Hello everyone! Been awhile I know and I'm so sorry for the delay since I had my hands unfortunately full.
Probably as most have you been wondering; you were probably questioning what exactly I've been doing for this past...how long it was since I updated lol. Anyways I spent a majority with family, and settling in before the new school semester starts. Also I was an Assassin, working along with Ubisoft after winning a little contested and was recruited by the lovely staff of Ubisoft Montreal for the newest Assassin's Creed: Syndicate. EXCITING STUFF! I look forward to the new game it seems legitimately badass.
Now I still want to give a shout out to everyone who reviewed at my last chapter!
Moonsword17: As always thank you for your reviews I look forward to them every time. And I am happy you liked Conall. I liked him to xD
AkeraWriterofTheNight: I'm also happy to read your review, my friend. I'm happy you were pleased with the previous chapter.
Kat: Lol, thank you. Your so kind, but please don't puke up the poor butterflies.
Ria: I'm so happy you love Irene. It makes me happy that someone simply adores her, I do my best to make her likable.
BookWorm5515: I'm so happy you were laughing about Fury's and Coulson's dialog about canada many chapters ago, if you like humor then I think you'll enjoy the end of this chapter and the next!
Nix-LokiFan: I am so pleased you like the slow romance thing, I like it to. I never really believed in that love at first sight, or fate, or anything else mumbo jumbo. But if you are happy than I am happy! And yeah, her helping Conall was definitely sweet of her. She's so kind, god it be horrible if LOKI breaks her heart D:
I also must thank the followers and those who have favorited this story.
Lastly I give a more personal shout out to a very dear friend of mine who has been helping me with this story. Everytime I seem to be suffering from writer's block he is always there to talk it out with me and is more than willing to listen to my ungodly rants. You may guess that he's probably my beta, and which he is until this story is completed. Though...it's still going on strong!
So anyways, I won't keep you folks away from the chapter any longer so as always, ENJOY!
Chapter 19: Behind Closed doors.
Notes. Delicate. Clearly written with a loving hand. The tip of a fountain pen brushed lightly over the once blank sheets of paper. Each stroke leaving behind symbols that could produce a language all on its own. One just simply needed to pick up an instrument to understand it. The composer was not rushing. No. She was taking her time. Rushing would only ruin it. How desperately she wished that she could simply stop and think she had all the time in the world, that she could just produce this fine musical masterpiece, for someone very dear to her. She didn't. Irene Hawkins didn't have the luxury. Locked away in her room she sat upon the stool of her vanity. Writing. Doing anything productive to keep her mind off her wayward friend.
When she had awoken that morning she was alone. The spot next to her which her friend had occupied was no longer warm. Signifying that he was gone long before the sun had ever risen. There was hardly any indication that he was there at all. Just a slight indent on the pillow where his head rested the night before.
And she did not think of it when she was whisked away to her studies. She was on lunch now. But instead of eating she just wanted some time alone so that she could finish her work. Loki was far from her currently. She had no doubt that he was seeing Jane Foster. It did not trouble her. What did, was the fact that he had not at least shown himself once to her at all. He didn't interrupt her lessons with his usual bursts of disruptions. She licked her slightly chap bottom lip. Did she do something to offend him? She couldn't think of any possibility. But then again it was Loki. He can swing from one mood to another before she could simply blink. Regardless of his mood swings, she adored him. She scribbled the last few notes for an adagio for Loki's gift. She placed her pen down and rubbed her numbed fingers, getting back some circulation into them and briefly shot a glance at her nightstand to the alarm clock on its surface.
12:49pm.
Her break was nearly over.
Gathering her written sheets of music together she placed hid them away where no one would look, or get damaged. As much as she liked everyone here, Loki had made it crystal clear to her that while someone like Pepper can be trusted, Tony and S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot. When she was certain that her work would be safe she went to the bathroom to freshen up a bit, going to the sink and turning on the tap so she could splash her face with cold water to liven herself up. She reached for a face towel and rubbed the water off with a sigh. She folded it neatly and placed it on the counter next to a bottle that wasn't there this morning.
She tilted her head and plucked the vial up, noting that there was a piece of paper attached to it. Delicately taking the paper she unfolded it to see somewhat shaky handwriting.
Take your medicine. – Loki.
She snorted, fighting off a smile. She had only seen Loki write once before but it was with symbols of a much different Alphabet. Ripping up the note she tossed it in the toilet before flushing it down. She didn't risk anyone possibly finding any notes that Loki ever left behind. Grimacing, she hesitantly uncorked the vial and brought it to her lips, plugging her nose she tilted her head back and swallowed the nasty liquid as quickly as she could. Though she wasn't as fast as she would have liked it caused her to gag. She shuddered and placed the vial back on the counter.
It's still worse than Buckley's…
Irene was quick to wash whatever aftertaste was left and glanced at herself once more in the mirror, she patted down her dark blue dress, getting rid of any wrinkles that formed there before heading out wanting to look somewhat presentable. Having a few more minutes to spare she rushed out of her room and closed the door behind her with a soft 'click' and made haste through the suite. Passing straight through the living area she made her way to the elevator and pressed the button. When it chimed, doors opening, she slid past and hit the button for the desired floor. And when she was there she was greeted with the usual chaotic storm that was Tony Stark. He was there at his usual work bench, tinkering with some circuit chip. Large binocular looking glasses over eyes as he focused on his work.
"Welcome back, Miss. Adler." J.A.R.V.I.S. chimed. Always in a welcoming and serene fashion.
Her lips pulled up into a thankful smile and paced over near the work bench, snatching her SGD. She typed back into a quickly, saying the usual 'thank you' before she sat across from the billionaire, not once did he look up to acknowledge her but she knew that he knew she was there.
"Hey, squirt. How was the break?" he was using the 'soldering' tool, his hand with practiced ease seem to move along the circuit with impressive dexterity.
"Fine. I snuck in a bit of a nap." She answered. Tony reached out with one hand, pointing over to a pile of tools.
"Mind handing the pliers?" He wiggled his fingers expectantly and all she could do was rolled her eyes. No matter how many times she attempted to instill some manners into him it was proven to be extremely difficult to get Tony to say something as simple as 'please'. She reached over and handed it to him without complaint.
"A nap, huh? That's not very productive at all." He mused. He started to pre-bend some leads.
"I felt a bit tired today." she lied. Inwardly she winced. She hated lying to him. She hated lying to Pepper. She just accepted the fact she hated lying at all. Even to Phil when he would send her a text. It was once in a blue moon occurrence since the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent was always so busy.
Tony paused in his activity, his head lifted and he regarded her quickly with what suspiciously looked like a little concern. "You feeling good? Patch said you were sick, with what he never did say. Did you ever think about asking to see a Doctor? From what I can see you seem fine, usually aside from the occasional paleness you have."
Irene tilted her head to the side. No she had never considered going to a Doctor. She had her own…
Well, Loki didn't count for being her Doctor and Labelle was in league with her father. It left her really little choice. Or none at all. She gave him her best cheerful look "I'll be alright. If worse comes to pass, I will agree to seeing a Doctor. I haven't had an episode since I left Canada. Thank you for being worried."
Tony grunted, returning to his work. "I just want to make sure that you don't heel over, I spent already much of my time teaching you when I should be working on my new suit."
Irene tilted her head and graced him with a knowing smile, understanding that he didn't truly mean those harsh words. Knowing that he, in his own way, cared about her. So together they worked, she handed him the tools he needed, and Tony would simply explain and teach how everything worked. He would hardly ever repeat himself. Making him her most difficult teacher. Nevertheless even with his strict guidelines he was her favorite mentor. He didn't really trust her in assisting in building his Mark Vll and she could understand why he wouldn't. Though that didn't mean he didn't boast about it. If there was one thing Tony liked to do. It was brag.
"Yes…this should work." Tony murmured to himself. He stood up, his bare feet waddling along the cold floor. He strode up to the mostly finished Iron Man suit and inserted his newly finished chip. "J.A.R.V.I.S. can you run a few tests on it? I want to make sure this time it works."
"One moment, please." J.A.R.V.I.S. chimed.
Tony stood back, waiting. Large brown eyes staring expectantly at the suit. Waiting for it to do something. Irene timidly went up to his side, not sure what to expect really. "What's supposed to happen?" She questioned. Tony pressed a finger to his lips, 'sh!' he gave her a quick 'wait a moment' glare.
"Ready to proceed, sir." J.A.R.V.I.S. said.
"Aright!" Tony clapped his hands together enthusiastically. "You know what to do, pal."
"Of course, sir."
Irene flinched when the Mark Vll suit seem to come to life. The eyes of the suit flickering into the color similar to the one on Tony's chest. A reactor, he called it. Irene wondered just what it was going to do and much to her surprise, the suit just started to fold in on itself and shrink. She stared…
That's it?
"Tony…" she typed warily. The billionaire was grinning like a boy on Christmas.
"Look at that! A portable Iron Man suit! Convenient for travel anywhere!" He stepped forward and picked up the suit like it was nothing. She was briefly curious about what sort of material he used to make it since it seemed to be considered so light.
"That's what the chip was for?" She shot him a startled look.
Tony placed the Mark Vll on his work bench his brows furrowed. "What? Oh. No not really, slightly but it's just something I'm working out." He cleared a few things off his desk and snatched two objects before returning to her hastily. He held out his hand, his fingers uncurling so she could see the two silver looking bracelets resting in his palm. "The chip allows J.A.R.V.I.S. to activate the Mark Vll, what I've built into the suit was extended robotic arms equipped with laser scanners, which synchronize with these scannable wrist cuffs. The armor will automatically wrap itself around the wearer, without any need for a gantry."
He handed one of the cuffs for Irene to examine.
So when she held it, after tucking her SGD under her arm, she made sure to be extremely gentle. She turned it over in her hands, marveling at how they just looked like normal wrist cuffs.
"I based it after the Mark V suitcase model, it's much easier bringing my suit with me in case I need to travel on business somewhere." He stated, giving her a small smile. Irene's eyes flickered up to meet his gaze, she was truly awed by what he could create and handed him back his precious wrist cuff.
"It's incredible." She praised. Truly it was.
Tony's chest puffed slightly, looking prideful. "Everything I make is damn awesome." He cheekily replied. Irene huffed, realizing that stroking Tony's oversized ego was a bad idea. "And maybe, if you manage to soak everything up into that little brain of yours, you might just yet be able to build things like this for yourself." His expression turned rather grim in a moment's notice. "Though…I would suggest not doing so. You might attract unwanted attention, which is one thing we can't really do for you at the moment." Irene bowed her head forward slightly. Both of them silent as if just the mere mentioning of Irene's father would summon the said man.
The young woman was suddenly swarmed with a deep sense of gratitude towards her friend that she had found in Tony Stark. "I am very grateful that you are teaching me at all, you gave me a chance." Irene laid her hand on the taller man's shoulder. Patting it lightly.
He rolled his eyes. "Jeez, how many times are you going to thank me? It's nothing, seriously I am rather glad that I chose you to be an Intern. It was a good call on my part." Irene could have sworn the man had a light blush on his cheeks but couldn't examine it further when he hustled over to the work bench. "Anyways, let's get back to work. You're not going to learn anything if we just chat."
They sat down once more. Tony handing her parts for her to work on, instructing her with much attention and ease. He would have made a good teacher, but he simply stated that he didn't have as much patience as she might have first assumed. Hours always ticked by when they were together. Irene becoming always solely focused on him only unless she was working with things like a blowtorch. They made small talk. Joked a little, and rarely Tony would talk about his favorite types of music and stating that he still needed to get her into rock music. Irene had listened to a few already, she thought it wasn't too bad she liked some songs, like "TNT" from AC/DC. And when she was doing well on her work he would turn on a radio station for them to work with. Two and a half hours nearly passed until J.A.R.V.I.S. forwarded some news.
"Sir. Miss. Potts has returned home. She is accompanied by Mr. Hogan and Mr. Stewart."
Tony returned some of his tools onto the workbench. "Oh? The meeting ended early?" he grabbed a nearby rag and wiped his hands on it before carelessly tossing it to the side.
"Miss. Potts has indeed returned early explaining that negotiations didn't go 'according to plan'" J.A.R.V.I.S. supplied. Irene held her SGD close to her, brows furrowing and lips pursed. When meetings went astray Pepper was always in a bad mood for the rest of the evening. She shared a look with Tony and shrugged her dainty shoulders.
"Well, I think it's time to bust out the Gout de Diamants tonight." Tony rubbed the back of his neck, looking somewhat sheepish. He beckoned Irene to follow him as he headed to the elevator. "Sorry, kid. Gotta cut your day short. Want some of that champagne?" He asked. One dark slim brow raised suggestively at her.
Irene's eyes shimmered humorously. "No, thank you. If she's in one of her moods it's best to let you handle it. Besides, spend some time with her. Between your suit and her meetings I think she'd like to spend time with you." She advised sagely.
Tony mulled over her advice and nodded his head absently. "True. But your loss though, I spent tons of money on that bottle. Won't get anything better than that!" He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. That roguish grin emerging.
"I'm not much for 'booze' as you so eloquently put it. So what do you wish for me to do for the rest of the day?" She lightly nudged him with her elbow. It made him laugh, which she was glad to see.
"You can work on your calculus, and brush up on the physics. They are extremely important!" Catching the grimace on Irene's face made him rolled his eyes. "Don't give me that look! Or else I'll give you actual homework." He threatened.
Irene let out a muted dramatic gasp and rested a hand right above her heart. 'You-wound-me' the gesture screamed. The billionaire snorted, not falling for any of it as they exited the elevator together. They spotted Pepper lounging on the sofa. Something that was extremely uncharacteristic of her as Happy and Godfrey were standing not too far off. Both of them talking to each other under their breaths. "Jeez, who died this time? I haven't felt this much tension in the air since Uncle Ed's funeral." Tony quipped, trying to lighten the mood. Irene raised a slim brow at him. Who would find their dead family member as a way of joking?
Pepper sat up, fixing her hair as she shot the billionaire an exasperated look.
"Just a few Government officials, they still wish to strike a contract with us to build suits for the military." She muttered, her usually bright eyes seemed dark. "You'd think they'd be happy with the War Machine but nope, they are just a greedy bunch of bastards." She shot a look over to Irene and mumbled an apology for foul language. Irene held her hands up, not really needing an explanation.
"So they are trying to ask for more?" Tony pressed, joining Pepper on the couch. "It's like feeding a stray cat. Feed them once and they end up coming back for more."
"What do you expect? It's the Government." Happy piped up. Godfrey had a slight smile on his face, looking somewhat amused.
"Whoever invented the meeting must have had Hollywood in mind. I think they should consider giving Oscars for meetings: Best Meeting of the Year, Best Supporting Meeting, and Best Meeting Based on Material from Another Meeting." Pepper ranted. "No matter how many times we say no, they don't get the hint and try it months later!"
Tony leaned back against the couch, his arm draping over his CEO's shoulder. His hand rubbed along her upper arm in comfort. "Well, we could always just shut them down again. It's not like they can really do anything anyways. Not if Rhodes and I have anything to say about it, so don't worry your pretty little head off." Pepper took comfort in the billionaire's words, her gaze flittering down to the ground as she placed a petite hand over his larger one. And Irene watched on, a crease forming between her brows as she eyed the two people so close to one another. Simply pondering the closeness of the individuals before her. They were friends. They got along and enjoyed each other's company despite some of the arguments they had. But, sometimes they would get close and have some foreign twinkle in their eyes that she could not explain. What caused them to have such a look? She tilted her head to the side, suddenly feeling like she was watching what should be considered a private moment. She spared a look at Godfrey and Happy to see that they have reverted their gazes elsewhere, not looking at their two bosses at all as they seemed to scope out the room around them as if it was a normal occurrence.
She took a step backwards.
At her small movement Godfrey turned his head towards her, friendly hazel eyes greeted her. For a brief moment he inclined his head towards her in greeting. And respectfully she did the same, she gave a small awkward wave before withdrawing back towards her bedroom as Tony and Pepper continued their conversation.
"Have you heard back from Fury yet?" Pepper's voice resonated. Irene paused down the hallway, out of their sight. She shifted on her foot. She had not heard much about S.H.I.E.L.D. since moving into Stark Tower…
Should I listen or return to my room…? She asked herself.
"No," Tony responded, somewhat hesitant. "Happy, Godfrey. Do you mind giving me and Pepper some privacy to chat? You guys can go have a fancy dinner or something. There's an Olive Garden a few blocks from here, soup and salad specials tonight."
There was a few curses from Happy, before the retreating steps of the two bodyguards left. It was eerily silent for a while. Irene wringed her hands together, thinking it would be best to simply return to her room.
"It seems plans have changed since Coulson left for New Mexico."
Orrrrrrrr she could just stay and listen. Irene pressed herself closer to the wall, instinctively hiding in the shadows when she had really no reason to.
"Change of plans? Does that mean Fury stopped pestering you about the Avengers Initiative?" Pepper queried. Sounding rather surprised.
Irene heard Tony give out a not so charming snort. "Patch made it clear that I wasn't really good enough to be in his super-secret boy band. Not me at least. The suit on the other hand, yes."
"What has changed though? Fury seemed too adamant at first, now just nothing."
"I'm not sure, but S.H.I.E.L.D. is always up to something. They are an espionage organization, they spy on people for a living."
"True…"
There was a bit of ruffling, "Let's not think about it no more, it's clear that the team won't be assembled. For now let's just move onto other things. Like a couple of glasses of Gout de Diamants." The sound of Tony's steps and Pepper's giggling made it clear that she needed to go. Quietly, and quickly as possible she jogged to her room and closed the door behind her without producing any sort of sound. She let out a breath she did not know she was holding. And mulled over the new information she had in her mind.
The Avengers Initiative…what is that?
She chewed on her lower lip, pondering if she should share this bit of information or not with Loki. On one hand, it seemed to be rather valuable information. On the other, it didn't seem threatening at all since it wasn't an active operation being currently conducted by S.H.I.E.L.D.
Irene made her way to the bed and crawled onto it, making herself comfortable as she sat cross legged and glared at the ground. Her mind working a mile a minute as she shifted through cataloged data she deemed important over the months. Loki was one connection, Thor was another even if she never met the God of Thunder…there was that woman, Jane Foster. S.H.I.E.L.D. itself was another. Phil, Fury, Tony…
She rubbed her temple, nearly feeling the beginnings of a headache forming. There had to be something! She had the pieces, there is no doubt that there had to be some relation. She felt frustration bubble up inside her. If she were Loki she would have known the answer by now. Irene knew that she could never doubt the supposed Norse God's intellectual prowess. She could tell by the intensity of his stare, those once chilling virescent orbs always slicing deep into her very being every time she dared to hold his gaze. And it was much more bearable after the Asgardian warmed up to her. But she was smart too, in her own way. Just because she was human didn't mean she couldn't come up with a plausible answer. All of a sudden something clicked in her mind.
She blinked, suddenly realizing what connected them all mostly.
New Mexico.
Loki had brought up New Mexico in past conversations. Jane was in New Mexico. And Phil along with S.H.I.E.L.D. was in New Mexico. Thor had ended up in New Mexico. She slapped her palm to her forehead, muttering a silent 'ow' and a groan for her own stupidity. But even if she had that answered, it left her with an entirely new question.
What was so important about New Mexico?
Irene tapped her fingers on her knee. What she knew was that Loki was interested in Foster's work, she was a means to an end for getting him home. Thor was a friend of Foster…and maybe Foster was working for S.H.I.E.L.D. and Phil was supervising? She quietly sighed to herself. She couldn't place all the pieces together with her lack of much needed data. She flopped onto her back, staring at the familiar ceiling above. She did not feel like brushing up on her calculus nor picking up her book on physics. So instead she just laid there in bed.
She never noticed that she drifted off to sleep an hour later.
\oooo/
The Trickster took a deep breath then exhaled slowly from his mouth.
Eyes fluttering open his gaze sharpened quickly at the surrounding sights of Manhattan. The bustling sound of the metropolis reaching his ears as the effects of Astral Projection faded away. He was greeted with the thousands of lights the city produced during the night hours and from the moon that hung overhead, somewhat hidden by some clouds in the sky. Loki leaned further back against the brick wall he was resting against, an arm resting casually on his knee as he basked in his solitude. His sharp and cunning mind shifting through the day's events, contented with how the day passed by.
Progress was being made.
Though there was one thing that irked him, the sight that would refuse to leave his mind's eye. At times he would expel the stubborn thought. But hours later it would come back. Lingering like a shadow in his memory. His jaw clenched as his mind traitorously brought up the memory he wished to forget. The small feminine figure that was lying with him the night before; her pastel skin glowing in the moonlight, the soft sound of her breathing, the vexing smell of wildflowers that invaded his nose, and the long dark sweeping lashes that brushed along her the flesh below her eyes. Loki could still see it as if it were happening at that very moment, Irene's eyelids were closed against the dim light of dawn and her breathing was deep and relaxed, all the muscles in her face and body were totally at peace, like a baby in its' first throes of slumber. Not a twitch, not a spasm, barely any movement of her breasts rising and falling with each intake of air such was the depth of her oblivion. This was a body totally at peace, at rest, at one with itself, rejuvenating the mind and muscles before the onset of yet another day of turmoil.
Such a depiction of sweet serenity had put him at ease. And in the morn he did not know how long he simply watched her during her slumber.
Loki blinked, the mental imagery fading away instantly. Cursing quietly he decided that he believed that he has been on the roof of Stark Tower long enough. Standing up he stretched his unused limbs to get the circulation going once again. He scanned the rooftop, spotting no one around and approached the very edge of the building. The chilly night air never fazed him as the tails of his long leather coat wafted behind him, nearing the ridge of the tall skyscraper he stepped onto the blocks of cement that separated him from ledge and simply peered over at the streets below.
Even at this late hour the city was still alive.
He sneered silently at the crowds of mortals that littered the streets. Snapping his focus to the deck below him, he noted that there weren't any guards patrolling the premises. He was in luck. The Trickster coiled, muscles straining as he prepared himself and suddenly launched off the roof with the full confidence a Human would lack. He could not help but simply relish the feeling of being in open air as the deck steadily came closer at a rapid rate. Eyes widening he braced himself for impact. When his feet touched the solid ground he mechanically bent his knees to absorb some of the shock and shot his hands forward. With practice grace his arms took the weight of his body and he simply rolled, shooting back quickly onto his feet. He huffed, eyeing where he landed making sure he didn't leave a crack or a dent behind in his wake. Glad that he found none he dusted himself off out of habit. A fall like that would have broken plenty of bones of a strong healthy Midgardian.
Making his way indoors he was greeted by no one, the rooms were dark and silent. But with the enchantment on the golden trinket he had given his Mortal friend he sensed that she was residing in her chambers for the night. Heading to the elevator he pressed the up button and luckily did not have to wait too long before entering it and hitting the button that led to the floor for the penthouse.
When the doors open he stepped out, the patting of paws of Irene's young pup jovially scampered up to him. Tail wagging and tongue lolling out of its mouth as it gave off what he assumed was stifled wails of delight.
"Shhhh…" Loki soothed, to appease the animal he scratched it behind its ear. The beast quickly quieted down under his attentions and pressed itself against his legs.
"Good boy." He praised. Rewarding the hound for its silence. Grudgingly, he had become rather charmed by the small animal over time. The silly thing was growing on him. "I am surprised you are not with your mistress." He said. Not fully realizing that he was conversing with a creature that does not speak. Nevertheless he continued, "You are a good beast. A loyal one at least, I can somewhat see the appeal as to why mortals keep your kind around. You offer good companionship, an excellent listener as well." Shepard licked his chops and yawned making the Norse God crack a small smile. "Let's return you to your owner."
Together they bounded straight for Irene's room. Loki spotted that there was no light coming from underneath the door signifying that she could possibly be asleep. For the sake of politeness he knocked, remembering it wasn't really okay to burst into a maiden's room, and the scolding he got from Irene once for nearly barging in on her changing into her nightwear. If she hadn't been changing in the bathroom it would have been a much more awkward experience for both of them, since then she had requested that he knock from now on (he scowled at her for having some gall to telling him what to do but listened anyway). When he received no answer he silently grasped the doorknob and twisted it, opening the door silently and thus allowing the hound to slip through before entering himself and closing the door behind him.
At first his eyes trailed to the bed, upon finding no one he turned towards the vanity. There, the girl who seemingly haunted his thoughts as of late, sat there upon her stool sitting with perfect posture. He noted that she was highly concentrated on scribbling something down on paper. Loki was rather astonished that the mortal would even be awake at this time. It was long pass the midnight hour and usually she would be slumbering by now. She didn't seem to take notice of his presence as she continued to work. Strange that she seemed to favor working in the dark. Shepard made himself at home as he bounded up to his own little bed curling into a ball, never bothering neither him nor his mistress as he settled down, head resting on his paws. Loki smiled at this golden opportunity. Now, it wasn't exactly a nice smile per say. No, this was a smile that would make a shiver go down anyone's spine back in Asgard. A smile that would make anyone wary of the Dark Prince of mischief. A smile striking them with nervous fear as they assumed the worst. The smile that Loki always made when plotting something rather mischievous. Something he considered 'all in good fun'.
Being nearly the master of stealth he simply glided over to where the female mortal was. Approaching her with such elegance, his frame became slightly hunched over like a predator stalking its prey. Loki waited until he was directly behind her, eyes glinting gleefully. Leaning over, he took a breath before simply talking into her ear, his lips brushing the shell.
"What is it you're working on at this hour, Darling?"
He had to move back a step to avoid being hit by her wild flailing as the stool of her vanity flew back when she stood suddenly. She fell forward, her hands just managing to brace themselves on the vanity's surface on time to prevent herself from smashing headfirst into the mirror, her reflection showing her speechless face as she gaped openly at him. He saw how her lips formed his name but no words came out. Her shock did not last long as she processed that he was actually in the room with her, and with wide eyes she hastily started to gather all the papers she was working on and turned them over, being extraordinarily careful in her efforts. The Trickster tilted his head to the side, curiosity overcoming his amusement as he eyed the pile on her desk.
"Just what are you trying so desperately to hide?" His lips curled up somewhat in a playful smirk.
Homework! Irene signed quickly, giving off one of her silent laughs as she finished assembling her papers in a neat stack.
"Homework?" Loki repeated. Not really entirely convinced at all. Irene nodded her head, nibbling on her lower lip as she did so. Her brown eyes flickering up to his briefly before bending over to pick up the fallen stool and sat it upright. She looked a bit flustered. Her pale cheeks reddened, it gave her a rather appealing appearance. "You are not trying to hide anything from me, pet?" he asked coolly. He looked for any signs of a lie as she shook her head no. "Then what is it you keep from me?" he wondered out loud.
I doubt you'd be very interested in the subject of 'Midgardian' engineering; it just about fries one's brain after a few hours. I'm…sure that things on Asgard happen to be more superior. She replied smoothly, looking much more comfortable now in his company.
"Quite." Loki sniffed. His eyes narrowed at her, his eyes raking over her figure as he tried to sniff out a lie. Her body language gave nothing away, and since she could not speak at all he wouldn't be able to sense any tremor in her voice that would have sold her out...another thing that irked him about her. Being in a somewhat generous mood he became a bit satisfied that she didn't seem to be lying to him (for now). He watched as she placed the papers in her vanity drawer. "Many things on Asgard are indeed more vastly superior." He gloated, pride swelling in his chest. "Your people had barely scratched the surface of many things, dearest Irene."
She gave him a half-hearted glare, closing the drawer quietly. It's not fair, you call yourself Gods. And you like to point out that I am 'mortal'. She gestured to herself, a small smirk forming on her lips. You live for Centuries while humans like myself don't live quite as long so it may take us a little longer to progress as fast as Asgardians. Perhaps in the next few blinks and a couple of generations later it would be like I was never here. She signed. Her body language suggesting she was jesting.
Loki fell silent. All positive feelings dropped at a moment's notice as she so nonchalantly joked about her own mortality. The smug expression slowly dropping from his face as the reality of it all set in, a revelation hitting him with sudden horror.
Of course she won't live as long, she's not like you. The sensible portion of his mind whispered. She wasn't Asgardian. She wasn't even part of the Jötnar. He shouldn't be bothered. Yet he was. Loki stared down at the figure before him. She was so small, she barely reaching his collar bone in height. Her weight would be absolutely nothing to him. It stunned him that she had managed the strength to haul him to her home months ago when she was sickly; being poisoned. He knew he would have been considered insufferable, crud, and vindictive to anyone who would have come across him in those woods. She could have slapped him, spit on him, and cursed him for being so discourteous; taking advantage of his injured state when he turned her aid vehemently down when freely offered. He may not admit it, even having a hard time coming to terms with it himself; he was oddly touched that she had come back for him when he looked back at those memories. She tended to him, fed him, cared for him.
He chest seem to tighten.
She cared. But she was mortal...
Loki, trapped within his own mind, didn't seem to realize he had raised his hand. His fingers caressing the cool alabaster skin of her cheek. He didn't distinguish the look of mystification on her face as he continued to lightly caress her cheek. His digits trailed along her cheekbone till they reached her feminine jawline. She would be gone and everything about her would cease to exist. It would be as if she never was. Mortals have such very short lives; not only do they not grow as rapidly as a civilization, but as a people as well. For they wreak havoc and chaos among their own kind, warring against another. It is why we never dealt with their kind. For we had vanished from their short lives as tales. His mind continued to talk, suspiciously sounding almost like Odin. Loki gently cupped her chin in his hand, slowly tilting head back. His glassy-green eyes bore into her amber orbs.
His eyes flashed and his jaw clenched forcefully, making his teeth grind together. Oh, how he wished he could just hate her. It would have made it terribly easier, and simpler. Why did she do this? Why treat him with such compassion and devoutness? Why did she reprimand herself when she says she doesn't feel useful to him? When in all his life he had been lied to, used, and then here there was this mortal who was saddened because she couldn't be of use to him. She wanted, no, she desired to be an asset to him.
He could have been long gone by now, he could have used the Tesseract and go home. He could had effortlessly placed this hellish realm behind him and move on. Instead he found himself placing undeserved faith in Jane Foster's research. Making his stay that much longer, and all just for her. Just for this tiny, delicate, young, naïve, human girl. Whose life had barely started to bloom? She, compared to him, was a mere child. Regardless she had preoccupied his thoughts, she who was digging her way under his skin, infiltrating past his burning rage that was fueled against those in Asgard. At Thor, at Odin, at the Lady Sif and the Warriors Three; at the maidens like The Enchantress who had tried to use him for status, or to get at Thor.
He blinked when he felt a ghostly touch upon his own cheek, snapping him from his deep contemplations. Irene was still there, still staring up at him. She looked concerned; her warm hand resting on the side of his face. Irene's pastel lips parted in silent question, and Loki shamelessly gazed at them with a strong sense of awareness. The annoying flutter he had been trying to avoid burst forth more strongly now than ever before. His breathing stopped, his heart felt like it was going to burst into flames. Norns…this was so wrong, so utterly wrong. He was particularly mindful of her gentle touch, the soft pad of her thumb brushing along his cheek. Was she seeking to comfort him?
The Trickster did not know what sorcery compelled him to step closer. Maybe it was those hypnotizing eyes of deep Amber? It may have been her bewitching lips. He gently tilted her head further back, that way she would remain staring only at his face and not his chest. His eyes traced over her slender neck as darker thoughts started stirring in his mind. "Irene…" His voice was low and deep, huskier, almost to the point where it would make most quiver in anticipation. Loki closed his eyes for a brief moment, he could smell the still lingering scent of alluring wildflowers that was distinctly her. He dropped his hand from her chin, but he did not move away. Instead he softly cupped her face, his thumbs reverently brushing the tops of her blushing cheeks. She looks so lost, so frail, yet oh so perfect. She was beautiful, he realized. She was as divine as the music she creates. Her never ending kindness and worry heartened him. He begrudgingly enjoyed the looks of adoration she bestowed upon him. He was something to her. For once, he felt like he was worth something to someone. Loki was not second best in her eyes, there was no overbearing shadow of his brother to worry about. Her affection was solely for him and him alone.
His face crept closer, his lips nearly inches away from hers'. His heart was racing at a frightening pace, the excitement in his very being desired to burst with sudden passion so strong that he trembled with the effort to contain himself. He had to contain himself; he had to treat her more carefully. She was innocent and pure from any man's touch, she didn't know any better. Though he would never admit it outloud, if there was something that would spark any form of gratitude towards Irene's father, it was keeping her away from any unworthy bumbling fools that weren't even worthy of kissing the ground she walked on. Loki could not afford to treat her like the other Asgardian maidens of days past either.
Because she's not…Loki froze. His posture became instantly rigid as a sense of dread washed over his former feelings of excitement and want.
Mortal.
She's going to die. A few heartbeats, a blink of an eye, gone…
Irene was a filthy Midgardian!
Loki was trapped, his thoughts in contradictive turmoil, immobilized with indecision. The voices in his head were all screaming too many different things all at once. Some were urging him to indulge in his desire, others trying to prevent him from making a horrendous mistake. He…feared…
Yes, he feared. He feared the pain it would bring, the loss, the emptiness it would leave him with. Yet he was empty now or nearly so, hoarding up the little moments, a stolen kiss, an accidental touch. Would one moment like this be so terrible? He abruptly felt disgusted with himself. Could he really stoop as low as Thor when it came to harboring such affections for a mortal woman?
What happened to you on Earth that turned you so soft? Don't tell me it was a woman!
That was what he said to Thor at their last confrontation on the Bifrost wasn't it? He remembered that moment well. Feeling so appalled by the fact that that his once war-loving, pigheaded, brother undergone a change in three days by the influence of one Midgardian woman.
"I'm not like Thor…" He hissed quietly.
Irene's brows furrowed in confusion, her hand touched him questioningly. In response to her action Loki's eyes hardened and penetrated into the meek girl in front of him with such undiluted venom. Refusing not to be ensnared by her like some hopeless fool, all that rage he held towards Thor reclaimed him. His hands, that once held her face with such tenderness tightened, his nails nearly digging into her flesh from the force of his anger. Her eyes became wide, her face twisting in pain. Like a vicious animal Loki bared his teeth "How dare you!" He sneered, his voice booming loudly. Irene removed her hand from his face, desperately grasping at his hands to try and relieve the pressure he was applying to her head. "What did you do to me!? What horrid curse did you cast upon me? What do you hope to gain!? Why? Why do you fill my head with such nonsense? Why is it, that when I close my eyes I find you there haunting me?" He spat, not relenting his hold. "I REFUSE TO BE ANYTHING LIKE THOR! I CANNOT! WILL NOT! FALL FOR WHATEVER BEWITCHMENT YOUR KIND CAN CRAFT!"
All clarity left him and all he saw was red. He could hear the taunts, the mockery, and criticism he would receive among the court in Asgard. They would question him like they questioned his legitimacy for the throne. Question him because he was not Thor. He wasn't even a son of Odin! His brother may certainly get away with it like he always does. But no, never him. Never Loki who hardly ever got what he desired!
His breath was ragged, uneven as he took in massive amounts of air into his suddenly deprived lungs.
When had this sickness started?
Was it when she came back for him in the woods? Was it when she played Remembrance for him? Was it when she had gifted him the crown of flowers and claimed that he would have been a marvelous king? He didn't know. With his frustration and his anger the Trickster pressed his forehead to the girl's, eyes screwed tightly shut.
"Why?" he demanded, his voice hoarse. He didn't dare look at her face, suddenly like a coward. Would she finally see him as the monster he warned her of? Norns, please! He cannot survive another cruel stain on his injured soul. He couldn't simply just stand there either. Slowly, he opened his eyes. All the anger, the bitterness, the dark thoughts that clouded his mind was swept away from Irene's tearful eyes. She was like a statue, frozen, too fearful to make one sudden wrong move that would set him off again he realized. His heart dropped to his stomach.
He studied the damage he had inflicted, his face morphing into one of horror. Slowly he loosened his hold and her relief was evident that the pressure was no longer threatening to crush her skull. Their foreheads were still pressed together as he moved his hands away from her face. Guiltily he spotted the crescent shape cuts marked into her flesh due to his nails. And the bruising was just starting to bloom on her pale skin. An angry red and quickly darkening to the shape of his own hands.
He felt like he was going to be sick.
"I…"
He was what? Sorry? Angry? Dismayed?
Norns, I really am a monster.
Why would he-?
His finger brushed along one of crescents marring her once perfect skin. Loki waited for it with baited breath. The rejection, the fear, for her to demand that she didn't want anything to do with a monster no more. He nearly jumped out of his skin when something timidly held his hand. Irene never broke her watery observation of his face. Her small hand simply held his, stopping him from touching her wounds any further. He shuddered violently. What was she doing?
Then she smiled.
She smiled at him. The smile in which he had caught himself admiring more than once, the smile that made her eyes shimmer and crinkle at the corners. It now almost physically pained him to see after what he had just done.
Her lips formed his name.
'Loki'.
"I…" He needed to get out of there. Now. Before he could do more harm, bring them both unnecessary pain. The girl brushed her knuckles kindly along his cheek, her eyes beseeching him for answers. He backed away as if he's been scorched. Irene took a step forward, following him, her arms outstretched for him and eyes wide; pleading. And without any word he stormed out, and fled. It was not safe for him to be there no more. And in his haste he neglected to close the door to her chambers behind him.
\oooo/
Her face hurts. The stinging aches reminding her that what had just happened was real. And yet…
What did happen?
She recalled the events, making a simple joke and then…it changed. She couldn't read his face at first, and then he touched her. She could still feel his touches on her skin. She shivered. Never had anyone been as close to her as Loki was. Well…not like how Loki was. There was something different, and dare she say 'carnal' about how close they were together? This was beyond the line of friendship. But what was past it? She was almost scared to find out. Her heart was beating so fast it and hard she felt like it was going to break her ribs. He was so tender, so…kind.
She admitted that she didn't truly know his thoughts. She could only watch was the look in his eyes started to get progressively darker, angrier.
He brought up Thor? Why? Why would he bring up his brother? What had happen between the two that would make her beloved friend act like this? She had never, EVER, felt frightened of Loki since the first time she's met him. And to think she used to brush of his threats back at the manor. She had felt it though…she had felt fear for the first time. She covered her mouth with her trembling hand. Staggering to the door she called out his name, she wanted him to come back, and she wanted to understand.
With dread she knew he could not hear her. Her voice, when she needed it the most, failed her. Before she had never resented the fact that she lacked the ability of speech. But now a bitterness claimed her. Why did it had to be this way? Why did he run? Will he come back?
Why did he accuse her of things that she didn't do? Her kind? Did he mean humans? Why would he say that he bewitched him against his will?
She whimpered helplessly like a child.
Shepard, who had stayed in the corner of the room timidly rose from his bed and edged close to her. His tail tucked between his legs, showing her his uncertainty. He whined trying to get her attention. And when she looked at him, his tail wagged slightly. His head lowered in submission to his mistress. To see her faithful hound brought her some relief.
I don't want to be alone.
Shutting her door, knowing that Loki will not return tonight (if he ever returned), she headed back to her bed. Suddenly she felt more exhausted, more drained, than ever before in her life. She allowed Shepard in bed with her, not caring if he would get his fur all over her sheets. Just for tonight, she told herself.
And what felt like hours of unease. She allowed herself to fall into a dreamless sleep.
\oooo/
Just outside the young woman's window a quad-copter drone erratically flew around. It swayed side to side, and constantly dropped and rise in altitude. It even spun around in circles a few times. The drone seemed harmless, nothing more than a kid's toy or some bored man's gadget. It was even sprayed painted black and red with the words 'not a spy drone' and 'plz don't shoot down iron man!' on it in bright yellow. The drone even had a camera mounted, or more accurately duct tapped, on to it. It was trying to focus in on the intended target's room, a young woman by the name of Irene Hawkins, but unfortunately all it really accomplished was smacking into the window.
The drone swayed dangerously up in the air for a few more minutes, before the quad-copters stopped spinning and fell to its untimely demise. At such a height it took it a good while to crash to the ground, almost taking out a few pedestrians who were innocently walking by. People, startled by its crash, started to gather around the broken remains as they questioned what had just happened. No one noticed the figure on top of a nearby rooftop, looking down upon the wreckage.
"Black hawk down! Black hawk down!"
I told you we should have charged it instead of spray paint it.
But how else was Iron Man supposed to know not to shoot it down?
"Ah, oh well at least I had the amazing fore sight to livestream the video feed to my phone!" The figure exclaimed happily. Pulling out the said the device. Newest model, black and sleek, just how he liked his new phones.
You mean you threatened the guy we stole it from to show us how to do that before we threw him in the river…
That sure was nice of him to lend us his drone, too bad we can't give it back now.
"Semantics smantics, but know we know where the target is. And that it's a sexy lady." The figure turned, heading away from the wreckage of the drone. Not even going to bother in retrieving it since he had everything he needed.
Yes, now all we have to do is break into the tower built by Tony Stark, get past his security, get the girl, and get out without getting blown up by Iron Man.
Maybe Iron Man will be sleeping, or drunk?
"Easy peasy, it will be like stealing candy from a really fat kid except will a lot more explosions, and death, and no candy."
All done! Thanks you all for reading as always. I hoped you enjoy this chapter. I know it's been a long time but I hope I didn't make you wait to long. And special thanks to my Beta for awesome ideas for the ending of this chapter and the next.
I know I updated late though I hope to seek your forgiveness.
Review prompt: Tell me what can you possibly foresee from this chapter that may happen in future ones? What are your thoughts about Loki and what changes do you think he'll have as a character?
Extra: Thoughts on the new character I just introduced? :P
-Shizu