The Girl With Bad Luck

Companionship

Persephone excitedly sits on Loki's shoulder on the short trip back to his quarters. Well short for him, to her she imagines it would take up a good portion of her day. She clutches the book against her stomach with one arm the other keeping a hold of the fabric of Loki's shirt to keep balance. He walks at a brisk pace sending her dark hair drifting behind her as the flow of air lifts it from her shoulders. A while later Loki is reaching for the knob on his door. He walks over to the bed and reaches towards her, assumingly to place her on her normal spot on the pillow.

"Wait!" she yells out.

Loki's hand stops at her command, hovering nearby his shoulder. "Is everything alright little one?" he asks her with worry tainting his voice.

"Y-yes, but c-could I maybe stay here; you know on your shoulder? It's warm and I'm cold."

She isn't really chilled but rather likes the closeness of his person. Yet not much has been spoken between them she feels a sense of comfort around him. It has been a long while since she has been able to put her trust in someone and not be disappointed. Loki so far has proven worthy in her eyes.

"If that is what you wish." He responds and turns to sit in a large, dark green chair in the corner. When he sits he makes sure she is comfortable up there and magics a book out of nowhere. The action reminds her of his ability to "mind talk". Her curiosity takes hold of her.

"Loki?"

He raises his eye from his book and looks down upon her. "How do you... well you know do that?"

"Do what my dear?" He asks still looking down at his novel.

"Magic things out of nowhere, shrink books, or talk to people... in their head?"

He chuckles, and she can feel the vibrations deep in her bones. It is not a menacing chuckle so she fears nothing from it. "If I tell you how I magic things you must tell me where you got those bruises."

Persephone looks down at her ribs where she knows dark patches mark her pale skin. She sees no harm in telling him the truth so she agrees. He has shown her nothing but kindness and empathy after all.

"I am a sorcerer or a wizard as you mortals call it. I have trained in magic for many centuries, allowing me to do such things."

Persephone takes this new information into consideration. "Could I do magic?" she asks curiously. "Not many mortals can, so I highly doubt it," Loki replies.

She had expected the answer to be no yet she secretly hoped she could be able to do some sort of magic. It would make her feel somewhat special. Her shoulders slump inward of their own accord. She is thankful Loki cannot see her at the moment.

"Your turn," Loki demands.

Persephone doesn't know where to start. She swallows thickly and her hands begin to sweat. "Before I ended up here...I was kidnapped. I was walking back to my car after my shift at work when I felt him..a man put a cloth over my mouth... h-he knocked me out and I woke up in this room. It was so dark, there were no windows and the only light I ever saw was when he would come with a meal. Which was not often, maybe once every other day. He would blindfold me when we went outside so I could do my business...but every time I made a sound he would hit me in the stomach to knock the breath out of me." She can't keep talking as her breathing gets unsteady and her heart beats furiously. I don't want to go back. I can't go back. Her head starts to get light and she realizes she can't breathe.

Suddenly giant pale hands encase her vision and Loki's green eyes are peering into her. She hears his deep silky voice comforting her.

"Breathe with me Persephone.

In and out.

In and out.

In and out."

She does what he says and her breaths are shaky but at least she is breathing.

"That's it. Keep going." He says encouragingly.

Breathing is easier now and her heart begins to slow down as well. She barely registers Loki pressing her tiny form against his chest. She can feel his tremendous heart thudding through her body, his soothing voice washing over ears, an immense finger rubbing her small back.

"My father had me locked up once too." He remarks quietly. She expects his hand to bring her up, allowing her to see his expression. But it doesn't, so she allows him to keep his privacy. He keeps speaking after a moment, his finger still making circles on her back. "He wasn't as cruel as the man you described, well not physically. But rather he toyed with my emotions. He lied to me and made me believe I was something I'm not. When my mother died, he didn't allow me to attend her ceremony."

"I'm so sorry Loki, that sounds awful. You sound as if you and your mother were very close." Persephone says comfortingly.

"I loved my mother very much, I treated her terribly. Too terribly for her to ever return the love. Yet she always believed in me... and loved me."

"As far as I can tell Loki, you deserve the love she gave you," Persephone says assuredly.

Loki stops rubbing circles on her back and slowly brings her back up to his face. She's afraid she's said something wrong, she closes her eyes waiting for the blow...but it never comes. Loki only looks at her with sympathy on his face. "Thank you little one."

The days that Loki and Persephone spend together are similar to this. Going to the library, choosing books, and enjoying each other's company. They shared personal stories of each of their lives and listened attentively when the other spoke. Persephone no longer used the pillow as her bed anymore but rather Loki's shoulder or chest. She enjoyed snuggling under the collar of his shirt and finding the warmth there whenever she was cold. Loki would never admit it but he found pleasure in her closeness as well. One night especially when he heard quiet snores near his ear. He gently scooped Persephone off his shoulder and let her off onto his chest. He watched as she unconsciously snuggled deeper into his shirt and grasped onto it for comfort. He could feel her tiny fingers fiercely holding onto him, like a lifleine. Knowing that someone enjoyed his presence made him feel...warm inside. He had no romantic feelings for her but more of companionship, someone he could be friends with. He smiled down at her sleeping form and let his head fall back onto his pillow. His hand came up onto his chest and covered her with it. Protecting her from the outside world. Sleep came easier to him that night.

I know this chapter is a little short, but I really liked writing it! Thank you to all of the viewers and favorites on this story! I appreciate all of you and hope you are all enjoying it so far. :)