A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

An Understanding

—Loki—

We awkwardly sit in silence as Sam sleeps on the bed between us. I can tell I'm far from having Logan's trust. Similar to dealing with a wild animal I feel as if one wrong move could set him off. Logan eyes me up and down.

"So... how long have you been sleeping with her?"

'Well, that escalated quickly.' I find myself intimidated although he's only a mortal man and I'm over a foot taller. I'm not certain I could take him in a physical fight even if I wasn't holding back not with those blades.

"It's not like that."

"Really? Then what's it like?"

He raises his voice. Sam stirs in her sleep I don't want our arguing to keep her from getting the rest she needs to heal.

"Maybe we should take this out to the hall?"

He growls but gets up and follows me out of the room. Once the door closes he pins me against the wall again. I know it's an empty threat he seems to care for Sam and doesn't seem the type to go back on a promise he just made.

I resist the urge to summon a dagger and attempt to put him in his place. I shouldn't be taking this from a mortal. I want him to trust me I realize. Though I think there may be a cold day in Muspelheim before that happens. He's someone who's important to Sam and I'd like it if we weren't at each other's throats. Perhaps we could come to an understanding even if I don't gain his trust.

"I asked you a question bub!"

I consider using my silver tongue to get out of this situation but something tells me that won't work. That he'll see right through it.

"If you want to get technical we've been sleeping in the same bed for about six months..."

Logan looks angry I rush to get the rest of the sentence out before he decides to break his promise.

"BUT we've never had sex if that is what you were implying."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Not really but it's the truth."

He gets up in my face then takes a deep breath through his nose. Miraculously he decides I'm not lying and let's me go still eyeing me with suspicion. I straighten myself out fixing the collar of my jacket. I lean up against the wall casually. I can't let him think he actually intimidates me. I decide against my usual nature that in order to come to an understanding I must be completely honest with him.

"She was too scared to sleep alone when they found her."

"What made you help her?"

Good it seems we're having a civil conversation now.

"Curiosity mostly, she caused a lot of fear and I had to see why."

He nods.

"You figure it out?"

"She's a mutant that's why they feared her but that's not the real reason they should she's strong, stronger than she knows."

He raises his eyebrows at my words it's not the answer he'd been expecting. He seems to think them over. I wish I could get a read on him but I can't everything about him from his body language to his facial expressions indicates to me that he's extremely guarded and therefore not one to show off his true emotions.

"Is what S.H.I.E.L.D says true?"

"Yes and no."

I'm not black and white I did some horrible things, things I regret, I attempted to destroy an entire race, I tried to kill my brother, and I took the throne from my father and left him stranded on Earth with no memory of his life on Asgard.

"Meaning?"

"Yes I was manipulated by the Mind Stone during the battle of New York but I'm far from completely innocent. As a wise woman once said 'I have red in my ledger and I'm looking to wipe it out.'"

He seems to appreciate the unexpected amount of truthfulness in my answer. He nods apparently my answer had been acceptable.

"So?"

"So what?"

"Where do we stand?"

He chuckles.

"Not sure. I ain't gonna try and kill ya again I made Sam a promise but I don't trust you, not for a second, but she does. So I'm gonna let you know, that promise won't do a damn thing for you if you hurt her."

I nod. I'm glad Sam has someone who cares for her this much.

"I'd hope not."

He seems surprised by this reaction. We both head back into the room in silence not wanting Sam to wake up to an empty room.