Author's note: Hey guys! Long time no see! I know this story went through a MAJOR hiatus and you've probably forgot about it. I apologize to those of you who were excited to read more of the story :( I myself hate reading incomplete stories - it's such a tease!
I hope that you reading this enjoys the latest chapter. When I first started writing this, I was very hard on myself and constantly was accepting only the best possible edits to post. Rereading the previous chapters now, I realize that 1.) I still find things I'm not happy with, and 2.) this should be a fun and creative experience, especially with what is happening in the world today. I hope everyone out there is safe and healthy!
I'm not making any promises I can't keep, so I will try to get out more chapters soon so that there's a complete story here for anyone to enjoy. With that being said, hope you like this! #imakedthis
On the stiff couch in Erin's living room was a broad man with an impressive stature that could easily be seen even in his seated posture. His blonde hair was tied carelessly into a bun at the nape of his neck, loose tendrils tickling the lobes of his ears.
Struggling to hold the gasp that threatened to escape from her throat, Erin swatted away her initial panic and assumed the only logical explanation: Thor. Who else could he be? He appeared to have all the known qualities of the god of thunder, at least how she remembered reading of him. He wore street clothes that seemed a little more than overused and his face looked a little weathered, eyes never leaving Loki's face, appearing grim but relieved. He stood, feet planted until he was sure that his presence would be found welcome. Highly unlikely.
"It's good to see you Loki. You look well."
Loki, jaw set, stared coldly at his brother. Erin shivered at the chill emanating from him.
"Should I uh, give you two some time alone?" Loki turned to the woman, remembering that she was there, his eyes softening at her concerned features.
"No it's okay. You may stay here." His fingers twitched towards hers from his side. Please, stay, he begged silently.
Erin clasped his elbow. "You two seem like you need to catch up. I'll make some tea for you… and I think I still have some beer in the fridge," she finished, eyeing Thor and sending a small smile his way. "Why don't you come with me into the kitchen." Thor followed the pair to the small kitchen table, sitting across from Loki with his back facing Erin. Loki was still stiff as he eyed Thor with an intensity Erin hadn't seen come from him before. I swear, he'll have something to be pissed about if they destroy my kitchen, she thought to herself with a vein throbbing in her forehead. She quickly busied herself boiling water and searching the back of her fridge, attempting to not eavesdrop.
"What are you doing here," Loki questioned, sparing no formalities.
Great, Loki, she rolled her eyes. We need to work on manners next time.
"Our mother said that you seemed to be adjusting well here. She mentioned that you were staying here with a mortal and I wanted to see you because…" he shrugged, "well, I missed you."
Aw, he's just being a concerned older brother, Erin sniffed. How could anyone be mad at that?
"I happen to be 'adjusting' just fine, not that you really care about how I feel." Loki seethed, refusing to let Thor get to him.
Erin once again rolled her eyes. I'm trying to level with you here Loki, but damn if you don't sound like an angst ridden teen...
"Why else would I be here?" Thor retorted, his voice beginning to raise, "To rub in your face that I bested you yet again because your greatest strength happens to also be your greatest weakness? My god, your arrogance is debilitating."
Loki pushed his chair back, ready to stand, when Erin decided it was time to intervene. "Loki," she interrupted as she set the tea and bottle of ale down, "can you help me out with something in my room? It'll only take a moment." Her voice was light but forceful.
His eyes lingered on Thor's for a moment longer before he stood and followed the redhead into her bedroom, turning to face her as she shut the door. "What is it?"
Erin sighed heavily and tried her best to tread carefully, "I know how you're feeling," she paused briefly at his grumble, "but Thor did come here to see you, because I really do think he misses you. Could you please just let yourself be open to forgiving him?" She kept her eyes firmly trained on his, pushing the uneasiness of the situation into her stomach and refusing to let it come up when she worked so hard to seem sure of herself.
After what seemed like hours, Loki deflated. "Fine."
"Good." She smiled at him before they returned to the kitchen where Thor had already drained his beer and was inspecting the bottle. "Thor, why don't you stay here for a while? That way you and Loki can catch up and spend some more time here."
Thor finally looked her way for what seemed like the first time that evening. "Yes! You are the woman that my brother has been staying with. Bit of a handful, ain't he?" The god laughed to himself, ignoring the heated glare from Loki.
She smiled at him. "Erin, it's nice to meet you. Loki has said many good things about you." She could feel Loki rolling his eyes behind her. "I can set the couch up for you so you can sleep there."
"Oh yes that sounds that neanderthal my bed." Loki folded his arms like a petulant child, the sight whine in his voice undeniable.
"Oh, yes." Erin thought for a moment as she tapped her finger against her chin. "You could just sleep in my room. It's not like we haven't already been living together. Besides, I'm sure it will only be for a few days."
Loki nodded slowly, suddenly finding the silver lining in this whole irritating situation. Sharing a bed with this woman would surely help the fact that his idiot of a brother was now staying with them.. And on the horrid couch no less! Oh yes, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. However, he could not ignore the slight tug in his gut at the thought of spending more intimate time with Erin. Sharing a bed with her wouldn't be uncomfortable, but because he sensed that their relationship was reaching this new unfamiliar territory that he had to admit, he had never experienced with women before, he was nervous of how comfortable he would feel with her. Being openly vulnerable wasn't Loki's forte, yet he felt as though it was slowly becoming easier to be that way around her, just as she had been so openly vulnerable with him.
"It's settled then. The sheets should already be on the couch. Let's call it a night and tomorrow we can start fresh." Sending a quick goodnight to Thor, Erin joined Loki in her bedroom to get ready for bed herself. She pulled some clothes from her drawer and retreated to the bathroom to change while Loki changed in the bedroom. A few minutes later, Erin reemerged in loose fitting pajama bottoms and a tank top. She noticed Loki was still shirtless, examining his torso for any scars that were too stubborn to leave.
"Oh, shit! Sorry - I thought you'd be done changing," she trailed off, noticing the distant look in his eyes. "Is everything alright?"
He remained silent for a moment, taking in his reflection. His skin was still pale, but it held a healthy hue - he looked the best he'd ever been. And ironically enough, being on Midgard had eased him. He'd have to admit it might have been something to do with the woman that he was now sharing a bed with, but he would be lying if he didn't say it was moreso the fact that he'd never be swept under Thor's shadow. Now that he was here, Loki was filled with unease and frustration. Frustration from everything that Thor's taken from him in the past, and worry of what he will take in the future.
A featherlight touch covered his shoulder blade. Erin came to stand beside him and from the angle of the mirror he could see concern etched on her face.
"Seeing Thor is not pleasant for me for many reasons, but I can only ask you to imagine being outshone by something no matter how great your accomplishments."
"That's ridiculous, you and Thor are too different to be compared - and no one should be comparing you in the first place." she blushed at how the words tumbled out of her mouth. Avoiding his eyes, she focused on the wall and her hand fell limply at her side into a clenched fist, wishing to inflict harm out of sheer embarrassment. Before he could react, she sidestepped him and flopped on her bed with her arms splayed out beside her.
"Boy am I tired," she yawned in effect, searching for a pillow to snuggle in the center of the bed.
"Oh no, this is not going to work for you, pet." He reached both arms to push her to the end of the bed. "I finally get to enjoy a real bed and you won't take that from me."
"Excuse me?! I let you sleep in my bed well after most of your injuries were healed! Don't give me lip. After all this is my bed." She smirked evilly up at him
Loki rolled his eyes, allowing her some space while he wiggled in beside her, arms resting on his chest as he lay flat on his back. He could feel Erin settling in around him, an invisible barrier separating them by mere inches. Her voice was impenetrable, her words caressing the lobes of his ears in the dimly lit room.
"How do you really feel about him being here?" She turned her head towards him with thick black lashes that caged her honeyed irises. "You can be honest with me."
He released a breath he was holding. "That idiot has a nerve showing up here. Like he wants to gloat over the squalor I'm living in while mother and father kiss his feet. And here I am, trying to have them notice me and they imprison me here." Loki smoothed a furrowed brow before he pinched his nose in exasperation.
Erin watched him, upset at the attention he was neglected in his youth.
She slid her fingers over the pale flesh of his bicep, generating a small warmth. "Your brother seems to have made an effort to come all this way to see you, though. That doesn't sound like someone that doesn't value the relationship of his brother." The muscles under the tips of her fingers slowly released their tension, pushing firmly into her flat palm.
"I wouldn't be so willing to agree if it weren't for your sister-in-law's mother wearing me down at the party. I can barely quiet the throb of her voice in my head." Erin chuckled lowly at the pout shadowing his lips, happy to change the subject. Turning away from him, she smirked, "yeah, that woman has a natural talent in 'wearing down.' I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did."
"You and me both," he chuckled. "If you weren't with me then I would have unraveled much sooner."
Loki couldn't see her smiling to herself, but he could feel the weight of her body sink further into the mattress as her breathing came and went more slowly and more deeply. His head fell to the side and watched the rhythmic movement of the outline of her body as it rose and fell with each breath, and he too was lulled to sleep with a small smile whispered into his lips.
The next morning, Loki waited for Erin to leave by feigning sleep until he heard the front door lock behind her as she hurried on her way to work. He was awake most of the night, distracted by thoughts of Thor and of the warmth radiating beside him. After he shoved the thoughts of his brother aside to be dealt with at a later time, Loki focused solely on restraining himself from reaching out to fold himself against the gentle curve of her body. There was a moment when she rolled onto her back, her shoulder grazing his knuckles and her face turning to his own. The mouthwash lingered on her breath and tickled his nose, and he found himself forgetting that any other being existed apart from the two of them. He stared at her face until her alarm woke her, the endless raw ringing forcing his eyes to close before she noticed.
Once he was sure she was gone for the day, he stretched his legs and went to the kitchen, grateful to hear Thor still snoring loudly from the living room. He made himself some tea and read through more of Erin's manuscript, impressed by how thoroughly he was enjoying her work. He was still nose-deep when Thor shuffled into the kitchen, rubbing at his stomach groggily.
"Morning, Loki," he grumbled, glancing around the area, "where's the food?"
"You have to make some," Loki replied without removing his eyes from the pages before him.
"Uh," Thor started, "how do I do that?"
Loki inhaled sharply through his nose before looking at his brother who was stifling a yawn. "Are you serious? You've spent more time on this planet than me, and you never learned how to make a simple meal for yourself?"
"Well, I always went to places they made it for me," he replied defensively.
Loki knew that he would have to do something eventually, so he stood and went to the cabinets, listing off some of the contents, "We've got Cheerios, Fruit Loops, bread for toast, pancake mix, popcorn, potato chips -"
"What's that?"
"What's what, Thor?"
"That," Thor pointed to a small box stuffed further back into the cabinet.
"Uh, nothing. They're mine."
"What are they?"
"Pop tarts, but they're mine."
"Oh come on, Loki, do you want me to starve? Let me just try a bite, I promise that's all it'll be!"
Loki rolled his eyes, "Fine, but you only get one bite! Erin only lets me eat them for breakfast."
Thor smirked, deciding to save his remark for a better time.
Erin found herself sweeping the floors for the third time that day, preoccupied with thoughts on how things were working out with Loki back at home. The surprise of their new unexpected roommate did not go over very well for him, but she thought that it could always be worse. Maybe I should have invited him along to work with me, she thought to herself. No, he has to work on building a relationship with his brother and not hiding away behind the shelves at my job. But, he does seem to really enjoy spending time here when he wants to get out of the house… No, Erin, you can't coddle him! He's a grown man - god - wizard - magic being, he can take care of himself!
"You know, I think the floors are being sanded at this point," Vince commented, eyeing her over his glasses.
"What was that? Oh, shit Vince I'm sorry. I guess I'm a bit distracted today."
"Oh with your, erhm, 'exchange student,'" he chuckled, "how goes it with the boy anyway? Is he making himself at home?"
"Yes, he seems to be enjoying it so far," she blushed faintly. "His, um, his brother actually flew in last night to, um...see the sights and I guess check in. He's staying with us for a few days while he's visiting."
"Seems like a full house you got there." Vince shuffled around his desk, taking the broom from the young woman. "Look, why don't you cut out a little early, make sure those boys aren't getting themselves into trouble," Vince winked, humor in his eyes surrounded by fine, blonde lashes, "Go on, off you go. I got it here today; its slow enough."
"Thanks Vince, I'll see you later, okay?"
"Yep, I'll be here."
Erin quickly grabbed her things and hurried out the door, planning to stop and grab a few things to make dinner on the way. When she finally reached her blocked, she was relieved to see no smoke, no fire, no police cars, no aliens (not including Loki and Thor), and she finally was able to let out the breath she felt she had been holding since this morning. Hopping up the few steps to her front door, she balanced the bag of groceries on her hip and reached into her pocket to search for her keys. It was then she heard muffled voices through the door.
"Loki?" she called through the door, "it's me, could you get the door for me? My hands are full."
Beyond the door, a muffled whisper, "Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.."
Another, graceless whisper, "dude, you're so dead."
"ME?! You started it you clumsy animal! Quick, take care of this."
Growing nervous and impatient, Erin managed to fish out her keys and push her way inside, not sensing or seeing any immediate danger. "Loki," she called, growing annoyed out of fear of calling his name again in her small apartment. Before he could make it into the kitchen, Loki managed to appear at the entrance, blocking her from entering the room. "Hello Erin," he smiled down at her skittishly, "what a pleasant surprise it is to see you home sooo very early! I'll have to thank your boss next time I see him. What do we have here, bags? Allow me," he pulled the paper bag from her grip before she could object, "and allow me to take your coat too." He started to pull at her sleeve, jerking her forward like a ragdoll.
"Woah, it's okay, I can take it from here," she managed to pull herself away from him. "What has gotten into you today? And where's Thor?" she looked up into his eyes and could see his anxiety as his eyes shifted anywhere but hers. Pushing past him, she walked further into her home, bee lining for the bathroom where she heard water gurgling.
Approaching, she knocked tentatively. "Thor? Everything okay there?"
"Oh yeah great in here! Just, uh, taking care of business and all!" He laughed tightly from the other side of the door.
"Okay…" Erin's eyes glanced back over towards the kitchen where Loki was standing, fiddling with his thumbs in the center of the room. She turned to him, her hand resting on the bathroom door knob as she spoke, "Loke, where's the kitchen table?"
He swallowed.
Suddenly a light trickling sound could be heard as she looked down and saw water pooling at her feet. Shock registering, she opened the door, unprepared to find Thor, kneeling in a pool of water, plunging the leg from her kitchen table into the toilet. He looked at her gaping face with apologetic embarrassment. "Well hey there you -"
"What the hell is going on?!"
* 2 hours later *
"Everything is working normal again, Miss." The plumber said, scratching his forehead under the brim of his hat. "I'm still surprised that your friend's kids had managed to lodge a piece of wood that far into the pipes."
Erin shot a heated glare towards the two men on her couch, looking forlornly at their feet. "Yes sir, I myself still find it hard to believe." She was admittedly satisfied when they sand lower into their seats.
"Anyway, I'll be sending you the bill in the mail. Try not to have those kids over for a while," he chuckled, "suggest a nanny next time."
She showed him to the door. "Thank you again." She closed the door behind him, and turned to the two on the couch, anger blossoming on her cheeks. "Either of you care to let me in on what the fuck happened while I was out today?"
She was met with immediate defensive and argumentative shouting and was only able to catch a handful of words a phrases like, 'he started it,' 'I told him they were mine,' 'doesn't ever listen to me,' and 'it broke easily, so I thought it would flush easily.' Pinching her nose and allowing herself a deep breath, she tried to find the words. "What?"
Loki spoke up first. "He ate all of my pop tarts!"