'Thor is a big teddy bear?' I heard Loki say unbelievably behind me. 'I do not think I have ever heard someone say that and survive.'
'He wouldn't dare hit the blind girl, would he?'
Loki chuckled. 'I like the way you think.'
'Thank you, though,' I said, on a more serious note. 'You were right.'
'I'm sorry, could you repeat that?'
'Nope!' I wanted to walk away, but ran straight into him. His hands grabbed me, and hold on tight. 'Hey!' I wrestled half-heartedly, as I didn't really mind him holding me. 'God, you are strong!'
'Really? Even though I trained all my life fighting a teddy bear?'
'Maybe you two are not so different,' I purred.
'Why do I not believe that was a compliment?'
I didn't answer, but suddenly relaxed. He hadn't anticipated this, and I got the chance to turn around, and wrap my hands around his waist.
'Yes, definitely a teddy bear,' I hummed. Loki chuckled softly, and wrapped his arms around me.
'What makes you so… different today?' he asked, his hands playing with a strand of my hair.
'I realised yesterday how I still can do so much, and have so many wonderful people around me. I didn't want to lose that.' I was silent. 'O, and don't worry, you won't have to kill me, I won't tell anyone I called you a teddy bear.'
'I don't think, that even if you did, I could.'
'I was wondering,' Loki said, while releasing me, 'if you could teach me how you read.'
'Why?' I said amazed.
'Because I like learning and knowing. It seems like a skill that may become useful one day.'
'Sure. If you'd help me get to the couch and give me a book.'
He did so, and when he put the book into my hands, he said softly, 'here it is, princess.'
I couldn't help but blush. Loki sat down beside me.
'O, Pride and Prejudice!' I exclaimed. 'That's one of my favourites.'
'I hope I will not ruin it for you, if I am a slow student.'
'No one can ruin Mr Darcy for me,' I smiled.
'I do not know who you mean.'
'You'll find out!'
I took his hand, and let his finger slide over the dots on the cover.
'Feel these four dots? This is the P. Then there are these four dots, with three underneath each other, and one in the middle left, that's the r. Every time there is a pattern of six spaces. They can be a dot or they can be empty.'
As I slowly moved his finger, I read him the text, so he could pick up the different letters.
After a while I let him say the letters first, and I listened as he slowly got better.
His voice was amazing – enchanting. Never had I enjoyed the book more than now. I started to truly understand the meaning of "silver tongue".
