Spiderman's Sister

The start of an unexpected friendship?

Loki: Mind if I sit down?

I'm startled when Loki suddenly stands in front of me and points to the empty seat next to me. How the hell did he get here without me hearing him? I'm not really in the mood for company. On the other hand, I'm far too rude to others at the moment, which I don't want to be. I just hope he doesn't try to force a conversation on me again.

Victoria: No, go ahead.

He gives me a small smile as he sits down next to me. Wordlessly, he looks out into the forest, just like me. Did Wanda send him to me to make sure I didn't do anything rash? If so, I really need to talk to her about boundaries. On the other hand, he doesn't seem like he's here to look after me. Every now and then I look over at him to see whether he is watching me or not. But all I see is him looking out into the forest. It is now quite late - the sun is already setting - and correspondingly cold. If I wasn't afraid that inside would feel like other people's care was strangling me, I would go inside. But the fear of that is too great. Also, I'm kind of afraid of running into James. We've never argued like we did before and I'm afraid to see the hurt look on his face that I saw earlier when I refused to let him hug me. At some point, out of the corner of my eye, I see Loki conjuring up a blanket. Apparently he's starting to get cold too. He wraps the blanket around himself and sighs contentedly when he notices me watching him.

Loki: Much better. It's damn cold out here.

Yes, it is. And it's kind of selfish that he's raving about how warm the blanket is, but not offering to share it with me. If I weren't afraid that I'd get too upset like I always have recently, I'd tell him how selfish that is. Instead, I just nod almost imperceptibly and try to ignore the cold. Suddenly, I feel Loki lean over and place the blanket over my shoulders so that it covers both of us. And immediately it's no longer cold at all.

Victoria: Thank you.

Loki: You're welcome.

I don't know how long we'll sit out here on the bench without one of us saying anything. Knowing that Loki is here without pushing me to tell him how I'm doing or telling me everything will be okay is a nice change. A change that makes me want to talk, to say what's on my mind and what bothers me most.

Victoria: Loki... why does everyone want me to pull myself together and act like everything is okay?

Loki: Is this what our behavior makes you think?

Victoria: Yes. At least some of you make me feel that way.

Loki: And when you say some of us, you actually mean Barnes, right?

Victoria: Yes.

Somehow I'm almost ashamed to admit it, after all he only means well.

Loki: I'm sure that's not his intention. He's just really worried about you. And just to be clear, none of us enjoy watching you starve yourself.

Victoria: I don't want that either. I... I just somehow feel like I'm alone in my fear for Peter and that James doesn't take my fear seriously.

Loki: I'm sure he does. What better way could he show you that he takes you and your fears seriously?

Victoria: I don't know. But stopping to constantly pushing myself to eat or sleep might be a start.

Loki: Then tell him exactly that. Talk to him. That's what you two used to do. 

Victoria: What if it's too late for that?

Loki: It's not. The situation wouldn't be so bad for both of you if you weren't still head over heels in love with each other. Talk to him and be honest. You'll see, after that at least that won't bother you anymore.