It has been a couple of days since The Avengers stormed HYDRA's facility to take out Strucker and his team of Dark Avengers while rescuing the kidnapped adolescents who were used as test subjects for Werner's vision of world domination through enhanced individuals.

A couple of days, and Kara was still unresponsive back at headquarters, where she was currently monitored 24/7 by Tony and Bruce, always ensuring her vital signs are stable. The team was growing anxious by the minute, concerned about the well-being of their teammate, their friend.

Then, the unexpected came.

"Kara!", Tony exclaimed, as he saw her finger twitch. The rest were left in a state of shock, as well, now watching the tiniest movement she could make.

After her finger, her whole hand began to turn. Gradually, Kara began to regain control of her body parts. The last she managed to direct was her eyes. As she opened her eyes for the first time in two days, she was taken back by the intense amount of light, shutting it closed for a moment and taking peeks in order to adjust to her surroundings.

"Hey.", Steve said, inching towards her and standing beside her bed. When Kara's vision had adjusted, she got a good view of her friends, all encircling her with sad smiles on their faces.

"Hey.", she replied to the soldier, her lips curving into a smile.

"You were amazing back there, you know that?", Tony interrupted them, his arms crossed as he looked at her with pride in his eyes. Kara smiled at this. "I was?"

All of them nodded. "Amazing would be an understatement, I think.", Clint remarked, winking at the young lady. The rest hummed in agreement.

"I think you finally earned your superhero name, Kara.", Stark added, causing the others to look his way, most especially Kara. Kara tilted her head to the side, urging him to go on.

"Phantom."

Kara stayed silent for a moment, thinking about the new name. "Well, that's certainly an upgrade from 'Casper' ". Clint commented, snickering at the mention of her old nickname.

A wave of emotions surged through her body, and she couldn't fight the tears from brimming her eyes.

"Look at that Tony, you made her cry.", Sam remarked, offering a handkerchief to the woman. Kara chuckled, accepting Sam's handkerchief with gratitude and wiping her eyes. "So, I'm really a part of you guys, now?", she asked, incredulity evident in her voice.

Everyone exchanged glances, all with huge grins on their faces. "You always were, Kara. And you always will be.", Steve answered for the team.

Kara couldn't contain her enthusiasm any longer. "F**k yeah!", she shrieked, before her eyes widened in realization and she smacked a hand against her lips. "Oops, sorry."

"Language!", Tony mock-scolded, making Rogers sigh with a smile and the rest burst into laughter.

As Kara laughed along with the group, there was a lingering feeling in her heart that something was missing.

Rather, someone.

Her eyes flickered from one Avenger to another, her smile fading and breaking into a frown as her focus moved further into the room.

"Um, guys? Where's Loki?", Kara asked out of the blue, immediately putting their laughter to a halt.

"Okay, this isn't good.", she thought, her heart rate increasing as she stared right back at them, anticipating their response.

Thor walked forward, stopping right beside her bed. Kara looked at him expectantly. "Well?", she pushed, beginning to feel uneasy.

"Loki is in critical condition as of the moment, Lady Kara. The blasts from Strucker's weapons were not to be underestimated, that's for sure.", Thor explained, and Kara could feel her heart sinking in her chest.

"No...", she breathed out. Natasha noticed this and instantly took her hand in hers for comfort.

The God of Thunder smiled at her. "Not to worry, Lady Kara.", he started, rubbing his hand against her arm. "Loki's a stubborn son of a...", he paused, observing how Steve coughed in disapproval. "... gun. He's going to get better." Rogers relaxed at his choice of words, and Clint stiffled his laughter, making Sam purse his lips and nudge him by the elbow.

Kara nodded, but the frown on her face remained. "Yeah, he's... he's going to get better.", the brunette almost croaked in response.

"Ummm, how about Blaire, and the others?", Kara pressed.

"Blaire is currenly being treated in our other facility, so are the others.", Nick's voice boomed throughout the room, surprising everyone inside.

"How does he always do that?", Vision asked Sam, who merely raised his shoulders.

"What's gonna happen to them?", Kara asked, concerned for her friend.

Nick waved her off. "Don't worry. No harm is coming to them. We will try to rehabilitate them, train them in using their powers for the benefit of mankind, that sort of sh*t.", Fury responded, his hands behind his back. Kara nodded with a smile.

"That's good news."

"I'm happy to see you recovering, Kara.", Nick said, approaching her and extending his hand for her to shake. Kara took it gladly. "Welcome to the team, Phantom.", he added, before withdrawing his hand and nodding to the other Avengers. Once he exited the room, the group let out a breath they didn't know they were holding.

"Wow. Phantom.", Kara muttered to herself, still in awe at how accepted she was feeling at the moment. "I'm officially a superhero."

"My friends, could we get a moment with Kara, please?", Vision asked, making Wanda look at him with wide eyes. "Now?", she whispered, to which the android nodded at. With a few nods, the other Avengers left the room, leaving Kara alone with Wanda and Vision.

Kara still averted her gaze, but found herself stealing glances from the two. Wanda's palms were starting to perspire, but Vision reassured her. "I think it's time you both settled what's going on between you.", Vision continued.

Kara sighed, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Wanda approaching her cautiously. "Kara...", the witch trailed off. Kara, being the stubborn girl she was, refused to make any eye contact.

Wanda exhaled deeply. "I know we haven't been on the best terms since that game back at Tony's resort.", she started, but Kara remained silent. "Things became worse when you saw Loki and I in my room, which made you assume things that were far from the truth.", she continued, bowing her head down. Kara looked up at her with an unamused expression.

"What's your point?"

"I would like to explain what really happened in that room during Seven Minutes of Heaven.", Wanda continued. Through her eyes, she asked permission to touch her temples. Hesitant but dying to know what really occurred, she rolled her eyes and nodded. Wanda smiled and let her fingers brush against her forehead, resting on the sides of her head.

"To be perfectly clear, Maximoff, I have no intentions of performing acts of intimacy with you and partake in this stupid Midgardian game-"

"An idea popped in my head, and I have a strong feeling you will like it.", Wanda cut him off this time, taking an interest in her newly-polished nails. Loki scoffed at her statement. "Mortals rarely have anything to say that catches my interest." "Well then, you're going to consider me an exception.", Wanda retorted, causing Loki to squint his eyes at her.

Wanda grinned and moved closer, with the god making one step back.

"Now... do you want me to help you and Kara or not?"

Kara froze at what she saw, looking at Wanda surprised. The witch urged her to continue watching.

Loki scoffed. "What are you, some kind of Midgardian matchmaker?", he asked, rolling his eyes. Wanda shrugged. "You like her, don't you?", she asked. In an instant, a blush crept on the god's cheeks. "Who?", he asked.

Wanda sighed in exasperation. "You know, Loki, you're highly intelligent yet can be immensely dumb at some moments." The prince's eyes widened, settling later on to squint them at her.

"I BEG YOUR PARDON?", he asked, taking full offense at her words.

The witch snickered at his reaction. "Typical Loki.", she thought.

"If you do as I say, I can prove to you she likes you, too.", Wanda persisted, now catching the Asgardian's attention. "Oh, really now?"

"Do you want to know or not?", she asked, growing impatient. "Seven minutes will be over soon."

Loki didn't want to admit it out loud, but he knew he wanted to do everything to woo his love back, even if it meant dealing with Wanda and her antics.

"All right, witch. Show me what to do." Wanda smirked. "We have a deal then."

As Wanda withdrew from Kara, she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. "The night you saw Loki in my room, he was just comforting me.", she added, playing with the hem of her shirt.

"Why would he need to confort you?", Kara asked, not really buying it.

The witch sneaked a glimpse of the android, and they both sighed in unison, much to Kara's confusion.

"Wanda and I had some sort of... misunderstanding, if you might say.", Vision responded, his fingers grazing the redhead's own.

Wanda smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, and out of all the other Avengers, I felt Loki was the only one I could talk to.", she explained. "Nat wasn't talking to me since she's with you most of the time, and I don't think the rest of the team would have time for my problems.", Maximoff continued.

"I also bugged him whenever it came to training because his powers are the most similar to mine amongst all of you. So, yeah.", she finished, finally looking her friend in the eye. Kara still didn't say a word, her eyes still boring into Wanda's own.

"Um... you okay?", she asked, to which the brunette nodded at.

"Yeah, just... processing.", Kara answered.

"Listen, I'm really sorry for the whole 'making you jealous' idea. It was really immature of me to do that. I just... I just thought it would be cute, you know.", Wanda resumed, chuckling to herself.

Kara raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't explain why you nearly killed me in the training room."

Wanda cringed at the thought. "Yeah, about that... I'm terribly sorry again. My mood was quite unstable at that time because of...", she trailed off, not knowing how to explain.

The brunette edged her to continue. "Because of?"

"My red days.", she said in a whisper, which made Vision look at them oddly.

"Sorry, because of what?", he asked.

Kara nodded in understanding, feeling herself chuckle at Wanda's awkwardness and Vision's cluelessness. "I get it."

Wanda grinned, taking her friend's hand in her own. "So... can we be friends again?"

Kara pretended to think about it for a moment, making Wanda's palms grow sweaty again.

"Please?", she begged, showing Kara her best attempt at puppy dog eyes.

The young lady sighed in defeat, finding herself giggling at her teammate. "Ugh, fine. Whatever.", she said, rolling her eyes.

"YES! Oops.", she said, immediately regretting her previous scream. "I wish I could hug you now, but you kinda have so many wires attached to you."

Kara laughed. "Yeah, maybe some other time."

Vision had a huge smile on his face as he watched the two women reconcile. "I'm glad you accepted. She's been wanting to talk to you for weeks, you know.", he stated, earning a playful smack from his lover.

A knock on the door cut their happy moment short. A creaking sound made all three look in the direction of the door, only to see a glimpse of Steve's blond hair and ocean blue eyes.

"Looks like someone needs some closure, too.", Wanda commented, making Vision hum in response.

"It appears so. See you later, guys.", Kara said, and the couple left Kara alone with the super-soldier.

Steve walked towards her bed with his hands in his pockets, a shy smile on his face. "Hey.", he greeted.

Kara chuckled. "Is that all that's in your vocabulary today, Mr. Rogers?"

It was Steve's turn to chuckle. "Sorry. Anyways, how are you?"

"Well, currently strapped to a bed with numerous wired attached to my body. Nonetheless, I feel... good. Thank you for asking.", Kara rambled, much to Steve's amusement.

"It sure seems that you do.", he continued, pulling up a chair and sitting down.

Silence filled the room for a while, and both could feel the tension in the atmosphere growing thicker.

"About what I did that night...", he started, his eyes wandering around the room. "... I really am sorry."

Kara frowned. "I put my self-interest before yours, Kara. I jumped in when I saw the opportunity that I didn't think of how it would affect you and your relationship with Loki.", the soldier explained.

"I was just... I admit that I liked you Kara, more than just a teammate.", he continued, and Kara could feel her heart rate quickening once more.

"But I guess liking someone never guarantees them liking you back." Steve bowed his head down, his hands now on his lap he felt his own heart racing.

"Steve...", Kara breathed out, trying to get him to look at her. When he did, she continued. "I think I should be the one apologizing."

Steve raised an eyebrow. "You've shown me nothing but kindness and compassion since the moment I got here. You treated me like a real gentleman, always being there when I needed help, despite my stubborn ass.", she continued, and Steve let out a laugh at her last sentence.

She then touched his hand with hers. "You have such a big heart, Steve, and I admire you for that." Rogers smiled at this.

"But..."

"But your equally-big heart belongs to someone else.", he cut her off. Kara could feel her heart tearing apart. She didn't want her friend to feel this way because of her.

She simply stayed silent. Steve reassured her by grabbing her hand and holding it tight. "I have nothing against that, Kara. The only person who has control over your heart is you. Whoever makes you happy, that's who you should be with."

Kara frowned once more. "The thing is, he doesn't make me happy. He drives me f**king crazy!", she exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Oops, language."

The captain laughed at her childishness. "Well, if he drives you crazy, then I think that's all the more reason you should be with him."

Kara fought the blush creeping on her cheeks. "Imagine how much fun that would be. No dull moments between you two, that's for sure."

The brunette sighed. "I hope he's okay."

Steve nodded. "Don't tell him I said this, but Loki proved himself to be an integral member of the Avengers."

The young lady giggled and nodded. "Sure thing, boss."

...

That night...

"Knock, knock.", a voice sounded from the other side of the door, waking Kara up from her light nap. "Yeah, come in."

In came Thor and Nat, both with huge smiles on their faces. "Lady Kara! So good to see you!"

Kara looked at him oddly. "You just saw me this morning, Thor."

Thor's laughter boomed throughout the room. "Of course. What I meant was, it's good to see you again!"

Kara shook her head, smiling at him. "Aren't you gonna greet me, Nat?"

For a second, Natasha didn't respond. She seemed to snap out of her trance when Thor coughed loudly. "Oh, yeah. Hi, Kara!"

Kara squinted her eyes at her. "Something wrong?", the brunette asked. Nat shook her head vigorously.

"Oh, no. Not at all. I just zoned out a bit. Sorry.", she replied with a shrug.

"So... any update on Loki?", Kara started, and she noticed Thor's smile widening.

"Yeah, he's still in Asgard, healing.", the blond prince responded, which irked Kara even more. "If he's still in critical condition, why are you smiling?"

"Well, it's just... comforting to know that you still... care about him.", he explained, eyes flickering from Natasha to Kara.

Kara's cheeks instantly turned red. "It's not that. I just... don't wanna lose another teammate."

Thor hummed. "Teammate, you say?", he said in a teasing tone. Natasha snickered.

"Yes, teammate. You're such an ass sometimes, Thor.", Kara retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, believe me. He is, all the time.", Nat interjected, much to Thor's dismay.

"You think you're so hilarious, b- Nat.", Thor stumbled over his words, his eyes widening. Nat had the same expression on her face.

Kara took notice of these little details, but paid no major attention to them. "They must be just horsing around.", she said to herself.

"Well, Nat and I must get going. We'll come back tomorrow.", the God of Thunder spoke, guiding Nat out of the Kara's room.

"You get some rest okay, dear?", Nat cooed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Kara smiled. "Aww, I didn't know you had such a soft spot for me."

The agent rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Good night."

"Good night."

-x-

"Psst.", Kara heard a voice whisper in her ear. Groaning, she gradually opened her eyes, only to be met with a blurry sight of red and blond hair.

When her eyes had already adjusted to the light, she saw Nat and Thor in her room, with the redhead carrying a tray of food in her hands.

"Well, you're here early.", Kara remarked, stretching her arms a bit. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Kara.", they greeted in unison, both with smiles on their faces.

"We brought you some food.", Natasha said, setting the tray on her bedside table.

"Yeah, L- Natasha prepared this herself.", Thor said, once again tripping over his words.

Thankfully, Kara didn't notice. "Aww, you didn't have to-"

"I wanted to.", Romanoff cut her off. "Anything for my best friend."

Kara could feel her heart bursting with emotion. "I feel so special right now."

Thor smiled. "You truly are, especially in Loki's eyes."

The red tint on Kara's cheeks returned. She cleared her throat and took one of the orange slices from her plate. "Really, now?"

Thor scoffed in disbelief. "Of course you are. You are all that's on his mind."

Kara continued to eat her oranges. "If you say so."

"Is he on yours?", Nat asked, her smirk growing bigger. Kara rolled her eyes. "Next question, please."

"Just a simple answer, Kara. Yes or no?", she pressed, looking genuinely interested. Kara sighed. "You're both starting to annoy me."

Thor and Nat laughed. "Come on. You know I'm your biggest shipper.", Romanoff continued, which Thor furrowed his eyebrows at.

"Shipper? Where would you ship them?", he asked, appearing to be utterly lost. Natasha facepalmed, and Kara did the same.

"Ask Barton.", she simply stated. Thor shrugged and left the room, possibly to do as he was told.

"Idiot.", Nat muttered under her breath, but Kara heard it and it made her burst into laughter. Natasha smiled at her friend's giggles.

"Your laughter is cute, you know that?"

Kara shut up instantly. "You really think so?", she said, suddenly becoming so self-conscious.

Nat nodded. "I know so. It must be one of the reasons Loki fell for you."

Kara kept quiet, not knowing what else to say.

"I've got to go. See you later, dear!", Nat suddenly stated, giving Kara's hand a light squeeze before zipping out the door.

"What was that about?", Kara asked to herself, finding Nat weird. She took this moment of solitude to finish the meal apparently Natasha had made for her.

"Didn't know she could cook.", she once again thought out loud, happily chewing on her grilled cheese sandwich.

...

A few moments later...

"Hey, how's our girl?", Stark asked as he practically barged inside the room. Behind him, the rest of the team followed.

Kara beamed upon seeing them all complete. "Hey, guys.", she greeted. Once her eyes landed on Natasha, she shot her a wide grin. "Thanks for the breakfast, Nat!"

Instead of nodding in agreement, Natasha's eyebrows met in puzzlement. "Breakfast?", she asked. The others looked at her in surprise; some even gasped. "Nat, you can cook?", Clint exclaimed in mock-astonishment.

This left Kara even more bewildered.

"Um, yeah? Earlier, remember?", Kara pushed, but it didn't seem to ring any bells in Nat's head. That's when Thor decided to step in.

"Right, Natasha. How can you forget, it happened just a few minutes ago.", the Asgardian spoke, wrapping an arm around the redhead's shoulder.

"Wha...", Romanoff trailed off, squinting her eyes at the god, who was wiggling his eyebrows and smiling quite strangely. "Errr... yeah. Yeah, the breakfast. Pssh, it's no big deal, Kara.", Nat ultimately said, adding a smile at the end of her sentence.

"Hmmm...", Kara hummed, still not fully convinced.

"Anyhoo...", Bruce chimed in. "Captain, you brought us back here for a reason, yes?" Steve nodded in response. "Right. We wanted to give you some... well, things.", Rogers continued, smiling bashfully.

Wanda was up first. "Viz and I bought some of your favorite sweets.", she said, handing the pack of goodies to her friend. Kara's eyes widened like an enthusiastic child. "Oh my... thank you!", she said in gratitude, immediately opening the bag and popping a few candies in her mouth.

"I bought you some flowers...", Steve trailed off, causing a few of the Avengers to cough and make strange noises. "Nat helped with the picking. She said chrysanthemums are your favorites.", Rogers added, handing her the bouquet of flowers. Kara was in awe of the beauties in her hand. "Aww, thats's so sweet. Thank you!"

"You do know that those chrysanths symbolize loyalty and devoted love, don't you?", Stark commented, making Steve elbow him in the stomach. "Shut up."

Everyone gasped. "Cap got angry!", Sam commented, earning a playful glare from Steve.

"I got you some comic books, since Nat here tells me you love them, especially the superhero ones.", Clint mused as he stepped forward, giving her a pair of vintage hero comics. Kara's already wide eyes felt like bursting. "I've been looking everywhere for these! Thank you so much!"

The archer smiled and opened his mouth to say something, but he was rudely shoved out of the way by none other than Tony Stark. "Move, people. The best gift is the last.", he uttered, earning eye rolls from the rest.

"I know how much you love music, so...", he started, reaching inside his jacket pocket. "...I got you this."

"OH MY GOSH, AN MP3 PLAYER?", Kara basically squealed as she took it from his hands, putting the earphones on in a rush and turning the gadget on.

"Uh-uh. Not just any mp3 player, but the latest edition.", he bragged once more, looking at her through his signature rose-colored glasses. Kara felt her mouth tearing at how wide she was grinning.

"Is it my birthday? You're all making me feel like it is.", she stated, chuckling at the end. "Thank you, Tony." The billionaire winked at her. "No problem, kiddo."

"My gift's coming soon. He- It's not ready yet.", Thor chimed in from the back of the room, an awkward smile on his face.

"What gift?", Bruce asked, whispering to Thor. The god shrugged and shook his head. "I'll explain later."

"Really, thank you guys. This is... you don't know how special you've made me feel, even though I don't deserve it after what I've done.", Kara admitted, fiddling with her fingers again.

"Oh, hush. You deserve it, especially after your heroism back there.", Rhodey said, to which the others agreed on. "Stop thinking you don't deserve to feel happy, Kara. To be honest, out of all of us, I think you're the most worthy of happiness.", Wanda added, taking Kara's hand in hers and squeezing it.

"I'm so lucky to have you all."

...

"Your tests results are improving, Kara.", Bruce began, looking at his charts. Tony analyzed the monitors of the machines keeping her stabilized. "Yeah, Banner's right. Maybe by tomorrow, you can get outta this room.", Stark continued.

This was good news for Kara. "That's wonderful to hear. Thank you, guys.", she spoke with genuineness.

A knock on the door.

"Come in.", Kara called out. Once again, Thor entered the room with Natasha by his side. "Well, you two are sure bonding.", the brunette commented, making the couple of newly-arrivals chuckle at her remark.

"Nat here...", he started, grabbing her by the shoulders. "... insisted on staying with you tonight. Says she doesn't want to spend the last night of your hospitalization alone.", the prince continued, giving the spy a light tap on the back.

Kara was biting back a smile. "Really, Nat?", she asked. The assassin nodded shamefully.

"Aw, look, Romanoff's blushing- ARGH!", Thor's mockery was cut off by Natasha removing his hand from her shoulder and twisting it. "Tease me again."

Thor pulled his hand away, pouting. "It was just a joke."

Kara and Bruce couldn't help but laugh at the scene in front of them, while Tony merely squinted his eyes at the pair, like he was analyzing them carefully.

"Well, then. I guess we better leave you two with some space. See you tomorrow, Kara.", Bruce piped up, nodding at Stark. Tony ruffled her hair in fondness, much to Kara's dismay.

"See you in the morning, you two.", Thor commented, adding a slight wink at Natasha's way. Nat's eyes widened at his actions, eyes flickering over to Kara to see if she saw.

"Wait, Thor!", Kara called out, and she could have sworn she saw Natasha stiffening up at her voice.

Thor looked at her, edging her to continue. "Any news on Loki? How is he?", she finally inquired, not meeting his gaze. The Asgardian beamed.

"Still on your mind, huh?", he remarked with a smirk. Kara opened her mouth to retort, but nothing came out, so she shut it closed again. "He's getting better, I think. Don't you worry about him."

For some reason, Kara wasn't satisfied with his answer.

"Nat.", Bruce said, acknowledging her as he made his way to the exit. Kara watched as Natasha acted strangely, settling on nodding in affirmation rather than giving his a quick peck on the cheek.

What's odd was that Banner didn't seem to mind, smiling at her as he left the room.

"Huh.", Kara remarked, deciding to drop the thought.

She observed Nat as the super-spy advanced towards her, a friendly grin on her face.

"Hey...", the redhead trailed off, and Kara merely smiled in response. "Hi."

"It looks like you're getting out of here tomorrow.", Nat stated, pulling up a chair and taking a seat with her hands neatly on her lap.

"Yeah, it seems so. Finally.", Kara replied, chuckling at the end.

It was silent between the two women for a while, but in a good way. One could say it was a peaceful type of quiet, them just enjoying each other's presence.

"Nat?", she inquired, making the other hum as a reply.

"Would you find it cheesy for me to say that I miss him?", Kara continued, catching Nat's full attention. "Miss who?"

Kara groaned. "You know who.", she replied, twiddling with her fingers. Her friend's mouth opened in an 'o' shape after a few seconds, soon breaking out into a smile.

"You do?", she pushed, leaning forward in her chair. The brunette sighed. "Not that I would admit it to his face, though."

Nat giggled and bowed her head. "It seems he's in pretty bad shape after that HYDRA incident.", Romanoff commented, and Kara let out a heavy breath. "I know. I'm worried for him."

"Why is that?"

Kara raised her shoulders. "You know, I'm having really conflicted feelings about that son of a b*tch.", she said, her tone rising.

Natasha seemed to be taken off-guard at the sudden change of her tone. "Yeah?" She could feel her eyebrows furrowing, but her lips curving into a smirk.

"I don't know how he manages to be the sweetest man on earth while also being an incredible and utter assh*le.", she rambled, emphasizing each adjective.

Natasha nodded and hummed at her words.

"I mean, he flirts with me, like a lot...", Kara continued, rolling her eyes at the end. "But then he also mocks and at times, underestimates me. Like, what the f**k does this guy really feel about me?", she added, crossing her arms and causing a few wires to get tangled up.

Natasha clicked her tongue at this and stood up, proceeding to fix the said wires. "I'd say, he has quite strong feelings for you.", Romanoff responded, looking at her straight in the eyes.

Kara scoffed. "Oh, really?", she challenged.

Natasha nodded. "And, judging by your words, I'd also say you have strong feelings for him, too. Am I correct?"

This shushed Kara in an instant. "Nat is right. I wouldn't be rambling over him if I didn't feel anything, would I?", she asked herself.

Nat still had her gaze focused on her friend. "Do you have feelings for him, dear?"

Kara gulped, her heart rate speeding up. "I-I...", she stammered, pursing her lips together. Natasha continued to look at her expectantly.

The brunette sighed in defeat. "F**k, I think you're right.", she said, running a hand through her hair. "I think I love him."

Kara noticed the wide grin etched on Natasha's face, and she could see her eyes turning wet.

"Then why don't you tell him?", Romanoff inquired.

"I think I might be too late.", Kara admitted, bowing her head down, her mind drifting off to thoughts of her and Loki together in the compound.

"If I was given the chance, I think I'd tell him, once and for all.", she added, wiping the tear that threatened to fall from her eyes.

She was too engrossed in her own sadness that she failed to notice the green light enveloping her super-spy friend.

"I'm giving you that chance, once and for all.", a deep voice interrupted Kara from her thoughts, immediately putting a crease on her forehead.

Before she could look up, she could feel her chest racing once more at the familiar sound of the voice. Her eyes slowly widened, and she could feel them bulging out of their sockets the moment her eyes met with the impostor.

"You... I...", Kara was at a loss for words. She had just poured her heart out for the man she once believed to be in Asgard, healing.

Only to realize he had been there in front if her all along.

"Kara-"

"I F**KING KNEW IT!", Loki's sentence was cut short by Kara's shrieks. She pointed her index finger at him, her eyes boring deep in his skull. "YOU ARE SUCH A TREACHEROUS SNAKE!"

"I think that's overstating things.", Loki said, only to be silenced by Kara's death glare.

"SO YOU WEREN'T IN CRITICAL CONDITION, HUH? ALL THIS F**KING TIME YOU WERE ALL RIGHT, YOU PIECE OF-"

"Now, hold that thought.", he interrupted her. "I was in critical condition two days ago. But Asgard has the best medical practitioners there, so I healed within a day.", he explained, mindful of how intense Kara's stare was.

"AND THE WHOLE THING WITH NATASHA? YOU PRETENDING TO BE HER, WHAT KIND OF F**KERY WAS THAT?", she screamed once more, and her heart monitor started to beep noisily, alarming Loki.

He grabbed her hand and tried to calm her temper, his Frost Giant body soothing Kara's agitated frame. "Deep breaths, darling. Deep breaths.", Loki cooed.

Despite being utterly mad at the man in front of her, she found herself complying, inhaling and exhaling to relieve herself.

Once she calmed down, she spitefully pulled her hand away, averting her gaze.

Loki sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I apologize for my little trick, Kara. I just... I thought you didn't want to see me yet, better yet, talk with me.", he admitted, his eyes pleading for her attention.

"I assume Wanda has explained everything, yes?", Loki pushed, trying to get her to say something. The woman didn't speak, but responded with a grunt in affirmation.

Kara, still feeling stubborn, couldn't resist stealing a quick glance from him.

"Talk to me, darling.", Loki persisted, tightening his grip on her hand.

"What else is there to say? I've said everything.", she muttered in an apathetic manner.

Loki's lips twitched up in a smile. "Indeed, you have." The brunette wouldn't admit the shiver that his husky voice sent down her spine, but couldn't hide the red tint adorning her cheeks.

The god snickered at her cuteness. "I've never known that's the way you've felt about me. It exhilirates me to hear that my well-being is always on your mind.", he added, his heart doing leaps of joy.

Kara sighed, rolling her eyes. "I hate you."

The God of Mischief's smile morphed into his signature smirk. "Well, if that is the new definition of hate...", he began, propping his two arms on either side of her legs, making the young lady lean back until the back of her head rested on the headboard.

His lips were inches away from hers, his eyes flickering from her own orbs to her slightly dry and parted lips. Kara felt her self-consciousness kicking in, licking her lips in anticipation.

"... then, I hate you, too."

Kara couldn't contain the smile on her lips anymore, mirrorring Loki's lovestruck expression. With caution, she wrapped her arms around his neck, twirling a strand of his hair around her finger.

"Well, make a move, Laufeyson."

Loki blinked, slightly in disbelief. His startled expression changed into a mischievous one the moment Kara tilted her head.

A thought crossed his mind.

"I believe this is the right time to give you this.", he uttered, a box appearing in his hand out of nowhere. Kara immediately sat upright at this.

"Loki...", she breathed out.

"Do you remember our little theme park escapade?", he recalled, and the brunette nodded frantically. Loki chuckled. "Well, I found this in one of the shops, and it instantly reminded me of you."

As he opened a box, the familiar emerald toy ring came into view, taking the words away from Kara's mouth.

"I know it's merely a Midgardian toy, and for your information, I intend on giving you jewellery much more sophisticated than this-"

"Shut up and put it on my finger.", Kara interjected, making Loki blink several times. "Oh, all right.", he stated, taking the ring in his hands and sliding it down her finger.

"It's really pretty.", she commented, admiring the store-bought ring.

"Imagine the one I'll give you on our wedding.", Loki remarked, eyes intently on hers. Kara's heart was galloping at his words.

"Is... is that a proposal?", she inquired, freezing for a moment.

"An informal one, if you may.", he replied. "For now, you wearing this signifies that you're mine, and mine only."

The young lady gushed at his words, and could feel herself blushing at his protectiveness.

"It's a deal, then.", Kara mused, her hands resuming to their original position.

The god grinned. "Oh, it surely is.", he uttered once more, before sealing their conversation with a much-anticipated passionate kiss.

Loki's hands gripped her hips possessively, earning a gasp from the woman in his embrace. "Pardon me. I've been fantasizing about doing this for two days."

As the god deepened the kiss, Kara found herself smiling into it, his confession only fuelling her admiration for the prince even more.

"When you're out of these wires, I swear by the heavens, I will ravish you-"

"Loki!", Kara exclaimed, several giggles escaping her lips.

"What's that? We heard someone screaming- oh, sh*t.", Sam asked, walking in on the pair and instantly regretting it. Covering his eyes, he waved them off as he shut the door. "Um, carry on."

Loki, obviously annoyed, flicked his finger and locked the door. Kara traced his jawline with her finger, making him face her. "Where were we?", he asked, mischief evident in his tone as their lips moved in sync once again.

..................

Stay tuned for the epilogue.

- lou