Unlike Loki

Chapter 60

(Anna)

I took a deep breath as I put my hand in his.

I was still so wrapped up in the possibility that this water would never let me go. That I would get drug under and drown, unable to control an element that I had held in my hands and contorted millions if times.

Although my thoughts hovered over the impending doom of the water, they were not far from the fact that Loki was about to see me naked.

Naked and vulnerable and raw.

I don't know why I was so worried about it, considering the amount of women I knew he had probably been with. The amount of nakedness he had seen.

Maybe it was because I was worried that I wouldn't be good enough. That I wouldn't even come close in comparison to all of the Asgardian women he had laid eyes on.

But then again, why did it matter? what would I be to him? It's not as if I had feelings for him. Sure he was pretty damn attractive, but the emotions stopped there. Yes, he had been nice to me, had saved my life twice. But he had also been cruel, locking me in a cell, hitting and yelling at me.

So why was it such a big deal?

He pulled me slowly out of the water, his grip right on my hand. I couldn't help but notice how much bigger they were than mine. And how soft.

I was trying not to panic, trying to tell myself that it was just water. That I controlled it; not the other way around.

Soon, I was standing, eyes closed, and shivering. My knees were shaking and I automatically crossed my free arm over my chest, trying to cover myself.

"Now just step out." I heard Loki say soothingly.

I lifted one leg over the side of the bath, and then the other, my eyes staring widely at the water, making sure that it wasn't going to make any sudden movements. I felt like a fool, but at the same time, I didn't want to take anything on this crazy planet lightly.

Soon, I felt something soft touch my hand. I hadn't been aware that Loki had let go of me. He was averting his eyes, looking the other way, and handing me a large towel. I took it gratefully, still shaking.

When he seemed sure that I had covered myself, he looked at me, his gaze not quite reaching my eyes.

"Are you alright now?" he asked.

I laughed. "Boy, am I a mess." I shook my head in shame, my bottom lip quivering. I was trying to keep myself from crying. Again.

"You took it much better than I would have." He chuckled to himself. "I've been thought to be dead twice. The first time I tried to take over New York, the other, I took over the throne." I could almost hear him smiling. "I'd say that you're handling it fairly well."

I chuckled, wiping my face with the back of my hand.

"Would you like something to change into?" He asked.

"That would be wonderful." I looked at him.

"Are you up to walking around a bit. There are something's we need to figure out." He looked at me sadly.

"Of course. Yea." I said. I needed to keep my mind busy with something. And I wanted answers just as much as he did.

He nodded his head and headed out the door. I stayed rooted to where I stood, waiting until he came back.

Soon, the door cracked open and he set a pile of clothes on the floor, a green dress and boots, it looked like. Just before he shut the door, I ran to him.
I cracked the door, and saw his back walking away from the washroom.

"Loki?" I said a little to loudly.

He turned to face me, still not quite meeting my gaze. "Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Of course." Then he actually bowed to me, one hand on his stomach, the other behind his back.

And then he looked back up at me with that amazing grin of his.