A few days later, Tony states he was to leave for Malibu for 'work'. Loki accused him of going after Britany. Snow asked who Brie was, and Tony reluctantly explained.

But it really was for work, not his fault she happened to be there, and he happen to be planning on paying her a visit.

He'd be gone for a week, and told them not to have too much fun without him.

The day after, a show on the tv inspired Snow with a brilliant idea.

She made her way to the library. "Hey," she greets.
"Hello, love," Loki smiles, causing her to grin like a fifteen-year-old, something he found both amusing and fairly adorable.

She takes a seat across him on the desk. He puts the book down and offers her his full attention.

"Sooo you ride horses, right?" she asks, getting to the point.
"Mhmm," he replies suspiciously.
"Good. So whaddya say you and I go horse-back riding. I know a great spot," she says. His smile brightens.
"Well, I see no reason to decline," he tells.
"Great! Oh! And, we're going out of town, so you don't have to be in disguise," she says.
"Mmm, because you prefer the real me," he offers coyly.
"Well, yes. I mean…" she notes what he's doing and laughs slightly, rising from her seat. "Get dressed, Loki," she tells, heading out the room.

XXXXX

In the car, Snow gets a call from work. Loki turns to her from staring out the window. "What is it you do, exactly?" he asks curiously. It takes her a moment to process the question before answering.
"Well, I'm head of a real estate company," she says. He furrows his eyebrows. "I sell houses," she explains.
"And you lead this company?" he inquires.
"Well, yes," she nods.
"Figured as much," he says.
"What?" she chuckles.
"You're a natural-born leader, love," he states as a matter of fact. She stares at him for a moment, baffled.
"What makes you say that?!"
"How did you convince the council to send me down here?"
"…I told them what they wanted to hear."
"And that was?"
"Well, they…wanted to punish you. I sugarcoated banishment," she smirks. Loki smirks as well.
"So…you lied," he says, amused. She laughs in disbelief.
"I did not!"
"Mmm, yes, you did."
"No! I didn't!"
"Yes, you did."
"Okay! I am not having a conversation about lies with the God of Mischief," she declares, causing him to smile softly.

Coming from someone other than himself, it was somewhat relieving to know that he was still remembered by something.

That he was still considered someone.

"On the contrary, love. I am the one person you can have this conversation with," he says. She turns to him, half-believing they were actually discussing this.

She gives in, because, somehow, it felt safe to do so.

"Okay, fine! I lied. But it was the only way I could get them to let you go," she defends.
"Darling, I'm not judging. Now…tell me why you sought my release," he draws.
"This again!" she exclaims. "I told you! Because your brother asked me to!"
"Well, you see, one of the perks of being the God of Mischief is that I can always…tell when you're lying," he states. Her eyes widen. She gulps. Then rejoices once seeing that they'd arrived at their destination.
"We're here!" she declares happily, causing him to chuckle at how relieved she sounded.

They were only a few miles outside the city, surrounded by open roads, farms, and greenery. A forest loomed in the distance of the open-field stables.

The two head inside. Snow greets the stable-boy, who'd seen her once before. He quite obviously seemed intimidated by Loki, something that only seemed to thrill Snow, internally at least. There was something about his air of confidence that was unnervingly appealing.

The stable-boy showed them to the horses. Once inside, and he explained what each horse was capable of, Loki found himself drawn to Nightshade, the slim, fast one. He looked firm and ready. Loki admired it greatly.

As Snow planned with the stable-boy, she glimpsed Loki petting the horse's face. The scene played at her heart-strings, remembering how gentle his touch could be when he wanted it to be.

After getting them saddled, the two lead their horses outside, and mount them with ease. "Ready?" she asks, smirking.
"As I'll ever be," he retorts.

And at that, they're off, storming like wind through leaves, and their hearts in the sky,

carefree.

And when they raced, and Snow saw how liberated he was, it was alluring, making it hard to think that, just a few months back, he was out to strive for war.

It was sad to know, that a soul as his, had been broken so cruelly, he'd turned into someone he was not.

But the pieces were coming back together, she could see. And he could feel it.

And though Loki hated relying on anyone other than himself, he would be a fool to deny that he never would have seen the sun's light had it not been for her, and, hilariously, the Stark as well.

Snow then led him to the forest. They left the horses outside as he followed her curiously.

As she waltzed in front of him, full of excitement and life, a gorgeous grin on her glowing face, her soft locks bouncing with every step, and bright eyes glimmering when turned to his.

In that very moment, Loki knew, he'd follow her anywhere.

The sound of rushing water catches his attention, and soon, he is led to a clearing in the forest, where a small fountain was rushing to fill the pond beneath, and the sun was high above, making way to set.

Snow removed her shoes, and hurried to the water, allowing its cold flow to wash over her bare feet. She momentarily turned to Loki, to see him standing behind, eyeing around contently. Then his eyes fell on her, and his smile brightened.

She turned away, hiding a blush, but Snow was anything but shy, and all she was feeling right now, was this rush of excitement.

To Loki's shock, the White pulled her shirt off, then stripped down to her under garments. She knows he's looking, and it was anything but unsettling, causing her to smirk mischievously.

She turned to him once more. "Come on!" she beckoned. But all he could do, was stand there, and watch as she moved in, allowing the waters to engulf her form.

Once inside, she turned back, grinning at him as he followed suit, and she heartedly tried not to stare at his broad, muscular figure.

Just before reaching her, she splashed him. He stood for a second, amused by her childish play, before retorting.

Laughter arose through the skies that watched content. They stayed at it for like five minutes before Loki disappeared underneath, then jumped her from behind, causing her to leap in surprise, then burst into a fit of giggles.

Still in his arms, the laughter fades. They grow still, their hearts race, and they pull closer. Their lips touch softly, swaying so smoothly as they savored every moment, allowing their minds to comprehend the course of action they insisted on taking at every other turn, wondering why it felt so liberating,

so…

important.

They pulled closer. He slithers his hands around her bare body, causing her to moan against his lips at his cool, numbing touch, and he tightened his grip, as if wanting to hear it again.

She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him closer till no space remained between them as their lips swayed passionately against one another. And it was like fire and ice.

Loki pulls away, allowing her to regain her breath as he worked his way down her jaw, trailing kisses down her neck. Her breathing quickened. She shut her eyes and subconsciously leaned aside to aid him, entwining her fingers in his hair.

She felt a fire rise in her chest, and she wanted him to kiss her again. She pulled his face up and crashed her lips onto his ferociously, causing him to exhale longingly.

They pulled apart, completely breathless, grinning as if being this happy was a crime, causing them to laugh from excitement.

When their laughter died down, Snow noted how dark it was getting, a chill of cold biting her skin. She locked eyes with his once more. "We should get going," she smirks. He nods slowly.

"After you."

XXXXX

The days that followed were nothing less of peaceful. Loki and Snow spent most of the time together, in the kitchen, the library, one of their rooms, wherever.

Snow had been giving Loki more intel on her job, and took his opinion in many cases. She'd surprisingly discovered that he had, if only slightly evident, the potential to run a company without it tumbling to the ground. And she could almost glimpse, before himself, a real future for him on earth.

Tony would call to check in whenever he got the chance. And the two were constantly asking him how things went with Britany, and he'd always say that he hadn't met her yet.

Lately, they'd been hearing of a terrorist named the Mandarin. They saw on the news when the Stark idiotically insulted him live.

They called and scolded him. He told them it would be fine, yet, a day later,

it happened.

Three days from Tony's departure, they saw the news,

and it shook them to their cores.

Both of them.

Tony's house in Malibu had been attacked. There was barely anything left of it.

And what of their friend?

XXXXX

"Tony!" Snow exclaims. The Stark turns from staring out into the horizon by the great tree, attempting to figure out where he was, and slightly wondering if he was dead.

She rushes over and engulfs him in a tight hug. It shocks him a bit, but he returns it in confusion. "Oh my god! Are you okay?! What happened?!" she asks warily.
"I…I'm fine. Don't worry…about me-is this the valley?" he asks suddenly. She rolls her eyes.
"Yes. What happened, Tony?" she questions seriously.
"Well, Ieee made an enemy, you might say," he winces. She cocks an eyebrow. "Anyways, it might be…a while before I can come back. Best he thinks I'm dead till I can figure out how to deal with him. But don't worry, we're working on it," he assures.
"We?"
"Long story. How've you guys been?" he asks.
"We're fine-"
"You sure? Loki behaving himself?"
"Yes, Tony. Tell me where you are. I'll come help."
"No. I'm doing this on my own."
"Bu-"
"Snow. It's not open for discussion. I'll be fine! I have help. I'll be back before you know it."

A long moment of silence passes as she glares intently, and he glares back, utterly serious. She sighs tiredly, trusting he was capable, but still concerned.

"…Okay…Just…be careful," she tells worriedly. He smirks.
"Always am."

XXXXX

Some time later, on Asgard.

Thor sits in his room, angry tears streaming down his face. He wipes them away furiously as he readied himself.

He could not do this on his own.

He would need help.

He would need his brother.

XXXXXXXXXX