His Rose (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 7

Unbeknownst to you and Gabby, you were indeed followed home and watched from the shadows by both Bucky and Loki who had forged a close friendship a few years ago. Loki counted himself lucky to have made such a dear friend in Bucky. Both had suffered in their own way with having been mind controlled to do things they did not want to do otherwise. Loki regretted the attack on New York, as Bucky regretted everything he had done under Hydra's control. Both men were curious about the two new women in their lives, and had a particular interest in them. They were worried about how many drinks you both ended up having, and the security of the city at night. Especially when you both had indicated that you were taking your dog out for a walk. It had been a silent agreement between the two of them that they would follow you home and make sure that the two of you were safe. They had maintained a safe distance back and to the shadows. The rest of the team were taking their sweet time to finish up at Moxies before heading back. It wasn't often that they got out as a team and did something, and it had been nice for a change.

"This is silly" Bucky sighed as he watched the two of you walk into the building.
"I wouldn't call it silly. Perhaps slightly above and beyond. Had we been gentlemen about it we would have walked with them" Loki said, a smirk toying at his lips. Bucky sighed loudly and kept his viewpoint where he was hidden but could also see the drab grey entrance and exit doors to the back of the Shield housing unit. Normally the pair of them would be with Steve and Sam by this point of the evening, reading in a shared space and listening to music. That had been their shared habit for the last few years. Steve and Sam had been a little more hesitant to welcome Loki into the fold, but when Bucky made it clear his mind wasn't changing, they welcomed him in with open arms.
Loki still spent time with his brother as well, who sometimes came to the evenings where they just hung out. He enjoyed playing video games with Sam on the PlayStation, and was always up for in depth conversations.
"I mean, Fox can probably sniff us out," Bucky said, a little bit nervously.
"True, the likelihood is high," Loki nodded in agreement. "But she didn't sniff us out yet" he pointed out. "We could simply say we are on our way back to our own quarters and decided to stop here for a moment of peace" he wove a lie quickly.
"I guess it's not technically a lie" Bucky thought about it for a moment.
"Well, we are headed back to our rooms," Loki continued.
"And we do have an early morning," Bucky grinned. "I like it" he nodded that it was a good idea to say if they got caught.
A few minutes later, you and Gabby came back outside arm in arm as you walked a large husky with beautiful coloring and a perfectly groomed coat. She let out a few playful barks before you let her off her lead and she went running around, with what one would call the zoomies. Loki gave a soft smile. He was more of a cat lover himself, but he could see the appeal in having a dog. Especially one as magnificent as Willow. They watched as the two of you played ball with her for a few minutes and then Gabby made a visible yawn. You called back Willow and the three of you went back inside.
"Well, we worried for nothing," Bucky sighed softly.
"I disagree. The perceived danger could be real" Loki justified their actions.
"You want to head in?" Bucky offered. Loki took a moment to think about it. He was still worried that he had gone too far in trying to playfully flirt with you. He knew that Bucky was likely having the same reservations with how he was acting with Gabby. He was less forward than Loki was, but the intention was there all the same.
"May as well," Loki decided. He was a little concerned that his affections were growing so quickly, and he was very attracted to you. His body was clear about that. There was something about your eyes that attracted him the most. He felt like he could just gaze into them uninterruptedly. He followed Bucky towards the doors and they went to their respective hallways and bid good night to each other for the night.

The following morning you woke up at the same time as Gabby. She went to do her ballet while you got up and took a long hot shower before taking Willow outside for her morning run. You let her off her leash and she ran forward. You started walking along the track while she had free reign. Something you appreciated about knowing Fury personally was he allowed you to have a pet. You saw Clint, Sam, Steve and Bucky running on the track and you took your leisurely walk, throwing a stick from time to time for Willow.
"Good morning" Clint came up behind you and slowed his pace to walk beside you.
"Oh! Good morning" you said in surprise.
"How did you do on the walk home last night?" he asked politely.
"Just fine, thank you" you said a little bit shyly.
"So how are we doing so far? Nat tells me that you already know we are trying to poach you guys" he asked, looking for an honest answer.
"I'm not sure yet," you said honestly. "I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it" you sighed.
"You'll get used to it. I heard that you need a soundproof room to yourself with a swing in it" he arched an eyebrow, looking for an explanation.
"It's a luxury" you nodded.
"Tell me more about it" he probed you.
"I like listening to music uninterrupted while I'm reading," you shrugged. "If Willow's not with me, I turn up the music until I feel numb. It's a form of escape for me," you flushed at the admission.
"It's good to have an escape, but remember to also stay in touch with reality" he said wisely. You nodded in agreement and he continued to walk with you, allowing you your silence when needed. He tried drawing you into more conversation, but you were anxious that someone was proactively trying to converse with you that wasn't Gabby or someone from your team.
"Hey, just so you know. None of us bite" Clint reassured you, in hopes of easing your anxiety.
"I'm just not used to this," you said softly. "But I appreciate the fact that everyone is so welcoming," you said. "Fox might bite you though" you added with a smirk on your face.
"Of that I have no doubt," he chuckled. "Where are you headed now?" he asked as you seemed to be making your way towards the doors.
"Bringing Willow in to eat her breakfast and then I'm going to breakfast" you said, looking down.
"I'll meet you there" he grinned and you called Willow, gesturing that it was time to leave.

Getting to the cafeteria you were in the lineup when you felt someone standing close behind you in your personal space. You turned your head to see Loki standing behind you with a smirk on his face.
"Good morning" Loki practically purred at the sight of you.
"Good morning" you said quickly and looked forward again.
"Are you ready for our spar?" he leaned forward and whispered in the cusp of your ear. You shivered at the sound of his voice and gasped at the sensation. You turned to look at him in surprise and he chuckled mischievously.
"Ye... yes" you stammered. "You.. you're going down" you continued with a bright flush on your cheeks.
"We shall see," he smirked.
"I won't go easy on you" you warned him.
"I wouldn't hope so" he fully smiled. He followed you closely as you made your way through the entire buffet. You filled up your tray with your favorites and then made your way to the quickly filling normal table. You took your usual spot beside Gabby and Loki sat down beside you without another word.
"Ladies," Bear came over, clad in his black outfit. He seemed to be anxious, and your eyes flicked to him. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking pointedly at the Avengers team.
"We are fine Bear" Gabby reassured him.
"Listen, Fox and Rose, just say the word and we will be there for you" Bear promised.
"We are okay for now" you said with a reassuring smile. He nodded and huffed a little.
"Did you want to join us?" he asked after a moment.
"No, we are okay" you promised and he nodded before walking away. You knew that he was overprotective because he considered the team his pack, and he felt it was his solemn duty to protect his pack at all costs.
"Is he always that protective?" Tony asked after Bear was fully gone.
"Always, you are new to us" Gabby said, her accent coming out thick.
"If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that he considered one of you to be a significant other," Wanda said, obviously having read his mind. "He considers you pack though" she sighed.
"How do you know that?" Gabby asked in surprise.
"Wanda reads minds," Tony explained in simple terms.
"Does anyone else?" you asked in alarm.
"I do, Kitten" Loki said and your face went red as you tried to clear your mind quickly. "Don't worry, I won't read your mind unless it's absolutely necessary or I have your consent."
"Oh" you said simply and looked down at your food.
"However, if you do not speak to me, I shall feel enticed to peer into your mind to see what devilish things you are thinking" he added with a wink and you blushed again.
"I don't think that as a gentleman you would dare look into a ladies mind without consent" you bantered back quickly.
"I'm not always a gentleman, I can sometimes be quite the casanova," he licked his lips.
"Indeed" Thor chuckled.
"Any missions today?" Natasha asked Tony who shook his head.
"No, Fury hasn't finished going over the data you brought back yesterday, but we are looking into it" Tony advised.
"We will be going over that later" you added a little shyly.
"I'm betting we have a new base to take down, and the next time we will be ready" Gabby said with a spark of excitement in her eyes.
"Always ready for the next mission" you quickly agreed.