you were planning, he felt your lips on his. His eyes flew open, and he grabbed your face gently, returning the kiss.
You kissed for what felt like forever but still not long enough before you pulled away. Loki resisted the urge to pull you back to his lips, letting you take a moment to breathe.
“I think that you’re nice.” You kissed his nose, “and handsome” you kissed his left cheek, “and funny,” you kissed his right cheek, “and you also occupy a lot of my thoughts.” You kissed his lips and rested your forehead on his. “I think you’re wonderful.”
Loki pulled you more fully onto his lap, conjuring a blanket to wrap around both of you. “Love, what have I done to deserve such a gift?”
“Nothing, you were just yourself, and that was enough.” You whispered into his ear, nuzzling his neck.
He held you tighter, both of you going silent and returning your gaze to the sky.
“Loki?” you asked.
“Yes, darling?”
“Thanks for ditching movie night with me.”
He smiled, “Anytime.”