When We Lie

The next day, you visit Castel Sant'Angelo, Museo Napoleonico, Museum Leonardo Da Vinci Experience and the Vatican. Loki isn't impressed by Sant'Angelo nor the museums, though he do joke about Leonardo Da Vinci being ahead of his time.

You behave as if everything's all right, though you do notice him peeking at you from time to time. Worried he still hasn't forgiven you, you take him to the Vatican and show him St. Peter's Basilica. You explain you can go up to the dome, and he immediately challenges you. You don't say you're afraid of heights, just nod and wait in line.

"Should we walk all the way or take the elevator?" you ask.

"Do you think you'd survive that many steps?"

"Honestly speaking? No." Not to mention you'll faint if you look back. "I'll take the elevator."

"All right. I'll take the stairs, then."

The line separates into right and left, one leading to the elevator and one to the beginning of the stairs. Loki jokingly salutes you and heads inside. You have to wait a few minutes to get into the elevator.

Loki is waiting for you at the top and doesn't look at all bothered by having walked up however many stairs it must have been.

"You're a bit pale, darling," he comments. "You all right?"

"Yep. I'm fine. Let's go."

It starts off okay, but slowly the stairs gets narrower and narrower. You get to a spiral staircase so small you worry a larger person wouldn't fit.

"A rope, interesting," Loki says and takes a hold of it. "Seems like we'll have to use this."

You gulp. "Okay," you whisper. "I can do this." You brace one hand on the cold wall and hold the rope with the other. Loki walks ahead of you and quickly catches up with the couple in front. He turns around to check on you only to find you gone. He backtracks and sees you slowly making your way up.

"You're not fine!" he hisses. "Come here." He lets you pass him, though he nearly falls off the ledge, and keep whispering encouraging words in your ear.

You take a moment to gather yourself as soon as you reach the top. The people passing you gives you angry glares, but Loki blocks their view by standing in front of you.

"You're pale and sweaty. Are you shaking? Oh dear, why didn't you tell me you were afraid of heights?"

You grab his shirt and lean your forehead against his shoulder. "Y-you would have— have— would have—"

"Ssh, it's okay. We can't stay here for too long, and there's no exists here, so let's keep going till we find one, okay?" He awkwardly pats your back.

"You'd have laughed," you whisper.

He furrows his brows but doesn't reply. He pushes you up the next pair of stairs, wooden this time, and before you know it, you're inside the dome.

Loki walks around taking pictures with your phone while you stand by the exit. Once he's done, he hands you the machine and gestures for you to leave.

"L—" You keep quiet until the group of tourists pass you. "Tom, I can keep going."

He scoffs. "Asgard will fall before you're ready for this."

You punch his arm. "Rude. But I'm serious. I've always wanted to come here." You look at the entrance to the outside. "I didn't go up here last time."

He sighs, drags a hand through his hair and curses under his breath. "Fine, but I swear to whichever god you believe in I'll teleport us right to the base if you faint." He extended his hand. "Take it and don't let go."

You sob and take his hand. "Wow, you're cold."

His eyes widen and he pulls out of your grip. "Hold my sleeve."

"Uh, okay."

You shouldn't have said anything. Now he's uncomfortable and the atmosphere tense.

You walk around the small platform of the outside of the dome, Loki taking pictures and selfies on the two of you. A middle-aged man offers to take some as well, and Loki politely accepts.

"Hey!" someone shouts. "What the hell was that for? Don't fricking push!"

You see a young woman push a middle-aged one. "You started it! I almost dropped my phone because of you."

The middle-aged woman sneers. "You shouldn't have stuck it outside the fence either way. Now stop touching me!" She shoves the girl and she falls to the ground.

A third female, the same age as the young one, runs over and punches the older one in the face. "That's harassment! Stop hurting her."

"Hey, hey!" you shout and stands between them. "Are you mad? Do you know how high up we are? If you're going to fight, then for the love of Yggdrasil, leave. You're putting everyone else in danger!"

"An Avenger?" someone whispers.

"Oh my god, it's true! What's an Avenger doing here?"

"I'm on vacation, now stop taking pictures and leave." You move out of the small crowd only to feel someone push you. You hit the fence and scream in pain. The fence is metal and stands solid even against your body.

"ENOUGH!" Loki howls. Flashes of green light pop like fireworks all around you as he walks over to you and pulls you into his arms. "Are you deaf? You've been asked not to risk anyone's safety and you push them? Leave now or I'll push you." He eyes every last visitor. "Are we clear?"

Slowly, one by one, they leave for the exit. When they're all gone, Loki slumps against the stone wall. "How are you?" he asks, leaning his cheek on your head.

"Thank you," you say quietly, still shaking and with tears running down your cheek, but you're alive. "Can we go now?"

"Of course, my dear. Let's go."