A/N: This is fixed from the posted copy that had a lot of needless html. I swear it's only when I don't double check that the chapters turn out looking like that. Sorry about that! I will try to double check updates from now on.

Let Me Love You

"Autumn wins you best by this; it's mute appeal to sympathy for it's decay."

-Robert Browning

Chapter Three: Decay

The trickster paced, lost in thought as he considered the sudden change in his position. If he played his cards right, he might be able to escape this prison sooner than he originally believed. He didn't want to immediately escape as this place offered him security against Thanos – and after his failure on Earth he was content to avoid the threatening creature's wrath.

Turn, walk across the room before turning to repeat the action.

It was part of why he'd given up during the war. He easily could have caused many more issues for the band of boy scouts the land had gathered as it's makeshift heroes. Possibly dismantled them completely but Earth was never the throne he truly desired. When Thor stated he had a way to return him to Asgard he wasn't malcontent with the idea of escaping his monster for a time. In the end he was closer to the chair he coveted above all else.

Turn, pace, his cloak snapped from the movement but he ignored the sharp sound, or perhaps he didn't hear it at all; lost in his machinations.

No, he would need to play this very safe, and having Thor's girlfriend owe him was amusing enough. At the very least if she died Thor would appreciate Loki having attempted to aid – and if she didn't then she would feel indebted. While not overly powerful on her own she had his brother's ear – and given how enamored Thor was with her that was a subtle measure of control. If he played everything right then perhaps he would be removed from this cell without the need to escape it as a criminal. Then he made all the guards inwardly grimace as he grinned to himself at how things were playing out. Having a pen pal was turning out to be unexpectedly beneficial.

To the Lady Jane Foster,

I manipulate everyone, I will be the last to claim otherwise. That does not mean I am disinterested in you. Your philanthropic perspective piques my curiosity – you condemn and forgive me in a single sentence. Such ambiguity while retaining honesty is uncommon. In the end, perhaps I just appreciate your willingness to say you would forgive me – eventually of course.

There is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to focusing on becoming a master of ones field. My own command of sorcery required much more work than most occupations of Asgard. You should attempt to relax – if mother is as I expect then they will at least let me attempt to aid you in the removal of the Aether. Perhaps you'll get to visit my humble accommodations. I do not predict they would allow me to leave. If they bring you, attempt not to look into the eyes of many of the others here – some of my companion convicts can be capricious. Best not to give any of them a reason to dislike you, not all sentences here involve the abandonment of a time line.

I did not lie, I never stated I had the ability to immediately offer aid. I am willing to try, which is still more than Thor or Odin could do. My mother has the skill, but she lacks the detailed knowledge of the infinity stones – even with her command of the art it would be difficult to teach her all she would need to know before the Aether drains you completely.

Flattered as I am by your offer, it is something I would only be willing to discuss should you manage to meet up with me – even for a short time. I believe I'll have something in mind that you can pay me with should I be able to save you. Should Odin refuse the request likely being presented to him then if you can get me another letter then I will offer you another possible means. I do know of the gates between realms hidden here in Asgard after all.

-Loki Laufeyson

She took a deep breath, then another. Jane frowning as she felt her chest grow heavy. Loki had told her to release the energy within her to weaken it but she wasn't exactly sure how. His latest response would have been more encouraging if she wasn't having trouble breathing. It felt as if she had less and less time with each breath she fought for.

Thor walked up to her and took a hand and she smiled at him, squeezing her fingers around his weakly as the pain began to relax temporarily. She was starting to catch her breath as he spoke. "Mother is speaking with Father now, I heard you received another letter from my brother. May I see it?"

"Sure, but the letter's disappeared after I read them." Jane commented, resisting the urge to smile when Thor growled at the news. Her favorite of the sons turning the page over in his hands before crumpling it and tossing it toward the corner of he room.

"His trickery aside, are you all right? I hate to subject you to Loki, are you certain you want to put yourself in his hands? I will be there but I am loathe to think he might hurt you to get to me." Thor commented, bringing her hand closer to his lips to brush them over the back of it. Jane offered a light smile but the gesture didn't give her all the butterflies it once did. Jane supposed slowly being dinner for a super powered magical parasite must have something to do with not reacting more.

"So you think they'll let him try?" Jane asked, she hoped he wouldn't just brush her off given it seemed her time was pretty precious these days.

"I think mother will find a way to convince father but I know there will be conditions." Thor answered. "Whatever the case, we will find a way to help you."

"Do you think other realms might know more?" Jane had to ask after the hint Loki had left in his previous note.

"It is possible, there are many realms, and some have very long lived races. The light elves might have some idea since it was their cousins that held the greatest knowledge of the Aether." Thor explained, thoughtful. "I should send a missive to one of their leaders. Can I get you anything?"

"Paper, a pencil...or pen. Quill? Whatever you call it. I wanna write." Jane remarked.

"To Loki?" Thor frowned.

"Really? Now isn't the time for your disapproval. He's possibly helping right?" Jane said a little more harshly than she meant. Being ill wasn't really agreeing with her.

To Loki Odinson,

Why do you sign all of your letters Laufeyson? Whatever your blood, you were raised here in Asgard, you and Odin might fight like enemies but that will never change that he brought you up and you are a part of this family. Don't gimme that you don't get along cause every family has issues, that's part of the definition. Nothing is perfect, and just trying to say something isn't true doesn't suddenly make it a fact. You don't have to have the same D.N.A. to be family. Loki Laufeyson both sounds and looks pretty stupid – not that I guess Odinson is much better but it's at least a little less silly.

Putting that aside, I guess I'm glad to be a fascinating subject since you seem to want to help me because of it. As far as forgiving you though? Yeah maybe, in a really...really, really long time. If you actually help me I guess that would knock off a few years though. Hard to not appreciate someone saving your life – even if it's cause they're being paid somehow.

Magic, people keep using that word – but magic here is just really complex technology to me – or maybe a different form of ability genetically. These powers you have, that you practiced and focused to learn, that can't be much different than a mental form of athleticism. A super useful and advanced form but I have a hard time believing there isn't some science behind it. If it's something you can learn, is it something you can teach? Or is it more genetic?

Thor told me that Frigga is half frost giant, and you are frost giant. Does that race have a greater connection to this 'magic' then? Is it some sort of untapped potential in all of them? Are there more Asgardian's capable of it that I just haven't heard of yet? Oh...I guess I'm rambling again. I'll try to stop that. The distraction of writing makes dealing with the difficulty of breathing easier. I can't just 'expend' energy like you suggested to make the pain ebb for a while.

I hope they decide soon if I'm going to visit you, or I don't think you'll be receiving many more letters from me. Thank you, even if it's just some manipulation – I guess having a little hope I might make it out of this mess is something to cling too.

-Jane Foster

End Chapter

I dunno why I really enjoy writing in letter format...but I do. I guess I find a certain extra sense of romance to it. Even though we haven't really gotten to anything romantic yet...or at least not more than subtle hints.

-Aura

To my reviewers: