Authors Note: I really don't know when this chapter will be uploaded, but it will hopefully be soon. Please review. I live off reviews :)
Disclaimer: Still don't own Loki :(
Autumn/Winter 2008
October 3rd
Kia stumbled along the gloomy street, towards the park. Blood dripped slowly from a gash on her forehead into her eyes, making her vision warped. She had been ambushed leaving school, resulting in her being pushed over with her forehead striking a concrete step. Which explained the blood and the feeling her brain was wrapped in cotton wool.
Momentarily, Kia paused to lean against a lamp post, closing her eyes against the throbbing pain throughout her head.
That's going to leave a mark in the morning Kia thought bitterly, though it had been the first incident of the new school year. In fact, she had been pretty much ignored till today. Kia, of course, had no complaints, but she did feel lonely at times. It was times like these she regretted walking away that day.
It had been well over a month since she had seen Loki, since she had walked away from his protection and his creepy way of spying on her. Kia knew that she had over reacted, but even with that realisation, she still refused to go back to the tree. Except for now. Kia needed someplace to rest, someplace to let her head clear, before she started heading home, and underneath a street lamp was not the best idea. So she continued to stagger on.
It took Kia the best part of half an hour to walk down half a street, due to the intense pain spiking through her head and how she had to keep resting on any available surfaces(mainly damp hedges). Kia inhaled a deep breath and forced herself to continue staggering onwards.
With each step, the pain seemed to increase and her vision became more distorted that she could really only see clearly a metre in front of her. It was this which caused her not to notice the figure moving purposefully towards her. It was only when the person was a few metres away that Kia registered them. Panicking about the state she was in, as it was no state in to fight anyone off, she took the next best option and lurched into the road, intent on crossing to the other side. Except, she had not counted on the fact that there would be a high possibility of a car travelling along the road, like there was now. Kia stood illuminated against the glare of the headlights, the bellow of the cars horn sounded muffled through the haze clouding her brain. It was when she felt a rough tug on her arm, pulling her out of the way, and helping her to collapse on the pavement. Kia lay huddled, not being able to find the energy to even lift her head up. She heard the car speed past, not even bothering to slow down enough to see how the girl was, that they had nearly run over.
"Foolish girl." Growled the stranger, crouching down by Kias head.
They have nice boots. Leathery. Kia thought as that was the only part of them she could see.
"What in Valhalla's name do you think you are doing?!" snapped the voice. The clipped British accent stirred a memory within Kia.
"Loki?" Kia slurred, the effort it taking to say the simple word scaring her.
Loki (for of course it was him) reached a hand and smoothed Kias hair away from the gash on her forehead, which still continued to leak with blood.
"Fool." Loki repeated, but more softly. "Who else would it be?"
Kia smiled, despite the pain, and despite the fact her face was still pressed up against a damp pavement.
"A murderer?" Kia mumbled. "Think I hurt my head. Not sure."
"If I wanted to murder you, you would be dead already." Loki said. "Come on, let's get you up."
Loki swung Kia up into his arms. Kia leant her head against his chest, marvelling at the warmth, and how solid it was.
"You feel like a warm brick." Kia said incoherently, Loki barely managing to make out her words.
"Well, thank you, I guess." Loki said, concern lacing his voice. "I'm going to take you home Kia. You can receive help then."
"Whatever, don't care." Kia replied weakly. "Loki?"
"Yes?"
"Sorry." Kia uttered.
Loki glanced down to the girl in his arms, to see her staring straight at him, as if she was trying to convey how desperate she was for him to forgive her. Loki smiled softly.
"There is nothing to forgive child."
It seemed as though Kia tried to smile in return, but instead her face went slack, and her eyes fluttered closed.
"No, no Kia. Keep your eyes open. Don't you dare fall asleep." Loki demanded jiggling her in his arms, but to no avail. Kia continued to say unconscious.
"We need to go. Right now." Loki mused out loud.
And to anyone looking out of their windows on that street, the most peculiar scene would have occurred. The tall man, cradling a young girl in his arms would have disappeared without a trace, or a sound.
October 4th 2:32pm
Kia awoke suddenly, and the first thing she registered was the throbbing headache she had. She also noticed how this was definitely not her room. The sheets were too thin, and the entire place smelt of disinfectant.
Great. I'm in hospital Kia thought Now how the fuck did I end up here.
Kia knew that if she opened her eyes, then she would be blinded by harsh lighting, thus making her headache worse. Instead, she resigned herself to eavesdropping on the conversation she could hear going on in this room.
"-just appeared on the doorstep unconscious! I didn't know what to do, so called an ambulance."
"Yes, I gather it has been a shock Mrs Johnson, but I can assure you Kia will be perfectly alright soon. In fact she should be waking up now. Is there anyone else we can contact." came the formal reply, leading Kia to believe it was a doctor.
"No. No, its fine. I'd like to wait though, for when she wakes up."
"Of course, Mrs Johnson." said the doctor, followed by the door closing.
But what happened? How the hell did I get here. Kias thoughts were jumbled and panicked, trying to make sense of what had happened to her.
I appeared on the doorstep? But how could I just appear somewhere? Its like magi-
"Loki!" Kia gasped, her eyes springing open.
Her mum, who had been standing at the window, turned at Kias gasp, to see her daughter sitting up in bed, with an expression of wild panic.
"Kia! You're awake. Are you okay sweetie? What hurts? Do I need to get a doctor? What happened? Who did this? Why were-"
"Mum." Kia cut her off abruptly, feeling too tired to deal with her mums flurry of questions. "I'm tired, please just let me sleep."
"Of course darling." Her mum said smoothing her sheets. "I told the doctors I'd leave once you had woken, but I'll be back tomorrow."
But Kia didn't hear as she was already fast asleep.
October 4th 11:47pm
It was nearly midnight before Kia woke again. Well that's what the bedside clock told her. It was as she was stretching, she heard a sigh by the window.
"Finally, you awake."
"Weren't you ever taught how creepy it is to sneak into innocent girls bedrooms?" Kia said, sitting further up in the bed.
Loki stepped away from the window, towards the bed.
"Weren't you ever taught how rude it is to avoid and ignore someone for over a month?" Loki mimicked, sitting down heavily in the chair next to Kia's bed.
"I'm pretty sure you said yesterday that there was nothing to be sorry for." Kia grumbled.
"Yesterday was when you were practically unconscious in my arms. Today, however, you are almost healthy, and therefore, I have every right to be annoyed." Loki said, glaring right at Kia. She began to feel uncomfortable and looked away.
"I'm sorry okay?!" Kia burst. "I didn't know how to handle the fact that you were spying on me, and you knew about James and my..." Kia swallowed "My self harm."
"And you felt the best option was to just to walk away, rather than face your demons." Loki said exasperatedly, running his hands through his hair.
"It's what I do Loki." She spat, angry with how it seemed he was judging her. "I'm not strong enough to face my problems, so I run, and I never ask for help. Because I am never, ever, going to be a burden."
Loki abruptly pushed the chair back and stood up. He paced at the foot of the bed before turning to face Kia.
"But what if I want to give you my help?" Loki hissed "I do not, nor will I ever, consider you a burden. You cannot run from everything Kia. I will not let you."
"You won't let me? Sorry, do I require your permission now to continue like I always have done?" Kia whispered angrily, staggering up from the bed to face Loki.
He looked as if he was practically burning with anger, fire blazing behind his eyes. Later, Kia guessed that it was the heat of the moment that caused him to raise his hand as if to strike her, but Kia continued to stare at him unblinking.
"You don't scare me Loki." Kia said simply, refusing to break their eye contact.
His eyes narrowed, and the words which dripped out of his mouth sounded as if they were laced with venom. "You should be scared. I could crush you so easily. I could obliterate you, and how would you stop me, hm?" Loki step forward, until they were practically breathing in each other's breath. "I could simply squeeze the life out of you, you puny mortal." The hand which he had previously raised now came to rest around her throat. He leaned forward until his lips grazed the shell of Kias ear. "One little twist and your neck would snap. So disposable, you Midgardians."
Kia shivered from the intensity of his words. "But you won't." She croaked. She liked to think she wasn't afraid of Loki, but she couldn't deny her heart was thudding against its confines in her chest, and with Lokis hand across her throat he would be able to take her pulse and know that she feared him slightly.
"No, I won't." Loki sighed, dropping his hand. "But you should fear me Kia. I am not safe."
Kia grunted in reply, eloquent as always and settled back on the bed. Loki waited a heartbeat before climbing into the other side, prompting Kia to glare at him.
"I'm still mad at you for trying to control me.
"Do you feel better for getting it all off your chest?"
Kia nodded sullenly. They both descended into silence, neither willing to start a conversation. That is, until, Kia came to a sudden realisation.
"Loki...how did you know where I was?" Kia said confusion laced throughout her voice, except when she glanced at Loki his face said it all.
"I swear to God, if you say Heimdall I'm going to punch you."
"Well..." Loki started awkwardly.
"Bastard!" Kia exclaimed, though not angry, more grateful than anything. If it hadn't been for Heimdall then Kia would probably be dead, or she would never have seen Loki again.
"I believe you said you would punch me?"
"I'm going to do it when you least expect it. Now, sleep." Kia said burrowing under the covers.
"I can explain myself if you want Kia."
"Shut up.".
"As you wish." Loki said settling down on the other half of the bed.
"Oh and Loki?" Kia said innocently.
"Yes?" said Loki suspiciously.
The next thing he knew a pillow was coming out of nowhere to hit him across the face.
"Never spy on me again." Kia said sweetly.
October 31st
Kia was lounging on her bed, throwing a ball up in the air and catching it with one hand. Loki was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, stroking the family cat, Monty, which had decided he like Loki and always slept on his lap when Loki visited. Kia found the scene to be generally sweet. Loki, all regal and poised, trying to act dignified whilst stroking a purring lump of fur.
"So let me get this straight." Loki started, " On this date, tribes light bonfires to ward off evil spirits, but now Midgardians have managed to twist that into a holiday, where children go round to strangers dwellings and ask them for candy?"
"Yeah, basically." Kia said, not really understanding where Lokis confusion was coming from.
"And the children...they dress up in outlandish costumes, such as this creature here." Loki said, gesturing to Monty.
"Ye-e-e-e-s"
"But how does that relate to the original celebrations on this date?"
Kia rolled over to glare down at Loki.
"How am I meant to know Loki? I don't memorise textbooks on Earths history. I honestly couldn't care less."
"You should take pride in your culture and history child." Loki said calmly, still stroking the flipping cat.
Kia raised herself up so she was still sitting on her bed but now could look out of the window. Not that she could see much, due to it being night. Kia remained lost in thought for a few minutes, until she felt Loki place a hand upon her shoulder, as he sat next to her, the bed shifting slightly.
"What troubles you child?" Loki asked, also staring out of the window, but furtively glancing at Kia, as if to check she was mentally stable.
Kia hesitated slightly before answering. She still wasn't comfortable with accepting Lokis help, so only told him part of the truth.
"Child...you call me child continuously? Why?"
"That is how I see you, as a child. On Asgard you would merely be an infant."
Kia huffed, affronted by his blunt reasoning.
"But I'm 14! 15 soon. I would consider a child to be of Emilys age , for God's sake."
Loki twirled piece of Kias hair between his fingers, absentmindedly.
"My dear, I am nearly 2000 years old. Surely you can see how your slight age pales in comparison."
Kia turned her head to stare at Loki, disbelief etched on her face.
"You're shitting me?" Kia said. At Lokis shake of his head, Kia turned back to the window looking as if the sky had fallen. After a minute of silence, a whisper filled the room.
"Damn, I've got to get me whatever anti-wrinkle cream you're using."
Lokis snort of laughter warmed Kia to the bones. Normally he was so composed, and never let his mask slip.
"Oooh, how undignified for a prince, and a godly one at that." Kia teased, poking Loki in the side.
"Please shut up." Loki laughed, slapping Kias hand away.
Kia opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the sound of the front door slamming shut.
"Kia! Come see how many sweets I got!" came the unmistakable sound of Emilys voice.
"Just coming kiddo." Kia shouted back, clambering off the bed. "Loki, can I ask you something?"
"Anything." Loki said, his sincerity momentarily unsettling Kia.
"Uh, right. Well, November the 11th… it's my birthday? I don't suppose you could be here could you? Even if it's for 10 minutes..." Kia trailed off feeling embarrassed.
Loki smiled at her.
"Of course" he said, gracefully stepping off the bed, and gave her a swift hug. "Consider it done."
"Kia!" shrieked Emily, her patience wearing thin.
"Calm it down kiddo, I'm coming!"
Kia turned back to Loki to see him smirking at her.
"I suppose you better not keep your fan club waiting."
Kia scoffed. "Yeah the only person who will join."
"I'm sure I can join as well. But only if I can be President." Loki joked.
"Whatever Loki." Kia said, rolling her eyes. "See you on the 11th."
"You will."
November 11th 11:30pm
Even though there was only half an hour to go, Kia still held out hope that Loki would make an appearance. After all he had promised, and he had never let her down before.
All in all, it had probably been the best birthday in the past five years. James had been working, and would have gone straight on to the pub, meaning he would end up passed out drunk someplace. Emily had woke her up with a birthday breakfast, which consisted of burnt toast, soggy cornflakes, and a perfect cupcake, which Emily admitted later she had bought, but Kia was still touched all the same. Kia spent the majority of the day playing with Emily, trying to distract herself from the visit of Loki, but it didn't stop herself from running up to her bedroom at random opportunities, just to see if the Asgardian had arrived. Except, as it grew closer to evening, Kia became less eager to see Loki, and more anxious about the fact he had not appeared. But Kia decided that Loki would make his appearance when he was ready.
So Kia agreed to watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but was sworn to secrecy by Emily, as their mum thought Emily too young to watch it. Kia agreed with her mum, but didn't have the heart to argue with Emily. After Emily had gone to bed, Kia retired to her bedroom.
And she'd been sat in the same position ever since.
11:42
No sign of Loki. Kia went and brushed her teeth slowly, lingering over each tooth, believing if she delayed long enough then Loki would be there.
11:47
Kia returned to a still empty bedroom. She turned on her TV and managed to catch the last few minutes of the news.
Hm, looks like its going to be raining tomorrow, better take an umbrella Kia thought whilst flicking through channels.
Yawning, she turned the TV off and got up to turn her light off. As she lay in bed, she rolled onto her side, and looked at the neon green numbers displayed on her bedside clock:
00:03
He didn't come Kia thought bitterly Figures.
Authors Note: So I updated twice within a week that should be at least worth some reviews ;)
TheRealTayler13: I hope your enjoying it!