ephemeral ━━ 𝘓. 𝘓𝘈𝘜𝘍𝘌𝘠𝘚𝘖𝘕 ✔

■ distracting

MORNING  / 6:50 am

Loraine was once again inside Loki's bed chambers. She settled the trays on the glassed table and carefully took the dishes out---bread and butter, some soup, and coffee. Steams of its scent wafted in the air, making her regret why she didn't have any breakfast before coming here. It was so quiet; she could only hear her own heartbeat along with the ticking of a nearby clock.

When she was done, she went closer to the bed and called for him. The blankets were up just below the pillows. She suspected the prince still must be sleeping.

"Hey prince, time to eat," she said.

No response.

Loraine felt awkward standing there waiting for a reply, so she called again, "Prince?"

Silence.

A flood of worry entered her face. She already had enough of Thor's sermons. It would be such a pain to go back to that same balcony and talk about Loki again. No, last night, after dinner, she was so sure Loki had gone to bed right after. She was certain she didn't leave the doors open. Plus, there were additional guards stationed near the doors so no, Loki did not most likely escape. However, beads of sweat still formed above her eyebrows. 

But where is he?

There was still something on that bed. She outstretched her hands and tugged at it. Her eyes widened---face paling; it's not Loki.

She found a pillow.

Where would even Loki go beside this room? He couldn't have possibly escaped? Her conscience rummaged her mind.

As she struggled and fought for an answer between her mind and conscience, some voice interrupted her. It was a bit faded as if Loraine was inside an inaudible sphere of her own making, blocking all voices and sounds to focus her memory last night. Evening. Dinner. Doors shut. Tora. 

"Loraine?" A confused voice met her dazzled mind. 

She finally turned and as soon as she did, she fumed, "What the heck?" 

Part of the wall beside the bed was open. They looked like doors to some passageway Loraine didn't know. The two doors were ajar. They were camouflaged by the same patterns on the wall, but some different circles of motifs were attached to it, outlined in gold.

How didn't she notice this before?

"Where were you? Where have you been? And, why in all the world are you naked?" She fumed, stunned.

Well, no---not naked naked. The prince just didn't any his shirt on which had deliberately surprised Loraine. She concluded he must have taken a bath or something, considering the fact that his face looked fresher, and his hair was wet.

A bath.

"Why? Can't a prisoner bathe from time to time?" He cooed.

Loraine felt her cheeks burning. "Right."

He sighed and offered her a hand. She would've looked foolish crawling out of that huge bed. Loraine took his hand but seeing him half-naked again made her pull her hand back in such a surprise that he stumbled towards her, both of them falling back on the bed.

Time stopped.

Her eyes widened, meeting his emerald ones up close. Her heartbeat had quickened so fast she was afraid it would run away from her. With Loki's bare chest on top of her, she could feel his oddly warm pale skin, his heart beating, and the smell of fresh lavender.

He was suffocating her too much. His beauty, his regality, all of his physical appearance screamed majestically inhuman. She admitted how irresistible Loki's aura seemed to be around her. It was hard to pull away from him.

But she shut her eyes. "Get. Off."

She could feel Loki smirking. He got his body away on top of her but instead of standing, he rolled to his side and faced her.

"You were the one who pulled me," he whispered.

She opened her eyes again, looked at her side, and saw him lying there, facing her.

Too close.

"Was that how much you'd want me on top of you?" He teased and stopped her as she tried to stand.

Loraine looked at him quickly and shot daggers at him from her sight. "I'm warning you. Don't."

He chuckled darkly. "Why? Tell me. I am distracting, aren't I?" His eyes stared at her boldly.

"No," she lied and looked straight at him. "Not really," she shrugged off his hand. But Loki held her arm again.

"This room," his hand relaxed. "Gets a bit lonely," he finished and pulled her body close to his.

She found herself inches away from him again, lying on both their sides, staring. What is this? A battle of tug and war?

She scoffed. "Really, now?" 

"Yes," he whispered. His face, getting closer to hers. His lips, bitterly near.

Then Loraine's thumb and finger snapped his forehead, making him yelp. She glared at him. "Enough." She brushed his hand away and stood. "Get dressed."

He laughed and hugged a pillow, covering his chest. "You see, I would've loved to but it seems I have run out of some garments."

She studied him, looking for lies but realized how silly of a lie it would've been.

Loraine rolled her eyes. "Then go inside the bathroom," she said. "Just get out of my sight right now."

"You can't make me," he said and flaunted his body on the bed, placing his arms under his head as he looked at her.

"Yeah?" Loraine held out her right hand and drew energy. A Crown formed on the floor and fire appeared on her hands. "That's enough teasing for today prince."

Loki hesitated and looked at her passively. "Fine," his smirk faded. He walked back from where he last entered, and the doors closed slowly as soon as he was in.