Chapter 21: Bubbles?
The room was as silent as a tomb.
Upon my outburst, I quickly covered my mouth with my hands, wishing for the entire world that I could have taken those words back. Loki stared at me with a look I couldn't fathom, his eyes unblinking. I stared back at him with wide eyes, memories flooding my brain. Screams of the dying and lifeless bodies flashed through my mind. I clenched my eyes shut and shook my cranium, willing myself to keep the nightmarish images away.
No. Don't go there. Not now. I begged, taking deep breaths, before gaining control of myself once more. I released my hands from my mouth, and opened my eyes, only to jump back in surprise, to see that Loki had risen, and was standing in front of me.
I gasped and instinctively took a step back, but quickly reprimanded myself for letting him get the better of me.
The air around us was tight, the space between us too minimal to be comfortable. Heat rose to my cheeks as I realized how intimate the situation was. He towered over me, pinning me where I stood with the look in his eyes. Something dangerous lurked in their depths, something I hadn't seen before. A constricting aura enveloped him, threatening to steal my breath away.
I forced myself to take in air, while attempting not to shake. Why would you say such a stupid and wreckless thing?! My mind screeched, sending signals to my legs to get away from him as fast as possible. But I remained, my will strong against the impulse.
Because he reminds you of someone. Someone you knew. Someone you loved. A pleasant voice chanted. I couldn't deny that. Loki had become my personal hell in more ways than I could have possibly anticipated. Guilt engulfed my veins, as I stared up at my tormentor's eyes.
"Loki I-," I started, but was swiftly interrupted.
"You servants are all the same." He said coolly, his eyes telling a different story.
"I didn't mea-," I tried to explain once again. He took a step forward, resulting in me taking a step back.
"Professing affection and love", he sneered the word, "To the first male of higher status to move up in the social latter. To make your life less insignificant than it already is." He hissed, sounding oddly like a snake as he did so.
I didn't move, but felt a flash of annoyance and anger at him, for assuming such things. He'd done nothing but judge me, ever since I saved him from his prison. I glared at him and pursed my lips.
"If I was looking for a man of higher status, I wouldn't be looking to you. You've been stripped of your title. Remember?" I retorted lowly, glowering at him. Something murderous flashed in Loki's eyes and I could sense that he wanted nothing more than to wrap his fingers around my throat. He took a step forward and flexed his fingers.
Only to breathe in sharply and wince in pain, before bending over in agony, his hands hovering over his wounded area.
The tension between us was quickly dissipated, and I exhaled in relief at the noticeable change in the atmosphere. I placed a hand over my pounding heart, before glancing over at the hurt man. I winced in sympathy at his visible suffering and silently prayed that Josephine would return soon. Although Loki had bullied and belittled me, I felt no real animosity towards him. In my mind he was just another broken soul, only lashing out because he was afraid of being hurt. I bit my lip as I scrutinized his rapidly deteriorating condition, before making my way to the door. I grasped the door knob and pulled it open a bit, glancing over my shoulder as I did so.
Loki spared me no glance, seemingly lost in his own world of anguish. Using this distraction, I slipped out of the room and advanced to the former cell of the God of Mischief, all the way, wondering just what I had gotten myself into.
I returned to the room moments later, my chest heaving from the exertion of the swift speed I had used to remain unseen from the ever watchful eyes of the guards and servants of Asgard. I clutched the evidence of Loki's escape to my chest, while I briskly closed the door, sagging against it in relief, once I was sure I was safe. Loki, who was calmly sitting on the edge of my bed, raised an eyebrow at my skittish behavior. I decided not to waste my breath in an explanation and instead, just set the items on my nightstand, and made flop on the carpet rather ungracefully.
A soft knock on the door however, crumbled my plan of relaxation. I audibly groaned, earning a smirk from the comfortable trickster. I threw him a scowl, before sighing in defeat. I went back to the door and opened it a crack, not wanting the person on the other side to see my controversial guest.
I was met by the worried and slightly confused, eyes of Josephine. Her arms were stuffed with wads of gauze, medical tools and medicine, though to my utter astonishment, she had managed also to balance two steaming bowls of soup on her forearm. Not for the first time, I admired my friend's efficiency and strength.
I smiled widely at her and wished that I could have embraced her to show my gratitude, but I remembered my secret and regretfully dismissed the idea.
"Josephine, I can't thank you enough for this." I said, taking the objects from her hands. I wasn't nearly as graceful as her, so in the process of the exchange, I dropped several tools and pill bottles. Josephine went to pick the fallen pieces, but I persuaded her to leave them be.
"Oh, no. Don't worry about it." I hastily shot, kicking the items behind me nonchalantly. Josephine's eyebrows furrowed, her mouth opening at the strange occurrence.
"Althaia, is everything alright? You are acting rather peculiar. Is there something you want to tell me?" Josephine asked, concern written over her features.
I waved her off, and assured her that I was fine. Guilt filled my heart at the fact that I was lying to my best friend. If it was anything else, I could have confided in her. But this situation, I had to work through alone.
"Just… take care of yourself." Josephine sighed, hurt evident in her words. I smiled thinly, but promised her that I would. I watched her retreat from my quarters, before solemnly closing the door, not realizing that that would be the last time I could claim her as my friend.
Without looking to see Loki's reaction, I gathered the items from the floor and placed them on my bed, laying them out to better organize them. I then wordlessly handed Loki his soup, almost tearing up at the reminder that I was a terrible friend. I had essentially stolen Josephine's only dream, and couldn't even tell her what was really going on in my life. I felt lowly and felt that I didn't deserve someone like her. I swallowed my self-loathing and picked up the other bowl of soup, forcing myself not to make a mess out of the delicious smelling liquid. I greedily swallowed the meal, groaning in pleasure, as the warmth filled my belly. I was finished in seconds, licking my lips in satisfaction. For servant's food, it was delicious.
"You are becoming quite the liar." Loki commented, having not eaten his own soup. I scowled, my mood instantly turning sour. I turned my head towards him, a witty comeback on my tongue. I stopped myself however, deciding that arguing with him, would only give him satisfaction. I instead, turned and walked into the bathroom, and flicked on the switch, blinking at the sudden bright fluorescent light.
The bathrooms were the only thing in a servant's room that was close to royalty. Odin had been gracious enough to build the bathrooms of us servants to be spacious and clean, with decent coloring and flooring. Though I'm sure he only did so, to keep us from rebelling. It was the only luxury we were permitted, aside from our own room, and I made sure to take advantage of it.
I opened the tall cupboard by the entrance and grabbed two towels. One was for Loki after he had bathed, and the other was to clean up the blood, while I was operating on him. For all the blood that would get on the carpet, I would have to use a special stain remover, and bleach. I closed the cupboard and set one of the towels on the edge of the tub, keeping the other in my hand. I sat on the tub edge and ran Loki's water, musing at the ludicrous event that was about to unfold. Loki, God of Mischief, is about to bathe in my bathroom. I thought, chuckling slightly.
Once the tub had been filled, I called to Loki, hoping that he would respond positively. I needed his skin clean before I could do any type of operation.
For a moment, it seemed as if he hadn't heard me, or was ignoring me. A breath later though, he glided to the bathroom silently, pausing in the doorway, as if waiting for further instruction. I smiled in a non-threatening manner and gestured for him to come in. He hesitated briefly, before taking small steps inside the medium sized room. I stood, and then I spoke to the wary man.
"I ran you a bath; no doubt it has been a while since you have had a wash. Everything you need to clean yourself is within reach as well as a towel. If you need anything else, by all means call me."
Loki blinked, seemingly puzzled at my change in behavior. You won't push my buttons this time. I thought, with a mental smirk. I nodded at him, before leaving the bathroom. I didn't get very far however, when Loki called my name.
I entered the bathroom once more, wondering what he could need so early on. The answer was clear to me, once I set eyes on the Prince. He looked lost somehow, one hand resting lightly on the edge of his pants, the other, resting by his side. He didn't speak, but I could understand what he was trying to communicate. He was too proud to say the words.
I gently lowered Loki's pants, careful not to cause him any pain, though I knew it was almost impossible due to his condition. I turned my head, to spare both of us from any embarrassment, though I could feel my face catch fire. Be professional about this. I chastised myself. Once the task was done, I threw the soiled clothing into a wastebasket in the corner, glad to be rid of the smelly material. I directed my eyes to Loki's bare chest then, needing something to look at in that awkward moment. In this light, I could see the gruesome marks scattered all over his body, the symbols making me glad of the crime I'd committed.
It was quiet between us, the moment broken by a simple word.
"Bubbles?" Loki asked, looking at the mass of soap in the tub.
I chuckled; glad for the distraction, and at the innocent question.
"Yes, nothing but the best for Asgard's finest." I joked, unintentionally making eye contact with him. Time seemed to slow, as his mystical green eyes bore into mine. Loki slowly raised his hand, causing my breath to hitch. He grabbed a lock of my hair that had escaped my ponytail, lightly rubbing the strand between his fingers. I have no doubt, that if anyone had walked in, they might believe they were dreaming. I know I did.
"Your hair is different than before. As are your eyes." Loki stated, trying to get a better look. My eyes widened at his deduction and I quickly stepped away from him, shaking my brain out of its stupor. Alright, no more. I decided, clearing my throat for a response.
"Please, enjoy your bath. I must prepare for the operation." I spoke, changing the subject. I all but rushed out of the door, my head downcast. I thought the worst of the moment was over, until I heard Loki's voice again.
"Perhaps, you'd like to join me?" He teased, suggestion weighing heavily in his voice.
I didn't turn around, though my face flashed bright red. Loki must have sensed my reaction, for he chuckled, before I slammed the bathroom door behind me. I huffed in annoyance at the effect he had on me, but brushed off his obvious flirting. I glanced at the tools on my bed, biting my bottle lip in nervousness. This was going to be my first major operation. Allfather help me. I prayed, beginning to spread the tools on the floor. After a second thought, I slipped the sheet off my bed, and laid it alongside the utensils, hoping it would suffice for a slight comfort.
"Okay." I whispered, slipping on a pair of gloves. I solemnly sterilized the medical tools, feverently wishing that I wasn't preparing Loki for his death sentence.
Author's Note: Annnd it's done! It has been waaay too long since I've written a chapter. I have to give a huge thank you to all of you guys who have stuck with me since the beginning, and for those who have just boarded the Healing Mischief train. I love hearing from you guys and would love if I got some feedback about this chapter. This was originally going to be longer, but it was already 2,000 words where I stopped it. I love you all, and hope you still like this story enough to read it. P.s. If there is anything you would like to see in future chapters, let me know. Also, Disclaimer: I don't own Thor, but I do own my Oc. Bumblewolf out!