Chapter 20: (I'm pretty sure this is an achievement… 20 chapters… Wow.)

LOKI'S POV:

Sam and I had fallen asleep on the couch during the movie, and I suppose Dog had left, because only two cats were snuggled against me and her. I hoped it would always be like this, me, Sam, cats. That sounded perfect. Maybe one day we'd go back to Asguard. I could see us living there for a while, but I'm only starting to understand Midguard, so I assume we won't be leaving anytime soon. Maybe we'd have kids. Maybe we'd actually succeed in marriage. So many maybes and only one actual thing: Sam and I were together NOW, and there was no guarantee there would be a later.

(Because of my inability to continue writing the relationship building and things… we're going to the future.)

*FIVE YEARS LATER*

SAM'S POV:

"Loki! We're going to be late! COME ON!" I yelled, pulling my shoes onto my feet.

The thud of his feet down the hallway assured me in his coming, so I ran into the garage and loaded myself into the driver's seat.

"I'm here." Loki panted, folding himself into the passenger seat.

We were on our way to S.H.I.E.L.D. As of two years ago, Loki had started working with me. Since Frank had been shipped away to a different agency, I needed an assistant, and S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to keep an eye on Loki. So we hired him and he's done very well. He's great with paper, clipping, folding, filing, and printing. It's hilarious actually, how terrible he was at everything before he learned. Now he's in a routine and is actually a better assistant than Frank was.

"Um, Sam. Garfield is in the back." Loki observed.

"Ugh! Garfield you bad boy." I scold.

I didn't turn around though. Due to this happening a lot recently, I had set up a kennel in my office for my cats. Dog usually tags along, but Garfield is the second most common. Cat hates cars to this day, probably because of the adventure I'd brought him on roughly fifteen years ago with Loki.

"We really need to do something about this." Loki says.

I nod, but I actually don't mind. We arrive in S.H.I.E.L.D. and unload. I grab the cat; Loki grabs our bags that contain our "homework" from the night before. I jam my key into the door, turn and jiggle it, then open the large medal door. Once we pass that door, a more high tech looking one stands. I place my finger on the touch pad, then type in the code.

"Ah. Just who I was looking for. Sam I need help." a voice says.

"With what, Natasha?"

"Clint is taking me to this dance thing, and I don't know how."

"How to what?"

"Dance!"

"Oh! I can teach you."

"I don't know how to either." Loki interrupts.

"I can teach you later." I say.

So Loki marches off to our office, and I take Natasha to a clear space. I tell her how simple it is. I guide her hand to my shoulder and hold her other hand up. Then I tell her to follow my feet. I step back, she does too. I step to the side, and she follows. We go on like this until she gets the hang of it.

"Ta da!" I giggle.

"Great! Thanks. I didn't know it was so easy. I could've just gone with it. Bye Sam." She says and she jogged away.

LOKI'S POV:

I spread Sam's papers across her desk. Then I get to work on filing and typing up memos and my usual routine. I'm interrupted by Clint barging through the door. He hops up onto the desk and greets me.

"Hi Clint."

"Hey bad boy. How's it with Sam?" he asks.

"It's just the same." I reply.

Clint pesters me a lot. He'll come in and ask me about cats or Sam or make me go practice shooting stuff with him. Usually, Sam is here to tell him to leave, but I get the pleasure of enjoying his banter today.

"You guys have been together for five years! You should really spice things up. Like with a ring or a kid or something."

"I don't think it works like that."

"You could propose."

That thought tumbled through my mind. When I had come back from Asguard to find Sam, she had said we'd have to wait if we were to think about getting married. Now, it's been five years. That's acceptable. I nod, and Clint gasps.

"Really?" He asks.

"Yeah. I'll bring your girlfriend with to help me pick a ring."

"Not my girlfriend. Yet." Clint said as he walked out of the office.

Minutes later, Sam came in. She immediately sat down and got to work. We talked a little, but she was focused so I didn't stop her. Hours later, it was time for us to head home. I check my watch. It's actually a lot later than the time we get off.

"Sam we should really go."

She nods, and I take her hand and pull her up. After planting my lips on hers, I tangle our fingers. She grabs Garfield with one hand, and I grab the bags with mine.

"Loki. I've never actually told you how cool your name is have I?" she laughs.

I laugh too, but I have other things on my mind. What would she think? Would she say no? Does that happen a lot? I sigh. If anyone was going to talk me out of this, it was going to be myself.