Loki's POV
It was a silent way home. Many times he questioned whether he was lost but it seemed like he was heading into the right direction. The tracks were gone but he trusted his instinct. The sounds of the forest spooked his traveling companions enough to give him silence as they all cower together… except for Monica… which seemed more intrigued to get past his wards more than anything. She must not be used to people that are able to shut them off from her, unless they were sleeping.
Could she not see their dreams?
He could feel her trying to claw her way in. Unless she knows a counter spell… she can keep trying but it is impossible. His Mastermind lock spell was his first spell he learned that he was proud of. He realized he can delve into minds easier than most, maybe because they were too easy to read… So he figured if he wanted people out of his, that it was best to master that spell. So his thoughts weren't so easy to read.
He hasn't had the need to use it for a while. He figured he was safe in a realm with no magic. But now there were three more M's instead…
Mystery, Mutants, and Murder….
He was actually rather excited to be wrong for once. Midgard wasn't boring at all, instead proving to be rather intriguing the more time he spent here.
Especially because of one thing in particular…
Well… one person…
He looked down at the small woman in his arms, sleeping ever so sweetly there. Despite looking like she was just inches from death. Even with blood all over her, not being her own. It was still adorable, for whatever reasons, it just was to him. The sight gave him a smile he didn't know he had….
Until Monica spoke up, causing his smile to quickly turn serious. Even though she couldn't see his smile or read his thoughts anymore, she still terrified him the most. She could read all his secrets in a second, her abilities were the most dangerous to him. If she could find her way through his walls, it was over. She would know everything he didn't want anyone to know.
"How much farther?"
"It shouldn't be too far now. These parts seem familiar, I remember that creek."
He looked to the small little waterfall that drizzled down into a small pond. It had lilly pads floating within it and moss around its edges. The ripples in the water glistened in the light of the moon as the drips of the water echoed throughout the forest. The sounds got louder as they approached.
He recognized the two steads he had come to know very well. Very obviously aware of their presence before he even noticed theirs. They stood by the river, watching them emerge from the darkness. Their eyes seemed to be full of caution and worry. But they seemed to abandon their caution once they spotted who was in his arms.
They walked quickly across the creek splashing through it, their sound of the water making the others finally notice their presence.
The blonde girl said,
"OOH, HORSIES!?!"
They all looked in wonder at the beautiful black and white coats of the steads before them.
How they couldn't at least see Frigga till she was right in front of them he would never understand…
She was completely obvious in the moonlight… she practically glowed…
Were they completely blind to their surroundings?
How have they lived this long?
The nose of her horse, Zeus, brushed up against her shoulder. Nudging her slightly looking to be worried about her unconsciousness. Frigga looking concerned as well.
"She will be okay. We are all safe for now."
He maneuvered Annaleise to extend a hand out to the horses. He whispered to the horses, petting Frigga to comfort her as he held Annaleise with one arm, her head on his shoulder.
Zeus looking rather disturbed by the new arrivals.
"They are with us now. Its alright, she says they wont hurt us." He mumbled to them.
He was trusting her judgment… If they turn on them, he won't hesitate to kill them. One false move, he would make it quick but painful. He won't risk her safety. They will fall dead before they could even make a move towards her. He would keep a close eye on them. Especially Monica…
He was surprised to see the horses even a little shocked by the plan as well. Then he realized he probably looked like Annaleise when she talks to animals….
He turned to see his confused comrades. As they stared at him holding awkward looks on their faces…
They don't yet understand that they have more to their world than just theirs. The animals around them have a voice too. With thoughts and feelings, much like a person. It was hard for him to grasp as well. So, he could understand their confusion and conflicts amongst themselves. For he thought the same thing when he first witnessed it himself.
He will forgive the disrespectful gazes on him this once, they will learn eventually. They won't be looking at him like that if they start doing it too…
He lifted Annaleise and placed her on Zeus' bareback. She lay sprawled out on her stomach, her arms and legs dangling on his sides. Still asleep. He felt uncomfortable leaving her like that, but he felt it would be tedious to make them catch up with him on foot if he rode with her. So, walking along with the horses it had to be. He couldn't carry her the entire time as much as he wanted to. He hardly had enough energy to walk.
He used a lot of magic and energy to heal. It takes a lot out of someone to lose that much blood trying to get out of.. something's painful grasp. Its claws were very long and sharp, they dug very deep into him. It wouldn't have been so bad if he wasn't fighting to get to her. It's claws were to keep him there, it was hard to try to keep him there he was using a lot of his god strength to get to her. But, he would have done it all over again. If her coming home was still the outcome.
Then he ended up using his Jotun blood unintentionally and had to spend a lot of healing magic on replacing his blood. Still something that shocked him, he never had much control over his Jotun blood. But, imagining them taking her and doing whatever they would have done to her… his body just reacted without him even thinking much of it. He was rather impressed with himself. The creature was still dangling off its spike, his ice didn't even start to melt before they left.
It took a lot out of him…
He was lucky he didn't trip on anything while holding her, he dragged his feet so much in exhaustion. He could hardly see straight. Now, if he trips, at least she would be on the horse.
"This way…"
He led the group forward, he kept checking on Annaleise. Keeping a hand on her back to make sure she was safe from falling off.
She didn't stir, in fact she looked comfy. They walked at the same pace. Loki tried his best to stay upright, as he led the way for the horse and the… crew…
Keeping an eye on them behind him, making sure they weren't up to something. They all looked to be too impressed with the horses…
Have they not been around horses before… They were amazed at how the horses just followed along. Nothing too special, but it excited one the most out of all of them.
"Are these your horses?!"
Said the blonde girl, excitedly.
He looked back to see her trying to pet Frigga as she walked past the girl. Frigga walked around her, moving away from her hand. He chuckled, seeing that Frigga can act indifferent to other people gave him joy. She was a different horse around him, and he loved it. As Frigga sped up, maneuvering around the others to walk beside him. Both horses on either side of him. Keeping him steady as he stumbled.
"Yes, they are ours."
"So cool! They are so pretty! What are their names? Yin and Yang?"
"What?"
He turned his head back to her confused by her question.
"You know, Yin, the spirit is actually dark, negative, and female. Yang is bright, positive and male. The opposite to your horsies. It's a Chinese emblem that is thought to maintain the harmony of the universe. A little light in darkness and a little darkness in light. Kinda like how she glows at night and he is a shadow in the day. But it's more than just on the outside, it's what's within. A little good in evil and a little evil in good. No true evil exists, evil isn't born, it's made. I didn't mean to give you the long explanation but, I just thought about how their coats were opposite. I figured the names would suit them. But, now it doesn't really make sense, since they are opposite."
"Yes. I don't quite fully understand what you said, but their names are Frigga and Zeus."
He pointed to each horse to make sure they knew which was which.
"Names of gods?"
Monica spoke up. He snapped his head back looking at her in bewilderment. She knew of Frigga?! He remembered Annaleise telling him 'Zeus' was a God's name as well. But how did she know her?!
The boy with gills spoke up.
"Although one is of Norse Mythology while the other is of Greek."
"Mythology?"
Frigga was anything but a tale. He remembered all her teachings and love. How could she be a myth?
"I assure you, my mother is no myth."
They all looked at him with confusion and awe.
"What do you mean your mother? Frigga?! That's impossible, why lie about such things."
The boy spoke once again.
"It's not impossible, my mother is Frigga. My… father is Odin, my brother is Thor… I am Loki Laufeyson, God of Mischief. For once, I'm not lying."
They all had their jaws dropped, the gill boy seeming rather disturbed by the idea. Seeming to have trouble believing it's actually him.
"Thor first came to earth in 2011. That was 12 years ago, why would Loki be here now?"
12 years?! Was that how long he was floating for?! How did he survive that long?!
Gods must be durable as hell. Space is freezing, maybe his Jotun blood found sanctuary in it and kept him alive.
He must know more, these people hold answers he needed to know more of.
"He never came back?"
"Thor?"
"Yes, he never returned to earth?"
"Only once, shouldn't YOU know that. You're his brother apparently."
"We weren't close when I left…"
"Well he didn't come back, some weird aliens showed up in New York. He was there a year later helping fight them off. He looked pretty out of it in the videos, kinda sad actually. After that incident we haven't seen him since. But if you are Loki, why are you here? Are we in danger, if so, why do you care? I thought you were a trickster with a silver tongue, why are you in the middle of nowhere? You could talk your way into royalty or at least have some allies. Hell, with the power of a god you could be a president! Why aren't you?"
"I am Loki, and I was banished. Suspended in space for… apparently 12 years. Crash landed on earth, and now talking to you mortals. So far, the only danger I care to know of and eliminate, is your leader. Full honesty, royalty doesn't suit me… I think I'm rather well off with the quiet life…"
His sincerity must have shown them. They were shocked that he was being so open. But really he just didn't want to beat around the bush, they already saw what he could do…
"You really are Loki?!"
"I hope so… don't know who else I could be."
They all looked excited and amazed, finally seeming to put the clues together. They were probably thinking of his display of powers during their battle, and how he was still standing after all that occurred. For once, he didn't feel the need to lie. They were staying with him and Anna, they might as well know what they were getting themselves into.
He still felt ill about the whole thing. Did they really have to stay in the house?
The gill boy seemed to be developing an admiration for him. As he sped up and walked alongside him, squeezing between him and Frigga. Making her move out to give space for the little fish man.
The boy looked up to him in glee as he openly tried to continue the conversation.
"It is an honor to meet you Mr. Laufeyson. My name is Kade, my friends call me Gill. I'd rather not tell you the name the others gave me. My abilities only go as far as aquatic services. I'm not very useful on land, so really I rely on my brains. I always loved to read and I know all about you! You were one of my favorite subjects to read about as a child."
"You think you know me? If you did, you would know that Loki is what I would prefer to be called."
"Well, now I do know! I'm sorry, Mr. Loki."
He rolled his eyes and sighed, he didn't feel it was necessary to correct him once more.
"Anyway, I know loads about you. You're the trickster God, you love to play tricks on your fellow gods. You can shape-shift into anyone, anything, or any gender. I know you love horses! My favorite story of yours is how you gave birth to Sleipnir."
"I BEG YOUR PARDON?!"
He looked at the young man with disdain and concern. What did he mean, gave birth?!
HOW DO THEY EVEN KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THIS?!
Where did the source come from to get that kind of information?!
"I'm so excited, I finally can ask you all the questions that kept me up at night! Did you really get down with a horse? What is labor like for a man? Do you have female parts? Did it hurt to give birth to a fowl? Did you do it as a human, were you a horse during the entire development of your child?"
His eyes were wide, he stopped walking to stare daggers into the young man. He was completely appalled by the entire thing. He couldn't believe what he just witnessed.
"Wherever you got your information… I'd like to have a word with whoever had the gull to sully my name to that extent… I created him with magic, not conception…"
"Oh… well… It is Mythology. It's probably not 100% accurate."
"You think?"
His eyes held disgust as he stared down at Kade, he continued walking on. The barn coming into view, finally ready to call it a night he hobbled speedily towards it. In hopes to escape the conversation.
He didn't want to know anything else, he was ready to kill this child for being naive, to actually believe everything he reads. He also wanted to hunt down whoever is trying to ruin the true upcomings of Loki, of himself. He needed to have a couple words with him…or her… whoever decided to kill themselves in telling such a story for many others to see… He was actually embarrassed to introduce himself to anyone now that he knows that such a story exists and it's tied to his name. How do they even know all these things about him?
Even if they are half true, it's scary that Midgardians know of him to such an extent. The least they could do if they are to tell his story, is tell it right!
They said Norse Mythology?
He had to delve deeper into this, he remembered Annaleise reading a book with the same title….
Oh gods….
I hope she doesn't believe such a ridiculous tale.
He said to himself. Worry started to seep in. He had to get his hands on that book! He had to know, how is the story told?!?
He ignored all questions or chatterings they had, as they tried to keep up with him. The horses followed his pace. He didn't care whether they were talking towards him or among themselves, he ignored it all. Before this night was over he had to know.
He put up the horses in the barn, leading them to their stalls. Taking Annaleise and carrying her to the house. The group is still following him, realizing he did not wish to speak anymore as they talked with each other. He opened the door stepping inside, holding the door as they all walked in one by one. Each one losing their abilities to speak as they stood in wonder at the beauty of the house. He wondered if he had the same face they did. They were gathered together looking rather bewildered by it all, except for Monica who couldn't give a reaction since she couldn't see it for herself. She then placed a hand on her female friend's shoulder and developed a look of disbelief herself. The red head spoke up.
"This is her home?!... Our new home?!"
"Yes."
They all gasped and awed, they spread out to take a look around. Enjoying the scenery as they perused around parts of the house. They must really like how it looked, as they giggled and pointed at everything that they seemed to haven't witnessed before.
He didn't want to continue anymore conversations, for he was very tired and wanted nothing more than to sit down and calm his mind after everything that happened. Maybe find the book once he had the chance to look.
He walked to Annaleise's bedroom, leaving everyone to continue looking around in the living room. Too distracted to even see him leave.
He pulled the covers out and placed her down on the sheets of her bed. He went to the bathroom in her room and grabbed a rag, wetting it with warm water, and came back to sit down beside her on the bed.
She still slept soundly, she didn't have any worries or troubling thoughts, for she looked at peace. He tried his best to clean her of the blood, being careful as to not wake her. He started on her cheeks, then her neck, and then he noticed the blood going farther down… he debated whether he should clean it or leave it for her to find in the morning… he didn't want to look at her bare body without her consent… But he highly doubted she would want to wake up covered in blood still.
He decided to finish wiping her mouth, the cloth dragging gently across her luscious lips. They set him in a trance as he remembered what they felt like when she placed hers on his… when they were warm and soft… when they sent shivers down his spine and made his heart race rapidly... When his head and heart were begging for more…
He shook the thoughts away, finding them improper considering her circumstances.
His face got hot as he realized either way, it had to be done, the blood was still on her chest.
He thought it best if he closed his eyes when he did it. He wouldn't be able to see if he got it all but he figured if he just wiped her whole front, it would be fine. At least most of it would be gone and she could clean up the rest in the morning.
He closed his eyes, opening the jacket that was wrapped around her. He felt the rag was cold so he went to rinse it with warm water once again. He stumbled to get to the bathroom, keeping his eyes shut committing to his previous plans. He fumbled to the bathroom, finally finding the sink, and backtracked back to the bed, careful not to peek or touch her inappropriately.
His hand touched the bed, he moved it around to make sure he was safe to sit there. It seemed to be clear.
He sat down beside her as his hand touched her hand. He traced up her arm and placed it on her shoulder. His other hand holding the now warm rag above her. He placed it on her chest, her sudden movement startled him. Jolting her body under his touch.
He opened his eyes to see her still sound asleep...
Her bare chest took up the rest of his view as he felt his ears burn and his heart hammer.
He quickly shut his eyes, trying to calm his rapid heart. The view still wildly in detail behind his eyelids. Her beautiful white hair, flowing around her breasts… plump and soft looking… her nipples, a lovely pink color he could never get sick of… he fought everything in him not to open his eyes once more…
He realized why those men out there had the looks on their faces when they looked at her. She was alluring, intoxicating, the sight of her very body made one ache for more… and that made it difficult to let the men stay in the house at all…
They can sleep in the barn… She can feed them on the porch…
He took the opportunity in his raging thoughts to occupy his brain instead of the latter…. The one that would make him do indecent things… at the worst time…
He quickly wiped her front off, trying to ignore when her soft skin touched his and her breasts would graze on his hand causing her to jolt and moan in her sleep…
He had to get out of there…
He covered her up with the jacket, then the covers, and walked towards the door. Only to feel his face slam into a hard object in his path…
He still had his eyes shut… He opened them to see he missed the door and hit the wall beside it…
He hung his head low in disappointment…
What has this woman done to him?!
He peeked back to see she was sleeping… Thanking every God that exists that nobody ever saw that…
He will bury this forever nobody will ever know of this moment… He couldn't believe how this was affecting him… he couldn't believe how weak he had become over such…
such…
A beautiful creature…
The most beautiful thing he has ever seen…
How is that possible?...
How could that be true?
There must be something that holds more importance… more beautiful than her…
But nothing…
Nothing came close at all…
How can someone so amazing fall into his path?
…
No… He fell into hers… So much has changed… He had changed… He was staring at a wall feeling completely defeated… for a battle he willingly lost to…
He fought… really hard in his head to deny his feelings… but when he fought harder on a battlefield… Not caring for his own life or safety… only hers… her life mattered most… He couldn't deny the facts now…
He was in love… completely… He had fallen hard… Not just on this planet's crust…
He fell and she caught him, she picked him up, and she did her best to heal him. Not knowing who he was or what he could do, she did everything in her power to make sure a complete stranger was okay… She finally knew of his past, knew of every terrible thing about him and didn't care… She still didn't fear him… she stared into his face and screamed at him…
The thought made him huff in a small form of joy, a small smile tracing his lips.
She knew full well her power couldn't uphold his… That he could probably throw her all the way to Grindlewood… and yet… she was angry at her friend for being an idiot… Unafraid… and brutally honest…
She still wanted to be there for him, she wanted to stay by his side regardless of all the things he did. She wanted to comfort him when it was over… but how can someone comfort him after knowing that kind of truth? When they might need to comfort themselves after just hearing it all. He was a monster… but she didn't believe it… which amazed him the most…
How she doesn't see him as a monster at all.
If it had been anyone else, they would shun him, abandon him, torture him, or maybe even attempt to execute him…
She did nothing but yell at him, then shortly after some horror… kissed him…
What did it mean?!?! Was she confused?!?! Was she delusional from her head injury!?!?!
The purest and most honest he has ever been and it was all for her…
Of course he had to confess his love for her the moment after she got a concussion…
Which actually started to worry him on whether she should be sleeping… Head injuries were tricky… even with magic…
He thought it best to maybe stay by her side just in case. He will help the others find a place to sleep after he makes sure she's alright…
Doing his best to keep his personal feelings and infatuation to himself as he watched over her in her slumber. Making sure death wouldn't steal her from him, while he wasn't looking.
Annaleise's POV
She woke up to a light breath breathing not too far from her ear. The light was bright as she adjusted her eyes. The sunlight shining through the cracks I'm her window and the plywood. She needed to replace the window before Fall came rolling in, there were 2 months left.
Once she could finally fully open her eyes she looked over to see Loki passed out. His face was close and it was at peace.
His presence in her room and not too far from his face, surprised her as she suddenly sprung up. She looked down at him, he was completely on the floor, only his head and arms on the bed. His one hand resting on hers, the other higher on her arm. Her movement stirred him as his eyes started to flutter open. She felt it was rather breezy…
She looked down at her chest and realized the jacket fell off of her in her sudden movement. She covered herself and quickly jumped out of the bed racing to the bathroom.
She hid behind the door as she swiftly shut it.
She heard his panic begin to sound in his voice on the other side of the door.
"Annaleise, are you okay?!"
"I'm fine! Just indecent!"
She shouted through the door. He was silent on the other side, he seemed to be thinking of his words before he spoke once more.
"It was a crazy night, you will probably want to wash the blood off. Take a shower and get freshened up. We can greet the goons, hopefully they didn't get lost in the house… I honestly forgot about them, I passed out after all the energy I used. You seemed pretty worn out too. I hope I didn't hurt you or make you uncomfortable last night, I tried my best to make you feel better. I wanted you to feel good when you woke up. I hope you got plenty of rest, you'll need your energy for today. There's a lot to talk about and do, I hope you're up for it. I'll be in the other room, see you in a bit. I'll try to get breakfast prepared."
She heard his footsteps leave towards the exit as the door opens and shuts, she was left to sit in her silent panic…
Which is what it was… or was it anxiety…. No…
Whatever was causing her face to turn so red and her heart beating so loud she could hear it in her ears. She was in complete overload…
Crazy night?!
What did they do to get too tired?!?!
What did he mean he hoped he didn't hurt her?!?
He wanted to make her feel good?!?!?
Is that why she was half naked!?!?
Why was he on the floor if they did that kind of thing?!?!
Why is it all a blur?!
She rested her hands on her face, patting her cheeks as they were burning from embarrassment.
How could she forget her first time?!?! She was hoping it would be a magical moment she could treasure with someone she loved!
Was that him?!… Did she love him?!... What did they do?!?!... What even happened?!?!
Why doesn't she remember?!?!
The last thing she remembered going for a ride on Zeus after their talk. The farther she tried to dive into her memories the more her ears started to ring and a headache began to form between her eyes. It was beginning to frustrate her so she chose to move on from it as it was only causing more harm than good. She couldn't remember anything…
She reevaluated everything he said… and started checking herself all over for the blood he spoke of.
Traces of it we're going down her chest to her stomach. She found some of it around her mouth looking in the mirror, she started to move her tongue around feeling something being wedged in her teeth. She pulled out a piece of meat, it looked like. With black thread attached to it, that kept coming out of her mouth. Eventually the string was starting to tug down her throat making her gag. She pulled harder, forcing whatever it was attached to, being lodged in her throat, to come out... it looked like… A fingertip… was attached to the string….
WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?!?!
IS THIS HIS FINGER!?!?
WHY THE HELL IS THERE EVEN A FINGER IN HER THROAT?!?!
IS HE NOT MAD IF THIS IS HIS FINGER?!?!
CAN HE REGROW HIS BACK, IS THAT POSSIBLE FOR A GOD?!?
WHAT THE FUCK DOES SHE DO WITH IT?!?!
GIVE IT BACK?!
IS THIS WHY THERE WAS BLOOD ON HER?!?!
WHAT THE FUCKING HELL HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?!?!
Her mind was in full blown panic. What the hell is she supposed to do with this dilemma? How can she think of a rational explanation?! How could this be a normal thing to ask about?! How is she supposed to ask if he wants his finger back?!?
She placed the finger on the counter, trying not to feel sick at the thought of its origins…
She decided it was best to get a shower and clear her head. She stepped into the tub. Turning on the water and drowning her head in it, not even caring if it's cold. The water turning warmer, she tried calming her rapid heart and mind of all possible theories and explanations to put anything together… to make something make sense… because none of it did… the only question she heard the most in her head…
What the fuck happened?...
The only thing she could do to get her answer is to ask that very question…
She won't stop till she finds out what really happened…
To talk to the only other person that knew…
Loki…
I'm coming for you.
There was one thing that made sense… They had much to discuss today.