He looked at her, and thought that he had never, actually, been more pleased to see another mortal.
Not that he was ever pleased to see mortals.
So actually, that wasn't saying much.
He was relieved for this revelation, for he feared he might actually be in danger of being more than simply "pleased"…
"Will you tell me how you are?" she attempted.
His eyes fell. "I'm fine."
"Did they hurt you?" her voice cracked.
"They are mortals, Jane. They cannot do much damage."
"But you're without your power…without…"
His flicked toward her. "I am aware of that, thank you."
Now Jane's gaze fell. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…for all of it."
His heart gave a pang, for though he believed that she had every cause to be sorry, he hadn't been apologized to very much. It always seemed as though he was the one being made to apologize. Especially where Thor was concerned. "Do not trouble yourself," he muttered.
"No but I am! This is all my fault. I should've planned more. Been more mindful of the situation you were in. I was being selfish, only thinking of what you could offer me," her voice gradually falling as she spoke.
"And what could I offer you?" he hissed dangerously.
Her eyes met his. "Scientific discovery," she honestly admitted. And then, looking away…"And maybe access to Thor."
Loki's chin lifted, and then Coulson came in. He handed Jane a blanket, a pillow, a sandwich, and some water. He then went over to Loki's cage and opened a little door in the wall of the cell, just big enough to slip a thin object through…a small handed person could probably manage an entire hand inside…and left a sandwich for Loki. Then another larger door allowed him to leave a bottle of water. Coulson smiled at the both of them, gave Jane some lifted eyebrows, and left.
The snap of the metal door was much louder than Jane would've expected, though it could have been the anticipation of Loki's answer weighing on her.
He cleared his throat, got up fluidly, and took the water.
He downed it in a few gulps.
It was as though Thor's name was still hanging in the still, nearly noiseless chamber.
"So," Loki began, still standing, but not looking at Jane. "So…you thought that I might aid you in reaching Thor. Well, Jane Foster, Thor wants nothing to do with me, I can assure you."
"You're his brother," she reminded him.
I am no such thing. "You put too much stock in familial responsibilities. No doubt owing to a lack of your own," and he went to sit down once more.
"You are cruel."
His hands went palm up, eyebrows raised. "It is my gift especial."
"No it's not. It's an act. You care Loki. You care so much that you are willing to hurt to hide how much you care."
"That, Jane, is counterintuitive, and you are better than that."
"You, Loki, are mistaken," she spat. "It isn't counterintuitive, it's the truth. I know that you are a magnificent liar and all, but come on. I know you."
"You, mortal, know nothing but your science and these ill placed feelings for Thor. To think, I placed myself at your whim. Dragged along this desert of a rock…" he was impassioned now, eyes wide, gesticulating from his seated position. "And then thrown into these idiots' cell. I am a prisoner, when I have been hailed a god and ruled as a king. I have kept my tongue long enough," and he stood. "Never would I have thought myself to stoop so low as to trust a mortal woman to aid me in my restoration of power and a trip back to Asgard!" he ran his hand through his hair. "What has become of me?" he muttered.
"Loki…" said Jane.
"Don't! Do not attempt to placate me, Jane Foster! You," he approached the glass, withering a glare, and Jane stood now. "…are nothing to me. You are nothing but my false brother's mortal lover, and I want you to leave me be."
"I'm not going anywhere," she said simply.
"You will if you know what is good for you."
"Well, I guess I don't know," she crossed her arms in front of her.
"Leave!"
"No!"
He growled and turned away from her. If he had his magic, he would make her leave, and she would regret it.
Fine. He would tolerate her presence, but he wouldn't engage in conversation with her any longer.
He sat and slumped against the wall, head hanging low.
Jane sat as well. She stared at him a bit, then took out her phone.
No reception. Damn!
Well, Coulson would be back soon. Maybe she could get a book or magazine or something.
She giggled softly and thought about reading Cosmo in front of Loki.
So for the next two days Loki managed a few scowls, but nothing more. She didn't care. She had been through worse, and she wasn't afraid of him. Maybe she should be, but she just couldn't manage it.
Whatever.
She read, did some crossword puzzles…
"Are you in love with him?"
She was taken aback, and the reason was twofold: firstly, because he was speaking to her after two days of unnerving silence, and secondly, because of the question he asked. "Am I in love with Thor?"
He raised his eyebrows, but that was it. He was still in the back of the cell. He had drank quite a bit of water, and even ate a little.
Somehow, Jane being there made it seem…necessary…for him to care for his corporeal self.
"I…" she began. "No. I'm not in love with him. I don't know him. But there was…there was…something there," she paused and looked down. "I guess I could have imagined it. But it felt real," she swallowed and looked at him. "Loki? What did you mean when you said that Thor was your false brother?"
He stared at her. "I meant he wasn't my brother."
"Because you are angry with him?"
"No. Because we aren't related. I am…" he paused and looked away. "Adopted."
"Oh," Jane replied. "Well," she clapped her hands together. "You're talking to me. How are you feeling?"
Loki smiled and shook his head. "I'm fine, considering I'm stuck here with only you as company."
"Poor you," Jane replied.
"Indeed."
She laughed, and a thought came to her. She got up and went to the door, calling for agent Coulson.
He arrived, she whispered something, and after he left, she went back and sat in front of the cell once more.
Loki looked crookedly at her, but she said nothing.
A few minutes passed thus, when a sound emerged from the walls…at least, it sounded like it was coming from the walls…
Loki looked around, then stood. He recognized this sound.
It was the music that Jane had played in her lab after he had lost his way…
He looked at her, and she smiled at him. Ah, Johann Sebastian Bach…
Three days passed, and Loki could feel himself getting stronger. This was very good, but he kept it to himself.
Jane, he wondered at, for she appeared to be peaked, and the week of sleeping on the floor without going outside appeared to be taking its toll. "Jane," he finally said. "I'm fine. You should go and get some air. Perhaps you could sleep in a proper bed."
"I'm fine," she yawned. "I don't want to leave you and risk them moving you somewhere."
"They'll do no such thing," he observed.
"They might!" she protested. "And then what? They could conceivably take you away."
"Nonsense," he scoffed.
"Whatever. I'm staying…"
He sighed, and then, "Tell me about your education," it was obviously important to her, and since they had time to kill, might as well engage her.
Jane elaborated fully, and then smiled when some dinner was brought to them. "What about you? What's education like on Asgard?"
"Asgard," Loki began. "Places a great deal of importance on the arts. I am well versed in poetry and painting. I have read most of the classics of every Realm…my magic isn't quite as revered."
"Why not?"
"Because, though I am accomplished, many do not understand it, nor do they like it…it is a thing which elicits fear and mistrust. I spent most of my youth holed away from others," he bit into an apple.
"That's awful."
He shrugged. "One gets used to it, you know."
"Like being in a cell?" she smiled.
"You can never get used to that, Jane."
She swallowed, and looked down. This was all her fault. She promised herself that she would do anything and everything that she could from now on to help Loki. She didn't care what she did to her town. No one had been hurt, really…and he was in pain. And she could stop it.
They spoke for a couple of hours about life on Asgard, when Jane began to appear to get sleepy.
"Jane…go somewhere else. Please. I'm fine."
She looked at him warily. "Oh, alright then," she rose from the floor and staggered to the huge metal door.
Jane turned and looked at Loki. She smiled. "I'll be back soon."
"I wait with baited breath," he replied with a smirk.
Jane then left him there, alone.
Loki stood and flexed his fingers.
….and the warmth filled them to their tips. He reveled in the sensation…
He would be getting out quite soon.