You jolted awake at the sound of your extra loud alarm. You had set it to the loudest possible annoying noise you could find for the morning after the full moon. You tended to oversleep from passing out after the full moon. Unfortunately, you had a test in your 9am class or you'd just skip today. Sure you would. You were on a scholarship, you wouldn't skip unless you absolutely had to. Instead, you slapped the alarm to make it shut up and growled about the whole hour of sleep you'd gotten that night. It wasn't nearly enough sleep.

It took a moment to remember last night and briefly wondered how you'd gotten to your bed in your room. The last you remembered, Loki was carrying you through the woods. The woods were quite far away from your bed. Granted, it was a safe assumption that he'd carried you to bed too.

The alarm sounded again and you snarled at it. You'd set quite a few alarms for this morning to make sure you didn't miss the test. If you didn't hurry, though, you weren't going to get breakfast and that wasn't acceptable. So you detangled yourself from the blankets and blushed when you sat up and realized that you were still wearing Loki's cape as your only article of 'clothing'. You knew that between it and the blankets, you had remained perfectly covered. Loki wouldn't have allowed anything else. He was too much of a gentleman.

So you swung your legs out of the bed and stood to go find some real clothes quickly, your mind more focused on finding breakfast than anything else. You hadn't eaten enough over the last two days and needed to make up for it now that the full moon was over. So you ended up cursing very loudly and creatively when you took a step and your ankle buckled and threatened to dump you on your face instead of holding your weight. You clutched onto the nightstand to keep your balance until you could convince your stupid ankle that it was going to hold your weight.

You cursed again, but with a little work and care, you managed to get the ankle to support you. You also noticed it had been expertly wrapped and bandaged. You smiled at the thoughtfulness of whoever had done it, again most likely Loki. You dressed quickly in jeans, a t-shirt, and a too-big hoodie. You had to swap your normal gym shoes for combat boots. For now, though, you carried the combat boots with you. You hated wearing shoes inside unless you absolutely had to. At least the combat boots were tall enough to offer some extra support to the injured ankle. You'd still be limping all day.

You left your room, glad Cap couldn't hear you curse, and made your way toward the elevator, your school bag on one shoulder and combat boots in hand. A door opened down the hall and you turned to see who else could possibly be awake after only an hour of sleep. Unsurprisingly, it was Loki. You waited for him to catch up with you. It only took a moment for him to rush over. "Why are you out of bed?" he demanded, looking like he was going to throw you over his shoulder and carry you back to bed if he didn't get a good enough explanation.

"I have class and work. I can't miss another day of work and I have a test today, so I really can't miss class," you reminded him. He didn't look appeased. "I have responsibilities and a life outside of the Avengers," you reminded him. "I can't just skip out on those responsibilities,"

"You're injured," he protested softly. He looked upset, bruised by your injuries.

You nodded, softening and trying to be patient with him, though you didn't have time this morning. "I am, but I will heal. Yes, I'll limp today and curse Jareth's name for being an abusive asshole, but I won't risk my scholarship or my job just because of a little pain. I'm a werewolf, I can handle a little pain. I need to be able to be self-sufficient, so the pack can't try to force me to come home as easily. I need a degree and a job for that," you reminded him as the last emergency alarm went off on your phone. You dug the annoying thing out of your pocket and shut off the alarm, while you sighed over your dwindling time for breakfast.

"Very well. I will not stop you, stubborn puppy," he replied pleasantly. You looked up at him from your now silent phone, suspicious. It wasn't like him to give in that easily. He grinned at you, noting your suspicious look and took your bag from you, courteous as usual as he slung the bag onto his own shoulder. That wasn't so bad. You nodded and turned to head toward the elevator to finally get breakfast, glad he was being reasonable.

He wasn't being reasonable.

The next instant you were in his arms.

"Loki!" you shrieked indignantly. He chuckled and proceeded toward the elevator. "I'm perfectly capable of walking," you reminded him, but didn't struggle against his hold. You didn't want to hurt him or be dropped.

"I am aware of that," he replied pleasantly.

You glared at him. "I'm grateful for your assistance last night, but I'm not helpless,"

"I know you are not. I saw you fight last night. You were perfectly proficient and probably would have won on your own, or gotten to safety, had you not been concerned for protecting me. I am supposed to protect you. I was in the woods, we were all in the woods last night, to find you and make sure you were safe and not alone, not feeling like a monster because of the wolf. I was supposed to protect you..." you heard the frustration in his voice.

"And you're upset that I protected you from Jareth and got injured in the process," you supplied. He nodded brusquely, obviously upset and fighting to reign in his temper. "Lo, you couldn't risk being bitten or scratched, that had you at a severe disadvantage in a fight against a werewolf. The fact that you were in that fight was dangerous enough, especially when you're not a wolf and not comfortable in that skin." He gave you a look at that. "I saw you move and fight. You don't know how to do either effectively as a wolf. You didn't grow up as one like we did. You still helped me anyway and made a huge difference in that fight,"

"You don't have to flatter me," he grumbled, stepping out of the elevator on the main floor. You shook your head.

"I'm not. You did help. It was still stupid, but you did help," he didn't believe you and felt awful that he hadn't protect you. You saw it in his expression. "Loki... I'm a werewolf," you reminded him, and sighed. He wasn't getting it. "Put me down so we can talk properly," you ordered him firmly. He grumbled about it, but set you on your couch and settled on his end of it. At least you were on even ground this way, though you mourned the breakfast you were skipping for this explanation.

You sighed, gathered your thoughts, and tried to figure out how to explain werewolves to someone who wasn't one. "Just because I'm a tiny female and an Omega doesn't not mean I'm helpless, or need protecting like the submissive wolves." He watched you intently, realizing that you were explaining something he obviously wasn't understanding properly, and listened patiently without trying to interrupt. "Alphas are the dominates of the dominates. One Alpha rules the pack, his will is law and in an ideal world everything he does is to protect all of the wolves in his care, not as individuals, but in the needs of keeping the pack itself safe. The dominate wolves protect the submissive wolves. Dominates feel the need to fight and protect, their first instinct is always to fight and defend. Submissives will fight if they're cornered, but fighting isn't their first instinct, they are the heart of the pack and will negotiate before fighting if they are confronted.

An Omega is outside of the structure and hierarchy, we bring peace and balance to the pack, bring happiness by being annoying puppies," he smiled at that, "we take care of the others emotionally, but we also have the same tendencies as the Alpha, we fight for the good of the pack, but not the pack as a whole like the Alpha does, but for each individual of the pack and their needs. We want to protect and take care of the heart of our pack. We won't fight for dominance, or anything silly like that, but we will stand up to the Alpha to fight for what is right for the people, for our family.

So yes, while my main job resembles that of the submissives, and I feel like one to the dominates, including you and all of the team who all have Alpha personalities...except Bruce... I'm not. I'm a fighter too, I just fight for and defend the individuals of my family, and I don't mind taking an injury to do so. And last night? Last night you were my pack to protect," you told him softly. He was deep in thought at your words, and shocked by the last. You smirked and leaned up to steal a kiss. You let him continue to ponder what you said while you tied on your combat boots, making sure the one on your injured ankle was extra secure. You stood from the couch and took a couple tentative steps. The ankle would hold a lot better with the extra support. You still limped and it hurt and you cursed Jareth with every step, but you'd survive.

You made your way to the kitchen and filled your school bag with as many granola bars and poptarts as you could fit in it. You tore into a granola bar and tossed one to Loki. He was back on his feet again, waiting for you at the door to the kitchen. He looked surprised that you had thought to give him one too. You downed your granola bar, shoving the whole thing into your mouth at once. You were nearly out of time if you wanted to get to class on time, especially with a limp. "I was your pack?" he asked, disbelief in his voice.

"Yes. You are my pack," you told him firmly, your gaze daring him to call you a liar. He just looked so...hopeful? bruised? He seemed like he wanted to disbelieve that statement, but he couldn't, he couldn't call you a liar. You couldn't lie to him anymore than he could lie to you.

"Would it make you feel better to come with me?" you asked him with a smile. He thought about that and nodded. "Then let's go," you placed your hand on his offered arm and used him as a crutch. He didn't complain one bit at supporting you, and somehow managed to do so in such a way that it didn't look like you were limping.

*

You drove to the university and found a metered spot right outside the building where your first class was. Loki walked you to class, but you'd explained on the way that he couldn't actually sit in on this class with you, since it was a test today. Instead, you gave him money from your wallet, directions to the coffee shop, and your order written on a piece of paper, as well as instructions on how to place an order at a coffee shop and a reminder not to stab the staff. You also supplied him with a couple of the granola bars from your bag to fortify him for the journey. In exchange for him getting you coffee and a breakfast sandwich, you promised to stay in the classroom until the class period ended no matter how quickly you finished your test. It was a fair arrangement.

You heard his snarl when he saw the college boys who waved and said hi to you before class. Most of your classes had a higher proportion of males to females, and since you'd been studying with the same group for four years, some of your Omega effects had worn off on them. You'd heard more about their failed love lives than their mothers probably ever had or would. They confided in you and had befriended you easily. Loki wasn't pleased with their warm familiarity wouldn't leave until he'd kissed you goodbye, until he'd told all of these boys that you were under his protection. Silly Trickster, but you indulged him and let him kiss you. You minded oh so much... and he was totally just a friend who needed reassurance...

"Don't stab the people who work in the coffee shop," you reminded him after the lovely kiss.

He huffed and rolled his eyes. "I will not stab them, unless they give me good reason to," you gave him a look so he continued. "Such as attacking me first." You giggled at that.

"I'll see you after class," you promised and ducked into the room to claim your usual desk for your test. Luckily, class started about thirty seconds after you entered the class, so the boys you'd befriended couldn't ask you about the Loki you had been kissing.

"Why are you limping?" one of the guys asked after you'd handed your tests in.

You smiled sheepishly. "I fell on the stairs. Twisted my damn ankle doing it," you lied, glad he wasn't a werewolf who would call you on the lie.

"Ouch," he replied sympathetically. You asked him about his girlfriend and he held the classroom door open for you while he gushed over how well it was going and thanked you again for your advice.

Loki was waiting for you leaning against the wall outside of the classroom with your coffee in one hand and the bag that hopefully had your breakfast sandwich in the other. You greeted him with a grin and reached for the bag, starving. A couple of granola bars, you'd eaten some of the supplies from your bag, were not enough to fill your stomach after the full moon. Loki moved swiftly and held the bag out of your reach. "Kiss first," he teased, taunting you. He didn't think you'd do it and was calling your bluff. Silly Trickster. You stood up on your toes, using his shoulders for extra support because of your bum ankle, and kissed him lightly.

"Now, can I have my sandwich before the wolf decides to bite you instead?" you asked the silly trickster. He handed over the sandwich, holding your coffee while you ate and walked at the same time. It took you a minute to realize he had taken your school bag from you. You didn't know when he'd done it either. Silly Trickster.

"What did you help that boy with?" Loki asked about the conversation he'd heard with your classmate. He was trying and failing to sound casual.

"I gave him advice on wooing his girlfriend," you replied with an innocent smile, wondering why Loki had sounded jealous. There was nothing for him to be jealous of, and why would he be jealous about you anyway? Silly Trickster was probably just being overprotective. "You did eat too, right?" you asked him.

He inclined his head with a chuckle. "Yes, little Omega, you don't have to constantly take care of me. I'm a god and can take care of myself," he replied with a smile.

You laughed. "You can't even cook for yourself, oh high and mighty god," you teased. He seemed to finally be getting the idea that you would keep taking care of him. You were an Omega, that's what you did.

He handed over your coffee once you'd eaten your sandwich and thrown the wrapper and bag away. You took a sip of the coffee, using Loki as a crutch with your other other hand, and moaned in pleasure at how well the coffee shop had made the stupidly chocolaty drink. You offered the cup to Loki. "I know it's not your usual tea, but it's basically a dessert in drink form. Wanna try it?" He took the cup for you and took a sip before handing it back. He wouldn't turn down trying anything that was claimed to be a dessert.

"That is good," he conceded. "Though I still prefer tea." His comment made you laugh and you nearly ended up with coffee up your nose for your efforts.

You showed him around some of the more interesting spots on campus, including the library, and leisurely strolled toward your next class, glad for the hour break between classes. "If you want to sit in on this class you can. It's a huge lecture, the professor won't notice an extra student. If not, the lunch places will be opening at the same time..." you offered, leaving the decision up to him.

"I came with you to keep you company and make sure you are safe, especially while you are injured," he reminded you. You nodded and led him into the huge lecture hall, picking seats toward the back where the professor would be less likely to notice you.

"That is not how I would have taught that," Loki growled after class while you led him to the yummy sushi place. "That was completely illogical." He then went on a rant about how he'd been taught the same material, as well as the more in depth version of it, and the magical concepts behind it. You listened interested, and agreed that his way made a lot more sense than the professor's.

"I'm so glad I got a pay raise when I got the new job. I could barely afford this place before, feeding a werewolf on sushi takes quite a lot of sushi," you told Loki after you'd ordered all of the sushi the sushi place had to offer. You didn't come here often, since it took a lot of sushi to feed a werewolf and it was expensive, but it was nice for a treat, and Loki had never tried sushi before.

Loki grinned at you. "I think you should check your account more closely, little wolf," he teased. You looked at him confused, you'd been very carefully not whining about paying for him too. You were complaining that you were expensive. "Stark was talking the other night and forgot that I was around, as per usual. Anyway, apparently, you are not only receiving a paycheck from Stark Industries, but also the Avengers as an organization. It was also made clear that 'Loki-sitting' is considered a dangerous job according to SHIELD and gets paid double," he grinned at your astonished look. You pulled out your phone to check your account and just stared at the number there, which was much larger than expected.

"So I get paid double to hang out with my best friend? How does that even make sense? Not that I'm complaining, mind, but that's just silly." You both laughed at the folly of the system SHIELD had set up.

*

Loki decided he was coming to work with you, even though he'd gotten kicked out last time. Security somehow let him in, even though he wasn't supposed to be there. You were also glad it was Stark Industries and they didn't care what you wore as long as you did your job. You were an intern, so jeans and your school hoodie were perfectly acceptable. Hell, most of the time Tony was here, it was in old jeans and a Black Sabbath shirt.

Once you were settled at your desk working on reports for Pepper, Loki wandered off to go annoy someone.

Probably Tony.

It was definitely Tony he had annoyed when Tony called your cell with an order to come collect Loki and remove him from the building.

You were laughing as you limped your way down to R&D, wondering what mischief Loki had gotten himself into. You laughed harder when you saw that he was standing over Tony's desk insisting on corrections to Tony's calculations. "Hey, Tony. You wanted me to come down?" you asked.

"Get him out of here," he gestured angrily at Loki.

Loki looked over at you innocently. "I was just helping. The calculations were off," his voice was too innocent, he'd been annoying Tony on purpose. You laughed and grabbed his hand.

"Come along Silly Trickster," you turned to Tony. "I can take him home, but you have to get Pepper to agree that the report can wait until tomorrow," you offered. "Else Loki has to stay until I've finished it," your smile was innocent. Tony growled in reply, sounding very wolf like. You would have been impressed had it not been so funny.

"Get him out of here! I'll clear the stupid report with Pepper." You waved at Tony and used Loki as a crutch as you both left the building. Since you got out of work early, you'd even have time for a nap before dinner.

*

You moaned in relief when you could finally strip off your combat boots and did so the second you were in the elevator, using Loki for support as you carefully removed them. Your ankle had swollen up worse since you'd abused it all day. Loki vanished the boots for you once they were off of your feet. "Thanks," you told him, glad you didn't have to go upstairs to put them away. You went to take Loki's arm again to use him as a crutch to make it the short distance from the elevator to your couch, but he swept you up in his arms instead. You had absolutely no surprise at that, and didn't complain, especially as you'd been in pain all day.

You settled on your couch with him intending to read or curl up against him to take a nap, but he laid down on the couch before you could. You huffed and curled yourself half on top of him, half beside him, in the perfect nestle between the back of the couch and his body, safe and secure in his arms. He looked surprised, but settled you more comfortably into his arms instead of complaining. He murmured something sleepily about you being an incorrigible cuddler, but he wasn't upset, so you just laughed at the Silly Trickster.

You meant to just close your eyes for a much needed nap, but somehow your lips were on his instead. Who knew how that happened? You had no idea.

Definitely a freak accident.

The team found you much later curled together on the couch, both fast asleep, your lips still touching. Many pictures were taken, though wisely they decided not to wake you. It took a lot of work for Nat, Cap, and Thor to keep Tony from doing it just to be a jerk. Instead, Thor himself gently covered the two of you with a blanket and refused to let Tony anywhere near you.