Another chapter that is stand-alone. Let's face it, as a human, you would freak out too if this happened to you. Loki is questioning but not really worried. So let's see how compatible they really are. But as I was taking my son to his speech therapist, a thought hit me… love triangle between Ari, Loki, and THOR!
Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it. Again. LOL
Ariana stretched. Her body felt deliciously sore. She felt a strong body holding her close and looked to see Loki still asleep next to her. Everything hit her then. It hadn't been a dream. She slept with the God of Mischief himself. Multiple times throughout the night! He woke her two more times after he had…
Ariana jumped up, wrapping her sheet around her. They hadn't used protection! Not once! Did condoms even work with gods? Her breathing was coming out fast and sparks were appearing. Panic was setting in. Was she really so lonely and scared that she became desperate and fell all over the first guy that showed her kindness in over a year?
Loki began to stir. She looked at him. His hair was in his face. She couldn't help it. She sat down and, with gentle fingers, brushed the strands aside. The instant she touched him, calm stole into her. Her mind raced at the implications of that, what it meant. However, it no longer raced and she could smile down at him. She leaned down and kissed him softly.
When she pulled back, he looked up at her, a smile on his face as he said, "Even a god could get used to waking up to that, little one."
"We have to talk about last night, Loki," she said.
"I can see your thoughts, Ariana. You need not worry about any of it."
"Not even the part where, if anyone found out, I'd be considered easy?"
"What do you mean?"
"By easy, I mean, if guys found out and we broke up, they would expect me to just sleep with them if they looked at me the right way. I mean, you rescued me, ate food, and talked. That's all it took for you to get me into bed."
He sat up. "We didn't just talk, Ariana. We shared our lives. Yes, it happened fast, but you also forget I am not a mortal."
She got up and paced. "Loki, I've read the stories. A god sleeping with mortal women, woman gets pregnant, and god becomes an absentee parent. I'm not going to be another…"
"Is that the drivel mortals spout about the gods?"
"Zeus from Greek mythology had so many affairs, I'm surprised the world isn't half normal people, half demigods by now."
"Okay, I'll concede to you this time."
She smiled. "Anyway, I won't become a single mom. I'm nineteen, Loki. I still have a full mortal life ahead of me."
"Let's have breakfast and talk about this, little one. I still need proof of friendship."
She nodded and went to the other room. Loki used his magic to create his clothes, mimicking the previous day's attire. Ariana returned in a simple red t-shirt and faded blue jeans. Loki looked up when she entered. To him, she was elegant even in such simple clothes, a queen approaching a peasant to offer her favor. And that image was ridiculous since he was the only real royal one between them, yet her beauty seemed to radiate from her very soul and made him feel that he was no better than a bug in her presence. It humbled him and drew him in at the same time.
"What is it?" she asked, looking at her clothes. "Is something wrong with my clothes?"
"No," Loki said softly. "You look lovely, little one."
She blushed and said, "Thank you very much. You look quite handsome yourself. It lends credence to the whole 'staying with me to make sure I'm okay' story. Dad's not going to accept that we slept together."
"No father would want to hear someone like me… um… slept with his daughter."
She giggled "It means have sex or made love to."
"I see. Well, still, I can understand not telling him. What is between us seems to be rather intense."
"That's one way to describe our relationship."
"What would you call it?"
"A whirlwind romance. I don't normally go on a first date and sleep with the guy."
"Glad to hear it."
"Anyway, I'm going to go cook some breakfast and make some coffee. Care to join me?"
"It would be a pleasure."
They walk out of the room as IOTA begins to say, "Miss Stark, I see your visitor stayed overnight. Should I order breakfast or are you going to attempt to blow up the kitchen again?"
"You can't cook?" Loki asked.
"IOTA, I can cook!" Ariana said, a crimson blush stealing up her cheeks.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," said IOTA. "Besides, if you don't get into the kitchen, your father may blow it up for you."
"What?" Ariana yelled, running to the kitchen. "Dad! How did you even get into my house?"
"One, you based IOTA off of JARVIS, so it wasn't hard to figure out how to get past the security," Tony said. "Two, you use the same password for everything. And three, I wanted to make sure you and your friend were alright." He turned to look at her, his back to the counter. "However, I found a sight that is forever burned into my brain. I literally could not pay someone to wash it enough times to remove the sight of the two of you."
"Dad!"
"No, I can't find anything on this guy, Ariana. Nothing from his face, prints, nothing. It's as if he doesn't exist. I don't trust him."
"He saved me!"
"Wait. Saved you?"
She realized what she said and sighed. "I was walking and wasn't paying attention to where I was going or where I was. He…" She looked back at Loki, who stood in the doorway, and smiled at him. "He appeared when I needed him." She looked back at her father when Loki visibly relaxed. "I was jumped by three guys, and I wasn't able to take them on. They rushed me. He came in and helped and made sure I was alright."
"Then give him a gift card to Gucci, you don't sleep with him."
"Let me finish. We went on the date Uncle Happy texted you about, and don't deny that's how you knew because I saw him doing it. We clicked and things happened. Besides, I'm an adult now. I can make my own choices."
"You're only nineteen, Ariana!"
"I'm a legal adult!"
"If I may," Loki interjected. "He is worried about you, little one." Ariana glared at him, causing him to smile. "You make a valid point, you are an adult."
"No one asked your opinion, Snape, so stay out of this private family discussion," Tony said.
"Dad, he's my boyfriend, so stop!" Ariana yelled.
"After one date? Honey," he pulled her to the side, "he could have planned all of that to get close to you."
"Not a chance."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Just trust me, I know."
Tony looked back as Loki moved to the stove and seemed to be working on the food. Ariana followed his eye line and smiled. I didn't know you could cook, Loki. You failed to mention it.
Well, I didn't think it would be important information, he said. However, if I wish to live through this meal, I need to save the eggs. How does one make an omelet both raw and burnt at the same time?
Ariana blushed. Hey, cooking is hard! Dad at least tried!
Loki turned and looked at her. I would have endured such a meal from you, Ariana. Not the man trying to convince you to break up with me. Father or not, he will not take you from me.
She went to him and hugged him. This connection is so strong. I feel so calm around you, Loki, and safe, but the strength of it is kind of scary. Is this how it is with all Asgardians? And if so, why is it happening to me when I'm human?
Loki wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. I don't know, little one, but if I must return, I can ask. For now, just enjoy how close we are.
"Okay, none of that," said Tony as he sat down. "I want to be able to eat breakfast, not throw it up."
Ariana glared at her father as Loki led her to the table. He managed to hold her seat out for her to sit before going back to the stove. You kissed my head, not my lips. And you certainly didn't try to make a move to take me back to bed. He's being so dramatic.
Loki looked at her, his laughter playing in her head. He still sees you as his little girl, the one he adopted nine years ago. He loves you, darling. Never forget that.
Ariana looked up at Loki. She felt a sting in those words. Well, if you ever feel unloved, you can always look at me. In a matter of twenty-four hours, you've made a big impression on me.
Love me already, do you? Loki joked.
It's kind of hard not to love someone when you share their mind like we do, she admitted. It must be a god thing, because you've unlocked something with my telepathy. I'm able to read your emotions, and slip in and out easily. I know you can probably do the same.
He tensed slightly. I usually cause pain entering someone's mind.
But not mine, she pointed out. Not once. I thought maybe it was because we both possess telepathy.
That would explain it. He relaxed again and finished cooking the meal.
But when I'm with you, the psychic overflow I'd get from my dad isn't happening, she said as Loki placed the plates on the table. I have to try to hear his thoughts.
Does it hurt them? Loki asked when he sat, taking her hand under the table.
A slight headache, but nothing concerning. She took a bit of her food, everything made to perfection. But only if I try to get in. I'm just thankful for the silence. I don't like getting in by force. It's like an invasion of privacy. She squeezed his hand when he went to pull away. I know there are times to do it, so don't feel like I was saying anything bad. I know if it's important, like bringing back a forgotten memory or to save lives, then it is necessary.
He gave her a smile as they continued to eat. While Loki and Ariana were having a telepathic conversation, Tony watched them in silence. From his point of view, it was like the two of them were getting closer. As if their relationship was moving in fast forward. If anyone were to look at them, they would think they had been together for years, not less than a day.
"Well, at least he can cook," said Tony.
"Dad!" Ariana said. "Don't be rude!"
"How do I know he's good for you if I don't give him a hard time?"
"Just trust me!"
"That worked out with Jebediah, didn't it?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Tony felt terrible about it. Ariana let go of Loki's hand, shoved herself away from the table, and stormed out of the room. Loki glared at Tony as he, too, left the table and went after Ariana. Tony threw his napkin down and went to the window overlooking the lawn. He looked out, hoping to find a way to make up for his tactless comment.
Ariana was walking outside, sparks coming off of her. Her anger was building, her hurt. Tears were falling, but she never made a sound. She shut her eyes, covering her ears. Images and thoughts from any living thing nearby bombarded her mind. Covering her ears did nothing to stop the noise. The problem was, the more her emotions ruled, the stronger the pain from the psychic overload. She tried to breath through the pain, to meditate and calm herself. But the reminder of her ex kept playing over and over. She didn't know if she made it to someplace safe to let everything out.
Loki stopped on the edge of what appeared to be a garden. He couldn't help but see similarities to sections of the Asgardian palace gardens. The same peace he felt when he would visit them seemed to permeate Ariana's gardens. He walked through them and saw Ariana in a section with a fountain. The wind picked up around them. Neither seemed to notice, however. Loki was looking at Ariana. It was no longer just sparks. Bolts of lightning seemed to dance around her, with her as the source rather than the sky. Her hands were shaking.
Tony was watching from the house and ran out to protect his daughter and the idiot that seemed to be stunned into a frozen state. As if sensing his need, the walkway to the garden produced a suit for him. He knew Ariana had planned for something like this in case of an emergency. He flew into the air and landed next to Loki.
"I'll take care of her," Tony said. "You get someplace safe."
"No offense," Loki said, "but I might be the only one who is safe."
"I'm sorry, do you have a suit designed to protect you?"
"And who was it that got her into this kind of state? When she has been holding in every stress, every consequence for her choices, every hurtful comment, every fear? She has dealt with everything on her own, wanting to not hurt anyone. But you go and remind her of one mistake, when she had finally been able to relax, to not have to worry or hurt. Well, congratulations, Stark. You were the straw that broke the camel's back."
"Just get someplace safe while I deal with my daughter."
Ariana turned toward the two of them as they argued. They looked at her, her eyes glowing a blue-white. She didn't so much as move after that, but a bolt of lightning hit Tony and sent him flying. Another bolt aimed at Loki tried to strike, but was deflected.
"Darling, take a breath," he said, walking forward at a slow pace. "I know his words stung. Everything builds. You have no outlet because of your ability. Nothing to get it out." He put his hands up as another bolt tried to hit him, but a barrier seemed to stop it. "I'm here. Let it out."
Just as he was getting through to Ariana, Tony appeared and knocked her to the ground. She flipped and landed as if she had always been a fighter. Tony didn't want to battle his daughter, but she was out of control and could hurt them. Loki tried to get between them, but Tony wasn't making it easy on him.
Loki eventually did and Tony had to stand down. Loki put his hands on Ariana's shoulders, the lightning never touching him. His words would mean nothing now that Tony had attacked. She was so angry and hurt by what her father had said. He could feel it in her mind. So he kissed her.
Tony couldn't watch. He didn't want to know his daughter was growing up, that she needed to come to rely on some other man. He wanted her to stay the little girl that called him dad for the first time.
Then, JARVIS said, "Sir, lightning coming from Miss Ariana is dying down."
"So, her new boyfriend calms her powers?" Tony asked in a choked-up tone.
"Yes, sir."
She and Loki finally pulled apart to look at each other. She smiled up at him before fainting.