By the Side of the Road [A LOKI FANFIC]

Redemption

In which we find out more about the homeless guy, and Kenna does something weird. Oh, and there's tautology.

A/N: I keep typing Savannah by accident. PLEASE, tell me if I do it, and I'll rectify it quickly.

Quote: You fall asleep during foreplay, because the pills you take are more your forte. (Circle the Drain, Katy Perry)

Her feet ached, and her back hurt, and her fingers had gone stiff with the biting cold. And yet she still stopped, and crouched down in front of the person asleep on the pavement.

"Hey," she said, "You okay?"

But when he didn't answer, she panicked a bit. Shaking his shoulders, she hissed 'wake up!', ignoring the people who'd stopped to stare at the business woman who had just assaulted a homeless man. His eyes snapped open, and he gazed listlessly at her for a few seconds, before his eyes widened in shock, and he scrambled backwards.

"Shh," she said, "I'm not gonna hurt you."

"You're not?" he asked, and he sounded genuinely confused.

"Of course not."

"Then why are you talking to me?"

She blinked, taken aback, "I'm a friendly person. Plus, you looked like you needed some help."

Was that- was that anger she saw flashing behind his eyes? She resisted the urge to step back, especially since it faded the instant he noticed the uncertain look she was giving him.

"I'm fine."

"And I can fly," she said, and although that was true, he didn't necessarily know that.

"Leave me be."

"Nope," she said, suddenly resolute, "You're coming with me."

His shoulders tensed, posture stiffened.

"What's wrong?" she asked, "Something I said?"

"What do you want from me?"

"Nothing!" she paused, collected her words, "Look, just- come, and I'll get you somewhere to sleep, something to eat, and some clean clothes."

"Why?"

"It's Christmas!" she said, a fake cheery expression plastered on. He looked at her blankly.

But that's not really why.

She'd always felt bad about ignoring people in need. No matter who they were, or what their circumstances. Or even what they'd done to deserve it- if they deserved it. Which was why she couldn't ever walk past homeless people without lightening the weight of her wallet, which suddenly seemed to burn in her pocket. She'd always have to stop, and exchange at least a smile with them, too. No matter how late she was for something.

Not even if it was Christmas Eve.

Especially if it was Christmas Eve.

And because she'd sworn to herself to help those in need, she had to help the dark-haired, green-eyed man sitting forlornly on the side of the road. Even if that man was Loki.

Of course, she didn't actually know at the time that it was the same man- god, sorry- who'd tried to take over Earth with his freaky alien robot things- Chitauri. All she knew was that it was Christmas Eve, and that the person with the most beautiful green eyes she'd ever seen had nowhere to go. And she knew how much that sucked. Which is why she was inviting him- a total stranger- into her home. Which was weird. But he's  the one to question her stupidity.