End [Loki x Reader (pt 32)]

Even relaxed, Loki looked rigid. Straight back, hands folded neatly in his lap. He didn't look like he was looking forward to this explanation. That kinda made you dread it, too.

“The Aether knew about you, because it knew it must use you to gain my assistance.”

“How did it know that? We just met.”

“No.” That pained look crossed his face again. “We have met before.”

You tried to register some shock, but The Avengers team had already told you that much. Surely he knew they would.

“They didn't tell you everything, because they didn't know.” Loki smiled, as though he had read your mind.

You laughed, but it sounded tight and strained. “Are you sure you got out of my head?”

“Yes.” Loki laughed right along with you. It never reached his eyes. “I want to tell you those other things they couldn't. You should know.”

“They told me that you stalked me. Sent me gifts. And that I came to them for help. That I was scared of you.”

“At first you were. You were so young and impressionable. You believed all they said about me. However, then you grew to know who I truly am. We became quite good friends, and you grew as attached to me as I was attached to you. I grew to love you.”

You sniffed. “If I didn't think you were so bad, why did I go to them? Why can't I remember any of it?”

“You went to them before you knew my true nature. When they discovered how close we had become, they stole you away. I became distraught. I admit my error, but I thought they would turn your impressionable mind against me. They tried so hard to do so.”

“What did you do?” You felt your chin quiver, and Loki stroked a tear from your cheek with his long fingers.

“I mistrusted your strength. I mistrusted your loyalty. When they allowed you to return to your dwelling, I returned and took away all the memories of you and I.”

“Why would you do that?”

He smiled wryly. “I thought it would hurt to much. For you. For me.”

You scowled. He had wiped your brain! And to think that all along you hadn't thought him capable. Well, that just went to prove that your taste in guys hadn't changed much.

“Mostly for me,” Loki corrected. “I couldn't stand to lose you. And then, when I saw those ruffians had taken you I could no longer stay away.”

“You were watching me, weren't you?” You smiled at the thought. He had guarded you. Watched over you. Even protected you in the end.

“Yes,” Loki confirmed. “I watched you.”

“What about Joe? Why couldn't I shake him?”

“Ah, yes, about that.” Loki cleared his throat. “It seems the Aether used him to transport herself to your world. The Asgardians had locked her away, and she opened a hole in space to bring Joe to her. She promised him he could have any woman he desired, and he chose you. She created a psychic link between the two of you.”

“And that's why I couldn't stop thinking of him.” You smiled to yourself, then reality caught up to you. “Why can I stop thinking of him now?”

“He will no longer bother you,” Loki promised.

You didn't exactly know what that meant, but you were okay with it. You never wanted to think about him again. You wanted to erase him from your life and move on. You hugged your knees tightly. “The Avengers aren't following you?”

“Thor and I came to an agreement.”

“So, what do we do now?”

Loki smiled and leaned back on one arm. “Have you ever considered a visit to Asgard?”