A/N: I AM BACK! Ugh, my muse fought me hard on this! In penance, this is completely uncut. Which means it's extremely long. Like double my average chapter length long. No more promises on chapter ETAs. But I will promise to complete this fic. Now, LET'S DO THE DAMN THANG!

Sooo many songs. Sorry, I'm not sorry.

General songs for the chapter:

"Tongue Tied" Grouplove

"Pony" Ginuwine

"Electric Feel" MGMT

Karaoke songs:

"Hypnotize" Notorious B.I.G.

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" The Proclaimers

"Red, Red Wine" UB40

DISCLAIMER: No mortals, gods, or ponies were harmed in the making of this chapter. Also, I don't own shit. Buy the tunes, people!

The cab pulled up behind the black limo parked in front of Monsoon Siam, Darcy's favorite Thai restaurant. After paying the fare, Jane and Thor piled out, Darcy and Loki behind them. As he stood from the vehicle, Darcy turned and grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently. He looked down in surprise to where her small fingers threaded through his own. When he glanced back to her face she was smiling. "Come on! I'm hungry!" she said, pulling him along.

Halfway to the door of the restaurant, she paused to look back at him hesitantly, "Hey, do me a favor tonight? Could you be nice? To everyone, I mean? And...don't talk to Clint, ok?"

Before he could reply, Jane called to them, Thor holding the door, "C'mon, you two!"

Loki forced himself not to think about why she kept her hand clasped with his all the way inside. But when she finally pulled away to go greet the others, he couldn't help thinking that his hand had never felt so strangely empty.

"I HAVE ARRIVED!" Darcy crowed as she flounced past the rest of her entourage and into the dimly lit dining area. A chorus of 'happy birthdays' greeting her from the long table set up in the center of the room.

But she stopped short when she noticed that her little family was the only table in the whole restaurant. Weird. "Wait, why's this place so empty?"

"I bought it out for the night," Tony replied casually, perusing his menu.

"For me?" Darcy murmured in wonder, taking her seat at the head of the table.

"Eh, sure, why not?" flashing her his best billionaire-genius-playboy-philanthropist smile.

Pepper Potts rolled her eyes, "You did it for you."

Tony shrugged with a smirk, "Fangirls."

On cue, quiet titters could be heard coming from the kitchen area; several of the girls on the wait staff apparently hadn't gotten the no-fangirling memo.

As the waitress came around and took orders, Darcy's eyes wandered down to the other end of the table where Loki sat. He already looked bored, but she knew it was because he was uncomfortable. She recognized awkward defense mode when she saw it. When his green eyes turned her way, she shot him a little half-smile. He didn't return it, but the corners of his eyes crinkled a little and he seemed to relax. Mission accomplished.

Dinner went off without a hitch. Which, considering the company, was pretty fucking impressive. The food was awesome, as usual (though Tony griped the whole time about how he couldn't understand why they couldn't have just gone for shawarma). And without Steve, there was no one to fight with Thor over the last wonton. So, at least there was that. Fuck, did she wish Steve was...nope. She wasn't gonna get all mopey. Shawty, it was her birthday! And damn if she won't gonna party like it was her birthday! Tears in no way factored into that plan!

After dinner, the waitress brought out a huge cake. It was her favorite, of course. Chocolate with cream cheese icing. On it was an image of Grumpy Cat and it sad 'Happy Birthday. JK. Hope it sucks.'

Apparently, Pepper had let Tony help pick it out. It was absolutely fucking perfect.

After the candles were blown and the cake had been cut then doled out (Thor's 'slice' being an entire quarter of it), Darcy was ready for the best part.

"Now presents! Gift me, bitches!" she clapped her hands before rubbing them together greedily.

"Ooh me first! Me first!" Tony practically squealed, plopping a bag onto the table with a 'thunk', "This is from me and Pep!"

With gusto, Darcy ripped the paper out of the gift bag and her eyes got big as saucers. "You didn't!" she gasped.

"We did." Pepper smiled, "...Well, I did."

Tony looked utterly offended. "Hey! I paid for..." he hesitated, "what did we get her again?"

Darcy lifted the box out of the bag reverently. Manolo Blahniks. Just like Pepper. Just like Carrie Fucking Bradshaw. Dear, sweet baby Jesus...

Carefully, so carefully, she lifted the lid of the shoe box and peeled back the delicate tissue paper. She was greeted with the beautiful sight of soft cobalt blue suede four inch pumps. "Darcy Bradshaw..." she whispered, awestruck.

"Happy birthday, Darcy!" Pepper and Tony said in unison.

"OHMIGAWD! Thank you guys!" she squealed darting out of her seat to practically strangle the two in a hug.

"You're welcome, kid." Tony coughed out.

When she finally released them and made her way back to her seat, it was Bruce who piped up next.

"Here's mine," he murmured quietly, pulling the small card out of his jacket pocket, "it's not much, but..."

When she peeked into the card, an iTunes gift card slipped out. "It's perfect, Doc, I love it!" she said, leaning over to place a kiss on his cheek.

Bruce smiled at her and patted her on the arm, "Just keeping us set for Throwback Thorsdays. No more Whitesnake, ok?"

"Et tu, Bruce? Et tu?" Tony frowned in mock betrayal, arms crossed over his chest.

Darcy laughed, "I think I can manage that, Bruce."

Next, her gaze slid to Clint. "You promised presents, Hawkbutt! Now gimme!" she grinned, making grabby hands in his direction.

Clint rolled his eyes and slid a box across the table toward her, "Happy birthday, Darcy."

Darcy ripped into the package and when she realized what it was she giggled, "Just what I always wanted, Clinty! How ever did you know?"

"Lucky guess..."

"Hold it up, I can't see!" said Jane.

Darcy grinned at her wickedly, "Janey, I see a movie night in our future." She proudly hoisted up her new Magic Mike Unrated Special Edition on Blu-Ray.

Tony almost choked on his drink before busting out laughing.

"Oh, most definitely! Thanks, Clint! You gonna join us?" Jane teased.

"Well, that depen-." the archer cut his eyes to Thor, "er, I mean, no."

Seeing the none-too-amused look on her godly boyfriend's face (and, surprisingly, on Loki's, as well) Jane quickly changed the subject. "Our turn!" she called happily, "This one's from Thor and me! And Loki, too!"

"Yes!" Thor bellowed, sufficiently distracted from Clint, "Many blessings to you on this, the celebration of your birth, Lady Darcy!"

Everyone was quiet, waiting for Loki to maybe speak, but he was still busy glaring daggers at Clint Barton.

"Aw, you guys!" Darcy cooed obliviously, ripping the wrapping paper off of the shirt box. When she opened it, on top of the tissue paper sat a really official looking leather binder. Inside was a fancy piece of parchment with what appeared to be a bunch of science-y looking lingo and embossed seals. In the middle, a beautiful script read 'Darcy's Avenger'.

"I love it!" Darcy squealed, "But...what the hell is it?"

Jane laughed. "It's a star. It's named for you. I'll show it to you for real with the telescope when we get home."

"HOLY. SHITBALLS. You guys bought me a friggin' star?!"

Thor laughed heartily and Jane rolled her eyes, "We didn't buy it, we named it after you. You can't own a star, Darce."

"I OWN A FREAKIN' STAR! I'm like, a total boss right now!"

Next to her Tony whispered to Pepper, "How come I don't own a star? I want a star, too!"

Jane rolled her eyes again before smiling at her friend, "Happy birthday, Darce, we love you!"

"I love you guys! Thank you! All of you! Thank you so so so-"

"Hold up a sec, Tasergirl," Clint interrupted, reaching under the table, "Still got more to open."

"Seriously?!"

"Yep. I told you I'd bring presents. Not present," he grinned, standing with two more gifts in hand. "Nat and Steve sent these. They wanted me to tell you happy birthday and they wish they were here."

Darcy could feel the tears threatening as Clint sat the two gifts onto the table in front of her.

She picked up the small rectangular box first, recognizing the neat, boxy handwriting on the tag. To my best girl on her birthday. Love, Steve.

When she lifted the lid, her eyes grew wide. Inside was a long silver chain and dangling from the end were two very tiny silver charms. One, a pencil and the other, an iPod. Darcy chuckled quietly as she delicately touched them. Only Steve. It was the most perfect gift she'd ever gotten. Even better than Manolos, music, Channing Tatum, and stars combined. Gently, she lifted the necklace from its case and clasped it around her throat, adjusting the charms until they lay neatly against her sternum.

Her eyes were prickling and the lump forming in her throat felt like it was the size of Mew-Mew. Now is not the time to get emotional! God damn you, Rogers! Fuck. Get it together, Lewis!

"It's really beautiful, Darce." Jane murmured from over her left shoulder. Darcy hadn't even noticed that she and Pepper had gotten up to have a closer look.

When she trusted herself not to cry, or laugh, or both, she cleared the lump in her throat. "Yeah."

Shooing the two back to their seats, she quickly moved to the larger box. On top was a simple card bearing a sophisticated script. Use wisely. Happy birthday. xo Natasha. When she opened the box and parted the pink tissue paper she gasped. Then, with a very unladylike snort, began snickering.

"What is it? What is it? Lemme see!" Tony whined, leaning over.

"Holy shit, guys!" Darcy said through her laughter, "Check this out!"

Loki did not know what ill he had inflicted on the Norns, but he was without a doubt being punished for it. Most cruelly, he thought. Those wretched bloody hags… True, he had committed more transgressions in his life than were worth keeping up with at this point. However, the Fates must surely have some sort of personal vendetta against him. And whatever he had done must have been exceptionally evil.

Normally, he would wrack his brain to determine what particular slight had occurred and when. Devise a way to worm his way out of it. However, his mind was in no position for such reflection at the current moment. No, his thoughts were solely occupied by Darcy Lewis. And that damned gift from the Widow.

Black and lace, the undergarments the Spider had given Darcy were the most sinful thing he'd seen. But what was most startling was that there was a sheath attached to the garter...a dagger included. If his mind hadn't been quite so clouded, it might have been ridiculous. He could vividly imagine how the lingerie would delicately cling to soft curves, dagger gleaming, hard metal against the silk of her skin...

Damn it to bloody Hel!

He did not know what benevolent deity had been merciful enough convince the girl that they did not require a 'taxi' to shuttle them between the restaurant and the place of karaoke (which, come to find out, was simply an ordinary tavern). Loki could have cried from sheer relief when she begrudgingly agreed they could ride in the limousine with the others. There was positively no way he could have tolerated having her pressed against him or upon his lap just then.

"Oh, Jesus... I know that look. You've got your scheming schemer face on." Jane regarded her friend-tern warily over the rim of her glass.

She and Darcy were perched at a small table in the corner nursing a couple of Cosmos that the birthday girl insisted they have. Since she was now Darcy Bradshaw, obviously. The karaoke bar was set up the same as it always was, except emptier. Just like the Thai restaurant, Tony had apparently bought it out for the night, as well. Rather than the usual patrons, it was filled with their crew plus several SHIELD agents and a few folks from Stark R & D. Karaoke was set to start at 9, and it was drinks and the DJ until then.

"Scheming? Moi?"

Jane rolled her eyes, "Out with it."

Darcy grinned devilishly, "I have the most perfect idea in the history of perfect ideas."

"We are gonna be in trouble, aren't we?"

"If by 'in trouble' you mean tits-deep in awesomeness, then yes. Yes, we are in so, so much trouble."

Jane peered at her evenly, the broke out in a grin of her own, "Fuck it. What's the plan?"

"One word: pony."

"Oh. Shit. Are you sure that will work again?" Jane hissed as she furtively glanced around the bar until she located the intended target.

"Oh, my dear sweet Jane... 60% of the time, it works every time."

"Yeah, but... I mean, aren't we gonna need...?"

"Yep." Darcy drawled, popping the 'p'. "Jager bombs. They're his kryptonite."

Jane nodded sagely. "Obviously, I'm in. What about Pepper?"

"No need to involve more innocents than necessary, Foster. We got this. She's gonna benefit either way."

"True. But she could recruit Tony to run interference if this goes south..."

"Absolutely not. This mission needs a degree of subtlety that, let's face it, he just does not have."

Jane considered this. "I'm just not sure, Darce. It's not gonna be as easy this time."

"I think you're underestimating how much our little Birdbrain enjoys being the center of attention. He's as bad as Tony."

Jane sighed, "Yeah. I just wish Natasha was here."

"Me too, but think of how proud she's gonna be when she finds out we did this on our own." Darcy pointed out.

"Darce. You did it pretty much by yourself the last time."

"I know! Which is why it will work again. But you're gonna have to take point this time. If I'm running this shit show, he's gonna get savvy. So are you ready or what?"

Jane squared her shoulders in determination, "Ready."

"Good. I'll square up with the DJ. You get this party started."

"Oh my god." Pepper murmured in awe, head cocked to the side, mesmerized by the sight before her.

"Right?" Jane whispered, equally enthralled.

"This is...this is..."

"The best thing ever?" Darcy supplied, biting her lip.

"He could make so much money doing this... Why is he not making money doing this?" Pepper sounded genuinely confused.

"Beats the hell out me," Jane murmured.

Darcy snickered, "He could take all my money. All of it."

"He can take all of Tony's money, too. Christ. How didn't I know about this?"

"Um, I think that's how." Darcy nodded over to where Thor and Loki sat at the adjacent table glaring. Tony was alternating between shooting them looks of commiserating disgust and grinning gleefully at the latest blackmail video currently recording on his phone.

Pepper tore her eyes away from Clint Barton's gyrating, shirtless magnificence and toward the pouting group of man-children. Then, in a decidedly un-Pepper move, snorted.

"Ya know," Jane mused, "this should not be so hot. I mean, it's Clint."

Darcy smirked, "Psh, tell that to my lady-boner."

Pepper made a small noise of agreement. "We should look away."

"Should." Jane affirmed.

"You guys do what you want. It's my birthday and mama's getting a lap dance."

Loki sat fuming from his spot between Thor and Tony Stark. He could feel his veins practically thrumming. The anger simultaneously boiling and freezing his blood. He was going to murder Clint Barton. His former minion, while of great heart, was of very little brain and clearly had almost no value for his pathetic life.

And based upon the thunderous expression on Thor's face, his thoughts weren't very different.

Of course, Darcy Lewis had instigated the entire fiasco. Upon arriving, she had immediately whisked Jane Foster away to the bar. It was apparently necessary that they procure pink beverages and observe something she called "girl time" in reverence to the "Sex and the City" she had been incessantly prattling about all evening. He had watched with some amusement as she, eyes alight with mischief, quietly engaged Jane in what could only be plans for chaos.

Chaos indeed.

Thor's mortal let loose what could only be described as a battle cry, calling for "Jager bombs". Darcy had slunk way to confer in whispers with the mortal (known as D.J., according to Thor) who was charged with playing music in the tavern. As it turned out, Jager bombs were simply a variation of the miniature drinks Jane and Darcy had imbibed on All Hallow's Eve. They were also disgusting. However, Clint Barton appeared to adore them. In a manner which reminded him much of Fandral and Volstagg, Jane and Darcy quickly challenged him to a competition to determine who could drink the most. By the time the man called D.J. made his infuriating announcement, the archer was at least twice as intoxicated as every other mortal.

"Hey, party people! The birthday girl would like to dedicate this next song to Clint 'Magic Hawk' Barton and Loki, the equine enthusiast."

How dare she?! It was...it was...exactly the sort of prank that he would have pulled! He had scowled furiously at her from across the room and she returned with a mischievous grin of her own. Damn her!

Where Loki was angered, Clint Barton was overjoyed. The drunken archer quickly hopped upon the stage reserved for karaoke and proceeded to make a utter fool of himself. And much to the delight of every mortal female, engaged in all manner of pelvic sorcery while removing several articles of clothing.

That (and the lust filled look on Darcy's face) was enough to make Loki furious. But what precipitated his renewed homicidal ideations was when the idiot pulled the mortal girl onto the stage with him and began thrusting himself onto her. The magic burned through his fingers tips, dying to blast the insolent man away from his mortal. Wait, when had she become his mortal? Blast it! It didn't matter. All that mattered was ceasing this nonsense! He had had quite enough!

Just as Loki stood, Thor bound from his own seat, jaw clenched and heading straight for Barton. Jane was quick to intercept and coax him away from the stage where the Hawk gently shoved Darcy away and began to hastily dress.

A deep chuckle to his right broke Loki from glaring at the archer's retreat.

Tony Stark sidled up beside him, "C'mon, Rock of Ages, let's go get a drink."

"What can I get you, Mr. Stark?" the bartender asked.

"Scotch. Neat." he replied, adjusting his cuff links then turning to Loki, "For you?"

"I suppose I shall have the same."

"Make it two, then."

When the barkeep slid the two tumblers to them, Loki lifted his for a cursory sniff before tasting. He had to admit the amber liquid had a delightfully smoky burn going down. Clearly expensive.

"Do establishments such as this typically serve such high quality alcohol?" He asked the Man of Iron, casting a wary eye around the modest tavern.

Stark smiled smugly and turned to lean back against the bar, elbows propped. "Had my own stash sent over. Just how I roll."

Loki arched an eyebrow at the billionaire, but said nothing. Instead he turned to mirror the man's posture. For long minutes they stood in companionable silence simply observing the mortal women out on the dance floor. Of course his little mortal could convince even the very proper Pepper Potts to dance so provocatively in public.

Stark's voice broke the unseemly train of thought, "Interesting, huh?"

Loki grimaced inwardly but glanced at the man curiously.

"The birthday girl, I mean. She's an interesting gal." Tony clarified, taking another sip of scotch and peering at him over the rim of the glass.

Loki shrugged noncommittally, looking back at Darcy rather than suffer Stark's appraising gaze.

"I mean, she's different. Even by Earth standards. It's impressive, really."

Loki's curiosity got the better of him, "How so?"

"She keeps our asses in line, first of all. I donno, she's just got a way about her. Like she can read people. She's smart."

Loki pondered this for a moment. In his time on Midgard, he'd learned more about Darcy Lewis than he'd ever known about...well, practically anyone, mortal or otherwise. Yet, he felt like he barely knew her at all. It was both perplexing and intriguing. And the fact that he even cared to know her...it was all so very odd that it bordered on frightening. He tried to be repulsed by his insane preoccupation with the girl. He tried to ignore her, be cold toward her. He'd even tried to frighten her once or twice. But she only became perturbed or acted oblivious. Clever girl. In the end he abandoned all hope of avoiding her 'friendship'. She simply could not be dissuaded. And he found, much to his own embarrassment, that he no longer wanted her to be. Worse yet, he was...attracted to her, somehow. If it were merely a physical attraction he could have easily chocked it up to his lately unfulfilled baser needs. But that level of his attraction to her was a relatively new development. He was equally, if not more, attracted to her companionship. Then when he had seen Barton touching her...

He watched as she danced out on the floor with the others. Her hips rocking in time to the music, eyes closed, red lips singing along to the music...

Mine.

Mouth suddenly dry, Loki took a long draught of his drink, "I suppose."

Stark appraised him thoughtfully for a moment, "I guess that's what Capsicle sees in her, anyway. That and the curves."

Loki felt the sharp pang of bile rising in his throat and his fingers twitched, aching to form a fist. But he kept his features carefully neutral. The placid, bored facade that came so easily.

"Hm." Tony gazed at him evenly before draining his own glass and placing it back on the bar. "Well, Rock of Ages, let's go grab a table and see exactly how much liquor it takes to get you drunk."

For once, Loki thought the imbecile might actually be onto something. He certainly needed to drink.

"So...about that horse myth..."

"DON'T."

"What the hell, guys?" Darcy huffed, "Karaoke starts in five minutes!"

"Ohhh, we're ready." Tony slurred.

"Um, I think the word you're looking for is 'shitfaced'..." she groused, "How the actual fuck did this even happen?!"

Loki smiled up at her charmingly, "Tony has introduced me to scotch, Darcy! It is surprisingly pleasant for a Midgardian drink. You should try it..."

"Oh. My. God."

Loki's smile turned rakish, "At your service, milady."

Tony burst out laughing, his face plastered to the table.

Darcy ignored them both, instead surveying the veritable graveyard of liquor bottles cluttering their table. "H-how...how the hell did you guys drink eight bottles of that stuff?! That's how men die, you idiots!"

"There are no men like me..." the god purred with a smirk. Then he reached up to place a hand on Darcy's hip and swiftly pull her down onto his lap.

"Hey! Let go, Jerkface!" she shrieked but didn't struggle.

He pouted, "You wound me, woman."

"Oh, please..." she rolled her eyes but smiled anyway, "I'm sure your massive ego will survive."

Loki grinned deviously, clearly ready with a quip, but Tony cut in loudly. Apparently roused from his drunken state but slow catching up to the conversation, "Hey! Only three of those bottles were mine..."

Loki and Darcy looked over at him and burst out laughing.

"Cut the crap! Are guys really drunk?!"

"Yes. And frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!" Tony yelled, drawing the attention of Pepper, who began making her way over with a scowl.

Loki chuckled as they watched a very drunk Tony scramble under the table to avoid Miss Potts' wrath. "Perhaps we should leave..."

"Definitely. We need to go set up songs for karaoke anyway..."

She made to stand, but he tightened his arm about her waist to stay her. Then he leaned close to whisper in her ear, "To answer your question, my little mortal, though I feel the effects of the drink, I am by no means intoxicated. I am merely humoring him. And I have not forgotten your little trick from earlier, minx. One day, I shall pay you back in kind."

"Promises, promises." Darcy rolled her eyes, wriggling out of his grasp, "I'm proud of you for making friends, Loki. And I'm impressed you somehow managed to get Tony drunk; he's, like, a professional alcoholic. But Pepper is pissed."

Loki scowled in disgust as he stood, "I am not friends with Tony Stark."

"Keep telling yourself that," she called over her shoulder, swishing away from him and over toward the stage, "I guess you're not friends with me either, huh?"

Under the harsh lights of the small stage, Loki could feel the sweat beading upon his forehead. He'd never been a fan of heat, but it was unreasonably hot in this gods forsaken tavern. If he hadn't known better he would have sworn he was on Muspelheim rather than Midgard. Absently, he shifted the now slippery microphone from one hand to the other so he could wipe the perspiration afflicting his palms against his thighs. At least the deplorable jeans were good for something...

He didn't know how the others had done this so blithely. His mortal and Jane Foster had pranced around on the stage referring to themselves as "Notorious J.A.N.E. and Puff Darcy" and then engaged in what Thor informed him was a "rap battle". How the Hel could he follow that?

The overly close proximity of said little mortal was definitely not helping. She was standing front and center of the crowd, simply beaming up at him. Practically bouncing with excitement and offering him her most beatific smile. She looked so...proud of him. It's was extremely unsettling.

He tore his eyes away from hers and brusquely squelched the restless feeling in his stomach. He needed to do this and get it over with as quickly as possible with minimal humiliation. As if that feat were in any way attainable.

As the first beats of the song thrummed through the giant speakers, Darcy gave him an encouraging nod. By Odin's beard...he was doomed. When he glanced toward the blue monitor scrolling the words, he realized he'd missed his cue. As his mortal would say, FUCK. Desperately, he tried to reclaim the lines, but belatedly realized he hadn't even raised the microphone. From the back table he could heard Barton and Stark guffawing. Miserable fucking cretins! Furious (and more than a little mortified), he glowered down at Darcy; this was all her fault! She had one hand clasped over her mouth and mirth in her eyes. Damnable wench!

Just as he made to crush the microphone and storm out before he murdered every last one of them, the mortal girl clambered up onto the stage with him. With a swirl of her finger, she indicated to the man operating the 'karaoke' to restart the song and picked up her own microphone. When she made it over to him, she grasped his hand and whispered, "Hey, it's ok. We'll do it together."

Dumbstruck, Loki gaped at her. She smiled serenely back at him, and as the music began again, she stayed facing him.

As Darcy began to sing (not even looking at that damnable blue screen), he couldn't tear his eyes from hers, "When I wake up, well, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you. When I go out, yeah, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man that goes along with you."

She was beautiful... singing slightly off key, eyes locked on him, as if she were doing it just for him and no others existed. And he didn't know why, but somehow he knew it was true.

Then she winked and smirked at him impishly, "If I get drunk, well, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you! And if I haver, yeah, I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who's haverin' to you!"

As the chorus spiked, Clint and Tony began whistling and clapping raucously. Encouraged, Darcy began to bounce around and crowed it at the top of her lungs,

"But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more, just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles to fall down at your door! Badadada!"

She was positively exuberant and it reminded him so much of seeing her on that first Throwback Thorsday. The small smile that had played on his lips the entire time stretched and grew until he was openly grinning at her, last inhibition dropped. And if he reached out to finally grab the hand she'd offered so many weeks before, it was completely unconscious.

When the music slowed to indicate the final verse, he squeezed her hand gently and smirked. He was ready. When he began to sing, she laughed so joyfully upon hearing the requested accent it almost startled him. He wondered if he'd ever in his entire existence made someone so happy before. As he sang the words about lonliness and dreams, and coming home, he knew. Knew he would walk every branch of Yggdrasil just to see her smile and laugh that way again.

Loki rapt softly on the door, "Darcy, are you alright?"

After their turn at karaoke, the little mortal had make it her mission to continue "getting crunk". Needless to say, she succeeded in her quest for intoxication. But rather than becoming mirthful, she grew steadily more reserved. Quiet even. Then, about twenty minutes ago, she had excused herself to the restroom and not returned.

"Go away." a small, muffled voice called from inside.

He closed his eyes in irritation, "Open the door, mortal."

"No! Now go away!"

Loki sighed and pushed the door to make his way into the bathroom. He could see her sneakers under the door of the middle stall and heard quiet sniffles. Without hesitation, yanked it open, pieces of lock clattering to the floor. His mortal was sitting on the closed toilet lid, slow tears leaking from red-rimmed eyes. In one hand she clutched the necklace the Captain had gifted her.

"H-hey! You just- you can't be here! This is the Ladies Room!" she squeaked.

"I see no ladies present, mortal," he smirked.

"Really not in the mood for your shit, Loki..." she muttered, bringing her knees up to her chin and burying her face in her hands, "Please just go away."

He sighed internally. He had little to no experience with weeping women. Mostly because he avoided them like the plague. Maybe it was the alcohol, but seeing her like this...it didn't sit well with him. It was just wrong seeing the girl cry.

"No." he said firmly.

"Why not?!"

Silly creature. Loki grinned, "Haven't you heard? I do what I want."

Darcy rolled her eyes and huffed softly, "You're so full of yourself."

"Indeed. Now what is the matter?"

"Nothing..." she murmured, absently smoothing her thumb over the necklace in her hand.

He glanced down at the offending bauble and quelled the sudden urge to pluck away it from her and crush it into dust. Instead, he raised an eyebrow, "If you want to pretend you can lie to me, you must at least try. That was a pitiful attempt."

When she looked up at him, big blue eyes watery, he felt a strange tightness in his chest. Damn.

"You are upset by your present from the Captain." he said more tersely than he intended.

"No! No. I'm not, I just..." Darcy's eyes fell from his, "I don't wanna talk about it, ok?"

Loki felt simultaneously hurt and relieved. He had no desire to engage her in some emotional...whatever this was. That seemed a job best fit for Jane Foster. However, he greatly wanted, needed to understand the cause of her misery. And the damnable connection to Steve Rogers. Regardless of her insistence that her relationship with the Captain was no more than one of friendship, it was plain to him that her sentiments for the man were...more complex than that. And based upon Stark's assessment, the soldier's feelings toward Darcy were not exactly friendly...

Her small hand grasping his startled him from his thoughts. "Thanks for checking on me, though...now help me up."

Gently, he tugged her to her feet and out from the stall. In her near inebriated state with tear stains on her cheeks, she looked more vulnerable than he'd ever seen her. It was unsettling. He felt an inexplicable urge to make a quip, some clever comment, just to make her smile or roll her eyes at him. He opened his mouth to do just that, but the sudden small look of happiness in her eyes stopped him. Quickly, she turned to collect her bag from the floor. When she faced him, her full lips were quirked up in a half-smile, "I almost forgot! I have something for you."

She rummaged around in her satchel as she continued, "Remember how you said you didn't know when your birthday was?"

"Yes..." he replied warily.

After a moment she produced a small package with a green bow. He stared dubiously at the gift nestled in her outstretched hands.

"Well, I thought, you know, you could share mine...I mean, if you want. You don't have to or anything. I just...I thought maybe...it'd be cool, or...I donno. Here."

Carefully, he took it from her. A gift. For him.

When he looked back to her, she was smirking. "It's a present. You have to open it."

Beneath the bow and paper was a small box. Inside was an iPod just like hers but green. He ran his fingers across the screen gently.

"Happy birthday, Loki."

Before he could change his mind, he murmured quietly, "I am going to hug you now, mortal."

She chuckled softly as he drew her to his chest, arms wrapping securely around her small frame. He didn't know how long they stood there in the relative quiet of the bathroom, the music and noise from the tavern wafting in. But when the song changed, Darcy sighed happily and looked up at him with large eyes.

"Ohh, I love this song." she whispered dreamily, "I hope Pepper sings…she sings so pretty…"

As the words began, Loki realized he had heard this before. Darcy had played it on her iPod for him. He vaguely remembered thinking it to be a ridiculous song, but is sounded somewhat different in Miss Pott's clear, silvery voice.

Red, red wine…stay close to me.

As she continued to clutch him, the girl began to sway to and fro, eyes closed, humming with the melody.

"This song is rather unsuitable for waltzing, my little mortal." he murmured into her hair.

"Well, duh." Darcy snorted, "We're not waltzing, Mr. Bingley, we're slow dancing."

"It is still unsuitable. And we are in the restroom."

"Just shut up and dance with me, fool."

A/N: Lawd Jesus, this is long as hell! Hope it was worth the wait! Also, this is un beta'd so I hope it's not chock full of errors!

I hate that this took me so long. You guys have just been so wonderful and supportive... think I just got in my own head about it. I was extremely nervous that it'd be total crap and I'd let you all down. This resulted in some epic avoidance behavior. Anywho...no more of that!

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT IN THAT LITTLE BOX DOWN THERE! xo