Ta-da! We have arrived at Chapter 7...It's not that long. A snack really :)

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Chapter 7 - The Worst Actor

You can fit me
Inside the necklace you got when you were sixteen
Next to your heartbeat where I should be
Keep it deep within your soul

-Ed Sheeran: Photograph

...

During that winter Loki and Diana worked hard and met each other almost every day. He especially helped her with Latin since it was after all, one of the key factors getting to study the Classics. Her A-levels did go well, and then in the spring she was called for an interview which also went well. Then one fine day the long-awaited letter arrived. She had been accepted to study the Classics. All her effort was rewarded. She was elated...And her first thought was to find Loki and tell him.

"Where is Loki?" she asked one of the nurses after knocking on his door several times.
"Probably at the gym."

The gym was located in a separate annex next to the main building. She had to walk there through the courtyard. It was June and she felt life was all about hope and new beginnings. And it was then and there she got it, the best idea ever, or so it felt at that point. She'd have a laugh at him. So before entering the gym, she tapped into a sad memory, in this case the death of Fluffy, the dog from her childhood, in order to make herself a little teary-eyed. She entered the foyer, took her most serious face, and opened the door leading to the gym. He could see that Loki was by the punching bag, wearing a black tank top and training pants. He looked a bit surprised to see her entering.

"Hello Diana...What's the matter?"
She walked towards him slowly, holding the envelope tightly in her hand, not looking quite directly at him. She stopped few feet front of him and sighed heavily. She actually noticed he was barefoot. She raised the letter a bit, casting her look down.
"It's from the university, isn't it?" he asked with concern.
She was looking down, almost dying to laugh.
"I got accepted!" she lift her head and shouted happily.
He raised his eyebrows.
"Congratulations. I'd shake your hand, but…" he showed his sweaty palm.
"That's okay."
He shook his head smiling.
"And Diana, you truly are the worst actor I have ever seen...And I've seen some productions on Alfheim and this was…so much worse," he winced.
She burst into laughter, and he soon had a wide smile.
"But I tried!"
"Well, that you did."

Now that she had lifted her eyes, she couldn't help noticing what Loki looked like. She had never barged to the gym like this or seen him in a tank top. And he probably didn't feel comfortable under her eyes since he immediately went to get his hooded jacket from the bench. And for just a second he turned his back on her, but it was enough for her to notice them. Scars crisscrossing on the skin of his back, everywhere that the tank top didn't cover. He pulled the black hoodie on, but she couldn't get the image out of her head.

What on earth…?

Her hand wanted to instinctively cover her mouth. But she tried to take her most normal face, holding the letter now tightly in her both hands. He turned back to face her.
"Have you told your father yet?" Loki asked.
"No..."
He rolled his eyes.
"Diana, go tell him. This instant."
He smiled.
"I will," she said and ran out of the gym, through the courtyard, to the main building to tell her father.
But her mind was still on his scars.

...

Diana's father had invited Loki for tea to celebrate their achievement. He was now leaving and Diana was escorting him to the gate.

"Congratulations once more. You are by far the brightest student I have ever had," Loki said turning to face her once more.
"But I thought tutoring was something you had not done before..." Diana said looking puzzled.
He smirked.
"Ah, you're so funny."
"I am," he said with a wicked grin.
"But I actually have something for you. A gift." he said putting his hand in his jacket pocket.
"It was actually something I ordered through you father...I told him I was going to give it to you."
He gave her a small wooden box. It was beautiful and had a delicate carving of a bow on it. Because she was, after all, Diana. She ran her finger on the carving.
"I love it," she said.
Loki's eyes were clearly sweeping her face, examining her reactions.
"Please, do open it" he said quietly.
And she opened the box. There was a golden bracelet lying on dark-green velvet. It had one small pendant attached to it. She looked closer at it. It was a feather quill, with little emeralds running through the design. It was exquisite.

No one had ever given her something like that.
It was perfect.

"I-it's beautiful. Thank you," she stuttered.
"I'm glad you liked it. You want to try it on?" he asked eagerly.
"Yes," she said still a bit stunned and nodded.
Loki took the bracelet from the box that was still in her hand. He gestured towards her other hand and she offered it. He gently lifted the sleeve of her cardigan just to bare her wrist. Then, very carefully, he placed the bracelet around it, holding both its ends.

He has such delicate fingers.
And long lashes.

He was looking at the bracelet, concentrated.
Finally, he closed the clasp.
"Ta-da," he said more to himself and his lips curved into a smile.

Diana lifted the bracelet to her eye level, examining how the little feather dangled. And how the tiny little emeralds sparkled. There was a childlike excitement in her eyes. It pleased Loki to see her reaction.

When she finally put her wrist down, she cleared her throat.
"I actually have something for you too, as a token of gratitude for tutoring me. And actually…Now it seems even more fitting."
"Diana, your father has compensated me for my trouble adequately," Loki stated.
He saw that her mood sunk at his words.
"But I am of course delighted that you wish to thank me personally."
He said this clasping his hands behind him and giving the slightest bow.
Then, Diana dug something from the pocket of her cardigan. It was a fine carton box, matt black.
"There you go. Thank you...Without you I couldn't have done it."
Loki took the box. When he opened it, he saw a quill pen, its delicate black feather resting on black satin. The tip of the pen was silver, decorated with engravings. For a moment he felt speechless.
"Thank you Diana...I see great minds think alike."
Very slowly he lifted the quill from the box.
"It is so fine I shall not ever dare to use it."
"Please do. It was created for that," Diana said seriously.
"I promise it then. That I shall use it. And use it well."
"You know, I ordered in from a place called the Penheaven."
"I should've known such a place exists...the Valhalla of pens," Loki chuckled softly, still mesmerized by the pen.
Diana couldn't help noticing what then rose on his lips...His most genuine smile. She saw it so rarely and it always made her heart skip a beat.
"So I guess I'm no longer your tutor then," Loki said, putting the pen carefully back to its box.
"Lucky you," Diana shrugged, feeling a bittersweet sensation inside her.
"But if you need my help at anything, feel free to ask," Loki said staring into her eyes intensely.
"Thank you, Loki. I will."