LINKED BY FATE

The Aftershock

LOKI'S POV

Once the song fades there is an uproar. Everyone is clapping and cheering, and I can hear the Avengers all praising her around me as they get up from their chairs. 

I find myself raising from my own with them and clapping with a huge grin on my face and a strange feeling inside me.

I felt...proud. 

As if this was a key moment in her life, and in my life. This whole time my eyes never leaving hers as she smiles at...me. 

One of the most enchanting smiles. She says thank you and we must break eye contact as she is pulled off the stage by Stark. 

I had almost forgotten they were here, and I must control the urge inside of me to rip her from his embrace. 

I see her embrace him as well and a sudden reminder comes forward in my mind. I vaguely remember a meeting from about a month ago. 

Stark had advised us his relative, or Virginia's relative, is working in the building. That explains why the feeling of a connection only started after I moved into the tower. 

She approaches everyone around the table and greets them. She seems to know everyone already.

Am I the only one who does not know who this woman is? I think to myself and I find that I am rather annoyed at the fact that she is being hugged and kissed by my companions. 

Then, my brother has the audacity to hug her in a manner that makes my blood boil, but I keep myself calm and collected as she is about to approach me. 

Wanda cuts in, however, and hugs her tightly. Vision just places a hand on her shoulder and smiles. I stare at them and send a mind link to Wanda.

"You know this mortal? Why have I not met her before?"

Wanda smiles at her as if my questions had not reached her but suddenly, I feel something poking at the back of my mind and I open up.

"She is Pepper's niece and, apart from you, she's my closest friend." I hear Wanda's mind link.

"And as to why you haven't met her...I don't know". As soon as the thought is gone, Wanda turns, takes one look at her then at me.

"This is Loki." Wanda states simply as she stretches her hand out to me. She smiles, that sweet smile, and places her hand out in front of her as a greeting.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Oh, her voice. Her sweet voice rings in my head and I cannot stop myself from smiling at her.

I take her hand in mine and bow slightly as I place a soft kiss on her knuckles. And as soon as I touch her skin, I feel a wave of shock run through me. 

It felt warm and comforting. 

I didn't want to let her hand go but understandably, I do. I just do it rather slowly and only after caressing it with my thumb, in the same spot I had just kissed.

"I assure you; the pleasure is all mine darling." I respond with a side smile and on cue the blush is back on her cheeks. 

Then, my joyous moment is cut short as her attention is pulled away from me. 

Steve calls her over, making her look back at the group of Avengers and then back at me.

"I hope I get to see you around." She says as she grants me another precious smile and walks away towards the end of the table where Thor, Tony, Steve, and James are. 

I feel Wanda creep up on my left side, Vision a few inches behind her.

"So...." she starts and I look at her with a confused look.

"What?" I respond.

"What do you think?" She asks. I ponder that for a second before I shrug and answer.

"She's just another Mortal." Not wanting to show the effect that woman has on me.

I hear her laugh and simply say "Sure she is Lo, sure she is."

__________________________________

The song ends and you hear everyone cheering but you're lost in those eyes. 

You watch as he stands while clapping with the most gorgeous smile you have ever seen and forget that there are other people in the room. 

You can clearly see some emotion in his eyes, but you can't quite name it. 

You smile at him, and suddenly there's a hand on your arm pulling you off stage. Unwillingly, you look away to see who it is.

"TONY!!!!" You squeal and hug him tightly.

"You were amazing honey bunny! Honestly, where did you get those pipes? Come, your aunt couldn't be here, but I think you've met everyone here already." He says eagerly.

Not everyone, you think to yourself.

You hug Steve as you say hi, gave Bucky a firm handshake. Hug Nat who says "oh my God!! I didn't know you could sing like that!"

You give her a shy smile and immediately tell her to stop before you glow red from embarrassment. 

You hug Clint who gives you a small kiss on the cheek as he says, "good job sweetheart"

You give a sideways hug to Peter and by the time you reach Thor, he has grown inpatient and engulfs you in a huge hug and lifts you from the ground.

"Hey Lord of Thunder, it's nice to see you! All of you!" You tell the group.

You turn to walk towards Loki but find yourself wrapped in Wanda's arms. You peek over her left shoulder and see Vision who smiles and places a hand on your shoulder. 

He has never really been one for physical contact and you are a-okay with that. Wanda lets you go and turns you to the beautiful man whose eyes you can look into forever and never get bored.

"This is Loki!" You hear her say. You smile at him and stick your hand out in front of you for a handshake, "hello, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Was that too friendly? Or maybe not friendly enough? You think to yourself but then he does the most unexpected gesture, at least for this day and age. 

He bows as he grabs your hand and places a gentle kiss on your knuckles keeping eye contact with you. It's then you realize you're not breathing.

Inhale, exhale, you remind yourself. 

The moment his hand touched yours you could feel a cooling sensation move from your hand, up your arm and settle in the middle of your chest. 

What was that? You think to yourself. He starts to let go of your hand as he rubs his thumb on the same spot he just kissed and you wished he wouldn't let go. 

Then you hear his deep and soothing voice for the first time.

"I assure you; the pleasure is all mine darling." And you are completely undone. Your moment is cut short though when you hear your name called. You turn to Steve, then back to Loki.

"I hope I get to see you around" you say wholeheartedly, really hoping that you do, as you smile once again and walk towards the table with the rest of the Avengers.

"Where are Nat and Clint?" You ask as you get closer and realize they are gone. 

They inform you that Clint has gone home, and Nat has gone to the lady's room. They start to talk about your singing, which you quickly turn on Tony and convince him to sing a song which he inevitably murders. 

About an hour later, Peter lets everyone know he has to get going so everyone says their goodbyes. 

And after a few more songs, and many drinks, the decision to go to the tower and continue the night of drinking is made.