Chapter 2 – The Balcony

The next morning, I was still thinking about what had happened the night before. I couldn't get Loki out of my mind, and kept replaying the part when he had his arm around my shoulders as we watched the stars together.

"Hello, earth to Julie!" Jane said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I replied, and drank some more tea.

"Did you hear anything I just said?" Jane asked as we ate breakfast with Thor and Loki.

"No," I said, putting down my mug.

"I said, we should look at party gowns for the reception," Jane replied.

"Sure, whatever," I said, and continued to eat my breakfast. I could feel Loki's eyes on me as I ate.

"Someone's enthusiastic," Jane replied.

"Sorry."

I looked up at Loki, and felt my cheeks blush. He looked especially handsome today. His long black hair was slicked back and he was wearing a dark green housecoat.

"So, Loki, have you gotten a chance to get to know Julie yet?" Jane asked.

"Yeah, we talked last night," Loki answered.

"Oh really? That's interesting," Jane said, looking at me as she spoke.

"Yes. She seems to have a rather boring life back home," Loki added.

"Loki!" Thor said, "you shouldn't say that about someone you hardly know."

"What? Even she said it was boring."

"Yeah, it can be sometimes," I added.

"Well, I think Julie could use a little fun. Loki, why don't you spend some time with her while Thor and I prepare for the wedding?" Jane asked, being slightly obvious.

"Perhaps, when I am not busy," Loki said casually, sipping his coffee. I glared at Jane from across the table.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Thor agreed. "Besides, I am sure you would enjoy some company, Loki."

"I will, when I find the time," Loki said. "Right now I need to be practicing my fighting skills."

"Why don't you show Julie?" Jane suggested. I rolled my eyes at her. Why was she so keen on getting me and Loki together?

"Loki doesn't have to if he doesn't want to. I'm sure he prefers to practice fighting alone," I said.

Loki glanced over at me as if he was surprised. It only made sense to me, though.

"Well, alright, but I think you two should hang out when Thor and I are busy with the wedding," Jane said.

"We shall see," Loki replied, and finished the rest of his coffee. "I'm off to practice. See you all for lunch."

"Bye," I said, as I watched him leave. He nodded back at me and left the room.

"Jane, why do you keep pushing us? We only just met," I told my sister after Loki was out of sight.

"You're right, I'm sorry. But I can't help it, I just know something's going to happen!" She replied.

"How?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. She shrugged.

"I can feel it," she answered.

"Well, let's see if you're right," I said.

"Jane, darling, would you like to take Julie for a walk around the gardens?" Thor asked, "I'm sure she would love to see them."

"Of course, honey. That's a good idea," Jane answered. "Are you done eating, Juls?"

"Yep," I answered.

"So am I. Let's go then," she replied. I left, thinking about my moment in the gardens last night with Loki, and how he had his arm around me to keep me warm. It was cute, but I wasn't sure if he was just doing that to be nice.

"What's going on, Juls? You've been rather quiet since we had breakfast," Jane asked me. I was still thinking about Loki, and it was driving me nuts.

"Loki and I had a...moment last night out here," I admitted. Jane's eyes widened with excitement.

"Really? What happened?" She asked.

"Well, he showed me the gardens last night because I couldn't sleep, and we ran into each other when I was walking around aimlessly. Then he offered to show me around, and when we went outside we watched the stars for a while. I started to feel really cold so he put his arm around me," I answered.

"Loki did that? Wow, that's so unlike him," Jane said in disbelief.

"Why?"

Jane shrugged. "He's never really been into affection," she said.

"I don't know if he was being affectionate, or if he was keeping me warm," I replied.

"Maybe it's both," Jane said with a wink.

"I hope so," I agreed.

"What did you just say?" Jane asked. "I thought you weren't interested!"

"I don't know. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. I just want to get to know this guy."

"Well, you still have two weeks before the wedding to get him to ask you out."

"I suppose."

"If you want to run into Loki again, try the balcony," Jane said. "I see him there a lot, he likes to go out there at night and think."

"I'll keep that in mind," I replied.

"Don't tell me you're nervous!" Jane said teasingly, nudging my arm.

"I am not!" I lied.

"Then do it and tell me everything."

"Fine. Just stop bothering me about it."

"Deal."

I sighed. I was never good at talking to guys, and I became utterly nervous around both Thor and Loki, but I tried to hide it with my sassy attitude.

Later that evening, I forced myself to go out and "run into" Loki. I opened the big French doors to the balcony, and there he was, standing alone.

"Hello, Juls," he said, calling me by the nickname Jane always called me.

"Hey, who said you could call me that?" I replied stubbornly, crossing my arms.

"Who said I needed permission?" Loki asked.

"Only Jane gets to call me Juls," I answered.

"Is that so?" Loki replied, looking at me with those green eyes. I nodded, feeling even more nervous.

"Well, Julie it is then," he said softly.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked casually.

"I like being here alone, it gives me time to think," Loki answered.

"I suppose I should leave you, then?" I asked, hoping my intrusion didn't turn him off.

"No, it's fine. I don't mind you being around," Loki answered. That caught me off guard.

"Wh-what? You don't?" I asked in disbelief.

"I know Thor and Jane probably told you that I'm this anti-social loner with no desire to make friends," Loki said." "Which is true, in a way."

"Don't you want any friends?" I asked.

"Sure, I do," he answered. "I just have trouble making them."

"I'll be your friend," I offered. Loki smiled at me, and put his arm around my shoulders again. My heart instantly fluttered.

"I appreciate that," he replied. "You know, you're not like other girls that I've met, Julie. All the other girls I've met only care about who has money and how they look. It's such a turn off."

"So, do I turn you on then?" I asked, before I could stop myself. Loki grinned.

"Maybe you do," he answered quietly, "how about myself? Do I look handsome enough for a girl like you? Or are you drooling over my brother like the rest of them?"

"What? I can't drool over my sister's fiance!" I snapped.

"That answers my question, then," Loki said with a sly smile. "You find me attractive."

I blushed deep red. Why did he have to say that?

"So what if I do?" I replied. Loki stepped even closer to me, and I couldn't move.

"Kiss me," he said.

"Are you out of your freaking mind!? We just met!" I exclaimed. Loki threw back his head and laughed.

"You're funny, Julie Foster," he said. "I like you."

"How? As a friend?" I asked. I wasn't going to kiss him if that's all he thought of me.

"I don't know, although you are a very cute friend," Loki answered.

"Of course you don't," I snapped. "Sorry, I don't kiss guys just because they think I'm cute."

"Julie, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry," Loki said.

"Whatever," I snapped, and stalked off. What was this crazy man thinking? I didn't even know if I wanted to be his friend anymore. He was just another pervert.

"Wait!"

I heard Loki's voice and turned around. I was surprised that he was actually running after me.

"Julie, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to ask you that. In fact, I don't even know why I did. I was just so in awe that I couldn't stop myself," he said.

"In awe of what?" I asked.

"You," he answered. I stared at him in shock. Did he really just say that?

"I...I don't know what to say," I said.

Loki came over to me, and pulled me close to him in a tight hug.

"I apologize. I won't ask you to kiss me again, unless you want to," he said.

"Apology accepted," I replied into his black shirt. Loki let go of me, and smiled.

"Well, have a good night, Julie," he said.

"Wait!" I replied. "About that kiss?"

"What about it?"

"Just come over here."

Loki grinned and walked over to me. My heart started beating fast again. He placed a hand on my cheek and leaned in. Our noses were touching, and he kissed me very softly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him fully on the lips, to let him know that I was enjoying it. Loki wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me back passionately.

"Goodnight, Juls," he said quietly.

"Goodnight," I replied, and he kissed my hand before we parted ways.