a/n: Hello again! Please enjoy this chapter! If you have the time, please, please, please, leave a review telling me how I'm doing! It would be really helpful. Thanks to those who have already followed, favorited, and reviewed! You guys are amazing! (I don't own Marvel)

Gwen sat on her bed with her knees tucked in to her chest. She slowly rocked back and forth, still thinking about the nights revelation. She couldn't deny it now. Not to herself, anyway. She loved Loki. She loved him like she had never loved anyone or anything before.

The thought made her want to sing and laugh and dance and cry all at once. She hadn't done any of those things but cry though. She couldn't think why. It was a mix of feelings of pure, unadulterated joy and horrible, untamed fear. She loved him, everything was perfect. She loved him, nothing was certain.

Gwen thoughts were mostly on Loki but her mind occasionally drifted off towards her father. How would he react when he found out that his daughter was in love with the God of Mischief? Would he be angry? Most likely. Would he be shocked? Definitely. Why wouldn't he, after what Loki had put them through? After he had kidnapped her? He had no idea what Loki was doing or had done to her.

The sun was slowly rising over the frozen tundra. Gwen stretched her legs out of the position she had been in since last night. She hadn't slept at all. Just stared at her wall, trying to sort out what her feelings were and what she should do. She had decided not to tell Loki. After all, the very thought that he would reciprocate her feelings was impossible. Laughable, even. The thought made Gwen's heart ache like never before. But she knew it was true and nothing she said or did would change that. Gwen grabbed a fresh set of clothing and popped into her shower, where she tried to work out how she would behave around Loki.

*A*A*

Loki paced back and forth in his own bedroom. Gwen's words still rang in his head. "Promise me you won't go back there." He didn't know what to do. Going back to Thanos was unpredictable. But then again, so was staying away from him.

The real conflict didn't have anything to do with his own personal welfare. It was Gwen's. After all she had done the other day, could he just hand her over to Thanos? Normally, the answer would be yes. He would do it to anyone else. But, over the time he had spent with the girl, he had come to enjoy her company. Even looked forward to seeing her.

He had no idea why. He had never cared for any other mortals welfare before. He had been wanting to take over their planet not long ago. Yet, here he was, about to make a huge decision and he was conflicted because- could it be true?- he actually cared for a young mortal girl.

The thought was infuriating. He was Loki of Asgard. He was the God of Mischief. He was a prince, destined to be a king. He wasn't supposed to have feelings. He wasn't supposed to care about anyone.

Still, he did. No matter how hard he tried to push those feelings aside, they were still there. Buried deep in his skull.

Though he had no idea what those feelings meant, he knew that he could not ignore them. He didn't want to hand Gwen over to Thanos. It should've been simple. Let her go. Leave this place. Turn himself into Thor and go to prison. Warn him about Thanos. Thanos would come, anyway. He wanted the Earth destroyed. But turning himself in meant letting the girl go. And that meant he'd lose the one person who didn't look at him like the monster he was. The one person who cared about what happened to him and who cared about him.

It was a hard decision to make. But he made up his mind. He wasn't certain of the future, but this much was clear. He was not ready for breakfast.

*A*A*

Gwen stood fidgeting before her door, trying to work up the nerve to go through it. The idea of seeing Loki, of being so close to him, made her sick and giddy all at once. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open her door and took slow, measured steps down to the dining hall.

Loki was already there. He was taking tiny bites of his breakfast. When he saw her, he stood up and stayed standing until she had sat down. Gwen gave a small cough. "Good morning." She said. Her voice cracked and she cursed her stupidity.

"Good morning." Loki said in a measured tone. He was silent for a moment. "I... uhhh... I wanted to... ummm... I wanted to, ah, thank you. For what you did and what you said. Last night."

Gwen shrugged her shoulders as if it couldn't possibly matter. In truth, she didn't trust herself to speak again. She picked up her fork with shaking hands and dropped it on the ground. Face flaming, she bent down to pick it up. Loki did as well and their hands brushed momentarily as they both reached for the fork. Gwen felt her face heat up even more as she choked out a quiet thank you and began to eat again. Could you be any more obvious, you idiot? Quit blushing and behave like a normal human being!

They didn't speak the entire meal. Loki watched her as she ate, wondering why she was being so quiet. When she finished, he cleated his throat. "I need to tell you something."

Gwen turned to him but didn't trust herself enough to look into his eyes. "I thought about what you said all night and..." Loki paused and swallowed hard. "And I've decided not to help Thanos anymore. You are free to go." He placed her sling ring on the table and pushed it towards her.

Gwen felt her heart drop into her stomach. Leave? Now? She couldn't. She didn't want to. Not after what she had just discovered. Yes, being around him was hard. But being without him would he even harder. Knowing that she would go downstairs and the first face she saw wouldn't be his. It made her sick to her stomach. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Instead, she stood up, turned, and ran from the table, leaving a confused Loki in her wake.

Gwen ran down the hall and dashed into the library. It was still dark, but she didn't bother to light it. She crouched down and tucked her knees up to her chest. She didn't cry this time. She just felt empty.

She couldn't leave. She just found out that she loved Loki. And now she might never see him again. The thought was unbearable. Gwen's heart broke on those last words. To never see Loki again? What would be the point of... Anything? How could she continue without him? Oh, she could. She knew she could. She would return to Kamar Taj and live her day to day life as she normally did. But a part of her would be missing. She could never fill that hole, no matter how hard she tried.

Maybe it wasn't so bad, another part of her thought. Maybe it would be better if she never saw him again. After all, Loki didn't and never would feel the same way about her. She might be torturing herself if she spent so much time staring at him, knowing that he would never feel the same way about her. And why would he? She was just a mortal. A tiny speck within an infinite universe. Of no real consequence to anyone or anything. She had no skills that Loki could not find in any other women. She wasn't exceptionally beautiful. She was decent, but not one that made men's heads turn in astonishment when she passed. She wasn't terribly clever or smart. When it came down to it, she really was nothing.

Especially when she looked at Loki. A god. An immortal being. Dead clever. Beautiful and perfect features. Skilled in so many areas. He was special, that was for sure. And when you put Gwen next to Loki, Gwen felt so small. She was amazed that Loki even noticed her, some days.

Maybe leaving would be better. That way, she wouldn't have any hope that he might glance in her direction. That way, she could get her mind off of him, even if only for a moment, and focus on something else. That way, she wouldn't be so miserable.

Gwen thought and thought for maybe an hour. Loki would be wondering where she was. She sighed, stood up, and left the darkened library. She walked up the stairs to Loki's room and knocked gently on his door. "Enter." She heard his voice call from inside.

She slowly pushed the door open. Loki was standing by his window, looking outside. "I've come to say good bye. And sorry for running out like that. I just never saw that coming."

Loki hesitated a few moments before speaking. "Its what you want, isn't it?" He didn't turn around to face her.

"Yes." Gwen said, and her voice cracked again. She shook her head angrily and cleared her throat. "Yes. It is." She paused before speaking again. "You won't go back to this Thanos guy the minute I leave, will you?"

Loki shook his head, still not turning around. "No. You have my word."

Gwen nodded. "Good."

Neither of them spoke. Gwen stared at his back, wishing he would turn around, so she could see his face one last time. So she could look into those beautiful green eyes for the last time. So she could properly say good bye. He didn't. "Well, good bye. And thank you." Gwen said and she grabbed the sling ring off his bed and turned to leave.

The tears started now. She could feel them building in her eyes, threatening to spill over. She used all her willpower to hold them back. "Wait, one moment." Loki called from behind her.

Gwen had to force herself to turn around. She looked into Loki's beautiful green eyes and he looked into her blue green ones. "You promised me, on the first day, that you would play a song for me. So I could hear some Midgardian music. Would you still be willing to do so?"

Gwen gave a sad smile. "I would like that."

The two walked side by side to the ball room. Gwen walked slowly, wanting to drag out this moment as long as possible. Loki went at her pace. Neither of them said a word to the other. Gwen wanted to say something. She wanted it to be like before. But at the same time, she didn't. If it was like before, she wouldn't know how deep her feelings for Loki truly were. But maybe that would be better. Then she wouldn't be in so much pain.

When they arrived at the piano, Gwen had no idea what to play. So she pulled out her phone (which she kept for no other reason then it was her phone) and scrolled through her play lists, till she found the one titled "piano". This was a list of songs that she could play on the piano. She clicked on the shuffle button so it would choose a random song. It chose Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

She turned her phone off. Of course it had to be that one. This one would make her cry on any normal day, but today of all days, it would be so much worse. Luckily, she had this one memorized. She sat down on the piano bench and began with a few warm ups. Then she turned to Loki and cleared her throat. "This song is called Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. This is one of my favorite songs."

"Are you going to sing it as well?" Loki asked before he could stop himself.

Gwen shrugged. "Do you want me to?"

Loki nodded. "Of course."

"OK." Gwen said. She cleared her throat and began the introduction. Then came the words.

"I've heard there was a secret chord,

That David played and it pleased the Lord,

But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift,

The baffled king composing, hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof,

Her beauty in the moonlight, overthrew you.

She tied you to a kitchen chair, she broke your throne, she cut your hair,

And from your lips she drew the hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah."

Gwen choked on the last note. She cleared her throat quickly and blinked a few times to clear the tears.

"Baby I've been here before,

I know this room, I've walked this floor.

I used to live alone before I knew you.

I've seen your flag on the marble arch, love is not a victory march,

Its a cold and its a broken hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

There was a time you let me know,

What's really going on below

But now you never show it to me do you?

And remember when I moved in you,

The holy dove was moving too

And every breath we drew was hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah."

The tears came hard, now. Streaming down her cheeks and dripping on her arms. This next part was the hardest part of the song.

"Maybe there's a God above,

But all I've ever learned from love,

Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you.

And its not a cry you can hear at night,

Its not somebody who has seen the light,

Its a cold and its a broken hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah."

She lifted her hands from the keys and stood quickly. She needed to leave. Now. It was torture. Staying here. And it always would be. More tears spilled from her eyes, but she didn't bother to wipe them away. "Good bye." She whispered, not looking at him, and she started to walk away.

Loki stopped her. He put his hand under her chin and gently tilted her head up so that she was looking at him. He brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away the tears.

"Don't." Gwen choked out. "Please, don't." Doesn't he know how much harder he is making this? The answer, of course, was no. He didn't know any of her thoughts. He was just doing it to comfort her.

"What is it?" Loki asked, his voice gentle. Gwen had never heard him speak that way.

"I..." Gwen started. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him. And how much she already missed him. But she just shook her head and began to walk away.

A part of her was screaming. Screaming at her not to leave. To stay and tell him the truth. To tell him how much she loved him, despite not knowing him for very long. That was the part that had shocked her most. How could she love him if she barely knew him? She had tried over and over to tell herself that because of this, she couldn't possibly love him. But if she didn't love him, then how did you explain all the feelings she felt when she thought of him? How he made her happy and sad and terrified all at once? How she felt as though she was crushed when she thought of him going back to Thanos, or when she thought of those scars on his back? There was no other way to explain it.

But she needed to leave. She wasn't the one for him and that was that. She couldn't make him happy and if he was unhappy, then Gwen knew she would be unhappy. She couldn't do that to him. So it was better that she left now and suffered in silence.

She forced herself not to look back. If she looked back, she might do something desperate and stupid. She wouldn't let herself do that. She wouldn't force her feelings on Loki.

"Could you do me a favor?" Loki called after her. She stopped, but didn't turn around. "When you get back, would you send Thor to collect me? I'll tell him everything."

Gwen paused. She hadn't thought of that. Would Thor believe him? She would, of course, back him up, but what would happen to him? Would he be forgiven? Would he be punished and hurt for his crimes? Or, even worse, executed? Gwen couldn't bear the thought. "What will they do to you if I do?" Gwen called over her shoulder.

Loki was silent for a minute before speaking. "I don't know. But I will accept the consequences of my actions."

Gwen whirled around. "Why? What changed? Its only been one day and yet, you're so different now, Loki. Why?" She demanded.

Loki looked up from the floor and into her eyes. "You know why." He said quietly.

Gwen shook her head. "No, I really don't. So just tell me." She walked back towards Loki now.

Loki stared at her some more before taking a few steps towards her, closing what little space remained between them. "You." He breathed, taking her hand. He gently pressed his lips to it, then let go of her hand. "You can leave now. Just, please tell Thor."

Gwen was breathing heavily now. Her heart raced and thumped against her chest. Without thinking, without realizing what she was doing, she blurted out the words before she could stop herself. "I love you!"

Gwen was shocked by her own actions. She clamped a hand over her mouth. She turned around and began to walk away again, cursing her own stupidity and hating herself. What is my problem?

Loki grabbed her arm before she got too far away. He turned her around to face him. She refused to look him in his eyes. He put his hand under her chin and gently tilted her head up, yet again. She still had a tear or two on her cheeks. Loki brushed them away and pressed his mouth to hers.

Gwen felt frozen. She had never expected this. She closed her eyes and drank it all in. Reflexively, her hands went up and around his shoulders. She put one hand in his hair and pressed herself harder against him. Loki dug one hand into her hair and put the other on her lower back, pulling her closer to him. They stayed this way for what felt like a lifetime before Gwen broke away. She sucked in several deep breaths, and gave a light, breathy laugh. "I didn't see that coming."

Loki chuckled as well, and pulled her back in. Gwen resisted the urge to groan out loud as Loki kissed her. He was the only thing left for her. He was all there was. The feel of his body against hers, his hand in her hair and on her back, the scent of ice coming from him. He even tasted like ice.

It seemed like it would never end. But, unfortunately, it did. Loki pulled away. "Now, I'm definitely not letting you leave." He said, breathing heavily.

Gwen smiled. "I wouldn't leave if you forced me to."

"Why were you going to leave?" Loki asked.

Gwen's smile faltered. "I thought that it would be easier. I was so sure that you couldn't possibly feel the same way about me. So I thought it would be easier to let you be and I could go be miserable on my own."

"Don't ever think that I don't care about you again. Alright?" Loki told her, gripping her shoulders. Then his grip softened as he stared at her. "Norns, you're beautiful." He breathed. He pulled her back in and pressed his lips to her neck.

Gwen gave another breathy laugh. "I'd much rather look at you."

Loki shook his head, but said nothing. He continued to kiss her. Her neck. Her shoulders. Anywhere her skin showed. His hand moved underneath her shirt. "Wait." Gwen whispered, hardly able to speak. Loki stopped immediately. "I don't want to go too fast." She breathed.

Loki backed away. "Of course. As you wish."

"I didn't say stop completely." Gwen pouted.

Loki laughed. "There'll be more time later. Right now, we should eat. And you look exhausted. How much sleep did you get last night?"

Gwen shrugged her shoulders. "I got enough." Loki looked at her skeptically. Gwen laughed. "Alright, I didn't sleep at all."

"That's what I thought. We'll eat lunch and you are going to bed."

Gwen didn't argue because he was right. She was exhausted from no sleep and the roller coaster of emotions she had felt. "Alright, but I'm treating you to some good old fashioned American food."

"And where are you going to get that?" Loki asked.

"I'll draw us a portal to a restaurant and we get the food." Gwen said simply. "I have money."

"And if you're recognized? I will be recognized. Everyone knows I tried to take over Midgard. I don't want to risk either of us being caught."

"Can't you shape shift? Just change into some random guy. I'll be alright." Gwen said. She was a bit excited at the prospect of leaving the castle, now that she knew Loki loved her as well. It just seemed so confining when she was used to going wherever she wanted.

"Good idea." Loki replied. His shape changed before her eyes. He was shorter now, with sandy brown hair and blue eyes. He wore a plain green tee shirt and a leather jacket with jeans. (a/n: Basically just picture Tom Hiddleston, but shorter and his eyes are more blue) "You look lovely." Loki said to her.

"Did you..." Gwen began as she grabbed at her hair. It was red now. She looked at her hands. Her skin was more pale now. She turned to the wall and gazed at her reflection in the ice. She too was shorter. Her clothes were still the same. Her hair was longer but her eyes were still the same color. "This'll work."

Gwen put on the sling ring and drew a portal into an alley way in New York. She stepped through first and Loki followed. Gwen breathed deep the scent of New York. "Take a deep breath, your worship. Isn't it absolutely appalling?"

Loki chuckled. "Where are we?"

"Manhattan, New York. I know a really good schwarma joint just down the street from here." Gwen replied.

"Isn't Manhattan where Stark built his tower?" Loki questioned.

"Yes." Gwen said slowly. "I hadn't thought of that. Good thing we don't look like ourselves. Follow me. You ever had shawarma before?"

"No." Loki told her.

"Well, your worship, its one of the best foods America has to offer. Especially if you get it from here." Gwen gestured to the sign on the building.

"What is shawarma, anyway?"

"Its meat in a wrap with different kinds of sauces and toppings on it. Its really good. They have amazing fries too. Come on." Gwen grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.

The scent of shawarma and fries greeted them. Loki saved them a table while Gwen ordered for them since Loki had no idea what to get. She returned a few minutes later with a tray of food and two cups. "What do you want to drink?" Gwen asked.

"Surprise me." Loki said with a shrug. Gwen went off to the soda machines and came back a moment later. She held out one drink to Loki, who took it and took a small drink. "Its good. What is it?"

"Its called root beer. Its one of my favorites." Gwen told him. "Do you like the food?"

Loki nodded. "Its a little too greasy for my taste, but other than that, its really good."

Gwen chuckled. "Well, that's America for you. Greasy food, but it tastes really good. Unless you go to McDonald's. Then its just greasy and not so good."

The two talked and joked about different things. Gwen realized that the more she sat there talking to Loki, the more happy she felt. It felt as if she might explode with happiness. Her cheeks were starting to feel sore from laughing and smiling.

At one point during their meal, Gwen nearly forgot she wasn't in disguise and she a almost jumped out of her seat. Christine Palmer, her father's girlfriend, and Nic West, Christine's friend from work, had just walked in. Gwen shrunk low so they wouldn't see her. "They won't recognize you." Loki muttered. Gwen straightened slowly.

"Who are they?" Loki said under his breath.

"My dad's old coworkers. That girl is his girlfriend." Gwen whispered back.

"Why is she with that guy?" Loki asked.

"Because they're friends." Gwen replied. "We should go. Just in case."

"Alright." Loki said, standing up. Gwen stood as well and they moved towards the exit.

As they walked out, they ran into more familiar faces. Tony Stark and Clint Barton. Gwen quite literally ran into Tony Stark. "Ouch! Oh, sorry." She said. That's when she realized who it was.

"No problem, red." Tony said. Gwen stood still and unmoving, amazed at their luck. They had visited one of the largest cities in America and of course, they had ran into three people they didn't want to see. "Look, I know its amazing. Not everyday you get to see Iron Man aka Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist but I would also like to get some shawarma. So sorry, but I don't have time for autographs."

"Sorry. We'll be on our way." Loki said, his voice stiff. He may have changed but that didn't mean he now had to like Stark or Barton or any of the Avengers.

Tony turned to him. "Do I know you?"

Gwen cursed internally. They still had the same voices. "No, I'm sure we would remember meeting you, Mr. Stark. Have a nice day." She grabbed Loki's arm and pulled him away.

They walked back to the alley. Gwen breathed a deep sigh of relief. "That was close."

Loki nodded. "I don't think we should come back here for a while."

"That would probably be best." Gwen agreed. She drew another portal and they returned home.

"Now, bed." Loki instructed her.

Gwen wanted to argue, but was to tired to do so. She just nodded and slowly walked upstairs, with Loki trailing behind her.

When they arrived at her door, Loki gave her a long lingering kiss. Then he kissed her hand. "Goodnight, love."

Gwen held tight to his hand. "Stay with me. Please."

Loki raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said you didn't want to go too fast?"

Gwen shook her head. "I don't. I just want to stay with you."

Loki nodded. "As you wish. Then you'll stay in my room." He picked her up, bridal style, and carried her to his room. He lay her gently on the bed before lying next to her. He kissed her forehead. "I love you." He whispered. The first time he had said it out loud.

"I love you." Gwen whispered back, before closing her eyes and falling into a deep sleep.

a/n: Hope you liked it! Please review telling me your thoughts. I know its a little fast but I'm trying to stick to the Beauty and the Beast film and that one moves fast as well. Thanks for reading! Until next time!