Author's Note: This chapter corresponds to chapter 40.5 of "Sophie of Midgard", taking place between chapters 40 and 41 of that story.

"Loki... I want to recreate The Incident."

Loki frowned at Sophie. He understood instantly what he was asking of him, but he doubted his ability to fulfill her request.

"Why? Why would you want to experience that again? Why would you ask me to do this, to potentially put us both through excruciating emotional torment?"

Sophie swallowed hard, closing her eyes and taking in a deep, ragged breath. Her heart was already pounding, beating fast like the wings of a hummingbird. Still, she persisted.

"I think it will help me," she said, opening her eyes and looking at Loki imploringly, "Knowing that this time, I am in control. That I can stop it with just a word. Because I never have to fear you or him again, because he's gone. It's just you. You who loves me and would never willingly hurt me, unless I explicitly asked it of you."

Loki put his hand up to his mouth, rubbing back and forth with his fingers.

"Sophie, I –"

He was on the verge of refusing, until he looked into her pleading hazel eyes. All the air rushed out of him in a sudden whoosh.

"Don't look at me like that," he begged.

She took a step toward him and took one of his hands.

"Please," she whispered.

Damn her, Loki thought, only halfheartedly, She is the most manipulative little vixen I have ever met, and that's saying a lot coming from me. Damn, I love her. How can I do this?

He would have to put himself in a completely different mindset, that was for certain. He would have to go to a dark place where he wasn't really him anymore, and she wasn't the woman he loved.

"I would hope you remember the safe words we established shortly after we began having sex together," Loki said slowly.

"I never forget anything," Sophie said.

They both knew that was true. Loki nodded a couple times, already beginning the process of shifting his mental state.

"Very well," he said solemnly, "This is not easy for me..."

"If it helps, I wasn't facing him."

Did it help? Loki wasn't sure. Either way, it wasn't about him now. He was doing this to help Sophie. He turned his back to her and closed his eyes, putting himself solidly in another mindset. He was adept at acting a part. This was no different.

"Whatever you do, don't hold back, I won't hold it against you," Sophie said softly, "Not unless I give the safe word and you don't stop. And I know that won't happen. I trust you, Loki. I love you."

In response, Loki spun to face her suddenly, his arm came up swiftly. He struck her backhanded across the face. Sophie cried out, probably more from shock than pain. Before she could recover, Loki was on her, forcing her face first onto the bed. Ignoring her struggles, Loki ripped her clothing from her and pushed into her fast. Sophie yelped at the intrusion, squirming desperately beneath him, but he held her fast. Tears burned in her eyes, threatening to spill over, while her breath came fast and sharp.

No, she told herself firmly, her mouth settling into a thin, determined line, her eyes taking on a hard light, It isn't him. Well, it is. But it isn't. This is my Loki. And my Loki wouldn't do this. I know it's not the other one, it isn't happening again. He's not even saying half the filthy things the other one did. In fact, he's silent. I can't do this to him. Especially since now that I can separate them in my mind. I'm safe.

"Wait," Sophie said suddenly, "Stop. Red!"

Loki immediately ceased all actions, let go of Sophie, and took a step back.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Smiling in spite of the pain on her face, she stood up and turned to Loki.

"I'm fine," she said, "Thank you. Gods, Loki, I love you so much. But I want to try another way."

"I am at your complete disposal," Loki said earnestly.

Sophie smiled. She was going to use his guilt to her advantage. There was something she'd wanted and hadn't yet been granted since they began having sex. Now, she would get it.

"Go lay face up on the bed," she said with a sinister smirk.

She watched him intently as he did as she said.

"I want you to understand. I don't want him to win. To keep me from enjoying a healthy sex life with the man I love."

She was walking slowly towards the bed in a manner that reminded Loki of a panther about to pounce on its prey.

"I understand," Loki replied, though the confusion showed on his face.

"Good," Sophie nodded several times, still smiling, "Then you won't mind when I do this!"

In an instant, she was atop him. Her hand pumped his cock for a few moments before pushing it inside her. Loki let out a strangled sounding groan and leaned his head back, his eyes rolling up in his head. It is so difficult to get this man to make noise during sex, Sophie thought, moving her hips in a languid, rolling motion. Loki's fingers were tight on her hips. He seemed to be restraining himself from controlling her movements, though he clearly desired to do so. A rippling growl came from his throat. His eyes burned as they met hers.

"Sophie," he got out.

Her hips moved at a tauntingly slow pace. While one hand was splayed on his chest, both to keep him in place and to help support herself, she rubbed her clit in firm circles. A little smirk spread her lips as her eyes bored back into his.

"Say it," she said, her voice stern and commanding.

Damn, Loki thought.

"Ahhrgn," he growled, then practically spat out the next word with the highest reluctance, "Please."

"What was that?"

"Damn it, Sophie! Please."

Sophie leaned down suddenly and kissed him, full of searing fire and passion that was in direct contrast to the sinuous movements of her hips. Loki kissed her back, one hand squeezing her ass while the other was lost in her hair. She pulled away from his lips and whispered in his ear.

"Yes..."

She sat up abruptly, the angle of her hips shifted, and suddenly she was moving up and down on his cock. Sophie gained speed until her breasts were bouncing as she rode him. A part of Loki realized her nails were digging into his chest, the vast majority of him didn't care. He wished he had more hands, so that he could touch more of her at once. She took his hand, the one that suddenly decided to toy with one nipple and guided it to her clit instead. Throughout it all, her eyes never left his, and he found himself unable to look away. Norns, she was so beautiful... Sophie moaned as her hips worked faster, bringing her closer and closer to release.

"Ah, Loki..."

It was the merest breath of a whisper but hearing his name on her lips drove him mad.

"Fuck, Sophie. Yes!"

Sophie's back arched as she threw her head back. They cried out together. The electrified waves swept over them in that moment, and in the moments that followed, a blissful, heavy fog wrapped around their minds. Sophie fell beside Loki and smiled sleepily as he pulled her close to him and kissed her.

"Why didn't I let you do that before?" he murmured.

"Because you're stubborn, like me," Sophie whispered back, "But it's okay. I love you, Loki."

"I love you too, Sophie."

So much. More than she would ever know.