New Start

It was her phone buzzing that woke her up again –she really should turn it off at night. Jane groaned and rolled out of her bed to glance at the clock, 8:34am. Her phone was on her bedside table, buzzing with the little screen flashing at her. She snatched it up angrily but answered politely. That politeness died when she heard Don's voice. A surge of anger rushed up and she snapped her phone shut just as Don had started to say "Look Ja-". Frustrated and still half asleep she stumbled into the kitchen.

She filled the kettle and flipped it on. The kettle started to boil and Jane opened a cupboard for a mug.

Jane set about waking up. After her mug of coffee was made she sipped at it slowly while it was still hot, once it had cooled down she downed it in a few gulps. It was bitter; she pulled a face and cringed as she placed the mug in the sink. Fumbling out of her knickers and T-shirt, she left them in a discarded heap in the bathroom as she turned on the shower. The water was temperamental -constantly changing from hot to cold. Jane shivered, washing her hair as fast as possible then drying off quickly. December had just arrived and the weather was getting colder and colder. Goosebumps ran up her arms and back as she shrugged on her oversized jumper. She tugged on her winter boots over her double layer of socks and finally left for a day of work and endless lectures.

"Morning,"

Jane's heel caught on her boot and she tipped forwards smacking her head into the door. Oh yeah... She forgot about him.

Loki grinned, he was leaning against the wall in a pair of ever sized -what the mortals call- sweat pants and a –was it called a t-shirt? The garments had belonged the woman's late companion. They hung off his slim flame in baggy folds. This Don character was also built like his dear brother Thor. Not your brother. A voice hissed. Loki ignored it, focusing on the woman before him. She was currently attempting to peal her face from the door it seemed. Later it occurred to him that he might have helped her, but to be frank it was much too amusing.

"Ah- um –ow –good morning," Jane managed lamely. God she could slap the man! He was grinning. Smugger than the Cheshire Cat.

"I have a desire to bathe," Loki broke the awkward silence.

"ah- okay," Jane berated herself for forgetting about the very attractive man- Oh stop it Jane!. She led him to the bathroom and quickly showed him how to use the shower. "Be careful with the thermostat it's a bit touchy and changes all the time," she finished.

"I shall endeavour to be brief with my washing,"

"Cool, I'll –eh head out then -see you," she gave him an awkward half wave. Loki nodded his farewell, and then turned to face the thing bolted to the wall. It was a very odd contraption. A long hose connected to a nozzle and all those knobs... Loki turned the ones Jane and shown him to. A blast of freezing cold water blasted him in the face –this mortal realm was going to be more of a challenge than anticipated.

Jane drummed her pencil on her desk, hardly listening to the lecturer.

He was doing a valiant job of trying to make the lesson interesting, but unfortunately he wasn't as interesting as the thoughts occupying her mind.

Loki faced the shower, the garments neatly folded on the strange looking chamber pot. He had figured out what that was, through a series of events he would rather leave undisclosed. He shivered at the memory. Right time to bathe. He watched as the water swapped from scolding to freezing and back again –he really wished he had magic.

Jane trudged out of her lecture and slumped into the computer lab. Flopping into a chair and opening the drives ob her USB stick. Time to at least try and get some work done. She stared at the screen for at least ten minutes before she stared.

Loki had succeeded to wash despite the temperamental 'shower'. He entered the small –very small- kitchen. Now, next was food. He looked at the clutter of plates and mugs on the counter surfaces. There was a small wash basin with another thing that resembled the shower in the bathroom. He turned the knobs and water spewed forth into the metal basin. Looking at the dirty dishes he sighed.

Lunch -was boring. Jane chewed on her plain ham sandwich. Daniel plopped down next to her.

"'sup Jane?" he took a large forkful of his home-made pasta. Jane felt her mouth start to water. As if reading her mind Daniel pulled out a second fork and lunch box. God he's the best! She tucked into it with vigour.

"Gosh Jane! You look thin," Daniel leaned in and stared closely, he tutted when he saw the dark rims around her eyes. "Dear dear Jane," the fork pointed accusingly at her. "You're not sleeping."

"Well –ah," a piece of pasta lodged itself in her windpipe and she started hacking and coughing. Daniel slapped her back until her spluttering stopped. "Don and I-,"

"You broke up, not like I didn't see that coming –now look sweetie- two people don't stop having sex for a month and then not break up," he carried on despite her attempts to interrupt. "But I don't think that your breakup with doctor body builder caused your most recent sleepless night," he grinned "Who's the new fella?"

Jane choked on her pasta again.

Exhausted Loki fell onto the sofa. A dust cloud poofed up around him. Insufferable woman! Does she never clean? His body was weary and living without magic was taking a heavy toll. He closed his eyes. Surely a few minutes rest could do no harm?

Jane scratched her head, opening the door to her student accommodation. Wondering what waited for her on the other side of the door. Eventually she had told Daniel everything; hitting Loki with her car, breaking up with Don, and Loki now living with her. With a heavy sigh she stepped into her room- and froze. The first thing she saw was how spotless everything was. Jane's eyes widened, stepping slowly into the kitchen she dropped her bag on the florr and her keys on the gleaming surface. Running her hands over the counter, amazed at the neatly arranged mugs and cupboards, she paused- a shock of messy black hair was sprawled across the sofa.

Loki lay fast asleep.

Jane's heart melted at the sight. He must have done all of the cleaning. Poor guy. She leant against the back of the sofa observing him. His skin was pale but there was a dusting of pink on his cheeks. His strong lanky frame draped haphazardly over the edges on the cushions. Strands of raven hair covered his eyes. Impulsively, Jane reached down and smoothed the strands back. Loki's eyelids fluttered. Jane snatched her hand back and pushed away from the sofa, tripped over her bag and crashed to the floor in a tangle of winter coat, scarf and limps.

Loki's eyes snapped open. By The Norns he was still exhausted. Slowly –very slowly- he pushed himself up and glanced over the sofa. He blinked, assumed he was still dreaming and blinked again. Not a dream then. Jane looked sheepishly up him. Mortals are strange.

"Uh- hi," Jane offered a small grin.

"Welcome back," a corner of his mouth twitched. His hair was still in disarray, looking handsomely ruffled- s top it Jane!

"You- um –cleaned."

"Indeed," Loki rose gracefully and extended a hand towards her. Jane took it gratefully and disentangled herself from her scarf –which seemed to be tying her in even more knots.

"Ga! You little bastard!" she pulled and tugged but it only got tighter.

Loki raised a brow and expertly pulled the scarf clean away. It was red -the same red as his brother's cape. With an air of disgust he flung the foul thing onto the sofa. "Thank you," Jane rubbed her neck, saw they were still holding hands and pulled hers away. Loki's hand flopped limply to his side.

"So-," Jane picked up her bag and looked in the fridge. There wasn't much to be desired there but there was –would you look at that, pasta.

"Are you hungry?" she looked over her shoulder and saw Loki staring incredulously at her. He toyed with the idea of refusing, but a large growl stopped that fantasy short.

"Famished," he grinned.

hi i know its been a while, life has not been so good lately. some things from my childhood have come up and i've only just found out that the same things happened to both my sisters and now we're moving house, and I've had to find a job. Thank you so much to you who reviewed this story you gave me the kick start to pick up again.

thank you and please leave a word of two :)