#lokioc

She entered the room without knocking, which seemed to irritate the man working on Loki’s arm. He was wearing gloves, but other than that his clothes were very strange for practicing medicine. They looked sort of mystical, and he wore a maroon cloak. He had just given stitches where he could, and was starting to wrap the arm in a bandage. The sight of Loki’s mutilated arm made her nauseous once more. “So, What happened?” Alexa asked groggily.

Tony turned to her. “Dear god kid sit down you look hideous.”

Alexa complied, sinking her body into a chair. She held her head in her hands and watched Loki’s unconscious body as if waiting for him to do something. Apparently, she’d been staring motionless for a while, and soon the doctor was watching her. “Hey.” He snapped his fingers to get her to look at him. She squinted up at him as he flashed a small light at each of her eyes. “Did you hit your head?” He asked.

“Yes. On a tree in the park,” she said groggily. 

The man turned to Tony. “Well, that one has a concussion. Pretty badly. She needs rest and Tylenol. This one will heal and the stitches are the type that will fall out on their own so you don’t have to do anything to them.” 

Alexa remembered her other ailment before the doctor left. All she mustered up was “my shoulder too…” 

The doctor walked over and pulled up the sleeve of her t-shirt. He sighed, then held out her arm and moved it different directions. She winced. “There’s nothing broken or out of place. You might have lightly sprained it though given the level of pain.” He reached into a large bag he’d brought, and it shimmered with gold sparks as he pulled something out. 

Am I hallucinating…? Alexa thought.

She felt the man put her in the sling as she grimaced in pain. “Keep that on for 2 weeks, give or take depending on how fast you heal.” She nodded, and she saw him talking to Tony now, before going out to the balcony and… flying away?

She turned to Tony, who was helping her up. “Time to go to your room kid.” He said, guiding her to the elevator. 

“I can do it…” she grumbled and pressed the button. Everything felt fuzzy. Alexa felt like a captive in her own body.

She didn’t have the energy to stay awake, but she knew that if she got some charge that she’d heal much faster. She always had. So she took her pillow and set it against her balcony railing, and sat down leaning against it and feeling the evening breeze flow over her skin like waves. The moon was already out, and her veins began to take it in. She instantly felt her mind clear, as if the rain clouds had dispersed. She also felt the pain in her shoulder weaken. It was a wave of overall relief, as she watched the lights of the city move and twinkle.

She woke up in the middle of the night. Had she really fallen asleep on the balcony? Her legs shifted uncomfortably as she stood up, stomping her feet to regain their feeling. She looked at her arm, still slung loosely against her body. The memories of the day before flooded back and a wave of anxiety and exhaustion fell over her mind. Where was Loki now? Was he cuffed to a med bed or was he returned to his cell… and how did he escape in the first place? And why? She had so many questions, she felt like she couldn’t process them all.

Alexa stumbled down the hall after taking the elevator. She saw light drifting out of his cell. Yes, maybe he’s here… she thought.

Sure enough, there he was, lying once more on his tiny mattress. This time though, his injured arm was sprawled out to the side of him, probably to avoid the pain of accidentally rolling onto it. For a moment, she stood there, just looking at him through the one-way wall.

She wanted to stay here. Right here. Not wake him up, or ask him anything. Not continue the dramatic shit-fest.

She just wanted to lay where she could see him and know he was there, that he was the same person she had spent the night with.

She wanted to freeze this moment and stay in it. Suddenly, she had an idea, and realized how weird it was… but didn’t care. If I want to stay here damn it I’m going to.

Fully aware of her clouded judgment, she took the elevator up to her room and summoned her bedding to follow her. She walked it to the cell hall, and looking like a ghost made of bed, it followed. It lied down on the floor for her. She wrapped herself in, and her pillow fluffed itself under her sore neck until she was perfectly comfortable.

She lied there, as close to the wall as she could be, and watched Loki as he slowly breathed in and out, his resting face towards her. She felt that ache again... that pull in her chest. As if her soul was pulling her into the cell where Tony’s captive slept. 

She then wondered what it would be like if Loki was free, would they have still come together?

Then she recalled the things he had said to her... how hurtful he had been. And still, Alexa decided that she needed to give him another chance. Something about this, all of this, was off. Nothing quite added together in a way that made sense.

But yet, nothing really did. Her mind felt as if scrambled eggs had replaced her brain cells. She decided to stop trying to think things through- it was giving her a headache, so her mind began to wander. 

Oh god…Alexa thought. She desperately tried to figure out what he was feeling. 

“I’m sorry Loki I shouldn’t have…”

She was cut off. “No. It’s not that…”

His eyes returned to hers. His face appeared a mix of anger, frustration, anxiety, sadness.

Alexa was about to speak when he came out with, “Are you real. Is this real. I can’t do this again. Every horrid thing in my life has begun under the guise of love. Falling for it again instead of continuing my content solitude…I hate it. I know I’m just going to be hurt again and made to look like a fool.” his voice was almost a whisper.

Alexa looked at him. “I know.” Her voice cracked as she tried to hold back tears. “I feel that way too.” 

He looked up at her, looking out of breath as if anxiety would overtake him at any moment.

 “But I’ve chosen to try for more than contentment in solitude.” She placed her hand on his cheek. He seemed to melt into it, closing his eyes and barely pushing his face into her palm. “My life only has a few moments, remember?” Alexa said with a tearful grin. “Loki…if I ever hurt you I would probably want to give up the rest of my moments…for being like all the other thorns in your life… it would cause me so much guilt and pain that the rest of my moments would be too miserable to continue on with.” 

Her words seemed to help him while also overwhelming him, to have someone who appeared to care so much.

They sat in silence for a moment. Loki still seemed anxious. 

“Hey… let's get you to sleep.” She said in the most gentle voice she could. “We might be able to eat breakfast together tomorrow.” Her gentle smile caught his eyes and caused him to relax some of his tense muscles. He closed his eyes and nodded, stood and made his way to the bed, his strong feet padding across the hard floor. 

As he pulled himself under the blankets and used his magic to get undressed, Alexa went to her bedside table and pulled out a spare mobile charger that she’d kept plugged in all day to help her get through the night. Her jacket was already slung over her arm and she shoved the charger into her small black purse. “Goodnight Loki,” she said in the warmest tone she could.

He didn’t say anything. As she reached the door, she found it was locked.

What the...she yanked harder at the knob.

For a moment she was concerned until she saw the green glow the doorknob shined with. She slowly turned around and raised her eyebrows at the man who lied in her bed on his side, staring at her with a shit-eating grin.

“Oh, problems with the door, Petal? That’s a shame. I guess you’ll have to stay.” She just realized how sexy his accent was, and it seemed to come on stronger at times. Like now.

“Loki.” Alexa rolled her eyes.

“What?”

“….LLLoki”

He raised his eyebrows innocently.

Without breaking eye contact she placed her hand on the doorknob and jiggled it violently.

He was holding back his laughter.

“Boy!” she said with a laugh.

Loki shrugged and rolled over, his face now out of her view.

“Ok no fuck you. I’m not your prisoner bitch your mine!” Alexa said, laughing.

No response. Though she knew he was laughing to himself.

“Loki!”

No response still.

Something small hit the back of his head. Loki’s hand flew up and felt where it hit, looking around now “What was…”

Another hit.

“Hey!” He said sitting up and looking around, only to see a skittle fly and thump his forehead. He looked at Alexa, who was directing another one from a distance with her finger, not breaking eye contact with him. Her face was smug, her eyebrows raised, and her smile growing. As another began to fling, Loki used his own power and held it back, launching it back at its sender. It hit her hip.

“Oh, bitch you wanna go? Ok, we’re going then” Alexa said, her voice was full of laughter.

This was a side of her Loki hadn’t seen… she was using so much Midguardian slang it seemed that she was finally truly relaxed, and more importantly, having fun.

Loki jumped out of bed, holding a pillow as a shield. 7 or 8 skittles flew at him, a couple hitting him but most he blocked with his pillow. He launched some back, and their room was filled with laughter.

It was beautiful. How these two were so happy with one another. Both of their lives were filled with sorrow and misery, tragedy, and loneliness. But here they were,

throwing candy at each other.

Loki managed to lift an entire bowl of MnMs with his powers and maneuver them without Alexa seeing. 

“Ahh!” She let out a squeal as the entire bowl dumped on her head, cold candies falling in her shirt. “Ok, ok you win!” She said laughing, shaking the candy off and looking at the mess around her. Loki’s eyes were so happy. She realized this was likely the only bit of real fun he’d gotten in months.

They laughed and caught their breath for a moment before Loki realized the waste they’d created. “I’m sorry about your sweets...”

“Oh don't worry. If we ate all that we’d end up with heart disease. Did you know that’s the number one killer in this country? I mean honestly, if that maniac wants half the life to die he just needs to help McDonald’s go intergalactic...” 

She paused, realizing that shed just brought up Loki’s torturer out of nowhere. She paused and facepalmed herself. “I... I am so sorry. I should not have brought that up that was so-”

Loki stopped her. “It’s alright Petal.” he was giggling at her social clumsiness and didn’t seem too bothered.

With a swirl of Alexa’s fingers, all of the candy flew off of the floor and into the trash can, and the bowls flew to the sink.

Before she could start to assert that really, it was time for her to go, he was in front of her again, once more making her jump.

“Stay” was all Loki said. Alexa looked up at him. “Loki, I need to go charge and…”

“Don’t,” he said it lightly. He was smiling. This wasn’t like a command. It was a request made from someone who was grateful for their few moments and wanted to use each and every one that he could.

She looked at his eyes. They were filled with kindness, not lust. Though with him shirtless in front of her this close she didn’t trust the same of her own. “Fine,” she said rolling her eyes. “I’ll charge tomorrow then. I guess I can sleep tonight.”

Loki appeared to be hiding his level of joy and nodded. “As if you had a choice. I am a prince and a god. You are to obey me, mortal girl.” He said in a booming voice that would have made her nervous if it weren’t for the playful grin that managed to stay in his expression. Alexa rolled her eyes, turned and walked into the bathroom, her pajamas jumping themselves out from the closet and following her.

She came out in a pair of sweats and a graphic tee.

Loki was lying on his side, watching Alexa walk to the bed. She crawled in on the other side and settled in for the night. 

For a moment, the two both lied there, staring at the ceiling. There was such a strong tug at her heart from the person lying next to her, she felt almost surely if she looked over she could see it. She wondered if she could… she’d seen others in love. Their souls physically connected when they were side by side as if they held hands... was this that feeling, or was she imagining it?

Loki didn’t look back at her. He didn’t want to see her face looking at him in restraints, the thoughts that must be going through her mind.

Why did he care? He didn’t, he told himself. She’s just another freak to add to the mix of heroic Avengers that held him prisoner. She was no different from the rest. When she saw how he was to be treated, she’d undoubtedly join the others to fit in like the mindless sheep that mortals are.

They reached the meeting room, and the projection of her cell was quickly turned off, even though it was clear she already knew she had been watched. Everyone turned to look as they entered. Tony introduced everyone to Alexa and her to each of them. She shyly uttered greetings and nodded as they spoke to her. Tony then sat in some lounge chairs in the corner across the room next to the floor to ceiling windows. He patted the seat next to him. Alexa took small but quick steps over to him and sat. Everyone else in the room continued talking to one another, trying to act as if all eyes weren’t on her.

She looked out the window. The view was gorgeous from here, you could see all of New York. It was only then that she comprehended that she was in Avengers tower. She looked to him as he clearly had something to say to her.

“So you’re not here to hurt anyone. We’ve gathered that. Your story checks out with everything we know, but we have no idea how to figure out what happened to you when you were 6. I think the best thing for you to do is stay here while we try to make sense of everything you said. On full moons, we can keep you in a special cell where you and everyone else is safe. Sound good?” He spoke so fast but Alexa took it all in and nodded quickly.

“Great. So yeah we all live here, there’s plenty of rooms. Down to floor 8 and down either hall.” He said, pointing to the elevator.

“If there’s no name tag on it it’s up for grabs,” he said.

“Why do you all live here? I mean you all have different homes and families and all that, right?” She asked.

“ We used to,” Stark replied, “ We all came to live here with our families to be able to communicate better, protect our families, and not lose anyone or become unable to contact them. The press and all that has been bugging a couple of us as well, so it just worked out better for us to all be here for a bit”

“Okay…” Alexa replied. She looked back at the room. “Where’s…” she had to think to remember the name for a moment. “Loki?”

“He sleeps in a cell sort of like yours but with some extra additional security tech” Stark started promptly. “He was the nut-job who released that alien army on NYC a while ago. He’s really not one to trust”

She remembered seeing the horror of that event on the news. How could someone with a soul like that so such a thing? She had seen he was broken, but not evil.

“Wasn’t that months ago?” She asked with the tone of pity for him.

Tony looked at her and said, “ he deserves prison for life Alexa, or worse” Tony said sharply, and suddenly she felt guilty and foolish for mentioning it.

After she saw others leaving the room, she made her way down the hall as well.

She walked down the hall, eyeing the doors with the plaques to the right of each. Seeing their names, the names of the heroes she saw on the news, made things feel a little more real and less like a strange dream/ nightmare. She went to the end of the hall and picked a door with 2 adjacent empty rooms.

The door opened silently and Alexa took in the luxury of her suite. Her shoes slipped off her feet and they slowly stepped across the dark wood floors. She took a seat in a soft chair by the fireplace, and ran her hands over the velvet armrest, and took a moment to admire the fireplace. It was shiny and white, with a glass barrier between herself and the fake wood within. She found a remote on the side table next to her and learned she could control not only the tv, but the fireplace, lights, and even music. She also opened the fridge and found numerous snacks and drinks, so she picked out some yogurt and explored the rest of the suite. She would have liked to eat everything in the fridge, but she knew she should take it slow to avoid getting sick.

Her bathroom was luxury as well, everything was white and gold. There was a vase with a purple orchid standing tall on the counter. She took a quick shower and dried off with an unnaturally soft white towel.

This entire suite screamed of money. She supposed that it shouldn’t surprise her with it being owned by Mr. Stark.

It felt so good to be out of that cell. She had been going insane in there and hadn’t cared. Partially delirious from grief and shock, that had to explain why she felt suicidal and hopeless. She felt saner now and didn’t want to think about how desperate and foolish she’d acted by forcing them to find her someone like her. They probably thought she was awkward and weird, desperate.

Embarrassment overwhelmed Alexa and she went to her bed. She wanted to sleep. She hadn’t been in the moonlight for 3 days, so it was about time. She just wanted to not exist in this reality, just for a moment. To not be conscious in a world where she obliterated her family and home and made a fool of herself afterward.

When she woke up, it was dark. She turned her head to the glass clock next to her bed.

2:48 AM. Pulling the silky purple sheets off her body, she made her way to her balcony. Pushing the sliding door open allowed the cool night breeze to flood her room, and pull her hair from the sides of her face. The moonlight felt so good. It had been a long while since she’d been without it. Eyes closed and head tilted back, Alexa outstretched her arms. The moonlight seeped through her skin and her veins flowed with energy. The whole process was completely silent and peaceful. The only sounds she could hear were the breeze and the hum of city life below.

Once she had her energy back, Alexa found that the night was the perfect time to explore the tower. No one would question her or her intentions. If they did, she was sure she’d feel guilty of something even if she wasn’t, her family always managed to do that. She wandered down the dark hall whose lights faded on with her presence. She came to the elevator. Tony’s words echoed in her mind. He sleeps in a cell like yours. She tried to remember the floor that was. Maybe Loki was awake. She tried 13. She knew it was something around there.

She guessed right. Stepping off the elevator, she saw the hallway with the cell she had been kept in to the right, and the door to the observation room in front of her. The hall was undecorated and bleak. She looked over and saw light pouring through one of the walls. She had been right about the cell. One wall of each has some kind of one way sight on it. Alexa could see Loki inside, but he couldn’t see her.

Once again, his soul was so beautiful she couldn’t help but stop to look at it, and take in all the complexity. Loki was stirring around on his mattress that was far to small for how tall he was. She went to turn the doorknob and realized it was locked with a code and keypad.

Alexa knew by now that the moon changed phases every 3 to 4 days. She should be phasing into the last quarter by now. She would have her powers of heat. She might be able to melt the metal to get in.

No. That is the dumbest idea you’ve ever come up with. The door is probably alarmed, and even if it wasn’t… what would Loki think? You barging into his cell in the middle of the night without warning… Alexa thought to herself. What’s gotten into her? Why would she even consider that was a good idea. And yet, looking at him struggling to sleep, she considered it again. No. 

Instead of immediately doing something socially unacceptable, she decided to continue to wander the tower. Re-entering the elevator, she pressed the one labeled H. The elevator pulled her upwards, and when the doors opened she quickly realized this would be her favorite floor. The wind overwhelmed her as it rushed into the elevator. She was looking over a wide, flat expanse of smooth pavement. The helicopter pad. It was immense, and she loved the amount of free space she had to herself. All of it was outside, and so high up she could see the entire city with all its scattered messy glow. The wind from this high was almost deafening. She looked across the river and saw a plane taking off in the distance. She loved the city. Especially from above. She’d never understood people who were afraid of heights. How could one be afraid of something so removed from the world, yet able to see all of it? It was gorgeously peaceful.

Alexa walked to the railing and took off her shoes. Sitting down, she rested her arms and head on the cold railing that was glowing from the reflection of her silver veins. Her feet dangled over the edge of the tower, and the cool breeze tangled between her toes.

She felt truly at peace for the first time since she arrived here. It was remarkably fast that she felt so at home… but why? This place was as far from home as she could be. No woods, just skyscrapers. Hardly any stars through the city glow. No family.

The story of how she got to this point is long and complicated, I’ll make it as short as I can. At the age of 6, she was outside her home. She lived out on the edge of town, there was a large forest nearby and it was her personal playground. She was wandering around her makeshift clubhouse, exploring, making maps. But on this night, she was alone in her boots, marching through the crunching leaves and forest floor. As she explored, she saw something- something she’d never seen in her few years of exploring these woods at night. 

It was light. She was out in the night, which was always her favorite time to be in the woods. It was so serene in the moonlight, and she found her happiness looking at the stars through the canopy of the woods. So this mysterious light caught her attention. She walked towards it. It was blueish white in hue and was getting brighter the closer she got. Being six and fueled by adventure, this girl wasn’t as wary as she should have been.

She stumbled upon this boulder, the source of her mystery. It was glowing so bright she had to shield her eyes. As she walked up to it and tentatively reached out her hand, some sense of fear starting to develop in her. This was an unknown object and she felt eerily repelled but also attracted to it. She pulled back her delicate fingers deciding against touching this thing. But, curiosity overcame her fear and she outstretched her hand and touched the rock.

She could never fully remember that moment. All she knew was that either she went deaf, or the thing exploded, silently. It was an explosion of color and white light that launched her tiny figure backward into a tree.

When the girl awoke, it appeared to be the same night. The woods were calm. But the glow of the rock had vanished, leaving her surrounded in darkness. She tried to move and quickly realized she was bruised, but nothing appeared to hurt enough to be broken. What did shock her is when she looked at her body.

She was glowing. Specifically, her veins. They glowed in her hands and down her arms. In her shock, she had taken a while to realize that she was bleeding as well. There were shards from the explosion all over her, penetrating her pale skin. The shards were black, but sort of transparent like glass. She gritted her teeth and pulled them out, luckily they were small and she didn’t end up making herself bleed out.

That was the night it all started. She went home and couldn’t sleep. Not as if she couldn't find a comfortable position or keep her eyes shut. It wasn't that her mind was wandering too far to be kept to her pillow, no. She couldn’t sleep. She didn’t need to. She was awake as if it were midday. She stayed up and played with some of the toys littering the floor until morning. She wanted to tell her foster father about the event, but decided against revealing her secret.   Something told her this was not something that others would believe.

After that is when the incidents started. And as she grew, they only became stronger. So strong some nights that they had a mind of their own. She convinced herself that she could keep it under control. That she would will away the inhuman tendencies that overcame her and she would survive.

“I do.” He became nervous when he realized that she looked confused. “Please tell me your thoughts Petal.” He said nervously.

Alexa looked up at him. “Why? I’m mortal. I thought you determined us to be inferior and useless… how could you want to love me if you believe that? I mean if course I knew there was something between us, but…”

Alexa was cut off by his gentle kiss. “I know you are mortal, but you’re the only being who has given me a chance. Not only a chance but welcomed me with open arms and accept my past as it is a part of me.”

Loki was staring down at the sheets beneath them. “Alexa you don’t have selfish intentions. You’ve taken risks and made sacrifices, just to help me be more comfortable. No one has ever done anything like that for me.”

His voice was quiet and low. He finally looked back up at her, and their eyes locked once more. “I love you.”

They kissed again, gently. She couldn’t believe that this wasn’t a dream. He loves me...

“I love you too Loki,” she said into his lips.

After a moment of watching his warm smile, Alexa realized the time. She’d missed lunch. It shouldn’t be a big deal, all the members missed a group meal now and then. “Are you hungry?”

Loki nodded. “Ok, I’ve got something to make…” she said as she rolled over and got off the bed. She went to her closet first and pulled a sundress over her body, and slipped on underwear beneath. Loki watched her contently. She saw him staring and rolled her eyes as she made her way to the kitchen.

She made grilled cheese with tomato soup for the two of them, and Loki wasn’t a huge fan, saying it was far too bland, but he ate it regardless.

The tension from what they’d done only a half-hour ago still hung in the room. Every now and then, Alexa would look at Loki and see those green eyes look at her with the same look he’d given before tearing her leggings off her body. It was once again driving her crazy. But she had other things on her mind, and she wanted those thoughts tended to.

“Loki…”

His attention turned from his plate to her.

“I just… I want to know you. We’re in love but we hardly know anything about each other.”

Loki pondered this for a moment. She was right, there was much to learn of the mortal he’d just confessed his love to.

“Alright. What would you like to know?”

“Well… I’d really like to know about the reason you’re skin is so cold for one.”

Loki nodded. “Alright, Petal... I'll tell you.” 

After a moment to collect his thoughts, he explained to her that he was half frost-giant. How his father had taken him from a battle when he was an infant, how he didn’t know until he was an adult.

Alexa listened patiently and asked questions when she didn’t understand. “So… what makes you change form? Just anything cold?”

“No, it’s a bit more complex than that. It has to be a certain temperature, I don’t know exactly what though. I just know that it’s fairly extreme.”

Alexa nodded and paused. “Would you be okay with me seeing it?”

Loki looked uneasy for a moment. “Well, yes I suppose but we don’t have anything that…” he stopped when he realized what she was thinking. She could likely trigger it with her skin.

Loki now seemed more nervous. “Petal, it’s really not attractive. I don’t think…”

“It’s you. I don’t care if it’s attractive or not. It’s a part of you. If you’ll let me, I’d love to see it.”

Loki was clearly nervous, but he stood and walked to the couch, motioning her to follow.

He sat down, his body facing hers and she sat cross-legged on the cushion. Alexa looked into Loki’s eyes and saw his fear. 

What if she’s disgusted with me…

“Hey…” Alexa said softly.

Loki looked up at her.

“I love you. If you want to keep this to yourself, you can. But I am always going to love you, no matter what you look like.”

Loki took in her words and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and held out his hands. Gently, she took them in her own and began to make her skin freeze.

She watched in fascination as Loki’s pale skin turned muted blue over his fingers, then his hands, and up his arms. The color spread until he was entirely blue. His eyes remained closed, and she took in the sight of him. He was different, but still him. There were lines along his skin, sort of like markings, that weren’t present before. Then Loki opened his eyes. They were deep red- that she hadn’t expected. Loki looked at her, his eyes full of worry about what she would say.

She leaned forward and kissed him. Gently and carefully. His lips seemed much colder than before, but she wasn’t surprised. Suddenly, he stopped her and backed up, looking afraid. Then his face changed from afraid to surprised. “You can touch me.”

“What?”

“Normally any non-front giant who touches me when I’m like that gets… almost like frostbite. Extreme frostbite that onsets immediately.”

“I mean, my own skin doesn’t hurt me. So maybe when I’m in this phase, I can.”

She then let go of his hands and watched as the blue faded from his body.

“Hey… I love you Loki.” She reached up and touched his face, not realizing her hands were still frozen cold and blue started to spread on his face from her touch. “You’re gorgeous in every form.” As she spoke, his face transformed once more, and she kissed him again. She could almost feel his relief in his every movement. He was quiet when he finally spoke.

“Thank you”

After a pause, he transformed back. Then suddenly, he became his usual mischievous self. “Gorgeous in all forms love?”

“Yes,” she said happily and kissed his nose

“Even this?” He said, and suddenly he was a very creepy looking old man, with a handlebar mustache.

“Oh my Loki, I…”

“What? You said all forms.”

“Ok... yes because I know it’s you”

“How about this?” He became a very sexy woman in a tight dress. “Yep,” Alexa said with a smile.

“Oh but what about this?” And suddenly, Loki had turned into Thor. Shirtless Thor. “Still craving and yearning for love from me?” His voice even changed with each illusion, and he leaned over close to Alexa

Alexa laughed. “I... abstain?” (*)

“Good girl.” He said in his own smiling voice as he became himself once more. They settled down a bit and began to speak more of their pasts.

Loki spoke of Asgard. Even though it wasn’t his true origin, it was his home. When he talked about it, he seemed to beam. He spoke of its beauty and the food, the palace, the mountains, everything. He also spoke of all the secret hiding places and forts he’d created for himself as a child and a teen, that were hidden by illusions from the rest of the world.

“I do hope someday we could go there so I could show you. But I don’t know if I would ever be welcome after what happened.”

Alexa was quiet. By the way he described this place, she wanted to go too. But more than that, she wanted Loki to be innocent so that they could just live their lives together. Everywhere they went, even apparently other realms, she was dating an outcast.

Breaking her train of thought, he asked “What about you? Tell me of the land you came from.”

Alexa smiled and told him about Oregon, on the other side of the country. She told him about the lush valley she lived in, and the small town she’d been raised in. 

They kept talking endlessly about their pasts, how others had wronged them, how it had changed them. Their conversation went well into the evening.

Alexa hated to break the talk, but she needed to go to dinner. She also needed to sneak into Loki’s cell and get rid of the food on the plates so that it would seem he had been eating.

At dinner, she sat with Peter and quietly spoke with him about Thunder and how he was doing. He wanted to come to visit, but she told him tonight wasn’t good. She still wasn’t sure exactly where she could hide Loki if he ever wanted to stop by. She couldn’t just keep him in the bathroom, because for one that seemed weird to just shove him in there with nothing to do, but mainly because Peter also would probably need to use the bathroom at some point.

When she returned that night, Loki was already asleep on the couch in front of the TV. The show “Parks and Recreation” was still playing. She’d recommended it to him, she thought it was funny, but apparently, it bored Loki to sleep. She quietly pulled a blanket off of their bed and laid it over him. Then she leaned down and kissed his forehead.

Alexa spent the rest of that night playing with little Thunder, cleaning up their suite, and soaking up the moonlight from the helicopter pad.

As lonely as it could be, she loved having the nights all to herself. It was as if it was something only she had, even though she knew others in the world were awake, most weren’t. As the world slept, she was forever awake, able to have all this time that others didn’t. And it was all just for her. She sometimes felt that she could get away with anything because no one was there to see it.

Another day passed, and it was fairly uneventful. Alexa spent the day cuddling with Loki, watching Netflix and having him taste-test more Midguardian delights. It was so nice to spend this much time with someone she was so carefree with. It was foreign, to be so comfortable with another person, and yet she was more at peace then she had ever been. Loki felt the same. He trusted her, which was something he couldn’t ever say of anyone else in the tower or in his life at the moment.

The next evening, what Alexa called her ghost phase began to fade in. She could go through walls and float in the air as if she were in space. When she was in the height of this phase, with some effort she could even turn transparent, becoming fully what was essentially a ghost. She had been excited about this, as it provided plenty of opportunities to play tricks on her lover.

That night, Loki decided he’d shower before heading to bed. She saw her opportunity. When he wasn’t looking, she went outside and told him she would be charging for a while. Instead, she quickly floated up and faded from the outdoor balcony into the bathroom through the wall. She couldn’t be invisible just yet, but she slipped into the tub, and the shower curtain was still closed, so he couldn’t see her when he entered. She heard him sigh and she assumed he used his magic to undress because she didn’t hear any zippers or clothes hit the floor. 

It was at that moment that she realized this would be the very first time she’d ever see him naked.

Do I really want this moment to be like this? A prank? Really?

Suddenly frantic, she tried to fade back through the wall behind her. Due to her moment of panic, however, she didn’t have full control and she immediately faded through the floor, not floating. With a thud, she hit the floor of the room below.

…Ow. Her back hurt from the fall, and she quickly realized the horror that she had just fallen, in her pajamas, into someone else’s private room.

—————————————————

She’d gotten bored that morning and decided to make Loki breakfast.

Without warning, she felt his cool hands wrapping around her waist. She took a sharp breath in, then immediately calmed at the sound of his voice.

“Good morning petal” he spoke softly in her ear with his warm, deep voice. “What are you preparing for me?”

“Bold to assume it’s for you” Alexa smiled.

He nibbled her ear gently, causing her heart rate to speed up. “Bold to assume I wouldn’t steal it if it wasn’t.” His tone was so smooth and deep beyond sexy in the morning. It gave Alexa chills.

He unwrapped his bare arms from around her and looked at what she was doing.

“They’re called Crepes. Have you had them before?”

She glanced back at Loki who shook his head.

“They’re my favorite breakfast food.” She scooped up the one in her pan and flipped it onto a plate. “You fill it with all this. You can make it however you want. There’s berries, powdered sugar, chocolate syrup, lemon juice, yogurt, and a bunch of other stuff.”

 Loki listened intently. “Well, it smells delicious.”

“It is. Oh and whipped cream. My favorite combination is whipped cream, raspberries, powdered sugar, and a dash of lemon juice.” She created her masterpiece as she spoke, and he watched her. When she shook up the whipped cream and dispensed it, she saw him raise his eyebrows. “What in Valhalla is that…”

“Oh, it’s whipped cream.” Suddenly, Alexa got brave in front of her shirtless god. She dispensed some on her finger, walked so close to him they were chest to chest and held it up to his mouth. He looked at her, surprised, then saw the mischievous look on her face and she saw the corner of his mouth upturn. He took her cream-covered finger into his mouth and sucked on it a bit, then licked it for good measure. 

“Mmm,” he hummed. “That is unexpectedly delightful.” He knew it had aroused her, and he saw her blush to prove it.

As she set the table, Alexa had a nagging question and had to break the mood. “Loki… I have a question.”

He raised his eyebrows at her expectantly.

“Why are you always so cold? Like I’ve just noticed with little things. Like your tongue and mouth are cold, and your bare skin… you always seem unnaturally chilling. Is that just me? Is it a god thing? or Asgardian thing?”

His demeanor changed entirely. “No Petal- it’s not just you. It’s part of me I really don’t want to share at the moment.” He touched her chin, tilting her head up. “I want to enjoy this breakfast with you, and I will explain it later.” He smiled warmly, kissed her forehead, and turned back to the counter to prepare his food.

Alexa was not one to let things go, she wanted an answer. But the fact that he wanted to spend the morning with her warmed her heart and she forced herself to wait.

He loaded his crepes with berries and sugar as she had. Alexa sat at the table and ate, and Loki soon joined her with his food. His first bite left his face looking surprised. “I must say your Midguardian food continues to surprise me.” He said as he cut another bite with his fork.

Alexa was about to reply when she heard a knock.

Both their eyes widened and she frantically stood up and roughly whispered. “Hide fucking hide!”

Loki slipped silently into the bathroom and Alexa put his dish on the counter so it wouldn’t look like the table was seated for two. Whoever was at the door knocked again.

 “Coming!” She rushed over, took a deep breath, smoothed herself out, and opened the door.

Peter.

“Ok so I know this is weird and it’s early and I’m sorry cuz you were probably asleep but maybe not cuz u live on moon juice or whatever right, but I found something and I didn’t know what to do so I picked it up and I thought if I went to anyone else they’d make me get rid of it or something and I don’t want to and I don’t know what to do.”

“Peter… What?”

He pulled a kitten out of his sweatshirt.

There was a moment of confused silence.

“Peter why the fuck… why do you have a kitten”

“I just told you I found it and it’s really cute right and, ok so I found it cuz I went to McDonald’s because I wanted hash browns and this guy had a whole box of them so I was like aww cute right and then someone else came and was looking at them and I went inside and ate my hash browns and then I came back out cuz I was done and there was literally just one kitten left and The guy was all like “this one has your name on it kid” and I was like no cuz I live in Avengers tower and like I don’t think they allow pets right but it’s not like I signed a lease or whatever so I don’t know, but of course I didn’t say that to the old guy I was just like “no thanks” and then he set down the box and was like it’s yours and I didn’t know what to do but he left and there was just the one and I had to come back but now I have a kitten.”

Alexa stared blankly at him for a moment. “Peter what the fuck”

“Could you keep it in here? Just cuz like I don’t have a way of keeping it because Mr. Stark is always coming in my room you know and like talking to me about training or helping me train or making me meet a new bodyguard because they quit a lot and I really don’t think Mr. Stark would like Thunder.”

“Thunder?”

“Oh yeah cuz he’s gray I thought his name could be Thunder but like we don’t have to name him that I just thought it fit him with his paws cuz they seem too big for his body and I just think if we could keep him here, and then I could take care of him you’d just have to let me in now and then. Then we could also hang out more too cuz like I thought that maybe we could be friends because everyone else here is literally like a thousand years old, I mean a couple of them actually are let’s be real. So will you do it? Can he stay here?”

He didn’t know how much he was asking. Having him pop in and out all the time would seriously endanger Loki to being found out.

“Peter I really can’t…”

Upon seeing he was about to get rejected, he got a little more desperate.

He tilted his head and began to beg her. “Pleaseee please please cats are like so low maintenance and I’ll buy everything just please…”

“Oh my god, fine Peter I’ll-”

“Oh my god YES thank you so much I will go get everything and we can keep it a secret ok and do you want to name it Thunder?”

Alexa looked down at the little cat. “Sure, why not.”

“Ok sweet I will deal with all of it thank you thank you thank-” 

Alexa cut him off. “Ok but you need to understand something. You ALWAYS knock ok? And I’ll take care of him most of the time just if you get the supplies and come by when you want to play with it then that will be fine.”

“Ok sweet I will do that okay and here you go, he’s still really fragile and I think he likes cheez-its, but I’ll get him real kitten food and all that”

“Ok Peter. I’m gonna go back in my room now.”

“Right ok so bye I’ll see you later then thank you so much.”

She shut the door. Holding a kitten.

Loki walked out of the bathroom. He walked up to her, and she realized what a mistake she’d just made when she saw his face. “Have you gone mad?” He spat. 

The kitten chose that moment to let out a tiny, high pitched “mew”

He stared at the creature, then at Alexa. “We are on day one of this and you’ve given access to our room to that loose cannon of a boy?”

Alexa was quiet. “ I know. I’m sorry. I really think it will be fine I told him to always knock and…”

“What you’ve done was foolish. What if stark hears about this creature and decides to check in on me?”

“I’m sorry Loki.” He turned away from her, grabbing at his hair.

“I just, I kind of also wanted a pet.”

He turned and looked at her. “Why? Are you so lonely? I’m right here. I’m bloody locked in your room. I don’t understand why you would have a desire for this infant mammal.”

“Because, Loki... You sleep.”

Loki looked at her and realized he hadn’t thought about what she had to do for all those hours of the night, and how no one was awake but her. He looked at the kitten again and sighed.

“Thunder, is it?”

“I guess so”

She vaguely heard Loki mutter something under his breath something about the concept of Thunder and it’s unending capacity to fuck up his life.

Loki reached down and picked him up. “The name suits the bastard,” he said roughly. Alexa was looking at the animal, a bit worried for it in Loki’s large, tense hands.