Unfettered (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 6 - More Flies with Honey

"Thanks, Natasha," you smile.

"Nat," she shoots back, a tiny smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Nat," you repeat. "Thanks."

She disappears with her mug around the corner, leaving you alone in the common room with warm coffee, and an even warmer feeling in your chest.

It's been a long time since you've had a real friend.

That warmth chills, however, as you think on her question. She brought up a good point. You have no idea what you're going to do about Loki. But you need to figure something out before he figures you out. You know you won't be able to keep the upper hand forever. With a tired sigh, you refill your coffee and grab a blanket from the couch on your way to the elevator.

"Hey JARVIS," you say. "You awake?"

"I am always awake," he answers.

"Is Thor still here?" you ask.

"Yes, miss," JARVIS answers. "He is currently on the training floor with Captain Rogers."

"Then that's where I want to go," you say.

As the elevator descends, you wonder, briefly, if everyone had trouble sleeping last night. You find yourself grinning at the thought. You don't really know Loki, but you have a feeling that he would find it amusing how his mere presence has affected everyone in the tower.

"Don't hold back, Captain!" Thor's voice bellows from somewhere further inside the gym as the elevator doors slide open. "You may be of superior body among Midgardians, but I am a god!"

"Careful what you wish for, pal," Steve grunts, followed by a loud, sharp slap of skin on skin and heavy grunting.

Intrigued, you follow the sparring noises to the source - in the far back corner of the gym is the sparring mat. On the ground, a shirtless Thor has Steve pinned. You keep quiet, leaning against the wall and watching as Steve squirms, then manages to hook his leg around Thor's thigh. With a heave and a roar, Steve breaks Thor's hold and twists onto his side. He gets a solid kick into Thor's gut, sending the god flying back several yards.

"Very good, Steven!" Thor cheers, popping back up to his feet - sweat dripping from his brow. But there's a manic look in his eye that tells you this fight is far from over. Steve must see it too, because he drops into a wider, sturdier stance just as Thor lunges, throwing a fist and hurtling into close combat.

Steve's eyes go wide as he blocks blow after blow, dodging and rolling beneath Thor's wild hooks. He's clearly on the defensive as each punch Thor throws forces Steve back a step. Until something shifts. Something you can't see from where you are. But suddenly their momentum changes. Steve must have caught a punch or shifted his footing because now he is the one swinging, forcing Thor into a protective stance as Steve lands two blows against Thor's ribs, pushing the air out of the god's lungs. With the wind knocked out of his opponent, Steve sees his opportunity and goes for the final blow, throwing an uppercut to Thor's jaw. You wince at the sound of cracking bone as Thor takes the hit and staggers back - a surprised look on his face. But that surprise quickly melts away, and a crazed look takes its place. One that Steve must not like. Because the supersoldier is raising up both hands in surrender and taking several steps back.

"That was a good round," Steve says. "I think we're done today."

Thor laughs, his voice booming as it rolls through the room. "True warriors never yield, Steven!" he bellows, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "We both yet stand, do we not?"

"I don't know, Thor," Steve says sheepishly, his own dark grey t-shirt almost black with sweat. "Maybe we should call it."

"If you wish," Thor shrugs. "Although I will admit, Steve Rogers, I had not expected you to yield in a fight."