A/N: Another extra long chapter which explores various kinds of feels. There's tension, a lot of tension. Something's gotta give, right?

WARNING: Sexual content.

Summary: Inside the helicarrier cage, Loki gets a visit from a psychologist. She tries to engage him in conversation, and he tries to, well, create mayhem. She thinks she'd be rid of him after that, but no, it was only the beginning.


CHAPTER - 12

Reva was trying her best to listen to Stark as he conveyed the thoughts that triggered his recent escapades with alcohol. She really wanted to focus on him, as he was her client.

However, her mind just couldn't shut up about the fact that Loki was with Thor. It was internally screaming at her. Loki and Thor were together, possibly alone. There was so much potential for things to wrong...

Reva simply couldn't ignore the anxiety that was threatening to burst from her in the form of either hysterical laughter or screaming.

Hence, she was glad when Natasha Romanoff came looking for Stark. Her intervention essentially put an end to the therapy session, as SHIELD's Director had called an emergency meeting of sorts. The subject matter was Ultron, and that news only made Reva doubly nervous.

Stark left with Romanoff soon enough, leaving Reva alone to deal with her bubbling volcano of anxiety.

As she was wringing her hands together and muttering, she heard the bedroom door open. Loki walked in, surprisingly in one piece and without any sign of Thor.

"Where's Thor?" she blurted out, worried that the Thunderer had been teleported to a black hole of spite.

Loki's eyes narrowed at the mention of Thor. "He's in a meeting with the others. I do not know the details, but it has to do with the mysterious destruction of Ultron's new base."

"Oh..." Reva chewed on her lower lip, desperate to know what had occurred between the estranged brothers. It was then that Loki's words registered. "Wait, what did you say?"

"You heard me the first time," he stated dismissively as he began pacing in front of her bed.

"Why do you have to be such a prickly cactus all the time?" she asked in exasperation. His pacing slowed down as he gave her a look that told her to not try his patience. Still, she persevered. "Mysterious destruction, you say? I wonder how that happened."

"Why, aren't you feeling thankful?" He left the pacing and approached her then, choosing to loom over her instead of sitting by her side like he usually did.

"So, I am right in assuming what caused it?" She looked up at him as he tried to stare her down. "Or rather, who."

"Of course," he replied as his hands closed into tight fists. "And you're well aware of the reasons for which it happened."

"So, you lied about visiting Asgard last night." She didn't put it forth as a question.

"If you don't expect a fair share of lies from me, I'd doubt your intellect." He glared down at her, still standing over her in a very intimidating way.

She squirmed and tried to quell her agitation. "I take that this is your default mode after an interaction with Thor."

He turned around and went back to pacing. "You need not concern yourself with that."

"Yeah, the same way you didn't need to jump into that argument I was having with my mom."

He stopped once again, and turned towards her with narrowed eyes. "Do not try to treat me as one of your clients. I will not tolerate it. Besides, your attempts at resolving my mind's torments would be utterly dismal."

She rolled her eyes, despite the fact that he was actually making her apprehensive. "At least you admit you have issues. I was only asking as a... friend."

She didn't think the word 'friend' was appropriate to define their relationship, but it was a safe choice, at least.

Loki laughed in a scornful manner. "Friend? We're not friends."

Well, wasn't he proficient in fluctuating between hot and cold, the way he could go from considerate to scathingly rude. "Okay, whatever. I was just concerned..."

"Your concern should be limited to healing yourself and getting out of this godforsaken tower."

"Really, now?" she asked sarcastically, knowing that their conversation had now turned into an argument. "It's amazing how much Thor can affect you without even knowing. All this anger... now directed at me, and for what? Because I deigned to care?" She then modulated her tone to resemble his. "Of course, lowly mortal is a fool to even think she will be treated with civility."

Loki's eyes widened, and she was sure that he was thinking 'you did not just mimic me!'

As she looked on with irritation, he actually appeared to be a bit embarrassed at his behaviour. Finally, he looked away with a deflated sigh. "What do you want to know?"

"About your recent interaction with Thor."

"What of it?" His expression darkened but he still looked kind of resigned to answering her. And she was going to take advantage of it.

"What were you guys doing while I was stuck with Stark? I can hardly believe that you were playing games in the rec room." Unless it was live action version of Mortal Combat or something equally gory...

"Nothing of import," he stated nonchalantly, which immediately made her doubt him. "He asked me to resolve some problems he was facing with his mobile phone, which I did."

Reva blinked in confusion. And then she laughed, even though she hadn't meant to. It was so crazy and ridiculous... Thor asking Loki to fix something in his phone, not knowing it was his brother all along. Moreover, she was surprised at Loki for playing along and not doing anything adverse.

It would've been funnier if Loki wasn't so techno savvy. Two Asgardians, mulling over Earth's tech with genuinely perplexed expressions...

But then again, it would've led to the discovery of Loki's true identity, and that wouldn't have been funny at all. Still, she couldn't stop giggling like a juvenile as she thought of Thor trying handle a mobile phone.

"I know." Loki smirked in response to her uncontrollable mirth. "And the reason he asked me and not someone like Stark was because he was afraid that he would tease him for not having figured it out on his own. I found it mildly amusing as well."

"Oh god..." She shook her head as she tried to picture that scenario. "And here I thought that some form of brotherly squabble must have taken place between you two, revealing your identity."

He grimaced at her use of the word 'brotherly' and she tried to act as if she didn't notice.

"Come now," he muttered in a lightly mocking tone as he sat down beside her. "I'm a master of illusions and trickery. Do you really think it'd be so easy for my glamour to drop?"

She rolled her eyes extra dramatically. "You're insufferably arrogant. This room might explode with the pressure of your inflated ego."

That seemed to further lighten his mood. He gave her a wolfish grin, which caused a pleasing shiver to run down her spine.

"I'm not saying that your glamour would drop, just that you might say something or act in a way that's intimately indicative of your personality." She scrunched her nose as she thought of an example that would explain her view better. "Say, a figure of speech that you use often. You might use it unconsciously, but someone who has known you for a long time will surely notice and trace it to you."

He nodded, conveying that he caught her meaning, but he still carried an air of arrogance that told her that he didn't believe he could be caught in such a way.

They sat in silence then, and Reva suspected that he was using his magical mojo to eavesdrop on the Avengers' meeting. He was trying to be subtle about it, though. The only give was his slightly unfocused eyes as he played with the hem of her coverlet.

She decided to make it easier for him by focusing her attention somewhere else. A book sat on her nightstand, which she had been reading off and on to distract herself from her pain. She picked it up and began reading.

"Is this a way of dismissing me?" he asked, startling her.

"What?"

He was pointedly staring at the book. "If you wish for me to leave, you need only say it."

"No, I most certainly don't."

"Your mannerisms suggest that this tome is more interesting to you than my company."

She shut the book and threw it back on the nightstand. "It's not me who's being aloof all the time. I just thought that you needed space so... I was trying to give it to you."

Awkward didn't even begin to cover how she was feeling. She was deliberately avoiding his gaze as she let her words settle.

"I'm not sure I comprehend you. Do you mean to say that I have withdrawn from you?"

"Perhaps," she mumbled, still not ready to meet his eyes.

"How so? Have I not made an effort to be here? Have I not taken care of you?" He sounded exceedingly exasperated as the questions mounted, which forced her to look up at him.

He appeared to be truly confused as he stared at her with inquiring eyes.

Reva rushed to explain herself. "Look, I understand. It's okay. You didn't sign up for this"—she gestured to her injuries—"when you decided to pursue me. I know I'm a liability right now, but I'm not a clingy person."

She tried her best not to cringe. It was not the best way to express herself, but she had not prepared for this. Still, she felt that she needed to say it to unburden herself.

"So if you, you know, feel like this is too much..." She waved a hand in the space between them. "That you need to take a break from me, you're justified in wanting that. I'm not gonna grab on to you like a koala or stop you from leaving."

His expression deteriorated from confusion to mild annoyance and then ultimately settled on a mix of incredulity and anger. However, it was all gone in the next second, replaced by equanimity.

"You're surprisingly pragmatic," he stated in a superficially calm tone. "I wonder what the reason for that is."

Now, it was her turn to be confused. "Huh?"

"You are being quite emphatic about not needing me. I can't help but question your motivation for the same." Loki gave her a look so cold and disdainful that it was a surprise she didn't freeze on the spot. "Is it because, perhaps, you want to explore the other side of the pasture? Because something else, something better appears to be on the horizon?"

"Are you... what?" Her mouth hung open in shock. "You really fucking think that I want to get rid of you? That I'm considering getting a new boyfriend?"

He didn't answer, but his standoffish demeanour was enough to tell her that she was right.

"Well, then you're being a total jerk!" She glared at him, seething in the heat of indignation. "Because I'm not the one who has been acting all distant lately. A single touch from you feels like a burden and a chore, Loki. I feel the weight of great effort behind it. It's like you don't want to do it but you're forced to."

His steely impassivity faltered for a bit, and then he smiled at her. It was a weird smile—an angry grin—there was no other way she could describe it. "What sort of nonsense is that, Reva? You think I abhor touching you?"

"Uhh, yes?" she fumbled, not knowing how else she could've interpreted his recent aloofness towards her. "It certainly feels like it. And I'm ready to accept it because... I don't know, maybe I'm not attractive like this. Maybe being here is too much for you—with the Avengers and all. It's understandable, and I—"

He raised his hand in a regal manner, a silent command to stop. Reva found herself involuntarily obeying it.

"By the Norns, Reva, do shut up." He spoke softly, but his displeasure was still very apparent in the way his jaw flexed. "Your assumptions are so far off from the truth, it's laughable."

She fumed. Oh no, you did not just tell me to shut up...

"Well, so are your assumptions about me. In fact, yours are downright insane and demeaning." Her body trembled with the effort of keeping things on the side of civility. "I'm so offended right now!"

"And I'm not?" He tilted his head, looking at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle. "I may have kept my distance but not because I don't like touching you."

"Then why?"

"Because I wouldn't want to stop at mere touching!" He snapped, making her baulk and press against the headboard. "I was only being considerate, since you're mortal and frustratingly frail in your present condition."

He stood up then, and headed for the door, his body language expressive enough to tell her that their odd conversation was over.

"Are you leaving?" she asked as he opened the door.

"Precisely. I have much else to bother about than merely being your sentinel." He left without so much as a backward glance at her.

Reva felt drained and deflated. She didn't want it to, but his swift dismissal stung. Reaching for the book on the nightstand once again, she tried to remind herself to keep her calm. She couldn't let herself be affected by others to the extent of distraction, be it Loki or anyone from her family.


Reva woke up with a start, her senses still stuck in the Ultron powered nightmare she had been suffering through. She was startled to discover the touch of cool lips on her brow and the weight of an arm over her abdomen.

Loki was murmuring to her, his voice sleep roughened and gravelly. "...It was a night terror, you are unharmed."

Suddenly, she was wide awake.

"What are you doing here?" she muttered, making sure that her voice expressed her annoyance.

His unexpectedly cuddly behaviour was not going change the fact that he had been extremely rude to her. And not for the first time. Reva was growing tired of it and she wasn't in the mood to cater to his mood swings.

"I'm here because I wish to be with you," he stated, still holding her close. "But you're upset."

"I'm grateful that you deigned to notice," she said acerbically, wondering if another argument was on the horizon.

Loki sat up on his elbow and sighed. "You're justified to be annoyed, but I had my reasons to keep away from you. Your assumptions about my actions were entirely wrong, though, and that fuelled my ire."

She deliberately kept her gaze fixed on the ceiling as she responded. "I wonder if you realize how hard it is for me, to be so consistently dismissed by you. It makes me feel irrelevant and foolish, and I think I've had enough of that from my parents to last me a lifetime."

Loki didn't say anything, but she felt the weight of his intense gaze on her.

"You don't communicate with me at all." She took a deep breath before continuing, trying her to best to articulate her thoughts. "Like, the way you just chose to withdraw from me without giving me any reason. I thought you just wanted to be away from me, as if being in my presence was the most unpleasant experience."

His hand caught hers and he entwined their fingers. It was a gentle and intimate touch, and it made her uneasy because she was afraid to take pleasure in in it.

"It's difficult to change your ways after you've learnt rely on no one but yourself."

"So you choose to simmer in your thoughts," she surmised, feeling dejected all over again over their impasse. "And when someone tries to reach out, you protect yourself with the shield of harsh words and the pretence of indifference."

Without a deliberate attempt, Reva's eyes found his, and the green irises reflected an ancient suffering. She nearly gasped with the intensity of it. An urge arose, to let him know that she had seen glimpses of his myriad pains and sorrows, but something told her that he'd not take it well.

"That assessment may not be entirely erroneous." He smiled sadly. "It's... not easy for me to share my thoughts, Reva."

"I understand that, I truly do. I don't want to talk about my problems as well. When you had asked about my relationship with my parents, I hadn't wanted to share anything about it." She gave his hand a squeeze. "But I didn't snap at you, or you know, generally behave in a mean way."

"You did take the chocolates away from me," he said with a frown, and it looked awfully like a pout.

Oh well, Loki and his sweet tooth...

"Like you couldn't take them from me if you wanted to."

He smirked knowingly, bringing their joined hands to his lips. He placed a soft kiss on her wrist, making it tough for her to concentrate on the issue at hand.

"I don't remember apologizing numerous times to anyone else but you."

"Oh me, the special snowflake of apologies," she said dramatically, eliciting a laugh from him. She could feel the tension between them dissolving, and was glad for it. But the peace was still very tenuous, that much she knew.

"Will my good lady forgive me once again?" he crooned, looking into her eyes with a fondness she didn't often see on his face. "I am, once again, sorry to have caused you distress with both my actions and my words. I'll try to convey my thoughts to you as best as I can, but I cannot promise complete transparency."

"I'm not asking for complete transparency." She shifted restlessly as he looked on, waiting for her to continue. "I'm a forgiving person, but I as I have said before, there's a limit to how many times I will accept apologies for recurring slights."

"You forgave your parents, and I believe they didn't even apologize."

Oh well... this was exactly the why she didn't like discussing her issues with anyone. Loki was using it to manipulate her.

"I didn't exactly forgive," she sniffed, feeling like she didn't really need to explain herself, "more like I've let it slide because they're my family and it's required for the sake of civility."

"So, you're only doing it for the sake of expediency."

She nodded. "Yeah, kind of. Now, with you, it's not the same."

"And why is that so?" He looked genuinely curious to know.

"Look, I don't know how to explain it best, but I care about your welfare, and I care about what we have. I know it's nothing conventional, but it's important to me." She was trying her best to be as honest as possible, hoping he'd reciprocate. "If you keep being a jerk, I and keep forgiving you for it, we will form a behavioural pattern where forgiveness will be taken for granted. And that is how it will become toxic for both of us."

Loki looked at her contemplatively, and she noticed his eyes dilating a bit as he kept on staring at her like she was a puzzle.

"But my recent history betrays the fact that I may, in fact, be toxic."

"Your recent history should not define you for a lifetime, if you make it so," she said, feeling awfully like a life couch imposter. "Moreover, that didn't stop you from pursuing me."

"Yes, because I'm selfish, and you had ensnared my interest in a most delicious way."

Loki shifted and put his hands on either side of her, rising over her like a tide of overwhelming carnality. It was hard to ignore his lack of a shirt this way. It was hard to stay focused.

"See, that's the kind of honesty that I crave." She tried to give him an encouraging smile. "Can I have more of it?"

"I shall endeavour to try," he avowed, lowering himself over her until his chest brushed against her breasts. "Now, I'd like to show you something." His voice had grown deeper and rougher, making her weak in the knees. Reva's resistance melted away.

"Yes, but please remember—"

He moved down swiftly to catch her lips in an ardent kiss, cutting off her reminder to him to not undermine her. She loved the feel of his lips on hers, especially after so many days of distance and misunderstandings, but she needed to assert her point here. She needed to be certain that she wouldn't be caught in a cycle of neglect and dismissal triggered by his distress.

She pushed against his chest, making her intent clear. To her relief, he pulled back immediately. His brows knitted together as he looked at her with questioning eyes. For a second, he almost looked vulnerable.

"I just wanted to make sure that you comprehend my stand here," she said, a little out of breath, all thanks to his kissing prowess.

Her hands distractedly stroked his chest in lazy circular patterns. The feel of his taut muscles against her fingers was driving her away from her focus.

He licked his lips and gave her a strangely intense look—it held the promise of a passion that went beyond sex and sensuality. "I do, Reva. And I promise to keep you from being hurt."

His sentence was strangely worded, but Reva knew he often talked in convoluted ways. Shrugging it off, she pulled him down to continue where they had left off. She knew that they wouldn't be able to do anything more than kissing, but still, it was immensely fulfilling.

"So... when did you come back?" She combed her fingers through his raven locks as he pressed his lips to her jaw and neck. "And do I get to know where you actually went?"

He purred in pleasure, akin to a cat, as she lightly massaged his scalp. "About half an hour ago. I went to Asgard, and I didn't lie to you earlier as well. I did go to Asgard, after destroying Ultron's new base, that is."

"Goodness, you're all over the place. Do you not get tired?" Her voice rose a pitch higher as she felt him caress her breast over the thin fabric of her nightgown.

He chuckled against her throat, planting a trail of wet kisses down to the swell of her breasts. "I'm a god, I don't tire that easily."

"Um, Loki, what are you doing?" she asked as she felt him pull down the shoulder strings of her nightgown. Her breasts now lay in open display for him, and she fought the instinct to cover them up. It felt like their first time all over again.

"I'm demonstrating how much I loathe touching you," he murmured into the dip between her breasts.

A surprised laugh escaped her. His sarcasm was never out of form. "I thought you were trying to be considerate, staying away for my own good?"

"Well, it led to some misconceptions, and we cannot have that, especially if it questions my intent towards you." He gave her a wicked smile as his lips descended to tease the tip of her breast.

A sudden bout of nervousness struck her then, even as she squirmed in pleasure under his attentions. It had been quite a while since they had been intimate... and she didn't even know how intimate they could be, given her condition.

He seemed to gauge her apprehension, as he let go of his seductive advances and cupped her cheek tenderly. "Are you in pain?"

Ah, pain. For a few brief moments she had forgotten about the ache in her leg. "Not really. It's just a constant dull ache."

He kissed her again, letting his magic flow into her body to numb the pain. She had told him before that she didn't need it, but she didn't feel like resisting right now.

"Is this the only way you can give me your magical painkiller?" she asked, pecking him on his lips again.

"No, but I prefer this way." His eyes twinkled in the soft nightlight, full of mischief.

"Loki? Do you really think that... we can do this?" She lowered her eyes, feeling self-conscious. "I mean, the sex."

She wanted to cringe at her awkwardness. It amazed her how he had this effect on her, making her feel tongue-tied and unsure of herself.

He raised himself on his elbow again and regarded her with a calculating look. "I thought about it and decided that, well, we can engage in certain activities without putting you in peril."

He started fondling her breasts again, and she lost her train of thought.

"Okay..." she sighed, biting her lip as she tried to press herself into his hand.

"That's a rather bland response." He smirked in that teasing way she found beyond sexy.

She wanted to give him a snarky reply, but nothing came to her mind. It was unfair how easily he rendered her speechless. She chose to respond nonverbally then, pulling at his hair to bring closer so she could kiss him again.

His mouth explored hers with a keen familiarity as he pulled the hem of her nightgown to her waist. Desire coiled in her belly and she sighed against his mouth as she felt her panties being drawn away with magic.

She knew that her arousal was very apparent, her body was embarrassingly desperate to be touched. And when Loki did touch her, right where she needed him the most, she thought she might fly off the bed.

He broke the kiss and gave her a heated look of pure lust.

"Mmmh, sweet one, you're so wet already," he rasped, keeping his eyes on her as he nudged a finger inside her. "Let me give you what you need."

"Loki..." she whispered in aching desire, opening her thighs as much as she could to give him more access. Then a thought occurred to her. "What if someone is outside? Will they hear us?"

Many people dwelling in the tower had a reputation for eschewing sleep, and she really didn't want anyone to accidentally overhear anything that went down in her room.

He grinned, pushing another finger inside her. "I've ensured that no one can hear anything from beyond this room. Though, the thought of someone else hearing our shared lust is most delightful."

"You're so," she gasped as he began stroking her in a manner that drove her crazy, "perverted."

That made him chuckle, but it didn't falter any of his movements. He coaxed her pleasure with a gentle hand, taking care not to jostle her.

"Look at you, so delightfully wanton. Did you miss the pleasure that I used to give you?"

"Yes... god, yes," she whimpered, reduced to the simplest of expressions to convey her thoughts.

In and out, in and out, his fingers worked in a slow, sensual way, persuading her to disregard everything else and concentrate on her pleasure alone.

"You're gushing all over my hand, Reva, I could slide into you so easily." His rough voice was pure sin, adding to her titillation. "Poor girl, so desperate to come, you're squeezing my fingers like a vice."

He bent down and nipped at her nipples, ensuring that she couldn't help but cry out. The nipping soon gave way to sucking, and Reva could only writhe helplessly in response.

The soft suction of his lips, the curving of his fingers inside her, and the intense gaze that he kept trained on her... all worked to bring her to a shuddering climax.

She sighed deeply as the waves of pleasure ebbed, then her hand drifted in the direction of his crotch. He was wearing some sort of pants, but the material wasn't leather. It was soft and thin, and that aided her in grasping his bulging erection. Without waiting any further, she began stroking it as best as she could.

He looked down at her hand, his eyes narrowing sharply. "You wish to please me?"

She bit her lip and nodded silently, giving him a light squeeze.

He seemed conflicted for a moment, and his hand covered hers to make her stop. "I do plan to take my pleasure from you, but after you've healed."

"This hand is not injured," she said, swirling her thumb across his head. A wet spot formed on the crotch of his pants. That one move seemed to affect him greatly, as he quickly vanished the pants and freed himself.

"Go on then," he urged, grasping her hand and showing her how he liked to be stroked. "Let me see how capable your little hand is."

He let go and watched her with darkened eyes as she did her best to please him. Her thumb rubbed over his head in slow circles, pressing into the slit every now that then, earning an approving grunt from him.

It felt nice to touch him, to connect with him again, even though she felt nearly unskilled compared to his fingers. But from the noises he was making, it did seem like she was doing something right.

"Grasp me tighter," he directed, thrusting into her hand as she followed his instructions eagerly. "Turn your wrist when you move down. Yes, like that... such a quick learner you are."

Her cheeks grew hot upon hearing the praise, and she cast her eyes down. He gripped her chin and tipped her head up.

"Keep your eyes on mine. You aren't allowed to look away."

She obeyed him fully, keeping her eyes locked with his as her hand worked over his length. Every now and then, he'd play with her breasts, pinching her nipples between his nimble fingers. She whimpered but didn't dare to take her eyes off him.

"Quicken your movements," he groaned, letting go of her nipples. "I'm reaching completion."

His hand joined hers over his arousal once again as he drew closer to his release. She felt him throb in her grip as he let out a few low, growly moans, her name slipping from his lips. His eyes became glazed with pleasure and his jaw jutted forth as he climaxed, spurting all over her hand.

Her eyes never strayed from his face. Loki in the peak of pleasure was as beautiful as a work of art.

He breathed deeply as he calmed, giving her a lazy grin.

"Loki?" she whispered. "Did you... enjoy it?"

"Well, I did reach completion." She could hear the amusement in his voice. He was teasing her. But before she could ask again, he slipped his hand between her legs once again. "Now, I think I've grown an appetite for more of this."

Reva gasped and trembled in his grasp as he coaxed another orgasm from her. It was a slow, drawn out build up, with all her soft moans swallowed by his kisses. It left her feeling replete and languorous, her eyes hooded with afterglow.

A swift gesture from Loki cleaned both of them with magic and brought their clothes back on. She sighed contentedly, shifting herself closer to him. His arm enveloped her again, and just like that, they were cuddling.

"Reva, you must understand one thing about me," he said after a few minutes of silence. She blinked to push away her drowsiness as he continued. "I'm not given to mild interests. Once something catches my attention long enough to hold me in its sway, I tend to covet it."

"Sounds like obsessive behaviour," she mumbled, trying to gauge the context of his confession.

"Call it what you may, but I do not let go easily. It may not be a good trait to have, but it's a part of who I am. I am obsessive and very obstinate in holding on to what belongs to me."

"Yeah, I mean, you came all the way here for the scepter. I get it."

He sighed. "I'm not talking about the scepter here."

She frowned as she gave a deeper thought to his confession. Suddenly, it clicked.

"Me?" she squeaked as she finally grasped the context.

"Yes," he replied succinctly.

"You do understand that I'm a person and not a thing?"

"Yes, it's why I'm all the more covetous of you."

She shifted uncomfortably. This was heavy stuff to deal with and she wasn't sure whether she was on board with the possessive attitude he was exuding. "So, can you please explain this to me in Midgardian terminology? Like, what am I to you?"

He laughed quietly, breathing into her hair. "You're definitely not my fuck-buddy or friend-with-benefits."

"Right... okay." She gulped nervously. "I'm not even sure how you know of those terms but fine, go ahead."

As if sensing her disquiet, he rubbed up and down her arm in a soothing gesture. "You're my paramour, my lover, my consort."

"So... are we like, in an exclusive relationship? Is that what it means?"

"Yes, and I expect unwavering loyalty from you." His voice became a bit more commanding as he spoke. "You shall not cast keen eyes on another person, for I have claimed you as mine."

"Uhh..." She struggled to express herself in the wake of his strange acknowledgement. "What about your loyalty? In the legends you have a handful of wives and consorts... what about that?" Please don't tell me those Norse legends of polygamy are true...

Loki stiffened and stopped stroking her arm. Oh, she regretted asking those questions already.

"The legends," he spat out as if he was uttering a curse, "do not tell much in the way of truth. I haven't had the pleasure of being married even once, let alone multiple times. I offer you the same as I ask of you. Does that satisfy you?"

"Um, yeah. Thanks for clearing that up." She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like face-palming over her anxiety now. "I'm a one man woman, so you don't need to worry about my keen eyes straying anywhere."

"Good, now try and sleep, sweet one, for only a few hours remain until dawn."

She remained silent, giving him only a small nod in response. It was a bit overwhelming, for it to be acknowledged that she was seriously involved with a Norse God/alien.

And not just any Norse God/alien, it was Loki—chaos personified, the destructive force that swooped down to claim Earth as his own, the nemesis of the Avengers... the negative epithets went on and on. It was kind of hysterical and Reva didn't want to dwell too much on it, for the sake of keeping her wits.


Hello my readers,

I know you are reading, and hopefully, enjoying this story. But it saddens my heart to see little to no response to it. It's like I'm interacting with a void, with little hope of ever receiving a message from the other side. It's disheartening sometimes, because I do want to know what you guys enjoyed or did not enjoy in the story. Even a simple, one sentence response can bring joy to a fanfic author. Please know this. I will keep writing, but I really feel like I'm talking to wall here. So, care to share your views?

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