Jewel Thief ◇ L. Laufeyson

7 ◇ for me

I AWOKE STILL wearing my yellow gown, laying atop a silk blanket. I was on my stomach, my arms under my head. An arm was slung over my back, a hand grasping my waist.

I blinked a few times and shuffled a bit, turning on my side. Loki lay next to me, still fully clothed in his armor. His cape was sort of draped over the both of us as a makeshift blanket.

Sunlight streamed in through the large circular window. A soft glow flowed over the room, and a colorful sunrise was painted across the sky outside.

I breathed deeply and pushed myself up and off the bed, careful to not bother Loki. I tiptoed to the nearby sink and splashed some water on my face, avoiding my black heels that looked like they had been slung across the room in carelessness.

What happened last night? I asked myself, surveying the room.

My shoes, and Loki's, were thrown about, the bed was still made - we must have come back to the room and immediately crashed in exhaustion.

I remembered the creepy Grandmaster talking to us, then wandering around for a bit. Loki and I spoke to a few people, mostly Loki kissing up to officials and BFFs of the Grandmaster. I mostly stayed quiet. We had drinks, but for the remainder of the night we spoke to each other. He told me about his childhood - I actually was familiar with some of them, thanks to Odin telling me so many stories when he was at Shady Acres. We laughed a lot - I got genuine smiles from Loki.

I stared in the mirror. My mascara was running, and my nose was red. Did I cry last night?

I thought back.

Oh.

Loki had asked me about what had happened to me, after I was taken by HYDRA.

That's when we left the party. I didnt want to talk about it. HYDRA stole any happiness from me. They erased most of my childhood memories. Loki didnt know that, at least, I don't think he knew.

He could tell I was upset. I had stopped talking, sort of froze in place. Stared off in space. My chest had tightened up. Loki had to snap me out of whatever flashback I was having.

How did he snap me out of it?

Hm.

Oh. Right.

He grabbed my face, cupping my cheeks. Staring into my eyes. His hands were cold.

"We're leaving," he had said. "Come on, I've got you."

We walked through the party.

"Lookin a lil tipsy!" The Grandmaster was shouting. He slurred his words. "She better be ready for the battle tomorrow! Ooo. Ooo ooo ooooo..."

Loki held my hand the whole way. I walked faster than him. I wanted to get back to the quiet seclusion of the bedroom. I almost threw myself across the room. Loki slowed me down.

Took off my necklace, took off that tight belt. Guided me to the bed. I hit the bedsheet and sunk into the mattress. I felt Loki lay next to me. His hand was on the small of my back. He was rubbing gentle circles with his palm, calming me. It helped.

My mind was still stuck in the flashback.

When HYDRA first wanted to test me in a fight. I was eighteen.

It was a warehouse.

Dark and damp. Seven flaming barrels encircled me and two men three times my size stood against me. They were innocent guys - prisoners of war. I was a tiny, malnourished kid.