Loki finally finished cleaning my face, and he touched my nose with his bare hand. I felt a strange sensation, and suddenly it didn't hurt anymore.
'What did you do?'
'I healed it.'
'With magic?' I was both surprised and shocked.
'Well, yes. Was I not supposed to?'
'I- thank you.'
'You are welcome.'
Silence again.
'I should go.' I rose, and bumped into Loki. 'Sorry.'
He took me by the shoulders and steered me towards the door.
'You know,' he muttered near my ears, 'there is no shame in asking for help. Trying to do everything by yourself is what will break you.'
I stopped. 'But my presence hurts them.'
Loki huffed. 'From what I have seen, it is your pain that hurts them most. And correct me if I'm wrong – but your departure would hurt them even more.'
'I am sorry.'
'For what?' he sounded utterly surprised.
'This.' I waved my hands, gesturing towards myself. 'I am a mess, but you have troubles of your own. I am complaining while I shouldn't. Everything could be worse. And I am taking up your time.'
'In truth, Lady Nyree – and if you ever tell anyone, you know what I'll have to do – I enjoyed your company.'
I laughed surprised. 'If that is true, let me listen to you. I believe I have done enough talking. Speak, if you want to, of course.'
Loki chuckled. 'You surprise me. Midgardian's usually do not want to hear me speak, if I cannot tell them what I am up to.'
'It is the least I can do. Besides, my ears are still working.'
'Thank the stars for that,' he laughed. 'But let us get out of here. Would you want to go to the roof with me? This room starts to feel like a cage to me.'
I bit my lip. 'I'm actually not really allowed to go there. They are afraid I will fall off, or jump, I think.'
'I won't let either happen.'
And so I found myself guided to the elevator, and I waited for the ding with great anticipation. I heard the doors open. For a moment I was frozen; I hadn't felt the wind for a long while. I would have to come out of my hiding.
When the wind touched my face, I couldn't help but smile. This, I had missed.
I found the edge on my own, and let my legs rest over it.
'Sit!' I smiled. I heard Loki do so. He was close, and I let my shoulder touch his.
'What do you want to hear?' he asked.
'Everything!'
Loki chuckled. 'That is too much, I am afraid.'
'All right. Tell me what Asgard is like.'
And he did. He described everything. The golden walls of the palace. The blooming gardens, the shining silver and gems. The balls, the feasts, the battles, the throne, the prison. And the rainbow that was the Bifrost. But mostly the dark sky above it, with sparkling stars and colourful planets.
'In all of the nine realms,' he sighed, 'there is no place like the view of the Bifrost. It is truly marvellous.'
'I see it,' I whispered. The images were vague and blurred, but my mind did try to construct it. I shivered.
Loki chuckled in surprise. 'I forgot you Midgardians got cold.'
'Sadly, yes.' Suddenly something warm covered my shoulders.
'Thank you.' I leaned against him, tired.
'No, thank you,' he whispered back.
