Let Me Love You

"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal."

-Oscar Wilde, The Critic as Artist

Chapter Four: Sincerity

Another grape was plucked from it's stem, rolling between Loki's fingers a moment before he pressed the fruit past his lips. Malachite orbs flickering across the lines of script as he took in what the mortal had to say. Even just through her letters he could tell that she was fiery, unafraid of doing what she believed in. Normally all the things he wouldn't hold much interest in – but it was the fact that she was an intellectual that made her worthwhile. He let his gaze drift over the words a second time and then glanced to where his mother had appeared in the room.

"Mother." He perked a brow and pushed himself to his feet. The word had come out before he could stop it – after their last interaction he hadn't expected to see her for a while. When he's expressly insisted that she was not the very word he'd just uttered. The smile that came to her face was enough to keep him from thinking too hard on his self-correction.

"Loki. I have spoken with your brother and your father. They have been convinced that you have the best chance of rescuing this Jane Foster. But I wanted to ask you if this is true – I know that you are unhappy with your brother." Frigga remarked, her voice calm but clearly searching for more information.

"Mother, it is unbecoming to start repeating such a simpleton. As I already explained to Thor – I would not lower myself to harming this woman just to spite him." Loki replied, distaste ebbing into his tenor. He glanced out of his cell to the others near here – but there weren't other prisoners kept near him. The guards were on patrol so she'd picked the best time to visit to keep her presence unknown.

"I hope so." Frigga answered, and the lack of certainty in her voice was more painful than he could have expected. He grimaced before clearing his features.

"Is there some other reason for your presence than to repeat pointless misgivings? I'm not intent on harming Jane Foster. I am uncertain if I'll even be able to aid her. I would hope you'll make certain the supplies I need will be provided." Loki commented, managing not to grit his teeth. Though his expression was still hard after the insults.

"That is one of the exceptions – you will be provided some supplies but only those things that couldn't allow you to escape from your cell." Frigga replied, walking closer but hesitating since she knew she couldn't touch him. She offered a light smile, the sort that he knew was sad beneath the surface. "I will try to make certain as much as possible is provided to you."

Loki's brow drew back, one of his brows arching sharply when he realized what was being said. "You are actually bringing her here?" When he'd written about it – he'd meant it as a jest...

"It was one of the other stipulations. It is the least risk of any attempts to escape your punishment." Frigga replied. "We both know how good you are with invisibility."

"My own skill comes back to haunt me. Fine, fine. Shall I expect her soon?" Loki waved off the comments and focused more on the idea of dealing with a power like the Aether. It could provide a wonderful distraction after being shoved into a cell for many weeks.

"Tomorrow morning, the healers are making some final scans of her current health tonight so they can monitor progress day to day." Frigga answered. It was nice to see her son showing interest in something other than denouncing his involvement with the family.

"I imagine I'll have time to write her again then..." Loki remarked thoughtfully, "care to tell the guards to make certain our exchange of memorandum's continues?"

Frigga was uncomfortable with the way he continued to speak so highly of a woman that she knew held Thor's heart – but if it would keep him behaving properly then it seemed far too minor of a thing to refuse so she nodded her head. "I'll make certain such commands are given."

To the Lady Jane Foster,

I am certain Odin would not agree with your observations – it was he that took the title of Prince, and replaced my surname. I care little either way, I am more Loki than any other label that would be placed. Laufeyson is the tie they wish to give me, so I accept it – I am a frost giant after all. Odin was never a father, not to me, only a man I was forced to obey as I grew up. As for my mother – I must admit the story alters. However, better not to waste time on such frivolities just now.

I will need you to consider what it is that's changed since the Aether has taken you as it's host – other than the obvious signs. Have you seen any visions? Had any thoughts that are unlike your own? Anything out of the ordinary could be some clue as to how it functions. I also request you get any skepticism as to the reality of magic out of your mind now. You may wish to explain it as some science but it is more of an art. There will be many questions I cannot answer within the realm of what I am capable of.

Have you expended the energy at all in the past? How was it discovered that you even had the Aether within your veins to begin with? I would attempt to recreate what it was that helped you alleviate some of the power in the past. Better than allowing it to overflow.

As for payment? I consider it more an exchange. I am attempting to help you, and you may or may not do something to help me if I am able to succeed. That is a business exchange, a rare trade I would hope given the dire circumstances.

Mother informed me that you will be visiting after all – I had thought my prior commentary and warnings a parody but you are being once again proved correct on your initial observations of Odin.

-Loki Odinson

"So yeah, just get some guy to grab you even though you don't want them to, even though now you do...that's an easy and great plan..." Jane thought as she pursed her lips. Trying to figure out how to recreate the first burst of red that let them know she was in this mess.

She couldn't exactly reread the letter – like the last one the beautiful script disappeared shortly after she'd read it over. It was a little exciting – having a secret confidant. Thor seemed pretty unhappy about the idea that the letters kept disappearing. Jane understood that he had no reason to trust Loki but she didn't have much other choice. It'd only been a few days where she'd been speaking with him but he was so articulate and while fairly pretentious she was curious as to what had driven such a deep resentment in him. Why he'd finally done all of the things he'd done. Sadly, psychiatrists didn't have much of a place on the war heavy world where she was stuck. Loki being an intellectual of such a capacity must have left him as quite the black sheep.

"Bleh, stop thinking about Loki, need to find a plan – maybe it'll help get rid of this headache?" Jane rubbed her temples in hopes it would ease the pressure that seemed to be building in her skull. The Aether hadn't been too horrible at first, and then the pain had come in waves but now they were a little more tidal. She had to do something or she wasn't sure she'd make it to the morning – at the very least it seemed as thought she wasn't going to be sleeping. Distracting herself seemed to help but with this world being so different than her own and her being on lock down there weren't many methods by which to pass the time.

It was more by desperation than planning that she decided to make a run out of one of the doors – and while she expected the arm that reached out to grab her it worked better than she expected. The Aether pulsed in the same way it had when others had tried to grab her, forcing them backward. It overwhelmed her to the point that she collapsed but as people called to her she had to smile a little – the pain had lightened.

To Loki Odinson,

Such frivolities might be all I have left...I managed to recreate the circumstances that released some of the energy eating away at me. I have to thank you since it did help – though I'm sure the poor guards it knocked over don't feel quite the same way.

As for your family, you gotta adjust to that one of these days or you'll always be unhappy. I can't imagine anyone who would want to stay so miserable forever. I don't think you can be completely horrible since you're willing to help me and we've never met face to face. I guess that will change tomorrow.

With the Aether, I'm not sure what to say. I think it makes me more reckless but that could just be the pain it causes. I have seen a few strange visions, with the world all in black and red, everything rusted or turned to nothing here on Asgard. I thought such dark ideas should be kept to myself or that it was just deteriorating my mind along with my body. I have been nervous to tell Thor as he and Odin seem busy. Should I?

As for out of the ordinary, talking to you is that. Though I don't think that's some strange influence I guess it could be – but since the Aether probably doesn't want to get pushed out I'll doubt that. I think I just sort of feel bad for you – I probably shouldn't be saying some of this cause you might decide not to help me but I think I'm getting a bit delirious.

What happened to make you so hate Thor and Odin? Thor at least loves you. I have to think even though Odin's a jerk he must care or he wouldn't have let Frigga convince him to let you live. I just think the apple doesn't fall far – you don't seem to be able to admit when you're wrong either. Okay, I should stop rambling and try to get a little sleep before they have me come visit tomorrow.

-Jane Foster

Jane reread the letter then frowned, shoving it away and deciding not to send it since they would speak in the morning. Instead trudging to her bed to flop down and pass into troubled sleep.

End Chapter

Whew, time has been scarce but yay I managed to finish a chapter! Woot woot. I hope I can keep getting stuff up. Life is hard for staying at the computer too long.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

You guys are great!

Preciossa - : )

OkieDokieLoki – Nice name. Thanks for the review.

Verity Kindle – LOL, perhaps in the future? I am not sure how someone is adorably angsty but thanks!

Sktheiss – Cool. I wouldn't at all claim I originated it but yeah I don't see the letter style much and I really enjoy it. I thought Loki was the perfect person to have disappearing ink.