OMG can't believe how long it's been! So sorry for the long break, but now I'm building up to another milestone in their relationship, and it all builds around this dance! I wonder what milestone that could be... *wink wink*
Please review, I know it's been a while but I promise I won't be so long next time!
Song that inspired this chapter- James Morrison- I won't let you go
Haunt me Chapter 12
It had been several weeks since Fury had declared Loki's "freedom", and we were all congregated in the glass room, except for Loki who was currently reading a Midgardian book in the safe house. The annual charity ball was the topic of discussion, to my disgust. I never had time for balls on Asgard.
"There's an annual charity ball here?" Natasha exclaimed, she was as surprised as I was to hear of it.
"Yes, every year. We raise money for Cancer Research all over the globe." Agent Hill interjected, looking proud.
"You've been invited to come." Fury said, finally speaking up after minutes of silence.
"I think we should all go. It's for a noble cause." Tony spoke. His arrogant self was buried beneath the protection of a charity close to his heart.
"Who's raising the money though?"
"This year many are sponsoring as long as the Avengers attend." Fury explained.
"Is Sigyn and Loki invited too?" Natasha spoke. Her tone was nothing but curious. She was wearing more make up than usual. I noticed that she stood closer to Clint than usual too. I smiled at the sight. Though they both denied it, there was definitely something passionate there.
"Of course, they're technically not Avengers but they might as well be." Bruce joked. I smirked in his direction.
"I will come if invited. I am not so sure about… others though." I looked down at my feet, suddenly dejected.
"Maybe you should ask him. He's been so kind towards you recently." Natasha said.
"Maybe. He's still hostile at times. The social situation may frighten him." I shook my head. The group muttered to various others, some happy, others concerned with the upcoming event.
"When is it?" Steve asked with a collected tone.
"Two weeks from tomorrow." My eyes widened. There was barely any time for preparation. I excused myself from the room and went to ask the daunting question. I smoothed my hair nervously before entering the house I'd grown so emotionally attached to. It loomed above me. I noticed the wiry mesh that guarded the house looked rusty and neglected. The guards and Fury had eased slightly into trusting Loki it seemed.
"I'm back." I said out of habit. He walked from his room, down the stairs in a glorified manner and stood before me. We had not had any passionate contact whatsoever since before he was hospitalized back when Thanos attacked. I felt the vibes that there was more to Thanos' disappearance than Fury let on, but I allowed them to be quiet about it.
"Hello." I said with a small smile. I nervously fumbled with my fingers. I tucked my hair behind my ears and licked my lips. My heart beat erratically as I struggled to ask Loki the question that was seared into my mind but stuck in my throat.
"Nervous are we?" He chuckled, stepping closer so he towered over me. He took my hands and stilled them.
"The annual… annual ball is coming up soon." I began. I couldn't look him in the eyes.
"I was wondering… would you be my escort?" I breathed a small sigh of relief that I had finally said it. Then with a sudden chill I remembered he could say no and I would be devastated. There was a pause, and I couldn't bring myself to look at him. He ever so gently pulled my chin up to look at him. His emerald eyes were soft and warm.
"Sigyn Agmundottir, it would be an honour and a pleasure to escort you to the ball." He said, leaning in for a soft kiss. My heart swelled at his embrace.
"Thank you." I whispered softly. He nodded without saying anything. His hands gently but firmly roamed my skin, seeking pleasure from the goose bumps that rose from his contact. My breath caught in my throat as the kiss became urgent, building up to something catastrophically passionate. He groaned quietly into my mouth, and I instinctively twined my delicate fingers into his hair. His breath hitched too, and he stopped for a moment at the sensation. I didn't open my eyes, but I tipped my head back as his lips slowly caressed my necks. My breathing was heavy and loud, and I was sure I would melt there and then. He chuckled at me, he must have felt the heat roll of me like waves. He pushed me against the closes wall and continued his embrace. I pulled him so tight against me he almost crushed me, yet I felt no pain, only ecstasy. I slowed down my embrace. I wasn't sure of what I wanted, but my mind was so foggy I couldn't get any more intimate for the time being.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do this now." I said quietly, leaning away from his lips. Hurt, he stepped back.
"Why not?" I shut my eyes slowly in anguish.
"Because I'm not… I'm not ready yet."
"Is that the truth? You're not ready? Or do you just not want to with a monster?" He was twisting my actions, and being unfair. My blood boiled in retaliation.
"No, I'm not ready. You should know if I lie or not." I crossed my arms in anger.
"I'm surprised- I thought by now your father's disapproval of me would have rubbed off on you." He sneered. My jaw dropped- I felt like I had been slapped viciously round the cheek. He stood his ground, but I could see deep into his emerald eyes the flickers of regret sparking amongst the anger. For a moment neither of us said anything, than I laughed humourlessly and stepped back. He sighed and averted his gaze from me.
"You make me unwell." I hissed quietly.
"Sigyn, I…" He faltered his words when he saw me turn my head in disgust.
"I'm not interested. If you are to bring my father into this conversation then there's no point in me staying to hear it. You cannot justify anything using that man." I stalked away, snatching the keys from the wooden, glistening pot that stood neatly in the corner beneath the mirror above the fireplace that had been installed recently. I slammed the rickety door behind me, feeling the shudder in the balls of my feet as the foundations of the safe house gently rocked. I didn't get very far, as I simply walked onto the grass surrounding the house and lay in it, allowing the blades to caress my skin. The cool breeze washed over me and seeped through my nostrils. I smelt the faint aroma of fried mortal food, amongst the fragrance Tony wore when he was around women. I couldn't see him or feel his presence nearby, so I assumed someone was misusing his fragrance. I suspected Bruce or Clint was to blame; the three were always up to mischief.
I stared up at the sky and searched for my home in vain. For the first time ever, I felt the pangs of homesickness as I thought back to the stars, the Bifrost, to Heimdall and my maid. As much as I found Midgard an adventure, an enigma, I still missed the familiarity of my home. After what seemed like days, I sat up and ran my hands through my scalp. I felt a loose strand, and pulled it out. I studied it in confusion, as it was black. My hair was golden; the black hair stood out. I shook my head, dismissing it as nothing more than a fluke, and dropped it. I stood up, arching my back gracefully. The sun had moved across the sky since I last looked. I figured I must have fallen asleep despite my rage. I debated where to go. I could either face Loki and his sneers, or face Tony and his sneers. I was trapped between a rock and a hard place as the phrase went.
"Sigyn?" I heard a cautious female voice behind me. I jumped out of shock and whipped around to face the voice. I was greeted with the sight of Bruce and Agent Hill. Agent Hill looked annoyed, her eyebrows furrowed in a frown. Bruce looked only concerned, his nose crinkled at the bridge in worry.
"Oh, sorry you startled me." I spoke quickly, collecting my thoughts and mentally flinging them in the dark corners of my mind I never ventured in.
"We noticed you lying on the floor- we were concerned." Agent Hill didn't look me in the eye.
"Well, I needed to calm down." I explained in hushed tones. It would take a moronic individual to not understand why I needed calming down. Bruce stepped away, clenching his fists.
"Did he hurt you?" His voice shook.
"No, Bruce of course not!" I cried, my azure eyes wide. He flexed his fists and breathed deeply.
"I knew we shouldn't have trusted him." Agent Hill muttered. I don't know why, but I snapped.
"What is your problem? Since I landed here you've been cold towards me, uttered all of two sentences to me during my stay, and you know what? If you don't like me, why don't you just tell me to my face so I don't have to wonder why anymore?" I raised my voice and stood at my true height. I towered above Agent Hill, and watched in vindictive delight as she shrunk even farther in uncontrollable fear.
"I intimidate you now?" I sneered, taking a step closer.
"No, I don't trust any of you Asgardians. All you've been is trouble so far. And you are attracted to Loki, the trouble-maker that brought the Avengers together in the first place. That's unforgivable in my books." She rose up again, so I towered over her but her composure was solid and fearless.
"So you're going to judge me just because of Loki?" I was completely unravelled by her comment.
"Is that what you all think?" I snapped my attention to Bruce, watching quietly next to us.
"Sigyn, of course not…" His denial was pathetic. I practically ran into the SHIELD glass room, to find the whole group still congregated there.
"Do you all feel the same as Agent Hill? Do you distrust me because I like Loki?" Tears of all that had gone down that day brewed in my eyes. They were all startled, yet Steve and Clint blushed guiltily and avoided my eyes. And Tony casually slipped on his sunglasses so he could pull facial expressions with his eyes without me seeing.
"Well I'd like to thank you all for definitely trusting me for who I am and not who I love." I commented sarcastically. Bruce ran through the door dramatically behind me.
"Sigyn, we don't dislike you because of Loki. We don't understand, but we don't judge either." He explained.
"Why should I believe you? I can't believe anyone today!" I exclaimed. Tony snorted lightly.
"I don't know what you find so funny! You had a brief phase not long ago when you were a sulky child towards me!" I snatched his sunglasses of his head.
"Give them back, they're limited edition!" He cried, grasping at empty air near my hand. I chuckled at his feeble attempts. I gave them back eventually, but only after I'd deliberated thoroughly over the matter. I felt pain each beat my heart thumped- I missed Loki, despite all he'd said. Natasha nodded at me and stepped outside. I followed her.
"What did he do to you this time?" She sounded weary- I noticed a small bruise on her neck. Its nucleus was a speckled red, with veins a dark blue surrounding it. She saw me stare at her neck and quickly covered it with her hair. I squinted in accusation at her.
"It's nothing." She muttered finally.
"Whatever, Natasha. Anyway, Loki brought my father into an already unfair accusation. We both said things that were best left unsaid." I admitted.
"Maybe you ought to talk to him and try to resolve the issues." She tried, beginning to walk away. I didn't even hesitate- I was too weary to put up a fight. I walked slowly, cautiously up to the safe house. I opened the door and plopped the keys in their ornamental bowl.
"Loki?" I called tentatively. He appeared in the doorway, in his armour and his helmet. I knew for a fact he only ever wore his helmet when he was upset or felt like he or I was in danger.
"I'm incredibly… incredibly sorry Sigyn." His voice broke in the middle of his sentence, and I noticed the tears blurring his vision.
"I know." I whispered, taking a step forward. He didn't move. He looked like a statue- he wasn't even breathing.
"I wasn't thinking properly." He continued. I nodded but did not move.
"I love you." He murmured, avoiding eye contact. That was all it took. I ran straight into his stone cold arms. He relaxed his tense posture and moulded his body to fit mine. I smiled at the familiar feeling.
"I love you too." I whispered through my grin.