Strangers on this Road

Chapter 5: Dad's Back (For Now)

Dad continues to yell at Tony in the kitchen while Loki, Thor and I just sit in the living room. I've introduced Thor and Loki my favourite show, 'American Horror Story' and we're halfway through the first season. I think Thor is a little concerned about all the shouting happening in the kitchen, but that's why I've put the show on. It's a good distraction meaning I won't focus and overanalyse whatever dad and Tony are yelling about. All I know is that dad was pretty annoyed with Tony about me being Loki's guider without him being part of the discussion. 

When I saw dad yesterday for the first time in over a month, I was so happy but really confused. He usually never comes home early from training, unless it's something that is extremely important. Well, I guess finding out your daughter is in charge of reforming a god and will be with him almost 24/7 is kinda important. If I had known that it took this to get him home, I would've offered to watch over a God long ago. Don't get me wrong, I understand why he doesn't come home often, it just sucks that I'm used to it.

I hear Tony shout back at my dad and I shift uncomfortably in my seat, Thor and Loki both look at me, "are you alright, Lady Strange? Would you prefer to go somewhere quieter?" Thor asks me and I just shake my head. I continue to watch 'American Horror Story', but I can feel Loki's eyes lingering on me, as if he's trying to read my thoughts.

The door suddenly swings open, Tony and dad quickly walk into the room, both still very angry with each other. I decide that it's best not to ask questions as I don't want to add fuel to this already raging fire. I keep my head down as the two walk past us to go into the garden and Loki turns to me while Thor stands up, "I shall try to diffuse the tension between them." Thor tells us before following Tony and dad.

I sigh and close my eyes for a few moments, "every time my dad comes home from training, there's always a similar argument," I open my eyes to see Loki looking at me softly, "sorry...I shouldn't complain."

"Would you like to go somewhere else," Loki asks me and I turn off the TV, "maybe somewhere quieter?"

I chuckle a little bit, "is this your way of saying that you want to go to the library," he smiles at me and I smile back. I stand up, he does the same, "Loki, just because I'm 'tasked' to watch over you, doesn't mean you have to ask to do something. But yes, the library does sound like a...quieter option."

He smiles at me and I can't help but smile back, the two of us start heading to the library for some peace.

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It's been just over an hour since Loki and I decided to take 'refuge' in the library, and I'm so glad Loki suggested to do this. Loki has been reading the rest of 'Midsummers Nights Dream' while I've been drawing a sketch of Loki. I haven't let him see it yet as I don't want to disturb him while he reads and I don't tend to let people see my sketches. I haven't heard dad or Tony's voice in the past hour, but honestly that means nothing in this place, "you don't have to keep up the illusion around me, witchling." Loki speaks up and I look up from my sketch.

I let the illusion over my face fade away, allowing the cuts and bruises from my fight yesterday show, "I just didn't want Tony to see them, he freaks out enough as it is," I sigh before looking back at the sketch, "although this isn't the first time I've come home with a few scraps and bruises."

"I assumed that about you," his tone seems to be slightly disapproving, but I notice a small smile on his face as he reads. I smile as well, adding some small details to the sketch, I haven't had any time before this to really look at Loki and notice the little details about him. Like when he finds something lightly amusing in his book, he doesn't exactly smile, but there's a small amused glint in his eyes, "didn't your mother ever tell you it was rude to stare?"