Hello, cutie pies!

I'm not so sure about this chapter, but it's important to what's coming next. Hope you like it!

Chapter Four

Sif didn't see Loki for the rest of the day, busy with her sword, archery and horsemanship practice. It wasn't the same without the Warriors Three, but she needed to distract herself in same way. It worked. She felt good when she was wielding a sword and she could always picture Loki's face on her opponent and win easily. Then again, she didn't want to kill a poor servant that had nothing to do with her grudge against the false King.

He met her for dinner that night; just the two of them were at the large table, since Frigga had claimed a furious headache and had retreated to her chambers early.

"So..." He broke the silence suddenly. "How was breakfast with Mother?"

"It was nice. Frigga is a lovely person. I can't believe she is your mother sometimes. But then again..." Her grin was vicious. "... she isn't really, is she?"

She didn't have many chances to pick on him like he did her, and the words just blurted out before she could stop herself. It was cruel, very cruel and she almost regretted saying it when she saw the look in his eyes. But whatever flashed on them, was quickly replaced with cold indifference.

"So, she told you."

"She did. That explains a lot, actually."

He gripped the fork forcefully and she knew the sweet smile he displayed wasn't joyful at all.

"Like what, my lady?"

She shrugged.

"Like why you hate Thor so much. Because, no matter what, you'll always be a Jotun! No matter how much you try, you can't possibly be like Thor. Ever!"

Loki slammed his fist on the table.

"You cannot begin to understand why I hate Thor so much!"

Sif frowned. What was that supposed to mean?

"Maybe you should enlighten me, then. It's hard to keep up with your hate when you hate so many things for so many reasons! You're nothing but an overgrown spoiled brat!"

He stuck his fork in a piece of meat and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly.

"I warned you once. My patience is running out. Don't push it, my love."

"Love?" She laughed. "Please, spare me of your irony. You don't know what love is! You, Loki, are incapable of loving."

He narrowed his eyes dangerously at her.

"You cannot accuse me of that. Not you."

That caught her attention. Frigga's words from earlier echoed on her mind. Could it be? She rested her chin on her entwined fingers, frowning at him.

"And why is that, Loki?"

Loki finished his wine, his eyes never leaving hers; then got up and left in silence.

He didn't sleep on their room that night.

Or the next night.

Sif tossed and turned, worried. She keep reviewing their conversation, wondering if she had gone too far. "Oh, please", she thought to herself. "It's Loki. He's evil. He deserves it." But she couldn't shake the feeling she had crossed a line. His expression when she rubbed on his face he was adopted. Was she crazy or there was a hint of hurt in his eyes? And what did he mean she couldn't accuse him of being incapable of loving?

Suddenly, she couldn't stay on the bed any longer. She put on her robe and wandered about the empty palace. She got to the Throne Hall and there he was, splayed across the throne, a bottle of wine on his hand... and several empty bottles at the stairs leading to the throne.

"Ah, there she is!" He exclaimed as he saw her. "My wife. The reason why I can't sleep." He dragged the words as he spoke.

She groaned. "Great, you're drunk."

He gulped down more wine. "Come here, my lady. Sit upon the throne with me." He looked excited as he patted the armrest of the golden throne.

"Not a chance." She shook her head.

"Come on, Sif. Please?"

Sif raised an eyebrow. She didn't get to hear him ask so nicely very often. And even when he did, it was always sarcastic. He sounded sincerely eager for her to comply this time. And he looked so... mellow; she couldn't find a better word to describe his apparent mood. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. She sighed as she held up the hem of her robe to climb the stairs, certain she was going to regret it later. She kicked a few bottles on her way, causing them to roll down to the floor, sounding even louder due to the silence of the palace.

She reached the final stair and Loki was already reaching his hand out to help her. She hoisted herself up and settled on the armrest of the throne, her legs swinging from the edge. She looked out at the enormous dark hall. It was breathtaking.

"Beautiful view, isn't it?" He whispered, handing the bottle to her and she nodded. "Makes you feel so big, so... powerful."

Sif studied his face as she drank.

"Is that why you took the throne? To feel powerful?"

"I didn't 'take' the throne, Sif. I'm the second heir to Allfather, and the first one is banished. I'm the rightful king."

"As the rightful King, you could end Thor's banishment, then."

"I thought we talked about that already."

"We did? Because it seems to me you said what you wanted and that was it."

"I'm not going to disobey my Father's orders and that's that!" He snapped at her. "More wine!" He yelled suddenly, clinking the empty bottle loudly against the throne. "Two bottles!"

"Shh!" Sif frowned. "You're gonna wake up the entire palace!"

The young servant that appeared on her door that morning showed up from behind the throne holding a tray with two bottles of wine. The warrior lady watched as she climbed up the stairs.

"Really, Loki? Keeping this poor girl up this late because of your whims?"

The girl stopped at the last stair and bowed her head, offering the tray to the King. He smiled and gripped the tray on top of her hands, staring into her eyes.

"Thank you, darling."

She blushed and pulled her hand shyly, paying a reverence.

"It's a pleasure to serve, my lord."

Sif raised an eyebrow as she watched her climb down the stairs.

"She has a thing for you." She said after the servant was out of ear's reach.

Loki smiled as he popped the bottles open, passing one of them to her and setting the tray on the other armrest.

"Jeaulous, my Queen?"

She scoffed, drinking from her bottle.

"Ha ha. You wish! I'm just... surprised."

"Surprised?" He looked offended. "Are you implying something? Am I not attractive enough?"

She laughed.

"I didn't say that! It's just... well, you're not the easiest person to be around."

He gulped some wine.

"I'll have you know I can be very pleasant when I want to be." His smile was pretentious as he dared her to deny it.

Sif tried to keep a straight face, but couldn't contain a smile of her own.

"For young innocent maidens, maybe." She drank from the bottle, vigorously.

His eyes twinkled with mischief. "I don't know. Some willful warriors may appreciate me as well."

"I don't think so. I'll have to be reeeaaally drunk to appreciate you. And even so, it can be a hard task."

"Is that right? How much drunk?"

A few bottles later…

"Easy there." Loki warned, amused to see Sif draining another bottle of wine.

She chuckled, coughing when some of the liquid tickled her throat.

"Please! I can hold my liquor. Hey, remember that time we stole six bottles of wine from the palace kitchen when we were kids? We got really drunk that day. Thor drank so much he passed out!"

Loki smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I remember holding your hair as you threw up on the garden. So ladylike." He provoked.

"Oh, shut up!" She laughed and gulped down the rest of the wine. He was staring at her. "What?"

"You have a..." He brushed his finger on the corner of her mouth, where a drop of wine slowly slipped downwards; then stuck his finger in his mouth, his eyes glued on hers. "You know, this is some good wine you're wasting."

She swallowed slowly, taken aback by the intensity of his gaze.

"I... I... Yes, it's... a fine wine."

He sat up straight and her fingers gripped the edge of the armrest alerted to his approach.

"We shouldn't..." He rose slowly, "... waste... a drop... of it.", finally reaching her eyes level.

"No, we shouldn't..." She whispered, internally blaming the wine for not pushing him instead of closing the distance between their lips.

It was final. She was addicted to his kiss. And it was even better when she could taste the wine on his tongue. And it was even better when his hands started pushing her robe off her shoulders and pulling her to his lap as he leaned back on the throne, never breaking the kiss.

And... so... much... better when their clothes were desperately removed and tossed carelessly on the nearest stair. Sif impaled herself on him, sinking her head on his shoulder to muffle a whimper. She moved, up and down, bracing her hands on his shoulders, their eyes locked, her lip caught between her teeth, trying to be as quiet as possible. When he reached down to caress her clit, she came and he stifled her cries on a searing kiss, holding on to her as he was overcome by his orgasm as well.

Loki helped her off him and snuggled her on his lap, resting his head on top of hers. They lay there in silence, waiting for their breaths and heartbeats to normalize.

"I like you better when you're drunk." Sif giggled as he distractedly drew random lines on her back with his fingertips.

He chuckled.

"I thought you didn't like me at all."

"Well, if there's any part of you I like... is the drunken part. And maybe, just maybe… I'm only saying that because I'm drunk myself." She tried to contain her giggles unsuccessfully.

"You think so?" He teased. "Well, you did say it was the only way you would appreciate me. Now why do you like me more when I'm drunk?"

"For starters, the absence of your annoying taunting grin. You have no idea how much it pisses me off. And I think you're more sufferable too. More easygoing. And fun. Just a little." More giggles. "Kinda reminds me when we were younger, when you were..." She yawned. "...nicer. We should go to bed."

"Why? I like it in here. We should sleep on the throne."

She chuckled, sleepy.

"Yes, the servants and the court waking up to find their Usurper King..."

"Hey!" He protested.

She ignored him. "... and his fake Queen, sitting naked on the throne. The scandal!"

"Why should I care? I'm King."

"Well, King or not King, your mother wouldn't like it. And if your father happens to wake up... I would hate to be you. He's good in punishments."

Loki laughed. "You are a wise woman, Lady Sif."

"Thank you. You should try a little wisdom now and then too. And get drunk more often."

He meant to get up, but she was already dozing off on his lap. He conjured up a double of himself to roll her in her robe and take her to their bedroom as he put on his pants, following them closely.

When he lay her down on the mattress, the double vanished and he lay down close to her, pulling the blankets over them both as he spooned her. He nuzzled her hair, internally debating wether or not he sould confess to her he wasn't really drunk.

Do you guys think things are going a little too fast or is it just me being paranoid about my crappy writing?

Let me know what you think.

Thank you for reading/reviewing/favoriting/following.

Kisses