Thank you to everyone who favorite/followed this story! Also, an extra thank you to A Wild Clover for your lovely review :) Don't worry, Loki will definitely become more like we've come to know him! The next chapter (chapter 5) will begin to show a change in him that will continue throughout the story that portrays him as more of the Loki we've all come to know and love :) Also, thank you for your suggestion, that was definitely something running in the back of my mind as well and what you're suggesting is how I originally planned this story to go and I very well may still hold to that original idea! Once again, thanks :)
Without further ado, here is chapter 4!
"Loki?" you sniffled as you wiped your eyes to focus on the figure standing very close to you.
Loki's emerald eyes were full of concern. "What happened Aurora? Did someone hurt you?" he asked urgently.
"Fandral is so intolerable." You managed to say.
Loki's eyes changed from concerned to angry at the mention of Fandral. "What did he do to you?"
You wiped your tears away with your sleeve again as you said, "He didn't do anything to me. He just says such mean stuff about you and it upsets me because I care about you so much."
Loki's eyes softened, "Aurora..."
"No, Loki, don't tell me it's okay because it isn't. I can't stand to see you treated this way." You spoke with your voice quivering slightly.
"Shh, shh. Come here." Loki said softy as he opened his arms.
You burst into tears at his gesture as you walked into his arms. Loki wrapped his arms around you and whispered, "Don't worry for me. Fandral's behavior towards me does not upset me very much. He isn't worthy of my friendship, that's all."
"B-b-but you're Odin's son, h-he should r-resp-p-pect you." you choked out.
"I may be Odin's son, but I am not going to hold my status over anyone's head. That wouldn't be right." Loki said quietly.
"Well, I would if I were you." you said into his shirt.
Loki laughed and you felt it rumble in his chest. "Try not to harbor such hatred for Fandral. He's just immature. He'll grow up eventually."
"It's foolish that I can't stand him when you're so calm about this. After all, this is about you not me, and I'm the one crying over it." you said.
Loki squeezed you against him, "It's not foolish. You care about me and that makes me happy."
"I'm glad you know I care." you said now looking at his eyes.
"I do and I also care about you." he said to you.
You smiled. "I know you do, Loki."
"Good. Now how about we get out of this corridor?" he asked you.
You laughed, "I guess we probably should. Where to?"
"Why don't we go back in there where everyone is? I might as well make my appearance." Loki said.
"Uh... I kind of made a bit of a scene." you said as you looked down at your feet.
"Did you now?" Loki asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah... I told Fandral he was awful and ran out in tears." you said blushing.
"No worries, he probably won't be so smug when he sees me." Loki said as he pulled you with him toward the dining hall.
"By the way," you began, "You can really read my mind can't you?"
Loki chuckled, "Yes, and I can communicate telepathically too."
"Wow, you're learning a lot quite fast." you marveled.
"I suppose so. I like magic and it seems to come easily to me." Loki said as the two of you continued to walk side by side.
"Your intelligence is a little scary." you said eyeing him.
Loki turned his head to face you. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, you know all these things that I can't do or understand. I know a lot of words, but I feel like your vocabulary is surpassing mine and soon I'm going to be as confused as everyone else is when you speak!" you laughed.
"I think not. You possess a different mind than they do. They are warriors and can only think as such, but your mind is more like mine. I do not think you need to fear being left in the shadows of confusion." Loki spoke.
"For now maybe, but we're all changing and you're just becoming so intelligent so fast. I don't think I can keep up with you. You better not leave me behind!" you exclaimed as you poked him in the chest.
"I won't! I promise!" Loki swore with his hand over his heart.
"You better! Although I'm serious about your mind scaring me a little bit." you continued.
Loki looked confused. "Me? I'd never want to intentionally hurt anyone. Even if my magic is a little startling, I wouldn't use it for evil, some pranks and tricks yes, but evil, no."
You breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear that."
"Why? Do you think I would?" Loki asked as he studied your face.
"No, it's just that nobody would know how to fend off someone who can conjure things out of thin air, tap into their mind, or teleport at will. It makes you a formidable opponent." you said.
Loki looked taken aback. "Me? Formidable? Nonsense. I think you've got the wrong Loki."
"You are the only Loki." you said as you pushed him lightly.
"Then your conceptions are, my apologies, misconstrued." Loki smiled.
"See, it's already starting. I don't know what misconstrued means." you laughed.
"It means you are essentially mistaken. You need not worry about what I will do for no evil will come of it." Loki told you.
By now, the two of you had reached the entrance to the dining hall. "I believe you. Now, let's go make nice with everyone." you said.
"After you." Loki bowed and gestured that you lead the way.
"Thank you, sir." you giggled as you walked into the hall followed by Loki.
"Loki! Nice of you to join us! I hope you weren't going to want any of this, because I ate it all." Volstagg laughed jovially as he gestured to the plate of food in front of him.
"No need to worry, Volstagg." Loki smiled and waved his hand.
You noticed that Fandral had tensed up upon your arrival with Loki to the table. This time, you decided not to mention it to him since nobody seemed to want to comment on your teary departure only moments ago. It was as if they were pretending it had never happened and that was just fine with you.
"Greetings brother and Lady Aurora!" Thor said loudly as the two of you sat down at the table.
You smiled at Thor as Loki nodded his greeting.
"Are the two of you going to get anything to eat?" Sif asked you.
You looked at Loki who nodded before answering her, "We are. We'll be right back."
You and Loki stood up and walked away from the table to get some food.
"They don't seem to be too affected by your earlier departure." Loki said to you as you both loaded food onto your plates.
"You noticed that too I see. Yes, I'm glad they haven't mentioned it. I feel really embarrassed by the ordeal and I'd rather none of them spoke about it." You admitted.
"In any regard, I thank you for sticking up for me." Loki said as he finished putting the last bits of food on his plate.
You did the same and turned to face him. "I'll always defend you, Loki. That's what best friends do."
Loki offered you a smile as he began walking back to the table with you in pursuit.
"So this is how it feels to have a best friend you care so deeply about." You thought to yourself and this time, Loki did not answer you back in your head, but in front of you he smiled to himself for he had heard your thoughts, but chose not to speak to you in your mind because you had told him it frightened you a little bit and Loki did not wish to scare you.