A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

Mistletoe and Mischief

—-Loki—-

Sam's kindness never falters. I'm unsurprised when I return to see Morgan's completely fine. I had grabbed a package of larger bandages from a first aid kit counting on it. As I patch Sam up I smile slightly I adore her. She's so gentle yet all at once so deadly a quality I find immeasurably attractive. She smiles back at me.

"Morgan's a sweet kid."

I nod and finish with the bandage I sit next to her pulling her close. She melts into my touch and leans on me. I smile a bit this party hasn't been all bad, yes people have brought up what happened but they don't do so simply out of pity for me they seem genuinely concerned for my well being. I won't admit to it but I'm happy she's dragged me along. I would never do anything like this of my own accord. After a while Sam sighs and sits up turning to me.

"We better get back to socializing, they'll wanna do gifts soon anyway."

I nod. We get up and go back into the main room. As we pass through the door Sam stops holding onto my arm. I think somethings wrong but when I look to her she's smiling at me mischievously.

"I didn't notice the mistletoe before, it's tradition to kiss the person you're standing next to if you find yourself under it."

I smirk both in anticipation of a kiss and in remembrance of a trick I once played with the plant. Baldur (an irritatingly perfect son of a diplomat from Vanaheim) was not happy though my jest was nothing quite as dramatic as the Pros Edda would have you believe. The Pros Edda and similar writings are nearly pure works of fiction. I can't believe some of the ridiculousness mortals concocted.

"Well then let's not break tradition mortal."

I lean down and we kiss passionately. I hear whistling and clapping then stop and look around for the source my cheeks burning in embarrassment. Sam Wilson, Bucky, Thor, and Tony are seated on a couch not far away they're still going on with their antics as I glare at them unafraid of teasing me a bit. I don't let it show but I'm a bit glad by that. Tony whistles louder then yells at full volume.

"Way to go Reindeer Games!!"

Peter suddenly drops down from the ceiling hanging upside down a couple feet away from me.

"Dude! Nice!"

I put my hand on my face in embarrassment. 'Why does their teasing cause me to react this way?' Tony yells again.

"I think there's a spare room if you two need it!"

I'm utterly flustered by that statement Sam simply performs a obscene gesture at Tony then pulls me down into the kiss again causing the group to laugh. I don't fight it and copy the gesture as we kiss. This causes them to laugh even louder. I smirk as we finally finish then jest.

"Where was this spare room you spoke of?"

Sam elbows me in the ribs in disapproval. The group is in hysterics with laughter at this. I smile, for the first time in years I feel a bit like my old self, before everything the one that could make even the most hardened warriors of Asgard laugh. I allow myself to laugh at this too. Sam smiles in surprise at my laughter and laxness about the situation she begins to laugh too.

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We continue to socialize with the others I'm more laid back now. I allow myself to smile and joke lifting my illusion a bit, I can tell some people are taken off guard by this, it's a side of me I've kept hidden from almost all of my teammates. Maybe I won't as much anymore. Sam notices this too she smiles at me encouragingly as we socialize. Eventually Steve gets everyone's attention.

"Avengers! If you participated in Secret Santa please place your gifts on the table we will be starting soon!"

It's odd to hear him giving serious instructions about something like this. Sam takes my arm leading me to the table, we each summon our gifts and place them on the table. Steve glances at me in surprise.

"Sam talk you into that?"

I nod. Though I had nothing to do with the gift I reply.

"She's quite persuasive."

He looks me over in thought smiling.

"I can tell. We've appreciated that, she drags you out to stuff like this, it's been good seeing more of you around."

I smile unsure of what to say. Sam speaks for me.

"It's been nice on our end too."

Steve nods and everyone takes a seat I'm unsure what this tradition is but everything's been going well so far so whatever it is is probably just as nice. I may have an affinity for this particular Midgardian holiday.