It was morning and Rai stretched out only to be greeted by the sound of the roaring river and the warmth of sunlight. Fenrir had transformed into his Adult wolf self so Jormungand and Rai could snuggle up with him and keep warm throughout the night. He tried to build a make-shift shelter for them to sleep but failed miserably. Jormungand kept complaining how he didn't want to sleep on the floor, so Fenrir decided letting them sleep next to him would be the best. That way, no person or beast would even think about getting close to attacking them while they slept. Fenrir's monstrous size scared off any and all predators. Though, throughout the night Fenrir would tease Jormungand as to why he didn't want to sleep on the floor, he was after all a serpent…

Rai was in the middle of cooking some meat she had brought with her and the smell of food woke the boys up. Fenrir let out a loud howl before returning to his Asgarian form and Jormungand gave him an annoyed look. "What?" he yawned and the younger brother glared at him. "Thank you Fenrir, now the whole forest knows we are here." Fenrir scoffed. "Big deal! They'll take a good look at me and it's over." He said confidently. Rai chuckled to herself as they approached her. "Meat! I love meat!" Fenrir was sniffing wildly at what she was cooking and Jormungand sat on the grass. "Watch it Fenrir or you'll burn your nose off." His younger brother said lazily.

"You two crack me up." Rai said turning the meat over so it would be cooked evenly. "Hm…this might take a while…" She said looking at the meat sizzling over the fire. "Let's go for a swim!" Fenrir was already in the middle of taking off his shirt and then jumped into the river causing a huge splash to abruptly wake Jormungand. The younger brother glared at Fenrir but jumped in soon after. Rai thought about it for a moment, and decided to soak her feet in the water.

"Afraid of a little water ma?" Fenrir was back stroking and Jormungand started to dive for fish. Rai laughed and replied, "No…I just…it's cold…I need to get used to the temperature first." Fenrir laughed. "If I remember correctly…didn't father have to teach you to swim? And you kicked him in the face?" Rai blushed and looked away from them. The boys laughed and splashed her with water.

"Ah! Ok ok I'll go in!" She carefully jumped in and started to lazily float about. She clenched the little pearl that dangled from a golden chain around her neck. It was a gift Loki had given her that day…"Yeah I remember as if it were yesterday…" She closed her eyes allowing her to slip into the memory…

~ Flash Back about 2 Years ago ~

"Thor! You got my food all wet!" Sif angrily huffed and glared at the golden god. Thor let out a booming laugh and continued to splash her with water. Sif jumped into the lake with great force, catching Thor off guard causing water to go up his nose. They started splashing and teasing each other. Volstagg of course was too busy eating the pig Hogun had caught earlier that day for lunch. Frandall was changing into his swimwear about to join Sif and Thor. Hogun was teaching Jormungand and Fenrir how to dive for fish. Hella sat under a nearby tree holding her favorite umbrella, not wanting to lose her pale, porcelain complexion. It was a black, Victorian style, gothic umbrella, with a lot of lace and little skulls on it. Hella looked over at all of them, her uncle, friends and siblings having fun. She pouted, in reality she didn't want to be here, she'd much rather be playing with her dolls or spending time with grandma Frigga, but her father insisted she spend time with her siblings. Rai sat down next to her and gave her a silly grin. Hella smiled. "Rai, why do you not join them?"

Rai sighed and stared at Thor getting slapped by Sif for trying to take off her bikini top. "I…um…I have my reasons…" she faked coughed and tried to change the subject by complimenting her umbrella. Loki was now towering over them with his hand outstretched to Rai. She looked up at him. His smile always drove Rai insane. Beautiful, perfect, pearly white teeth, eyes that shone like emeralds in the sunlight, and his demeanor screamed confidence. She gave him an awkward glance and turned away. She knew what he wanted but she was too shy.

"Don't you want to go swimming with me?" He stood there, his hand still outstretched towards her. "Uh…well yes but…" She shifted uncomfortably and started twisting a blade of grass. Loki was fully aware she did not want to change into a bikini. She had always been so self-conscious. She didn't like to wear things that 'showed off' her body, for she always complained she was ugly and overweight. Which Loki thought was nonsense. She was beautiful but refused to see it. "But?..." He edged her on to continue.

"But…I…can't swim…" She whispered and he chuckled. "Well then, don't you think this is a perfect opportunity for me to teach you?" She faked coughed again and replied, "It appears I have contracted a cold of sorts….so I am afraid I will have to deny your most gracious offer." He laughed again giving her that smile she loved so much. Loki rarely laughed and smiled like this… so genuinely… so warm and free. It was a rare treat that she loved to receive. "Well that's too bad…" He was now holding a bag he had hidden behind his back. Rai looked at him with confusion but Hella seemed to know what it was, for she said, "Ah! Father is that the outfit you said would make Rai look delicious?" Loki quickly sent a warning glare at his daughter. She was about 9 at the time and didn't really think thoroughly on what she said. "But I don't know why you would say that unless…wait! Daddy are you going to cannibalize her?!" Hella's was now wide-eyed and strangely filled with excitement. Hella was a….strange child…

"My dear why don't you go play with your dolls?..." Loki already had an exasperated look on which caused Rai to let out a giggle. He was already regretting bringing Hella along…. Non-the-less, she let out a small gasp as her father handed her one of her creepy looking porcelain dolls and she headed off to play with it.

"So…you're going to cannibalize me?" Rai started to laugh and Loki turned beat red. He cleared his throat and out stretched his hand to her once more. She took it and stood up taking the bag from him and peering inside. She pulled out a black, green, and gold-colored bikini. It was rather…small Rai noted. "You…expect me to wear….this?..." she said holding the underwear piece up, trying to get a good look at it. "Well this is swimwear my dear, I cannot have you going into the lake in heavy armor can I?" The god of mischief was now wearing a sly smirk. Rai carefully eyed the tiny clothing.

"Err…Loki…this is too small…I don't think I'll fit into it…" She was now looking at the top which seemed to be one size too small. "Nonsense." Loki replied as he started to take off his shirt. Rai stared at him wide-eyed. He was well-built… Unlike Thor who was monstrous, which most Asgarian women loved, Loki was slender and very toned. Rai felt a desperate longing to run her hands all over his chest. She wanted him as close to her as possible… she figured the only way was to go swimming with him after all but…in this tiny thing?...

"Loki…what if I have an unfortunate accident and it comes off?" she gave him a worried, blushing look. He chuckled, "Do not fret my lady. I shall protect you from a most unfortunate event if you decide to join me of course." She looked at him skeptically but nodded. "You will teach me to swim then?" He nodded and smirked, "Well, please dress with haste my dear. I shall wait for you in the lake." She awkwardly smiled and headed off to a nearby bush to change.

Five minutes later, she came out awkwardly placing her hands by her stomach, clearly embarrassed of her swimwear. She slowly and cautiously made her way to the edge of the lake with her eyes cast to the floor, unaware of the looks she was receiving. She stood by Loki's side and gave him a nervous smile. He took her hand and brought her into the water with him. He slyly slipped his hands around her waist and was staring at her breasts floating in the water. She didn't notice for she was too preoccupied with her thoughts of possibly drowning. Loki took a big gulp as she clung onto him unaware of her pressing her breasts onto his chest. He didn't mind that's for sure. Loki's mind started to wonder and daydream of the possibilities when Rai's voice tore him from his thoughts.

"Loki…what if I drown? And this swimwear is much too small I look horribly fat! Please don't let go of me!" He laughed at her random rambling and she pouted. He got closer to her and whispered in her ear, "My dear you look positively ravishing…." That sent shivers down her spine and she blushed. He held her close to him, she could feel his breath on her neck and it was driving her mad. He was sliding his hands on her abdomen feeling her curves under the water. His cool touch was making Rai's body beg for more and he knew it by the way she was squirming under his touch. He was enjoying this immensely but his little fun was sorely interrupted by Thor picking up Rai and throwing her deeper into the lake.

He was unaware that she couldn't swim and she started flailing her arms around wildly. She was coughing and spitting out water and in a panic. Thor was rushing to her side but Loki got to her first. He quickly took hold of her waist and tried to calm her down but she kicked him in the face causing him a huge nosebleed. He was the one drowning now but thankfully Thor got to them both and laid them down on the soft sand. Loki was now glaring at Rai. Thor was hugging her tightly saying he was sorry over and over but Loki started to get angry. He didn't like where Thor's hands were and said, "Rai calm down you are not dying…and Thor please watch your wondering hands…" Thor looked at his brother innocently and said, "Brother I know not of what you speak." Loki glared at him and Thor promptly removed his hands.

She had recovered from her dramatic splashing and was trying not to laugh at Loki. He had tissue paper jammed inside his nostrils to stop the bleeding. She couldn't help herself and busted out laughing. Loki sighed but couldn't help himself either and laughed along with her. Soon everyone was laughing. Sif was making fun of Loki about his nose bleed and he threw a baby crab at her. The crab pinched her cheek and everyone was now laughing at her.

A few moments later they all resumed their swimming. Rai decided she had enough of it and would much rather accompany Volstagg to eat. Loki wouldn't let her though. He quickly caught up to her and took hold of her arm. She looked at him with a tired look and explained she didn't want to swim anymore. He wouldn't hear it though. He insisted she learn. So they spent the whole afternoon trying to get her to swim. She ended up learning the basics and how to float. Loki told her that was good enough for now at least.

It was around the end of the day. They all sat down to eat on the sand and watched the sunset. As they were walking home Loki slowed down his pace to walk next to Rai. He extended his hand towards her and gave her an oyster. "I found this when you kicked me in the face…" he said avoiding her gaze. She awkwardly apologized and took it. "An oyster?..." he nodded. "Open it when you arrive at your chambers." She looked at him with confusion but smiled and nodded. He held her hand gently throughout the walk home and she would occasionally squeeze his hand. When they finally reached the palace, they all said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Loki volunteered to walk Rai to her bedroom. They were silent until Rai reached her room. She opened her door and thanked him for accompanying her. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. She curtsied politely and said, "Good night my Prince Loki…may your dreams be sweet." He quickly grabbed her expectantly and kissed her passionately. "I've been waiting to do that all day…" he whispered in her ear. She ran her fingers through his hair but said nothing. She just wanted to enjoy this feeling.

He then parted from her, for he was in need of air and said, "Good night love. I hope you enjoy your gift." He gave her a peck on the lips and headed off. Rai had laid down in her bed and stared at the oyster. She carefully opened it and found a golden, thin chain with a beautiful light pink pearl. She inspected it closely and then held it to her chest. "Oh Loki….I love you…" she whispered to herself before going to sleep.

~ End Flashback ~

Rai sighed still floating lazily in the river. 'I miss him already….' She inwardly thought.