Prompt from Roseavia3: Loki begins to feel bad about making her feel insane and begins to bring her presents as an apology and goes to visit her more often letting the Avengers once see him before regretting it.

A/N: I'm getting two parts out of this prompt because I loved the idea so much<3

...

You haven't seen Loki in twelve days. Not that you're counting.

It's weird. You should be relieved, and yet... you're almost bored.

Granted, it's nice that you've been able to move back into your apartment, and Tony doesn't think you're mental anymore, but your life seems awfully... quiet all of a sudden.

Only one thing is different. Every morning when you arrive at work, there's a fresh cup of coffee on your desk. And it's always the perfect temperature.

You can't stop thinking of Loki locked up in that tiny cell deep underneath the Tower. You supposed he really had meant his apology about making you feel mental if he was giving up the only fun he'd been having for your peace of mind.

"I'm safe here." he'd said. Safe from what? Or whom? You'd wondered about going to Thor for answers, but you hadn't seen him for a while.

No, it was time to move on with your life. Your peaceful, boring life.

...

"Back again Miss?" the guard stood by the door leading down to the cells asked you as you approached.

"Yes, Tony's being very insistent upon my speedy recovery I'm afraid." you reply with a smile.

"That's funny, because I spoke with Mr Stark about allowing you to see the prisoner last week and he said he didn't recall instructing you to visit him." the guard tells you coolly.

You swallow nervously, trying to keep a look of disinterest on your face. Before you've even opened your mouth, the guard smiles.

"It's alright, he said I was to accompany you again if you were to return."

"He did?" you ask in surprise.

The guard nods, and turns to open the door for you. You'll have to go and visit Tony after this.

Four minutes later, you're stepping into Loki's cell again, and realising as you do that you haven't yet thought of what you want to say to him.

He's sat on the bed again, facing the door this time. The illusion in already in place... you assume. His facial expression doesn't change as you step into the room and the door shuts behind you.

You move to sit on the chair that you sat in last time, and cross your legs. It's cold in here.

"Why are you here?" Loki finally asks you, after realising that you're not going to be the first to speak.

You open your mouth, and then close it again, shrugging.

"I'm bored."

It's not a lie. Does he smile at that? You weren't looking at him, but you're sure he did, if briefly.

"You wish for me to start following you again?"

"No! God, no. Please don't." you say quickly in alarm. For a second you wonder if you've offended him, before remembering that it doesn't matter. He's locked up. A criminal.

"Shame. I was rather enjoying it."

"I was not." you reply.

"Evidently."

There's a pause, and you clear your throat.

"You could... visit." you suggest, internally cursing yourself as you speak. That sounds weird.

"What?" Loki asks, frowning disdainfully.

"If you want... if you're bored. You could visit. Me." you say, further hating yourself. How literate you are when you feel uncomfortable.

Loki just watches you, confusion and something like... disgust on his face. You should have kept your mouth shut.

"Forget it. I should go." you say, standing up abruptly. Don't let yourself go red, not now.

"Wait."

You stop, but don't turn around.

"I'd like that."

...

Your meeting with Tony after you'd been to visit Loki the second time had gone... surprisingly smoothly. He'd actually congratulated you on getting the guards to take you to the most highly guarded cell in the Tower.

"Do you see now there's no way Loki could be getting out?"

"Yes. It's very secure."

"Exactly. I'm glad you're feeling better, Y/N."

The next day, you'd spent all morning in anticipation of a visit from Loki. You couldn't help but wonder if you had in fact gone slightly mental; he was a convicted criminal and you found yourself... making friends with him.

Maybe not friends. Acquaintances. But still.

He tries to startle you upon his arrival. It doesn't work.

"There was no coffee on my desk this morning." you say, spinning around in your office chair to look at Loki. He'd seconds previously materialised right behind you.

If he's flustered, he doesn't show it.

"I forgot." he says, walking around you desk to sit in the chair opposite you.

"Ah, yes. What with your busy schedule and all..." you nod, spinning back round to face your computer. He's scowling.

"So you admit it's you? Leaving the coffee?" you continue.

"I would have thought that was glaringly obvious." he says.

"Thank you."

"Why did you ask me here?" Loki asks you, ignoring your thanks and clasping his hands beneath his chin. Someone walks past your door, and you freeze.

"Relax. They can't see me." he tells you.

"I... told you. I was bored." you say, answering his question.

"Mm, no. You want to ask more questions." he sighs, leaning back. You're at a loss. He's right.

"Go on then. Ask away." he says in apparent resignation.

"Can I ask about... the attack?" you ask tentatively.

"If you must." Loki says.

"Were you being controlled by that thing too? Like me and Clint?"

Loki's eyes seem to glaze over slightly, and his gaze drifts from your face to the window. You wait.

"Yes and no."

"What does that mean?"

"It's complicated."

You frown, sitting back in your chair.

"Why do you ask?" Loki asks you, before sitting up straight suddenly. "Did my brother put you up to this?"

"Wha- no! I haven't even seen Thor in days." you protest. Loki relaxes slightly, but continues to watch you suspiciously.

"So you're simply being intrusive." he says, leaning back again. You open your mouth in indignation, before realising he's smirking slightly. Trying to annoy you. Well, you're not going to rise to the bait.

You just sit, and wait for him to start talking. He sighs.

"The sceptre contained a powerful source of energy, which does have the ability to... affect ones actions. And I was under its influence. I realise that now." Loki tells you.

"So you were being controlled by it." you say in horror.

"Yes, but... it's not that simple." he replies, quite heatedly. You frown.

"I don't understand."

"I wouldn't expect you to."

You bite your lip, watching him.

"Have you spoken to Thor about this?"

"No."

"You should."

"Why is that?" Loki snaps.

"I'm trying to help you." you retort. There's a muscle going in his jaw.

"Maybe I don't need your help."

"Maybe you would like help but are just too stubborn to ask for it." you shoot back.

He stands up abruptly and you flinch slightly, your hand moving towards your bottom drawer. He sees. Something crosses his face, something you haven't seen before.

"Wait-"

He's already gone.