"Aand he got loong two ho'nss. But *hic* but Thor got feathwes... Ya know him?" Rose asked, twisting a lock of Loki's hair, her eyes half-closed.

Loki was carrying her on his back (piggyback), her legs securedly wrapped around his waist and arms around his neck. She kept mumbling about 'Loki', her face in the crook of his neck and sometimes played with his locks as she is doing now.

He could have teleported to the Tower but he knew Rose's stomach wasn't so strong to tolerate the sudden displacement. On the other hand, Loki was enjoying every moment of it. He had missed her scent, touches and warmth.

"Yes. I do know him. He's a big buffoon." Loki answered, as he continued walking.

"Ya talk 'ike Loki *hic*... I've a sec'et. Pwomise ya won't tell him." Rose slurred, not having the complete control over her own words and mind.

"Secret? What secret?" Loki thought. "I promise."

"I filled his he'met with jello...hehe..*hic*hehehe... not Thor...sssh! Don' tell him." Rose giggled. Loki couldn't help but laugh at her adorableness and silly behaviour.

He had stabbed Thor for it. Not that he regrets it. He enjoys stabbing the God of thunder.

They finally reached the tower. Rose was clearly not aware of it as she continued her blabbering and giggling throughout the way. But her voice was now low, almost murmurs. Loki knew that she was sleepy and tired and that increased his walking pace.

As soon as they entered the living room, they were greeted by the Avengers who were on their feet seeing him and his rider on his back. He signed them to keep their voices down as he gently placed a half-asleep and still mumbling Rose on the sofa.

"She is drunk." Loki said before anyone could say something.

"And why the hell is she drunk? Who allowed her to drink?" Bruce asked, a bit angry. Rose didn't look good. Her cheeks were flushed. She was whimpering and couldn't open her eyes.

Natasha noticed Tony gulping. "Jarvis dim the lights." She said and walked near Tony to wrap her arm around his neck. "Maybe Tony has something to say to us, right?"

Tony groaned as all the eyes turned on him. "Alright! I gave Lucy two bottles from my store. It's a party afterall."

"And which one you gave her Stark?" Bruce asked, glaring at him.

Tony gulped again. "...sunset rum."

Natasha and Bruce's eyes widened. Thor just kept sitting beside a weirdly smiling and dozing Rose, listening to the argument with rapt attention.

"God! You know right how strong that drink is? And how much did she drink Loki?" Natasha asked staring at Loki.

"More than half a bottle."

Bruce slapped Tony's back. "Then how didn't she pass out? And she should have-" before he could complete his statement, Rose's eyes flew open and she threw up on the floor.

"...puked..." Bruce completed.

Thor and Loki kneeled beside her as she continued to heave and giggle and hiccup. Thor rubbed her back while Loki held on her hair out of her face. Tony quickly brought a glass of water which Loki held it to her lips till she gulped it down. With a swipe of his hand, the mess vanished.

Rose looked up at the team and scrunched up her nose, her eyes glassy but the pupils were less dilated than before.

"Argh! Why are there two-two of eveweone?" She asked, rubbing her eyes. "And... where ish Tom Hiddle'ton? Imma *hic*I gonna marry him..." She mumbled, grinning widely.

"Take her to her room. She needs sleep." Bruce said, touching her clampy cheeks.

"Oh no no no." Rose shook her head, pouting. " First I shay...and ya all lissten." She shrugged off Thor's hand and stood up, swaying. "Gawd! Why 'm I on a boat? Oh! Hii Loki! Missh me? Loong time noo see!" She waved at Loki smiling and tried to walk near him. Her legs wobbled and she would have crashed if Loki hadn't leaped and catched her.

"Loki take her to her room fast." Tony said, rubbing his face. "And I'm really sorry kid. I shouldn't-"

"Bah! Lishten to me Mr. Sta'k! I mus' tell ya somethin'..." Rose quipped, pushing Loki away. " 'm very happy today! But..." She trailed off and looked at Loki, her eyes softening. "But...he makess me sad." She said pointing to Loki who looked away from her eyes, feeling somewhat guilty.

"He huwt me and...and 'm sad. I dunno why he's pushin' me away and 'm sad."

The room fell silent. Thor stood up. The Avengers exchanged worried and confused glances and stared at the conflicted duo.

Rose was drunk. She was spilling her heart out.

Rose grabbed Tony's arm to steady herself, her shining eyes fixed on the dark haired God. "Why are ya doing thish?... I miss ya... Come back pwease... 'm 'eady to ssay sowee." She held her ears, her eyes brimming with tears. "Jus' come back..." She took an unsteady step, a tear trickled down her cheek.
"I neeed ya... with...." She trailed off, clutching her head.

The room swirled and the ground seemed to slip from beneath her feet. Everyone in sight blurred and the next thing she felt was her back hitting the floor, hard with a thud.

She couldn't acknowledge the full pain of the fall as her eyes had started to roll back of her head. And within the few next seconds, she passed out. Loki was instantly on her side, cradling her limp body and avoided everyone's gaze.

It was Natasha who broke the silence.

"I hope you do know what she was trying to say, Loki." She said, her voice too calm and composed.

"Can't we...talk about it later please?" Loki pleaded, still not looking at anyone.

"It has been more than a week Loki! We didn't force you two thinking that you would let us know about the matter. Or maybe even solve it. Now how many later do you need now?" Tony spoke up, his voice high and rough.

Loki kept quiet, his head low.

"Just say it Loki! Since a week we noticed that you are growing distant. You barely talk to anyone. Sister doesn't smile like she used to do. Even if she does, it's not a real one. She didn't even eat ice cream! Can you believe that? Everytime we asked, you ignored our questions. BROTHER WHAT'S THE MATTER? ANSWER-

"WILL YOU ALL BELIEVE ME IF I SAID THAT WHATEVER I'M DOING IS TO JUST KEEP HER SAFE?" Loki yelled back, his pale face pink now. He gently placed Rose's head on the ground and stood up to face them. "WILL YOU ALL BELIEVE ME IF I SAID THAT I'M PUSHING HER AWAY JUST TO KEEP HER AWAY FROM POSSIBLE DANGERS? TO KEEP HER SAFE FROM THE MONSTER I AM? I'M AFRAID! I'M SCARED OF HURTING HER! I'M SCARED OF LOSING HER! I'M SCARED BECAUSE I LOVE HER!"

Everyone's eyes widened and then softened hearing what Loki has just screamed out.

"You love her?" Tony asked softly to Loki who was breathing heavily now.
"Yes...yes I l-love her. I-I-I love her a lot. I wish I could-I could erase the feelings but it's too strong...too strong. I'm scared..." Loki's voice broke, as he plopped down on the ground, his head dropping into his hands.

Loki knew how vulnerable and weak he looked at the moment but he couldn't stop himself from shaking. Thankfully, Thor came to his aid. He kneeled beside his little brother and engulfed him in a warm hug. Thor didn't care if Loki returned the hug but he knew that Loki appreciated it.

After a minute, Loki had his facade under his control. He pulled away from the hug. "I'm taking her to her room..." Loki mumbled, picking up Rose in his arms as gently as he could. Before he could leave, Tony stopped him.

"Tuck her in and take rest. I'll talk to you after Steve comes." Loki nodded and left the room quickly. Bruce sighed softly and sat on the sofa.

"He still thinks himself as a monster... We've to do something about it." Tony said, staring at the direction Loki left.

"I don't think we can do anything, my friend Stark." Thor mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Nat asked.

"We can't make him believe that he's not a monster. I and mother tried it before too but in vain. He still blames himself for the deaths of hundreds. He hates his Jotun traits..."

"We can't let him suffer for it, Thor. He was mind controlled. And what's that erm... Jotun you said?" Bruce asked.

"I will say about it later my good friend. But I know someone who can help him."

"Who?" Tony asked.

"Rose." Natasha and Thor replied together.

"She will help him. But for it, we need to patch them up together. Someone should talk to Loki about it." Natasha suggested.

Tony nodded. "Leave it to me, Tasha. Just wait till Steve returns."

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

Loki placed Rose on the bed and positioned her head on the pillow properly.
He leaned down to kiss her forehead and sniffled.

He clasped her hand in his and brought it to his lips, eyes brimming.

"I'm so sorry my love. I don't know what should I do? I never wanted to hurt you. Never. But you can never be mine. You and I are parallels, we can never meet. But oh, oh my love... I love you so much." He sniffled.

He kept sitting, holding her hand till his ragged intakes of breath subsided and then teleported back to his room.

•~~••~~∆••∆~~••~~•

"Where are they?" Steve asked as soon as he entered the living room.

Tony was sipping his coffee with Thor and Bruce. He jumped up seeing him.
"No good morning? Woah Capsicle!"

"It's serious Stark. Where is Loki?"

"Maybe he's asleep." Thor replied. "Afterall it's 4 in morning." Bruce added.

"We need to talk to him. Come with me." Steve didn't wait for their reply and started walking away. The rest shrugged before following him.

"Shouldn't we knock, gentleman?" Tony asked Steve.

"No." Steve replied briefly, turned the knob and entered the room.

But instead of facing a sleeping Loki, they found him sitting on his window, his back turned towards them.

"Loki?" Bruce called his name but got no response. Thor walked near him and touched his shoulder. Loki jerked and snapped his head towards Thor.

"What? Why are you here?" He asked, alerted.

"We need to talk. Get down here." Steve spoke up.

Loki got down and faced them. They were taken aback by what they saw. His eyes were dull and distant, cheeks cracked, face paler. He looked tired.

"Didn't you sleep boy?" Tony found his voice first.

Loki smiled. "Couldn't sleep. You wanted to talk?"

Steve nodded. "Lucy told me something. I want to know everything about the fight in details."

•~~••~~∆••∆~~••~~•

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? A DREAM!? IT ALL HAPPENED JUST BECAUSE OF A DREAM!?" Steve yelled, shocked but stopped when he saw Loki flinch.

"It wasn't an ordinary dream. Heck! It wasn't even a dream. It was a nightmare...full of ominous visions and it ended with her death. It was soo real..." Loki tried to make his point.

"Boy, I too have nightmares. Pepper's dead body floats in front of my closed eyes. But that doesn't mean that I distant myself from her. If I push her away from me, then how will I protect her in the times of need?" Tony spoke up.

"But-"

"If you want to keep her safe, stay with her. Protect her, brother. Don't close yourself. It's hurting her more."

"And you can't give up just because of a dream. Mentally, Rose is very fragile. We all support her. We give her all the loves and care we can because we know that she needs it. She's not at all matured like most of the girls of her age. Even Lucy is more matured than her. She needs the attention Loki. And most importantly, she needs you." Bruce said, sighing deeply and then continued.

"I remember the day when you and Rose were declared as an Avenger. She was soo happy. I asked her if she liked us...if she liked to stay here with us. Her answer just broke my heart... she said her life was too good to be real. That she's afraid that one day when she wakes up, she will find herself back in Hydra. Everything will disappear leaving her alone to deal with pains and tortures. Do you understand? She's still scared, unsecured... broken. And frankly speaking Loki, you broke her further." Loki's breath hitched at Banner's last four words. Thor tried to intervene but Steve stopped him.

Captain knew what Bruce was trying to do.

"Don't get me wrong Loki. I don't mean to hurt you by saying these things. I know that your sole motive was to keep her safe but unfortunately, your plan backfired. I don't know if you have noticed or not but she has stopped eating properly. As Thor said earlier, she didn't even eat ice cream. Do you think that she's well? Tell me Loki, do you think that it's a good thing?"

Loki shook his head slowly, gulping down the tears and rising bile.

"Don't you think you should talk to her and apologize?"

Loki nodded, his breathing heavy.

"Now will you talk to her? Heal her? Can you do it Loki?"

Loki nodded again.

"I want to hear you boy."
"I-I will."

Tony smiled at Bruce and Steve patted his back thanking him.

"I know you can Rudolph." Tony rubbed his back, trying to calm him down. "I know you can..."

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

Rose woke up with a splitting headache and muscle cramps. She couldn't focus on anything and the light of the sun seemed too bright for her.

"Ahh! Finally I'm dying. But why...am I dying?" She groaned, rubbing her temples to ease the killing pain. "Maybe I was run over by a truck..."

Someone knocked at the door.

"Rose?"

"Come in..." She croaked out and then groaned. Her stomach was paining too.

Steve entered with a glass of water and a small tray. "Had a good sleep?" He asked sitting beside her.

"I dunno. Ugh! My head pains." She whimpered.

Steve chuckled. "Serves you right. Next time don't drink that much."

Rose furrowed her brows. "I drank?... when did I- Oh! Right! Gosh!" She moaned. "Did I do something stupid?"

Now it was Steve's turn to look confused. "You don't remember anything?"

Rose thought for a moment and then croaked out. "No."

"Nothing at all?"

"Nothing at all. Just blank...why? Did I do something? Have I killed someone? Is that bitch dead?" Rose blurtered out, worried.

"No no. You did nothing stupid. Just relax Belle. And are you talking about Alexa?" Steve laughed when she nodded.

"I just hate that-" Rose stopped abruptly as a strong wave of nausea hit her. She clasped her hand over her mouth, rushed towards the washroom and emptied her stomach. Steve was instantly on her side, rubbing her back and pushing back her hair from her face.

"Finished?"

"Yeah I think-" And then again. Steve got up and brought a wet towel while Rose heaved and coughed, kneeling over the toilet.

"I won't drink again." She mumbled. Steve wiped her face clean and steadied her wobbly legs while she rinsed her mouth.

"Take it." Steve handed her two pills. "Tony's special pills for hangovers." Rose smiled and gulped them down with water.

"Do I need to stay with you?" He asked but Rose shook her head, sitting on the bed.

"No. You can go. I'll be fine."
"Sure?"
"Yep."

Steve kissed her cheek and left the room. Rose tried to recall something from previous night and all she could remember was Alexa flirting with Loki. How her face was so close to his last night.

"Fuck that bitch. Fuck Loki. I don't fucking care." Rose cursed through clenched teeth.

But deep inside she knew that she was lying to herself.

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

Rose was in the kitchen, making waffles for breakfast. The pills were a boon to her. The headache, muscle cramps and stomach ache just vanished. And if she gets those pills after every hangovers, she is ready to get drunk again. It was fun.

Rose turned around and frowned. "Where are everyone? It's 9:30 in the morning. They should have been here by 9..."

Meanwhile...

"C'mon Loki. Go and talk. Don't keep standing here like a pole." Natasha pushed Loki but he was too nervous to move.

"I can't go... No no... I'll try after lunch. I-I mean after dinner."

Thor grinned. "You look so adorable while shuttering, brother."

Loki conjured up a dagger and before Natasha could stop him, he stabbed Thor. "Aaah!!!" Thor yelped in pain.

"Now try to piss me off oaf, you'll have more of my daggers sticking out of your barrel like body..." Loki snarled.

"Loki focus!" Nat snapped. "Do you want Thor to go and talk to her?"

"Oh yes! I can do-"

"NO! Never! Shut up Thor!" Loki interrupted an excited Thor.

"Then you go and do it mister. Don't delay further. Go go!" Natasha and Thor pushed Loki out of their sight and huffed in relief.

"Hope it goes well..."

•~~••~~∆••∆~~••~~•

Loki found Rose humming and flipping the pan over fire. She was making something and it smelled good. His stomach rumbled.

"How the hell will I talk to her?" Loki thought, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. Rose however was unaware of his presence. She was too busy in making the batter when...

"Rose?"

Her hands stopped moving. Her humming ceased. Her body tensed. Heart thudded. Mind started whirling. All after hearing that voice she wanted to hear and avoid the most at the same time.

She didn't turn around.
Pfft... She couldn't turn around.

Loki gulped and cleared his throat. "Rose... I... I mean I... want to talk to you..."
Rose clutched the granite slabs so tightly that her knuckles were almost white.

Jesus please make him go away...

"Rose I know that... I know that I have hurt you but...but trust me I had my reasons. I.. just turn around please." Loki tried his best to keep his voice steady.

After a deep breath, she turned and faced him, her aqua-violets locking with his emaralds. Loki found his tongue tied.

"You wanna say something sir?" Rose asked, her face blank.
Loki nodded quickly.

"Off with it. Don't waste my precious time." His eyes widened a bit. She is throwing his words back at him.

"Rose please listen to me. I am really sorry for whatever I-" he stopped when Rose raised her hand.
"You came here to apologise?" Loki nodded again.
"I don't need it sir."
"Rose I have my reasons... Just hear me once!"

Rose cocked her brow. "You have your reasons! Interesting! And you want to apologise too! Mhmm...well, come here sir." She called him, near her.

Loki did as she said.

He knew that she didn't remember anything about her drunken pleadings. Steve had informed him about that.

"Take the plate." Rose said, pointing to a white plate made of glass. Loki took it without any questions.
"Now drop it."
"What?" He was really confused now. What is she trying to do?

"I said. Drop it."

He did, after a pause of hesitation. The plate crashed and broke into pieces with a loud clatter.

"Good. Now say sorry to it."

Loki stayed silent. He realised what she was trying to say. He could taste the familiar taste of bile in his mouth as his heart threatened to break his ribs.

Rose placed her hands on her hips, her lips pressed into a thin line. She felt something bubbling inside her- it was either anger or frustation. Or both.

"What are you waiting for, huh? Say sorry to it! Tell it your reasons! Tell it that you didn't mean to break it! Do it!" Rose yelled, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Loki's silence just acted like the salt to her wound.

She gritted her teeth and pushed him, back. "Move away Loki. Don't show fake care and all. Enough of those! It hurts...did you hear that? IT FUCKING HURTS! AND I DON'T WANT ANY MORE OF IT!"

She roughly wiped away the tears that has escaped her eyes and turned back to continue with her cooking.

Loki just stood silently. Her each words felt like slaps on his face. Her words stunged. But he knew that he deserved all of it.

Rose continued sniffing when Loki tapped her shoulder gently.

"Umm... you should see this..." He murmured. Rose turned to find him holding the plate that was broken before.

"I fixed it... Sorry?" Loki asked, his eyes big with expectations.

Rose laughed.
And then sobbed.
And then both laughed and sobbed together.

"You think...you think that everything can be fixed and mended by magic, huh? How can you be so...so damned clueless and silly?" She chuckled, tears spilling from her eyes, as she rubbed her temple.

"Go away lest I'll spank you with this hot pan sir. And I'm dead serious about it." She growled and went back with her batter mixing task.

Loki being Loki kept standing there, watching her attentively.

"Now where the hell is the sugar?" She muttered, fraustrated. She spotted the container at the top rack. Fuck!

"Which smart brain decided to keep it up there?" Rose groaned, jumping but the container was far away from her reach.

"I can help you..."

"No you can't help me!" Rose snapped at the trickster. "I don't need your help!"

Loki watched her jumping up and down till she decided to climb the slabs.
Loki couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Stubborn chick...

As Rose struggled to climb up, Loki just lifted up his hand and brought down the sugar container. Ignoring the growls of the girl, he picked her pulling up her arms and placed her down only to be kicked at his shin by her.

"Oww!"

"Don't you dare to touch me, you weasel!" Rose spat angrily, standing up and pushing Loki away. Loki lifted up his hands in surrender.

"Alright! As you wish!"

Then suddenly, the alarms of the tower blared on and the rest of the team entered the room.

"Loki! Get ready! There's an emergency situation! " Steve announced, already in his costume.

"Who's staying behind with me?" Rose asked.

"Sorry sis! You have to stay alone today. We all are needed there." Nat said, strapping her guns.

"Very well... Just come in one piece, okay?" Rose smiled worriedly, hugging everyone except Tony and Loki. She hopped near Tony and kissed the side of the mask where his cheek should be. "Be safe Mr. Stark."

"I'll kiddo."

"You won't wish me luck?" Loki asked, as his formal shirt and trouser changed to his fighting armour.

"No I won't." She replied briefly.

Her heart skipped a beat when she noticed a look of hurt flash in his eyes but she kept her angry facade up. The rest felt uncomfortable and they hurried out of the room.

"Does that mean you won't mourn over my death?"

"Enough Loki!" Rose yelled, her breathing heavy. "Stop spewing shits out of your mouth. I-I don't care! If you come back with a broken bone, I promise I would kick you at that particular spot. Now get out! Others are waiting!"

Loki's lips became a thin line as he turned away to move out.

Rose clenched her fists.  I shouldn't have said those things...

"Goodbye Rose..." Loki muttered, standing at the door.

"Go away! I don't care! Just keep it in mind Loki!" Rose yelled, and stomped away towards her room, tears trailing down her cheeks. Loki sighed deeply and left to join his team.

Rose knew that she was lying to herself again.

Oh! Only if the poor girl knew that how roughly fate is going to teach her her lesson.

Finished!!! How was the chapter? I do hope you like it. And there's a little surprise for ya all... ehehehe 😅 especially for my sweethearts VioletD63 marvelbunch5 and LarasSecreteLife...
Dear marvelbunch5 I'm gonna make you happy 😋
Just wait till the next chapter... Ehehehe Bu-Byee darling readers!!!