A/N's: Told less by letter than I originally thought but more letters will be forthcoming : ) I hope it's a decent balance...

Let Me Love You

"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said."

-Peter Drucker

Chapter Two: Unlock

The world was a bit skewed since the arrival of Jane Foster, the mortal of earth. Asgardian's were on edge with the arrival of the Aether – an artifact that was once believed to have been destroyed by Odin's father. An infinity stone of limitless power – and destruction – mysterious even to the ancient race of Asgard. So, the people were on edge, and probably none more than a guard serving in the prison dungeons.

It was out of protocol to have allowed a letter to be sent to Loki. Yet, to be expected that an ex-prince of the realm eternal would have special treatment. Still, the fact that he was smiling was perhaps the most disturbing to those that paced the high security area where he was placed. If the god of mischief was grinning – then surely there would be horrible things that would follow. The small upturn of his lips had probably meant the death or worse of many before now.

There he was, leaned back, head propped up by one of his arms on top of the pillow, feet dangling off the end of the cot – his other hand grasped around the second letter that he had been sent by Thor's mortal woman. The fact that he was so jubilant only managed to make him particularly paranoid as to what reason the lady would have to speak with the villain. It was like a princess wishing to communicate with a monster – no, the simple guard couldn't understand at all.

It was all the more disheartening when the not-son of Odin took up a quill...for the guard it was a crime in the making.

To Jane Foster,

Let us not 'speak' of Thor – such a dull topic. You wish to speak to me through this method then why not describe yourself? I saw you often on earth but learned little as to your personality. There must be things that drive you. Beyond your search for my brother – you have always wanted to learn – that is what the scientists of your world do after all. How did you come to possess this insatiable curiosity? Born with it or raised to it?

As for insults, I am not attempting subtly. You overreact however, were I as distasteful as you claim then I wouldn't be penning this. As far as redemption – my story is more complex than the side that you've heard. Being a poor cheat aside aren't you a little swift to judge Lady Foster?

I have to assume this isn't just an attempt at pity spurred by my oaf of a brother, he knows better than to use such a button with me. There is much that is unknown of the infinity stones, given the Aether has been hidden for five-thousand years I must assume less is understood of it than many of the others. The Aether can be commanded – just as all the rest – but one must know the correct methods. I might be able to help but even that could prove difficult as I know little of this particular stone.

Asgard is beautiful? That will mean little if it becomes your grave, I may be able to aid your problems with the Aether but I would need to see it in person. Given how unlikely Odin or Thor is to let me out of this cage or let you visit I'll instead tell you to release the energy on occasion. It will become weaker when it's forced into action and that might buy you a few more days to enjoy the realm eternal.

-Loki Laufeyson

"No Jane. I don't think you should send any more letters to Loki." They were the first two words that Jane feared when she showed the letter to Thor upon his return from speaking with Odin. She scowled at the immediate denial before they had even talked. He didn't ask her if she wanted to speak with Loki...nothing. Just assumed to tell her what to do.

"No what? I didn't even say anything." Jane replied, arms crossed and brow drawn backward as she glared at the larger man in front of her. "No you couldn't possibly ask Loki what he might know. No Jane, you might die cause he could be lying even though he could be telling the truth? No Jane, you could be thinking of something perfectly reasonable and I don't trust you enough to let you speak on your own or for yourself? No what?"

Thor's brow furrowed as the girl launched into her tirade, frowning before he shook his head at her remarks. "That is not what I'm saying Jane, Loki is dangerous and tricky, he could be misleading you so he has some chance to make haste from the prison. Do you really think I could let that happen? Besides, why would he want to know more about you? It screams of his usual mischief – and perhaps something even more deviant – there is no method by which I could convince Odin to let you speak with him in person."

"Then you speak with him." Jane answered; adding only because she didn't like the idea of being told what to do. "and when I'm done with it you can take him another letter for me. I know you think he's all bad – and maybe he is – but on earth people have second chances to change. Maybe he's just asking me questions as a way to talk – he already admitted he was bored down there. What harm does me sending him letters do?"

To Loki Odinson,

I'm not sure why you'd want to know about me. Thor says it is because you are manipulating me, and maybe you are – but maybe you aren't. I still don't believe in what you did on earth with the whole madman attempted takeover but I think you deserve at least fair treatment now that you've been neutralized as a threat.

As for about me – there isn't much to say. Darcy says I'm married to my work – I have always been interested in the stars – and I am all the more now that I've gotten to travel across them. I just hope I live long enough to continue to study all that I can – though I guess I'll probably be sent back to earth the moment I get my extended lifespan again. Which leads us to the Aether.

Thor says it's just a lie – that you can't do anything for me. I have to hope otherwise. I've convinced him to let us keep speaking through letters but he's going to deliver this one himself. I hope he doesn't break my trust and the seal on it because I have to ask you if there is some other way to get help? I won't let you escape or help you but maybe we could make some sort of trade? I can't offer you much but with my life on the line I'd certainly be willing to negotiate other options.

-Jane Foster

He'd no sooner finished looking over the words when Thor went into a fit, probably annoyed Loki had finished reading and then burned the parchment so it could not be retrieved for him to look over at a later time.

"Whatever trick you have in store for Jane you'd best end it now brother." Thor commanded, thunder echoing his anger in a rumble of the storm outside. Loki wasn't certain if it was simply a normal storm given it was the season for it – or if it was something more related to his brother's control of such weather.

Loki gave a nonchalant raise and fall of his shoulders, still not facing the fuming brute outside his cell. A smirk coming even into his green eyes as they reflected the fire. "Here she keeps trying to assure me that you care about me but I'd say between us that you are the one cheating her of the truth. Why are you here Thor? Clearly father would never allow me to be free of this cell. What is it you fear coming from our exchange? I never took you as someone that would be so insecure."

"It is not me I am worried about, I am well aware of how much you fool others Loki – this deception that you could help her with the Aether is only offering false hope. Have you grown so bored in this cell that you fabricate such lies just to harm me through her? Does your demented mind know no way of making peace?" Thor's voice cracked slightly when he spoke the word 'harm'. Jumping when Loki's fist met the side of the electric wall – lines of golden lightning flickering along the length of the wall from where it bowed at the pressure. Loki was still a god in his own right and the prison wall thrummed from the strength of his momentary anger.

"Peace is not my way Thor! Do you really believe I would take my displeasure with you out on some hapless mortal doomed to die? I am often petty, but I am still a rightful heir to Asgard, such a falsity is beneath me." Loki snapped at his brother, pulling back from the wall as the energy flowed into his hand and up his arm. It wasn't incredibly painful but touching the surface was far from pleasant. "I do know of the infinity stones – probably more than any creature on Asgard – even your precious father. I never promised her I could save her – only that I was her best chance on this realm – none of which were lies. You were there with her, you wouldn't be here if she hadn't sought some sort of answer – but no...this time it is your pride that will see the only woman you've ever loved wither to dust before you. Then the Aether will find a new host amongst our people – do not believe it will end with her."

"So tell me what I can do, explain the Aether to me." Thor replied. "If you actually believe you can aid Jane help me learn so I can save her."

"It requires the touch of a sorcerer, someone with the ability to command magic – are you going to learn some grand command before she passes on? Ha." He barked out the last laugh, his malevolent grin showing his teeth. "You cannot possibly learn in time, it took me years to learn how to command the Tesseract beyond the void. That was for someone already a master. I don't know if I'd even be able to aid her were she here. Care to wait long enough for me to pen her a new letter? I'm getting to enjoy this old way of communication."

"Brother...if...you..." Thor stammered, angry and uncertain. "If this is just some trick I will have your head. I will speak with mother – and hope that she will speak with father. But this is for Jane's sake, not yours."

As Thor stomped off the storm continued to rumble in the distance and Loki laughed to himself – the situation was too sweet to not. He curled his fingers together, stretching them out before wiggling them in anticipation. Now what to say to his pretty little key out of this cell...

End Chapter

Well this is fun...I'm enjoying it anyway. I really liked writing out Thor and Loki's little argument. This is turning into a therapeutic fic for me : )

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Preciossa – Can't say all updates will be this quick but I think it was pretty timely this time.

Erised9 – Welcome to the fandom, it's pretty awesome. I like Jane in that I think her intelligence makes her a good match for Loki.