Finding Freedom, Loki's Story.

chapter 14

Britney's POV

I must've dozed off.

I woke up to a sudden, loud noise coming from the kitchen. It sounded like a glass breaking. And being such a light sleeper, I shot up with alarm as soon as I heard it.

I got to the kitchen in a few quick strides only to find Thor bent over the granite counter, picking up the broken pieces of a coffee mug.

"I'm terribly sorry." He said. "It just slipped out of my hand. I'll replace it as soon as I'm able." It was obvious he was embarrassed so I decided to end that for him then and there.

"Oh! No need! I'm sure I break more dishes than anyone else here." I said. I then hastily scooped up the broken pieces of stoneware and placed them back in the cabinate. Thor looked confused but didn't say anything. However, his curiosity was settled after I closed the cabinate door and said. "Molecule reset please." And when I opened the door again, the mug was once again standing, as if it had never been broken at all. Thor's eyes grew wide with wonder.

I was still brushing off the daze of sleep when I spoke again. "Gosh I'm so sorry your majesty. I should be the one serving you." But upon hearing that he put his hand over mine to stop me from doing anything else. "Okay first of all, don't call me that. Thor will do fine. Second of all, I used to live on Midguard. I know how to function here." He finished with a small smile.

A few minutes later and Thor and I had successfully made a batch of tea. It was an earthen tea that came from a country called Nepal. We both filled our mugs but left enough so that anyone who came later could have some too. And as we sat down to drink it I realized something; the queen of Asguard was nowhere to be seen. "Thor, where has your mother gone to? Is she alright?"

He knodded towards the back door. "She's gone outside to admire the view. I'm sure she's fine." Thor had such a deep commanding voice, almost as if he was born to be a leader. It's quite different to what I was used to from my dad and Loki. However, I never turn down a chance for conversation, so I started one.

"So, what are your thoughts on everything you've seen? Surely you must have some?"

"Well, in all honesty the place reminds me of New Mexico. That's where I stayed during my banishment. I actually grew rather fond of the place."

I nodded. It was a few moments before he spoke again. "Before Loki was cast out, I told him, 'Whoever's problem you are now, tell them to bring my brother back.' Seems he actually listened to me for once." He chuckled.

"Maybe so. Although I wouldn't give myself all the credit. I just brought him into the presense of God and God took it from there."

"Well, whatever you did seems to have gotten through to him, and I thank you." I nodded, accepting his thanks. I'm not sure if Thor shared my beliefs but I didn't press it any further. All on God's time.

"I think this is really what he needed. Loki I mean. I think coming here, even though he was technically sent as a worker, was a sort of fresh start for him. I've no doubt the Asguardian prisons were not kind to him. So much so that when he got here I saw a shell. A shell of a man that I knew had the potential to be one of the greatest men in the universe." I took a sip of my tea and continued talking. "Here, Loki had no reputation. No family. No baggage. No authority. No distractions. No nothing. And when a man's been reduced to nothing, he can start rebuilding himself at the foundation. And what better foundation to build upon than the Bible." I shrugged and continued sipping my tea.

Thor raised his eyebrows in thought and nodded. "Yes I agree. I may not share your same views but I can't deny that those who do live by the Bible are good people." I nodded in response. He wasn't wrong. 

Abother bout of silence filled the air and the tension grew thick once again. I wondered if he's usually this awkward or if it was my fault for being so unused to talking. But either way, I was relieved when he finally spoke up again. "So Britney, if I may have the liberty of asking, why are you here? It seems fitting for a criminal such as Loki to be dumped here but you seem very out of place." He dripped his voice then and finished. "What's your story?"

I shrugged and told him. "Well you've gotta understand, my dad is one of the most feared people in the universe. So he's got a lot of enemies too. Long story short, there was a group of people coming after me to use me against my dad. So we decided it would be best if I laid low for a while. As to why we chose this place, it's because right under our feet, there's what's called a rift. A um, tear if you will, in time and space. And it gives off enough energy to completely conceal me, power the house, and charge the TARDIS when my dad visits." I shrugged. "Seemed like a win three times over, aside from the fact that I grew lonely, and that's the problem your brother solved."

"Understood." Thor nodded and we fell back into silence. I glanced over at him once more and really saw his face for the first time. He looked tired, like he's been worrying over something for ages without a rest until now. He sat back and let his shoulders go lax as he rested his mug on his knee. However, his thoughtful expression crumbled as he chuckled at something her thought.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing really. I just find it ironic how Loki and I both got the opposit of what we wanted. I desired a quiet life with Jane but I'm forced to help maintain Asguard and take the crown. Loki wants nothing more than the crown but instead he's banished here. I suppose you could say, the grass is always greener." He sighed and set his empty mug on the coffee table. He appeared to be deep in thought. I put my feet up on the coffee table and leaned back as well, thankful to finally feel more at ease with Thor. And it was then that I decided to ask him the question I'd been dreading.

"Thor." He turned hes head slightly in acknowledgment. "When you leave, will you take Loki with you?"

His eyebrows drew together and his lips pressed into a thin line. "I've been brooding over the same question." He sighed. "If I bring him back without the authority of my father it will cause unnecessary conflict. If I force him to remain banished when I know he's taken a turn for the better, what kind of brother would I be? I think it's best to leave the decision up to him. That way he can weigh the pros and cons himself and it would be off my shoulders." A lump formed in my throat at his words. I knew Loki couldn't remain banished forever. But I still hoped I would have him for longer than a week. I'd grown rather fond of him rather fast and I don't dream of being alone again any time soon. Even God himself said it's not good for people to be alone. However, I could never take away a man's free will if he deserves it.

Just at that moment I heard the twisting of a door handle. Frigga walked in through the back door and shut it quietly. I turned to her and smiled. "How do you like the view your majesty?"

"It's very nice Britney, but please call me Frigga. There's no need for formalities." She gave a kind smile which I returned. After spending a bit of time with yhe queen, I could see a lot of her influence in Loki. His mannerisms and ways of speech definitely modeled hers.

"Alright, Frigga. Would you like some tea?"

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Howdy yall! With all this sad craziness going on in the world, I decided to step away, and write another chapter. We're almost done with our story!

Now concerning our country right now:

Our God is a God of L❤VE, not hate, not rioting, not looting, not murder. Love. And as our world gets crazier and crazier we need to remember to set our eyes on Him, and rest in His peace.

My heart goes out to Floyd's family, and everyone who knew him💔 such a horrible act of violence.