Loki Laufeyson - Saviour {2}

Chapter Twenty Five - HYDRA

When I woke up the next morning, I was no longer on the roof, leaning on Loki's shoulder, but rather I was back in my bed, several blankets draped over me, creating a warm bubble around me. I slowly sat up, immediately spotting a figure sitting in a chair by my window. Before I could even stiffen, the figure, partly hidden in the shadows, turned to look at me and I recognised Loki's face straight away.

"I wanted to make sure you didn't have any more nightmares." He said, as if he could see my unasked question.

"Have you been awake the whole time?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him and he chuckled faintly.

"I wasn't going to fall asleep anyway." He replied, standing up from the arm chair and using his magic to change into new clothes.

"Thank you." I smiled softly at him, sweeping my messy hair out of my face.

"Potts came in here about ten minutes ago to say that breakfast was ready." He said, moving towards my door. "She wants your help with more feast preparations after as well."

"Okay." I nodded, clambering out of my bed only to find that I was still wrapped in the blanket that Loki had conjured up and I quickly called out to him before he could open my door. "Wait, Loki, do you want the blanket back?"

"Keep it." He gave me a grin, opening up the door and disappearing outside, shutting the door and leaving me to get ready.

I had a quick shower and changed into a loose pair of tracksuit pants and a thick sweat shirt, the smell of buttered croissants and toast immediately hitting me as soon as I began to walk down the stairs. I had missed breakfast, the table completely cleared and everyone scattered through the compound, but as soon as Pepper saw me, she handed me a saved plate of ham and cheese croissants.

"I just realised I haven't really thanked you for all of the help you have been giving me with food preparations." She smiled at me as I sat on one of the bench stools, watching her kneed dough on the bench. "It has helped so much, it saves me so much stress."

"That's okay." I smiled around a mouthful of croissant. "I don't mind doing it."

"If you get sick of it, just tell me." She said, seeming concerned. "I don't want to force you to do anything."

"I'm happy to be doing it." I shook my head, trying to give her a comforting smile. "Really, its fine."

"Thank you." She breathed out a small sigh of relief. "You know, you do so much for me, all without complaint. Honestly, you're... you're kind of like a daughter to me."

"Really?" I looked up at her in surprise before a small smile broke out on my face. "Tony said the same thing once."

"I know." She smiled softly, pausing her kneading of the dough. "You really are. We all care for you, not just me and Tony."

I smiled softly and ducked my head, trying to hide the rise of emotions on my face, swallowing my last mouthful of croissant.

"Come on." She smiled down at me. "This bread isn't going to cook itself.

-{+}-

Once all of the final preparations were done for the food, I finally got to curl up on the couch with Clint, Nat, Wanda and Loki, watching the Christmas movie that Wanda had put on chewing left over shortbread.

"Mr. Stark." JARVIS's voice interrupted the movie, causing Nat to groan. "You have visitors at the door."

I immediately tensed up, cursing myself for not carrying a weapon with me as Tony slowly got up, seeming reluctant to leave whatever project he was working on at the kitchen table. All of us turned away from the movie, the others looking at the tinted windows in confusion, while my heart sped up. I heard murmuring voices outside and I tensed even more, my eyes darting around for any weapon I could use as my fire began to bubble in my veins. Loki must have sensed the heat because he put a gentle hand on my arm, trying to send a wave of his calming magic through me.