"You did this on purpose."

I assure you, I didn't.

"You absolutely did."

How was I supposed to know you didn't ask him to come back?

"I don't know, maybe because you're inside my freaking head?" Reagan shot back. "How was I supposed to know there's no way to contact people from here?"

Reagan stood on the shoreline below Loki's castle, glaring at the distant, golden cityscape of Asgard which Loki was currently imprisoned beneath. The ocean breeze whipped her hair all around her as she stood, helpless, looking out over the water. Her good mood had been thoroughly ruined upon finding herself marooned and she had been standing on the beach for the better part of an hour, trying to figure out what to do.

It was a long way - a long way - but perhaps if she paced herself, she could swim there. Float on her back when she needed breaks-

Don't try to swim there, Loki interrupted the thought, all amusement suddenly vanishing from his voice.

"Well, what else am I supposed to do?" she huffed, annoyed.

Just call out for Heimdall, he'll be able to send for help.

"But that's so embarrassing!"

Heimdall, she heard Loki call out suddenly. The fool mortal got herself stranded. Would you send someone to collect her before she dies of exposure?

"Heimdall!" she shouted pointedly. "You see everything. Wasn't this so clearly Loki's fault?!"

He can't respond, you know.

"I don't care, it's making me feel better," she said, crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly.

Before long, Reagan spotted a Skiff in the distance approaching from the direction of the city. She scowled at the sight, her cheeks tinging ever so slightly. When it slowed to a stop before her, it was not lost on Reagan the way the boatman glanced from her to the castle and then back again as she climbed aboard his vessel. He was not the same person who had dropped her to the island, but he wore the same exact look of mistrust when he eyed her.

She ignored it and took her seat, resolutely facing away from him.

"Thank you for coming to get me," was all she said to him, and received a curt nod in return.

Isn't there someone else you should thank? Loki asked then. His tone was light. Evidently, he was enjoying this far more than Reagan was.

Oh yeah, I'm glad you reminded me.

"Thank you, Heimdall," she said brightly as the Skiff took off back towards Asgard.

I actually meant-

I know exactly who you meant.

Reagan remained resolutely silent for the whole journey back towards the city even as Loki poked at her teasingly, making every attempt to get a rise out of her.

If Reagan had been truly annoyed at him for whatever part she believed that he played in her becoming stranded, it appeared that she recovered quite quickly because it wasn't long before she once again showed up unannounced in Loki's cell, as if nothing had ever happened. Once again she found him reclined on his bed, reading. But he didn't look up when she appeared, didn't even acknowledge her.

"Hey, what have you been up to?" she asked, trying to get his attention as she plopped herself down in one of the chairs.

"Travelling the world," Loki responded sarcastically without looking up from the book he was reading. "Sight-seeing. The usual."

Reagan's brow furrowed as she squinted at him, sizing him up. There was something... off about his energy. Though he was reclined, there was something strange about his posture. He seemed tense, perhaps a little uncomfortable. And there seemed to be something rather intentional about the way he avoided looking her way.

"Are you in a bad mood?" she asked.

"Not at all, it was just a stupid question."

"Okay..." Reagan responded slowly, still watching him. "What's going on with you? Why are you being weird?"

"I'm being nothing of the sort."

"You totally are. What's going on?"

"Nothing," he insisted. "I'm simply trying to read without being interrupted. Is that alright with you?"

Reagan's eyebrows pinched together once more as she studied him, confused, and honestly, slightly hurt. Her stomach twisted a little and for the first time in a long time, she was growing uncomfortable in the now-familiar cell. She glanced away from Loki, hesitant, and realised perhaps it would be best for her to just let her projection fade and leave him be.

Loki let out a frustrated huff when he sensed her unease. He shook his head impatiently. As he kept his gaze resolutely on the page in front of him, he jutted his chin towards one of the cell corners.

"There's something over there that might be of interest to you," he told her, stiffly. "Go have a look."

Reagan turned to look where he had indicated, still unsure and spotted a new pile of roughly twenty books that hadn't been there a few days earlier. With one more hesitant glance in Loki's direction, she stood and moved towards them, curious as to what they might be. Perhaps some books on Asgardian art since she'd just discovered Loki's interest in it. Or maybe new places throughout Asgard that she had yet to discover and explore.

They turned out to be neither.

As she drew closer to them she stilled. She looked back at Loki, her lips parted slightly in surprise before she turned her attention to the stack once again. These books weren't like the others that she'd found throughout Asgard - in her chambers, the Great Library, in Loki's castle. These weren't worn or leatherbound nor did they have pages gilded in gold. These were paperbacks. Simple. Cheap, even. They looked new, untouched as if they had just been purchased. These books were from Midgard.

Reagan reached slowly to take the first one from the pile.

Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman.

She picked up the next.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Each of them was a newer title, nothing like the encyclopedias Loki had shown her in the library. Reagan turned to face him. Loki was still resolutely focused on whatever he was reading. Her heart fluttered a little, and a telltale lump of emotion formed in her throat. She fought against it, calming herself before she spoke.

"Where did you get these?" Reagan asked him at last, her voice soft.

"I had my mother send one of her servants to collect some of the more popular titles. I told her I was interested in better understanding Midgardian culture," he muttered, as if only half paying attention.

Reagan looked up, uncertain.

"Did you... did you do this for me?" she asked him.

Loki nodded stiffly.

"I grew tired of listening to you moan about Midgard," he said with a dismissive sniff, flicking to the next page. "I still don't understand the allure but it's my hope you'll stop your constant complaining now. I can't have them sent to your chambers though so you'll have to read them here."

A soft smile was blooming on Reagan's lips, despite still feeling a little dazed. Warmth spread through her chest. This tiny piece of home, of something familiar, here in her hands. It was... everything. She looked back down at the books and opened one slowly to flick through it as she tried to make sense of Loki's demeanour that so dramatically juxtaposed the kind gesture he was offering her.

"This is so... nice," she said at last. "And thoughtful, a-and out of character for you..."

She glanced his way and still, Loki didn't respond. He still refused to even look at her, all too focused on what he was reading. She tilted her head a little as she studied him.

"...why would you- Holy crap." She slammed the book shut and she stared at him wide-eyed with sudden clarity. She could hardly believe the words she was about to say. "You like me."

"Holy crap... You like me."

Something pulled in Loki's stomach in response to her words. It was a foreign feeling, one that he decidedly didn't care for at all.

"What? I most certainly do not," he said, sounding offended at the very idea of it. His eyes finally flicked to her for only a moment before he went back to pretending that he was focused on his novel.

"Yes you do," Reagan insisted as she moved closer to him to catch his attention, still clutching one of her new books to her chest. "You're definitely not indifferent about me, and I don't think you hate me. Not anymore."

Loki didn't respond - it was a rare occasion that words failed him but as his heart began to pick up pace, he found himself unable to even open his mouth. Reagan, however, seemed to have plenty to say.

"You don't even get annoyed when I hang out in your cell. It's been weeks since you've rolled your eyes when you see me-"

Loki did roll his eyes at that but she quickly wagged a playful finger at him, undeterred.

"Uh, uh, uh," she teased. "Way too late for that, mister. I meant when you first see me... Come on, you laugh at a bunch of my jokes. You actually answer a lot of my questions sincerely now. And two days ago-" she grinned at him triumphantly, "-you gave me a compliment that wasn't even that backhanded."

Loki did have to hold back a smile at that and looked up to meet her eye at last, and it seemed to be a mistake because he'd never seen such an elated smile on her face. He cast his gaze away from her once again in feigned annoyance.

"Admit it," she insisted, radiating pure satisfaction. "I've grown on you."

Loki faked a scowl for her benefit.

"Alright, maybe a little," he grumbled.

"Ha!" she cried before she gasped, her hand shooting up to cover her mouth in disbelief. "Oh my god, I can't wait to see the look on Thor's face when I tell him I've made friends with you."

"Now, now. I wouldn't go that far," Loki interjected, at last abandoning the guise that he was at all focused on the text in his lap and throwing her a look of pure incredulity.

"I would! You won't be there to deny it, I can say whatever I want." She shot him a grin. "I could even say we're best friends."

At last, a smile stretched across Loki's face as he shook his head in disbelief, laughing.

"You really are insufferable, you know that?"

"Yeah sure, whatever you say, buddy," Reagan laughed as she picked up her book and moved to sit beside him on his bed.

"So, I guess that's two Midgardians I've convinced you to like now," she drawled, smugly.

Loki sneered.

"I never admitted to liking anyone else."

Reagan pulled a face as she side-eyed him.

"Please, you loved Stuart Semple and we both know it. 'Hahaha, what more of him, Reagan? Do continue your tale, Reagan,'" she said in her best - yet terrible - attempt at Loki's accent.

"I do not sound like that," Loki insisted.

"That was a flawless impression."

"You are the most annoying person I have ever encountered in my entire life."

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before."

Reagan leaned against the headrest and tucked her legs underneath her happily as she opened her book. As she did, her knee brushed up against him ever so slightly, and she made no attempt to move away. It was as though she didn't even notice - almost as if she wasn't repulsed by the thought of touching him.

It was just a projection, he reminded himself, it wasn't really her. And it was different, to truly touching another person. He couldn't feel the warmth of her body heat where her leg touched his, he couldn't smell the scent of her hair despite how close she was sitting beside him. But still, it was solid, present. Something. And Loki wondered vaguely if perhaps she was unconsciously summoning her flames in her excitement because his whole leg felt as though it were humming with energy.

He stared at the page in front of him, in a failing attempt to read the same sentence over and over again.

They sat in silence for a few moments before Reagan spoke once more, this time her voice was far more gentle.

"Hey, Loki?" She looked up at him and he turned his head to face her. "I can't tell you how much this means to me. Thank you... Really, thank you."

Loki nodded once in acknowledgement.

"And just so you know," she added, gently. "You've kinda grown on me, too."

She offered him another small, sincere smile before she returned her focus to her book just in time to miss the way Loki's features softened. He watched her for a moment, the smallest smile playing on his lips before returning his attention to his book, enjoying the feeling of her leg pressed against his.

"Are we almost there?" Reagan asked as she made her way up the cobblestone staircase.

She was somewhere in Medina, the lower city of Asgard, making her way through the winding, crowded streets upon Loki's instructions.

Almost, Loki insisted, slightly annoyed. Do you want to see it or not?

"I don't really know at this point," Reagan admitted as she clung onto the railing, hauling herself up step after step.

It had started earlier that day when Reagan had finally convinced Loki to teach her how to operate a Skiff so she wouldn't have to rely on the boatmen in the future to get around. Loki hadn't been that thrilled by the idea.

"Come on," she'd whined. "Please? What's the worst that could happen?"

"You could crash and die and I'll be blamed for your untimely death."

Reagan had only considered his words for a moment before she'd stood and determinedly started to make her way down to where she'd last acquired a transport.

"Where are you going?" he'd asked.

"I'm going to figure out how to drive a Skiff," she'd told him. "And you can either help me, or you can watch it go horribly, horribly wrong. Up to you."

Loki had loosed a long, steadying sigh then, evidently attempting to keep his temper even.

"Very well, but you will listen to every instruction I give you and follow them to the letter," Loki told her firmly. "And if you are injured in any capacity, you will tell everyone who will listen that I protested this whole idea."

"Deal," she'd agreed happily and soon found herself climbing aboard an unoccupied vehicle.

It had taken a few hours, but she'd gotten the hang of it, steering this way and that over the vast Asgardian sea. Loki had insisted she stay well away from the city, and the Bifrost and anything else that she might crash into. He seemed entirely convinced that any obstacle she might happen upon, she'd make it her sole mission to collide directly with it. And when she'd slowly grown more confident in her ability to operate the Skiff, he had positively bellowed at the top of his lungs any time she had started to go too fast.

"You're worse than my mom when she was teaching me to drive," Reagan had teased as she'd slowed the vehicle down.

"Well, if you were as terrible at that as you are at this then I can hardly say I blame her," Loki had shot back.

Reagan just smiled even as she rolled her eyes.

Eventually, when Loki himself was a little more satisfied with her ability, he had allowed her to do a little more than just zoom around across the open ocean. He had directed her-

"Slowly!"

"Yeah, I heard you the first seventy times, Loki."

-to the mouth of a very wide river, the mouth of which opened out into the ocean. He allowed her to navigate her way along it, practising taking the corners, navigating around trees and boulders, along the river banks. Much to Loki's annoyance, Reagan devoted far too much of her attention to the sights she was passing, and he had to repeatedly remind her to focus back on her task of steering the Skiff.

Each time she had insisted that she was, in fact, concentrating.

Each time, Loki wanted to murder her just a little more so that he didn't have to watch her die in an inevitable collision.

Eventually, she slowed the vehicle as she entered a large alcove and her breath swept from her lungs. All around her the curved stone alcove which stretched high above her seemed not grey but rather purple. As she studied it, she soon realised the entire structure was formed out of amethyst. Thin sheets of water poured over the edges into the river below, and the sun reflecting over the amethyst gave the water a faint, lavender hue in the warm afternoon sun.

"Is there anywhere on this stupid planet that isn't completely, ridiculously perfect?" Reagan asked at last, sounding slightly deflated even as she settled back in her seat, gazing unblinkingly at the incredible sight before her in awe.

Loki considered the question carefully.

"I do know of one place," he'd admitted after a pause.

"You do?"

"I'd be happy to show you. Though I must warn you, it's a little underwhelming."

"Show me," she'd insisted with true enthusiasm.

And that's how she found herself now winding her way through Medina, working her way towards the one place in Asgard that wasn't entirely, impossibly, breathtakingly perfect.

She couldn't wait to see it.

Eventually, she reached a small courtyard, composed of buildings with high, sloped ceilings, many with their own individual awnings. It was far colder in this part of the city. Whereas out over the water, it had felt like a summer day, here snow layered the rooftops, though the pathways had been cleared and Reagan sensed the faintest whisper of magic there.

Alright, Loki told her at last. We're here... Why don't you go and take a look at that view?

Reagan moved over towards an overlook within the courtyard. Framed by stone archways and sturdy, hand-carved banisters was a backdrop of enormous, snowcapped mountains. The mighty peaks glistened in the sun and a frosty breeze swept from them, kissing against her cheeks. Birds soared through the gauge between the city and the mountain peaks, their size thoroughly eclipsed by the summits behind them.

A little to your left... Loki's voice sounded in her mind and she obeyed. Just a fraction more.

As she stood, taking in the view, the smell of freshly baked cakes filled her nostrils. Scents of vanilla and cinnamon and melted chocolates surrounded her. She breathed in deeply.

"I'm really failing to see what's so imperfect about this," Reagan said, not quite able to bring herself to be annoyed at the brilliant view.

This is where I first met Sygran, just beyond those doors to your right, Loki told her. These are the kitchens she used to work in.

Reagan glanced their way momentarily, before looking back towards the mountains once more as she listened to his voice.

I journeyed down these passageways, passed this view... innumerable times, and never quite managed to tire of it.

Reagan hummed softly in agreement. She doubted anyone could take in the sight before and not yearn to stand before it over and over again.

But eventually, Loki continued. I did discover one fascinating, yet crucial flaw in the structural design of this exact spot.

Reagan pulled an incredulous face at that, slightly disheartened. Perhaps he meant well, but she seriously doubted Loki pointing out a few cracks in the infrastructure would convince her this place was anything less than perfect.

Stupid, perfect Asgard.

The thing that I discovered, Loki explained, is that when you come to a stop precisely where you now stand, to take in the view at this time of day, when the kitchen hands are baking and the ovens are hot and you find yourself lost in the most decadent scents of fresh bread and cakes and sweets, something else is also occurring. You see, those ovens melt the snow settled on the roof tiles above, and-

Reagan suddenly shrieked at the top of her lungs as her whole body was dowsed in a freezing mound of half-melted snow. The air rushed from her lungs forcefully and she gasped on instinct, trying to gulp the oxygen back in as icy water cascaded down the back of her dress, in her hair, down her cleavage, relentlessly invading every crevice it could find. She stood, frozen in sheer shock as she continued to gasp for breath - her brain struggling for a moment to actually comprehend what had just happened.

- it collides with anyone unfortunate enough to be standing beneath it.

The satisfaction radiating from Loki's end of the bond was palpable.

"I... am going... to kill you," Reagan said calmly, as she attempted to clean the icy water from her face with her equally wet sleeve.

Loki's laughter rang out in her mind as icy sludge slopped from the top of her head and onto the ground at her feet with a loud splat. She slowly brought her hands up to brush the remaining sludge off her head, her chest, her shoulders, still in shock.

What's wrong? Loki asked all too innocently. I thought you said you couldn't feel the cold anymore?

"A slow and miserable death, Mischief. You mark my words."

Reagan sucked in a deep, steadying breath and concentrated. Carefully, she summoned forth her fire, not enough to actually ignite her skin but enough to heat her clothes. A misty haze of steam soon rose from her and was vaguely aware that at the moment, if anyone were to pass and see her, she'd probably look like something close to a demon.

Evidently, Loki found that thought even more amusing and his laughter rang out all the more.

"I will have revenge," she promised.

And even as she made the threat, she was mildly surprised to find his laughter catching and soon she was giggling along with the trickster even as she stood there, half-drenched, wafting a thick fog of steam.

"Reagan?"

She whipped around suddenly at the sound of her name to find a now familiar face gazing her way.

"Oh, Fandral," she said, mild embarrassment coloured her cheeks as she found herself caught by him in such a strange position and giggling to herself like a maniac.

Oh, wonderful, Loki drawled, once again thoroughly displeased to be inadvertently in the blonde man's presence.

Fandral approached her slowly, taking in the sight of her, seemingly half-drowned.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Reagan insisted. She still wore a smile even as she continued shaking excess snow from her limbs. "Just... Wrong place, wrong time."

Well, it's true enough but to say it to his face is rather rude, Loki

Stop.

"Here," Fandral offered, swiftly removing his cloak and moving to wrap it around Reagan's shoulders.

"Oh no, that's okay-"

"I insist."

The kind gesture was met with a pulse of annoyance from Loki. Reagan could feel the way he scowled. His all-too-familiar bitterness returned with full force.

Of all of the imbeciles my brother chooses to surround himself with, this one is by far the most unbearable.

You say that about all of them, Reagan reminded him patiently.

He's vain, arrogant, obnoxious-

Oh, yeah, I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like constantly interacting with someone like that, she responded sarcastically. I still just think you like to dislike people.

He's never once hidden his disdain for me, why should I do any different?

Have you considered trying to be the bigger person?

Not even once in my entire life, Loki rebutted.

Right.

Reagan turned her attention back to Fandral, doing her best to suppress her smile. She pulled his cloak tight around her shoulders and found herself longing for the thick pelt of fur she'd left at Loki's castle.

"You certainly seem to be in better spirits of late," Fandral commented. "I'd never have guessed to get you to smile all we had to do was drench you in sleet."

That did earn a small snicker from Loki; his handiwork admired in any capacity would do that, and Reagan had to force herself not to roll her eyes.

"I guess I've just had a good day," Reagan told Fandral. "I was out on the water earlier, learning to use a Skiff. It was fun."

"Oh really? Under whose tutelage?"

Loki's lip curled.

"Oh, self-taught," Reagan responded confidently.

Wha-

"I just learned through observation. It wasn't too hard."

This is an outrage. How dare you.

And though there was a jest to his words, Reagan didn't miss the small wave of genuine offence that shifted through him.

"Loki was teaching me," she relented then, poking him playfully down the link.

In her moment of slight distraction, she missed the way Fandral's demeanour shifted, missed the way he tensed.

"Oh, the two of you are on speaking terms once again?" he asked curiously.

Reagan's eyes flicked up suddenly to meet his. It wasn't until that moment that she realised she hadn't actually confided in anyone that she and Loki and she had made peace, let alone that they were sort of... kind of... friends.

"Uh, yeah," she admitted. "Yeah, we're... things are better lately."

Fandral raised an eyebrow at her.

"He's not still 'making your life a waking nightmare' as you put it?"

I beg your pardon?

Well, you were.

"You know what? It turns out that maybe he's not so bad after all," Reagan smiled gently, looking down at her feet.

She felt a begrudging brush of affection from Loki's end of the link in response.

Fandral studied her, his expression darkening.

"Just be weary of him, Reagan," Fandral warned. "Loki has a way with words. He's cunning."

Was that a compliment?

No, I don't think it was.

"If there is a way to use this- this link between the two of you to his benefit, he'll do it. Don't let him manipulate you."

The churn of discomfort Fandral's words elicited in Reagan was quickly smothered by Loki's sheer indignation.

Would you be so kind as to inform this utter turnip-

Turnip?Reagan repeated.

-that if anyone is being manipulated here, it's me?! Forever bombarded by your ceaseless questions, preventing you from causing your own untimely demise practically on a daily basis, working as your tutor not just in magic now, but also transportation-

I have never in my life met anyone even a fraction as dramatic as you.

And this is the thanks I get.

Beside her, Fandral's features hardened as he studied her. He'd been waiting for her reaction to his words, and she'd seemed to be weighing them heavily... but then the corner of her mouth had quirked ever so slightly as if amused by something. He squinted.

"Is he... speaking to you?" he asked her at last.

Reagan's eyes met his and she hesitated. She could feel a certain darkness blooming in Loki then.

Say no, he warned.

"I- yeah, he is," she admitted.

"What's he saying?" Fandral asked, his entire demeanour had changed, and Reagan was reminded that the man before her was a seasoned warrior. It was easy to forget when he usually had such a light and playful air to him.

"Oh, nothing worth repeating," she assured him. "He mostly just pokes a little fun about whatever's going on with Thor and the others. It's harmless."

Fandral's jaw twitched.

"You mean to say he's been listening?" Fandral in a low voice. "To all our conversations that you've been present for."

Lie to him. Loki said, his tone had shifted

Reagan hesitated, uncomfortable with being dishonest. Fandral had been nothing but kind to her. She didn't want to tell him lies.

"I suppose so..."

Reagan...

"Sometimes he blocks me out, but other times- it's complicated."

"So he's hearing everything. You've just been allowing him to listen in."

"He hasn't really had a choice," Reagan said, feeling defensive now. Not just of herself, but of Loki too. "This link is complicated, and I've never had to practice protecting my own mind before. It's not like there's a switch I can just turn on and off. But Loki's been helping - he's teaching me to block him out. He gives me privacy whenever I ask for it."

"Or so he tells you that's what he's doing," Fandral muttered.

Reagan raised her eyebrows at him and Fandral let out a slow, steadying breath clocking her obvious offence at the suggestion.

"He is using you, Reagan," he told her adamantly. "For one reason or another, he is using you. You cannot trust him. No one can. He holds nothing in his heart but malice, the rest of us had to learn it the hard way. But you can spare yourself that lesson."

"He's not-"

"He is using you," Fandral repeated. "Do not be another one of his victims. Don't fall for his tricks."

Reagan didn't respond - she couldn't. She was at a total loss for what to say. Fandral, determining that he wouldn't get any further with her just shook his head slightly before offering a short farewell.

Reagan watched as the blonde man turned and took his leave, her heartbeat quickened as a new heaviness fell between her and Loki. She wished he hadn't heard any of that. She wished she could undo the bitterness bubbling - unfurling - at his end of the bond.

Loki... you know I don't-

It's probably for the best that we return to your lessons.

Reagan's heart sank. It had been weeks since either of them had made any mention of her shields.

Loki-

Sometimes a break from mental exercises can be beneficial to overall progress but I feel now we've avoided them long enough. We'll recommence in the morning.

Loki, wait-

But before she could finish, icy shields came down between them once more. She didn't attempt to reach out for him again, she knew it would be useless. He'd need time to cool off. Anything she said now would likely only cause further damage. An unexpected tightness gripped Reagan's throat and she pulled Fandral's cloak tighter around herself, trying to fight off a chill that she feared had nothing to do with her damp clothing.