Hello! Quick note, ye readers. This is rated PG-PG-13 for language, that's about it. I would consider this pre-romance, and it is pretty light, not nearly as dark as the previous one shot. Also, this one is a little longer, with a little more plot than the last.
By the way, thank you everyone who reviewed for such encouraging words. I hope you enjoy this one.
Oh and sorry if I get some things wrong from the movie, I haven't seen it in awhile, so I was going by memory. But that's what AUS are for, right? Inaccuracy, huzzah!
Disclaimer: Oh the things I would do if I owned these characters, but alas and alack, I do not.
Summary: In which things in Thor 2 do not go according to plan.
"Well, now. That could have gone better."
What an understatement.
They watch the hulking, black ships set off, preparing to sail through the Realms to reach Earth.
From what Jane can deduce, this is what was supposed to happen: Loki was to have tricked Malekith by creating illusions, spewing lies and doing all those things he seems to excel at. Then, Malekith was to have drained the Aether from Jane. And then, Thor was meant to do what he does best, that being smash the bad guys with his hammer and save the day.
This is what happened instead.
Loki "cut off" Thor's hand, threw Jane at Malekith (and, yeah, that hurt) and then asked for a front row seat to watch Asgard burn. Also, he called himself Loki of Jotunheim, whatever that means. And so, Malekith took the Aether from her, which is a yay, because now it won't kill her.
But then things kind of, sort, completely, went wrong. The instant the Aether was out of Jane, Malekith shot it at Thor, which instantly knocked him out. Jane had screamed and tried to go to him, but Loki grabbed her from behind, and picked her up while her legs kicked at the air. Then Malekith bowed and thanked Loki, but told him that he "trusts him not" (his words exactly), and that they would take the son of Odin so he may watch the destruction of Midgard, and the rest of the Nine and know "true despair". To add insult to injury, Malekith allowed Loki to keep the "woman-child" for his own amusement.
Like, seriously? Woman-child?
Clearly, this guy has serious issues.
Anyway, the dark elves brought Thor on their alien ship thing, and left Loki and Jane stranded on this stupid planet.
So, at Loki's almost amused, almost amazed statement, Jane starts to kick and holler in his arms.
"Yes it bloody could've!" She's been in England too long.
Loki looks down at her like he has only just noticed that he is holding her, makes a face, and then abruptly drops her. She plops onto the dark, sandy ground and lands ungracefully on her back, but she doesn't miss a beat with her yelling.
"What the hell happened back there? Why didn't you do anything, why did you just let them take him, why didn't you fight them or—"
"Do you often ask such incessant and inane questions, because if so, it is no wonder your colleagues do not take you seriously. Or, at least that is what your mentor told me," he doesn't even have the decency to look at her, or sound affected. He just stares after the ships in the distance, his tone distracted and his expression indifferent. Jane opens her mouth, outraged at the mention of Erik and her work (because that is so not true!), but then closes it again and glares at him. She takes a couple deep breaths, and sits up straight.
"Are you going to answer any of my questions?" she asks more calmly, but still glowering.
"Hmm?" He still doesn't look at her.
Jane grinds her teeth for a moment, then repeats, "Why didn't you do anything? Why did you just—just let Malekith take Thor?"
Finally, Loki looks at her, well, more like looks down his nose at her. He quirks an eyebrow, and Jane has the strongest urge to just rip it off.
"And what, pray tell, would you have had me do?"
She flounders, her hands cartwheeling in the air, as she tries to think.
"I-I don't know. Fight them, or—"
"Myself, against how many again?"
"I could've—"
Loki barks with laughter, throwing his head back slightly, and Jane's glare deepens to the point of discomfort.
"Oh yes, and what a team we would have made, Miss Foster," he exclaims jovially, turning his jackal grin on her, "I would take one half on with my daggers, while you badger the rest to death. Really, what a sight that would be."
"You really don't think you could've taken them on?" Jane is now struggling to her feet, but she is still weak from the Aether, and the sand is slippery.
Loki puts a hand to his chest, "Why, Miss Foster, what confidence you have in me. I am positively flustered by your unending faith, truly," Then his mocking expression slips into a sneer, and he spits, "You mistake me for my brute of a brother. Thor may be able to single handedly take out an army, but I, however, cannot. I'm afraid I have not the skill set for it."
"What, magick? Intelligence? Sarcasm?" Jane bites back, finally standing, and Jesus, has Loki always been this tall? She only comes up to his chest.
"You should know more than any," he says in quietly, "That intelligence is not often valued by others. And perhaps if I had not been held in a cell for the past year, and had been fed more regularly, my magick would have been stronger. As it were, I am only able to conjure simple illusions, which are hardly effective in a fight."
Jane's eyebrows slowly unclench, and her muscles slowly untighten. She sighs long through her nose, and stumbles a step away from Loki, then covers her face with her hands. Muffled, she says,
"I know. I'm sorry. Nothing could be done." Usually she hates admitting she is wrong, but right now everything is so hopeless that it hardly seems to matter.
"It's just… God, everything is so screwed up. They took Thor, and God knows that they are doing to him now, and they are heading for Earth—my world! —And no one is prepared for them and there is no way to stop them and we are trapped her and—"
She peeks through her hands to look at Loki, but finds the spot in front of her to be empty. Her hands fly off her face, and she looks around frantically.
Oh shit, there is no way he is just leaving her here. Nuh uh.
She spots him half way up a hill several yards away, and holy crap can he walk fast, Jesus.
"Hey!" she yells, picking up her dress as she starts to run, "Wait! Dammit, wait for me!"
He doesn't even turn, just continues walking up the freaking hill at a steady pace. Cursing profusely, Jane hurries after him, tripping as she goes. By the time she reaches him they are almost up the hill, and Jane is sweating and panting more than a sinner in a church.
"Wait," she cries hoarsely, "Where—Jesus Christ—where are we going?"
"Oh, is it we now? Funny how that works," Loki spares glance at her over his shoulder, but continues at the same pace.
Huffing, Jane takes the bait, "What does that mean?"
"Nothing, really, other than I find it interesting how quickly your loyalties shift. Now that Thor is gone, you no longer have your golden champion, so now you have no choice but to put your trust in me. Are all humans this pathetically dependent?"
"First of all, I don't trust you, not for a second," she pants as she struggles to keep up (dammit, she hates dresses, she will never wear one again), "And second, I will not apologize for being born human, or for not being brawny. There are more important things in life than being strong."
"Tell that to Thor," Loki mutters, stopping so suddenly Jane bumps into his back and nearly lands on her butt again. That said, she manages to stay on her feet, only wobbling slightly. Loki looks around the bleak landscape, narrowing his eyes. Searching.
"What are you looking for?" Jane whispers, although she isn't sure why. Loki gives her an impatient side-glance, and then turns left and starts toward what looks like a cave. Jane sighs, loud and exasperated, but follows after him.
"Okay, can you just tell me one thing? Just one?" Jane presses, jogging to keep up with him.
"You may ask whatever you like, but I have no reason to answer you," Loki replies off-handedly.
Jerk.
"Look. Please, Loki."
They both stop when she says his name. She watches his back tense up. Then, he slowly turns his upper body toward her in an arc that immediately reminds her of a snake. Even his expression is that of a serpent; calculating and tense. Ready. Jane can't tell whether or not he is outraged that she has spoken so informally, or if he turned because he can hear the desperation in her voice, but she has his attention, so she is rolling with it.
"I just want—I just need to know whether or not you plan on doing something to stop Malekith, or if you're just gonna run," she keeps her voice soft, because she is afraid to set him off. To give him a reason turn that rage she knows simmers inside him on her. Loki stares at her, and blinks once. Then, his eyes narrow shrewdly as he tilts his head, considering her. Jane tries not to make a face that would convey how awkward she feels, and instead pulls at the material of her blue dress while she watches him watch her.
When he finally speaks, it is more sibilant than a snake.
"You think me craven?" he hisses, his face contorting as he takes a step toward her.
Crap, oh crap!
"N-no!" she back paddles both verbally and physically, her hands up in surrender, "No, not at all! I just—shit," she covers her face with her hands again, rubbing her skin hard as she focuses on not crying. When she moves her hands, Loki's face is still set in a snarl, and his green eyes snap with magick.
"You have to understand," she tries, "A lot of lives are at stake, and at this point, only you and I can do anything to save them. I know you don't give a crap about the rest of the Realms, but your mother did—"
"You will not speak of her!" Loki rages, his voice echoing, and the air becomes charged with something that feels like electricity but tastes like winter. It pinches and tugs at Jane's skin. Magick. His black, black hair seems to move with it; it stands slightly on end, and dances in the air. Jane is shocked by how striking he is, and is shocked that she hadn't noticed it before. Stark white skin, glittering frost and magick eyes, inky hair and aristocratic features all paired with something elemental and almost unsettling, but ultimately fascinating. He is fascinating, she realizes. And more powerful than she will ever understand.
And, presently, pissed off at her.
"I'm sorry, I am. She died saving me, and I can never reconcile for that. But I'm not wrong. Frigga," Loki's lips curl back, exposing his teeth at the mention his mother's name, so she hurries along, "Would have done everything in her power to save the Realms. She sacrificed herself so that millions could live, because that was who she was—is. A quiet hero. And somehow, I think you are more like her than you even know."
Please work, that's all she's got, please work, it has to work, please, please-
And slowly, slowly, his lip uncurls. And his brow smooths. His hair continues to writhe and crackle, but the air no longer feels so sharp. That look comes back to his face, that considering look, like he is trying to figure something out about her. He takes a step toward her, and she holds her ground.
"Truth be told, Miss Foster," he says slowly, almost warily, "I had no plans of running. Malekith and I have unfinished business."
The relief is euphoric. Jane exhales gustily, and grins dopily up at him. He raises a brow, but says nothing further. Then, he turns on his heel, and continues on his way to the cave.
But, not without a little wave of his hand to indicate that she is permitted to follow.
Grinning, she runs after him.
~/|\\\~
When they finally enter the cave, Jane immediately notices how different the air feels inside. It is colder, and damp, and it reminds her of something, but she can't quite put her finger on it.
"What are we doing here?"
Loki sighs, and oh yes, she is such a burden, boo hoo.
"There is a gap between worlds located in this cavern," he says like it's no big deal. Jane's eyes pop wide.
"Wait, really? How do you know?" she demands excitedly.
She thinks she hears him say, 'questions, always questions' under his breath, before he answers, "I just do."
"Can you feel the gravitational pull, or can you sense the dark matter, or—"
"Miss Foster, despite what you might believe, not everything can be explained with your science," Loki says sharply as he wanders around the cave. Jane pouts, but follows after him.
"Okay, fine, but how do you know?" she pushes, staring up at the stalactites that seem to burn internally with violet and crimson flames. Pretty. If only she could get a sample, then she could study them later and figure out whether or not they contain—
"It is best explained as a basic instinct, like the way a bird knows to fly south. My magickal core knows where to go, and what can I do but follow? Honestly, woman, do you never cease with your questions? How does Thor put up with you?" he smirks at her, and she can't tell for sure, but he might be acting playful. Teasing, yes, but harmlessly so.
Jane just grins shyly, and replies, "Well, he actually answers my questions, so clearly he deals with me just fine."
"I still find it surprising that my brother fell for a woman of intelligence."
"I take that as a compliment."
"As you should," Loki agrees, surprising her, "But I should warn you; you are in no way his ideal mate. He is better off with someone like Sif."
Wait… what?
"What are you—oof!" and she is on the ground. Classic Jane. What the hell did she trip over? She gets on her knees, and reaches behind her, and lifts up a—
"Oh my god."
It's a shoe. And they are everywhere, along with bottles and other miscellaneous objects that are so clearly from Earth, and Jane doesn't think she has ever been so happy. The car keys are even here.
"Loki, this gap goes to—"
Yeah I got em, yeah I got em
Don't worry 'cause I got em…
Never has that stupid, obnoxious rap song sounded more like the hallelujah chorus. Jane digs around in the many folds of her dress for her phone.
"What is that horrible racket?" Loki's frown is priceless, and if less were at stake, Jane would be laughing. As it were, she has a call to answer.
"This is amazing," she tells him, smiling giddily, "I get service here! We must be close! This is amazing!"
Loki gives her a look that a disgruntled parent might give their wayward child, and says, "We do not have time for your frivolous—"
"Shush! I'm on the phone!" she frowns at him, holding her finger up. Loki looks personally insulted, and is about to argue when she presses the answer button.
"Hello?"
"Jane!"
Holy crap, its Richard.
"Richard! Oh my god, this is amazing!"
"Really?" On the other end Richard sounds pleased but still a little static-y. Jane nearly jumps up and down with excitement, and then starts wandering around the cave, trying to find the place that the signal is strongest. She motion for Loki to follow her as she keeps Richard talking. Loki rolls his eyes, but follows her.
"It's this way," she says to Loki, who looks thoroughly unimpressed, "No, no not you Richard. Keep talking though. Yeah, sure, the date was… yeah…" she trails off distractedly.
She and Loki walk side by side, avoiding the shoes as Richard talks on and on. As they venture deeper, it gets darker and darker, and Jane is violently reminded of the Aether and how it seemed to suffocate her with its internal darkness. She reaches out blindly, trying to grab onto anything, anything to keep her grounded and real. And what she finds is Loki's hand, which is cold and smooth and startling—
He yanks it away from her with a disgruntled sound, and her apology is wobbly. She hears Loki sigh, and then long fingers snag her wrist, and pull her gently along as Richard continues to yak in her ear. Then, the light comes at them suddenly and all at once. When her eyes adjust, Jane squeals with delight. They are back in Greenwich, and it hasn't been filled with darkness yet. It's still raining, but no darkness here, no sir.
"Jane, uh, Jane? You still there?" Richard, right.
"Oh, um, hey can I call you later, I got to go." And she hangs up. She looks around, and spots her car, and begins to dash toward it, only for her to be yanked back. She looks down and realizes Loki's hand is still gently holding her wrist. She looks at him with wide eyes as he takes in their new surroundings.
"This is not New York," he comments, blinking distastefully at the rain.
"Well, no. This is Greenwich. In England."
Loki nods, then says, "I do not like it."
Jane giggles, maybe a little manically, and Loki looks questioningly down at her.
"We need to get in my car."
"Why?"
"So I can drive us to my apartment, so we can—"
"I can transport us."
"I doubt that. You don't know where it is, and I assume you can't travel somewhere you can't see, or have never been to. Besides, didn't you say you could only manage illusions right now?"
The look he gives her is mingled contempt and admiration, and Jane preens, and then jingles the keys happily.
Loki just rolls his eyes again.
Loki has to bend quite a bit to get into the car, and she can tell that the royal part of him, something Jane is pretty sure doesn't just go away, is scandalized by such a barbaric mode of transportation. Jane is laughing for most of the way to her apartment, but true to form, Loki has the last word.
"So, who is Richard, and does Thor know about him?"
Jane stops laughing, and gives him a look. His grin is far too wide for her liking, and she would like nothing better than to hit him. Again.
"Shut up, Loki."
"Oh, dear me, Miss Foster, dear me."
"Shut up!"
~/|\\\~
It's when they arrive at the apartment that Jane's happy adrenaline wears off. Darcy is up there, and so is her intern. All puny mortals, and Loki would have no issue exercising his alien voodoo on them.
Not to mention if Erik shows up. That would be super duper bad. Ah crap, what is she going to do?
Loki must sense her apprehension because he is smiling in a way that is far too pleased.
"You can't do anything bad in my apartment," Jane warns, and is given a 'who, me?' look in return that is almost convincing, but this is Loki we're talking about.
"Seriously, my friends are up there, and Erik might be there."
"Doctor Selvig," his voice slide over the syllables, smiling with a mock fondness that is sharp and almost carnivorous. Jane is tempted to say 'bad Loki' and flick him on the nose, but controls herself.
"We need him," and when he raises that freaking eyebrow again, she explains, "He is like the only person besides you and I that knows what is going to happen with the Convergence. We really, really need him. Oh, and my equipment," she adds for good measure. Loki considers her with half closed eyes and a quirked mouth for a moment, then holds his hand up.
"I swear not to intentionally terrorize any of your mortals," he pledges solemnly, but his eyes glitter mischievously.
"Including Erik," Jane affirms insistently.
Loki's eyes only sharpen with amusement as he replies silkily, "Including Erik. You have my word. Although, I do not know what you, your teacher, or your equipment could possibly do to stop Malekith."
"Well, if you cooperate nicely, I'm sure we can explain."
"That remains to be seen."
"Shut up and get out of the car."
"Are all mortals this rude?"
Jane groans as she leads him up the staircase to her apartment. She is going to regret this.
~/|\\\~
This is how the evening starts.
Loki and Jane enter the apartment, and joy, Erik is indeed there, and for some reason he is pant-less. He takes one look at Loki, utters a half choked battle cry and pounces at him.
It takes Jane, Darcy and Ian all together to hold him down while Loki laughs so hard that he has to slump against the wall to keep himself standing. Jane takes Erik to another room, and the betrayal written on his face makes Jane feel like she is suffocating, but she pushes past it, because there is more at stake than being able to breathe.
"Erik, listen to me carefully," she takes his face in her hands and looks him in the eye, her voice soft, and Erik's eyes stop rolling around in his panicked face to look at her.
"Erik, I am not excusing what he did to you. What Loki," Erik flinches violently, and Jane is forcefully reminded that Loki is not a good man, but that right now they need him, "What Loki did was awful, and it was wrong and he deserves all of our anger. I'm not telling you to forgive him, or even trust him, but I'm telling you that we need his help. We can't stop the dark elves without him. I promise you, I won't let him hurt you, and that I will do everything in my power to make sure he answers for how much he hurt you, but right now you need to civil, and you need to be lucid. Can you do that for me? Please, Erik?"
And then he looks at her with eyes that are so loving and intelligent, the same way he looked at her when he was teaching her about the constellations, and Jane is filled with so much love. He takes her hand in his, and nods, and Jane hugs him tight so he knows she won't be letting him go anytime soon.
~/|\\\~
The rest of the evening goes like this.
Erik sits as far away as Loki as possible, and refuses to take off an aluminum hat he designed himself that apparently deflects magic. He never stops glaring at Loki, who smiles contentedly the entire time
Darcy simply gawks at Loki, unsure what to do with her hormones. Turned on or scared, turned on our scared? Decisions, decisions.
Ian is mostly confused. He stares back and forth between Jane and Loki, trying to keep up and trying not to be scared.
Jane explains how her equipment works, and tries not to look too flustered or pleased when Loki stares at her with grudging admiration. He thinks her equipment is genius, if a little unsophisticated. But hey, she'll take whatever compliments he'll give.
And so, a plan is formed.
Much, much later, Loki ends up on the couch, and Jane ends up tweaking her equipment for most of the evening, too wired and afraid to go to sleep. While she works, she can feel Loki's clever eyes on her, and for some reason it makes her warm and cold at the same time. So she tries to ignore him, it isn't easy. She has more questions for him; but not ones she wants to know the answers to. And yet, she feels like Loki wants her to ask them, she can feel the way his eyes are on her, daring her to speak.
And because the world is going to end maybe, she takes the dare.
"Loki?" she calls quietly, but she doesn't look at him.
"Miss Foster?" she can hear the smile in his voice.
"What did you mean earlier? About Thor and I?"
"I'm sorry, I believe you must refresh my memory."
No she doesn't. He knows exactly what she is talking about; he just wants to hear her say it.
"That we… That we aren't well suited or something. That he is supposed to be with someone more like, well, more like Sif," Beautiful, vibrant Sif. Jane had wondered about her. Wondered about her relationship with Thor, and the way Sif looked at her, like she was assessing an opponent and found them lacking. Sif makes her feel plain and small.
There is a moment of quiet while Jane tinkers away, and it is not uncomfortable, but Jane wants the answer. She glances over her shoulder to look at Loki, but the couch is empty. Where did he—
"Miss Foster."
"Oh my God!" When did he get there, when did get up and sit down at the table across from her? How can he possibly move so quietly? Loki smirks slowly as she steadies her breathing, and she glowers at him while she presses her hand to her chest.
"Don't do that!" she whispers fiercely, leaning toward him and pointing at him accusingly. He hides his smirk expertly and tips his head in way Jane can only assume is a fake apology. But she takes it.
"Would you still like me to answer your question?" he inquires, leaning back in the chair lazily. He steeples his hands under his chin and gazes at her calmly. Jane thinks she should be unnerved by him, but all she feels is curiosity, and it makes her wonder about herself.
"I—Well, yes I guess, I mean I suppose," she frowns at herself, looking away to tinker roughly at her equipment, "I just—I'm not gonna like the answer, am I?"
"That is likely, yes."
She looks up at him with guileless brown eyes, and asks, "But just because I won't like the answer, does that mean I shouldn't know?"
Loki considers her words, and then leans toward her with his palms flat against the table, and his brow raised expectantly.
"Some would rather live in ignorance, but you are not that sort, are you? No, you need to know, you always have. You need to know about the stars, the world, the universe. You are unquenchable in your search for knowledge," he looks almost… proud of her. How should that make her feel? The man, or god, or alien, or whatever he is, he tried to take over her world, has tried to kill her kind-of-boyfriend several times and enslaved her father figure and mentor. What does that say about her, that he kind of admires her, and that she kind of likes it?
"You're right," she nods, and it's strange that in so short a time he knows her so well, "I need to know. So tell me, why won't Thor and I work out?"
"To put it plainly, Thor is far too simple and you are far too clever," Loki spreads his hand in a "that's that" expression, but Jane needs more.
"Thor isn't simple. He is worldly and—"
"If one considers going from realm to realm fighting, drinking and wenching worldly, rather than learning of its people and cultures, than yes, Thor is worldly," Loki retorts sharply. Jane immediately comes to his defense.
"I'm sure that isn't true—"
"Ah yes, but you have not known Thor as long as I. I feel in this situation, you must simply take my word for it."
"God of Lies," she reminds him pointedly, and he smiles broadly.
"True, true, but believe me on this. Thor would suit you ill, and you him," then his expression turns almost soft, "It is not because you are not worthy, or in anyway lacking, but because you and Thor are far too different, and are meant for different paths. He will be a warrior king, and you will be—"
"In a lab for the rest of my life?" she interrupts with a mirthless laugh, but it is stopped by the look Loki gives her. Something new is in those pale green eyes, and she is unsure whether or not she should flee, or come closer. He reaches out and brings his fingertips to her face in the barest, softest of touches. She doesn't pull away.
"No, you will be an adventurer, Jane."
Her name, he said her name.
"Thor cannot have you," says Loki with snapping, bewitching magick eyes, "Because he cannot keep up with you."
Jane swallows thickly, and closes her mouth forcefully, because she has one more question, but she can't ask it. So she tells Loki that she should get some sleep, and that he will need some too. He agrees, and she can feel his eyes on her back as she fast walks to her room.
The last question was: then who can keep up with me?
And Loki was right. Sometimes, it is better not to know the answer.
~/|\\\~
The day of the Convergence doesn't go exactly according to plan. A lot of buildings get wrecked, several people get hurt, and Jane almost dies several times.
Plus, there is Thor, who somehow managed to break free of the dark elves last minute, and who doesn't know the plan, and very nearly messed everything up. Luckily, with combined efforts from Jane and Loki, it does not erupt into chaos. Thor fights Kurse while Loki engages Malekith. Jane notices that he is fighting with what looks a blue box, and it shoots deadly ice against the Aether, and they seem to be equally matched. Ice and darkness. Who knew? Jane, Darcy and Ian set up her equipment and with Erik's help, they manipulate the gaps and send the bad guys hurtling through space or wherever it sends them. At the same time, Loki and Thor often get caught in the gaps too, brawling all through the Realms and ending up in some very strange places, including the subway.
In the end, Thor defeats Kurse, and Loki ends up stabbing Malekith with a piece of Jane's equipment, which scatters his body all over the Realms. What happens to Aether, she is unsure, but she thinks she sees Loki holding something red and pulsing in his hands before it blinks out of existence. The rest of the dark elves are banished to some barren moon, and huzzah, they win! Now all she wants to do is sleep. Darcy and Ian pop out of nowhere, and surprise surprise they are sucking face. Jane smiles tiredly, then sits down on a partly destroyed step, watching as the portals close themselves. The Convergence is finished.
The world is safe again, for now at least.
"Jane!"
Oh, Thor, sweet, good Thor. He rushes forward and scoops her up, twirling her. They laugh and press their mouths together, then laugh some more. Loki's words ring in her head, but she doesn't care, he's here, he's safe. He sets her down and she searches his face to see how injured he is. Scrapes and bruises, that's all, thank Jesus.
"I thought I lost you again," Jane whispers, touching the side of his face to make sure he is real.
Thor chuckles happily and kisses her forehead, "You will not be rid of me so easily, Jane. Perhaps now I can take you to Asgard on happier circumstances."
Jane's smile thins, but she doesn't tell him that in all honesty, she has no wish to return. She feels too guilty over the death of Thor's mother, still feels the raw hurt of Odin's disapproval and maybe, she thinks, their worlds are apart for a reason. She doesn't allow herself to think, however, that Sif will be there, and that maybe Loki's words have some merit. She instead thinks that she might love Thor, and for now that is enough.
And now is not the time for sad thoughts, they won, so she should be happy. So she kisses Thor again and he tastes like sunlight—
"While I hate to interrupt, there are still pressing matters that need to be dealt with," Loki's bland drawl pulls Jane from her Thor-kiss-euphoria. She and Thor pull apart, then turn to see Loki standing some feet away, looking around at the destruction with a bored expression on his battered face. His pale face sports new bruises and cuts, worse than Thor's but still, not as bad as Jane had feared.
Feared?
"Yes," Thor straightens, regaining his regal exposure, "Yes, we must return to Asgard, to rebuild what has been ruined, and to face our punishment for crimes against the crown."
"Mmm, yes, but Odin has always been extremely lenient with you. I do not believe he will be so wrathful now that you have saved the Realms. Again. I, on the other hand, am ever at the receiving end of his wrath," his smile is a dagger and it hurts to look at, and his voice is poison, and it's hard to hear. Why does he have to ruin everything?
Thor takes an aggressive step toward Loki, who looks totally unaffected, then says, "And you, brother, have a cell that awaits you."
And for some reason, Jane wants to argue, because, hey, he saved, like, everyone. But she keeps her mouth closed, because for all the good Loki has done today, he still has done a whole lot of bad.
Loki's smile grows, twisting his face into something mad, and maybe it's just Jane, but a little bit sad. He takes step back, his eyes trained on Thor's face.
"Ah, yes. About that," he says, his voice filled with impish glee, "That really does sound rather dull…"
"Loki," Thor warns low, striding toward him while Mjölnir hums in anticipation.
"…And now the Realms are safe, and Frigga avenged," Loki continues, and Jane feels the familiar crackle of magick in the air, so she opens her mouth, but Loki's eyes slice into hers, and her voice can't find its way to her mouth.
"Therefore, I believe I will take my leave of you. Tell Odin I wish him ill, as per usual," Loki laughs, exhilarated, while Thor hurls his hammer at him, and it whistles through the air, then shatters Loki's illusion into a million golden sparks.
He appears behind Jane, and before she can stop him, he takes her hand, bows low, and places his cold, smirking lips to her skin.
"It was a pleasure, my lady Jane," and his eyes spark knowingly.
"I thought you could only manage illusions?" Jane accuses, and Loki winks rakishly at her, giving her hand one more kiss. Thor roars, and charges, but Loki laughs again, then spins away, disappearing again. He pops up some yards away, and calls,
"I will see you soon, never fear!" And he blinks out of existence.
Later, Jane will question whether or not Loki said that to Thor, or to her.
What can I say, I like open endings. Don't worry, they won't all be like that.
Just a quick end note. I apologize if the battle scene, or lack thereof, seemed rushed, but I am awful at action scenes, so I decided to spare you from some very horrid descriptions of battles. I will work on my action sequences, but I wanted this to be mostly about Jane and Loki's relationship.
Also, for future reference, I will have you know I love Thor as a character, so if I ever portray him negatively, it is only for the story's sake, not for bashing. That said, I greatly dislike Sif, but I will not bash her, because I find that childish.
Anyway, expect that the next time this story will be rated M, because I really wanna write some Lokane smut.
So, review if you have the time or energy. Thanks for reading and enjoy your day.
linnie
