Loki's Last Chance

The End (for now)

Mari POV

I awoke to the Asgardian sun shining in through the parted curtains opposite me.

Raising my arms to rub my face, I realized I could move again. They were quite sore, but moved for me. As I stretched them above my head, a sharp pain ripped through my stomach, making me gasp.

Right. Stab wound.

I placed my hand over the spot and felt the bandages through the clean nightgown I was in. The area was tender and hurt in reaction to the new pressure.

Looking over, I found Loki still sitting beside me. Though, this time he was fast asleep, slumped over the left arm. I smiled at the sight.

I just watched him for a wile before he groaned awake. Loki ran his hand through his hair as he blinked his way to consciousness.

"Sleep well?" I asked.

"Hmm... yeah, a little sore though." He answered, stretching.

"Why didn't you just go back to your own room?"

"I don't want any more people to know I'm around until Thor tells the kingdom. Plus, I said I would look after you 'til you are at full strength. Then I will meet whatever punishment is given."

"You told Thor already?" I was shocked.

"Did I not promise you I would? I did so as soon as you were safe with the nurses."

"If you're going to be staying here until further notice, you shouldn't have to sit in that chair all the time. Get over here." I commanded, scooting away from him in the bed.

Good thing my legs had started working again. It only hurt a decent amount to move.

"No. You are in no condition for me to be next to you."

"I will not take no for an answer, Loki. I'm not going to let you stay in that chair forever."

"Then I'll lay on the floor if it makes you happy."

"Nope. Get in." I held the covers open to him.

It took a bit, but I finally go him to join me. He sat next to me in the bed, awkwardly, and rested his head on the propped up pillows.

I smirked. "Now, isn't this better?"

"Agreed. How is it that I can never win against you?" He asked, giving me a smile that I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Because I know everything?" I suggested.

Loki laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Oh, how I've missed you."

We spent the rest of the day catching up and cuddling until I was too tired to stay awake. Then I slept in the safety of his arms as he watched over me. It was nice having my best friend back to his sweet self.

In the week following, Loki took good care of me. He helped me get back on my feet, literally. It took me two days of leaning on him and walking around the room for my legs to get back to normal.

I loved every minute of it. My favorite part was something Loki asked me on the fifth day.

~!~

We were sitting on the bed and I had my head on Loki's shoulder because I was tired and my side was really hurting me. He was playing with the fingers on my right hand. Just lazily tracing circles on my palm and curling my fingers. I made a small wining sound in the back of my throat as the pain in my side flared.

Loki gave a small sigh and brought my hand to his lips, placing a light kiss on my knuckles. Looking into his eyes, I could see by the crease in his brow that he had been thinking.

"What was that for? You only do that a-at big social events." I spoke through the pain.

"I've been thinking about how badly I treated you the past couple years.'

"You ignored me." I interjected.

"Exactly. If I had listened to you I may not have tried all those horrible things. Yet you are the only person I've met that has not judged me or acted differently towards me. I am a monster, a Jotun, and I have done horrible things... How can you still care about me?"

"Stop it! You'll hurt yourself with all this self-loathing. What you've done is in the past and was done out of the need for power." I gave his hand a light squeezed as reassurance. "You should never need such a trivial thing to fufill yourself with. Look to new things, such as knowledge, love, and admiration."

"Love? Funny you should say that..." Loki breathed a laugh. He seemed almost nervous for some reason. "I was going to ask you something..."

"What?" I asked, watching his face.

He's gaze moved from my hand to my face. His eyes had a sparkle that I hadn't seen before and were as soft as a puppie's. He looked so cute I couldn't help but smile.

"Would you allow my the privilege to... court you?" In his eyes I could see the fear of rejection along with a glimmer of hope.

I'm pretty sure my heart stopped as I took in what he said. So maybe I had had a small crush on Loki when we were young, but I still loved him as a friend. Did I want to go the next step in our relationship? I did love him, but was it enough to start dating? I stopped thinking and said what I knew my heart wanted me to.

"Yes."

THE END (or is it?)