THIRTEEN

Grey sky, always in your eye
Where is the girl behind the cloud?
Grey sky, always floating by
But I only peek when I'm allowed

You welcome me in
And your veil is so thin
But the mystery continues to grow
You say you must realize
That my grey sky eyes
Neither rain, nor they glow... now you know

So I'll try to not act so surprised
I'll feel my way, I'll underplay
All my curiosity and hide

All the questions in my skin

- "Grey Sky Eyes," Carbon Leaf

Alana was grateful when Loki came downstairs for breakfast the next morning. She had thought that he might have been too wary to join her.

She decided to pretend that it had never happened.

He sat at the table, eating silently. She wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what to say.

Surprisingly, he broke the silence first, his clear voice cutting through the tension in the room.

"Why do you draw eyes so frequently?"

Internally, Alana screamed. Any other question, any other, but to this one she couldn't give him the truth.

Well… not the whole truth anyway.

"Eyes have a lot of emotions behind them. And I feel that… when I draw the eyes of people I've hurt, I can feel better. I feel more like… they might forgive me."

"You drew mine."

She winced a bit. "I'm sorry, I didn't think… I shouldn't have."

"No, it's... fine."

She didn't believe it. "Really?"

"Yes."

She smiled slightly, and asked, "Could you forgive me? After seeing them, I mean."

His pale brow furrowed. "Forgive you for what?"

Alana looked down at her plate. "For… calling you an outcast."

Loki looked at her in astonishment. No one had ever asked for his forgiveness for calling him an outcast. They meant it. They knew it hurt.

But Alana, she, she was different. Why?

Why was he willing to forgive her?

"It's alright, really."

"No," she said firmly, looking up at him, "it was not. I'm your host, I shouldn't…"

"Well, I believe I gave you more than enough reason," he said, lounging back in his chair.

Alana smiled, and asked, "Can we just both forget about it?"

Loki nodded, smiling slightly. "I think that would be best."

A/N: Hey, everyone! Thanks so much for all your support. Don't worry, much longer chapters are on their way. More fluff, too, but also in the future... angst. Lots and lots of angst.

*chuckles evilly*

Please review! I absolutely love the feedback.

masterofthefall