Cruel Intentions

Chapter Eleven

  Asta tapped her foot on the ground as she sat at the kitchen table with Agnette holding her hands.

"What if he doesn't want to be put into my care?" Asta asked.

"I don't think he'd want to be anyone's care but yours." Agnette replied.

"But I left him all alone. I caused him so much pain. He could have died...and it was all because of me." Asta explained.

"No. You mustn't blame yourself for this. You've blamed yourself enough for everything that's happened to us. You need to understand that some things happen that we cannot control. You didn't know what would happen if you left. Asta, don't cause anymore pain to yourself." Agnette told her.

Agnette took Asta's hands in hers and Asta smiled weakly as she sniffled.

"And I'm sure that after everything you've done for him, he'll love you no matter what." Agnette chuckled.

Asta's eyes glanced up at Agnette and she chuckled nervously.

"They should be here by now." Agnette said as she stood up.

"I can't do this." Asta panicked.

"What?" Agnette asked.

"I'm scared. He won't let me care for him. I can't." Asta told her frantically.

"You're being childish, Asta. Just take a few deep breaths." Agnette sighed.

Asta did as she was told and swallowed the lump in her throat. In the distance, they heard footsteps and Asta gasped as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Her eyes were red and wet and she tried to make herself look acceptable for Loki. She didn't want him to see her cry, especially over him. The door opened and Asta inhaled sharply as Thor and Odin walked in.

"Come now, Loki. Don't be shy." Thor said.

"We told you that you were being put into the care of a healer. Now come in." Odin told him.

Loki kept his head down as he walked inside and Asta bit her lip as she looked at him. Thor and Odin left the room and closed the door behind them. As the door closed, Loki quickly turned around and went to leave but knew he couldn't. When he turned around, his eyes widened and Asta smiled brightly.

"Hello, Loki. I'm your caretaker now." Asta told him.

Loki stared at Asta as he turned to face her and she chuckled nervously as she played with her nails. He cocked his head to the side and Asta's smile faded as she sighed and put her head down.

"I know what I said was out of line but it was the truth. I care for you and-"

Asta cut herself off when she saw Loki walk towards her and she furrowed her brow when he stopped in front of her. He reached his hand forward and quickly took her hand in his. Loki brought her hand to his face and laid it on his cheek as he leaned into her touch. Asta chocked out a laugh and Loki felt a sense of comfort as he watched her expression. Her smile lit up his world and he wanted to smile back. That's all he ever wanted to do when he was with her. Smile. Her eyes beamed whenever she looked at him and Loki loved that about her. Just her smile could lift his spirits. Asta then put her other hand on his face and inhaled deeply as she caressed his face. She cocked her head to the side as she looked into his eyes and could see the admiration he felt for her in them. She then felt his hands on her waist and Asta furrowed her brow as he pulled her to him and snaked his arms around her. Asta sighed as she laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes and tightened her grip on him, just as he did. She didn't want to let him go...never.

"You're safe now." Asta whispered.

Loki turned his head so his nose rested against her head and he inhaled her scent. She smelt like heaven to him. He moaned softly as Asta pulled away from the hug and beamed as she put her hands at her sides.

"Well, this is my home. You know Agnette." Asta chuckled.

Loki turned around and Agnette smiled as she nodded her head. Loki turned back to face Asta and she rubbed the back of her neck.

"Would you like a tour?" Asta asked.

Loki nodded his head and Asta looked over at Agnette.

"I think I need to get some ingredients for dinner in the market. I'll be back shortly." Agnette told her.

She left their quarters and Asta took Loki's hand in hers, which made him snap his head back to face Asta.

"Here is the kitchen and living area." Asta said.

Loki looked around and could tell that it was all designed and arranged by Agnette. It had her personality written all over it.

"This is my room and that door over there leads to my grandmother's." Asta told him.

She opened the door to her room and let Loki walk inside with her standing in the doorway.

"It isn't much but I like it. It looks small because of the second bed but without it, it's a little bit bigger." Asta chuckled.

She watched as Loki examined the room and moved around taking everything in. He ran his hands across her sheets and brought them up to his face. He moaned in delight and Asta smiled as she walked into the room.

"They feel much better when you're covered in them. Of course they aren't expensive since we are only healers but, they suit me." Asta explained.

He walked over to her small bookshelf and picked up one and flipped through the pages. As he did, he inhaled the scent of the pages and sighed as he put the book down. He laid it on the bed and Asta huffed as she picked it up and put it back into its original place. She then patted down her sheets on the bed and looked back at Loki. He found her dresser and opened it. She furrowed her brow as she watched him look through her dresses and shoes. Loki then made his way towards her small table next to her chair and Asta sighed as she closed the doors to her dresser.

"If I had known you would be messy, I wouldn't have agreed to this." Asta teased.

She heard Loki chuckle softly and he turned to face her. Asta furrowed her brow as he pulled something out from his pocket and she gasped upon seeing the cloth.

"My cloth. How?" Asta asked.

He took her hand and placed it on the palm before wrapping her fingers around it. Loki patted her hand and Asta scoffed as she smiled.

"Thank you." Asta said breathlessly.

Loki bowed his head and Asta smiled weakly.

"I brought this with me to pray when I was at your bedside. I didn't even know I dropped it." Asta confessed.

Loki sat himself in her chair and Asta bit her lip before sighing and sitting on the table in front of him. She felt, from his body language, that he was being wary towards her because of her confession. She had to come up with a way to make him feel easy.

"Loki, I need to clarify that when I said I love you, I meant I love you, as in, I care for you." Asta lied.

Something told her that she was just saying it to lie to herself. Loki's eyes widened and he sighed as he nodded his head. For a second, Asta swore he had a look of remorse in his eyes.

"I love and care for you. Just as a mother does for a child." Asta told him.

Loki could see through her. The sadness and agony in her eyes as she spoke gave her away. He knew the truth but just played along.

"Now, I think that as a, somewhat, free man, you should take a nice warm bath." Asta beamed.

Loki nodded his head and Asta led him towards the bathroom and Loki stood in the doorway as Asta ran the water. She got out a towel and robe and laid them on the small counter of the sink.

"I'll leave you to it, then." Asta said.

Before she could leave, Loki gripped her wrist and Asta gasped as she looked up at him. He brought her back into the bathroom and Asta sighed.

"I can't be in here when you undress, Loki." Asta told him.

Loki pointed to Asta and then mimed washing himself before pointing to his chest.

"You want me to bathe you?" Asta asked.

Loki nodded his head and Asta chuckled nervously.

"I can't with you naked, Loki. It's indecent." Asta said.

Loki shook his head and began to remove his clothes. Asta's eyes widened as she turned her back to him and moments later, he tapped her shoulder. She reluctantly turned around and sighed with relief seeing that Loki kept his undergarment on. But then she noticed the slenderness of his body. Some bruises were fading while others were prominent. His ribs were clearly visible and his skin was pale. Asta bit her lip to keep from crying and smiled weakly.

"Get into the water." Asta said.

Asta took his arm and helped him into the tub. Once his feet were in the tub, Loki moaned softly and Asta helped him sit down. As the water surrounded his body, Loki closed his eyes in content and Asta swore she could see a small smile on his lips. Asta gripped the sponge nearby and dipped in the water before taking the soap and rubbing it on the sponge. Asta's attention was then directed towards Loki who was chuckling as he played with the water. Asta giggled as she watched Loki and beamed.

"Is it too hot?" Asta asked.

Loki shook his head and Asta reached into the water to grip his hand and raised it above the water. She ran the sponge along his arm and Loki exhaled slowly as the water cascaded down his arm. Loki watched Asta intently as she bathed him and soon enough he was bent forward as Asta went to wash his back. She inhaled sharply upon seeing his scars and took a deep breath before, gently, running the sponge down his back and cleaning off the dirt and grime from his body that accumulated over so many years. Loki closed his eyes as Asta bathed him and he internally shuddered as her fingertips grazed her skin. After some time, Asta stood up and handed Loki the sponge, causing him to open his eyes.

"All that is left to clean is your, um...you know." Asta told him.

Loki nodded his head and Asta inhaled deeply as she turned around and let him clean himself. She organized the brushes, makeup, and other feminine things on the counter to keep herself occupied. She heard him tap on the tub and turned around. He extended his arm to give her the sponge and Asta inhaled sharply as all the water and soap from the sponge fell onto the floor. She gave him a look as she grabbed a washcloth and wiped up the water as she set the sponge on the edge of the tub.

"Would you like me to wash your hair?" Asta asked.

Loki took a moment to think and slowly nodded his head. Asta put some soap on her hands and gently ran her fingers through Loki's hair. He inhaled sharply and closed his eyes as he basked in the feel of her fingers in his hair. She scrubbed his scalp and made sure that every strand of hair was washed before laying him down in the water and getting rid of the soap from his hair. When she finished, she stood up from her kneeling position and watched as Loki stood as well. She watched the water droplets run down his chest, arms, and legs and sighed. He looked like a new man. Asta held his hand out to him and he immediately took it as she helped him balance himself as he stepped out of the tub. He took the towel from the counter and began to dry himself off as Asta grabbed the robe. She helped him put his arms through the sleeves and smiled as she wrapped it around him.

"Agnette should be back soon. Our plans for the day are to eat dinner and read or sew before we go to bed. Your clothes are to be brought here tomorrow morning as well as other belongings from your chambers." Asta told him.

Loki nodded his head and Asta took his clothes in her hands and put them in the wastebasket. Loki gave her a look and she smiled weakly.

"Those clothes were of a man who was tortured for so many years. You start anew tonight. No more of these old rags. You're in my care now and I will not have you wearing anything associated with that horrible place." Asta explained.

Loki nodded his head and Asta smiled weakly. The two walked back into the bedroom and Asta watched as Loki's eyes roamed around the room. He pulled out a book and sat down in the chair as Asta chuckled.

"I see you've already made yourself comfortable." Asta remarked.

Loki looked up at Asta and quickly nodded his head and Asta sat on the arm of the chair as she looked over the pages of the book.

"That's one of my favorites. My father used to read it to me when I was little. It was meant for people older than a child but, I understood every word of it." Asta commented.

Asta gave Loki a look as she felt his arm wrap around her waist and her muscles stiffened. He moved over in the seat to allow room for Asta and she chuckled nervously as she sat next to him, still with his arm around her. But, soon enough, Asta found herself being very comfortable around Loki. She read over the pages along with him and she was surprised at how fast a reader he was. He was finished by the time Asta still had half a page left and when she nodded her head, to signal that she was finished, Loki would then turn the page. The room was quiet as Asta laid her head against his shoulder and leaned into him, reading over the text, not even realizing her actions. At one point, Loki stopped reading to watch Asta as her eyes scanned over the pages. She had a smile plastered on her face and she never took her eyes off the book. She nodded her head again and Loki turned the page, still keeping his eyes on her. Loki tightened his grip around her and Asta bit her lip as she read over the book. Loki then turned back to read the text as well and leaned his cheek against her head. Minutes later, Asta heard the front door open and Loki inhaled sharply as Asta stood from the chair and walked towards the kitchen. His grip on her dress loosened as she walked away and he sighed, putting his head down as well as the book.

"I see you're back." Asta smiled.

"How is Loki? Has he been doing well?" Agnette asked.

"He has just taken a bath and we were reading until now. He's doing well." Asta replied.

"I'll start to make dinner then." Agnette said.

Asta walked back into her bedroom and Loki picked his head up as she entered.

"Grandmother is making dinner now. Is there anything you would like to do? Go out for a walk maybe? Some fresh air might be nice." Asta suggested.

Loki shook his head and Asta furrowed her brow. She walked over to the seat and Loki turned his head to look up at her.

"Then what would you like to do? Or for me to do for you?" Asta asked.

Loki moved over in the seat and Asta chuckled. She sat herself down next to him and Loki reached for the book on the table and continued from where they left off. She went back into the same position she was before, with her head on his shoulder. Loki stared off at the wall as he laid his cheek against her head and whenever he felt the movement of her nodding her head, he turned the page. And in that moment, Loki felt whole. He felt as though he was in his rightful place. He didn't need a throne or had to be put into a cell to feel good. All he needed was a gentle hand to care for him and love him. This was all, and everything, he needed in life. It wasn't until a few moments later, Loki had realized Asta dozed off. He slowly laid the book down on the table and swiftly stood from the seat. He picked her up gently into his arms and laid her on her bed as Agnette entered the room. Loki quickly looked up at her and Agnette huffed.

"She fell asleep?" Agnette asked.

Loki nodded his head and Agnette sighed.

"She's always taking naps. She never has a moment of quiet as a healer." Agnette commented.

Loki looked back at the chair and the back at Asta. He sat on the bed and Agnette was about to close the door when she decided to watch him for a few moments. Loki leaned forward and put his hand on Asta's cheek. He longed to feel her skin with his fingers. He wanted to caress her perfect skin and cursed Odin for what he did to him. Loki hummed as he ran his gloved fingers across her cheek and cocked his head to the side. Agnette closed the door and inhaled deeply at the altercation. She didn't know how she couldn't have seen it before. Loki was in love with her granddaughter. But she still believed Asta to only care for Loki as a patient, thinking his feelings would never be accepted by Asta. Agnette walked over to the stove and went to work making dinner. Asta moaned as she opened her eyes and sat up in the bed. Loki's face was inches away from hers and Asta's eyes widened as she looked into his eyes.

"Was I asleep long?" Asta asked.

Loki shook his head and Asta sighed.

"Good. Does Agnette need any help?" Asta asked.

Loki shrugged and Asta rolled off the bed. He watched as she walked away and his breathing quickened. Loki stood up from the bed and followed after her.

"It's nice to see that you're up." Agnette chuckled.

"Let me take care of that. I can handle cutting the meat. You chop the vegetables." Asta told her.

Agnette rolled her eyes and handed Asta the knife. Loki watched from the doorway to her bedroom and furrowed his brow.

"You can at least let me make the meal for once. You always work so hard." Agnette said.

"I know but I like to work and keep myself occupied. It keeps my mind from wandering off and thinking about thoughts I don't want to think about." Asta explained.

Loki walked over to Asta and she quickly turned to look up at him as he stood behind her. He put his hand over hers on the knife and she furrowed her brow. Loki bowed his head and softly pushed her away. Asta huffed as Loki began to cut the meat and Agnette tried to contain her chuckle as Asta gave him a look.

"You were always a wonderful cook, Loki." Agnette commented.

Loki nodded his head towards Agnette and she smiled brightly as Asta sighed and took the small knife from Agnette's hand. She raised a brow as Asta began to finish cutting the vegetables for her. Loki looked over at Asta and sighed as he shook his head. Asta and Loki looked at one another and she couldn't help but giggle as Loki softly chuckled. Agnette watched as the two cooked the meal and smiled happily as she sat at the kitchen table.