passing for a shadow

There are characters I would probably die for but at the same time I get personally offended when people say “They’re a pure cinnamon roll who did nothing wrong uwu” like EXCUSE ME, they did a lot of things wrong, they are a walking dumpster fire, do not deny their crimes.

Loki couldn’t keep the shock from his face when she released some of his power, especially after the threat he’d just made. It wasn’t enough to do any of his usual tricks. He might be able to conjure small illusions, but anything more than that and he would probably just do damage to himself. A confused grimace passed over his features as he turned, breathed a, “Thank you…” and continued down the stairs.  He barely knew what to do with sympathy and caring from his family, let alone someone he’d met only a few hours ago. She knew more than his family. Loki was truly at a loss for words, and Luka continued to surprise him.

Luka waited a split second longer than it took Loki to leave before she couldn’t hold out any longer. Bone claws burst from her knuckles; conflicting elemental powers escaped in arcs; her skin rippled with fur and feathers. As this happened, she fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood before her body had the chance to heal itself. She swept the powers into any and every container she could, panicked at the thought of losing any of them. Loki’s she shoved back into the glass jar she had brought with her, shuddering as the others finished leaving her system. She panted for a moment, processing the physical and mental stress she had put on herself, before smiling genuinely at the space Loki had occupied and whispering, “You’re welcome.”

Loki lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, the closest piece of furniture, and dragged his fingers through his hair as a shudder passed over him. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of his mother consciously since… A ragged breath rushed past his lips as he tried to compose himself and forced himself to sit up straight. This was not who was. He rolled the small vial that she’d given him between his fingers for a while, watching the magic swirl. What if he took this bit back and it called the rest back to him? Was power like water? He sighed heavily, deciding to look for a chain for now, and stood going over to a stack of wood he assumed was supposed to be a dresser.

Loki shook his head, not bothering to turn and face her. His hand tightened around the vial subconsciously, part of him waiting for her to come and take the small gift back, “No.” Forcing a grin, he turned to face her, quipping, “It should be the most obvious thing in the room. Don’t you think?”

“Ah,” she uttered, giving an ironic grin herself. “There’s the sardonic trickster god I read about.” She walked past him and the bed, pulling a gold necklace that was hanging haphazardly over the edge of a shelf. She held the chain out for him at a safe distance, watching the jar of his powers over his shoulder. “Here, my prince.”

Loki couldn’t help but raise a brow at her word choice, a true devilish grin sliding into place as he made sure his fingers brushed hers, taking the chain from her. “Thank you, dear Luka.” He answered quietly, leaning his head to catch her gaze before sliding the vial onto the chain and turning to put the necklace on. He stretched his shoulders, showing off his form with high elbows as he clipped the clasp shut. It was time to play a different game.

Luka narrowed her eyes and murmured, “You’re welcome,” pulling her hand back and crossing her arms. She leaned on the shelf and watched him stretch, getting a particularly feline impression from his physical and behavioral mannerisms. He was sleek, he was cunning, and he knew it. After his outburst on the roof, though, she couldn’t trust his shifting moods–no matter how charming he was pretending to be now. She couldn’t deny his physical appeal, of course, but she knew if she tried to swim the uncharted waters he embodied, she would drown.

Loki turned as he tugged at the collar of his shirt, revealing a bit of his collarbone, and tucked the necklace protectively inside his leather armor. He hummed lowly, leaning back against the frame of the bed to mimic her posture subtly, “So,tell me about this…Ramen.” Loki grinned, a new brightness in eyes and smile.

Luka stared at him for a moment, first judging his continued physical display before completely blanking at the sentence that had come out of his mouth. She blinked a few times, putting a hand to her cheek and tilting her head slightly, “What? You want me to what?” Where was this evening going? How had she gotten to this point? Why was a demigod asking about noodles? “It’s…” She walked over to a milk crate, puzzlement written across her face, and dug around for a pack. She held it up for him to see. “It’s dried noodles. You just… boil them.”

Loki’s brows raised a bit judgementally before he slipped back into a curious expression. He approached, taking the noodles from her gently and flipping the package in his hands to study the small brick. “This is food?” He asked quietly,bewilderment and a hint of disgust in his voice, “Is it good?” He looked up to her, almost looking innocent in his curiosity.

Luka almost wanted to laugh, but resisted the urge by clearing her throat. “It’s, um. Yes, it’s good enough. It’s easy to get, and easy to make… Though I’m sure it doesn’t hold a candle to whatever Asgardians eat.” It probably didn’t hold a matchstick, she thought, but she kept that to herself. She enjoyed the innocence on his face for the brief moment it lasted, preferring it to the murder in his eyes just moments ago.

Hesitation flitted over his face before he held the brick back out to her, “ I would like to try it… I think.” His brows furrowed slightly. It was clear that he was very uncertain about the solid brick turning into something edible. “ Asgardian food is…very decadent.” Loki offered, “But we have our porridge and the like as well.”

Loki couldn’t keep the shock from his face when she released some of his power, especially after the threat he’d just made. It wasn’t enough to do any of his usual tricks. He might be able to conjure small illusions, but anything more than that and he would probably just do damage to himself. A confused grimace passed over his features as he turned, breathed a, “Thank you…” and continued down the stairs.  He barely knew what to do with sympathy and caring from his family, let alone someone he’d met only a few hours ago. She knew more than his family. Loki was truly at a loss for words, and Luka continued to surprise him.

Luka waited a split second longer than it took Loki to leave before she couldn’t hold out any longer. Bone claws burst from her knuckles; conflicting elemental powers escaped in arcs; her skin rippled with fur and feathers. As this happened, she fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood before her body had the chance to heal itself. She swept the powers into any and every container she could, panicked at the thought of losing any of them. Loki’s she shoved back into the glass jar she had brought with her, shuddering as the others finished leaving her system. She panted for a moment, processing the physical and mental stress she had put on herself, before smiling genuinely at the space Loki had occupied and whispering, “You’re welcome.”

Loki lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, the closest piece of furniture, and dragged his fingers through his hair as a shudder passed over him. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of his mother consciously since… A ragged breath rushed past his lips as he tried to compose himself and forced himself to sit up straight. This was not who was. He rolled the small vial that she’d given him between his fingers for a while, watching the magic swirl. What if he took this bit back and it called the rest back to him? Was power like water? He sighed heavily, deciding to look for a chain for now, and stood going over to a stack of wood he assumed was supposed to be a dresser.

Loki shook his head, not bothering to turn and face her. His hand tightened around the vial subconsciously, part of him waiting for her to come and take the small gift back, “No.” Forcing a grin, he turned to face her, quipping, “It should be the most obvious thing in the room. Don’t you think?”

“Ah,” she uttered, giving an ironic grin herself. “There’s the sardonic trickster god I read about.” She walked past him and the bed, pulling a gold necklace that was hanging haphazardly over the edge of a shelf. She held the chain out for him at a safe distance, watching the jar of his powers over his shoulder. “Here, my prince.”

Loki couldn’t help but raise a brow at her word choice, a true devilish grin sliding into place as he made sure his fingers brushed hers, taking the chain from her. “Thank you, dear Luka.” He answered quietly, leaning his head to catch her gaze before sliding the vial onto the chain and turning to put the necklace on. He stretched his shoulders, showing off his form with high elbows as he clipped the clasp shut. It was time to play a different game.

Luka narrowed her eyes and murmured, “You’re welcome,” pulling her hand back and crossing her arms. She leaned on the shelf and watched him stretch, getting a particularly feline impression from his physical and behavioral mannerisms. He was sleek, he was cunning, and he knew it. After his outburst on the roof, though, she couldn’t trust his shifting moods–no matter how charming he was pretending to be now. She couldn’t deny his physical appeal, of course, but she knew if she tried to swim the uncharted waters he embodied, she would drown.

Loki turned as he tugged at the collar of his shirt, revealing a bit of his collarbone, and tucked the necklace protectively inside his leather armor. He hummed lowly, leaning back against the frame of the bed to mimic her posture subtly, “So,tell me about this…Ramen.” Loki grinned, a new brightness in eyes and smile.

Luka stared at him for a moment, first judging his continued physical display before completely blanking at the sentence that had come out of his mouth. She blinked a few times, putting a hand to her cheek and tilting her head slightly, “What? You want me to what?” Where was this evening going? How had she gotten to this point? Why was a demigod asking about noodles? “It’s…” She walked over to a milk crate, puzzlement written across her face, and dug around for a pack. She held it up for him to see. “It’s dried noodles. You just… boil them.”

Loki’s brows raised a bit judgementally before he slipped back into a curious expression. He approached, taking the noodles from her gently and flipping the package in his hands to study the small brick. “This is food?” He asked quietly,bewilderment and a hint of disgust in his voice, “Is it good?” He looked up to her, almost looking innocent in his curiosity.

Luka almost wanted to laugh, but resisted the urge by clearing her throat. "It's, um. Yes, it's good enough. It's easy to get, and easy to make... Though I'm sure it doesn't hold a candle to whatever Asgardians eat." It probably didn't hold a matchstick, she thought, but she kept that to herself. She enjoyed the innocence on his face for the brief moment it lasted, preferring it to the murder in his eyes just moments ago.

Loki couldn’t keep the shock from his face when she released some of his power, especially after the threat he’d just made. It wasn’t enough to do any of his usual tricks. He might be able to conjure small illusions, but anything more than that and he would probably just do damage to himself. A confused grimace passed over his features as he turned, breathed a, “Thank you…” and continued down the stairs.  He barely knew what to do with sympathy and caring from his family, let alone someone he’d met only a few hours ago. She knew more than his family. Loki was truly at a loss for words, and Luka continued to surprise him.

Luka waited a split second longer than it took Loki to leave before she couldn’t hold out any longer. Bone claws burst from her knuckles; conflicting elemental powers escaped in arcs; her skin rippled with fur and feathers. As this happened, she fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood before her body had the chance to heal itself. She swept the powers into any and every container she could, panicked at the thought of losing any of them. Loki’s she shoved back into the glass jar she had brought with her, shuddering as the others finished leaving her system. She panted for a moment, processing the physical and mental stress she had put on herself, before smiling genuinely at the space Loki had occupied and whispering, “You’re welcome.”

Loki lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, the closest piece of furniture, and dragged his fingers through his hair as a shudder passed over him. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of his mother consciously since… A ragged breath rushed past his lips as he tried to compose himself and forced himself to sit up straight. This was not who was. He rolled the small vial that she’d given him between his fingers for a while, watching the magic swirl. What if he took this bit back and it called the rest back to him? Was power like water? He sighed heavily, deciding to look for a chain for now, and stood going over to a stack of wood he assumed was supposed to be a dresser.

Loki shook his head, not bothering to turn and face her. His hand tightened around the vial subconsciously, part of him waiting for her to come and take the small gift back, “No.” Forcing a grin, he turned to face her, quipping, “It should be the most obvious thing in the room. Don’t you think?”

“Ah,” she uttered, giving an ironic grin herself. “There’s the sardonic trickster god I read about.” She walked past him and the bed, pulling a gold necklace that was hanging haphazardly over the edge of a shelf. She held the chain out for him at a safe distance, watching the jar of his powers over his shoulder. “Here, my prince.”

Loki couldn’t help but raise a brow at her word choice, a true devilish grin sliding into place as he made sure his fingers brushed hers, taking the chain from her. “Thank you, dear Luka.” He answered quietly, leaning his head to catch her gaze before sliding the vial onto the chain and turning to put the necklace on. He stretched his shoulders, showing off his form with high elbows as he clipped the clasp shut. It was time to play a different game.

Luka narrowed her eyes and murmured, “You’re welcome,” pulling her hand back and crossing her arms. She leaned on the shelf and watched him stretch, getting a particularly feline impression from his physical and behavioral mannerisms. He was sleek, he was cunning, and he knew it. After his outburst on the roof, though, she couldn’t trust his shifting moods–no matter how charming he was pretending to be now. She couldn’t deny his physical appeal, of course, but she knew if she tried to swim the uncharted waters he embodied, she would drown.

Loki turned as he tugged at the collar of his shirt, revealing a bit of his collarbone, and tucked the necklace protectively inside his leather armor. He hummed lowly, leaning back against the frame of the bed to mimic her posture subtly, “So,tell me about this…Ramen.” Loki grinned, a new brightness in eyes and smile.

Luka stared at him for a moment, first judging his continued physical display before completely blanking at the sentence that had come out of his mouth. She blinked a few times, putting a hand to her cheek and tilting her head slightly, “What? You want me to what?” Where was this evening going? How had she gotten to this point? Why was a demigod asking about noodles? “It’s…” She walked over to a milk crate, puzzlement written across her face, and dug around for a pack. She held it up for him to see. “It’s dried noodles. You just… boil them.”

Loki couldn’t keep the shock from his face when she released some of his power, especially after the threat he’d just made. It wasn’t enough to do any of his usual tricks. He might be able to conjure small illusions, but anything more than that and he would probably just do damage to himself. A confused grimace passed over his features as he turned, breathed a, “Thank you…” and continued down the stairs.  He barely knew what to do with sympathy and caring from his family, let alone someone he’d met only a few hours ago. She knew more than his family. Loki was truly at a loss for words, and Luka continued to surprise him.

Luka waited a split second longer than it took Loki to leave before she couldn’t hold out any longer. Bone claws burst from her knuckles; conflicting elemental powers escaped in arcs; her skin rippled with fur and feathers. As this happened, she fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood before her body had the chance to heal itself. She swept the powers into any and every container she could, panicked at the thought of losing any of them. Loki’s she shoved back into the glass jar she had brought with her, shuddering as the others finished leaving her system. She panted for a moment, processing the physical and mental stress she had put on herself, before smiling genuinely at the space Loki had occupied and whispering, “You’re welcome.”

Loki lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, the closest piece of furniture, and dragged his fingers through his hair as a shudder passed over him. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of his mother consciously since… A ragged breath rushed past his lips as he tried to compose himself and forced himself to sit up straight. This was not who was. He rolled the small vial that she’d given him between his fingers for a while, watching the magic swirl. What if he took this bit back and it called the rest back to him? Was power like water? He sighed heavily, deciding to look for a chain for now, and stood going over to a stack of wood he assumed was supposed to be a dresser.

Loki shook his head, not bothering to turn and face her. His hand tightened around the vial subconsciously, part of him waiting for her to come and take the small gift back, “No.” Forcing a grin, he turned to face her, quipping, “It should be the most obvious thing in the room. Don’t you think?”

“Ah,” she uttered, giving an ironic grin herself. “There’s the sardonic trickster god I read about.” She walked past him and the bed, pulling a gold necklace that was hanging haphazardly over the edge of a shelf. She held the chain out for him at a safe distance, watching the jar of his powers over his shoulder. “Here, my prince.”

Loki couldn’t help but raise a brow at her word choice, a true devilish grin sliding into place as he made sure his fingers brushed hers, taking the chain from her. “Thank you, dear Luka.” He answered quietly, leaning his head to catch her gaze before sliding the vial onto the chain and turning to put the necklace on. He stretched his shoulders, showing off his form with high elbows as he clipped the clasp shut. It was time to play a different game.

Luka narrowed her eyes and murmured, “You’re welcome,” pulling her hand back and crossing her arms. She leaned on the shelf and watched him stretch, getting a particularly feline impression from his physical and behavioral mannerisms. He was sleek, he was cunning, and he knew it. After his outburst on the roof, though, she couldn’t trust his shifting moods–no matter how charming he was pretending to be now. She couldn’t deny his physical appeal, of course, but she knew if she tried to swim the uncharted waters he embodied, she would drown.

Loki couldn’t keep the shock from his face when she released some of his power, especially after the threat he’d just made. It wasn’t enough to do any of his usual tricks. He might be able to conjure small illusions, but anything more than that and he would probably just do damage to himself. A confused grimace passed over his features as he turned, breathed a, “Thank you…” and continued down the stairs.  He barely knew what to do with sympathy and caring from his family, let alone someone he’d met only a few hours ago. She knew more than his family. Loki was truly at a loss for words, and Luka continued to surprise him.

Luka waited a split second longer than it took Loki to leave before she couldn’t hold out any longer. Bone claws burst from her knuckles; conflicting elemental powers escaped in arcs; her skin rippled with fur and feathers. As this happened, she fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood before her body had the chance to heal itself. She swept the powers into any and every container she could, panicked at the thought of losing any of them. Loki’s she shoved back into the glass jar she had brought with her, shuddering as the others finished leaving her system. She panted for a moment, processing the physical and mental stress she had put on herself, before smiling genuinely at the space Loki had occupied and whispering, “You’re welcome.”

Loki lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, the closest piece of furniture, and dragged his fingers through his hair as a shudder passed over him. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of his mother consciously since… A ragged breath rushed past his lips as he tried to compose himself and forced himself to sit up straight. This was not who was. He rolled the small vial that she’d given him between his fingers for a while, watching the magic swirl. What if he took this bit back and it called the rest back to him? Was power like water? He sighed heavily, deciding to look for a chain for now, and stood going over to a stack of wood he assumed was supposed to be a dresser.

Loki shook his head, not bothering to turn and face her. His hand tightened around the vial subconsciously, part of him waiting for her to come and take the small gift back, “No.” Forcing a grin, he turned to face her, quipping, “It should be the most obvious thing in the room. Don’t you think?”

"Ah," she uttered, giving an ironic grin herself. "There's the sardonic trickster god I read about." She walked past him and the bed, pulling a gold necklace that was hanging haphazardly over the edge of a shelf. She held the chain out for him at a safe distance, watching the jar of his powers over his shoulder. "Here, my prince."

Loki couldn’t keep the shock from his face when she released some of his power, especially after the threat he’d just made. It wasn’t enough to do any of his usual tricks. He might be able to conjure small illusions, but anything more than that and he would probably just do damage to himself. A confused grimace passed over his features as he turned, breathed a, “Thank you…” and continued down the stairs.  He barely knew what to do with sympathy and caring from his family, let alone someone he’d met only a few hours ago. She knew more than his family. Loki was truly at a loss for words, and Luka continued to surprise him.

Luka waited a split second longer than it took Loki to leave before she couldn’t hold out any longer. Bone claws burst from her knuckles; conflicting elemental powers escaped in arcs; her skin rippled with fur and feathers. As this happened, she fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood before her body had the chance to heal itself. She swept the powers into any and every container she could, panicked at the thought of losing any of them. Loki’s she shoved back into the glass jar she had brought with her, shuddering as the others finished leaving her system. She panted for a moment, processing the physical and mental stress she had put on herself, before smiling genuinely at the space Loki had occupied and whispering, “You’re welcome.”

Loki lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, the closest piece of furniture, and dragged his fingers through his hair as a shudder passed over him. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of his mother consciously since… A ragged breath rushed past his lips as he tried to compose himself and forced himself to sit up straight. This was not who was. He rolled the small vial that she’d given him between his fingers for a while, watching the magic swirl. What if he took this bit back and it called the rest back to him? Was power like water? He sighed heavily, deciding to look for a chain for now, and stood going over to a stack of wood he assumed was supposed to be a dresser.

Loki couldn’t keep the shock from his face when she released some of his power, especially after the threat he’d just made. It wasn’t enough to do any of his usual tricks. He might be able to conjure small illusions, but anything more than that and he would probably just do damage to himself. A confused grimace passed over his features as he turned, breathed a, “Thank you…” and continued down the stairs.  He barely knew what to do with sympathy and caring from his family, let alone someone he’d met only a few hours ago. She knew more than his family. Loki was truly at a loss for words, and Luka continued to surprise him.

Luka waited a split second longer than it took Loki to leave before she couldn’t hold out any longer. Bone claws burst from her knuckles; conflicting elemental powers escaped in arcs; her skin rippled with fur and feathers. As this happened, she fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood before her body had the chance to heal itself. She swept the powers into any and every container she could, panicked at the thought of losing any of them. Loki’s she shoved back into the glass jar she had brought with her, shuddering as the others finished leaving her system. She panted for a moment, processing the physical and mental stress she had put on herself, before smiling genuinely at the space Loki had occupied and whispering, “You’re welcome.”

Loki snorted quietly at her as she walked away, a little taken aback by her challenge. He had to admit he was the slightest bit impressed by how long she’d kept this up and very impressed by how large a collection she had. He crossed his arms, taking a few steps after her, “ Is that an order, miss?” He asked facetiously, head tilting and eyes glinting in their challenge.

“No, it isn’t,” she replied tartly, surprised by the sudden bitterness in her own voice. She reeled herself in mentally before speaking again. “Look, just- don’t touch any of the jars or bottles or–anything containing any powers.” She crossed her arms, unintentionally mirroring his body language as she planted herself firmly before him with feigned confidence. “That’s my only order for now.”

Loki held up his hands, rolling his eyes subtly as he bowed, “Yes, mistress.” He never had done well taking orders from anyone, although he certainly was used to it. Loki had grown up being told exactly how to act when. What was acceptable for a young prince. This made his threshold low,but this was what he had agreed to. “Will I be sleeping at the foot of your bed? Do you have a bed?”

Luka sighed deeply and put a hand over her eyes, other arm crossed over her torso. “You, my prince, can sleep on the mattress.” She motioned toward the makeshift bed to her right. “I have some… things to do before I go to sleep.” This was not the way she had expected her evening to turn out. “Can you stay out of trouble for a few hours, or do you require a babysitter?”

Loki grinned, holding back a chuckle as he eyed the mattress skeptically. He proceeded to shrug, “ It depends on my mood.” Loki looked around the apartment, and then back at the mattress, “I’m sure I can manage to keep myself occupied, although I must say I am curious what could possibly be so pressing that you’d risk leaving me alone.”

“It… won’t be for long,” she replied tentatively, clenched fists hidden behind her back. “I just thought you might want some privacy, and I have a little reading I wanted to do.” Her nails dug into her palms; if she didn’t rid herself of Loki’s power soon, she might burst.

Loki raised a brow at her slowly, a suspicious gleam in his eye, before a smile tugged at his lips. He shrugged, turning and walking towards the mattress with deliberate steps, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice, “Enjoy your book, Luka. I’ll be here.”

“I’ll know if you aren’t,” she warned, hoping to sound some amount of confident. She slid a sizable stack of books off the shelf next to her and held them to her torso with her right arm; with her left, she opened the window behind her and ducked backwards onto the fire escape, clamping a hand onto the smaller books that threatened to slide off the top of the stack. She stared at Loki for a moment longer, shook her head slightly and settled into the corner most hidden from view. She cast a quick glance to the alley below and, using the new powers she strained so hard to hold, removed the least-broken jar from the filthy ground and brought it to her hand. Smoke danced from her left-hand fingers and tousled the pages of the books, opening to the dogeared sections, as she clasped the jar in her right hand and forced Loki’s powers into the container. A sigh of relief rushed out of her as the powers did the same, and she screwed the cap on tightly. Only for a few hours, she thought wearily. Then I’ll take them back.

Loki’s brows quirked slowly, taking a few more steps up the fire escape and shifting the book in his arm. He’d grabbed the Hobbit. “Don’t trip…” He frowned, mumbling and glancing at the rolling jar before trying to duck into her attention. There was a small glint of irritation brewing in his eyes, “What do you mean, it won’t be much? You have the ability to take abilities and you don’t have anything that can produce something substantial?” He raised a brow at her skeptically, trying to get her eyes away from the book in his arms, “Is this one of your favorites? I feel like you’re trying to steal it with your eyes.”

Luka tried not to become defensive. “None of the mutants I knew had powers like that. And besides, anyone with powers of that magnitude would have noticed me taking them.” The stronger powers she had taken had been in small amounts, and then she still had to be careful. She shook her head at his last comment, “It is, but I don’t want to take it from you. I was just curious as to what you had chosen.” She glanced back at her own books–all different tomes and texts of Norse mythology. She had wanted to get to know Loki before she encountered him in person, and was going back over the passages she had read before. “Can you do things like that? With your powers, I mean. What all did your mother teach you to do with them?”

Luka read his features and stepped back in spite of herself, having apparently triggered the wrong memories. “You two were close, I take it?” She asked tentatively, watching the cold front forming on his face. She kept her eyes on him as she knelt down, swiping up a heavily illustrated book and flipping a few pages with careful fingers. She held the book open to display the illustration, looked from it to him, and said, “Your adoptive mother, if this book serves me right. Her name is… Frigga? She’s beautiful.”

Loki glowered at her when she asked is they were close. They were. Even after everything, all the abhorrent deeds and cruel jokes, she still visited him when he’d been sentenced to a life in prison. His normal composure vanished, and his cheeks were sucked hard against his cheek as he tried to hold his seams together. Loki couldn’t help the gasp that escaped at the sight of the drawing of his mother. He wrenched the book from her hands and struggled with the decision of whether to crumple against it or throw it over the edge of the building. He growled at her now, tears brimming shakily, “Do your books tell you that she died by the hands of a monster?”

Loki glowered at her, his jaw flexing as he tried to ease his ragged breath. A few brutal thoughts flicked through his mind before he took a step towards her, his fingers twitching tellingly. “Get out. Of my head. I swear, I’ll rip those powers out with my bare hands if you don’t get out!” He shuddered, feeling the tears rolling over his cheeks and growling bitterly. As much as he prided himself on holding up masks, once the wall was cracked, there was too much to hold back.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. She put a hand to her chest and pulled the telepathic power out with a small, pained gasp. She made a point to show him her movements, taking a corked vial out of her pocket and guiding the smoke into it. “It’s gone, Loki, I’m putting it away.” She sealed the vial and tossed it onto her previously discarded jacket that lay on the ground. “I’m sorry,” she said again, calmly this time–soothingly. She knew her life was in danger, no matter how many powers flowed through her, but that brief glimpse into his mind had changed her perception of him more than she would have liked.

There was a hard panic rooted in his eyes, his gaze following her motions closely before coming back to search her gaze, “What, are you going to pity me now?” He spat, “ I don’t need pity. I don’t need anything but myself, and you’re keeping that from me.” Loki growled, clenching his fists as he tried to decide what to do. “I don’t need to tell you what I want to do to you.” He turned sharply, his steps carrying him briskly towards the fire escape, “ Don’t let my powers out of your sight, or it won’t be the only thing you lose track of.”

“Loki.” She forced her voice to remain steady. She pulled another container out of her jacket, only this one was a tiny glass bottle -no more than an inch in height- with a metal link screwed into the cork. She forced a droplet of his power into it, an emerald of smoke pulsing with life, and tossed it to him. “Here. It’s not enough to use against me, I hope, but perhaps it will make you feel more like yourself.” Her clenched fists threatened to release a more violent gift from her knuckles, but she held herself together. “And it’s called sympathy, not pity. I am sorry for what they did to you.” And for what I’m doing to you, she tacked on mentally. “There should be a chain you can link that onto, downstairs on one of the bookshelves.”

Loki snorted quietly at her as she walked away, a little taken aback by her challenge. He had to admit he was the slightest bit impressed by how long she’d kept this up and very impressed by how large a collection she had. He crossed his arms, taking a few steps after her, “ Is that an order, miss?” He asked facetiously, head tilting and eyes glinting in their challenge.

“No, it isn’t,” she replied tartly, surprised by the sudden bitterness in her own voice. She reeled herself in mentally before speaking again. “Look, just- don’t touch any of the jars or bottles or–anything containing any powers.” She crossed her arms, unintentionally mirroring his body language as she planted herself firmly before him with feigned confidence. “That’s my only order for now.”

Loki held up his hands, rolling his eyes subtly as he bowed, “Yes, mistress.” He never had done well taking orders from anyone, although he certainly was used to it. Loki had grown up being told exactly how to act when. What was acceptable for a young prince. This made his threshold low,but this was what he had agreed to. “Will I be sleeping at the foot of your bed? Do you have a bed?”

Luka sighed deeply and put a hand over her eyes, other arm crossed over her torso. “You, my prince, can sleep on the mattress.” She motioned toward the makeshift bed to her right. “I have some… things to do before I go to sleep.” This was not the way she had expected her evening to turn out. “Can you stay out of trouble for a few hours, or do you require a babysitter?”

Loki grinned, holding back a chuckle as he eyed the mattress skeptically. He proceeded to shrug, “ It depends on my mood.” Loki looked around the apartment, and then back at the mattress, “I’m sure I can manage to keep myself occupied, although I must say I am curious what could possibly be so pressing that you’d risk leaving me alone.”

“It… won’t be for long,” she replied tentatively, clenched fists hidden behind her back. “I just thought you might want some privacy, and I have a little reading I wanted to do.” Her nails dug into her palms; if she didn’t rid herself of Loki’s power soon, she might burst.

Loki raised a brow at her slowly, a suspicious gleam in his eye, before a smile tugged at his lips. He shrugged, turning and walking towards the mattress with deliberate steps, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice, “Enjoy your book, Luka. I’ll be here.”

“I’ll know if you aren’t,” she warned, hoping to sound some amount of confident. She slid a sizable stack of books off the shelf next to her and held them to her torso with her right arm; with her left, she opened the window behind her and ducked backwards onto the fire escape, clamping a hand onto the smaller books that threatened to slide off the top of the stack. She stared at Loki for a moment longer, shook her head slightly and settled into the corner most hidden from view. She cast a quick glance to the alley below and, using the new powers she strained so hard to hold, removed the least-broken jar from the filthy ground and brought it to her hand. Smoke danced from her left-hand fingers and tousled the pages of the books, opening to the dogeared sections, as she clasped the jar in her right hand and forced Loki’s powers into the container. A sigh of relief rushed out of her as the powers did the same, and she screwed the cap on tightly. Only for a few hours, she thought wearily. Then I’ll take them back.

Loki’s brows quirked slowly, taking a few more steps up the fire escape and shifting the book in his arm. He’d grabbed the Hobbit. “Don’t trip…” He frowned, mumbling and glancing at the rolling jar before trying to duck into her attention. There was a small glint of irritation brewing in his eyes, “What do you mean, it won’t be much? You have the ability to take abilities and you don’t have anything that can produce something substantial?” He raised a brow at her skeptically, trying to get her eyes away from the book in his arms, “Is this one of your favorites? I feel like you’re trying to steal it with your eyes.”

Luka tried not to become defensive. “None of the mutants I knew had powers like that. And besides, anyone with powers of that magnitude would have noticed me taking them.” The stronger powers she had taken had been in small amounts, and then she still had to be careful. She shook her head at his last comment, “It is, but I don’t want to take it from you. I was just curious as to what you had chosen.” She glanced back at her own books–all different tomes and texts of Norse mythology. She had wanted to get to know Loki before she encountered him in person, and was going back over the passages she had read before. “Can you do things like that? With your powers, I mean. What all did your mother teach you to do with them?”

Luka read his features and stepped back in spite of herself, having apparently triggered the wrong memories. “You two were close, I take it?” She asked tentatively, watching the cold front forming on his face. She kept her eyes on him as she knelt down, swiping up a heavily illustrated book and flipping a few pages with careful fingers. She held the book open to display the illustration, looked from it to him, and said, “Your adoptive mother, if this book serves me right. Her name is… Frigga? She’s beautiful.”

Loki glowered at her when she asked is they were close. They were. Even after everything, all the abhorrent deeds and cruel jokes, she still visited him when he’d been sentenced to a life in prison. His normal composure vanished, and his cheeks were sucked hard against his cheek as he tried to hold his seams together. Loki couldn’t help the gasp that escaped at the sight of the drawing of his mother. He wrenched the book from her hands and struggled with the decision of whether to crumple against it or throw it over the edge of the building. He growled at her now, tears brimming shakily, “Do your books tell you that she died by the hands of a monster?”

Loki glowered at her, his jaw flexing as he tried to ease his ragged breath. A few brutal thoughts flicked through his mind before he took a step towards her, his fingers twitching tellingly. “Get out. Of my head. I swear, I’ll rip those powers out with my bare hands if you don’t get out!” He shuddered, feeling the tears rolling over his cheeks and growling bitterly. As much as he prided himself on holding up masks, once the wall was cracked, there was too much to hold back.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. She put a hand to her chest and pulled the telepathic power out with a small, pained gasp. She made a point to show him her movements, taking a corked vial out of her pocket and guiding the smoke into it. “It’s gone, Loki, I’m putting it away.” She sealed the vial and tossed it onto her previously discarded jacket that lay on the ground. “I’m sorry,” she said again, calmly this time--soothingly. She knew her life was in danger, no matter how many powers flowed through her, but that brief glimpse into his mind had changed her perception of him more than she would have liked.

Loki snorted quietly at her as she walked away, a little taken aback by her challenge. He had to admit he was the slightest bit impressed by how long she’d kept this up and very impressed by how large a collection she had. He crossed his arms, taking a few steps after her, “ Is that an order, miss?” He asked facetiously, head tilting and eyes glinting in their challenge.

“No, it isn’t,” she replied tartly, surprised by the sudden bitterness in her own voice. She reeled herself in mentally before speaking again. “Look, just- don’t touch any of the jars or bottles or–anything containing any powers.” She crossed her arms, unintentionally mirroring his body language as she planted herself firmly before him with feigned confidence. “That’s my only order for now.”

Loki held up his hands, rolling his eyes subtly as he bowed, “Yes, mistress.” He never had done well taking orders from anyone, although he certainly was used to it. Loki had grown up being told exactly how to act when. What was acceptable for a young prince. This made his threshold low,but this was what he had agreed to. “Will I be sleeping at the foot of your bed? Do you have a bed?”

Luka sighed deeply and put a hand over her eyes, other arm crossed over her torso. “You, my prince, can sleep on the mattress.” She motioned toward the makeshift bed to her right. “I have some… things to do before I go to sleep.” This was not the way she had expected her evening to turn out. “Can you stay out of trouble for a few hours, or do you require a babysitter?”

Loki grinned, holding back a chuckle as he eyed the mattress skeptically. He proceeded to shrug, “ It depends on my mood.” Loki looked around the apartment, and then back at the mattress, “I’m sure I can manage to keep myself occupied, although I must say I am curious what could possibly be so pressing that you’d risk leaving me alone.”

“It… won’t be for long,” she replied tentatively, clenched fists hidden behind her back. “I just thought you might want some privacy, and I have a little reading I wanted to do.” Her nails dug into her palms; if she didn’t rid herself of Loki’s power soon, she might burst.

Loki raised a brow at her slowly, a suspicious gleam in his eye, before a smile tugged at his lips. He shrugged, turning and walking towards the mattress with deliberate steps, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice, “Enjoy your book, Luka. I’ll be here.”

“I’ll know if you aren’t,” she warned, hoping to sound some amount of confident. She slid a sizable stack of books off the shelf next to her and held them to her torso with her right arm; with her left, she opened the window behind her and ducked backwards onto the fire escape, clamping a hand onto the smaller books that threatened to slide off the top of the stack. She stared at Loki for a moment longer, shook her head slightly and settled into the corner most hidden from view. She cast a quick glance to the alley below and, using the new powers she strained so hard to hold, removed the least-broken jar from the filthy ground and brought it to her hand. Smoke danced from her left-hand fingers and tousled the pages of the books, opening to the dogeared sections, as she clasped the jar in her right hand and forced Loki’s powers into the container. A sigh of relief rushed out of her as the powers did the same, and she screwed the cap on tightly. Only for a few hours, she thought wearily. Then I’ll take them back.

Loki’s brows quirked slowly, taking a few more steps up the fire escape and shifting the book in his arm. He’d grabbed the Hobbit. “Don’t trip…” He frowned, mumbling and glancing at the rolling jar before trying to duck into her attention. There was a small glint of irritation brewing in his eyes, “What do you mean, it won’t be much? You have the ability to take abilities and you don’t have anything that can produce something substantial?” He raised a brow at her skeptically, trying to get her eyes away from the book in his arms, “Is this one of your favorites? I feel like you’re trying to steal it with your eyes.”

Luka tried not to become defensive. “None of the mutants I knew had powers like that. And besides, anyone with powers of that magnitude would have noticed me taking them.” The stronger powers she had taken had been in small amounts, and then she still had to be careful. She shook her head at his last comment, “It is, but I don’t want to take it from you. I was just curious as to what you had chosen.” She glanced back at her own books–all different tomes and texts of Norse mythology. She had wanted to get to know Loki before she encountered him in person, and was going back over the passages she had read before. “Can you do things like that? With your powers, I mean. What all did your mother teach you to do with them?”

Luka read his features and stepped back in spite of herself, having apparently triggered the wrong memories. “You two were close, I take it?” She asked tentatively, watching the cold front forming on his face. She kept her eyes on him as she knelt down, swiping up a heavily illustrated book and flipping a few pages with careful fingers. She held the book open to display the illustration, looked from it to him, and said, “Your adoptive mother, if this book serves me right. Her name is… Frigga? She’s beautiful.”

Loki glowered at her when she asked is they were close. They were. Even after everything, all the abhorrent deeds and cruel jokes, she still visited him when he’d been sentenced to a life in prison. His normal composure vanished, and his cheeks were sucked hard against his cheek as he tried to hold his seams together. Loki couldn’t help the gasp that escaped at the sight of the drawing of his mother. He wrenched the book from her hands and struggled with the decision of whether to crumple against it or throw it over the edge of the building. He growled at her now, tears brimming shakily, “Do your books tell you that she died by the hands of a monster?”

Loki snorted quietly at her as she walked away, a little taken aback by her challenge. He had to admit he was the slightest bit impressed by how long she’d kept this up and very impressed by how large a collection she had. He crossed his arms, taking a few steps after her, “ Is that an order, miss?” He asked facetiously, head tilting and eyes glinting in their challenge.

“No, it isn’t,” she replied tartly, surprised by the sudden bitterness in her own voice. She reeled herself in mentally before speaking again. “Look, just- don’t touch any of the jars or bottles or–anything containing any powers.” She crossed her arms, unintentionally mirroring his body language as she planted herself firmly before him with feigned confidence. “That’s my only order for now.”

Loki held up his hands, rolling his eyes subtly as he bowed, “Yes, mistress.” He never had done well taking orders from anyone, although he certainly was used to it. Loki had grown up being told exactly how to act when. What was acceptable for a young prince. This made his threshold low,but this was what he had agreed to. “Will I be sleeping at the foot of your bed? Do you have a bed?”

Luka sighed deeply and put a hand over her eyes, other arm crossed over her torso. “You, my prince, can sleep on the mattress.” She motioned toward the makeshift bed to her right. “I have some… things to do before I go to sleep.” This was not the way she had expected her evening to turn out. “Can you stay out of trouble for a few hours, or do you require a babysitter?”

Loki grinned, holding back a chuckle as he eyed the mattress skeptically. He proceeded to shrug, “ It depends on my mood.” Loki looked around the apartment, and then back at the mattress, “I’m sure I can manage to keep myself occupied, although I must say I am curious what could possibly be so pressing that you’d risk leaving me alone.”

“It… won’t be for long,” she replied tentatively, clenched fists hidden behind her back. “I just thought you might want some privacy, and I have a little reading I wanted to do.” Her nails dug into her palms; if she didn’t rid herself of Loki’s power soon, she might burst.

Loki raised a brow at her slowly, a suspicious gleam in his eye, before a smile tugged at his lips. He shrugged, turning and walking towards the mattress with deliberate steps, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice, “Enjoy your book, Luka. I’ll be here.”

“I’ll know if you aren’t,” she warned, hoping to sound some amount of confident. She slid a sizable stack of books off the shelf next to her and held them to her torso with her right arm; with her left, she opened the window behind her and ducked backwards onto the fire escape, clamping a hand onto the smaller books that threatened to slide off the top of the stack. She stared at Loki for a moment longer, shook her head slightly and settled into the corner most hidden from view. She cast a quick glance to the alley below and, using the new powers she strained so hard to hold, removed the least-broken jar from the filthy ground and brought it to her hand. Smoke danced from her left-hand fingers and tousled the pages of the books, opening to the dogeared sections, as she clasped the jar in her right hand and forced Loki’s powers into the container. A sigh of relief rushed out of her as the powers did the same, and she screwed the cap on tightly. Only for a few hours, she thought wearily. Then I’ll take them back.

Loki’s brows quirked slowly, taking a few more steps up the fire escape and shifting the book in his arm. He’d grabbed the Hobbit. “Don’t trip…” He frowned, mumbling and glancing at the rolling jar before trying to duck into her attention. There was a small glint of irritation brewing in his eyes, “What do you mean, it won’t be much? You have the ability to take abilities and you don’t have anything that can produce something substantial?” He raised a brow at her skeptically, trying to get her eyes away from the book in his arms, “Is this one of your favorites? I feel like you’re trying to steal it with your eyes.”

Luka tried not to become defensive. “None of the mutants I knew had powers like that. And besides, anyone with powers of that magnitude would have noticed me taking them.” The stronger powers she had taken had been in small amounts, and then she still had to be careful. She shook her head at his last comment, “It is, but I don’t want to take it from you. I was just curious as to what you had chosen.” She glanced back at her own books–all different tomes and texts of Norse mythology. She had wanted to get to know Loki before she encountered him in person, and was going back over the passages she had read before. “Can you do things like that? With your powers, I mean. What all did your mother teach you to do with them?”

Luka read his features and stepped back in spite of herself, having apparently triggered the wrong memories. “You two were close, I take it?” She asked tentatively, watching the cold front forming on his face. She kept her eyes on him as she knelt down, swiping up a heavily illustrated book and flipping a few pages with careful fingers. She held the book open to display the illustration, looked from it to him, and said, “Your adoptive mother, if this book serves me right. Her name is… Frigga? She’s beautiful.”

Loki snorted quietly at her as she walked away, a little taken aback by her challenge. He had to admit he was the slightest bit impressed by how long she’d kept this up and very impressed by how large a collection she had. He crossed his arms, taking a few steps after her, “ Is that an order, miss?” He asked facetiously, head tilting and eyes glinting in their challenge.

“No, it isn’t,” she replied tartly, surprised by the sudden bitterness in her own voice. She reeled herself in mentally before speaking again. “Look, just- don’t touch any of the jars or bottles or–anything containing any powers.” She crossed her arms, unintentionally mirroring his body language as she planted herself firmly before him with feigned confidence. “That’s my only order for now.”

Loki held up his hands, rolling his eyes subtly as he bowed, “Yes, mistress.” He never had done well taking orders from anyone, although he certainly was used to it. Loki had grown up being told exactly how to act when. What was acceptable for a young prince. This made his threshold low,but this was what he had agreed to. “Will I be sleeping at the foot of your bed? Do you have a bed?”

Luka sighed deeply and put a hand over her eyes, other arm crossed over her torso. “You, my prince, can sleep on the mattress.” She motioned toward the makeshift bed to her right. “I have some… things to do before I go to sleep.” This was not the way she had expected her evening to turn out. “Can you stay out of trouble for a few hours, or do you require a babysitter?”

Loki grinned, holding back a chuckle as he eyed the mattress skeptically. He proceeded to shrug, “ It depends on my mood.” Loki looked around the apartment, and then back at the mattress, “I’m sure I can manage to keep myself occupied, although I must say I am curious what could possibly be so pressing that you’d risk leaving me alone.”

“It… won’t be for long,” she replied tentatively, clenched fists hidden behind her back. “I just thought you might want some privacy, and I have a little reading I wanted to do.” Her nails dug into her palms; if she didn’t rid herself of Loki’s power soon, she might burst.

Loki raised a brow at her slowly, a suspicious gleam in his eye, before a smile tugged at his lips. He shrugged, turning and walking towards the mattress with deliberate steps, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice, “Enjoy your book, Luka. I’ll be here.”

“I’ll know if you aren’t,” she warned, hoping to sound some amount of confident. She slid a sizable stack of books off the shelf next to her and held them to her torso with her right arm; with her left, she opened the window behind her and ducked backwards onto the fire escape, clamping a hand onto the smaller books that threatened to slide off the top of the stack. She stared at Loki for a moment longer, shook her head slightly and settled into the corner most hidden from view. She cast a quick glance to the alley below and, using the new powers she strained so hard to hold, removed the least-broken jar from the filthy ground and brought it to her hand. Smoke danced from her left-hand fingers and tousled the pages of the books, opening to the dogeared sections, as she clasped the jar in her right hand and forced Loki’s powers into the container. A sigh of relief rushed out of her as the powers did the same, and she screwed the cap on tightly. Only for a few hours, she thought wearily. Then I’ll take them back.

Loki’s brows quirked slowly, taking a few more steps up the fire escape and shifting the book in his arm. He’d grabbed the Hobbit. “Don’t trip…” He frowned, mumbling and glancing at the rolling jar before trying to duck into her attention. There was a small glint of irritation brewing in his eyes, “What do you mean, it won’t be much? You have the ability to take abilities and you don’t have anything that can produce something substantial?” He raised a brow at her skeptically, trying to get her eyes away from the book in his arms, “Is this one of your favorites? I feel like you’re trying to steal it with your eyes.”

Luka tried not to become defensive. “None of the mutants I knew had powers like that. And besides, anyone with powers of that magnitude would have noticed me taking them.” The stronger powers she had taken had been in small amounts, and then she still had to be careful. She shook her head at his last comment, “It is, but I don’t want to take it from you. I was just curious as to what you had chosen.” She glanced back at her own books--all different tomes and texts of Norse mythology. She had wanted to get to know Loki before she encountered him in person, and was going back over the passages she had read before. “Can you do things like that? With your powers, I mean. What all did your mother teach you to do with them?”

Loki snorted quietly at her as she walked away, a little taken aback by her challenge. He had to admit he was the slightest bit impressed by how long she’d kept this up and very impressed by how large a collection she had. He crossed his arms, taking a few steps after her, “ Is that an order, miss?” He asked facetiously, head tilting and eyes glinting in their challenge.

“No, it isn’t,” she replied tartly, surprised by the sudden bitterness in her own voice. She reeled herself in mentally before speaking again. “Look, just- don’t touch any of the jars or bottles or–anything containing any powers.” She crossed her arms, unintentionally mirroring his body language as she planted herself firmly before him with feigned confidence. “That’s my only order for now.”

Loki held up his hands, rolling his eyes subtly as he bowed, “Yes, mistress.” He never had done well taking orders from anyone, although he certainly was used to it. Loki had grown up being told exactly how to act when. What was acceptable for a young prince. This made his threshold low,but this was what he had agreed to. “Will I be sleeping at the foot of your bed? Do you have a bed?”

Luka sighed deeply and put a hand over her eyes, other arm crossed over her torso. “You, my prince, can sleep on the mattress.” She motioned toward the makeshift bed to her right. “I have some… things to do before I go to sleep.” This was not the way she had expected her evening to turn out. “Can you stay out of trouble for a few hours, or do you require a babysitter?”

Loki grinned, holding back a chuckle as he eyed the mattress skeptically. He proceeded to shrug, “ It depends on my mood.” Loki looked around the apartment, and then back at the mattress, “I’m sure I can manage to keep myself occupied, although I must say I am curious what could possibly be so pressing that you’d risk leaving me alone.”

“It… won’t be for long,” she replied tentatively, clenched fists hidden behind her back. “I just thought you might want some privacy, and I have a little reading I wanted to do.” Her nails dug into her palms; if she didn’t rid herself of Loki’s power soon, she might burst.

Loki raised a brow at her slowly, a suspicious gleam in his eye, before a smile tugged at his lips. He shrugged, turning and walking towards the mattress with deliberate steps, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice, “Enjoy your book, Luka. I’ll be here.”

“I’ll know if you aren’t,” she warned, hoping to sound some amount of confident. She slid a sizable stack of books off the shelf next to her and held them to her torso with her right arm; with her left, she opened the window behind her and ducked backwards onto the fire escape, clamping a hand onto the smaller books that threatened to slide off the top of the stack. She stared at Loki for a moment longer, shook her head slightly and settled into the corner most hidden from view. She cast a quick glance to the alley below and, using the new powers she strained so hard to hold, removed the least-broken jar from the filthy ground and brought it to her hand. Smoke danced from her left-hand fingers and tousled the pages of the books, opening to the dogeared sections, as she clasped the jar in her right hand and forced Loki’s powers into the container. A sigh of relief rushed out of her as the powers did the same, and she screwed the cap on tightly. Only for a few hours, she thought wearily. Then I’ll take them back.