🥀 17 🥀

~♡~

Lyla's heart race as Loki walked her up the steps into her work, looking all around them, subconsciously scouting out the area.

Lyla had tried to reassure him she'd be fine going into work but now that she was here, remembering that he knew where she was, she felt her fight or flight kicking in.

She couldn't afford to live her life afraid anymore. She'd had too many years of being the victim, she was angry. That was an understatement. She refused to make herself small anymore. Loki was slowly coaxing her out of the tiny box she'd forced herself in for other people.

Loki's cool palm lay protectively over her lower back as they walked into the vast open space that smelled like old books and had the comforting silence hanging in the air, only perforated by the hushed whispers of readers and companions gathered in quiet corners.

Lyla focuses on her breathing as she sees Peggy's kind brown eyes look up from the front desk at her, before quickly shifting to her dark-haired towering partner who looks so out of place here.

"Morning Love." Peggy smiles as she moves from behind the desk and pats Lyla on the shoulder, before looking up at Loki, still smiling as she takes in his stature.

"And who is this, I wonder?"

"Peggy, this is Loki." Lyla says shyly as she realises two important people in her life are meeting.

On the way here, she'd told Loki even more about Peggy and how special she was to her. How she'd gotten her this job when she was trying to get her life back on track and had moved across the city.

"Pleasure to meet you Peggy." Loki notes as he puts his hand out to shake, curtly smiling at the smaller woman below him.

Lyla beams at Loki, feeling her two worlds collide but in a good way.

Peggy reaches up for his hand, hers shrinking in his palm. "The pleasure is all mine. I presume this is the man you've been sneaking off for dates with?" Peggy teases, looking back at Lyla now and winking.

Lyla laughs.

"That would be him, yes." She smirks as she feels herself going red.

Loki continues looking around, checking the area for signs of anything out of place or any eyes on him, but doesn't feel his gut telling him anything. A sense he'd honed after years of violence.

Not to mention he had Steve and Clint taking it in turns to watch the library from the outside, to Lyla's greatest protests. He had a meeting with the Zemos and his father again today, and he wanted to make sure she was taken care of. There were no other people he trusted with something so precious.

He would stay by her side if she asked him to, but she'd been adamant she wanted to continue her life.

Meanwhile Loki was busy tracking down this brute that hurt his sweet Pet. He had every fed in the city on lookout that worked for him, and he wouldn't rest until his blood lay thick on his hands. Whether Lyla knew about it or not.

"Right, well I'll leave you two to say goodbye. When you're ready Lyla there's a few new books in the basement that I'd love your help with, my fingers just don't work like they used to anymore." Peggy said sadly as she looked down at her aged hands, before giving them a wave and heading off.

Lyla turned to Loki, gulping and putting on a brave face.

"You know I'm a phone call away." Loki reminds her, hating that he had to leave.

Lyla nods. "I know Lokes. I appreciate it. You really don't have to make Steve and Clint stay outside though, it's ok."

"Trust me, they're insisting themselves too. We won't let anything happen." He chides gently as he brushes a pale hand against her face.

Lyla shivers at the contact, closing her eyes softly.

"I thought we could swing by your new place tonight, I can make sure it's got all the security it needs on it and I can show you how to use it all." Loki suggests and Lyla nods, opening her eyes to look into the piercing and deadly, yet soft, eyes of the man that she loves.

The man she loves. What a strange thought.

"That sounds good." Lyla sighs as she reaches up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Loki wraps his large hands around the back of her head, his fingers tickling her neck in his grip. Lyla could get lost in this moment, forgetting about all the terrible things going on, all the tangled webs that she's in, pretending life was simple and easy.

"I'll check in at lunch." Loki whispers as he kisses her once more.

Lyla groans as he breaks apart and his eyes twinkle.

"Be a good girl." He breathes as he strokes her chin with his thumb, before taking his leave.

Lyla slowly makes her way down into the basement and sees Peggy hunched over a pile of tattered books, slowly inspecting them all one by one.

"He's very handsome." Peggy notes as she quickly glances up, seeing Lyla walk in.

Lyla rolls her eyes.

"Little young for you Pegs." She jokes and the older woman laughs, patting the stool beside her.

Lyla drops her bag down and joins her happily, glad to take her mind off things and busy herself with work.

"Isn't the type of guy I'd put you with though, didn't realise you liked them so bad-boy looking." She adds on as she gently nudges Lyla to get a reaction. She laughs.

"He's sweet Pegs. After everything, he treats me like a queen. I'm beginning to think I might deserve to be looked after you know." Lyla notes as she puts on her gloves before touching the old editions.

Peggy stills her actions, watching over Lyla as she sees her eyes scanning over the browning pages before her, trying to busy herself. Peggy can tell something is wrong.

"You do deserve that Lyla. I just hope he's a good man." Peggy sighs as she looks away, going back to her work.

Lyla pauses. She doesn't even know how to respond to that.

"He's good to me." She breathes back, the only answer she can satisfy herself with. Peggy nods.

"That's what matters." She agrees.

Lyla feels her hands shake a little as she contemplates whether to tell Peggy about everything. She was like her mother after all, second to Melina and of course, her own mother. But she didn't want to worry her, make her fear for her safety. Get her involved in anything.

"He's back Pegs." Lyla suddenly says so quietly that she's not even sure she said it out loud.

That is until the old woman stills her movements and places down the tweezers and magnifying glass she was holding, looking down at Lyla on the stool beside her. Lyla eventually closes her eyes and turns to face her. She can feel her eyes beginning to water.

"He is?" Peggy asks in shock as she sees the pain written all over Lyla's face.

Lyla nods solemnly. "That note you passed to me, that was from him. I don't know how he knows where I work. Loki has moved me into his temporarily and bought me a new apartment. I feel safe with him, but it's scary knowing he's out there." Lyla rushes out, suddenly feeling the weight lift off her a little.

Peggy looks at her sadly, her big brown eyes wide in worry. She quickly tries to replace it with a smile.

"I'm glad you have someone taking care of you. I don't know where the letter came from Love, it was just in the pile with all the other mail I'm afraid. If I'd have known, I could've done something..." She trails off, feeling like she's created this worry by giving her the letter that was sent from someone so twisted.

Lyla feels her gut flip thinking about opening it so obliviously and how life was getting better before that. Before that and finding out the man she's in love with is in the Mafia of New York and has killed god knows how many people. How did she feel safe with him and not her ex? Everything was fucked.

"He won't let anything happen. He's very....powerful." Lyla whispers again, trying not to tell Peggy too much.

Peggy's eyebrows draw together in concern again before she plants on that reassuring smile again, patting Lyla's hand on the table between them.

"He better be. Or he'll have me to answer to. Both of them will. I refuse to see you hurt again Lyla. We'll fix this." Peggy murmurs, unsure but trying to figure out a way. Lyla sighs.

"Unfortunately this isn't as easy as repairing an old book Pegs." She breathes.

~♤~

"Yes, it is mandatory Son. The Zemos are being extremely gracious hosting such a lavish event and you will attend to represent your family." Odin's voice booms across Loki's office.

Loki flinches slightly at the volume before looking up at Thor, stood by his side who nods at him.

"But father, these social events are pointless and dull. I understand we are celebrating our new partnership and trade in Sokovia, but why do we have to make it personal?" Loki growls as he takes his blade out from his side and stabs it into the red apple on his desk angrily.

Odin presses his silver cane into the ground sharply to get Loki's attention. Thor flinches this time, looking between the two of them unsure.

"You have a reputation to uphold. You will be there and on your best behaviour. No fighting with the Barnes boy. You hear me?!" Odin orders and Loki sits back down in his chair in defeat.

He flicks the blade out of the apple and into the nearby wall, a habit he's gotten into when angry, as proven by the many cuts and grooves in the dark wood.

"Loki and I will be there father." Thor says, trying to diffuse the attention.

Odin nods seriously, his face etched with power and annoyance at his son's defiance.

"Why are we doing business with them anyway? If only to pull a power move on the Barnes family so they couldn't form their own alliance?" Loki groans as he wishes to press buttons. Thor sighs.

"Precisely as you said, we needed to take power away from the Barnes family and it's working. They can only supply to us now. Mexico is taken by the Fury family, most of Europe by the Stark administration, Australia and New Zealand by the Bishops, it was another viable country up for grabs. You wouldn't understand son, you think of nothing beyond petty violence and mischief." Odin sighs as he grips his cane harder.

The sons knew he did not need the stick to walk, but merely as a weapon when required. Loki scoffed.

"You ask me not to fight with the Barnes family then purposely rile them up and de-power them." Loki notes as he swivels around in his large chair, knowing it would wind his father up.

"We still need them on side Boy. You'd do well to play nice." Odin roars and Loki stops his spinning momentarily looking at Thor who closes his eyes in annoyance.

Odin goes to get up, done with the conversation with his most problematic son. Deep down Odin knows that Thor will adequately run the family when he is gone, but he worries for his other son. He was too reckless, too murderous. He would end up dead or in a prison in Russia if he wasn't careful. Perhaps it was inevitable.

Just before Odin reaches the door, he turns sharply to Loki, frowning deeply. Loki and Thor stop to look at him, wondering what he wants.

"Oh, and Zemo says you must invite your friend." Odin speaks slowly and menacingly.

Loki scowls in confusion, his heart stopping. His blood running colder than it already does.

"What friend?" Thor asks as he looks panicked at Loki too.

Odin pauses for a moment, before looking between the two of them.

"Helmut informed me that he met a lovely girl of yours the other night. Said she was most charming and must come also." Odin spat, laughing evilly. "I trust this will not be a problem my Son." Odin threatens and Loki for the first time feels fear that his father knows about Lyla.

Thor shifts uncomfortably thinking about Natasha also, but knowing the threat for bad behaviour is greater for Loki than him.

"She's no-one." Loki speaks too quickly as he stares Odin down.

Odin sees it all though, that falter in the mask his adopted son wears. He knows he's found potentially Loki's second weak spot, only to his mother.

"Well she must be someone, to make such an impression." He says in an icy tone. "Bring her if she's nothing. Let me see for myself." Odin orders. "If not, I'll be forced to remove distractions."

"You too Thor. I trust these girls will not be an issue?" Odin now turns to Thor and he opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out.

He gives a curt nod.

With that he walks out of the room, leaving Thor and Loki in deadly silence.

Loki picks up the nearest glass ornament on his desk, throwing it at the doorframe which Odin has just walked out of in rage. It shatters into hundreds of pieces, splintering the wood.

"Fuck." Loki breathes.

-----

Lyla waves to Steve who is in a car on the sidewalk outside the library, taking over from Clint's watch this morning.

Steve smiles warmly back as he starts the car, knowing now Loki has come to get Lyla.

Lyla feels better now her first day at work is done and she's back with Loki. He opens the Aston Martin door for her, helping her in and closing it behind her before giving a nod to Steve before he drives off. Loki climbs into the car next to Lyla.

"How was your day Pet?" He asks, trying desperately to feign normality.

For the first time in potentially Loki's life, it feels like he's just simply picking up his girlfriend from work and there's nothing else going on. No mafia, no violence, for all he could kid himself, they could be driving back to the suburbs and a white picket fence.

Except that white picket fence would probably have several bodies buried underneath.

"It was good thank you. I actually did feel better knowing the guys were outside and you were coming to pick me up." Lyla gushes as she feels herself blush.

Loki grabs her jaw to look at him and kisses her lightly.

"I'm glad." He replies shortly, before he slams on the gas, taking them to Lyla's new apartment.

After showing her how to activate the pin pad, several deadbolts and showing her the CCTV system, Loki feels satisfied that Lyla understands how to keep herself safe in the apartment.

They walk around the space as Lyla can't help but feel incredibly lucky that she gets to call this hers, even if it wasn't her money that was buying it. As long as she didn't think too far into where the money came from, she was okay.

Loki had spent the last couple of days ordering assistants around to help furnish the place.

He knew Lyla would want her own touches to the place, so had her things moved over, her orange sofa taking up the space in the middle of the living room in front of the big bay windows. He already had a whole wall dedicated to her bookcase with a promise to fill it even more with first editions. He'd filled her walk-in wardrobe with even more clothes, bags, shoes and every accessory she could think of. A large bunch of red roses sat in the middle of the coffee table that were probably worth just as much as the apartment.

Lyla couldn't help but beam at the new space which was beginning to look more and more like home. Just then however, a slight pang of sadness hit her.

"What is it Sweetheart? What's wrong?" Loki asks as he moves closer, cradling her face in worry, his large form towering over her.

"Nothing. I just realised I can move out from yours now." She said, almost sadly.

Loki felt it too, that small amount of time between them but that magnetic force holding them together. Like an elastic band that might snap. Fuck, he was in so deep already. All logic went out the window. But that was ok, Loki never worked with logic anyway.

"Only when you're ready. I won't feel comfortable leaving you until we sort this." Loki sighs as he pulls her into his hard chest.

Lyla feels so small when he engulfs her like this, feeling his long locks tickle her scalp and his musky scent overwhelm her.

"I have to continue to live my life Loki. I'm not scared. I refuse to be a victim anymore." She sighs as she pulls away, gripping onto his wrists.

He bites his lip, holding back what he wants to truly say.

"I know Pet. Perhaps we can get you some self-defence training, how about that?" He asks hopefully as he sees the conflicting emotions dance across her face.

Lyla slowly nods. "Yeah, Nat's been talking about taking me to the Red Room where Tony made her go. Maybe I should go with her." Lyla says, realising that she's going to have to level up her fighting and fitness.

Her victim days were over and she needed to make sure of it. She didn't want to overly rely on Loki, or any man or person for that matter. She had to be self sufficient.

Loki nods enthusiastically. "I know the owner. Its a good place, we'll get you some training." He hums in agreement.

"I hate to say this, but it's going to make me feel better if I do. I need you to learn how to use a weapon Lyla." Loki orders softly.

Lyla frowns and shakes her head.

"That's your world Loki, not mine. I'm not even holding a gun." Lyla backs off, looking at Loki exasperatedly.

She'd accepted she wouldn't be part of that part of his life, but it seemed she'd never be able to avoid it.

"If not for this Ly, for other reasons. You're with me, that makes you a target. This isn't what I wanted, trust me, but I can't give you up. I can't compromise on this I'm afraid. If you're with me I need you to be able to use a gun. Please." Loki says now, in a pleading manner as he grabs back onto

Lyla's arms gently, looking into her eyes seriously.

"Please Lyla. I'm so sorry. I know this is my world not yours, but you're in it now." Loki says softly and sadly.

Lyla takes a minute to look into his eyes and sees that mask slip again. He looks almost frightened.

She gulps hard and nods hesitantly.

"Ok, but only if its you that teaches me. And nothing too crazy." Lyla agrees reluctantly as Loki let's out a breath he didn't realise he was holding.

He pulls her to him tightly and kisses her passionately. Lyla pulls away laughing lightly.

"I can't believe you've bought me my own place and done all this." She says in wonder as she looks around.

"I had help. Its what you deserve and it makes me feel better. What point is there having money if I can't use it to help those I love?" Loki asks quietly.

Lyla looks back at him, her heart fluttering every time he says those words. She smiles.

"How many people have you loved Loki?" Lyla asks, her voice curious and like velvet as Loki feels it wrap around his heart.

He looks away, awkwardly.

"I know I've never told anyone I loved them except you." Loki whispers as he looks back at her.

Lyla nudges him gently.

"That makes me feel very special. And afraid. I'm not worth it." She replies and Loki picks her up suddenly, wrapping her legs around his waist as she giggles at the gesture.

He holds her ass tightly as he carries her over into her bedroom that is mostly set up with a beautiful four poster bed and a pastel green net canapy above it. Lyla looks around in excitement at the decor which is so perfectly her.

Loki sees her smiling and kisses her temple before throwing her onto the bed. Lyla laughs as he leans over her, hovering his lips above hers seductively.

"What say that we christen your new place my Darling?" Loki growls as his deft fingers begin working their way to her denim skirt, undoing the top button and trailing his fingers over her bare skin of midriff.

Lyla moans at the contact, her skin alive as she nods happily. Happy to forget about everything in this world just for one moment.

Loki looks up briefly to see Lyla smile, and after all the fear he's seen her in the last couple of days he wants her to feel good again. He wants to forget about everything too, about his father demanding her presence at the Zemo party, about his father's threats, about how she is pure and he is corrupt and he has a terrible feeling this can only end badly.

He pushes those thoughts to the side as he moves his fingers lower.

----

A/N: DONT WORRY. You weren't robbed, that'll come next ;)