Misfits

Loki kept a close eye on Taryn over the next few days. He didn't want her to hurt herself during another incident. It grew harder to watch her with each day that passed, knowing he had the power to tell her the truth, but being unwilling to tell her for her own protection. He could tell she wasn't sleeping well, if very much at all. The faint dark circles under her eyes told him so. He confronted her about it, worried.
"You haven't been sleeping properly," he noted as they stood in one of the gardens one afternoon. She turned from the flowers she was tampering with, eyes resting on Loki.
"I can't," she shrugged. "Something's keeping me up," she said, turning back to the flowers. Loki sighed, watching her touch one of the flowers. It died under her fingertip, and she dropped her hand miserably, only for Loki to take the same hand and pull her gently before him. He cupped her face gently, running a thumb lightly along her cheekbone. She could hardly hold his gaze.
"My bed is large enough for both of us. You said so yourself. If you would like to, you can sleep in my chambers," he offered.
"I don't want to bother you-"
"Taryn, you need your rest. If you are not alone, rest may come easier. You won't bother me," he said softly. She sighed.
"Fine," she gave in. Loki smiled and placed a kiss on her lips.
"I just want to know what's going on," she said, shoulders slumping.
"I'm sure there is nothing wrong," Loki said.
"People don't just lose control of themselves, Loki. They don't just black out and come to, only to see they put a huge crack in the ground, or they find themselves standing on the edge of some balcony. I'm pretty sure this isn't something to blow off," Taryn said, frustration in her voice. "There's something wrong. You know there is," she added quietly. Loki was quiet. He didn't know what to say. He settled for gingerly brushing a strand of hair out of her face as he searched for the words.
"I won't leave you to fight this alone. I know what it is like to have control taken from you. I have done things I am not proud of. I have my regrets. I will see to it that you do not do the same," he finally said.
"If something bad happens... Like, if I go bat shit crazy and end up trying to hurt somebody. Would you make sure I didn't?" she asked, fear in her eyes. He gave her a small grin, and took hold of her hands.
"I would do what I could," he said. "I will not let you make the same mistakes I did."
"I don't want to lose my mind," she mumbled.
"You are not going to lose your mind," Loki said.
"You don't know that."
"Taryn, I will stand by you no matter what happens. You will not be alone. I can promise you that," he said, locking his eyes onto hers.

Despite the circumstances, Loki couldn't help but admire the fact that Taryn was once again in his bedroom, wearing a night shirt of his. He watched her, a small smirk playing on his lips, as she looked through his bookshelf curiously. He approached her quietly, eyes hesitantly leaving her bare legs as he reached her. Without warning, he scooped her up bridal style. She let out a squeak and instinctively gripped onto his shoulders tightly. He laughed softly at her reaction as he turned around and carried the girl toward the large bed.
"It is time for you to get some rest," he whispered into her ear before setting her down on one side of the mattress. He walked around to the other side and climbed into the bed as well. A grin spread onto his lips as he watched Taryn burrow under the covers. She looked so small as she curled herself up into a ball. She looked up to find him smiling.
"What?" she asked, voice muffled by the comforter.
"You are too adorable for your own good," he said affectionately, moving closer to her. She uncurled and cuddled herself into Loki's side. His fingertips ran gingerly up and down her back in attempt to lull her to an easy sleep.