Eris' POV

I finally decided to go back to visit Loki in his cell, but only after I had given myself a month to mull it over. I had Heimdall 'beam me up' (as Tony liked to say) to Asgard and I walked into the golden palace; everyone looked at me in long glances, as if they knew where I was going, and what waited for me down in the dungeon. The prisoners did not make a single remark towards me as I passed, instead staring and whispering to each other worriedly. The more I noticed their unease, the more the knot I'm my stomach twisted. What did they know that I didn't? What had happened in the month I was away? I was about to find out as I slowed my steps, nearing the cell at the very end of the corridor; Loki's cell. I bit back a gasp of shock when I saw the state he and his room were in. His room was in utter shambles, the way it had been before when I had visited the first time. Loki sat against the back wall, his eyes dull and glazed over with a frown set on his lips. He wasn't looking very good either, in fact, he was wounded-his foot was bleeding quite profusely. I entered the cell as calmly as I could manage, sitting down on the shattered glass in front of my old friend. I felt slightly guilty for having left him alone for so long but I shouldn't have. He was being childish and I frowned at Loki.

"So, I leave for a month and you decide to throw a temper tantrum. Aren't you a bit old for this?"

I teased, none too kindly either, and earned a glare from the Aesir. I smirked, a little happy to get a reaction out of him.

"What's the matter, darling? Can't handle a taste of your own medicine-"

Almost before I could finish my jeer, his strong hand shot out and wrapped around my throat, squeezing tightly. My eyes widened a bit, I hadn't expected to anger him that much...

"How dare you mock your king, foolish child!?"

He snarled through his perfect teeth. I didn't feel as much control over the situation as I had before and began to panic slightly. Blue crept up his hand and arm, chilling me instantly. I gripped his wrist and used the only defense I thought may get him to release me; I summoned my fire. It covered my hand and the part of Loki that I was touching. He gritted his teeth in pain, but he didn't make a sound, nor did he remove his intense eyes away from mine. Just as black entered the edge of my vision, the god surrendered to the heat and let me go. I glared back at him slightly as I rubbed my sore neck, coughing when sweet air finally filled my lungs. Shards of glass pricked the hand that I was using to lean back on and I hissed in pain. I pulled the pieces out of my palm and flung them on the ground angrily.

"You are lucky I am unharmed."

Loki muttered, examining the area where I had burnt him-it had already healed. My eyes saddened and fell to the ground.

"You'd be the first to survive my touch. I'm glad."

I murmured, glancing up at his sea-green eyes for a moment before refocusing on his injured foot. I reached toward it to get a closer look but Loki pulled it away from my reach quickly.

"Don't."

He snarled with so much resentment in his eyes that it almost made cry. I growled in frustration, balling my hands into fists on my thighs.

"Would you stop being a spoiled brat and let me help you?"

I sneered, leaning towards him more.

"I don't need your help!"

He spat furiously. I clenched my teeth in irritation.

"Well, like it or not, it's my job!"

I yelled, earning a perplexed stare from the god of mischief. I sighed quietly and a small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

"What kind of subject would I be if I did not care for my king?"

I retorted, knowing it would please him to address him as king. He made no visible change, but his glare softened and he didn't pull away when I reached out to touch him again. I placed my hand gently over the cut, making Loki wince in pain.

"I'm sorry, I'll make it quick."

I said, looking up at him apologetically. I closed my eyes tightly and kept envisioning the wound closing and healing until I felt the sharp pain in my own foot. I chocked back a pained groan and moved my hand from the pad of his foot, panting lightly.

"All better. Please be more careful."

I cooed softly with a gentle smile. Loki didn't react, he was lost in thought as he continued to look at me, musing something in his head.

"Why have you come back, after all these years, after the way I've treated you...why?"

He inquired, eyes narrowing at me curiously. My lips tightened into a line as I thought of a good excuse.

"You were my first friend,"

I began, standing before taking a seat next to Loki.

"You promised me that we would be friends forever, even after your imprisonment."

I continued, gingerly trailing my fingers down his bare forearm to his open hand. Loki stared at his lap, thinking about my words. I slipped my fingers between the spaces of his digits, intertwining our hands.

"I still care for you, the time apart has done little to sate my need of your company, your friendship, your touch..."

I was almost whispering now and the god's hand squeezed mine tightly. Without warning, he pulled me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me tightly. I was dumbstruck from the sudden act-I had never expected Loki to show me affection again. I smiled happily, slowly returning the embrace with the same amount of love. He sighed contently, dragging his long, cool fingers through my brown, almost auburn tresses and I relaxed immediately, nuzzling my face against his firm chest. I listened to the way his heart beat, almost erratically pumping blood through his veins-it was comforting to know that even after everything that had happened, it was still there, still beating.

"I have missed you everyday, every hour, every second that I have been trapped here. You have no idea how I've tried to stop my missing you, I even ignored your calls to me at night just to spare my own heart."

He pulled away, cradling my face in his hands. His pale eyes locked with my emerald ones, pleadingly.

"Forgive me."

He whispered. I had never seen him look so heart broken and desperate for redemption. I smiled softly before placing a tender kiss on his temple.

"I've already forgiven you-"

I stopped myself midway through, trying to see what Loki was staring at. I glanced down and saw the patch of skin that my jumpsuit had failed to cover, recoiling from him and quickly hiding the rest of the nasty scar. I felt a little ashamed that he'd seen one of the many 'healing' scars I had on my body. It would be hard to explain. His brow furrowed in confusion and worry and his eyes darted back up to mine.

"Are there more?"

He asked, only just above a whisper as his eyes saddened. I lowered my head and nodded.

"There's a lot more."

I murmured shyly, peaking up at Loki through the hair that had fallen in my face.

"Show me."

He commanded softly. I blinked, taken aback by his request.

"Why?"

I inquired, confused.

"I want to see how many times you needed me and I wasn't there..."

He whispered, taking his hand away from me. I thought about it for a moment, did I really want him to see all of those scars? Did I really want him to see how truly ugly I was? I sighed, thinking I had nothing left to lose.

"I would...have to undress."

I confessed, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. Loki nodded, and with a wave of his hand, thick, green, velvet curtains covered the glass parts of his cell so no one would see me. I stood and looked back at my friend, unsure of myself.

"Are you sure about this?"

I asked, raising a brow as I gave him one last chance to back out. He nodded again and I sighed, looking forward now. I pulled my hair to the side and pulled the zipper down the front of my jumpsuit. I reluctantly shimmied the sleeves off my arms and let the top half of my suit dangle off my waist. I kicked my boots off and slowly tugged the rest of my suit down my legs. I shivered at the sudden feeling of vulnerability and coldness, turning to face Loki again with an impassive expression on my face.

"It's...pretty bad."

I uttered quietly. Loki had a hard look on his face, he was angry, not with me though. He was angry with whatever had caused the painful reminders scattered around my body. I let my eyes fall to the floor as he approached me slowly, his bare feet coming into my view. I flinched slightly as his cool finger tips glided down the skin of my neck, making me sigh involuntarily. He lifted my chin and I closed my eyes tightly. I hadn't let anyone touch my skin in years and even though every mark was for a good cause, I felt so ugly in my own skin. I felt so weak, so exposed, at the mercy of my friend's eyes. His hand gently danced down my chest to my stomach, my heart beating loudly in my ears-this man, I'd known him all my life, trusted him, knowing he could break me easily if he pleased. I knew how I felt about him, but did he care for me as much as I cared for him? All of my doubts began to wash away as Loki ghosted his fingers across my shoulders. Such soft and careful caresses must mean that he cared for me...to some extent. As his hands traveled down my back I felt my stomach drop sickeningly. My lips parted at the odd sensation-I hadn't expected his touch to evoke such a lust. I swallowed desperately, trying to rid myself of the dry lump in my throat. But when his nails just barely scathed the skin along my spine, I shivered violently and arched my back, fighting back a moan. Loki didn't seem to notice and came back around in front of me. I just kept my face blank as he stared back into my eyes, his own blue-green ones holding so much sorrow. He embraced properly me for the first time in six years and my eyes widened in surprise and confusion. How could he show a monster as disgusting as me any sort of affection? Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him in return and he pulled me flush against him.

Loki's POV

At first, the tantalizing way she began to undress made my body feel so suddenly warm. Such a simple thing made me excited and I felt shame wash over me. I avoided looking at her form until she turned back to me with an impassive gaze. What have I done, I thought as her eyes cast downwards. My heart clenched a little more with each step I took towards her. I tilted her chin up to get a better look at her neck and chest, her eyes closed tightly in response. I traced my fingers delicately over the scattered pink marks that marred her porcelain skin-she was so soft, the scars smooth and some were just a little puffy depending on the injury. I heard her let out a sigh and I had to try and remember the task at hand, not the fact of how deliciously exposed she was before me. I shut my eyes briefly as my fingers traveled down her heaving chest carefully and then to her stomach. I looked down to see just a few on her thighs, barely noticeable to me. I journeyed to her shoulders and felt her shudder violently against my touch, I could tell she was uncomfortable and that she wasn't doing this for herself, but for me, because I had asked. I lightly trailed my fingertips down her spine and her back arched a little. I had to stop myself there, while I could still fool myself into thinking this act was chaste.

Eris' POV

We stayed that way for the longest time before Loki spoke.

"What has caused you so much pain?"

He asked, tightening his arms around me. This would be the hardest part to explain.

"You've missed a lot in the past six years."

I replied, pulling away from him slightly. As I began pulling my jumpsuit back on, I spoke.

"I have access to my entire brain, contrary to every other human on earth. With that, I have more abilities, one of them being able to summon fire, and, like I demonstrated earlier, healing."

I started, slipping my arms into the sleeves of my jumpsuit.

"When I was just a baby, I killed my father with the fire I hadn't learned to control yet. My mother died the same way when I was five. I couldn't do anything to stop it, the fire would just...take over and once I was past a certain point, there was no going back. S.H.I.E.L.D helped me understand where all of this came from."

I explained, shoving my shoes back on my feet.

"So it's magic, then?"

Loki accused. I shook my head.

"No, this is a natural ability that all humans have the tools to use, but none can access it. It all comes from my body. That's why when I heal someone, it takes a little piece of me to replace what is damaged within them."

I continued, rubbing my arm sheepishly. Loki's brow furrowed in confusion.

"But, there are so many..."

He mused, not looking at me. I chuckled a little.

"I've healed a lot of people."

I told him with a small smile. His expression became angry again.

"Do they thank you for what you do?"

He demanded, looking back up at my eyes. I shrugged.

"Most of them were strangers, and I left before they could. A couple of them are from healing Tony when he used to go flying in the Iron Man suit while he was drunk."

I said, my demeanor saddening slightly at the memories. Loki frowned, disappointed I guessed and he hugged me again.

"I am sorry I let you get hurt."

He murmured into my ear, still holding me. Tears welled in my eyes slightly but I blinked them away and spoke up.

"You couldn't do anything...besides, it was my choice-"

"But I could have done something and you couldn't even reach me."

He interrupted. My lips tightened into a line and I pulled away to look into his eyes.

"Well, you're here now. So...just hold me now..."

I whimpered into his chest. Finally, after months of fighting, I had broken down the wall Loki had built between us. Everything fell away except for Loki, all the pain, all the doubt, fear, confusing feelings. All I knew in that moment was that Loki was my best friend, and I loved him for that. For letting me, an unworthy mortal be so close to his heart-I was honored.

"I still love you, y'know?"

I chuckled, earning another squeeze from Loki.

"I know, dear. I love you too."

He smiled and placed an innocent kiss on my lips. I was relieved that my blush didn't show on my already red cheeks and grinned back up at him. My headset began to crackle with static, then the voice of Agent Hill filled my earpiece. I pressed the button on the side of it to respond.

"Right, I'm on my way."

I replied quickly. Loki smiled at me a little.

"Duty calls, darling."

I sighed, kissing his cheek quickly.

"See you soon?"

He inquired with a hopeful look on his face. I smiled and nodded. With that, I left his cell and made my way to the Bifrost.