AN/ This chapter was actually pretty fun to write. Geira is definitely desperate for the Loki she knew to return, It seems Loki isn't quite so enthusiastic about that.
Reviews are greatly appreciated, I'd love to know your thoughts/contributions! 3 xo
Loki watched as Geira peacefully slept. She looked glorious, her expression calm and serene, her long hair lay along her back, slightly tangled from her movements during the night. Loki was captured by her beauty in her vulnerable moments of sleep. He had so many thoughts spinning through his mind, how he was hopelessly enthralled by her, how he wanted nothing more than her attention. He felt betrayed by his own emotions, he did not want to be dependant, he did not need anyone else apart from himself. He had always been that way since finding out his true parentage. He did not belong on Asgard, he thought to himself, however the alternatives were also not places he could call home. He did not belong anywhere, he did not belong with Geira, she deserved much better. His thoughts tortured him, he did not know what he made this turn of events take place.
Geira shifted slightly, Loki instantly looked to her, wishing her to wake up, but also wanted her to rest. Her eyes slowly flickered open, she had a look of confusion and fear upon her face, she sat up quickly causing her head to spin. Her eyes darted around the room before settling on the young prince.
'L..Loki.. What.. What am I doing here?' she mumbled quietly, her voice still burdened with sleep.
'You fell asleep, darling.' He mused, a slightly smile appearing on his face, lightening his features.
'Oh..' Geira said simply, not knowing how else to react. 'Yesterday.. that was, how to say it.. unexpected, Loki.' She said quietly trying to focus her sleepy eyes on him.
'Yes.. I understand. I did speak the truth. But, I have since had a change of mind however. This cannot be.' Loki said, looking down at his hands that were tangled together on his lap.
'Yes, Yes of course.' Geira stated, disappointment lacing every word. She quickly got out of Loki's small bed, she smoothed down her clothes and took a ribbon that was attached to her dress, quickly pulling up her hair and tying it in a loose pony tail. 'I will take my leave, sir.' she spoke quietly while making her way to the barrier where a guard was already watching the scene unfold. Loki took a laboured breath and closed his eyes slowly. Geira took one glance back at him and sighed slightly, she could feel her chest tighten as the pain of rejection crept up on her slowly. She waved a guard to come to her, the young guard which had helped Loki in previous times came to her.
'Can you please let me out, I need to return home.' As she spoke, the huge doors at the top of the staircase flew open. Guards flooded the stairs and stood at either side. Geira knew someone of importance would be in their presence in seconds, and she was correct. She heard loud footsteps and sighed with relief. 'Thor.' she whispered quietly. She was sadly mistaken, the man who appeared at the bottom of the staircase, was Odin, Alfather, King of Asgard. He stood proudly, looking straight ahead. Geira swallowed hard, trying to force he lump in her throat to disappear. Odin suddenly looked straight at the cell, but he seemed to look through Geira, anger thick in his expression. Geira followed his gaze and realised Odin was staring intently at Loki. Loki's whole body tensed, his posture suddenly became very straight, regal. He raised his head and slowly stood up, he smoothly turned to face Odin, his hands clasped behind his back, and if Geira didn't know him any better, she would think there was fear in his perfect green eyes.
'Loki!' Odin boomed, 'Do you care to explain this?' His voice was loud and deliberate. He was not in a joking mood today, Geira could tell this instantly.
'Alfather..' Loki said softly, with no hint of his usual self confidence.
'You have kept this girl, no doubt against her will, all night. What is this?!' Odin roared at Loki. The young prince jumped at the harsh tone.
'It was not against her will..' Loki said, looking to Geira with hurt creeping into his velvet smooth voice 'Geira..' he whispered, no doubt looking for help.
'I did not address the lady, so why should you?' Odin spoke quieter this time.
'She fell asleep.. I made her comfortable.' Loki said quietly, returning his gaze to the floor. He looked like a young boy being told off by his father, in theory, this was exactly the situation.
Odin grunted slightly and approached the glass, Geira paniked and quickly bowed down to the King with her arm across her chest, her head bowed.
'My dear, please rise.' Odin said, with a new tone, it was soft and sincere, It reminded her of Thor when they had their little chats. Geira nodded slightly and slowly returned to her standing position, although she kept her head bowed.
'What did Loki do? Is his version of events equal to your own?' Odin looked at the girl with pity, expecting a very different version of Loki's. Geira's eyes slowly made their way up to Odin's face.
He had gotten so much older, although he appeared strong and well, she could see in his worn face how the years were taking their toll on the King. She prepared herself to speak.
'It.. It is the same, my King.' She said, her voice cracking slightly with nerves. Odin raised his head slightly, looking down at Geira with slight confusion.
'You chose to stay with Loki, in this cell?' He asked, confirming her story. Geira nodded slightly.
'I did, your highness. Loki.. he was unwell in mind, I came to help him.' Geira glanced at Loki, knowing this would more than likely anger him, but she had to tell Odin the truth.
'Unwell?' Odin's voice grew louder again, Geira noticed he was no longer speaking to her.
Loki took a deliberate slow breath and nodded slightly at Odin.
'I was feeling unwell, Alfather. Geira provided me with the company I needed, and I thank her graciously.' Loki said, speaking quietly and respectfully. Odin's face turned to confusion, his brows knitting together.
'The company you needed, Loki?' He said questioning the young prince.
'Yes. I required her company, specifically, I cannot explain why, however.' Loki stated. Odin turned to look at Geira, his brow raising slightly. He nodded once at Loki and turned his back. Loki and Geira both looked at each other with confusion. Odin waved one hand at the guards, and then strode off towards the staircase.
'I will return. I have a few things to take care of. Please be safe Geira. Loki, do not misbehave again.' Odin said, he turned slightly and offered Geira a small smile of endearment. Geira looked at him shocked but tried her best to reciprocate the gesture. Odin ascended the stairs followed by his guards and they both heard the large doors close.
Loki and Geira stood in the cell, staring at the staircase with amazement.
'W..What was that?' Geira stuttered, not letting her gaze leave the spot where the King had stood.
'I'm not sure..' Loki replied quietly, 'But he is up to something.'
'Oh..' Geira whispered. She shook her head slightly and turned to face Loki, her eyes caught his gaze and almost automatically Loki seemed to begin to approach her.
Loki closed his eyes for a split second regaining his control.
'So you do not wish me back again, Loki? Is this true? Am I to leave and not return after your actions yesterday? Am I to leave when I have only just begun to bring back the Loki I once knew?' Geira said with a hint of venom and hurt.
'Geira, I am no longer that person.' Loki said, raising his head slightly, his body standing proud, however his eyes went against his wishes and revealed the hurt as he spoke the words.
'Loki, stop this madness! Stop pretending to be a villain!' Geira raised her voice as her emotions got the better of her. 'I can see you, Loki. I can see my friend in there!'
'Your eyes deceive you, my lady.' Loki said quietly, not letting himself become stirred. Geira sighed audibly and moved towards him, Loki took a step back, trying to keep the space between the two of them. Geira shocked the young prince by placing her hand on his arm before he could move further away. He felt a flicker of warmth touch his heart, the physical contact between the two, was more than he could manage. It was such a simple gesture but from her, it made his heart melt. He lowered his gaze to see her beautiful eyes glistening, threatening tears.
Geira stared into Loki's eyes, she kept her grip on his arm, hoping he would not pull away, wishing him to come closer.
'Geira, this is not right.' Loki said, his voice deflated and incomprehensibly quiet.
'Loki, it is not wrong to be you. Everyone misses you, everyone needs you.' Geira pleaded with him to understand. 'You are loved, Loki Odinson.' This tugged at Loki's tired heart and his eyes began to glisten.
'I am not Odinson.' he stated, pain filling his voice as his face contorted slightly.
'But you are, Loki. You still are, You always have been!' Geira said desperately. Loki's posture fell and he became slumped and broken. He grit his teeth and fell to his knees in front of Geira. He did not speak but Geira could see his shoulders tremble, she instantly knelt beside him, placing her hands on each of his cheeks, lifting his head slightly.
'Loki, you are lost, but you can return.' she whispered, taking in every one of his beautiful features, she noticed again the slight flush that filled his cheeks. Loki raised his tired eyes and looked at Geira.
'I am lost,' he nodded, 'but I can never return. I will rot here alone, I will die and it will be of no consequence.' he whispered, with one tear escaping his eye, falling down his cheek and settling on Geira's finger tips. Geira instinctively brought his head closer to rest on her shoulder, sliding her hand along Loki's raven black hair, quietly humming to the broken prince. They stayed that way for what seemed like an eternity, the only sound Loki could hear, was Geira's steady and comforting heartbeat, his body relaxed slightly against her and he closed his eyes, wishing for peace.
At that moment, they were both startled by the noise from earlier, the large door, guards flooding the staircase, and the loud footsteps of Odin. They both became tense, but did not move, frozen in their current position...