Loki x Reader: Into the MCU

Chapter 32: Aftermath

"Hey, no one in this room said otherwise. We'll be sure to make it very clear who came up with this hypothesis when we tell the others," you said.

"Speaking of, when are they gonna call it a night?" Bruce asked, "Or morning, I guess. The sun will be up soon." 

"I don't even know how many hours it's been since we left Asgard," you confessed, "Especially with time being different here, I don't know if the time of days correspond with each other."

 "It's been quite a few hours from the end of the battle, and that itself took two to three at least," Nat offered.

"Loki told me he'd let me know when he and Thor were done checking on and settling the outskirts. I don't know when Cap and the others will be done establishing order and defenses though."

"It's Steve," Nat snickered, "You know he'll be giving a report on their progress soon."

"They should be wrapping up soon, I'd think."

"Can I ask about this Loki situation?" Bruce asked randomly.

"What Loki situation?" you sighed tiredly, knowing what was coming.

"The things that rock guy said."

"Korg."

"Right, Korg. The things he said...I get it you two aren't a thing, but how do you know Loki? Like, how are you friends?"

"I know him same as how I know all of you."

"Ok, so I guess what I'm trying to say is....how are you friends with him?"

"We're just..."

Should I lie about being friends anymore? I've got to believe that Loki is at least interested in being friends for real at this point. But what if he isn't and you look like an idiot for thinking it??? Damn. I guess he deserves a little trust.

"Fine, we're friends, ok? Or at least trying to be. But no matter what Nat tells you, we're just friends!"

"You think they're more? Isn't friends bad enough??" he asked Nat.

"Hey!" you said in offense.

"It is bad, ok? You know what he's done, so don't give me that look."

"Ok, shortened story of what I told them: He has a redemptive arc and dies trying to save Thor in the future ok? Also, he has a little justification for being a villain. Killing people? Never ok. But deserving of a second chance? Of course, same as Nat and you and Thor and Tony and Wanda and practically everyone. End of debate."

"Fine," he sighed, "I guess the Hulk as done his fair share of horrors."

"We all have," Nat added.

"I still don't trust him as far as I can throw him. As Banner, I mean, not the Hulk. Cuz you know, the Hulk could throw him pretty far actually."

"We get it," you chuckled, "And maybe you'll get used to him. He's only been here ten days and Nat's warming up to him."

"What? I never said---" she started, raising her hands in defense.

"Oh come on, don't give me that. You don't throw daggers with your looks anymore. Come ooon, you know I'm right," you smirked.

She looked back and forth between you and Bruce, the latter looking like he was praying it wasn't true.

"He's easier to tolerate after a bit," she admitted, "He has a sense of humor that's hard to swallow given his history. It's like if Wanda made jokes about the Hulk destroying people. That would be in poor taste given her history. For that, I still don't entirely trust him or like him...but he can still be funny. And he's proven he'll at least protect you."