Annaleise's POV

Back in the car.

She couldn't believe it… actually She could…

It explains his entire personality.

It explains a lot of things actually.

"This explains so much! You're a spoiled rotten prince, no wonder you had self entitlement issues."

"I would think that would be called narcissistic."

"Yeah, that too! Gosh this is so cool! Here I thought my life would amount to nothing. That nothing interesting in my life would happen. Well there is some interesting stuff but this takes the cake!"

"So you're happy about this?"

"Absolutely!"

"That's good I guess, I had no idea what that scream was about. I was beginning to think I broke your mind."

"It was an excited scream! Oh my god, this is so cool. It explains why you've acted the way you did, and why you think everything gets to be your way. It also explains why you're so smart and proper, riding horses, can't do basic human stuff because you have a servant to do it all for you. They come to your every beck and call! No wonder you felt like you had no real friends, they always take more interest in your money and statis than your personality."

"They didn't care about any of that, they only cared about my brother."

"Lemme guess he was next in line."

"Yes, for all I know he is already king."

"Wow… were you upset by that?"

"No, I never wanted the throne… I never really told anyone that really… His friends always thought I was jealous of my brother, simply for the throne. But I was only envious of his friends and the love of his people."

"Why else did they not like you? You can be pretty nice when you want to be."

"I was known as the Prince of Mischief and Lies. They saw nothing more than that."

"Did you also treat them how you first treated me?"

"No, I respected them. I looked down on you at first. But once you put me in my place, I had no choice but to respect you."

"I didn't do it to put you in your place, I did it because I felt you weren't gonna make any friends here being like that. That and I don't believe that's how you're supposed to treat anyone. "

"You were right, I more than likely would have ended up dead in the woods from lack of food and water. If you hadn't given me the chance you had. You saw through me before anyone else could. Other than my mother… you remind me a lot of her."

"You miss her?"

"More than I should, she's the only one I've come to care for more than anyone back home. But I can never go back…which means I will never see her again."

"I'm sure that's not true. You can always come back to your mother. Mothers never forget their children. What about your father?"

"He was so disappointed in me for what-, for not amounting to anything."

It sounded like he almost slipped up, like he didn't want her to know the real reason.

"That can't be why, he must have loved you."

"He may have, but he never showed it. He never told me he was proud of me, only Thor…"

"Your brother?"

This sounded familiar. Do royalty like to name their kids after Mythological roles? It's kind of… off… he said he was the prince of mischief and lies… that's the same as the Norse 'Loki', right? And his brother Thor? Wait a minute…. Didn't Thor come to earth?... when earth discovered Norse mythology wasn't a myth anymore. But, that happened a long time ago…… could he be……

'No... don't get your hopes up Anna. Your life can't be that interesting as to have a God live under your roof.'

"Yes, not only was he next for the throne, he was always better than me. My father couldn't see how he wasn't ready to be king. That Thor was arrogant, selfish, and loyal only to himself. He would have brought the kingdom down in ruin, if I hadn't made father see that. I wanted his downfall only for a little while, to learn his true responsibility. I never wanted him banished."

"Banished! Why?!"

"He started a war."

"Well… that's understandable I guess."

"After he returned he had grown so much from what he once was. It was hard to believe he was the same man."

"What made him change?"

"He fell in love. It made him think more of others than himself."

She peaked over at him to see him wear a look of shock. Like he really needed to hear those words to realize something… She then thought of her Father's words.

"A lot of things can happen once you fall in love. I was told, before them…

your world was black and white. You meet them and you see colors. You see more colors than you ever thought possible. You think of them everyday even when they are with you, missing their presence while they are right in front of you. You want to hold them, make them happy, and when you're together it's just you and them. Nothing else is around you, it's just the two of you. You'll be happy when they are there and glum when they are gone. Their touches and emotions can affect you like nothing else. You can be inspired to do more, emotional with them, afraid to lose them, sad for them, mad when others court them, selfish to have them for yourself, or completely content all because of them. They make you feel like you've never been able to. You change for the better all on your own by being inspired by them. You realize why people do what they do when they love someone. But you can never truly understand it, till you find it for yourself. Only when you fall in love is when those words make the most sense."

He was silent the rest of the ride. He didn't even look at her or acknowledge her. It was like the passenger seat was empty the whole time.

They pulled up to the house, but instead of parking where they usually do. She kept driving past the house on a dirt road. They passed trees, till they came to a clearing with a large old barn. She parked in front of it. She got out and continued to ask more about him as he got out too.

"So why can't you go back? Surely you are always welcome to come back home."

He seemed reluctant to talk. Not because he didn't want to but… it looked like he couldn't. He was lost in thoughts. But after a few seconds of silence, he answered.

"No, I might as well be banished permanently."

"What?! How!? Why!?"

"Let's just say I'm a disgrace to my family, they see no way for me to return home. They think I'm dead."

"What!? They have to know you're alive!"

She rushed to him, grabbing his arms trying to convince him to find his family.

"I don't think they would care, after how disappointed my father looked. I doubt they even cared."

"You have no idea how painful it is to lose someone, especially someone you love! They must be devastated! You can't possibly know what that feels like, not the way I have..."

He stayed silent for a moment. He looked down at her with an expression of shock and then sadness. She never saw sadness in him before, not in that amount. He always carried some amount of sadness; he just never showed it on his face.

"You're right, I don't know how that feels. But I don't think I can face my family again, even if I could get back. When I can't."

"Why can't you?"

"I-I… I really don't wish to discuss this anymore… You're lucky I even opened up to you in the first place… normally I would ignore such a meaningless topic."

He started to shut down again. He always got like this once it gets too deep. Either he doesn't feel he should say anything or it hurts to talk about it… but he obviously looked hurt…

"Meaningless!? You can't mean that!"

"I do. If you continue to pester me on this I will make you regret it."

His voice had venom in it, the kind she heard when they first met. This must really pain him. Instead of telling the truth, he would rather hide his pain by force. Forcing her to drop it so he won't reveal any of his weaknesses. He must have realized how much he's shown already, and is retaliating for it.

"Fine… If you want you can go in the house and relax. I'll be out here."

"I don't mind helping."

"If you want to help, that white wood is a fence. I already marked the ground to where the posts need to go. Just dig a hole, hammer the posts in the ground. Then put the flat wood in between the posts in those slots."

She pointed and directed everything that she described.

"Was this clearing here before?"

"No, I spent the whole day pulling weeds and tree sprouts. Making it a grazing field. If you're still willing to help, everything I asked is all

you need to do it. I'll take care of the rest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea, I'm sure."

She lifted some wood off the trailer and started to make a pile for the flooring. Trying to ignore her anger. He was silent but did as she asked. He found the markers and started to remove the grass with his hands.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What are you doing?"

"Digging."

"With your hands? I have a shovel."

"Oh…"

He was going to do it anyway without complaint… He was too cute… she tried her best to hide her smile.

She grabbed the shovel and walked back, handing it to him.

"Sorry, you said to dig a hole, you didn't specify how."

"You know, you don't have to do literally what I ask."

"Yes, I see that."

He was smiling this time, it couldn't help but make her do the same. But once he realized she was smiling, he quickly made his disappear.

"You can't stay mad forever, all I wanted was to get to know you better. If there are things you can't handle telling me, I will understand. I have secrets I can't tell you, I don't mind if you have some too."

He looked at her with surprise.

"Surely I don't have to keep it a secret, eventually when I'm ready, I can tell you."

"And that's your choice, but if you don't want to share and keep it a secret. I don't mind."

"That is kind of you, but… If I may ask… why do you wish to get to know me?"

"Your my friend, I wish to understand you more. Not so much about your life, but what in your life made you the way you are. Your life is just a bonus, I want to get to know your ways in life. Like your actions so I don't get offended and your words so I know what you really mean. If I can understand you I can respond better. It's also just things that help me to know if you really hate me and that's why you want to leave."

"What?! Why would you think that?!"

"Because a lot of times I really thought you hated me… especially when you were rude… When you always said you couldn't wait to get rid of me… I thought I just wasn't worth knowing and you couldn't wait to leave."

"No… Well yes I was like that because I thought I was superior to you. So I felt that any help I got from someone like you, would make me weaker than I already am. I never wanted to harm you in any way, I was trying to push your kindness away. Which I failed at, as you can see… now I find it… rather comforting….

It's making me miss less and less of home."

She was silent, but smiling. She was pleased by his words, but something else rattled her mind. That she felt needed to come out.

"You also make me miss my family less. Your presence fills me with joy, I can't wait to see you, to talk to you, and just be around you. You and I have a deep understanding of the pains of this world, which makes it easier for both of us to move forward. We help each other, in ways we thought we couldn't ever get that help. Even then, I still have my fears, like how if you find out the truth. I will put you in danger or you'll become afraid of me and leave... Either way it's like I'm afraid everyone I come to care about will abandon me, whether by choice or by… death. All because they find out my truth. So I understand if you have things you wish to hide. I don't hold it against you. But no matter what…

I still want you in my life….

Like I said, your presence brings me joy. A joy I haven't felt in a long time. So when you leave, I hope you will come to miss me rather than counting the minutes till you do leave."

He was silent but she was sure she saw a genuine smile.

"You have nothing you need to fear. I do not hate you, I tolerate and respect you… Enough so that I come to find that I enjoy your presence as well. You have no need to fear my absence, I do not run away from fear. If I leave it is because I do not wish to burden you with my useless self. The only thing I can possibly do for you is protect you, but I don't know if that is enough for all the kindness you have given me. So, of course I will miss you- your presence, your kindness, and all you have done for me. I will miss it for all eternity when it's gone."

He wiped the tears from her cheek, she didn't realize she had been crying.

"So you won't forget me?"

"I could never forget you, no matter what side of the earth I am on. Your kindness could never leave me. I will dread it when the time comes and I have to go, because I know you will forever burden my mind."

"Then don't leave…"

He looked shocked, to the point he couldn't speak.

"I know that's selfish of me, but I am so scared of being alone again. I would do nothing but worry when you leave, I'll wonder if you're doing okay. If you stay and if I ever put you in danger, I will make it so you were never here. But, if you're still determined to leave, then I will make it easier for you to decide. You don't burden me, and you're definitely NOT useless. I enjoy giving to someone, just having someone here makes me happy. You don't have to return anything to me, I am fine with you just being here. If you want to protect me, then protect me. If you want to help, then help. All I want from you is to be my friend and make my life more meaningful than being alone out here."

Loki's POV

This woman may never cease to amaze him. She only wants him… as a friend… to repay her for everything she did for him.

Who is this woman?

How can someone who has suffered this much exist?

And why did it bother him when she says 'friends'?

He has lately felt like he hasn't been a prince of Asgard. Everyone saw him to only be full of mischief and lies. Not just himself, his mother may have. But in the end all he saw was the pain in her face, she didn't see her son, she saw a traitor to her kingdom and family.

Yet to this woman he was truthful and wasn't mischievous to his own gain. Instead he would only mess with her in a jesting way that wouldn't only make him laugh. He always did those pranks for attention, because he felt like no one cared for him. But he has felt more care from this stranger than he has from his mother. Which has made him feel less of a need to do what he used to.

This woman has done nothing to deserve lies, he has never once felt that she would betray him. Surprisingly, when he should feel the most betrayed after falling out of Asgard.

He never lied to his mother, because she also never gave him that feeling.

So that was why he was feeling the guilt he felt by lying to this woman. He wanted to hide his weaknesses, but around her he felt so vulnerable. He felt that it was because he never had a true friendship before.

Deep down though…

he felt it was more….

That maybe for once in his life he has come to care for someone other than himself. And this woman… she was outstanding… there was no one to compare. If he left… he could never find anyone who has done this much for him.

"Fine…"

"Fine, what?"

"I wish to stay. I don't think I can stand being lonely on this planet, I haven't felt that way since I met you. So I wish to continue to stay that way, if you'll have me."

"Of course."

She hugged him tightly.

Her embrace made his heart race.

He also couldn't understand another thing, usually he would be repulsed by others' touch. Though, he has never felt such a way with her. In fact he enjoyed it, but never would he ever admit it out loud…

He accepted the embrace by responding back, holding her just as tightly.

"Oh!"

She ripped herself out of just grasp with a look of worry on her face.

"I'm so sorry! I forgot about your ribs!"

He forgot about them too… they were already healed.

"It's fine, the pain… was worth the hug"

"Oh man, I'm sorry Loki. I squeezed you really tight. Are you sure you are okay?"

"I am perfect."

Something else came to mind as well. Something he should have thought about before he agreed to stay.

"Even though I don't find it proper to have a man stay in a woman's home. Both unmatched to another being. It is quite irregular, but I think we have nothing to worry about."

He hoped… maybe all that he's been thinking of, all that he thought that started to make sense wasn't actually there. it's just….

All in his head.

"I mean if you have a problem with it so much I could always add a spare room to the barn."

"And live as a dirty stable boy, I think not. I would much prefer a proper room."

"I think you would just miss the books, I can add shelves out here for you."

"Woman! Why do you always find a means to tease me?"

"Then why do you do it back? It must be fun for you then."

"Maybe but you will never know, because never would I admit to such a feat."

They both laughed as they split their ways to work hard for their goal. He watched as she lifted a big pile of wood, amazed by this small woman's strength. It had to be ten pieces of long flat wood. He lifted half of that and it was a bit heavy, at least it should be for a woman her size. For him it was nothing. His coworkers were impressed with his strength when he carried branches bigger than him in thickness. But Ten would push it for him to carry that many, when he had to work all day in the heat. He was rather drained. But this woman half his size was carrying it with ease. No signs of discomfort. It was unbelievable, this woman is not only strong mentally but physically as well. At times she can show weakness but now there was none in sight.

It honestly scared him… it doesn't seem like this should be possible for a human woman.

He started on the hole with the shovel this time, once it was deep enough he walked to the trailer grabbing the ones with pointy ends which she said was meant to go in the ground. Once he got to work time seemed to fly by, he forgot his exhaustion. He kind of enjoyed doing something that had purpose.

Rather than what he did today, he dreaded the work because it was meant for him to leave. Which deep down he didn't truly want. But starting tomorrow he's doing the work to help her out, with living expenses and everything that is needed to take care of them. He hates freeloading off of someone, especially Annaleise. He would earn his home and food… well HER home.

He finished the posts rather quickly. What was left was the wood between the fence. He went to get them on the trailer, as he got closer he spotted Annaleise. She was hammering away at the ground, placing wood and hammering it in place. He watched as she wiped her brow of sweat… then removed a top layer of clothes to reveal… a more revealing shirt… He felt like he was about to have a heart attack by the sudden jolt his heart gave him. He looked away to give her the respect she deserves as a woman. She didn't notice him so she didn't know he was watching. Bit he saw something that made him want to look again… he had to… just to be sure it is what he saw….

He looked back as she tied up her hair. He was baffled as he noticed all the scars she had once he got a better look. She had so many running across her back, poking out on the traces of skin that were visible, the rest of the scars disappearing under her shirt. He wondered how she got those, till his attention was drawn elsewhere. She seemed to be talking to someone, but nobody was there. Was she talking to herself? He walked closer quietly trying not to be noticed. He hid by the door of the old barn and peaked through. Upon further inspection he was surprised by what he'd seen and heard.

"I was sure I placed that hammer there."

She was searching for said tool till an animal came out of hiding and pranced circles around her with the hammer in its mouth. He did research on earth animals before, if he remembered correctly it was called a fox. The red fur was a dead ringer to the guess, but those animals were wild and supposedly skittish of humans. Unless raised by a human they wouldn't get as close as that fox was to her. And certainly not playing with her. Unless it knew her for more than a couple seconds.

"Hey, Tucker, give it back!"

She whispered loudly, probably to keep from getting heard by him. She must think he was still hard at work.

The fox made a sound and pranced around avoiding her attempts to grab the tool.

"Give it right now, I never treated you like a dog."

She was talking to it like it understood her, the scary part is it seemed like it did. She started to make animal noises that sounded close to the fox. Like she was communicating to it…

Then suddenly it walked up to her and dropped the tool in her hand. Then the fox layed down facing away from her like a child pouting.

"Aww Tucker, don't be like that. I didn't mean it."

It looked at her with a hiss of anger.

"Yes, I know I called you a cat-dog, it was pretty mean. Even though you are basically a feline-canine mix. I might have meant it as a joke but not to offend you."

He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. She was having a conversation with an animal. Like it understood her while she understood it.

The fox changed its glance to him, then ran away making a noise.

"Run away?"

He hid behind the door and snuck away as he saw her look over and walk towards his direction. He continued working like nothing happened as he heard a voice right behind him that made him flinch.

"Hey… whoa! I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you."

"You didn't, I was merely unprepared."

Which was true because he was hoping he wasn't caught.

"Well you look like you got things covered, any trouble?"

"None, though I grew concerned with the noises from the barn."

"Other than the hammering?"

He hated to lie, to keep from telling her how he spied on her. But he didn't want to admit to such an act.

"Yes, like animal noises. Were you alright in there?"

"What, animal noises? That's crazy! It was probably the times I hit my finger instead of a nail. I tend to make strange noises instead of shouting in pain."

She was speaking and laughing with a nervous tone in her voice. The kind that made it noticeable to be a lie.

"Oh, that must be it then."

"Yeah… well you're doing great, keep up the good work."

She said sprinting away, going back into the barn. Most likely to continue her work and avoid the situation entirely. Things were getting suspiciously strange, it was easy to care for her. But it's getting harder to trust her. He couldn't help but wonder…

Was she really human?

So you're probably wondering why I have Annaleise with less thoughts in her POV. Weeeeeeell, she usually says what she thinks. She doesn't like to keep secrets unless she has to and she won't even think of her secrets because… well… there is telepathy… there may or may not be someone listening in to her inner brain… so she tends to keep her inner voice on the down low. That and I feel if I let her think everything, it would point out too many things I still want to keep a secret to yall. Ahhh… isn't nice to be the author, to know what's going to happen next… yall are the lucky ones, I think. Because you get to experience it for the first time and learn as you go. I hope you're enjoying it so far. I love the work I've put into it… I have trouble putting it down.