Believe in Magic [a Loki fanfic]

Vanaheim

A smile spread on Ella's face when she caught sight of him, but it faded as soon as his eyes met hers and he pushed through the small crowd that had gathered around the two Aesir princes, only to come straight for her, strides full of purpose. Ella glanced around nervously looking for an escape route and chose to disappear in one of the narrow pathways between the cottages, unsure if she was ready to face him just yet. She looked over her shoulder to see if Loki was following her and found the alley behind her empty. Heaving a small sigh of relief Ella turned forward - only to find the God of Mischief blocking her way a few feet ahead of her.

"I could not come to bid you farewell in Asgard, so I thought to come and see how you like your new life." Loki said. 

The girl carefully reached out to sense his feelings and her troubled mind was eased a little when she realised that the dark prince felt neither pain nor anger as he regarded her. 

Have you forgiven me? 

"What - would I need to forgive?" Loki asked confused and the girl's eyes trailed off into the distance.

"I hurt you," she said. "That last night ... I came to your chambers to speak to you - to explain why I ran away. But I did not have the heart to even knock on your door, because I could sense your pain. There was so much pain and it was I who had caused you to suffer. I was afraid that my presence would make it worse rather than ease it. I am so very sorry, Loki." 

When her gaze met his, tears were gathering in her eyes. Loki stared at her blankly. 

"You can sense my emotions?" 

She nodded. 

"Since the pain is not there now, I figured that you might have forgiven me? Even though I probably do not deserve it."

"Ella," The God started, but for once he had trouble finding the right words. How could she even think that she was the one to blame? 

"I should have stayed and explained, but I was afraid. I never expected that you held such a desire – I mean, you are a God and I am human - I am weak and ordinary compared to - " 

"Ella, stop!" this time he interrupted her and the tone of his voice was stern.

She swallowed and her gaze fell to the grass at her feet. 

"Stop telling yourself that." Loki's voice was soft now. "Stop seeing yourself as that." 

The God closed the distance between them and came to halt in front of her, a little too close to be considered appropriate. Ella's eyes slowly wandered up the God's armor until she found his gaze. The green eyes resting on her held a vulnerability and depth she had not detected before.

"You are not ordinary, and certainly not weak." He held her gaze as he spoke the words. She bit her lip, but remained silent.

"Will you show me?" Loki whispered.

"Show you what?"

"What happened to you in Niflheim?" 

Ella's eyes grew large in shock and Loki realised he had – again - asked the wrong question. Was he ever going to get this right? 

"Forget what I just asked you." He quickly said. But Ella shook her head. 

"Do not misunderstand me, Loki. I fear that you might, well, - see me in a different light, if I ever share this with you." 

"Have I lost your trust?" She shook her head again.  

"You still have my trust - I am ... I am not sure if I am brave enough to face these things. I have worked so hard on keeping them sealed away."