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crossed over their chests. Alex stood tall, her expression defiant as she awaited someone to say something.

"You all are really making a big deal out of this, aren't you?" Alex huffed.

"A big deal out of you moving to Asgard? Alex, it's not like you're just moving to Canada."

"Would you prefer Canada?"

"His point is that if something goes wrong, we won't be able to come help you." Steve spoke, eyes flickering to Loki, who scowled.

"I appreciate your concern, but I am a grown woman. Plus, he couldn't hurt me if he tried."

Loki scoffed.

"I'm going to install a communication device in your suit. You'll have to give me a couple hours to figure out how it'll withstand the distance," Tony spoke.

"Fine. I want to get a couple things from my apartment anyways."

"Do you need me to go with you?"

"Tony, Loki is fully capable of escorting me himself."

"If you have any complications, don't be afraid to notify me." Tony gave a pointed look.

She nodded. She had been to her apartment a couple times since she had left, each time including an awkward run in with her ex-fiancé. She prayed he wouldn't be there today, as she was unsure how she'd explain Loki.

"You'll need to change," She spoke to the Asgardian.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing now?"

"This is New York, Loki. Just trust me."

He rolled his eyes, and waved his hand. The garbs of Asgardian royalty that he wore instantly transformed into a t-shirt and khaki pants.

"That is weirdly disturbing." Tony looked him up and down.

"Don't make him insecure."

"He looks like a youth group leader."

"We're leaving." Alex rolled her eyes, taking Loki's hand.

"So, I'm going to see where you reside?"

"Yes, King Arthur, I'm taking you to my place." She spoke. "Well, I moved into Stark Tower, so I don't technically live there anymore,"

"Why did you move?"

"It's a long story." She muttered.

They walked through the streets of New York, and Alex kept a close eye on Loki. She watched in amusement as he was baffled by the concept of a stop light, and laughed when he was nervous getting on the subway.

"So many peasants,"

"Loki, they're just people."

"But there is so many of them."

She laughed. He glanced at her as she threw her head back joyfully, and his eyes ran over her face. She was utterly beautiful in his eyes, like something he'd never seen before.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"Nothing, my love,"

She felt heat rush to her cheeks from the term of endearment.

Her thoughts diminished as they found themselves outside her apartment door. She nervously fiddled with her key ring, pulling out a key she hadn't used in a while. She unlocked the door, and silently walked through.

Before allowing Loki to enter, she glanced around. It seemed to be empty, so she closed the door behind them.

"I have a couple things in our bedroom I never came back for," She spoke.

She led Loki down the hall to what was once her shared bedroom with a man she thought she loved. She looked at the made bed, and ran her hand across the sheets.

Alex met Declan in high school, and began dating their junior year. They went to the same college, and continued dating. As expected, he popped the question at their college graduation. Everything with Declan was, for lack of a better word, mundane.

Before she began working with Tony, Alex felt as though she was on auto-pilot. She was going through all the motions of life, but felt nothing. No joy, and no struggle either. Everything was simply dull.

The only thing about Alex's life that was out of the ordinary was the weird sensation she had felt since she was a kid. The things she noticed about herself were unexplainable. The way she grew tired after she exploded with anger confused her, or how if she touched someone, they would become weary.

Yet, she had no one to talk to about it. She brought these concerns to Declan, who simply waved them off. But, once she voiced them, she noticed how his demeanor toward her began to shift. He became distant. When she started working for Tony, their relationship became almost nonexistent. It was almost like he was angry she had these qualities.

However, she found new relationships. She discovered familial relationships that she had never experienced before. Tony, though he'd deny it because of his age, was like a father to her. Steve and Bruce were like brothers, in the weirdest but sweetest way possible.

"This one, too?" Loki pulled her out of her thoughts, holding up a hoodie. It was mere merchandize for Stark Industries, and Tony had gifted it to her after a month of working together. She had thought it was a cheap gift, but appreciated it nonetheless.

"Yes,"

"What's this?"

Alex froze on the spot, not wanting to turn around. She looked to Loki, who was looking at the stranger. She gestured to him to be calm, and slowly stood up.

"I came to get a few things. We'll be out in five minutes."

"Who's the guy?"

"Declan,"

He scoffed. "You know what, I don't care. Get your shit and leave,"

"Do not speak to her in that way." Loki was standing now.

Declan took Loki in, and Alex didn't understand his expression. It was a look of shock, but Alex thought nothing of it and simply wanted to leave.

"Loki, it's fine,"

Declan and Loki locked eyes, neither one backing down. Finally, Declan shook his head. "Just be out in five minutes."

Alex hurriedly gathered the pile of things, and shoved them into a box. Loki picked the box up for her, and she led him out of the apartment. Once the door was shut, she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"He was quite charming." Loki commented.

"Some could say my taste in men is questionable." She earned a scoff from Loki, but she didn't laugh.

After stepping out of the apartment building, she hailed a cab to take back to Stark Tower. She was silent on the ride there, looking out the window at her city. She wondered when she'd return to Earth. Would it be soon, and how much of their time would pass while she was gone?

Once arriving, she was met by the same two men in the penthouse.

"Do you have another spiel to try and make me stay? If so, make it quick because I need to put these things away."

"I just wanted to give you your little going away present," Tony grinned.

Her face lit up. "You did it?"

"Yes, ye of little faith, I did it."

She dropped the box, excitedly following Tony to the suit room. Her suit was in the center of the room on a mannequin-like display.

"There is an intercom system in the headpiece, and I won't bore you with the science, but it can now be reached even from Asgard. Anyone on the team can contact you, and you them. Sound good?"

"Tony, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me."

"Woah, why do you sound like you're dying? Chill out, Sparky, I bet you'll be back within the month."

"Did you really bet that?" She deadpanned.

"Banner bet three months."

Alex laughed, shaking her head. "Well, thank you."

Tony took the suit off the display, handing it over to her. She took it, and left the room. He stood there, watching her leave. He chuckled, thinking back to the moment she stepped foot in the tower. She showed immense promise, and when he thought of the woman she was now, he was almost brought to tears.

Not that he'd admit to crying.

After she packed her final items in her small bag, she walked out of her makeshift room. Loki had turned back into his more familiar clothing, and was waiting for her.

"Alright, let's make this quick," She tried to come off strong. "No tears."

"Don't hesitate to call," Steve gave her a hug.

"You either,"

She left Tony's hug for last, giving him a tight squeeze.

"I know where you live, Reindeer Games." He tried to threaten Loki.

"By all means, pay a visit." Loki sarcastically retorted.

"Okay, okay, you all know I'll see you soon." She smiled.

Loki held out his hand, which Alex gingerly took. "To Asgard?"

She looked at him, and searched his eyes. She searched for any last minute sign that she was making a mistake, for any signs that he wasn't true to her. When she found nothing, she grinned.

"To Asgard."

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𝚑𝚒𝚒𝚒𝚒 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜

𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚒 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚆𝙾𝚆 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢'𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝟷𝟶𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚗𝚘 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚊 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎!!

𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚊𝚊𝚊𝚕 𝚏𝚞𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚏𝚏 𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚕𝚒𝚕 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚙𝚕𝚎

𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘, 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚌 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚕𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚢!!! 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚐𝚎 ;)