Kat snuck Loki out of the tower on the last day of 2012. The poor god didn't know what was going on. He did, however, enjoy the gentle warmth that came with Kat's hand around his as she tugged him around. As she wove through the crowded streets, Loki simply followed her and wondered what all these mortals were doing.

Kat eventually stopped, and pointed up to a roof before vapour traveling where she had been pointing. Rolling his eyes, he joined her. Kat eagerly waited, rocking from heel to toe. Loki stepped beside her, and she flashed him a grin, before turning back ahead.

"What are we doing?" Loki asked her. "What is anyone doing?"

Kat replied, "What time is it?"

"11:57," He replied.

Kat nodded, grinning. "You'll find out in a couple minutes."

Loki hummed. True to her word, a couple minutes later she pointed out a count-down, and Loki tilted his head. Suddenly, lights flew into the sky and crackled in shimmering splendor. Cheers erupted from the crowds, including Kat, who shouted "Happy New Year!" with an earsplitting grin.

She wrapped him in a hug, and when she pulled back, Loki kept an arm around her waist. He watched the fireworks in wonder. He glanced over to see Katha staring out at them, a light sparkling in her eyes that wasn't a reflection of the fireworks themselves. He looked down, to see what others were doing far below. 

A simple bit of magic gave him advanced sight, and he saw people with arms slung over each other, gazing up side by side. He saw plenty give a partner a kiss. With a slight blush on his face, he looked again to Katha. She was still watching the fireworks. After a moment's hesitation, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple.

As Loki straightened up and turned back to the light show, Katha blushed furiously, and snuggled deeper into his side. She was trying to keep watching without letting him see her blush.

Loki wouldn't comment on the rush of delight he felt when he saw her blush, or when she tucked herself against him under his arm. Looking back to the fantastic mortal lights, Loki felt content.

~~~~~~

Similarly, in San Francisco, Percy and Annabeth enjoyed the fireworks.

~~~~~~

Later that week, Percy was riding his motorcycle. Guiding him on the drive was Natasha, and Steve taking the rear, both of them on their own bikes. They were acting as his escorts for the time being. Percy was eager, and slightly nervous. 

After all, this was a SHIELD base they were riding into. They slowed to a stop eventually, Natasha and Steve identifying themselves at the check in station. The guard looked at Percy. "You're the Stark boy." He said.

Percy gave a nod. "Not the worst I've been called."

The guard chuckled. "ID?"

"We're getting him one." Steve provided.

The guard raised an eyebrow. "I can't just let anyone in." 

Percy's face had been more relaxed and lighter from the joy of riding on his very own motorcycle. Now, his resting scowl took it's place.

"Like Captain said, we're getting him one." Natasha said firmly. The guard leaned back, gave a single sharp nod, and waved them in.

Parking their bikes was easy, except that it meant Percy had to leave his bike. Walking into the base, Percy set his shoulders much like Steve did, and his face a resting scowl like Natasha. Agents gave them odd looks as they passed.

Natasha led them around, Percy assumed to wherever it was to sign up and get registered or whatever. Things like this were complicated. Natasha and Steve argued with a couple agents while Percy tried his best to keep calm and not respond where he'd just make things harder for himself. 

Eventually, the agents came to the understanding that if Percy passed an exam, he'd be able to get his ID, and a place in SHIELD. Percy hoped it was in his favor. Natasha spun on her heels and led them to the en suite training center. Percy watched the new agents train, and kept an eye on the instructor.

An hour later, the lesson was over, and the agents dispersed to sit and chat while they took a break. The instructor walked over to the three, and they stood to meet him halfway. Percy could tell that at least half of the agents were watching them.

"So, this is the kid that wants to join SHIELD?" The instructor asked, looking Percy up and down. The man was 6', which meant that Percy was just an inch taller.

"To be frank with you, I don't want to join SHIELD. I want to join Steve." Percy replied.

The instructor raised a brown eyebrow, his hazel eyes glinting. "In it for the fame and glory, huh?"

"No. I'm in it to save a friend. The easiest way for me to do that is to join Steve here." Percy said.

"For a friend?" The instructor inquired.

"Yes." Percy said simply, not giving him further information.

"Alright then. Have you ever fought?" The instructor asked.

"Too often for my liking." Percy said.

"What, can't defend yourself?" He taunted.

"To be honest, I just want to be left alone." Percy said, sighing.

The instructor laughed. "I'm agent Morris."

"Percy." He replied.

"Well, let's see what you've got." Morris said, inviting him over to the mats. When they were facing each other, Morris smirked. "For the first test, I want you to try to hit me."

Percy cocked his head to the side. "Are we sparring or...?"

Morris chuckled. "No offence, kid, but I don't want to hurt you."

"No offence, dude," Percy mocked him, "but I think you underestimate me."

Morris sighed, thinking somewhere along the lines of 'what an arrogant teen'. "Just try to hit me."

Percy internally both rolled his eyes and sighed, before casually closing the distance between them. He'd sparred with Natasha, Steve, Kat, Annabeth, and Clarisse. This guy didn't scare him.

Percy quickly gave Morris a jab to his ribs, taking the man by surprise. Percy put just enough distance between them to suggest that they continue to spar. "Don't be afraid to hit me." Percy said.

The spar lasted two minutes. At the end, Morris was taking large breaths and Percy was smiling casually. Morris gave him a disbelieving look. "You don't look tired at all." Morris said, his tone nearly complaining.

"I'm not." Percy shrugged.

Morris shook his head. "What else can you do?"

Percy cackled internally. However, he was going to wait to reveal his powers. He didn't need to give these people extra incentive to target him for anything. "Well, I'm a swordsman."

"A sword?" Morris raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yep." Percy said.

Morris walked off, and Percy followed. The instructor dug around in a storage room, and came back out holding two rapiers. He offered one to Percy.

Percy took two steps away from it, and bore an insulted or disgusted look. "That- That is not a sword. That is a chopstick knife."

Morris blinked. "I thought you said..."

"I said I'm a swordsman, not a sharp-chopstick-stabber."

"If you don't use a rapier, then what do you use?" Morris asked.

"Uh, it's called a xiphos." Percy replied.

"Uh, okay then." Morris didn't think they had anything called a 'xiphos' so he let the topic go,  to save himself a headache. After he put the rapiers away, he gave Percy an analytical gaze. "Have you ever used a gun?"

"Nope. Gods awful at archery though." Percy replied honestly.

Morris took Percy over to the shooting range, and quickly went through the basics. Percy assured him that he wouldn't be using a gun ever, so all he needed was the bare minimum. Percy caught on quick. Surprisingly, once he got the hang of it, he was a decent shot. He still returned the gun as soon as possible.

Then he was tested to his physical capabilities besides sparring with Morris. Percy did his best to look on-par with Steve. Which he practically was without actively using his godly power.

~~~~~~

Over the next week, Percy got caught up and was soon holding his own SHIELD ID card. "Shiny." Was Percy's first comment. 

"So," Percy asked not much later, "Does this mean we can finally get started on making actual progress?"

Steve nodded determinedly. "Yeah."

~~~~~~

Percy got cornered by a couple low ranking agents one day.

"So, how much did your dad pay to get you in here?"

"Nothing." Percy said, his brooding face dominant.

"Seriously. Nobody just gets into SHIELD that fast."

"Well, I did. If you don't mind, I have to get to Steve. We're leaving in fifteen." Percy said, excusing himself.

They blocked his path.

"C'mon, guys. This doesn't need to be a fight." Percy sighed.

One of them took the first swing. Percy didn't even bother hitting them back. He simply avoided their blows, and used their momentum to knock them into each other. He walked past, and quickened his steps if he wanted to make it to the jet in time.

~~~~~~

The first missions with Steve and the SWAT crew were pretty chill. While Steve carried his signature shield, Percy kept Anaklusmos summoned in a sheath at his belt. He didn't use his powers, and he'd like to keep people unaware that he had them. 

Percy would almost look like a normal agent save for the sword at his hip. He had been given standard issue SHIELD combat gear. The look on Morris' face when he saw Anaklusmos for the first time was hilarious.

He and Steve made a good team: Both were brutes and yet still stealthy. Other agents began to call the team the 'Sword and Shield Duo'. Percy thought it was funny. Steve rolled his eyes, but the corners of his lips would angle up. 

Today, the two were taking down a drug business. SHIELD suspected that it was supporting one of the figure heads of HYDRA. 

Steve and Percy slipped inside the building with ease, and soon began their usual stealth of knocking everyone out. The pommel of Anaklusmos worked just as well as Steve's shield. At least, anyone or camera watching would think it was the pommel, not Percy's fist as it held the pommel. He wasn't trying to smite them, after all.

After the perimeter guards had been taken out, they worked their way inwards.  Agents were waiting outside as backup or to arrest/secure the unconscious folk. Busting into the main room, the two were a whirlwind of slash and bash.

Out of the corner of his eye, Percy saw two gunmen fire at Steve, who had his back to them. In a moment, Percy was covering his back and deflecting the bullets back at them.

"What the fuck?" One demanded.

"Where'd the sidekick come from?" Another added.

Percy leapt and closed the distance between him and the two thugs that had taken cover. In a swift movement, he kicked the guy who'd called him a 'sidekick'. Then he brought his pommel down on the other guy, who rolled out of the way just in time. Percy had to drop to his knees and roll to knock the guy out. Continuing his roll, he went back to deflecting bullets.

Steve deflected bullets as well, but also bashed and bonked, and flipped and kicked, and punched and jabbed. He threw his shield at one point, and it got stuck in the wall. With an internal groan, Steve was left with just his body. 

After a lucky blow to the back of his knee, Steve tumbled to the ground. He didn't stay there for long, though, because in one slightly clumsy motion, he picked up a fallen thug by the ankles, and swung the body around him in a loop, knocking the other HYDRA thugs down. It took a couple swings. After his ring of opponents was diminished, Steve released the body. But because it had momentum, it went flying into the air. 

From the other side of the room, Percy howled with laughter as the body landed in his vicinity. He was laughing so hard, in fact, that a gunman made his approach. The idiot thought he'd get in Percy's face with an assault rifle. Percy batted it away with Anaklusmos, and punched him in the throat, which gave him enough opportunity to knock him out.

Percy saw the shield embedded into the wall, and dashed over to it, giving a tug to set it free. He threw it back to Steve. "Cap, Frisbee!" Percy shouted.

Steve caught it and charged back into the new thugs that had entered the room.

"Do you guys need help?" The SHIELD agents asked over comms.

"No, I think we're good." Percy replied.

"Just be ready to come down and haul them outta here." Steve agreed.

~~~~~~

Alexander Pierce hung up, and tried to keep his composure. His enclosed fist slammed onto the table, and then he stood from his chair. Being careful with his travelling, he quickly approached a HYDRA outpost.

The agents let him through. When he finally came to the person he was wanting to see, several agents flanked him. Two soldiers that had been sparring disengaged from each other and stood at attention.

Pierce addressed the taller of the two. "Asset. You are relieved of your current position. You have a new assignment."

Winter stared back at Pierce with a blank, if not nearly bored expression. It wasn't like he was going to decline his new assignment. Besides, it was about time he got to go outside.

"This assignment comes with two targets." Pierce said. "The first is the SHIELD agent known as Maelstrom. You are to bring him to us or kill him."

Winter was intrigued. He wondered what 'Maelstrom' had to offer.

"The other part is your priority." Pierce said fiercely. "You are to kill Captain America."

The name sent a brief sense of deja vu throughout Winter. 

"When do I begin?" Winter inquired.

"Immediately."

A/N

To those people who want to see our beloved spideyboy, it's going to be 3-4 ish years in story. But he will be in this story. I can 100% guarantee you that. Have patience.

For reaching 500 followers, and over 500k reads on Before I Die, I want to ask you how would you like to celebrate? I have some ideas, but you can suggest your own...

1)Classic Q&A

2)One-shot that is canon within the story

3)One-shot that is not canon within the story

4)Other

Ps: The reason this chapter took so long was because over the past week I've been devouring the Inheritance books... No spoilers, I'm not finished, but I'll tell you when I'm done.

Pps: If you like The Lord of The Rings, there's this one I'm currently obsessed with by  called 'Do Not Go Gentle' and it's a fem Percy one. Highly suggest you read if you're interested.