Peg held onto Shadow's hand tightly as she levitated themselves on top of building with a forcefield. Shadow was keeping them invisible to make sure no one would see them. Once they landed, Shadow let go of Peg as she let down the forcefield.

"Man, the view up here is amazing," Peg said softly, sitting at the edge of the building. Shadow sat beside her.

"For how chaotic this place is, it is pretty," he said. Peg sighed softly. She adored how the city practically glowed at night. "So," Shadow said. "I think now is a good time to discuss the past few weeks."

Peg gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?" she asked softly. Shadow looked at her.

"I mean Loki," he said. "It's just... something about this whole thing feels weird."

"He's helping us," Peg said. "I mean, we haven't found who we've trusted this well since Trixie..."

Shadow went quiet for a moment, and Peg sighed. Trixie had been one of the few people to help them on their journey here, and she knew Shadow had gotten close to her in the that time.

"You trust him well," he said.

"And you don't?" Peg asked.

"I think he's a good person," Shadow said. "But you're not being careful here. We've only know Loki for a few weeks, but you act like you've known him your whole life."

"Well it feels that way," Peg said. "The moment I met him, he was so kind and caring. H-He really seemed concerned about us, Shadow."

"And you don't find that suspicious?" Shadow asked.

"What, you think he's a Claw?" Peg asked. "He's proven multiple times he's an Avenger!"

"Have you ever seen him with the Avengers?" Shadow asked.

"Well.. well no," Peg said. "But we hardly see the Avengers anyways! Hell, we barely knew most of them by name before Loki told us about them."

Shadow sighed. "There's still the possibility that the Avengers are working with the Claws."

"That's ridiculous," Peg said. "The Claws wanted to experiment on us when we were kids! Why would the Avengers ever support that?"

"You never know," Shadow said. "I mean, you remember how Trixie's sister ended up being one of them."

"Yeah, but by then her sister wasn't there to hurt us," Peg said. "And besides, Trixie protected us when the rest of her family was associated with the Claws. Even if the Avengers were for some reason teamed up with the Claws, how do you know Loki isn't like her?"

Shadow was silent, then sighed softly. "We can't be sure," he said. "Just because Trixie was a genuine friend doesn't mean Loki is. I'm just worried, alright?"

"I really don't think there's anything to be worried about," Peg said. "He's done so many good things for us. I know we have every reason to be suspicious of people who help us, but... I really feel like he cares about us."

"Well, if he doesn't, then hopefully we'll at least have enough strength to get out of here soon," Shadow said.

"You still think we should leave?" Peg asked softly.

"You don't?" Shadow asked, looking at her.

"I-I don't know," Peg said. "I was looking forward to leaving for so long, but... now that we know Loki-"

"Peg, we can't just stay because of Loki," Shadow said.

"No, let me finish," Peg said. "Just, f-from the way he talks about the Avengers... it feels like he's trying to make it sound like he enjoys being part of them, but a lot of the time it just feels like he's annoyed with everyone he talks about." She paused. "I don't think Loki's happy with the Avengers."

"Well there's not much we can do about that," Shadow said softly.

"I don't want to just leave him," Peg said softly. "I-I don't want him to be another friend we leave behind..."

Both of them were quiet for a while.

"I had an idea that if we do leave, we could ask him to come with us," Peg said. "At first I thought it was stupid, since had already had friends. But the Avengers don't seem like friends to him. I'm sure you've noticed that too, right?"

Shadow nodded slowly. "Yeah, I have," he said.

"So, maybe he will come with us," Peg said.

"I-I don't know," Shadow said. "I mean, Trixie-"

"Trixie had a mother that she loved and cared for," Peg said. "She had a home and friends that she wasn't willing to give up. Loki seems like he's perfectly willing to give up being here. I have a feeling that he really would come with us if we ask."

Shadow sighed. "You really trust him this much?" he asked. Peg smiled and nodded.

"I do," she said.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask," Shadow said. "But, if he does say no... you have to promise me that you won't keep us here."

Peg sighed softly. "I-I promise," she said. Shadow smiled.

"Thanks," he said softly, wrapping his arm around her. Peg smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Even when they had their disagreements, the group still cared for each other. Peg sighed softly, knowing that no matter what decision they made in the end, they'd get through it together.

◇◇◇

Katie walked into the living room and glanced over, only to find Loki taking stuff out of the cupboards once again. She sighed in annoyance.

"Where does all that stuff go anyways?" she asked. Loki jumped and quickly turned around.

"Leave me alone for once," he hissed.

"Look, I've let this go on long enough," Katie said. "I'm sick of you running off to God knows where, with our food, and making me cover up for it. You better tell me where the hell you're disappearing to!"

"It shouldn't matter!" Loki hissed.

"Well it does," Katie said. "You're sneaking off with our food, you're making me keep it a secret, and you won't even tell me what you're doing!"

"I- Look, I can't, ok?" Loki said. "I would like to tell you, but I can't. Now leave me alone." He started to walk away.

"Wh- Can't?!" Katie said. She grabbed Loki's arm, stopping him. "What the hell do you mean you can't?"

Loki glared at Katie and shoved her away, though she managed to grab onto the couch so she wouldn't fall.

"And you wonder why I don't tell you things," he hissed coldly. "This is why! Because everything I do, everywhere I go, everyone I talk, you just have to know about it! You claim that you trust me, but you don't, because if you did, you wouldn't have to know every move I make!"

"And why do you think that is?" Katie hissed. "You think everyone's just gonna magically forgive you for you stupid attack with your stupid army?! You killed hundreds of people! Of course everyone is suspicious of you, because you fucked up a ton of people's lives! We're trying to trust you, Loki, but you're making it so fucking difficult!"

"I NEVER WANTED TO BE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Loki shouted. "I didn't want to be an Avenger. I didn't want your fucking trust! Hell, I probably would've been better off on Asgard, but now that's gone! I was forced here and you're making my life a living hell!"

"Because you killed people!" Katie argued.

"So did Bucky," Loki hissed. "And so did Natasha, and the twins, and Tony Stark. All of them have killed people, Katie, but you chose to torture me!

"Last I checked, you didn't have your memories wiped when you attacked New York!" Katie hissed. "They've all proved themselves, Loki, but you still act like a spoiled little bitch!"

"Because no one bothers to give me a chance!" Loki yelled. "You gave them a chance, but not me!"

"We would, but-"

"Don't give me that shit!" Loki hissed. "Tell me, Katie, are you afraid of me?" He glared down at her. "Do you think that any moment I might attack you, might kill you?"

Katie just stared at him, a disappointed look on her face. "I didn't before," she said. "Now I'm not so sure..." She turned and started walking off.

Loki scoffed and grabbed the bag of food. He walked into the elevator, only wanting the comfort of his real friends now.

◇◇◇

As soon as she heard a knock on the door, Peg quickly got up and went to open it. Loki was there, as always, but this time something seemed off about him.

"Hey, Loki," Peg said, smiling at him.

"Hey," Loki said softly, returning the smile. He pulled her into a tight hug,

She was a bit taken aback at first, but it wasn't long until she hugged him back. "Come on," she said, leading him inside.

The others were quick to greet him, but he just smiled at them softly. Peg couldn't help but feel worried.

Is he sick or something? God, I hope not.

Shadow and Misty started sorting through the food, putting it away while Loki sat at the table, staring off into space.

"Hey.. you alright?" Peg asked softly, sitting next to him. Loki nodded.

"Yeah," he said. His voice seemed to waver a bit. He buried his face in one of his hands and he sniffled softly.

"L-Loki?" Peg asked quietly. Tears started running down his face as he cried softly. Peg glanced at Shadow and Misty, who both looked confused and worried. "Loki, what's wrong?" Peg asked, pulling him into a hug.

Loki held her tightly, crying into her shoulder. Peg frowned. What could have gotten him so upset?

Shadow slowly walked and knelt by Loki, rubbing his back. "I-It's ok," he said softly. "Whatever happened, we're here for you now."

"Wh-What did happen?" Breeze asked softly. Loki tried to speak, but just cried more.

"It's ok, take your time," Peg said softly, holding him close.

Eventually, Loki managed to calm down a bit. "O-One of the Avengers tried to stop me from coming earlier," he mumbled. "We got in an argument, and I got stressed, and-"

"Hey, hey," Misty said softly. "It's ok... why were they trying to stop you?"

"Because they're getting suspicious of me leaving everyday," Loki said. Peg and Shadow glanced at each other.

"Loki... the Avengers aren't your friends, are they?" Peg asked softly. Loki went quiet. "Y-You can be honest," Peg continued.

Loki shook his head. "I hate them," he muttered. "Th-They all treat me like shit."

Peg frowned softly. "I-I'm sorry," she said. "You don't deserve that." Loki just seemed to look away from her.

"Hey... me and Peg wanted to ask you something," Shadow said. "And, well, now seems like a good time to ask."

Are you kidding? This is the worst time to ask! Peg thought.

"Yeah?" Loki asked softly.

"Well, we've been wondering about leaving New York," Shadow began. Already, Loki looked devastated. "B-But, we didn't want to leave you behind," Shadow quickly continued. "And... Peg noticed that you never really seem happy when you talk about the Avengers, so..."

"We wanted to know that if we decided to leave, you would come with us," Peg said.

"H-Hey, no one told us about this," Misty said, motioning to Breeze and herself.

"Yeah... a heads up would've been nice," Breeze said quietly.

"Sorry," Shadow said. "But-"

"Sorry?" Misty asked. "Y-You guys are out making decisions without us? I thought we were a group."

"W-We never got around to telling you.." Peg said softly.

"Are you... sure about this?" Loki asked quietly. "It's just been you four for years.. y-you don't need me anyways..."

"Yes we do," Peg said. "You're important to us, Loki. You've helped us, a-and you care about us."

"Everyone else who cared for us got left behind..." Breeze said quietly. Peg looked down, remembering all their former friends that weren't able to come with them. "I... I'm done leaving people we trust," Breeze said. "I want you to come with us, Loki."

"Misty?" Shadow asked.

"I-I-" Misty stuttered. "We've never tried doing this before... every time we ask, we always get told no. And what does he think about this?"

"Well, one thing's for sure," Loki said, "I'd much rather be with you than the Avengers."

Peg's eyes lit up. "S-So you'll come with us?" she asked.

"Well, when do you plan on leaving?" Loki asked.

"Maybe in a couple weeks?" Shadow suggested. Loki smirked.

"I can get us out in a few days," he said. "But, one more thing. If we do this, the Avengers will be after us. A-Are you sure you're up to this?"

"Ah, we've been running from things our whole lives," Misty said. "If you're ok with this, then what could one more group of weirdos do?"

"So... you'll really come with us?" Peg asked.

"Of course," Loki said, smiling softly at her. "If I'm going to stay with anyone, it's going to be the people I truly care for."

Peg quickly hugged him tightly. "Thank you!" she said, feeling a sense of safety as Loki hugged her back. The others soon joined in on the hug.

We did it, Peg thought happily. Now we'll never have to leave Loki's side.