It's Up To You And Me (Loki Laufeyson x Reader)

6

Your POV

We exit the jet and Thor catches up with me, my duffle bag in his grip. "Oh! Thank you." I take the bag from his hand and he briefly hugs me. "You did great. You're scheduled with Steve and Natasha the day after tomorrow so I hope you got your muscles ready."

He pats my back and I slowly pull apart from our hug. "Yeah, I wish I had yours." He bursts out in laughter at my little banter, the echo of his laughter bouncing off the walls of the penthouse.

"Brother, why must you elicit such a deafening guffaw? " Loki comments stoically from behind.

"It's called happiness, brother. Ever heard of it? " Out of my expectations, Thor retorts sarcastically at his younger brother and I snort at his riposte. Loki averts his lifeless gaze at me and I stifle a smile. He sighs and strides past us. "Can't believe you two."

Mercurial Asgardian, much?

"He'll get over it. He always does." Thor reassures me and I hug my bag tighter. "Thor, what did you mean when you said that he was adopted?"

His blue eyes widen upon hearing me question and I stutter at my obvious mistake. "I didn't mean to pry. You don't have to answer that."

"No. It's alright. You see, Loki's not really...Asgardian. He may look like one but naturally, he's a Jotun." He whispers as softly as possible, sparking my innate nosiness.

"What's a Jotun?"

"Frost giants. Asgard's arch enemies." He glances at the floor and I get the feeling that I shouldn't be asking for more of the story. It's almost violating something Loki possibly never wants to talk about. I can see why he keeps pulling off a cunning yet lifeless facade.It's to hide his hurt. But I'm sure there's more to it than just knowing you're a child of the race your foster parents are against.

I look down at the floor. "I'm sorry to hear that Thor. But thank you for opening up a bit. I have to get going."

"Do you have somewhere to be right now? "

I nod, pursing my lips. "I have a part time job I gotta get to."

"That's nice. Would you like me to walk you out? " He offers and reaches for my duffle bag but I protest a little. "Oh no. I'll be alright. Don't you have any duties to attend to in Asgard? "

He scratches his nape and narrows his eyes. "As of now, no. Since your first session is through, I'll be with my brother. He seemed peeved."

"Isn't he always? " I chuckle lightly.

"Fair point but the real Loki is somewhere in there." Ah, Thor. How do you have so much hope for your brother who had caused destruction to the city and attempted to kill you numerous times? I'll never know.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to know as well.

"Anyway, I'll see you around. Good luck babysitting your little brother." I saunter away from him and wave my hand. He bids me goodbye and I leave the Tower for the apartment to change into my work clothes.

Loki's POV

How do I get this wretched device off my neck? I pinch the tip in an attempt to yank it off but it stings. I try once more but it's as if the damn contraption has hooked itself into my skin. I give up. I'm going to decay here like other puny mortals but longer.

I sit on the bed Stark has put to keep me, and I quote, 'comfortable throughout my vacation here on Earth'.
I hear the door of the room open and I can already smell my brother's moronic strength from this side of the glass. He knocks on the glass and I look up. "Can I come in? "

I don't answer and so he takes it as a 'yes'. Is he much of a simpleton to not understand that when I don't answer, I literally mean I don't want company.

He stands in front of me and sighs. "You know what's odd, brother? "

I still ignore him.

"I saw a smile form on your face the whole time you talked with the girl." He amusingly remarks out of nowhere and I lift my head up quickly. "What in the nine realms are you talking about, you oaf? "

He chuckles and sits down next to me. "Y/N. You were smiling the entire time when she started proper training with you." I scoff at the image of me doing so. Why would I be smiling around her?
I glance sideways and crack my knuckles furtively.

"Brother, your sudden silence is concerning. Am I thinking of this correctly? Do you...like her?" And at that query, I whip my head back and raise my voice. "No!"

"Then why do you refuse to validate otherwise? "

"I just... it's- I don't know! Okay? I just don't know." I raise my arms up vaguely and turn my back away. Did he really feel the need to come in here just to ask me that? Because, I honestly don't know how to answer him. I feel so perplexed, like I can't describe what's pooling within me. I lost all my senses in the moments I watched her practice her ability with great intent and determination, stealing glances and hoping she didn't catch me eyeing her like some weirdo.

I malfunctioned when she complimented me on how I was
a good mentor, I shut down at that very moment. What was with that sentence that got me so fidgety?

And to top it off, when she hugged my brother, I didn't know how to take that one in. I just stood there, fixating my eyes on the gesture they exchanged. She felt so comfortable with him, nuzzling her head against his shoulder as he held her closer, refusing to leave a gap between them.

"Aaagh!" I scream involuntarily, catching Thor's full attention. "What was that? " He asks.

"Nothing. Nothing." I dismiss it and stand up going to one corner to think. I can't do anything useful in this cell, much less think like a sane person.

"What's gotten you agitated, Loki? Calm down." Thor says and I look him square in the eye. "This cell is. Can't I do anything meaningful while I'm imprisoned in this pathetic realm of ash and dirt? "

He taps his chin and contemplates, shaking his head as if in dismay afterwards. "We can do something but then you have the chip on your neck."

I roll my eyes and sigh. "Of course." A classy book is the only thing that can save me now. Perhaps I could use a good read to refresh my mind and hold the foundations of my sanity.

I face my brother with apathetic eyes. "A book would suffice."

He raises his brows and nods at my request, standing up and walking to the way out. "I'll get you about...five."

"Thank you." He locks the door of the cell and leaves the room. I walk back to the bed and lie prostrate on it, closing my eyes for the meantime I wait for him to return.

You're actually a good teacher.