I'm really just mentally skipping math class and writing all of this down. Totally worth it. Enjoy!
The following day came, and nighttime soon after. Danni was in her apartment, and on the phone again with the same man.
"Erik, I'm sorry. I just have faith in another mentor. It's nothing against you, not really. I just want more freedom with my work—"
"Danni, I'm giving you everything I can. I don't have much to give," said Erik Selvig on the other end.
"And I'm grateful for what you've done," Danni continued, "but I think it would be best for me if I tried something new with my experience."
A deep sigh could be heard through the phone. "I'm not going to change your mind, am I?"
"No. I'm meeting with him tonight."
"What's his name?" Selvig asked, curious as to who would steal his best intern away from him.
"Jack. Jack London," Danni replied, blushing a little for reasons she couldn't quite understand yet.
Danni checked her watch and saw that it was 8:30. "I have to go now, Erik. It was nice working for you. I wish you the best," and with that she hung up, grabbed her purse, fixed her hair one final time, and went out the door to see the man she thought was Jack London.
Danni wasn't truthful to Erik. He had never let her do anything, and, whenever they actually started to work on something, hardly anything was ever done. Danni knew the job had no guarantee of a new discovery, or having constant excitement, but what she did under Erik's supervision was nothing! When Erik was on his way to discovering something, he would not let Danni in on any part of it: what was going on, or what her opinion of anything was; what she thought and hypothesized about certain phenomenon (as scientists often do) were never asked of her, and whenever she tried to input something, she was immediately shut down. This, to Danni, was not worth her time, and considered a waste of her intellect, which she knew she had. So, having any excuse to leave Erik's negligent care, Danni would take it without hesitation.
Upon arriving at the building, Danni had noticed it was different. Yesterday, cracks and other flaws were clearly visible, but now…it looked like any other building – maybe even better. The door even seemed new, and painted a dark green.
She knocked on the door, "Mr. London?"
Loki opened the door. He hadn't really thought of what to do with the girl. He hadn't thought of a use for her. Sure, she was a pretty face that knew the world and its strange ways, but those are a dime a dozen. What could she do?
"Danni…hi," he said a little awkwardly.
"May I come in? I'm here to work! What are we doing?" she asked quickly, her excitement getting the best of her.
"Listen, Danni—"
"Yeah?"
"Don't interrupt," he said, like a father scolding his child, but then he softened his expression and his voice, "I don't think your services are required. I'm more used to working alone. As much as your desire to help is appreciated, it's not necessary. I'm sorry to inconvenience you," and he began to close the door on her before she stuck her foot out to stop him.
"Please, sir. I can do a lot more than just astronomy or science! Anything that you need, I can probably get for you to use in your studies."
"What are you talking about?" Loki asked, intrigued.
Now, whether it was her good girl streak coming to an end, or she still had an adrenaline rush from finally leaving the company of Erik Selvig is unclear, but Danni was done with beating around the bush. She wanted to get to work on actual science, not just stupid, insignificant things that nobody thought she was even capable of accomplishing. She told Loki, the god of mischief, the truth, and oh, was the truth ever so juicy!
"I am an agent for a secret organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. We specialize in advanced technology and use it for global issues and supernatural phenomenon. Any technology you need access to – most you've probably never heard of, or even thought existed – I can give to you. Just let me work for you, please!"
"S.H.E.I.L.D.?" Loki repeated.
Loki had heard of S.H.I.E.L.D. It was the same group that had surrounded Mjolnir when it crashed to earth after Thor. They studied the weapon, and had guarded it…why? Loki wanted to question her about it, but he knew it was too specific, and would raise questions of her own to ask of him.
The fact of the matter remains, the girl had broken an oath: never expose yourself as an agent; never blow your cover. That's every agent's number one rule. Why, then, would she tell him this? A stranger she met yesterday, who had barely spoken a word to her; who had barely shown her interest? Perhaps…she trusted him? Perhaps there is a bond between the two that cannot be explained so early in the story.
Even more interesting was a part of Loki had faith in the girl. It was more of her spirit than her connections that interested him (although, let's face it, of course he was interested with her connections to such advanced technology that could be of use to him). Her determination to be with him sparked a fire within his own spirit; and, given what Loki has been through recently, it was a much-needed warmth that he welcomed with open arms.
"Alright, I'll give you a chance," Loki said, "but you must follow every order I give you. Don't ask too many questions. And when I say I need my space, it would be wise to leave me in peace."
"Consider it noted, Mr. London," Danni smirked as she allowed herself to enter the building. Their building.
"You can call me Jack, Danni," Loki smiled, and, for the first time in a long time, it was a genuine smile; however its purpose of being there was still ambiguous.
And so, the pair set to work, setting up certain items, and chatting about little things, big things, and, for Danni, some personal things.
"I can't remember the last time I had a home," she admitted, admiring the new décor of the room. It was very warm and homey to her, which led to the prior comment. "My parents were never really parents to me. They were constantly busy with work; I hardly ever got to see them. They left me alone to fend for myself, basically. I hated it until I realized that I didn't really need them. So, when I was about 18, I stole some money from them, which they wouldn't be missing, and I ran off. Honestly, I figured they'd come looking for me, but they never did. Eventually, and through some miracle, I got a job at S.H.I.E.L.D. and working there makes me think…"
She looked up at Loki. She honestly didn't think he would be listening, but he was. Her voice was like his mother's: it had a soft, sweet sound to it that was very soothing in troubling times. The story was what was interesting him, though. Being very familiar with family troubles, he thought it interesting to see how the mortals suffered in the same way. He may even have felt – dare I say it? – compassion towards her, at least in the slightest of ways. Remembering the betrayal of his family made him furious, but not enough for a desire to stop her story.
"Makes you think what?" Loki asked, encouraging her.
"You'll probably think I'm crazy…" she said, blushing again and chuckling a bit.
"Try me," he challenged.
She looked into his green eyes, and thought they seemed familiar to her. They were cold on the outside, but, when she looked at him, she felt a warmth inside her heart that could not be explained. But love doesn't need explanations, now, does it?
"It makes me think that there's more out there than just us. Do you know what I mean?"
"No," Loki lied.
"Like…there is so much outside of this world! We are only one planet in one galaxy! Who's to say there isn't anything else out there? Who's to say humans are the only intelligent beings in existence? Whenever I feel alone – which, if you were listening to my rambling, you know is often – I always turn to the stars and just…dream of what else is out there," Danni looked like she had stars in her eyes.
Such honesty and trust she had for him. Why couldn't he have the same for her? He was still hurting inside from relationships he's had. Not romantic ones! No, sadly, nobody ever really looked at Loki in such a way. Thor was the one who was sought after. The future king; the protector; the brave and mighty Thor! And where was Loki? Playing his tricks that saved the warrior's lives when they got carried away. Where was his praise?
"Danni," his voice was warm and comforting to her ears, "I don't think you're crazy. Not in the least bit. I know you're right…"
"You do?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to the left.
"Yes."
Danni hesitated to ask, but quickly mustered up the courage, "How?"
Loki took a deep breath. He thought about telling her the truth; after all, she would believe him. He knew she would. Somehow…now just didn't seem like the time.
"I'll tell you some other time," he concluded.
They continued unloading things that Danni never would have thought he would have been able to get in such a short time…because he stole it all. Yes, he stole it. No, he would not be caught because he used his magic, and it is untraceable. The items weren't of incredible value. Remembering the poorer people who seemed so rich, he thought he would try it their way. "It will only make me stronger," he thought.
As they unpacked an adjusted the furniture and other things, they couldn't help but enjoy each other's company, though neither of them would admit it. Next thing they both knew, it was 3:30 in the morning, and a storm had begun to form, and it was ferocious.
Thunder and lightning shot from everywhere it seemed, and it left a loud BOOM that made Danni jump. The winds were vicious, and strong enough to pick up small items, or maybe even trash cans, and move them with ease. Loki knew this was Thor's doing. No other being could conjure such a storm. "Does he know I'm here, or is this just a coincidence?" Loki thought. His brother had always had fun brewing up a storm to announce his presence to any world, but this time it's different. This is not like Thor.
"Why don't you stay here?" Loki offered, "I know it's not much to offer, but I want to thank you for your help." A fair excuse made, but he wanted to keep Danni safe. She was his source of technology, was she not? Among other things.
Danni smiled, "I'd be very grateful."
Loki had offered her the bed, but Danni refused, opting to sleep on the floor.
"But that's no place for a lady," he joked. "Sleep on the bed. I'll be fine."
"The floor's too hard. You may wake up with back pain or something."
"Well, what do you suggest we do? Share the bed?" he asked.
Danni went a bright red. It took Loki a second to notice this, and was just about to take it back when Danni said, "Only if you're okay with it."
The two sat comfortably in the bed next to one another. Though there was no passion physically occurring, underneath both persons, fireworks were sparking and heat was spreading like wildfire. The attraction the two felt for each other was inextinguishable and burned bright. Yet both were masters at hiding their emotions when it was necessary (however Loki had more practice than Danni). The two bid each other goodnight, and took their place under the covers, doing their best not to make contact with the other.
Unbeknownst to them, sometime in their sleep, their hands met and overlapped one another, fingers intertwined, and stayed that way throughout the night.
Asgard – the same day
Thor had continued in mourning for his brother, at least on the inside. Thor had to be like his father and show no emotion as a public figure; but that didn't stop him from crying every now and again in the privacy of his room.
Today in particular, Thor couldn't get his brother's memory out of his mind. It got to the point where Thor went into Loki's room – or, rather, what used to be Loki's room. He looked around. Nothing had changed…except Loki. Loki had changed, and Thor finally understood why.
Thor knew he was the favored first born. In his youth, he loved being favored. The love received by his family and the people had made him so full of joy and pride, but he had let all of that get to his head. Now, if he was given the smallest of complements, he would fake a smile, force a "thank you," or curtly nod, then think of himself in disgust. It was the neglect of his brother that had caused his demise.
Thor sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands, "This is all my fault," he said to himself.
"No," said a voice that reminded Thor of his own, "It's mine." Odin had entered the room, not knowing Thor would be there. He, too, came to grieve over the loss of Loki.
Thor thought about it for a minute. The king was hardly at fault, but it was as much Odin's fault as his own when it came to the neglect of Loki's importance in the family.
"There is something about Loki that makes him different from you, Thor." Thor moved his hands away from his face and looked up at his father, listening intently, "After I defeated the Frost Giants those many years ago, I discovered an infant, left alone to die. He was Laufey's son, and he grew up to be the brother that you are now mourning."
If Thor wasn't sitting down already, he surely would have fallen over. "Loki? A Frost Giant…?" tears were building in his eyes again. He knew Loki never felt welcome in Asgard; he knew Loki was different, but he just thought it was his personality that was different…but maybe his personality was different because he was a monster?
"Loki is no monster!" Thor yelled, more at his own thoughts than at his father.
He faced Odin with such a sorrowful expression it broke the king's heart all the more, "This explains why he always felt different from us! Is this why he felt so, father?"
"Both his origins and our actions are to blame, Thor; do not believe it was solely Loki's heritage that made him feel unwelcomed. We were not as loving to Loki as to you…"
"Mother loved both of us equally. Loki loved mother—!"
"But he didn't love me!" Odin yelled, "I am the cause of why Loki became corrupted!"
"Father, you cannot blame yourself."
"Like hell I can't!" Odin continued, working himself up to a frenzy, "If I had told Loki the truth when he was little, he might have understood – he might have accepted and even embraced his differences!"
Thor glared at his father with confusion and anger, "Did you ever tell Loki this?"
Odin hung his head, a rare sight for one to see, "He discovered it on his own… I had no other choice but to explain it to him—"
"Father, how could you not tell Loki of his heritage?! He has always felt a piece missing in his heart, and to discover that it was being a Frost Giant?! Asgard's biggest enemy that we have been raised to loathe? Father…" Thor allowed a tear to fall, "how could you? He was my brother! He was your son!"
"He was never my son!" Odin said without thinking, "Never was he truly my son…though I want him to be…"
"Why did you take him? An infant from Jötunheim post war – why would you take him?"
"I thought it a good idea at the time as a way to make peace in the future," he replied softly.
"So, Loki was to be raised as no more than a pawn in your game of lies and deceit?" Thor spat bitterly at his father.
"Damn you!" Odin bellowed, "Damn you, Thor Odinson! You have no idea what it is like to be king in such troubling times!"
Thor wanted to call his father a fool once again, to yell at him, to make him feel even worse than he already felt…but Thor could not bear to cause more pain in his heart, or in anyone else's. It would only make things worse. His father was grieving just as he was, and his mother…Frigga hadn't left her bed in three days.
Odin had reached into a side pocket of his, cast a spell, and pulled out a flower – the same kind of magic-born flower Loki used to make and give to him and Frigga, not to impress them with his skill, but to show them how much he cared for them…to show how much he loved them – and laid it on Loki's bed.
"Before he fell," Thor interrupted, "when Loki and I were fighting, he told me 'I'm not your brother! I never was.' He knew then, and I didn't. My brother…he will always be my brother! He will always be Loki of Asgard!" Thor stormed out of the room, leaving his father to his guilt.
Well, that was long. I hope you all liked it! Please leave a comment if you can, I really appreciate those! :) Thanks for reading!
~Mina