Chapter 33

April was half way down the roof when she saw Loki reappear in the garden. Her heart was already racing from her exertions but it picked up speed as he approached, still wearing his armour. All that leather and metal was certainly intimidating but she had to admit that he looked rather impressive in it. The thought annoyed her. As did the tiny glimmer of relief, and dare she admit it, satisfaction that he had returned.

He was struggling to keep a straight face as he stared up at her, hands on leathered hips. That irritated her even more. "What in Helheim are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing! Escaping your prison!"

"If you had waited a little longer I would have freed you."

"I saw you walk away, across the meadow! I didn't think you were coming back! I thought you had left me here to rot!"

He frowned. "You really believe that I would do that?"

"After New York why should you care about one pathetic mortal?"

"I promised you I wouldn't."

"And I'm supposed to believe a promise from the God of Lies?"

Something flashed in his eyes that went deeper than mere frustration. Disappointment maybe? Hurt even? But it was quickly suppressed.

He moved closer. "Let me help you down."

"I don't want or need your help!"

She shuffled a little further down the roof, grimacing at the damp seeping through her jeans. She hadn't realised moss was this slimy, though there had been a couple of downpours recently.

He shrugged. "As you wish." Folding his arms he watched her with that trademark smirk of his.

The fact that he was finding this all so entertaining was really pissing her off now.

"Do you have to stand there watching me!"

Glancing around, he located a garden chair and sat down. Then continued to watch her.

She rolled her eyes. "Ha ha…argggh!"

When she slipped slightly he quickly stood up again, concerned, until she righted herself and resumed her descent.

She finally reached the coal shed and eased herself on to its rickety roof.

"That construction does not look particularly sound. I insist you let me help you."

"And I insist that you piss off!"

The smirk was back.

The roof of the coal shed felt even ickier than the kitchen roof. Squirming, she shuffled across to the edge, dangling her legs over the guttering.

Loki moved closer.

"I said leave me alon- argghhhh -"

When the guttering gave way Loki was below her in a flash, catching her in his arms, but something, maybe the sudden momentum, knocked him off balance and he fell back, taking April with him.

Her shriek was swiftly followed by his oof when he made contact with the ground and had the wind knocked out of him.

Winded herself, April sprawled on top of him. Their faces were only inches apart and when their eyes met she felt an unexpected stirring inside. A most unwelcome feeling. Quickly coming to her senses she started to pull away but his arms clamped around her waist, holding her down.

"Hey! Let me go!"

"Not even a thank you?" he retorted, pretending to look hurt when she could plainly see the amusement on his face. "I just saved you from a nasty fall."

"I wouldn't have needed saving if you hadn't trapped me in my room!"

Glaring down at him, her heart pounded against the metal of his armour.

He eventually sighed. "Look, I genuinely regret imprisoning you. It was not pre-meditated I assure you. Quoting your own terminology, it was the heat of the moment. But I apologise wholeheartedly."

She searched his face suspiciously but he seemed sincere enough. She braced herself. "What made you do it? Was it because you were angry about what I said…or guilty?"

He forced a smile, looking ill at ease for the first time since she had met him. "A bit of both."

"Ok," she returned gently, deciding not to push it any further for now. Not just because she felt incredibly uncomfortable herself in his arms like this, but because she suspected opening up about anything was difficult for him. "Apology accepted. Now please, let me go."

When he released her she scrambled to her feet, embarrassingly conscious of the fact that she had fleetingly straddled him in the process.

"Why did you change into your armour?" she asked as he stood up and started brushing himself down. "I hope you're not considering world domination again." He quickly met her gaze. "Or expecting me to kneel."

"World domination is the last thing on my mind right now," he reassured her. "And as for kneeling, I don't expect you would kneel for anyone."

She was taken aback by the admiration in his eyes.

"And the armour?" she blurted self-consciously.

"I simply did not wish to walk around the countryside in those pyjamas."

April stared anxiously down the garden. "I hope none of the neighbours saw you."

"They won't. I concealed myself."

"How?" But then she gaped at him. "You mean you made yourself invisible?"

"An invisibility of sorts. Not completely, but enough to deceive mortal eyes."

"But I saw you."

"There was no need to hide myself from you."

"Wow, that's specific."

They stood, facing each other in silence for a few long moments. April shrugged. "So what now?"

But her stomach chose that moment to growl its hunger.

Loki grinned. "Breakfast?"

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