Greetings my readers! Guess who came back from the dead!
Yeah, I know I owe you all hundreds of apologies for taking this long but after all that I've been through this past year, I was left so uninspired that I could barely add a word to the chapter. But finally, here it is! The latest chapter: Chapter 27!
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or any of its characters. Only the OC's belong to me.
Loki P.O.V.
Mandy's mood had improved significantly; for the moment at least. The distraction I had provided managed to make her smile again.
Seeing her that way put me at ease. It helped to know that the strong young woman that I had met and grown to admire was still there. She was merely going through a difficult time but I knew that she would return to her old self again eventually. I need only to remain patient until then.
"Are you okay?" Mandy asked sheepishly, getting up from the floor and offering to pull me up as well.
Taking her hand, I said to her, "Would I be otherwise?"
"Well, I did just knock you to the ground. I'm just worried you hit your head or something." She replied.
With a smirk of amusement, I told her, "Stop worrying about me. I am much more durable than your kind."
She sighed in relief. "Good. I wouldn't want to hurt a snowman."
At that, I raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be an insult?"
"No. I'll stop if it offends you, though." Mandy kindly offered.
Though she would not be able to see it, I shook my head and said, "I am not offended but it is a little strange that you would call me that."
"Well, frost giant sounds so harsh." She explained.
"It does. It is actually a derogatory term ." I informed her.
Nodding in agreement, she then said, "That's why I'd rather call you a snowman."
"I am not made of snow." I insisted.
Mandy reached over for my hand saying, "I know, but your skin is much colder than most people."
"You have said that it does not bother you." I reminded her.
Her lips pressed into a smile before telling me, "It doesn't. It helps me know that it's you I'm touching."
"You recognize my coldness?" I asked with a hint of surprise in my voice.
She squeezed my palm gently as she told me, "I know it's you when I feel a cold hand that would never hurt me."
There was a hidden sadness in that complement.
"No one should ever hurt you." I muttered.
Mandy scoffed. "Looks like they never got the memo. There are always people out to hurt me."
"Then I will make sure they never do." I vowed.
She released my hand. "You know you don't have to. I mean, it's not that I don't appreciate it, but I really don't want you to get hurt because of me."
"You have called me strong before. You can trust me to handle mere mortals." I assured her.
Mandy P.O.V.
Though his self-esteem was getting better, I could not help but continue to worry about him. He still had not told me how he managed to get both of us out of the clutches of those horrid men. All he had promised me was that they were never coming back. If they had hurt Loki, I could never forgive myself.
"You are strong." I told him. "Just make sure you stay safe while you're at it."
He sounded amused when he said. "Worry not. I have no intention to needlessly put myself in danger."
Despite the obvious teasing, I could tell that he meant what he was saying.
Changing the subject, I asked, "Are you hungry? I don't know what time it is but I think we haven't eaten anything in a while."
"I am not particularly hungry but I suppose you need sustenance to fully recover your strength." Loki told me.
"I guess. I don't have that much of an appetite, though."I admitted.
Unmoved, Loki continued to insist. "Still, you need to eat. Come. I can keep you company as well."
I could feel his cool hand slipping under mine and lifting it gently. I gladly held on to it and let Loki lead me to the kitchen. As soon as we got there however, he stopped me from moving forward.
Confused by his action, I turned to him and asked, "Loki? What's wrong?"
"Just a moment. Let me clear out the glass from the floor." He replied.
I could hear clanking noises in front of me but could not make out what was going on.
"Mandy, hold out your hand." He requested.
I did as I was told and felt something forming on my palm. Within seconds, it turned into a solid item: a drinking glass.
"Loki, what just happened?" I inquired as I ran my fingers around the object in my hands.
He approached me as he proudly replied. "I put the glass you broke back together."
"Did you use your magic?" I asked curiously.
"Yes." He answered before taking the glass from me and putting it aside.
I grinned widely and said, "That was amazing!"
He chuckled before telling me, "I'm glad you are impressed."
It was clear that Loki was enjoying the return of his magic, using it to do even simple tasks. Then again, he had always been proud of being a magic user, a trait that set him apart from those of his home world.
"You always have been fascinating, you know." I commented.
"Only you could say such things." He responded in both a teasing and affectionate tone.
There was no doubt that something was going on between us. Loki had already begun showing affection albeit quite subtly. I was thankful for that. He was not trying to push me into something I was still quite unfamiliar with. His reasons for feeling that way towards me was still somewhat of a mystery but then again, my own were just as confusing.
I knew that I cared about his well being and that I was grateful for his kindness and efforts to save me. I knew that I did not want to lose him or hurt him in any way. My only worry was on how I could possibly respond to these emotions. Never before had I allowed anyone in as much as I had with Loki. I was not even sure if I deserved to have someone care about me as much as he has.
Love was always such an abstract concept to me.
Loki P.O.V.
I did my best to keep Mandy occupied. There was a possibility that her trauma could resurface at any time so I made it a point to keep her feeling safe. Each time I looked at her, I searched for any hint of stress in her eyes and ensured that anything we discussed were of light topics.
I did not tell her that I was watching her, knowing it would only bother her and make her more conscious about her state. Instead, I acted as if things were as they had been before she was attacked.
She seemed to respond well for the rest of the day but as the night drew to a close, a new problem presented itself.
Mandy and I had just finished putting away the dishes after dinner and were about to prepare for bed. She had mistakenly attempted to enter her room again and froze upon reaching the doorpost.
I came to her side immediately. "Is everything alright?" I asked although I already had an idea as to her answer.
"I don't know how I'm going to be able to sleep there tonight." She replied, embarrassment in her voice.
I could see her fidgeting and trembling at the prospect of sleeping in her room.
"Would it be better if you slept on the couch, out here?" I offered.
Mandy turned to me in surprise. "But where would you sleep?"
I found it a little amusing that her first thought was not about her sleeping arrangements but rather my own.
"I can manage on the floor for now." I assured her.
I did not offer for us to share my bed, fearing that it would make her feel more vulnerable after my actions this morning.
Mandy still refused. "The floor is not gonna be comfortable for you."
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I said, "It would be more uncomfortable to have you stay in your room. I know how much it scares you to even enter it."
It did not take long before she conceded. She admitted that she was not ready to be alone just yet and to stay in a place where she had been mercilessly attacked the night before.
Mandy P.O.V.
"You're too kind to me, Loki." I told him, meaning every word.
He led me onto his little bed and sat me down. "You have done much for me as well. It is the least I can do." He said with no hesitation.
I gave him a smile and crept under the sheets while commenting, "It's been a while since I've slept here."
"You were here just this morning." Loki reminded me.
I shook my head and informed him, "Before Mrs. Wednesday passed away, this used to be my bed."
"Back when you were just like me." Loki added.
I responded with a shy, "Yeah, I guess so."
'We're just two lost people in need of a home.' I did not bother to add.
Loki then left my side to set up his own sleeping area. He had assured me that he was not going to endure an uncomfortable position all night just for me. I could hear him plopping down pillows and other cloth-like materials on the floor near me.
He made no complaint or joke about the situation. He understood what I was going through and I could not be more grateful.
"Goodnight, Loki. Thank you for everything." I told him before snuggling into my pillow.
I heard the light switch being flicked and footsteps returning to the floor space beside me.
"Goodnight, Mandy. Sleep well."
I smiled to myself and allowed myself to fall asleep, knowing I was in no danger as long as Loki was nearby.
Loki P.O.V.
I set myself down onto the blankets on the ground and just laid down there for a while. I had to admit that it was not the most pleasant place to stay in but it was a worthy sacrifice. For Mandy, I would do anything. To know that she was alive and alright was enough payment.
I still could not put away the thought of almost losing her. The possibility of never seeing her again, smiling at me and putting the broken pieces of me back together by her kindness and faith.
The sound of Mandy breathing as she slept was the sweetest lullaby. Nothing that I can do will ever be able to repay her for all that she has done but at the very least, I could keep her safe and alive. Hopefully, it would be enough.
Mandy P.O.V.
I could not move nor could I see. I was tied up somehow but I could not remember why or how it happened.
"What's going on?" I asked into the darkness.
"You've been selfish, haven't you? Letting others suffer for your mistakes." A voice suddenly said.
I could not recognize who it was coming from but I shuddered at the words that were spoken.
"And you just get to run away and pretend that none of it ever happened. No consequences." The voice continued.
I tried to justify myself. "No. That's not true."
Just then I heard distant grunts and groans.
"What's going on?" I stuttered out.
There was a sinister cackle before the voice replied. "Now, you're going to stand here and listen to the only person who cared about you die."
Before I could even contemplate at what was said, there was a scream.
"Mandy! Help me!"
Immediately, I knew who it came from.
"Loki! No, let him go! Please! Leave him alone!" I begged.
The cries of agony went on.
"Stop! Don't hurt him! He doesn't deserve any of this! Please! Kill me instead!"
The voice went on taunting me. "This is all your fault! You did this to him!"
"No! No! No!" I yelled, trying to free myself to get to Loki.
"Mandy!" He called out again. Loki sounded like he was in so much pain.
None of my actions so far amounted to anything. I still could not move or do anything to help him.
"No more! Please, no! Leave him alone! Loki! Don't hurt Loki! Please!" I pleaded one more time while I continued to fight whatever had me bound.
With enough movements, I managed to free myself but it was also at that moment that
his screams went silent.
He's dead!
Loki P.O.V.
The sounds of little whimpers managed to wake me despite how soft barely audible they were. It seemed that I had become sensitive to such noises due to my experiences with Mandy.
I looked over to my bed and found Mandy lying there with her eyes shut but in tears.
It could easily be assumed that she was on the verge of having another of her night terrors so I approached her.
"No... Stop... Don't... Hurt.. him." She started to mumble.
As much as it hurt to see and hear her going through these nightmares, I kept my composure to come to her aid.
"Hush now, Mandy. Everything is alright. I am here." I said in an attempt to stop it before it would worsen.
Unfortunately, she remained troubled and continued to cry.
After a while, she began to speak again. "No. Please don't hurt him."
I was confused by what she was saying. Normally, Mandy would beg not to be hurt but this time, it seemed that she was trying to protect someone else.
Intrigued, I tried to communicate with her. "Don't hurt who, Mandy? Who do you mean?"
She did not respond to question and instead started to scream.
"No! No! No!"
It was clear now that her night terrors have truly begun. Mandy flailed and kicked, narrowly missing me with her movements.
I called out to her while trying to move in and hold her down as I had done before.
"Mandy, calm down. I am here."
There was still no progress from my actions but in between her whimpers and screams, she mentioned my name.
"No more! Please, no! Leave him alone! Loki! Don't hurt Loki! Please!"
I was left stunned by the revelation. In her nightmares, she was trying to protect me.
Due to my shock, I was almost unable to catch Mandy as she rolled off the couch. My reflexes, however, allowed to me to ensure that she did not hit the ground.
She continued writhe and cry like she was suffering, further increasing my worry. I could not even imagine what her dreams were about that caused such a reaction from her.
"Mandy, relax. I am here. I am alright. We are both alright." I attempted to reassure her, rocking her gently in my arms.
Several seconds passed before she finally stopped struggling and opened her blind eyes. She said nothing at first but began to reach up.
Understanding what she was trying to do, I held her hand before leading it to my cheek were she could feel my face as well.
"Loki." She stated, sounding quite relieved despite how weak and strained her voice sounded. "You're not dead."
"That's right. I am here." I reassured her, wiping away some stray tears.
Still trembling in my arms she said, "I was afraid they killed you."
I tried to sound calm as I joked, "They can't kill me. I'm a snowman remember?"
I caught a ghost of a smile from her but it was not enough to mask the pain in her eyes.
"That must have been quite a nightmare." I began.
She gave a silent sob as a response.
"Would you care to share it with me?" I offered, hoping to ease the burden on her mind as well as know what it was she was dreaming about.
Mandy shook her head and said nothing.
Unwilling to back down, I told her. "Mandy, it may help you."
"I just feel so stupid about it." She admitted, burying her face in her hands.
Gently combing through her hair, I coaxed her, "Come now, you know you can tell me anything."
It took a few more seconds before she finally agreed to speak.
"I don't remember how it happened but I thought that someone got you and tried to kill you. I tried to do something, anything, but I just couldn't. I was useless. I can't even keep you from getting hurt."
I sighed heavily as I told her, "Mandy, no one expects you to intervene or fight when there is danger. Not even I."
"It's all my fault." She said, on the verge of tears once again.
I held her tight before informing her, "You cannot blame yourself for everything. Come now. Let's get you back to bed."
Just as I was preparing to pick her up, she asked me, "Did I wake you?"
"It does not matter." I told her as I continued trying to put her back in bed.
She resisted my actions and firmly said, "Yes it does. You haven't gotten enough sleep because of me."
"I can manage with this. Besides, I'm sure you are no more rested than I am." I insisted.
Unconvinced, Mandy tried to argue. "Still..."
I cut her off and told her, "You are the one who needs to rest. You've been through a lot."
"So have you. I can't keep doing this to you." She said, beginning to sound frustrated.
"Mandy, lacking some sleep is not a problem for me." I kept on saying, confused as to why she was bothered so much about it.
She suddenly raised her voice. "It's not just that! I can't keep dragging you into my problems! You already have enough to deal with!"
Her outburst surprised me but I made myself sound calm when I told her, "We have already discussed this. I do not mind."
"Well, I do! You don't deserve to have to suffer with me! You shouldn't even have to deal with me! I don't want you to get hurt because of me!" She shrieked, tears finally streaming down her face.
At that, I understood what was going through her mind. Not only did she feel useless and helpless, she was also guilty that her broken state was a burden to me. Her nightmares must have also further aggravated her beliefs.
In all honesty, I did not consider her an annoyance or anything like that. She was in pain and full of fear and there was nothing wrong with that. It was painful to see her broken and crying again but it was not something I was unwilling to bear with. Mandy had done more for me than what was doing for her. She was worth every effort I was making for her.
I tried to hold her close and give her some consolation but it seemed like it was not enough.
She fell apart in my arms, shaking and sobbing like she had just witnessed death. It seemed like nothing could calm her.
Just when I thought things could not get any worse, however, her breathing hitched in a very irregular manner.
"Mandy?" I worriedly called out.
"I... I..." She just barely managed to say as she continued to struggle to breathe.
Unsure of what to do and afraid to leave her in such a state, I resorted to rubbing her back.
It was clear that all of this was caused by unstable and emotional state. I had done much already but it seemed that I was still incapable of aiding her. Perhaps she needed to help herself before I could do anything for her.
"Just calm down and try to take deep breaths." I told her.
"I can't." She sputtered out while gasping for air.
Holding firm to my resolve, I insisted. "Yes you can and you must. Your stress is hurting you. Calm yourself and you will be alright."
Though with some difficulty at first, Mandy obeyed and finally relaxed enough to be able to breathe again.
"I cant..." She weakly repeated.
I wiped away some tears as I said to her, "You already have. You're alright now."
She shook her head and mumbled. "I can't give you the happiness you deserve."
It took me a moment to pull myself back from the weight of those words. There was much pain and guilt in them that I could feel it radiating from the tiny girl in my arms. Mandy's feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness was more intense and complex than I had realized.
"Oh, Mandy." I sighed, wishing she was not so harsh on herself.
All of this was coming from her kindness and desire to help me. If this was merely about herself, perhaps she would not be as troubled. It was almost as if her selflessness was hurting her more than the pain inflicted on her by other people.
Her body leaned into mine, exhausted from her night terrors, panic attacks and crippling emotions. She did not look well at all.
Taking matters into my own hands, I started to cast a spell to put her to sleep. It would clear her mind from troubling things for the night, allowing her some peaceful slumber.
She fell unconscious almost immediately and her features resumed to their relaxed state; for that I was grateful.
I carefully picked her up and laid her back onto my bed. She made no reaction to it, remaining asleep despite being moved.
I spent a while just watching her sleep, wishing she could remain that way: calm, content and free from pain. Mandy could heal wounded souls just by her kindness, she did not need to put herself through so much for me.
Kissing her forehead, I whispered, "Your happiness is all I require."
End of Chapter 27
If one could only hear the sighs of relief I am giving after I've finished typing this chapter.
So, what can you say about the relationship of the two characters? Do you still ship them? Do you think they are still compatible now that things have been getting harder? Do you have any suggestions for their relationship to bloom? Got any favorite parts? Leave me your thoughts. I'd like to hear more from you guys.
See you in the next chapter!