So he is Alex. 👆🏻Isn't this guy cute? I find him cute! :D
But don't worry, my crush is only two... And you know them. I don't need to repeat their names... :p
Enjoy!! (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

A week later...

Rose was invited to Lucy's house to meet someone including some good news she has to give Rose.

"Meet Alex Stevens. He's my childhood friend. He's a well known vet." Lucy introduced a boy to Rose. The boy was so cute and tall with glasses on and a bright smile on his face.

"And this is my lovely bestie cum sister cum everything, Rosabelle or Rose." Lucy pointed at Rose.

"Nice to meet you Alex." Rose extended her hand, smiling but Alex grabbed it and pulled her flush against his chest. "Hi babe!" He whispered against her cheeks, a shiver ran down her spine.

Rose looked up at his eyes and groaned to find them glazed. Lucy understood the situation and without wasting a second, she pulled Rose back and smacked the hypnotized boy hard on his face.

"WOAH! OWW! What happened? Why did you slap me?!" Alex yelped rubbing his cheeks, the glaziness disappearing.

"I didn't slap you! I just high-fived!" Lucy yelled back, defending herself.

Rose smacked her arm and turned to him. "It was a fly. Leave it now..." She smiled sweetly.

"Oh, right." Alex nodded slowly, still confused.

They sipped their tea and continued chatting. After discussing about her powers, the topic somehow shifted to family. "Yeah, I have a sister. Alexa. She's a model." Alex informed Rose.

"Why didn't she come?"

Alex shrugged and smiled sadly. "She...umm...we don't get along with each other."

"Oh!" Rose nodded her head as Lucy signed her to drop the topic.

"So, you are an Avenger? And is it true that the...New York guy has joined the Avengers?"

"Yes. Loki has redeemed himself and has joined the Avengers. And as for me..." Rose didn't know what to say. She has fought just one mission and then suspended. Is she really an Avenger? "... I'm a junior Avenger." She completed and smiled tightly.

Lucy raised her brows in confusion. Rose has not said her about the suspension. It's too embarassing.

"And this silly and Captain America...are they really together?" Alex grinned. Lucy coughed, glaring at him while Rose chuckled.

"As surprising it may seem but yes...they are." Alex still looked dumbfounded.

Their attention was caught by a loud purr as Pom entered the room, swaying her tail. She hopped towards Rose and rubbed her body against her legs.

"Awee! Hii Pom." Rose cooed as she picked up the cat and placed her on her lap.

"Rose, remember some good news I was going to tell you?" Lucy asked, winking at Alex.

"Yeah. What was it?"

"Isn't Pom different?" Rose frowned at her question and looked at the still purring cat. "She's heavy and a bit fat around her belly. And her nipples are...darker!...Is she?" Rose looked at the smiling duo expectantly, her heart beating hard with excitement.

"She's pregnant!? PREGNANT!!" Rose squealed. Alex nodded, grinning and Rose hugged the cat lovingly. "Ah baby! I'm so so much happy for you! Congrats new mum!" She scratched in between her ears which made her purr louder.

"How many?" Rose asked, smiling widely. Alex held up four fingers. "Four."

Rose laughed softly. "Oh I'm so excited for her! When will they come?"

"It has been than three weeks so umm... Maybe within the next month." Alex calculated.

Suddenly Rose's phone rang. "Excuse me guys." She got up and went out to pick her phone.

"Yes Mr. Stark?"
"We have been assigned a task regarding you. We need you here." Tony said from the other side.
"Alright. I'm coming as quickly as possible."
"Good kiddo. See you soon in the training room. Bye."
"Bye Mr. Stark."

After hanging up the call, she entered the living room to find Alex and Lucy discussing something.

"Guys, I've to leave. There's some work." Rose said as she hugged Lucy.

Lucy frowned. "Belle, you're leaving too early!" Rose smiled.

"Sorry sis. Mr. Stark called and I can't keep him waiting."

Next she shook hands with Alex. She tried to avoid hugs and all except for her Avengers male family. She doesn't likes all those touchy things with other males. But to her surprise, Alex engulfed her in a warm hug.

Rose tensed and gingerly returned the hug. Surprisingly, the hug felt good.

"It's really nice to meet you dear." Alex said as they pulled back from the hug.
"Likewise Alex." Rose smiled. Then suddenly something striked her mind.
"Can I ask you something?" Rose asked. Alex smiled widely.

Jesus! He's so cute!

"Anything Belle."
"Umm...can I help you with your job? I mean, as I can talk with animals and birds and heal too... I-I just like the job. I don't need any salaries or something. I'll just help you. For time pass. You-"

"Say no more Rosie. You're always welcome in my clinic." Alex smiled warmly, his bright sapphire eyes boring into her now violet ones. He took out a card from his wallet and handed it to her. "Here's the address and my phone number."

Rose squealed. "When do I start?"

Alex chuckled. "Anytime..." He leaned and kissed her cheek making her tense and blush.

This flirter... Lucy rolled her eyes.

"We will meet again right, pretty girl?" Alex grinned. Rose nodded, blushing again. What the fuck! Why am I blushing?!

"Byee guys!"
"Bye sis!"
"Bye Belle!"

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"So you mean that I've to demonstrate my new power as per the order of SHIELD?" Rose asked, scratching her nose.

"Jesus! She's so smart!" Tony mocked.

"Tony, stop it. So Rose, what does it do? The new power?" Steve asked, a notepad and a pen in hand.

"Umm..." She thought for a moment. "It sucks the energy and sometimes the life out of the opponent."

Tony clapped his hands and snatched the notepad and pen from Steve. "That's just... great!"

Natasha walked out of the training room and came back with a dahlia pot.

"Use it on this." She said keeping the pot on a table.

"Natasha! We don't want to handle Bruce's green ass at the moment. It's his favourite plant." Tony said, pushing away the pot.

"Don't worry about that. I can handle him... and his green ass." Natasha smirked and the rest broke out into a short laugh.

Rose closed her eyes and focused on her head as she felt a familiar warmth tingle in her palms and fingers. Just when the tingling sensation increased, she opened her eyes to find her hands glowing bright orange. She focused the warm energy towards the full bloomed dahlia flower and within the next few seconds, the plant lay dead and charred.

"Woah! You killed the plant!" Steve patted her back as she rubbed her forehead to wipe off a few sweat beads. Tony scribbled something on the notepad and snickered but before Steve could peek, he hid it.

"Well done Belle. Now try the same on Steve." Nat announced.

"WHAT!?" Rose yelled, shocked at the stupid command. As if on cue, the same infamous, inauspicious, restless feeling started to surge inside her.

"Yes. Don't worry. He can-"

"No Nat! No! I can't! He can get hurt or...worse!" Rose tried to show them the possible dangerous outcome but failed.

"You worry too much Belle. Nothing will happen to me. I have the Super Soldier serum running in my veins. I have more resistance than a normal human. So no need to worry." Steve winked at her. "Just do it."

Rose groaned internally at his stupidity and threw pleading glances at Tony and Natasha bit they just waved their hands, encouragingly.

"Oh Lord! The source of all knowledge, truth and wisdom. Help a poor helpless girl like me, at the moment." Rose murmured, praying before closing her eyes and sucking in a sharp breath.

The familiar tingling sensation returned to her hands and this time her whole body was engulfed in the orange glow. She forced out the surge bubbling inside her and aimed her hands at Steve. She shot a beam at him making him stagger at the sudden force.

"Captain? Ya' all right?" Stark asked. As an answer, Steve showed gave a thumbs up.

But Rose was not at all fine. Her brain, as if was burning and pounding inside her skull. She gritted her teeth as the flow intensified and so did the stabbing pain in her head. It was not paining when she sucked out the life out of the plant but as Steve had more energy in him, it was giving her a hell more trouble.

On the other hand, Steve could feel that he has started to grow weak. Black dots started to appear before his eyes as he raised a shaking hand to signal that he's done. That he couldn't take it anymore.

"Rose! Stop now. It's done." Natasha yelled but the girl couldn't stop. Rose screamed as she crashed on her knees, the flow of the power increasing. It was out of her control.

"Stoop!" Steve cried out as he fell flat on his back with a loud thud, squirming in pain.

Blood started to drip from her nose as she screamed again at the top of her lungs.

The pain in her head was like someone was drilling a hole into her skull. Or Thor was repeatedly banging Mjolnir on her head.

"Rose! Stop it!" Stark yelled, worriedly as Steve had stopped moving. Finding no other options, he aimed his repulsor at her and fired a beam that hit her hard and made her slide away from her spot. The flow was broken.

Tony rushed towards Rose while Natasha hurried towards Steve.

"Kid! Dear, can you hear me?" Tony panicking, as he patted her red and clampy cheeks. The hit from the repulsor has left very small red spots on her right cheek while the blood continued to trickle from her nose, down her left cheek. Rose groaned loudly and cracked open an eye.

"S-steve?"

"His heartbeat is too slow. He's pale and very cold." Natasha yelled, her voice breaking with worry as she cradled Steve's lolled head.

"Jarvis, call Bruce. Fast!" Tony ordered as he rushed to Steve's immobile body. Rose dragged herself near him, whimpering.
"Already done sir."

"Oh no! No! No! What have I done? Oh God!" Rose sobbed, wiping the blood of her nose with the back of her hand, that smeared it all over her left cheek. "Lucy would never forgive me. Steve please get up!" She cried, clutching his cold hand.

"Kid, you're not well. Calm down." Tony tried to pull her away but she swatted away his hands.

"I-I did it. I'll cure him." She chocked out as she placed her, now white glowing and shaking palms on either side of Cap's head.

"No Rose! Bruce is coming! He'll do it! You-" Natasha was interrupted by Rose's loud cry. Blood started to drip down her nose again as she let out a painful heartbreaking scream.

The colour started to return to Steve's cheek as Rose continued to heal him with her left energy. It was draining her but she had to do it.

Steve's right hand twitched and his brows furrowed.

As soon as he let out a sharp gasp, Rose collapsed beside him, trails of blood trickling down from her ears and nose.

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A loud, painful groan escaped her lips as Rose fluttered open her eyes only to close it again. She felt so weak. Everything especially her head was paining like anything. It seems she has been run over by a bus again and again. She cracked open an eye but again closed it. The bright lights from the ceilings and the sun were hurting her eyes.

Dammit! Someone switch off the sun and lights.

"Ceiling man, dim the lights please."

She peeled open her eyes as she recognised the voice.

The silky, velvety and deep voice.

The voice she missed so much and craved so hard to hear it again.

She turned her head to her side slowly only to meet with a pair of bright dazzling emerald orbs.

"Hi..." He said softly smiling, his eyes never leaving hers.

"L-Loki!?"

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In Asgard...

Loki stood leaning on the railings of his balcony, munching on his chocolate almond bar. More four lay in his pocket. He stared at the garden that looked so beautiful and fresh in the morning. Well, not only the garden but the entire Asgard is beautiful.

It's the land of the Gods afterall.

"Rose would drool and faint if she sees our marvellous realm. I wish I could bring her here and show her the place where I had spent my childhood." He thought out aloud. "If possible, I'll keep her with me and protect her. No Hydra will ever dare to reach her, let alone touch her." He smiled. "I'll give her the life she deserves."

"Who deserves what brother?" Loki turned around to find Thor smiling at him, standing at the door.

"From when were you standing there?" He asked, as Thor stood beside him.

"I just entered and heard you muttering." Thor shrugged and grabbed two bars of chocolate from Loki's pocket.

"Hey!"

Thor grinned. "Sharing is caring, Loki. Don't forget that."

"It is only mine!" Loki scowled.

"Ah! Ah! It was yours dear brother. You know that you can't get it back. So speak, whom were you mumbling about?" Thor asked, tearing the wrapper.

Loki sighed and proceeded to reply but Thor interrupted him.

"Let me guess... Rose." Loki smiled making Thor shake his head and laugh. "I knew it brother! I knew it! So, what were you thinking?"

Loki stuffed his mouth with the left chocolate and slowly chewed, savouring the taste before answering Thor. "I want her to show Asgard. She would be so happy and...excited! I want her to enjoy here with us, forgetting her past and future. I want her to live a normal carefree life." He finished, smiling widely.

Thor draped a hand over his shoulder. "Brother... you love her, right?"

Loki snapped his head towards Thor. "W-what? No! Never! I mean-"
"Loki."
Loki huffed. "I'm afraid... I do Thor. I mean I don't know if this is the actual love or not but...Ugh!" He groaned, fraustrated. "I don't know."

"Brother." Loki looked at Thor who had a serious face. "Let's have a heart to heart conversation, ok?" Loki nodded and they sat on the nearby bench, facing each other.

Thor bit back his smile seeing how troubled and confused Loki is... His little brother is.

My cute little brother. In love! Thor couldn't help but smile which ticked Loki off.

"Why are you grinning like that, buffoon?" He scowled at Thor who shook his head, chuckling.

"No. Nothing. Just thinking how small you used to be. My little whining brother." Loki flushed and glared daggers at Thor who raised his hands in surrender, laughing. "Haha! Oh! I'm sorry! Calm down!"

"We are here to discuss something and if topic is this, then I am leaving."Loki got up to leave but Thor grabbed his wrist and yanked him back on the bench.

"No wait! Let's be serious." Thor coughed, clearing his throat and put up a serious face again. "Just listen to what I am saying, ok?" Loki nodded.

"The way you smile out of no reason. The way you giggle during an important discussion. I know that you're thinking of her." Loki stared down at his boots, suddenly very shy.

"I've seen how your eyes take on a dreamy look when you talk about her." Loki blushed slightly, chewing on his bottom lip.
"Brother dear, you love her."

Suddenly Loki's smile was replaced by a frown.

"I don't want to continue this Thor. I-I am afraid. What if she doesn't reciprocate the same feelings for me? And the first time I fell in love..." He looked at Thor with gloomy eyes. "You know the rest. I'm damned sure that she will freak out if she sees my true form. The thing is that this type of emotions are not for me. Love is not my thing, Thor."

Thor smiled sadly. Loki opened up his heart to him. After so many years, it seems like he has got back his shy and mischevious brother. He felt his eyes stinging.

"She has a big and pure heart, Loki. Filled with hopes and kindness and love. Don't forget that she was the one who saw what you are behind that arrogant and cruel facade. She was the first who offered you her friendship. As much I know, she has never fallen in love before. I don't know if she feels the same for you or not but then again I'm not sure that she doesn't love you. Maybe she is more confused and nervous than you are. Afterall it's completely a new thing for her."

Loki kept quiet. Thor placed a hand on his knees.

"I feel that you two are made for each other. She has changed you Loki. Mother, father and I are so happy about it! You both deserve one another." Thor took his hands in his. "And forget about that woman. She never deserved you. We all knew that but then again, when was that you listened to us? You even proposed her for marriage! But this time..." He squeezed Loki's cold hands. "I support this relationship. What was the Midgardian term...umm...Ah! I ship both of you. Surprisingly, even mother ships it too!"

Loki snapped up his eyes at Thor. "Mother!?"
Thor grinned. "Yupp. She knows."
"And... Allfather?"

"...he still thinks that you should not engage yourself with a mortal but don't worry. Mother promised she'll take care of that. You just don't let her slip away. I can't bear to see her with some other man instead of you."

Loki smiled slightly and nodded. "I'll try to confess. But at the right moment, Thor. Don't argue about it." Thor nodded and they stood up.

Loki hesitated and then wrapped his arms around Thor, engulfing him in a warm hug. Thor was pleasantly shocked and blinked away the tears as he hugged his brother back.

Thank you sister! I owe you a lot for it!

"Let's go and eat something." Thor suggested, after breaking the hug.

"Yeah sure! I'm hung- AAHh!" Loki cried out in pain and clutched the pendant. It was hot and vibrating and glowing brightly. Loki's head started throbbing slightly. His heart was drumming so fast and hard that he feared it might break his ribcage.

"Loki!" Thor called his name, alerted. "Are you well? Why is this-" Realisation dawned on his face as he stared at Loki's now pale face.

"Sister?" Thor asked, gulping.
Loki nodded.

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"Please father! Let him go! Sister needs him!" Thor pleaded. Odin studied Loki carefully who was breathing heavily and shifting his legs. That's when something caught Odin's eye.

He stood up and stepped down from the throne, walking towards Loki. He grabbed Loki's collar and then the pendant. Odin's eyes went wide.

"Is this...the soul joiner?" Odin asked, his voice low. Loki gulped and nodded slowly. "Yes Allfather."

Odin studied the pendant. The dark green crystal was fastened to the chain with three gold straps. The wearer of the three gold strapped crystal is the host.

Loki had connected his soul with Rose. A mere mortal.

"Do you HAVE any idea WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, YOUNG MAN?" Odin yelled at his face, making him cringe.

"Her life is full of dangers Odin. I just did what I thought was right at the moment. I did it to protect her. She's under my care. Why aren't you happy about it? You should be happy that a monster like me is caring for someone and is taking someone's responsibility! Why can't you be proud for-" Loki abruptly stopped and then pried open Odin's fingers from the pendant.

"Oh sorry! I forgot! I can never make you proud... Hah! Waste of time." Loki shook his head, chuckling.

Odin clenched his fist. He knew that Loki was correct. And that made him more furious. Thor sensing the tension decided to step in.

"Stop it Loki! Don't forget about sister! And father, please drop the topic for now and let him go."

Odin huffed and waved his hand. "You can go but remember... We'll talk about it when you come back."

Loki nodded and after patting Thor's back, left for Heimdall's observatory.

Odin sighed and rubbed his temple. "Why is he so suddenly interested about the Midgardian?"

Thor just grinned from ear to ear. His grinning striked the realisation in the old king's head!

"By the name of Norns! Frigga is correct! He's in...." Odin gasped as Thor chuckled loudly.

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Loki POV

As soon as I landed on the terrace of the tower, I teleported out of the door of the leaving room. With a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped in to find Natasha and Tony pacing, worry etched into their faces. I awkwardly cleared my throat and the heads turned followed by surprised gasps.

"Loki!" Natasha rushed and hugged me tightly. "You alright?"

I nodded. "Yes. Where's Rose?"

My heart skipped a few painful beats when she turned away her gaze. "Let's sit down first. We can-"

"Natasha." I interrupted her. "Where is Rose?"

"Bruce is attending her. Now please sit down." Stark said, grabbing my arm.
He looked aged with worry.

"Bruce is attending her? Why? What happened? Is she fine? Can I meet her?"

"Loki, stop."

"Stop!? How can-" I trailed off when a weak looking Steve entered the room.
"Loki?" He hugged me tightly.

"Yeah. What happened to you? You look so... exhausted." I studied his pale face.

He avoided my eyes as guilt filled his face. "I almost had my life drained out." He answered.

What!?

"Please for the love of Valhalla, just spit out what happened actually!" I yelled, my heart becoming heavier and heavier with each passing moments.

"SHIELD had asked for a report on her new power. We forced her to use it on Steve. She tried a lot to stop us but we are a group of bloody stupids. The power went out of her control and it sucked out Steve's energy and almost his life. I had to shoot her to break the flow. Steve was half dead. And without paying heed to our warnings, she healed him that made her condition worse. It drained her out completely." Tony finished with a shaky breathe.

A hot wave of fury washed over me as I stood up, fists clenched and shaking.
"FUCK THIS SHIELD! FIRST THEY MOCK HER SANITY AND THEN THIS! HOW DARE THEY! THEY WILL SURELY FACE MY WRATH NOW-"

"Loki?" My shouts were interrupted by Bruce who stepped in the room with a worried look. We all rushed towards him.

"How-how is she?" Tony shuttered. Bruce shook his head. "In a semi-stable condition. Healing Steve has worsened her condition."

A soft gasp escaped Steve's lips as he rushed out of the room. Natasha quickly followed him.

My throat tightened. "Can I...can I see her? Please Banner." I practically begged.

I shouldn't have left her here, alone.

"I.. alright. Come." He waved his hand and started walking away. I followed him and entered the infirmary room.

As soon as my eyes fell on her unconscious figure, my heart dropped to my stomach. I collapsed on the chair beside her bed.

Her usually, neatly braided hair was now tousled up. Her skin was void of any colour. I've never seen her so pale. Something curved box like thing covered her nose and mouth that has some tubes attached to it. Her left cheek was smeared with dried blood. Her lips dried and chapped.

I took her hand in mine and bit back the sob. They lack the warmth. A similar tube was attached to her hand but it supplied some fluid.

Her face was so calm and expressionless.

"When will she wake up?" I asked softly, although I knew the answer.

"It entirely depends upon her body system. I don't know... Maybe within a few hours or... I'm afraid she can slip into...coma too. Her body is very weak and frail..." Bruce trailed off and placed a hand on my shoulder.N"You want to stay?"

I nodded quickly. I won't leave her again. No. Not again.

"Call me if needed." And with that, he left.

I brought my gaze back on her face, something stirring inside me. I was hurt and angry.

Angry at SHIELD for being such lowlife assholes.
Angry at the Avengers who agreed with that SHIELD.
Angry at myself for not being here at that time to help her.
Angry at her for being so stupid and reckless.

"What was the need of healing Steve? Bruce would have done that! What was the need for you to jump in and drain yourself, huh?" I rubbed my temple in frustration. "I-I know that you have that damned golden heart. But that doesn't mean that you'll do such foolish things and then end up like this! "

I felt so helpless at the moment. I once wished a happy and excited Rose to welcome me when I return here. I blinked back my tears that threatened to fall down.

"Pudding...wake up please. Wake up." I kissed her cold palms, my voice breaking. "Please wake up..."

Damn! This is the longest chapter I have written till now!! I tried my level best. I sincerely hope that you liked it! Please don't forget to vote and comment your opinions... I'll update soon my plumps...
Love ya 3000! Take care!!