/ Hello readers! Sorry about the wait but I've been really busy, hopefully this makes up for it. Fun fact: I was reading about this master list of the weapons used in the Thor movie and the dagger Sif hands over in one of the deleted scenes is listed as one of Loki's. Does this make our ship canon? I think YES! /
It wasn't long after the Avengers had departed the next morning that Thor called the Warriors Three into a private council. They gathered in the chamber they usually occupied, Sif's absence notable amongst them. Thor rose to speak but Fandral cut him off before he could begin.
"Should we not wait for Sif?" She would be livid if she discovered them plotting some adventure without her. Thor, however, shook his head.
"She is what I wished to discuss." The looks of confusion that crossed his friend's faces spoke more than words could about the oddity of this instance. But before they could ask for an explanation Thor plowed on, "The Captain of America informed me last night of his suspicions of a love affair between our Lady Sif and, um," Here Thor's voice dropped to an almost inaudible mutter as his ears reddened, "My brother." The shouts were almost instantaneous.
"Impossible!" Volstagg cried, spewing a mouthful of food in the process.
"What an absurd notion!" Fandral shook his head, casting the idea aside. Hogan on the other hand said nothing.
"I gave my word that we would look into the matter." Thor intoned, daring any of them to challenge his oath. None did. In Asgard word was law and honor was life, there would be no arguing if a vow had been made. Thor looked pleased with himself. "Then tonight we shall follow them and see if the matter holds any weight." Hogan's face appeared as passive as ever but inside he was a tremulous mess. There was no doubt that Sif and Loki shared amorous feelings for each other, it was plain that their feelings were fierce as the coursing river and strong as the great typhoon. Even so the pair was as mysterious as the dark side of the moon when it came to their nights. Hogan only believed them to be together because he had witnessed so many fleetingly intimate moments between them; unlike his companions however, he always trusted his eyes. At last Hogan came to the decision that the truth would probably end up coming out anyway if Thor succeeded in his plans for tonight. There was no need for things to come to light prematurely, he would say nothing. Thor had not paused for Hogan's internal monologue, so he redirected his attention to the matter at hand. "-will never suspect. Fandral, you will tail Sif as Hogan will shadow Loki. Volstagg and I shall watch the hall's exits." Thor nodded at his men as he did just before they rode into battle.
"May the All-Father protect us, should Sif discover what we're planning." Fandral intoned solemnly as they rose to make for the practice courts.
Though the feast that night was as grand as all others that graced Odin's hall there was a distinct absence of uproar stemming from Thor's table. Volstagg and Thor, usually the rowdiest among the patrons, had forgone the storytelling and company to sit broodingly near the doors. Fandral as well appeared slightly amiss without his usual swarm of maidens, as he pouted into his untouched glass of mead. However strange these happenings seemed to the rest of the court there were two who were failing entirely to notice any disorder. Loki looked up from his meal to see Sif staring fixedly at her hands in a way that made it clear she had been gazing at him not a moment before. A ghost of a smile graced his lips as he looked at her. She had worn a dark green dress with a plunging neckline that barely covered the ring resting between her breasts. It was his favorite and she knew it. Sif smiled smugly to herself as she felt his eyes stop at her cleavage. She could practically hear his breath hitch. Sif had picked this particular dress knowing his eyes would be drawn to the ring she wore around her neck; a perfect trap, though perhaps a little underhanded. Loki stretched out slowly to draw his foot up her leg beneath the table. Sif was still staring pointedly down at her clasped hands but he could see her bite her lip, just slightly, as he did so. Standing, Loki announced, formally, in a loud voice,
"I grow weary with this revelry. Indulge me while I retire." No one paid him any attention; it was not unusual for the second prince to quit the feasts long before they were done. Not a minute later Sif muttered something about needing more wine and quietly exited the hall the same way. The moment she was outside Sif felt long arms snake around her and she leaned back into that oh-so-familiar embrace, "I quite like your dress." Loki's voice was barely more than a growl in her ears and she shivered, her insides twisting deliciously. Sif spun around and planted a quick kiss on the tip of his nose before breaking away and dragging him farther down the corridor. Ever the tease, Loki thought fondly as he allowed himself to be led along. So enraptured were they that neither one noticed the four warriors slinking along behind.
Approaching the terrace the four silently slipped into the shadows where they could have a clear view of whatever was to happen. Sif pulled Loki out into the moonlight before releasing him and moving to sit on the rail lining the balcony. If anyone happened to look out from the feasting hall they would be in full view. It was lucky no one ever did. She threw back her head and leaned back, dangerously far, over the edge. There were few as dexterous as the Lady Sif but that didn't stop Loki from rushing to her side and wrapping his arms around her waist on the off chance she should slip. Sif brought her head up and captured his lips in a lover's kiss. Where Loki's hold on her had been precautionary only moments before his grip tightened and he drew her up to deepen the kiss. After a few moments Sif broke away only a millimeter to make a request.
"Dance with me?" She murmured, and he grinned at her play on his words from the night before. They weren't dancing really, just swaying slightly; back and forth, back and forth with noses touching, simply reveling in each other's nearness.
"Darcy sought me out this morning to give me some bridal magazines she stole from Jane." Sif spoke suddenly, betraying how bothered she was by the instance. Loki chose not to respond; having learned long ago that it was easiest for Sif to open up if she was let alone. "Are you sure we've thought this through? In spite of our precautions you know what will happen if the All-Father disapproves. He will cast you out!" Her eyes had grown wide and the note of fear; fear for him, in her voice was breaking his heart,
"Sif-", she cut him off,
"We hid it so well, you know we did, all those years and no one knew. Loki, he will think you have bespelled me!" The pain in Sif's voice was almost unbearable, partially because of the ring of truth her words held. Loki silenced the part of his mind that claimed Odin would never see him as his true son, these were thoughts he could not afford to entertain.
"We will make it all right. I promise you, no matter what happens we will find a way." He kissed her again the conviction in his lips sealing the vow he made. When they broke apart the tension had eased dramatically and the pair continued their slow sway around the balcony. "Do you remember the significance of today?" Loki asked. A warm smile, the one he saved just for her, decorating his face.
"Of course I do! Did you actually expect me to forget?" Sif sassed, back in her teasing mood from earlier in the evening. "Today marks the anniversary of the first day you kissed me." It was so long ago, even by a god's standards. Sif had only been the equivalent of ten mortal years, Loki twelve. The pair had been spying on Thor, more out of boredom than anything else, when they had spotted him snogging Siygan in Frigga's gardens. They had gone to Loki's rooms to discuss this development, not an unusual occurrence in those innocent days of childhood. It had come out that neither of them had ever shared a kiss and both were curious as to what all the fuss was about. They decided the obvious thing to do was test it; Loki wiping his suddenly sweaty palms on his trousers and Sif trying to ignore the heat around her ears.
"And afterwards you calmly informed me that if I ever told anyone you'd 'skin me like a rabbit'."
"Well you were absolute rubbish, no idea what to do with your hands."
"You weren't so spectacular either, Milady." Sif raised an eyebrow.
"I am always spectacular; and you would do well to remember that darling." Loki snickered.
"Very well, all of your kisses have been tremendous, outstanding, marvelous, unparra-" he had punctuated each adjective with a quick peck until Sif claimed his mouth once more and the world ceased to turn around them. That is until reality came crashing back with a loud sneeze. "Darcy…" Loki snarled, enough was enough and this time he meant to tell her so in no unclear terms.
"Not Darcy, brother." Thor and an abashed collection of the Warriors Three stepped out from behind the columns surrounding the veranda. The exclamations never left the tongues of either lover as Thor continued. "Loki, Sif, I am taking you to see Father.
/Another cliff hanger, mwahaha! I really hope you guys are enjoying this. I'm so touched by how many of you have story alerted or favorited. Don't forget to review; they inspire me to write faster. Love! /
