till the end of the line

50 The Beginning Events

I laid back in the bed against the edge as Loki came and sat down beside me, looking down at my hand, "Who's the guy?"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, "You wouldn't know him."

"Come on.. a name?"

"James Barnes. Happy?"

"You're right. I don't know him. Lucky man."

I nodded and gave him a hum of acknowledgment before I closed my eyes, falling asleep paying no attention to what he just said.

Feeling arms wrap around my waist and neck, I was then held against someone's chest before being placed on a soft bed as my head was lent gently against a pillow.

I heard a low chuckle before hearing the door close and soon falling into a peaceful sleep.

~

"Katerina... Katerina... Kat, wake up."

Opening my eyes, I met Loki's eyes as he smiled softly, "We have a game to watch. Special invite by the Grandmaster."

I groaned and sat up before noticing the blanket over me and my new position on the bed. I raised my brow and then shook my head before Loki gave me his hand, helping me out of the bed. Looking around the room, I noticed my jacket on a misshapen chair as I walked towards it, putting it on.

"You looked uncomfortable where you were, so I moved you. And you were sweating in your jacket, so I took it off. Don't worry, that was all."

I nodded and gave him a soft smile in return before I walked over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you."

"What was that for?"

"He's watching, remember?"

He chuckled and then nodded, "Right. Right... Shall we go?"

"Sure. Let me just get Lin-"

"She's already with the Grandmaster. Don't worry, he won't hurt her. He quite likes her."

"How long have you two been here?"

He looked down at me for a moment before he let out a sigh, "About... seven months, perhaps."

"S- seven months?"

"Yes, and it was horrible at first. Lina constantly tried to find a way out of here, she's quite smart for someone her age."

"Given who helped me raise her in the beginning, I would say it's inevitable." He nodded and then grabbed my hand gently before we left the room and into the hall.

"So... I'm engaged. What about you? There's got to be a special girl in your life. What about that girl back on Asgard? Sif, was it?"

Looking down at me, he shook his head before smiling and chuckling, "Oh, no. Sif is barely a friend even. Besides, I just don't love it's simple. I don't need love."

Stopping at his words, I let go of his hand and turned to him, "Everyone needs love."

"Why? Why is love so important?"

"Because it teaches you," I sighed before looking down at my hand where I conjured up an elegant dagger, "Think about it like this."

I held up the dagger as he nodded, listening, "Love is a dagger. It's a weapon to be wielded from far away or up close. You can always see yourself in it." I lifted the dagger up and looked at my reflection into the blade as I softened my voice, "It's beautiful. Until it makes you bleed."

I then held the dagger downwards as I punctured my chest and held back the pain.

Straightening up, his eyes widened as I stood, showing him my blood before letting it heal. Calming down, I then turned the dagger's handle towards him, "But then again, ultimately, when you reach for it..."