I really have a flow right now so I present you the next chapter! Enjoy, please. :)
Since afternoon Loki and Skye were sitting on the couch, the brunette leaning with her back against the god's side, both engrossed in their books. It was already darkening outside by now but not one of them moved. After another hour of silent reading Loki had finished his book and laid it on the coffee table. Skye wasn't bothered by that at all as she was completely absorbed in whatever work of Shakespeare she was reading right now, so the god of mischief just poked her in her side. The girl squeaked and sharply turned her head towards the raven-haired man.
"What the bloody hell?" She put emphasize on every word to express her dislike for his action. Loki, however, just laughed.
"So can I take it you are ticklish or was it just the element of surprise that granted me such an amusing sound?" Smirking at her he extended his hand to poke her again. She slapped at it, causing him to laugh again.
"Definitely the latter." Skye pouted but it was quite obvious that Loki didn't believe her so he just poked her again which made the girl jump.
"Oh, I can see that." He stated sarcastically. "I am going to have a lot of fun."
Skye groaned at the prospect of the never-ending stress this was going to cause her. Hitting him with her book on the head, he shot her a scandalized look. "How dare you hit a god with a book?" But there was no real threat in his voice. More… was it playfulness?
Before Skye could dive into this line of thought any further he launched at her, pinning her to the sofa and actually started to tickle her. He literally, truly tickled her. And she couldn't help but gasp and start laughing violently. "Sto-stop it! Oh my… just… stop. Please! I-I can't… any…more." And, suddenly, he stopped and stared down at her like a predator would stare down his prey. His gaze never shifting from her deep brown eyes. "Well, look at that. Like deer in the headlight, as you Midgardians say. Did you really just beg me to stop? Very interesting, indeed." He smirked again, still holding her down.
"You just tortured me." Laughing she punched him on the chest, which had by no means any effect on the man. "Your definition of torture is, I must admit, quite fascinating." Then he mumbled something Skye couldn't make out and let go of her. Sitting on the couch like a normal person again he pulled her up, too.
"We should call it a night, it's gotten pretty late, don't you think?" She said and got to her feet. Making her way to the bathroom she quickly stated "first" and closed the door. Sharing a bathroom with an Asgardian could be quite difficult from time to time, but after explaining the human's sense of privacy to him the situation has improved significantly. She just had to forget the few times he had surprised her in the bathroom by just teleporting inside without checking if it was already occupied.
She went to bed and fell into a dreamless sleep. However, sometime around three in the morning Skye was woken by a strange noise. Curious as she was she slipped out of her bed and tapped into the living area. There it was again. It sounded like a groan. Then a gasp. Coming from Loki's room. For a moment the lump in her throat made her consider just to go back to bed, but her curiosity bested her doubt and on she went. Standing in front of his door she hesitated again. Should she knock? Or silently peek inside to see what was going on? However she was going to decide, her thoughts were interrupted by a voice, muffled through the door. "I know you are there. Come in." So Loki had heard her, or in some other alien way sensed her presence.
She breathed in deeply and slowly let the air flow out again before opening the door. Peeking inside from behind the door she saw Loki's figure standing in front of the window, his frame illuminated by the lights of New York at night. He turned towards her and closed the distance with a few strides of his long legs.
Those who didn't know him would say his appearance was pretty normal, but having spent time with the god Skye could tell something was off. He looked worn out and she could see a haunted look in his eyes. She lightly touched his cheek with her left-hand fingertips. "Are you alright?" The girl asked silently.
"Yes." Was all he had as an answer. Skye didn't believe him. "No, you're not. What's the matter?" He just sighed. Taking Skye's hand from his cheek into his he pulled her into an embrace. "Should I… Do you want me to stay?" She asked tentatively. Stiffening he looked down at her. "Why would you make such a proposal?"
"Well, this might sound dumb, but I used to do this when my little brother have had nightmares. So I just thought… No, sorry. That was a stupid idea, I mean we're not kids or something, so…" She stammered, blushing. "Oh do shut up, would you?" Skye could feel his chuckle. So she hadn't screwed up. Yet.
Without further conversation he just pulled her along to his bed. Loki actually accepted her suggestion of children's nightmare medicine. That's how they ended up cuddling in Loki's bed this night.
Loki slung his arms around the mortal's thin frame, taking in her scent and bathing in her warmth. He would never admit it but she eased his anxiety after the newest nightmare. He felt the girl shift in his arms and looked in her eyes. They just stared at each other for a couple minutes until Skye finally spoke.
"How long have you been on earth?" He took his time to answer. "Why do ask this now?"
"I was curious for quite a while and I don't think you want to talk about whatever happened." She gave him an uncertain but sincere smile, causing him to smirk.
"About three month ago I arrived just outside New York."
"And where have you been before that? I mean if you want to tell me, I am pretty curious."
The god sighed. He actually wanted to tell her. Why that was so he didn't really know. But he did.
"After my failed invasion I was taken back to Asgard to serve time in the dungeons as punishment for my crimes. After a week, however, I was abducted by my former allies, who, I must say, aren't really the best company. They, especially their leader, weren't happy with my failure so he took his revenge. I think it best not to dive into the details, let's just say I got barely away after a five-month stay. I escaped to Midgard and have been here ever since." That obviously was the short version but Skye knew he wasn't going to tell more. Also she got a feeling this story had something to do with his odd behaviour tonight. But she wouldn't pry.
"So what exactly have you been doing here on Midgard before you decided to kidnap me and force me to live with you?" The girl joked to lighten up the mood and guide the conversation to not so dangerous topics.
"Kidnap? Force? Do you mean to tell me you hate living with me?" She looked up expecting to see mockery in his eyes but instead there was hurt. Skye wanted to kick herself. "No! No, I really like living with you. The first day was quite unnerving, naturally, and the first week somehow strange but I really like it here. And I…" She trailed off, not really knowing what she wanted to add. That wasn't important though as she saw the hurt turn into contentment.
"I guess I can tell you that, then. Firstly I had found this place and made it my own. I had to improve it quite a lot but I am content with the result. Then I lived a normal Midgardian life although I grew bored very quickly and started to search some entertainment." He smirked again. A good sign, Skye guessed.
"When exactly was 'very quickly'?"
"After two days." He shrugged. Wow. That really was quickly. "You seem to grow bored rather easily." Somehow a bad feeling began to spread throughout Skye. What if he grew bored of her? Would he just throw her out some day? Averting her gaze she began to stare at Loki's chest, suddenly unable to keep eye-contact. Loki, of course, noticed her movement and the sudden shift of her mood. "No." He said while moving her gaze back towards his eyes by gently pushing her head up with his hand under her chin.
"What?" Startled, Skye didn't really comprehend what he meant.
"I won't get bored of you." The god's thumb stroked her cheek in slow circles.
"I… How can I be sure?" She felt so stupid for asking this. Like she was in need of the god of mischief, or was she? Skye didn't really know anything for certain at the moment. Nothing but the fact that she was happy. Right here, right now.
"You can't. But where would be the fun when everything was certain?" He tightened his embrace and lightly kissed Skye's forehead. The notion was over so quickly that the brunette wasn't sure if she'd just imagined it. "Now sleep." And that was the end of their nightly conversation.
xXxXxXxXx
When Thor had shared his discovery with the other Avengers they had started to make plans. First: Go to the campus and ask around. Maybe some students have seen him, maybe he was even disguising as one. Second: According to the insights from 'First' make a plan of attack, even though Tony preferred the plan to be 'Attack' from the beginning. Third:? Fourth: Goal.
So Cap and Natasha were on the main NYC campus right now. Steve looked around warily. The students surely couldn't be considered normal all over, at least by a 1940's standard. Tasha approached a group of girls.
"Hey there, have you seen a tall, black-haired guy around here lately?" In response the girls giggled, then a blonde one spoke up. "Handsome? Dreamy eyes?" Natasha nodded. "Comes here every day." She giggled again, making the widow feel the urge to roll her eyes. "Where exactly, and what does he do?"
"He comes to pick up his girlfriend every day." A brunette scoffed. "Totally out of his league. Tiny and ordinary." Natasha turned to her and asked for specification. "It's the small one with the ridiculously long brown hair." The brunette pointed towards a side-entrance and Nat and Steve both looked that way. They saw a small girl, long brown hair, reaching the middle of her back, on her way over the huge campus. They also saw how the girl ran into a tree, being completely absorbed in her thoughts, and hurriedly gathering up the books that have fallen to the ground as result. The agents looked at each other, nodded and began to follow the student. Steve somehow felt sorry for her.
xXxXxXxXx
Skye had to hurry. Professor Parker had, once again, prolonged his lecture so she was already too late for her next one. She ran around a corner and right into a wall. Or it felt like a wall. It was, in fact, a man, as Skye could see when she looked up and into his face. Nice blue eyes, short blond hair, tall, muscly and somehow seemingly shy. "I-I'm so sorry, but I'm in a hurry. Sorry, am already late for my lecture." Mumbling even more apologies under her breath she again gathered up her books, thank god those weren't the library's, and, with one last "sorry" she ran off.
xXxXxXxXx
"She didn't seem like the girlfriend of a would-be-conqueror if you ask me." Steve stated after their little encounter.
"Maybe she doesn't know." Was Tasha's short answer.
"She's probably just another of his victims in his newest scheme. We have to save the girl." The all righteous Captain didn't want to believe an ordinary girl to be the partner of a war-criminal. "We can come back tomorrow and take her to the tower."
"Calm down, Steve. We have to confirm her involvement with Loki first. If those students were right he will come to pick her up. We will watch and see what happens."
And so they did.
xXxXxXxXx
After her last lecture Skye made her way to the side-entrance again. "Hey there." A voice said next to her. Turning into the direction it came from she suddenly faced… someone. Probably a student, she didn't know him. "Uh… do I know you?"
"James Roberts. I have a lot of lectures with you. Never noticed me though. Mind changing that?" He came closer causing Skye to back away until a wall was in her back. Great. Caught between wall and James she only wished for Loki to come soon. Situations like these weren't really her strength. Getting no answer James spoke again. "How about you and me, watching a DVD at my room. You know, getting to… know each other." James lifted her chin up so he could see her eyes. "I, uh…"
"Come on it's gonna be fun." He stroked her cheek. "Don't tell me you already have someone." Skye's heart was racing. Why the bloody hell was she unable to form a coherent sentence? Being too near to people she didn't know just set her off. Couldn't do anything about it, although she'd love to. Gathering all her courage she escaped his arms and left him standing in the corridor with one last "Sorry, I have to go".
Reaching the exit she let out a breath. SKye was just about to open the door, when something was blocking her path. Looking up she saw three of her fellow students. Three girls. Blonde, brunette and blonde again.
"What does he see in you?" The brunette scoffed, looking Skye up and down.
"What?" Was all she could answer to that question. One of the blondes snarled. "Yesterday I talked to him and she coldly turned me down. What does that man see in you?" This had to be a bad joke, right? Stuff like this only happened in terrible school dramas, not in real life.
"So how did someone like you get his attention?" The other blonde asked aggressively. Skye was way too perplex to say anything at all. Situations like these were totally not her terrain and her lack of speech obviously made the, sadly taller, others even more angry.
xXxXxXxXx
Steve frowned. "I don't like bullies. We should help." Natasha sighed. "We can't. It could blow our cover. Wait." Her expression went blank in concentration. "There look."
And they saw him. Tall, black coat, green scarf. Going on a good pace towards the group of students they have been watching just now. Even from afar Natasha could see his irate expression. "I don't think we will be needed, Cap."
xXxXxXxXx
The group of three was towering over Skye. Intimidating, yes, but she has been living with an Asgardian, who coincidentally had been trying to conquer the world, so she sure as hell was able to deal with a group of jealous women.
Apparently she was wrong. Unable to act she prepared herself for whatever was to come, watching as one of the blondes raised her hands. Squeezing her eyes shut and tightening the grip on her books, she waited.
Nothing happened. Skye looked up again and into green eyes.
Loki had a firm grip on the blonde's wrist who was looking at him terrified. He let his gaze glide over all three of them before growling. "Go away." He let go of the wrist and the students scurried off. Embracing Skye the god of mischief sighed. "I do like the thrill of the action but I would preferred the action to concentrate on me rather than you." Loki rested his hand on the back of her neck, tightened his hold for a moment and let go.
"Come now, we have plans." Taking her hand the two of them left the campus.
xXxXxXxXx
"He just really saved her from the bullies." Astonished, Steve turned to Tasha.
"Maybe she doesn't know who he is. I'll follow them, you go back." The widow left Steve behind, still wondering. Walking around the corner she heard him say "Be careful" before concentrating solely on her target.
xXxXxXxXx
After walking down the streets of New York for about half an hour Skye's curiosity once again got the better of her. "Where are we even going?"
"Secret." Loki smirked and squeezed Skye's hand. Shivering she etched closer to the tall god and hugged his arm. So they went on to wherever their goal was.
About ten minutes later they came to a halt in front of a small café. Looking it over closely she recognized it as the one they visited on Valentine's Day. "Wonderful! I really liked it here." Hugging his arm even tighter she looked him in the eyes and was greeted by a genuine smile.
"I'm glad you like it. Let's enjoy another cup of tea before going home, shall we?" Nodding in approval she entered the small shop after him, through the door he held open for her. So real gentlemen still existed. Even if they were Norse gods. Didn't matter.
xXxXxXxXx
Natasha had anticipated the couple to get into a car and drive away, instead they went away on foot all the way to a tiny café near Central Park. The sight was just ridiculous. Loki, who had tried to take over earth, together with a young woman, maybe twenty-four or twenty-five years old, sitting in a café drinking tea. There just had to be something wrong.
They left the café and moved into an empty alleyway. Natasha peeked around the corner but the last she saw of the two was them disappearing into thin air. Damnit! But of course he wouldn't lead her to his hide-out.
xXxXxXxXx
"So why did we teleport home today?" Skye asked, trying to find her balance again after the sensation of teleportation. It was a feeling like sea-sickness or nausea.
"I did not feel like walking." Loki smirked in response, letting go of his mortal. "Did you enjoy the evening?"
"Yes, it was really nice. Thank you for taking me out again." She smiled at him. Looking in his eyes she frowned. There was something. "What's the matter?" The brunette asked carefully. "Why do you let yourself get bullied by these cretins?"
"What do you mean? Oh… them. I-I'm just not the person to go for confrontation…"
"What if I hadn't gotten there in time?" He got furious which made her slump her shoulders, wanting to disappear. "I'm sorry." Lifting her gaze up she saw him go stiff. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "No, it's okay. That is exactly what I am here for, right? Protecting you."
"You… what?" And suddenly she couldn't speak anymore at all, as Loki closed the distance between them and shut her lips with his own. Surprised she gasped, but calmed down very soon, as his warmth spread throughout her body. She clasped his shirt while he slung his right arm around her waist and buried his left hand in her hair. And so they stood there, taking each other in, relishing the moment.
When they pulled apart none of them knew how long they had been standing there, but it didn't matter. "You are mine now." Loki whispered in Skye's ear. The brunette chuckled. "Wasn't that a fact since you took me here, refusing to let me go out alone?"
"Point taken. Now let us go to bed, dear."
And so the day ended and Skye fell asleep, happy and overwhelmed by her own emotions.
Any thoughts are welcomed to be put in review form, whether they are positive or negative :)
As always, have a wonderful day people!