Readers Assemble!

Books Bring Us Closer(Loki x fem!reader)

You groaned as you turned to look at the clock. 2 am. You'd been trying to sleep for hours to no avail. Groaning once more, you threw back the covers and swung your legs out of bed. You quietly made your way out of your room and down to the kitchen. You quickly drank a glass of milk before heading to the living room. "Maybe reading would help," you muttered. You stopped short when you saw Loki sitting there.

You and Loki really didn't get along very well. You weren't exactly enemies, but you weren't sure he'd changed as much as he and Thor said. You were pretty certain Loki thought you were just another "mere mortal" whose opinion didn't matter. You avoided him unless you were on a mission and it was necessary to communicate with each other. It wasn't often it was just the two of you alone in a room like now.

Loki was sitting in a chair, one long leg crossed over the other, with your book in his hand. As much as you didn't want to interact with him, you really wanted that book. So, you cleared your throat, making Loki look up at you in surprise. "Lady Y/N. I did not expect to see you up so late." You sighed heavily. "I didn't expect to be up this late. I just came down for my book." You gestured toward the book in his hand. "My apologies. I found it lying on the table and it caught my attention." He closed the book and handed it over.

You took it carefully. This was a different side to Loki. It wasn't the arrogant trickster you'd seen before. The man who wanted power. This Loki was quiet and somewhat withdrawn. "Thank you." You turned away to go back to your room, but you stopped. Glancing back over your shoulder, you saw that Loki had taken a seat back in his chair and was staring out the window.

"Hey, Loki?" He turned to look at you. You offered him a small smile. "I've got a bookshelf full of books like this one if you'd like to borrow one." A grin spread over his lips. "Thank you, Lady Y/N. Would you mind if I borrowed one now?" You told him you wouldn't mind at all and he followed you back up to your room.

The short trip to your room was full of slightly awkward silence. It was the closest you'd been to Loki that you weren't fighting. Ever. "The book you are currently reading...is that truly how women were expected to behave in society?" You glanced down at the cover of your book before you remembered that you were reading "Pride and Prejudice." You let out a soft chuckle and nodded. "Yes it was. It obviously isn't now."

"I see." He didn't say anything else as you opened the door to your room and directed him to your bookshelf. He walked over and began peering at the titles of your books. He read a few out loud. "Treasure Island. What is that about?" You gave him a short synopsis without giving any spoilers. "Jane Eyre?" You smiled. That was one of your favorites. "It's about a woman who becomes a governess to the ward of a mysterious man. She falls in love with him."

Loki gave a nod and moved onto the next title. "The Odyssey?" Once again, you explained what it was about but you barely finished your explanation before another title caught his eye. "Hunchback of Notre Dame?" That was one he hadn't heard of. In truth, Loki knew what several of these books were about, but he was enjoying watching your face light up as you talked about your favorite books.

When Loki met you, he didn't care for you, but over time, you'd grown on him. He first realized it when you walked into the living room one day with your nose in a book. Somehow, you'd managed to maneuver all around the kitchen and living room without looking up. You were so invested in your book, you hadn't wanted to put it down. It had impressed Loki that one mortal could be so enthralled with books.

"You know Loki, I think you'd really like 'Hunchback' but there's another book that would be good for you. It might help give you some perspective. Machiavelli's 'The Prince'. Unfortunately, I don't have it here with me. I let Bucky borrow it so he'd have something to read on his undercover mission. You're more than welcome to it when he comes back though." Loki nodded before reaching his hand up to the shelf in front of him. His long, thin fingers closed around the spine of the book he wanted. "Then I shall borrow 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' for now and let you get to sleep."

*time skip*

You were climbing into bed when there was a knock on your door. You couldn't fight the smile on your face. You knew who it was. Loki had been coming to your room every few days to borrow another book and discuss the book he'd just finished. He'd made his way through a good portion of your small library and when Bucky returned, Loki immediately began reading "The Prince".

"Come in, Loki." The door opened slowly and Loki appeared with a smile on his face. "Have you finished it already? You just got it yesterday," you said with a chuckle. He shook his head. "I have not. I simply have gotten used to our evening chats and I was hoping you would be up to talking with me." You smiled. "Of course. Come on in and make yourself comfortable."

Loki sauntered in, the haughty persona he put on in front of everyone else melting away as he closed the door. You were beginning to see the real Loki so he had no problem letting his guard down around you. "What did you want to talk about?" you asked him. Loki sat down on the edge of your bed and began talking. You were used to it now. Sometimes during you conversations about books, you would both go off on tangents.

"How do I go about courting a Midgardian woman?" he asked suddenly, surprising you. "Um...well , I suppose it depends on the kind of person she is." You glanced up and found his green eyes boring into you. He licked his lips. It was an uncharacteristic gesture for him. "She is...intelligent and witty. She's strong, caring, stunning and kind. A queen." You chuckled. "She sound's perfect." Loki shook his head. "Perhaps not perfect. I am learning that no one it truly perfect. She has her flaws, but they make her even more beautiful. She is perfect for me. I can truly be myself with her."

You gave him a sad smile. "Well then, you should definitely go for it. First step is to tell her that you like her. The next step is to ask her out on a date." Loki stared at you for a moment, looking as though he was deep in thought. Then, he reached over and took one of your hands in his. There was a glint in his eye and his confidence seemed to be restored.

"Y/N, would you do me the honor of allowing me to take you on a what you call a date?" Your mouth dropped open in shock. Loki sat there, waiting for you to answer. When you continued to say nothing, his face fell and he let go of your hand. "Perhaps I misinterpreted your feelings for me. I will go."

He stood to leave, but your hand shot out and grabbed his making him stop. He turned those heart stopping green eyes back to you. "You didn't. Misinterpret I mean. I-I really like you, Loki. I was just surprised that you want to go out with me. I'm not like the woman you described." Loki stared at you in disbelief. "Oh Y/N, love. You are everything I described and more. I don't have to hide with you and, if you will have me, I will spend every moment I have showing you just how wonderful you are."

You felt the tears welling in your eyes. Loki thought you were beautiful. He liked you. You met his eyes again and you realized he was still waiting for your answer. You laughed through your tears. "Yes. I would love to go on a date with you." He smiled and brought a hand to you face to wipe away your tears. "Wonderful. I admit I know nothing of Midgardian courting rituals so perhaps you should plan this date." You nodded then bit your lip. "Loki? May I kiss you?" He smiled brightly. "I'd love nothing more," he told you before he closed the distance between you.