He lay awake that evening, reading another book when he heard footfalls on the floors outside his room. Sara walked into his room, and she pushed against the bed and she muttered in her sleep. His mouth fell open though, because at some point in her wanderings, she had removed her clothing. He stared in mute shock at her being completely nude, and he went as still as a statue as she stood over the bed with her eyes fixed on the wall.
He got up, her breasts rising and falling with her breath. The rosebud pink nipples begging to be kissed, teased with lips and tounge. He admired the way the mussed waves fell down her back, and he couldn't pull his eyes away. He visually traced down the valley between her breasts, and he saw the apex of her thighs. The sweet treasure at the cleft, hairless and pink, his mouth going dry as he stared at how beautiful she was. She was temptation, and he was a beast for staring.
He cleared his head, and he picked up the blanket over the blue velvet upholstered chair in the corner. His hands shook as he approached her, remembering what Mark said to her when she tried to make breakfast the first night he was here. He hoped it worked, and that he did not embarass her.
"Sara, it is still far to early to make breakfast, may I escort you back to bed?" He asked her, and she stared ahead. He wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, and the smell of her perfume invaded his nose.
"Do you want pancakes or eggs?" She mumbled in her sleep, almost making him laugh as he carefully held her. He lifted Sara up, suprised by how little she actually weighed, his arm under her knees and across her back, carrying her back to her room and her head leaned against his shoulder. He set her down on the bed, leaving her sitting up, and he put the pajamas back on her. He was careful, trying hard not to inappropiate and got her clothed again. Nervous as he put her panties back on her, and his hands brushed over her legs.
Loki lay her down then, watching her waves and curls lay over the pillows and he sucked his lower lip into his mouth. He couldn't be aroused by her, she couldn't love him as more than a friend. She deserved a kind man, a gentle one, a man would would cherish her heart and body with all his being.
He sughed, pulling the blankets over her, and she curled on her side on the massive bed. Her eyes closed, and her breathing normal as she went back to sleep. He stepped out of the room, walking back to his room with the blanket over his arm. He relaxed himself, leaning against the wall and he rubbed his face as he tried to calm himself the rest of the way back down from what he saw. The vision of her in his mind, and leaving him aroused.
God, she was beautiful. She could inspire such great things in a man, all she had to do was smile at them.
He wouldn't tell her what happened, he would save her the humiliation, but he was torn between trying to seduce her and leaving her without his touch. She was damned beautiful, he would give her that, but he couldn't desire anything like her.
He regulated himself, and went back to the book he was reading. His focus returning to the story in front of him.
--
Loki descended the steps, a pair of hiking boots and a sweater over a thermal, long sleeve shirt. Sara heard him coming as she helped everyone load the two cars they were taking, and she waved to him. It was going to be sunny, but it was predicted to be cold where they were going, so he dressed appropiately. He picked up a cooler, and carried it to the car and Sara showed him where to put it.
"There is room there. I made us all sandwiches, and there is fruit in there for lunch." She said, and Mark gave her a nudge as he passed her. She swatted at him, and laughed as he shoved a cooler of water into the back of his blue Jeep, Wrangler. He closed it up, and they began to Divide their group by vehicles.
"Amy and I will ride in our Toyota, why don't you four ride together in the Jeep?" Robert asked and Sara nodded, walking to lock up the house. Loki got into the back seat of the vehicle, and she turned to walk along the driveway to the gate. They drove through it, and she struggled a bit with the iron gate as she pulled it shut behind her. Mark and Loki came up, and helped her with the other side, and she wrapped the chain between the gate and set the padlock.
"I like to shut the gate if I am gone for a day. Slows down anyone trying to break in." She said, and put the ring of keys in her jeans pocket. She climbed back into the Jeep, and Mark set his GPS, and started shifting into gear.
"Do we want to go to Ape Cave? Or just up from around Longview?" He asked and Sara shrugged. Robert and Amy sat in the car, waiting on them to make a decision and they decided to go the route of I-5, and then up through the Wheryhauser Logging sites.
"Adventure, Ho!" Emily shouted, laughing as they began their drive toward Spanaway, and to the freeway. Loki remained calm, watching the changing trees pass them by as he sat next to her. Mark searched for a radio station, and Emily sighed and put in a CD. Sara began singing along with A Sorta Fairytale by Tori Amos, both girls smiling as the sun began to rise higher in the sky.
She felt free then, the walls if the house behind her and she smiled with Emily as they sang together. The road beneath them, and the trees traveling past as she sang along with the song. Loki gave her a bemused smile, and they all began to laugh as Emily chose another song. They made Chehalis in good time, and Sara updated the tablet to add a stop at a restaurant called The Country Cousin for breakfast. The piled out of their vehicles, and Sara streched her back as she stood up.
"I think my ass fell asleep about ten miles ago." Emily complained, and they opened the doors to the farm themed restaurant. Robert laughed and stared at the coop of chickens in the parking lot, all of them clucking and pecking at the ground for food. It was super tacky inside, and sold little souvenirs next to the checkstand. Sara made her way to the bathroom, as the rest were seated, she had to pee and was ready to burst.
"Just order my me some eggs and sausage, or the Country Breakfast. I'm going to be right back." Sara said, and she pushed through the door and found an empty stall. She finished quickly, washing her hands and making her way back to the group. On the way, some men sitting at another table gave her a dirty look and she wondered what their issue was but ignored it.
She sat down next to Loki, and watched him sip the coffee in his mug. He was laughing at a joke that Mark had told, as he set the cup down. Sara admired his hands again, swallowing as her cheeks flushed as she daydreamer a bit. She remembered the way his hand touched her leg, and if he would have had sex with her that night if she had allowed him to. Travis probably would have stabbed him, and then hurt her while they were distracted. She remained quiet, and somehow managed to keep her experssion neutral.
Their food soon arrived, and they began eating. Filling their stomachs with eggs, toast, and bacon, Sara belching as one of the men who glared at her walked over and stood over their table. Loki sipped his coffee, and he lay his napkin on the table neatly. The man crossed his arms, and Robert continued his story about fishing in Alaska, paying no attention to the man.
"And I almost went over the side of the boat, and the Fishing Guide had to grab me by my belt to keep me on the deck." He laughed, and he mimicked reeling in the two hundred pound halibut. "I worked hard that day! But we got it on the boat, and everyone was impressed with my luck."
"You ain't worked a hard day in your life." The man sneered, and Robert set his cup of coffee down calmly. He folded his hands, and Loki even turned his head to face the man. "Bunch of pathetic City Kids, probably a bunch of queers too. That one could pass for a woman, with that long hair, so he must be the best one at sucking dick!"
"I assure you Sir, all of my lovers, male and female, have enjoyed my attentions to the fullest." Loki replied, and sipped his coffee. Emily grinned at him, and Mark crossed his arms to flex his biceps a bit. The Waitress walked over, laying their check on the table and Sara handed her a credit card for it. She then dug out a fifty dollar bill for her tip, and her eyes went wide.
"It is the smallest I have, but keep all of it." She said, and looked at the man, angry that he had insulted Loki. She felt protective then, and she held eye contact for a long time. "I have more money than most of this town, and if this man lays a finger on me, or my friends, you may end up my employee. After the attorneys at Pruitt Logistics and Shipping are done, of course."
"Sara..." Emily hissed, and Sara stood up and stood in front of the beefcake of a redneck. Her eyes narrowing and the man laughed at her, she clenched a shaking fist and he snapped his fingers at Loki.
"Queer boy, put this bitch on a leash." He said, levering his voice at Sara. "Before I put her in her place."
Mark stood up then, his chair scraping the floor and Loki stood behind Sara. The man, a foot taller than Sara saw the two other men, and then Emily stood up. They woke up a sleeping leprechaun in the redhead, and she was not above throwing hands. Loki stepped around Sara, and poked a single finger into the rednecks chest.
"You will not speak that low of any woman, for if anyone were a dog, it would be you. Now, back away, and return to your table. We have no quarrel with you, and would like to let you save face" He said, and Sara saw the man draw a knife from his pocket and grip it. Sara screamed, punching the man in the genitals, and his eyes went wide as the breath left his body. He dropped to his knees, holding himself, and she then kneed him in the chin as Loki and Mark had taught her. The man fell backwards, holding his face and dick as he moaned.
"Jonah! What the hell were you thinking? Pulling a knife in my resturant!" A man said, his overalls stained from work. He walked over, and the injured redneck stabbed his knife at Loki. He caught the hand, and wrenched the wrist back, causing the man to drop it. The owner of the reaturant handed Sara back her credit card, and motioned toward the door with his head as he grabbed the beefcake that was Jonah by the back of his neck and pushed him against a partition.
"Food is on the house, get going before he can take a deep breath." The man said, and Sara tossed a hundred dollar bill on the table as everyone grabbed their things and ran for the cars. She felt better about paying at least, and Emily fiddled with the GPS while Mark started driving. Everyone in the Jeep let out a deep breath in relief, and suddenly Emily started to laugh. She was belly laughing by the time they hit I-5 toward Portland, and Mark looked at her.
"Did you see the way his face turned red when Sara punched him in the dick?" She laughed, and Sara started laughing with her friend. They both started listening to a CD again, Emily putting on Death Cab for Cutie as they drove south. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Sara! Way to become an Alpha Bitch!"
"I couldn't let him hurt my friends." She said and looked at Loki, his eyes out the window, and his hand resting on the seat between them. She put her hand over his, and he looked back at her. He gave her a smile, his thumb rubbing against hers and she blushed a bit. The touch between them, beginning to bridge a massive chasam between them.
--
"You guys go ahead, we will sit somewhere else." Sara said, and Loki followed her to find two seats together in the crowded auditorium on Johnston Ridge. They found two halfway to the back of the auditorium, and they sat together. Loki looked at the little girl sitting next to him, giving her a smile as she waved up at him. "For Tourist Season being over, there is alot of people out today."
"Perhaps, they are enjoying the nice day, before the weather changes." He suggested, making her nod bak at him in agreement. He took a drink from his water bottle, and felt a tug at his sleeve as he sat. He looked over to see a little girl staring at him from the other seat and he was suprised by her bravery. He put on a smile though, not wanting to make the harried mother next to her worry about him being a danger to her offspring.
"Are you here to learn about the volcano too?" She asked him, and he gave her a wider smile.
"I am, I was told by my friends, that this is quite interesting." He answered, the woman next to her realizing that her little girl was talking to him. She nudged her daughter, getting her attention and the girl looked at her mother.
"Erica, don't bother the man." Her mother groaned, and the Loki gave the mother a nod. "Sorry, she is just excited about everything."
"Quite allright, she was no bother." He reassured the mother, and the lights dimmed for the thirty minute presentation on the history of the monument. He sat in his seat, watching the people on the screen talk about the volcanic eruption in May of 1981. The idea that all the devastation, all that he observed through the window of the Jeep was caused by such a great force, truly amazed him. Asgard had no geologic features like this, and he was fascinated by the science behind it all.
The presentation ended with an image of a man, David Johnston, who took pictures of the volcano outside as it erupted. And the audience applauded as the screen split, and the curtains drew back over windows to reveal Mt. St. Helen's. He smiled at the girl next to him, and she stared ahead at the rather nice view. Sara stood up, and he stopped her when she began to walk up toward the exit.
"Were you a child when it erupted?" He asked her, and she laughed and shook her head. She pushed some hair behind her ear, turning a bit red at his question.
"I'm not that old, I was born way later. I would have gray hairs by now, I just learned about it in school growing up. Other than the cultures of the Indigenous Tribes, and The Lewis and Clark expedition, that was one of the more interesting modules in Washington State History. " She replied, and he shook his head as he laughed to himself. They walked together, the little girl catching up to him amd tugging his hand. She held his water bottle in her hands, and he took it from her.
"You forgot this." She said, and he crouched down as her ever suffering mother hurried to catch her precocious child.
"Thank you Erica, but please, do stay close to your mother. She only wishes to keep you safe." He said, and tapped the end of her nose. She giggled, and her mother caught up to them, holding another child on her hip. Her husband was admiring the view, and the curtains began to close. He felt for the woman, and was angry at her husband leaving all responsibility for his children on the poor woman.
"Thanks for keeping her here, she is my little explorer. I appreciate it." She sighed, and took the girl's hand. Returning to walk with her husband, he held the bottle, and walked to catch up to Sara who was looking through a rack of hoodies in the Gift Shop. She held one up for him, it was brown, with an image of the volcano printed on the back of it. Under the image was printed: "If you see me running, try to keep up."
"I like this one better, but I was wondering if you wanted one. They are really warm." She said, and he selected the first one she showed her. It was just an image of the volcano printed on it, with the date of the eruption underneath it. Sara then saw a display of jewelery as they both walked around, all of the pieces bearing the greenest emeralds that he had ever seen. The woman behind the counter smiled at him, and took a men's ring out, the large stone set in gold and beautifully cut.
"They are Helenite, or Mt. St. Helens Emeralds, they get that perfect emerald green from the high calcium content of the ash." She explained, and Sara listened to the woman. She pointed to a necklace under the glass and she allowed Sara to look at the gold and emerald star.
"They are really pretty." Sara said, and the woman watched Loki try the ring on. It fit his index finger, and he liked the way it looked. He handed it to the woman, and Sara chose a pair of delicate earrings. "I like these, and the ring for him."
"Sara, you don't have to..." he began, and the woman found a black, velvet box for the ring and one for the earrings. She crossed her arms, and set two books down in the counter, along with the two hoodies.
"I know that I don't have to buy you the ring, but you looked like you really liked it. So, I am buying it for you." She said, amd the woman tallied their purchases while laughing at their arguement. He looked at the pink armband around his wrist, and remembered how she insisted that she pay for everyone's admission to all the visitor centers and she smiled at her. "Besides, that emerald was created out of chaos and destruction. Use it as a reminder, that even good things can come from bad situations."
"Thank you Sara. I appreciate the gesture." He replied, and the woman took the card from Sara and ran it to pay for the items. He picked up the paper bag, and Robert hurried over and picked Sara up, and the woman handed Loki the credit card and her copy of the reciept. "We know him, it is a false kidnapping."
"Involuntary Adoption of a short chick!" Robert laughed, as he carried her toward the doors and Loki sighed.
"I figured as much, she did not scream or freak out. Enjoy the rest of the day." She said, laughing as he gave her a nod. He followed them up to an observation deck, and he handed Sara back the card and reciept. Emily was grouping everyone together, and she was holding up her phone. She stuck him in the back, and a person in a uniform offered to take a picture of all of them. He folded his hands, keeping the bag low, and was suprised when Robert put his arm around his shoulders. He kept his eyes on the camera, and Sara stood in front of him as they took a couple pictures of their group.
"Race you to the Jeep for sandwiches!" Mark shouted, and Emily ran after him, thanking the woman and getting her phone back. Robert laughed, and Amy shook her head as they walked together.
"Run Forrest Run!" Robert shouted, and he could hear Mark shouting something back. Loki laughed, as Mark threw his hands up and began jumping about like an ape from a nature documentary that they watched.
"I swear, they are perpetually adolescents." Sara said, and Robert laughed and reached into his bag from the gift shop and pulled out a new pair of socks.
"Master has given Dobby a sock! Dobby is freeeee!" Robert shouted, waving his socks and Amy wheezed in laughter. Sara began laughing along, and Mark pointed at Amy, pretending to be angry.
"You cost me my servant!" He shouted, and a woman nearby laughed at them both. Loki began laughing, remembering the reference from the films about the Boy Sorceror, and how Mark loved his socks. The more outlandish the patterns on them, the more he liked them. That was why he was given his nickname, and Loki could see how it fit him.
"Men, their bodies grow, but they never mature." Amy sighed, and smiled as Robert let Mark piggyback on him, amd they both horses around. Sara laughed, and shook her head as she watched them as they made their way through the parking lot. Robert let Mark down, and they both began to slap fight as they walked on.
"Will you two cool it! There are actual adults, and not ten year olds traped in adult sized bodies present!" Sara shouted, and Mark unloaded the cooler of food and Loki smirked as he put the bag in the back of the vehicle. He grabbed Sara behind her thighs, hauling her up in a dead man's carry across his shoulders. She screamed, and he winced as the sound was right next to his ear.
"Thank you Sara, I may never hear that particular tone again." He sighed, rubbing his ear and she laughed as he set her on the picnic table. She slapped at him, the playful motions making him laugh.
"Yeah, well it is only polite to warn a bitch before you manhandle her like a sack of potatoes." She snapped back, and sat on the bench as Robert handed out the sandwiches. They all claimed a bag of chips, and an apple, tucking into their lunches. Robert grinned then, throwing a chip at Loki, and he raised an eyebrow at his friend.
"When were you going to tell us you were Bi Spooky?" Robert asked, and Loki groaned internally. He expected the ridicule to follow, but none came and he was shocked by it. He looked at everyone, and Sara shrugged.
"I had a crush on everyone in the Brendan Frazier movie, The Mummy. You ain't the only person at this table that likes both men and women. We are just doubling our chances for a date on Saturday nights." She shrugged, eating her sandwich. Emily nodded, and she leaned over as Sara swallowed her food and kissed Sara. She cradled her cheek, their mouths working against each others and Mark slammed his hand into the table.
"Damnit! That was hot!" He shouted, and Sara turned bright red as she laughed to herself. Loki looked around the group, and Mark shook his head as he started to laugh.
"Bugs and Irish dated in High School, how do you think she met Mark?" Amy laughed, and rolled her eyes a bit. "We don't judge our friends at all here, that is an unspoken rule in the group. If you meet someone that likes you, for you, go with it."
"I was, and still am too much of a mess for any relationship right now. When I get myself figured out, then I may date again." Sara shrugged, eating more of her sandwich.
"At your rate Bugs, that V Card is never getting punched." Emily laughed, teasing Sara gently and her friend smiled as she drank some water.
"Maybe I am waiting to be a human sacrifice after all." Sara shot back, throwing her head back and sat on the table with her legs crossed as she ate. He laughed to himself, and almost had to blink back tears as he sat there. He, among people who finally accepted him. He took a bite of his apple, letting out a long breath as the gates began to open, as he finally realized that he was being given what he never had before.
"I need to relieve myself." He said, getting up and walking toward the building again. Robert ran up next to him, and he realized he was still holding his apple, and his hands were shaking.
"I gotta drain the lizard too, I will walk with you." He said, and he smiled with his friend as the walked, and he ate his apple to hide his feelings along the way.
--
Frigga watched how he was getting along in the flames, her wayward Son interacting with the Mortal child as he sat next to the woman. Her eyes shining as he realized he had friends, and she wiped her eyes. She adored the Mortals around him, and she wanted to meet them all, speak to them as well.
"Are you ready Mother?" Thor asked behind her, and he noticed what she was watching. "You still think there is good in him?"
"I know so Thor, I raised both of you and know him better than he knows himself at times." She replied, turning and waving a hand to make the image vanish. She walked toward her son, and hooked her arm through his. "One day, he will accomplish something great."
"I wish I had your faith Mother, it does amaze me that he has not killed the Mortal girl and made an escape." He laughed, and smiled at Frigga, her thoughts on that pretty girl. Her smile growing as she saw the link between them growing, and soon it would tether them together.
"You should give him the benefit of doubt Dear, he will suprise you yet." She scolded, and walked with Thor to dine with her golden haired son.
--
Sara lay awake that night, her eyes roaming the mural on her wall and taking it in. She heard the toilet down the hall flush, and she snuggled under her quilt and sheets. It was almost October, and soon she would be laying under a heavier duvet. She sighed, feeling lonely as she lay on the massive king sized bed, and she heard footsteps coming toward her room.
It was nice to have someone else in the house after spending those few months alone after the funerals. It made the house seem more alive, and not just a molesium filled with ghosts and dust. The house felt warmer with another person, and she deliberated offering her friends the extra room if they wanted to live with her during that time alone. She just never worked up the guts to make the offer.
She was secretly glad that she was wearing the cotton and lace nightgown, that looked like something from Lord of the Rings, and was in no way sexy or tempting to the male gaze, and she turned onto her back and saw the head poke around the door at her as he knocked on the door frame twice. She waved, and Loki gave a chuckle as he waited for permission to enter the room.
"Has anyone told you, that you have impeccable manners?" She asked, and he laughed as he walked in and sat at the foot of her bed. She propped herself up on the pillows, and turned on her bedside light. He looked a bit like something was bugging him, and he shook his head as he decided what to say. She let him think, and played with the lace on the cuff of her sleeve.
"I... I realized today, that I never apologized to you for the deaths... for being the cause of your family's deaths." He finally got out, and she didn't expect him to say that. "I am truly sorry for their passing, and... and I am sorry for the pain I may have caused you. I may never forgive myself for this, but I can try and make amends to you."
"Loki..." She managed, and a sob cut her off. Tears were streaming down her face, and her throat and chest hurt from the effort it took to swallow her feelings. She shook her head, not knowing what to say, and he gave her a sad smile. She couldn't let him think she was rejecting her apology, and she moved the covers back and crawled to the end of her bed and hugged him. He stiffened, but then relaxed into the embrace, his hand resting in the center of her back amd the other one between her shoulder blades.
"I am sorry Sara, I truly am." He said, and she hugged him tighter.
"Shut up, I accept your apology. Hell, I accepted it when I realized they were not coming back to torment me. As much as I did live my Dad, he did nothing to correct Darla, or act to stop the abuse. In a way, he made his own bed, and it took me some time to realize it." She said, and he nodded into her neck and shoulder. He tightened his hold on her, and then let her go and she stared into his eyes. Her fingers traced his lips then, and then his chin, the room becoming still and he just looked back at her.
Reason was thrown out the window in the single beat of a heart, and her lips were on his. His hands gripped her nightgown, and he deepened the kiss, her body against his and she held his bare shoulders. His hand moved from her back, and he held her cheek, his thumb tracing over her lips and she came back to Earth from where ever she was. She moved to kiss him again,but he stopped her, trying to be careful.
"Sara, I don't want to get you into trouble with SHIELD, or make you feel uncomfortable." He said, and she felt rejected. She slipped from his arms, wrapping her arms around herself as she sat on her heels. The reality of the entire situation crashing around her, and she curled back on her bed and covered herself up. He had to reject her anyways, she was just a human, and he was a God. It hurt her though, deep inside, and she wanted to be miles away from him.
"Yeah, you probably want someone prettier anyways." She snapped ad him, and curled on her side. "Thanks for the apology though, we are cool." She let out a breath, and bit her lip as he rested a hand on her leg through the blankets. The touch made her brain feel like it was in a blender, and she felt tingles along her skin, like she was going to be struck by lightening at any minute.
She was laying on the bed, his hand on her leg and in a sudden flash, she was laying across the room on the floor. And the blankets and sheets torn back to the other side of the bed. She blinked, looking around her, and Loki was laying on his stomach, near the foot of her bed. She sat up, shaking her head, and Loki blinked at her as he raised his head and she tried to put together what had happened.
"What... the fuck was that?" She asked him, and he sat up and put his back to the bed as he checked himself for injuries. He had a bruise on his right bicep, and he began to laugh, he looked like he was a beautiful disaster with his hair messy and he swallowed. He laughed harder, and turned his head toward her with his back against the footboard.
"You can wield Sedir, and it just manifested." He said, and she swallowed hard. He rubbed his face, and looked up at the ceiling. "Oh Odin, your punishment just got a bit more twisted. You gifted her magic, and left me without it. Are you done using an innocent girl as a pawn?"
"Loki..." She managed to say, but instead couldn't look at him anymore, guilt washed over her like a ton of bricks, and she just couldn't handle the look on his face as he realized that she had what he loved most. His ability to use Sorcery was all he talked as he painted the mural, and she listened to him. She wrapped her arms around her knees, and hid her face as she sat on the floor. He moved, and she figured he was leaving her. Instead, he rested a hand on her back and she blinked at him in suprise.
He sat next to her, and gave her a sad smile. And he told her without saying a word, that he did not blame her. Instead he sat next to her, and he tried to calm her back down.
"You were dying, I could see it on your skin. How frail you looked, like a gust of wind would rip your soul from you. Odin promised you a miracle, and never showed you the full truth." He said, and Loki shook his head. "He truly has a heart as empty as the throne he sits on, I am sorry you ended up another pawn to meet his ends. He did the same to me. He lied to me, did not tell me about how he stole me from the Jotun King. Instead, he raised me as his son, and lied to me. It enrages me to see him do this to you, and I will find a way to help you."
"Promise?" She asked him, and he pressed his lips together and gave her a nod. She felt like a freak then, but at least she was not alone. She leaned toward him, and he put an arm around her shoulders.
"I swear it to you, I will teach you how to control your powers." He said, and he moved closer to her. He smiled at her, and she almost fell apart at his next words. "You are not pretty Sara, you are truly beautiful. I just fear being taken away from all if you, and never seeing any of you again."
"I understand." She replied and he helped her stand up, and lifted her up to lay in her bed. He covered her, and she moved a bit of hair out of his face, his smile kind and she thought she was honestly seeing the real him for the first time. He hid himself behind a mask, and sometimes it slipped to give them glimpses of who he really was, but now it fell completely and she liked the person he was underneath.
"Could you stay? Just for tonight?" She asked him, and he nodded. He walked around the bed, and lay on the other side. Outside, the sky split open and it began to rain, but she felt safe with him next to her.