Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

february 10th monday 7:32 AM

   This wasn’t what Adam was expecting. Not at all.

   A heart-shaped box of chocolates sat on his desk, no note attached. Suspicious. He eyed it like it might explode. 

   Frowning, he scooped it up and stepped out into the bustling hallway. The smell of antiseptic and fresh coffee filled the air, nurses and doctors rushing past with clipboards and purpose.

   Then he spotted Mantis approaching, her usual bright-eyed expression unreadable.

   “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about this, would you?” he asked, holding up the box.

   Mantis gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh, Adam, how romantic! A secret admirer!”

   Adam sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

   She grinned, all too pleased with his discomfort. "Or maybe," she singsonged, "it's not so secret~"

   That... sounded ominous.

   Adam was already suspicious of the heart-shaped box, but Doctor Stephen Strange walking up just made everything worse.

   The surgeon had just finished a post-op consult, flipping through a patient’s chart as he walked. “Your sutures will dissolve in about ten days, but if you start seeing any signs of infection, redness, swelling, fever, you come back in. Don’t try to tough it out.”

   A muttered “Yeah, yeah” came from inside the room before Strange snapped the chart shut and finally glanced up, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto the heart-shaped box in Adam’s hands. His brows lifted. “Huh. Didn’t peg you for the romantic type.”

   Mantis, standing beside Adam, let out a barely contained giggle. Adam, meanwhile, fought the urge to drop the box in the nearest biohazard bin.

   “I don’t have time for this,” he muttered, shifting the chocolates under one arm.

   Strange raised an unimpressed brow. “You’re standing in the middle of the hallway, holding a Valentine’s Day cliché. You have time.”

   Adam exhaled slowly, willing himself to stay calm. “Did you need something, or are you just here to be irritating?”

   Strange clasped his hands behind his back, his expression turning downright smug. “Both. But mostly, I’m here to deliver some very interesting medical findings.”

   That was never a good thing.

   Adam sighed. “Do I even want to hear this?”

   Strange tilted his head as if considering. “Probably not. But you should.” He paused for dramatic effect before continuing, “Because I just finished a consult with another attending physician who, coincidentally, also received an unmarked heart-shaped box today.”

   Adam stiffened. “No.”

   “Yes.”

   “No.”

   “Oh, yes,” 

   Mantis let out an excited squeal like a heart monitor flatlining. Adam’s brain, however, was still buffering.

   “This is a joke. I don’t know who left it, but it’s definitely a joke.”

   “Could be. But, given the time of year…” 

   “I’ve got a patient to check on.”

   “You don’t have to check on them immediately,” Strange replied, glancing at his phone. “Valentine’s is in four days. I’m sure someone’s just trying to get your attention before then.”

   Adam didn’t respond, too busy processing the cryptic hint. He felt a sudden, uneasy realization that someone in the hospital had probably been paying more attention to him than he realized.

   Strange noticed the change in his posture and continued, “You might want to look into it. You never know what someone might do next.”

   Adam didn’t have the patience for this. “I’m going to check on my patient,” he said curtly, turning on his heel.

   Strange’s voice floated after him. “Just don’t be surprised if you end up with more gifts in the near future.”

   Adam shot him a glare over his shoulder but didn’t respond. He needed to get back to work, but the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong nagged at him.

   With that, he left Strange and Mantis to their own devices. Pretending not to hear mantis giggling.

૮ / / / ⍝ა 

   Adam barely had time to breathe before the next case came in. A 34-year-old woman, complaining of swelling in her legs, joint pain, and fatigue. Urinalysis showed proteinuria. He tapped his pen against the clipboard, already running through possibilities in his head.

   “Could be lupus nephritis,” he said, flipping through the patient’s chart. “ANA test came back positive. Protein levels are high. She’s been experiencing fatigue for months but never saw anyone about it.”

   Loki, leaning against the counter, skimmed the results with his usual detached expression. “Creatinine levels are creeping up too. Could be early-stage kidney involvement.”

   Adam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t love this. We need a biopsy to confirm, but if it is lupus nephritis, we need to start immunosuppressants sooner rather than later.”

   Loki hummed in agreement, turning a page in the file. “Start her on mycophenolate and prednisone? Or are you leaning toward cyclophosphamide?”

   “If the biopsy confirms class III or IV, cyclophosphamide. If it’s class V, mycophenolate.” Adam rubbed his jaw, thinking. “We should get nephrology on board.”

   Loki nodded, already typing a note into the system. “I’ll call them in.”

   There was a moment of silence, just the rhythmic clicking of Loki’s keyboard. Adam exhaled, stretching his shoulders. “By the way, I meant to tell you earlier-- I found a box of chocolates on my desk this morning.”

   Loki didn’t look up from the screen, but his typing slowed just slightly. “Did you.”

   “Yeah. Heart-shaped. No note. No name.” Adam crossed his arms, watching for a reaction. “Weird, right?”

   Loki finished his note before answering. “Strange? Yes. But not entirely surprising.”

  Adam frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

   Loki finally glanced at him, expression unreadable. “You have admirers, Adam. Surely this isn’t the first time.”

   Adam scoffed. “Admirers. Right.” He shook his head. “More like someone’s idea of a joke.”

   “Or someone who lacks the confidence to be direct,” Loki countered smoothly.

   Adam rolled his eyes.

   Loki made a noncommittal sound and returned to his notes, but something about the way he did it-- the casual dismissal, the slight tilt of his mouth, made Adam feel like he was missing something.

   Before he could dwell on it, his pager buzzed. Another patient.

   “Guess I’m clocking out late,” Adam muttered.

   Loki barely looked up. “As always.”

   "It’s not the first time someone’s tried to get your attention, though, is it?"

   Adam exhaled sharply. "I’m not going to waste my time figuring it out."

  "You’ll figure it out when you want to."

   Adam frowned. "I don’t want to."

   One of the nurses walked by, glancing at him with a slight, knowing smile before looking at Loki. Adam’s frown deepened.

   "Great," He muttered.

   "Well, people talk."

   Adam pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don’t care about the gossip, Loki."

   Loki’s expression softened, his voice quiet. "You don’t, but you’ll be annoyed if it keeps going. Might as well deal with it now."

   "I just want to finish my work. This feels like one more thing I don’t need."

   Loki didn’t push it. He just gave a small nod, as if to say it wasn’t a big deal, before going back to his notes.

  ᡣ • . • 𐭩 ♡

   Adam didn’t think about the chocolates again until his shift was nearly over. He’d spent the last few hours juggling back-to-back patients, coordinating with nephrology for the lupus case, and convincing a stubborn old man that, yes, his blood pressure was in fact high enough to warrant medication. By the time he stepped back into the lounge, his brain was half-melted.

   Loki was still there, as if he hadn’t moved. He sat at the small table near the window, legs crossed, scanning something on his tablet. His coat was draped over the chair beside him, his tie still perfectly in place, because, of course, Loki never looked like he’d just been through hell, even when he had.

   Adam dropped into the chair across from him with a sigh. “Nephrology agreed with us. We’re starting her on mycophenolate and steroids. They’ll monitor for progression.”

   Loki hummed in approval. “At least someone’s cooperative today.”

   Adam let his head tip back against the chair. “I should’ve clocked out an hour ago.”

   “But you didn’t.”

   Adam exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. “Yeah, well. You know how it is.”

   A beat of silence. Adam’s mind wandered back to the stupid heart-shaped box sitting on his desk, untouched. He wasn’t bothered by it, exactly—it was just... there. Lingering in the back of his mind like an unfinished diagnosis.

   “Still brooding?”

   Adam frowned. “I’m not brooding.”

   “You are,” Loki replied simply. “It’s written all over your face.”

   Adam scoffed. “I just don’t like not knowing things.”

   Loki finally set his tablet down, tilting his head slightly. “And what’s your working theory , Doctor Warlock?”

   Adam narrowed his eyes. “That’s the thing-- I don’t have one.” He tapped his fingers against the table. “It’s either a prank, or someone’s trying to be cute and failing spectacularly.”

   Loki’s lips curled just slightly. “Interesting.”

   Adam eyed him. “You say that like you know something.”

   Loki arched a brow. “I say that like you’re missing something obvious.”

   Adam groaned. “I hate when you do this.”

   Loki smirked but said nothing, picking up his tablet again.

   Adam stared at him for a moment longer, then huffed. “Fine. Be cryptic. I don’t care.”

   Loki gave a noncommittal hum. Adam knew that hum. That hum meant he knew something and was choosing not to say it.

   He could figure it out later. Right now, he just needed to go home.

   Adam stood, stretching out the stiffness in his back. “I’m leaving before someone drags me into another consult.”

   Loki didn’t look up. “For once, a good decision.”

   Adam rolled his eyes and made his way to the door. But as he stepped out, he caught the faintest flicker of amusement on Loki’s face-- just enough to make his stomach twist with suspicion.

   Something was definitely up.

   And Adam was going to figure out what.

february 11th Tuesday 7:34 AM

   Adam walked into his office and immediately stopped.

   A small, neatly wrapped package sat on his desk. Deep red paper, tied with a thin black ribbon.

   Not the chocolates from yesterday. Something new.

   He stepped closer, inspecting it like it might explode. No note, no name. Again.

   This was getting ridiculous.

   Adam exhaled sharply, pressing his fingers against his temple. “Oh, for the love of—”

   Before he could even think about opening it, a knock sounded at his door.

   Mantis appeared a second later, practically vibrating with excitement. “You got another one!”

   “You knew about this before I even saw it?”

   “Yes,” Mantis said happily, stepping inside. “I saw someone leave it!”

   Adam’s head snapped up. “Who?”

   Mantis froze. Then frowned. Then blinked like she was trying very hard to remember.

   “…I don’t know.”

   Adam stared at her. “You just said you saw them.”

   “I did! But they were very fast! And sneaky!” She clasped her hands together. “Ooooh, this is so CUTE!”

   Adam ran a hand over his face. “It’s not cute, it’s weird.”

   “No! It’s sweet! A secret Valentine!” She looked at the package, practically bouncing in place. “Are you going to open it?”

   Adam sighed. “Apparently, I don’t have a choice.”

   He untied the ribbon and peeled back the wrapping. Inside was a small, black velvet box. His stomach did something unpleasant. He opened it.

   Inside, nestled against soft fabric, was a tie. A deep emerald green. High-end.

   Adam blinked.

   Mantis let out a delighted gasp.

   “Okay,” Adam muttered, rubbing his temple. “This is officially weird.”

   Mantis tilted her head. “But it’s thoughtful! They must have noticed you wear ties every day! And green is a very good color.”

   Adam stared at the tie like it might reveal answers.

   Then a new voice cut in. “Am I interrupting?”

   Both of them turned.

   Natasha Romanoff stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyebrow raised. (Dean of Medicine. Hospital administrator. The one person in this building who could make or break a career with a look.)

   Adam straightened automatically. “Dr. Romanoff.”

   She glanced at the open box. “Another gift?”

   Adam resisted to ask 'who told you' but it was probabaly Dr. Strange. Instead he clenched his jaw. “Looks like it.”

   Natasha hummed. Walked inside. Picked up the tie, examined it. “Nice fabric. Expensive.” She gave Adam a look. “Must be someone who knows you pretty well.”

   Mantis nodded eagerly. “A secret admirer! Isn’t it wonderful?”

   “It’s something.” She flicked her gaze back to Adam. “You got suspects?”

   Adam exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “No. I don’t even know where to start.”

   Natasha hummed again, lips quirking slightly. “You’re a doctor, Warlock. Diagnose the situation.”

   Adam narrowed his eyes. “That’s not how this works.”

   Natasha just shrugged. “It’s not not how it works.” She smirked and turned for the door. “Try not to let it distract you too much. You’re on call tonight.”

   Adam groaned. “Fantastic.”

   She left without another word.

   Mantis beamed. “This is so exciting!”

   Adam looked at the tie again.

   Exciting wasn’t the word he’d use. Confusing? Irritating? Suspicious?

   Yeah. Those fit a lot better.

   And he still had no idea who was behind it.

٩(๑`ȏ´๑)۶    (๑ ́ᄇ`๑)

   Adam had almost convinced himself to forget about the whole thing. He had patients, charts to review, an on-call shift looming ahead- he had better things to do than entertain Mantis’s starry-eyed mystery novel fantasy.

   Then Nebula walked into the break room, and Mantis immediately turned toward her like a shark scenting blood.

   Nebula has short blue hair and stands at an average height. She's strong, stronger than you'd expect for a psychiatrist and exudes a quiet but undeniable presence. She's no-nonsense and doesn't tolerate much of anyone's nonsense.

   “ Nebula!” she chirped. “Who do you think is leaving Adam secret gifts?”

   Nebula stopped mid-pour, coffee sloshing dangerously in her mug. She turned, expression flat. “What?”

   Adam, sitting at the small table, exhaled sharply. “Don’t encourage her.”

   Mantis ignored him. “He’s gotten two now! And no name! Isn’t that romantic?”

   Nebula took a slow sip of her coffee. “No. That sounds like stalking.”

   “Thank you.”

   Mantis pouted. “It’s not stalking! It’s thoughtful! First chocolates, then a tie--”

   Nebula’s expression barely shifted, but Adam had known her long enough to recognize that faint glimmer of amusement. “A green tie?”

   Adam sighed. “Yes.” Nebula hummed. “Interesting choice.”

   He narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”

   Nebula leaned against the counter. “Green’s a statement color. Means they’re paying attention.”

   Adam pinched the bridge of his nose. “Great. So now I have a perceptive stalker.”

   Nebula smirked. “Could be worse.”

   Adam gave her a look. “How?”

   Nebula took another slow sip of coffee. “Could be flowers.”

   Mantis clapped her hands together. “Ooooh, that would be lovely!” Adam groaned.

   Nebula shook her head, still looking vaguely entertained. “Relax, If someone was trying to kill you, you’d be dead already.”

   Mantis gasped. “Nebula!”

   Nebula shrugged. “I’m just saying, if they have this much access to you, you should probably figure out who it is.”

   Adam exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. “Yeah. No kidding.”

   Nebula pushed off the counter, dropping her empty mug in the sink. “Good luck with that.” And with that, she walked out.

   Mantis turned back to Adam, eyes still wide with excitement. “You have to keep the tie.”

   Adam stared at her. “That’s your takeaway?”

   Mantis beamed.

   Adam sighed. He was never getting out of this.

february 12th wednesday 6:58 AM

   Adam had barely stepped into the hospital before he heard someone calling his name.

   “Adam!”

   He exhaled through his nose. He was running on exactly four hours of sleep, one cup of coffee, and zero patience. He turned.

   Mantis was already bouncing on her toes, eyes wide with barely contained excitement. “There’s another one!”

   Adam dragged a hand over his face. “Of course there is.”

   He followed her toward his office, mentally preparing himself for whatever fresh nonsense awaited him. The chocolates were one thing. The tie was another. If this was something worse, he was seriously considering hunting down security footage.

   Mantis practically flung the door open, gesturing wildly. “Look!” He looked.

   A single white envelope sat on his desk. No box, no elaborate wrapping this time.

   Mantis gasped dramatically. “A letter! This is so romantc.”

   Adam ignored her and picked it up, flipping it over. No name. Just his office number written neatly on the front. He hesitated.

   Mantis rocked on her heels. “Are you going to open it?”

   Adam sighed. “Apparently , I don’t have a choice.”

   He tore it open, unfolding the paper inside. His eyes scanned the page.

   Mantis was practically vibrating. “What does it say?”

   Adam frowned. It wasn’t handwritten, it was printed, typed out cleanly. Simple.

' Thought you could use a better tie.
Green suits you. '

   No signature. No indication of who sent it.

   “I swear to f--”

   The door creaked open again.

   Loki strolled inside like he owned the place, a tablet in one hand, his other casually tucked into his pocket. “I see the saga continues.”

   Adam gave him a look. “Don’t start.”

   Loki arched a brow. “Whoever it is, they certainly have persistence.” He glanced at the letter. “Any new clues?”

   Adam handed it over wordlessly.

   Loki skimmed it, lips twitching faintly. “Ah. ‘Green suits you.’ How observant.”

   Adam frowned. “Okay, see. That sounded like you know something.”

   Loki returned the letter, completely unreadable. “Did it?”

   Adam stared at him.

   Loki stared back.

   Before Adam could push further, another voice cut in.

   “If you two are done with whatever this is, we have a patient.”

   Dr. Stephen Strange leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking unimpressed. He took in the scene-- the open letter, the tie from yesterday still sitting on Adam’s desk, and his expression shifted into something dangerously close to amusement.

   “Oh good,” he said dryly. “More gifts. Can’t wait for the marriage proposal.”

   Adam scowled. “Why is everyone enjoying this?”

   “Because it’s funny,” Strange replied simply. Then, before Adam could argue, he tilted his head toward Loki. “Come on, we have a consult.”

   Loki gave Adam one last unreadable glance before following Strange out the door.

   Adam exhaled. “Finally, someone normal.”

   Mantis blinked. “Strange is not normal.”

   “More normal than you,” Adam muttered, grabbing his coat. “I’m clocking out for lunch.”

   Mantis perked up. “Ooooh! Me too! Come with me and my brother!”

   Adam sighed. “Your unemployed-brother-who-lives-off-greasy-pizza brother?”

   “Yes!” Mantis beamed. “He’s waiting outside!”

   Adam pinched the bridge of his nose but relented. He needed a break.

(๑ó⌓ò๑)

   Peter Quill was exactly where Adam expected him to be, leaning against a streetlamp outside the hospital, sunglasses on despite the cloudy sky, looking far too relaxed for someone who had no real job.

   “You look like you need a drink.”

   “Mantis dragged me here.”

   “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Quill mused, clapping him on the back. “Come on, I know a place.”

   Adam narrowed his eyes. “It better have real food.”

   Quill grinned. “You wound me doc.”

   Mantis looped her arm through Adam’s, practically skipping. “This is gonna be so fun!"

   Quill arched a brow. “Green suits you?”

   Adam glared at him.

   “Yeah, okay. Whatever man.”

   He sighed. This was going to be a long lunch.

Chapter Text

february 13th thursday 7:42 AM

   Adam was done.

   He stormed into his office that morning, barely glancing at the fresh bouquet of roses now sitting on his desk (Mantis was probably going to lose her mind over those too).

   Speaking of her, mantis appeared seconds later, as usual. “Oooooh, new flowers!”

   Adam shot her a look. 

   He pulled the flowers closer, inspecting them with a deep sigh. “Im sick of this."

   Mantis’s eyes went wide. “But it’s so fun! Who else is going to give you gifts?”

   “I don’t care,” He infact, did care.

   Just then, the door opened again.

   Loki walked in, unbothered as usual. He stopped short when he saw Adam’s expression.

   “Having a day?”

   Adam gave him a look. “You know about all this, don’t you?”

   “You could say that. I’ve been… observing.” Loki replied, putting on an innocent act.

   “Observing?” Adam snapped. “This is driving me crazy. Why can’t they just come forward?”

   “Because they want you to figure it out,” Loki replied simply, strolling further into the room. “The Mystery is part of the appeal.”

   “I don’t care about 'the Mystery'."

   Loki raised an eyebrow. “And yet, you’ve been indulging it all week.”

   Before anyone could respond, Sue appeared in the doorway, looking far too amused for Adam’s liking.

   “What’s going on here?” 

   Mantis squealed. “Adam’s tired of the unknown letters and gifts, Mrs. Storm!"

   “Well someone’s feeling bold today.” She glanced at him. “Could be someone you actually know.”

    “Exactly. That’s the problem.” He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.

   Loki, ever the provocateur, smirked. “Maybe they like watching you squirm. Or maybe you’ve been leading them on.”

   Adam turned to him, glaring. “I haven’t led anyone on.”

   “Are you sure about that? You haven’t exactly been the most difficult to impress.”

   Adam opened his mouth to snap back, but Susan cut him off.

   “You’re on call tonight, deal with this after you finish your shift or nat's gonna kill me.”    

   Mantis clapped her hands together. “This is going to be so fun!”

   Adam groaned again. “I’m going to regret this.”

╭( •̀ •́ )╮

   Loki leaned against the wall, watching as Adam stormed down the hallway, his irritation practically radiating off him. Adam was at his breaking point. It was entertaining, to say the least, watching the doctor twist in the wind, his mind working overtime to try to decipher something that didn’t need deciphering.

   He couldn’t help but enjoy this. It wasn’t the frustration on Adam’s face that amused him, it was the subtle ways Adam tried to control it all, to make sense of the illogical. He wanted answers, but the one thing he knew was that Adam didn’t handle things without order or reason. And that, Loki realized, was exactly the point.

   Adam rounded the corner and saw Loki leaning casually against the wall, his posture stiffened. Loki gave him a small smile, one that only added to Adam’s irritation.

   “You’re still here,” Adam pointed out.

   “Am I interrupting?” He wasn’t sure why Adam was surprised. The truth was, Loki had been hovering around, watching. Not for any particular reason.

   Adam exhaled sharply.

   Loki studied him for a moment, the corner of his mouth curling upward slightly.

   “I think you’ve misjudged the situation,” Loki mused, his voice almost too calm. 

   There was a brief silence, a moment where Adam seemed to process the words. He opened his mouth clearly about to respond, Gods Loki was so close to face and--

  the familiar click of footsteps interrupted. Loki straightened, and Adam glanced over his shoulder.

   “Dr. Warlock,” came the voice-deep, familiar, and cutting through the tension in the air. Natasha appeared, her arms crossed, eyes flicking between the two of them. She tilted her head, studying them both. “What’s going on here?”

   Adam’s gaze flicked back to Loki, glancing at Natasha, then quickly back to Loki.

   “Dr. Warlock here is having a... moment,” he said, voice light. “He’s trying to work out who’s been leaving him gifts.”

   Natasha raised an eyebrow. “You still haven’t figured it out?”

   Adam’s face darkened. “No. I haven’t.”

   Loki’s smile remained, teasing. “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you do."

   After Natasha left them, again. Adam stood there for a long moment.

   Loki watched him, and despite the doctor’s clear exasperation. Loki knew he was close. So close to figuring it out, even if he wasn’t ready to confront it.

   With a quiet sigh, Adam turned to walk away, muttering under his breath about needing a break.

   Loki, for his part, stayed where he was, waiting. Loki was patient. The game would reach its climax when Adam least expected it.

   And he was willing to let it unfold at his own pace, just a little bit longer.

   That would be a moment worth savoring.

( 　'-' )ノ💥)`-' )

   Adam stood there, his frustration mounting. Loki was standing too close, his calm smile maddening as always. 

   He glanced over at Loki, who was studying him with that damn knowing look in his eyes. "You still haven't figured it out?" Loki’s voice cut through his thoughts, teasing.

   Adam’s jaw tightened. "No, I haven’t," he muttered, wishing Loki would just stop.

february 14th Friday 9:36 AM

   Adam was halfway through his lunch, barely paying attention to the world around him, when someone pulled out the chair across from him and sat down.

   He didn’t look up. Didn’t need to. The shift in air, the precise way the tray was placed on the table, it could only be one person.

   “Dr. Warlock,” came the familiar, measured voice of Stephen Strange. “We need to talk about the patient in 302.”

   Adam stabbed a piece of  lettuce with his fork. “I’m on lunch.”

   “And I’m on a schedule,” Strange countered, completely unfazed. He set a folder on the table, flipping it open. “The post-op scans came in. There’s something off about the recovery timeline--”

   Adam,still chewing, eyes firmly on his tray. “Can this not wait?”

   Strange ignored him. “I want a second opinion before I run additional tests. The swelling should’ve gone down by now, but--”

   Adam finally looked up, leveling him with a tired stare. “Do you ever take a break?”

   Strange barely glanced at him. “Do you?”

   He exhaled, pressing his lips into a thin line. Then, with deliberate slowness, he reached for his drink, taking a long sip.

   Strange, unimpressed, tapped the file with two fingers. “Just look at the scans.”

   Adam sighed through his nose before leveling Strange with a flat stare. “You have a whole hospital full of doctors. Pick one who isn’t holding a fork.”

   “I need someone competent.”

   He pointedly resumed eating. “Sounds like a ‘you’ problem.”

   "So.. today's date."

   It was adam's turn to be bitchy. "Shut the fuck up."

(¬_¬")

   He dropped into his chair with a sigh, staring at the green tie again, the one from two days ago. Something about it had been nagging him, a thread he hadn't pulled on yet. But now, after everything, it was finally starting to click.

   It was always the same color. Always green. Green roses, a green tie. And more importantly, he had seen someone else wear that exact tie. He thought back to the subtle hints, the careful observations made by Mantis, Natasha, even himself. Green. Always so meticulous. It was like a clue he hadn't bothered to piece together. So he made some notes.

1. This stalker knows him personally.
2. They favour the color green.
3. They work here, and they always arrive before him.
4. They have access to his office. (somwhow)
5. And adam spends most of his time with them--

   Good god how could he have been so stupid.

( ˶˘ ³˘(⋆❛ ہ ❛⋆)!

   He moved down the hallway with purpose, his steps quickening as he reached Loki’s office. His hand hovered over the door, but he didn’t stop. He opened it without a second thought, walking straight into the room.

   Loki was sitting at his desk, looking up with that usual, calm demeanor. "Ah, Adam, what brings you—"

   Before he could finish, Adam crossed the room in a few long strides. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t think. He just closed the distance between them, his heart pounding in his chest.

   The moment before their lips met felt like an eternity. Loki’s breath hitched, his eyes widening slightly, but Adam didn’t pull back. He pressed forward, his hand landing on the back of Loki’s chair for balance, the kiss deepening with a quiet urgency.

   Loki’s lips were warm against his, initially stiff, but then he softened into it, his hands sliding to Adam’s Midsection. He could feel the slight tremble in Loki’s touch, He wanted this, whatever it was.

   The kiss wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t frantic. It was slow, drawn out, as if both of them were trying to make sense of it, trying to give in to whatever this was between them. Adam could taste the faint hint of Loki’s cologne, and it grounded him, made everything feel more real.

   When they finally pulled away, Adam’s breath was uneven, his pulse racing. He didn’t say anything at first, just stood there, trying to gather his thoughts.

   Loki’s expression was unreadable, faintly licking his lips afterwards. “Well, that was…” His voice trailed off, not knowing quite what to make of it either.

   Adam took a deep breath, his hands still resting on the back of the chair, keeping the space between them just small enough that he couldn’t escape the closeness. “I don’t know what I was waiting for,” he muttered, his voice low.

   Loki gave a small smile, “I think you’ve known all along.”

   The blonde let out a short breath, shaking his head. “Maybe. But I needed you to stop making everything so complicated.”

   A moment later, his eyebrows shot up. "Did you seriously pretend to receive gifts too so I wouldn’t suspect you."

   Loki tilted his head, watching him, then simply said, “Happy Valentine’s,”

   Adam’s heart fluttered as he wrapped both his arms around loki's waist. dropping his head on Loki's shoulder.

   His voice came out muffled, “Yeah, you too.”