All The Little Pieces

I Want You

Author's Note: This chapter contains sexual content. Please be advised prior to reading, if this topic makes you uncomfortable.

Elizabeth furrowed her brow in confusion. He was right there a second ago. She turned back to Thor, forcing what she hoped was a pleasant smile and trying not to sound rushed.

"Thor. What...what did you need?"

Thor smiled and gestured toward the room. "I need to speak with you briefly. May I come in?"

"Of course." She closed the door behind him. "What's on your mind?"

"I need to talk to you about my brother. I may have spoken too much at dinner. You seemed angry with him, and that was not my intent."

Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah, that's true. I wasn't very happy with him."

"And I am sorry for that. I'm not going to tell you that my brother is perfect, but deep, deep down, he has a good heart, and I know you have become close. Since you came here, I have seen him happy for the first time in years. He would never believe me if I told him, but I value his happiness greatly. Please don't let my stupidity ruin whatever it is you two...are." He bowed his head slightly. "Will you talk to him, please? I would consider myself in your debt."

Elizabeth smiled. "Certainly."

Thor beamed. "Excellent! Thank you, Elizabeth. Good night to you." He opened the door and stepped out.

Elizabeth sighed and turned back to scan the dimly lit room with her hands on her hips. "Ok, Loki, where are you?"

He materialized from the deep shadows beside her bed. "I'm here." He walked down the steps and stood a few feet away from her. "I'm so sorry for lying to you. I hope you can forgive me. Good night." He started for the door.

"Come back here, please?"

He stopped with his back to her and said nothing. His shoulders slumped sadly.

"I'm not done talking to you, Loki. Please," she said again.

Loki turned and took several reluctant steps back toward her. Elizabeth moved to stand in front of him and looked up into his face. Tears stood in his eyes.

"I forgive you. I...you're the best friend I have, and I don't want to lose you, and you mean...so much to me." She reached out for his hand. It was chilly and shaking slightly. "Talk to me?"

Loki took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice. "I have learned to hide my fear, but I am...so afraid. You are everything I think about, everything I need, everything I want. You mean more to me than any other person and I'm afraid of--you're not even mine, and I'm terrified of losing you." His voice had dropped to a whisper.

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. She could feel his quick heartbeat.

"You didn't lose me," she said quietly. "And you're wrong--I am yours." She looked up, took his face in her hands, and kissed him gently. "You mean the world to me."

Loki pulled back and stared into her eyes. "Thank you," he whispered. He dipped his head to kiss her, and she reached up and around his neck and kissed him possessively. His hands slid down her back, stroked her sides, then moved lower, pulling her hips against him.

After a moment, he stepped back, breathing hard. "Hold on," he said, shrugging off his coat and unfastening his collar. "I can't get my arms around you...there!" He tossed the extra clothing onto the chair. "Now, let me do this properly!" He took two long strides and swept her up, kissing her long and hungrily.