Not Going Anywhere

Three days passed before Cora was able to keep the knowledge of her being in the palace hidden. Only Frigga and Odin as well as their most trusted guards knew that Cora was there. In those three days, Cora stayed in new room, finding out that Loki would often visit her old room during the night when everyone was sleeping. What he did in there? Cora did not bother to think about, she did not really care. Knowing Loki, like she did, Cora guessed that her room helped him deal with some of his pain, at least she hoped it did. It is now Cora's forth day in the palace and she is more then ready to speak to Loki. It did not take to long for her to get herself ready. She and the Queen spent most of the time making a dress that Cora hoped would make Loki see that she is on his side, she always has been.

Hidden in one of the nooks, out front of Loki's chamber, Cora glances around making sure that no one is around. Seeing that the hall is clear, Cora gathers the bottom of her dress and darts across the hall to the front of Loki's door. Holding her breath, Cora places her hand on the handle and twists her wrist. The door opens with a soft clickand Cora lets out a sigh of relief. Pushing the door open, Cora walks into Loki's room and she shuts the door behind her. Looking around, Cora frowns seeing the poor condition of Loki's room; books, papers, feathers, glass and splintered wood littler the floor.

“Oh Loki...” Cora whispers sadly and she carefully moves throughout the room, heading to Loki's bedroom. Stepping in, Cora is glad to see that his room is not as damaged as the rest of the place. Loki's bookshelf has been knocked over, glass beakers smashed and everything thrown off of his desk, but everything else is fine. The bed looks like it hasn't been touched at all, making Cora wonder if Loki has even slept at all. Cora starts to clean up the mess in Loki's room, knowing that Loki will not be back for a while. Cora had one of Frigga's guards give Archer, Loki's horse, with a nonlethal potion that would make the horse hard to tame. Seeing that Loki ran to Archer's aid right away when he found out something was wrong, proves to Cora that he is still the same Loki she knew Jotun blood and all.

Done with the mess, Cora walks over to the bookshelf and struggles to lift it up, but she manages to do so in the end. Humming to herself, Cora places the books back on the shelves and she smiles seeing that Loki did not destroy any of the books she loves. Taking a book off of the shelf, Cora walks over to Loki's bed and sits down, curling her legs underneath of her. Opening the book, Cora reads silently to herself to pass the time. Cora easily becomes lost in the story being painted in her mind, failing to hear the door open or shut, or to hear the glass crushing underneath the heavy footfalls.

“Cora?” The voice pulls Cora from the world inside her mind and when she lets her eyes wonder from the book, it falls to the bed forgotten. Standing in the threshold of the room is Loki, his hair has grown, he's lost a bit of weight and his eyes...his eyes are so fully of anger and hate, they have dark bags underneath them and they are so dark. Loki stares at Cora and blinks his eyes, not believing that she is in his room, yet alone on his bed. “...Cora,” Loki's voice is quite and Cora stays still, seeming to be frozen as Loki walks over to the bed. Loki stands in front of Cora, his eyes darting all over her body taking every inch of her in, she can't be real.

Seeing the doubt in his eyes, Cora lifts her hand and Loki flinches from the sudden movement. Not taking her eyes off of Loki's face, Cora slowly raises hand and cups Loki's cheek. The warmth of her touch burns Loki's skin, but he leans into her touch; if this is a fantasy that his mind made up he will enjoy it while it lasts. Standing up on her knees, Cora grabs hold of Loki's hand with her free hand and brings it to her face making Loki cup her cheek. Cora leans into Loki's touch, not once taking her eyes off of Loki. Loki runs his thumb over Cora's bottom lip and she kisses it lightly, “I'm real. This is real,” Cora whispers and a light seems to spark in Loki's eyes.

“Cora,” Loki breaths out and Cora smiles nuzzling her face in Loki's hand. Reaching up with his other hand, Loki places it on top of Cora's hand that is on his face. He grips her hand and in the blink of an eyes, Loki's whole demeanor changes. His eyes darken and he glares at Cora, his grip on her hand tightens. “Get out,” Loki growls and throws Cora's hand off of his face, giving her a rough shove away from him with his other hand that is on her face. Cora falls back on the bed and she stares at Loki with wide eyes, not believing his behavior towards her.

“Loki-”

“I said get out!” Loki shouts and Cora flinches from his harsh tone. Seeing her flinch, Loki smirks, “Oh, I'm sorry did I frighten you?” Loki taunts glaring down at Cora.

Cora picks herself up off of the bed and she stands in front of Loki, “Loki this is not you,” Cora tells Loki and he scarfs, turning his back on her as he walks over to his window.

“What would you know about who I am?” Loki sneered. “Humm? What could you possibly know?!” Loki urged, his voice starting to shake from his sudden anger.

Swallowing down the fear, Cora takes slow steps towards Loki, “This is not you,” Cora insists. “I know you. You are Loki, my friend, my shoulder to cry on, my-”

“No.” Loki's voice is harsh and jaded as he cuts Cora off. “That is the fool I use to be. The stupid idiot who called this hell home,” Loki snaps and Cora shakes her head, knowing that Loki can see her reflection in the window.

“You are wrong,” Cora objected. “You are hurt, angry and guilt-”

“Am!?” Loki turns on his heel, glaring at Cora with wild eyes. “Hurt? Angry? Guilty?” Loki questions with a bone chilling laugh. “Vengeful, betrayed, murderous,” Loki puts a finger up for each emotion he says. “Abandoned, forgotten...Oh and lets not forget-”

“Enough!” Cora cries cutting Loki's endless heartache short. “I wish to hear no more,” Cora pleas and Loki shakes his head.

“No. No, you do not get to pick and choose what you would like to hear.” Loki's steps are menacing as he stalks towards Cora. “You will hear all of it. You gave me your word! You made a vow, a promise and you broke it,” Loki revealed and Cora shrunk back away from his angry form.

“I-I never-”

“Everything will work out, my Prince...give it time. I promise you I will be by your side for it all,” Loki mocks, using his magic to speak in Cora's voice. “Ha!” Loki laughs without any humor. “What a bloody dolt I was, to ever believe you,” Loki grunts and Cora stares at Loki with tears in her eyes. “Are you going to cry now? Is that all you can do? Cry?” Loki teases, his voice thick with disgust as he glares down at Cora.

“I am sorry,” Cora whispers and she wipes at her eyes, not waiting to cry in front of Loki. The light from the window catches her hand and Loki's eyes zone in on the ring around her finger. Cora notices where he is looking and she shakes her head, “I have never taken it off since the funeral,” Cora tells Loki. Seeing that he is not going to respond, Cora continues, “I needed to get away, everything reminded me of my father...I didn't want to hurt anymore.” New tears come to Cora's eyes and she tries to hold them back as she speaks, “I. Am. Sorry. Loki, I really am,” Cora repeats as her tears fall. Loki looks away from Cora and turns his back on her, he never could stand to see her cry. “I did not mean to make you think that I abandoned you. I swore, my word is all I could ever give you and I could never go back on my word. I did not understand the servility of your anger and hatred...” Cora takes a step towards Loki, her body shaking.

“If I had known, do you think I would have left you alone, my Prince?” Cora questions and she can see Loki tense at her words.

“I am the reason for your father's death-”

“I never blamed you,” Cora states with a shake of her head.

“You are a fool-”

“And so are you, but I can forgive. Can you? Loki...let this go,” Cora pleads, now standing right behind Loki.

“Why do you care?” Loki demands, his voice laced with confusion.

“I have always cared about you,” Cora whispers and Loki's head tilts to the side picking up on the tone of Cora's voice.

“Is this love?” Loki questions, his tone light and teasing. Cora's eyes widen at the question and before she can answer, Loki turns around, his skin blue and eyes blood red making her gasps. “Is this what you have known? What you have grown to love?!” Loki shouts narrowing his eyes. “This...this monster! Is it?!” Loki all, but screams, his voice cracking. His chest rises and falls rapidity as he breathe though is nose, the sound of his blood rushing in his ear from how angry he is.

“Yes,” Cora claims and Loki nearly chokes on the air in his throat.

“W-what?” Loki stammers, the anger gone, replaced by surprise.

“Yes,” Cora repeats, her tone reassuring and before Loki can speak, Cora throws her arms around him, holding Loki tightly. Loki's body tenses and he stands, frozen in shock. “You're not a monster, not to me...” Cora picks her head up and stares Loki right in his glowing red eyes, “Can't you see that?” Cora mummers, her eyes wide and innocent. Loki's heart flutters and the warmth radiating from Cora's body seeps into his cold skin. Slowly, the blue fades and is replaced by pale white; the red gone now only showing a memorizing blue green. Loki wraps his arms around Cora and rests his chin on the top of her head, his eyes closing as he enjoys the feeling of being held, of being loved once again.

“You're wearing my color,” Loki mummers when he finally pulls away from Cora. Cora's face flushes and she shyly glances up at Loki from underneath her eyelashes.

“I know,” she whispers and Loki licks his lips, feeling himself becoming aroused once he takes her body fully in. Lifting his right hand, Loki cups Cora's cheek and strokes the smooth skin with his thumb. Cora sighs and closes her eyes, loving being held in Loki's arms. Taking the moment as his opportunity, Loki dips his head down and captures Cora's lips with his own. Cora's eyes fly open from the sudden pressure on her lips, but her eyes slips closed when she realizes that Loki is kissing her. Cora's hands slid up Loki's chest and fist the leather as she pulls him closer to her body. Loki sweeps his tongue over Cora's bottom lip and she parts her lips, letting Loki's tongue teach her own an unknown dance.

Loki breaks the kiss and rests his forehead against Cora's, “Let me take you,” Loki breaths out and Cora sighs nodding her head. She wants Loki, she has always wanted Loki and she's never wanted him more then right now. “Are you still a virgin?”

“Y-yes,” Cora blushes and Loki smiles.

Loki presses a light kiss on Cora's lips and picks her up, carrying her over to his bed bridal style, “I am honored to be your first,” Loki whispers as he sets Cora down on her feet.

Notes

Cora's outfit