I see you || Loki

35. Divisive Decisions

You placed your necklace directly over the book in Loki's hands, cutting off his line of sight to read. "Fix it."

Loki looked up at you from where he reclined on the couch, resigned impatience written over his features. "I already told you I won't."

"You're being unreasonable. Between this and your behavior last night..." When Loki didn't pay any mind to the necklace, you set it on a nearby table. "It's humiliating."

Loki shook his head and returned his attention to his book. "Are you so ashamed to be with me?"

"That isn't what I meant and you know it," you said. "You're being terrible."

Loki turned a page. "You are mine and I'll have everyone know it."

"Everyone already knows it." You took the book from him, snapped it shut, and set it aside. "You said that yourself. What's the purpose of making a scene?"

Loki's face turned dark. He stood, looming over you. You resisted the urge to take a step back, though you had to crane your neck to meet his icy gaze.

"The purpose," Loki said, the words hard, "is that I will not have any single person—not one—think your attention wavers from me. There will be no doubt, no appearance of reluctance." He was trying to intimidate you, but you'd learned to see through his bluster. You pushed down the anxiety that rose under your ribs.

"Instead," you said, "you have made them think that you don't trust me more than an arm's length away from you. Or would you prefer to hold me on a chain?"

"Don't tempt me." Loki ran the backs of his fingers along your cheek. The heat in his eyes distracted you for a moment. You shook your head to clear the steam that vision conjured.

"You've shown all of Asgard that you're afraid that I will run at the first opportunity."

Loki didn't seem to have an answer to that. His mouth opened, then closed again.

You pressed the issue before he could find his voice. "I will always choose you. You know that." You stepped forward to wrap your arms around him and laid your head against his chest. "What better way to show that you have me than to let me do as I wish? They'll see that I return of my own volition."

Loki's fingers traced the line of your spine. You could feel him thinking it through, considering the new perspective.

"One condition, love," he said.

You sighed. Of course, he would make it difficult. "This isn't a negotiation."

Loki tipped your face up to his with his fingers under your chin. "Everything can be discussed. Just one condition, sweet." His voice dropped lower. "You stay here."

This again? You scowled at him. "You can't keep me here at all hours like some caged pet."

"Not a cage, love, a home." He leaned his forehead against yours and closed his eyes. "Live here, sleep here, be with me here; then, I'll grant your request."

"You want me to live in your rooms?"

"Our rooms," he corrected.

"That's ridiculous."

Loki's lips skimmed over your cheek before he pressed a kiss to the corner of your mouth. "I don't think it is."

"I can't stay here." You pushed against his chest with no effect.

Loki didn't seem to notice your protest. "You can do anything you wish."

"But—"

"No arguments."