Chapter Two: The would be King

He said his name was Loki, the would-be King of a place called Asgard. He was a God among my people, above reproach and my mulling comments about the police. His manner was haughty, and he clearly didn't care for my presence. But he was weak and needed sustainment that required my immediate attention.

I stared at him dumbstruck with my hands firmly placed on my hips. He had to be kidding me. Or, at least very drunk. I watched him with a mix of amusement and horror as he stumbled around my studio apartment speaking in a tongue that I did not recognize. He had to be drunk.

Dropping my hands to the side I strode over to the small in-table by my bedside and reached for my cell phone. He stopped what he was doing and looked up at me sharply. I carefully stepped backwards putting some distance in between us. Thunder rolled through the silence as I waited for him to make his move.

"I suggest not that you do that," he said in a lilting voice.

I nervously held my phone, the sweat filling in my palm. Swallowing, I scanned my surroundings to see if I could use anything as a weapon. There were a couple of heavy books next to my bed and my shoes were strewn throughout the apartment. Other than that I really had nothing.

He took a small step forward and I jolted backwards. "Don't come near me," I warned, not nearly as threatening sounding as I had hoped. He smiled slightly, curiosity danced in his dark blue eyes. "It was a mistake letting you in here, so please just leave."

"In aiding a King I will reward you handsomely," he said softly, gesturing to naked lower half.

The heat burned at my cheeks and my throat as I looked away, shutting my eyes tight. "NO!" I nearly screamed holding up my hands to block his bottom half. "I don't want any reward I just want you to leave."

"If you do not wish to enjoy my seed I can reward you in less pleasurable ways. The aid of those-even lowly humans such as yourself-do not go unnoticed." Slowly I opened my eyes and turned to look at him-my hand still in place-and let my mouth drop. He smiled and gestured around the apartment. "I need clothing, food and a place to rest my head for the night."

"Listen, you're drunk. I'll give you cab fare and they'll take you to The Mission where you can get all of that," I said walking over to my purse. I pulled out my wallet and dug around for some change until I pulled out two twenties. Huffing loudly I hand him the money but he stared at it with a quizzical expression. "This should get you to where you need to go."

"This will not do," he said in a matter-of-fact tone and snubbed away the money. "I need something that belongs to me," he soothed running his long, bony fingers through his dark hair. "A Scepter," he informed. A small smile slid onto his classically handsome face. I swallowed hard and turned my gaze away from him. "Once its possession is mine I shall repay you in gratitude."

"I don't know where any scepter would be," I said, ready to stomp my feet in annoyance. I strode over to him and roughly placed the money into his open palms. My fingers closed around his to make sure he held onto it tight. "Take this, and go. Maybe someone else will be able to aid you in your search."

He glowered at me, a deeper loathing than just being annoyed at my resistance to help burned in his eyes. "Very well," he said pulling his grasp free from my own.

The man that claimed to be a God and a King named Loki turned away from me, his naked behind toned and well-defined. My eyes shut tightly as I pushed the blood from rising by taking in several deep breaths. I listened to his footsteps head toward the door, his hand on the doorknob anticipating his leave.

When the door did not open I peeked one eye to see him standing awkwardly before me, an almost helpless look in his self-loathing gaze. "Do you know where I can find Tony Stark?" he asked.

I titled my head, opening both eyes wide. "Do you know him?" I asked, the wheels turning in my brain.

"Let's just say he owes me a drink," said Loki, smiling to himself.

I frowned. "Why do you want to see him?"

"He'll have my Scepter. Or, at least know where I can find it." He shrugged and turned back to the door.

I didn't know exactly what was going through my mind. So many thoughts blurred into another that I found myself hailing for Loki as he opened the door. I ran to it, closing it and each bolt then pressed my back against it as though that would keep from him leaving. He stared at me with furrowed eyebrows but remained silent as he waited for me to speak.

It took a few moments to figure out what I was going to say. And, even a few more minutes to wrap my mind around it. It was stupid, and rash and I was about to make a deal with a drunk, crazed-lunatic but I was grasping at nothing in my quest to speak to Tony and this was at least concrete.

Scrapping the bottom of my lip with my teeth, I forced myself to speak. "If I give you clothing, food and a place to sleep will you take me with you when you go to speak to Tony Stark?"

He raised a dark eyebrow and titled his head slightly. "Is that what you would like in payment for your assistance?"

I started to nod my head before throwing out, "and I want your promise that you won't let any harm come to me. That you won't-" I felt my lip curl as my eyes scanned his small-muscled, runner's body, "take advantage of me," I finished lamely.

Loki placed his hand to his chest and curtly bowed with a small lean forward. "You have my word."

My mother would die of a heart attack if she knew what I had just done. Shoving the thought away I headed to the small closet and pulled the door open to scan the contents inside. I reached for a pair of sweatpants and the largest shirt I could find, that was two sizes too big for me.

Grimacing, I thrusted them into Loki's arms and said, "these probably won't fit but they'll do until we can get you actual clothing in the morning." He nodded, understanding the circumstances and donned on the too short sweat pants and the snug tee-shirt. I brought my hand up to my mouth and tried to stifle a laugh, "it'll do," I reminded, ignoring the glare that he sent my way.

"Where shall I sleep?" he asked tugging uncomfortably on the hem of the shirt. I pointed at the floor and turned to grab a pillow and the throw blanket from my bed. I tossed them at his feet and smiled. "Wipe that smile off of your face you mulling simpleton of a woman. I am a God and I will not be treated by such disrespect." He stepped forward and I felt myself go rigid with fear. His hands clenched into a fist as his eyes dropped to the floor. "This will do," he finished with a whisper, grabbing at the blanket and pillow to make a bed upon the floor.

I inhaled unevenly as I slowly fell onto to my own bed. He faced the door, his back turned towards me. His breathing faded in and out until it was nothing more than a faint whisper along his lips. I laid down and stared up at the cracked ceiling knowing that I wouldn't get any sleep that night. Blinking a few times, I let my eyes close and listen to the sound of his soft, slow breathing so that when it stopped I'd know to open my eyes.


"Wake up," hissed a slightly familiar voice next to my ear. I bolted upward, sitting unusually straight and ran my hand through my coffee-bean colored hair so that I could see. Loki stood, still dressed in the attire I'd donned on him only hours ago, with his hands folded neatly behind his back. "We have a lot to do today," he said snapping his fingers at me like a dog for him to command.

I groaned and searched around the apartment for my alarm clock that blinked 5:46 in the morning. Shaking my head I fell flat on the bed and closed my eyes. "It's too early. Try again in a few hours," I muttered grunting as the blankets were pulled from my legs. I sat up, and glared. "Really?"

He smiled almost wickedly. "The day is new. The sun rises not I think for you to waste away in bed."

Sighing I flung my feet onto the wooden floor and felt my lip curl as I grabbed for the clothes that laid strewn at the foot of the bed. I slipped my bra underneath the Hawkeye tee that I'd slept in. My hands fumbled as I pulled up the slightly wrinkled jeans, the button refusing to slide through the ridiculously small hole. It was too early for this, I thought once it finally clasped.

Through tear-filled eyes, I blinked away the sleep and yawned as I set to search for a matching pair of shoes. Settling on a pair of gray flats, I slipped them on and pulled my hair into a thick, ponytail from the elastic band that was on my wrist. Stifling a yawn I ran my fingers through the end to brush out what tangles that I could and threw my ponytail over my shoulder so that it touched almost to the top of my rib.

This wasn't exactly how I planned to look when meeting with Tony for the first time but I could tell from the impatient look that Loki was giving me that I didn't have an option. Besides, I didn't feel too comfortable with the idea of taking a shower knowing he was there. It was bad enough that I'd let myself fall asleep with him next to my bed. Well, if I was keeping track of bad ideas I should add the fact that I let a complete stranger into my apartment.

I grabbed the photo of my mother and Tony off of the kitchen table and the keys that set next to it. I looked Loki up and down as we walked into the hallway and locked my door. "We should probably get you some clothes," I said stuffing the keys into the back pocket of my jeans. "I'm assuming that because you didn't exactly have pockets last night that you don't have any money."

Loki strode behind me, his back straight and his head held high. He had to still be drunk. "I do not have any need for currency in your world. I only need my Scepter."

I grimaced, ignoring the fact that he had just said, 'your world' rather than just saying America. If his accent was proof enough the way that he talked proved that he was an out of towner. Well, I guess he did mention that he was from Asgard last night. I'd have to Google it sometime because it was unfamiliar to me. And, to be honest if it was Paris, France or London, England I didn't really pay much attention to European cities and countries.

Scratching behind my ear, I shrugged. "Well, in America you need money to buy things. I wouldn't be surprised if that meant you had to buy your Scepter back too," I said casually but from the way that Loki's eyes darkened I could tell he wasn't amused. I ignored it, and pointed at a small consignment shop that nestled in between a Verizon store and a bakery.

My stomach rumbled and I knew I'd have to get some food soon. The smell of freshly baked bread glazed with sweets made my mouth nearly water. I stopped in front of the consignment shop noting that it didn't open for another hour, and convinced Loki that we get something to eat first. He didn't argue, but his nose turned up as we entered the small building.

We were greeted by an eager old man with a thick French accent that sounded a little too fake for my taste. One thing I'd learned upon moving to New York was that people tended to do whatever it meant to get ahead in their job or business. That included creating fake accents to make your bakery seem more authentic.

My hungry eyes scanned the glass, my stomach rumbled at the indecisiveness that ran through my mind. Everything just looked so delicious that I couldn't choose. Cinnamon rolls the size of two of my fists were freshly frosted, the white goo dripping to the side as it slowly started to harden. Thick croissants sat beside them polished with butter and an assortment of fruits that donned atop of them. Éclairs just pulled from the oven were covered in chocolate with one strawberry placed neatly in the middle.

I just wanted to eat everything in my sight. Loki breathed impatiently behind me and I rolled my eyes as I stood straight and ordered a croissant covered in blueberry jam. "What would you like?" I asked Loki, digging in my purse for my wallet.

"I do not care for these kinds of human sustenance."

I shrugged, "fine then, starve," I said and turned back to the baker with a twenty. He gave me my change quickly and handed me the croissant wrapped neatly in wax paper decorated with Eiffel towers. I thanked him and put a dollar and some change in the tip jar.

We walked back outside and I was grateful that it wasn't raining. The sun had yet to actually rise over the city and a slight wind made me wish I'd grabbed a sweater. I leaned against the brick wall and turned my attention to my breakfast slightly disappointed that it wasn't as near delicious as it had looked.

"So, where is Asgard?" I asked in between mouthfuls of bread.

Loki curled his lip and scrunched his nose as he turned to face me. I wiped at the crumbs that had fallen onto my shirt with the brush of my hand, and raised an eyebrow in waiting. He sighed heavily, his chest heaving up and down as he wrestled with the idea on answering me or not.

Well, fine I'd just make the decision for him. "Never mind. I don't care," I said, my automatic defense for when people annoyed me.

Shortly after, an elderly woman walked to the door of the consignment shopped and unlocked it. Noticing that we were waiting she said she'd open as quickly as she could and would let us in. I nodded, crumpling the wax paper in my hand and tossing it in a nearby trash can.

Not much longer she opened the door for us and smiled, inviting us in with the wave of her hand. I thanked her and gestured for Loki to follow me inside. The moment we entered the smell of musk and old books slapped me in the face. I tried to keep from coughing as we sauntered over to the men's section.

In a rush, Loki grabbed a bright orange shirt and auburn corduroy trousers that were much too small in the rise. They'd stop just above his ankles if he were to wear them. I shook my head, and put them back onto the rack. Noting his impatience I did hurry to find something that'd keep attention away from us and went with a plain forest-pine v-neck, a dark gray vest and several pairs of jeans all of a similar blue and basic style.

"Why must I try these on?" he asked, shoving the clothes that I'd grabbed for him back into to my arms.

I grunted, trying not to drop anything and sighed. "Because if you don't try them on we won't know if they fit and if they don't fit then you'll just look-well for lack of a better word-stupid," I finished, shoving the clothes back into his arms.

He muttered in his native tongue and the followed the elderly lady to the fitting room. Folding my arms across my chest I trailed after, scanning the area as I waited for Loki to dress. A couple of old dolls sat on bookshelves that were stored with books that looked older than my deceased great-grandparents. Casually, I strolled over to them and grabbed for a leather bound book covered in dust. My fingers brushed against the binding, the dirt wiping off and into the air.

Just as I was about to open it Loki stepped out and I felt my breath catch in my chest. For being a drunk, crazed homeless man he was actually quiet striking. The darkness of his hair contrasted with the blue of his eyes, and the green of his shirt made light green speckles flicker through the blue. The vest fit nicely, giving him a laid-back yet formal look and the jeans actually covered his ankles to his bare feet.

Grimacing, I shut the book and set it down in search of some shoes. I didn't even realize that he was bare foot the entire time we were strolling through the sidewalk and the bakery. The concrete must have been cold on his feet and I'm surprised he didn't mention it.

I found a pair of black dress shoes and tossed them his way. He slid them on and I nodded. "Now you look like you can go out in public," I said hiding my smile.

The elderly woman that owned the store walked on over to us and clapped her hands together. "Oh, don't you look handsome," she gushed. "If you'd like you can just take the tags off of the clothes and I can ring them up so you don't have to undress."

Thanking her I set to helping Loki gather the price tags and felt my stomach drop as I added the prices together. It totaled to almost everything that I had made last night. I'd have to pick up a shift if I was going to make this month's rent, I thought somberly as I handed the woman my debit card.

Just as she was about to ring the transaction Loki strode over and tossed one of the thick, leather-bound books onto the counter. "What is this?" I asked.

"A book," he said calmly.

I put one hand on my hip and bit my tongue to keep from saying something out of line. "I know what a book is, Loki. Why is it here?"

"I need you to purchase it for me," he answered.

I shook my head. "I barely have enough for your clothes," I said picking the heavy book from the counter and placing it back in his hands. "Go put it back where you found it. And, make sure you grab my clothes from the fitting room."

I watched him saunter off, and I couldn't help but be reminded of a very, impudent child at that moment. It was stupid of me to be helping him. For all I knew he was just out of his mind and how no idea who Tony Stark really was. This was probably just another stupid endeavor in my pointless quest.

Once the receipt was in my hand, Loki was back with my clothes in hand. I thanked him and put them in a plastic bag. "Shall we?" I asked. He said nothing and walked out of the consignment shop without even saying thank you for the clothes I'd just bought for him.

Trying not to let it get to me, I followed him outside and said goodbye to the kind old woman. Loki stood outside, waiting for me to meet him where I hailed a cab and gave him the familiar directions to the Stark Tower. Nerves began to eat away at my stomach as I thought on the possibility that Loki might be telling the truth and that I would finally get to meet my father.