One and the Same (LokixReader) ch. 6 Exhilaration

(Reader, first person)

A gasp escaped my throat as I felt myself falling backwards from the bookshelf. I panicked inside and tried to grab something when I couldn't. I closed my eyes and braced my body for impact, but I never made it to the floor. Instead, I felt two arms catch me and hold me. I opened my eyes and saw Loki's slightly sardonic smile. I also felt my face heat up...and I practically flailed out of Loki's arms. He kept hold of my upper body so I didn't completely fall but I was too embarrassed to thank him and instead turned away, crossing my arms and blushing.

"'Not going to get lost', hm~?" Loki teased.

"Shut up..." I muttered. Loki just chuckled.

"You know, you could thank me...it's not like it'd kill you~" I felt him come closer behind me. "After all, some would say I saved your life...and that now you owe yours to me~" He placed a hand on my shoulder as he spoke in my ear. It just made my face flare up more with anger. I shrugged him away and he just laughed as he backed off. "We might as well get out of here. It's almost time for lunch."

“Do you really expect me to go to lunch with you? I feel so awkward when dining…there…” I had turned to him as I spoke and he looked amused.

Loki just chuckled again. “Well I suppose you could have lunch brought to you, but it may look odd since you’ve not yet had a room given to you. You’d be eating in my chambers.” His smirk only grew, and as annoying as that was…

“Fine…I’ll go, if only to get over it.” I sighed. Loki looked pleased and offered me his hand. Instead of taking it, I began to walk away.

“(y/n), darling, you’re going the wrong way…” I blushed at both the fact he stated and the fact that he called me ‘darling.’ Why was I blushing at that?! I just huffed as he took my hand to lead me in the right direction. I made a mental note to never go into that library ever again.

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Lunch hadn’t been as bad as I had expected. The others seemed to be getting used to my presence, and Loki was – dare I say? – charming as ever. He was treating me like a true lady. I suppose he already had been, and I had been too preoccupied to notice. However, I was a bit too embarrassed now to speak to him, or anyone, so I just ate silently while the others conversed.

What the others had to say was actually quite interesting. I heard of some amusing happenings that took place in the training field, Thor somewhat teased his brother for spending no time there whatsoever… The Allfather was not present. I suppose he was busy with ruling stuff. Frigga was mostly silent. She even seemed to be taking mild interest in what the others had to say.

Lunch was over before I even knew it, and I was once again being escorted out by Loki. This time, he stopped only slightly down the corridor. “(y/n), is there anything you would wish to do this afternoon?”

He was asking me? I thought he had brought me here for his own purposes. I mean, he practically kidnapped me. Why would my opinion matter? I looked him in the face and he seemed completely serious. I mentally sighed. “Well…I guess something outside. It’s much warmer here than back home.”

Loki nodded. “Well, there are many things you could do outside. Have you ever ridden horseback before?”

I smiled. “I used to be a part of a riding school when I was young. I doubt I’m still good at it but I can manage.” That made Loki smile, and he just took my hand again to lead me to the stables.

When we got there, he immediately ordered a stable hand to find me one of the calmer horses, and he went to his own. She was completely black, and very beautiful. As I waited for my horse, I watched in slight awe at how gentle Loki was with his. I approached slightly. Loki looked at me. “Her name is Andromeda. That is one of the names Midgard has given to a constellation, correct?” He was smiling. I just nodded. He got Andromeda saddled up on his own and soon enough, a slightly smaller, gray horse was brought to me. I pet his snout gently so he would know I meant no harm. Loki was ready and waited before we walked them out to the riding ring.

Loki offered to help me mount my horse, but I just got up on my own. Loki smirked, for unknown reasons, before mounting his own. He started a trot around the ring for now. I just pet my horse’s mane for a few moments before I eased him into a trot as well. I definitely wasn’t as good as I used to be, but I was good enough. In fact, I very much enjoyed riding again! The contentedness on my face soon turned to joy as I was at a run. Loki sped up too, and after a few more laps, led Andromeda to jump over the fence. He looked at me as if to say ‘Come on!’ but I was a bit nervous yet. I kept up the laps for a bit longer.

Loki looked like he really wanted me to come out of the ring, but I didn’t know if I could do it. I was becoming anxious. But then I saw Loki just smile, and inside my head I heard his voice simply say: ‘You can do it, (y/n)…’ I looked at him and slowed down a bit…But then I nodded and started a run again. It seemed like before I knew it, I was over the fence and slowing down next to Loki. I was panting with the passing anxiety and he just smiled. But then he smirked, winked, and rode off at a gallop. My eyes widened and I quickly followed, going into a gallop as well. I caught up to him, but as soon as I started to get ahead, he was going faster again. We were in a race headed right towards the forest. Exhilaration ran through me, evidently on my face. When we got into the woods, we both slowed down only enough to make movement safe. A little ways in, we came by a stream and Loki slowed to a stop, me close behind him.

“I think we ought to give the horses a break,” he stated as he dismounted Andromeda. This time, I accepted his helping hand to get off of my horse. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself” He chuckled now.

I smiled lightly. “I’d just forgotten how fun riding is.”

“Well, perhaps we can do it again during your stay here,” he offered. Then he sat in the grass and summoned some fruit and bread. “Help yourself.” He smiled and took an apple. I sat down across the laid out food from him and took a plum.

“I’d love to go riding again…but how long do you plan to keep me here?” I didn’t want to be rude, but I was really starting to miss home, even though it had only been a day! In fact, I didn’t really miss home, but the solace my bedroom offered me, and the friends I could go out with. I honestly wouldn’t mind not seeing my family for a long time…

Loki was staring at me, as if he intended to read my thoughts. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was. “Well, I did say a few days. To be completely honest, I’d love to keep you longer. You seemed like you could use a change of scenery anyway…” When I opened my mouth to protest, he held a hand up, effectively (and surprisingly) silencing me. “Like I said before…I have seen the life you lead and how your family treats you. I know you humans don’t usually like change, but you’re already showing more happiness than bitterness, unlike before.” He smiled softly, a nice change in his normal expressions. “Honestly, (y/n), I’m not keeping you captive. I will bring you home in a few days or whenever you wish to leave. But I ask of you that you stay these next few days. I would be honored if you were willing to get to know me better, and let me know you as well.”

My cheeks were pink. His entire demeanor had changed. He went from sarcastic and witty to soft and charming. I didn’t quite know how to process this change, but it seemed easy enough to accept it. I may have been a bit ‘home’-sick, but maybe staying a little longer wouldn’t hurt…after a few minutes of thought, I smiled back at him and nodded. “I’ll stay for a little longer…on one condition. I need my own room.”

Loki smirked again, his soft smile gone. “Are you saying you didn’t enjoy spending the night with me~?”

I narrowed my eyes, but only playfully. “I just want some personal space. I’ll be happy to spend the day with you, though.” I was being completely honest. Loki was right, I was becoming less bitter and finding enjoyment whilst spending time with him. It was a bit of a relief…

Loki seemed satisfied with that, and then the both of us fell silent. We stared at each other for a moment. I was the first to look away, and I just focused on the fruit in my hand.

(Loki’s POV)

After (y/n) and I came to an agreement, our eyes locked for a moment. I couldn’t really tell if it was only a second or more, but she seemed a bit…joyful? When she bashfully broke eye contact, I couldn’t help the small smile from appearing on my face. She really was an interesting and beautiful girl.