Chapter 10: Sang Real
Siggy POV:
She was embarrassed to admit that she was probably crying by this point. For hours she wandered around the city trying to figure out what to do, alone in a city she'd never seen before that was rapidly growing darker and colder as the minutes passed. She couldn't call home and she couldn't go back to the hotel. She still had enough pride in her to know that the moment she called home, her mother had won, had been right this whole time in fact. Countless times Siggy had wanted to prove to her that she could do things on her own, that she didn't need to be watched all the time and now she'd probably never get that chance again… at least not until she was 21 and Ida had no choice but to let her go. The thought would have cheered her if the alleyway she was currently walking down hadn't been so cold. All around her the towering high-rises of Wichita rose like enormous pillars of concrete and metal, piercing the night sky that seemed devoid of all but the brightest of stars. She wiped her face doggedly, feeling the salty covering of tears on her frozen cheeks, and pushed on. The alleyway was dark, quiet and freezing, with no light except for the windows of apartment blocks high above her.
"Be brave Sigrun." She muttered and, wrapping her arms around herself, made her way towards the mouth of the alley where the movement of cars told her she'd be far safer. She didn't hear them approach, but she knew they were there all the same. Whoever it was, their presence was equivalent to turning on a light switch in her brain. She froze. She gingerly rose up onto the balls of her feet, just like Loki had told her, and turned to place her back towards a wall, with a clear view of both ends of the alleyway. To her great surprise there was no one there. The darkness seemed more supressing but she appeared to be alone in the dank alley. The feeling she was being watched intensified and she raised her chin defiantly. She pictured her mother and drew herself up to her full height.
"Who goes there?" She demanded and she was proud to say that her voice didn't even waver. There was a silence, as though the person were stunned. She refused to let down and her anger grew again. What kind of a sick, twisted monster made ten year old girls feel threatened in a dark alley.
"I said who goes there?" She repeated and finally a laugh rang out through the darkness. It seemed to echo all around her and she flinched as it rebounded off the slimy concrete walls. It was hollow and empty except for a deep malevolent throb that swelled at its centre. It was incredibly hard to tell whether it was male or female but one thing was for certain, it was a terrifying laugh. Siggy's feet had prepared themselves to run when the shadows across the way seemed to shift and rearrange themselves to form the outline of a person. A slim, female person. Siggy relaxed only minutely.
"Who are you and why are you following me?" She demanded and again the figure laughed.
"Don't be afraid little girl, I only want to help you." It said and this time, the voice was more feminine. Siggy peered closer and finally, the shadows revealed their prisoner. The woman was small and thin, with dark hair that seemed to shift and sway with the shadows of the alley. The shadows wrapped around the woman's body like a cloak and with each passing second her body became less stable, as though she were fading from sight. Her face was pale, paler even then her mother's, and her eyes burned with a coal black that showed no iris'. Siggy let out a gasp and the figure seemed to stumble in confusion.
"It's okay little girl, I'm here to help you." She said but Siggy took a step back. Always keep your opponent at least an arm's distance away from you, she remembered, Loki's face coming to the front of her mind. Oh how she wished he were here, that her Mum were here. She didn't care now that her pride would be in tatters or that she'd never be able to go out again. What mattered was seeing them again, and right now it would seem she didn't have a lot allying itself with her cause. She swallowed and took another step away. The figure lurched forward, black eyes burning in the gloom.
"It's going to be okay sweetie." It spat and Siggy screamed, the sound bouncing off the walls of the alley.
"What are you?" She demanded and the figure's head jerked in astonishment.
"You can see me? As I truly am?" It demanded sharply, no longer feigning kindness. Siggy nodded and continued to back away.
"Then your powers have surpassed expectation, it won't help you now but it could have been useful." The creature said idly and Siggy began to hyperventilate slightly. Keep calm Siggy. A voice inside her head ordered. It sounded like her Mother's and Siggy grasped at it. Use your wits, don't panic or you will be lost.
"What do you mean my powers?" Siggy demanded and the woman/shadow being laughed.
"As if you don't know, I believe stalling the inevitable is a human trait. Your mother should have done away with it years ago." It said spitefully and Siggy frowned.
"Did you know my mother?" She asked and the creature nodded.
"Everyone knew your mother, she is one to be remembered." It said absently and Siggy nodded, all the while her feet travelling instinctively backwards towards the alley mouth, her eyes fixed on the shadowy figure as it continued to move after her. Only a few more steps.
"Now, my dear, it's time for you to die. No hard feelings but you will destroy everything." It said and launched itself at Siggy as her heel connected with a pile of rubbish and she tripped. The shadow flew over her and sizzled as it fell into a pool of street light, pouring in from the mouth of the alley. It shrieked and turned to face her again, effectively blocking her way. Siggy scrambled to her feet and backed away.
"I'm sorry Mummy. I'm sorry Mummy. I'm so, so sorry Mummy." She murmured as she moved away, deeper into the shadows. The thing, whatever it was, moved closer.
"I see you can bend the truth as easily as any of us… your mother it seems has taught you how to defend yourself." It sneered and Siggy finally lost it.
"My mother, my mother, my mother." She mocked.
"If your so in love with my mother why do you just go marry her then?" She shouted and felt the air tense around her. She took a step forwards and the figure fell back. She sneered and lifted a hand.
"Leave me alone." She commanded and the figure seemed to freeze. It glowered at her, black eyes blazing with uncontrollable fury and hatred.
"I will find you again little Secret, mark my words." It spat and glared at her one last time before dissolving into the shadows. The feeling she'd had since it arrived disappeared, leaving nothing but a cold, disgusting alleyway in its wake. Her vision suddenly blurred and Siggy felt tears burn down her cheeks. She torn herself off the wall and pelted towards the exit. She sprinted around the corner began to sprint down the street. Dodging people this way and that, she had barely a recollection of where she was going. She ran out in front of traffic, skimmed in between the crowded walkways, jumped over sleeping people but always, always stayed in the light. She turned one last corner, her lungs on fire, and crashed headlong into something slim, warm and very familiar. Looking up she met her Mother's cerulean blue eyes and a soft sob tore from her throat. She buried her face into her mother's stomach and wrapped her arms around her tightly. Warm arms circled her as her Mum's knees gave out and they fell to the cold, concrete sidewalk.
"Oh Siggy, my baby, thank the gods you're alright." Ida was cooing and Siggy felt her face being turned upwards to be covered in kisses and gently stroked by soft fingers.
"Mummy… I'm so-"
"Never mind. It doesn't matter, so long as you're here with me now." She said and choked on her sobs. Siggy stared up into her mother's pale face and saw the dark shadows beneath her eyes, her midnight black hair tangled from worry and the hollow, semi-broken look in the bright blue eyes that seemed to have aged her mother beyond her years. She looked sick, her usually cheery façade had finally broken leaving behind a shell of her former self. All Siggy's self-pity vanished, leaving behind only raw shame, and she knew that her actions had inadvertently caused her Mum more harm than she's previously thought possible. Pressing one last kiss to her forehead Ida looked up and a smile broke out over her tired face.
"Loki!" The name rang off her mother's lips and a moment later she heard the footsteps of her next favourite person in the world approach. Turning in her mother's arms she saw him making his way towards them, a look of disgust on his face whenever someone accidently touched him. It seemed like the last straw, this one thing that hadn't changed. Siggy felt her face crumple and let out the howling sorrow of her night into the air. All the pain, the terror and hurt, all the broken pride and stupidity of her actions went into that howl and she sagged in her mother's arms. Her eyes closed and she felt exhaustion come.
"I'm sorry Mummy." She whispered and felt a kiss on her forehead. She's already been forgiven. Blackness overcame her as she was picked up gently and held against a frigidly cold chest.
"Sleep little one… it's been a long night." Loki said to her quietly and she nodded, slipping away.
Thor POV:
"Let me get this straight." The mortal known as Tony Stark said frustratedly and Thor rubbed his face gingerly.
"Your father, Odin, banished Loki, the most dangerous thing to ever walk the face of the earth since god only knows when, without his powers, a definite plus, but you don't know where he is?" He said and Thor shrugged helplessly.
"Tis because of the Bifrost. We of Asgard have since begun repairs to the Rainbow Bridge however it is a delicate instrument and at the time my brother fell… it was not in any way finished. My father had to guide him to earth without its guidance and it is lucky he fell to Midgard at all." Thor explained tiredly. It was apparently the wrong thing to say. The quiet doctor who became the monster, stood up angrily and his eyes flashed green.
"Lucky? It was lucky he fell to earth?" He demanded and even Tony flinched at his friend's tone.
"Dr. Banner, please. Understand that I wish this, all of this, had never come to pass. Nevertheless it has and now we must deal with it." Thor said stiffly and Banner ran a hand through his hair frustratedly. Natasha who was sitting closest to him, placed a hand on his shoulder which he carefully slipped off. He went to stand by the window and gaze out into the night. The red haired mortal grimaced and stood.
"Go on then, smash something downstairs Bruce. It's either that or stay and start acting like a rational human being." She said firmly and the good doctor immediately began to pull himself together.
"I'm sorry children, please continue." He said moodily as he flung himself back down on the couch and buried his head in his hands. Thor turned back to Stark who had a cup of coffee in his hand. The cravings came back as he stared at it and Tony laughed. Holding out the half-drunk cup he grinned.
"Go on, plenty more where it comes from." He said and Thor hurriedly grabbed it. Gulping down the ambrosia of Midgard he settled back in the chair with a satisfied sigh.
"So now that we've settled that Loki is back the next subject for discussion is what we are to do about it." Tony said to the group and received nods all around. He leant against the bar and fixed his gaze on Thor, all his typical larrikin humour gone.
"You say you don't know where he is, yet you know he's on Earth." He said and Thor puzzled over answering for a moment. This whole affair was complicated, he would need to tread carefully.
"Alas, this situation calls for delicacy… it is of a complicated nature. Loki fell here on Midgard, we know of this because Heimdel could confirm it, however we do not know where he fell because something is blocking the sight of the gods." He said and looked up to see Steve shaking his head.
"Then you're not really gods are you? God sees everything and everyone, regardless of where they are." He said and Thor frowned. It was true in many cases that these mortals would deny his godhood. The takeover has begun centuries ago and all for favour of the Christian god of the Southern peoples, however since the issue at hand was more pressing then his pride, he decided to let it go… for now.
"Regardless, our magic sent Loki to Midgard and it my duty to find him and report back to my father on his progress." He said and Clint cocked his head.
"You keep saying that 'his progress', what is he doing here really?" He asked and Thor sighed.
"When I was found to be unworthy of the powers bestowed to me I was cast to Midgard in hopes that I would be changed… it worked. The All-Father lives in hope that similar treatment will cure Loki of his accursed pride and quest for vengeance." Thor said and, unlike before when he thought his ears would explode for noise, was met with a silence that was just as deafening. Tony's mouth had fallen open, Natasha looked stunned, Clint looked slightly green and Bruce… looked furious.
"He almost destroyed New York, he planned world domination and the enslavement of mankind… and you're giving him a second chance?" He bellowed and Thor stood with a roar.
"Yea, I give him a second chance! He is my brother, he is my fellow at arms and he was my best friend! I will always give him a second chance mortal because doesn't that great holy book of yours," Here he threw a furious look at Rogers who looked shock, arms folded across his chest beside Clint who looked tense.
"To forgive thy neighbour? Loki is what he is, he has much more to give than you imagine… tarnish his name not in front of me for you have not that right." He muttered, his anger dying as the weight of his own guilt surged forwards. The room was as silent as a tomb and Thor collapsed back into the couch.
"Well…"
"Shut up Tony!" Everyone yelled in unison and Stark's mouth closed with an audible click. After a few minutes of silence, in which the team was certain Thor wouldn't begin to shout and Bruce was not going to transform, Natasha sighed and threw back her head to drain the last of her vodka.
"Well now, that's enough thinking gentlemen… it's far too dangerous to let you continue." She said and stood. Moving in front of them she placed her hands on her hips and glared at them all.
"You want us to locate Loki correct?" She said and Thor nodded.
"So that you can go report to… Odin?" She continued and again he nodded. She turned to Tony.
"It's time we used that big computer of yours Tony, seems we need the intel." She said and he grinned.
"JARVIS?" He called and Thor jumped slightly as the ghostly voice rang out from all around him.
"Yes Mr Stark?" Thor growled and looked into the drained coffee mug in his hand glumly.
"I shall never get past this sorcery… what cannot be seen should not speak." He said firmly, Steve nodded.
"I second that." He muttered and the two men bonded over that from opposite sides of the room. Tony sighed.
"Just when I thought I'd converted you Capsicle… you go and become a technological caveman again." He said sadly and Bruce sniggered. He stood and the two moved over to one of the windows.
"JARVIS, run through all known camera recordings, security tapes and CCTV footage in the last month." Tony ordered and Thor quirked a brow.
"Right away sir." The being called JARVIS said. The window that Stark stood before suddenly went black, completely blocking the cityscape behind it, and moments later was filled with several frames where moving pictures whizzed across in hurried fast forward. Thor was thunderstruck. Silently he stood and walked over to stand before it. Clearing his throat he turned to Tony.
"Can it find Loki?" He asked and Tony snorted.
"Can it find Loki, of course it can… all you have to do is ask, although I'd like you to remember that what we are doing is highly illegal, both morally and legally, under no circumstances should Fury know we can do this." He said and Thor smirked.
"Ah, the SHIELD director is still unsettled by your lack of commitment." He said and Tony sniggered.
"No need to make it sound like he'd love us to be engaged… JARVIS find all information relating to the… man known as Loki." Stark commanded and the window was immediately filled with pictures and files about his brother. Thor was impressed and swallowed.
"JARVIS?" He said and looked over to see Tony nodding.
"Yes sir?" The computer responded promptly. Crossing his arms over his chest Thor titled his head as he scanned the window.
"Can you find my brother?" Thor demanded and JARVIS chuckled.
"I can locate the being known as Loki." He said and moments later footage from their battle in New York appeared on screen and Thor winced at the replay of Loki being pounded into the ground by a rather incensed Hulk. A chuckle echoed from behind and no one needed to turn to see who it was. Thor felt the side of his mouth twitch up a small amount.
"Yes well. As enjoyable as many of us may find that JARVIS; a little more recent perhaps?" Tony said and immediately the footage changed. A crowded street appeared. The date showed that very night.
"CCTV footage." Tony said and cleared his throat. Thor nodded and watched the footage unfold. Before his eyes he saw sudden movement and a small child, about ten or so summers, sprinted right into the arms of a woman who had to be her mother. Both were dark haired and pale, both were crying. It was obvious the girl had run off and that the little adventure as now at an end. Glad for them he smiled and continued to scour the rest of the picture. Movement to the right of the screen caught his eye and he turned his face to stare. The woman had looked up at about the same time and her mouth moved. Apparently there was to be no sound.
"Is that…?" Steve began and Thor moved closer as a man broke out from the crowd. He was tall, had dark hair and looked remarkably like Loki yet it couldn't be… could it? He was smiling, when he wasn't giving disgusted looks at passersby when they brushed against him. For a moment Thor didn't recognise the carefree man before him then he grinned, relief washing over him.
"That's him, JARVIS where was this footage taken?" Tony said and the computer promptly informed him of the location.
"Wichita, Kansas which lies approximately 1265 miles South, South, East of New York City." JARVIS informed them and Thor looked over at Tony.
"How long would it take for us to get there?" He asked and Tony smiled.
"Less than an hour." He said proudly and Thor nodded. If he ever needed to check up on his brother, it was comforting to know he was only an hour's travel away. Odin would be pleased and Frigg could finally come out of Fensalir.
"What in god's name is he doing?" Natasha asked and everyone immediately turned to see whatever it was that had caught her attention. Thor's eyes widened as he watched Loki approach the woman and her child and crouched beside them. He said something to her as he carefully took the child from the woman and held her against his chest. Together they stood and the woman pressed a kiss to her daughter's head. She spoke to the man and he smiled.
"Oh my god!" Natasha said and everyone in the room was shocked.
"Who is she Tony?" Bruce asked and Tony immediately ordered JARVIS to find out more about the mysterious woman. Thor now realised that, despite the quality of the footage, she was incredibly beautiful.
"There is next to nothing about her, all I have is a drivers licence and an address." Tony said as he perched on the arm of the couch with a small screen of his own. Everyone stared at him.
"You're kidding me, no trail?" Bruce said and Tony pursed his lips.
"Her name is Ida Harris, no birth certificate, no hospital records and no school reports… hang on she's a vet (don't know how she managed that with no records) and she lives in Banksea, Kansas. Her daughter, Sigrun Harris attends the local high school." He said and Natasha frowned.
"It sounds like a cover story, perhaps she's with SHIELD?" She said sensibly and Thor shook his head.
"Even SHIELD would not risk a child's life, despite the fact that my brother would never harm a child." He said and felt all five pairs of eyes fix themselves on him.
"The story is long and we do not have time. Stark you admitted to knowing the whereabouts of this Ida Harris." Thor said and Tony nodded.
"9 Farmer's Laneway, Banksea." Bruce read out over his friend's shoulder earning himself a shove from Stark and an eye roll from Natasha. She turned to Thor and bit her lip.
"Something about this seems odd." She said and Steve snorted. The Black Widow sent him a glare cold enough to freeze a frost giant and Thor was extremely glad he was not on the receiving end of it.
"I do apologise Agent Romanoff, however can you name one thing about this situation that is not odd?" He asked politely and she ignored him. Walking towards the screen she stared as the trio moved off into the night, disappearing into the left side of the screen. Arms crossed over her chest she frowned. Offended she refused to say another word. Resigned to the fact that she would continue in her silence the men all banded together to formulate a plan as the elevator pinged behind them.
"And then I told Tony… no, I'm not going to do that in public because not only is it illegal but…" The conversation broke off as Pepper stepped out of the pair of steel doors and saw them. To his complete amazement, she was closely followed by a woman Thor had thought he'd never see again. Pepper's smile seemed to freeze on her face as she walked into the room and the room fell silent once more.
"Jane?" He stuttered as the most beautiful woman in all the Nine Realms world stared at him in complete and utter shock. She hadn't changed at all. Still tall, still as graceful as a willow tree and still breathtakingly beautiful. Thor felt his tongue dry out and his throat close, unable to do anything but stare.
"Thor?" She asked and he nodded, dumbstruck. Her brow furrowed and she took a step towards him then faltered. Her liquid brown eyes crinkled slightly and her pink lips were held apart in shock.
"How… you're not… you can't be…" Her voice fluttered as her eyelids lowered. She staggered slightly and he launched himself across the room to catch her as her knees gave way. Held safely within his arms she blinked slowly and gazed up at him. A small, warm smile graced her lips and she chuckled.
"Thank you… but my question still stands, what the hell are you doing here?" She demanded and he sighed as he guided her towards the couch and settled her upon it. He was about to speak when Pepper's sharp voice cut the air like a blade. Rolling his eyes he turned to see Tony cowering before a furious looking Pepper, Bruce and Steve seeming to be placing bets on something or other whilst Clint looked distinctly bored. Natasha had helped herself to another drink.
"Tony, what have you done?" Pepper demanded and Thor chuckled as Stark stuttered in protest. Steve looked at Bruce triumphantly.
"Why is it always my fault?" He whined and Pepper glowered darkly from beneath her red fringe. Deciding that now was the best time to interrupt Thor stepped forward. Placing a hand on Tony's shoulder he bravely faced the tempestuous woman.
"I must give my most sincere apologies Miss Potts however it would appear that the fault lies entirely with me and mine." He said. Gazing back at Jane, whose knuckles had whitened somewhat on the arm of the couch he glanced around to see everyone staring at him. Suddenly, he felt extremely tired and rubbed a hand over his face. This night just never seemed to end.
"Would someone else please explain?" He asked desperately and Natasha hurriedly stepped forward to inform them of what had transpired. Stealing the steaming cup of coffee from a bewildered Tony Thor thanked the All-Father for small miracles and down the scalding liquid in one gulp.
Layla POV:
"My Lady?" A voice called from the shadows as Layla lounged around in her chamber. The smooth, water-worn cavern was circular and spacious, on one wall there stood a bright mirror, it's surface rippling and sparkling like water in the moonlight. Boredly Layla flicked her hand towards the door and it flew open to admit one of her pages.
"What is it?" She growled and the young boy shook like a leaf.
"M-madam Sullen wishes an audience w-with you, she s-says it's of the utmost imp-portance." He stammered. Layla smiled lazily at the high vaulted ceiling and waved him away.
"Very well." She intoned. Moments later footsteps could be heard and the doors opened to reveal Sullen, draped entirely in black and wearing a scowl so perfectly wretched it suited her personality to the end degree.
"Well, what is that you want?" Layla demanded and Sullen's scowl deepened.
"I found the child." She said after a moment's hesitation and Layla flew up from the bed in an instant. She lurched across the room and grasped the woman's throat, pinning her against the smooth stone wall. She snarled and leaned in to peer at the other elf.
"Are you sure it is her?" She demanded and the woman nodded, her face turning a deeper shade of red. The few candles that lit the room wavered as Layla tightened her hold on the woman's pearly neck.
"If what you say is true, I can assure you riches beyond even your greedy imagination but if you are playing me false…" She paused and licked her lips with relish.
"I will end you." She said simply and let the woman drop to the floor. Sullen choked and gagged, trying to regain her breath as she crouched upon the floor. She scowled up at her Queen.
"I tell you plainly, twas the child… none but royal blood can command the álfar." She said and Layla bit her nail pensively.
"This is good news, and the Mother?" She asked. Sullen coughed, rubbing her bruised throat.
"I did not see her." She murmured and Layla frowned. Waving her hand she dismissed Sullen carelessly.
"Thank you Sullen, speak not a word of this to anyone or thing." She said and the woman withdrew with a nod. Satisfied she was alone Layla closed her eyes. Writing the rune for communication upon the air before the mirror she opened her eyes to see the mirror's surface had rippled ot resemble some foreign place she'd never seen before. It was a small room, tiled white and quite dirty.
"Fenrir!" She called and a moment later the wolf-boy bounded into the frame. He bowed before the mirror and smiled cockily at her.
"My Lady Layla, what service can I be to you at this late hour?" He asked and she sniffed.
"You wish to know a way to surely win this war?" She asked and all humour drained from his face. His unusually shaped eyes glowed like small coals and he leaned in closer to the mirror.
"Speak." He commanded and she scowled.
"I am not your servant, Boy!" She spat and he dipped his head apologetically, she could almost see the ears turning down in submission.
"My apologies, pray continue." He said and she smiled.
"Seek out the lost vísi álfa, it's power will add to yours and the world will follow soon after." She said and Fenrir quirked a brow.
"I did not know King Alf was lost?" He teased and Layla smirked.
"I never said Alf Fenrir son of Loki." She said cryptically and he frowned.
"Where is she?" He asked and Layla smiled.
"On Midgard, she is hidden to immortals but you can easily send others to fetch her." She said smartly and he nodded. She could see the complex workings of his mind working overtime. He looked up at her calculatingly.
"And if she will not come?" He asked and she smiled.
"Take her child and she will come." She promised and he nodded. He grinned darkly and bowed to her. She inclined her head.
"You have a week Fenrir son of Loki for the Dark of the Moon rapidly approaches and my people prepare themselves for battle, do not fail us." She warned him and he snarled.
"Do not fail me." He said and she scowled.
"Till next time, Ally." She said sardonically and he smirked. She waved her hand and the mirror stilled. Left alone she brought her nail to her teeth and chewed it thoughtfully. He would not fail. He would sniff her out like the dog he was and then… she smiled, then victory would favor the dökkálfar. She threw back her head and laughed. The sound escaped the column of her throat and bubbled around her like a living, tangible thing. It writhed like a beats and echoed throughout the room. She delighted in its sound. Soon, it seemed to say, soon their time would come.
Ida POV:
It was one of the longest drives she'd ever been on. Generally a trip to Wichita could take anywhere between half an hour to forty-five minutes yet it seemed as though hours passed as the battered green ute wound its way homewards. No wonder Einstein though time was relative, he'd obviously been in a situation like this.
"Is she asleep?" She asked and felt Loki nod.
"Yes, I don't want to move just in case I wake her and for Nanna's sake don't laugh, the memory of the last time I woke a woman up still gives me nightmares." He said quietly and Ida smirked.
"She was entitled to do whatever it was she did, you can't just wake someone up and expect them to enjoy it." She aid sagely and jumped as he leaned in closely. She surpressed a shiver as his breath tickled her neck.
"She wasn't unhappy for too long after that though, I had a very, very good reason for waking her and if would appear she thoroughly enjoyed it." He said softly and she felt her cheeks heat uncontrollably.
"Loki!" She gasped and he sniggered, leaning back into his seat and drawing Siggy closer to him. Her eyes were closed and her mouth hung slack as she snored softly. Ida stroked a strand of hair away from her forehead and smiled.
"Thank the stars she's okay." Se murmured and sighed as the sign that welcomed visitors into Banksea appeared out of the midnight gloom.
"Almost home." She said softly and Loki sighed.
"For some." He remarked and she forwned.
"No one's making you stay."
"No one's asked me to leave either, are you?"
"I… no, of course not." She said and he grinned. She scowled at him and stared out into the gloom. Honestly, sometimes she didn't know whether to hit him or kiss him.
"I prefer the latter but if it makes you feel any better, please go right ahead… just not the face." He asked teasingly and her mouth fell open in horror. Had she just said that out loud? Looking at him she realised, she most assuredly had.
"I hate staying up late, limited sleep makes people stupid... especially me, never take anything I say after 12 as the truth." She said quickly and thought she saw a flash of disappointment in his eyes before she looked away in shame. They drove on in silence until the green ute pulled up outside the house. Undoing her seatbelt she jumped out of the car, into the frigid night air and went around to unlock Loki's door. The cold air stirred Siggy and she moaned, her eyes fluttering as she momentarily awoke.
"Where are we?" She asked sleepily as Loki stepped out of the car, holding her firmly against him.
"We are home again Kiddo." Ida said softly and Siggy nodded. Her eyes closed again and Ida walked ahead to unlock the front door and hold it open. Carefully they manoveured the stairs. Opening Siggy's door Ida realised that she's have to spend the night in her room, the place still looked as though a twister had gone through it. Closing that door she beckoned Loki to follow as she opened her own bedroom door, praying she hadn't left anything too embarrassing out for display. Thankfully there were no panties lying about on the floor or bras hanging from anything, the ensuite was probably another story but at least that particular door had a lock. Hurriedly pulling back the covers Ida watched as Loki gently deposited her daughter into the bed and silently slip her shoes off. His face was hard to read but Ida wondered whether he was thinking about his lost children. He moved back and Ida tucked her daughter in, kissing her on the forehead before quietly backing out of the room. In the hallway she let out a sigh of relief and leant against the wall.
"I still can't believe we found her so easily." Loki muttered and Ida smiled at the floor.
"I call it psychic magnetism." She said softly and flushed as he looked at her again.
"I find it quite handy when I need to find things, all kinds of things. Is a trick I've never been able to explain properly. I picture whatever it is I need to find in my mind; I give it details, like how it smells, what it feels like or a specific characteristic that makes it what it is. When that's in my mind I just start looking, wandering around helps, and eventually I will find it." She explained and looked up to see him pondering something. She often wondered where it was he went to when he looked like that.
"I'm not explaining myself very well am I?" She said mockingly and he nodded absently then blinked and returned to the present.
"Pardon? Oh no not at all, I was just thinking about another method of finding things." He said and she quirked a brow.
"And what's that?" She asked and he winked.
"I remember where I put something, then I simply go and retrieve it." He said cheekily. She pushed herself off the wall and slapped his arm playfully.
"You are a jerk." She pronounced firmly and he staggered backwards, hand over his heart.
"Your words, dear saviour, they wound me deeply." He crooned sadly and she laughed, wincing as the sound carried through the house. He smirked and moved away. She followed him back downstairs, through the kitchen and into the living room.
"Wait here." She ordered and he obediently sat down in the overstuffed armchair by the empty fireplace. She walked to the only other door in the room and pulled it open to reveal the laundry. Opening the linen cupboard she plucked out a sheet and a warm cover from the shelf and walked back into the room to find the hearth in full blaze. She sighed as the air began to warm, eating away at the chill that permeated from outside. She went to the couch and began to make a bed. Loki was lounging in the chair again and she smiled tiredly at him as she sat down on the finished cot. Stretching out she tucked an arm under the pillow and stared over at him sleepily. He quirked a brow.
"Upstairs for you." He said and she shook her head.
"No, I'm comfortable here… besides it's really your room now." She said and he frowned.
"It's your house." He aid and she smiled, closing her eyes.
"Give up while your ahead Loki, I'm an incredibly stubborn woman." She said and he chuckled.
"I already knew that, I didn't know you were stupid too." He said and she cracked an eyelid to peer at him irritably. Did the man have to argue about everything? From the set of his jaw it would appear so.
"Loki just take the bedroom please, I'm too tired to argue right now." She said and heard him stand. A moment later the couch dipped and she felt a hand rest itself on the top of her thigh. She opened her eyes and stared at him. He looked down at his hand and hurriedly removed it. The place where it had been felt as though it had been branded, the imprint of his very fingertips melted into the skin of her thigh. She sighed and gazed into the fire, watching the sparks fly up into the chimney.
"Are you angry?" He asked and she frowned.
"No." She said and he chuckled. She looked at him grouchily.
"I'm not angry." She said and he nodded. Lifting his legs he settled himself down beside her, resting his head upon his hand as he lay facing her. She moved back to give him room and met his glowing green eyes steadily.
Oh alright, I'm a little angry… but I'm simply happier that she's home again." She said and he nodded. He tapped her nose playfully and winked.
"See doesn't that feel better, admitting you're angry?" He asked and she frowned.
"You have obviously never seen Anger Management." she said whimsically and he rolled his eyes. He stared at her pointedly.
"Not really, I don't like negative emotions. Their primal and dangerous, which reminds me that I should probably call the Jenkins in the morning and apologise to Cecelia." She said and looked away from Loki's stunned expression.
"Surely you're jesting?" He asked incredulously and she shook her head.
"Honestly Loki usually I'm a very calm kind of person, I don't get into verbal fights, I don't scream or carry on like some ill-behaved child… since you got here that's all changed, I can't get through a day without you making me want to rip my hair out by the roots." She said and he chuckled.
"It's not funny." She muttered and tried to look away, even as he grasped her chin and forced her face back to him.
"Everyone has a breaking point Ida, you just reached yours." He said softly and she smiled, some of the weight and guilt from her earlier behaviour towards Cecelia disappearing.
"Really?" She asked, knowing she looked and sounded like a child but needing that little bit of reassurance. The last few hours had been hell. When they arrived in Wichita, they'd stopped by the hotel and interrogated Cecelia for about fifteen minutes before getting back into the ute and driving idly around the neighbourhood. She's been sullen and silent; scouring the alleyways, pulling over and searching entire buildings just in case Siggy ahd taken shelter there. What had felt like days of searching had only been about two hours or so, which considering the size of the city was close to a miracle. Perhaps it was the fact that psychic magnetism often worked much better on people than on objects or perhaps it was just coincidence but finding Siggy after just those few hours of worried searching had been one of the greatest feelings Ida was sure she'd ever experience. He's been a rock throughout it all. Suddenly Ida felt incredibly shy. She looked away, her chin still grasped in her palm.
"Thank you." She said softly and he nodded.
"There's a better way to thank me." He said and she looked at him briefly. His brilliant green eyes were darker than usual. They sparked and crackled like fluorescent lightning. She licked her lips and swallowed heavily.
"How?" She asked and he grinned.
"With a kiss." He said and her stomach flipped. Obviously her previous slip of the tongue as still making her pay. She swallowed and, knowing there would be no avoiding it now, leaned forwards to place a quick, chaste kiss to his lips. They were cool and soft, fitting perfectly against hers. She lingered minutely before she pulled away quickly to fight the aching need that welled inside her. It wasn't safe to like it, it wasn't even right for her to do it but she had and now she wanted more. She looked away and refused to see the disappointment in his gaze.
"Am I your brother?" He asked and she looked at him in shock.
"No." She breathed.
"Then what kind of a kiss was that?" He asked and she stuttered as he grabbed the back of her neck and gently forced her head forwards. This time when their lips collided, he refused to let her move away. She was rigid against him, desperately fighting the feelings of warmth that stole betrayingly throughout her body.
"No… Loki…" She tried and he pulled away only enough to speak.
"Tell me to stop Ida." He said firmly and she faltered. The words were there, on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't utter them.
"If you ask me to stop, right now, I'll do it and I will never raise this subject again." He said and she moaned. His hand moved down her neck to rub gently at her shoulders before moving swiftly down her back, smoothing tender circles into the tense muscles. She gasped and from within her throat came a sound she was ashamed to even name.
"Oh, I'm taking that as a yes." He muttered and brought their lips together for the third and most wonderful time. The barriers she's tried to erect collapsed and Ida felt her body meld into his. Her hands came up to grasp at his shirt, bunching the material inside her fists as she titled her head to allow him more access to her mouth. His hands were everywhere, down her back, through her hair and, best of all, skimming the soft skin of her inner hip just above the band of her jeans. She moaned and arched into him, the coolness of his fingers erotically wondrous in the warmth of the room. He held her tenderly, firm but gentle as he coaxed her lips apart. She gasped and his tongue dipped inside her mouth and stiffened slightly. Immediately he pulled out and rested his forehead against hers.
"Not tonight then." He said but there was a promise in his tone that made her shiver in anticipation. She moved her face to rest against his chest, realising that although they hd started on their sides facing each other, they had ended up with her on top, one leg thrown over his hips and her arms draped around his neck. Despite the outrageous nature of the position, she had never felt more comfortable.
"One day." She murmured sleepily and heard him chuckled.
"Go to sleep Ida we'll discuss that later." He teased and she opened her mouth to berate him but felt exhaustion finally hit. Promising it would be the last time he got the last word she closed her eyes and relaxed. The last thing she remembered was a soft kiss against her forehead before blackness came and pulled her away.
If you squint I'm sure the fluff can be seen. Gosh, this was a real shocker to write because I was just stuck with the whole writer's block thing. Anyway, please review and let me know what you think. Love to all.