I Die Without You

Prompt 9: Lie

Thor escorted Loki and Beverlee back to his quarters and had them both sit on his bed. 

"Since we don't know how long this investigation will take," Thor said,  "you both can sleep on the bed and I'll be fine in my recliner chair," he walked over to his closet and pulled out a sweater from his closet then handed it to Beverlee, "I'm sorry I have nothing in your size, but this will keep you warm."

"It's okay, Thor, this is just fine, thank you," Beverlee said, removing the blanket from around her shoulders and slipping the sweater on, "this will definitely do until my clothes are allowed to be retrieved from Loki's quarters."

"I have to perform some duties today, but once I'm done I'll go by the cafeteria and bring you both back some sustenance. In the meantime, if you need anything, help yourself to what is in my fridge."

"The team," Loki whispered, "they are going to take this very hard. They all trusted Lowenstein, he was the best doctor for us... What I've done... Please tell them I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"Loki," Thor sat on the bed and put his hand on Loki's shoulder, "they will understand. Not right away, but they will... in time," he looked at Beverlee, "it gives me peace of mind that you are here for my brother. Please continue his... compassionate care."

"That I will," Beverlee said, with a nod and sympathetic smile.

And with that, Thor took his leave.

Loki turned to Beverlee. There was a deep sorrowful look on his face, "Doctor Lowenstein is gone....and I... I... killed him... I... killed him!" his voice was full of fear and guilt and within a matter of seconds he broke down, "I once said, freedom is life's great lie. Perhaps it is my fate due to my nature to never truly be free..." 

 "That's not true and you know it," Beverlee said, attempting to pull Loki into her arms, but he resisted.

"I don't deserve your friendship, Beverlee. It appears your representation in my nightmare was correct when she called me a monster..."

"She was no such thing!" Beverlee said loudly and grabbed him by the arms. Her voice was low but she spoke vehemently, "Loki, I know this is hard for you, it would be hard for anyone to deal with such a situation. But guess what, I'm still here for you. Thor also believes in you - and that's saying something. Those that have come to know you will understand, the others... I say screw 'em." 

Loki looked into Beverlee's eyes and saw intense determination.  It was this expression that finally reached him and, for the moment, quelled his nerves. As he began to feel less stressed, something within him stirred. He observed how Beverlee was holding his arms, and then looked at her imploringly.

Beverlee, while finding it a relief her friend had found his calm, she recognized that expression of Loki's all too well. She wasn't sure if she was prepared, but at this point, it didn't matter, she knew this would be good for both of them. 

She nodded slowly.

Loki moved his arms quickly, breaking free from her grasp - and began to tussle with Beverlee on the bed. 

Beverlee had been learning self-defence moves from Loki, and occasionally when they would meet up, depending on the venue, they would spontaneously - and playfully - attack each other. What was wonderful about his teachings were that he would demonstrate, despite her height, how she could still find ways to protect herself and even take an offensive tactic if necessary. 

During their mock-battle, Beverlee was able to hold her own. Legs getting tangled, bodies flipping from top to bottom, arms being twisted behind backs - moves and countermoves and countermoves to countermoves - they both had a lot of pent up nervous energy that kept them tussling for quite some time.

It eventually came to a draw, and they collapsed on the bed, exhausted from their efforts, both of them breathing hard. 

"You know what I miss right now?" Beverlee said, slowly catching her breath. She moved onto her side to look at Loki, who had done the same, "I wish I had my smartphone. We could listen to some of the songs on your playlist."

 Reaching out his hand to her, palm up - Loki produced her smartphone.

"Ta-Daa," he said with a smile.

"What?" Beverlee was astonished, "how?"

"We both know this device is very important to both of us. After you made the call to report what had happened, I saw you set it aside, in favour of giving each other comfort. At that time I took it and magically concealed it.  I mean with you clad in only a long shirt, you had no place to put it..."

"Quite right," Beverlee smiled, "and you didn't tell me you had it, just in case the agents asked, giving me plausible deniability..." she sighed with contentment, "Loki, thank you." 

"Beverlee," Loki said, quietly, with downcast eyes, "I'm still..." he didn't finish.

Putting the phone on the nearby nightstand, Beverlee moved closer to Loki, pulling him into a hug that he now welcomed most eagerly.

"And you most likely will be for some time," she whispered. "You know why? It's because you have a good heart."

How do I live? How do I breathe?
When you're not here I'm suffocating
I want to feel love, run through my blood
Tell me is this where I give it all up?
For you I have to risk it all
'Cause the writing's on the wall.