Hello, darlings!

Drum roll, please. This is the last bit of our adventure in the turbulent marriage of Loki and Sif.

I'm happy to finally being able to end it like I wanted, but I'm also sad it's ending. I love this story. I recognize it has its flaws, but if I look back in a lot of things I've written before, this was a big evolution of my writing and I've learned so much from this experience.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Loki or Sif. Marvel does.

And forgive the author for any orthographic mistakes and misspells, because English isn't her first language, but she likes to think she excels at it :D

Chapter Nine

"Here we are

Right back where we began

Waiting for sweet love with open arms

Here we are

Just like before

Waiting for the warmth of that tender storm"

(Salt in our wounds, HIM)

Sif entered her chambers feeling a little distraught at her conversation with Frigga. As if her mind weren't troubled enough with the whole situation with Loki. As soon as she closed the door, she took notice of the God of Mischief, carelessly sitting on the edge of the balcony... with a bottle of mead.

"Is drinking your answer to every complication in marriage?"

"Isn't drinking the answer to everything?" He smirked when she rolled her eyes. "I thought you'd like me better when I'm drunk."

She tried hard to fight a smile as she approached the balcony and admired the view of the city ahead, sighing as the refreshing night breeze blew against her face. "How did we get in this mess?"

"I know. You bowed your head and said 'hello, Your Highness, I'm Sif'." He was pleased to see her laugh soundly. "I was doomed right there."

"Really?" He took a sip from the bottle and Sif gestured for it. "And here I was, thinking it was a little later, when I let you ride on my horse, and allowed you to hold my waist in the process." She gulped down the rest of the mead. "I've beaten boys for less than that, but you seemed so harmless."

He smiled. "Maybe I was. Once." He slid to the ground and started walking to the door. "I'll get more mead."

"Don't." It was out of her lips before she could stop herself.

Loki froze with his hand on the door handle and turned around slowly. "Why?"

How could she answer it, when she wasn't even sure? Taking a few steps towards him, she felt a little dizzy. It couldn't be the mead, she didn't get drunk this fast. "I just… Can we not make this a rule, drinking when we're starting to get along? As if this was the only way we could get along?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Are we? Getting along?"

"Maybe." She got closer to him, but not too close, as if refraining from invading his space. "Loki…"

"What?"

Tentatively reaching out to cup his cheek, she felt him flinch, slightly surprised. "Do you still love me?"

Several seconds of silence passed between them, before he finally sighed, leaning in her trembling palm. "Damn it, Sif. I wish I could deny it. I wish I could say for sure there's nothing left from that useless feeling, and that you have no effect on me anymore."

It was the closest to a love declaration she would get right now and she could see how emotionally exhausted he looked as he confessed it to her. Loving her made him suffer centuries ago, and that sensation still remained somewhere inside him. She felt her heart clench.

Out of reflex, she stood on her tiptoes and threw her arms around his neck. She didn't even know why she was doing it, but it felt right, it felt necessary. Even more when she felt his shoulders slump as he sighed and his arms circled her waist in a needy grip.

Sif wasn't sure who started the kissing; neither did she care about that as their tongues clashed fiercely as if they had always belonged together, her nails digging into his scalp. Reluctantly pulling away for breath, they stared at each other, both gasping.

"What…" Loki started but Sif stopped him.

"No. Just don't." She spoke in-between ragged breaths. "We both have the… terrible tendency… to screw things up with just… a few words. Let's just not… at least, not… right now."

He smirked. "I won't argue with that at all."

He kissed her again, sneaking his hand on the back of her neck, deepening their kiss, satisfied to hear her moan against his mouth. The moan turned into a stifled shriek of surprise when he pulled her up, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist, his hands supporting her thighs.

He strode to the bed, laying her down on the soft pillows, his body on top of hers. Loki took his time to watch her face, trying to assure himself it was real, she was there, she wanted him, she desired him.

She snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Still with me?"

He caught her fingers, placing a gentle kiss on her palm. "There is no place I'd rather be right now."

She smiled, sighing as he trailed more kisses on her forearm, moving to her lips, kissing her frantically, before shifting his attention to her neck and shoulder, the soft kisses turning into soft nibbles, making her bite her lip.

Suddenly, he sat on his ankles and held her calves, caressing the back of her knees and thighs, pushing the hem of dress up in the process.

"I like when you're wearing a dress." He commented casually, his eyes focused on the skin of the creamy thighs slowly being revealed to him.

"Is that right?" Sif let her head sink back on the pillows enjoying his touch.

"It makes you seem so…" The dress was just above her ribcage now and he placed a chaste kiss on her stomach. "…harmless."

"Oh dear…" She chuckled, amused and intrigued by his choice of subject at this time. "Why are we even having this conversation?" But he started doing wonders with his tongue on her bare breasts and she decided not to question it.

"We both know 'harmless'…" He finally pulled the dress over her head and threw it carelessly somewhere in the room. "… is the last word one could ever use to describe you." And his mouth was back on her skin. "So… it's a deception."

"Hmm." She moaned when his tongue swirled around her nipple in a particularly exquisite way. "And you do… love a deception… surely."

Loki smirked. "There are many things I love about you. Your scent, your taste… the sound you make when I do this…"

He sank between her thighs and suckled on her, eliciting a strangled cry to emerge from her throat, her back arching from the bed. She felt when he smiled against her folds, sliding his hands under her buttocks to pull her closer to his eager mouth.

He could hear her whisper, although he could not understand what she was saying, it could only be good, giving she was thrusting her hips wildly towards him, moaning and quivering and gripping the sheets.

All of sudden, she sat up; urging him to stop what he was doing, she started pulling on his clothes. "I'm not done, darling."

"Later." She growled.

Loki smiled, watching her fumble with the fastenings and layers of his clothes. Placing his hands on top of hers, he unclasped everything on her way and pulled her for a passionate kiss.

She lay back on the pillows, his body comfortably on top of hers as he nestled between her legs. There was a unison grunt when he entered her, fully. He gripped one of her thighs and pulled it up, bending her knee, sinking even deeper inside her, making her groan.

They set up a constant rhythm, gentle and slow. Sif kissed him, pulling slowly on his lower lip with her teeth and he entwined their fingers together beside her head.

And just like that, all of the problems, Thor, Odinsleep, the Warriors Three, the kingdom or any other of the 9 worlds… all of it, locked outside the door. All forgotten for just that moment.

He let go of her hands, sitting up and settling her on his lap, the rhythm faltering slightly as she adjusted to the new angle. She placed her hands on his shoulders to balance herself when she started moving up and down, while he gripped her hips aiding her.

Their breaths erratic, their eyes locked, their hearts racing…

He pressed a hand on her lower back, enhancing the friction and she threw her head back, sinking her nails on shoulder. He held her close to him as she climaxed, chanting his name in breathy moans, her body slumping back on the bed as he nibbled on her exposed neck while him too went to ride that pleasure lane with her.

Loki propped himself up on his elbows to look at her. He thought she was beautiful: gasping, with her eyes closed, her lips swollen and the dark strands of her hair stuck on her face with sweat.

"Don't move." She whispered weakly. "Just stay like this… for a while."

He lay his head on her chest, listening to her heart beat. "As you wish."

The next morning, Sif entered the training arena feeling really good. Earlier, she had woken up in Loki's arms, his soft kisses on her body stirring their desire for each other, and they had made love once again. It was the first time she started to think they could really work. Maybe Frigga was right, she did bring up the best on him.

"Someone is in a good mood." A friendly voice sounded behind her when she was wearing the protection attire.

"Actually, I am, Hogun. Which is too bad for you, since this means your ass will be kicked back to your realm."

Hogun laughed. "We'll see about that."

A few hours later, they sat in a far side of the arena, both gasping for breath, messy hair, marks and dirt over their bodies.

"You're really in a good mood." He said, rubbing his shoulder in a particular sore spot. "What happened?"

Sif shrugged, massaging her wrist. "I have a good feeling. Things are going to work."

"I wish I could share your optimism. So does Fandral."

"Where is he, by the way?" She smirked. "He never misses the chance of trying to tackle me, the competitive little rascal."

Hogun scratched his head. "He is…" He cleared his throat. "… he is keeping his distance. To let you… do your thing."

Sif frowned. "He doesn't trust me, is that it?"

"No, Sif, he is just… being his stubborn self… Give him time."

"I bet he said I'm on Loki's side now, didn't he?" Her hands balled into fists and she felt like punching something.

Hogun was clearly uncomfortable. "No, he…"

"Hogun…"

"He did mention 'betrayal' once or twice." He avoided looking at her as he spilled the words.

Sif took a deep calming breath. "I see."

"You have to understand this is new to him, to us. You hated Loki for so long and now you seem to be happy by his side. Can't blame us for being a little confused."

"After all these years, fighting, camping and drinking together, is it too much to ask for a little trust? For my friends to have a little faith in me? I told you I was going to do it my way. I'm almost there, damn it! Can't you have a little confidence in me?"

"It's not that we don't trust you, Sif. We just think it's strange. Besides, you never did tell us what your plan was."

"I'm gaining his trust. That's all I have to say."

They were startled by a pile of swords and shields beside them crashing down loudly. A group of servants rushed to arrange them back in place.

"I don't see how you're going to do this." Hogun resumed their conversation. "How can you make the Trickster trust anybody?"

Sif shook her head. "You don't know him like I do. You don't know what I know. Just stand back and make an effort to trust your old friend. Can you do this?"

He was silent before reluctantly nodding. "Fine, no more questioning."

"Thank you."

She sank inside the tub in her room with a satisfied sigh. The water was warm and she felt relaxed while Ingrid rubbed a wet cloth on her back.

She couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Hogun. Her friends didn't understand. They didn't know about Loki's love for her. After last night, she was sure Loki could change for her, like Frigga had said. Once they have established their relationship, once their feelings for each other were solid… She was certain he would leave the megalomania and the realm behind and stay with her, so they could be happy together. But it was still a delicate matter and she wasn't going to push it right now. Not when things were starting to work.

The door opened and she recognized Loki's steps.

"Ingrid, leave. Now."

The servant bowed and, placing the cloth on the edge of the tub, rushed to leave the room. Sif smiled.

"Want to join me?"

"Not really."

She was startled by his ice cold tone. It was not what she had expected at all. Looking up at him, she saw him clench his jaw, his face a mask of anger. She reached for her towel and stood up, stepping outside the tub.

"Something happened?"

"You are very clever, Sif." His smile was vicious and she shivered a little. "I always did think no woman, but you, was a match for me. I had no idea how right I was. We are more alike than you think."

She frowned, an inquisitive look on her face as she tied her robe closed. "I don't understand…"

He paced the room. "But it's my entire fault. This is what I get for trusting people." He stopped in front of her. "How dare you call me a monster when you're the one playing with my emotions so carelessly?"

Sif was confused. "What?"

"Very smart." He resumed his pacing. She could see he was furious. "Very smart indeed. Using my feelings for you as leverage to get what you want! What was the plan? To seduce me, and pretend to love me, to convince me to bring Thor back? Is that it?"

"What?!" She widened her eyes, a sudden realization coming to her. "You were listening, in the arena."

"I should've known. I should have known! It was too perfect to be true. Too easy! You suddenly switching your hate and 'repulse', as you put it, for me, to love, and caring and…" He growled enraged. "How could I be so stupid? Again!"

"Loki, please…" She walked after him. "You got it all wrong. It wasn't pretend… I just… I thought… you said once the throne didn't matter. I thought we could…"

He stopped abruptly and turned around to face her. "You got what you wanted, Lady Sif. From tomorrow on, you're released from the… burden of being my, as you say, fake wife." She opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her. "I will send a servant to take your bags."

She stared at him, the look of surprise on her face slowing changing to an anger that mirrored his own.

"I get it. The throne and whatever it is you're trying to prove… All of it is more important than a chance of happiness. This obsession about surpassing Thor overshadows everything else. I thought there was still a good part in you. Something that remained untouched by all the hurt you've been through. This part would be willing to try out simpler things. With me. But I was wrong. There's no good part. You're all envy, hate and mistrust. That's why you're making up excuses to push me away. You're scared of what being with me makes you feel, because it's positive, it's different from the misery you've been feeling for centuries now." She waited for him to deny it or scream at her again, but he kept in silence. "I hope you come to your senses before it's too late, Loki."

He spun on his heels and left, closing the door violently behind him.

Sif drank up the rest of the wine of her mug and slammed it on the counter.

"Another."

The attendant eyed her cautiously, since it was her 8th dose. "My Queen, I don't…"

"I am not your Queen!" She snapped. "Didn't you hear?"

"I've always thought you'd be a lousy wife." A voice sounded from a nearby table, in a dark corner of the tavern. "You lack meekness."

The darkness made it hard to recognize the owner of the voice, but Sif didn't need to see his face to know who it was.

"Can it, Fandral. Not in the mood for your jokes." She frowned at the skinny attendant across the counter. "Something must be wrong because my mug is still empty."

As the clumsy attendant rushed to comply, the blonde warrior approached his friend. "You know I'm just messing with you. Don't take it out on the poor man." He pulled her into a tight hug, and she knew it was his way of apologizing for what he had said to her the last time they had talked. "I'm just happy you're finally free from him."

As soon as the mug was full, she quickly emptied it again. "I know. More wine."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." She drank it all at once again. "All I have to say is you were right. We're doing it your way." She took a deep breath. "We are going after Thor."

Epilogue

Loki arrived in Jotunheim, the place making him feel uneasy, not from danger, but for his own inner denial to believe he is from there. Laufey looked at the Prince of Asgard with a blank expression.

"Kill him."

"After all I've done for you?"

"So you're the one who showed us the way into Asgard."

" That was just a bit of fun, really. To ruin my brother's big day, and to protect the realm from his idiotic rule for a while longer."

"I will hear you."

"I will conceal you and a handful of your soldiers, lead you into Odin's chambers, and you can slay him where he lies."

"Why not kill him yourself?"

"I suspect that the Asgardians would not take kindly to a king who had murdered his predecessor. Once Odin is dead, I will return the Casket to you..."

Laufey stood, his expression hungry.

"And you can return Jotunheim to all its, uh..." He glanced around. "Glory."

"I... accept."

I know, I know… This isn't the ending most of you (all of you?) expected. But, like I said, I started this story knowing its ending ahead. I feel like Loki learned important lessons in Avengers and in The Dark World, and he needed those lessons before earning Sif's love.

I like to think he fell over the edge and went all psychopath on Avengers after his marriage failed, because in his mind (like in his mother's), Sif was his last chance to become a better person.

You have no idea how much it hurt me to write the last scenes. I knew it would come to this, but it was so sad.

But I have good news. I'm working on a sequel; it takes place after the events of TDW, but it's still a work in progress. This time, I have no idea how to end it lol So it might take a while till I post it.

Once again, I want to thank you guys so much for your support and kind words. This is the first long fic I did, and it was a great experience. Lesson number one: never underestimate the power of a review. Now I always review stories I like, because I know how much it inspires the author and makes us happy that our work is being appraised.

That's it. Hope you liked it, and hope all of you come back for its sequel (where they finally get the happy ending they deserve, I'm hoping XD )