Disclaimer: I don't own jack, blah blah blah!
So far, this has been my favorite chapter to write so far, becuase I got to play with some feels. :) I do want to say, I don't condone any violence against women, and Loki doesn't either. So remember this is just fiction, and I had to write this to move the story along.
As always I hope you enjoy and I welcome your comments!
OH SNAP, I ALMOST FORGOT! THANK YOU! You guys brighten up my day with every new alert, favorite and author alert I get. I love you guys!
Darcy woke up a bit earlier than normal in hopes she could get her routine in before Loki could arrive and mess with her morning. She was all out of sorts yesterday because she didn't get her morning started off right. Then after the lab time today she wanted to get some self practice in, downstairs at the training facility.
A half an hour later...
"Ah,We meet again."
Loki said from the doorway just as she was coming up from her downward facing dog position.
"Good Morning Loki."
She said trying to stay as cordial as possible.
"Morning Lady Darcy. Rest well?"
"Yea. That bath was just what I needed."
Loki stiffened everywhere at the reminder of Darcy last night. Luckily, she didn't notice since she decided to go into tree pose facing the street. He took observation of her, and she seemed much more calm and a lot less cheeky when she was doing this 'yoga' exercise.
"Why do you practice this yoga art every morning?"
Loki questioned, with a curious look on his face.
"Because not only is it good for the body, it's good for the mind as well."
"How so?"
"I find it helps relieve the stress I have and it helps me also release some of the anger I have.'
"You angry? I never would have guessed."
He said smirking with a sarcastic tone. She went back on two feet, and sunk down to the ground to finish her yoga with some meditation.
"Funny. Yes. When I'm angry I find going through the process helps me not what to tase everybody that says something I don't like."
She closed her eyes and focused on clearing her mind, Loki realizing she was doing what he came up here to do, took a spot next to her and went to practice his meditation. He used the time to focus his mind, strengthen his mind against outside attacks, and that would protect his body. He also practiced his magic when in this state. He would often create copies of himself on other realms and walk around in them at the same time. His first goal was to make them all corporal, as of right now he couldn't have one besides himself you could touch and interact with. He wanted to interact with the people on every realm no matter where he was. Then his next goal would be for him to change the looks of each of his copies without having to change the looks of them all and they could look different from him entirely. After than would be for the copies to do magic. He imagined the confusion they could cause in battle against the enemy. He also he spent his time up there to expand his sorcery, despite the fact he was well accomplished on that area. Knowledge was always available when you wanted it. It couldn't be limited, making the mind the most powerful weapon one could have in their possession.
The next 30 minutes were spent in silence between the two, and yet they both enjoyed not arguing or pressing each others buttons. When she made to stand up, he did as well.
"Alright, Mr. Silvertongue, Lab in 30 minutes?"
"That is agreeable."
She gave him a parting nod, with a small, awkward grin plastered on her face.
Loki on the other hand knew he was in trouble, as he watched her walk away. To him, those frame molding pants she wore, were as he was convinced a punishment created for him by the All-father. But he was deeply disturbed about how much the mortal was beginning to affect him. What magic was this, that was making him lose control of himself?
*In The Lab-45 mins Later*
Loki walked in dressed in all black leather shirt and pants. Darcy practically lost it where she stood, he looked tottally hot! She tried to find the words to greet the dark prince, but she couldn't say anything but stammer...
"I...I... Um... Hi."
She murmured almost pathetically to him. She has always had a thing for the bad guy and Loki was as bad as they came. What was she thinking? But as he walked to his chair and smoothly sat down, the leather pulling against his skin, defining the lean muscle, She knew... He was fuckhot! Ok so that was a bit disrespectful, but then again she was in her own head, it's not like he could hear her. Oh but what if he could, she'd never live it down. She began to ramble in her own head.
"Miss. Lewis? Are you ok?"
She jumped when she realized he was standing inches away from her.
"I..I'm fine."
"You don't seem fine. I was told that when women of this realm say they are fine, that means they are truly not fine. They are unwell."
Darcy looked at him, and she had to laugh at his correctness yet his brash, naive way of saying it.
"And who told you that?"
"Tony."
"Well there's your first mistake. Tony will send you up a creak without a paddle, and laugh as you are swept away by the current."
Loki looked at her confused, he did not understand her saying.
"Umm... Ok."
"You will pick it up in time. Are you ready to start?"
She chuckled at him, it was kinda cute to see the confused puppy dog look on his face. He and Thor still had much to learn about living on Midgard, the customs and language had confused them from time to time. Realizing he would have to ask the solider what she meant, he was the only one who would probably give him an honest answer...
The data gathering was going smoothly, just as Jane had told them, but they still hadn't gotten over the awkwardness. Darcy had decided that it would crazy to let her stupid, random emotions get in the way of a what could possibly be a fun friendship, well that was if they didn't kill each other during it.
"So Loki, can you tell me about where your from?"
His head snapped toward her, her voice was unexpected, the question even more so.
"You mean where I've lived my whole life, or where I was born?"
He found himself willing to oblige her question, he was sure Thor had spread the word around that he was another species entirely, and in honesty he was surprised no one had come to question him before now.
"There's a difference?"
His eyebrow rose, surely she knew.
"Lady Darcy..."
"Just Darcy please."
"Ok Darcy, what do you know of me?"
"Nothing really. Thor has only ever mentioned that you were not brothers by blood, but you were brothers in every way that truly mattered."
To state that Loki was shocked, would be an understatement. She wasn't lying, he'd be able to tell, so Thor hadn't told them the sordid details.
"Well that's a bit of a shock."
"What is?"
"He has never told you anything about me."
"Not really. He told Jane about the fight between you two, that had destroyed the Bifrost and she told me in the strictest of conference, although now I think she may kill me when she found out what I said. Crap..."
"Darcy, would you like to know the answer to your question, or not?"
"Yes I would."
"Well then let me answer."
"Sorry."
She sheepishly grinned.
"I can tell you about both. Jotunhiem is where I was born. I am a frost giant, my father was the king of Frost Giants. Asgard as you know us where Thor and I have grown and lived."
"What are the differences between the two places?"
"Jotunhiem is a cold and desolate wasteland. A sheet of frozen ice, that has been destroyed by war. King Laufey was my biological father, and l his bastard son."
Darcy wished to change the subject off of that unfortunate topic, she knew first hand it was not a great topic to dwell on.
"And Asgard?"
Loki who was worried that she'd run off at his apparent bitterness, but she didn't. She skated past the topic, like he hadn't referred to Laufey in past tense.
"Asgard is pure beauty, it's wealth regarded by all realms, and it's power feared and respected by many. Mortals like your Lady Jane are sheer, shocked amazed by it."
"Yea, she was psyched when she came back from Asgard with you all. I was a little jealous myself.
He gave her his signature smirk, which unbeknownst to him, it was also a panty dampening smirk as well.
"Of the fact she has Thor?"
He should have known the girl was besotted with his brother, everyone was.
"What? No. I have never had any feelings like that toward Thor. He's so not my type."
"And pray tell, what is your type Miss Lewis?"
"Me, well I think I lean toward the underdog. Somebody with more brain than brawn. I love Thor like the brother I never had, but you and I both know sometimes he...misses the point."
Loki's rich laughter filled the lab.
"You would be right in that aspect."
"But like I said he is great, just not for me. He and Jane are made for each other.
"So why were you jealous of her, it certainly couldn't be her looks. I think she would be jealous of you in that aspect."
"No. I like my indie girl, rock look. No, I was jealous of her getting to go to Asgard. I mean it sounds beautiful and magnificent, and in a whole other realm for crying out loud."
"You desire to visit Asgard?"
"Some day I would love to! You cannot spend so much time working with Jane and hearing about a place and never want to go when told about how great it is."
She walked over to the simulator to write down observances. Loki pondered the idea of Darcy in Asgard. Her skin, glowing under the soft light as the sun sets. To see her skin against his emerald sheets, as she rived beneath him, his fingers gripping the soft flesh of her thighs...
He stopped himself from going any further in his thoughts.
"Well I assure you, that you will get to Asgard."
"Yea, because us Mortals just hop on a huge tour bus that stops on all nine realms every weekend. I have no reason to ever be allowed on Asgard."
"You would be allowed, and most certainly if you were with one of the Princes of Asgard."
"Well until we can get the Bifrost fixed, Thor cannot take more than one besides himself."
"Well good thing I do not have to use the Bifrost to Travel and I may take as many as I wish."
"You'd take me?"
"As long as you do not annoy me before, during, or after your visit. I will escort you to Asgard when you wish."
Darcy screeched in excitement, and jumped up, throwing her arms around him.
"Ahhhh! Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!"
Loki frozen, was unsure how to react or feel about having her body pressed against his in such an intimate way. One side, the dark side said that he should push her away, he didn't deserve to have her body so close, to delight in her. That he was unworthy of such pleasure. The other side, only slightly stronger said he should enjoy having such a marvelous body pressed to him.
"You are more than welcome Darcy."
At his words, she came out of her excitement and realized what she was doing.
"I'm sorry, does this count as annoying you?"
"No, you will find that I, like most men, enjoy the feeling of a beautiful women pressed against him."
She untangled herself from him and sheepishly smiled at him.
"Well I'm sure you do..."
The rest of the day was spent, talking about random things that made then laugh, and had made them more apathetic to the other. They still bantered, but it was friendly and didn't result in attempted murder anymore. Darcy wanted to end early so she could get her training in and over with.
"Okay Loki, umm... I need to call it for the day."
"It's only 4:00 Darcy."
"I know it's just I promised myself I'd train at least twice while the others were away."
"Whatever you wish."
They began to pack up the paperwork, stealing side glances at the other, neither realized that the other didn't want the day to end between the two. Darcy, swallowing her pride she made a decision she had been going over in her head.
"Loki?"
"Yes?'
"Are you busy tonight?"
"No, I'm rarely locked into engagements. Why do you ask?"
"I was thinking I could use some help training, and you are a skilled fighter, so I was wondering if you wanted to help. If you don't want to, I understand that. I mean it's not like you..."
"Darcy if I say yes, will you please stop rambling?"
"I'll make a concerned effort. It's how I was wired. Thank you."
She smiled at him, and Loki had decided that he liked seeing her smile at him, more than her glaring at him.
"What time will you be going to the training room?"
"In 15 minutes. I need to change, and get down there. Is that okay?"
"It's fine. I'll meet you there."
She nodded her agreement, and left the room.
*Training Room*
She changed back into her clothes from the roof earlier, and she stretched her muscles waiting for Loki to arrive, when she jumped when popped in front of her. No amour to protect himself, maybe he was just going to provide instruction.
"Shit, you almost have me a heart attack."
She grabbed her chest. Loki looked panicked at the thought she was sick.
"Come we must get to the hospital."
"Why? Are one of the others hurt?"
"No, you said you were about to have a heart attack. We must get you medical help.'
Darcy looked at him for a moment and busted out laughing at his words.
"No Loki, I'm fine, it's an expression. It meant that you scared me with your sudden appearance in front of me."
He visibly relaxed.
"Fine. As long as your not really sick. I'd hate for you to die, without my direct and wanted involvement."
He smirked at her.
"Charming. Now can we start?"
"You call this a training room?"
"Umm... Yes."
"How do you expect to learn anything in here?"
He waved his hand in the direction of equipment.
"Like I have been, with practice."
"Fine, show me what you know?"
"On you? But your not even wearing any padding or protection.'
"Just do not hit me in my groin area, and I will be fine."
She looked at him like he was crazy. She could hurt him.
"But I could hurt you."
"Please Lady Darcy, you will hurt yourself if I put on any of my amour. You will have a hard enough time hitting my flesh, we can use amour once you have progressed in your training."
"So your saying I can't cause you damage?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. I am a god, you cannot cause me damage."
She rolled her eyes at his arrogance.
"One rule, do not hit me in the face."
Loki in all his mischievousness, knew she needed to learn that villains do not listen to such demands. So he smacked her lightly. At full strength he may have broken her neck, she was not ready for such strength yet, now Natasha could handle being hit after training. ( Not that he ever tested the theory, he liked his body parts attached.)
"Ouch. Shit Loki didn't I just say no face?"
"You need to know, that villains do not listen to the whims of a little girl, playing in an adults battle. I held back, they will not. Now fight me."
She began swinging, kicking, flipping, and attempted tripping in an attempt to get the upper hand, but Loki blocked her at every turn, and she had successfully tired herself out. He stood over her, foot on chest, clearly the victor, without doing anything but avoiding her strikes.
"You must learn to wait for your opponent to attack. All your opponent has to do is wait for you to tire, and your life is over."
He got off her chest, and she stood up out of breath.
"This training you have gotten, will get you killed in a real battle. Stay here, I will return shortly."
She nodded, and went to take seat, while he vanished. Darcy was exhausted, she had never battled so fast, and hard in her life. Loki had no visible damage, and it made her feel like crap. I mean come on, he could have at least faked an injury, you know make her feel a little better. She drunk some water to steady her breathing, and waited for him to return.
*30 Minutes Later*
Loki reappeared back into the room, his royal garb melting into what he had on before he left her panting on the floor.
"Come, I have arranged for your training to take place elsewhere."
He offered his hand for her to take. She did, being pulled into a standing position and held to him. She held onto him as she felt herself being pulled through time, despite feeling every cell in her body the travel wasn't unpleasant, it felt natural, and being held close to Loki felt even better.
After the room stopped spinning upon their landing, she took in what was around them. It was beautiful. They were in the thick of a lush, green forest. The trees were so tall she couldn't see the tops of them. The tree branches were all intertwined, and they were standing in the middle of what seemed to be a clearing. In both sides was a trail leading to in one direction she could see the beginnings of a castle that she could tell was huge. In the other direction appeared what could be a large field.
"Where are we?"
"We are Vanaheim, sister realm to Asgard."
"You took me to another REALM!"
She yelled despite he wasn't that far away from her. Her face breaking into a slow amazed smile, as she looked around.
"Yes. Is something wrong? Would you like to leave?"
The smile on her face was enough to tell him she was enjoying the field trip.
"No no no! It's beautiful! But why did you bring me here?"
"To train. If you want to be the best, you must seek out the best. And Vanaheim is one of the best places to train."
She nodded.
"When do we start?"...
A/N: Shoutout to Thor: Dark World trailer with that last line. LOKI HAIR=LOVE. I cannot wait for NOV 8, 2013