The Purging of Asgard

Chapter 10: The Purging - Part 2

Loki feels numb. He watches his pregnant wife sink to the floor, gasping, blood blossoming on the front of her gown. 
He tries to take a breath as he feels the room tilt.
"Hela." He says, steadying himself, swallowing his tears,
"Ah, how nice of you to join us," she says, dropping Sigyn who crumbles into a motionless heap. 
"How did this happen? All of my hate. All of my rage. All in you." 
"Please, Father. You knew this was coming." She spits. "I am ridding Asgard of those who should be with me, and bringing them home to my halls."
Loki strikes swiftly, while Hela is distracted by his double. He steps silently from the shadows behind her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders, he thrusts his sword through her back.
She cries out as the blade tears through her stomach. The Loki-illusion fades away, now nothing but a sparkling cloud, "I am sorry I did this to you." He whispers into her ear, "but this ends now." He twists the sword, ripping another scream from her before she goes limp and he lets her fall. Her eyes staring but no longer seeing, blood staining the stone floor beneath her. 
"I am sorry, my daughter." He closes her eyes before running to Sigyn's side, lifting her into his lap,
"Sigyn… look at me, mitt hjärta. Look at me." Her eyes slide open, she smiles a dazed smile, her hand finding his cheek. 
"Hello min kärlek," she whispers, "I'm afraid I made a mistake." A tear slips down her ashen cheek, she could feel herself slipping away. The stillness in her belly told her their child was gone. Her heart broke for Loki. "Don't cry. Don't worry. It doesn't hurt, darling." Her thumb strokes his cheek, smudging the blood. 
Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't let her see you cry. He nods to her, holding her close. He feels her breath become more labored. More shallow. He sees the spark behind her eyes go dull as she slips beyond his reach. Her hand falls from his cheek, leaving the bloody print of her hand, an angry ghost of his loss. 
Don't let her see you cry. He rests his chin on her head looking out the window, beyond the balcony at the sunset. It was all over. She can't see him anymore. And he can't stop the tears as they soak his face. 
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Loki awakes in his penthouse, face wet with tears. He sits up, hand going to his cheek and wiping away the tears; he rolls out of bed, trudging to the window, and watches the beginnings of dawn creep through the city below his window. Leaning his forehead on the chilled window, his breath fogs the glass, obscuring the sight he is ignoring as the memory he has tried to forget insists on consuming him. 
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The next day, Loki risks another trip to the comic store, his quest nearly forgotten. He had to see you. Had to know you are alive and well. He walks in cautiously, trying to blend with the few people who are dawdling before closing time.
"Thanks, I'll see you two next week." He hears you say as you finish helping what seems to be a young couple. They walk out hand in hand, whispering to each other, something about a lantern and a fish hybrid called an Aquaman. Loki has always found midgardians to be an odd race. 
You see him and pause. He freezes not wanting to frighten you again. The last of the customers walk out, and he's about to follow,
"Wait." You say quickly, "Please, just hang on a second." So he pauses, turning slowly. Seeing you pull a dark bundle from under the counter.
You can't hide your nerves as you approach him, "I just... I wanted to say thank you and return your coat... And... I'm sorry." 
"Sorry?" He asks. 
"For the first time you came by. I got a little spooked... I've been a little off lately." 
"I assure you there is nothing to apologize for. I am sorry I frightened you. You just remind of someone. Someone who was very dear to me."
You think for a moment, 'was', past tense, the realization hits you and you drop the subject. You both stand in almost awkward silence for a minute or two, not quite knowing what to say.
"Well, I have to finish closing up here, but I had to thank you. I don't want to think of what would have happened." 
Loki nods with a small smile and turns to leave. He stops with his hand on the door,
"Would you like me to wait? Outside? I could walk you home again. Just to make sure you’re safe." 
Say no, say no, say no. You still don't know anything about this man.
"Uh... If... I guess, if you want." 
Really?
You could use the security on the way home, but is it really security if you don't know him? You mentally slap yourself. For heaven’s sake, he saved you. He's already walked you home once, so it's not like he doesn't know where you live.
He nods again. "I'll be just outside." He steps out and you're left kicking yourself and wondering if you're making a huge mistake. You're so distracted, you have to recount the drawer four times. Finally you've closed out the drawer and locked up, though you're still sure you've forgotten something. 
On the way home, you try to make small talk to alleviate the awkward silence and soon you've relaxed enough that you are actually joking with him. Once you could swear you even made him laugh. This grim, overly-serious, heartbroken character.
"Well, this is me." You announce. He looks up at your building, "Thank you for walking me back." You've gotten so comfortable with him you are resisting the urge to ask him up. It just feels so natural to be around him now, you don't really want him to go. At least there were no headaches or nosebleeds this time.
Well, baby steps.
"Have a lovely evening." He says gently with a slight bow,
"Thanks, goodnight." You lean in and kiss him before you know what you're doing. He blinks in surprise and you gasp.
You turn and run inside without another word. What was that? What possessed you to think that that was a good idea? Did you even think?
You don't stop running until you've made it to your apartment and are leaning against the inside of your door. 
"Great. I'm crazy. That sure explains a lot." You groan. As much as you wanted to believe that you didn't know him, that you should be afraid of him, there was a strange feeling in your gut. Not only do you know him. Love him even. 
Whoa, there...
Not only do you know him, you also know he is in big trouble.