Kindness
It had been weeks and all Loki had seen of his nemesis other than the duel incident was passing glares and rude gestures. The strain was too much. He needed her. He was tired of not knowing where she went during her free time and he was too scared of what he might discover to find out. He hated that he relied on her so much. He hated her.
Loki had formulated a new plan to regain her attention. The usual wasn’t working so he would do the unexpected: he would be kind. He wanted to gag just thinking about it, but he would do his best.
He found her in the garden, sitting against the willow with her knees drawn up to her chest. Her hair was tied in a messy bun that made him want to tuck the stray hairs in, or better yet, just pull the whole thing down. She’d hate him, which was obviously very pleasing. She was reading that Frost book. He took a moment to smile to himself before approaching. He remembered collecting the book for her, expecting the typical romance. He had been surprised and delighted to find out what filth actually filled the pages.
“How many times are you going to read that book?” he interrupted her.
She startled, head snapping up to find the speaker. Her eyes narrowed upon seeing him. He saw the exact moment his question registered by the reddening of her cheeks. “I like to revisit my favorite… scenes,” she answered awkwardly.
“Of course.” he nodded as though it were a very serious discussion and they weren’t discussing porn, “But it’s garbage really.”
“Oh is it?” she asked him, an eye roll on the near horizon.
“Oh yes,” he affirmed, copying her tone. “Maybe you should read something new.”
She looked like she would very much like too, but “I can’t afford something new,” she admitted. Loki had already guessed as much. He had only ever seen her with the same five books on rotation.
“Follow me,” he directed and turned from the garden without waiting for her to follow. She looked incredulously after him before shaking her head with an exasperated sigh and scrambling to obey. He led her out of the garden and through the golden hallways to a pair of large, intricately carved doors. He turned to look at her and make sure she was paying attention. She returned his glance with an inquisitive look of her own. ‘Well?’ it asked rather rudely. He smirked, sure that what he was about to show her would bring one of those lovely smiles to her lips. Neither of them were prepared for it. His kindness, he meant.
“Behold your hopes and dreams,” Loki declared, pushing the doors open wide for Sigyn to enter. She did slowly and not without suspicion and a scoff at his introduction. She stopped short just inside, staring up at marble and rich wooden shelves, three stories high. Rolling ladders were paired with each shelf so that one could reach whichever level they needed. The ceiling was high and domed, decorated with letters from each known alphabet.
“Welcome to the royal library.”
She turned to face him eyes wide with wonder but her blissful expression was clouded by anxiety. “I can’t be here without permission from-”
“You have my permission,” he interrupted. “You’re welcome to anything on these shelves, and they’re not just records. If you would like to try real filth, I’d look on the third story at the back- sort of tucked away.” He smiled conspiratorially. “It can’t be known that us royals enjoy such things.”
Her face was beet red. “Why are you doing this for me?”
He rolled his eyes. “We have an active participation type of mutual hate, and you are not participating. I thought I might better get your attention by being kind.”
Her attention slipped as she accepted his explanation. She turned slow circles, taking in the room and all the books- the worlds- at her fingertips. He wondered how she’d react to knowing he had real worlds at his fingertips. Maybe he would have told her. If she wasn't gone every night.
“Thank you,” she breathed and then stopped short, making a face as though the words tasted bad in her mouth.
“Don’t get used to it,” Loki drawled, though a small smile slipped out of the icy mask he attempted to hide behind.
She laughed. “With everything you’ve put me through? Never. I hate you.” she smiled as she said it. It was not something carelessly tossed over her shoulder, a habit, or a chore.
“Rest assured, the feeling is mutual.”