Loki's smirk widened as he considered her, taking his time to answer her question. It was a smirk which would usually pull forth a glare from Sif, or a sharp fist to the stomach. But not this time. Not when Loki's eyes burned into her, the intensity within holding her completely still, unable to even breathe. Not when his eyes were filled with a desire she had rarely even let herself dream she would see reflected in them one day as he looked upon her.

He leaned closer to her as he spoke, almost whispering against her ear. "I want to show you something, Sif." His voice was so soft, so tantalisingly soft and warm that Sif felt herself lean ever so slightly closer to him. She felt her head tilt upwards, seeking, pulled by the desire in his voice and the warmth of his breath on her neck. She wondered what would happen if she leant that bit closer, tilted her head that bit higher…

When Loki then pulled gently on her arm, stepping forwards, Sif felt herself automatically move with him, turning around towards him, pulled like the waves on the beach at the mercy of the tide. He grinned back at her, a delicious combination of a triumphant smirk and seductive smile. His hand slipped from the firm grip on her arm, tracing along her wrist to entwine with her fingers as he turned around and started to gently pull her with him, heading deeper into the forest.

It was only after they had walked for several minutes that Sif felt her earlier anxieties start to creep back in. The forest was unsettling her again, the air seemed to almost part around them, the unnatural disconnected light following and the strange, unfamiliar magic allowing them passage. It slipped over her skin and started to percolate into her veins. It played on her nerves and felt out of tune, discordant somehow, not beautiful and harmonious like Loki's magic usually felt as it seeped into her soul. Yet as she tried to chase the feeling, tried to grasp hold of what was peculiar about the situation, her thoughts would dance away from her, like she was trying to catch hold of a dream. Her mind did not quite feel like her own, as if the deep magic within the forest was somehow distorting her thoughts and clouding her reason. And that was never a good thing when she was around the second son of Odin.

"Where are we going?" Sif asked, annoyed at the way her voice cracked, the nervous fear creeping in. The sense of danger was still hanging in the air, stirring her battle instincts once again, telling her to run, to flee and not fight this unknown foe.

"It would not be a surprise if I told you, would it now, Sif?" Loki turned around and smirked at her, his voice sounding slightly exasperated.

It was the wrong move, for it broke through some of the haze that seemed to have weakened Sif's mind and instincts and she suddenly stopped. They should not be going this way; they should head back to camp, back to safety. Even with Loki, Sif did not think it was a good idea they continue, wherever it was he was taking her. She considered asking him about it, for surely Loki, as gifted as he was in the art of sorcery, would understand what it was. But something made her hold her tongue, a deep seated survival instinct she could not identify. And she did not understand what was going on, what Loki was up to anyway. That in itself was not unusual, for she did walk with the God of Mischief and Lies and she was used to him playing tricks and games. But it was never like this, never so unnerving and intimidating. This was not like Loki, dragging her into such an ominous forest in the middle of the night. Never had their relationship ever strayed this far off the path. Usually he avoided her as much as she avoided him, and Sif was glad of it, glad of the distance usually between them, the icy glares and the frosty words. It made it easier to hide, to forget and pretend that her feelings for Loki were innocent, that she cared little for the second Prince of Asgard. She was always so careful, always made sure no one, not even the second prince himself, suspected she cared for him. Sif tried to think then, to remember what had happened between them recently, if anything in her actions had given her away, but she could think of nothing. And until this moment, Loki had never shown the slightest inclination towards her, nothing save for resentment, hostility, and occasionally the past memories of a shared childhood. So where in all of the nine realms was he taking her in the middle of the night?

Loki pulled on her hand, but she remained still. He turned towards her fully as he continued, "You are not afraid, are you, mighty shield maiden?"

The teasing accusation was met with a scowl and she snapped, her nerves fraying together with her slighted pride, "No, of course I am not afraid."

When Loki's smirk twisted higher across his face, Sif clenched her fists, but she forced her voice to remain calm as she continued, "But I am impatient to return to camp and seek rest, you know we have a long journey to continue tomorrow."

"But it is not far now, Sif. Come with me," Loki urged, pulling again on her hand. His eyes were challenging her again, taunting her to continue following him into this strange, dark, magical forest.

Sif took two steps towards him, before she forced herself to stop again, trying to fight the strange haze that was still pushing at her mind. "You can show me in the morning, Loki." She looked meaningfully down at his hand in hers and when Loki let go, Sif quickly pulled her arm back, tucking it safely behind her back and ignoring the heat that was still lingering from where he had touched her.

"We will not have time in the morning," Loki answered, stepping towards her.

Instinctively, Sif took a step back, seeking a little safe distance from the trickster. She cursed her reaction immediately, cursed her weakness and inability to remain steadfast. It almost felt like an admission, an affirmation of her own wants and desires. So when Loki took another step towards her, Sif did not step back this time. She kept her feet firmly in place, clenching her fists and fighting every instinct within her to run.

Sif knew she should just turn around, head back towards the safety of the camp and get away from whatever game Loki was playing and these hideous woods. But then Loki took another step forwards and his gaze started boring into her again, burning her. It was heavy, intense, determined and it held her in place, caught her in his trap. The strange magic vibrating on the air was starting to thrum through her veins again, pushing into her mind and becoming a weight on her muscles, preventing her from moving, thinking, fleeing.

She had waited, wanted, longed for this for so long and the temptation was becoming too overpowering. She had been so careful and tried so hard to resist for so many years, her defences were now all but exhausted. She never thought it would happen, never dreamed Loki may return her affections, even for a moment. Yet, there was no mistaking the look in Loki's eyes now, the way they burned into her and made her entire being shiver with heat. He took the final step towards her and seemed to tower over her, his deep emerald eyes dancing with a magic she had never seen within their depths before. It was pulling her forwards, bringing her face, her body closer to his.

"I am not playing any of your games, Loki." Her voice cracked, her futile words a final act of defiance against the inevitable.

"Who said this was a game, my Lady Sif?" Loki whispered in her ear. Yet even as Loki gently reached out and traced her cheek bone, even as his eyes fell to her lips and he tilted her head towards his, she knew it must be. Something was still not quite right, the danger was still there, emanating from him and from the thick forest air all around them. But it was dulled now, a faint ringing in her mind, a weak stirring in her battle trained survival instincts. It was overpowered by the heat simmering in her blood and by the pounding of her heart. And as she felt his breath tickle her lips, Sif decided she did not care anyway. Whatever the consequences would be come the morrow, whatever price she would have to pay, it would be worth it, for just one kiss...

And so, when his lips finally met hers in a gentle kiss, Sif simply wrapped her arms around him, pulled him closer and tentatively kissed him back.