Another Chance

A late visit

Several knocks on the door woke him up. Loki blinked with difficulty. He didn't remember when he had fallen asleep after Thor's awkward and short visit. He wasn't sure what time it was at the moment either, and the curtains that completely covered the window didn't help. He only knew that after the movie with Sigyn, Jane and Darcy he had felt very, very tired. With that kind of heaviness that comes after great stress. It had not been an easy day, nor a short one.

The knocks repeated while he tried to shake off the sleepiness. The insistence irritated him. He got up with a groan and headed for the door.

"Thor, I swear by the familiar lineage that if you come with another of your..." He opened the door suddenly and several things happened at the same time.

For one thing he remembered that he had stopped in the middle of changing from suit to pajamas, which meant he was actually only wearing his pajama pants. For another he discovered that it was not Thor on the other side of the door, but Sigyn. Sigyn, who was carrying a tray with what he assumed was dinner and who looked at him surprised, amused and blushed at the same time.

"Sorry, I didn't think you were already asleep," she murmured.

"No, I... Damn." Loki quickly moved away from the door, leaving it open, and crossed the room towards the bed.

He hurriedly put on his pajama top, silently cursing himself. When he turned back, running his hands through his hair, Sigyn had already entered and was placing the tray on his desk. Next to the cupcake that he hadn't eaten yet. Loki studied the tray, on which there was only a dinner plate, a glass and a double serving of dessert.

"I'm sorry for opening you up like that. I thought you were Thor again", he apologized, irritated with himself.

Sigyn turned around and smiled at her, though she was still blushing.

"It's okay. I'm sorry for waking you up."

"It's alright." He ran a hand over his face and pointed at the plates with his chin. "You didn't have to bother."

Sigyn stirred, looking uncomfortable.

"You didn't come back," she murmured, so softly that Loki almost didn't hear her.

"It seemed right to me to allow you to spend time with them. They are your friends, you must miss them after so much time with me."

Sigyn, who had lowered her gaze, jerked her head up in surprise.

"Do you think that's why I invited them to see the movie?"

Loki nodded, confused.

"I did it for you," she assured in a soft tone. "Because I want you to get along. I didn't expect Darcy to be so...difficult," she added in an irritated tone.

Loki took a second to understand what she was trying to tell him.

"Why?"

"Because Jane is one more glance away from Thor to be your sister-in-law. And I think Darcy would be a good friend to you, if she stops antagonizing you like that."

Loki pursed his lips.

"I don't need you to find me friends, Sigyn," he assured her, and he was aware of how defensive he sounded. "If it bothers you that you have to spend so much time with me, just tell me."

Sigyn opened her mouth in surprise. And hurt, he realized with a pang of guilt.

"That's what you think? That I'm looking for people to send you to hang out with when I get tired of you?"

Loki didn't say anything. He clasped his hands behind his back, the bandage that still covered one of them rough against the palm of the other. He lifted his chin, preparing for her outburst of anger... And looked away from her. He wasn't able to see the disappointment in her eyes, nor did he want to witness when it turned into annoyance.