MONSTER

11

The day of Halloween arrived with much grandeur, thanks to Tony and his flair for decorating. When Katerina woke up on the morning of October 31st, she was greeted with spider webs, hanging ghosts, and skeletons. She got dressed and made her way down to the living room, ready to wait with Loki for the Avengers to get there. It didn't take them long.

They came carrying their costumes, rather than wearing them, and Natasha held Katerina's as well.

"We thought we'd get ready here." Natasha explained, handing over the dress excitedly.

"Wow, you seem almost as cheerful as Tony." Katerina noted with amusement.

"Oh, come on! It's a holiday I get to spend with you, of course I'm excited!" She said, all while digging through a bag for makeup.

"We're doing makeup too?"

"Oh, we're doing everything. I insist." Tony said.

Katerina drew the line at wearing a wig, but allowed Natasha to do her makeup and then changed in her room into the dress with long purple and black tentacle like pieces of fabric flowing down it. Once she was ready, she stepped back into the living room.

"Oooh, the queen of the sea has arrived!" Clint hollered.

Katerina rolled her eyes.

"You're annoying." She said.

"A perk of mine." He shrugged.

She made eye contact with Loki who was watching her with a strange look on his face. She suddenly felt self conscious. Did she look stupid? Wait- why did she suddenly care? She rolled her shoulders back and went to stand next to him.

"So?" She said.

"So?" He echoed, confused.

"Is it lame? My costume and stuff." She asked.

"I don't think I've ever seen you wear makeup before." Loki said.

Katerina wasn't sure what to do with that.

"And the costume?"

"Oh, you look like you're going to have fun." He said.

"I look like I'm going to have fun? Is it that bad?"

"No! It's not that bad- I mean, it's not bad! It's not bad at all! It's- you- you look- uh, you know, all dressed up and stuff."

"Are you saying I look good?" Katerina asked him.

"Well of course you look good." He said, trying to sound annoyed to cover up the strange sensation overtaking his body.

"Of course?"

"You're a beautiful woman, Katerina." Loki pointed out.

"Thanks. You're not too bad yourself." She said, suddenly feeling flushed.

Why was it so hot in this costume? Must be the material of the dress.

"Must be the Asgardian in you." Loki teased.

"Oh, you're so full of yourself." Katerina scoffed and was relieved when the warmness went away with a new feeling of familiarity.

This was nothing new. Her and Loki teasing each other was nothing new.

"I think you'd find me pretty even if I was a hundred percent human."

"Midgardian." He corrected.

"Whatever. You would."

"Perhaps." Loki said, neither confirming or denying it.

He didn't deny it. Why did that fact keep popping up in her head? If didn't matter what he thought of her appearance. Maybe she was sick or something.