Illusions | Loki & Jane

32. Asgard

"Where were you?!" Jane demanded, her voice filled with accusation.

"Where were you?" Thor retorted just as sharply.

"I was right here, where you left me! I was waiting and then I was crying and then I went looking for you!" it was an accusation.

He looked at her guilt-stricken. "I know, I know, but the Bifrost was destroyed. The Nine Realms descended into chaos, wars erupted, and marauding hordes were pillaging. I had to stop the slaughter."

"As excuses go, that's not terrible. But I saw you on TV—you were in New York!"

"Jane, I fought to protect you from the dangers of my world, but I was wrong. I was a fool." Thor gently placed his hand on Jane's face. "I believe fate brought us together. Jane, I don't know where you were or what happened, but I do know this."

"What?" Jane asked, her voice softer now. She didn't even care anymore, she only wanted Thor close.

Thor leaned in closer. "I know..."

"You do?" Jane whispered, she followed his lead without thinking, their faces inches apart. She didn't even know what they were saying anymore.

"Do what?" Thor replied, he seemingly didn't know either.

Jane's heart skipped a beat as they were about to kiss, when suddenly Darcy interrupted them, gesturing to the rain. "Is that you?" she asked.

Thor glanced up at the sky and with a subtle gesture, halted the rain.

"I told you not to make a habit out of this," Jane scolded Darcy, she was annoyed by the interruption of the long-awaited kiss with Thor. "We were kind of in the middle of something."

"Uh, I think we're about to get arrested," Darcy pointed out, nodding towards the approaching police officers.

The astrophysicist quickly assessed the situation. "Hold that thought," she told Thor, before hurrying over to address the officers.

"Excuse me?" Jane asked, turning to face the police officer.

The officer locked eyes with her. "Are you Jane Foster?" he inquired.

"Yes," she affirmed.

He gestured toward Ian, who stood nearby. "Do you know this man?"

Jane nodded, clarifying, "He's my intern. My intern's intern," she corrected.

The officer's expression shifted to one of concern. "This is private property, and you're trespassing, the lot of you. You'll have to come with me."

As the officer reached for Jane's arm, a sudden and violent surge of energy ignited within her, feeling like an explosion erupting from her core. The force sent her flying backward, and as she hit the ground, the impact drove the air from her lungs. Struggling to breathe, she looked around, seeing that everyone else had been affected by the unexpected blast. "What was that?" she gasped, bewilderment overtaking her senses.

"Jane! Are you alright?" Thor's voice broke through the chaos as he appeared beside her, urgency lacing his words. He gently helped her to her feet.

Still disoriented, Jane asked, her voice quivering with confusion, "What just happened?" She was unable to piece together the events as they unfolded. Before she could fully process her surroundings, another police officer approached, his demeanor cautious but firm.

"Place your hands on your head and step back!" the officer commanded, his tone unyielding. Jane felt a suffocating paralysis, her body betraying her attempts to comply. A wave of panic washed over her as she tried to comprehend the scenario.