Unfettered (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 22 - True Colors

Stepping through the threshold, your foot catches on the raised edge of the door. You stumble forward, prepared to drop all the things you're carrying when two strong, sturdy arms catch you instead - saving you, and the food.

Shocked, you look up and see Loki gazing down at you.

"Loki," you exhale, his name barely more than a phantom whisper as it slips off your tongue.

For a moment, you're frozen, held tight in Loki's arms as he balances both you, and the food he's managed to support. But you quickly come back to yourself as he helps you to regain your balance. 

"Y/n," he says, your name saturated in deep remorse.

You set the food on the kitchen countertop and keep your back to the god as you let out a deep, calming breath. It takes a good amount of restraint to not turn around and smack him. Instead, you spin and throw your arms around his shoulders, pulling his body close to yours and burying your face in his neck. You breathe in deep, his scent overwhelming you with nostalgic familiarity.

"I am so mad at you." You whisper into his neck.

Loki hesitates, his body going stiff and rigid. But after a moment, he wraps his arms just as tightly around your waist. Together, you stand like that, not willing to let go lest he decide to disappear once more. You hold him until finally, your stomach growls.

"You're hungry, mortal," Loki whispers in your ear.

"I'd rather die of starvation then watch you disappear again." You mumble back.

Loki pulls your arms from around his neck, and takes your hand, guiding you to the kitchen. But you shake your head and pull him instead to the sofa, demanding he sit. 

"You need to eat," he says.

"We need to talk first," you counter.

Loki lets out sigh. "You women and your talking. It will be the death of me."

You cast him a serious and reproachful warning glance, and he holds up his hands in surrender. "All right," he says. "Then let us speak."

"Okay, well, first of all...hello. It's nice to see your face," you say gently. 

You reach up and brush your thumb along Loki's cheek. He smiles sadly at you. 

"And second of all, what is your problem?" You give him a solid shove with both hands, causing him to fall backwards into the couch.

Loki's brow furrows in confusion as he rubs the shoulder where you shoved him. "I beg your pardon?"

"Oh please," you frown. "You know exactly what I'm talking about." Loki remains silent, but matches your gaze. You let out an annoyed huff, and continue. "Do you know how awful you've made me feel these last two weeks?" 

"Darling, I-."

"No, I don't want to hear that," you say, interrupting. "I took a chance, Loki. I let you in my head. I showed you everything. Do you think it was easy for me to let you just waltz through my darkest, most painful memories?" you cry out, fighting to keep your voice steady.

Loki frowns and crosses his arms tightly against his chest, but says nothing.

"Do you think it was easy to re-live my trauma for you?" you continue. "Because it wasn't. I've tried for months to lock those memories away. To shove them into such a deep, dark pit that they would never see the light of day again. But I willingly resurfaced them. For you."

Your bottom lip trembles as even talking about your memories starts bringing flashes of broken faces and the echo of dripping water to the surface. You shake your head, pushing them away and refocusing on Loki as he shifts on the couch and stands.