Short filler chapter! So sorry! Needed it to set up what I want to showcase next that deserves its own chapter!
Tears slid down Jinx's cheeks as she stroked her arm sending another message.
I need to feel the sting of your kiss on my arm. I won't be able to read them all the time, but at least I'll know you're there. Please?
Loki stroked his arm, not minding that Cara read the message over his shoulder and that she could see the tears running down his cheeks.
I promise.
Loki swallowed hard and wiped his eyes.
"Stay with me," Cara said quietly.
He turned and looked at her, clearly confused, "What? Why?"
"Time moves differently here. She needs to know you're here for her and if you go back home your messages will be further apart."
"Thank you Cara, you are a true friend."
A smile lit Cara's face, "We'll just have to go shopping and get you more clothes tomorrow."
Jinx wiped away her tears and wet her face with cold water before drying off and rejoining Clint at the table. "Sorry, just…" she had no idea what she could finish that with.
Clint pursed his lips but let it go, allowing them to finish their meal in silence. "I'm sorry," Clint murmured once they had finished, "I have to take you back to your room."
"And lock me inside," Jinx murmured, no emotion in her voice, "You may call it a room, but if the person inside can't leave it's still a cage." Despite her words, Jinx led the way to her room.
"If it were up to me you would be able to go where you wanted as long as you didn't leave the facility."
"And the camera in my room watching my every move? The lack of privacy is the worst of it."
Clint stopped right in front of her door, waiting for her to open the door herself and step inside. "May I come in?"
"Um, I guess," she mumbled.
Clint smiled and walked to the corner of the room, standing on her chair and reaching up to fiddle with the camera. "There, no more camera. I'll tell Coulson."
A small smile formed on Jinx's lips and she kissed Clint on the cheek, "Thank you," she said vehemently. "That's the nicest thing anyone's done for me since I got here."
Clint smiled and nodded, "Like I said, I hate to see anyone locked up that doesn't deserve it, but I don't make the rules."
Jinx glanced at the camera and then back at Clint before resting her hand against the wall and closing her eyes. "What do they think I'm going to do?" she asked, voice far away, "I assume the walls are lead lined, isn't that supposed to prevent my powers from working?" she asked, eyes opening and showing bubblegum pink irises.
Clint smiled, "I think we both know that lead is just a hope for stopping gifts."
"Goodnight Clint," Jinx said, crowding him out of the room and closing the door, hearing the lock almost immediately. He was very astute, she just hoped that he didn't say anything to anyone.
Loki walked into the guest room that Cara said he could sleep in and took in the whole room. He ran his fingers along some of the items until he stopped and lifted a picture frame that held a photo of Cara and Jinx.
Cara stood in the doorway, watching as Loki explored, she knew that this was as tough on him as it had been on her when Jinx disappeared. She smiled sadly as he lifted the frame. "That was on her birthday. She didn't want to do anything, said that after the hundredth birthday celebrating was useless," she chuckled.
"Sounds like her. When is her birthday?"
Cara smiled sadly, "Tomorrow."
Loki set the frame down sharply, eyes whipping up to look at Cara's, "Tomorrow? But… No," he murmured sadly.
Cara walked over and placed a hand on his arm, "I think I could get a gift to her if you wanted me to."
Loki nodded, "Thank you. I'd like to sleep now if that's alright."
"Of course."
Loki closed the door and sat on the bed for a long time, finally stripping off the clothes he'd been given and switching off the light before laying down and slowly drifting off to sleep.