"What's Asgard like?" Rose asked Thor as they sat on the sofa, devouring spicy cheese popcorns. Thor smiled at her question.

"It's big. Vert big. Golden and shiny. With beautiful forests and waterfalls! Everything is alluring and fascinating about Asgard."

"Wooaah!" Rose exclaimed, her eyes shining with wonder. "Do you think I can go their someday? With you and Loki?"

Thor thought for a moment. "I don't know dear sister. I've to take permission from father. Mortals aren't allowed there."

"Oh..." Rose sighed. "Brother, what's your age? Mr. Stark said that you are older than Steve?"

"Aye. Our aging process is different than mortals. So umm... I'm around 1,495 and Loki is I think 1065..."

"WHAT!?"

"What what?" Loki asked sitting beside Rose and snatching the big bowl from her hands.

"OI!! Give it back!" She yelled as she tried to take it back but Loki held the bowl out of her reach.

"First tell me what were you talking about?" Loki nudged her away.
"She wanted to know our age." Thor said, laughing.
"And?"
"I told her that I'm 1495 and you are 1065."

"Stop fooling me! You two are so mean!" Rose scowled making the brothers laugh harder.

"Oh dear! He speaks the truth. We age slower than you punies."

"I'm no puny!" Rose yelled, angrily.

"Oh really!" Loki winked at Thor as they both pulled her up standing and towering over her. Poor Rose barely reached their shoulders.

Thor patted her head. "Don't cry sister. You're adorably short."

"Keep quiet! Stop torturing me, you two." Rose yelled again, trying to push them away as they continued to rub and pat her head.

"Torture! Hah! This isn't torture dear girl. Wanna know what's torture?" Loki smirked darkly, making her gulp.

"I-I am not afraid of you."

"Oh really!" Loki asked her, and grinned at Thor.

The next moment, Rose found herself tackled down on the sofa by the brothers as they started their torture.
Tickling.
She shrieked, howled and made so many inhuman noises begging them to stop but in vain.

Natasha was passing the room when she stopped to look at the sillies wrestling on the couch.

"NAAAT! NAT! Aah! Save me! Hahahahahehehehuhuh! Aah! Save mee!" Rose yelled, trying to kick Thor off her.

"I want to but I can't upset my dear aliens. Jarvis snap a pic!" Natasha grinned.

"NOO! Naat! Ahahahaohoheheh! STOP! You will pay for it!" Rose screeched between her laughs.

"Bu-Byee!" Nat waved before leaving.

Rose's face was red as she struggled to take a breath. "Hey! Hey! Please lemme-lemme breathe. I haha I can't fucking breathe." Rose wheezed and fortunately this time, they obliged.

As soon as they freed her, she shot up from the sofa and fell on the floor. But instantly crawled to the door, fearing to be caught again and sprinted away yelling "I'LL KILL YOU BOTH!"

Thor and Loki burst out laughing. "That was fun!" Thor grinned, wiping his eyes. "Yeah! Her face was so red! Ehehehe!" Loki chuckled and they high-fived.

"But I think we were too hard on her." Thor said, trying to control his breathing.
"Nay, she kicked me hard but..." Loki smiled. "It was worth it."

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

Loki sat on a bench as he stared around to study his surroundings. The sky was a pink, blue and yellow hue. There were so many trees and a waterfall nearby. Suddenly, a frog hopped near his leg and started croaking.

"Ugh! Go away!" Loki kicked the frog but the frog jumped on his feet and started croaking louder this time.

As he was about to kick it again, the frog transformed into a dove.

"What trickery is this?" Loki muttered and stooped down to hold the bird in his hands.

Suddenly the ground beneath his feet shook violently. The sky turned red with a blackish hue. The waterfall changed into a river filled with dark blood. The beautiful green trees were dead now, crooked and scary. Thousands of screams and howls could be heard from far away.

"Where am I? Why am-" He looked down at his hand to find the white dove missing and instead of that beautiful bird, there was a bloody skull in his hand, dripping slick, dense blood. He dropped it immediately, horrified. He looked back and found a throne of spikes, thorns and bones instead of a park bench.

The howling increased both in number and volume and the world spun before his eyes.

Loki sunk on his knees, clenching his head and screamed out in pain. He looked down at his hands to find them blue. "It can't be true... it can't be true..." He muttered as the blue spreaded to all parts of his body leaving him in his Jotun form.

A raspy voice rung out from each directions...

"The lost Prince is made to hate. Not to love.
The Jotun is born to be hated. Not to be loved.
They will die. Your loved ones will perish.
Because of you! You! You!

"There will be no realm, no barren moon, no crevice where he can not find you. You think you know pain? He will make you long for something as sweet as pain."

"NOO! STOP! PLEASE STOP!" Loki screamed, clutching his head in pain. And then...all became silent. Too quiet. Eerily quiet.

He stood up and started walking. Everything was black and dark when suddenly he stopped as he saw a figure slumped on the ground under a circle of light. The figure was a man, leaning over a woman on his lap.

Loki took some step forward and what he saw shocked him to his core. The woman was Rose. Her eyes wide open but lifeless. Her skin as white as snow.
"R-Rose! Rose?" He tried to reach her but his legs seemed to be rooted to the ground.

"She is dead." The man spoke up, his voice strained and rough.

The voice seems familiar...

"Monster! You killed her!" The man turned to face him and Loki's blood ran cold. He was him.

"You pathetic monster! She died because of you! She's no more!" Loki yelled at the Loki who has sunk onto his knees, shaking. "No no no..."

"YOU KILLED HER!"
"NOOOOOO!!"

Loki bolted up sitting and gasped for breath. His breathing ragged, his vision unfocused. "Rose! Rose!... no no no. She is not d-dead...not dead." He hurriedly got down from his bed. He wanted to see her. To make sure that she is with him. Alive.

He rushed out of his room and stopped at her door. Very slowly, he turned the knob, pushed open the door and stepped in silently. With gentle steps, he walked near her bed and sucked in a sharp breath.

Rose was asleep, her hands around the teddy, her mouth open and her hair a mess. He focused on the rise and fall of her chest and breathed according to it, to reset his breathing pattern.

She's safe. Alive. That brought a smile on his face.

And that's when Loki realised that he truly loves her. A lot.
He is head over heels in love with Rosabelle.

The thought of losing her was enough to drive him mad. He extended his hand to touch her face but stopped midway. The voice rung in his head again making his heart thump louder and faster.

They will die. Your loved ones will perish. Because of you! You! You!

He shuddered and retracted his steps, gulping. "I can't let anything happen to her. No... I can't risk her life." With a final look at the sleeping Rose and resisting the urge to kiss her forehead, he teleported to his room.

"Make it clear Loki. Love is not for you. Forget her." He sighed as some tears rolled down his cheeks. "Make her hate you. Push her away. Keep her safe."

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

Rose was jogging on the treadmill when Steve and Loki entered the gym. Loki's mouth went dry at the sight of her. She wore a grey tank top and a black tight trousers that showed her curvy ass. Her hair was up in a high ponytail. Headphones tugged in ears, she was completely unaware of the two boys drooling over her.

Steve walked near her and leaned over the handle. Rose looked at him and smiled. "Working hard?" Steve smirked, which made her frown.

Loki looked at them talking and turned away his head. He won't look at her. He'll ignore her. He kept his sipper in the holder and got up on his treadmill.

Suddenly a smack rung out in the room.

Loki turned to find Steve rubbing his cheeks and blushing while Rose was frowning.

"What happened?" He asked, eyeing them both.
"He was flirting. His eyes were glazed." Rose answered.
"... sorry." Steve apologized, embarrassed.
"It's ok, Stevie."

Loki bit back his smile, turned on the machine and started jogging. After approx ten minutes, Rose picked up her sipper and hopped towards him.

"Why are you so quite today?" She asked, sipping water.

Damn it! How will I ignore her?

"I... I don't feel like talking." He answered briefly without even looking at her.
Rose frowned. "Why? What happened?"

"Don't make me talk Rose."

Rose fell silent.

What's the matter with him? Maybe he's in a bad mood.

"Umm... Okay. I'm going... Alright, bye." She stepped back. He kept quiet.

She turned and started walking away slowly, hoping that he would stop her and say that he's just teasing. But to her dismay, she found herself out of the room.

He didn't stop her.

••••∆~∆~∆~∆~∆~∆~••••∆~∆~∆~∆~∆~∆••••

Loki came out of the gym, wiping his face with the towel when he saw Rose waving bye to the team.

She wore a black bodycon dress and looked so beautiful! His heart urged him to complement her but his brain made him remember his mission. He listened to his brain and kept quiet. But Loki is a curious cat and he wanted to know where she was heading to.

"Where is she going?" He asked Bruce.
"To meet some Alex."

Loki clenched his fists. "...why?"

"She wants to treat animals and help him. We allowed her as it's a good thing. She should enjoy herself." Bruce answered, happily.

Loki kept quiet.

His first instinct was to find that boy and kill him but then again he's changed now. He can't stab anyone except Thor for unnecessary reasons.

"Won't you wish her luck?" Bruce asked, nudging him.
"No." And with that, he walked away unaware that Rose saw him leaving without seeing her off. She kept a happy face but inside, her heart was aching.

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

Rose enjoyed the day with Alex. He was a charming boy, always smiling and joking and yes he was a flirter. A cute flirter who welcomed her with a rose and a kiss on her hand.

But somehow her mind kept shifting to Loki. Why was he so upset and distant? Did she do something? Was it somehow her fault?

On returning back to the Tower, she tried to confront him but he behaved like there was no girl named Rose around him. He ignored her the full day.
Rose was confused. He was talking to everyone except her. Why? What's her fault? Has she hurt him in any way? No. She was good to him. She is always good to him.

Then why suddenly the change?

Her heart felt heavy and dull.

After dinner, when Loki was about to enter his room, she stopped him.
"Loki?"

Her heart skipped a few painful beats when she heard him groan in annoyance.

Is he fed up with me?

"What's the matter?" He asked, dryly.
"I should ask you the same, what's the matter Loki?" She asked, trying to keep her voice strong.

Loki rolled his eyes. "I just need some space, mortal."

Rose's eyes went slightly wide as she felt a sharp pain in her heart.

Mortal...

"I did-" She was cut off by Loki who slammed the door on her face. The words dead in her mouth, she stared at the closed door for a minute or two silently before entering her own room.

Loki, on the other side, sunk on his bed and dropped his head in his hands, sighing. He cursed himself. He couldn't forget the hurt look on her face when he called her mortal. He was sure that if he could continue like this, she would surely start to hate him.

But he couldn't deny the fact that it hurts to push the one away whom he wishes to hold till the end of his story.

"I've done something wrong. Yes, the fault is mine." Rose muttered to herself, her knees pressed in her chest. "But I won't give up. I'll please him. I know that he will forgive me. He can't stay angry with me for too long. I know that."
Rose whispered, as if convincing herself but deep inside, she felt that she is wrong.

She couldn't ignore the heavy feeling inside her. Sleep evaded her.

It was going to be a long night...

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

The Avengers left for a mission, leaving Loki and Rose behind. Rose smiled at herself. A perfect chance to talk to him and please him. She quickly took a bath, wore a simple blue and green PJ's and braided her hair into a simple ponytail. She's gonna make butterscotch custard.

"Loki's favourite! He won't be able to resist it!" She giggled and stepped into the kitchen.

Loki however stayed in his room and promised himself that he won't come out till the rest arrives. He can't face her. So he took out the book from his book rack and sat on the bed. "A tale of two cities... Seems good." He muttered.
He started reading but the words didn't make any sense to him. His eyes were stuck on the pages but his mind hovered somewhere else.

He couldn't concentrate on anything except her.

"What the hell!" He groaned and slammed the book shut. The pendant around his neck was continuously buzzing and glowing. He frowned.

She was thinking about him too.

Last night, it kept glowing till three in the morning when it dimmed and eventually stopped, indicating that she had fallen asleep. He opened the book again, trying to read this time.

After almost 15 minutes, there was a knock at the door.

"Loki!" Rose yelled. He kept quiet. "I know you are in there. Open the door please. C'mon open it!"

Loki sighed. "She's stubborn. She'll keep standing there and yell her brain out till I open the door."

Rose tapped her feet impatiently when with a click, the door opened to reveal an unamused Loki. "What?" He snapped making her smile falter.

"Let me come in first. Where are your gentlemanly manners?" She pushed open the door, pushing him back in the process and entered the room.

"Off with it." Loki snapped again.

"What the hell is wrong with you, huh? Why are you behaving so cold and distant?" Rose frowned, snapping back.

Loki rubbed his face. "Don't waste my precious time, mortal."

Rose inhaled sharply. "I really don't know what happened to you. But I'm not liking it, Loki. Why suddenly-" She stopped and sighed deeply when he saw his blank bored face. "I made custard for you." She extended the bowl.

Loki rubbed his face again and then stared at her, hard and cold. "Stay. Away. From. Me. Have I made it clear? That's what I want! Space!"

Rose staggered back, processing the words he has spat out snarling.

She looked at a seething Loki, her big eyes brimming with tears. "Loki I am sorry! Why are you behaving-"

"GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" Loki yelled suddenly, frightening her and the grip around the bowl loosened.

The bowl fell with a crash and broke into pieces just like her heart. Custard scattered on the marbled floor. The room was silent except for their ragged breathing.

Loki turned his back towards her, unable to face her anymore. He squeezed shut his eyes to hide the shining tears, praying that she has got his message.

Rose stood their, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes and brought a tray to pick up the glass pieces. She couldn't see properly as her vision was blurred with the tears that leaked out of her eyes.

A cry came out of her lips as a glass piece pierced her index finger. Loki snapped his head towards her direction and winced seeing the blood dripping from her finger.

Without a second thought, he bent down to catch her wrist but her next words just shattered his heart.

"Forgive me, Prince. I'll clean this mess. No need to dirty your hands by touching a filthy useless mortal."

Loki flinched at her cold tone and stinging words. Rose pulled out the glass piece from her slashed finger tip and after quickly cleaning the mess got up to leave.

Loki was still kneeling on the floor, unmoved since her bitter reply, looking down. Rose let out a dry chuckle.

"Forgive me. I forgot that you are a Prince now. Royalty and all. Why would you... would you need a valueless whore as a friend now?" Loki gasped softly at her words but before he could speak, she was gone.

She thinks so low of him. But he deserves it. Inspite of the stabbing pain in his heart, Loki managed to smile. "I love you dear but my mission is complete. Just hate me... And be safe. A monster like me never deserves an angel like you."

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

"We're home!" Tony yelled as the team entered the living room.

"Alright! Who is shot? Who has a broken bone? Who is dying?" Rose asked, a first aid box in her hand. They laughed.

"This time we are in single piece." Nat smiled, ruffling her hair but stopped when she noticed her puffy eyes. "Rose, what's the matter?" She asked, cupping her cheeks.

"Oh nothing! I just got my finger slashed a bit and then got chilly powder on it. God! It burnt like hell!" Rose lied very nicely.

Steve shook his head, chuckling. "Loki is correct about you. You are a silly."

Rose's smile faltered at the mention of the name. She gave him a tight smile and then studied the team. Thor had cuts all over his face while Tony had a single one on the bridge of his nose.

"How did you get all that brother?" She asked, pointing at Thor who smiled sheepishly. Bruce too flushed a bit.

"Hulk punched the shit out of him." Tony said, laughing.

"Heal me please." Thor batted his eyelashes at her. Rose shook her head, smiling. "This time band-aids." Rose said, taking out three teddy bear band-aids. After cleaning the cuts, she stuck the band-aids on them.

"Done!" She smiled widely. Steve chuckled seeing Thor's face but stopped wisely when Rose glared at him.

"It feels strange." Thor complained.
"You look pretty brother!"
"Really?"
"Why would I lie?"

"Kiddo, where is dear Bambi?" Tony asked making her heart thump hard. Before she could speak, the reply came.

"I'm here." Loki entered the room. His eyes hovered over Rose who didn't acknowledge him. Loki quickly turned away his eyes, gulping. He took out a cookie out from the jar and stared at Thor.

"What are those stupid takes all over your face?"

"These are bandage my dear brother. Sister says that I look pretty."

Loki rolled his eyes. "You look hideous." Thor scowled.
"Loki! Stop it!" Natasha scolded him.

Rose got up slowly, a butterfly band-aid in hand and walked towards Tony. He eyed her suspiciously. "I'm not wearing that stupid sticker."

Rose grinned.

The next moment, Tony sat sipping his coffee, a pink and yellow butterfly band-aid on his nose.

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

The lunch was unusually quite.

Rose sat picking at her food with a fork while Loki chewed his bread slowly, his eyes on the screen of his phone, playing Candy Crush.

Natasha looked at them concerned and then kicked Tony's leg under the table making him yelp.

"What?" He asked glaring at her. As an answer, she pointed the fork at Rose and Loki. Tony got the message.

"What happened? You two are so quite today?" He asked, grabbing their attention. Bruce, Steve and Thor looked up from their plates.

"Just tired." Came the reply, together.

Rose stilled and Loki tensed.

"Just tired?" Natasha asked, cocking a brow. Rose hummed in response.

Rose didn't feel like eating. Her hunger has died out. She felt suffocated and all she wanted is to lock herself in her room. She wanted to stay away from everyone, in isolation.

"Your soup is cold now." Rose snapped back to the reality and looked up to find everyone staring at her, a bit worriedly.

Of course, except Loki.

"I-I like it cold, Bruce." She shuttered, managing a weak smile. She quickly gulped down the soup and stood up. "I'm done."

"Your veggies are left." Steve objected. "And sausages too." Thor added.

"Kid, what's wrong?" Tony asked, keeping his fork down.

"I feel... I feel tired. I need a nap. That's all. Now if you all please excuse me..." She picked up her phone and rushed out without looking back.

"What is wrong with her?" Bruce asked but no one knew the answer.

Loki was still eating his food silently, his eyes on his phone. He was facing difficulty in swallowing his food. It seemed like some opposite force was acting inside him, that was pushing the food back. He couldn't breathe too. He tried to focus on the colourful candies and match them but his mind continuously found his way to Rose.

But still, he kept a blank face. To show others that everything was perfectly fine. Which actually...was not the truth.

Meanwhile...

Rose took a shaky breathe as hot tears continued to roll down her cheeks burning them. Her heart was clenched painfully and was too heavy for her to carry. Her mind whirled around the morning episode.

She tried to remember if she has offended him in any way but her memory was void of any such incidents.

How could she hurt him? Loki is her BFF or maybe...more than that. She did nothing to hurt him.

All she needed was a tight hug from him and his silly laugh to reassure her that everything is fine. But after what happened today morning, it seems that it was not at all possible now. It seems that Rosabelle's and Loki's path has started to diverge.

Finished!!! Was I a bit late? If yes then so sorry! And there's something I need to say you all... Thanks a lot for giving your precious time to read my story. Trust me dears, it matters to me a lot a lot a lot. Love you all...

I hope you liked the chapter. Do me a favour and please don't forget to vote and comment your opinions. I'll try to update soon. Till then, Bu-Byee. Take care.🥰😘😋