Clint Barton walked into his apartment, dropping his bow by the door like he always does. A question burned in his mind. He walked through the maze of hallways into a little back room, where Loki was curled up reading a book like he always was. Clint smiled.
"Loki? I have a question for you..."
"Yes?" Loki replied absentmindedly, closing his book and glancing up at Clint. "What is it?"
Clint leaned awkwardly against the door frame. "Well, Thor told me that this wasn't really your true form, that you had a..." He tries to remember the word. "...Jotunn form. Is that true? And if it is, why haven't you told me?" His voice was gentle.
Loki stiffened and stared at Clint, his eyes cold suddenly. "Because Jotunns are considered monsters, and I did not want you to...leave me...once you learned." He stood up slowly, turning aside so Clint couldn't see the tears well up behind his eyes. "I am a monster, Clint. I...I am hideous...I kept it from you so you never had to see the true me."
Clint moved over to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Loki, I could never love you any less than I do. That's a promise. I would like you to show me, but if you do not want to I understand."
The god bit his lip and nodded tightly. "You...very well." He took a deep, slow breath and cautiously transformed, his Aesir form melting away into ice cold blue. His deep green eyes morphed into brilliant ruby red as strange markings etched themselves into his face.
Clint gasped. He looked absolutely beautiful. He could not speak, nor take his eyes off of Loki.
Loki, feeling Clint's shock and taking it for horror, immediately backed away and cast his eyes to the floor, fighting back tears of pain and self-hatred. "I...I am sorry you had to s-see me like this." He choked out, struggling to hold back his emotions.
Clint walked over to him and took his face in his hands, staring into his eyes. "Honestly?" He leans forward so their foreheads are touching, one warm and one cold. "It looks good on you."
Loki froze (no pun intended) and looked up into Clint's eyes, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. "Y...You think so?"
Clint smiled at him. "Yes, love, I do."
Loki blinked back the tears that were welled up behind his eyes and threw himself into Clint's arms, trembling slightly. "I never...I never expected you...t-to like it!" He buried his face in Clint's neck, breathing in the soothing scent of his lover. He murmured in his ear.
"Thank you."