Chapter 2 ~ Conversing with Thor

Seven Devils – Florence + The Machine

~Present: Midgard~

Lithia had to refrain from falling into herself after accepting that everything Loki had promised was a lie. She kept up an appearance that she was fine but, in the dark confines of her room, sleep never graced her. She would catch a few hours of restless slumber only to bolt awake in a cold sweat. This had gone on for so long but now, the added stress and anguish of knowing she had given her heart to a man who had never been true with her made even those fleeting hours of sleep diminish to nothing. Lithia had no idea how she didn't fall down unconscious from lack of sleep.

Finally though, Tony announced that Thor had returned. Dressing in plain blue jeans and a dark red shirt, Lithia and Tony drove to the helicarrier. The drive was short and silent. Tony could see the emotionless on Lithia's face as he dove. He couldn't tell what she was thinking but he knew, eventually, she would start talking.

They were met by Agent Hill and escorted in. Hill led them to the meeting room where Steve, Hawkeye, Romanoff and Bruce were conversing. "Guys." Tony greeted.

"Ah Man of Iron, it is good to see you again my friend." Thor greeted Tony with a strong handshake.

"Hi Thor." Lithia said soft, serious voice.

"Oh shit." Thor muttered before smiling happily, if not strained, at Lithia. "Lady Lithia. An honor it is to be in your presence once more." He said, reaching for her hand to bring it to his lips.

"How've you been?" she asked, her voice cold.

"Oh I am all the better to be back among my Midgardian friends." Thor replied nervously.

"Whatcha been up to?" Lithia asked.

"Uh… well… I've been… attending court and uh… other things…" Thor replied, his mind grasping for excuses.

"Nice, very nice." Lithia said. "So how's Loki?" she asked quickly.

Thor's stomach sank. He had figured that was the true reason she had come with Tony. The truth lay right on his tongue yet he could not speak it. He was silent for too long in Lithia's opinion. Her eyes darkened to black and she stepped toward Thor.

"What happened to him Thor?" Lithia asked, her voice dropping an octave.

Thor remained silent. Her rage boiled over and she lunged at him. Her hand wrapped around his throat, lifted him off the floor and pressed him into the wall. Steve moved to help Thor but Tony held him off. "Thor can take care of himself. Besides, who doesn't want answers?" Tony asked quietly.

Steve relented and left Thor to fend for himself.

"Tell me!" Lithia screamed after Thor had yet to speak, her pupils starting to glow an eerie violet blue.

"The Allfather announced that Loki was to be married." Thor said quickly, fear rising as her grip tightened.

Lithia froze.

"But he still harbors feelings for you so he fled from Asgard." Thor continued.

"Where did he go?" Lithia hissed, fighting to keep her emotions in check.

Thor hesitated again. "Thor!" she shouted.

"Midgard." He said. "Loki came to Midgard."

Lithia's hold released as she staggered back. "He's been here… this whole time he's been here…" she muttered, her mind slowly caving in.

"Lady Lithia…" Thor said softly, seeing the blackness quickly leave her eyes, returning their pleasant hazel color.

She was numb. She shook her head. "Daddy… Daddy take me home…" she said, turning to Tony. "Please take me home now Daddy…"

Instantly, Tony placed an arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the door. She had called him 'daddy' not 'dad' or 'Tony'. Fatherly protection swelled inside of Tony. "Lithia—" Thor tried but Tony turned sharp.

"We are going home now." Tony snapped before they left the helicarrier.

Tony started driving while Lithia stared blankly out to window. "You alright kiddo?" he asked hesitantly.

It was a moment before Lithia answered, her voice barely above a whisper, "No… I'm not alright…"

Tony understood and let silence consume the car. Arriving back home, Lithia quickly got out of the car and rushed into her room. She didn't stop to talk with Greta or Pepper, both of which greeted her. Tony entered slowly after her, his face worried and serious.

"What happened?" Pepper asked.

"As it turns out, Loki was engaged." Tony started.

"Where are the Yellow Pages?" Greta asked, getting up and walking to the phone. "I need to look up farm equipment for a cattle prod, or no! A castrator would be much better."

"Wait, there is more." Tony said, holding up a finger. "He refused to go through with it so he ran away from Asgard to here."

"When did he leave?" Pepper asked.

"About 3 months ago." Tony explained. "Apparently, he found out about the engagement quite shortly after arriving back on Asgard."

"So… Can I still get the cattle prod?" Greta asked, a pleading smile on her face.

"Be my guest." Tony said with a dark chuckle. "Like there will be any left of him after I'm done with him should he decided to show himself."

"I'm gonna go check on her." Pepper said, leaving the two to plot schemes of revenge to enact on Loki.

Pepper slipped out of her shoes and padded toward the closed door. Rapping lightly on it, she cracked it open a sliver. A gentle glow from a single candle cast strange, swirling shadows on the walls. Lithia was sitting on the center of her bed, her legs drawn up to her chest and chin resting on her knees. Her eyes were red-rimmed but dry as she started out the large window.

"Hey honey, need a shoulder?" Pepper offered, trying to lighten the mood.

Lithia nodded slightly and Pepper entered the room. She joined Lithia on the bed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tipping Lithia into her shoulder. They were silent for moment before Lithia's broken, quiet, hurt voice asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you did nothing wrong," Pepper said. She gave Lithia's arm a rub before continuing. "Mortal or immortal, men are always gonna be clueless idiots. However, no matter how stupid the act, it's our job to make them realize it and forgive them. Though making them sweat a little along the way helps, and it never hurts to make them grovel." She chuckled.

Lithia shook her head. "Why didn't he come back though?" she asked. "He said he would…"

Pepper side, gently tightening her grip and laying her cheek on top of Lithia's head. "I don't know," she whispered. "The only one who can answer that is Loki."

"Is it wrong for me to still want him to come back?" Lithia asked. "To not be mad at him at all?"

Pepper was quiet for a moment before she replied. "Honestly, I could answer that question a hundred different ways, but in the end, the only answer that matters is yours. So, what do you think?" She waited while Lithia thought it over.

Lithia was quiet as she considered. "Because…" she started but hesitated. "Because I love him."