Chapter 52

"Wait what! I didn't get to hear this story! Ari, I thought we were girl buds. You can't keep things like that to yourself."

"Nat! Okay fine. I was in the shower, my first really hot shower in I don't remember when. I was talking to myself about how I was never leaving the shower when Loki spoke to me. I reacted by throwing a shampoo bottle at his head, which obviously went through him." I cocked my head. "Hey, we had a full conversation. Will I be able to see and hear like that too if I am making an illusion of myself?"

He nodded. "It is more of an astral projection but with time and practice, yes. Projections of yourself will be able to hear and see just as if you are there yourself."

"Cool!" I considered him. "Now, more on this shapeshift thing."

He looked uncomfortable again. "I can take on the image of anyone or any living creature I want." He morphed into Steve and then Natasha and then back to himself. "I will admit that skill has gotten me into a lot of trouble as a child. It can be unnerving to others when I change, especially as an animal, so I don't do it very often."

Thor roared with laughter. "I remember the time you posed as Odin and tried to decree that sweets before bed were mandatory and that bedtimes were outlawed. I thought Mother was going to tan your hide on that one. Luckily Odin found the amusing side of it, or you would have been in more trouble."

I spoke up. "Thor, when we have more time, can I hear more stories of Loki as a child?"

"Absolutely." Thor grinned as Loki's "NO" rang out. "I have some of the best tales to tell. I think you will find them most interesting, Ari. Especially the ones that involve the ladies."

"I forbid you to tell her anything, Brother."

"Okay, now I really want to know more since it feels like you're hiding something good. Thor, I demand you tell me more later. Loki doesn't get a vote. My vote overrides his."

Loki gave me a dark look. "What do you mean I don't get a vote. Those are my childhood stories. I can decide who hears them."

I smiled and patted his cheek. "Not if Thor is telling them. Then they are his childhood memories, and you can't say shit about that. Now be quiet and stop being a spoiled brat, Kokoro no Yokubo."

I thought Thor was going to hurt himself with how much he was laughing. Everyone else looked surprised and slightly concerned as they knew Loki's temper.

"A spoiled brat, am I? You will be paying for that one tonight, my pet."

I grinned. "I counted on it. I told you being a good girl wasn't my style. And I don't play fair!' I launched myself from Bucky's lap at him and started to tickle his sides.

He shrieked at me and dissolved into laughter, caught by the arm of the couch so he couldn't get away without hurting me, something I had counted on. I heard Thor behind me wheezing as he said "By Odin, I didn't even know he was ticklish. No one dared do that to him before, not even me. I don't think Mother even did that." 

I stopped and let Loki catch his breath. He glared at me with love in his eyes. "You dare to tickle me? I've killed for less insult than that."

Silence filled the room except for Bucky's snickering. Loki's voice had held an undercurrent of anger, and everyone seemed afraid to move, not seeing his eyes and knowing he was kidding. All except for Bucky who knew it was a bluff. I just grinned and scrambled into his lap, straddling him. I grabbed his face between my hands and kissed him thoroughly.

"Awww, you know you love me. Which means I get away with more cause I is special."

I saw his lips twitch. He tried so hard to keep a stern face with me but soon gave up and a smile crossed his face as his arms came around me.

"Yes, I love you, sweetling." He hugged me tight to him and stroked my hair. "More than you will ever realize."

"Aww, they are so adorable!!" I heard Wanda squeal at Nat. I moved and sat in between Loki and Bucky and took their hands in mine. Suddenly the phone rang, and Tony went to answer it. Conversation flowed while he was gone. Soon he came back with a serious look on his face. 

"We have another mission for the Gods again. I'm sorry Kid but I'm gonna have to steal one of your main squeezes for a day or two." 

Loki's hand tightened on mine as I nodded. "I understand. While they're gone, can you fill me in on who exactly you all are working against? All I know is the name Hydra from Bucky."

Tony nodded. "Yeah, I'll fill you in. God twins, you need to get ready to go. You head out immediately." 

We all stood, and I threw my arms around Loki's neck. "Please please be careful. I don't want you hurt. And I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to you. Please make sure you come back to me."

"I will return to you darling. Have no worries in that regard. I would not lose you now that I have you." He held me tight. 

I looked over his shoulder at Thor. "I am tasking to make sure he comes back. That both of you come back. If you don't... well... you don't want to see the holy fuck side of me. I will go to Valhalla, and I will hurt you Sparky."

"I will make sure he returns to you, Lady Ari. But please don't call me Sparky. It's undignified for a God. I don't usually flaunt the God part like Loki does, but that name is just wrong."

"Oh, I don't know, Brother. I feel Sparky suits you better than Tony's Point Break."

Shaking my head at both brothers, I felt love for my family grow. These were my people, and I would die to defend them. I pulled Loki's head down to mine and gave him one of the no-hold-back kisses. His eyes were dilated and dazed when I pulled back. "You promised to make me pay later and I will be holding you to that when you come home."

"I will make good on that promise, my pet."

With one last hug, he gave me to Bucky and turned to leave with Thor. I checked out his ass as he was leaving and sent him a thought. 'I hate you leaving but damn it's a mighty fine view as you walk away.' He gave me a devastating grin over his shoulder as he left the room. 

I smiled and turned to Bucky. "So, Kokoro no Kiseki, what should we do today? We really haven't had much time for just me and you."

Well, it's getting late in the afternoon. Why don't you get all dolled up and I take you out for dinner and dancing?"

I stared at him. "You want to go dancing with me? But you hate dancing."

"Well, I figured out that it all depends on who my dancing partner is." He tapped me on the nose. "I love dancing with you, Doll."

"I love dancing with you too, Buck. I think that is a perfect way to spend the evening. Our first date." I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. "And when we get back, we can go to your room and you can pin me to the wall and fuck me. We have many surfaces in your room that we need to try out."

I felt him get hard. "Damn, you really know how to make a man need a cold shower. If it wasn't for me wanting to show you a good time, I would say skip the date and go straight to the coming home part." 

I tilted my head. "We can do an at-home date. We can order pizza and go to your room and watch a movie. Then later get up to the coming home stuff. I do want to do more things with you than just have you inside me."

"Go discuss this somewhere else, you two. This is WAY more than I need to know." Clint laughed and left the room with everyone else. 

Nat gave me a warm smile and thumbs up. "I want deetz later girl."

I grinned at her. "Maybe."

She laughed and left the room.

Bucky held me close. "That plan sounds like the best date. But I have a better idea than my room for the movie. Tony has his own home theater here. So, we can watch the movie as if we're in the theater but it's just me and you."

"Oh, Buck, that sounds so perfect! So, I will go change into semi-date clothes and you order the pizza. I eat any kind so order what you like. Wait... I take that back. No anchovies and no pineapple. Fish and fruit do NOT belong on pizza. I will have F.R.I.D.A.Y tell me how to get to the theater room and meet you there."

"I knew there was something I liked about you. I agree with the fish and fruit. It's a date then, Doll." He kissed me soundly. "Go do what you need to do and see you there."