Twisted Fate || Loki Odinson

32.

I hesitantly walk out of the bathroom, my feet padding down the hallway. My heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. The hallway feels longer than usual, every step a hesitant move toward the unknown. As I turn the corner, my eyes land on Loki. He's sitting on the couch, a picture of relaxed composure with a book in his hand. His presence, usually so intimidating, is oddly comforting in this moment.

"What are you reading?" I ask softly as I approach him.

His gaze lifts from the book, his eyes meeting mine with a gentle curiosity that seems to pierce through my defenses. He closes the book with a graceful flick of his wrist and turns the cover toward me. "The Catcher in the Rye. It's a good one."

"Yes, it's quite good," I reply, a small, shaky smile tugging at my lips as I sink into the seat next to him. The cushion dips slightly under my weight as he sets the book aside, his attention now fully on me.

"How are you feeling?" 

"A little better," I admit, though my voice wavers. I chew on my bottom lip, the familiar nervous habit a small comfort. He nods slowly, his gaze steady. "I'm... I'm ready to tell you."

His brows knit together in concern, the crease in his forehead deepening. "Tell me what?"

I take a deep breath, the air filling my lungs and giving me a momentary sense of calm. I force myself to meet his gaze, the intensity of his eyes both daunting and encouraging. "Everything."

His eyes widen slightly, the weight of my words sinking in. "Why do you want to tell me?" he asks, his tone a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Because I... I don't want to carry the burden of this secret alone anymore," I admit, my voice breaking under the strain. His expression is unreadable, yet his eyes urge me to continue. "If you don't want me to tell you--"

"No," he interrupts gently but firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "No, if you wish to tell me, then I'm all ears."

I nod slowly, feeling the enormity of my confession. "Firstly, my real name isn't Cassie Jones... It's Karina Sparks," I begin. His eyebrows arch in surprise, but he remains silent, his gaze focused, giving me the space to continue. "I changed it when I turned 20-- five years ago."

"Why?" he asks, his voice cautious, careful not to push too hard.

"Because..." I let out a shaky breath. "Let me start from the beginning." I clear my throat, feeling the weight of my past. "As you know, my mom died when I was fifteen, and a year later, my dad sent me to an orphanage." He nods slowly, his gaze full of empathy. "Well, I didn't run away from that orphanage. I was sold to an organization," I continue, my voice trembling. "They did unspeakable things to me, tortured me, trying to break my will and reshape me into a loyal soldier." My jaw tightens. "And if that wasn't bad enough, they injected me with a serum. They said it would make their soldiers live longer and enhance our abilities."

His eyes never leave mine, a storm of emotions brewing within them-- anger, sorrow, and a fierce protectiveness that takes my breath away. "I escaped one night and came here, hoping to disappear," I finish, my voice barely a whisper. The room feels heavy with the weight of my revelations, the silence thick and suffocating.

His expression darkens with empathy. "That's... horrific."

"If you've been wondering why I am the way I am and why I can do the things that I can do... that's why." My eyes drift over to the fireplace, the flames a soothing distraction. "The worst part is, I don't know who might still be looking for me or what they'd do if they found me."

"Hey..." He covers my hand with his own, and I direct my attention back to him. "You don't have to worry about that because I'm here now... and I'm not going anywhere."

My expression softens, the tension in my chest easing slightly. "Thank you." Suddenly, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion washes over me. I blink a couple of times, my vision blurring. "God, I didn't even realize how tired I was."

"You should rest," he suggests, his concern noticeable in his voice and eyes.

"I... I don't know if I can sleep," I admit, the fear of my nightmares keeping me on edge.

"Would it help if I stayed with you?" he offers gently.

I slowly nod, the idea of his presence bringing a sense of safety. "Yeah... Yeah, it would."

"All right, then. I won't leave your side," he assures me, his voice steady and reassuring.

Rising from the couch, he wraps an arm around my waist, guiding me to my room with a gentle firmness.

Inside, I slip under the comforter, my body sinking into the mattress. I watch as he walks over to my vanity chair. "Loki?" He pauses, his gaze turning to me, attentive and patient. "Will you..." The words catch in my throat, my eyes flickering to the empty spot next to me. "I-- I'd feel better if you were next to me." His brows raise in surprise, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "But if that's too strange for you, you don't--"

"All right," he cuts me off gently, his voice calming as he walks over and settles in the empty spot beside me.

I turn onto my side to face him, admiring the way the moonlight illuminates his skin. "Thank you," I say, my tone filled with gratitude. 

He smiles softly, the fatigue evident in his eyes. "You don't have to thank me, my love." Leaning in, he presses a soft kiss to my forehead, the touch tender.

I turn over onto my other side, sliding closer to him. He slips his arm around my waist and holds me securely against him. The warmth of his presence and the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back calm the unrest within me. 

His voice, a soothing murmur in the darkness, breaks through the lingering fear. "You're safe now, Cassie. I won't let anything happen to you."

Tears threaten again, but this time they are tears of relief. I close my eyes, focusing on the warmth of his embrace and the steady beat of his heart. "Loki," I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you for being here."

"Always," he replies, his breath warm against my ear, his words a promise. "I will always be here for you."

With those words, I allow myself to relax, drifting into sleep, knowing that as long as Loki is by my side, I am safe.