𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪

17: Secrets

I'm like a puzzle, but all of my pieces are jagged

If you can understand this, we can make some magic

I'm wrong like that

Can't Be Tamed - Miley Cyrus

She'd had to change into a different pair of panties and leggings before heading to the training room with Nat. She definitely needed to blow off some steam after she and Loki's... encounter. Her arms and legs were swinging at the redhead like no tomorrow and her breathing was rapid and labored. They'd been sparing for at least an hour straight. 

"Jesus, Liz," Nat grunted as she struggled to dodge the brunette's attacks. "When did you get so physical?" She was stricken to the ground by a kick to the stomach. Nat doubled over as she clutched herself while the wind had been knocked out of her. Liz took a deep breath to recollect herself and leaned down to offer her a hand. 

"That's a compliment coming from you," Liz stated as she pulled her friend off the floor. Nat was dressed in yoga pants and a form-fitting shirt. Her wavy, fiery hair framed her face like a halo. 

"Have you been working out? Because those hits hurt like a bitch." Liz shrugged. 

"Maybe you're just slacking." Nat sent her a warning glance, then smiled into a playful manner. The pair headed to the kitchen after Nat offered to make smoothies. Of course, Liz wasn't going to object. For the most part, everybody was still finishing up with their breakfast. The smell of freshly made pancakes wafted through the air. The scent made Liz's mouth water with temptation, but she knew she shouldn't. Her manager would kill her if she did. Thor, Sam, Peter, Steve, and Loki were all seated at the main table while the others scattered around them, listening and laughing with each other. As she made her way across the room she caught a familiar pair of green eyes. They were sharp and knowing. She didn't even have to search the rest of his face to know that he was still very much proud of himself for effecting her the way he had earlier. Liz was so focused on his gaze that she almost missed Nat speaking to her, nodding when she just caught the end of her sentence and made her way to sit at the table while Nat went to make their drinks. She smiled at the team as they greeted her and immediately included her in their conversations. 

"Training already, I see," Clint commented from across her. His arms were crossed as he slouched comfortably in his chair. A half-empty mug of coffee and mostly-eaten plate of food was set before him. 

"You could say that," Liz replied hesitantly. Her eyes averted Loki near the end of the table while she pulled out a chair and took a seat next to Thor. 

"I'd offer you some pancakes," Sam started. "But someone-" He overexaggerated his wide-eyed stared at Thor. "-Ate them all." The god smiled sheepishly. 

"My apologies." 

"No need," Liz reassured him with a humorous smile. "I wouldn't be able to eat them anyway. My trainer would kick my ass." 

"You're kidding me, right?" Sam said unbelievably. Liz quirked a brow to add to her smile as Nat set a smoothie in front of her. She could sense Loki's glare towards Sam all the way from the other end of the table. His vibes were screaming jealousy since Sam secretly, and very casually, referred to her attractive figure. 

"My career requires me to be in shape. I can't risk gaining weight." Her fingers brush the chilled glass of her strawberry-banana drink. 

"Oh please," Nat chimes in. "You've got the fastest metabolism I've ever seen anybody have." Liz shrugged and sipped through her straw. She wasn't uncomfortable talking about her physicality, but she knew that if she made it the main topic it wouldn't be forgiving in the future. Well, correction... Loki wouldn't be forgiving in the future. And after his display upon her, she wasn't ready for that happen again; she was still recovering and sometimes experienced the sore throbbing of her core to remind her of it. Her body warmed at the thought and she glanced at Loki who was now looking away with a hard look on his face. She was curious as to what he was thinking right now. Was he reading her thoughts? Well, let's find out. 

"Stop it, Loki." His head perked up with surprise and their eyes met. She smirked triumphantly at the fact that she'd been right. His eyes narrowed at her curiously before he crossed his arms and averted his gaze onto the others in the room. There was an abrupt ringing that cut through the easygoing atmosphere and all eyes turned to Liz as she pulled her phone out from the side pocket of her leggings. Loki's gaze locked onto her as she checked the screen and muttered her apologies before getting up and walking into the kitchen. He watched her the entire way, admiring the way her toned legs and ass moved when she walked. It wasn't until she disappeared around the corner that he returned his attention back to the others in the room. This woman was a fucking magnet to men, he swore it. She practically had every man in this room swooning over her, and he wasn't sure how she did it. Loki had seen plenty of beautiful women before, all close to equal with Liz's beauty, yet he wasn't nearly as attracted to them as he was to her, and it seemed to be that way with every man, too. His curiosity wavered back and forth into jealousy whenever he saw another male eyeing her in an admirable way, especially Thor. He cared for his brother, that was no mistake, but that didn't mean he didn't still hold grudges. Thor was always the favored child and got many things over him. And the fact that Thor was interested in Liz only made Loki more determined to win this game; because if he was able to do this, he might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Not only would he possibly have Liz as his own, but he would also have the satisfaction of knowing he finally won something over his spoiled brother. 

"Sorry," Liz apologized as she walked back into the room and snatched her smoothie from the table. Nat had claimed her chair after she left, so she stood next to her. Loki's head was buzzing with disapproval at her exposed abdomen. Only he should be able to see that. Then he blinked with realization. When did he start getting so possessive over her? He was never like this about women. Frigga help him, he was letting his walls down too much. He needed to watch himself more closely and control himself over this girl. "That was my manager. I have to head back tonight. I guess I have to learn new choreography for a first-time-showing performance next month." Loki watched her body language carefully. She was sucking at the inside of her cheek, a tick he'd come to realize she did when she was hiding something. Nat eyed her annoyingly.

"You said you'd be here for the whole week." 

"I know, and I'm sorry," Liz offered solemnly. Her grey eyes scanned the people around the table. "I'm sure we'll meet again, though." Then she leaned down close to Nat and whispered quietly. Loki noticed Nat's pupils dilate just the slightest fraction. What are they hiding? Nat bobbed her head stiffly as to not make it too noticeable and Liz stood at full height, her expression masking her true emotions. But her eyes said it all, and it concerned him that they showed disturbance. But he let her walk away back towards her room without his company. His chance to talk to her would come.

"Loki and I were discussing a matter of celebration earlier this morning," Thor announced to everyone. "We would like to invite you to Asgard for a banquet in the near future." There were murmurs of excitement and cheerful word exchanges between the team members. 

"What's the occasion?" Steve asked. Thor's smile beamed as his friendly eyes bounced around each individual. 

"I just thought we could use some time to spend with each other. Plus, it's all the more reason for you to visit my home." 

"I'm totally down," Peter exclaimed. Loki wasn't paying too much attention anymore, though. His thoughts were solely on Liz.