Warning! This episode has contents of violence and depictions of Rape! May be sesitive for some readers.

Annaleise's POV

Her heart was hammering as she raced through the forest on Zeus. He wanted to see how fast he could go, so she told him to just run and she would hold on.

Her lungs felt like they were to burst from her rapid breathing and constant wails. She felt awful. The run should be making her feel better, not worse. So she asked him to go faster. She felt like she was running away with how hard she was pushing him.

Trees zoomed past as they bobbed and weaved through the limbs and trees. The light of the moon grazes them every so often though the openings the light can slip between.

Her vision blurry from her tears as she desperately wiped them away. She held on to his mane, and clenched her legs to hold tight despite the speeds of his gallop causing her to bounce.

She didn't know what to think anymore. He wasn't the man she thought. He kept becoming more and more like someone she should run away from. So, why is going farther away, making it become more difficult?

She should be running for her life, but she's only running from her guilt.

She felt so horrible for the things she said to him. She knew how bad those words would affect him but said it anyway.

Why did she care?

Why was his feelings placed in such a high regard?

Why couldn't she be logical and realize that maybe he was dangerous?

But after knowing all this… she didn't care…

BUT SHE SHOULD!

He masicured a planet, trying to destroy all life on it… men…women… and children! Of his own race without any remorse or empathy. He was the reason for his brothers… murder? He's still alive… but he tried to kill one of his adopted family… and actually murdered his father… even if he did deserve it…

He even killed people on earth, right in front of her. Although she wasn't conscious while it happened.

Still…

He should be someone she should be running from.

But, she wanted to turn around and hold him more than anything…

She should be mad, upset, or devastated by his actions. But she only felt like she didn't handle it like she really wanted to. She wanted to forgive him. She wanted to keep seeing him. She promised she would, but it's more than keeping her promise.

She wanted to forgive him anyway, despite the horrible things.

Because that man he described himself to be, didn't seem at all like the man she has come to know…

His rudeness became kindness, his anger calmed, his touches were gentle instead of rough, he saved her life, and continued to be caring. He's become more thoughtful and he smiles a lot more than when they first met.

Despite his internal war.

She could tell a lot of the time he didn't understand his own actions, like he was being someone he wasn't used to. His kindness came at a slow pace for it was something he wasn't used to giving, but he tried anyway. He could have only changed his ways to be able to blend in, but she could tell he wanted to genuinely.

He was genuinely desiring to change, she didn't know his reason but she felt he did it for a purpose. She could see his guilt. He might have not felt it when he did those things at the time, but she could see it.

There were so many times he looked guilty, mostly in her words or actions that she didn't think much on… she just did them…but she never knew why he felt guilty for receiving anything…

Normally people would be grateful or turn greedy. But he was saddened by her gestures…

Until she was sitting in front of him, at dinner. She could tell he was wallowing in his guilt, afraid to show this side to her because of how she would react. And she did just that… react… the worst way possible….

She didn't even mean what she said… she just thought she should say it… she thought this is what she is supposed to be doing… running… This is how you're supposed to react to that news… right?

But It didn't feel right at all… She wanted to comfort him. She wanted to make him feel safe… she wanted him to feel like he was home…

BUT WHY?!?!

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HER?!

Then her thoughts abruptly stopped.

She didn't know what happened next as the world went black.

Loki's POV

Where is she?!

He pushed Frigga, trying to get her to run and follow the hoof prints till there were no more; he lost the trail running too fast. There were so many turns they took, it was hard to track. He had to stop getting off the horse and find them again. He tried to use his magic to light his path, but he couldn't find them. He searched and searched, they were gone. The forest looked the same everywhere in its darkness. He cursed out with a frustrated growl that left him as his fist shook in anger.

How was he to find them?

A snap of a twig behind him caught his attention. He looked into the darkness searching in its silence. It was way too quiet, even the bugs didn't make a sound. The eerie feeling he was being watched nagged at him.

Till the neigh of his horse caught his attention as another sound charged towards them. It galloped to them. Its big feet got louder as it got closer. He had his new dagger at the ready, but recognized the black stead coming towards him. He can see some of his coat shimmer very little in the light and disappear as he enters the shadows. But it was Zeus… only…

Annaleise wasn't with him.

The horse got close enough to Frigga but wouldn't even look at Loki. He looked to be In a panic, which only made him worry more.

He got right up to Zeus as he tried his best to calm him in his approach.

"E-Easy boy, please I want to find Annaleise. Can you show me where she is?"

He finally looked at him, as he tilted his head in the direction he came from. He wanted him to follow… good…

but it still worried him how the horse didn't slow down to wait for him. Whatever caused it's worry, probably came with a good reason….

Annaleise's POV

She awoke with a drip on her cheek… and another… and a couple more… The clouds hung heavy over the sky. As she held her hands up to cover her face from the water that fell from the stormy clouds that came in with a breeze, a slight Thunder heard from a distance.

Why was there suddenly rain? It wasn't stormy a minute ago.

How long was she here for?

Wait… where was here?

Why was she on the ground?

Wasn't she with Zeus?

She sat up and winced as her head throbbed, she put her hand to her head to graze something wet and it stung to the touch.

"Ahh owww…"

That explains most of it. She was stupid enough to not watch out for a tree. The blood dripped down her head across her face. It was a deep cut.

"Shit."

The rain started to hit from a sprinkle to a roar.

She wobbled getting up as she leant all her weight to the nearest tree. Once she was able to see the world not spinning so much she attempted to move. Wobbling in any direction she could to the nearest tree, trying to climb out of the ditch she fell in. She knew she slid a ways down from the soreness, being covered in dirt, and the trail she made in the leaves with her body. She huffed in breaths as she climbed its steepness, trying not to fall from the now forming mud. Switching hands to hold over her face to see through the now heavy rain, using the other to grab things to help her up the hill.

Once she was at the top she tried to see through all the downpour to get her bearings.

The Thunder started to ring heavy in the sky, it's roar echoing among the trees.

Why did it get so bad so fast?

Before she could even think another thought an arm grabbed her from behind holding a tight grip around her neck.

"There you are!"

The sound of the man's voice sent shivers down her spine. His murderous intent radiating out of the vibrations in his smooth yet tender voice.

"Do you know how long we've searched for you? How long it took to find your damn house? It was a maze! FINALLY, you run off and do something stupid on the night we find it. What luck!"

Her heart pounded in her ears as her anxiety filled her to the point she was shivering. His voice almost sounded familiar, but she couldn't put a face to it.

"Awww, don't be frightened, little rabbit. We will take you home, you just need to take a quick visit to someone… who's been… absolutely DYING to meet you…"

His voice was venomous whispering in her ear. It made her boil in a rage as the rain around them started to disappear.

"Like my little gift, it makes it hard to detect me, if you can't hear me through the rain… Don't worry though, no one will be able to hear your screams through my storms. So, don't waste your breath."

"You better hold on to yours while you still have it."

She said with a cold tone.

"Ahhh, so the rabbit can snap back."

"She can do more than that… if you don't walk away…right now…"

She said struggling to breath as he slowly tightened his grip around her neck. She had more bark than bite, she was so dizzy she couldn't see straight.

"I like your vigor, Rabbit. But your not going anywhere this time, he's tired of waiting. You are one of the last. If you don't go, I will take your place. Hate to do it to you though… such a pretty face."

He said, grabbing her chin. Forcing her still as he licked along her cheek. Seeming to enjoy the taste of her blood in his mouth. She tried to shake herself from his grip, disgusted by his actions.

"You know… it really sucked watching you from a distance. You could never quite see your beauty from that far. Taste you, touch your body, or… smell your sweet scent…"

He breathed it in, placing his nose on her neck deep in her hair, sighing and quivering in his breath like her scent was intoxicating. His free hand moved around her waist grabbing her hips roughly as he pulled her closer to his obvious arousal… it sickened her to her stomach…

"I think I might just have a little fun before we go. The 'not hearing your screams' part sounds rather fun to me now."

Her face grew pale. She shook violently in his grip screaming and squirming desperately in his grasp. Fighting as hard as she could with her vision going dark.

"N-No! Don't you dare! Let me go!!!"

Her screams seemed unjustified. He shoved her and he pinned her to the ground. Her back facing him as he ripped her wet clothes on her back. Making her want to desperately get away. Her heart was all she heard as her own voice became useless to her. Her consciousness fading…but her burning desire to get away, fighting to keep her awake.

The rain and thunder surrounded them, covering her screams from echoing farther from their circle. She wailed out crying, hoping, and begging for this to end. One thought came to mind. And she wanted so badly for him to come when she needed him most.

"LOKI!!!"

She screamed as loud as she could. As the man behind her started to try to get her pants off, she was squirming too much to try it and let her arms free at the same time.

"Quiet now, didn't I say screaming was useless. Nobody knows you're here, but me. So just shut up and enjoy it, it will be over soo-"

His words were cut off by his own choking, like something flowed in his throat keeping him from speaking. He sputtered as he tried to get out words. She could finally breathe, her screams and cries no longer necessary since his grip was gone.

"But…I-.. gurgle* You're…"

"I am Death. Coming to rip your soul from this world for daring to lay your filthy hands on her…"

His voice, familiar, yet deadly as he spoke. The most thankful she could ever be to hear that voice.

The man gasping for air screamed louder and louder as his voice became more gurgled. A tongue landed among the leaves ahead of her. As his screams drowned in his own blood. He fell on his back choking beside her, gasping as his body jerked and twitched. Till he was still on the ground, life drained from his eyes.

She finally saw his face and screamed out in horror and relief….

Tears leaving her eyes, their flow constant as she wails in the silence of the forest. Since the storms calmed once his body laid still…

It was Keith… the dead man in front of her… was a man she saw before.

He looked kind when she first met him… she never thought he could be capable of…

She wailed more as she buried her face in her hands. She felt a warmth cover her back as she cried to herself in what was left of her wet clothes on the soggy ground. His hand graced her back as he kneeled beside her.

"Shhh, it's okay… I'm here…"

She sat up and embraced him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as she cried on his shoulder. Within an instant, he pulled her in and squeezed her so tightly but gentle at the same time. Letting her cry in his hold.

He then picked up her legs as he carried her, walking to the direction of the house she assumed. He walked past the horses, leaving the body where it lay. Her cries and wails calmed in his caress, as he leaned his head on hers. Holding her close, making sure she wasn't leaving his grasp.

"I hope his death was painful…"

His voice grumbled, a deep growl leaving his chest, she felt his heart quicken in his rage.

She grazed her hands along his chest sliding it up to caress his cheek. His heart started to hammer as he stopped and looked down at her. His tight face relaxed as she stared up at him. The last of her tears falling from her eyes and she sniffled her nose clear.

"Thank you, Loki… you can put me down."

He let her down gently as his hand remained a comfort on her back. The other resting on her shoulder to keep her steady.

"Are you okay? Did he do this?!?"

Holding her face in his hands as he looked at the gash on her head. Focusing his magic, she felt it tingle as its pain left her, in the small green glow that came as fast as it went.

"No… I think a tree knocked me off Zeus before I could see it… my mind was… somewhere else…"

Her pain on her head was gone, but the fear in her chest wouldn't leave her. Her heart was still pounding after all that she witnessed.

"How did you find me?"

"Zeus… he led me close to you… the rain made it difficult but once I heard your shout I was able to spot you… and him… I didn't think he was capable…"

He looked full of hate as he looked in the direction of Keith's body… He looked back to her with curious yet harsh eyes. Those brilliant green eyes…

"How was he able to best you?"

"He came from behind… I couldn't see or hear him from the rain…"

"THE COWARD!"

His grip tightened on her shoulders, not enough to hurt her, but enough to feel his anger.

His touch making shivers, not feeling the cold wind on her wet skin under the jacket. Not when she only felt warmth coming from his touch...

His flat out disgust showed on his face, for the man that lies dead now. His lips curved downward in his disdain. His thin but wildly alluring lips…

"He dares touch you, dares to put you through that! The little coward… he would take it by force rather than earn a woman's body. The vile little vermin… he deserved what he got…"

She realized his big jacket that rested on her shoulders, what once was her father's, smelled like him now. Its scent calmed her as she breathed it in. As Loki fumed in his still impending wrath on a dead man.

She looked up at him, thankful for his worry and care. She didn't even bat an eye at his bloodstained face. She smiled wildly as she placed both of her hands on his face, smearing the blood away with her hands. Shocking him in her gesture. He looked at her calmer than before. She brushed his long, soft, black locks away from his face as she spoke.

"I'm so sorry."

He pulled her hands away holding them in his grasp as he looked at her with an expression unrecognizable.

"By the Nine, what could you possibly be sorry for?! He petrified you, threatened to harm you! You have done nothing to apologize for!"

"Not for that… Thank you for saving me… again… but I'm sorry I keep doing this to you…"

"Doing what?"

"Making you worry… putting you in danger... hurting you… saying what I said… I didn't mean it…"

she lingered with every statement feeling more of a burden to him than anything...

But... he didnt look at her with hate, disdain, or anger...

He looked at her with nothing but sincerity.

He paused in thought, he was preparing his words for her. He spoke with an expression of a true genuine smile with a serious yet caring tone.

"The thing is, I know what I've done cannot be forgotten overnight. I know I can't erase my mistakes, I must live with them. I accept that I am a monster, it is what I was… It is what I am... I kill without remorse, I enjoy seeing the blood as it leaves my foes that dare to harm you... So... If I must be one, I will... only for your sake... to protect you and keep you safe... Your words spoke the truth I needed to hear. Those words came from my own voice, but I never listened them… only through you could I learn to see… even if it wasn't true, your words inspire me to be better… You inspire me to see more to me than just a Monster. It is you, who still chose to warm me in my coldness. It is you, who thawed my icy heart with your gentle embracing flames. Your presence has been my punishment and my passion. You make me passionate enough to worship the ground you walk on, as if you were a God... Just by you being yourself, and treating me like I'm not a Monster. Like I can be more... But, you're still my punishment, for all the things that I have done... I can never truly have you like I want you... For, I'm not worthy of it... A Beauty like yours should never be worthy for a Monster like me."

His words were so pure, theres no way they were a lie...

W-What does that mean? He sounds so tender, so sweet, it's hard to believe it's really Loki.

"What… What are you saying?..."

The moon shimmered its light over them as she gazed deep into his eyes. His face holds the most genuine, but beautiful smile she has ever seen on him or any man. It fades as he begins to speak once more.

"The truth is I worry all the time… not just for your safety… I worry you will want me to leave. I worry what you say, that your words will someday turn cold. I worry that my presence will make you turn hateful… But.. No matter how much I worry, you still keep smiling at me with your contagious smile. Your words are still kind, you're still full of joy… my ice doesn't put out your flames… You won't turn me away no matter how far I go… No matter how much blood is on my hands, there's not even a smidge of fear or hate in your eyes when you look at me."

His words touched her as her heartbeat was echoing in her ears as she thought of his words. This echo of her heart didn't bring her fear like before. It brought her joy.

A joy she hasn't felt before…

Her eyes stared intently at his, as she wondered.

What does he mean by them?

Why is he saying them?

The words she spoke next, didn't even have to be thought of. She knew them to be true.

"I don't want you to leave… I couldn't bear to see you go… you mean too much to me..."

His breath shook when it left him, a sigh of relief as he looked content by her words.

"There's something you need to know… something I haven't had the words to say till now…"

She gave him his full undivided attention as she stared up at him in curiosity. Clutching his big jacket wrapping it tightly around her as the wind gently grazed her hair and clothes in its wetness. Causing her to shiver.

"But… it can wait… I'd rather you not catch your death out here…"

"Please…"

She reached for him as he tried to lead her to the safety of the house…

Loki's POV

He turned back around and looked down at her lost gaze. She looked up at him with her face red as can be.

"I want to know…"

A grin traced his lips, she looked almost ready to pout. It made her open for him to want to tease her.

"Why so impatient?"

"Is it important?"

"Not important enough to risk you catching death out here…"

"But.."

Her hand graced her lips and she looked away deep in thought.

"It almost sounded like… you were going to tell me something I really want to hear…"

Why did she look so damn adorable in her weakest state!?

Her white hair wet and clinging to her skin, the last of her shirt hanging on her hips as she tightly held onto his jacket to cover her top half, that was five times her size. A little of her blood is still on her face. She was shivering, but still looking at him with her curious eyes.

She looked like a mess.. a beautiful mess…

At least she was smiling…

He couldn't stand the look she had before.

Her look of pain and terror… he wished he could use necromancy to bring him back to life. Torturing him over and over never letting him die, living in a never ending life of pain… He was lucky to be dead… if he had lived there's no telling what sufferings that man would have gone through if he had the chance.

Seeing that man lie on top of her, trying to defile her… watching as her screams meant so little… the screams he can't get out of his head… It helped him to realize more than ever how precious she was to him… How he would not rest till all the dangers that wish to harm her are gone from this world… He didn't want anyone to take her and her warmth… He would do anything to make sure she could keep her smile…

Now he didn't want to live another moment without her not knowing how she made him feel…

For he felt so much.. all because of her…

"Annaleise… I know not how to truly say what I am, besides, what I am. I have always been Loki, The God of Mischief. Since the moment I was born, it was the path destined for me. Lies, deception, and trickery. I feel that, had I not landed on this planet and met you, I could have done more harm than good. I would have done more terrible things for myself or someone else… I know not of what the future holds for us now or what we can expect of it. I will not know how time affects the world or the other people in it. But… I do know that I want you to be present within my life during that future… with you present… It seems like a future in which I could feel true happiness… happiness I feel I don't deserve… We can have adventures to live for and dangers to face, though my biggest regret would be pulling you away from a life you want to live… However, it doesn't seem to be the case here. It doesn't seem you are getting the joy out of life you deserve. You looked sad and lonely when we first met. So, I don't know if it's me or the things we have been doing together that have changed your mood… but I do feel like I have a profound effect on you. I know from seeing it that I want nothing more than for it to continue… I can't guarantee a normal, happy life… but I can and will protect you… I will keep you alive with every fiber of my being… because I want to continue to have an effect on you. To see how much you grow and progress as a person, from love and support that you haven't gotten in your time living alone…I want to be the person you fall on when it gets hard… I want to be the person that you come to with things that bother you… any worries or doubts… same as you do for me… I want to be the person that is able to look at you in your galaxy eyes and tell you what you are, Anna… You are beautiful. You are kind. You are sweet. You are funny. I want to be able to reassure you of these things because I know them to be true. I know them all to be defining features of you…"

His hands came and rested on her cheeks once more as he looked intensely into her blue orbs. That looked full of tears of joy.

"All of you, that I can never learn to live without. That I don't feel worthy of… but it is wrong to leave you in the dark of my feelings… for I don't wish to overstep my welcome…I cannot live under your roof without you being aware of it… and it's fine if you don't feel the same… But… The woman I have come to admire and respect… The woman that never seems to leave my thoughts… The woman that found a way to make a God change his morals and desires… Has become a woman I can't get enough of… the woman I don't want a world without her in it… no one… has made me feel, like you do… I have truly lost my mind… because for the first time… I truly learned how to feel… to feel for another, more than myself… and it is all for a mortal woman… for you…"

His words choked in his attempt to release them. The answer to all his questions, that have been nagging him every night. The one thing he tried to deny for so long. He cleared his throat, trying his best to say the words he never thought he'd hear himself to say. For they were the most foreign words to him… until now…

"I think… I think I love you… Annaleise."

She looked shocked in his hands. His sincerity might have broken her brain in seconds. His own has been like this since he stumbled upon her, long gone... He felt he was really losing his mind sitting in all his denial. After finally saying those words though, it felt like a huge weight had left him. He felt finally free from his heart and mind, speaking his truth.

His thoughts from his mind were erased in an instant… as he felt lips on his…

They were soft and warm, they were gentle and they fit on his perfectly.

His breath was lost, his mind in a haze. He was completely flabbergasted… he couldn't move…

Until he felt her grip she had around his neck begin to fall. She started to collapse, he quickly reacted to catch her. She fell into his arms completely in a slump. She almost seemed lifeless.

"Annaleise?!"

He looked at her all over trying to see what was wrong. She was breathing but looked to be dead asleep.

Did she faint?! What happened?!?

Why did he suddenly get kissed!?!?

And why… did he… want more…?!

He suddenly couldn't stop staring at her lovely lips...

He shook his head, giving himself a hard tap to his face.

She was still unconscious, he had no right to be thinking these thoughts at a time like this.

Something was off… the horses were suddenly in a panic, the forest was deadly still.

He shook her lightly trying to get her to respond, but she was completely out of it. Then he saw something sticking out at the back of her neck…

"What the…"

He leaned her over to inspect it. It was metal with a vile attached to it. He pulled it from her skin to see it drip with a mix of her blood and whatever substance it contains.

She definitely didn't pass out willingly…

He turned his vision violently throughout the forest….

They weren't alone anymore…