Loki's hands dropped from your arms and he took a step back shocked. Utterly shocked. You blanched and clapped a hand over your mouth, horrified and unable to believe you'd just said that. You hadn't realized what you said. Hadn't planned it. Hadn't thought.

And now.

You said it first.

After only one date.

Which was yesterday.

It was the kiss of death to a relationship for the woman to say those words first. It was even worse after just one date. You'd ruined everything before it had even had a chance to begin. You felt tears in your eyes when you realized just how badly you'd blundered.

"You... you love me?" Loki asked, dumbfounded and disbelieving. Your hand dropped from your mouth while you frantically tried to think to do something that just stand there stupidly. There had to be a way to fix it.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean- I meant-" you spluttered trying to come up with any explanation, anything at all that would help, or possibly fix this.

Your panicked terrified spluttering seemed to have broken through his shock. He chuckled, smiled warmly, and placed a finger against your lips, silencing your spluttering, though fear left tears in your eyes. "Do not think to start lying to me now, my dear. You meant exactly what you said. I find that people are most honest when they speak from emotion. Now, based on your reaction, you seem to expect that I am displeased by your words, when that cannot be further from the truth. I was simply surprised at your declaration, in no way upset by it. So tell me, what has you so frightened, little sorceress? Surely, you know I will not hurt you." He removed his finger from your lips so you could answer.

You thought for a moment on how to explain. He waited patiently for you to gather your words. "Males on Earth are stupid," you finally started.

He laughed. "Yes, darling, but what bearing does that have on this conversation?" he asked lightly.

You tried to give him a tentative smile, but it was hard. You were afraid that his words and reassurances were just words. "One of them would be calculating how to most quickly end the relationship had I made the same mistake," you told him softly. He raised an eyebrow, so you continued. "They get... bent out of sorts, if a woman says those words first and would flat out run away screaming had they been said after just one date, especially when that date was yesterday," you admitted, your voice small and afraid as a single tear fell. You didn't want to lose him over something so stupid.

"Midgardian males are stupid," Loki agreed gently, wiping your tear away delicately with one long finger. He pulled you into his arms and held you to him. "They are morons indeed to claim that they wish for a lady to love them and they break her heart for daring to state that love in words. Would that I could meet the men who had hurt you so. I would gladly remove their tongues from them for harming you and frightening you so, my darling," he kissed your forehead and ran his fingers through your hair, purring for you until you relaxed, until your fear that he would leave you had finally faded. "Let me enlighten you on a little secret, love," you looked up at him and his gave you his mischievous smile. "Yes, last night was our first official Midgardian date, but I have been courting you since I returned to this form. To hear that you love me is a joy and something I never thought would happen," he told you warmly, though you heard the bruise in his words, the fear that he would never find love. You knew he was bruised by his family on Asgard, except his Mother, but you hadn't appreciated the extent of that bruising. "I love you as well, my darling," he whispered into your hair.

"You're not-?" you tried to find the question, but it wouldn't come, wouldn't finish.

"No, dearest, I am not going to leave you, never, unless you wish for me to," he promised you softly. You sighed in relief, finally able to release the fear that you had messed everything up. "Now, will you kindly tell me how we find you a new familiar? I dislike seeing what the lack is doing to you. I promise not to be jealous of the creature," he teased that last part and you couldn't help smiling.

"I'll hunt for one after the business trip, ok?" you asked still softly, you were listening to the sound of his purring and didn't raise your voice above it.

He kissed the top of your head. "Very well. I will accept those terms and help you on your hunt if you would like the assistance?" his tone turned his last statement into a question.

"I'll let you know if I need help," you told him and fought back a yawn. It was late and you had an early day tomorrow. You stepped out of his arms and looked up into his eyes. "So, when are you handing it over?" you asked him with a smirk.

"Handing what over, darling?" he asked a touch too innocently, which just made you smile brighter.

"Whatever token, charm, spell, whatever you're planning on sending with me on this business trip as extra protection," you told him. He looked mildly surprised. "I know you're planning something, Trickster. You already don't like that I'm going on this trip, and that you can't come too. I don't believe for an instant that you'd let me go without some kind of extra protection." You told him firmly. He inclined his head with a warm smile.

"My lady does know me too well," he grinned, seeming pleased that you'd known he'd send you with some kind of extra protection since he couldn't accompany you. At least he was smart enough not to try to deny that he was planning something, and you had to admit that it warmed your heart that he cared so much. "I will give it to you tomorrow. I still have a couple of finishing touches on the spell,"

You nodded and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Then I'll see you in the morning. Don't forget I'll be up early. I have to go into the office to help Pepper with some last minute things before the trip. We're taking a jet from here, so I'll make sure to see you before we leave,"

"I remember, darling," he told you with just a hint of exasperation. You'd made sure that he knew the plans for the trip. He leaned down to kiss you lightly. "Sleep well, my love,"

"Goodnight, Lokitty," you opened your bedroom door, let him see and probe the room for intruders and closed the door behind you to get some sleep.

*

You had a quick breakfast with Loki, Nat, and Clint the next morning. They were heading out on a mission after breakfast. It was a fairly quiet breakfast, but nice and peaceful nonetheless. "Apparently you're into bad boys," Nat teased, glancing up at the TV screen which was showing tabloid pictures of you and Loki at the mall yesterday.

You rolled your eyes. "The tabloids will say anything for a story. Ignore them, Lokitty," you told Loki before he could get upset. You had to admit that the pair of you were adorable, though. You took a closer look at the pictures, but it was only a glimpse of black clothing in the background. Not enough to be sure. You wouldn't get the team riled up without proof. Besides, there was no reason for them to come after you, you were just paranoid.

You spent the morning and early afternoon with Pepper getting the final preparations done for the trip, making sure her staff knew what they needed to do without her for a couple of days, threatened Tony not to blow up all of the labs and show some constraint, and reminded Bruce that he was supposed to babysit Tony while Pepper was gone.

"Are you driving over to the tower, or do you want a lift?" you asked Pepper before you left, holding out a hand.

"Driving, I still need to pick up some things. I'll see you over there in a little bit," she told you. "Thanks again for coming,"

"No problem," you told her, though you really didn't want to go on this trip. You'd been asked, though and had no real reason to decline. You vanished, then, reappearing a moment later in the living room.

You yelped when arms grabbed you as you materialized, but giggled when you realized it was Loki. His hands were on your waist and he spun you around in a circle before hugging you close and giving you a kiss. "Welcome home, darling," he told you, his voice full of mirth.

"Hi, silly Lokitty," you replied, still smiling, and reached up to scratch behind one of his cat-ears before running your hand down his long hair. His eyes closed and he purred softly. "I'm going to miss you," you told him as you ran your fingers through his hair again.

"And I you, darling. At least it is only a couple of days," he told you and kissed you again, a light, chaste kiss his lips soft on yours, not pressuring, until you wrapped your arms around his neck for balance, standing on your toes to kiss him deeper, better. Your fingers wound in his hair, his strong hand cradled the back of your head and neck, holding you to him. Your lips parted, you tongue danced with his, until you finally broke the kiss, breathing heavily, and laughing as you realized your breath was fogging from the chill of his kisses.

"That was fun," you told him stupidly.

He chuckled and kissed the top of your head. "I'm glad my lady is pleased, but don't you have a trip to finish preparing for?" he asked lightly.

You sighed. "I do," you grumbled. You took his hand to drag him upstairs with you to get ready. There were only a couple more things to do, namely throw your phone charger and a couple other last minute things in your bag, so you got to enjoy more kisses with your Loki while you waited for Pepper to arrive.

"Miss Y/N. Miss Potts has arrived. She requests that you meet her at the jet as soon as you are ready," Jarvis announced. You sighed heavily.

"That's my cue," you told Loki sadly.

"One moment," Loki told you and came around behind you. You looked over at him, wondering what he was up to. His arms came around you, his hands meeting in front of your face and when he spread them, there was a simple diamond pendant suspended on a chain between his hands. It was beautiful even its simplicity. You reached up to hold your hair out of the way and Loki clasped the necklace around your neck.

"It's lovely," you told him and turned to kiss him.

"Not nearly as lovely as you, my darling," he told you brightly. "It isn't much, but the design is simple enough that it will go with everything we acquired for your trip," so you wouldn't have to take it off. He really didn't like that you were going without proper backup. "I won't interfere or impose on your trip, but if you need backup, call me, and I will be there in an instant. Promise me you won't hesitate if there's danger," he bid you urgently.

"I promise," you told him and kissed him again. "It'll be fine, Lokitty. We'll be back before you know it. I'll have my phone with me. I'm not going to be out of touch," you reminded him again.

He kissed you again gently and picked up your suitcase. You headed up to the flight deck where Tony and Pepper were saying, AKA kissing, goodbye at the jet. Happy took your bag from Loki to load on the jet. You kissed Loki, deeply, then when you were sure you had his attention. "Play nice with the others while I'm gone. Try not to stab your brother. He has to really deserve it," you added quickly before he could protest. "And you have to be able to convince me that he deserved it," he pouted at that. "I'll text you when we land and I'll see you on Thursday," you told him while Pepper was giving Tony a very similar speech.

"I love you," he told you softly, tentatively.

You smiled and gave him one last soft kiss. "I love you too." You waved at the sad Lokitty as you got on the jet.

*

The trip went as expected. A car met you when the jet landed and you texted Loki that you had arrived safely as you were driven to the hotel. You and Pepper had a suite with your own bedrooms opening to a central living room. Perks of travelling with the CEO of a giant corporation, the accommodations were super nice. The food was also fantastic through the entire trip. The presentation went smoothly, Pepper made the deal with no issues, though your knowledge and preparations did come in handy. You also saw that Happy was pleased that you could pretend to be her assistant and stay as a much closer guard than he could. You sent messages to Tony with updates since Pepper was busier than you were. You also sent pictures of all the food to Loki, as well as selfies in the clothes he'd helped you pick out for the trip. He sent you a picture of the rest of the team, and...somehow... a selfie with Thor. You made sure to save that one.

You surprised Loki by calling him Tuesday evening when you were getting ready for bed. "Hello?" he asked hesitantly and you realized that no one ever called him, so he had no real use for knowing how the phone aspect worked.

"Hi, Lokitty," you greeted him warmly.

"Y/N! This is a surprise,"

"I missed you, thought I'd call you to say hi," you explained.

"The sentiment is appreciated, darling. I miss you as well. How is the trip going?"

You told him all about Pepper in action verses the businessmen and how she's thoroughly kicked their asses and made them sign the deal. The official signing was the next day, but they had already agreed to the terms. You talked with Loki for a long time, until you were curled in your bed, nearly asleep on the phone.

"Go to bed, darling," Loki told you warmly, when you missed answering one of his questions since you were too far asleep already.

"Mmm?" you asked sleepily.

"I love you, dearest, and I appreciate the call, but it's quite late and time to hang up the phone and go to sleep,"

"Love you too," you replied and managed to hang up the phone before you fell asleep.

*

There was a celebration party your last night there. You and Pepper both donned fancy dresses and you did both of your hair with magic, which she was greatly appreciative of. You were both tired and ready to head home, but you had to celebrate the business deal with the stupid businessmen. The party was crowded, filled with drinks, appetizers, and way, way too many people. You didn't know why they were all here, except to annoy you. You stuck close to Pepper, watching the crowd for threats, though it had been a really quiet trip.

"Tell your assistant to lighten up and have fun!" one of the businessmen bothered Pepper when you turned him down for a dance.

She gave him a too-polite smile. "Y/N isn't single either, Dave. Stop hitting on all of my assistants," she told him firmly. He laughed it off.

Thankfully, the crowd didn't stay so thick for long. Most of the underling-businessmen left early in the evening. You saw figures in black, but didn't think anything of it, most of the men were in black suits, caught a flash of gold in the crowd, but told yourself you were just paranoid.

Until your phone went off.

You pulled your phone out to check the message while Pepper was chatting with a businessman. It was a text from the Headmistress of the magic school. And it was only one word long:

-Run-

Your head snapped up and you scanned the room again. You didn't see anything, but... the Headmistress wasn't to be ignored. You touched Pepper's arm, getting her attention. "Sorry for the interruption," you told the businessman. "Urgent business," you indicated your phone. He nodded and took a step back, understanding that Pepper was a CEO and business came up.

"What's going on?" she asked. She knew you wouldn't interrupt for 'business', only if something was wrong.

"We're going to Happy. Now. Don't draw attention," you whispered. She nodded, straightened her spine, and you started walking as if she really did have urgent business to attend to. You thanked all the gods for her nearly Nat-like ability to adapt to whatever situation was going on around her without questioning or understanding it. You saw figures move in the crowd. "Keep walking," you told Pepper. She did as you said. Happy was watching and moved toward her. She was safe.

You turned, trying to see who the figures were, trying to see the threat, if it was a threat or if you were just being paranoid. You and the Headmistress both being paranoid, though? You didn't see the threats before you heard the soft 'fwump-pop' sounds. You didn't realize what the sounds were until you shrieked in surprise at the sting of the twenty or so darts hitting your body at the same time. They weren't after Pepper at all.

They were after you.

You saw the threats then. The men in black suits with clerical collars, big gold crosses, priests all of them. They'd been hiding in the crowd and you recognized them immediately, even without their usual robes. They were rushing for you when they saw the darts had hit their marks.

The drugs hit your system fast and hard as you stupidly reached for a dart to try to yank it out of your arm. Your vision was clouding, turning black as your limbs turned to jelly, your brain turning to mush. You reached for your magic, but it was gone, just...gone. "Loki!" you shouted before the drugs fuddled your brain too much. You'd promised to call for backup if you needed, so call you did.

You hoped he would come in time.

Hoped his token worked

Hoped he would hear

Hoped...

as the world swam

as you fought to remain standing

as you fought to do

anything

...hop...ed...