Work Text:
Today was one of those mornings where everything seemed to go wrong. You’d missed your alarm, broke your favorite mug, and misplaced your phone. Not having the time to look for it, you rushed out of your apartment and to the meeting room Steve was debriefing everyone in. You slipped in the door just as Steve was assigning everyone missions for the week. While you worked with Tony in his labs, you were also the Avengers’ go-to lab technician for mission equipment. You needed to know where they were going to make sure the correct equipment would be sent with them.
“Y/n, we need you to modify Redwing’s stealth frequency,” Steve informs you.
“Of course, Cap,” you nod, “I can have that done in fifteen minutes.”
The meeting continues, and you write down the two other modifications the team needs on its equipment. You’re quick to enter your lab and get everything adjusted. You manage to adjust the frequency of Redwing’s stealth mode, adjust the plates of Bucky’s arm, and finally begin working the adjustments to the comms systems. Most of the team had already left for their missions when you finish adjusting the comms for their next missions. It’s quiet when you begin the walk to your apartment, and you feel yourself relax at the thought of Loki arriving home tonight.
You are surprised that the apartment is still empty as you enter. You turn the lights on as you walk through. Changing out of your work clothes, you trip over your phone next to the bed. You sigh, picking it up, having forgotten you couldn’t find it this morning. You quickly scroll through all your notifications. Replying to the most important emails, you pause seeing a message from Thor. Tapping the text, you feel your mood drop a little more reading that Loki’s business on Asgard is going to take an extra two days to finish.
You trudge your way out of your room, wishing he’d be home already. He’d already been gone a month, and you missed him. There wasn’t any way you could talk to him when he was back on Asgard, but you were grateful Thor was able to give you updates when Loki was gone. Having nothing left to look forward to for a few days, you head back to your lab feeling glum. You knew you were close to finishing your most recent invention, you just needed to figure out the final calculations to make it work.
The repeated failed attempts at a solution did nothing but sour your mood further as the hours passed. You were tired of everything going wrong recently. Everything was becoming too much and you couldn’t fight the tears welling in your eyes. You knew you wouldn’t be able to keep everything inside for much longer. Quickly you rushed to your room, hoping that you’d manage to get there before the tears fell.
Slamming the door behind you, you didn’t even register that the lights in the living room were turned on unlike how they were when you left. You leaned against the door, slinking down as the tears began to pour out. Your chest aches at the lonely feeling you’d had ever since Loki left and your brain focused on all your recent failures at the job you were supposed to be good at. Vision blurred by tears and head pounding at the intensity of your crying, you don’t register the dark figure that was coming toward you. It isn’t until you feel arms around you and smell Loki’s familiar linen and mint scent that you realize he’s home.
His presence is like a balm to your sadness, taking away the sharpest pangs of sorrow. He holds you tightly, stroking your hair while rocking the two of you. You cling to him tightly, grateful he’s here to hold you.
“I’m so sorry darling,” Loki says into your skin. “Everything’s okay, I’m here now. Let it all out.”
You cry harder knowing he’s got you. The feelings you tried so hard to keep at bay rise to the surface as you register he’s home.
“You’re supposed to be gone for another day,” you force out between sobs.
“I finished my diplomatic duties faster than I expected,” Loki calmly explains. “I didn’t want to be without you another day, darling.”
“I’m glad you’re home.”
“I’m elated to be home, darling. I just wish you’d had a better time in my absence.”
You shrug, knowing it was out of both your control. There had been a lot of small issues building up on top of you missing him. Everything was better whenever he was home. You slowly managed to calm down your cries, matching your breathing with his steady breaths. You pulled away from where your face was buried in his chest to look up at him. Loki’s hand cupped your cheek as his thumb swiped away your fallen tears.
“Hi my love,” Loki softly kissed you. “I’m sorry you were without me for so long. Do you wish to tell me what happened to make you so sad?”
“It’s dumb,” you mumble.
“Nonsense, whatever it is that made you feel that way is anything but dumb.”
You sigh letting the bitter emotions escape you, “It wasn’t one thing. It was a lot of minor things, and I missed you, so I guess I just let it all stay pent up for too long. I’m sorry this is what you came home to,” you sheepishly admit.
“Darling, I love coming home to you. No matter the state you are in, I am never anything less than happy to see you.”
You nod, convinced by his tone alone. You watch as he stands, offering his hand to you. Taking it, you allow him to pull you to your feet. He wraps his arms around you once again, embracing you properly.
“Thank you for helping me,” you kiss his neck, unable to reach his face.
“Thank you for allowing me to help,” Loki kisses your lips. “Now then, let’s lay down. I want to hear everything about the past month I’ve missed here.”
You smile, grateful he knows exactly how to take care of you.