If You Need Me

Ch. 10: If You Need Me

"I always told you he was ... like this," Lazlo eyed Peter.

Matt shrugged, "I like him."

It was an incredibly long night for everyone and you could feel your body screaming for sleep, yet you couldn't. You kept sitting on the windowsill of one of the windows at the embassy with Webs in your lap as you stared out the window. Loki cleared his throat to announce his arrival, and you turned to look at him.

"Hi," he whispered, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at you. He was dressed casually - the same way you'd seen him dress back in Tønsberg - in comfortable looking slacks and a large knit sweater. Hilariously enough, his hair was pushed back with a black headband. 

"Hello, uncle," you nodded to him devoid of emotion, "So lovely to see you."

Loki rolled his eyes and came over to gingerly sit on the ledge opposite you. Webs curled up against you even further (probably still angry that your uncle had attempted to make himself the number one cat in your life) and you watched your uncle closely.

"We should talk," Loki spoke smoothly.

"Well spotted," you nodded back.

"You should be sleeping."

"There are a lot of things I should be doing. For instance, I have lots of homework that's due soon," you admitted, "I'm still a college student, believe it or not."

"Not for much longer," Loki raised an eyebrow, "You'll be graduating soon."

All you could do was nod.

"... And what are you planning to do once you graduate?" Loki asked, getting straight to the point.

You hummed and clutched Webs tighter in your arms, "I'm not Asgardian," you whispered.

"You have DNA that begs to differ."

"DNA isn't everything. I wasn't raised in your traditions, and I have no idea how to speak your language. You've lived eons longer than I'll ever be able to fathom and if I look in my History of Religions textbook, I'll find you right there and center. I'm not a leader. I'm someone who brings people together, but I don't lead."

Loki looked as if he wanted to say something but you shook your head and held up your hand. "I want to be part of my father's life. I really do. I want to understand him better and I want to know what his life was like before he was my father. But I also want to live the life I've been attempting to build since I moved to this city with the people I love."

"You mean Peter."

"I mean everyone," you said sternly, "I have worked ... so hard," your voice cracked, "I have worked full time at multiple organizations. I've been a full-time student as well. Not to mention all the volunteer hours. I just ..." you sniffled and looked down at Webs tiredly, "I want to lie awake in the sunshine on a boat in the middle of the ocean with no cell service and lots of wine. Do you understand?"

"More than you know," Loki smirked.

"I'm sure we can work something out about my involvement in New Asgard and what my involvement -"

"Your claim to the throne through blood?" Loki asked again.

"Not that," you shook your head, "Please, never that."

"Then what do you want?"

You stayed quiet long enough that Loki could sense your agitation. He didn't say anything though and allowed you to sit there as you petted Webs slowly.

"What about an ambassador-type agreement?" you asked, "You know, something that could assist you here so you don't have to visit as often and that'll give me enough time to also be able to come and see you."