~Two Months Later~

Eris' POV

I sat on my bed, scrolling through tumblr when I heard a thud across from me. I glanced up from my laptop to see Loki standing there with a mischievous smirk. I hopped up faster than he could register and threw my arms around his tall frame. He slowly returned the affection with a chuckle.

"Loki..."

I whispered, feeling tears well in my eyes. He softly petted my hair and held me tighter. He pulled away to look at me, cupping my face lovingly.

"You have grown so much."

He breathed, grinning happily. I giggled.

"That tends to happen after you've been gone for eleven years."

I teased. He just smiled and shook his head.

"I'm so proud of my little one."

He cooed, pressing me into another embrace. I laughed but pushed him away with a pout.

"I'm not little anymore."

I retorted, crossing my arms. Loki pinched my cheek gently.

"You'll always be little to me, darling."

My cheeks heated up when he said 'darling.' I didn't understand this reaction-he'd called me that for years and only now did it affect me...I hid my face in his chest, feeling his warmth.

"How are you here?"

I asked, the reality of the situation setting in. Loki proceeded to tell me that it was merely an illusion that he'd been perfecting to stay solid. This way, he could hold me-he could even see me, it was kind of like sending in a drone. But he was here, and he was warm and he felt...real. He explained that he wouldn't be able to do it often or for very long because it took so much of his energy. I didn't mind though, I was just happy to see him.

"You know, now I can finally show you that music I was telling you about. Oh! And the dance routine I've been learning in class."

I told him with a bright smile. He returned it warmly.

"I would like nothing more."

He replied. I nodded and picked up my laptop and opened my door, walking out into the dark hallway. Loki hesitated to follow.

"Are Thor and lady Jane not home?"

He inquired, stepping out into the hall with me warily. I smiled to myself, shaking my head.

"Nope, they're out chasing stars right now."

I explained and Loki looked a little surprised.

"Is he really intelligent enough for that?"

He joked, making me laugh.

"I thought the same thing but he seems to be keeping up with Jane alright."

I said, flipping on the light to my little studio. I walked over to a stool I had in the corner by the mirrors and stretching bar, setting the laptop down on it. I opened up my music player and hooked the speakers up with a sly grin. I was learning choreography to 'Your Entertainment' by Adam Lambert. I paused the song before it could start and walked back over to my friend. I grabbed his hands and dragged him into the center of the room.

"So I'm gonna need you to be my stand-in partner for a bit. Don't worry, you won't have to do anything. Just stand there being awkward, okay?"

He nodded, looking a little confused and I skipped to my laptop. I hit play and got into position as the music started. Loki looked even more confused by the music and it made me smile. I proceeded with my routine and as I promised, he stayed standing in place for most of it. When it was over, Loki stood back in the center of the room with a look of surprise on his face.

"Well, that was rather fast...and provocative."

He commented. I chuckled.

"Yes, it was, would you like to try something slower?"

I questioned, turning my head to him as I walked to the laptop. He gave a simple nod and I faced back to the screen. I scrolled through the songs I had (illegally) downloaded onto my computer to find a slower song and picked, 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You' by Ingrid Michaelson. I sauntered back over to Loki with a small smile and wrapped my arms around his waist in a sort of hug since I wasn't tall enough to reach his neck.

"Wise men say, 'only fools rush in'. Oh, but I can't help falling in love with you. Shall I stay, would it be a sin? Oh, but I can't help falling in love with you."

I began to shift from foot to foot, swaying Loki with me as he wrapped his arms around me too.

"This is called slow dancing."

I told him, resting my head against his chest. I didn't get a reply from but we started slowly moving in a circle as the song continued to play.

"Like a river flows surely to the sea. Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be. So take my hand and take my whole life too, cause I can't help falling in love with you."

Loki pulled away just enough to look down at me with a smile.

"I quite like this song."

He commented, pulling my back against his chest. I giggled.

"I do too."

I said.

"Like a river flows so surely to the sea. You're my darling, so it goes; some things are meant to be. So won't you please, just take my hand and take my whole life too. Cause I can't help falling in love in love with you. Cause I can't help falling in love, falling in love, I keep falling in love...with...you."

Just after the song ended, Loki froze.

"What's the matter?"

I inquired, looking up at him worriedly. His expression hardened.

"I have a visitor. I must go, but I will return. Alright?"

He told me as he stroked my cheek. I nodded and he kissed my forehead briefly before disappearing completely. I sighed sadly, it was great to actually see Loki again but it just hurt that much more when he had to leave. I gathered up my laptop and sullenly returned to my room, listening to the playlist I put together that made me think of my friend. I ended up falling asleep to it and then waking up to it again in the morning with tears in my eyes.