In Exile

Chapter Twenty Five

The next morning, you woke up with a bounce in your step.

Despite the night of barely any sleep, mostly due to your own mind throwing decisions and finalities at you for hours, you still found that you were in a chipper mood and got out of bed early to surprise Loki with a shared, cooked breakfast.

It was rare for you both to share a morning meal together, let alone a filling one, so you hoped that he would appreciate the gesture too.

You had taken out all the ingredients you'd need and set them on the side before turning on the freshly filled kettle, letting that boil as you prepared the other bits and pieces you were going to make.

It was peaceful, getting lost in your own world as you cooked.

Unfortunately, you had only managed to plate up one lot of food before Loki decided to ruin the surprise by walking into the kitchen, noticeably clad in nothing but a pair on green boxers.

You narrowed your eyes, glaring at him.

He looked over and appeared to flinch before recovering as if nothing has happened and smirked coyly.

"Something the matter?"

"You did that on purpose."

"What?" He looked down at himself as if just now noticing that he wasn't wearing anything, "don't flatter yourself, I mean, I have only just got out of bed, surely you can't expect too much."

"Sure," you nodded slowly, "and you just happen to be wearing the tightest pair you own?"

Loki shrugged and chuckled, "Sometimes I like a little constriction, if it hassles you then perhaps you shouldn't be looking."

"You can't dangle meat in front of a hungry dog, keep yanking it away and then be surprised when it bites."

You turned away from him and cracked another egg to drop into the frying pan, not noticing that Loki had crossed the room, which would be no surprise as it would only be three quick strides with his ridiculous stature.

His cold hand rested on your hip as his chest pressed into your back, causing you to tense a little bit.

"Well then," he said, leaning down to murmur the rest close to your ear, "perhaps it's time this dog got its bone."

A shudder ran down your spine, which was a complete contrast to the laugh that you let out.

"That was awful."

"It was, I apologise, I'm still not used to Midgardian pick-up lines."

"Just take your breakfast and eat already."

Loki laughed and stepped back, leaning over to take the plate from the counter to your left.

"My, someone changed their tune rather quickly."

"I changed my tune? You're the one sending me mixed signals and then walking in damn near naked."

"I haven't changed my tune at all," his plate clattered onto the table as he took a seat, "in fact, were you not here I would probably be totally naked."

You raised your eyebrow and looked over your shoulder, Loki casually used his knife and fork to move a bit of bacon onto a piece of toast before meeting your gaze.

"What? I have a penchant for reading while nude."

"That's good to know," you nodded slowly, "but that doesn't detract from the fact that you've spent most of your time here leading me in circles, are you finally going to admit to how you feel?"

He stopped for a moment, his fork lingering in the air before he shrugged and continued to eat, making you wait until he'd finished his mouthful before answering.

"No, I like to keep you hanging."

You rolled your eyes and turned back to the food you were preparing to make sure it didn't burn.

"Have you felt this way the entire time?"

"Of course not," Loki scoffed a little, "emotions are complicated."

"I suppose they are," you nodded slowly.

"What? You expected us to fall in love over one wet weekend?" He asked with a chuckle.

"A girl can dream," you laughed in return.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"Don't worry, Loki, it's not the first time you have."

You plated up your food and set it on the table before moving to make two cups of tea, Loki's eyes following you the entire time.

"Somehow, I doubt it'll be the last," you smiled over your shoulder.