Bruce was, understandably, terrified. Loki had found Betty Ross. The love of his life. And now she stood, metres away, in the tower kitchen. Loki had ensured that no-one else was in the kitchen. He chatted quietly to Betty while waiting for Bruce to appear and confess his undying love.

"This feels very surreal," Betty said, laughing nervously. "You guys are the Avengers. You all live together... is it peaceful or chaotic? I feel like it'd be really chaotic."

"So chaotic," Loki replied, smiling. "Anyway, I think Bruce is here. These godly ears can't help but ignore shuffling footsteps. Come out, Bruce!"

Awkward and terrified, Bruce emerged from around the corner.

"H-hello," he said, almost falling over the one word.

"Hi, Bruce," Betty said, and when she smiled Bruce knew that it was the most beautiful smile in the entire world.

"I shall leave you to it," Loki muttered, sidling away.

"How have you been?" she asked, looking up at him. "You look well, if a little stressed."

"You're my stress right now," he laughed tentatively.

Betty chuckled.

"You don't need to be stressed, Bruce. It's alright. We're both still here."

"I ruined your life!" Bruce exclaimed, unable to keep his emotions under control.

"My father ruined yours," Betty said quietly. "I think I have more reason to apologise than you."

"Let's forget about all that," Bruce said, trying to smile. "I think it's about time."

He paused for a moment.

"So, are you married? Any children?"

She looked at him.

"How could you ask that? You were my life. I pined for you."

Scarcely knowing he was doing it, Bruce reached for her hands and she held them tightly.

"I pined for you too," he whispered. "Your father-"

"My father was a monster," she said simply. "I don't blame you. I never did."

Bruce didn't know what to say. For years he had hoped and yearned to be together with Betty again but he had never expected it to happen. These sorts of stories only happened in fairy tales.

Loki suddenly appeared beside them.

"I trust everything has gone according to plan?" he asked smoothly.

"More than I could have ever hoped- that is-"

Bruce looked at Betty.

"Would you move in with me, Betty?"

Loki laughed.

"It's not quite marriage, but it'll do."

"Of course I'll move in with you," Betty smiled. "It's about time you asked."

And Bruce and Betty both laughed.

*

A few hours later, Loki was surprised to get a phone call from Jane. The last he'd heard, Thor had moved in with Jane. It was a big step for Thor, especially since he had so much more to learn about Midgardian life. To be fair to his brother, although Loki hated to admit it, Thor had adapted extremely well to the mundanity of civilian life. Although Thor had never wanted to be king, Loki did not think he would have been able to transition from a prince to a nobody. There were photos and videos of Thor online, of course, as he was an Avenger, but he was rarely recognised in New Mexico where he and Jane lived.

"Hello," Loki said, picking up the phone. "Is everything alright?"

He and Jane hadn't properly had a conversation since Loki's early days on Midgard, when he and Jane would discuss physics.

"Oh, yes, everything's fine," Jane replied. "Thor says hello."

Loki heard a booming hello in his ear and smiled.

"Tell Thor I say hello as well," he said. "What is it?"

He did not mean to sound rude, but he was curious as to why she was ringing him.

"I had a breakthrough," Jane said breathlessly. "You know, about making a Bifrost here on earth? I was doing some calculations when I..."

For the next hour Loki was inundated with calculation after proof after calculation. As Jane spoke, Loki scribbled down notes on a piece of paper. When she eventually finished, Loki took a look at the figures.

"Goodness, I do believe you're right!"

Loki was a genius, truly, but Jane's passion was astrophysics. He understood her plan and believed it could work.

"You think it'll be functional?" she asked nervously.

"I really think it could be," Loki said seriously. "You need to start building this! Do you still work with Darcy and Selvig?"

"Yes, I'll get them to help! Do you want to visit?"

As Jane asked, Loki caught sight of Agent Coulson standing, silently, stealthily, by the lift.

"I'm sorry," he interjected, "but I don't think I'll be able to. That's an incredible achievement, Jane, well done. I have to go. Sorry again."

Without giving Jane time to reply, Loki hung up.

*

"What is it?" Loki asked. "What mission do you need me for so urgently?"

"I have an assignment for you and Agent Romanoff," the agent answered calmly. "It is of utmost important and requires discretion."

"I'm sure Natasha and I can do discreet."

"I hope so. The safety of the world is at stake," said Coulson.

Loki rolled his eyes.

"When isn't it?"

*****

A.N. Loki loves nothing more than multitasking, combining matchmaking with spy work. He and Natasha will go on a mission - any guesses what movie I might be about to tie in?

Thanks for reading and, as always, please comment!