Locked In Chapter 3, a matantei loki ragnarok fanfic

Chapter Three:

Without the sun or Yamino to wake either of them up, Loki and Mayura slept well into the day. Mayura was the first to wake up as the small clock on the counter chimed eleven. She kept her eyes shut, still sleepy and comfortably warm. Her stuffed animal tightened his hold around her and dragged her closer to him.

.. .. ..

Mayura's brain clicked on reluctantly. Panda-chan doesn't have arms. Panda-chan can't move either! Then what just…? Fushigi mystery! Mayura opened her eyes to find Loki's face mere inches away from her. She was disappointed that it wasn't some kind of creepy mystery, and yet deep down—so deep that Mayura hardly noticed—Mayura was elated. I wonder what it would be like… Maybe if I just scoot a little closer, Loki-kun might accidentally… Mayura's brain became fully awake at that thought. Desperately she pushed Loki away from her and backed into the counter.

Loki woke up abruptly in pain from being slammed into the wooden chests. He sat up groggily to find a terror stricken Mayura breathing heavily. "Mayura, are you okay? What's wrong?"

Mayura pressed herself against the counter as much as possible. I just… I wanted… I was about to… Oh my god! "I… I had a bad dream," Mayura lied.

Loki stood up and walked over to Mayura. Placing a friendly hand on her shoulder, he stated, "Mayura, its okay. There's nothing to be afraid of. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No… I rather not."

"Alright"

Since when did Loki become so caring? "Don't worry. I'm alright. It was just a silly dream." Mayura lifted up her hand to mess the young detective's hair when something dawned on her. "Loki-kun… when did you get so tall?"

"Huh?" Loki looked down at himself. He didn't feel or look like he was back in his original form. Nor was his voice that of his older self, it still had the high pitch tones of childhood. Lifting his gaze back up Loki responded, "Are you sure you're alright? I didn't get any taller since yester…day…"

Loki found himself staring straight ahead, if not a little downcast at something that he should have been staring up at—Mayura's chest. "I… I… wha…?" Loki was dumbfounded. How? This can't be happening. Only jaki can return me to my original form! But… this isn't even my original form. I'm still magically sealed. This is just a taller, older version… Loki's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Mayura, where's the box that you knocked down; the one that you tripped over yesterday afternoon?"

"Right there," answered Mayura pointing.

Loki picked it up and read the inscription on the box written in Norse Runes—Fairy Dust.

"Loki-kun… why are you so interested in the box? There's nothing in it," stated Mayura.

"That's exactly the problem—there's nothing in it. It used to be full of fairy dust."

"Fairy dust? What does that do?"

"It ah… alters the, ah… physical form of a person it touches," explained Loki vaguely.

"But what does that have to do with you getting taller?" asked Mayura densely.

"Fairy dust temporarily matures the body to a desired age…"

"Why would fairy dust do that?" inquired on excited Mayura.

"You know that fairies capture anyone who steps inside a toadstool ring they inhabit, right?"

"Yeah, it's said to be a wonderful experience of fun and games, but you never get to see your family again. That's so sad, isn't it Loki-kun?"

"Oh, it's much sadder than you think Mayura. It's true that you are immersed within a world of pretty flowers, songs, fun, and games, but… humans can't live in their world for very long—only a year or two and then they die."

"That, that's terrible… Then why do the fairies trap people and don't let them leave?"

"Reproduction"

"Eh? I don't follow you." Mayura blinked cutely.

"Fairies, Mayura, are infertile with other fairies. So they capture humans to continue the species. Most of the humans they can capture however are children—either because they are easier to trap, are more curious, or just not as careful—I'm not sure. But human children are unable to reproduce and most of the children that they capture wouldn't be able to do so for at least another three to four years, by which point they would be dead. So the fairies came up with a solution."

"Fairy dust?"

"Fairy dust, which is a natural byproduct each time they flag their wings. The children captured by the fairies are inundated with it and reach full maturity in a couple of hours to a day. Girls usually have one to two children and boys get passed around to any female fairy wishing to become pregnant."

"………………" Mayura's eyes began to water. "Those poor children! They must be so mentally scarred after that."

"Fortunately, most die happily in their sleep, blissfully unaware of the truths of their lives.

Mayura dried her eyes and sniffed. "Perhaps a quick death is a blessing."

"I suppose, but that's why children are told to never play around toadstool rings."

"Loki-kun, how do you know so much about it?" asked Mayura suspiciously.

"Because I'm a detective who deals in the unusual and paranormal—that kind of information would come in handy, unless you want me to be used as one of their reproduction humans!"

"No, no… I didn't mean that. But you just seem so…" Mayura saw an annoyed look in Loki-kun's eyes. "Never mind…" Loki raised one of his eyebrows at that. "But why, when did you get fairy dust on you?"

"This box was full before you knocked it over. The dust must have landed on me while we were dazed after the fall."

"I'm sorry Loki-kun. It's all my fault that you're… you're…"

"That I'm what Mayura?"

"That you're aging… maturing so fast. No one should have to deal with that." Mayura cast her eyes down towards the floor. "Puberty is hard enough at its normal pace. I'm sorry."

"Puberty?" asked Loki taken off balance. He had forgotten that he would have to go through all the in-between stages too.

"Well yeah. You're probably really close if not starting puberty right now, guessing from your height."

"You mean like liking girls and wanting to do weird things with them? Loki asked naively, putting on a fake 'oh that's yucky' look. If I play my hand right, she'll fall right into a nice situation… for me. Huh, never thought of using fairy dust before. Never thought I'd want my adult form without my powers released though either.

In a few more hours Loki-kun could, would want to… Mayura blushed at her thoughts. What is wrong with me?! She shook her head violently. This is Loki-kun! My best friend! And Loki-kun is going through enough, he doesn't need any sick attraction. "Ah… well, yes. When you get older… I mean when you grow up… ah…"

"I know what you mean Mayura."

"You'll find out that girls aren't as yucky as you think they are."

"Would that mean I'd like you like that?" inquired Loki sweetly.

"Loki-kun, you'd probably like someone your own age… like Reiya-chan. I'll be a little too old for you," giggle Mayura warily.

"But Mayura, I thought you said I was hitting puberty now? Wouldn't that mean I would start to like girls now too?" Loki could barely contain his mirth. I haven't had this much fun in ages, and it's only the beginning.

"I guess," whispered Mayura nervously.

"And wouldn't that mean that Reiya-chan would be too young for me? So why couldn't I like you?" he asked cocking his head cutely. "Or is it because you don't like me?" he pouted.

"No, of course I like you Loki-kun." Just maybe a little too much. Mayura bent down to gently hug Loki-kun in what she hoped was a friendly, but not 'too friendly' of a manner. After all, she didn't want to give Loki-kun any wrong ideas that may hurt him.

Meanwhile, Loki smirked evilly. You're falling into my trap Mayura. You will be mine.

Mayura released Loki from her hug and desperately tried to think of anything to change the subject. Looking around, she picked a random object to ask Loki all about. "Loki-kun, what are those shiny prisms?" Moving closer in, Mayura noticed that they weren't attached by anything. "They're flying! Fushigi mystery!"

Loki sighed. Mayura's always searching for her mysteries. "They're pictures, and umm, yeah… they're floating." Loki sweat-dropped.

Mayura seemed nonplused by the whole idea of floating pictures, as if she had always known they existed. "Oh my gosh! Narugami-kun in a dress! When… when did that…" Mayura couldn't finish her question since she was laughing too hard.

"Just last millennium… year. Just last year Mayura." Loki repeated more firmly. She didn't hear that slip, did she?

Fortunately for Loki, Mayura was only half listening to him. Most of her attention was focused on the floating picture prisms. "That, that's Kaitou-san! But why is he trying to dance with that black bear?" worried Mayura. "Kaitou-san didn't get hurt, right Loki-kun?"

"Nope, except for some hurt pride he was fine Mayura." Although it was a really close shave… literally.

"That's good. Loki-kun, your never told me that you knew Kaitou Freyr-san."

"Loki-kun, you made lunch and tea, let me make dinner. Please Loki-kun, pretty please?" begged Mayura. "I promise not to make a mess. And even if I do, it'll all go back into the horn right?"

"Yes," replied Loki reluctantly. "All but stains, they seem to stay on clothes for too lo…ng," cracked Loki dropping a good octave. He looked at Mayura sheepishly. "I guess my voi…ce is changing."

Mayura giggled, and then looked down in shame. "I'm sorry Loki-kun. I shouldn't be laughing." Loki didn't saying anything and just looked at her menacingly.

Loki swallowed and hoped his voice would remain steady for the little bit he had to say. "You do dinner. I shouldn't be using magic with my voice the way it is."

"Well, what would you like for dinner?" Loki just shrugged his shoulders. "Loki-kun, you can talk to me. Please? You don't have to be embarrassed. I won't laugh anymore. I promise."

Loki looked away. It doesn't matter if you laugh or not Mayura. I… I'm embarrassed anyway. Loki wasn't quite sure why he was embarrassed to have his voice crack and brake in front of Mayura—he only knew that he was. He cleared throat and swallowed again, hoping to keep his voice steady even though he knew it wouldn't work. "Spaghetti"

Mayura placed her hand into the horn of plenty and commanded, "Spaghetti with tomato sauce." Unfortunately, she had forgotten two very important things—which she remembered as lukewarm spaghetti fell all over her school blouse and skirt, staining her white blouse completely red, since she had managed to get the tomato sauce just fine.

"You forgot to the plate and to heat it, didn't you?"

This time it was Mayura's turn to look embarrassed. "Yeah… Hey, don't laugh Loki-kun! It was only my first time, let me try it again." Concentrating real hard before she said anything, Mayura managed to create a plate of hot spaghetti and a fork for Loki and herself, as well as two cups of decent tea.

Loki remained quiet through the dinner, even for him. Mayura understanding why Loki-kun didn't want to talk remained silent as well. "Thank you Mayura, the food was really good. But maybe you should get out of that stained uniform?" asked Loki politely.

"And get into what? I don't have a spare change of clothes with me Loki-kun."

"In the second trunk I have something that should fit you." Loki opened the trunk and pulled out the third piece from the bottom. He looked at it softly before handing it to Mayura. "This was… mumble… before she died," he commented with a tear running down his cheek.

"Loki-kun, you don't have to let me wear something as important as this. The stain will dry. I wouldn't want to impose… really," Mayura replied lifting her hands up in refusal.

"No, it's alright. She would have wanted it this way."

"You must have really loved her."

"Yes." Two more tears came down his cheeks.

Mayura took the dress reverently. "It will be an honor to wear Loki-kun," she stated bowing formally.

A small smile crept on Loki's tear streaked face. "I'll turn around so you can change."

Mayura blinked her eyes rapidly before cringing, "Eh?!!!!!!!!!!!" It seemed that she had forgotten that there was no 'private' area to change in. I can't change in front of Loki-kun! Boys aren't allowed to see girls… What if Loki-kun peeps?! You want him to peep.came a voice from inside her head. What?! No I don't!

"Well, what else can we do?"

"There's got to be something we can use as a screen…" Mayura looked around frantically for something that could be used… a sheet, a towel… those two cloaks. "Loki-kun, turn around please."

"But you're not even changing yet."

"Loki-kun, I told you to turn around!" huffed Mayura puffing her cheeks and stamping her foot.

"Alright, alright. I'll turn around," Loki huffed right back, crossing his arms.

It was forty-five minutes later—it had taken that long for Mayura to make her make shift screen (which wasn't much) and figure out how to put on the dress Loki had handed her. To Mayura's credit, the dress was rather complicated with several petticoats, a low cut string tided back and small puffy sleeves just barely big enough to hold up the dress in Mayura's opinion. It took her another half hour of squiggling and worming before she finally admitted that she couldn't tie the back of the dress without help. "Loki-kun?"

"………………"

"Loki-kun, could you please help me?"

"I thought I had to stay turned around."

"Please Loki-kun?"

"You didn't trust me enough. That's why you had to make that make shift screen."

"Loki-kun… please! I really need your help," begged Mayura.

"You couldn't trust me before. Why did you think you could trust me now?"

"I do trust you Loki-kun. It's just that… getting undressed in front of a cute boy, even when he's turned around is embarrassing." Mayura blushed a deep shade of red at her admission. "Please Loki-kun, I need your help."

"I'm just cute?" asked Loki right behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Not expecting a reply, but knowing the answer anyway if the shiver that ran through Mayura's body was any indication, Loki leaned in and whispered into her ear, "What do you need my help with?"

Loki-kun's voice has settled. That… that means he's fourteen or fifteen years old now. Almost the same age as me. Mayura's heartbeat ran wild. "I, I … I can't tie up the b… back of the dress."

"Oh, is that all…" Loki moved his hands over the dress, almost caressing Mayura on the pretext of smoothing out the dress so he could tie it up. When he reached her stomach, Loki applied more pressure and pulled the fabric towards him. Taking the two ends of the cord, he began to tightly tie the back of the dress, making sure that the two sides of fabric came together. Loki worked quick and effortlessly, having tied this particular dress for his wife Sigyn on multiple occasions. He was up to the middle of her back when he encountered a problem. "Umm, Mayura… there's one slight problem."

"What is it Loki-kun?" wondered Mayura warily. She knew things had been gong to smooth.

"This dress wasn't designed to be worn with a bra."

Now Mayura had been prepared for a number of things like, the dress is damaged, it won't fit, I can't finish tying it up, or something along those lines. This dress wasn't designed to be worn with a bra wasn't one of them however. "What! I'm not going to wear a dress without a bra!"

"You won't be without a bra, just not a separate one. The dress had a built in bra, and your extra one is getting in the way," Loki tried to explain.

"I see, but how I am going to take my bra off without getting out of this dress?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Huh?"

"I said, do you trust me."

"Yes"

"Then hold still." Letting go of the cord, Loki brought his hands up to the clasp on Mayura's bra. Loosening it, he took the strap on her left shoulder and pushed it down and around her arm.

"Loki-kun, what are you doing?" she asked trying to hold down her temper.

"Removing your bra," he replied flatly proceeding to do the same thing with the other side.

"………………."

"Okay, you can finish taking your bra off now." Mayura just nodded her head and took it off still speechless. Loki went back to tying the dress. "Lift them up Mayura?"

"Them?"

"Your bust. Lift it up please."

"Like this?"

"A little higher… that's good." Without further ado, Loki finished tying Mayura into the dress. If anything he was a little shocked at how easy it went. Mayura fits perfectly into it. I would have expected it to be slightly small or just a little big in difference places. If I didn't know better I would swear that this dress was tailored to fit Mayura. "I'm done."

Mayura twirled around to thank Loki and found herself looking up into Loki's eyes, acutely aware that his hands were resting on her hips. "Thank you… Loki-kun."

Not realizing what he was doing, Loki leaned in to kiss Mayura, and as their lips touched he mumbled, "Sigyn." The sweet little kiss Loki had planed was turning into something more when he forcefully broke the kiss and backed away, staring at Mayura in shock.

Why didn't I see it before? Besides being a few years younger and therefore not fully developed, she's an exact replica! Has all this… have all those feelings I've felt for Mayura been because she reminds me of my dead wife? Am I using Mayura to be with Sigyn? Loki's expression turned from shock to revulsion. "Forgive me, Mayura, I'm so sorry. I just… I couldn't…"

"Help it? I understand Loki-kun," finished Mayura. Silence fell on the room—sticky uncomfortable silence. The only sound in the room came from the clock which was striking nine o'clock. "Umm… the dress looks pretty on me, doesn't it?" asked Mayura to break the tension.

"It looks beautiful." Thankful for the break in the silence, Loki motioned for them to sit down on the chests—of course they sat as far away from each other as possible. Not wanting the tense silence to return, Loki asked a question which he hoped was in safe territory. "What are you going to tell Mayura-papa when we get out?"

"Nothing. Papa is visiting relatives and he couldn't take me because of school. Anyway, I wouldn't have wanted to have missed any fushigi mysteries!" Loki sighed as usual.

The clock struck three and Loki and Mayura had to admit it was time to go to bed, but neither of them seemed keen on opening up the subject. Mayura remembered the last morning way too well and Loki was thinking along the same lines although he didn't know what had already happened. "Maybe we should… What's your favorite color?" asked Mayura lamely.

"Red, what's yours?"

"Pink like my hair."

"Ah…"

The clock hit six am and Loki's eyes were heavy. "Loki-kun, why don't you go to sleep?"

"But what about you Mayura?" asked Loki yawning.

"I'll be okay," replied Mayura yawning as well.

"But Mayura…." objected Loki, "You're…"

"Girls and boys our age are not allowed to sleep in the same area!"

"We have to sleep though Mayura."

"No like this we don't," she retorted almost hysterical.

Loki yawned again. "What if we make a divider?"

"That would be okay, out of what?"

"Umm… we'll move the chests into the center of the room and sleep on either side." Mayura agreed to this and pulled the first chest out into the middle. Loki took the second, but he couldn't move the third one on his own. "Mayura, help me?"

"Arghh! What do you have in this? Bricks?"

"Sort of."

"There we have a divider." Mayura took the cloak Loki had given her the night before while Loki spread his own on the floor. "Goodnight Loki-kun."

"Goodnight Mayura." Loki put his face to the wall, wanting to stay away form the hinges. I'm glad that I cleaned the floor so well yesterday. thought Loki as he fell asleep.