Case 325 || Loki

F I F T E E N

Lil pulled out her laptop and began typing up the reports Pepper had drafted. She had been given a to do list of all the work that needed to be caught up on. The Avengers were skilled in many aspects but paperwork was one of their weaknesses. Steve had offered to help a couple of times but his delay in technology (for obvious reasons) meant he didn't exactly speed things up. Natasha was fairly reliable with handing in her own reports and deadlines - so Lily didn't have to worry about that. Thor was off world half the time, Clint with his family and Bruce and Tony could always be found in the lab. - Leaving most of the office work for Lily and Pepper to figure out. 

Personally, Lily didn't mind one bit. It served as a distraction and the time flew by pretty quickly. On the third day of being alone in the tower, Lily had completed her to do list and had nothing else to organise - and seeing as the Avengers were on a mission, they had no meetings.

She sighed tiredly and held in a yawn, this was going to be a long day. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a beaten book. It was coffee stained and pages torn from use. The paper had been folded and crumpled. Lily opened the book gently, taking care with each page she turned.

The pair sat in silence for what seemed like hours before Loki muttered under his breath. Lily looked up to Loki with a confused expression.

"Your book is beaten. You Midgardians clearly do not look after objects lesser than yourself." Loki glared at the book in Lily's hand.

"It was my mothers, it was her favourite." Her heart ached at the mention of her mother. Lily didn't even need to read the book anymore, she knew it off by heart. Lily would always read it when she was anxious or having a rough day. It somehow kept her calm and gave her something else to think about.

Loki felt instantly regretful of his words after he heard Lily's explanation. He didn't show it of course. "What happened?" He asked gently. Loki came over and sat just in front of the glass separating them.

"She died of a brain tumour when I was 8." Lily replied sadly, blinking the tears away.

Loki's cold heart somehow broke for the young girl before him. He had never been good at showing sympathy for people, but felt like he had to try to comfort the heartbroken girl. He couldn't imagine the thought of losing his own mother. The only person who accepted him and believed in him. "What is the book called?" He asked.

"Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Have you read it?" Lily asked, pleased that Loki was taking an interest.

"No, I don't believe I've had the pleasure. Read to me." Loki demanded softly. He nodded at the book.

Lily gave a small, grateful smile and picked the book back up. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be want of a wife..." As she read, Loki watched her face began to light up.

Hours passed by with ease. Loki listened intently to Lily's soft voice. He laughed lightly at the different accents she put on for the characters. Lily began to forget about her worries and concerns for the Avengers, feeling safe and peaceful with Loki. As Lily spoke the last line of the book, Loki found himself feeling sad that it had ended. He wanted her to continue to read to him.

Lily closed the book and placed it in her lap, turning to Loki with her eyebrows raised.

Loki sat wide-eyed. "It was incredible!" Loki began to rant about the novel. "I admire Elizabeth Bennet for marrying for Love. She rebelled against society." Sharing their thoughts, Lily and Loki found themselves agreeing on certain aspects of the book.