Chapter Eight:
And You Have Never Had the Desire
to Throw Someone Off a Building?
The next night she looks for Loki to explain her abrupt departure and finds him standing the shadow of Stark Tower. She watches for a moment debating whether or not to approach him. The look on his face is both pensive and full of frustration. Alayna bites the bullet and closes the distance between them. He sees her but doesn't say a thing but instead returns his gaze to the edifice that seems to haunt him.
She takes a stance beside him waiting for him to speak but when he fails to do, she initiates the conversation. "I wanted to apologize for leaving you so early. It was not my intention." He does not even acknowledge her apology so she tries again. "Would you like to tell me what is wrong?" Looking down on her he responds. "I find myself tired of being seen as the villain. I am tired of the hostile stares and whispers as I walk by. I am tired of still being on trial for a past I cannot change."
Looking into his eyes she can tell he is dead serious. " If I remember correctly, That is how I saw you and you didn't seem to care so much. What changed?" Loki returns his gaze to the building as people pass them by on the edge of the shadows, ignoring them. He sighs. "I have no idea. All I know is that I am tired of being a pariah." Alayna has the grace to be embarrassed. "It seems that I owe you another apology Loki. I have treated you in such a manner."
He throws her question back to her. "And what changed?" She is caught off guard. What had changed? She no longer wants to kill him but why? A sense of misplaced empathy? The loss of her anger? He stands there starting at her waiting for an answer. Why is it so important that she gives him one? "I have had the opportunity to get to know you, to talk to you. It is difficult to hate you when who you are doesn't match who I thought you would be. Besides I have grown fond of our conversations. I would like to think we have a better understanding of each other."
Loki just snorts. "We don't even know each other so how could we possible understand one another. Are you suggesting that I try talking to more people to get them to see beyond my past devious deeds?"
It is Alayna's turn to snort. "No. I suggest you go back to not carrying about what they think. That includes me. After all I no longer want to kill you." She has an after thought. "Unless you try to take over the world again of throw someone off a building." He laughs at the comment. "And you have never had the desire to throw anyone off of a building before?" She answers, trying to keep a straight face. "Not since our conversation on the observation deck." Pleased with her answer, Loki laughs feeling lighter for it.