Loki suffers from horrible nightmares.
Oh he would totally have some crazy nightmares from the Chitauri and The Other... He'd grip you tighter while he's in the midst of the nightmare. And then he'd wake up, panting and screaming. He'd just look at you, and you could see the vulnerable and scared side of him. He probably wouldn't be able to say anything. And you'd just reach out your arms, and he'd fall into them.
Tears glistening in his beautiful eyes. You'd just hold him tightly as he sobbed until he was breathless. He'd never tell you what the nightmares were about, and you'd never ask. You'd just be there, soothing whatever terror had gripped him.
Stroking his hair, you know that its something special, to be the one he turns to in these times. You know that tomorrow he may be a little bit distant, as if embarrassed by the emotion he's showing tonight. But he'll always reach out to you. And always before you both fall back asleep, he'll murmur into your ear "Thank you, my love"
You'd smile, kissing him gently. Whispering, "Anything for you,my heart" He'd curl up close to you, his head resting on your chest so he can listen to your heartbeat, so he knows you're real and that you're really there. You'd be his touchstone.
You continue stroking his hair, humming softly. Every so often you just whisper "I Love you" "You're safe" "I'm here", the soft promises to soothe him and help him sleep. You never knew you'd be the comfort for a God, yet here you are. As you feel him relaxing and drifting back to sleep you smile. He may never say it, but you see how he needs you.
Unconsciously wrapping his arms around you tighter, needing to feel you close..... You hear him sigh softly in his sleep....
Just a soft, contented sigh. You wouldn't be able to sleep, because you'd be watching him. Watching for any sign of discomfort or terror to take over. So you can soothe him, and make sure he actually gets a good night's sleep.
But soon you drift off. Never into a deep sleep, so you can be ready to comfort if you're needed, but a light sleep. When you wake up the next morning, you're alone in the bed. From the feel of the sheets, he's been up for sometime. As you try to get your bearings, the aroma of coffee fills the air. You look, and magically on the bedside table there has appeared a hot cup of coffee, done just the way you like it. You smile as you take the first sip. Loki always makes sure to let you know he's there to care for you as well. Even if it's hard for him to show it, you are special to him.
You smile, sipping your coffee, as you walk out of the bedroom. You find Loki in the living room, sprawled upon the couch, reading an old and battered copy of "The Once and Future King". Every since you introduced Arthurian legend to him, he's been obsessed.
He looks up at you, a vague expression on his face. You know his mind is still deep in the world of the book. "Oh, Good morning" he says, seemingly disinterested. But you know this is merely the boundary he feels is necessary after last night. So you smile and say "Good morning" cheerfully but not too caring. If you try to be too loving right now, it will only anger him, reminding him of how he needs you. You sit on the opposite end of the couch, curling your legs up and sipping your coffee. You grab your favorite book and start to read, leaving him to his book. After a few minutes you peek over the top of the book and find that he's watching you, gauging how you're going to treat him after last night. You simply smile at him and say "Thanks for the coffee."
You go back to your book, but you can feel his eyes on you. It's always like this with him. Like a game of cat and mouse. You want nothing more than to hold him, and kiss him, and make sure he knows you think nothing less of him for his nightmares or for needing you. But you also know it's something that has to come in his own time. You can't force him. With Loki, everything has to be his decision. So, you continue to read, all the while his eyes are on you. Finally, you hear a whispered, "Thank you."
