Chapter 23
"…really think you could improve the range if the aerodynamics were revisited. I've come across some really interesting ideas for how to reduce the drag in the book I'm reading." Loki continued their discussion about the mechanics of throwing knives, apparently oblivious to the looks he was getting.
"Oh, well that's a good thing." Sif was having trouble keeping up. She was good with weapons but less familiar with the science side of them, and the effort involved in containing her confused emotions wasn't helping. It was hard not to laugh when she was quite certain that he was purposefully speaking technically to confuse the busybodies trying to eavesdrop as they made their slow way past their seats. The supposedly crazy prince wearing the most ridiculous pink flowers that she could find in his hair while speaking what must sound to them like gibberish about knives… and somehow keeping a straight face. She had no idea how he did it, but watching him messing with people was better than the theater. No wonder the humans thought him the god of mischief.
She didn't know what to think of how much she was enjoying his company, let alone that kiss. This was Loki, not the strong simple warriors with whom she normally socialized. He was supposed to be up to something. She was supposed to be observing him to figure out what. She believed that he truly was as badly hurt by the battle as he was supposed to be, she had seen the proof, but the change from how he'd been before was difficult to wrap her mind around. Part of her still expected evilness, even if a growing part of her was charmed by the fact that he was attractive and funny and respected her as both a warrior and a woman, quite possibly the only person with whom she didn't feel any pressure to prove herself. So yes, she had a bit of a crush, but she didn't want to like him. That he had found out and apparently had feelings for her too complicated things. She didn't like feelings interfering with her life. And if she was being completely honest with herself, she was more than a little worried that he'd go back to how he was before as his memory returned.
"Aw, they're not back yet." He eased his leg over the bench at the friends' preferred table with a wince. "I had hoped to see Thor's reaction to what you did to me."
"Promise me you won't tell him some tall tale and get me in trouble if you see him before I do?"
His eyes glinted with mischief. "What about if you spy him first?"
She gave him as exasperated a look as she could muster (which wasn't easy) and primly settled herself next to him. "You know what I meant."
"Do I?"
At the top table, Frigga was hiding her chuckles behind a napkin. Odin looked at his wife quizzically, and she inclined her head in the direction of their son. "Thor should never have told him that people thought he was crazy. He seems to be having fun with it."