Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Whatever Thor and Bruce had going on was suspicious. Did Loki need proof that the idiots were in love? No. Would it be very satisfying to have proof and rub the fact that his brother was getting all soppy for a nerdy human scientist? Yes. 

And so began his mission.

It didn’t take long for Loki to figure out the perfect strategy: subtlety. The more he observed, the more it became clear that Thor’s affection for Bruce wasn’t some fleeting thing. The big, golden-haired fool had been softening—and not just in the way he treated Bruce, but in the way his eyes would follow him across the room when he wasn’t paying attention. The accidental lingering touches. Thor’s laugh, louder and heartier whenever Bruce was around, as if the scientist’s very presence lifted his spirits.

As for Bruce, well, Bruce was a bit trickier. The scientist tried so hard to hide it. His blushes when Thor made an unexpectedly sweet comment. His nervous, almost apologetic stuttering whenever they talked one-on-one. His attempts to keep things casual while clearly enjoying Thor’s presence a little too much. Bruce might not be the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but Loki could see right through it.

Oh, it was precious.

Loki smirked to himself as he watched from a distance. Thor was across the room, casually tossing an arm around Bruce’s shoulders as they discussed something with Valkyrie, but the way Thor’s hand lingered there was telling. Bruce, of course, was pretending not to notice. Loki’s eyes narrowed.

The scientist was playing it cool, but Loki could see the way Bruce’s lips twitched when Thor said something particularly ridiculous, and the way his eyes softened in response. Bruce was clearly trying to maintain some semblance of dignity, but it was no use. He was as smitten as Thor, and Loki had every intention of making that painfully obvious.

But the fun wasn’t in simply noticing it—it was in leveraging it.

Loki needed something more. He needed Bruce to admit it. So, as any skilled trickster would, he began to plot the perfect opportunity. After all, Loki was Loki—he didn’t do things half-heartedly.

It was a quiet evening in New Asgard, the kind that made the island feel like it was finally at peace. Thor and Bruce had wandered off to the kitchens after dinner, and Loki, sensing an opening, slinked quietly after them.

He could hear Thor’s booming laugh echoing from the kitchen and Bruce’s softer chuckle in response. As Loki snuck closer, he peeked around the corner and saw Thor leaning on the counter, grinning at Bruce with a gleam in his eye. Bruce was fiddling with a pile of papers, clearly distracted by whatever scientific mystery he was puzzling over, but there was a tenderness in the way his lips curved whenever he glanced at Thor.

Loki let his foot shift slightly, the sound giving him away, but he didn’t care. This was his moment.

“Oh, how adorable,” Loki drawled, stepping into the kitchen with a sly smile. Both men immediately stiffened, but Thor’s grin didn’t falter as he turned to face Loki. Bruce just flushed a little, pretending not to notice.

“What's adorable?” Thor asked with that familiar, easy confidence, though Loki could tell there was a hint of unease creeping in behind his words.

Loki’s smile widened. “You two, of course. I mean, the way you look at each other… It’s practically sickening.”

Bruce shifted uncomfortably, clearly not sure where this conversation was heading. “Loki, stop,” he mumbled. But Loki was relentless.

“I think what Bruce means,” Loki continued, crossing his arms, “is that it’s so obvious—all the sweet gestures, the affectionate glances, the way you both act like you’re the only ones in the room. It’s almost... pathetic.”

Thor chuckled. “And what if it is, brother?” he asked, not at all perturbed by Loki’s teasing. But his eyes—his eyes softened when he looked at Bruce. It was a look that no one could mistake for anything other than love.

Bruce cleared his throat, trying to avoid eye contact with both of them. “It’s just... we’re friends. Thor’s a good friend. Right?”

Loki raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting between the two of them. “Really? Because you look at him like you want to kiss him. Just admit it, Bruce. The only thing standing between you and a dramatic confession is your inability to acknowledge the truth.”

Loki’s smirk widened as he observed the two of them, the affection between Thor and Bruce so painfully obvious now. He leaned against the doorframe, savoring the discomfort in Bruce’s flushed face. “Really, you two are so blatant,” Loki teased, crossing his arms. “The way you look at each other, the way Thor can’t keep his hands off you—it’s all so… precious.”

Bruce sighed, clearly defeated. “Loki, please, not now.”

Loki’s grin widened. “Don’t worry, I won’t spoil your little secret. For now.”

But Loki’s curiosity was piqued. He had to know more.

And he always got what he wanted.

Chapter Text

Loki had planned to visit Thor, of course. He had absolutely no intention of interrupting anything personal. Really, he didn’t. But he’d been curious about what the big fool had been up to in that cabin of his, and honestly, Thor had been avoiding him lately, which Loki found deeply suspicious.

With a dramatic swing of the door, Loki stepped into the cabin without any preamble.

“Thor, my dear brother, I was thinking—”

But he stopped mid-sentence as his eyes locked onto the scene unfolding before him.

Bruce was standing close to Thor, arms wrapped around his neck, eyes closed in bliss as they shared a kiss. Thor’s hand was resting on Bruce’s waist, the other tangled in his hair. It was a sight Loki hadn’t expected—and a sight he couldn’t look away from.

For a long, stunned moment, Loki just stood there, mouth slightly agape. He knew his brother was a fool, but this was beyond anything he’d imagined. Thor—the mighty Asgardian god—was entangled with a mere mortal in such an intimate, tender way. And Bruce, the shy scientist, was wrapped around Thor as though he belonged there, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

Then, as if the universe were playing a cruel joke, Bruce’s eyes flew open just as Loki’s presence registered. His body tensed, and in the blink of an eye, he grabbed Thor’s shoulders and wrenched him away.

Thor blinked in confusion, completely thrown off guard. “What—? Bruce? What—?”

Bruce’s face was a violent shade of red, and he looked like he might spontaneously combust. He wiped his mouth, muttering apologies under his breath. “I—Loki! This isn’t—God, this is—”

Thor’s face remained utterly bewildered, and he didn’t seem to understand why Bruce was acting so frantic. “What’s going on? We—” He glanced back at Bruce, then at Loki, completely oblivious to the fact that anything was wrong. “Loki, what are you doing here?”

Loki’s smirk stretched wide as he took in the scene. His brother was standing there, utterly confused, looking like a puppy who had no idea why he’d just been yanked away from a cuddle. Bruce, on the other hand, looked like he was regretting every life decision that had led him to this moment.

“Well,” Loki drawled, making no effort to hide the gleam of mischief in his eyes, “this is... unexpected. I didn’t realize you two were... this friendly with each other.” He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms casually. “I must admit, I didn’t think the mighty Thor would be the type to—”

Bruce, still looking mortified, snapped his mouth shut and glared at Loki, though the redness in his face made it clear he wasn’t quite ready for confrontation. “Loki—please, can we not do this right now?” He avoided making eye contact, his hand running through his hair in a nervous habit.

Thor scratched the back of his head, now fully aware of Loki’s teasing. “Ah. I see what’s happening here. You’ve been watching us, haven’t you?”

Loki’s grin only grew. “Why, brother, I’m not sure what you mean. I was simply coming to visit. But then I walked in and—” He waved his hand dramatically. “It looks like I’ve interrupted... something rather intimate.”

Bruce gave him a pleading look, but Loki could tell the scientist was having a hard time finding the right words, or any words at all. His usual composure was entirely gone. Loki had never seen him this flustered, this out of sorts.

Thor, however, seemed to be completely at ease, his grin growing even wider. “Loki, you can’t just barge in here like that! You’ve got to warn us first.” He reached over to pat Bruce’s shoulder, clearly unbothered. “I was... well, I was simply showing my affection for Bruce here.” He looked at Loki proudly, as if he were announcing a victory.

Loki raised an eyebrow. “Affection? Is that what we’re calling it these days? Because it looks like you were in the middle of a full-on snogging session.”

Bruce, still mortified, buried his face in his hands. “This isn’t how I wanted you to find out, Loki. Please, can we just—”

Loki leaned in a little, his mischievous grin unwavering. “Oh, I’m not surprised. It was just... well, I’m thrilled to see that my earlier observations were correct. But I do wonder...” Loki’s eyes sparkled with malicious glee. “Does everyone know, or am I the only one honored with this revelation?”

Bruce finally looked up, giving Loki a resigned, almost defeated look. “Can we... can we talk about this later?”

But Loki’s curiosity had already reached its peak. “Oh, there’s no need to rush, Bruce. I’m fascinated by how you two—” he made an exaggerated gesture, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing, “—came to be so... affectionate with each other.”

Thor, ever the optimistic and somewhat oblivious Asgardian, still didn’t quite get it. “Well, Bruce and I have been close for years, Loki. Surely you know that?”

Loki stared at him for a moment, as if trying to make sense of his brother’s blithe confusion. “Oh, I know. But this,” he gestured between them with a flourish, “this is something new. I never would have guessed that you two would be so... tender with each other.”

Thor gave him an almost cheeky look. “Well, love tends to make you do funny things.”

Bruce shot him a look that could only be described as a mix between fondness and complete exasperation. “Not helping, Thor.”

Loki, delighted by Bruce’s discomfort, looked back and forth between the two. “I never thought I’d see the day when my mighty, thunderous brother would be reduced to... well, this. You, Bruce, of all people.”

Bruce let out a frustrated breath and stood up, clearly attempting to regain his composure. “Loki, please. You’ve made your point.” He turned to Thor, rubbing his face. “We’re—it's complicated, alright? We didn’t mean for you to find out like this.”

Thor blinked in surprise, still clueless. “Complicated? What’s complicated about it? I thought we were just—”

Loki couldn’t help but cut in with a dramatic sigh. “Oh, the tragic, beautiful complications of love, brother. You know, the part where everyone else sees it but the lovers themselves are too wrapped up in their feelings to realize it.”

Bruce raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

Loki smirked. “I mean that, Bruce, your avoidance of the obvious is charming, but ultimately ineffective. Thor’s not blind. Neither are you. So, why the hesitation to just admit it?”

Bruce’s eyes flickered nervously, darting toward Thor before he looked back at Loki. He shifted uncomfortably, like he was searching for a way to make all of this stop, but nothing was coming.

Thor, ever the optimistic one, placed a hand on Bruce’s shoulder, a soft smile gracing his features. “I don't mind the teasing, Loki. But... Bruce and I are happy. That’s what matters.” He gave Bruce a reassuring look, his eyes full of affection.

Bruce smiled back, his shoulders relaxing just a little bit, though he still looked slightly embarrassed. “Yeah, we are. But that doesn’t mean we want to be the center of attention.”

Loki raised his hands in mock surrender. “Oh, fine. I won’t ruin your blissful little bubble.” He leaned against the doorframe once more, watching the two of them closely. “But know this, brother, I’ll be watching. And I’m certain your... affectionate display is only the beginning.”