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Olivia was a very cuddly person, she loved being next to people and she craved their touch.
During movie nights, she liked whenever she laid down on the couch and put her head in someone's lap, they would always play with her hair or softly rub her back. It was her favorite thing.
She would grab a blanket and sit next to anyone, and eventually shuffle into a comfortable position. The Avengers knew of the habit and made it their mission to be a safe space for her.
She was a recent HYDRA kidnappee, and they had experimented on her only a few times before the Avengers saved her. She didn't have any powers, just a lot of trauma.
She was alone for most of her life and HYDRA made her feel worthless, so she was touch starved and craved to be in the company of someone at all times. When Olivia goes to her room at night, she's able to sleep by herself, but during the day is when her brain runs through all the past memories of torture, and so she distracts herself by the other person she's with.
Loki had watched her from afar. He despised all mortals, the Avengers even more so. But this little mortal he couldn't find himself to hate.
He tried, many, many times, he even blamed his mother's death on her in his mind to try and get the image of her out of his head, but it didn't work.
He had noticed the pattern of Olivia's habit the first week he was there. The first day he didn't pay any mind to anyone, he just locked himself in his room until the next day.
The second day he noticed her, noting that she was next to Bucky, to which in his mind he thought they were courting.
The third day he noticed how cozied up she was next to Natasha, which caused confusion because he thought an affair was in play.
It wasn't until the fourth day he asked who she was and what her story was. Thor explained everything about Olivia and what happened during her time in HYDRA and he now understood.
It was now his third week in the compound, and people were still cautious of him, but he was free to roam and he was invited to all dinners and family nights as the Avengers were able to trust him a bit more once he saved their lives on the last mission they had.
He had seen how the other Avengers help Olivia: they let her draw on their hands during meetings, they prepare breakfast for her occasionally, they invite her to participate in certain activities even if it doesn't require two people, and much more.
Tonight was movie night, meaning everyone gathered on or around the couches in the common area and watched the weekly chosen movie. He had arrived before most did and sat on the long end of the L shaped couch, with his tea in hand.
Olivia hopped down the stairs with her cozy blanket and scanned the room, seeing an open spot next to him.
She sat herself down and he turned his head to look at her, then leaned forward a bit to see the entire span of the couch unoccupied, yet she chose to sit right beside him.
It seems he has been chosen to be her cuddle buddy for the night.
Tony pressed play once everyone was settled and had his beloved AI dim the lights, signaling the start of the movie. Around ten minutes, Olivia had wrapped herself in her blanket and shuffled sideways, kicking her legs out and laying her head on his lap.
He stared down at her in shock, not expecting her to be so comfortable around him.
This was the most touch he has received ever since coming to Midgard, gentle touch that is. He was man-handled by his brother quite often.
Loki set his arm on the back of the couch and the other laid on the arm rest, not knowing what to do.
Wanda noticed and opened a telepathic link between the two, since both were mind readers.
Hey, she tried to gain his attention and he turned his head towards her in confusion. Play with her hair.
He furrowed his brows in even more confusion and looked down at her. Why?
Livvy likes when anyone plays with her hair or rubs her back. She nodded down in her direction. Make sure to give her some sort of warning so she isn't taken by surprise.
He couldn't believe he was doing this. He raised his head up to focus back on the movie, but he let his hand come in her view. He knew she saw it since her head jerked back slightly, but she relaxed when he raked his fingers up through her hair. He went from the top of her head, down and past her neck, then stopped at her back.
Olivia turned her head back to look up at him, but he stared straightforwardly, not daring to look down.
She must've been content since she adjusted her position to be even closer to him, if that was possible. Only when she faced forward was when he looked down and saw how calm she was.
He rested his chin on his hand, and absentmindedly played with her hair with his other.
An entire movie filled with head scratches and back rubs, which meant that she fell asleep before it was even finished.
He went to get up but found he couldn't, and stared at the little mortal in a huff.
"Poor baby never makes it through movies," Wanda laughed. "Her chosen buddy has to take her to her room, that's the rules."
Wanda left with a wave goodnight, as did the others. Loki slowly picked Olivia up bridal style, carefully adjusting her in his arms so she was comfortable and wouldn't awaken. He rode the elevator up to the private quarters and looked for her name on the many doors offered, and found it in the middle.
Using his magic to open the door and pull down the covers, he gently placed her on the bed and tucked her in, bidding her goodnight.
—
The next morning, Loki had just left his room to head down to the common area when he saw sweet little Livvy come out of her room and she waited for him to walk closer.
Livvy was Olivia's nickname the team had adopted for her.
When he passed her to get to the elevator, she followed him like a puppy, sticking close to his side. He glanced down and noticed she had clutched the bottom of his sweater in her hand. "What are you doing?"
Olivia noticed her hand and let go of the fabric, keeping her eyes on her feet. "Sorry," she mumbled.
She followed him into the kitchen and broke away from his side to grab a bowl of cereal, then sat next to him at the table. Soon her bowl was finished and she waited until he was done.
"Anything planned for the day, brother?" Thor asked as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Reading in the library, unless there's a spur of the moment meeting planned," Loki rolled his eyes.
"Don't say that—Tony could run in any second!" Thor laughed.
Once Olivia got up to put her bowl in the sink, he quickly pulled his brother to the side before she came back. "Why does she keep following me?"
"Did you see her come out of her room?"
"Yes..."
"Was there anyone else in the hallway?"
"No..."
"There's your answer, brother," Thor chuckled. "Little Livvy attaches herself to the first sign of life she sees when she retreats from her quarters. Then she spends the rest of the day with them. It seems as if you were chosen."
He furrowed his brows in confusion, then recalled what he had seen and heard. "So what am I supposed to do with her all day?"
He shrugged. "Do what you normally do, she will just trail along. She'll maybe grab your hand or your shirt, but it's to give her comfort. I know you don't like to be touched, brother, but it's what she needs." Thor's gaze settled on something behind him and he smiled. "Good morning, Olivia."
She smiled at the Thunder God. "Hi, Thor."
"The others are in the training area, you do not have to attend if you wish not to. I will be heading down there myself. Farewell, friend, brother." He grinned at them and now they were alone.
"I wish not to attend. Do you?" He turned and she shook her head. "Very well. I will be making my way to the library."
She stood and waited patiently, seeing if he would invite her first, and if he didn't she would politely ask.
He didn't say anything yet, just gave her a long look with a tilt of his head. "May I join you?" She said in a soft spoken voice.
Olivia didn't look up and she missed his eye roll. He didn't particularly want her to join since all he wanted was to be alone, but he knew that he had to be kind, and if he showed he was adaptable, the team would trust him more.
His outstretched hand came into her view and she blinked, raising her head to look at him. "Come along, Livvy." He shook his hand gently, urging her to take it.
He has never voluntarily offered contact before and she beamed at him, happily fitting her palm within his.
—
Once in the library, Loki released her hand and grabbed a random book off the shelf he had designated for himself, which was mainly either his favorites or ones that seemed interesting enough to read, and then sat on one corner of the love seat.
Olivia stood peering at the shelf before coming back empty handed. All she had in her hand was a pen she grabbed from the table by the door, and she plopped herself on the other cushion.
She turned to lean her back against his side, and she tucked her legs under herself, effectively getting his attention. He looked at the top of her head and she grabbed his arm to put under hers. "Can I?" She asked softly, holding the pen up.
She was asking to draw on his hand.
Loki was curious on what type of artistry she would place on his skin, so he obliged and let her take control of his hand.
He opened and held his book with the other, feeling the ball of the pen roll across the back of his hand, tracing from his knuckles all the way to his wrist.
They stayed like that for 30 minutes until an announcement rang through the speakers. "Mr. Rogers requires all in the conference room for a meeting."
"You just had to say something this morning," she muttered and he was surprised that she could make a quip like that, she was usually so quiet.
The others filed into the conference room and Olivia sat next to him. Steve started the meeting, saying how he needed to go over some tips for whenever their next mission was and so forth.
Olivia never went on missions, so this didn't particularly concern her, but she knew the others had to pay attention. She kept her hands to herself but fidgeted with her shirt and started to pick at her nails.
He turned his head and saw her fidget, not liking how she was picking at her nail beds to the point where they were almost bleeding. He faced forward again but placed his hand in her lap, stilling her fidgety movements.
She looked up wide eyed but he gently pat her leg, offering his hand for her to draw on again. She uncapped her pen and continued her little sketches, distracting her from her thoughts.
Soon, the meeting was over and everyone had left to do their own thing, except Wanda and Vision who had their turn to cook for the night.
He looked down at his hand and took note of her drawings: a very detailed tree, her nickname 'Livvy' in fun graffiti letters, and random swirls and lines had branched from the middle of his hand. The one that was his favorite however was of a snake with stick arms holding a little knife, with a little arrow and the word 'you' pointing to it. He liked what she drew and followed her back to the library.
He sat and beckoned her over, this time she brought a book to entertain herself. This time she sat shoulder to shoulder with him and practically leaned against him, laying her head on his shoulder to read.
He was surprised when he admitted it, but he liked this. He liked the feeling of being a source of comfort for someone, and he enjoyed her sense of humor in her art.
After that day, he prompted himself to try and be the only one she would choose to spend the day with.
The first few times he was either too late or too early leaving his room, for she had already made her pick.
But after continuously and strategically placing himself in the areas she frequented, he noticed she started to become drawn to him.
Now he was the only person she went to, and after a while he mustered up enough courage to ask her out. She stared at him for a long moment and he prepared himself for rejection when she smiled and nodded.
He beamed and she cuddled closer to him on the couch and he read to her, which the lull in his voice caused her to fall asleep. "Sweet dreams, Olivia," he whispered and kissed her head.