Loki x Reader: Into the MCU

Chapter 39: When in Rome

"You were bashing your home first!" Loki defended.

"Yeah, but I'm allowed cuz it's my place. Besides, I was comparing it to kick-ass names like Nidavellir. Sorry, language," you cringed, realizing you were continually digging yourself deeper. It was hard not to be yourself around Thor and Loki, even with Odin in the room. Thankfully, he never once seemed offended, watching on pleasantly as his sons engaged in the banter as much as you did.

"I have heard far worse from my own sons, it's part of being a father," Odin said.

"Is the usually so eloquently spoken Loki actually a foul-mouth behind closed doors?" you gasped in exaggerated disgust, "Thor I could see."

Thor raised a glass to that, owning it proudly.

"On occasion," Loki confessed.

"Quite a few occasions," Thor clarified.

"I don't recall your opinion being asked."

"Ooo, someone's a little bit defensive," Thor raised his eyebrows.

"Someone's a little bit irritating!"

"Someone's a little bit whiny! Shocker."

"How about we talk about your behavior? Maybe a particular night in our youth where---"

"Father, he's bringing it up again!" Thor pointed accusingly at Loki, "Mother told him how many times---"

"Please, behave yourselves," Odin sighed, "Not only are you two a little old for this, but we have a guest."

You tried not to laugh at how their family meals were so...ordinary. Even down to the sibling bickering and parental scolding. Loki and Thor shut their mouths but glared across at each other, Thor giving him a taunting look.

"Yeah, you have a guest, Loki," you muttered to him, "Shameful."

He couldn't hold back his smirk as he kicked your leg.

"Tell me about yourself, my dear," Odin said, a request you often despised. Where did one start with such a task? You told him briefly about your family, where you lived, what you did, etc.

"And with the Avengers? How is living with them?"

"Oh it's great! We have game nights, I hear all the stories from their missions, I get to train, it's all pretty sweet. And they're more amazing than I imagined them being. More flawed, or irritating at times, but that makes them all the more real and relatable. Like a family."

"Family is quite an important thing," he said, a knowing look in his eyes. You were planning on telling Loki about your meeting with Odin, but the conversation you had would remain a secret. Thankfully, subtly referencing it seemed to be all Odin was doing, which you were grateful for. Not that you thought Odin a snitch.

"Even when they argue like babies," you said, looking from Loki to Thor, "Without them, who would we have to argue like babies with?"

"I'm sure Thor would find someone to bother."

"None quite as enjoyable as you, brother. You're particularly hilarious when worked up...although in a threatening and occasionally scary way."

Loki was able to smile at that, even chuckling a bit along with Thor.

"Aw so cute," you whispered.

"Aaand, you ruined it," Loki said, sipping his drink.

"Do you intend to continue your training?" Odin asked.

"Loki said he'd work with me. I think it'd be stupid to hide and not use the time to prepare for a worst case scenario. The more I can protect myself, the less I have to fear, right?"