Chapter 33: Emotions Unveiled

Disclaimer: read prologue.

"Now, you see me..." Loki whispered, meeting her black holes with his bloody-red ones. He was waiting for her to react, mentally preparing to hear cruel words - one in particular.

"You really are a monster."

Kelsey was slowly taking in his form. Her mouth formed an o, her eyes widened, and her eyebrows raised. She didn't move a muscle for she was in shock.

Kelsey didn't know what to say or do; only three little words escaped her mouth. "Oh... My... God."

Loki was taken back by Kelsey's reaction. She should be screaming right about now and running away.

"Gruesome, is it not?" Loki said with irritation, waiting for her to run.

Kelsey nodded. "This... This is crazy."

Loki inhaled his breath, feeling a knife piercing his cold heart, though his face showed no sign of hurt and pain.

"Now... Now you know what I am like without my mask," his voice was slightly breaking, but he cleared his throat and spoke, "I believe it's best if you leave Asgard, forget about me, take my horrid face out of your mind and nightmares..." Loki turned to leave, not bothering to pick up the food and tablecloth from their picnic. He stopped a few feet from Kelsey, turned his head slightly over his shoulder, but not looking at her face. "Clean up and meet me at the boat. It's time to go home."

He resumed walking, fading back to his Asgardian mask, but something stopped him. A laugh. Kelsey's laugh.

Loki whirled around, facing his former friend, questioning her antics. He narrowed his eyes at her. "What amused you, Kelsey? Did I miss a punchline?"

"Yes, you did! What's hilarious is that you think that," she gestured his body, "is scary!"

She was no longer in shock or amused, but... angry? She took a few steps closer to Loki's form. His instinct was to step back just for caution.

"You mean to tell me that the reason you got all worked up and got in my face was because of... that?!" Kelsey gestured him. "That's supposed to have me scared?! That frost giant in the forest was more intimidating than you!"

Loki opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He didn't know what to say.

"You avoided me, and you wouldn't let anybody touch you is because of that! Are you kidding me?! This is..." Kelsey let out a laugh. "This is ridiculous!"

Loki escaped his shock and became very angry. "How could you not be upset about this?! I am a Jotun! A frost giant! They destroy everything they touch! My touch almost killed you!"

"To be fair, the other giant touched me to kill me," Kelsey pointed out. "Yours was just an accident."

"My father is in the Odinsleep because of me!"

"But you said he could wake up! Nobody got hurt, better yet nobody was killed! Quit making a big-to-do about this! You still look like you only blue with red eyes and those squiggly things on your forehead." She twirled her finger above her head, indicating her forehead.

"You don't understand! Do you have any idea how much danger you are putting yourself in?! I could burn you, freeze you, break every bone in your body! Why are you still here?!" He stomped towards her fulfilling the space between them.

"Because you are my friend!" Kelsey replied. "I trust you won't hurt me!"

Loki shook his head, "Don't. I'm not worth your time and energy."

"That is not true! I care about you, Loki!"

"Like my father cared about me?! My brother? My so-called friends?!"

"Yes, Loki, they care! If you just stop pushing them away, they could help-"

"I do not need anybody's help!" Loki snapped. "I am on my own! It has been that way all my life!"

His words stabbed pain through Kelsey. Her eyes were becoming red like Loki's and puffy from all that crying. He had no idea how alike they really were.

"Did you know what my father said to me when I found out I wasn't his son?" Loki laughed. "He said that I was left to die as a baby in the temple of Jotunheim."

"But he took you in!"

"I was a stolen relic! He planned to use me for war peace! He never cared about me or loved me, the way he expressed to Thor! I am a burden in his eyes!"

"Oh yeah?!"

"Yes!"

"What about your mom?!" she demanded.

Loki's face instantly softened at her question.

"Do you really think her love is all an act?!"

There was a long moment of silence.

"My mother... She... She feels sorry for me."

Kelsey rolled her eyes. "You know there's more to it than just plain pity."

"Here's the truth, Kelsey! I am a burden! A stolen relic!" Loki spat each word with hatred. "A monster that parents tell their children about at night! I am a dark creature that hurts and kills anything he touches! Nobody loves and cares a Jotun like me!"

"Don't talk like that!"

"Why shouldn't I?!" Loki demanded. "Your life is nothing like mine!"

"You don't know anything about my life!" Kelsey snapped. Now he was getting personal, just like Odin did. She wasn't okay with that.

"You're right! I don't! Though I am certain, your life involves love and care! I am sure your mother holds you close, and your father tells you that he is proud of you! I am sure their feelings are real compared to my so-called parents! I am sure your parents are worried about you right now, wondering when you are returning home!"

"My parents are dead!"

There was stunned silence.

Loki wasn't yelling anymore. For the third time tonight, she surprised him. He assumed a lot of things in Kelsey's perfect life, but not this.

"That's right! They're dead! Surprised?"

Loki opened his mouth, trying to find the words, "K-Kelsey, I... I did not-"

"I know you didn't have a clue! But now you do! They died when I was eleven! I was at home, waiting for them to come back, but some cop showed up at my doorstep and told me that I was never going to see them again! Are you happy now?!" Kelsey broke down in sobs and tears.

"Kelsey," he whispered slowly approaching her, not caring who he was.

"Here's a tip, Loki. Instead of crying over what you already have, be grateful that you have it! I would dream of having my mom and dad! They... They mean the world to me! They mean everything - everything! They made my life simple! But now... my world is all fucked up!" She screamed in agony as tears fell to her cheeks. She hit her back against the tree and slid herself down on the ground, kicking and stomping, running her fingers through her hair.

Loki didn't expect this from Kelsey, not one bit. When he exposed himself, he expected her to scream and run. He never thought that she would care and tell him about her depressing life. He forgot about himself at that moment. Her friend needed comfort, but how can he do that? He kneeled in front of her, hesitantly placing a hand on her clothed shoulder.

"Kelsey, I am so sorry, I-" A lump was caught in his throat, cutting his words short. That's not the only surprise he received. As soon as Loki touched her shoulder, Kelsey pulled Loki in an embrace, crying on his shoulder, saying things about her parent's death.

"Why did they have to leave?! Why couldn't they come back to me?! Why is this happening to me?! Why?!"

Loki was welling up in tears. He pulled Kelsey close, hushing her, and caressing her head. Her bun tumbled onto her shoulder in waves. He ran his fingers through them, still holding her. He said the same sentence over and over again.

"I am so sorry, Kelsey. I am so sorry. I am so sorry..."

~000~000~000~

"I'm so sorry, Jane," Thor apologized for the hundredth time. Jane was on her back, pinching her nose.

The movie was close to over. Erik and Garrett provided Jane aid while demanding to know what happened in the van. Darcy was still outside, eating popcorn and cuddling with sleeping AJ. Jane insisted to the men that she was okay, and it was an accident. Thor apologized every ten seconds, holding Jane's hand while Erik was tending her nose.

Erik said that nothing was broken, but her nose was going to bruise. After he placed a strip across the bridge of Jane's nasal, he returned to his seat.

"Thor, it's okay!" Jane assured him, sitting upright. "It's just an accident!"

"I never hit a woman before. I don't know why I did what I did-"

"Thor, look at me," Jane commanded in a firm tone, Thor's mother would've used on him. Thor's watery gaze met Jane's. "I'm okay. Don't worry about me."

"I can't help it. I didn't mean to hit you, I was-"

"You were upset! I understand that" Jane squeezed her hand in Thor's, rubbing his wrist in comfort, "I know exactly how you feel."

Thor's face fell. "Y-You do?"

Jane nodded. "Yes. I have suffered family loss too, everyone has!"

"Did your father die?"

Jane sighed, "From a heart attack, and then my sister joined him in heaven."

Thor raised his head abruptly; his eyes widened at this revelation.

"Wendy and her husband died... a long time ago." Jane sniffled as her eyes were burning from tears. "They... They died in a car crash by a drunk driver... They didn't make it by the time the ambulance got there... AJ was with them."

"AJ? H-He was involved."

Jane nodded. "Yeah, but he survived with a broken arm and leg... He... He was only two at the time. Kelsey, eleven."

"It must've been a difficult time for them."

"Yeah, I was supposed to be their godmother."

Thor now understood what godmother meant. He figured it's someone who becomes a temporary mother while the parents were away, he was close to being right, only one detail he missed. Wendy and Patrick Roberts died and currently living peace in heaven.

"When I heard about their death, I admit..." She sniffled as her eyes turned watery red, "I was terrified... I was never good at being a parent, Thor. I know nothing about raising kids. I was studying to be an astrophysicist at the time. I couldn't find the time to be a mother to them..."

"I'm so sorry, Jane."

Jane's lips twitched into a smile, "But then, an angel stepped in and helped take care of Kelsey and AJ."

"Who?" Thor said with curiosity.

"Alberta."

"The children's grandmother?"

"Yes. She was there to help. She would help the kids with their homework, cook supper, read AJ a bedtime story - a comic specifically."

Thor chuckled at the thought of AJ's comics.

Jane continued, "We thought things were getting better. She was the only person who put this family back together..." Her face fell, "but she left, three months ago."

Thor frowned, "I am so sorry, Jane."

"She collapsed on the kitchen floor, having a stroke..." Her hands started to shake, and tears continued to fall. "The doctors... they said there's nothing they can do for her, but pray. She was asleep when she died."

"At least, she died in peace."

Jane nodded in agreement. "I can almost remember the heart monitor beeping so loud, and the doctors were rushing in to save her. I had to restrain Kelsey. She was upset, kicking and screaming and praying to God for him to heal her... but I knew... I knew I was alone at this. It's up to me to take care of the kids. I was tasked for one simple job, and I blew it." She sighed. "I failed them, Thor. I failed Wendy, Patrick, and Alberta."

"That's not true!" Thor retorted.

"Thor, stop, we both know that it is."

"What happened to Kelsey was not your fault-"

"Yes, it is!" Jane snapped. "I was the one who dragged Kelsey and the others out there for my research. If I had left Kelsey alone at the house, this wouldn't have happened!"

"Jane Foster, please listen to me," Thor grasped her jaw, forcing her to look at him.

"It's all my fault, Thor," she whispered hoarsely. "I'm a bad mother!"

"No, you're not! You are a wonderful leader and a parent. You comforted your family if they need comfort. You defended your child when he was being bullied. You provided your family food and shelter."

Jane rolled her eyes. "The house was from Alberta's money."

"Does it matter?!" Thor demanded. "You could have given up, Jane. You could have bailed when things were rough... but you did no such thing. You are by far... the strongest woman I have ever known."

"R-Really?"

Thor bowed his head towards her, giving her an assuring smile. "Yes... and in the mere future... you can wed and bear children on your own."

Jane snorted in laughter.

"Well, you could!"

"Yes, but I think five kids will suffice, two of them aren't even blood-related."

"Five?" Thor questioned. "I understand Kelsey and AJ are your godchildren, and Darcy and Sir Garrett are a bit of a handful... Who's the fifth?"

Jane widened her eyes, feeling her face flush a bit. "Oh... Um... F-forget it, Thor! It's nothing."

"Your face does not show nothing, Jane. You want something. What is it that you wish?"

Jane sighed, "Well... I-I have been thinking... since you are not going home... Well, AJ and I... well, I was wondering... if you could consider... staying with us."

Thor widened his eyes slightly at her proposal. "Stay with you?"

Jane shrugged. "Well, yeah. You have nowhere to go, nobody to teach you everything there is to know about this planet... W-Would you consider it?"

"Stay with you?" Thor repeated, still in shock about this proposal.

Jane's face fell. "Y-You don't want to-"

"No! No! Jane, I do!" Thor assured her with a smile, cupping her face with his hands. "I want nothing more than to stay with the people who have treated me nothing but kindness."

"But?" Jane assumed.

Thor shook his head, "There are no buts, Jane... I... I only wish to know if that is what the rest of your family wish."

Jane smiled, "Well, AJ and Darcy would love it if you stayed. Erik? I thought he was the last person ever to understand, but he says he is going to support anything I decide."

Thor raised his brows, "You spoke with Doctor Selvig?"

Jane nodded, smiling sheepishly, "Yeah. Surprise?"

Thor nodded, "Very surprise..." His eyes brows furrowed when a figure appeared in front of his mind.

"What?" Jane asked.

"What of Sir Garrett?"

Jane scoffed. "Thor, I know he has a crush on me and jealous of you, but he's gotta learn to get over it!"

Thor shook his head. "He does not envy anymore."

Jane narrowed his eyes at him confusedly. "What?"

"Before the movie began, he and I had a chat in the washroom."

Jane widened her eyes. "Y'all did?!"

Thor smiled. "Surprise?"

Jane let out a laugh. "Yeah! W-What did he tell you?"

"He said that he did not feel a spark between the two of you and that he only wishes for you to be happy."

"He... He said that?" she asked for confirmation.

Thor nodded. "He did. He and I are in great terms now."

"He has been chasing me for six years, and all I had to do is kiss him to get over me?!"

"Yes."

If Jane knew that's what it took to open Garrett's eyes, she should've kissed him years ago, no matter how illegal and wrong it was.

"And... If letting you stay makes me happy, would Garrett accept that?"

"I... I suppose."

Jane grinned, grasping her hands with his in a loving manner. "I want you to stay, Thor. Be a part of this family."

Thor genuinely smiled at her. "We should give this much thought, Jane. You forget that you have a child coming home to you."

Jane laughed and facepalmed, couldn't believe how stupid she sounded. Kelsey. She's coming home. How would she react to a god staying in the glasshouse permanently? She had no clue. Kelsey claimed that Asgard changed her a bit. Was it for better or worse? They'll have to discuss this before the action took place.

"You're right. I'm so stupid," Jane gently hit her hand against her hands. "What is wrong with me?"

Thor let out a laugh, grasping her hands in his. "Jane, it is perfectly alright. If I have your family's blessing and if this is what you want..."

"You can stay?" she asked with hope gleaming her eyes.

He raised his hand towards Jane's face, caressing her cheek and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "For you, Lady Jane."

That did Jane. She grasped Thor's face and pulled him towards her, crashing her lips against his. Thor widened his eyes, completely off guard by this sudden gesture. The nerves of his lips jolted when Jane's teeth nipped on his lips.

"Ow!" He pulled back, tasting blood welling up his bottom lip.

Jane covered her mouth; her face flushed red, completely embarrassed by what she had done. "I'm sorry! Just got a little excited."

Thor smiled. "No need to fret, Jane. I believe that makes us even."

Jane felt her nose pounding in soreness. He's right. They were even.

"I didn't mean-"

"Would you like to try again?" he asked.

Jane widened her eyes at Thor's question. "What?"

"I said..." he leaned forward. Her lips centimeters away from his. He whispered, "Would you like to try again? Slower?"

Jane bit her lower lip as she stared at Thor's pink pair. She wanted this. She wanted him to kiss her, hold her, date her. She answered with a brief nod, then their lips merged as one. It was sweet, gentle. There was no rush. It was just them... in the van... alone... together.

Before Jane could insert her tongue in Thor's mouth, the van doors opened. The couple pulled away as if they were a young couple disrupted by a policeman with a flashlight. The difference, there was no parent with a flashlight. Darcy was holding sleepy AJ, Garrett helping Erik load the chairs and blankets. They all stopped and stared at the scene before them.

"Well, now," Erik began, "look, what did we just walk into."

"Ooh! I told you, Brad!" Darcy pointed at Garrett, who was still in shock at the scene. He expected Jane and Thor to kiss, but not too soon. "I told you they were making out in there! You owe me ten bucks."

The couple blushed furiously, averting gazes.

~000~000~000~

Loki and Kelsey were huddled together against the tree. His arm around her shoulder. Her head against his chest.

"When they died..." Kelsey began, her cheeks were tear-stained, her eyes were red and puffy from the crying. "I felt like my whole world stopped. I realized that my whole life was going to change... for the worse."

Loki leaned his head back against the tree, rubbing Kelsey's up and down gently, listening to her story intently.

"I was forced to leave my home, my friends, my school; my whole life was in New York."

"I am so sorry, Kelsey," Loki whispered. "I did not realize-"

"It's okay..."

"After all this, do you feel alright now?"

Kelsey nodded. "Yeah. I'm okay - I mean, I will be."

For the first time, Kelsey was telling the truth. She felt okay. She had been sad and depressed for so long. When somebody expressed their concern for her, she would brush it off and say that she's okay. Now that she expressed her feelings and struggles, she felt some of her weight lifted from her shoulders. That made her feel relieved and happy.

"You know... You are the first person I ever expressed my real feelings too. I never talked to anyone about my parents that way in a long time."

Loki didn't know what to feel, flattered that he was first she confide in or worried about her current depression. "I think you should continue talking about this, instead of stuffing all that burden inside."

Kelsey nodded. "You're right..." She sat up and looked at Loki straight in the eye. "To be honest, I feel so much better talking to you about this... I really am okay..."

"When Thor and I were small, my mother told us that if you lose someone, stop dwelling on the sad but embrace happy times you have shared."

Kelsey felt her lips twitched into a small smile. "The happiest moment with my parents is when we rode the Peter Pan ride and the Pirates of the Carribean boat ride in Disney World."

Loki furrowed his brows, silently asking her what Disney World was.

"It's the happiest place ever for kids, and very expensive for the adults," Kelsey explained with amusement in her tone. "Also... Another moment, I had with my parents... is when my dad tells me stories of Peter Pan... I am a huge fan of Peter Pan, but..."

"But?"

Kelsey let out a laugh. "You're going to think I'm weird when I'm done... As my dad told me the story, my mind went from one thing to another."

Loki scrunched his eyebrows together questionably. "How did that happen?"

"Well... My dad, my brother, my mom - mostly everybody loved the heroes... but heroes are not what they used to be anymore, so... a long time ago, I got fascinated with a villain."

Loki widened his eyes slightly before he chuckled.

"You think I'm weird," she assumed with a smile.

Loki shook his head. "No. No. No. I do not think you are weird. I think it's... unique of you to think differently than others."

Kelsey chuckled. "Thanks... I think."

"Just out of curiosity, what made you become fascinated with the bad men in storybooks?"

Kelsey exhaled, raised her eyes to look at the night sky to think. "Well... I was curious to know how they are the way they are, and I realize after all that reading... that bad guys are the way they are is because they were pushed. Villains... We may be born sinners, but we weren't born evil. Villains were made. They just need something or someone to provide a motive."

Loki looked at her straight in the eye, thinking through her words. Something inside him clicked. He didn't know what it was, but he's starting to see things a little different.

"Do you... route for the villains?"

Kelsey shrugged, "Maybe... Sometimes the villains win."

Loki nodded in agreement. "Sometimes."

Kelsey looked down and smiled, seeing their hands interlaced together. "I see you decided to touch me again."

Loki stared down at their hands as well. Tanned fingers hooked with pale white ones. Dark and light mixed. Loki pulled his hand out of her grasp.

Kelsey let out a sad sigh, reaching out for his hand again. "Don't do that." He threw his hand back out of her reach. She shook her head; her voice was pleading and hurt. "P-Please, don't ruin this. Please." She noticed his eyes were showing conflictions and hesitance. She knew that he craved to be touched too.

"I do not wish to," Loki admitted.

"Then, why start now?" she asked. "C-Can I at least see your form again?"

"No!" he cried, but his voice didn't hold anger but shocked that she would be asking this.

"Why not?" she pressed.

"Because I am afraid," he spoke in a whisper.

Kelsey nodded with sadness in her eyes, then replied in a whisper, "I am scared too."

He was surprised by her confession, "Did you say that you did not fear me?"

Kelsey shook her head in response, "No. I am not afraid of you. I am afraid of losing my friend. You are my friend, Loki. The closest friend I have." She sniffed her nose, feeling it become runny from all that crying, "Please, don't push me away."

"Kelsey, you need to understand Jotuns. Frost Giants destroy everything they touch."

"I know."

"They burn to human contact. If I touch you, then you'll burn."

"Is... Is it okay if I touch you in your form?" She kneeled with both legs touching the ground. She folded her hands as if she was about to pray. "Loki, please."

Loki scoffed, seeing her face become a pleading puppy dog. It's a bit annoying. "Kelsey, stop, I can't risk it."

"Let me touch you for fifteen seconds. If I get hurt or if you're uncomfortable, we'll stop. I promise I will never touch your Jotun form again."

"What about in general?"

Kelsey scoffed. "Loki, we have spent an hour talking about my family and my problems. You held me and played with my hair!" She flipped her hair back. "Do you see me with third-degree burns?"

Loki sighed, knowing the answer. When he touched her mother and Kelsey in his Asgardian form, it didn't affect them. What about his true form? A part of him was curious about what would happen if she did touch him, instead of vice-versa.

"Fine. I will let you, but only for ten seconds!"

Kelsey raised her hands in surrender. "Fine." She slapped her hands against her thighs, eager to see his form again.

Loki leaned back and closed his eyes, feeling the wave of his Jotun skin overcoming his pale mask. Kelsey stared in fascination, seeing his real look about to unfold. She got a chance to look at the details carefully. She could see the patterns on his forehead, the curved lines on his cheeks and chin. Once he was fully transformed, Kelsey commanded him to relax and keep his eyes close.

Her hand slowly reached out to trace the circle pattern on his forehead. He inhaled sharply and clenched his fists against his robes, once she made contact.

"Just relax!" she urged him, pulling her hand back a safe distance.

Loki slowly took a few deep breaths, forcing him to do just that with his eyes still closed.

"It's okay," she whispered. "It's okay. Just relax. Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts... What are your happy thoughts, Loki?" she hoped that would distract him from her touching.

Loki scrunched his brows to think. "Pulling pranks in the Asgardian household."

"Yes?" she slowly approached her hand close to his cheek.

"Mmm... Books."

"What kind of books?"

"... Anything. Yesterday, I finished the Peter Pan novel."

Kelsey froze and stared at him in shock, "You did?"

"Mmhmm."

"Without me?!"

Loki let out a laugh, "As I recall, you said you read the book a hundred times."

Kelsey rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but it would be nice if we read it together..." Her thumb barely met his blue nose. "How was it?"

"It was... entertaining, but between us, I wanted the captain to win."

"Want to know a secret?"

"Of course."

"I routed for him too."

Loki slowly smiled, the first genuine smile he had all night.

"Peter cut his hand off," Kelsey explained her reasons. "I would be pissed if he cut mine and fed it to a crocodile. Hook deserved at least vengeance." She smiled as her fore-finger slowly traced the circles on his forehead. It was hard rock and cold to the touch; it was like touching a stone wall. When she felt his Asgardian skin, it was soft and warm.

He really was beautiful anyway, inside and out. He had a temper, but she possessed the same thing as well. They both have flaws; they both feel alone in this world with no one to understand them. What happened to Kelsey wasn't an accident. They both began to believe that this happened by fate; they were destined to meet. They needed each other to survive the storm that comes their way.

"How do you feel?" she asked quietly.

"Has it been ten seconds yet?"

"Are you uncomfortable?"

He didn't answer right away, couldn't think of the right answer. His mind was torn between what's right or wrong, bad or good.

"I am concerned about you."

Kelsey shrugged. "I feel fine. Maybe if you relax and don't feel afraid, you wouldn't have to worry about burning anyone. I know you won't hurt me." Kelsey noticed that he felt quaky about the subject.

"But how?" he wondered, "How can I not worry hurting you?"

"Well..." then a light bulb brightened in her mind. "Think about your happy thoughts," she said, stealing the advice from her favorite book. "Think about the pranks you pull, the books you read, your mom. Think about me happy and safe, and you'll be just fine." She smiled as her fingers interlaced with his raven hair, massaging it, "I have been putting my hands on you for five minutes without complaint. You like me touching you. And see?"

She examined her hands for the bites and burns. Her hands were tanned and clean as ever.

Loki blinked his red eyes open, hesitantly taking her hand in his to exam them himself. He was relieved to see that she wasn't suffering any marks of pain.

"Don't be ashamed of who you are, Loki," she advised. "If your people can't accept you for you, then screw them! You're better off with people who can welcome your form with open arms."

Loki narrowed his eyes at her. "You really believe that?"

She offered him a genuine smile and nodded. "I believe because I accepted you. Your mother doesn't seem to mind. Your father knows but didn't make a big to-do about it... Do you think your brother knows?"

He scoffed. "I doubt it. Sif and Warriors Three do not have a clue either."

"Then talk to them. Show yourself to them."

"I'm not sure how I can do that."

"I felt the same way about me talking about my problems. But when I started talking, I realize how easier it was. Once you start talking, you will feel relief. Aren't you happy now that you showed me everything?"

He chuckled. "You must really love my dark side."

"Loki, your dark side is your temper and your attitude."

His face fell. "Oh... Did I forget to tell you how sorry I am for the way I have acted?"

"No," she replied. "It was inexcusable, but I understand where you were coming from."

"Were you still upset with me after I bribed you?"

She chuckled at the thought of her present, but her face fell a moment later. She shrugged, "Maybe a little. It would've been nice if you apologized in person instead of having it in writing."

"I am so sorry for the way I treated you, Kelsey," he whispered. "Can you ever forgive me?"

"Sure. It's alright now," she closed her hand in his. She moved her thumb around, playing it with his.

He let out a laugh, following Kelsey's thumb, fighting to put his thumb on top of hers. "What are you doing?"

"Thumb wrestling. I doubt I'll win, but it's a fun game."

"How do you win?" he asked curiously.

"You win by pressing my thumb in the hole in the middle," she explained, pulling her thumb back, avoiding Loki's thumb. "But you can't use your other hand or your strength."

Loki smirked. "My dear Kelsey, I would never cheat."

She laughed loudly. "Yeah, right!"