Hi everyone! I just want to thank all of you for your follows, favorites, and reviews! Your support means so much to me! A special thanks goes out to dreambear43, Forestclaw, Starrside, Chiafun, Vashka, msalina007, and IWouldHaveFoundYou for all of your wonderful reviews! You guys are awesome, and you make me want to update this story WAY faster than I would otherwise.
Some of you expressed interest in my playlist for this story, so I have compiled some songs that help me get in the mood to write and/or are relevant to this story. A quick note: None of my music is edited, so if you have small children and don't want them picking up "questionable new words" and repeating them to everyone you know, I would suggest listening to some of this playlist when the offspring are not present.
Shape of You – Ed Sheeran
Shiver – Maroon 5
Indestructible – Disturbed
Gifts and Curses – Yellowcard
Leave Out All the Rest – Linkin Park
Dark Necessities – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Bigger Scars Make Better Stories – Search the City
Closer – Nine Inch Nails
Bad Things – Machine Gun Kelly
Calling You – Blue October
Jessie's Girl – Rick Springfield
Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift
Woman – Maroon 5
The Run and Go – Twenty-One Pilots
Somewhat Damaged – Nine Inch Nails
Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
Only One – Yellowcard
Feel free to add to this list. It is by no means all-inclusive. If you have a song that you feel fits this story, let me know! I'm always looking for new music, especially songs that inspire me.
Anyways, enough of this author's note. On to the story! Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 10: Matters of the Heart
Earth
"Day nineteen," Jane narrated. "I've been feeling great. No symptoms whatsoever. The magic Loki has given me seems to be keeping the Kree DNA at bay. I will be going to have my blood work tested again next week and I will know more then. Loki is teaching me to use my magic. It is… the coolest thing I have ever been a part of."
She raised her palm, so the camera on the laptop could capture the green wisps of magic floating above her skin. "It's absolutely incredible learning to use this magic, control it, make it mine. The excitement of discovery is what I've always hoped for, ever since I was a little girl. This is my dream, and I'm so thrilled that I get to experience this."
Jane took a deep breath before she continued. "There has been an interesting side effect to my magic though. It does strange things when I'm around Loki. It's like… almost like the magic itself wants to be near him. It draws me to him. We can speak to each other telepathically, and when he touches me… I can't think."
"It's like the feel of charged electricity before a lightning storm," she said thoughtfully. "I can't breathe, but it's not unpleasant… just strange. I want to run some tests, but I don't want to rush into it and freak Loki out. What am I supposed to say, 'Hey Loki! I know I'm kind of dating your brother, and I know we just started being friends and all, but can I touch you? For scientific purposes of course.' Yeah… like that would go over well, but I digress... I will update again when I know more. This is Jane Foster, signing off on day nineteen."
She sighed and leaned back against her pillow. She knew that she should have been up and out of bed hours ago, but her mind was in turmoil. Her conversation with Thor the night before kept playing in her head.
He had said that they were intended if she wanted to be. Thor might not have told her that he loved her, but his intentions were clear.
He wanted to marry her at some point in the future.
This was all Jane had wanted for the past two and a half years. All her hopes and dreams finally come to fruition. She knew that she should be beyond thrilled, but instead she was torn.
She loved Thor, but did she want to commit to a future betrothal and marriage between them? She didn't know. Things with Thor had been a bit turbulent as of late, and despite the fact that she was alive and hopefully would be for some time, she still resented him for leaving her when she needed him the most.
And then there was Loki. They had become somewhat close, and he had given her his extraordinary gift. Jane knew that he was not a good man. Loki had killed more people than she could count, and she doubted that he was remorseful for his crimes. But even knowing how terrible he could be, she had grown to care for him.
Jane knew without a doubt that she did not want Loki to die. From what she had heard on Asgard, Odin was going to kill him, and Thor either would not or could not stop him. Could she in good conscience marry Thor, knowing that Loki would die at the hands of her future father-in-law? Could she see Odin every single day and be a loving wife to Thor if Loki's blood was on their hands? Or would anger eat away at her until she couldn't stand the sight of either or them? She didn't know.
There were many things she wasn't sure of, and it seemed premature to promise Thor forever until she figured these things out, and her heart was in it one-hundred percent.
Jane sighed and decided she'd spent too much time avoiding Thor. It was time to leave her room. The astrophysicist dressed herself in jeans and a t-shirt and headed outside, where she heard the men talking and laughing. They were practicing their skills throwing knives.
Steve was in a casual white t-shirt and slacks, Loki in a green tunic and black pants, and Thor was shirtless, which somehow didn't surprise Jane at all. They were throwing knives and ninja stars at targets they had placed on the few trees that were in the yard of Steve's hideout, and it appeared as though they were making a competition of it.
Loki met her eyes and gave her a small smile. "Hello Jane" she heard him greet her in her head. "Hi Loki" she told him as she returned his smile.
"Jane!" Thor shouted as he waved her over. "We are having a competition. Come and watch!"
The astrophysicist waltzed over, taking in the sculpted form of Thor. He was massively ripped, every girls wet dream. His muscles rippled beneath his skin with every move. He was pure, raw power, and all of that could be hers if she would only say the words. But to say the words simply because he was nice to look would be foolish, and very not her. She averted her eyes, only for her gaze to fall on Loki, who was now removing his tunic.
Wait, what?
The god of mischief removed his shirt and tossed it aside, revealing an upper body that was just as impressive as the thunder god's. Jane gaped, and found her eyes roaming his body despite her attempts to look away.
Loki was not as muscled as Thor. His upper body was cut in a leaner, more subtle way, but hot damn it was nice. His black pants hung low on his hips, and the astrophysicist had trouble dragging her eyes away from his belt line. She let her eyes wander up his body, taking in the way his raven hair hung loosely over the top of his oh so nice shoulders, and when her eyes finally reached his face, he was smirking at her.
Oh shit… He totally wasn't supposed to see her checking him out.
"See something you like, Jane?" she heard his voice in her head again. Her face lit up scarlet, and she tried not to panic.
"Jane?" Thor said gently. "Are you going to watch us?"
"Yeah…" she mumbled as she pulled her eyes away from Loki, who was smirking victoriously. "I'm sorry. I was…thinking…"
"Well take a break from all of that thinking you do and watch this!" Thor laughed. "I'm about to teach Loki and Steve a thing or two about throwing knives."
Thor gripped a dagger tightly in his hands, leaned back, and threw his body forward. The knife completely missed the tree, and Jane burst out laughing.
"Loki!" Thor sputtered. "You did that!"
"Whatever are you talking about, brother?" Loki purred. "I would do no such thing." The mischief that danced in his eyes told Jane otherwise. He was one-hundred percent responsible for Thor's poor aim.
"Perhaps if you spent more time practicing and less time bragging, your aim would be better," Jane teased.
Loki smirked, and Thor threw up his hands in defeat. "Ubelievable! You have even turned Jane against me. I cannot win with the two of you!"
The astrophysicist laughed, and Loki grabbed a knife and set himself up to throw. "Take note of how a skilled wielder of magic throws a knife, Jane."
He winked at her, and she instantly had a wicked idea. She fully intended to show him just how skilled he was.
The god of mischief held the knife in his palm and sent it flying forward easily. Jane focused on the knife in flight, bending it to her will, and the knife buried itself in the tree, far above the intended target.
Loki threw her a skeptical look, which quickly turned into a scowl. Thor practically rolled on the ground with laughter. "It would seem that you are not the only trickster, brother," he chuckled.
"Well I have learned from the best," Jane teased, winking at Loki as he had done to her earlier.
His scowl turned into a playful smirk. "I could teach you a few other things as well," he said playfully.
"Huh?" Before Jane had a chance to explore Loki's off-colored comment any further, a woman's voice shouted out from nearby.
"Thor!" They all turned to see Sif striding towards them, decked out in battle armor.
"Sif!" the thunder god greeted her happily, embracing her with fervor. "It is good to see you, my friend, how fares Asgard?"
"Not well," Sif sighed, her face pulled into a scowl. "Vanaheim has been threatened again, as has Alfheim. I don't know what game this Mad Titan is playing at, but it's far reaching, and for reasons I do not yet understand. Our warriors are restless. They want to fight. Odin has sent me to bring you back to Asgard. He cannot have you loafing around on Midgard while the realms are in disarry. His words, not mine," she added quickly.
"That sounds like him," Thor sighed. "Allow me to say goodbye and I will go with you to Asgard."
"Very well. Heimdall has left the Bifrost open, so we must move quickly."
"I will only be a moment," Thor assured her.
Sif nodded, and walked away to give him some space. Thor embraced Steve first, hugging him so hard it was a miracle his bones didn't snap. "Thank you, my friend, for sheltering us. I hope to see you again soon."
He released Steve, who took in a few deep breaths, before turning his attention to Loki. He enveloped his brother in a tight hug as well, though the god of mischief held up considerably better than Steve. "Thank you, brother, for protecting my Jane. I will be back for both of you as soon as I am able."
He released Loki and moved on to Jane. He embraced her, though not nearly as tightly as he had the two men. Thor's arms were gentle around her, and his bright blue eyes met hers with warmth and love.
"My Jane," he said softly. "Our time together has been far too short. I hope that you have thought about what I spoke of last night. You need not answer today, but think on it and decide what it is that you want. Would it be too forward to ask for an answer next we see each other?"
"No," Jane told him. "I will think on it, and I will have an answer for you the next time I see you."
"Thank you, Jane," Thor grinned. "Promise me that you will be careful while I am away. Stay close to Loki. He will keep you safe."
"I promise," Jane said sincerely. "Promise me you will be careful too. If you have to fight, take care of yourself, and don't be a hero."
"I promise that I will not be too terribly reckless," Thor laughed. "Goodbye, my Jane. I hope to see you very soon."
He kissed her, his lips soft on hers, and the stubble of his beard rubbing against her chin. And then he was gone, walking away with Sif, who discreetly ran her eyes up and down his shirtless body.
Part of Jane wanted to run after him, to kiss him again and ask him not to leave her, ask him to put her first and screw everything else. But another part of her, the part that housed her pride, refused to let her chase him. That part of her kept telling her that if he loved her, then he would stay. She shouldn't have to ask. She wouldn't ask.
Loki appeared by her side as she watched him leave. "Asgard will always be Thor's first and most important love," he mused as though he had been reading her mind. Jane scowled at him, but deep down she knew that he was right.
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Loki moved his pawn with precision, knowing exactly what he intended to do in the next two moves in order to win. His opponent was intelligent and unpredictable, but not impossible to defeat. He sat back, taking a sip of the finest scotch New York had to offer, while he waited for his opponent to make a move.
Tony Stark moved his pawn forward, coming dangerously close to Loki's queen. The god of mischief jumped his knight over Tony's queen, getting in a position to clench the game for the second time.
"For the record," Tony stated as he finished off his glass of scotch and poured them both another. "I still hate you for what you did. I almost died because you decided you wanted to enslave the Earth, but I have to say…" He jumped one of his pawns, taking Loki's queen. "You're a damn good chess player."
Loki made the final play, taking Tony's king with his knight. "As are you," he admitted. "It is difficult to find a worthy adversary."
He drank his glass of scotch, and Tony poured him another as he set them up for their fourth game of chess. "So tell me," Loki began cautiously. "How does one properly woo a woman on this realm?"
Tony stopped moving the chess pieces and gaped at him inelegantly. "You didn't seriously just ask me that did you?" he laughed. The god of mischief shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Oh, wow… You're serious," Tony mused. "Okay, who is it?"
Loki shifted uncomfortably once again, his face growing hot at the Iron Man's line of questioning. "That information is not important," he growled.
"Oh, I see… Well in that case, I'll give you some general advice. Most men will tell you that the woman is always right, and you should do whatever she wants you to do and spare no expense to make her happy. Also, apologize for everything. Women are always mad at you about something."
"And what if said woman is highly intelligent, thus requiring a challenge? And what if I wish to woo her without emasculating myself in the process?" Loki snorted.
"Intelligent, strong-willed women are a different game entirely," Tony acknowledged. "I would know. Pepper is one of them. "For starters, I would definitely avoid stealing their panties and giving them to other men."
Loki's head snapped towards him, shock written on his face. "I don't know of what you speak," he denied, but it was already too late. Tony had seen his shock.
"I know all about you stealing Jane's panties and putting them in Fury's room. I think it was brilliant, but Jane wasn't too thrilled, so you have to stop doing that. If you feel the urge to steal her panties again, keep them for yourself, and don't be creepy about it either. You seem like the kind of guy who could make a souvenir seem really creepy. Be casual."
"So I should steal Jane's undergarments?" Loki asked skeptically, way more confused about Midgardian souvenirs than he believed he had any right to be.
"Yes, but I didn't tell you to do it," Tony added. "Go out for awhile and don't tell her where you're going. If she calls to check on you she's into you, if she doesn't then you may have to take more extreme measure to get her attention. That's how I knew Pepper had a thing for me."
"That sounds like a terrible idea," Loki frowned. "Are you certain there is not something wrong with you?"
"Make her jealous. Let her see you with other women, and then when she gets upset about it, tell her you just wanted her attention. Let her take charge, and ride you like a –"
"I have definitely chosen the wrong mortal seek advice from in this endeavor," Loki sighed.
"Just be yourself," Tony continued. "Jane already sort of likes you. And gifts. Women love gifts."
"Actually," Loki began. "I could your help with something."
"And what would that be?"
The god of mischief leaned over and whispered, careful that no one else could hear. He had concocted an idea over the last few days, and wanted to surprise Jane. He only hoped that the Iron Man could keep his mouth shut. He would not stand for his surprise to be ruined.
"I won't have it ready for her by the gala," Tony frowned. "It'll take a few days to get the materials, and another few for me to shape them."
"But you can do it?"
"Of course I can do it. I'm Iron Man, and a genius as well I might add. Why would you ever doubt me?"
"Because you clearly have an overinflated ego, and you are but a mere mortal."
"A mortal that kicked your ass a few years ago if I recall correctly," Tony countered. Loki grumbled, but remained silent. "Hey," Tony added. "Against my better judgement, I actually kind of like you. It's not every day I find a man that can outplay me in chess, so I'm going to help you out. I'll get you what you need to surprise Jane, and I'll give you a bottle of my best scotch to put her in the mood."
"And it works?" Loki scoffed.
"Every time. Get her drinking, sweet talk her a little bit, and then move in for the kill."
"I do not wish to harm Jane."
"It's a figure of speech," Tony groaned. "Take the scotch. You'll need all the help you can get trying to win her from Thor."
"I appreciate your sentiment," Loki deadpanned.
"Anytime. Advice is free for the first half hour. After that I start to bill you."
"You have problems."
"And you're an asshole," Tony replied cheekily. "Now shut up, and let's play another game of chess."
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When he'd had enough of chess with Tony, Loki set out to find Jane. He carried two glasses of Tony's scotch with him, one for himself and one for his clever little mortal. It was aged well and he knew that she would be pleased with his offering. He was tempted to drink with her one evening soon until she lost her inhibitions. Perhaps he could reap the benefits of any poor choices she might make.
That thought made him smile, and he promised himself that he would have to try that soon. Perhaps he would be so good that she would never even consider returning to Thor.
The Research and Development lab of Stark Tower loomed large before him, the doors thick and layered with steel. One was propped open to avoid being locked in, while the other remained closed. Loki slipped in quietly, watching Jane work as he had done in the underground S.H.I.E.L.D. facility.
She was lovely. Her dark hair hung loosely over her shoulders, and her pink lips were pursed in concentration. Her brows were furrowed, and she held one of her weapons in between one of her tiny hands and her hip. Even in jeans and a t-shirt, he could still make out the shape of her curves, and his hands itched to grip her hips tightly and put his lips on every one of them.
She was working on trying to wire up the arc reactor in her weapon, and it appeared as though she was having some trouble. Loki set the glasses of scotch down on a nearby worktable and drifted over to her quietly. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't even notice his approach. The god of mischief slipped his hands around the metal box that housed the weapon, and held it steady for her.
Jane's hazel eyes met his, and a dazzling smile lit up her face. Loki felt a pang of want slice through his chest and burn in his very veins. He itched to touch her, to kiss her, to take her, but instead he merely smiled back. She was not ready.
The astrophysicist worked quickly with his help to wire up the arc reactor. When she finished with one, he held the other and she wired it up as well. "Finished!" she declared excitedly. "Let's try them out!"
He stood still as she strapped the small metal box onto his arm with some sort of thick, leather straps. Her petite fingers ghosted over the skin of his wrist and forearm, and he shivered involuntarily at the contact.
"Are you alright?" she asked, touching his forearm once again.
"Yes… I'm fine," he groaned as she pulled away. Having Jane touching him was nearly unbearable, but it was worse when she stopped. Need flared within him, and he fought the urge to touch her everywhere.
The astrophysicist held out her own wrist, and he strapped her weapon on, allowing his fingers to ghost across her forearm as she had done to him. She gasped, her breath quickening, but he doubted that she felt the same intensity in their touch. He met her eyes once again, and she blushed under his gaze.
"Let's… Let's test them," she said softly, but he could tell her mind was miles away.
Jane lifted her wrist, and aimed at a target she had set up across the room. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Loki could see the box on her wrist begin to glow as it powered up. It fired, the white light from the arc reactor funneling through an opening at the front of the box and blasting into the wall next to the target. The light diminished, before going out completely.
"Holy shit," Jane murmured. "Tony's going to kill me."
A large hole gaped where the wall had once been, and Loki laughed. "This is not the first time Stark Tower has been destroyed. Your destruction is mild in comparison."
"Yeah, because you destroyed it the first time," she shot back. "Maybe a targeting system would be –"
Loki's weapon powered up and fired before she could finish, blasting another hole in the wall on the opposite side of the target.
"Whoa!" she shouted. "You knew the aim was off, what if there were people on the other side of that wall?"
"Then they are now pancakes," Loki grinned. "Like the kind your friend Steve makes."
"First off, he is not my friend," Jane corrected him. "He's Thor's. And second, we most definitely need targeting systems. I'll get to work on that. I can do it at our new hideout. Shouldn't take more than a day or two."
The god of mischief plucked the two glasses of scotch from the table, and offered one to Jane. "Targeting systems would be effective," he admitted. "But first, we celebrate. Your weapons work, and they appear to be very powerful. The rest can wait."
She took the scotch from him and clinked her glass against his. "To us," she declared. "To our magic, our friendship, and our survival."
"I can drink to us," Loki winked suggestively, before downing his glass. He watched as Jane's lips touched her glass, and she drank hers as well. Yes, he most definitely could toast to the two of them.
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"This has to be considered torture," Loki sighed.
The two of them sat on the couch of yet another temporary home outside of New York that S.H.I.E.L.D. had provided them with. It was just the two of them once again, and the god of mischief had decided that he preferred it that way.
Jane punched him lightly in the shoulder, feigned displeasure on her face. "Quit being a baby," she chastised. "This movie's really good. Besides, I'm educating you."
"On what?" he scoffed. "How foolish Midgardians can be? Jack is a poor, aspiring artist. His wages would hardly support himself and Rose, much less a family if they desired one. She is foolish for even considering a future with him."
"You don't always get to choose who you fall in love with, Loki," Jane sighed.
"Sentiment makes you blind."
"Here," Jane growled, shoving a bowl full of popcorn at him. "Eat this and be quiet. I'm trying to enjoy the movie."
Loki took the popcorn begrudgingly and ate a few pieces to appease her. He waited until Jane's attention was back on the movie, and he flung a piece at her, nailing her right on the nose.
"You jerk!" she growled. "Give me that!" She lunged for the bowl, but he moved it above his head so she couldn't reach it. If he thought that would deter the stubborn mortal, he was wrong.
Jane practically climbed on top of him to reach the bowl. Her body pressed against his, and the god of mischief couldn't breathe. His nerves were on fire, and every impulse within him begged him to take her here and now. But he knew that she would never agree to that, at least not yet. The astrophysicist grabbed one end of the bowl and accidently set her other hand on his upper thigh.
The result was instantaneous, and Loki reacted before he could stop himself. He bore down on Jane, driving her backwards into the couch, and straddling her.
"Loki!" she gasped beneath him, and the tiniest bit of his senses returned to him. His Jane lay beneath him, her hazel eyes wide with shock.
She was not ready. As much as it pained him, quite literally, he had to get himself under control, or he would lose his chance with her for good.
Loki reached for the bowl of popcorn that had ended up on the couch and threw a few pieces at Jane half-heartedly. "I win," he declared, as he struggled to find the willpower he needed to remove himself from her. Luckily, Jane seemed oblivious to his internal struggle. She grabbed a handful of popcorn, and threw it back at him as she scrambled to find cover.
Half an hour later, Loki leaned back on the couch, his feet kicked up on the small coffee table in front of him. Popcorn littered the couch and the floor around him, evidence of their playful antics. Jane sat next to him, her small body tucked up against his side. They had just finished watching Titanic.
"Jack could have fit on that raft," the god of mischief noted irritably. "That tragic ending could have been avoided completely."
"Thank you!" Jane exclaimed, yawning loudly. "I've been saying that for years. Okay, next movie."
She rose from his side to find them something else to watch, but Loki stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Jane," he said softly. "You haven't slept much the last few days. Aren't you tired?"
"No," she replied immediately, but he could see right through her lie.
"Are you afraid to sleep because of the nightmares?" he asked softly.
"No! I mean… maybe… okay yes," she told him, coming clean. She sighed, her entire body shivering. "I just… I can't get all of that out of my head. Hydra, the men that I killed, you… Does it ever get any easier?" she whispered, so quietly that he almost didn't hear her.
Loki sighed deeply. Sentiment, his mind scoffed, but at that moment in time, he knew what needed to be done. He stood from his place on the couch and scooped Jane up into his arms. Her body stiffened in protest only for a moment, before relaxing against him.
"It gets easier with time," he told her honestly, as he walked with her to the one bedroom the safe house boasted. "The first man I ever killed was a Jotun. A band of their warriors tried to attack Asgard when I was a boy. I slayed him with a dagger to the heart. I was defending myself, but it made no difference. I saw his face every night in my dreams for months. The dreams went away after some time, and I am only haunted by them occasionally now. It will get better. I promise you."
He deposited her on the bed, and noted her frantic expression. "I will stay with you until you fall asleep if that would please you," he offered.
She nodded, and he kicked off his boots, and crawled onto the bed next to her. He wanted to undress her, to kiss every inch of her soft skin. He wanted to take her, to claim her, and to possess her completely. He wanted to show her how to properly share a bed with him. He wanted all of these things, but for now, he merely sat on the bed next to her as she relaxed into the pillows.
With a flick of his wrist, he created an illusion of Midgard's stars on the ceiling, and was rewarded by a smile from the astrophysicist. "Sleep, my Jane," he commanded her softly.
"Thank you, Loki," she whispered, as her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted off. He stayed for some time afterwards, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept. She did not stir, and he let his eyes roam over her features appreciatively in the soft light from his illusion of stars. He dared not touch her, lest he lose control again, so he simply watched her.
He kept watch over her long into the night, sitting next to her like a silent sentinel. Only when he could no longer keep his own eyes open, did he rise from her bed and leave her to sleep.
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"So how do I look?" Jane asked nervously, running her hands over the green silk dress for the hundredth time. She had chosen the dress out of a selection Pepper Potts had sent for her. Loki was to be her date, so she thought he might appreciate the choice of color, but now she was beginning to wonder if that had been a mistake. The dress was strapless with emerald green silk that flowed down to her ankles. A slit was present on the side, showing off her legs quite nicely, and the dress hugged her curves in all the right places.
It was sex appeal, and everything Jane was not. She felt foolish for even trying to pull this off. She should have gone with the more modest dress, even if it wasn't green. Darcy had taken a curling iron to her hair, and it hung in thick curls down her back and shoulders. Three inch emerald heels completed the look, which she was already struggling to stay upright in. She felt like a duck out of water, stumbling over herself, and awkward regardless of how she looked.
Her stomach was in knots, and she felt as though she was going to be sick. Thinking back, the astrophysicist wasn't sure she was even this nervous on her very first date, and that was saying something. She had gone into a mild panic attack at the thought of going out alone with an attractive man. But that was years ago and with a man she really liked. She shouldn't be this nervous about a fancy party with Loki. Should she?
"You look sexy," Darcy said bluntly. "If I were a lesbian, I'd totally do you."
"Darcy!"
"Just kidding, but not really. You look hot, boss lady. Tall, dark, and surly is going to freak out when he sees you. I'm pretty sure this is the first time that I've seen you and haven't wondered if you're homeless."
"Really, Darcy?" Jane groaned.
The younger girl laughed. "You never told me what happened with Thor," she grinned wickedly. "Did you end up having a DTR?"
"DTR?" Jane asked, utterly confused. This time it was her intern who groaned.
"Define the Relationship!" Darcy exclaimed, exasperated. "I swear you need to get out more."
"Yes," Jane told her hesitantly. "We defined the relationship."
"And…"
"And he says we're intended if I want to be."
"Indentured? Isn't that like slaves?" Darcy snorted.
"Intended," the astrophysicist corrected her. "Meaning eventually we will be betrothed or engaged, and then married. If I want it, that is."
"Congrats, Jane!" Darcy practically shouted. "You've finally met someone who wants to spend their life watching you do sciencey stuff and eat pop tarts!" The younger girl stopped her celebration, to give her a quizzical look.
"Why am I picking up the vibe that you're not all that excited about this?" she asked, her brows furrowing. "Thor wants to marry you, and you're like…meh… The Jane I knew a month ago would be jumping for joy and picking out her wedding dress. Your lady parts should be screaming at you to ride that fine specimen of a man until you both die of exhaustion, and I have a quirky feeling that he probably has the stamina of a jackrabbit, so what's the problem?"
"You did not just compare Thor to a jackrabbit," Jane groaned.
"Avoiding!" Darcy shouted. "Stop redirecting this conversation. I asked you a question. What's the problem?"
Jane sighed. "I don't know, that's the thing. I mean, I love Thor, I really do, but I don't know if I want to be intended or not. Thor's number one love is Asgard. I'll never be first with him, and I'll be honest, it stings a little bit."
"Have you told him this?" Darcy asked.
"Well… Sort of. I told him that I wasn't happy he left me, but he just said that everything he's doing, he's doing for me. How do you argue with that?"
"You can't."
"And I just… I don't know what to do. If I agree to be intended with him and it doesn't work out, then he either looks foolish in front of his entire realm, or I'm stuck in a relationship that isn't working for all eternity. He wants an answer the next time I see him, and I don't have one for him right now, so what do I do?"
"I think," Darcy began thoughtfully. "I think that you need to relax. Nerdy Jane needs to go take a vacation, 'cause she's seriously way too strung out right now, and I think you need to let go of trying to figure it out and just follow your heart. When Thor asks you what you want to do, don't think, just respond. Whatever you really want is what you'll say first. I know you want everything to make sense and line up perfectly, but life is messy. Follow your heart instead of your head, and you won't regret your choice."
Jane nodded, taking her friend's advice to heart. "By the way, I forgot to ask, but did you bang him?"
"Darcy!" the astrophysicist exclaimed, heat rising in her cheeks.
"So that's a no…How about his brother? Surely you two have gotten a little frisky, being cooped up together."
"We're friends!" Jane declared adamantly. "There has been no funny business whatsoever."
"You've been living together for a month, are you sure you're just friends?" the younger girl pressed. "Cause I think you kind of like him."
"We're just friends, that's it."
"That's good news," Darcy smirked wickedly. "I'm a single girl with needs, and Loki was looking mighty fine when I walked in earlier. My lady parts are begging for a piece of that. When he comes to get you, I'm going to see if he would be interested in having a friend with benefits."
"Darcy! No! You are not going to hit on Loki!" Jane protested, feeling sick inside.
"Oh yes I am," the younger girl smirked. "I bet they call him Silvertongue for a reason, and I intend to find out all about that."
"Darcy, please don't," Jane begged. She was panicked, though she didn't understand why. Loki was her friend, why should she care? But she did care, and it made her sick to think of him with Darcy, so sick that she was getting dizzy. Was this another effect of her magic? That she felt the need to keep that special bond between Loki and herself, because he was the one who had given it to her?
"Relax, Jane," Darcy smirked. "I'm not actually going to do it. I just wanted to see what you would say. You totally like him."
"I do not. We're just friends."
"Look me in the eyes and say that like you mean it."
The door to the bedroom opened, and Loki stepped in, his eyes widening at the sight of her. He was speechless, but in her head she could hear his thoughts clearly.
"You are beautiful."
She blushed hard, her cheeks feeling as though they were on fire from the compliment. Her eyes raked over his form appreciatively. He wore a black tuxedo jacket and shirt, with an emerald green vest and tie to match her dress. His raven hair was slicked back, but fell into loose curls near the ends. A devil-may-care smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, and his bright green eyes were full of mischief. He looked every bit the prince that he was, and for a moment Jane was breathless.
"You kids have fun," Darcy waved as she left, leaving her and Loki alone once more.
Loki swooped in and offered her his arm. "My lady," he practically purred, his velvet smooth voice causing her heart to hammer against her chest. She took his arm, feeling the metal and leather of his armor beneath the well-dressed illusion.
"Do you have the weapons?" she asked breathlessly.
"I do," he responded as he gave her a small smile. "And daggers for us as well. Do not fear. I will arm you covertly when and if the occasion calls for it."
"I didn't get to test the targeting systems," she rambled worriedly. "I didn't have time."
"They will be fine," he reassured her. "You are brilliant. They will work."
Another wave of blush spread across her cheeks from yet another compliment. She hoped that he wouldn't notice, but she had the terrible feeling it would be impossible to miss.
He shifted, his features morphing into a somewhat attractive, but unrecognizable man. His raven hair shortened and turned a dull brown, his sharp, aristocratic features smoothed until they became plain, and he lost a half-foot in height. The only features that remained the same were his sharp, green eyes, which were fixed on her.
Jane gasped at his transformation, and panic crept into her. "W-What are you doing?" she sputtered inelegantly.
"In case you've forgotten," he reminded her gently, his voice no longer sounding like the Loki she knew. "I don't exactly have a plethora of fans here. A disguise will keep some of the unwanted attention away from us."
And she had forgotten to a certain extent. She had grown used to Loki as she knew him, and painful memories of the man she had spent years hating had begun to fade. She had almost allowed herself to forget how cruel and terrible he could be. To forget would be foolish, but perhaps foolish described her perfectly. Here she was, headed to Stark Tower with a criminal organization trying to kill her, and she was depending on a homicidal man from another realm to protect her.
Yeah, when you put it that way it sounded like the crazy train had left the station and she was on it. Her level of crazy must have been off the charts, because Loki's disguise was seriously causing her to freak out.
She followed Loki outside, where a limousine was waiting for them. She climbed in the back, and Loki slid in beside her. Despite all of the room that they had back there, the god of mischief sat so close to her, that Jane could feel the warmth of his body on hers. She closed her eyes and focused on that, trying to forget where they were going, and just how much danger they would be in. Jane tried to breathe, but she found herself slowly starting to hyperventilate as they drove.
"Jane," Loki said softly in a voice that was not his own. "Relax."
But she couldn't relax. She was beyond terrified. Hydra would come for her. The man with the metal arm would come for her. They would take her.
"Jane," Loki addressed her sharply. "Look at me."
The astrophysicist turned to look at him, but the face she saw gave her no comfort. She tried to focus on his eyes, the one feature about him that was familiar. She breathed deeply, meeting his green eyes with hers frantically. She tried to calm herself.
Loki, she thought. He's Loki. He will protect me. Everything will be okay.
The god of mischief sighed and shifted, his features returning to their normal state. Jane could have cried with relief.
"Do you trust me, Jane Foster?" he asked her softly.
She nodded, and he took her small hands in his. "Whatever waits for us tonight, know that I will protect you. They will not take you, and you will be okay. Stay close to me. Everything will be okay."
Jane could feel the fear leave her little by little as he spoke to her. He had protected her before, and he would protect her now. She trusted him. The limo slowed as they pulled up to Stark Tower, and Loki began to shift back.
"No!" Jane nearly shouted, stopping him before he could change form. Loki gave her a quizzical look, and she felt foolish for showing weakness. "Please don't… I can't do this without you," she admitted. "I need you to be you and not someone else."
He said nothing, but he didn't shift his appearance, and he offered her his hand. They climbed out of the limo together, the crowd outside of Stark Tower instantly going silent at the sight of them. Loki wrapped one arm protectively around her, and pulled her close to him as they walked.
Around them, the crowd began to grow uneasy. Some of the people backed away, others glared, and a few brave ones shouted obscenities at the god of mischief. Jane could feel his body tense beside her. His hand that was not around her found the hilt of his dagger, ready for a fight if it came to that. It was the longest walk of Jane's life, and when they finally reached the door she breathed a sigh of relief.
Inside, people were milling about, talking and laughing. Very few noticed their entrance. Everyone was dressed in floor length gowns and tuxedos. A band had been set up on the opposite end of the main lobby, playing soft music on acoustic guitars. Some of the partygoers danced, while others merely talked to acquaintances. A refreshment table sat at the back of the room, full of champagne and finger foods. Lights flashed, and it appeared as though they would be able to mingle without making too much of a scene.
"Jane Foster!" Tony greeted as he shoved through the crowd to get to her. He wore an all black tux, his dark hair slicked back, and a grin lighting up his face. He threw his arms around her and gave her a tight hug. "I've been missing our time together in the lab," he winked. "Jarvis is not nearly as pretty as you, and his jokes are terrible."
"I heard that, sir," an English voice responded over the intercom that was on the wall next to the door.
"The truth hurts, Jarvis," Tony snapped back. He shook hands with Loki, giving him a hard look. "I've been brushing up on my chess. Next time I'm going to destroy you."
"I highly doubt that," the god of mischief smirked. "Though I look forward to seeing you try."
"Challenge accepted."
A woman with strawberry blond hair and the most gorgeous black dress Jane had ever seen walked up to them, a smile on her face. She was fairly young, but the astrophysicist could tell from the confident way she carried herself that she was mostly likely light years more sophisticated and mature than she could ever hope to be.
"Oh!" Tony grinned when he noticed the woman. "Jane, this is Pepper, my girlfriend slash business partner. She runs all of Stark Industries singlehandedly, and still has time to try and keep me out of trouble. Pepper, this is Jane Foster, the astrophysicist who's trying to build the world's first Einstein-Rosen Bridge."
"It's wonderful to meet you, Jane," Pepper smiled as she shook the astrophysicist's hand. "Tony's told me so much about you. He's very impressed with your work."
"Thank you," she smiled. "I've heard quite a bit about you too. It's nice to finally meet you."
"And this is Loki," Tony pointed out. "I believe you remember him from here in New York a few years ago." Pepper shook his hand fearlessly.
"A pleasure," Loki drawled, giving her a dazzling grin.
"I want one," Pepper teased, giving Tony a pointed look.
"Nooo," he responded. "You don't want one of those."
"I do."
"Absolutely not."
"I think yes."
"Please excuse us," Tony sighed. "I need to take Pepper upstairs and show her what it is she really wants."
"I like the sound of that," she agreed. "It was lovely meeting you. If you ever need anything, Jane, don't hesitate to ask."
"I won't," she promised.
Jane watched the two of them walk away, laughing and touching each other, and felt a pang of jealousy for what they had. She felt Loki's hand on the small of her back, and she allowed him to lead her across the room. She stumbled a few times in her heels, but the god of mischief held her tightly, keeping her upright.
He was looking around, his body tense as they made their way over to the area where the band was playing. Couples around them danced, and Jane was surprised when Loki pulled her into his chest.
"Dance with me, Jane," he commanded, and she rolled her eyes.
"You could ask nicely," she corrected him. "I don't like to be told what to do."
"Please dance with me, Jane," he sighed, and she humored him.
Her body pressed tightly to his, taking comfort in the metal and leather she felt beneath the illusion. She was normally a terrible dancer, but with Loki it was easy. He moved quickly and gracefully, his movements so fluid that Jane just followed the rhythm of his body. She closed her eyes, and buried her face in his raven hair, absentmindedly breathing in his scent. With him she was calm, and she could think clearly. Another side effect of the magic? She didn't know, but her feelings had been blurred to the point that it was hard to know what was her, and what was her magic.
"What do you think of me, Jane?" he asked her softly, his voice so low she could barely hear him. "When you look at me, what do you see?"
She pulled away from him, just enough to see his face. His bright green eyes searched hers, full of anticipation. He genuinely wanted to know what she thought of him, and though her feelings were unclear, she would try to explain it to him as simply as she could.
"I don't know," she said softly. "Some of it, I'm still trying to figure out. You're not a good man, but you're not a bad man either. You're somewhere in between. You can do the right thing if you want to, but you won't sacrifice yourself to be a hero. You protected me. I feel a connection with you that I don't entirely understand, but I want to. And the magic. It's a dream of mine come true, and it's all because of you."
He regarded her for a moment, his green eyes sweeping over her gently. "I am to be executed upon my return to Asgard," he noted, his voice low and full of an emotion she couldn't place. "Penance for my crimes. Will you be glad to see Odin take my life after what I have done to your realm?"
"No," Jane answered immediately. "I could never be glad for that."
"My dear Jane," Loki smirked. "It sounds as though you might actually care for me."
She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, though she knew she had no real need to be embarrassed. It was perfectly normal to care about your friends, but the strange flutter in her stomach made her wish that she could hide from his view.
"Come now, Jane, there's no need to be shy," he prodded. "Caring for me is not so terrible." He rested his cheek against hers, and whispered in her ear, his hot breath ghosting over her neck. "Will you weep for me at my execution?"
"I won't go."
"And if Odin allows Thor to take my life? Would you still love him knowing that he killed his own brother whom you've grown to care for?"
"I don't know," she mumbled, becoming uncomfortable with his line of questioning.
"Place your right hand on my belt," he commanded her softly, earning a scowl from the astrophysicist.
"Excuse me?" she asked sharply, not believing his nerve.
"Do as I ask if you want to live tonight," he growled in her ear.
Jane placed her right hand on his belt, mortified at how close she was to touching another, far more private part of him. She felt something wrap around her wrist, and looked down to see her weapon in the space between them.
"Look around, but be discreet," he whispered, his face still pressed against hers. "There are six Hydra agents in this room. They've been watching us for some time. See if you can spot them." Jane nearly panicked, but Loki's firm grip on her kept her grounded. "Relax, Jane. Find the men."
She looked as they danced, their constant movement making it easy to be somewhat discreet. She spotted several men standing back against the walls. They wore tuxes, like the other guests, but their hands were in their pockets, and they were observing their surroundings far too keenly to be guests.
"I see some of them," she whispered back.
"Good. Now pretend as though we are lovers. Touch me while reaching for one of the daggers on my belt, then laugh as though I've told you something unbearably humorous."
"What, like my life?" Jane deadpanned. "That seems to be unbearably humorous as of late."
"Ha ha," Loki growled. "Now is not the time for jokes, my Jane. Get your dagger, but be discreet."
Jane did as he asked, trying to picture him as a lover to make the act seem more realistic. She smiled at him, giving him a dazzling grin, and touched his face gently. Her heart leapt in her throat at his sudden intake of breath. The sensation was electric, and the magic within her came alive at even so simple a touch.
She urged her hands to move downwards, over his angular jaw, down his throat, and over his chest lightly. He groaned softly at her touch, and a strange want burned within her, the intensity shocking and desperate. Jane gasped, but forced her hands down further, all the way to his belt.
She felt for the dagger, plucking it from his belt. She pressed against him, both for show, and because her traitorous body begged her to. Jane laughed, pretending that he said something that was unbearably funny, and her heart pounded in her chest.
Loki groaned at their contact, and when he whispered to her again, his breath was labored. "Wait until they move toward us," he cautioned. "Do not grant them mercy. Kill them all."
The sound of gunfire rang outside the building, and Jane saw the Hydra agents step towards them, raising their firearms. A woman in the crowd screamed at the sight of the weapons, and the room turned to mass chaos. People around them screamed and scrambled to reach the exits, nearly trampling those who moved more slowly.
Hydra's men opened fire in the crowded room, and without thought, Jane let her dagger fly, cutting one of the men down where he stood before he was able to hurt anyone. She used her magic to call her weapon back, and the dagger eagerly found her again.
Beside her, Loki stood tall and imposing in his armor, all traces of his illusion gone, and his face quirked up in a wicked smirk. He moved so quickly it shocked her, disappearing, and reappearing in the middle of the fray, gunfire barely missing him as he moved. He appeared behind one of the Hydra agents and dragged his dagger across the man's throat, blood dripping down his chest and spraying everywhere.
Another of the Hyrda agents tried to fire, but the god of mischief was on him. He sliced him cleanly through the abdomen, and his guts spilled out onto the floor and he fell, screaming.
The other men fired, and Jane dove for cover. Before the bullets found their mark, Loki was with her again. He threw his body over hers, shielding her from their fire. She heard the ping of bullets bouncing off of his armor, and heard him grunt when one struck flesh.
From the corner of her eye, she saw one of the men advancing towards Loki, and she coaxed her dagger to life with her magic. The blade twirled in her hands, eagerly awaiting her command. She let it fly, and watched in awe as it sliced through the man's chest like butter, emerging on the other side, and finding it's way back to her as the man fell limply to the ground.
She barely had time to celebrate before Loki pulled her roughly off of the ground, and shoved her behind him. She soon saw why. The man with the metal arm was there. Bucky she reminded herself, was there. On his arm was a box, and her eyes went wide as she realized that it was the very same box she had seen the soldier who nearly killed Loki carry.
The astrophysicist barely had time to register what it was before Loki shoved her to the ground and once again used his body to shield her. Purple light from Hydra's weapon danced overhead, barely missing them. Loki scrambled off of the ground with Jane close behind, and powered up the weapon she had made for him. He locked on with the targeting system and fired back, the blinding white light from the arc reactor catching the man off guard, and throwing him against the wall.
Jane focused her magic, her own weapon powering up, and scanned the crowd of terrified people who had been unlucky enough to be caught in the crossfire of their feud. She saw one of Hydra's men raise a wicked looking gun at Loki, and she turned on the targeting system. The astrophysicist lit the man up with the red laser target, and willed her weapon to fire.
The arc reactor responded beautifully, firing a stream of white light from her wrist and into the man she had targeted with little to no recoil. She let out a whoop of victory as the man smashed into the wall, taking parts of the drywall out in the process.
She swept the crowd with her laser targeting system and found the man with the metal arm up and moving again, chasing and fighting copy after copy of the god of mischief. He would stab one only to have it disappear. Then he would turn Hydra's weapon on another to meet the same disappointing results. An arm wrapped protectively around her, and she turned to see the real Loki at her side, his endless green eyes roaming over her and assessing her condition.
More screams were heard, and the walls around them began to shake and start to cave as the man with the metal arm continued to fire Hydra's weapon. Gunfire rang out, and Jane was both surprised and relieved to see Captain America, Iron Man, and the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. charge into the fray from a hole in the walls of Stark Tower that had definitely not been there before. They began to fire on the man with the metal arm, who fired back mercilessly.
"Time to go," Loki mumbled as he pulled her into his arms, and disappeared.
Before Jane could even protest, she felt her body compress as he took her somewhere. Time stood still, and once again it was just her and Loki adrift in space. The astrophysicist remembered her promise of revenge, and grinned wickedly. She pressed her body against his, and ran her hands down his chest until they came to rest on his belt. She stood on her toes and kissed his neck, right above the collar Odin had bestowed him.
She grinned mischievously at him and he gaped at her, his eyes wide with surprise, and then it was over.
When they reappeared, it was in the middle of a war zone.
Bullets whizzed past them from all sides as S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra waged war on the open streets. Loki scooped her up and ran. Jane felt her body compressing once again as he disappeared, and time stood still.
She expected him to retaliate, but when he didn't, she noticed that the shirt beneath his armor was stained with blood and his face was far paler than usual.
"Loki?" she said gently, becoming concerned. How could she not have noticed earlier?
When they reappeared, it was in an alleyway a few blocks from the war zone. Jane immediately set to work looking at his wound. The blood came from a gunshot wound in his side, beneath his arm where his armor did not cover.
"Oh, Loki," she gasped as she saw just how much blood stained his shirt.
"I'm fine," he growled. "It's not anything that hasn't happened before. I can heal, I just need some time."
"Take it off," Jane commanded. "I'm going to fix it."
"We don't have time for –"
"Take it off NOW!"
"Stubborn woman," Loki sighed, but removed his armor carefully. When he was down to his shirt, Jane helped him remove it, and took a look at the wound.
It was deep and he had lost a lot of blood, but when she inspected it closely, she could see where the bullet went in through his side, and out below his shoulder blade. Clean exit, no shrapnel. That was a good thing. She set her hands on him, ignoring the tingle of her magic, and the strange ache she felt in her gut at their proximity.
Jane closed her eyes, and willed her magic to heal him, focusing on the wounds and imagining them closed up and the bleeding stopped.
She had very few memories of her mother, but she found herself humming a lullaby that she remembered her singing as a small child. She hummed while she worked, feeling the magic drain from her and into Loki. She could feel the splintered bone reattach beneath her touch, and the muscle tissue weave itself back into place.
It was incredible, really. Knowing just how much power flowed in her veins was both terrifying and liberating. She could use her magic to kill her enemies as she had done in Stark Tower, and then turn around and heal Loki from a gunshot wound. She could use it to heal or to harm, for good and for evil. Or the gray areas in between, she thought with a frown. Her choices were not as clear-cut as they had once seemed, and she found herself wondering if Loki felt the same. Being hunted and having your life threatened was definitely an effective way to loosen your morals.
When she finally opened her eyes, Jane saw that the wound looked much better. The skin hadn't healed all of the way, but the bleeding had stopped, and Loki wasn't looking quite so pale.
"You're a fast learner," he noted with pride.
Jane was about to make a comment about how superior she was, and how she would soon rival him, but he shoved her behind him protectively before she could respond.
At the end of the alleyway stood the man with the metal arm, and he was looking absolutely murderous.
He powered up Hydra's weapon, and Loki mirrored him, powering up his own weapon. The man fired and the god of mischief tackled Jane, tucking and rolling with her, to avoid getting hit. The building to the right of them began to crumble beneath the onslaught bricks and mortar raining down on the alleyway.
Loki fired back, the white light from the arc reactor, slicing through the place where the man stood only a second previously. He was impossibly fast, and he rolled and fired his weapon simultaneously. The god of mischief returned fire, and the two beams of light met halfway, both fighting for dominance.
"Jane!" Loki ground out, his brows furrowed in concentration. "The box that houses his weapon! Use your magic and disassemble it!"
She had absolutely no idea what she was doing, but if Loki thought she was capable of doing it, she would try.
Jane focused on the box that housed Hydra's weapon, calling on her magic to help her. She saw the wiring, the power source, the switch that controlled the weapon, and she bid her magic to tear it all apart.
She felt the wiring tearing, the screws of the box loosening, and she felt the power source itself. When her magic touched that, it felt as though she was being ripped apart from the inside. She tried to scream, but she was numb to everything on the outside. Her entire body burned and white-hot pain seized her chest. She felt as though she would either black out or die at any moment, and it was most terrifying and desperate feeling she had ever experienced. Jane used all that was left within her and focused one last time on the wiring in the box, feeling it rip apart completely under her magic.
Completely spent, she struggled to stay standing as she tried to focus on the outcome of her efforts. The box died, and the man with the metal arm ran at the god of mischief but collapsed before he made it. She saw Captain America jump down from the rooftops, and saw Loki shouting something as he ran for her.
The world spun as he scooped her up into his arms, and Jane was just a little bit angry that she was unable to feel his gloriously shirtless chest as he held her. Life could be such a bitch sometimes.
She felt his magic pour into her, and heard him call her name as her vision swam and then went black.
Meanwhile back at the ranch…. Ha! That line actually works for me!
An update about updates: Kidding season is about to begin on the ranch! Also, It is the glorious time of year where I don't have to go to work everyday for the next two months, which is awesome because I get paid to do whatever I feel like doing, but it also means I won't have a babysitter. So…. With that being said, updates may not be as regular as they have been. I will try to update every other week, but please bear with me if I am late to update. I promise that when I am not trying to keep a two year old out of trouble or delivering baby goats, I will either be drinking beer in my pool, fishing, or working on this story.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter! I feel like I might have made Jane a little bit too needy in some parts, but I'm trying to capture how freaked out she is at this point in time. She killed some guys and she thinks an entire criminal organization wants her dead, so she's got a lot to process right now. As always, please review if you enjoyed! I love hearing from you! Until next time!