A Worthy Adversary (Loki x fem!reader)

Chapter 10 - Friends or Allies

You've always had a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to birthdays. They're either extremely fun, mundane, or the absolute worst days of your life.

As of recent years, there hasn't been too many of the amusing kind. Understandable, given your job, but Tony seems determined to change that.

"Honestly Stark, I think I'd just prefer staying in, getting food and watching a movie," you delineate, before he shushes you abruptly.

"You aren't allowed to be boring, you're in your twenties, you're meant to be having fun. I'm throwing you a party," he emphasises again, sauntering out of the room, presumably to plan it.

"You know there's no changing his mind once it's set on something," Steve walks in, you think he's been on a run, but you honestly can't tell because he doesn't look sweaty or tired.

"Yeah, I'm aware of that Stevie," you say sarcastically, spinning in your stool and turning away from him.

Steve clearly hasn't changed his mind on you, and you can tell he was completely against the idea of you coming back.

"I've told you to stop calling me that," he berates you.

"Ok Capsicle, but can you please get over-"

"Over you jeopardising an important mission, because you wanted some stupid painting? We could have dismantled entire criminal empires in one night, if you didn't get in the way," he starts up again.

"But I'm sure you got the guys you wanted eventually-"

"It's besides the point, you're reckless and irrational. That's not what we need on this team," he scolds again.

"You done?" you look at him, fed up with his constant reprimands.

"That 'stupid painting' had been floating around the black market for months, and is worth millions. Tons of major crime bosses had been trying to get a hold of it, causing all sorts of chaos amongst rival gangs in New York," you begin to explain the truth behind that day.

"The reason I was there, was to get the painting and return it to the Met for safe keeping. Oh, and guess who gave me the job," you take a sip from your straw.

Steve thinks for a second, his expression growing more stern than before, if thats even possible, before answering you, "Fury."

"Bingo," you reply, hopping off the stool and strolling over to the elevator. It's about time you got in some training.

"But what about-"

"Same type of situation again. I'm afraid we were just double booked," you say bluntly, pressing the elevator button. Standing next to you, the super-soldier seems to be planning his next words.

"I apologise if I've been-" he speaks up, although his tone shows reluctancy. 

"Water under the bridge," you respond, smiling condescendingly as you step in the elevator. You can tell that Steve is going to have a hard time being nice to you.

The thing is, he was never really too fond of you when you were on the team beforehand. It was clear that he thought you didn't take things seriously enough, which you can admit, sometimes you didn't. 

In fairness, you were young when you joined the Avengers, so of course you were callow. You like to think you've matured since then, so it's probably best you don't hold grudges.

"Hey Steve, I could use a sparring partner, if you're up for it," you offer, and he steps into the lift beside you.

"I don't see why not," he agrees, to your surprise, and you hit the button for the training floor.