Loki watched the marcher from his bedroom window as she fed her animals. He had distanced himself, as his presence disturbed the critters. Besides, he did not want her to notice him staring.

He was fascinated by how well she was able to tame every creature, calming them down and nuzzling them. Even the large bear posed no threat to her. She even allowed it to lick her hair.

How did she do it? How could she be so kind that even the fiercest of creatures were enchanted by her? Ironically enough, that was exactly what he thought of her: enchanting.

He shook his head. "What's happening to me?"

His reflection responded, "You're turning into a sap, and all for that wimpy marcher!"

"Hey!" Loki exclaimed, glaring at the mirror. "Don't talk about her that way!"

"See? You've even stooped so low as to defend her honor! You've fallen for your own act!"

"I have not! I just..." he twiddled his fingers, "happen to find my fiancé...slightly attractive. What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong?! You've never found anybody attractive in your life! Even if you were to start, why would it be this girl? I mean look at her!"

Loki glanced back out the window. "Yeah, so?"

"She's just so...flawless! There's not an ounce of evil in her! She's just so...so..."

The Frost Giant sighed dreamily. "Perfect."

"Exactly! She's too perfect! You have to change her! Turn her hair black or something!"

"You're right. She is too perfect. Maybe that's what makes her so interesting."

"Ugh!" the reflection growled. "Listen to yourself! Where is your pride?!"

"Oh, shut up!"

He waved his hand and draped a blanket over the mirror then turned his attention back to Madisyn. He had to get closer, but he did not want to frighten her. So he perched on a tree branch just a few feet away, scaring a few birds in the process. His grin widened. She certainly was more interesting up close.

"Hold still, Max Dog," she said in her sweet voice as she fluffed the dog's tail. "There. All done."

The dog leapt into her arms and cuddled her. Loki's heart fluttered as he heard her giggle for the first time.

"Yes, I missed you too."

Max then pulled away and yapped something that made Madisyn frown.

"Oh, you see...I made a deal with him and...we're getting married."

As the other animals heard this, they made frantic noises. She tried to calm them down.

"Yes, yes, I know, he doesn't appear very friendly..."

Loki was starting to regret bringing those animals.

"But...he's not as bad as you think."

This made his eyes widen. Could it be that this girl did not hate him after all? Could it be that he was finally getting to her? The animals screamed in protest.

"No, really," Madisyn assured them. "He hasn't really done anything to me yet...though I will admit, he still scares me a little...but he did bring you all here, and that makes me happy."

She then started singing to the birds, who sang in response. Loki closed his eyes as he listened to that sweet, melodic voice of hers. Never had he ever heard a sound so beautiful, so perfect, much like the girl it came from. He would have listened to it all day had the branch not given way beneath him. He let out a cry as he hit the ground, frightening the animals and causing them to scatter. Madisyn shrieked and spun around. Her terror faded once she saw the Frost Giant's state.

"Goodness, are you hurt?" she asked, walking over to him.

He flinched as she lightly touched his arm.

"Oh, don't worry about me," he said, getting up. "I'm fine."

Madisyn glanced up at the broken limb. "Were you spying on me?"

"No! Well, I...yes." He grinned sheepishly. "You see...I didn't want to disturb you, and...sorry I scared your animals off."

She sighed. "Well, as long as you're here, care to help me feed the animals? There's so many of them you see and it's getting late..."

She pointed at the sky turning orange and pink from the sunset.

"Sure, I can take care of it!" he exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "Done! Now how about some dinner?"

Madisyn's stomach growled at the mention of food. "Come to think of it, I haven't eaten much today..."

With another snap of his fingers, a picnic blanket appeared beneath them, along with a champagne bottle pouring into two glasses. Loki offered her a glass at which she cringed slightly.

"Oh, no thank you. I don't drink."

"I knew that," he said nonchalantly. "It's white grape soda."

Still suspicious, she accepted the glass and took a sip. He had told the truth.

"So I take it you're enjoying the garden?" he inquired.

"Oh, yes," Madisyn said with a smile. "Thank you again, but..." She looked up. "Some of the birds were flying, but something stopped them when they got too high."

"Oh, that. That's the invisible force field. Nothing personal, but I could not risk you escaping or somebody coming to rescue you. Nothing goes in or out without my allowance."

She stared at him with distressed eyes. "So the animals...are trapped here...like me?"

Seeing her smile disappear, Loki realized he had made a mistake and had to correct it. He gently lifted her chin.

"Cheer up, my dear. They're here with you. Isn't that all that matters?"

"I suppose," she replied, still not smiling.

He had to get that smile back, so he snapped his fingers and made a frosted chocolate cake appear. Madisyn's mouth dropped open.

"How did you...?"

"I told you," he stated simply. "I had nothing to do for three years but spy on you humans. It was only natural that I find out a few things."

He summoned a knife to cut her a slice of the cake and placed it on a smaller plate.

"What about dinner?" she asked.

"I'm sure we can break the rules a teensy bit," he smirked.

As she took the plate, a fork materialized in her hand, with which she took a bite. Loki grinned as her smile returned.

"This is the best chocolate cake I've ever tasted!" she declared.

"Only the best for my favorite girl," Loki said, taking a slice of cake himself.

Madisyn blushed but then looked at him seriously. "Why were you spying on me, anyway? Just now, I mean."

"I wasn't spying, I was...observing. After all, you are a...interesting subject to watch."

She said nothing and stared down at her hands, her face turning red.

"I wasn't lying, you know, when I said you were beautiful."

She looked away. "T-thank you, but...I'm not that attractive..."

"Oh, don't be so modest, my dear!" He tilted her head toward him. "You are a natural beauty, and that's saying a lot, coming from me. Usually when I see something beautiful I turn it into a lollipop. But seriously, I would expect somebody like you to be used to such a compliment."

Madisyn moved from his hand and looked at the grass. "Not really. I mean...I was a model for a short while..."

His eyes widened. "Really? I mean, sure, you have the look, but...I did not think you were the type to go up onstage and show yourself off!"

"I wasn't! That's why I quit. I couldn't handle all the attention and I had less time for my friends."

"Oh, I see..."

"See what?" She turned back to him to see a mischievous, disconcerting look on his face. "Loki, w-what are you...?"

She squealed as he attacked her with a hug. She kicked her legs frantically.

"Loki, let me go!"

"What's the matter?" he taunted. "Can't handle all the attention I'm giving you?"

"N-no, I..." She trailed off as he ran his hand across her back. Then she started giggling. "T-that..he he...stop that...he he...tickles!"

"Does it now? Interesting. So what happens when I do...this?!"

He moved away from her and began tickling her belly. She burst into laughter.

"Loki, please...ha-ha! Stop it!"

"You sure? Because you seem to be enjoying it."

This was his first time hearing her laugh, and it was captivating.

"Ha-ha! Please! I have to...ha-ha...finish my cake!"

"Oh, alright."

Loki sighed as he released her, only to have her tackle him over.

"Wait...what are you...? Ha-HA-HA-HA-HA!"

She was using her fingers to tickle him in return. However, she did not have the advantage of size. He snatched her up before she could get to the real torture.

"Nice try, you devious little thing!" he exclaimed. "Let this be a warning that I am the tickle torturer here, and nobody else!"

Madisyn giggled. "Understood."

He gently set her down. "You know? You should laugh more often. Laughter becomes you well."

She blushed and then realized that was the first time she had laughed in years.

After they had finished eating, Madisyn was getting tired. She had been unable to sleep with everything going on, so she decided to retire early. When she entered her room, she looked in the mirror on the vanity, examining her face and hair. Nobody had called her beautiful before, and it felt good. It was as she was crawling into bed that she realized that Loki had forgotten to ask his question that night.

"Thanks for walkin' me home, Boise," Alyssa said when they reached the edge of the farm. "And thanks again for helpin' me with the critters. Even though it didn't turn out so well, it was still mighty big of ya."

"Anything for you, AJ," the dog said with a smile.

The girl watched with a sigh as he trudged down the road. The feeling was on again, and it was not healthy. After all, there was at least a seven-year gap between them, not to mention a difference in species. Also, the little fella had his eyes for another.

It was then that Alyssa veered her path towards the Buckeye Forest. As usual, Frea was hospitable and offered her tea.

"I'd tell ya why I'm here," the southern girl said, "but I'm guessin' ya already know."

"You want to relieve the hush on your confusing crush," the nord grinned.

She hid her face behind her hat in embarrassment. Frea put an assuring hand on her shoulder.

"I do not need the tea for me to see that age, species and love are in your way, yet your emotions appear to stay."

Alyssa lifted the brim of her hat slightly. "What am I to do, Frea?"

"The dog is young, so wait until he is in a mature state. Whether it will go well, that only time can tell."

She sighed and sunk her head onto the table. "He's my friend, and always willin' to help. I'd be lyin' if I said he wasn't adorable. I just...feel different when I'm around him. Silly, huh? A girl and a dog."

"Yet there is a marcher engaged to a Frost Giant."

"Yeah, I've been wonderin' about that too. Is Madisyn...okay? I mean you live so close to Loki now. Know anythin'?"

Frea glanced around and then leaned forward to whisper. "You can be assured by me, that Frost Giant is not all he appears to be."

Alyssa was about to say something when Nichole Price bolted through the door without knocking.

"Frea! I need your advice, I...oh, Alyssa...I didn't know you were here, I'll...come back later..."

"Nonsense!" the southern girl exclaimed. "Whatever you've got to tell Frea, ya can tell me."

Nichole took a deep breath. "Chris asked me out!"

Alyssa's eyes widened. "Ya mean that boy in the Pride of Newark?"

"Yeah, him! Turns out he's had a crush on me ever since I saved his pie! What should I do?!"

"He likes apple pies. I'd say he's a keeper."

Frea laughed. "Well, strike me from above! Seems everybody's having issues on love!"

Nichole scrunched her nose. "Uh, say what now?"

Madisyn woke up with a scream. Loki was at her bedside in a second, his face filled with concern.

"What is it?! What's wrong?!"

She sighed in relief. "Nothing. It was a bad dream."

"Oh." Loki blushed in embarrassment. "Apologies. I just thought..."

"That I was in danger?" she finished.

She had to admit that was awfully sweet of him.

"Yes, but you're not, I see. So I'll just be going..."

"Wait! Could you, um...stay for a little bit?"

He stared at her, and then clapped his hands, turning the lights on. He sat on the edge of the bed.

"So this nightmare," he said, "what was it about?"

Madisyn was about to tell him, but then remembered who she was talking to and hid her face under the covers. Loki was confused by this reaction. Then he recalled something and frowned.

"Was it about...me?"

She peered out at him. "How did you...?"

"You mentioned it to your friends."

She hid her face again in shame. "I'm really sorry, I..."

"Tell me."

"What?"

"Tell me about it."

She was hesitant at first, but the beans had been spilt. She told him how it was the same every night: he would hold her, chuckle darkly, whisper horrible things in her ear, and sometimes turn her into her evil self again. It stung him.

"Is that how you see me?" he asked with hurt in his eyes.

"I...I..."

He started to rise. "Maybe I shouldn't be here..."

"No!" she begged. "Please, I...I don't know why I keep dreaming it."

He gritted his teeth. "Well, I am a monster!"

Loki was about to snap his fingers when she touched his hand. "Please, Loki. Don't go. I...I don't want to be alone."

He turned to her coldly. "Well, I think the very cause of your fear is the last God you'd want to keep you company!"

"But you're not the God from my dreams! It may look like you, but it's not the real you. And...I'd prefer you any day."

When he gazed into those pleading eyes, his coldness dissolved. He could not leave her in this state.

"Alright," he said with a sigh. "I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."

She smiled in thanks. "I'm not really sure if I can go to sleep now."

"How about I help you?"

"Sure, but what...?"

With a snap of his fingers, they found themselves sitting on top of a cloud high above the castle.

"Why are we up here?" Madisyn asked.

"It's a clear night," Loki said, lounging onto his back. "I thought we could have a look at the stars."

She glanced up at the sky and nodded in agreement. She fell back beside him.

"They're beautiful," she marveled.

"Yes, you are," Loki muttered. She raised an eyebrow at him. "I mean...the stars! Like you said. Beautiful."

Madisyn giggled and turned her attention back to the sky. The Frost Giant was more interested in her than the stars.

"You know Vahl could name all the stars and planets and constellations?" she said. "Every single one of them!"

Her smile wavered at the thought of her friend. Loki saw this and knew he had to distract her.

"The stars are rather boring when they're stuck on the sky like that, aren't they?"

He waved his hand and Madisyn gasped as the stars moved into the shape of a baritone.

"Loki, you promised..."

"What? I said I would confine my magic to my territory, and this part of the sky is in my territory."

"But that's not...Princess Harleen..."

"Oh, Harhar will appreciate me putting some excitement into her night! You have to admit this is impressive!"

Madisyn watched as the astral baritone played some music against the night sky and floated in circles. "Well...it is kind of...neat..."

Loki laughed triumphantly as the smile returned to her face. "See? My mischief can be useful."

"How is rearranging the stars useful?"

He grinned and made writing motions with his hand, using the stars to spell out a message. Madisyn's eyes grew to the size of frying pans as she read it: Do you love me? Check Yes or No. Underneath, he drew two boxes marked 'Yes' and 'No.'

When she turned to him, he had that excited look on his face. He handed her his glowing hand, still pointing towards the sky. She glanced between him and the message, and then finally took the hand and drew a check in the second box.

Loki frowned and erased the message, hopefully before anybody could see it. Madisyn looked at him apologetically.

"I-I'm really sorry, but...I just don't...feel that way about you yet..."

"No, it's okay!" he said quickly.

But it was not okay. She had rejected him before, but for some reason, it hurt this time. It was almost as if he wanted her to say yes.

He stiffened as he felt something nuzzle against him. He glanced down to see the marcher curling up to him.

"But I'm willing to accept you as a friend," she said softly.

It was as if a string were pulled inside his chest. "Friend?"

"Why, of course. I think it's only fair."

He did not know what to say. "Oh...well, I've...never really had a friend before."

"Never?"

"What do you think?"

She scooted closer to him. "Well, now you do. And I'm sorry."

He blinked. "For what?"

"I was wrong about you. You're not a monster."

She closed her eyes and snuggled into his skin. Loki stared at her in awe, not believing that such a girl could exist. Not only was she beautiful beyond belief, but she was kind enough to even care for him. Even if she had not given him what he had expected, the idea of having a friend made his heart explode. Who knew I even had a heart?

He stuck out his hand unsurely and began to stroke her hair. Madisyn opened her eyes and looked up at him. He retracted his hand, not sure why he was suddenly so hesitant.

"Sorry, I...do you mind?"

She stared at him for a moment and then smiled. "No, it's okay." She flipped onto her belly and closed her eyes. "Go ahead, so long as you don't tickle me again."

He chuckled as he sat up, leaning on his arm. "Don't worry, my dear. I'll be gentle."

Not wasting a second of this opportunity, he placed his hand on the top of her head and slowly ran his fingers through her hair. He sighed internally at the softness of her hair and Madisyn was once again surprised at his tender touch. She opened her eyes as he extended his strokes down her back and to her legs, but then relaxed and shut them again.

His touch was so soothing that it lulled her to sleep. When Loki noticed this, he was not sure what to do. He did not want to wake her, for fear of ruining the peaceful state she was in. He could always teleport her to her bed, but he did not want to leave her.

Even in sleep, she was fascinating. He could watch her like that forever, lying so still with only her body rising ever so slightly as she breathed. He would not dare move her, or leave her.

So he curled his body around her, like a giant guarding its treasure. He continued to stare at her face, so it would be the last thing he would see before drifting off to sleep himself.