Chapter 20: Hanging out with the Asgardian
(Alexis P.O.V)
I gasp and whirl around in panic. Sitting in the armchair in the corner of the room, staring at me with cold, calculating eyes, was Loki.
His sleek, black hair framed his sharp, angular face making a frightening picture as I stare up at him. My immediate instinct is to run, but something in me freezes. I remember what Tony told me. "Maybe he needs someone to be a friend."
His voice invades my ears again, "I will ask again. What are you doing in here, child?"
Holding up my book, I whisper, "Reading."
I catch the surprise in his eyes before the coldness sets in again.
"Why would you want to read? Don't you have all the other gadgets like other little Midgardians around this earth?"
I shake my head and look down at my book. Tracing the letters of the title. "I have never had a gadget like the ones the other children have," I sigh," Even if I did I would still come into here to get a real book. One where you can feel the pages on your fingers and have a whole world in your grasp. Into the one room where you have all the friends in the world, who don't judge you by what you have done," Looking back up at Loki, I whisper," I would come here every chance I could as a refuge."
His gaze never wavers from me as I speak. I see the understanding in his eyes as well as the sadness rising.
"You have an understanding that I didn't know children your age could have," He replies, as he places down the book he held in his hands onto the table beside his chair.
"When you live in the environment I have, you learn to be understanding to those around yourself. What happened to me, could be happening to anyone else without anyone else knowing," I shrug.
He stands up slowly and walks over to me. His towering figure holds an intimidating figure causing me resist the urge to run once again.
"You need not fear me, Aithne," he says softly as he crouches in front of me.
"All I have known is fear for the last 3 years," I whisper, " so how can I not fear the man who tried to take over the world."
"Because despite what others may think, I am trying to change," he said as he stood up suddenly, towering over me, before turning an walking a few paces away.
I flinch and step back, I can feel the panic trying to overwhelm me, but I attempt to force it back. I said I would try and I will, I remind myself.
"Maybe stop being so scary would help," I suggest in a quiet voice, making him whirl around again, his coat billowing behind him.
"And how do you propose I do that? I can't stop being who I am," He sneered," I don't even know why I am talking to you about it in the first place."
"Maybe because you need someone who doesn't know you and who has a new perspective on things," I suggest, watching him closely. He sighs before looking at me.
"If you were to help me, what would you do?"
"Be your friend," I smile slightly.
"I don't have friends, nor do I need them," he sneers again, but I saw the flash of hope in his eyes.
"That sounds awfully lonely. I don't like being lonely," I say, walking over to the couch and sitting down.
"What would you know about it? I bet you have always had friends," he retorts as he watches me.
"I have been lonely for the last 3 years. I know exactly what it feels like."
"You haven't been living under your 'perfect' brother's shadow for hundreds of years! Watching him get all the glory for being powerful and mighty. For being a perfect warrior while you get ridiculed for using magic!" He whispers. I see the rage filling his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I say "Well, now is your chance to help down here and make a new name for yourself. Start over, I guess."
He just stares at me before sitting down in the chair he had, previously, occupied with a sigh. "How am I meant to do that? The Avengers still don't trust me. Not really anyway."
"Well, they seem to think that I would be safe here with you around. Doesn't that count?" He shrugs and looks at his hands on his lap. Placing my book beside me, I slip off the couch and carefully walk towards him. Taking a deep breath, I place my hand on his and say, "Maybe you need to show them that you have changed or are trying to change. And stop isolating yourself from everyone. "
His gaze travels up my arm and locks onto mine. "How is it that you are so wise, despite being so young?" He mutters. I look away from his piercing eyes and down at my sock covered feet.
"Excuse me, Miss Alexis, but it is time for your midday meal. Mr Stark insisted that I inform you so you can get back to being a healthy weight," came J.A.R.V.I.S's voice, making me flinch away from Loki and the ceiling.
"Thank you J.A.R.V.I.S, I will go to the kitchen now," I reply as I walk over to my book and pick it up.
"You are very welcome, Miss."
Sighing, I turn and walk back the way I came, but Loki's voice halted me. Turning around, I look at him as he spoke.
"Do you mind if I come with you? I, myself, am feeling a bit famished. I haven't eaten since yesterday." He stood up and strode over to me.
"Of course not," I smile at him before turning and continuing walking. I can hear his weighted footsteps following me. Stopping briefly, I put my book back before continuing out the library.
As I walk, with Loki following, I am surprised at myself by how comfortable I was with Loki already.
"What is this food?"
"Macaroni and cheese."
"It is delicious!"
"Have you never had it before?"
"Don't look so shocked, I haven't had a lot of time to go on a food tasting spree."
I stare at Loki as we sit across from each other at in seating area. "So what have you had?" I ask as I take another mouthful of the piece of heaven on my plate.
"Whatever the Avengers order in which mainly consists of Pizza, Shawarma and Chinese," He replies as he finishes his plate off.
"I'm guessing that means you haven't been introduced to Disney either."
Loki looks at me in confusion. "What is Disney?" he asks, causing a big grin to spread onto my face.
Placing my plate on the coffee table, I grin," J.A.R.V.I.S."
"Yes, Miss Alexis?"
"Is there somewhere we can go to watch movies?" I ask as I stand and walk over to the door, gesturing for Loki to follow.
"Of course. If you just follow the lights, then I can direct you down to the theatre."
"Do you know if Tony has Disney movies?" I ask as I follow the lights and hear Loki's footsteps behind me.
"Mr Stark has all movies, and if he doesn't then, I can purchase whatever one you want."
"Thank you, JARVIS," I smile as I walk into the elevator and wait for Loki to catch up before pushing the illuminated button.
"My pleasure, Miss Alexis."
"Wow," I gasp as I walk into the theatre room. All the seats were lazy boy recliners with cup holders. The screen took up the entire wall. "This is insane!" I laugh.
Walking over to one of the chairs, I jump up and smile at the cosiness of it. Loki slowly walks and sits in the one beside me.
"What movie would you like to watch first?" JARVIS asks.
Carefully thinking it over, I reply, "The Lion King please," as I wiggle and get comfortable. "Be prepared to get educated on the world of Disney," I grin at Loki as the opening titles come up on screen.
5 hours later
***TONY'S P.O.V***
"Hey Tony, do you think that it was wise leaving Alexis alone with Loki?" Steve asks as we get out of the car at the tower. I sent the suit back to the tower as soon as I got to S.H.E.I.L.D HQ.
Shrugging, I lock the car and walk over to the elevator. "I have no idea, but I think that Alexis is a lot stronger than we give her credit for and she is a smart kid," I reply.
"Well, he knows that if he did anything that he would be sent right back to Asgard and into prison," Nat puts in as she and Clint join us in the elevator.
"True," Steve nods, "Where are Banner and Thor?"
Pressing the button for the floor, I answer, "Banner is giving Thor a tour of our lovely city and stuff since he didn't see much of it last time."
Silence surrounded us as we ascended.
The soft 'ding' alerted us that we were at our stop. Walking along the hall to the lounge area, I slow my steps as I hear music coming from the doors that lead into the lounge.
"What the.," I mutter, as I look at the others, my confusion echoed on their faces too.
Slowly creeping up to the doors, I hear two voices join in as the lyrics come in. I ease the doors open and stop in my tracks, I didn't know who to look at first. Loki, who was in the middle of dancing on the coffee table, or Alexis, who was using a hairbrush as a microphone while standing on one of the couch. Neither noticed us as they carried on with their shenanigans.
"Oh, I just can't wait to be king!" Alexis sang as she proceeded from one couch to the other. However, she misjudged her timing and collided with Loki, sending them both tumbling off the coffee table and onto the floor. Loki wraps his arms around Alexis and holds her to his body, making sure that she is protected as he lands on the ground.
I start moving towards them, worried that Alexis may have another attack, but I am quickly stopped by the sound of laughter. I watch as they both get up and turn around. Their laughter quickly stops as a result of seeing all of us still standing near the doorway.
"Hi Tony," Alexis grins as she scampers over to me. Crouching down slightly, I ask," What have you two been up to, Shortcake?"
"Just educating Loki on the world of Disney," She giggles as Loki walks over to Alexis and me.
"Well sounds like you guys had lots of fun then," I smile down at her and ruffle her hair, making her bat my hand away.
"So much fun. It was fantabulous." She smiles at me before looking over at Loki who, to my surprise, smiles back at her and replies, "Absolutely, Aithne. Thank you for a wonderful time," He, then, looks up at me and says," There is no need to worry, Man of Iron, I did not harm one hair on Alexis's head."
I look at him for a minute before looking down at Alexis, whose eyes are flickering between Loki and me, filled with worry. I lift my gaze back up to meet Loki's and see the sincerity in them. "I believe you, Reindeer Games," I say.
I hear Alexis give a small sigh of relief and grin down at her. I turn to look at Nat, Clint and Steve still standing in the doorway. "Come on guys, I'm starved. Does anyone else want to eat shawarma?" I ask before getting my phone out of my pocket.
A small tug on my shirt halts me from dialling the number. Looking down at Alexis, I see her nervously bite her lip.
"What is it, Shortcake?" I ask as I crouch down again.
"Can I make dinner for everyone?" She whispers.
"Can you cook?" I ask, a bit shocked.
"I had to learn because of...reasons." She shuffles in place, her head bowed as she awaits my answer.
Quickly thinking, I reply," Only if you want to, Shortcake." She looks up and beams at me. "But, I am quite happy ordering takeout if you don't want to."
"I know," She smiles, "But I want to do something to return the kindness that you have given me."
"Alright then," I grin as I put my phone away.
"Thank you," she giggles and gives me a quick hug before scampering off to the kitchen.
I turn to Loki, who was watching Alexis. "How'd you do it?" I ask.
He turns to me. "Pardon?" he questions.
"How did you make her so comfortable around you?"
He shrugs and replies, "I have no idea. Alexis found me in the library, and we just started talking, and it just went on from there, really. She just said that she wanted to be my friend and she is helping me change."
"Just by trying to change, makes a difference Loki. All of us here want to be your friend," I told him and clapped a friendly hand on his shoulder.