The Soldier

how many of you are in there?

After a very quick shower, Tessa tied her hair up, fingers tracing the lines of the fox-tattoo on her neck.

Normally she wore her hair in front of it, she did not like people staring at it, trying to guess the meaning. They could not know.

But she was alone, Loki was long gone for sure, and Wendy did not stare at it, so she left her wet hair tied up, not bothering to blow dry or do anything else with it. Would be a mess tomorrow either ways and she planned on going to bed now anyway.

Expecting an already empty kitchen, she was surprised to find Loki holding Wendy in his arms.

Wendy purred in his arms and snuggled closer, trusting him to not drop her. Loki carefully adjusted his grip around the cat and was patting her absentmindedly, enjoying the warm feeling of the black fur between his fingertips. Wendy purred and Loki smiled contently, looking down at her. What a beautiful creature, a smart twinkle in its green eyes.

"Should I leave the two of you alone or...", Tessa smirked, throwing Loki a look, one eyebrow raised.

"You are unbearable when you try to be funny, mortal.", Loki answered deadpan and cautiously put the cat back on her former spot.

„Wendy seems to like you, normally I'm the only one allowed to pick her up.", Tessa said, passing him to get into her kitchen, searching for something she could cook. 

Loki wasn't looking like he planned to leave anytime soon and Tessa decided to use that opportunity.

„Listen, I was wondering... can we talk about your plan again because there are some things that are not yet clear to me, but they are important to know, so I figured I ask you about them. Just to be sure, you know? I don't want to do anything wrong, because I'd rather stay alive. So...", Tessa said, giving up her search for food and sitting down, glancing at Loki who took his usual seat opposite from her, before she stared at the desk in front of her, nervously folding her hands.

„How am I going to gain their trust? I really need to know this, I want to be prepared.", Tessa justified her question when Loki looked at her skeptically.

„Everything is going to work out just fine, as long as you do what I tell you to do. The first thing I need is that you trust me, completely, do you understand?", Loki said, moving into her field of vision by tilting his head a little.

Trust... she did not even know him. How was she supposed to trust him? All she knew was that she thought he would be a good king. That he was adopted and freaking cold all the time.

She didn't believe what she read about him, she couldn't believe that. Her gut feeling was to trust him.

But you don't even know him, sweetheart. You've always been trusting too easily..., Ziva's rational voice echoed through her mind before it was shut down. By something unfamiliar and... cold.

„Are you doubting me, soldier?", Loki asked, his voice emotionless, a scrutinizing look on his face.

„Stop reading my mind. I'm only doubting myself, maybe rightfully so. Can you not tell me anything?", Tessa asked.

Loki shook his head, a sudden smirk on his lips. „Doubting yourself is not a bad thing for someone like you. However, if it comes to the decision you took in trusting me, which I know you do, it is no less a wrong decision than joining my army. And did you regret that?", he asked, now looking at her curiously.

She only shook her head, before she could speak, Loki interrupted her.

„You are going to lie. You tell them you escaped and that I told you I was going to take over Odin's throne. Make sure that Thor hears you the first time you say it. I know you are a good liar, they will believe you. But I also know that you tend to chatter a lot when you are nervous, that is why I will go with you. I will be there in your mind, and I will keep you from saying or doing something wrong, Tess. I trust your abilities, it is just a precaution.", Loki explained, confidently patting her hands before standing up again as if the conversation was over.