The next morning, Holly woke in her chambers by herself, but found that servants waited just outside the door and were readily available to bathe and dress her.
As they drew her a bath and stripped her down, she felt incredibly self-conscious. She felt so out of place here. Perhaps because she had been bathing herself since she was young. This had to be something that someone had experienced all their life to be acceptable in their eyes.
"Miss Holly," the one woman smiled, motioning to the bath. Holly smiled and nodded, stepping into the tub. She sunk down into the warm water, her long red hair being unclipped by the servants and allowed to tumble down into the water. The servants immediately went to work, carefully dumping water onto her head, soaking her hair.
Holly started to think, closing her eyes and allowing herself to relax. She had to make her decision about Loki soon.
She couldn't doubt that she was falling for him… and fast. She shouldn't. It was in no way practical. It was in no way the right thing to do. Especially considering her job. S.H.I.E.L.D. would fire her on the spot if they found out that she had a relationship with one of their biggest threats.
Soft voices forced Holly to open her eyes, finding the room now empty. The servants had finished her bath and had draped her dress on the bed.
Even though the room was empty, she could sense a familiar presence behind her. With a small smile, she looked over her shoulder. "You can't sneak up on me. Were you trying to that time?"
"Perhaps." He grinned, coming up behind her.
"Were you expecting a show?" Holly turned onto her stomach in the tub with a small smirk on her lips. Loki sauntered closer to the tub, holding her shift in his hand.
"I am a gentleman. I do not ogle a woman's body unless she requests it of me." He informed her, handing her a towel for her body and turning away out of propriety. Holly exited the tub, wrapping the soft towel around her torso
"How does one go about requesting a man to ogle her body?" she asked, taking the shift from him. She pulled it over her head then headed for the bed where the dress lie waiting for her.
"Are you implying that you would like me to?" he asked, smirking.
"I'm not, no." she said, pulling the dress over her head with help from Loki. Holly smoothed the skirts into place and began to struggle with the bodice strings.
"Allow me, Miss Killigrew." He said reaching for her. Holly backed away with a wary look on her face. "You know I can catch you."
"And you know I can stop you." She countered, backing up a bit further.
"What gives you the idea that you are stronger than me?" Loki asked, clearly amused by her notion.
"Maybe because I flipped your godly ass onto your back." She teased, biting her bottom lip. Loki's blue eyes darkened as he glanced down at her lips. Holly released her bottom lip and turned her attention back to her bodice. His gentle hands joined hers, tying her bodice expertly.
"I will overlook your teasing, foolish mortal." He said quietly, giving her a small smile. She looked up at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Have you thought about it?"
"I have." She confirmed, feeling his hand on her hip.
"Has a decision been made?" Loki asked, stepping closer. She backed away, placing a halting hand on his chest.
"Not yet, Loki. I assure you that you will be the first to know." Holly nodded, "You'll have your answer presently."
"Shall I send the servants back in to finish with you?" he said, eyes softening as she nodded silently, bowing her head. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, no. I'm fine." She said, heading for the table where the servants did her hair. He nodded, heading for the door. Holly hated feeling this conflicted. Never in her life had she been faced with a situation such as this.
"Holly?" Loki said, standing in the open doorway, peering around the edge of the door.
"Yes?" she answered, looking up at him shyly.
"I would wait an eternity for your answer."
And then he was gone, green cape being her last look at him.