"I'm going to get you!" a young, golden haired girl yelled, chasing her equally blonde haired male companion through the halls of the palace.
"No you won't!" he shouted back, dodging ladies' skirts, men's ankles, and many other things in their way.
They continued through the halls, laughing and carrying on as children do, enjoying one another's company. That is, until they tripped on something in their path and tumbled in a heap, landing at the foot of King Odin's throne. The 2 children groaned as they landed with a thud against the base, looking up at the king when they did.
"Ow..." the little boy said, rubbing his shoulder.
"Weakling," his companion jabbed.
"Thor...Sif..." Odin said, his tone reprimanding them without any further words. The two young children looked up and swallowed their nervousness.
"Sorry, Father," Thor said.
"Sorry, My King," Sif said with him.
"Apologies accepted," Odin answered, "but I must insist you be more careful. At least keep our play to the courtyards. The palace is a place for official business."
"Yes sir," the children said in unison.
"Now, move along. Back to your games. But if I have any more issues today..."
"Yes father, we understand," Thor said, speaking for both of them. Sif nodded in agreement.
"Good," Odin said, "now run along."
"Yes sir," the kids said, scrambling to their feet and running off.
"You almost got us in trouble!" Sif complained once they were out of ear shot of the king.
"Me? You were the one who kept the fight going!" Thor argued.
"The prince and the princess finding themselves in trouble? Goodness no!" another young voice, heavy with sarcasm, answered in the argument.
"Loki..." Thor said.
"What do you want?" Sif asked.
"Oh nothing," Loki answered, "simply enjoying your brush with trouble. How does it feel, being on the same end I usually end up on?"
"You usually do something to deserve it," Thor retaliated. Loki shrugged.
"Details," he answered.
"Loki, just shut up," Sif said. "Stop making things worse than they actually are."
"Fine, fine," Loki said, "I can handle my brother, but to handle him and his future lover?"
"I am NOT his future ANYTHING!" Sif snapped, her face turning red. Loki smiled.
"Alright, alright, you win. For now."
Loki turned to leave, Sif still stewing over Loki's jabs, and Thor not looking forward to difusing yet another awkward dinner table conversation.
"Your brother..." Sif said.
"Don't let him bother you," Thor said. "It's what he wants."
"I can't believe he said such things. At HIS age, how could he?"
"Sif..." Thor said, looking at her. His tone was a gentle warning to calm down. She sighed and nodded her head.
"You're right," she sighed, relaxing a bit. "He just-"
"Sif, enough." Thor said with a calm but authoritative tone.
"Alright, alright," Sif said. She didn't really want to back off, but it was no use to continue either.
"It's getting late," Sif observed as she calmed down, "I should probably go home."
"Alright," Thor said, as they started in th direction of Sif's home, "See you tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Sif chimed, happy about the prospect of tomorrow being a better day.
"Good," Thor said, "then I can really show you who's boss!"
"You think you can beat me?" Sif said. Thor smiled.
"Only reason I didn't today was because my father got involved," Thor poked, just wanting to get under Sif's skin.
"Oh really?" Sif said, "We'll see about that!"
"I guess we will," Thor answered. Sif huffed in frustration and stormed off.
"See you tomorrow Sif!" Thor yelled after her. She didn't acknowledge him, but they both knew they'd be at it again the next day, just like always.