So it goes with saying that only things I own with any connection to MARVEL I bought on Ebay or Etsy. MARVEL COMICS & MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE are their own creatures and I have nothing to do with either of them aside from the fact I enjoy reading or watching them, and am grateful for the ability to play in their world. I claim nothing, and I receive nothing for this, expect the pleasure of putting something out into the world.

You can also find this story on ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN under the same title and pen name along with a place to post suggestions.

Don't forget to check out the Photobucket album listed on my profile page too.

DAY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2ND 2012

1757 HOURS

SUBTERRANEAN BUNKER

LOCATION UNKNOWN

CLINT BARTON

CAGED IN HIMSELF

She tasted, crisp. I can see her, 'he' can see her, and that is the thought in 'his' head as 'he' watches one of the merc's escort her back to the cage. What her blood on 'his' tongue tasted like, and if it would taste the same if 'he' tasted it now.

'He' can't decide if she tasted more like honey-dew melons or maple syrup, and I want to put a my knife through 'his' goddamned eyes just for looking at her like that!

I'll be damned if I care that 'his' body is my body. 'He' used it to hurt her and all I could do was scream at 'him' in my head! I couldn't even close my eyes!

I couldn't stop myself, and I tried. God did I try.

Even when she surprised 'us' both and hit me back with a hot pan and a table I couldn't make this 'thing' controlling me stop!

Then 'it' made me carve the tracker out of her thigh and that still wasn't enough for 'him'! 'He' actually got angry because she wasn't paying attention to 'him' anymore!

So 'it' tried to do the one thing that would get her attention! 'It' tried to make me rape my 'sister'! If I was more than a consciousness trapped in my own mind I would have thrown up at that point. As it stands, there is one thing I am actually grateful to this Asgardian bastard pulling my strings for and its that he didn't let 'him' do that.

I'd never be able to face her again if I did, I'm not even sure I can anyways. She trusted me and 'it' used that against her!

If her forgiveness comes with bullets or blades attached to it I might just accept that from her, 'I' made her bleed so it only seems fair. God knows I would murder someone slowly for doing what 'I' did to her. I'm compromised as hell at this point and I know it.

I just hope I still get the chance, because seeing her now she looks like she's giving up and she can't do that yet because I can feel a moment of weakness in my fingers! Wait for me Princess, please dammit just wait!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2ND 2012

1759 HOURS

SUBTERRANEAN BUNKER

LOCATION UNKNOWN

LOKI

When the guard returned with her he knocked on the door first, announcing his presence before asking to enter, then he wisely awaited my permission and held the door open for her to walk in. He was quick to close it behind her too but still she stands in waiting.

She has been standing there since the echo of that latch sliding home faded. A large beige towel has been set around her shoulders, but even resting that high on her body it is wide enough that it hides all but what is present below her knees, the casually folded creases of an emerald-green silk, and a pair of bare feet.

She is also fidgeting with fear, and every second it continues only inspires my further annoyance. "Sit and eat, there is food for you here." I sigh out doing my best to spare her the hostile edge of my mood as I pour myself another measure of wine.

The goblet and the decanter hold within it a mead I am particularly fond of. It is flavored by honey, red raspberries, black currants and dark tart cherries that are all mementos of another life. Just a piece of the many small luxuries that make up the contents of my supply cache. I am a Prince, and I may be able to endure hardships, but I see no reason why I must go out of my way to subject myself to them.

There is a hesitancy in her first few steps, before there is a show of confidence forced into the rest of them, both of which only serve to annoy me more. Her fear of me, and her need to force herself to overcome it.

I want to tell her that she should be honored by my affections! I want to tell her that she has no right to spurn them! I do not want to drive her away more though which is why I have resorted to diluting my frustrations with substances.

They finally bring her to me, her deceptive steps, and she once again settles for standing but this time at the opposite side of the desk I am lounging at.

"A-Ar-are these p-pomegranate seeds and apples?" She asks making specific note of the two fruit items in the food offered to her for some reason.

"Yes, I believe they are." I offer back, a bit short but still calm before I take another sip of my wine. "If this does not meet your particular tastes I will arrange for something else." I add as an afterthought, sounding as dispassionate and bored about it as I truly feel right now.

"Is this... suppose to be symbolism?" My intentions to ignore her fade in the wake of rising curiosity at that question, and I offer her an inquiring glance. "Why would it be symbolism?"

The question and my renewed interest inspires a bit of a stutter from her again but this one I do not mind as much because it seems to be born more of embarrassment than fright. "We-well... there's a-a myth..." She offers seeming to have some expectation that I am familiar with what she is talking about.

"I have not found myself interested in the tales of this realm in quite some time my dear. Which fruit do you speak of?"

"Uhm…Both..." She offers meekly before my look encourages her to continue.

The tale she weaves I quickly find less than appealing. "Th-the apple, it-it's the fruit of knowledge. It's what the Devil used to trick the first woman, Eve. It's what brought sin and pain into the world." Her hand starts to move and I watch it pluck a red seed from the top of her dessert and take it in her finger for study before her words continue "A-a-and pom-pomegranate seeds are w-what trapped the mai-maiden of Spring in Hell."

There is a tick in my cheek as I silently process this information. She paints me as the monster in her mind, I know she does. By Devil, or any other name she accuses me of being a villain here, and all the ire I had been trying to drown rises back because of those accusations, until I realize that they are not so.

I watch, at first confused and dismayed then thrilled by understanding at what I see. She presses that crimson seed to her lips and takes it between her teeth, before it disappears from sight as her lips close around it and I see the reflexive swallow of her throat.

"Symbolism indeed." I utter, half in awe and half in humor at the display only to watch her nod quite enthusiastically.

"Yes. I-I..." She pauses as her eyes drift to the stain the small berry left on her fingertips then lifts them back to mine. "I think I'm okay with this. I am so sorry for before, for being that weak..." she quickly volunteers an apology, one I no longer care to even ask for, but accept with muted pleasure. "...but I do want to give you that chance. I want to know who I am."

"My dear..." Hearing that declaration I finally let myself stand, a gentle smile tugging at my lips before it fades away to a neutral expression once more.

"You may label yourself weak..." I can feel her eyes track my movement even while I see them do so, and more impressively I see her feet remain fixed to the floor.

"But I have known shield wives..." My hand moves, and her feet still do not."...and Valkyries..." She lets my bare hand touch her! The outer edge of my thumb meets her skin, and traces the path her tears would take, if there were any to fall, but there are not. "...with less heart then you show now."

Still she stands there before me, enduring this touch even though I know it frightens her. She just closes her eyes, shivering for a moment and breathes a little heavier, but she does not pull away from her fear or me. She faces it and endures.

She even endures as I slide my hand under her chin and pressing the knuckle of my thumb upwards, gently urging her to turn her face back to mine, a suggestion that she understands comes with the request for her to open her eyes. "You are not weak little one, and you will never call yourself that again, yes?"

"Yes..." I never thought a single word could be so pleasing to my ears. I am not sure which one I like more. "...Loki."