Professor

Chapter 27 - Open your eyes

Mood song : Warpaint - Baby

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Alice felt her chest warming up, blood rushing to her head and filling her with energy. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, and she saw him. Looking down at her hand, Loki was lost in his thoughts. A familiar twist settled in her stomach as she spoke,

"Loki," she whispered, but he didn't look at her, "I'm so sorry to put you through this, again. I know it's probably the hardest thing I will ever ask of you. But if we don't enjoy the time we have together, we are missing something. You, are missing something."

Tears watering his eyes, Loki shook his head, but Alice continued,

"I know what you think, and I don't care how sick I am or who you're seing, she's not worth it. I am worth it, and I'm going to fight for you."

Shutting his eyes, Loki leaned back, and the door opened again.

Alice's heart stopped. A tall, beautiful woman was looking at them. Alice had already seen her, that night when she'd given up on her relationship with her soulmate. Except the woman was now wearing a white coat and a stethoscope.

"Do you need more time ?"

With wide eyes, Alice stuttered a 'Y-yes', but Loki uttered a very impatient no.

Doctor Maranda treated her patients as though they were family members and so, Alice wasn't an exception. Loki had found her for she worked along with the CTCA and she'd been part of the faculty of medicine. The woman was a brilliant and her research on cell transplant sounded really promising.

Since Alice was already at the hospital, Dr. Maranda had decided to propose her new treatment to her, something that wouldn't hurt the baby. The only risk would be its inefficiency. At that point, there was no time to think anymore.

As they talked, Alice couldn't help but glance at Loki who was sitting near her.

When Dr. Maranda left the room, Alice slowly gathered her clothes, still shocked. Her back still hurt from the fall and she couldn't raise her arm above her head.

Loki had turned around as she tried to put her shirt on.

"This is ridiculous, Alice. Let me help you."

The young girl let out a loud groan and surrendered, hiding her breasts with her bra.

Loki came behind and Alice held her breath as he pushed strands of her hair away to adjust the straps. The soft contact of his fingertips against her skin sent shivers down her spine and the young girl slightly leaned back, her body instinctively looking for proximity.

She felt his hands gliding against her hips, beckoning her to face him. Alice obeyed and as she lowered her head, Loki's fingers skimmed down her bare arms,

"Arms up." he demanded, his feral gaze not leaving her face.

Alice raised her head and locked eyes with him. Now they were face to face, she noticed Loki seemed very tired. Though it wasn't the most romantic of circumstances, Alice smiled shyly,

"I know you're checking me out behind this serious gaze." she purred.

Even though Loki rolled his eyes, Alice saw the shadow of a smile on his lips.

Putting a clean shirt over her head, he still seemed to struggle with his thoughts.

"Thank you. For finding a specialist." Alice whispered.

Loki slightly nodded, and before he helped her with her pants, Alice grabbed his wrists. Eyes fluttering, he frowned,

"What ?"

Heart stuttering in her chest, Alice gulped the lump in her throat,

"Is there anything between you and this woman I should know about ?"

Clearly annoyed, Loki handed Alice her pants and she gaped, as if his silence confirmed her worse fears. She bit down onto her lip and struggled with the last piece of cloth under Loki's dark eyes,

"What's his name again, Jo, Jordy ?" he rasped as he pushed Alice on the bed, grabbing her pants back.

The young girl abruptly sat on the mattress and punched Loki's shoulder as hard as she could.

"This isn't funny."

As she was about to hit his arm again, it was Loki's turn to grab her wrist,

"Oh yes ?" he narrowed his eyes, "For a friend, he sends a lot of flowers."

The scene seemed so familiar, yet so different. It brought them back to their past. As they looked in each other's eyes, they both remembered. How she'd been running away from him, and how he used to be so secretive about everything.

"Now, keep your lessons about cheating for yourself." Loki grumbled as he pulled on the hem of her pants, trying to button it.

"Oh, I wouldn't call it cheating since we're not technically in a relationship anymore." Alice whispered, knowing perfectly what she was doing. Or so she thought.

Loki shot her a murderous glance, and Alice couldn't help but laugh,

"Look at you now, kneeling in front of me as you force me to put on my pants."

Loki's hands resting on her waist, Alice allowed her fingers to slide under his sleeves. His skin felt so cold under her fingertips.

At first, she saw his jaw clench.

"You are the only one I love, Loki. And these pants are... Well, probably too tight."

Loki glanced down at her thighs and seemed to notice that Alice had put on some weight. Inhaling deeply, he released a deep sigh. Alice's fingers carefully reached behind his neck and she brought him closer.

"Alice, stop." he suddenly asked, causing her to shudder.

The young girl cupped the sides of his face with her hands, but Loki didn't lean into their soft touch as he used to.

Spreading her legs, Alice pulled him closer between them. Usually, Loki would have surrendered to her ministrations, but he didn't move at all.

His body was still tensed under her fingers. Alice brushed the tip of her nose against his cheek and suddenly her heart started beating double.

It wasn't right.

In fact, something had changed.

She felt her hands becoming clammy, and her heart stuttering in her chest.

"Loki, talk to me. »

Silence became heavy around them, and Alice thought she was going to lose her mind if he didn't speak now. Buried deep inside her, worse than Loki cheating on her or Alice's own death, there was a fear that seemed so unreal she'd never imagined it could even happen.

"I don't think I love you anymore."