He used the key to open the door to the number on the key. The whole situation of getting the key was pretty easy. He told them he'd like a room. They grabbed a key and he just placed down the money and asked for how many days that will give him. Their eyes were huge, and they took the money quickly. They likely thought he was going to change his mind.

Now he was walking in his room, he wasn't as impressed with it as he was at Annaleise's home. It had one bed with ugly covers. The floor was wood, the walls were an awful yellow. Everything was below mediocre. He was starting to miss Annaleise's home. At least it had beauty and wasn't awful to look at. That, and it never felt this empty.

Hours passed by, and he was bored. He could do nothing but lounge about. He sat reading 'Romeo and Juliet' for the 5th time. He was starting to hate every word in that book. Except for Annaleise's note, he could recite the note word for word. Although it was simple it meant a lot more than anything else in that book. Especially knowing the owner let him have it because she wanted him to not because she felt obligated to give it to him. Like when everyone else in Asgard would bring him gifts. Not just for his birthday but just because. They said they brought gifts out of respect, but he knew if they didn't there would be consequences. This gift brought him joy, because the gift was of thought not force.

Suddenly a knock came to the door. He was excited, he thought that maybe it was her…

Though, he was disappointed when an unfamiliar man was standing in front of him.

"Hi, are you Loki?"

"Yes, I am Loki."

"Is there a last name to that."

"Laufeyson…"

"Loki Laufeyson, Hello I'm Max, Max Lexington."

He held out his hand, Loki reluctantly shook it.

"Joe told me you are looking to work in the Logging Company."

"Yes, I am."

"Alright the pay is $15 an hour starting out. Now he said this was temporary so you can leave town. So you have to do it part time, is that okay for you?"

He didn't know what it meant so he just agreed.

"Oki doki Loki, just show up at ten tomorrow morning, we'll get your training started immediately. Since you got referred by Joe I'm just gonna go ahead and put you in the system. No need for history or references."

"Okay."

"Thank you for your time, goodbye."

The man walked away and he shut the door. That was quite easy. He went to go sit down, till another knock came to the door this time lighter but more urgent. He opened it and shut it immediately. It was the blonde woman, Betty if he remembered right.

"Hey, I'm not mad about the number thing. But then again that's not why I'm here. It's important."

"Please, go away!"

He was not in the mood for anything this woman had to say. Most likely a trick to get in. Though he couldn't hear a lie in her statement. In fact she sounded concerned.

"Listen, I'm not here to ride you. I-It… I-It's about Anna."

He quickly opened the door, and looked down at the woman.

"What about Annaleise?"

"Well I never hated her, she's sweet but I do hate how she always seems to snag the good ones."

"Enough about that, what about Annaleise?"

"Why do you call her by her full name? She don't like being called that."

He rolled his eyes and grabbed her shoulders and shook her, raising his voice.

"Enough! What about Annaleise!?"

"Okay-Okay, slow down hun. Hopefully, it's not that serious, but I was concerned. I saw Jason and his boys loading his truck and heading out of town. Ya know the boys earlier today, with the guy that got his arm broke."

"What does any of that have to do with her?

"Well… they looked pretty mad. They were cursing a lot, and they said her name a few times with more curse words. And… they were loading what could be used to hurt someone…"

"Are you saying you believe Annaleise is in danger?!"

"Well, I wouldn't put it past them to do some nasty stuff. But-"

He shook her violently, shouting in her face tired of it not getting to the point.

"IS ANNALISE IN DANGER!?!?"

"Y-yes."

That's all it took. He slammed the door shut and shoved her out of the way running down the hallway out of the hotel.

"You're welcome!"

He heard Beety shout sarcastically.

He ran as fast as he could down the road, on his way to get to Annaleise.

"Please be safe, till I get there."

Annaleise's POV

Everything was silent in her house, the bugs and animals outside were quiet as well which was normally a warning sign. Things were that way the day she met Loki. When they were silent it meant strangers in the woods. They were always loud with her presence because they were used to her. Another time they were silent it was usually a car passing by. That's why she thought nothing of it the day she met Loki. She thought it was a warning of a car, which is why she stopped to listen but heard silence. She continued only to bump into him, which she didn't mind until she was thrown. Her palms were scrapped up but she put her travel miracle concoction with her to heal it before he noticed. She was glad she put a suppressor in it for the smell otherwise she would have been stinky. Instead it smelt like flowers and usual stuff in the woods.

The silence freaked her out this time though, it was giving her bad vibes. Even Cleo was on edge, she was huddled close to her on the couch.

It was scaring her more now, as she was hearing a truck getting louder and louder.

Until it stopped… not far from her house.

Car doors slammed and there was loud laughter. She rushed to the window, peeking out the blinds to see Jason and his gang.

"Shit!"

She whispered loudly and frustrated. Of course, they knew where she lived. The only big house for miles. Cleo looked ready to claw someone.

"Shoo, Cleo."

Cleo only meowed at her.

"It's dangerous, they got weapons."

Cleo stayed put.

"Ugh, fine, you big royal pain in the ass."

"COME ON OUT, LITTLE LADY! GOT NOWHERE TO RUN AND NOWHERE TO HIDE!

Jason shouted, she sat there trying to think about what to do. After a while Jason started to look bored and snapped to one of his guys with his hand he didn't usually snap with so he struggled a little. The guy gave him a bottle and held a lighter to the cloth in it.

Hell fucking no are these assholes burning down the only home she's got. If not for her, then at least for Cleo and the memory of her parents.

She shut the cat door then stood up. She rushed out the door shutting it behind her as she heard Cleo hissing, hollering, and scratching at the door. She knew she would get it later from Cleo when she gets out of this.

"Don't you DARE think you can burn down the only thing I have left to give a damn about!"

"Ahhh there you are Babydoll, I was wondering where you were hiddin."

"A lot of muscle for one woman, were the bats and pipes really necessary."

"Can't take the risk, you got a rep in this town that you can take out three men unarmed. We figured we'd up it to four and armed. Give you more of a challenge. Unless you can't take it, sweetheart."

"I have a name, I told you before, and you will start saying it before you stop having a working jaw."

"Damn, do you got fire! Such a shame to have to snuff it out."

"Why? For the sake of your ego? Beause you can't stand the fact you pissed your pants all like a five year old bedwetter or that you got your ass handed to you by a girl?"

One of his men chuckled, Jason turned to him smacking him in the back of the head. Then signaled him towards her. The man readied himself, he figured he'd start off by tackling her. He ran towards her full speed only for her hand to grab his shoulder, tripped him, and forced his direction towards the wall. Smashing his face into it, knocking him out completely.

"Who's next? Is it you, Jacy? Or is your hand not what it used to be? Was it your good one? Sorry, I took your jackoff hand."

He looked even angrier as he sent the other two to go after her. She was ready, in fight stance ready to defend herself. Suddenly, something hit her in the head and she fell to the ground. Her world was on the cusp of fading into black. She watched as a blurry version of Jason walked towards her. The last thing she heard was laughter and,

"Not so tough now, are ya princess? You really thought I brought four guys? Stupid bitch."

The last thing she saw was his foot slamming into her face and the world was black.

In the last moments of consciousness she heard a faint mumble of her name.

Loki's POV

He made it, he hoped to be relieved… he hoped to see her safe or that he wasn't too late… but what he saw next only brought him horror.

He saw Jason and his men, kicking and beating a body with pipes and bats as it layed on the ground. They were laughing as the body made no sound. He doubted himself at first, praying he wouldn't see what he saw, but it was. The body had white hair.

Next think he knew his feet were on the move as he shouted.

"ANNALEISE!"

All the men stopped and looked at the man running towards them.

"Hey man, back off before you-"

The man couldn't speak anymore as blood poured from his throat. It took a second before Loki realized he magiced a dagger to his hand. For the outcome though, he could only feel glad. He was happy to watch the life drain from his face, as blood gushed from his throat. The man reached for his neck trying to keep the blood in, trying to breathe, but it was useless as he fell to the ground. Life leaving his eyes…

The other men along with Jason flinched. He looked at them, with his dagger in hand and asked.

"Who is the leader?"

All the men pointed to Jason, as he shouted at them for being 'tradderous dogs'. The other men ran as Jason got shoved down in front of Loki.

"Please, it wasn't meant to go this far! The bitch had it coming-"

Loki grabbed his throat as Jason gasped for air grabbing desperately grabbing at Loki's hand. Loki lifted him off the ground then said with a devilish smile.

"What happens if you cut the head off of a snake?"

Jason choked out words.

"I-I-I...don't...know… P-Please I-"

"When you cut off the head the body can't function. Ergo if you strike out the leader…"

"Gaughhhh"

Loki stabbed him in the chest.

"Your lackies, can't think for themselves."

He dragged the blade down his body, and ripped it out. Jason screamed as he watched his blood and guts pour out of his body. Till he finally stopped screaming as he fell to the ground. Loki flicked his wrist, as the bodies erased from existence. The only thing left he could think about as dread filled his heart. He raced to Annaleise's side.

"Annaleise!"

He checked for a pulse but it was barely there, he quickly but gently picked her up and carried her inside. Once he set her down on the sofa, Cleo raced up to her.

"Move you infernal creature!"

He shooed her away but only successfully enough that Cleo jumped on the back support of the sofa to watch her from above.

He looked down at her, finally seeing the aftermath of everything unfold into view on Annaleise's limp body.

Her face and hair was covered in blood, it even leaked from her mouth. Blood stained her white shirt as if she were bleeding underneath it. He lifted it up to see lots of purple and red. It broke his heart to see her like this, looking broken and lifeless. If she weren't barely breathing he would think she was dead.

He got down on his knees as he hovered his hands over her, concentrating all his power and energy into his healing spell. His hands glowed a mighty green as he pressed it to her body. Watching as the green traveled through her body, healing every wound it came across. Once she was fully healed, he reached to check her pulse once more. It was steady now, which made him sigh in relief. He jumped as he felt a hand touch the one placed on her neck.

"That tickles."

"Annaleise!"

He scooted closer to her, wishing to hear her speak more.

"I'm so glad you're okay."

He was genuine. His words were full of so much emotion they shook in his voice.

"Loki?"

She opened her eyes to look at him, relief settled on her face. So did his, he finally felt like he could breathe.

"Yes, I'm here."

"What happened?"

"That's not important, do you remember anything?"

"Just that I got hit in the head… and I got cheated out of. Jason said there were four men, I should have known he brought more. He hates to lose."

"Who even needs five men to go after one woman?"

"This one woman, knows how to kick ass, remember. I once beat three men at once while unarmed. This time, my opponent cheated. By lying to my face… and I fell for it."

"You should never have to do that! I never should have left you alone."

"I don't blame you Loki-"

"I BLAME ME!"

Loki stood up and stepped away pacing and shouting angrily.

"If I hadn't been warned and got to you in time you could have died! If I had been here, you never would have even come close to danger!"

"But I didn't die and you did get here in time."

He almost wasn't…she almost did…. she can't even know that or else she'll question how she came out without a scratch.

"Can you stop being so annoyingly optimistic for once in your miserable life!?"

She looked unfazed by his words, it should have been an insult but she only looked at him with a smile.

"If I weren't optimistic, life would be pretty miserable. I'm only this way because my parents asked me to be."

"Yea, well look how far it got them."

She went silent, and looked down at her hands twiddling her thumbs. This time he saw the effect. He looked at her, feeling guilty for the things he said.

"I-...I'm sorry Annaleise. I'm just mad at myself for declining your offer. I just wish I could have prevented all this. That doesn't mean taking it out on you… or your parents."

She looked back up to him, stood up, and wandered close to him… looking to comfort him, he could tell. He looked to the floor, he couldn't look at her without thinking of her previous state… it filled him with sadness… anger… pain…

"It's okay."

"No it's not, I truly blame myself. I feel horrible. I managed to make one friend on this stupid planet and I almost lost you."

"My friendship means that much to you?"

He looked at her once more, she smiled widely pleased to hear all that he said. Her smile… comforted him somehow.

"Of course it does, I've never had a true friend."

"Really? I'm sure that's not true, you had to have some at home."

"It is true! Back home they were friends with my brother. I was just the annoying little brother that tagged along. They never cared for me, they hated me, and some of them even admitted to it. I've never had one true friend to call my own, except for you. You're the only one… that ever called me their friend."

He looked at her once more, to see her make an expression unreadable.

"Is that okay?... that I call you my friend."

She raced to him, closing the space between them, and wrapping her arms around him.

"Of course it's okay! I'm glad to call you my friend, Loki!"

He smiled wide, a genuine smile… a silent chuckle left him as he returned the hug. He never had been so happy to hear those words for the first time in his life… and he's lived a long time… He felt like… he waited his entire existence to hear them. She was happy to say them, she didn't have to be told to do so. His vision became blurry, something was in his eyes…

She pulled away and walked over to her shoes to slip them on.

"Where are you going?"

He said quickly wiping his face, not really certain If he was really leaking from his eyes. He wasn't going to let her see them otherwise she would most likely make it a big deal.

"You mean, where are WE going? Come one, we are going to the hotel to ask for your money back."

"But I-"

"NO BUTS! I can't have my friend staying at a dump that can even fix a damn 'T' out the hotel sign. Just because the guy is a money pincher and is too lazy to pay a guy to get it fixed. Just leads me to think what else is in his awful excuse of a hotel."

He laughed and replied.

"It is pretty terrible."

"Then all the more reason to go and get your stuff if we can't get the money back. Though if he doesn't I'm breaking his nose. I didn't waste three months of my life to hand it to that scammer."

He laughed and followed suit as he closed the door behind them.

They walk through the door once more in relief as they finally return from the crappy hotel.

"I can't believe you actually punched the man, twice."

"He deserved it, I didn't expect he would be that stupid. As to say no to me the first time and call me a bitch the second. I think he got the hint the second time though."

"I'll bet, he gave you all the money and extra."

"What can I say? You're the best investment I ever gave a thousand dollars to spontaneously. Now you have a little more to add to the pile."

She said handing him the money.

"I don't want it."

"I did not fight that old man for nothing, take it you sadist."

"I am not a sadist."

"Oh, yes you are, you can't deny it, you sick bastard. I saw the way you were about to wet your pants as I broke that man's nose and humiliated him in front of his wife. Who enjoyed every second of it also!"

He laughed.

"I do not have a twisted way of getting off to others' suffering. I merely find the way you handle the situation amusing. I did not 'wet my pants' as you claim."

"You so did! You looked like you wanted to join in! Admit it, you must give in to your sadistic ways and throw away the lies."

"I know lies, that was definitely one. You have been spewing them since we came through the door."

They both were silent till neither one of them couldn contain their laughter anymore. They kept on laughing and teasing each other as she led the way upstairs.

"Why are we going up here?"

"Well I figured the couch isn't suitable for a friend."

She opened the door to reveal a large room, the ceiling was wood up until it led to the back. The rest was glass revealing the orange sky as the sun went down. The bed was covered in boxes as was the majority of the floor. There was a desk and… books… shelves and shelves of books. Along the walls ending at the steps that lead up to the bed.

"I kind of have my personal library. I figured since you like to read this room would suit you. Though it's a bit of a mess, don't worry though. I should be finished in an hour or two."

"This can't be my room."

"It will be and it is, along with this money."

She said placing it in the desk drawer. He chuckled at her stubbornness. He honestly couldn't get enough of it.

"Well you're not cleaning this room alone, if it is to be mine, let me earn it."

"Hehe, Okay-Okay if that's the only way you'll take it, I'll compromise."

Suddenly her pocket lit up and made a tune. She pulled it out and looked at it.

"It's a miracle I get bars out here… Hello… Oh, hi Joe How-... What!?... No I'm fine, I got a little banged up but I'm really okay, how did you even hear about it?……. Of course it was Betty… if it's gossip she will hear about it first…… you really don't have to do that Joe…. But-... Ugh, fine!… yeah you too, bye."

She turned off her device, placing it to her side. She finished by holding the bridge of her nose and sighed.

"What was it?"

"I have the rest of the week off because Betty flapped her trap."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, I'm stuck in this house for the next six days doing nothing."

"That's a bad thing?"

"YES! I work to get out and do things, Joe said he would give me paid time off so I'm not worried about the money. Which I knew that's exactly why Betty wanted to get rid of me. Just so that.. bitch can steal my tips… I just hate sitting around all the time, it exhausts me mentally."

"I know the feeling, though I only felt it for a short while."

"Try 6 months, you practically rot your brain and body away from lack of anything. And it also doesn't help the fact you live in the middle of nowhere and the only fun around is almost half a day away by car!"

"That does sound depressing."

"Exactly...And I heard you are starting at the lumber company so I can't rely on you anymore… you traitor."

"Hey, I am not a traitor. I had no idea you would be homebound for the next week. Or that it's that easy to get a job."

"Usually it isn't, your lucky Joe pulled his strings. But yeah, you're right, you didn't know. Drat! I can't blame you, you're too perfect."

She said with sarcasm and a grin.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should. So, are you okay with stew again? I didn't make anything considering..."

"Yes, that's fine. In fact, go rest. I don't mind cleaning on my own."

"You don't even know where stuff goes."

"I'll figure it out I'm a smart man."

"But-"

"Ah, ah! No buts- You've been through enough tonight."

"Darn it, I hate that you used my words against me."

She smiled and said nothing more, going out the door and shutting it behind her. He looked around the room. He didn't care about the mess, he was just overjoyed. That once he finished, the room was his, along with books he can read while he has free time. He felt that he might come to like Midgard.

So far it's been a good experience, considering the lack of any real direction he should take. The small, obnoxiously interesting town that turns a blind eye to most violence for as long they have a just reason. A town that doesn't ask questions nor cares where he came from. The overwhelming feeling that he was invisible but in a good way. And the fact he hasn't laughed this much in a good while. Maybe it's this town or even the blood still underneath his fingernails. Though it could just be the company…

Either way he thought of it, he definitely liked it here.

Murder, chaos, out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere, in a luxurious house with all the books of Midgard he can read, and room on the shelves for more. This place….

felt almost like home… though he wondered…

Did he have the right to feel that way?