Remember what I said about that mission being simple?

Yeah.......about that.

"Was it such a wise choice to taunt him?" Loki asked as the both of us had our back pressed against a boulder.

"How was I suppose to know he would turn into that?" I growled at him.

"If only sarcasm was a weapon," he said, mostly to himself. "I think they are  gone."

A large ball of fire sailed past the boulder that the both of us were hiding behind.

"Want to jinx this even more?!" I yelled as I pulled out my guns.  The both of us ducked down as another came right after, nearly burning my hair

"Run?" He asked.

"Run." I agreed.

The both of us sprinted into the forest, not looking back at what was was chasing us.

Our target wasn't a person as I thought he would be but rather another enhanced soldier that turned into a giant lizard that spat fireballs.

How lovely.

"How do we kill it?" Loki asked me.

"We can't. Richards said to bring him in alive so they can reverse the process!"

"Who cares what that fool thinks? We need to save ourselves."

"Stick to the mission, Trickster!" I jumped, sailing over a fallen tree in my path. "How good are you at climbing?"

"Decent. Do you have a plan?"

"Good," I said as I skidded to a stop. "I'll distract it and you'll take it out! Got that?!"

"Are you insane?!" He growled. "How's that a plan?!"

"Maybe," I shrugged. "A bit more that I anticipated. Why? Do you have a better one?" I challenged.

"How am I going to take it down?! And how are you even going to distract such a thing? Think this through!" Loki said, more like yelled at me.

"Oh shut up and trust me!" I ran ahead.

I assumed that Loki had already climbed a tree, staying in place for an ambush. I had my gun in one hand and a smoke bomb in the other. Bring it on you scaly son of a bitch! We're ready for you!

The sounds died down. I didn't hear his screeching anymore.

It was quiet, too fucking quiet and I knew that I had fucked up. I ran from my hiding spot and hit the ground. The next thing I know I'm laying facedown in the snow as fire flew over my head. I curled into a ball as the snow melted and sizzled. It stopped long enough for me to get up and run for a tree where I hid behind it. I pulled out my 9mm, waiting for the roaring to die down so that I could run.

I got up quickly, shooting him in the face. I managed to hit it in the eyes. It roared loudly flicking it's tail. I ducked just in time as it's tail whipped past me.

"Now!"

Loki came out of the trees, throwing a barrier between us. He landed next to me swiftly.

"This seems too easy." He said. "This is the mission SHIELD assigns to me?"

"Yeah but at least we get out of the tower." I said keeping my gun trained on the hostile. "So how are you going to knock him out?"

"Simple." Loki shrugged as he walked towards the barrier. The hostile lizard roared, one paw over its bleeding eyes as it tried to torch Loki. The flames were absorbed by the barrier. "I'll simply tell him to go to sleep."

"Go to sleep?" I repeated.

"Yes, Maya." He said. "As in
a condition of body and mind such as that which typically recurs for several hours every night."

It's a pity I couldn't shoot him.

"Just do what you have to."

Loki nodded and looked into its eyes.

"Aren't you tired? All that running and roaring should've made you exhausted." He said, his voice low and dangerous. "You should rest now, my friend."

The hostile slumped forward, landing in a head at our feet.

"Well....There's a lot of ways that clubs went down but I didn't expect that." I said as called in for SHIELD to come and get us. "Don't you think he should be restrained in case he gets back up?"

"Who has the magical abilities around here, dear?" Loki asked.

"You, asshat." I said. "Tie him up already so he doesn't try to kill anyone in the Quinn jet."

------------------

"So let me get this straight," Fury said rubbing his temples. "This guy is a giant ass lizard with wings and fire breath?"

"Yes," Loki and I said at the same time. The both of us looked like we had gone through a minefield. There was still soot on our faces and scorch marks on our clothes.

"And he's asleep?"

"Don't look at me." I said slightly raising my hands.

Director Fury took a deep breath and stood up. He placed his hands on the table, looking at me with his one eye.

"Agent Anwar," I winced inwardly as he called me by my last name. "I understand that you have been placed on probation for the past few months but get it together!"

Thankfully Loki stepped in.

"As much as it pains me to admit our first mission was a bit shaky, allow me to state the fact that Agent Anwar demonstrated exceptional quick thinking and handled the situation capability," Loki said with a calm and even voice. "I think that removing her from field missions when she has just started would not only undermine her experience but sever whatever potential she has. Therefore I think that we should all agree to overlook this matter. That is all, Director."

I thanked Loki in my head. I wasn't in a state to deal with this.

So much for going back to missions. I would be lucky the both of us were going on another mission anytime soon.

"Very well." Director Fury nodded to Agent Richards. "Both of you are dismissed."

I got up, smoothing down my shirt. Loki opened the door for me as we left Fury's office. I heard Agent Richards muttering just before I closed the door.

There was a bad taste in my mouth.

"You look shaken." Loki said, pressing the down button.

"I'm okay." I said. "Thank you."

"For what?" He asked as we stepped into the elevator.

"For stepping in. I appreciate it."

"Yes, well we are partners after all. It is my duty to 'have you back' as you mortals say. On the battlefield and other times."

"Are you being nice?"

"Maybe."

"And you expect me to just take your word for it?" I asked. "The God of Mischief and Lies?"

"Yes," he said turning to me. "I trust you, don't I?"

"Since when?"

Loki looked down at his watch which had survived the ordeal and then looked back up.

"Since six thirty this morning."

I should've punched him harder in the face.

--------------

By the time we made it back to the tower, the snow was starting to fall. It was a flurry of snow that turned the air cold as the wind howled through the narrow corners of buildings.

I shoved my hands into my pockets, scowling at the snow as I walked.

I hated snow.

All of my most unpleasant memories had been associated with snow.

When we reached to living room, Wanda and Vision were trying to hang the ornaments on the tree. Pietro zipped in and out, placing various fairy lights all around the room as Clint complained that he was doing it all wrong. All of them were wearing ugly Christmas sweaters with words on them.

Clint wore a purple one with 'Katniss got nothing on me' written under what I assumed to be a bird. Wanda wore red, matching with Vision (of course) with the words 'Such a Witch' on hers. Vision mearly said his name on his. I couldn't see Pietro's but from the blue streak I could safely assume her was wearing blue. I'm sure his said 'You didn't see that coming?' on it.

Bruce waved at Loki and I. He wore a green and purple sweater with he words 'Jolly Green Giant' on his.

The smell of cookies wafted from the kitchen making my stomach growl. I could faintly hear the sound of Christmas music playing in the background.

Loki and I exchanged a glance. I shrugged and stepped out of the elevator.

"Good timing, Maya." Sam said walking over to us. He handed both of us a mug of hot chocolate.

Once again Loki turned to me, slightly perplexed by the change in mood and atmosphere. He then took a tentative sip of his drink before lowering his guard and taking another sip.

Sam wore a red Christmas sweater with the words 'It's not a bird suit' sowed in.

"For what?" I asked taking a carful sip. I lowkey hoped that I would get my own sweater too.

"For Christmas decorating!" Tony walked in, a bunch of Christmas sweaters in his arms. "Christmas is in a week."

Tony wore a yellow and red sweater with 'Tony Stank' on it. I had a feeling that Rhodey did that.

Rhodey wore a grey sweater with the words 'U.S of A' on it in black. Pepper stood next to him with a yellow jumper, the number '12%' on hers. I assumed that was an inside joke.

"Stark, what are these monstrosities?" Loki asked picking up one of the sweaters that Tony dumped on the couch. "You are aware of the fact that your last name is misspelled."

"No, these are called Christmas Sweaters. It's kind of  a thing I make everyone do just because it's hilarious."

"Always enjoying the misery of others," I said. "Do I get one?"

"You know it, sweetheart." He winked as he pulled out a blue one for me. "It's your favorite color."

"How did you know?" I asked taking the sweater out of his hands.

"Honey, I'm Tony Stark."

"Sure, Mr. Stank."

Mine was a blue jumper with red designs and 'I am the Grumpy Cat ' written on it.

"Thank you," I said as I pulled it over my head. It was warm, cozy and smelled like hot chocolate.

"Any time, Grumpy Cat."

"You must be joking me?" Loki said.

I looked over to him pulling out an emerald green sweater that read 'Reindeer Games' in white. He glared at the article of clothing with such ferocity. I smirked as I noticed Thor standing behind him in a red jumper with 'Th'Oreal' on his.

Thor winked at me just before he grabbed Loki's sweater. He basically forced Loki into the sweater. Clint took out his phone, recording the whole ordeal. Off to the side Tony had Reindeer antlers and I had a feeling that Loki would be the butt of this joke.

"Thor! Get off me, you big oaf!"

"Just put on the sweater, Loki!" Thor laughed.

"Not even in Hel!"

"Hey there," Nat said walking in with her black sweater on. I saw the words 'What's the Sitch?' on hers. Right behind her were Bucky and Steve carrying in grocery bags.

She handed me a chocolate chip cookie.

"Hey," I said taking a bite of the cookie.

Bucky wore a grey sweater with 'The Christmas Soldier on it' Steve has a light blue one that had 'Capsicle' proudly displayed on it. Of course he did, Tony couldn't let that one go.

"It's snowing, Buck!" Steve said, a small glimmer of excitement in his blue eyes.

"It's cold," Bucky said as he pulled out several bags of chips with a frown on his face. "My arm nearly froze up again."

"But snow......"

"How about no?"

I rolled my eyes at those two. "Bromance," I muttered into my cup with a hidden smile. I sat down on the couch, happily munching my cookie.

This was nice.

There wasn't a major missions we had to go on, no fights, no important things to attend to. It was just the Avengers spending time with each other.

Loki sat down on the couch next to me. His arms were crossed over his chest as his hair was a mess as the reindeer antlers were safely tucked behind his ears. All he needed was a red nose and the look would've been complete.

"Why do Midguardians celebrate this accursed holiday?" He grumbled.

"Why not?" I asked, shrugging. "Don't you have holidays is Asguard? So do we. It's not that different. Just because it might seem silly to you doesn't mean that it is to us."

"Yes but---"

"But nothing," I put down my cookie and cocoa mug. "You can't judge something without experiencing it."

"You actually like these holidays, Maya?"

I shrugged. "Yeah."

"Why?" He asked.

I looked out at the scene in front of me. Wanda was trying to untangle Clint from the lights Pietro put in him. Vision flew up to place the tree on top of the Christmas tree. Bruce was meticulously placing presents underneath the tree. Tony had his arm sound Pepper as him. Rhodey had a Santa hat, trying to make Tony wear one as well. Sam and Steve were talking as Bucky and Nat were baking.

I turned back to Loki with the corner of my mouth turned up. He was still patiently waiting for an answer.

"I just do, Loki."

--------------

Christmas morning rolled around and I was in for a rude awakening as Tony used the speakers basically wake us up so that he could open presents.

I met Loki in the hallway who looked equally groggy about being woken up in such a rude manner. He wore a dressing robe over his green pajamas and his hair was a mess.

"Should I kill him?" He asked me rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Not on Christmas." I yawned, stretching my arms as we waited for the elevator. "Maybe on St. Patrick's day."

I was nodding off to sleep as the elevator rose up towards the penthouse. We were the last two to get there. Everyone was waiting for us so that they could open their presents and then go back to sleep.

"Merry Christmas!" Steve said a little too happy.

"Merry Christmas, Soldier." Loki said back.

"So how does this go?" I asked, sitting down on ground next to Natasha. "Do we open them in a specific order or do we just open them all at one?"

"I say screw it and grab a present with your name on it," Bucky grabbed a silver box and then grabbed another handing them over to people. "Nat! This ones yours!"

He handed me a small tiny box, with a green ribbon tied up on it.

"Oh, good." Loki said as he started to unwrap his present from Thor. "You got my present. Go on. Unwrap it."

"You got me a present?" I raised my eyebrow. "But I didn't get you one. How is that fair, Loki?"

"Open it, Maya."

I was careful not to get a paper cut as I discarded the wrapping paper neatly in a pile next to me. The ribbon was tricky to untangle but eventually I got through with it.

"It's a........crystal?" I asked, holding up the crystal necklace Loki had gotten me.

It was indeed a crystal necklace with gold runes along it. It was very beautiful and I could tell that it must have been costly from its incredible detail.

"Do you not like it?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.

"No. I like it." I said as I put it around my neck. "Thanks, Trickster."

"Good." Loki seemed smug with himself for some reason.

"Brother," Thor scooted closer to Loki with an eager smile on his face. "Do you like my present?!"

Loki looked down at the green scarf which Thor had no doubt knotted himself for Loki. I was soon to learn that Thor had knitted something for everyone on the team, he even made me a pair gloves that were really warm.

"Yes. Thank you, Thor." Loki said eventually, a small tinge of pink on his cheeks.

I think Loki must have been a bit mortified of the fact that he had swallowed some of his pride to say that but we weren't complaining and by the look of Thor's smile, he wasn't either.

"Oh, Wait! I nearly forgot this!" Tony pulled out a red box from the behind the tree and handed it to me. "This is from all of us. We thought that since you're an official Avenger you might need a new suit."

"New suit? Guys, you didn't have---" I stopped, looking up at Tony. "Wait. What did you just say?"

"Just open your present." Nat said, rolling her eyes.

"But----"

"Open it, women!" Tony said throwing his hands in the air.

I ripped the red wrapping off revealing a white box. I lifted the lid off the box carefully to see a black polyester type material in there. Pushing the tissue out of the way I looked up at The Avengers who were smiling.

"Guys.......no way. Really?" I pulled the out of the box. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." Clint said as he put on his knitted scarf. "Consider this a belated birthday present."

"Congrats, Avenger." Steve said, patting me on the back. "Welcome to the team."

A/N: For their first mission, it wasn't half bad. Here's just a few chapter of warm and fluffy feels before shit hits the fan. Again. Have fun. Don't forget to vote or comment!