Frost Bite

Rationally Insane

When she came to in Loki's arms, she looked up into the face of the two men and instantly started to scream and lash out wildly, trying to get away.

"Amy!" Loki tried to hold her and calm her.  He failed. She broke free and bolted for the door. "Amy! Calm down. You can't  leave like that, you're not thinking straight."

"Try and STOP me," she rounded on them both, one hand on the door handle, self preservation reassured by an unlocked door.  "You're... you're..."

"Vampires?" Thor added to the end of the sentence with a smile. She stopped and looked at him. Suddenly, the adrenaline surge stopped, and she felt weak and dizzy. "Come and sit down, please." He held out one of his enormous hands, but she didn't move.

"Over there!" She pointed next to Loki. "Stand over there." Her tone, now  she had recovered, was strong and unwavering. Once he had moved, she turned, picked up a table knife, and dragged a chair against the wall.  Sitting down facing them, she held the knife out in front of her.  Logic suggested it would do nothing against these two, but for the moment, logic had gone out the door along with her sanity, it seemed.

"Speak. Explain. Tell me why I'm not completely insane and why I should believe you. If you fail, I'm gone. You have 5 minutes."  She pulled back the knife and crossed her arms over her body protectively. Mainly to stop them seeing how much she was shaking, but also to reassure herself she was still in one piece.

Loki watched with growing admiration. Her initial reaction had been entirely understandable, her actions now, impressive. Her strength of will and her determination to find out what was going on overriding all - well almost all - her fears. She was exactly as he'd hoped and more.  In truth, he was attracted to her on every conceivable level. He just needed to make sure she understood he wanted to actually kiss her, not harm her!

Thor seemed to realise she trusted him more than Loki for now. There was something in his bluff demeanour that she connected with.  He nodded to Loki and took a step forward.

"You're not insane Amy, we are exactly what we appear to be.  Space Vikings with sharp teeth." he attempted a smile and this time, his teeth were back to what normal people expected.  She blinked and shook her head. "No, you weren't imagining things.  They do change." he came and sat at the table, still in his armour. We've lived many of your human lifetimes Amy, me slightly longer than my little brother, but we are NOT I repeat NOT here to harm you.  Quite the opposite." he motioned to Loki to sit.

"Amy, my dear," Loki started to speak, and this time, she listened. Her was called Silver Tongue for more than one reason Thor noted with an inward smirk. "Amy, we are Princes of Asgard. We protect the 9 realms and yes, we have been what you would call Vampires for most of that.  We were turned as they call it many centuries ago. By some creatures we encountered during a battle. They actually saved us from certain death. Yes, there are downsides, but in the main, we seemed to flourish. We are stronger than your people, we are faster than your people and we are - for the most part - wiser than your people.  When Midgard.. sorry Earth... is threatened we help you. Along with our friends, we form a team.  That's why we need you." he stopped and gave her a minute to digest all this.

She sat, stunned then said slowly "Ok, say I believed you - not that I'm saying I do - but say I DID, how can I believe you're not going to suck my blood as I sleep?  And why do I get the feeling you're in my damned head all the time?" she narrowed her eyes suddenly."YOU PUT IT THERE DIDN'T YOU?" she turned on Loki angrily.  Thor looked at them both and belly laughed.

"Brother! Not that damned dream thing again?  Will you NEVER learn they don't like it when they find out?" he slapped his brother's shoulder. "Not going to lie, little Brother, you deserve a slap for that one." 

It was an open invitation she couldn't refuse.

Before she could stop herself, she got up and strode over to Loki taking her hand across his jaw at great force.  His head snapped to the side and suddenly she saw the folly of what she had just done, a small "oh no" escaping her as she stepped back, suddenly very afraid.  

Thor just roared with laughter, "I LIKE her brother!" he said.  

Loki just looked at her, searing desire filling his mind, making him sweat under the green battle armour. Gods in heaven, she was perfect.  He also realised that this was not the time or the place.  Instead, he merely smiled and nodded.

"I deserved that Little One," he conceded and added to Thor's unending surprise. "I am sorry, Amy, truly I did not mean to upset you.  Quite the opposite. Please forgive me."  This was a Loki Thor had never seen outside his mother's chambers in Asgard.  A contrite, apologetic Loki?  Wonders would never cease.  

Amy remained standing over the two of them, her heart racing. This was insane. Vampires didn't exist and other 'realms'? Who even spoke like that these days?  Part of her was still terrified, part of her still hugely attracted to the raven haired man who now held out a hand in apology and part of her - the biggest part by far - wanted to know more.  That part won.

"Ok," she said slowly "Ok, I won't leave.  So explain.  And this time, no surprises ok?" she raised in eyebrow, " You - you're not - thirsty are you?" she almost smiled.

"No Amy, " Loki returned her half-smile with a full one of his own.  "No, we don't drink blood to survive, not even blood as pretty as yours"  she blushed despite herself.  Mythical creature he might be, smooth operator he certainly was.  "Come, sit with us and we will explain everything.  Then you can decide ok?"

She moved the chair back and sat between them, her senses all still jangling, but now with excitement.  This was beyond her wildest imaginings.  What the hell was going on and how much weirder could things possibly get?

If she'd realised then how weird and just what she was about to get into, she may have fled the room after all...