I Die Without You

Prompt One: Valentine's Day

The initiative had returned from yet another difficult and taxing assignment.

Loki was excited to meet up with his very dear and best friend Beverlee to have coffee and talk about the mission, along with catching up on other things. He couldn't have asked for a better friend, as she was so kind and truly cared about him - as he did for her.

However, when he reached their favourite coffee shop, she wasn't sitting inside like she usually did. She was standing outside and had a very deep frown on her face.

"Beverlee," he looked at her with a sympathetic smile, "what's wrong?"

"How long you got?" she said, then scoffed.

"Let's go inside," Loki suggested, "it sounds like you really need a comforting beverage as I do right now."

"I'm not going inside, Loki," Beverlee said, "I'm only here out of respect because I made a promise to you... because it's better to do what I'm about to do in person."

"And what's that?"

"Loki," Beverlee said her voice distraught, "I never want to see you again."

"What?!" Loki was shocked, and couldn't believe what he just heard, "what... did I do?"

"Oh, like you don't know!"

"I don't, Beverlee," Loki said, starting to feel very uneasy, and for some reason was finding it hard to breathe, "I don't! Please, tell me!"

"No," she said, an indignant look on her face. "I've had enough of your excuses. I really believed you were becoming a better person. But I can see how I was all wrong. You lied to me, Loki. All this time! You lied to me! You really are a-a... monster."

"Beverlee..." he whispered desperately, his eyes now glistening with moisture, and for the moment, rendered speechless. Her tongue had spouted words sharper than his trusty dagger and in a matter of seconds, he was cut to the quick. "Please... don't do this. Let's talk, we're always able to resolve things between us that way."

"Why? So you can lie to me some more? Placate me with that silver tongue of yours? No, not anymore. I've had enough. We're done."

She turned to go, but Loki grabbed her arm, "you can't mean this. After everything we've meant to each other..."

Beverlee yanked her arm away, "Correction, everything I thought we meant to each other... I-I wish we had never met," her eyes glared at him with disdain, "you're nothing more than a cold-hearted Frost Giant."

He could feel a swirl of emotions, making it hard to think clearly. Basic instincts were taking over.

Like rage.

He grabbed her again and was about to push her roughly against the wall of the establishment -

She slapped his face. Then disappeared...

...Loki woke up with a start. He was in his quarters at the auxiliary SHIELD facility.

It was only a nightmare.

Even so, it left him shaken. He brought his hand to his face in dismay.

It wasn't real. She's not like that. She wouldn't, no, she'd NEVER treat me that way... I'd know if she wasn't happy.

Wait - have I done enough to make her happy?

Of course, I have, she'd tell me if I hadn't.

She would, wouldn't she?

Loki sat up and arranged his pillows to lean back against the headboard of his bed. Using his magic, he opened the door of his mini-fridge and a bottle of water flew into his hand. Opening it up, he took a long sip from the bottle.

He had known Beverlee for some time now and she made him feel like she'd always been a part of his life. Never had she turned away or forsaken him, especially in his times of need or trouble. Initially, he worried that aspects of his past or even his personality would make her want to sever the relationship, but it never did. She was truly a sweet individual and he'd risk violating his probation if necessary to protect her.

It was also largely because of her he had found a life he could appreciate. A place where he felt he belonged - and where she could also be with him. Although satisfaction was normally not in his nature, the security of having such in his life was the only exception - he could not ask for anything better.

So why was the God of Mischief's mind trying to trick him into believing otherwise?

He was relieved he would be seeing Beverlee soon. There was a Midgardian occasion this month called "Valentine's Day" - and they had made plans.

She explained it was a day where people took time out to show how much they cared for each other. While people should find ways to do this every day, it was the one day of the year where one made it extra special.

There was no real equivalent for the occasion on Asgard, short of him recalling a yearly feast with his family, serving only cold foods along with discussions on deceased ancestors and lost loved ones. However, those memories were bittersweet, and he found himself even more eager to participate in this Midgardian occasion.

He would prove to himself, once and for all, that there was no more doubt to be had when it came to his dear friend and their relationship.

Then he began to think about what kind of gift to give Beverlee for Valentine's Day... soon several ideas popped into his head. The thought of seeing her smile made him smile too. And whether she gave him a gift or not, he considered her and their friendship a perpetual gift.

The distress he felt earlier from the nightmare had ebbed and was now being replaced with comforting thoughts. Taking one more sip of water, he put the bottle on his nightstand, rearranged his pillows and lay back down on the mattress. Curling up under the covers, he closed his eyes and softly sang part of a tune Beverlee had taught him:

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away."

He fell asleep, feeling more optimistic.