Chapter Five

Success

The morning comes too soon and brings a wave of pain along with it.

"Mm..." I groan and move onto my back so my sides aren't touching the bed anymore. Ugh, meds. I need my medicine before I can even think about getting up.

"You make awfully erotic noises as you wake, darling." A smooth voice whispers and it takes me a moment to recognize it as Loki's. I open my eyes and note the slight light filtering though the windows, signifying that's it's too damn early to be awake. Loki's beside me on the bed, where I'd just turned away from. Great...I was most likely clinging to his chill to soothe the pain. I'll definitely be hearing about that later. "Dear one?" He questions when I don't answer, but I'm just focused on taking shallow breaths. His head pops up and is framed by the morning sunlight. God, he looks godly. Those black curls are mangled now, but still frame his face nicely. Honestly, this suits his wild nature better.

"Meds, Loki." I tell him, praying he'll know what that means. After a moments hesitation, he gets up without jostling the bed then returns with a glass of water and my medicine. He gets out two pills and gently lifts my head to help me swallow them with a sip of water. "Thank you." I breathe. Loki sets my things on the bedside table, then gently places his hands over my ribs. My eyes shut at the heavenly feeling. A long, relieved sigh slips out of my lips and I press his hands slighter harder down with mine.

"You must breathe. Look at me." He commands and my instantly open before thinking about it. Loki stares back at me, eyes a startling sapphire blue as always. "Shall I distract you?" Loki questions, eyebrows furrowing slightly in concern. My eyes dart to a gold medal hanging around his neck just underneath his sleep shirt. I've glimpsed it before. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen him without the black band or gold glint between the buttons of his button downs. When my eyes return to his he seems to have resigned himself to telling me the tale. "Ah, the medal." He sighs and nods.

"It was a gift...from Thor. It was the first gift Odin gave to him as a man. A sign that Thor had, indeed, become a man. Thor and I were arguing and I told him that he could not battle a Rak'as and survive. A Rak'as is like a Rhinoceros here, but much larger and filled with an unexplainable rage." He chuckles at the memory while I listen amusedly. "Of course, he stormed out in anger while dragging me along, telling me he'll prove it to me. I did my best to talk him out of it, well, perhaps not my best." Loki admits with a small smile. "So, there we both were in the setting sun, doing our best to hunt down a Rak'as herd. They weren't that difficult to find with their ungodly noise, but I thought once Thor saw them and truly realized their strength and size, he'd retreat. He did the exact opposite. The moment we saw one he leapt onto it's back and tried to wrestle it." Loki sighs, as if reliving the sight of his brother's idiocy once again.

"The creature didn't seem to notice at first, then became annoyed with him and started to roll. Against my better judgement, I ran to him as he narrowly escaped being crushed and threw him a dagger to slay the beast. He took it and stabbed its heart, then grinned at me while covered in dust." Loki's smile is luminous while he speaks, making my heart ache. "Little did we know; a guard was keeping an eye on us from afar and had reported the events to Odin. We were called to the throne room that morning. While we were both admonished for our foolery, Thor was then given the medal. To display his courage and nerve." Even now, I can hear the mocking tone in Loki's voice, but it's quick to disappear. "We returned to our rooms and Thor instantly removed the medal to put it around my neck, telling me I deserved it for saving his life." The sincerity and tenderness in his eyes is breathtaking and I can't resist reaching up and letting one of his silken curls wrap around my finger. His eyes snap up to meet mine and shine with his past.

"That's a lovely story, Loki." I tell him genuinely before he grins and catches my hand, holding it to his frigid lips.

"It made you forget about your pain. That is all that matters." He murmurs and I realize it's true. I completely forgot about the pain and now the medicine has kicked in. "How about some breakfast?" Before I know it, he's scooped me up in the sheets and is carrying me out the door.

"Is this necessary." I dead-pan while throwing my arm around his shoulders, knowing he won't put me down. A wide smile lights up his face as he looks down at me.

"Absolutely." He tells me, but offers no other explanation. When we arrive in the kitchen he sets me gingerly on a stool at the bar, then maneuvers around the kitchen making breakfast. "I'm making you oatmeal. That is healthiest, yes?" He pauses to ask and I nod while trying to conceal my smile. Since he's so focused he doesn't see Sam walk up to the door. Always amicable, he smiles at me before looking me up and down, then at Loki in his sleep shirt and loose sweatpants. Sam looks back at me with wide eyes and an open mouth and I slice a hand across my throat to tell him not to say anything. "Juice or coffee?" I forcibly relax when Loki looks back at me.

"Juice please. Apple." I respond and Loki nods, a ridiculously serious expression on his face. When he turns back around I look at Sam who now has a fist over his open mouth. Frantically, I wave him away with small hand movements. At first, he just shakes his head. Eventually though, he holds his fingers to his ear to tell me to call him before he jogs away. I sigh heavily as Loki takes the oatmeal from the microwave and puts a spoon in it, then presents it to me. "Thank you. Could you pass me the sugar?" I ask and he does along with a glass of juice.

"Why do you need the sugar?" Loki asks interestedly. I take the spoon and scoop a heaping pile of sugar on it, then sprinkle it on the top.

"Well, I dislike things that taste healthy, so I need something sweet to disguise the taste." I explain as he watches me intently.

"I'm shocked your lips don't sweeten it enough." He teases and I roll my eyes.

"You have no clue what my lips taste like, Loki Friggason." I point out and his eyes alight with mischief.

"That can easily be changed." Loki continues, rubbing a finger over his bottom lip while staring at mine. It takes me a moment to look back up at his eyes and I know he notices.

"I don't think so, buddy." I deny him and continue eating. His eyes watch me and I fearlessly stare back, although I'm tempted to laugh a couple times.

The next week and a half passes quicker than I thought it would. Finally, the pain is gone and I can move around on my own, but still, Loki is more often than not by my side. I'm surprised that I don't mind. Our witty banter keeps me on my toes, as well as his continued idea that he's courting me. I've still no idea what to do, but I can't remember feeling happier than when I'm with him...or more irritated.

"I'm going back to my room. There's no need for you to babysit me anymore now that I'm healed." I insist, grabbing the notebook he gave me and putting it on top of the handful of my clothes I've gathered from his room. Thankfully, I managed to grab some of my own clothes, like the shorts and tank top I'm wearing. I grab one of his shirts without his noticing before slipping past him and out the door.

"Have you forgotten there's a man who wishes you harm? That has not been found?" He asks, easily keeping up with my quick steps.

"Tony increased security and fixed the window that you broke. I'm sure it's fine." I assure him and walk into my room, placing the clothes in my dresser and the notebook in my bedside chest. He sighs irately, but when I look at him I get concerned. "Oh no. Don't start thinking mischief about this. I know that expression. This is my decision and it's final." I tell him with my hands firmly planted on my hips.

"Fine. If you won't leave, then I won't be leaving either." He states and crosses his arms in his stubborn stance. We stare off for a minute before I huff.

"Loki, you can't be around me all the time. People will start to talk." I try to reason with him, but my words just bring a smirk to his face. Loki walks over to me and lets his hands trail down my arms.

"And what would people say?" He asks with bright eyes. His hand reaches up and lets a finger trace my jaw down my neck to my collar bone. I shiver at his touch, but don't look away. "Would they think we were sleeping together? Making love beneath the sheets every night and into the morning?" Loki whispers his questions while moving closer to me. His hands land on my waist and my neck to keep me close, but after seeing him take care of me for so long...my resistance is weak. Those blue eyes sparkle as he watches his touch take hold over me. "I'm puzzled by your fight, darling. Nothing would change if we were to be betrothed. He tells me genuinely, then smirks. "Although, I believe you might be more susceptible to being charmed into bed." He can't help but tease, coaxing a small laugh from me.

"We've talked about this." I murmur disapprovingly, but his lips are distracting when they're so close to mine.

"Yes. We've spoken our words, but not communicated. What is that annoying saying you favor? Communication is key." He quotes and I tilt my head back to laugh.

"I'm shocked you listened." I reply, gasping slightly when his lips land on my neck. Gently, he kisses my throat before retreating and meeting my eyes once again.

"Over all this time you have never spoken against me. You desire me, you care for me, so what is it that keeps you from me, darling?" Loki asks, frustration creeping into his voice.

"Well, uh, I..." I stammer, trying to come up with an answer but finding none. Another second passes before I answer, "Nothing." The word slips out without thought and we both realize it at the same time. Next, I'm leaning in and finally pressing my lips to his.