Fire and Ice

Part 4

I looked around the room I had decided to be stuck in. There was a small blinking light near the door. I assumed it was a camera. Loki had been quiet for a few moments, and I looked back to him.

"Who's that eyepatch guy?"
"Do you mean Nick Fury?"
"I guess. The name seems fitting," I laughed. His face still stayed serious, and I wished I hadn't bummed him out with my story. I decided to stand, and started pacing around the glass circle. Loki turned and watched me, but I ignored him. Using my power always made me jittery, and after not using it for so long the pent up energy got the best of me. I made a small flame, trying a skill I hadn't quite honed in on. I watched as it moved, swaying back and forth ever so slightly. I focused in, watching as it changed shape. Slowly, it began to take the form of a flower.

"Wow," I muttered to myself.

"What are you doing?"
"I'm changing the shape of the flame. See? It's a flower," I responded without looking away. His eyes moved to my hand, and they widened slightly. I gave my flower leaves, concentrating as hard as I can. My hand started to feel weak after a few more moments, and I let go of the energy. I smiled to myself.

"That was... impressive."
"Thank you, Loki. I appreciate the compliment."

His mouth moved upwards at the corners, and I felt proud. Every time he smiled, I took it as a win. The familiar sound of footsteps in the halls made me turn my head. Two men I didn't recognize stepped into the room. One was shorter, with dark hair and glasses. Scientist guy-type. The other had light brown hair, dressed in black with a serious look on his face.

"Well, isn't my favorite mind controlling alien," the serious one said sarcastically. For some reason, his comment made me mad. He walks in, and the first thing he does is make a rude quip?
"If you came in here to insult him, do me a favor and just leave," I said without much thought. The dark haired man chuckled to himself. I heard Loki stand up behind me, and I watched his reflection get closer.

"Agent Barton. You must have no fear being in my presence."
"What did you do to him?" I asked, trying not to sound too exasperated. He must've done a lot if he tried to take over New York.

"I just... opened his mind for a period of time," he smirked. The flame I made in my hand was easily 12 inches long, and I stretched it until it licked the floor, like a long string.

"Now, you could lie again. But I would prefer if you just told me what happened. I also am enjoying the look in your eyes when I do this a lot more than I should. So I could threaten you all day."

I heard the two men gasp behind me. They must not have heard about me. Loki recovered from his fear quickly, covering it by rolling his eyes.

"I controlled his mind while trying to 'take over' New York City. He is obviously fine now. And that is quite rude. I thought you could tolerate me."
I shook out the flame, crossing my arms over my chest and looking back at the guy named Barton.

"What are you two here for? And what's your name?"
"I"m Dr. Bruce Banner. Barton and I wanted to come see you. I'm a scientist and I am curious about your... abilities. And Barton has a bit of a grudge against Loki. we all do, honestly. Anyway, can you come to the lab with me?"
I looked between the doctor and Barton. I didn't want to leave. Why? Because I wanted to be with Loki. Because I'm stupid. I am attracted to him, despite every lie and cover up story he's told me. Every threat. I still feel protective.

"Well, if I'm coming with you, Loki is too. His punishment for breaking out of prison is staying with me. I don't make the rules."
"Actually, you did make that rule," Loki said quietly behind me. I rolled my eyes. Barton looked between the two of us, seeming very skeptical. Bruce opened our door, and I grabbed Loki's elbow before he could do anything stupid. We walked out, following Banner through some hallways. Loki and I stayed in step with each other, and I loosened my grip on his arm. I noticed how well the shirt I had given him fit. His muscles were decently toned, but not in that weird, veiny way. I looked away quickly when he glanced down. He was also pretty tall, probably six one or six two, a good six inches taller than me. For some evil god, he was pretty damn fine to look at.

"Through here, please," Banner asked, breaking me out of my trance. We walked into a very fancy lab. Devices lined the walls, and paper and different items cluttered whatever empty space was left. Barton drummed his finger on a countertop as Banner pulled out a small needle.

"Um, what are you planning on doing with that?" I asked, feeling anxiety creep into my head. The white walls started to come closer, air seemed to stop in my throat.

"I just wanted to take a blood sample."
I shook my head, words scrambling before I could speak. My feet stepped back reflexively, and I let go of Loki's arm.

"I don't do," I choked up, "needles." Suddenly, I wasn't in the same room. I was in my lab. The bright lights hurt my eyes and I felt tears start streaming down my face. My wrists ached from the tubes and needles. All the tests.

"Diana? Diana!"

I blinked and looked around. I was standing against the wall, arms wrapped around my torso. Loki was standing right in front of me, hands on my shoulders. I wiped my eyes quickly, but it didn't help. I looked around at the different instruments around the room and a wave of anxiety came over me again. I closed my eyes, counting my breaths. Slowly, I felt arms wrapped around me. My head rested against his chest.

"What are you doing?" I whispered.

"I don't know."
My breathing started to even out, and Loki let go of me, hands still resting on my elbows. I cleared my throat.

"Sorry, Doctor. I don't have the best experience with needles."

Barton and Banner looked awkwardly between each other. I realized how weird everything just happened probably looked. Loki seemed to realize too, and he stepped back, smoothing his shirt, keeping his eyes on me.

"What, um, tests were you thinking of doing? Because I don't want to disappoint-"
"No. No tests. We're leaving," Loki snapped, taking my arm and leading me out of the room.

"You can't just leave!"
I felt a tingling sensation come over me, and Barton's demands quieted. He was making an illusion so we were invisible. Loki's arm settled around my waist and he led me through the hallways at a quick pace. We were walking for a few moments before I realized what he was doing.

"No. We can't leave. Either we go back to that lab or the cell."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you just said we can't leave? Why do you want to stay?"
"I would leave if it didn't make me a wanted criminal! I am incredibly grateful you're helping me but I would prefer if this situation could be solved without becoming enemies of the state."
He continued to move forward, so I planted my feet. I heard him sigh, and he looked down at me.

"You could leave without me. I know you want to," I said quietly. He started to say something but stopped, his mouth still slightly open. His eyes ran over my face for a few moments, and I watched as his emotions changed like a slideshow.

"Damn you," he said through his teeth. Turning on his heel, he started down the hallway, the opposite way of our cell. It took me only a few moments to start after him, jogging to catch up. He started moving faster, and I knew he wasn't going to stop. I threw a flame, draping the string across the hall at about the height of my waist. Loki stopped and looked at it before turning to me.

"You said I could leave without you."

"Okay, let me rephrase that. You can try to leave without me. But I will stop you."

"Your confidence is impressive, but futile."
Anger bubbled up in my chest. But it wasn't because he was leaving. It was because he was leaving me. I wanted him to stay. He was just comforting me in the lab and protecting me, and I wanted him to do it again. I pulled the flame, now encircling him.

"Really? You have no faith in me?"
"I do not believe you, a weak mortal, could stop me."
With a tug of my wrist, the flame tightened, touching his arms. I stepped forward, my face inches from his.

"Try me, pretty boy," I whispered in his ear. He sucked air through his teeth, and I loosened the flame slightly. I felt his breath just below my ear, and I tried to ignore the euphoric feeling it gave me.

"You truly are strange. And brave."
I felt his hands on my waist for a second before he slammed me against the wall. I lost control of the flame. The air left my lungs and I gasped. His hands left my waist and grabbed my wrists, gripping them tightly above my head.

"Now you're going to stop me?" he smirked. I laughed, setting my head back against the wall. Loki's brow furrowed for a moment.

"What's so amusing?"

This was going to be fun.