A/N: Thank you to those who viewed, reviewed, followed, and made this story a part of their list of favorites! It really made me happy that you have taken interest in this story and I will do my best to deliver it well! It takes me quite long to update because I want to see some more 'results' on this story from the readers but for now it's enough. I will try to update more quickly considering my summer is nearing its end. *tears tears*

Breaking through the night
In this cold Fahrenheit
Shadows have left
Crying got old

Bland and bittersweet
Wondering what went wrong
There goes all hope

But the feeling
It tries to escape
Bleeds through the light
Even when I close my eyes
Its not seething
The weight on this shoulder
I can't wait to chase the fiction home
And carry on

-Feelings by Up Dharma Down

In the vicinity of dreams he seeks peace and it annoys him to know that it is not so easily given to him unlike some who lavish on the joy it brings. But on rare occasions his fears loosen its reins over him and grant him a little bit of solace, something he desperately needs.

He is always fighting for his life, for his brother, for the people who hate him, for the people who wouldn't acknowledge him, for the family he hates, and from himself. As pathetic it is to admit from the God of Mischief himself, it exhausts him tremendously and the realization that he will continue this torture for another eternity was a punishment even he can't tolerate any longer.

Chaos was everything to him they said. Desolation and death is what he craves for they said. When did the lies affect its god? Was he not the one who infuses their lies to build his impenetrable armor from those who speak them? His power is everything to him yet he could feel them deteriorating, he's letting it go away. The words cannot pass through his ears anymore for they now pierce his mind, his sanity, and it leaves scars that cannot be healed.

Weak, vulnerable, and so, so hollow, this is what he came to be and he wants to loathe himself but Loki realizes that it will him cost too much… energy. He may even lose his life in the process if he puts his effort into it. Not a bad idea at all.

On most days he just dreams that this will all be over, his life, this world, this reality, and it does not frighten him, no, he longs for it but alas when did the course of fate ever give him what he wanted?

It's because the course of fate wants to constantly screw him over that's why and it enjoys its game of pushing him over the edge and leaving him stunted and just… fucked up, all over again and again and again.

And it's telling him right now to wake up and face it as a god.

Loki opened his eyes and pushed himself from the bed to sit upright. He swung his legs to the side and leaned his elbows on his knees. Pale and bony hands rubbed his face and tired eyes. He then proceeded to knead his temple, fingertips glowing in a soft blue light, easing the throbbing ache. Shutting his eyes, he concentrated in recovering the dream that awoke his mind in pure distress.

The winter storm dream has been bothering him for days now and it seems like it will linger in his subconscious for a while. With a grunt, Loki stood and walked towards the long, glass window which serves as the only light source in his room. Loki's reflection looked back at him and he saw a man who looks like he was drained off purpose and strength, worn, and weary with the same green eyes and raven hair. Reaching out, he placed his hand and forehead onto the glass and a sigh escaped his lips.

It was raining again, brutal like yesterday, piercing everything it hits like ice needles. The weather reminded him of the harsh winter storm that was in his dream.

The snow howls in great rage and he was standing in the middle of nowhere and is clothed in his golden armor he last worn in Asgard. His feet were buried deep in the snow, the strong wind striking him down relentlessly, but the cold temperature did not affect him whatsoever. The thick snow mist blocked his surroundings seeing nothing but a wasteland covered in white. He tried to lift his feet but they were rooted in place and the wind's not doing him any good either. Calling out on his powers, he only felt nothingness and futility, and that's when he started to worry.

A haze of black caught his attention and from where he stood helplessly he saw a figure clad in black lying on its back. Feeling drawn to the figure he didn't realize that he was already moving. His legs immediately kneeled at the figure's side and pulled the body towards him, the movement made the hood fall off from its face and what he saw shocked him.

The figure was a child, her skin as pale as snow, her long brunette hair frosted and stiff, and she was cold as a corpse. He would have believed her to be dead if not for her lips that were colored red like blood. She was a beautiful thing, and she is lying to waste in this godforsaken patch of land. Without second thoughts he carried and cradled her in his arms and ran away as fast as possible. He doesn't know where he'll go and where his legs will lead them, he only focused on his glowing hands pouring life into the child's body.

Being a god means exception from common limitations of the body but the growing strain from his rigorous running was beginning to exhaust him. There are still no signs of shelter, vegetation, or even a patch of road. Loki realized he was running for naught after he saw his footprints on the snow, he was back on where he started and doomed before he ever began. Before he could catch himself his legs gave out, he was gasping for air, and his arms were shaking from the weight of the child.

He fell on his side but he held the child close to him, shielding her from the storm. Consciousness was slipping away but he held on and poured all of what is left of him to the child. He didn't know what drove him to save her so fiercely, nor did he imagine doing a final act of heroism before he die. Loki was no hero, but he is not a heartless man everyone perceived and assumed him to be.

Of all the times his body and powers chose to betray him it had to be now. And he had failed again. Over and over he continues to disappoint everyone around him, even himself. Can he do nothing right for once? Could he not save one child?

Death was reaching out to him like a lover's caress and the last thing he saw were a pair of beautiful blue eyes staring at him in wonder.

Dreams were rarely gratuitous and mostly terrifying for Loki, but he couldn't quite know what to think of the dreams that are disturbing him recently. After living for so many millennia he has acquired an expansive memory capacity thus some things may escape his resilient mind once in a while, and everyone knows he is not a perfect god.

Vague as the dream may be to surface now, he is certain that it's trying to return a forgotten memory, a significant event in his life perhaps but there were only so few and he remembers them all too well. Still, this matter is only a minor problem that he will solve in due time, for now there are greater questions to be answered.

First, why did he save Darcy Lewis?

The girl was of no importance to him nor will she be an asset to his endeavors. Also they have never even met directly, they did not converse or interact in anyway, and he barely heeds her notice. She was an abstraction in the grander scheme of things, just another ant in the colony. She was nothing. And yet here he is in deep thought of her.

He prides himself of being an intelligent man, even the people of Asgard knows that including his father. He determines and anticipates, always a step ahead. He knows the consequences and is formidable in finding a way around them and creating another strategy from then on, so when it comes to brash and reckless actions he is left dumbfounded.

Loki's magic suddenly flared and the sound of cracking mirrors echoed throughout the room. The glass beneath his fingertips felt jagged and rough. With a quick gesture of his hand he saw the fractured glass mending to regain its perfect form. The frustration is getting on his nerves. Coming up with superficial reasons concerned with the salvation of Darcy Lewis will make him crazy. If its answers he need then to the source he will be.

But the second question will render him speechless for a while, what will he do?

"Come on, Thor, quit fooling around! Everyone knows you can't pull off a decent joke and this one is just plain stupid." Darcy never really feared Thor especially now that he is living with them and he's dating her best friend thus she is added to the don't-do-harm-to-these-people-because-it-will-hurt-Jane list. But Darcy was pretty good in pointing out stupidity in people and Thor was no exception.

"I do not fool around in matters concerning you and Jane. You have been brought here by Loki and for that we should all be thankful." Good thing Thor's a sport in everything however being goody-goody all the time ruins all the fun.

Darcy frowned, "Finding a reason to why he did that is close to null. All I can think about is that there's an ulterior motive to all of this. He's the freaking God of Mischief, you of all people should know what he is!"

"Not everything Loki does has malicious intent," Heh, even Thor's not convinced in what he said. "But even so, he's my brother and I trust him. Do remember that he saved me, aided in protecting your world, and—"

Darcy threw her hands over her head. "Fine, I get it! He's a hero now and we should all worship his sorry ass." she said. She hopes Thor knows what sarcasm is by now, he's been living with her for years and torture by sarcasm inflicted to a helpless god is a source of pride for her.

Instead, Thor just grinned like an idiot, "Thank you for understanding, Darcy." He then threw his arms around her and surprisingly gave a gentle hug. "I'm so glad you're alright." An affectionate Thor is very hard to resist. Darcy let out a chuckle and returned his hug.

"For a big guy who's been fighting aliens and shit for who knows how long you're overly a huggy-type person. It's not creepy though. You're like a huge, muscled teddy bear." Thor guffawed and withdrew his arms. He was about to retort when they heard someone coughed at Darcy's door.

"Now don't go smothering my best friend, Thor." She strode in and gripped Thor's arm possessively. "And Darcy, stop making cute comments about my boyfriend." Jane finished her threat with a wink.

Darcy just snickered, "Why? Afraid I'll steal your beefcake over here? I'll have you know that Steve can compete with this noob." Quickly realizing what she has said, misery washed over her, a grimace escaped her control to be indifferent.

After a pregnant silence, Jane touched her arm and gave her a reassuring squeeze. Darcy stared up to her face and saw a hesitant smile. She didn't want every conversation they will have from now on end in awkward silence whenever Steve's involved. Accepting his death won't be easy, she'll cry like a newly widowed grandma and act like a rebellious love-sick teenager but knowing Steve, knowing how strong he is in handling every obstacle he faced, he'll just give her a kiss and tell her to be strong like he believes her to be.

And that's what she'll try to do, for both of their sakes.

"Although everyone knew Steve used steroids, he's a junkie you know?" This reply made Jane's eyes widened in surprised and she could see the wheels of her super genius brain work for a coherent answer.

"What are these steroids you speak of? Is it a strength enhancer?" Naturally, Tweedledum retaliated with his usual curiosity.

"It is actually! It's a very popular, uh, enhancer here on Earth! It's only sold to those strong enough to handle it." Tweedledum's eyes just shone brightly in wonder, the possibilities he could amass with the said drug.

Jane came back from her stupefaction and punched Darcy's arm lightly, laughing while she did it. It's great to see some laughter in here. "Don't listen to her, Thor. You should really stop underestimating the little demon inside of her."

"You're right, Jane. You wouldn't want to see your boyfriend wipe the floor with his ass when said demon tase him." Thor quickly went into battle mode.

"That weapon is prohibited in this house! You shall dispose of it immediately!" Jane and Darcy laughed so hard at his paranoid Asgardian antics. Jane reached out and gave him a deep kiss, assuring that the god-shocking weapon will never hurt him again.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Jane." She was just ignored by one of the most unorthodox couples ever. They were starting to make-out now and hands are starting to get busy. Darcy sprung out of the bed, avoiding Jane's body from crushing her. Oblivious and in heat, the two of them didn't even mind doing it on her bed. Gross.

Making her way out of her own room, she yelled at the two horny people she loves, "You better wash those sheets, woman! And don't you break my headboard again, Thor!" All she got was a grunt and moan for a reply. Shutting the door close, Darcy breathed in the fresh air and trudged away towards the refrigerator containing her frozen carton of happiness.

She sat down on the love seat and was absorbed in deep contemplation. Steve's death was something she hasn't quite reeled in yet, but the recent revelation of Loki rescuing her might be impossible to take in. The only question is why? Her brain's going to explode if she dares to think of it further. She might as well accept that he saved her just because.

Darcy scoffed and shoved a spoonful of delicious cookies and cream. That is not something Loki would do. From what she knows according to Thor's loud mouth Loki tried to destroy the realm where he was born, planned to assassinate his adoptive father and killed his own father who was the assassinator he hired. From what she knows according to Steve he also tried to subjugate her planet Earth, killed a lot of people, but was the reason why Earth's mightiest heroes assembled. He also forced Thor to come back here that will eventually benefit her and Jane (especially Jane), and he fought alongside said enemies to defeat his own army and boss. It's so fucked up, and so complicated.

All the facts contradicted his sudden change in nature. Shoving another spoonful, Darcy laid her head back and stared at the wooden expanse of the ceiling. As much as he was the villain she knew for a long time he did save her life and the habit of giving gratitude was a traditional mortal custom her parents ingrained into her.

But the man's like smoke. It's hard to find a man when he's so determined to disappear. Thor said he's currently here in New York and is playing detective. Now how would she find him in this jungle? He wields magic while she has her taser, not to mention he's a god.

Stealing a glance at her door, she quietly tiptoed out of the house and into the darkness of the night. Ice cream still in hand Darcy sat on the porch's stairs and stared into nothingness, her mind still occupied by the thoughts of Loki and Steve. About to have another spoonful she noticed a faint glow of yellow in her peripheral vision. Turning to her left, she saw it again and by natural curiosity she tentatively approached the light. She considered calling Jane and Thor first but doesn't want to disturb the both of them, whether this discovery will do something bad to her or the world, it's her fault and responsibility.

She's stupid like that.

As if it could sense her nearing the light started flashing frantically. It felt like a magnetic pull is drawing her to it, insisting for her to know what it is. The thing was obscured by bushes but the flashing light was evident. Darcy kneeled directly before the glowing thing and brushing away the bush, what she saw took her breath away.

It was an oval-shaped gem colored in amber and she could feel its pulsating energy throughout her body. The gem is no larger than her palm and its frantic flashing stopped in place of a soft amber glow. She couldn't stop her hand in reaching out and before she cursed herself for her impulsive actions her fingertips touched the gem.

She shuddered in the onslaught of surging power and knowledge. The feeling was both riveting and terrifying. A moment of clarity stuck through that she's going to be in huge trouble and that she better back away right now but it was swiftly replaced by the urge to close her hand around the gem, however before she could do so a tight grip on her wrist wrenched her away from the enchanting gem.

The disappearance of the connection broke her out of compulsion and she fell on her ass. She whimpered and grunted knowing that will leave a bruise later on. She was waiting for a loud declaration of how stupid she is to go out alone in the dark touching glowing alien things from either Jane or Thor but she got nothing. Finally staring up from her pathetic state she saw a very tall figure clad in black looming over her with an aura of murderous intent.

And saw the penetrating gaze of none other than, "Loki."

A/N: Finally, some confrontation. I'm sorry if the long thoughts of Darcy and Loki bored you, I just want you to have a glimpse of what they're feeling right now and how this will affect their relationship from here on out. Don't worry, because in the next chapter I promise to deliver more Loki/Darcy action to kick start their adventure! Also, I would explain more about the war that happened three years ago, we all need some clearing up about that! Watch out for that gem, I would love to know your guesses in identifying what it is. =)) Please do review!