Loki stood in the kitchen, searching through the cupboards for stuff he thought Peg and her friends would enjoy. Obviously, they didn't have a working microwave or refrigerator, so he mostly searched for snacks.

He threw whatever he could find in a grocery bag and started to leave when, of course, he was stopped.

"Where you headed, Snake?" Katie asked as she walked in.

"Don't call me that," Loki grumbled. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Wondering what you're doing leaving the tower so early," Katie said.

"None of your business," Loki spat.

"You know, if it's your goal to get everyone to trust you, you're really failing at it," Katie said. "I doubt anyone will like that you're sneaking out at 6:30."

"They don't need to know," Loki mumbled.

"That's even more suspicious!" Katie said. "Wow, you suck at this. And what's the bag for?"

"Why do you care?" Loki muttered.

"Are you stealing from us? I'll kick your ass if you are," Katie said, crossing her arms.

"No!" Loki hissed. "It's- It's for something."

"For what?" Katie asked.

"None of your concern!" Loki yelled, starting to get pissed off. For Asgard's sake, why can't you leave me alone?!

"Yeesh, careful there. Don't wanna wake anyone up with your obnoxious screaming," Katie said. Loki glared daggers at her. "Look, just be home before 8? If anyone wakes up and you're randomly gone, there's gonna be hell."

"Yes, yes, I know," Loki mumbled, going to leave. You better not tell them, or there really will be hell.

◇◇◇

Peg sat in the kitchen-well, their petty excuse of a kitchen-listening to music through her mother's old iPod.

She knew Loki would be here sometime today, and she guessed he would have to get up early to come see them if he didn't want the Avengers knowing what he was doing. I'd assume he wouldn't want them knowing what he was doing, Peg thought. He said he wouldn't tell them about us.

Even though she hated getting up early, she figured today would be an exception. Loki was bringing food to them after all, something they'd been short on since they got to this city.

Things hadn't exactly gone well for the gang since they came to New York. Resources seemed so much harder to find in such a big city. Not to mention the constant threat of being hunted down by the police-or the Avengers.

Truth be told, Peg had looked forward to the day they'd finally be able to leave this city and move on somewhere else-somewhere the lab back at home would never be able to find them. But we know Loki now... she thought. Could we really just leave him like that?

Maybe we could convince him to come with us. He'd be able to protect us... no, we can't do that. He has friends already, he wouldn't just leave them for some group of kids.

She didn't know why, but in a way she felt attached to Loki. Like, having to say goodbye to him would be one of the most heartbreaking decisions she'd have to make, and she'd already made plenty of those.

Is it really the best idea to leave?

Then, she heard a knock on the door. Peg quickly turned off her music and got up. She was about to open the door, but got skeptical.

This might not be Loki. What if it's one of the Claws of Progress?!

"Loki?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, it's me," Peg heard his voice reply. She sighed in relief and opened the door. "Hey," he said, smiling at her softly.

"Hey, Loki," Peg said, returning the smile. Loki walked in and set the bags he had brought on the table.

"Are the others still asleep?" he asked.

"Yeah," Peg said. "I figured you'd be here early, so I got up."

Loki nodded. "I got you guys some breakfast," he said, motioning to a Jack in the Box bag. Peg's eyes lit up.

"Thanks," she said gratefully. Loki smiled.

"No problem," he said.

"Should I go wake up the others?" Peg asked. Loki nodded. Peg turned and walked off into their bedroom.

Since they couldn't afford beds, the group just used a bunch of old blankets to sleep on. It wasn't very comfortable, but it was all they had.

Peg knelt down by Shadow and gently shook his shoulder. "Hey, get up," she said quietly.

Shadow tiredly tried to push her away. "Peg, what time is it?" he groaned.

"Early," Peg said. "Loki's here. He got us breakfast."

"He did?" Shadow asked softly. Peg nodded. "Alright. I can wake up the others."

"Thanks," Peg said. She got up and walked back to the kitchen. Loki was taking the food out of the bag, setting it on the table. "The others are getting up," she said.

"Alright," Loki said. Peg went at sat at the table.

"Y-You didn't have to get this for us, you know," she said softly. "I-I mean, I wouldn't want you wasting your money. The snacks would've been good enough."

"Well, I assume you guys haven't had a proper meal in a long time," Loki said. Peg looked down.

"Well, only if we steal from someone who conveniently bought enough MvDonalds or something that could feed all of us," Peg said.

"And when was the last time that happened?" Loki asked.

"Uh-"

"Exactly," Loki interrupted. "You're kids. It isn't healthy for you to not be getting enough food."

"And where did you learn all this?" Peg asked.

"I happen to know a few kids in the Avengers," Loki said.

"Oh really?" Peg asked. Loki smiled and nodded. "You should tell us more about them," Peg said.

"Maybe I will," Loki said softly.

◇◇◇

The group now sat at the table, eating their breakfast.

"Slow down, Mist. You're gonna get sick!" Shadow warned his sister.

"Hey, you know how I get when I'm hungry," Misty said, sipping some of her milk. Loki gave them a confused look.

"Is there something I should be aware of?" he asked. God, I'm probably being nosy. But, I can't help worrying about them. What is happening to me?

"Uh." Shadow and Misty shared a glance. "She has fast metabolism," he said, smiling awkwardly.

"Oh, alright," Loki said. Must have to do with her powers, like Peter.

"A-Anyways," Breeze said. "What are the Avengers like? Besides being superheroes and such."

"Well, I'm sure you already know most of them," Loki said. "Like Tony Stark."

"Isn't he like the leader?" Misty asked

"Er, not exactly?" Loki said. "I mean, he mostly gives orders along with Captain America."

"So it's like a team effort?" Misty asked.

"Basically," Loki said with a shrug.

"Alright, so Iron Man and Captain America are the leaders," Peg said. "Then there's Hulk, Thor, Metal Guy, Fast Guy."

"Hawkeye," Shadow added.

"Black Widow," Breeze said. "Uh, there's a magical lady I think."

"You guys really don't know that much about us... do you?" Loki asked. The kids collectively shook their heads. "Alright, well- First of all you forgot Spider-Man."

"Oh, I almost forgot he existed," Misty said. Loki shook his head and chuckled softly.

"I've seen him around a few times," Shadow said. "Just kinda, swinging around and stuff."

"He mostly does that for fun," Loki chuckled.

"I mean who could blame him? That shit looks awesome," Misty said.

"Yeah, until you miss where you're shooting," Breeze said. "Or your web snaps. Or someone shoots you out of the sky-"

"Breeze, stop being so negative," Shadow said.

"Anything can happen!" Breeze said. Peg rolled her eyes.

"So who else is there?" Peg asked.

"I'm pretty sure this 'Fast Guy' you're mentioning is Quicksilver," Loki said.

"What's he like?" Shadow asked.

"An asshole," Loki muttered. Peg giggled.

"I guess he pranks people a lot?" she asked.

"Yeah, way too much," Loki said. "I honestly don't know how he's related to his sister. She's Scarlet Witch."

"Right. Magical lady," Breeze said.

"They're related?" Shadow asked. Loki nodded.

"They're twins," he said. "Though, to be fair, you two look more like twins than them."

Shadow glanced at Misty, and the two giggled softly.

"The other one is the Winter Soldier. He's the one with the metal arm," Loki said. "He seems to be really attached to Captain America for some reason."

"Gee, I wonder why," Misty said with a smirk. Shadow gave her a confused look.

"What?" he said.

"Er, nothing. I'm just- I'm just saying," Misty said.

"So, is that everyone?" Breeze asked softly. Loki thought for a moment, then remembered Katie.

She's not that important anyways, he thought bitterly, still upset with how she's been treating him recently.

"That's all of them," he said.

"They sound amazing," Peg said softly. "Sometimes I think about using my powers to save people, but-"

"Peg!" Breeze hissed. Everyone seemed to look scared. Peg was confused for a minute, along with Loki.

"Oh," Peg said. "I already told him about our powers."

"You what?!" Shadow yelped. "Peg, we- we made a promise-"

"He's an Avenger!" Peg said. "He's trying to help us! It wouldn't be fair keeping secrets."

At that moment, Loki suddenly felt guilty for lying about Katie. Not like it would be a good idea to tell them now.

"Sh-She's right," Misty said softly. Shadow sighed, and Breeze still looked unsure.

"Well, I-I guess you already saw my powers," Breeze mumbled softly. "I can control weather, and make rain and snow and wind and stuff."

"I can turn invisible," Shadow said. He stood up, and his body soon faded away.

"Wow," Loki said, rather impressed. He glanced at Misty, who just seemed to be smiling at Shadow. "What can you do?" he asked her. Misty looked up at once.

"I- uh.. I-I don't like to talk about it..." she mumbled.

"Oh," Loki said. "That's alright. I don't want to to force you." Breeze places his hand on her shoulder. Misty smiled and rested her hand on his.

These kids must've been through a lot together, Loki thought sadly. I wish there was more I could do.

He knew the best thing for them would be to bring them back to the tower and ask for them to live there. The others would understand. Who knows, they might trust me more for helping these kids out.

But I can't do that. Peg doesn't want anyone else to know about them. I'm not gonna be selfish.

"There are other heroes out there, besides the Avengers," Loki added. "Though the only one I've heard of is Dr. Strange."

"He seems... strange," Misty giggled. Shadow sighed.

"I only met him once," Loki said. "I'm not all that fond of him."

"Oh god. What did he do?" Peg asked.

"Trapped me in an endless vortex of space for 30 minutes," Loki answered. Misty snorted.

"Wow, what an asshole," she giggled. Loki smirked.

"I'm guessing he's another magical person?" Breeze asked. Loki nodded.

"Oh! And I forgot to show you my own powers," he said, getting up. Loki started to make himself glow green, and suddenly transformed into a cat.

"Holy shit," Breeze said.

"You can shapeshift?" Peg asked.

"Oh, I can do more than that," Loki said with a smirk. He lifted his paw, and a dragon suddenly appeared next to Shadow.

Shadow jumped and quickly tried swatting the dragon away, but his hand just went right through it.

"Wow," Peg said.

"Dammit, now I'm jealous," Misty whined. "Our powers suck!" Loki noticed her wince slightly, but decided not to say anything about it.

"They're still useful though," Loki said, transforming back into himself. "You can still do such great things."

"We don't use our powers much," Breeze said softly.

"We can't risk anyone knowing we're here," Peg added.

And there was that voice in Loki's head again, saying, Bring them back to the tower already. They're better off there.

"I'm sure things will be better off one day," Loki said softly.

"I hope so," Peg mumbled. Loki sighed.

"Well, I think I should be heading back to the tower now," he said.

"Already?" Shadow asked.

"I have to get back before everyone wakes up and sees that I've disappeared," Loki said with a smile.

"Alright," Misty said. "Bye, Loki."

"Cya," Shadow said. Breeze just waved.

"Bye, Loki," Peg said softly, smiling up at him. Loki smiled back.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," he said, going to leave.

◇◇◇

The moment Loki got back into the tower, Bucky was in the kitchen, grabbing himself a bowl of cereal. He looked up.

"Where were you?" he asked.

"Out," Loki muttered. Bucky stared at him for a moment.

"Well tell us where you're going next time," he said, walking away to sit on the couch next to Katie.

Katie looked up at Loki and shrugged. Loki rolled his eyes and walked away.

I don't need to tell you shit, he thought bitterly. Because I have friends who understand me better than you ever could.