chapter 5

Wooo number 5 XD! I got my first review and I LOVE YOU for giving me one *hugs* I'll try and update more often now that the holidays are over. Sorry if this chapter seems short but I wasn't feeling too well when trying to finish it sorry *hands you all an apology cookie*

I don't own Loki or anything Marvel but I do own my fantastic OC

Back at the townhouse Tatsumi couldn't help but notice that Loki seemed different. It was strange he really was acting like he was torn about something but wouldn't say what. Oh well she thought as she finished up the last load of laundry and started to seperate them.

Stealing a look over at Loki she felt a little uneasy with the way he was just sitting there on the couch staring off into space with a small scowl on his face.

Clearing her throat "Well it seems as if I'll be done with the laundry after I get done folding everything so we'll be able to go out, that is if you still want to go?" She says acting calm as she carried out her task.

Loki jerked a little at being distracted from his thoughts "I don't know if I feel up to going out now...What do you have for entertainment here other than that musical device in your kitchen?" He ask the mortal looking at her quizzically.

"I have a television which will show you movies and t.v shows which are essentially plays that you can watch anywhere, you can even watch them on your phones or computers if you like. I also have a computer that allows me to, as I mentioned before, watch shows but I can get any information I desire at the mere brush of a keystroke, I can listen to music just like with the "musical device" better known as a radio and I can read stories just like in a book except without having to find places to store them. I also do have a large selection of books in my room that I could let you peruse and see if any catch you attention too. I read mostly fiction but I also do enjoy reading a lot of the classics. Take your pick." Tatsumi says feeling a little bummed out over the fact that he didn't want to go out but didn't blame him because it was a lot to take in for a day she supposed.

Loki decided to settle on a book not just because he didn't feel particularly in the mood to be shown how all this "tech" worked but because he'd get to have a better look at the mortals room. Not to mention he knew from experience that ones taste in reading material really reflected their mentality more they themselves could consciously ever know. He didn't know why but he wanted to try and get a better understanding of this Midgardian. She was like a puzzle always suprising him with how she thought and acted.

"I'd like to read a book." Loki stated getting up from the couch "Though I doubt that I will find anything of interest I suppose it won't hurt to look anyways."

"You might be surprised what I consider good reading." Tatsumi says with a small smirk as she grabs her pile of folded clothing and makes her way down the hall with Loki following close behind.

Inside the room Tatsumi sets down the basket as Loki walks in and is surprised to see no books anywhere. Looking to the mortal "Are you trying to trick me?" He says motioning to the lack of aforementioned books.

Smiling Tatsumi walks over to the wall and looks over her shoulder to the god as she lays a hand on it "Sometimes things are not what they seem on the surface." She says as she pushes a small panel making all the walls in her room slide revealing floor to ceiling bookshelves. "Take a look and see if you can find anything." She says as she walks back over to her pile of clothes to put away.

Loki stared wide eyed for he truly did not expect that to happen. Looking more closely at the books he noticed many were very old if not ancient and in many different languages. He came to a section of books that looked far more worn than that of the others and couldn't help but trace one of the spines lightly.

Tatsumi noticed what section Loki had stopped in front of. "Those are my favorites if you haven't noticed." She says walking up beside the god.

Looking over at the woman and back at the books "Which one is your favorite?" Then looks back at her.

A nostalgic grin crosses Tatsumi's face as she traces the spines much like Loki except more like a mother caresses a child "Hmmm.. That's a hard question to answer but if any of these were to be my favorite I'd have to say...this one." she says picking a book off the shelf and hands it to Loki.

Loki reads the title, As You Like It by William Shakespeare, it says in worn gold leaf lettering. "Is it alright with you if I read it?" He ask the Midgardian hesitantly knowing how much she must love this story for the book to be so well read.

"Of course, books are meant to be cherished by all not just a select few. When you get done with that just let me know and I'll let you pick out anouther story." She says giving him a kind look and moving to hold the door open so he can leave.

Befor exiting the room Tatsumi makes a point to grab a book for herself as well as her I-Pod to listen to some music.

Entering the livingroom she noticed that Loki was already engrossed in the story having seemingly tuned her and the entire world out. Looking at the book in his hands she couldn't help but think of when she got it. Of course the book was new back then and William was a new author but even after all these years she couldn't help but go back to his stories and feel at peace reading them.

She decided to prepare some dinner for the two of them as she turned on her music to the tune of Mistaken for Strangers by The National.

Loki glanced up from reading out of habit to see if anyone was watching him. On Asgard many a servant would end up standing for hours not allowed to disturb him if he was reading unless he made eye contact to let them know he acknowledged their existance. Then and only then could they deliver any message to him. But right now he was amazed to see the woman seemingly dancing around the kitchen listening to her "radio" and cooking all while never taking her eyes from the book she was reading. It was really a marvelous sight to see for he knew that even with his grace that if he were to try such a thing he'd have knocked something over or tripped.

With much trouble he took his eyes off the mortal and went back to his reading. He had decided that he much liked this author and found himself wishing he could have met him in person.

Tatsumi finished up the simple meal of taco salad and brought Loki a bowl only to set it down next to him on the table so as not to disturb him too greatly in his reading.

Loki heard the bowl of food touch down next to him and with a sigh closed his book only to settle a narrow eyed look at the food. "What is this?" he asked not really liking the look of it.

"That is called taco salad and it is what we are eating for dinner." Tatsumi says taking a bite of her food while keeping her eyes on her book in hand.

"Are you sure it's edible?" he says poking it with the fork like a child.

Sighing Tatsumi looks away from her book to Loki "It might not be much to look at but have I steered you wrong yet when it comes to food?" She ask him exasperatedly.

"I supposed you make a good point." he says poking it again with a none to pleased look on his face.

"Oh for goodness sakes! Take a bite of it before I go over there and make you take a bite." Tatsumi says getting irritated with Loki's childish behaviour.

Quirking an eyebrow at the woman "I would very much like to see you try but I will take a taste." he says with a slight up turn of his mouth holding back a smile.

Giving Loki a heated look Tatsumi goes back to eating her food and reading her book doing her best to tune him out.

The food was actually much better than he thought it would be. He had to give credit to the human for she certainly knew how to make pleasant meals for the palate. Getting a grin across his face for a moment then hiding it "I suppose this is acceptable but nothing note worthy." He says sounding as pompous as possible.

Tatsumi bristled at the comment but refused to fall into his trap for she knew he was bored and only wanted to get a rise out of her "Well there's no accounting for taste I suppose." She sniffs in his direction but never fully acknowledging him.

Loki frowned at the fact she didn't get offended as easily as he'd hoped ruining what little fun he had hoped to acheive.

Tatsumi finishes her bowl of food and puts it in the sink. On her way past Loki with her face still in her story "You can put your bowl in the sink once you get done I'm tired so I'm going to get ready for bed. If you want I can set up yours before I head back to my room." She says glancing up at him from her book.

Tatsumi had caught the god in mid bite so she had to wait for him to choke it down before she could receive a reply. "I would much appreciate it if you could do that." Loki says getting up taking his food and book with him.

Tatsumi figured as much and had already set down her book to get started. Once the bed was made she decided to go and get a towel for Loki as well so he could clean up before going to sleep.

"Now if that is all I'll be heading to my room. If you need anything just let me know, it might be a while before I fall asleep." She says passing a look to the book in her hands.

Loki knew all to well what it was like to get caught up in a story "I think I will be able to manage on my own." He says getting his book and food.

Tatsumi nods her head "In that case Good night Loki." she says and goes down the hall to disappear into her room.

Loki couldn't help but stare after her for a few moments for he found himself missing her company. Shaking his head and sitting down in the chair that previously held the mortal. "What is going on with me?" he ask himself not liking this feeling at all. If I didn't know better I'd swear she's cast a spell on me. Loki thought while opening back up to the page he had marked so as to pick up where he left off.

Tatsumi couldn't shake the thought of the god out of her head. Yes he was annoying and got on her nerves but dear lord that accent and his amazing good looks were almost enough to make up for it. What really intrigued her was the fact that she could have an actual intelligent conversation with him. It had been far too long since she had been able to do that one simple thing with anyone.

Having finished getting cleaned and changed Tatsumi decided to curl up in her bed with the lights dimmed so when she did finally go to sleep she wouldn't have to worry about getting up. Once more before starting in on her book her thoughts went back to the god. I know he did wrong but...I just see so much potential for good in him. She couldn't help but think as she picked up the story of Macbeth.