So this is just a short, fluffy chapter to tide you all over for the holidays
Eris' POV
After dinner, I decided to introduce Loki to one of my favorite Disney movies-Tangled. Throughout the movie we both laughed at some of the silly parts and I remarked that the relationship between Flynn and Maximus reminded me of Loki and his brother. The god of mischief pouted for a moment before smiling and agreeing. He retorted by saying that I was just like Rapunzel when I was younger-always sneaking out even though I was supposed to stay inside.
"I did it so I could see you. I was afraid that if I didn't, I may not see you again."
I explained, watching the screen blindly. I was distracted by memories of the past. I thought about how Loki used to let me put little braids in his hair when I was just a girl. His hair was always so soft...
"I'm glad you did."
I suddenly snapped back to reality at the sound of my friend's voice. I looked at him, waiting for him to explain.
"You were the only companion I had ever had, I would have been severely devastated if you'd stopped seeing me."
He continued, meeting my gaze. Oh gods, those eyes...they would be the death of me...he would be the death of me if I didn't get it together. I didn't want to love him as deeply as I did, it was an accident. I hadn't meant to fall hopelessly in love with the god of mischief, a war criminal, a murderer, my best friend. Nothing mattered to me accept the fact that he was by my side now and we were content with each other's company. I never wanted to leave him, I never wanted him to leave my side. I glanced down at the opal ring on my finger, feeling my stomach churn with guilt and disgust for myself. When I thought about it, I had manipulated Matthew. I didn't love him, but I used his feelings to distract me from my own. That was something I had always been good at, manipulation. I wanted to hide from my own ugliness, I wanted to run from my shame and find comfort in Loki's arms. And that's just what I did; slowly, I shifted towards Loki and wrapped my arms around his neck, hiding my face in his shoulder. The Aesir returned the embrace after a short moment and when he did, I silently began to cry. He pulled me away gently to look at my face and furrowed his brow when he noticed my watery eyes.
"What's the matter, darling?"
He asked softly, wiping away my tears with the pad of his thumb.
"I'm a horrible person."
I murmured, shutting my eyes tight. Loki sat me up in his lap gradually and cupped my face in his hands, pulling me closer to him.
"If you're horrible, what does that make me?"
His voice had a slight crack of humor in it, but I didn't laugh. A few more tears slipped from my eyes and the god leaned his forehead against mine, his eyes closed in thought and his hands still held me close. I could feel his warm breath wash over my face and I swore my cheeks exploded into a deep red. His lips were so close, just a centimeter out of reach, but I dare not move forward and I dare not pull away. Never in all my life had I wanted anything so badly, for just a touch...just a taste...but I couldn't. I let out a shallow breath before finally finding my voice.
"We should go to bed."
I breathed, distancing my lips from his slightly. His eyes opened, piercing mine and we stared at one another for a while.
"Yes, we should."
He finally agreed, releasing me. I stood and took a couple of steps in the direction of my room before looking back at Loki.
"Am I...sleeping on the couch tonight?"
He inquired, not looking up at me. I gave a small smile.
"I wouldn't wish that couch on my worst enemy, you can sleep in my bed until we get you your own."
I told him confidently. I wasn't sure what I had just offered and what that may mean in the future. But right now, I didn't care. I didn't care if he never got his own bed, as long as he shared mine. Loki smiled and stood, following me into my room. I got in on my side of the bed and Loki got on his side. We both turned on our sides to look at each other and he reached out a hand, placing it over mine like he had at dinner.
"Sweet dreams, dove."
He whispered, closing his eyes.
"Sweet dreams, Loki."
I uttered back, letting my heavy lidded eyes shut.
Loki's POV
Everything was cold, enough so that it made me want to curl into myself for warmth. I shivered and tried to open my eyes but all I saw was darkness. There was nothing but the chill and black emptiness around me until an overwhelming feeling of anxiety consumed me. I was afraid, so terrified, though I had no idea why. Then, I heard his deep, horrid voice surround me.
"Asgardian, you have failed to bring me the tesseract, and you have failed in your meager attempt at take over on Earth. I promised you that there was nowhere you could hide from me, and I will stand by that."
Thanos...My mind stopped working and I felt a crushing pain in my chest, leaving me breathless. I tried to cry out, something, anything, but nothing left my lips. His dark chuckle taunted me, and I felt rage bubbling in my veins.
"You think this is painful? I will make you long for that so sweet as the torture I have unleashed upon your body."
He growled menacingly. The familiar sting of metal tearing through flesh coaxed a pained gasp from my throat. Just as I felt that I would lose consciousness from the pain, everything went completely numb. I didn't feel the lingering burn of my wounds, I no longer felt the cold, emptiness of space. I was warm again, but still startled from whatever had happened. I noticed that I had been crying, I had taught myself better than to do that. I opened my eyes to see Eris' face looming in over mine, tears threatening to spill from her emerald eyes. I didn't like the concerned look I saw on her face and realized that she was kneeling over me on the bed. One of her tears fell onto my cheek and mingled with my own before I pulled her down into my arms. I held her tightly, so much so that I may have been crushing her, but I needed this. I needed to hold her because she was the only thing that felt real in that moment, she was the only person I had left to hold. She wrapped her arms around me in return, holding me as close as physically possible.
"Y-you were screaming...a-a-and crying but I c-couldn't w-w-wake you up!"
She whimpered into my neck. I said nothing, and we stayed this way for a very long time until we had both calmed down. Once Eris was done crying, she lay on her side next to me, stroking my face comfortingly. I smiled at her and grabbed her hand, kissing her palm.
"Do you remember the song you would sing for me when I refused to sleep?"
She inquired, raising a brow. I smiled wider and nodded, remembering the song I had come up with just for her when she was but a girl. She came closer, nestling against my chest so I could hold her.
"Don't tell me you wish to sing me to sleep. You were a terrible singer, Eris."
I teased, fighting back a smile. She frowned and looked a little angry.
"Was! I've gotten better, I swear. Though I love you, I would never embarrass myself in front of you, my friend."
She argued, punching me in the chest. I chuckled.
"Then by all means, sing."
I challenged, smirking at her. She narrowed her eyes and was silent for a moment before opening her mouth.
"Wandering child of the earth
Do you know just how much you're worth?
You have walked this path since your birth
You were destined for more."
I was completely shocked, I hadn't expected her to have improved in her singing. But her voice was heavenly and soft, lulling my to sleep despite my fighting.
"There are those who'll tell you you're wrong
They will try to to silence your song
But right here is where you belong
So don't search anymore
You are the dawn of a new day that's waking
A masterpiece still in the making
The blue in an ocean of grey
You are right where you need to be
Poised to inspire and to succeed
You'll look back and you'll realize one day
In your eyes there is doubt
As you try to figure it out
But that's not what life is about
So have faith there's a way
Though the world may try to define you
It can't take the light that's inside you
So don't you dare try to hide
Let your fears fade away
You are the dawn of a new day that's waking
A masterpiece still in the making
The blue in an ocean of grey
You are right where you need to be
Poised to inspire and to succeed
You'll look back and you'll realize one day
You are the dawn of a new day that's waking
A masterpiece still in the making
The blue in an ocean of grey
You are right where you need to be
Poised to inspire and to succeed
Soon you'll finally find your own way."
Eris' POV
Slowly, but surely, Loki began to close his eyes. His breathing slowed and his body relaxed. I smirked at my success.
"I told you, Loki. I got better."
I whispered, turning my back to him.