Eris' POV

I came back the next day, against Thor's advice to stay on Midgard. From what I could tell, Loki had built a wall around himself, one that I had made my way through before. But now he'd pushed me out, as to why I couldn't say. I endured the catcalls of the prisoners once again to approach my old friend's cell. He sat right by the glass-like wall of his cell, reading a particularly thick book. His room was no longer in shambles like before, the furniture pieced back together and Loki wasn't looking as disheveled. His hair was slicked back gracefully behind his ears, how it'd always been and his clothes were freshly cleaned. The scene was so different from yesterday, I almost thought it was an illusion. Loki was so engrossed in the piece of literature that he didn't snap his head up until I spoke.

"Well, you certainly do clean up nicely."

I said in an amused tone. He didn't jump but I could clearly see the surprise on his face.

"You did all this just for me?"

I teased with a cruel smile. He clicked his tongue as I took a seat next to him, his cell being the only thing between us.

"So you've returned, a stupid choice if you ask me."

He murmured, turning his eyes back to his book.

"I didn't ask, but I came back because I thought it would be rather rude to go back on my word."

I shrugged, leaning my head back. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and he nearly caught me.

"I wouldn't mourn if you did. I never asked you to come back, in fact, I encouraged you to stay away."

He grumbled, sounding like a pouting child. I felt a small stab in my heart from his icy exterior.

"Why?"

I asked, looking him directly in the eyes-those damn eyes looked so innocent, so caught of guard by my inquiring. After a long period of just staring at me, his eyes softened and he pulled them back to the old, yellowing pages of his book.

"I do not wish for your company, I don't need it."

He replied coldly. My lips pulled down into a frown.

"You used to..."

I whispered, feeling dejected. I felt his eyes on me but I didn't lift my head. Had these years in prison hardened him beyond recognition that I was only a friend, trying to give him a reason to smile.

"Well, I don't anymore."

He hissed coldly. I was to the point of tears now and stood up, enraged. His eyes followed me as I turned to face him.

"I would've thought you, of all beings...would know how much it hurts to be cast out!"

I snapped, my voice rising steadily in volume. His eyes widened greatly, but I couldn't bring myself to meet them.

"You said you would always be my friend, and I can't believe I trusted that! I mean, what did I expect, everyone always leaves me when they have what they need...I wish I could have seen that before-!"

I didn't dare finish my thought, I wasn't about to humiliate myself any further. Loki was hanging off of every painful syllable I uttered and when I cut myself off, he looked disappointed. I didn't care, he didn't deserve to know what I was about to say when I knew he wouldn't care.

"Before what?"

He asked quietly, shutting his book and setting it next to him on the floor as he stood. I chuckled and shook my head, reeling back my tears.

"I was just a little girl, I didn't think I'd figure out what heartbreak was until I was older. You were the only thing that ever made me happy and just like that...poof! You're gone, I just want to know why. I wanna know what I did to make you hate me so much!"

I said, my voice slightly hoarse. Loki shut his eyes tight, furrowing his brow before turning his back to me.

"I don't hate you, Eris."

His voice almost too gentle to hear. A small weight was lifted off of my chest at his words, but if it wasn't because he hated me, what was it?

"Then why? Why do you shut me out?"

I demanded, my voice becoming loud again. He whirled around to me, eyes burning furiously.

"I'd rather be alone than miss you for the rest of my life!"

He shouted, his fist banging a single time on the glass in his anger. I frowned deeply, feeling my body grow hot. However, I ignored the warning sign.

"I never had that luxury, Loki!"

He flinched a bit when I said his name. I stepped through the forcefield and took long strides toward him, leaving only a few inches between us.

"I never get to forget! I know I didn't make the impact you did, but you can't just...forget someone you care about..."

I slowly reached my hand towards his, just barely brushing his skin. I was testing the waters-I wanted to see what I was allowed to do. He didn't pull his hand away but he remained impassive, not really responding.

"You cared once, didn't you?"

I asked, almost too afraid to make eye contact. He didn't say a word and he didn't look away from me, unfortunately that didn't tell me very much.

"Use your words, darling."

I whispered, letting my head fall so I could stare at our hands, he finally reacted by tightening his hold just enough for me to realize.

"Of course I cared...I-"

"Don't anymore, I know. You've said so quite a few times."

I replied with a small glint of humor in my tone and looked back up at him with a forced smile.

"I wish...I could fix the damage that's been done to your heart..."

I murmured before placing a peck on his cheek. I gave his hand one last good squeeze before letting go and turning back to the forcefield. I walked as calmly down the hall as I could before sprinting up the stairs and to the Bifrost. I didn't know if I would come back to torture myself with his presence again or if I would try to forget my best friend.