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Chapter 10
Thanos looked down at the small figure sat at his feet, carding his fingers through the dark hair of the man who was his in every way. It had been some months since the man had first fallen ill with the fever that had ensured that Thanos would be able to take the very heart, soul and mind of Loki. The months that had followed Loki's illness had been productive for Thanos to say the least, Loki had been very responsive to Thanos' attentions, and it was now finally the perfect time to set his plan in motion. He didn't feel as though the time Loki needed to be prepared for his mission was wasted time, not at all, he needed things to go perfectly and that meant preparing well.
It would also allow Loki a second chance the retrieve the tesserect for them, and as Thanos had grown, if not fond of Loki then accustomed to his presence, he wanted to him to succeed. He knew Loki regretted failing his Master and would give him a chance to rectify that.
Thanos pushed gently on Loki's head, encouraging him to lean against his leg. He kept his hand on his hair and stroking it every so often as he knew Loki enjoyed, keeping Loki calm and feeling loved now would help him remember his Master later when they were parted. It was almost the correct time for Loki to leave to carry out his Master's plans and to redeem himself. As long as he hadn't miscalculated he knew Loki would only wish to please his Master and would complete his mission perfectly.
"You are ready?" Thanos' voice seemed to shock Loki out of the deep thoughts he was in. "Of course Master." Loki was always so good, he always knew what to say to appease his Master.
"Good, I know you will not fail me again." Thanos' grip tighten in Loki's hair, a hint of promise as to what would befall Loki should he fail again. Loki couldn't stop himself from shuddering at the thought of what he had already been through and what would happen to him if he were to fail. It was a difficult task and Loki knew it would be hard to carry it out but he was ready and would do it well, if only to please his Master.
Loki waited impatiently for the portal to open, anxious to begin his task. The portal would take Loki away from his Master and Loki felt some apprehension at that. He nuzzled his cheek against Master's leg, taking the time to breathe in the smell of his Master, who knew when he would be able to return to him and if, when he did return, he would be welcomed.
"It is time Loki" The air had begun to crackle with the power of one of the lesser power sources that the Chitauri had collected, it nowhere near as powerful as the tesserect but more than powerful enough to move people though universes. Thanos stroked his hand over Loki's hair once more before rising from his throne, "Come" he ordered as he started walking towards the end of the hall they were in. Loki promptly rose and followed, butterflies in his stomach making him feel slightly nauseous.
He stopped slightly behind his Master, who had come to a stop to wait for the portal to open fully. Loki couldn't help himself, he wanted his Master's attention before he was left. "Master?" Thanos turned to him and placed his hand on Loki's cheek, as smirk crossed his face as he said, "I know you will do your best. You always have in the past, and I expect this time to be no different." Loki was heartened at the words of his Master, he felt more ready for the path that lay ahead of him now that he knew his Master had faith in him.
The portal opened, "Quickly Loki, before it closes." Master pushed Loki towards the portal and before he could say anything more he felt the energy surround him and the movement of the universe around him. As he travelled he promised himself his mission would be a success, even if it might lead to his death, he would not let his Master down again.
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