The next week went rather well. Every afternoon Loki was escorted to the communications room for about an hour, so I had some time to myself. I usually read or listened to music until Loki got back. Sometimes I'd go to the gym a few levels below our apartment to bike or kickbox for a while.

I continued making Loki talk for each meal and though he seemed resentful at first, he started to open up a little, telling me bits of stories from his childhood. He told me about a few pranks he pulled as a kid and some of the strange creatures and places on Asgard. Of course, Loki would only say one or two sentences each time we ate, but he was starting to talk about more personal topics, so I assumed he was warming up to me.

On Tuesday morning I had my second meeting with Fury. I told him that Loki was doing much better and that he was telling me tidbits about his past. Fury nodded and said, "I knew you could handle this assignment. Keep talking to him and try to get him to open up even more."

At lunch, Loki told me about a time that he tried to secretly keep some sort of large, wild Asgardian cat as a pet and had to release it when it destroyed his bedroom. The rest of the afternoon went as usual, Loki staying in his room except when he was taken to the communications center and me reading; I finally finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Tuesday evening I set the table as usual; I set down the plates of lasagna and Caesar salad and called for Loki. He quietly emerged from his room and sat down across from me. I looked up at him and asked, "What fascinating tale do you have for me tonight?"

He thought for a moment before starting to speak. "When I was very young, I would have pretend battles with other children around the palace." Loki's eyes showed a hint of happiness; he really was opening up to me. "We would run about in miniature armor and fight with wooden swords. One time Thor..." He froze. He definitely didn't mean to say that. "let me..." Loki continued quietly. "win..." He sat staring at the table for a few minutes before rapidly standing up. "I'm not hungry anymore," he mumbled. I watched silently as he returned to his bedroom and shut the door. So much for supper.

I sat unmoving for a quarter of an hour, not knowing if I should try to talk to Loki or ignore the incident. Finally, I decided that since he hadn't reacted violently like the first time we discussed, if you could call it that, his family, I might as well try to talk to him.

I walked up to Loki's bedroom door and knocked softly. "Loki?" I asked, "Are you okay?" I heard movement and backed up slightly as he opened the door. We just stared at each other for a moment, Loki surprised that I had dared approach him after his accidental mention of Thor and me trying to decide what to do next. "Um, do you want to talk about anything?" He kept staring at me. "Will you at least come sit in the living room with me?"

When Loki moved forward to leave his room, I went to the couch and sat. He sat in the armchair; the same as we had been his first day here. I contemplated the best plan for this conversation and carefully began to speak, "Loki, I know you have a lot of painful memories," he glared at me. This was not going to be easy. "But you also seem to have a lot of happy memories that I'd like for you to share with me." He seemed less angry. "And even though you'd probably like to forget some of them," this next bit was risky, but it could be worth it. "I bet many of your memories with your broth-"

"Do not speak of him." Loki jumped up. This was going to be a replay of the first day if I didn't explain soon.

I stood and planted my hands on my hips. "Listen to me, Loki. Whatever you were telling me earlier was obviously a fond memory of your childhood and, yes, your brother was involved. You can't let your recent disagreements with him ruin how you look at the good times long ago!"

"You do not understand," Loki growled, moving towards me, "You would feel the same if you found out your whole life was a lie fed to you by those you trusted most."

"Okay, you're adopted. That's not a big deal. My best friend in middle school was adopted. It's very common here."

"That is only part of what was hidden from me."

"What else didn't they tell you, Loki?" I was pretty sure he was being melodramatic

"It is none of your concern," he replied, clearly frustrated with me for prying, but I wouldn't give up that easily.

"It became my concern when I became your handler, and you have only reinforced that with your words and actions."

"It is none of your concern," he repeated, taking another step forward to tower over me, "And you will not bring up this topic again." Loki abruptly turned and went to his bedroom, slamming the door.

Well, crap. And I had told Fury just this morning that Loki was doing better.

At least I didn't get any bruises this time.

Author's Note:

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry this chapter took so long.

I don't own any of Marvel's Marvel-ous characters. Sorry, that was a terrible pun.

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