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MELANIE was a dancer, but she by no means enjoyed working out.

And she made it known when Steve pushed her, encouraging her self-defense skills.

"We'll always try to protect you, Mel," he said gently as she took a sip of water. "But we might not always be here. You have to learn to fight because you're important to us. If someone finds that out — they'll come for you."

Melanie scowled, throwing her hands against his padding. He offered a sad smile.

"Mel, work with me here," he sighed. "It's for your own good."

"I'm mad at you," Melanie pouted. "I'm supposed to spending time with Nat today and—"

"Nat said she'd rather you're unhappy and safe than happy and dead."

Melanie groaned. "I hate logic!"

Steve laughed at her antics, shaking his head. "Come on, kid, hit me again."

—

Melanie didn't seek out Loki again, very content with her blossoming relationship with Natasha.

So it was a complete surprise when his brother knocked on her door, Loki standing beside him, looking incredibly unhappy to do so.

"Oh," Melanie smiled, waving to them both cheerfully. "Hi, Thor!" She greeted. "Afternoon, Loki. Did you guys want some snacks? I'm watching Supernatural again."

"We've no need for food, you insolent—"

Thor elbowed his brother and smiled kindly to Melanie. "I'd love to join you in your natural super watch, but I have a meeting with Stark at this time. Perhaps you and my brother could bond?"

Melanie blinked in surprise, giving Loki a wide-eyed look. Loki rolled his eyes as if to say 'I haven't a choice in the matter' but Thor grabbed her attention again with a blinding smile.

"Please, little Melanie, I ask humbly that you keep my brother company—"

"—I don't need a babysitter, brother—"

"—As he has been isolating himself lately," Thor continued as if Loki hadn't spoken. "And I think you could encourage good behavior."

"I don't know," Melanie frowned a bit, concern crossing her face. "I did lie to Steve three days ago that I got sick so I could skip out on the self-defense lesson. I don't want to encourage bad habits."

Loki sighed heavily, closing his eyes and Thor tapped her head.

"You'll be just fine, little Melanie," he pat his brother on the back, sending him into the room, before bidding them both adieu and walking away.

Melanie closed the door behind Loki.

"So...this is my room," Melanie waved her hands to show it off.

When he asked her to be the Avengers Chef, Tony winked and designed her room exactly as she wanted.

Pale blue walls, sticky stars to the ceiling, a television on a white dresser, two matching nightstands at her bedside. A Lord of the Rings themed picture above her bed — subtle, but still understood as a reference — and a place for her plushies.

Her bed was a King's size — which she thanked Tony for profusely, having only ever slept in a twin-sized bed — and had floral sheets and fluffy white comforter with mismatched pillows. A big window with a skyline of New York City was below her and she was lucky to have a bathroom conjoined with an empty room, so it was mostly hers.

Melanie hurriedly pushed pause on the show, and then held up a bag of sour patch kids.

"They're sweet and sour," she gushed, offering him the bag. "Have you ever had them before?"

"Are you always this childish?" He asked her in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Melanie asked, eyebrows furrowing together.

"The innocence act, does it work for you?" Loki snarked, raising an eyebrow. "People indulge you?"

Melanie slowly lowered the sour patch kids bag and sat on her bed. "I don't really know what you're getting at."

"You're ridiculous," he crossed his arms, looking around her room. "Stuffed bears and...is that a unicorn? Gods, you're pathetic."

"You're being very rude right now," Melanie's eyes watered. "I'm just trying to be nice and have you in my room and—"

"—I didn't ask to come in here—"

"—And I didn't ask you to!" Melanie shouted, then covered her mouth. "I'm sorry," she said with wide-eyes. "I didn't mean to shout. It's just...you're very frustrating because I'm trying to be nice to you and your brother but all you've been is mean. So you can sit next to me and watch a show with me all quiet and mopey, or you can leave all quiet and mopey. It's your call."

Loki blinked, taken aback by her words. Then he promptly left the room and closed the door behind him.

Melanie sighed loudly, curling up next to her unicorn plushie.

"Stupid boys," she mumbled, pushing play on her show.

Pulling out her phone, she sent a quick message to Natasha, with three hearts, and smiled to herself when Natasha sent something flirtatious back.

—

Melanie felt terrible for yelling at Loki, guilt gnawing at her despite Natasha's protests that Loki was a jerk and not worth the effort.

With Loki's aloof behavior and narcissistic tendencies, Melanie doubted anyone had ever truly been kind to him — except, perhaps, Thor.

So, Melanie asked Thor what Loki's favorite dessert was — something Melanie completely forgot the name of — and proceeded to make an Earth equivalent.

Fruits, nuts, honey, pastry dough and spices?

Immediately, Melanie set to work on baklava. Blasting Taylor Swift in her earbuds and dancing with a spatula, forty-five minutes passed quickly.

After letting it cool — and pressing a quick kiss to Natasha's lips as she passed her on the sofa with Clint — she took the baklava to Loki's room and rapped on the door.

She knocked three times before he answered with a look of irritation.

"Hi, Loki," Melanie smiled brightly. "I felt bad about yelling at you earlier, so I asked Thor about your favorite dessert. I forgot what the name is, but the closest we have on Earth is baklava. It's got nuts and berries and sugary dough — and it's one of my favorite desserts too. Anyways, um," she offered him a slice on a plate. "There's more downstairs, I put an angry note on there so if anyone tries to take it, they'll get a big lecture from me, and you don't have to eat it, but if you'd like to, you can."

Loki looked from her face to the dessert and then to her face again, eyebrows furrowed.

"Why have you made this?" He asked in confusion.

"Because I yelled at you," Melanie shrugged. "That's not nice."

"I berated you and was cruel to you," Loki countered, looking back to the dish and her again. "You're allowed to have emotions — what — I don't want this."

Melanie's face fell. "Oh," she nodded, grip tightening on the plate. "Sure, okay — yeah, just — I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing," Loki snapped. "It's ridiculous." He looked her over before sighing and taking the dish from her. "Go."

Melanie nodded, wholly bewildered by the entire interaction, but left him alone.

Glancing back, Melanie fought a smile when she caught him cautiously bringing the baklava to his lips before closing the door.

Score.

—

Natasha pressed her lips on Melanie's head, cuddling the blonde against her as they watched a reality show in Melanie's room.

"This guy's an idiot," Natasha grabbed a mouthful of popcorn. "He's totally losing her with this attitude."

"I know!" Melanie exclaimed, grabbing another sour patch kid. "I think she's going to leave him at the altar. He's got the drug addict look about him."

Natasha snorted. "You mean with the crazy eyes?"

"Exactly," Melanie giggled, looking up at her soulmate.

Natasha caught her gaze and smiled softly. "What is it, милый?"

"You're really pretty," Melanie mumbled. "I like being around you."

Natasha's smile widened and she pulled Melanie into a soft kiss.

"I like being around you, too," she whispered against her lips, leaving Melanie with popcorn and cherries.

Melanie cuddled against her chest again, sighing happily as Natasha's fingernails stroked her bare shoulder.

"Are we girlfriends?" Melanie asked after a pause.

"If you'd like," Natasha offered. "I'm not one for labels, but if it makes you more comfortable."

"Sure," Melanie nodded, eating another sour patch kid. "I'd like that."

"Me too."

—

TRANSLATIONS:
милый - cutie

short and sweet and too fluffy to handle UGH
yall are not READY for Bucky and Wanda they're going to make you giggle and kick your feet. Loki's such a baby he's so confused bless him. hopefully enjoyeddd:)