A/N: Hi! I'm back after a considerable break with a very short (and likely very bad) new chapter. I wrote this really quickly and I don't love it, but I really missed writing and I haven't had the time to do it in so long. I'm going to try and update this more frequently in the near future, but for now, enjoy this random new chapter.

Loki had been in the dungeons for almost a month now. While his mother had tried to provide as much comfort as she could in the form of material things, no one could replace you. He longed to see you again more than he liked to admit. He missed his mother's presence as well, but he found most of his thoughts occupied by the memories of moments with you when he was truly happy: watching you cook, reading to you, and hearing your singing voice. Kissing you. Seeing your smile. The only thing keeping him sane was the slim ray of hope that someday he might experience all these wonderful things again.

Sadly, that ray was getting slimmer by the day. Odin had restricted even his mother's visits via magic to a minimum, so the chance to see you was dwindling exponentially. While he hadn't had much hope in the first place, Loki had a feeling he was getting to the end of his rope. Each day he didn't see you, his sadness grew.

Today was no exception. It was nearing the end of the day as far as Loki could tell. He did not have much sense of time in the dungeons. As his books magically put themselves back on the shelves and he turned down the mossy colored bedclothes of his small bed, his head was filled with all the thoughts of the past, now tainted with a sadness he was becoming more and more familiar with. With a heavy sigh, he sat down and put his head in his hands.

"Tough day, huh?"

Loki was so upset that he thought his mind was playing its evil tricks on him and that he had only imagined your beautiful voice from behind him. He didn't even turn around to look.

"I'd really rather not do this right now," he said aloud to himself. He heard a scoff and a chuckle from behind him. "Well I have to say, I expected a warmer welcome, Lokes." Loki felt someone join him on the bed. He looked up to find your smiling face looking back at him. That smile that he missed so much. That smile that he couldn't live without. Right in front of him.

His hand dropped from his face. He was left speechless. "What... y/n? How are you..." You chuckled at Loki's stuttering. "I've missed you too." Loki smiled one of his rare soft smiles that made you weak in the knees. "I just can't believe it's you, y/n. I've missed you more than you'll ever know. I can't even begin to express-" Loki trailed off when he attempted to grab your hand, only to have his go right through yours. You weren't really there. Of course you weren't. You were a mere magical illusion.

Loki sighed and frowned. "Of course. How foolish of me to think Odin would allow me even a moment with the one I love." You tilted your head and frowned. "I'm sorry, Loki. Your mother is helping my image be transported here in secret, so I can't stay long. I just needed to see you." Loki's eyes met yours, tears threatening to spill out of them. "I needed to see you too. It's agony without you here. Everyday, I miss you more," said Loki.

You smiled sadly. "I know this is hard, but I promise I'll see you again," you said. Loki scoffed. "How can you be sure?"

"Because I'm going to see you again even if I have to get myself thrown in here with you to do it." Loki laughed and smiled at you to avoid crying. "I love your mischievous side, my darling."

A singular tear fell down your cheek as you stood from Loki's bed. "I don't want to leave you, but I have to. This may be a bit cheesy, but I can't tell you how much I want to hug you," you said. Loki smiled softly and stood to meet you. "Give my mother my best and stay safe, darling," Loki said. As he tried to embrace you, your illusion disappeared and he was left, once again, alone in his cell.