It had finally been a month, something I had been excited about and dreading. In that time, I had introduced Loki to a few classic poets like Shakespeare and Poe. He seemed to favor Shakespeare and his works more than anything. Loki's bed and bedroom furnishings had also arrived before the deadline. I had set everything up, despite Loki insisting that he could do it himself. Even though he would go to sleep in his own room, he'd usually end up in my bed when I woke up in the morning. Essentially, his bedroom was just for show-we both got to sleep better when we shared my bed, so that's how we stayed. I was currently being interrogated by Fury about Loki and his progress here on Earth.
"Where does he work?"
Fury asked, quirking a brow up skeptically. I smiled and clasped my hands behind my back.
"At the coffee shop down the street from my apartment. He's been working there for just about a month and so far his boss hasn't complained. In fact, he says that Loki is doing very well. He's friendly with the customers, always on time, tidy. Need I go on?"
I questioned, content that he would have no choice but to let Loki stay with me. But to my surprise, Fury smiled at me and stood.
"That's good to hear. For your sake, I hope he keeps up the good work."
He praised, clapping a hand over my shoulder. I was relieved to hear positive words leave his mouth for the first time in a long time.
Loki's POV
I had been working at the coffee shop for almost a month now and had gotten 'into the swing of things', as Midgardians would say. It was a slow day today, but we were by no means allowed to just stand about, so I took it upon myself to clean off the countertops. I took a break from my busy work when I heard the bell above the door ring, alerting me of a customer. I automatically plastered a kind smile on my face and met their eyes. But when I looked up, I wasn't expecting such a beautiful young woman. I was stunned silent when she greeted me with a smile of her own. It was enchanting-I'd never seen such a flawless Midgardian woman before. Her hair, which reached her mid-back, was a very light blonde, it almost looked white and she had the most captivating blue eyes I'd ever seen. She had a book clutched to her chest like it was the most precious thing in the Nine Realms. I was so lost I'm my thoughts, I hadn't realized she'd said hello until another co-worker nudged me.
"Hello, what can I get you today?"
I asked, finally regaining some shred of my composure. She smiled again and looked up at the menu for a moment before her eyes met mine.
"I'll juzt have a zmall, Earl Grey tea pleaze."
She replied, a sweet accent I couldn't quite place lingered in my ears. I nodded in confirmation and handed her the change. I gave her her tea and she sat down at one of the tables by the front window. I couldn't help but stare at her from my work station while she sat and read. The manager eventually approached the woman and struck up a friendly conversation with her. They seemed to know each other pretty well, and when Ronni came back, I had a few questions to ask.
"Who is that?"
I whispered to him. He smirked up at me before looking back out on the cafe.
"Her name's Kara. She comes here almost everyday but she's been in France for the past five months. I didn't ask why, I assume she was visiting family."
The young man spouted off, crossing his arms. So, that's where the accent is from. Ronni looked up at me again and flashed a grin at me.
"Do you like her?"
He accused, nudging me with his elbow. Involuntarily, my face heated up and I was quick to turn my face away from him.
"I don't know her-"
"But you think she's pretty?"
He suggested, still smiling. I glared at him from the corner of my eye.
"Yes, but I don't see why-"
"You should ask her out! As far as I know, she's single."
Ronni bubbled, waving his hand excitedly. My brow furrowed in confusion.
"You court complete strangers in this realm?"
I asked, unfamiliar with the Midgardian customs. The blond man simple shook his head.
"Here, we get to know a person by going on dates with them. Then you can ask them to be in a relationship with you, and after that, if you want to marry them, you propose. Does that make sense?"
He inquired. I nodded despite my lack of understanding. When Kara finished her tea, she came back up to the register. She smiled at me and slipped me a piece of paper with her name and various numbers on it. I looked at it in confusion before looking back at her for an explanation.
"It'z my number. I noticed you were staring at me zeh entire time I've been here."
She said with a little smirk. I laughed awkwardly and Kara giggled.
"It'z alright. I zink it was cute. I'll be here tomorrow...and zeh next day and so on, but you can call me anytime."
She explained with a wink. I couldn't think of anything to say so I just smiled back at me. She began to walk towards the door.
"À demain!"
She sang over her shoulder. I smiled wider and walked back over to Ronni.
"What is this?"
I questioned, showing him the piece of paper. He took it and got a closer look before letting out a dramatic gasp.
"Oh my god, she just gave you her number! She's totally into you!"
He squealed, handing be the slip of paper back. I watched him with curious eyes as he started dancing around.
"This is great, you guys would be so cute together!"
He continued to rant like this until my shift was over and it was time for me to go home.
Eris' POV
Later that day, I came back to the apartment to relax for a bit. Ten minutes in, I heard a knock at my door. I rose from the couch and crossed over to the door to answer it. Matthew stood, well, leaned against the door frame, looking sweaty and out of breath.
"What the hell happened to you?"
I chuckled, letting him inside. After a few shallow pants, he spoke.
"...ran here..."
Was all I could make out as I walked to the kitchen to get him some water.
"Why?"
I asked, raising a brow at him as I handed him a bottle of water. He had a perfectly good car, he didn't need to run two miles to get here...
"I'm trying to work out, and I thought I should stop by."
He replied after draining half of the bottle. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, well, running two miles isn't what I would call working out. You should just go to a gym."
I told him, pecking his perspiring cheek. I scrunched up my nose at the sour scent of sweat and backed up.
"Go take a shower, you stink."
I mumbled, pointing at my bedroom.
"I love you too."
Matt called, feigning dejection. I just brushed it off and followed him into my bedroom. By the time I was in there, he'd already shed his clothes and closed the bathroom door. His phone lay on the floor and I picked it up, placing it on the nightstand where it wouldn't get stepped on. I lie waiting on the bed, reading a magazine when Matthew's phone began to buzz. I looked over at it and the caller ID said "Lisa". Huh, probably a cousin or something, I thought, walking out of the room to answer the call.
"Hello?"
I chirped. There was a pause on the other end.
"Hello, who's this?"
The woman asked.
"This is Eris, Matt's girlfriend."
I replied, slightly confused. There was another pause.
"Oh...yikes. Um, I'll call back later."
She said, hanging up. What was that about? I knew I shouldn't, but curiosity got the better of me and I unlocked Matthew's phone. I went to his text messages to see if maybe it would explain who she was and what I saw...was not what I had expected. Pictures and messages between the two involving sex and meeting up for dates. I let out a small laugh. I guess he found someone else to give him attention, I thought. I wasn't mad, because I felt that I was no better when Loki slept in my bed every night. We may not've been having sex, but we might as well have. I wasn't jealous either, oddly enough. In fact, I felt relieved, like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I was no longer obligated to keep my feelings under wraps, I wasn't tied down anymore. I smiled a bit and turned off his phone before putting it back on the nightstand and laying back on the bed. I had to pretend to be mad when Matthew came out, I had to seem upset. When he finally did come out of the bathroom, he was fully dressed in a new set of clothes.
"Hey."
He said. I turned to him slowly and sat on the edge of the bed with solum expression on my face.
"What's the matter?"
He asked, coming a little closer to me.
"Lisa called..."
Was all I said, looking up at him. His eyes widened a bit and he ran a hand through his hair nervously.
"R-really? What did she say?"
He inquired, rubbing the back of his neck. You are so guilty, I thought.
"Not much, she'll call you back later though. But what really interested me, were the texts you two have been exchanging."
At the word 'texts' Matthew's demeanor completely changed from nervous to angry.
"What were you doing going through my phone?!"
He snapped. He'd never raised his voice at me before and I was shocked.
"She called and I thought she was a cousin or something but I found something else entirely when I went to your messages."
I replied a cooly as I could. Matthew was seething now and grabbed his phone off of the nightstand.
"This is a total invasion of my privacy!"
He shouted, making me wince. I was feeling uneasy now with his escalating rage and stood up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know I would find those-"
"You shouldn't have done it in the first place!"
He snarled, shoving me up against the wall. My brow furrowed in surprise and confusion, why was he so angry? I calmed my emotions and turned the tables on him.
"Matt, if you weren't happy with me, you could have told me. You didn't have to do this-"
"Don't make this about me! Ever since Loki got here, you've changed."
He accused, narrowing his eyes at me.
"What are you talking about?"
I demanded. I hadn't changed, maybe I've been happier but I haven't been doing any worse than before.
"I see the way he looks at you, how jealous he gets when we're together. You've been sleeping together too, I bet!"
Matthew growled, pressing his hand against my throat to keep me between him and the wall. My mouth fell agape at his accusations and I tried to push him away.
"He's a god, Matthew, he's not used to having to share. Of course he'll get jealous! If you haven't noticed, he acts like a spoiled child-women, including myself, don't find that very attractive!"
I yelled back in his face. His dominance wavered, but not long enough for me to gain the upper hand.
"You were always a skilled lier, Eris. But you can't wiggle your way out of this one!"
He mocked with a cruel smile. I rolled my eyes.
"Matt, get over yourself! I never cheated on you with him! I know you feel guilty for what you did, but you don't have to-"
"Shut up!"
He screamed, pulling back his fist. My eyes widened but I looked back to Matthew.
"Stop it! Why are you so angry? I haven't done anything to you!"
I snapped, trying again to free myself. Before I knew what was happening, I was on the ground, my face aching horribly. I held a hand over my eye and glared up at Matt. He looked horrified by his own actions and crouched down beside me.
"Oh my god, Eris, baby, I'm so-I'm so sorry! I don't know where that-"
"Get out..."
I whispered, a few tears of pain slipping from my eyes. I couldn't bare to look at his face-he disgusted me. He rubbed my arm trying to sooth me, but it only started a fire within me.
"Get out! Get the fuck out of my house before I kill you!"
I hissed. This wasn't a threat, this was a warning. I was so angry, I was nearly at the point of breaking. And if I broke, Matthew wouldn't live to tell the story. He quickly got up and ran out of the apartment, leaving me on the floor. I stood up, fire finally reaching the outside of my body. I walked into my shower and turned the water on to it's coldest setting, hoping to kill the flames. I hadn't been this angry in a very very long time, and I had no idea how to control myself without a special tank. Thankfully, the water seemed to extinguish the fire, but my anger still raged on inside of my body. Maybe it would be best if I stayed in here for a while, I thought. I began to remove my sopping wet clothes and plugged the tub so it would fill. I changed the setting so the water would come out of the faucet for the tub and sat, stewing the the chilly water. I grabbed a bottle of lavender scented bubble bath and poured most of it into the water. Bubbles filled the entire tub and then some, reaching up to my shoulders when I sat up. I slid back into the bath after turning off the water, thinking about what I would do about this. Could I conceal the already purple bruise with makeup to hide it from Loki? Oh lord, Loki would just about have a fit when he found out. I sighed, rubbing my temples to try to ward of the impending headache building behind my eyes. Then, something dawned on me-I was a free woman now. I wasn't tied down to behave anymore. If I wanted to, I could tell Loki-are you kidding me? Why would you tell him? He doesn't see you like that. You're just a possession to him, a sister at best. Don't fool yourself into thinking things can change for the better between you two. I sided with my subconscious, for now at least. I wouldn't tell him, not yet.
Loki's POV
When I got back to Eris' apartment, everything was dark. None of the lights were on, as they usually are. I entered slowly, putting my key on the hook near the door. Her car was here, so were was she? I walked further into the apartment and still, there was no sign of my friend.
"Eris?"
I called, looking down the hall to her bedroom. Light seeped out from under the door that led to her bathroom and I ventured closer.
"Darling?"
I said, knocking gently on the door.
"Hey, Loki. I'm in the bath."
I heard her small voice come from behind the door. I smiled a bit and sat down just outside of the door.
"I'll just speak with you from here, then."
I replied, crossing my legs. Eris giggled from the tub.
"How was work?"
She asked, sounding genuinely interested-she always was. I grinned now, I'm sure I looked like an idiot and I was glad to have a barrier between Eris and I at the moment.
"It was very productive."
I half lied, knowing she was too perceptive to buy it.
"Okay, so what really happened at work? You're not telling me everything..."
Damn, she knew me far too well. I sighed and hesitated for a moment.
"I met someone."
I told her, not sure why I felt my heart sink.
Eris' POV
My heart sank at his words. Oh no...I swallowed hard and forced a smile even if he couldn't see it.
"A girl, a beautiful girl."
He continued enthusiastically. No, no, no! Why now? Just when I could actually tell him how I feel...
"Really? What's her name!"
I asked excitedly. I was devastated on the inside, my stomach was turning with jealousy of whomever had caught his eye.
"Her name is Kara. I believe she's from France."
He replied dreamily. Suddenly, I felt a rush of warmth and happiness-I felt happy for him. And I always had a soft spot for people from Europe.
"What does she look like?"
I inquired. I was curious for selfish reasons. Was she prettier than me? What did she have that I didn't?
"She has very long, very pale blonde hair and her eyes are an indescribable blue. She's truly breath taking."
He sighed. My insides squirmed with envy and I pulled my knees up to my chin. She sounds perfect...
"She sounds like an angel."
I assured him, forcing glee into my voice. How could this happen so quickly? Why did this have to happen now? Not all of my happiness was fake, I honesty felt a sliver of joy in knowing Loki was happy with somebody else.
"And she gave me this slip of paper with her name and what ronni explained was her cell phone number on it."
He said, sounding like he was confused by what he's just said. I forced a laugh.
"Oh god, I'm gonna have to teach you the basics of dating, aren't I?"
I chuckled, feeling that this would be awkward for me.
"I'm afraid so, Ronni was a very poor instructed on the matter."
He confessed, laughing too. I smiled.
"Well, we'll get on that on one of your days off."
I told him, trying to postpone this impending session.
"Alright. How was your day, dear?"
He questioned. I froze.
Loki's POV
There was a pause.
"Uh...it was alright, everything went great with Fury. He even admitted that he was impressed that you'd adapted so well."
She replied hesitantly, her normally cheerful voice sounded strained.
"Is something wrong, darling? Can I come in?"
I asked, standing up. There was yet another laps of silence.
"No, no! Nothing's wrong, come in."
She called, sounding even more strained. I turned the knob and opened the door, closing it behind me. I chuckled at the sight before me, there were a ridiculous amount of bubbles coming out of the bath. I couldn't even see Eris through the dense layers of bubbles.
"Are you still alive in there?"
I jested, taking a seat across from the tub on the toilet lid.
"Yes, I'm alive. I'm just hiding."
Eris answered somewhere amongst the bubbles.
"Hiding, why?"
I inquired, moving from my seat on the toilet to sit beside the tub.
"No reason..."
She told me vaguely. I narrowed my eyes at the bubbles. She wasn't telling me something, I could sense that much.
"Eris, come out of there."
I ordered, crossing my arms.
"Nuh uh!"
She refused childishly. I was beginning to tire of her games.
"Eris, so help me, I will pop all of these bubbles if you don't come out of there right now!"
I said firmly.
"Fine..."
Eris sighed reluctantly. She slowly began to appear from the bubbles, wiping her face clear of the suds and looked at me with shame filled eyes. It wasn't the shame in her eyes that angered me, it was the purple discoloration around her left eye. My hand immediately flew to the affliction to examine it.
"What happened?"
I demanded, hoping for a straight answer from her.
"Matthew hit me."
She confessed, not meeting my gaze. My brow furrowed.
"Matthew did this?"
I murmured, surprised that a weakling like him would have the nerve to hurt her. Eris just nodded.
"But I took care of him."
She assured me with a small smile.
"Ah, is he dead then?"
I questioned with a grin. Eris giggled and shook her head.
"No, unfortunately I let him live."
She replied, finally looking me in the eyes.
"I see, then it's up to me to end his pathetic existence."
I pondered aloud, standing up.
"Loki, no! That isn't necessary, he won't be bothering me anymore."
She squeaked, grabbing my hand. She was left hanging halfway out of the tub, her unmentionables just barely covered by soapy water and suds-her childish action made me smile. She sank back down into the water and sighed.
"Please, don't kill him, I prefer to let karma take care if these things for me."
She told me, closing her eyes. I walked back over to her and sat on the edged of the bath.
"Then at least allow me to heal this."
I insisted, running a finger over her bruise. She winced slightly but remained quiet, which I took as her silent permission. A low, green glow enveloped the area and the bruise began to recede. Once it was fully gone, I gave the lid a gentle kiss.
"You should never settle for letting someone get away with hurting you."
I whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. No one, not even I was allowed to hurt her. I will always protect her, even at the cost of my own life. I love her, and therefore, I will keep her be safe.
So, guys, this is where I'm gonna end the chapter. I think it's getting to long, I dunno. Anyway, I have to apologize for my terrible written representation of a French accent. I had no clue how to write it and I know it sounds horrible. But let me know what you think? Should I stop the accent or continue it? Feed back people, FEED BACK! Xoxox