Start Over?
I let out a sigh of satisfaction upon finishing the meal Elise had prepared , barely a moment passed and she reentered the room with a smile , she swiftly began to clear away the dishes , before she could finish I quickly cut in ,"Hey uh hang on please let me help you clean up its the least I can do after you put in all that effort." She initially looked back confused at my offer of help , with Loki living here mostly alone rarely ever gets offered help , after a moment she smiles before shaking her head "Not at all M'lady , It's my duty , I hope you enjoyed everything". Not taking no for an answer I quickly stood up picking up some of the dishes and walking towards the kitchen , "Nope sorry but really I'd like to , as well as that.. I'm um .. probably going to be here a long time so , it might be nice to maybe get to know someone here." , I glanced down slightly nervous at how blatant that sounded , realizing that I don't know how close she is to Loki.
Elise's face was unreadable for a second before her face lit up with a smile , working here alone she doesn't get to socialize all that much with anyone , the idea of a friend to her was wonderful "Absolutely M'lady! It would be my pleasure.." with that I followed her lead into the kitchen to wash up , I was hopeful to get to know her , maybe she could help me in some way. The pair of us began to wash up before I spoke up , "Hey um Elise would you mind if I asked you some things about him.." she turned to me tilting her head "I assume you're referring to Master Loki, and of course I can answer some things" you nodded thinking carefully about what to ask first , "Is he as evil as they say.. do you have any advice to not well get on his bad side.." I hadn't intended to ask such a heavy question at first but it was the first thing that came to mind.
She stopped drying one of the plates for a moment , she looked unsure for a moment , "I.. well Master Loki is not a monster , he's actually quite kind underneath the surface.. I understand your fear , I can only imagine what it must be like arrive to a new realm under well.. such circumstances , I don't know the Master all too well in all honesty but from what I know of him he wouldn't have taken you here with only the intent to hurt you , if that's any reassurance , nonetheless I will be happy to help whenever you may need me." she smiled putting away the last of the dishes.
All I could do was nod plainly , We both soon left the kitchen , I watched as she continued her work , wanting to learn more about this planet I cleared my throat looking over at Elise , "So um what's it like here? this planet , have you ever travelled to another planet?" she perked up at that glancing over as she continued cleaning "Jotunheim? well I was born here , it's well.. rather cold as you must've seen already" she chuckled before continuing "Being frost giants the temperature isn't a issue for us but I can only imagine what a shock it must be coming from midguard to here. As for travel I well I've once been to Asgard with Loki as surprising as that may sound , it's very different to here"
I smiled lightly at the mention of Asgard there you had heard of , Thor had told you many stories of the place , the golden kingdom sounded wonderful , he had promised to bring me someday much to the objection of Dad. "Thor told me about Asgard is it really as beautiful as the stories? the palace the people" Elise giggled at your enthusiasm before nodding "I never knew you knew the masters brother , he has come here occasionally on visits and Asgard is stunning-" I immediately cut in "Thor visits!?" I was relieved Thor he was like family he could save me , I felt a glimmer of hope. "Oh yes of course , although his visits usually aren't taken too kindly but yes he occasionally visits" I smiled slightly a bit of relief I was about to ask another question before I heard the doors burst open I jumped out of my skin , Elise chirped up "Welcome back Sir"
My heart sunk the few hours of freedom up , I felt the fear creep back in , "Thank you Elise" he spoke walking in confidently , he noticed me immediately grinning "and good afternoon sleeping beauty.. I do hope you slept well.." I cringed as he brushed past me , approaching Elise "Would you mind perhaps giving us a moment alone" she nodded glancing over to me momentarily before stepping out of the room.
Loki then began "I see you've been getting to know Elise.. I take you've been nourished during my absence" I nodded in response and he grimaced "Silent treatment again I see.. strange as you seemed to happily want to interact with my helper.." I got nervous trying to think of ways to not anger him not knowing his threats were merely empty words , before I could come up with a response he continued "Very well In that case I assume you aren't interested in news of your fathers condition.." I immediately shot up my head "W What about his condition is he okay?" he immediately chuckled at me "Hm well that didn't take much.. I make good on my word and can inform you your father is in good health Ms Stark , I can assure you he is alive" I was relieved although not surprised Dad never would go down easy certainly wouldn't sit back over a stab wound however I was paranoid the stab hit a artery so hearing he's okay was a relief nonetheless , I sighed.
He was looking acknowledging my visible relief ,"Interesting.." I looked at him in confusion "What?.." he took a moment a slight grin dawning his face "You care so deeply for your father I find it rather amusing." He stepped closer to me making me once again feel intimidated "You're so uneasy my dear.. what must it take for you to believe I don't intend to harm you.." I snapped back for the first time a bit more confident after Elise's words , "Can't exactly blame me not believing a word from the god of lies." He looked at me surprised before laughing for a moment "Ooh feisty aren't we.. and I'll have you know it's god of mischief not lies and believe me.. if I wanted to hurt you.. if I intended to inflict unfathomable pain onto you I would have done it by now , and certainly not give you freedom to roam my palace and have access to anything you desire be that knowledge or material.. I believe my actions speak rather clearly of my intentions.."
I once again snarked back "Your mood swings are bad enough to give any person whiplash , the second I got here you threatened me and certainly don't care about boundaries , obviously I wont just trust your words" , he looked shocked almost at the back talk out of nowhere , he leaned up against the wall "As charming as your attitude is I'd think very carefully about your next words , don't forget who's in control here. Secondly yes perhaps I was initially quite rash upon your arrival however I do believe you first attacked me , as for boundaries you must remember what you agreed to darling."
I was unsure how to respond he scares me but on the other hand I heard a lot about his defeat in New York , I paused "I don't understand , you took me out of spite to hurt my dad , if not hurt me or kill me what do you want" Loki looked over rolling his eyes as if bored "I answered this question already Ms Stark.. but if you must have it spelled out all I desire is your affections in blunt terms , as I stated when you first arrived here I can offer you whatever you desire under the condition you cooperate with me.. I will not harm you long as you don't defy me.."
This time I got a clearer answer and it left me more confused then before , I couldn't help but blush slightly at his explanation "..You want me to be with you to spite my father..?" For a moment and just a moment his face saddened ever so slightly I wasn't able to grasp why after a pause he responded blankly "Not exactly.." I once again gave a confused look he had a slightly saddened smile briefly before looking over at me "Tell me Ms Stark what do you know of me.." I was thrown for a loop unsure what he even expected me to say "You're Thor's younger brother.." he chuckled at that that seeming to be everyone's initial thoughts of him "Of course and" he spoke , you thought for a moment of what you really knew about him himself "You tried to take over earth a year ago , you failed but got away.. and.." I tried to think of anything else I really knew however he nodded looking over at me as if he predicted my entire response "As I expected , apart from that action and my relation to Thor that's all you really know of me is it not.." I tried to think of something to contradict that statement however nothing came to mind so you awkwardly nodded.
Loki sighed momentarily "Well then I suppose now you may understand why I'd desire company in some form or another , most detest me on Midguard and Asgard and as you can see Jotunheim is far from a paradise.." for a moment you felt pity for him however with everything he's done it's only natural for people to have that view on him , "You've done awful things , hurt people for your own gain , its because of that , that people only know you for your actions" he looked annoyed momentarily before responding "I wouldnt expect you to understand my motivation.. however I do hope this gives you more context"
I nodded slightly more at ease knowing he didn't want to hurt me , after a awkward moment of silence he walked over once again having a slight grin on his face "Hate me as much as you like darling , but this is your home now like it or not." he spoke with a less cocky tone more blunt which I found slightly strange given what I've seen of him , I could somewhat understand what he meant he said he was pretty much hated , so he wished for company , he went about that in his own way of course , it then dawned on me , I can use this to my advantage , maybe even be set free if I played my cards right I spoke up before he went to leave "Wait Loki.." he immediately stopped turning around to face me , I thought about my words carefully "Look okay we got off to a bad start to say the least but how about we just start over , bias views put aside.." words couldn't describe the visible confusion on his face , he wasn't stupid he may catch on to what I'm doing but even so , it's worth a shot either way it will make my situation easier hopefully. "Very well Ms Stark" he walked over as I extended my hand to agree to this fresh start "Y/N is fine.." he took my hand instead of shaking it he knelt down slightly raising my hand up gently placing a kiss on my hand , I flushed instinctively withdrew my hand as he chuckled "We are from very different cultures my dear.." I awkwardly nodded as he rose up again.
"Well then Y/N Stark its a pleasure to meet you.." he grinned smugly taking my proposition quite literally , slightly feeling awkward I decided to play along
"Nice to meet you Loki Laufeyson.."