Loki Imagines

How Will That Help?

"I do not understand the purpose of this plant" Loki muttered, staring confused at the sprig of mistletoe his brother had just gleefully handed him, an apparently full proof way to finally win Lady Holly for himself.

Thor chuckled and explained slowly as if to a child, with a smug smile upon his face, because of the obviousness of it all "Lady Natasha informed me that it could be used to garner Yuletide kisses from fair maidens"

"It is possessed of magical properties?" Loki snapped impatiently, his gaze falling on his brother's blank face, belatedly Thor realised he had neglected to find out exactly how it worked.

He shrugged, blustering to cover his error "I would presume so"

Loki sighed "Does it require an incantation, or must it be turned into a potion?"

He now spoke to his brother with the same condescending air he reserved for speaking to the mortals contained within the tower. With the notable exception of Holly of course, who he found very pleasing to talk to.

Thor frowned at his brother, not happy with the tone he was using, considering he was trying to help "I know not Brother, but you are a master of magic are you not? If anyone can unlock it's secrets it will be you" He finished with a flippant smile and another shrug, exiting the kitchen and leaving his brother to his own devices, before he asked him more questions he could not answer.

"My Lady can I interest you in a hot cup of tea?" Loki approached Holly where she was sat in a comfy armchair at the far side of the living area, somewhat hesitantly as she was currently engrossed in a book. He disliked disturbing her whilst reading, knowing how much he himself hated being disturbed with a book in his hand.

He was relieved when she placed a bookmark on the page and immediately looked up to his face, a smile on her lips "Well actually that would be very nice" Her eyes narrowed instantly, Loki's good feeling at her greeting fleeing before her suspicious look "What are you up to?" she demanded.

Loki hitched what he felt was a winning and genuine smile onto his face "I do not follow"

Holly sighed, though the smile returned to her face, flipping her book shut she regarded the God of lies and deception closely "You're being nice, so you must want something" she explained.

"Nothing beyond the pleasure of your company" Loki responded at once, the winning smile never faltering.

"Hmmm" Holly responded not convinced, she knew Loki better than most within the tower having actually taken the time to talk to him, nothing he did was ever without reason "Can you even make tea?"

Loki nodded at once "I have been taught the proper use of the device you call a kettle, yes"

"I'll have a green tea thank you" Holly reopened her book, still not entirely convinced Loki didn't have an ulterior motive but could not discern it at present.

Loki frowned "Do you not normally partake in a cup of English Breakfast Tea? I recall you saying you were partial to the taste, for it reminded you of home"

"How on earth did you remember that?" Holly looked back up from her book startled.

"I have an exceptional memory" Loki informed her smugly.

"Well yes" Holly conceded "But it's such a trivial piece of information to retain" she was quite shocked he'd held onto this small piece of information about her, considering he treated all of them as if they were beneath him most of the time. Admittedly she had noticed that he seemed to have slightly less disdain for her, she presumed this was due to their shared love of books, having spent hours in one another's company over the last few months simply reading quietly.

"I would not consider any information you offer to be trivial in any way" Loki responded quietly, a small smile betraying his nervousness at admitting this fact. Holly raised her eyebrows in surprise, he was almost acting as if he liked her, but she dismissed the thought immediately, Loki didn't like anyone not even his brother.

"Just a green tea thanks, if that goes well, I might show you how to make my normal tea" Holly winked, she was known for not allowing anyone to make her tea, she didn't trust Yanks to do it right, let alone someone from another world.

"Very well" Loki bowed, shot her another dazzling smile and returned to the kitchen, leaving Holly to ponder the fact that he really was rather handsome, she hadn't noticed before.

"Is Loki making tea?" Nat asked incredulously, unable to believe her eyes as she leant against the doorframe of the kitchen beside Thor.

"Yes indeed" Thor confirmed "He is following the advice you offered and making use of the mistletoe plant"

Nat sniggered, peering round the frame and spotting Holly in the far corner of the open plan living area "Where is it?" she asked frowning, unable to see the offending plant hanging anywhere obvious.

Thor shrugged "We were not sure how to use it, Loki has turned it into a potion to be used in Lady Holly's tea"

Nat snapped her gaze round to the Asguardian god "He put the mistletoe in the tea?" She asked horrified.

"Yes..." Thor paused at her expression "Was this not the correct application?"

Nat's eyes went wide "No of course not!" glancing back around the doorframe she saw Loki approaching Holly with the tea in his hand.

Dashing across the room Nat managed to knock the cup out of Holly's hands, just as she was raising it to her lips, smashing it across the floor.

"Hey, my tea" Holly whined more disappointed that shocked at Nat's outburst, she was used to the red heads fiery temper by now.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Nat shouted at a shocked Loki, who looked round to see Thor making his way towards them, a deeply concerned look on his face.

"Mistletoe is poisonous you idiots" Nat shrieked, crossing her arms over her chest and surveying the Asguardian's with disgusted roll of her eyes.

"It is?" Loki whispered, looking extremely guilty at her words.

"There was mistletoe in my tea?" Holly asked from her seated position, glancing back and forth between the two gods and assassin towering over her.

Nat nodded, her gaze not leaving Loki's face "Yes"

Holly frowned staring down at the smashed cup of tea, before looking back up to Loki who shifted uncomfortably under her gaze "Why?"

Thor interjected on his brother's behalf "We were unsure how to put the plant to use" he stated apologetically, earning another eye roll from Nat.

"So, you put it in my tea?" Holly looked back to Loki who nodded "Yes" he murmured, actually looking quite concerned that he may have harmed her by his mistake.

Still confused Holly started to laugh "And again Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Nat smirked down at her.

"Not really" Holly shook her head.

Shooting a smirk in Loki's direction Nat explained "Loki was after a Christmas kiss"

Holly's mouth fell open, framing the silent "Oh" that was written across her surprised face. Looking back to Loki she searched his face for confirmation, he offered her a small disappointed smile and turned to leave, wanting nothing more than to escape back to his rooms and brood on his failure.

A gentle hand on his arm stopped him, Holly had risen from her seat, crossing the room to him quickly without him hearing her.

"Well why didn't you just say so?" she whispered quietly.

Pulling him back to face her, she rose up onto her tip toes to press her lips to his, winding her arms around his neck she pulled him closer, moulding her body against his.

Loki hesitated, out of shock for a split second, before he slid his arms around her waist, holding her body to him and kissing her back with barely concealed enthusiasm.

Pulling away Holly whispered "Merry Christmas Loki" against his lips and waltzed from the room.

Nat shot Loki a double thumbs up that he couldn't help but grin in response to.