Chapter 3

Ellie’s POV

‘Come on already!’

‘I refuse to be seen in such poor attire!’ Loki calls back from behind the bedroom door. If he’s staying here he isn’t walking about in those robes (for Halloween, maybe). I knock on the door again as I check my watch. I’ve got to be at work for half one. It shouldn’t take long for us to run to a shop and pick Loki some jeans and shirts. He can’t go out in his armour so he’s in some more of Simon’s old clothes – which he insists make him look like a ‘lowly peasant’; this guy has got serious issues. It’s now quarter to twelve and I feel like bashing the door down.
‘Seriously Loki, come on. Please?’ I hear a low sigh and the door swings open to a disgruntled looking Loki. He’s in a pair of black jeans which would have stopped at the ankle if he hadn’t been wearing his own boots. He’s wearing a red stripy jumper and I get the idea he’s not fond of the colour. Even I have to say he looks better in that armour of his. I flash him a grin as I tug on my black and white baseball tee.

‘It’s not so bad. If you hate the colour of that we can get you something else.’ I say as I lock the door to my flat, standing on the balcony. Loki trails behind me as I lead the way down the stairs and onto the road. He scans the street which is bathed in the golden light of near midday.

‘Where are your horses?’ He asks.

‘My what?’

‘Your horses. I can tell you I am not going to use the other form of transportation you Midgardian’s use.’ I give him a slanted grin as I point out his boots.

‘You use your feet. I don’t have a car so it’s either a taxi or walking. And only coppers use horses if they’re not on foot or in a car themselves. So get moving.’ I walk in a general direction and Loki lags before following. It takes just about fifteen minutes for us to get closer into the city. I place my headphones in my ears, listening to Fall Out Boy to block out the sound of the car horns and other pedestrians. I check back a few times to check on Loki. He’s half fascinated and half uptight about his surroundings. He looks in awe at the flashing advertisements but once he knows I’m looking, he faces forward with a blank look. I grin and fall back a few steps so we’re side by side. He furrows his brow down at me.

‘Oh lighten up!’ I grin as I turn into a plaza, shops on either side of us. Loki stares at everyone, as if he’s assessing them by their appearance. He glares at some and ever so slightly nods at some: scowling at some girls who had more exposed flesh than clothes on them – clearly people on Asgard seem to act more civilised. I grin as Loki gapes nearly opened mouthed at a man in tight clothes and his hair dyed pink as converses with a group of girls. I get the feeling he’s going to say something soon so I drag him into the first shop I can.

It’s a branded store but still quite cheap. I drag him to the men’s section.

‘So, what do you like to wear – apart from the stuff that makes you look like dragon slayer?’ Loki scowls away as he glances over the clothes on the racks. He glances briefly at the other men in the shop and their articles of clothing. He soon picks out a replacement jumper – this time green – and gets into the habit of picking up some clothes he seems to like. I leave him to it and scan the women’s section. I head over to the shoes and pick up a pair of Vans. I find my size and pull them on. I’m just getting used to the feel when the alarm blares. I look up for Loki and find him outside the store door, with a bundle of unpaid clothes in his hands.

‘Jeez! Loki!’ I yell and drag him back in the store as a shop assistant rushes over.

‘Keep your hands off me!’ He snarls and I resist the urge to slap him.

‘You can’t just take these clothes; you need to pay for them.’ The shop assistant is right behind us, prepared to insult and threaten but Loki’s height and my scowl seem to put him off. I drag Loki to the counter and hand his clothes to the girl behind the counter – who was actually checking Loki out. I didn’t look at her as she chews her gum and scans her eyes over Loki’s tall frame, instead I watch as she packs all the clothes in bag – three sets of dark jeans and a set of shirts (one button up green shirt, a few jumpers and a black long sleeved shirt). At the end the receipt comes out of the machine and the girl scribbles something on it as she passes the bag over to Loki who takes it begrudgingly.

‘My numbers in there, feel free to give us a call.’ As she smiles at Loki, she leans over the counter, tugging at the hem of her tank top to show off her cleavage. Loki just looks at her like she’s something on the base of his boot and I have to drag him away before he could say anything that would ban us from the shop. We step out into the sunlight and I drag him down the street but he actually stops me at one point as he spots something that takes his interest. He pulls me into a shop with men’s suits. I follow Loki through the door as I look around. He’s fondling the lapels of a black suit dressed with a white shirt and a thin black tie.

‘You like it?’ I say as he nods slightly. ‘Well, since you hate our ordinary Midgardian clothes, I suppose you could have this.’ I say as I fish for my purse in my black bag. As I pull it out Loki’s hand stops it, but without any force, just a gentle stop.

‘I must apologise, this is your own currency you are spending on me. I wish not to be a burden as I am realise I have forced myself into your home.’ I frown at his change of tune.
‘Tell you what, get a job and pay me back if you feel this way.’ Loki keeps his eyes on me as I sit on a white sofa as he’s measured up. The assistant then scurried off to find a suit with the same measurements.

‘Why the change of attitude?’ I ask as I look up from my FaceBook app on my phone. ‘A few minutes ago I was practically your servant.’

‘I realise I may have been more than aggressive with inviting myself into your home. You did not have to take me in but you did.’

‘Well...I suppose I was going to need to get a flat mate or move out eventually with the rent. I suppose you’re doing me a favour.’

‘May I ask something of you?’ I look up and see Loki is now standing right in front of me. ‘The chambers I reside in, they belonged to someone else originally, did they not?’ I sigh through my nose as I remember the rooms last occupant – how he would play his music too loud some days, how he would keep dirty clothes on the floors for week until he realised he had nothing clean to wear, how he would annoy me on end and tell me I’d miss him when he’s gone. He was right.

‘Yeah...it was my brothers. Simon.’

‘Where is he now?’ I really don’t want to discuss this again, especially with Loki, I mean, I’ve only known the guy less than 24 hours and already he’s moved into the room. I’ve had talks about Simon before and I didn’t like it, so I doubt I’ll like talking about it now. Loki is still staring at me, waiting for an answer but I’m saved as the shop assistant has returned with a suit measuring up to Loki’s size. I pay the man and we leave.

The streets are getting thicker as the minutes tick on so I’m glad when I voiced to stop for some lunch. I’m sitting outside a Subway eating a meatball sandwich, careful not to get the sauce over my shirt. I dig in my food, especially when I’m hungry, so I can’t blame Loki for staring at me the way he is. He’s got a meatball sandwich as well but he’s too busy watching me to even look at his own food.

‘What? I’m hungry.’

‘You had breakfast merely two hours ago.’ Loki stated as he broke off a small piece of bread from his sandwich.

‘So? I have a big appetite. It explains why I can’t fit into any of my clothes anymore.’ Loki frowns at my statement.

‘You are far from fat. In fact I would say there is nothing on you at all. You look perfect the way you are.’ I drop my sandwich from my hands and it splatters onto my plate.

‘Did he just compliment me?’ Jeez one minute this guy is holding me up in a ditch, glaring and cursing at the sky, then he forces his way into my house acting like I am to be his maid and now he’s complimenting my appearance. I hope he’s just trying to be nice. I don’t need another guy calling me ‘perfect’ not after the last asshole who did. I realise as I’ve been thinking I physically froze. I look over to see Loki flashing his teeth in a grin.

‘You have strange expressions when...bewildered.’ I give a small laugh as I wipe away the sauce from my mouth.

‘Um...thanks Loki.’ He grins again as I slurp my drink, not really capable of looking him in the eye. I pull out my phone and cough on my drink, chocking. I feel pressure on my back and see Loki is tapping me on the back as I cough. I cough even more at the shock and stand from the table as fast as I can. Loki sits back, as if my face says he’d just offended me.

‘Sorry! I’m late for work!’ I rush my remaining food to the bin before digging around for my house key.

‘Here.’ I hand it to a stunned Loki. ‘Oh god do you remember the way back to the flat?’ Loki nods.

‘I have an excellent memory.’

‘Right, well just let yourself in. God I’m sorry I’m so late!’ I grab my bag and charge out of the
restaurant. Loki stands behind with the bags in his hand.

‘I’ll be back in a few hours! Try not to wreck anything!’ I cry as I push through the crowd, desperate to move.

X-X-X

I hate my job most days. I work for a small company which supply’s servers for big office buildings. It just about scrapes to pay the rent but I have to do a lot of overtime to make it in time. Thank god I keep my pass in my bag. I scan it at the gate and run in. I head to the locker room and store my bag and realise I’m hardly dressed for work. I have an old black blazer in my locker which I pull on, buttoning it up so my shirt – now stained with meatball sauce- is hidden from view. I look in the mirror and see that my black skinny jeans are a good cover up but my converse aren’t, especially since they’re caked with mud from the crater yesterday. I just hope no one sees them.

I run into my sector, peaking through the door to see the supervisor striding past the banks of computers. As soon as I think its safe I creep into the room and make my way to my allocated computer.

‘Late again, Andrews?’ A voice mocks and I fill with dread, thinking it’s a supervisor, ready to dock my wages but I look and see Sophie at the computer besides me, grinning so much her face may split.

‘Let me guess, couldn’t keep your hands off your new boyfriend?’

‘He’s not my boyfriend!’ I hiss as I bring up the programmes. ‘He’s nothing! I told you!’ Sophie
just grins. She looks around as if a teacher is looking over her shoulder and hands me her phone. I sigh and roll my eyes at the photo – me and Loki in town today. I’ve got a smile on my face and he’s grinning – just a tiny bit but you can still see it.

‘Drew was getting some stuff and he saw you. He also said to tell you that the egg put an invisible dent in the roof of his baby.’ I grin and look back as I begin typing.

‘So is he any good?’ Sophie asks when a voice shouts out.

‘Miss. Andrews!’ I jump in my seat and see a supervisor –Carol – standing by the office door. She motions for me to follow her and I push away from my desk, aware of the dozen eyes in the room watching as I leave. Did they notice I was late? I can’t get docked wages again; I’m barely getting the rent as it is. I chant in my head over and over, hoping they won’t sack me instead. We reach the manager’s office and I’m told to go in. I knock and entre.

Martin Jones is the Manger here, he’s a bit of a computer genius here, but his guest makes him look like a slow-minded zombie.

Tony Stark is in his office! The Iron Man! A member of the Avengers!

He’s holding a crystal glass of whiskey in his hand, his other in his suit trouser pocket. He pulls his hand out and points at me.

‘This one?’ He asks and Martin nods. Martin motions for me to sit in the plastic seat in front of the desk which makes me feel as if I’m outside the heads office back at school. A file is pushed towards me. It’s the report Sophie picked up this morning. I begin sweating badly and realise I must really stink as I sweat badly after running and it was like a marathon to get here.
‘You designed this?’ Stark asked as he sips his drink I nod. It was just a task given to use all – just to save the company some money as our systems keep failing and hackers have gotten in on more than a handful of times, making my jobs all the damn harder.

‘This is probably one of the best security servers I have ever seen. You’ve given all the power to a single strengthen firewall and encrypted the data on a level I’ve never seen before. Nobody but a single administrator could access the whole network.’ Mr. Stark finishes his drink and sits up on the desk, knocking over the small American flag on Martin’s desk, triggering the twitch in his eye.

‘Where did you learn to write these sorts of files?’ I just shrug; it’s a bit of a talent.
‘It was just a prototype, I was asked to give it a go and I came up with that.’

‘Miss Andrews, you know of the Avengers don’t you, you know who I am?’ Stark asked and I nodded. How could I not? This guy stopped the invasion that killed Simon, his and the others faces are painted across the city, the country really.

‘Well, the Avengers work for The Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, and Law-enforcement Division.’ Stark notices me gaping and chuckles. ‘Yeah, we just call it S.H.I.E.L.D since it’s such a damn mouthful. Anyways, we have some of the most sensitive data on the planet and we need people with skills, people who can help protect not only this data but the people. You seem pretty good, fancy signing up?’ I just stare between Mr. Stark and my current manager. How the hell does this guy have such a relaxed attitude, he basically asked me to be an IT director for a group of spies and superheroes for a company with a seriously long name.
‘I’m afraid we need an answer now, Miss. Andrews.’ Stark pours himself a fresh drink from Martin’s supply – Martin’s eye twitching once more – as he waits for my answer. I can’t say anything, my throat’s gone dry. I try swallowing but that doesn’t work. So I nod. Mr. Stark grins at me and finishes up his drink.

‘Great, that’s Fury off my back for a while. A car will meet you at yours at about nine tomorrow be ready kid, you’ve got a lot ahead.’ He heads to the door with a brief goodbye to Martin. Just as he heads out the door he stops and looks back at me. ‘Nice shoes.’ He chuckles at me and leaves me gaping in Martin’s office.

X-X-X

‘You’re having a laugh right?’ Sophie still can’t get over my new ‘promotion’. I didn’t tell her who I’ll be working for as:

One, she wouldn’t believe me.

Two, I can’t remember that name to save my life, all I know it’s what S.H.I.E.L.D stands for.

We’ve just finished our five hour shift – my last ever shift – and now we’re a couple of blocks
away from my apartment. I’m waiting with Sophie inside a DVD store for Drew to pick her up.

‘I know...I can’t believe it either.’ I say as I pick up a box.

‘Seriously, so some guy comes in and offers you a job? I know you’re a computer nerd Ellie but I never thought you’d get paid for it.’

‘I never knew it would happen, I just doodled that server. I was bored; no one was ever going to look at it so I had a laugh with it. I didn’t know it would actually work.’

‘Hey.’ Sophie’s head popped up from behind a box set of the Back to the Future series. ‘Maybe they’ve been watching you for a while, I mean, how else they knew that fast, I only passed that on for you this morning. I knew you’d be late with your new boyfriend and all...’

‘Ellie’s got a boyfriend!’ An annoying voice chants and I roll my eyes as Drew steps into the store, twirling his shiny new car keys around in his fingers.

‘He’s not my boyfriend!’ Drew grins as he produces his phone and flashes the picture Sophie showed me earlier today.

‘He’s a lodger, nothing more!’ I snap as I snatch the box set from Sophie’s hands.

‘He looks like a creep.’ Drew states as he wraps his arms around Sophie’s waist.

‘He’s not a creep!’ I’m getting flustered now. Sophie just grins and pats Drew on the arm.

‘What’s his name then?’

‘Um...Loki.' I mutter as I pay for the box set.

‘Like the Norse god.’ Sophie says and I snap around.

‘What?’ Loki had mentioned about him being a god, but he’s just crazy. Right?

‘It’s just mythology. Loki was the Norse God of Mischief and Lies. He was the adopted son of Odin and Brother of Thor.’

‘What, Thor the Avenger?’ Drew’s head snaps up. He loves the Avengers. I wonder what he’d do if I told him I’d met Iron Man today, but I keep it to myself.

‘I thought Thor was maybe just like his stage name, like Captain America. The guys got beef so I figured he’d called himself after the god. But they aren’t real.’ Sophie says, as I frown. Are the gods real? I’ve seen kids run past me before with toy hammers and makeshift red capes. I thought the name Thor was just a mask name like the other Avengers. Those Norse gods don’t really exist, do they?

‘Maybe he just likes the name; he might be an Avengers obsessive, like Harold over there.’ I grin as Drew shoots me a mega-glare. Only his mother calls him Harold and that’s when he’s in some serious shit. Sophie laughed at her boyfriends face and shrugged at my statement.

‘Anyways, let’s go Drew.’ Sophie says as she takes his hands. ’Ellie’s gonna have some Mischief time with her new boyfriend.’ Sophie winks and runs from the store with Drew before I can throttle her. As they speed off I yell after them:

‘He’s not my boyfriend!’ I shout hopelessly in the street, ignoring people staring at me. I shrug my bag further up my shoulders and decided to head home. I just hope Loki hasn’t burnt the place down.

After ten minutes of headphone induced walking, I climb up the stairs to the fourth floor and head over to the door labelled ‘B’. Once inside I am met with silence as I kick off my converse. I pad in my socks slowly through the corridor. Has Loki left? Or is he hiding. I clench my fists as I wait to see what awaits in the living room. The glass besides the closed door is warped so I can’t see through but there’s a silhouette. I push the door open with my foot, expecting an attack, but all I see is Loki sitting peacefully on the sofa, his feet propped up on the coffee table with a book in his lap.

‘Hello.’ He nods at me and my ready-for-a-fight stance.

‘Um, hi.’ I mutter as I drop my fists.

‘I do not intent to cause any harm.’ Loki frowns as I nod. I kick my bag to the floor and plonk down in the armchair besides the window.

‘Yeah, I know. Sorry it’s just been a long day. Have you been alright here on your own?’ Loki nodded as he gestured to the pile of books he had collected besides him.

‘You have an interesting library collection. I hope you do not mind me reading them.’

‘No, help yourself. It’s better than you destroying the place.’ I grin and Loki gives a mirth laugh. I move into the kitchen and open the fridge, wondering what we could have for dinner. There isn’t much. All there is available is left over Chinese food from a few days ago. I grimace at the watery curry and I know this won’t be good enough for me, let alone a guy who thinks he’s a Norse God. I glance over to my bag on the floor and spy the Back to the Future box set I bought. It’s my favourite trilogy. I’ve been meaning to buy it for a while. A night in with ordered Pizza and a box set of films sounds good to me. I grab my mobile and a pizza menu from the kitchen draw. Loki watches, bewildered as I talk into my phone. I have to hold myself back from laughing as he watches me order a Pepperoni and a Bolognese pizza with a large bottle of Pepsi and garlic bread.

‘Hope you like pizza.’ I say as I turn my phone off.

‘I have never tried such cuisine.’ Ok, pancakes are one thing but Pizza?! The people from Asgard or wherever he is from must be so deprived.

‘Ok let’s just say you will fall in love tonight.’ I grin as I begin rooting in my bag for enough money.

‘Maybe...but not with food.’ Loki’s voice was quieter than a breath I could have said it never happened. I look over to him but he’s not looking at me. I must have imagined that but why would I think that? We wait over half an hour till the pizza arrives, the savoury scent wafting into my flat from under the door. When the doorbell had gone off Loki had jumped a mile, ready to battle whatever came to attack him and I wonder if he’s on the run from something...or someone. Like I once did.

I pay the delivery man and take the boxes and bottle into the kitchen, setting out two plates. I can feel Loki’s gaze on me and the food as I begin serving it up. I just didn’t realise how close he is until I turned around and I’m met with a green chest. I only realise he’s changed out of Simon’s old red jumper – he’s now wearing his new dark green button up shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans which emphasize his long legs. He’s barefoot. I look up and he’s giving me a small smirk. I roll my eyes and pass him a plate. We head into the living room and Loki sits on the sofa as I root in my bag for the box set.

‘Do you mind watching this?’ I ask and hold up the box. He frowns at me as if he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t protest so I slot the disc into the player and switch the TV on. Loki yells as people flicker onto the screen.

‘What magic is this?’ He cries as he stands and stares at the Television set. I just stand there, the remote in my hand.

‘The TV...’ I shake my head as I switch to the DVD player and the films main menu pops up. I press play and turn to the sofa to see Loki sitting in my spot.


Oh hell no.

‘You’re in my spot.’ I say as I hold the remote in one hand and my plate of Pizza in the other.

‘There is room on the rest or there is the chair.’ Loki points out the available furniture around the room.

‘Yes there is, but that is my spot. I always sit there.’ Loki frowns at me before grinning slyly.
Before I can say anything his long cold fingers grasp my waist and he pulls me onto his freaking lap!

‘What the hell Loki!’ I yell and try to bat him away. I can see him grinning in the corner of my eye.

‘I wish to sit here, as do you. I do not feel uncomfortable in this situation. Do you?’ I feel the blood rush to my face as if he’s holding me up by my ankles again but I don’t say anything. I shift slightly but know he wouldn’t move from my spot and I’m extremely awkward about sitting there. I remain on his lap as we eat our pizza, watching as Marty McFly travels back to 1955.
Despite sitting in the awkward place of Loki’s lap I was enjoying myself. Loki didn’t understand most of the film – he’s still shocked at the power of the technology – so I explain what something’s were for him. I lean forwards to take my now empty plate to the kitchen when Loki’s hands re-appear around my waist. My heart begins to pump furiously as I look back at him. He’s grinning and there’s a twinkle in his eye. I just put the plate on the coffee table in front of us and sit back where I was. If Loki is willing to be my seat then he’s not going to like it. I lean back as far as I can until I’m squishing him in attempts to annoy him but he doesn’t seem fazed at all. Instead he rests his head on top of mine and laces his fingers together across my
stomach.

I suppose the seating arrangements aren’t so bad, I think as the film plays on, my eyes suddenly becoming very heavy and itchy. I blink a few times and shuffle on Loki’s lap to get comfortable. I feel him shift beneath me to make himself comfortable for me and eventually my head is leaning to the side, resting on his chest as the film plays, my eyes shut. I can feel Loki’s gentle heartbeat through his shirt and it seems to lull me to sleep. Eventually I drift off completely, the last things I am aware of is the sound of Loki’s heart and his breathing with the soft touch of his hands across my stomach as I’ve never been more comfortable.

Notes