A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

An Avenger.

—-Loki—-

'What am I doing?' I think to myself as I sit in the dark with the sleeping girl clinging to me. I had meant it when I told her I would protect her but why? 'Because she reminds you of yourself.' part of me whispers but I push the thought away. I don't need this. I'd be better off leaving now and never looking back, I'd probably be doing her a favor too. I'm nothing but trouble.

She doesn't seem to believe that though. Perhaps that's because she doesn't know who I am but for all I know she could know exactly who I am. I had seen recognition on her face that first day when she looked up at me but brushed it off when she didn't start to panic.

For a second I again consider telling her who I am but then push the thought away immediately. The thought of her rejecting me or fearing me hurts for some reason although I barely know her. She's one of the only mortals that doesn't look at me with judgement or fear. I'm not ready for that to be over.

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I can't seem to stay away. It's been over a week and I find myself coming back here every night and during any spare moment I have which is most of the time seeing as I haven't been called in for any missions as of late. Since the incident that I came to this place to sort out the paperwork for it seems I'm under an unofficial suspension.

This is fine by me as it gives me more time here. I don't know why but I enjoy spending time with this mortal. Even if she doesn't speak and I don't know her name she still makes good company. She seems interested in what I have to say when I speak to her and she actually seems to trust me, though that may stem only from her ignorance of who I really am.

I haven't told her yet. I have no wish to inform her only to drive her away especially not now when my presence has been of help to both her physical and mental condition. Yes her trust in me may well be born of ignorance nevertheless it's still nice to feel trusted for a change. I'm currently reading a book as she sleeps next to me, they've told me she refuses to sleep and is very anxious whenever I'm not here.

They've even said they don't dare to try entering the room without me here because of how much distress it causes her. She almost always attempts to bolt away from them and hide when I am here I can't imagine what she'd do if I weren't. I've seen her will to fight but I've also seen her be meek and submissive.

I don't know if she'd harm them, injure herself trying to get away from them, or submit to whatever they asked of her out of fear. I hate the submission in her features at times when I can't convince her she's safe but she's too exhausted or high on pain medication to put up a fight with the staff, it doesn't suit her.

When I see these expressions of both submission and aggression cross her features in succession of one another I can only guess she is in a constant battle with herself as to how she should react towards everything. With the medical assessment I saw including injuries that couldn't be self inflicted or accidental not to mention the evidence they found suggesting rape its clear she was abused.

Even without the evidence provided in the report I wouldn't hesitate to draw that conclusion her habitual flinching and obvious fear of the staff are clear signs of it. From the fight still in her now its clear to me she wouldn't have rolled over easily. No, she was likely beaten into submission over time and that's where that horrible look comes from.

I take it as a good sign that now that she's no longer in the exact same situation as before the will to fight and protect herself has been reignited in her. ...I'll admit that I admire that about her. I stop reading for a moment and look over her sleeping form I smile at how peaceful she looks right now.

Unless nightmares actively plague her, as they do nearly every night, she always looks peaceful in her sleep an expression I wish to see her wear even while awake. 'How is it that she causes such fear in the staff?' Yes she can fight well but it's obvious her aggression lacks any amount of malice.

Her only goal when she lashes out is self preservation so there's really nothing to fear from her. As I look over her admittedly beautiful facial features she stirs. She sits up away from me and stretches as much as she can without hurting herself then looks over at me and gives me a small smile. I can't help but smile back, damn those brown eyes.

"Mortal..."

I begin I really wish I knew her name I've tried asking even offering up a pen and paper just to receive no answer, I won't ask her again. I'm not going to continue to badger her with the topic it would do no one any good to pressure her into communicating before she's ready to.

I'm interrupted by a text on my phone. -'We need you here for a mission within the hour Reindeer Games.'- 'Damn it Stark.' I sigh, I guess my suspension is over. It must be urgent if he's contacting me, he isn't fond of me.

"I have to leave I'm needed for a mission."

The girl looks at me obviously confused. It hits me she has no idea that I'm an Avenger, Hel I haven't even told her my name.

"I work with the Avengers."

She looks surprised and a little excited at that prospect but I can tell she doesn't want me to leave.

"I'm sorry I have to go, I'll be back soon, don't kill anyone while I'm gone alright."

I know she's probably not in the mood for jokes but I'm worried about leaving her here alone because of how much distress it causes
her and how else am I supposed to deal with that? To my surprise although she still looks anxious she also looks somewhat amused she smiles slightly and even seems to laugh silently. She nods. I turn and leave then head out of the building in a rush.

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Finally, I think to myself as the mission's wrapping up. That took way longer than it needed to. Honestly, we're way too careful with some of these people! The rest of the Avengers talk amongst themselves blathering about nothing.

"Hey Rock of Ages you coming for shawarma?"

Stark, I roll my eyes. He's putting on a show and we both know it. He doesn't want me along, he simply invites me so he doesn't have to deal with Thor.

"I think I'll pass."

"Come on now brother you never come along."

'Why is Thor such an idiot?' It's painfully obvious that nobody on the team besides himself and Peter want me there so I butt out.

"I have better things to do then gallivant about with your friends."

He looks hurt but he'll get over it besides it's not exactly a lie. I need to get back.

"Farewell."

And at that I leave.