Loki wanted it to be quick, but just as it wasn't when Höðr had done it a cycle previous, Balder was fated to feel every little bit of it.
His hand shook slightly as he pushed the mistletoe arrow deeper into Balder's chest.
"I'm sorry." Loki wasn't sure what exactly he was apologising for. He'd planned to do this several weeks ago and he knew why he had to do it. All the same, the look of shock, of confusion, of pain that marred Balder's handsome face made him almost wish he could take it all back. Almost.
He closed his eyes and sealed his lips over Balder's parted ones, tasting the last breaths of life and the more chilling taste of death in his mouth. Loki would not have Balder speak. If he spoke, perhaps he might regret this.
A warm, trembling hand covered his own, stilling him from driving the arrow any further. Loki didn't open his eyes and continued his slow, desperate exploration of Balder's mouth. He could taste the blood and bile, but it didn't detract from the kiss, from Balder. Even in death, Balder the Bright could not be repulsive.
Balder's grip slackened as he groaned into Loki's mouth. He couldn't tell if the groan was one of pain or one of pleasure, but Loki willed himself to believe it was the latter as he pressed closer, drinking in the warmth and the sense of belonging he knew would not last.
The hand over his stilled as the body beneath him convulsed in a vain attempt to curl up upon itself as the arrow finally reached its mark. Loki pulled away from the kiss, his eyes opening just in time to watch as the light in Balder's eyes faded. Beautiful.
There were sounds of footsteps and laughter approaching the closed doors. It would be time for the feast soon to celebrate the marriage of Balder to Nanna. Undoubtedly Thor and his comrades were coming to retrieve the shining groom. Loki broke the shaft of the arrow and tossed it aside, gathering the heavy weight of Balder's body into a tight embrace, not caring as blood smeared his tunic.
When the doors were thrown open, Loki smiled a small, private smile, cradling Balder's limp head in his hand as he placed a final, parting kiss upon fast-cooling lips. No one would truly understand why he did it, but Loki didn't mind. The only one that had to understand was dead and as he pulled back to look at that shocked, tear-stained face for one last time, he knew that Balder had understood.
And that was good enough for him.