A Night in Asgard
Loki fetched a tonic for Jane and some medicinal herbs for pain. He had paid some attention to her while she mixed her remedies.
Who was he kidding? He always paid attention to her.
And now…now they would be sleeping in close quarters…
It meant nothing. Nothing…he was keeping an eye on her, and she was in no state to make the twenty minute walk back home. Dr. Foster had entrusted Loki with his daughter, he had said to do whatever necessary to keep her safe. She could be rash.
Rash was an understatement.
He thought about the best way to handle this as he mixed…there was a fainting couch in the apothecary…perhaps they should stay there.
But what if someone figured out that Jane was the suspect? What if the alley fellow had followed them? He hadn't noticed anyone, but that didn't mean that it wasn't possible. He had been in a state when carrying her.
He had blankets an such in Asgard from when he would stay there overnight. He did that a few times because he simply didn't want to go home…
Loki walked out into the shop and handed Jane the medicine.
"Is this really necessary?" she asked, sipping the herb-filled tonic.
"Well, it may not have been if you took a bit more care with your opinion, but yes. I'm afraid that until we actively take some precautions and subdue the masses about your erroneous guilt, this is necessary. Also, the fact that you were approached in an alley by a strange man is of greater import, and he might know that you are injured."
"So…what? I stay at Asgard until I'm healed?"
He laughed. "No, Jane. We'll get you home in the morning. And I think, actually," he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "You should stay at home next week."
"What?!"
"Yes," and he went to the fainting couch and lifted it. "It's likely that we can clear your name in that time, and the man might lose interest."
"He hasn't in Mary Kelly," she whispered.
"No. But he might think you to be a prostitute. He also might have a personal score with Miss Kelly to settle."
Jane shuddered. "Terrifying."
"Indeed," he put the couch down once more after reaching the door. "It is possible that he isn't the killer, you know."
"I know," she rose. Good lord it hurt, but the medicine and wrap quelled it ever so slightly. "Did you see the man in the alley?"
"I saw someone, yes."
"...and?" she asked hopefully.
"It was very dark in the alley, Jane. And the man I saw wasn't running after you. Though I can report that he was of average build and wore a deerstalker cap."
"That's very helpful," Jane sighed.
He shrugged. "It's what I saw. Now, this is what we shall do. You get on the other side and make as though you are helping me carry this, but I'll do the work. That way it won't be suspicious with your limp. It is cumbersome."
Jane nodded and opening the door, peered left and right. It was after seven, and the streets were dark. The oil lamps were being lit all around, so the fellow whose charge that was was the only soul about. She turned and nodded to Loki. He brought the couch out and Jane locked the door, then got behind him and put her hands on the furniture. She limped along behind him, her ankle aching with every step.
They reached the bookshop after what seemed like hours to Jane, and Loki unlocked the door, hurrying her inside.
She looked around…she had never slept anywhere save her own bed and a tavern once while traveling with her father. This would be odd on many levels. "So…where are we sleeping?"
Loki swallowed and looked at her. "Well…" surely she meant where the beds were going. Beds, plural. He looked at the fainting couch. There wasn't enough room on it for both of them, anyway. Stop it, Loki. "I reckon I'll put the couch just there for you…" he pointed to the front of the counter. "And I can kip there," he pointed to the floor across from her at the front door.
Jane nodded. "All right," she sat. "Are you certain that you don't want the couch?"
"And what sort of gentleman would I be if I allowed an injured lady take her repose on the dusty floor of a bookshop?" he smiled and went to the back to procure some blankets and such. "It is unfortunate," he called in. "That there is little in terms of food here. Have you anything at the apothecary?"
"Erm…" Jane thought. "There might be something in the back…some apples and bread…I think I purchased enough for a few days."
Loki reentered and went about seeing to the beds. "Well, I can run and check. It won't do to go to bed on an empty stomach."
"No," she swallowed. Any mention of bed caused her unease. She was being so silly, she really ought to stop.
"Will you be all right for a few minutes?"
"Of course," she smiled.
"Very well. May I have the key?"
Jane nodded and handed him the key. "In the back room, under the table there…the…"
"Wooden shelf?" he smiled.
She returned his smile and dropped her eyes. "Thank you for taking such good care of me, Loki."
He was looking at her intently. "My pleasure," but it came out in a choke. He cleared his throat. "I'll be right back."
Jane was left there, and her mind wouldn't cease its reel.
She was a suspect.
She was chased from an alley, possibly by the killer.
He might have seen her face.
She was spending the night, alone, with Loki.
Impossible situations.
Jane limped to the fainting couch and sat down. She thought that she'd need to remove her corset and some other things in order to get comfortable enough for sleep…that wouldn't be awkward. She sighed and rolled her eyes. She then turned and put her feet up, sighing with relief the elevation afforded her.
A few moments later Loki walked back into the shop, parcel in hand, locking the door behind him. "Apples, bread, and a smidgen of cheese, m'lady," he said with a smirk.
Jane smiled. "That'll do nicely."
"So…I see you've made yourself comfortable. Doesn't take much, does it?"
"Well, I assumed, you being a proper gentleman, that you'd want for me to situate myself in such a way that I'd be the most at ease. Was I mistaken?"
"Not at all, Jane. But you should cease your endless protests," he handed her a small plate of food.
"What protests?"
"Oh, let me see. Every time I suggest anything it is met with argument."
"That is not so."
"Thank you for proving my point," he laughed and pulled a chair closer to Jane.
She laughed. "Oh, all right then. Perhaps you have a point. It's almost as though we were an old married couple, is it not?"
Loki snapped his eyes to her. "We are not married, Jane Foster," he sounded almost angry.
"I know…I only meant…" she couldn't understand his tone.
"I know what you meant. That it was preposterous to even think that we were in such a state as marriage."
"No! No…I meant that…" what did she mean? "It was just a silly observation. One I thought you'd laugh at," Jane dropped her eyes and played with her food, suddenly not so hungry.
"Why? Because it is ridiculous, yes?"
She looked at him. "Yes, Loki. Because it is ridiculous," she wanted him to stop. She believed that agreeing with him would accomplish this…
…and it did, though now he was uncomfortably quiet, playing with his food now, too.
"Look. I'm sorry I said anything," she sighed. "I never meant anything beyond how we ordinarily speak to one another. Please don't be cross," and she reached over and touched his hand.
Loki looked at her hand resting on his, and he felt a jolt. He steadied himself…then raised his eyes to hers. "No need to beg, Jane. I could never be cross at you."
She retrieved her hand, having felt a surge from the action. "Never say never, Loki," she smiled. "In fact, I'm quite certain that you are cross with me half of the time," she laughed with an air of unease.
"Not at all," he swallowed and looked away. "Jane?"
"Hm?" she took a bite of bread.
"Why did you never marry?"
"I'm hardly too old to marry…"
"I know. But…most ladies do so much younger," he still wasn't looking at her.
Jane decided this wasn't an issue worth pressing. "Well, I suppose I never felt inclined to do so. I only ever really fancied one bloke," she laughed at her terminology. "Though I suppose he wasn't a bloke, as it were. And he hardly knew I existed, though I always liked him, oddly."
Loki looked up at her. It seemed rather like she was…no…"Who was the fellow?" he asked a bit too hopefully.
"You'll laugh."
"I will do no such thing."
Jane blushed, then laughed a touch. "Thor."
And Loki's stomach fell..his face with it. "Thor?" he breathed. "You fancied Thor?"
"Only for a short while. It was nothing. Less than nothing," she didn't like the look he was giving her.
He stood. "I…" he needed out. "I need some air. Excuse me."
"Loki!" Jane called, but he didn't look back.
What was that?
Loki went to the back of his store and outside, breathing the stale air deeply. Of all the people in the wide world, it had to be Thor. Thor, the only person whom he ever felt jealous of. Thor, who was everyone's favorite…he was Jane's favorite, too, apparently.
Loki ran his hand through his hair and attempted to steady himself.
Good lord he was far gone…and when he heard her scream…
He closed his eyes and swallowed. He had thought so many awful things.
…and was so relieved to see that it was only a hurt ankle.
His heart had nearly stopped…saw her crawling on the ground…
Loki held himself close and forced himself to concentrate on getting through the thought of Jane fancying Thor. Thor.
How inconceivable! How abhorrent! He never would have guessed it. Perhaps she wasn't as bright nor as desirable as he thought.
No…she was.
He merely didn't realize that she had ever paid attention to his brother.
Of course she would have…she saw him, didn't she? That alone warranted attention.
Thor was handsome.
Loki was not.
Thor was amicable.
Loki was not.
Thor was valiant.
Loki was not…
The list went on, and he wouldn't depress himself further by listing all of the attributes he lacked.
Did it matter to him that Jane fancied Thor once? Yes, if he was being honest. It did…
Did it quell his fancy?
He opened his eyes…
"Loki?" she touched his back.
He turned around. "Jane…what are you doing up and about?"
"I was…erm…worried about you…I didn't mean anything…"
"Hush, now. Let's get you inside," he took her elbow and began to guide her back in.
"No," she pulled away. "I want to talk about this."
'Inside, Jane. We can talk if you like."
She looked at him crookedly, then acquiesced. She hobbled in, then sat back on the couch while Loki locked the back door. Jane folded her hands on her lap and waited patiently.
He came in, fussed with some things, in apparent avoidance of talking with Jane. Finally, he sat and cleared his throat. "Now. What would you like to discuss?"
"Thor."
He rolled his eyes. "I can think of at least a hundred things I'd rather discuss, including Her Majesty's dinner menu."
"Loki…"
"I understand she prefers her beef rare."
"Loki!" she laughed. "What happened between you and Thor?"
He sighed heavily and sat back in his chair. "There really isn't much of a story, Jane. Thor was always the favorite with everyone, and I rather resented it."
"So…you think that I like Thor more than you?" she smiled.
"Oh yes. And I will be quite cross and refuse to allow you to play in the yard with me or sit next to me in the schoolhouse if you don't change your mind immediately," he laughed.
"Well, I've never seen you behave like that. It must have struck a nerve…"
Loki rubbed his face, then leaned on his knees with his elbows and looked at her. "I cannot deny that I consider you to be my particular friend. The fact that you were even acquainted with my brother never occurred to me. Is it childish, yes. But the feelings are rooted in childhood, so I suppose that is my excuse."
"I understand."
"Do you?" he contorted his face a bit.
"I do. And that is why I'm yours and yours alone, Loki," Jane said with a serious look.
He swallowed. "Now, Jane. Let's keep her heads."
"I am…" she stood gingerly and went to him, took his hands in hers, and raised him to standing.
His heart was thrumming….what was she doing? "Jane?"
And she pulled him into a hug. She had meant to chide him a bit for being so silly, but then she couldn't do it. He seemed so sincere. She rested her cheek on his chest, and rubbed circles on his back.
And lord he hoped she couldn't hear his heart beating…he returned her embrace, and swallowed. "Thank you for your kind words, Jane," he pulled away, keeping his hands on her arms.
"I meant them," she said. And she did…"You are so very dear to me, and Thor was never anything but…"
He stopped her with a finger to her mouth. "I don't want to talk about Thor any longer," he dropped his finger and taking her hand, led her to the fainting couch. "Lay down," he commanded, albeit gently.
She did, never taking her eyes off of him.
Loki covered her with the blankets…
"Loki?"
"Hm?"
"I need to get out of my corset."
He stared at her. "I…"
She looked crookedly at him. "No! I can do it, but would you mind going to the back of the store for five minutes?"
"Of course," he laughed…and went to the back. He stood, leaning against the wall next to the doorway.
Jane was in the other room, taking her clothes off…
He would be such a knave to steal a glance…
He never claimed to be virtuous….
Loki leaned over, peering out into the shop. He saw Jane, but she was facing the door…he saw her bare back, she had just undid her corset, and her supple skin moved with her in the dim of the shop.
And though he saw nothing of consequence, he became overwrought and turned away…
He swallowed and his breaths came heavy….
"Loki?"
"Yes?" he croaked.
"I'm finished."
He nodded to himself and rubbed his hands on his pants. They had began to pearl sweat.
He walked back out into the shop, and noticed that Jane had laid down and covered herself.
He went over to his makeshift bed on the floor and undid his belt, took his shirt off…
Jane was watching…his long, sinewy frame silhouetted in the moonlight…she snapped her eyes shut. It wouldn't do to watch a private moment like this.
But she peeked…he ran his hand through his longish hair, then laid down himself. "Loki?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you, for doing all this."
"My pleasure, Jane Foster."
She sighed heavily and laid on her back.
Loki rolled over and faced the door.
It might be a very long night.
At about four am by the bell's chime, Loki heard a disturbance. He had only fallen into a deep sleep a couple of hours previous. He sat up, ramrod straight, and looked around.
Nothing.
And then he heard it again…
It was Jane.
And she was whimpering.
"Jane!" he hissed.
Nothing.
He got up and went to her…"Jane," he touched her arm.
Her eyes flew open, and she screamed.
He covered her mouth with his hand. "Hush. It's me, you're dreaming."
Overcome, she pulled his hand away and pulled him to her, her arms in a wrap around his shoulders…
Loki landed, rather awkwardly, on top of Jane. "What are you doing?" he whispered.
"Oh god…am I still dreaming?"
"No," he attempted to sit up.
"You mean…you're real?"
"Jane Foster, what are you on about?" and he freed himself and looked at her incredulously.
"Oh, Loki! can you stay?"
"I'm just over there, Jane. What is the matter?"
"No no…awful, horrific nightmares…can you sleep next to me?"
He stared at her and swallowed. She was asking him to sleep next to her. How he was to accomplish this, he had no idea. "I'll stay for a few minutes," he placated her.
She smiled widely, and moved over to allow him what little room the couch afforded.
He laid on his back, she draped herself over him.
No. This wasn't going to work.
He rolled onto his side, facing the door, away from her…and felt her breath on his naked back. This was a slow torture. There would be a special place in hell for Jane Foster after this, he was certain.
And then….he felt her arm snake his waist, pulling herself closer.
He gulped, and pulled the blanket up around him.
He fell asleep not long thereafter, Jane's steady breath lulling him into slumber.
A/N: I mean to update this daily until Monday...we'll see how that goes. I'm imagining this to be about twenty chapters. Thank you for reading and for letting me know you are enjoying it! It means so much when you do.