"I don't like it. He's plotting something," Tony's voice broke through your haze of sleep, not enough to get you up, but enough to get you aware of the voices nearby.

"He's sleeping, Stark. That's the one time you can literally be guaranteed he isn't plotting something," Nat replied, her voice sounded exasperated by Tony's paranoia.

"He's been too quiet lately. I don't like it. He's up to something," Tony insisted.

"Be glad, Man of Iron," Thor didn't usually call Tony that anymore, so it always got Tony's attention when he did "that all of my brother's plots and plannings have been toward the careful courtship of our wolf and not towards some mischief,"

"And what happens when he gets bored of that game?" Cap demanded. "You know how he is,"

"Then we shall have to hope that our wolf's already bruised heart can survive the breaking," Thor's voice was sad, hopeless. He was sure Loki would get tired of you eventually. It was so strange to hear Thor as anything other than an optimistic puppy.

Tony raised his voice for his next words. "If anyone is napping in the living room, they may want to come to dinner before Thor eats everything," he announced loudly. "What?! I don't want to deal with her temper if she doesn't eat," he protested. You and Loki both shot up, awake at the very loud and clear threat. Neither of you would risk not eating because of Thor if you were remotely awake at all.

You saw Loki's shyness return when he realized that all of the team would have seen you cuddling like that. It was one thing for you to lay your head on him, or on any of the team, but it was completely different to be curled up together like that. That wasn't just him indulging your idiosyncrasies, that was him actually caring and initiating adorableness for himself.

You kissed his cheek, reassuring, but got to your feet first, and went to get food while he was regaining his composure. You rescued a bowl of Nat's five alarm chili for him too and set it at his place at the table. He joined you an minute later, the blush on his cheeks from being caught cuddling finally cooled.

"Thank you," he told you warmly when he saw that you had gotten his dinner too. He ruffled your hair, reassuring you with the gesture that he wasn't upset with you and appreciated that you knew him well enough to let him regain his composure from being emotionally compromised. You stuck your tongue out at him in reply and earned a chuckle for your efforts.

The whole table was roaring in laughter a few minutes later when Loki was downing glass after glass of water, coughing, with tears pouring down his face at the spice in Nat's chili. Thor was laughing loudest of all and was only avoiding being stabbed by the fact that Loki couldn't manage it while he was fighting to breathe. You got him a glass of milk from the fridge. "Here, it works better than water," you told him kindly, ignoring his indignant snarl. He was just angry at the spice. You ran your fingers comfortingly through his hair, plenty used to being snarled at for being nice.

"My brother has never been able to stand spicy things," Thor boomed, devouring his chili with glee.

"Sorry," you told Loki. "I would've warned you if I'd known," you told the poor spluttering Loki.

"Thor," Loki coughed. "Make her sit and eat." More coughs as he tried and failed to push you toward your chair. You were standing behind him, stroking his hair so he'd calm. "Damn Omega takes care of the pack first,"

You kissed the top of his head and gave him a smile. "You'll be fine if you can yell about me, oh high and mighty god," you teased, but took your seat again and returned happily to your chili. "Tony, I didn't see a turkey in the fridge," you announced, drawing the table's attention to you and away from Loki, who was finally getting back under control, though he was still glowering and grumpy. "Do you need me to go catch one before next week?" you asked with a grin. You'd hunted turkeys before.

Tony blanched and actually hesitated for once before words came out of his mouth. "Um...actually Pepper and I won't be here. We've already made plans to go home to Malibu,"

"Oh..." you said softly. You should have realized he had plans already. You gave him a bright smile anyway. "That's ok. I can get one for the rest of us... at the store like a normal person," you teased. "I just need to get one big enough for seven instead of eight,"

"Sorry kid, make that five..." Clint wouldn't look at you when he spoke. "Nat and I are spending the holiday with my wife and kids. You're welcome-" you shook your head. You couldn't go even if you had been willing to intrude.

"Four," said Bruce. "I promised I'd visit home too..." he added sheepishly. You smiled reassuringly at him. He needed the reassuring and your calm and happiness.

"Three," Cap said softly. "I have to go to DC over the weekend. There's a summit on Wednesday and I'm meeting up with some of the WWII vets... Sorry, Y/N. We usually don't spend the holidays here..."

"You looked between Loki and Thor. "Still need a turkey for six to feed the three of us," you teased. "I'll introduce you guys to a proper American Thanksgiving," you grinned at them, figuring they'd never been treated to the traditions if the others didn't stay for the holiday. Your heart fell when they both looked down sadly.

"My apologies, Lady Y/N," Thor started formally. "We will not be here either-"

"I can stay," Loki protested quickly, interrupting Thor's apology.

"No," Thor told him firmly. "You cannot." Thor turned his attention back to you. "We are returning to Asgard through the Midgardian holiday. This is the first time Father has allowed Loki to return in two years,"

You smiled reassuringly over at Loki who was still trying to protest. "Go. See your family. I know how much you miss home," you told him firmly, but kindly. He missed home, and most of all his adopted mother. You wouldn't deny him a visit home when he hadn't been in so long. Everyone looked at you sadly. "Guys, stop worrying. It's fine. I got dumped into your lives a month ago. I should've known you'd all had plans already. I'll meet up with some of the college kids who can't go home for Thanksgiving. It's kind of a tradition, we do this every year," you insisted with as convincing of a smile as you could manage. It would be lonely here without company for the long weekend. You had been planning on celebrating with the them, it hadn't occurred to you that they would have plans out of town.

"Just come with us," Clint insisted, firmly, but kindly. "I swear my wife won't mind. She'd be pissed if she found out I was leaving someone here without a place to go. 'There's always room for one more' she'll say," he had pitched his voice up when he impersonated his wife.

"Thanks Clint, but I can't. I have to work Saturday." Those were two completely true, unrelated sentences. Werewolves were quite effective at lying with the truth.

Tony glared. "Pepper will give you the day off," he told you firmly. "You could come with me and Pepper..." he said hesitantly, though the offer was genuine.

Damn him all the way to hell for constantly pushing and prodding at things. "I can't," you repeated firmly. "I appreciate the offer, really, I do, but I can't, and don't any of you dare try cancelling your plans because you feel bad. I'll be fine. I'll make plans with the college kids," you told them firmly, trying to deflect before they could demand an answer.

"Y/N," Cap said in that gentle 'team mom' voice. He didn't like that you hadn't given them a satisfactory answer, or that you would be here alone.

You sighed heavily and looked at your bowl of chili. This was one of the stupid werewolf things you didn't like talking about. "I literally cannot go with any of you, except maybe the Asgardians if the All-father actually allowed Midgardians in his realm," you added that last part with a small smile at Loki and Thor. Thor looked shocked that you knew anything about Asgard. Loki looked impressed that you remembered things about what he told you about home. "You're all leaving the pack's territory for the holiday. I can't leave the territory without written consent from both my pack's alpha and the alpha of the territory I would be going to. Even if that miraculously were to happen, which it won't, because that would involve contacting the pack; since I'm female I would have to go with an escort of the alpha's choosing, and if I see Jareth again I plan on ripping his balls off and shoving them down his throat," Cap looked so scandalized at that image and nearly choked on his chili, "so I'm not going anywhere with him as my escort." You grumpily told your bowl of chili. You pushed your chair back from the table. You couldn't stand their emotions right now. It was too oppressive, angry, pained. "Don't any of you dare try to change your plans on my behalf, especially you, Loki. I know how much going home means to you," you added that part more gently, but you still let you hair fall over your face to hide the tears in your eyes as you left the dining room, your arms wrapped around you and took the stairs so you didn't have to wait for the elevator.

That was a stupid decision you realized when you ankle protested the treatment. You didn't care. You couldn't stay there with them feeling sorry for you. You'd make your own plans with the others who couldn't go home for the holiday.

Loki caught up with you in the stairwell before you'd made it to your floor. He silently wrapped you in a hug. You wrapped your arms around his slim waist, accepting his comfort.

"I'm sorry, love. I was going to tell you that I was going home, but the All-father just told Thor today that I could. I didn't realize you'd be here alone," he told you softly.

"I know, it's really ok. I'm glad you get to go home. I'm sure your mother misses you," you told him kindly. "I just wish they hadn't pried as to why I couldn't go with any of them... I hate discussing stupid werewolf politics,"

"I thought you didn't have to obey," Loki told you as he braced you so you could continue up to one of your rooms. You'd decide which one when you made it to the right floor.

"I can ignore the alpha's orders, that doesn't mean I don't have to obey pack rules. There are rules they would kill even an Omega female for. One of them is starting a pack war if I cross territory lines without permission. Telling the public about werewolves is also on the list, as is turning a human without their permission,"

"So you've never travelled?" he asked, not seeming to comprehend that.

You shook your head with a dry laugh. "I never left the compound or our immediate woods until the day I left for good." You told him and laughed at his shocked expression. He had told you all about his adventures with Thor all across the nine realms. They all sounded so wonderful and glorious, except for the part where Thor kept getting them almost killed for being an oaf. "That's one of the many reasons I need to get free of ties to the pack," you confided.

"And what are the others?" he asked innocently, like you'd actually tell him all of them.

"Mostly Jareth," you admitted, though that earned a growl from him.

"I could just take care of that problem," he growled.

"Silly Trickster, you can't take on the pack alone," you reminded him gently before he could get his temper truly flared again. "Now, what do I have to do to cheer you up?" you teased. You had made it to the floor of your rooms.

"Hmm," he pondered, but you could tell from his tone that he was letting you cheer yourself up by trying to cheer him up. "A kiss might help," he teased. You rolled your eyes, but turned to face him. You moved to stand up on your toes and he met you halfway you pressed your lips to his, enjoying the crisp chill of his skin and how he somehow always tasted like a winter's day. You'd meant the kiss to just be a chaste peck, but he captured you in his strong arms, one wrapped firmly around your waist, supporting you, the other higher on your back, holding you to him as he deepened the kiss. You wrapped your arms around his neck and sank into the kiss, never feeling anything before like the happiness in your heart and fluttering in your stomach.

*

"Hey, Y/N, where's that boyfriend of yours?" Nat asked a couple days and a very healed ankle from then. You were sitting on your couch with a book.

"What boyfriend?" you asked innocently.

Nat rolled her eyes. "This tall?" she held up her hand to approximately Loki's height. "Black hair? Likes stabbing Thor? Thinks he's a god?" she asked sarcastically.

"Loki's not my boyfriend," you protested automatically. "He's just a friend..." that wasn't convincing. To anyone.

"Yeah, most people don't kiss their friends. On the lips. Or use tongue," she replied just as sarcastically and teasing. You flushed. "And you were making out with him on the couch yesterday, so don't even try to deny it,"

"Fine... but don't tell him you think he's my boyfriend. You'll scare him away. And I haven't seen him," you shrugged. You still didn't think your...slightly more than friendship...actually had an official title.

"Oh well. Cap wants us downstairs. Last training session before everyone leaves for the weekend," she told you. You sighed and set your book aside.

"Ok. I'll be down in a minute," you gestured to your outfit which wasn't good for training in. A quick trip up to your room to change and you were soon walking into the usual training room in workout clothes and gym shoes, your hair tied back in a ponytail. Everyone else was already in the room besides Bruce. He didn't train. The guys were all sitting against the wall with popcorn. What the hell were they up to? You bounced into the room. "Hi guys!" you greeted them all brightly.

"Hey, Y/N. You're up, sparring Nat. No holds barred. I want to see what you're capable of," Cap instructed once you'd distributed cheek kisses to everyone but Nat. Loki stole a real kiss. You licked his nose in retaliation, which made him splutter about annoying puppies.

"Are you sure?" You asked Cap and Nat. This was a stupid idea. No wonder the guys all had popcorn. Tony had a video recording device as well. Asshole.

"I'm sure. I'm reffing. It's perfectly safe," he insisted. You weren't sure if it was supposed to be safe for you or Nat. You stepped out onto the floor and stretched quickly. When you had you stepped up to meet Nat. "Ready?" Cap asked. You nodded, then turned and gave Nat a formal bow. You'd trained too formally for too many years to break the habit so easily, especially in a sparring match. The niceties had to be observed. Werewolves were weird... Nat smirked at your antics, but gave a small bow in return. You raised your fists defensively as Cap counted the match in.

Nat moved like a blur, but so did you. You actually moved slower at first, taking a defensive stance, blocking her first few blows, trying to get a feel for her skills and abilities, as well as the power behind her punches. She knew what you were doing and let you get away with it. She knew you didn't always trust your strength around the others, especially in a barely controlled match like this.

Satisfied that you wouldn't actually hurt her, you joined the bout in earnest, to the cheers of the boys. You ducked and dodged, getting in a hit here and there. Block, kick, go for the shin, block, punch, protect your face, block, punch, kick, keep on her, multiple attacks, don't just block, hit her back, hit like you mean it. The voice of your old instructor sounded in your mind from years of lessons as the bout went on and on. Don't play fair. This is a fight for your life. Fight like you mean it, girl! The men are bigger, stronger, faster than you. That means you have to work ten times as hard as they do to get half as good. Hit like you mean it! It's a punch, not the end of the world, don't let a little punch stop you from saving your life. Keep on her! You grabbed her leg when she tried to scorpion kick, stopping her with sheer force of strength. You hauled on her leg and threw her across the room all of the strength you could muster. She spun in midair, and landed crouched on her feet while you settled back in, regaining your balance for the next round. This had to end soon, your wolf was getting too excited. Nat rushed you and you knew what was coming, Nat's signature move. She ran and you braced yourself. You caught her when she launched herself at you for the thigh grapple and threw her hard into the wall.

You just stared at her, the scent of blood in the air and battle fire exciting the wolf. You waved frantically at Cap to call the match, but his eyes were on Nat. Shit. "Cap! Stop the match!" you yelled, fighting desperately for control. You felt that your canines were too long. You had to get out of here.

"Y/N?" Cap asked, looking at you while he was helping Nat to her feet. She had a tiny cut on her hand from glancing the wall at just the wrong angle. You couldn't take your eyes off of the blood and you felt the wolf snarl in blood lust. It wasn't a usual problem, but you didn't usually get into fights at all. Sparring matches back home would've gotten called before now.

"Sorry, darling," Loki's voice was a whisper in your ear. You hadn't felt him come up behind you, lost to your own fight against the wolf and the bloodlust. He placed a hand on the back of your next and you shrieked at how cold it was. His hands were usually cold, but this was so much worse than usual. It threw your wolf completely from the bloodlust.

"That is cold!" you shrieked, whirling on him, wondering what he'd done to get his hands that cold. He chuckled and held up his hand to show you. It was blue, he'd shifted it to his Jotun form, but it was fading back to his usual Asgardian form.

"Sorry," he repeated. "I thought that might distract the wolf from the bloodlust," he explained sheepishly.

"It worked," you replied and leaned up to kiss him. "Thank you." You told him softly while you shuddered, still trying to warm again from the glacier that had been his hand on your neck. "You ok, Nat?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Good work," she called.

Training was over for the day, so you took Loki's hand and dragged him upstairs to kick his ass at Mario Kart. He'd come to like video games after you'd introduced him to them.

*

"Reindeer Games, have you seen that girlfriend of yours?" Tony demanded later that night.

"What girlfriend?" he asked just as innocently as you had that morning. You were out of sight in the kitchen looking for something to eat.

"This tall? Turns into a wolf? Frequently seen cuddling everyone, especially you? The one who was in your lap making out with you yesterday? Which was extremely disgusting by the way..." Tony grumbled.

"I have not seen Lady Y/N," Loki replied pleasantly.

"Can you two just admit you're dating yet and stop with the 'we're just friends' nonsense?" Tony grumbled.

"But if I admit that, then I will have to tell her, and that will scare the already bruised and obviously previously abused little wolf away, so no, thank you. You may want to look for her in the kitchen. She had mentioned something about being hungry,"

Tony came into the kitchen while you were digging pasta out of the pantry to make. "That's a lot of food with everyone leaving soon," he commented.

"I don't want to have to cook again tomorrow," you told him. Cooking once was enough. "Did you need me for something?" you set the pasta down to pay attention to him. He didn't usually come seeking you out.

"We're all leaving soon. Everyone but Thor and Loki are taking the jet out in about ten minutes. Figured you'd want to see everyone off. You got everything you need here for a few days?" he asked.

You rolled your eyes. "I'm fine, Tony. If I need something, I'll take your expensive fast car to the store and go buy it. I'll keep my phone on me, you guys can find me through Jarvis whenever you all want to check up and make sure the grown-ass adult werewolf is ok home alone for a couple of days,"

"Didn't think you wouldn't be ok," he told you gruffly, but you saw that he actually cared, much as he protested otherwise.

"Love you too," you told him with a smirk.

You took the elevator up to the landing pad, forgetting that it was late November and you'd only been wearing a tshirt inside. Oh well, you'd only be out here a minute. Everyone was getting on the jet and you said your goodbyes and promised them all that you'd be just fine and that they could check up on you whenever.

Loki draped a hoodie from his closet over your shoulders. "You can't take care of yourself for five minutes, little wolf, out here in the cold with no fur," he teased as he leaned down and kissed your cheek.

"At least I can feed myself, oh high and mighty god," you teased back. After a few more goodbyes, the jet took off to take everyone to where they were going for the long weekend. You turned to Thor and Loki, the last two here. "You guys heading out now too?" you asked unnecessarily. They were both dressed in Asgardian clothes. They both agreed that they were. Loki opened his mouth to say something. "If you're going to offer to stay behind, I'll bite you," you grumbled at him. You'd do no such thing of course and he knew it. He laughed.

"Very well, love," he replied and gave you a proper kiss instead.

"Brother, we must be going. I'm sure Heimdall is enjoying the show, but he is waiting to open the Bifrost for us," Thor commented jovially. You laughed and broke the kiss. You kissed Thor on the cheek.

"Have fun you two. Loki, try not to stab your brother, and enjoy your trip home. Please? Try to have fun for me?" he wanted to go home, but he was so shy and sullen, especially about home that you were afraid he was going to ruin the trip by trying to show everyone how little it meant to him.

He sighed in exasperation that you knew him too well already. "I will, love. Try not to be too lonely without us," you kissed him again before you watched Thor call to Heimdall to open the Bifrost from the safety of the doorway back inside.

The tower had never been so quiet and empty. You felt the pang of loneliness already, but you pushed it down. It was only a couple of days. You'd been alone for four years, more, since those you had been around hadn't been a proper family, you could survive a couple of days without your new family.

It was just a couple of days.

You were perfectly capable of being alone for a couple of days.

Which is why you slept in Loki's room that night, nestled among the pillows and blankets that smelled like him.