(Just gotta keep you guys hanging especially after the last chapter. XD So here's another stand-alone short story!)

I sat, reading Oliver Twist. Since reading was the only thing I did anyway, waiting for something exciting to happen. Yesterday the guards had a training drill called 'Palace under siege.' Because I'm part of the 'royal' family, I got to be taken through the secret tunnels in the palace to a safe house. It was, honestly, kind of fun. Like one of those fire, tornado, or intruder drills that we would have in school right in the middle of one of our classes. Everyone was happy because the whole schedule would change, we would all beg for it to be during the class we hated most and bets were made as to which class period it would be during.
Poor Oliver and those orphans. If only all of them actually had a buncha  sweet hearted people come and adopt them. I frowned at the thought of the orphans all over the world, living like they were. All the kids that weren't orphans but being treated horribly by their parents or guardians...
Loki walked into the room and noticed my frown, "Something wrong my dear?"
"Mmm..." I kept frowning, displeased at the idea of the situation that I had made in my mind. The couch sunk slightly with Loki's weight. He started massaging my shoulders.
"What's wrong darling?" Concern was laced in his voice
I quickly turned to face him, "Loki. Have you ever thought of, oh I don't know, adopting a child?"
Having said it so quickly and suddenly, Loki was taken back, "Uh. Pardon?"
"Loki, I've been reading-"
"A good thing, I assure you."
"Please don't interrupt." By saying just that one sentence, Loki could tell this was serious.
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
"Continue."
"Loki, I've been reading this book about an orphan boy." Worry and confusion was etched onto his face, "I kind of want to know if you've ever thought of adopting a child." His eyes widened, I couldn't tell if this was a bad or good sign. We were both silent for a few minutes, sitting next to each other.
"No. I have not."
"Okay." I stood and put the book down on Loki's desk
"Why do you want to adopt a child? We're not even married yet."
"Are we ever going to get married?" I turned on him
"I don't know." He sighed, tired
"I don't like the uncertainness of the future, Loki. It scares me."
"But you're not scared of anything."
"I'm scared of being alone, Loki. I'm really scared. Of that." I choked, fighting back the tears
In several quick seconds, Loki was at my side, offering a tissue and a hug. "It's okay. I'll never leave you."
"Never?" I croaked
"Never. I'll always be here. Whether you know it or not, like your shadow."
"Promise?"
"Have I ever lied?"
"Yes."
He was quiet for a moment and then proceeded to carry me bridal-style to his bed. He lay next to me, playing with my messy hair that had laid scattered about, slightly darker then his emerald green, gold, and black sheets. Loki didn't speak for the longest time and I laid there, scared. Scared that he would lie to me and leave me all alone in this big bad world. Or worse. Take me back like some defective toy or product from a store.

"Luna?" Loki whispered after the longest time of silence. I didn't move or speak. "I know you're awake." Still nothing. He sighed, "I'm sorry Luna but I can't promise anything. I'm a trickster. I can't change that."
"Yes, you can."
"What you're asking has the similarities of asking a person not to breathe. It can't be done. You can't change something you've done for the longest time. Especially not for just one person."
"Not even the person you love?"
"I-" He shut his mouth, "I can't- I don't know what to say about that."
"Then don't say anything." I stood and headed towards the door, Loki didn't move an inch. He just glanced up, miserably.

That night I didn't get very much sleep.

The next day I stayed in my room for the most part, hoping to avoid anyone and anything. Even the little sparrow Loki had got me sat in its cage, neglected. I didn't mean to be depressed and leave the poor little bird without any attention but yesterday was just...
Halfway through my depression strike, there was a knock on the door. I didn't answer it. No one spoke but I heard a sigh and footsteps echo away. I opened the door and was faced with a package and a note.

Dearly sorry.
-Loki

I closed the door, placed the card on a table that was near the door, and picked up the box. Like the child I was, I shook it. Determining that I should open it, I did. Inside the wrapped box, there were more wrapped boxes, and inside those there were even more wrapped boxes! "Are you kidding me!?" I screamed
Finally I had unwrapped the whole thing, including several boxes. A small green box confronted me and a large black one sat off to the side. Opening the green one, a small bracelet sat in it. I then opened the black one, some books were in it. Nothing to really mention. It was sweet and all but if he thought that was going to make me forgive him he was wrong. Dead wrong.
He needed to prove that he was actually sorry.

And then he did.

Later on that night, my balcony doors were opened and then I realized. I forgot to lock them. Loki stepped into the room with a smile. "Hello darling. Miss me? I'm guessing you got my gifts." He gestured to the wrapping paper that was scattered across the room.
"I did." I stated, grumpily
"Don't tell me you're still mad. I gave you gifts and a card. I gave you time. What more do you want?"
"Ugh. You don't get it you asshole."
"That kind of language isn't necessary, Luna."
"So?"
"So stop."
"So, we aren't solving anything your way."
"Neither are we with your way."
"We haven't even tried my way."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Loki."
"Yes dearest?"
"Fuck you."
Loki acted hurt, taken aback, his hand flew up to his chest, "Oh my. Such language! And you kiss your boyfriend with that mouth?!"
"I never said he was a good boy, maybe he deserves that kind of bad language." I smiled as he kissed me, "Ah dammit Loki," I pulled away, "nice job. Strategy to get me to forgive you. You jack."
He laughed, "You can't stay mad at me forever, especially if I'm right."
"Excuse me?"
"I should just stop speaking shouldn't I?"
"Very much so."
We kissed again. Maybe the future was uncertain but for now all I needed to know that Loki would be here for me.

And that was enough.

For now...

...