Hello readers! Yes, I am aware it's been a while but I've been quite busy with a new chapter in my life that I haven't had the time to work on this. Regardless, I've made some time to work on this update and I hope it'll make up for the waiting time.

Thank you also to those who left reviews/comments. They always help inspire me to keep working.

Now, without further delay, here is Chapter 28.

Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or any of its characters. Only the OC's belong to me.

Mandy P.O.V.

There was a strange sense of calm when I woke up the next morning. It was like I was floating. Not only was I feeling quite rested, but there was a comforting weight leaning on my waist and a cold hand holding my own.

That touch alone was enough to help me recognize who I was with.

With my free hand, I reached over to Loki's head which was resting at my side. He made no reaction when I brushed through his hair. He simply continued to sleep as if there was nothing in the world that could ever hurt him. A part of me wanted us to stay like that forever: peaceful, quiet, relaxed and safe.

I did remember however, that it was not the case the night before. As the memories of the stressful events last night flooded back into my mind, I began to feel terrible and guilty.

It was surprising that Loki could sleep so well after all that I had put him through. He had his own things to deal with and his own pains to heal from and here I was, giving him more problems before he had even fixed his own.

'How could I keep doing this to him?' I asked myself.

When I first met Loki, I wanted to help him get back on his feet but with the way that things were turning out, I was no longer sure I was doing him any good. This environment was no longer conducive. He deserved better company and not someone who would drag him down.

My heart ached the realization of what I had to do. I could not bear the thought of losing him but I knew I could not be selfish. I cared about him too much to let him suffer for my sake. I loved Loki.

It was almost funny how ironic things were. Just when I had admitted that I had fallen for him, I was also about to let him go.

I treasured the moment of him asleep beside me for I knew it might be the last time that the two of us would be together. I listened to every breath and sigh. I cherished the feeling of his cool skin against my own. If I could not have him, I could at least have the memories I was making.

After a while, I felt Loki stir awake. The dreaded moment had finally arrived.

"Good Morning." He greeted sleepily. "How are you feeling?"

I did not know how to respond, knowing that I was about to do something very painful for both of us.

"Mandy, is there something wrong?" He asked. He must have read my expression or noticed my silence.

I held back my tears as I told him, "Actually, there is."

I felt him jolt up from my side as soon as he heard those words.

"What is it? I may be able to help."

He was still concerned about me and it was not helping the situation.

"Me." I replied, my voice breaking slightly.

Uncertainty laced his tone as he said, "I'm afraid I don't understand."

I still could not find the right words to let him down easily. He would not take it well, even if my intentions were for his own good.

"Mandy, you can trust me. What is bothering you?" He asked so kindly.

I gritted my teeth, finding it harder to do what needed to be done. I did not want to hurt him but I knew that I had to.

"I want you to leave."

There was a heavy silence between us. He must have been so stunned. I could barely believe I had said it either.

Seconds moved like minutes before Loki could finally speak again.

"You do not mean that."

I bit my lip, still struggling not to cry in front of him. "I do. I want you to leave this house and me and never come back."

He spoke slowly but I could feel the weight of his question. "Why?"

"It's better for both of us if you go. I don't want you here anymore." I told him but there was no truth in it.

"Mandy, I know those words are lies. I can see it in your eyes. This is not what you want." Loki insisted.

Frustrated at his stubbornness, I yelled. "But it's what has to be done!"

"You are not making any sense. Why must you do this?" He pressed further.

"Just go, please. It's hard enough to say this. Just go." I begged.

Loki remained unmoved. "Mandy, don't push me away. You told me that you would never throw me out. Why must you act this way now?"

Unable to mask my reasons any longer, I admitted, "I thought I could help you. I thought I could ease your pain but I don't think I can anymore. I can't even protect you from my own demons."

"Why do you always feel the need to protect me?" He asked, obviously challenging me.

"You deserve better! You've been hurt too much already. You can't heal if you keep staying with someone like me." I insisted.

Exasperation laced his tone as he spoke. "What is so terrible about you? I see nothing wrong with you."

My tears finally fell as I explained. "I'm broken too. You need to be with someone whole; not someone who can't even fix herself."

He disagreed strongly. "I don't want to be near those kind of people! I don't want a false image of perfection to make me feel even more inadequate than I already do."

Loki P.O.V.

My outburst must have startled Mandy but I took it to my advantage. She needed to hear reason or she would never be consoled.

"Mandy, never had I met anyone as broken as I am until I met you. You know what it's like. You know what it truly means to suffer. The only difference is that you are far stronger." I explained.

"I am not strong." She mumbled, trying to deny the truth.

I shook my head and told her, "You've continued to live despite the horrors you've faced. I, on the other hand, let myself fall to my death. You are stronger than I."

Mandy remained unconvinced. "You don't mean that."

"I would not lie to you about such things. You are not worsening me. If anything, you are making me better." I told her, honestly.

She kept her head down, still unwilling to listen to me.

It hurt to know that I could do nothing to change her mind. She was clearly in pain as well. Neither of us wanted what she was proposing but she felt that it was for the best.

"But if you deem me as one who would cause you harm, I can go. I wish not to worsen you either." I offered but only half-heartedly.

She seemed surprised that I conceded but still did not sound happy.

"We are horrible, aren't we? All we do is destroy everything we touch; even each other." She muttered bitterly.

I sighed, reached over and gave her a consoling hug. "I am horrible. You are merely broken."

Mandy did not resist. Her face was pressed into my chest as she mumbled, "And you don't care."

"No, I don't." I replied simply.

I could feel her trembling again but I chose not to comment on it. She did not need me to call out any more signs of weakness.

Mandy's feelings of inadequacy were destroying her and I wished she would just see how wrong she was.

"You need not feel burdened to change for me. Being as you are is enough."

Mandy suddenly pulled away. I could not read her expression but it was clear that my words had caught her attention.

Slowly, she began to reach her hands up to search for my face. I bent down to match her eye level so she would not have to deal with my height.

Her fingers crept up to my cheeks and began to caress them gently as she whispered, "You deserve someone better."

Her insecurities distorted the truth. I did not deserve better. In fact, I should be given worse for the sins of my past. Mandy was more than I could ever hope to have and yet she felt that she was unworthy.

It was not right. She should not have to see herself as such. Mandy should know what she truly was: strong, brave and selfless. She needed to believe it and accept it.

Firm with my resolve, I told her, "But you are all that I need."

Before she could even argue, I pulled her close and pressed my lips against hers.

Mandy P.O.V.

The moment our mouths came in contact, I froze. I knew of his feelings for me but I never thought he would act on them like this.

His lips grazed over mine in gentle but passionate movements. He tasted like something I could not describe. Everything that was happening was warm and inviting but also terrifying.

I wanted to resist him and make him regret falling for me. I wanted to keep my distance so that parting with him would not be so painful. I thought I was strong enough to put aside my desires to do the right thing. I was wrong.

Rationality was set aside as I finally gave in to the kiss. I let myself enjoy the feeling of him, mouth and body, clinging to me like his life depended on it. I pressed forward as well, wanting to taste more of the man who made me feel whole.

In that moment, I felt complete. I wanted this more than anything in the world. I wanted him.

When we finally pulled apart, our breathless panting were the only sounds I could hear. Loki's arms remained rested around my lower back while mine were still around his neck. Neither of us could move, probably still a little dazed from what had just happened.

"Why me? Why would you choose someone like me?" I finally managed to ask.

I felt him move his hands to my shoulders as he replied. "Because you are the only one who has ever seen me; all of me, the good and the terrible. Even without eyes, you see me. How can I not choose you for that?"

"A prince falls for a blind girl." I commented, mentally laughing at the irony.

"I am no more a prince than you are blind." Loki retorted.

I scoffed lightly. "You might want to rethink that statement."

"No, I am certain of what I said. You see better than most beings; Heimdall not included." He told me.

"That guy you said who can see what everyone is up to?" I inquired.

"He is unaware of most things despite his gift. You on the other hand, can see the invisible." He answered.

I smiled at his flattery "You really have a way with words."

I could hear his teasing tone when he said, "I am called, 'silver-tongue,' after all."

"How many women have you charmed with that skill of yours?" I asked.

He sighed as he spoke. "As I have told you before, I do not attract women as easily as you think. Besides, it would not have fooled you anyway."

"True, I'd rather have the truth in simple words than elaborate lies." I said in agreement.

"And that is something I love about you." He added.

I read between the lines at his last comment. I knew exactly what he meant and it was time that I finally said it to him as well.

"I love you too."

Loki went silent for several seconds before stuttering out, "Do you truly feel that way?"

"I am not the kind of person to say those words carelessly." I told him, honestly. Those three words were so powerful and so personal that I would never use them unless I meant them.

He still seemed skeptical when he said, "I hope it is not because you simply wish to reciprocate my feelings."

I was not offended by that. He had every reason to be wary. He had been lied to so many times in his life.

"I do care about you, Loki. Why else would I do all of this for you?" I explained.

"You would sacrifice your happiness for mine." Loki pointed out.

Although a little embarrassed, I confessed, "Yeah. I'd do anything for you."

He cupped my cheek as he said, "Mandy, you once told me to seek out my happiness and I have found it in you. You need not try so hard."

Loki P.O.V.

Mandy's eyes lit up at my words. Maybe I was finally getting through to her.

That glimmer of hope only lasted for a few seconds before she began to resist me again. "I just can't stand the thought of you getting hurt; not after all you've been through."

"You can't hurt me, Mandy. Even if you could, I doubt I would mind." I assured her.

She shook her head. "The people you loved the most were the ones who hurt you the most. I can't do that to you."

It struck me that she remembered such details about my life. She really paid attention to the painful parts of my past.

"They never loved me; not really. If they had, I would not be the terrible person that I am." I spat out bitterly.

"You are not terrible." She countered.

"In spite of everything I've done, you still believe in me. No one else has done that. I am the one who feels undeserving of you."

Mandy seemed uneasy with my confession. Perhaps, was still unsure of herself.

"Loki, when I am with you, I don't feel like a broken and blind mess. You make me feel like a whole person and that's something I haven't been in a long time. Maybe I was never even whole to begin with." She revealed.

It was strange to hear what effect I had on her but I did not agree with that last part. "Do not insult yourself. You are perfect."

"Only you can say that about me." She pointed out.

Quite certain of myself, I said, "Because I know the real woman hidden behind the tragic façade."

At that, Mandy gave a small smile. "You do. That's why I love you."

I could sense that she was slowly changing to a lighter disposition. Seizing the opportunity, I asked her, "Does this mean that you will not try to push me away anymore?"

"It looks like I can't change your mind even if I tried." She said after a sigh.

Though amused at her faux frustration, I retorted. "No, you cannot."

"Then I guess that means you're stuck with me." Mandy said, finally letting go of her fears.

I was glad that she had finally accepted the truth that she could not rid herself of me and that she was worth being loved.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her body towards me. "I would not want to be anywhere else.

Her hands reached up to locate my face and brought me to her level. She whispered to me before closing the gap between our lips.

"Neither would I."

End of Chapter 28

And there it is! The ship has sailed~

What do you think? Did you like it? Did I do the characters justice? What was your favorite part? Please let me know. I always want to hear from my beloved readers. It helps move the story along too.

Until next time!