Author's Note: Thank you to everyone for the lovely reviews! It's wonderful to see you all so enthralled by this story. Thanks to Camp NaNoWriMo, I was able to kick out this amazing chapter in all its glorious long-ness in just six days! I believe you're going to love this one—I certainly did writing it! Please take the time to review when you're finished! *Trigger warnings in this chapter: Dom/sub, a bit of BDSM, explicit content ahead!
Disclaimer: All non-original characters, plot points, and information belongs to those at Marvel Studios, Warner Brothers, or J.K. Rowling. The title, "Wolves without Teeth" comes from the song of the same title by the fantastic Of Monsters and Men. The cover photo was created for me by the lovely Freya Ishtar. The story plot and dialogue belongs to me. I do not write for profit.
Full Summary: In the age old fight of good versus evil, two souls converge in a battle to stop the end of all worlds. With the universe crumbling around them, Loki and Hermione find themselves connected by more than just their magical abilities. A myth becomes reality when an old foe comes tearing through the realms seeking revenge upon those who wronged him. What will happen when Loki and Hermione discover there's much more to their connection than meets the eye? Will they be forced to sacrifice everything they've ever wanted in order to save the nine realms or will love prevail?
Wolves without Teeth
Pairing: Hermione Granger/Loki Laufeyson
Rating: M (Rated Mature for adult language, violence, and sexual situations)
Part Sixteen: Submissive
Song Recommendations: "Shake Ya Tailfeather" by Murphy Lee, "Darkest Part" by RED, "The Beast" by Imogen Heap, and "Believe" by Mumford & Sons
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"If I tell you I need you, do not take it lightly.
I do everything I can to never have to depend on anyone, to never show weakness.
And if I say I need you, it means that I am trusting you to catch me when I fall."
— Unknown
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Submissive
Rolling onto her back, Darcy groaned, arms flopping to the side where she lay on Jane and Thor's grand bed. Jane barely looked up from the packet of research she was painstakingly picking through with the hope that there was actually something that might aid them in destroying Fenrir, or at least capturing him. When Darcy continued to make disgruntled noises, she was finally forced to sigh and set aside her work. Raising her eyebrows at her friend and intern, Jane crossed her feet at the ankles and decided she might as well take the bait.
"What's wrong now?"
"We've been here for nearly two days now, and we're no closer to finding that beast; I miss Hermione, and my phone's nearly dead." Darcy whined the last bit, shaking her hand which held said phone before continuing on to her stomach to mumble into the mattress. Rolling her eyes, Jane nudged the dramatic woman with the tip of her toe earning a swat to the calf.
"I miss Hermione too, but there's nothing to be done about that now." Sighing, Jane sagged back into the abundance of pillows, her fingers coming to rub at her eyes. "Besides, it's your own fault your phone is nearly dead. You know there's no way to charge it here!"
"But I barely have enough charge left to listen to my music…" Trailing off; Darcy swiped through the plethora of songs her mobile device contained, looking for just the right one to pick up their spirits.
"Really? Out of everything that we have going on right now, and you pick your lack of battery power to complain about?" Keeping her eyes closed, Jane continued on her rant, "Odin's dead, Draco's dead, and Loki's alienated the one person in the entire universe that could quite possibly help destroy Fenrir! Do you really think being able to use your phone is important right now?"
"Well when you put it that way, I guess not!"
This time it was Jane who groaned, throwing her head back into the pillows, and wishing that some sort of miracle would happen to bring Hermione back to them. After all, if they truly wanted to get rid of Fenrir, they were going to need her and Loki's combined powers to do so. Scrunching up her face in thought as Darcy began complaining about her phone once more, a thought entered Jane's head and began gaining momentum. Sitting up, she reached for the research Harry had given her from Draco, hoping what she needed was located somewhere inside. If what she was thinking was true, then they definitely needed to repair the rift that had formed between Hermione and Loki. Of course, Darcy interrupted her thoughts.
"When do you think Thor will be done meeting with Sif and the others?" She'd moved from the bed to peer out into the hallway, finding it depressingly empty. "It's been ages."
"I'm not sure," Jane replied, not taking her eyes off the carefully collected research on her lap. "You could pass the time by actually being useful, you know. Helping me with this research. I think I might have a lead, if I can just figure out if I'm right. It's like I'm missing something…"
As Jane continued to read, she became increasingly aware that there was music playing, and then out of the corner of her eye; she saw movement. Frowning, she glanced up to find Darcy popping her hips in time to the song playing from her phone, the beat vaguely familiar. It wasn't until Darcy began to sing along with the music that she realized that Darcy had, in fact, lost her mind at some point.
"Hey girl! Where ya from? Turn around! Who you came with?" At this point, Darcy turned around and began some sort of attempt at what was known as 'twerking'. Jane bursted out laughing, unable to control the giggles bubbling up from inside as she continued to watch her dearest friend make a complete fool of herself. Pausing in her singing, but not her dancing, Darcy reached out and grabbed Jane's hand, pulling her to stand. "Come on, Jane! Dance with me! Live a little!"
"Is this, 'Shake ya tailfeather?" Mortified, Jane tried to free herself from Darcy's grip, but the girl held her fast.
"You bet! Now stop whining and dance with me. If my phone is going to die, I'm going to go out with a bang!" Closing her eyes, Darcy gave the song and dance everything she had, belting out the chorus, a huge grin forming on her face when Jane, reluctantly, joined in. Together, the two women danced and sang away their worries, for the moment, getting lost in the music.
"Pop something! Move something! Shake ya tailfeather!"
They shimmied and jiggled and bounced all around the large bedchamber, enjoying the way the music lifted their spirits. Jane wished they could stay like this forever, forgetting about Fenrir and all the death and destruction that came along with him. Twirling around, Jane stopped abruptly—her eyes going wide at seeing who was in the doorway. She punched Darcy in the arm, getting her attention. Holding onto her arm where it'd been hit, Darcy froze at seeing Hogun standing there, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Hogun!"
"Do not stop on my account." As the Vanir entered the room, he actually shook his own hips, causing Jane and Darcy to gape in shock. "I was enjoying the dancing. Any chance you can help me to join in?"
Sharing a look, Jane shrugged her shoulders and gestured to Darcy, indicating the floor was hers. Hogun was, after all, her lover. Knowing the song would soon be ending, or the phone would die, Jane jumped back into the dance, laughing and singing along as Darcy tried to teach Hogun how to dance to the unfamiliar music. They moved about the room, three uncoordinated messes; Jane twirled and sashayed; Darcy bobbed and twerked, and Hogun did his best to keep up with the both of them, imitating what he was being shown. Just before the song came to a close, Darcy's phone went dead, leaving the two ladies to sing the last lyrics to the song on their own.
"Because we go party till them lights come on! And then my song stop, fuck it, because my mic still on!"
Bursting into laughter, Jane and Darcy high-fived and hugged Hogun, who was grinning cheekily from ear to ear. They would have kept right on celebrating if it wasn't for the slow and dramatic applause from the doorway. Jumping and whipping around, the three stood stunned at the sight before them. There in the doorway, with both eyebrows raised and an incredulous look on her face, stood Hermione, clapping and shaking her head at her friends. Pushing away from the doorway where she was leaning, she strolled into the room, not trying to hide the smile on her face.
"I see how it is, I leave you all alone for two days, and you're already having fun without me."
"Hermione!"
Jane and Darcy rushed forward, wrapping their friend in a group hug, which she returned wholeheartedly. Despite her reluctance to travel back to Asgard, she truly had grown quite fond of her new set of friends, and she missed them desperately. She missed them almost as much as she'd missed Loki, if that were even possible. As their embrace ended, Hermione found she had to swipe a few stray tears from her cheeks despite the large grin spread across her face. It was a relief to find her friends were not immune to their emotions either—even Darcy was wiping at her eyes, mascara getting smudged in the process.
"What in the world are you doing here?" Jane questioned, having been the first to get herself under control once more. "It looked like we'd never see you again the last time we were all together."
"It appears my business is not yet finished here." Shrugging, Hermione avoided their curious gazes. However, always one to dig, Darcy voiced the question on all their minds.
"Did Harry tell you what Loki said before we were pulled from Earth yesterday?" Raised eyebrows were added to her question, causing Hermione to falter, wondering if Harry did not tell her everything.
"He mentioned bits and pieces, but I've come to speak with Loki on my own. I need to know for certain if what he said was true, and if it was—if he intends to make good on his words."
"Excellent," Darcy nearly shouted, thrusting her fist into the air.
Jane, ever the logical one, grabbed Darcy's fist and lowered it, rolling her eyes at the same time. "Do you think you can honestly look him in the eye and accept such a declaration after what he did? If that something you can forgive? After all, he did murder—"
"I'm aware of exactly what Loki did, thanks ever so much," snapped Hermione, running a hand through her massive curls with frustration.
As if realizing how callous she'd sounded, Jane sighed and stepped forward to place a reassuring hand on Hermione's shoulder. Unwilling at first to look the scientist in the eye, Hermione continued glaring at the wall, a frown upon her face. It wasn't until Jane shook her playfully that she finally turned her attentions back towards her friend and colleague.
"Look, I didn't mean that to sound the way it did, but you have to think about this for a minute, right? Loki could have said those things just so you'd come here and set him free. Maybe he has more plans that we don't know about." Dropping the hand that held Hermione's shoulder, Jane shot a tentative glance toward Hogun before revealing her next bit of information. "Thor promised Loki he could have Jotunheim, that he would help him procure it even if everything went according to plan, and he didn't challenge Thor for Asgard. What if Loki just wants to trick us all so that he can have that—so that he can have his very own kingdom to rule?"
Hermione all but deflated at hearing this new information. Walking past her friends, she plopped down onto the bed, burying her face in her hands as she tried to process it all. Perhaps Jane was right? Maybe Loki really was using her and the emotional connection he knew they shared to lure her here to complete his own deceptive devices. It certainly wouldn't be a first for the Frost Giant, and Merlin knew Hermione loved falling for the supposed 'bad guy'. Draco was enough evidence of that, and look what happened to him. Deciding she'd best go about this the logical route, she lifted her head to face her friends once more.
"Where is Thor?"
"After our meeting, he intended to visit Loki in the dungeons," Hogun clarified after clearing his throat. "His intention was to make sure he was settled in and behaving himself."
"Are you going to speak with Thor?"
"Yes, I think I'd like his opinion on the subject. He's known Loki the longest and might be able to help give me some clarity." Moving to stand, Hermione wondered for the millionth time if she wasn't half crazy at this point. Clarity? Hell, Hermione needed a whole new life—one where she wasn't always forced to question her morals or whether or not the affections of her lover were true. "Hogun, can you show me to the dungeons?"
"Right away." Nodding, Hogun moved toward the door, only stopping to place a brief kiss to Darcy's cheek. The woman turned a humiliating shade of pink causing Jane and Hermione to snicker. Fighting the urge to make a comment, Hermione waved goodbye to her two mates and followed Hogun out of the room and then down the hall towards the main part of the palace.
They walked on in silence, both obliviously lost in their own thoughts. Hermione wondered just how serious Darcy felt about Hogun, and if she intended to take their relationship further. As they descended into the lower parts of the palace, Hermione realized she should probably think more on the subject of her own relationship rather than dwelling on those of her friends. Once Loki admitted he loved her—that is if he admitted he loved her—there would be much to decide herself. Would she stay here on Asgard? Would he even be allowed to go free? Could she even picture having a future with the Frost Giant? Mentally berating herself, Hermione couldn't even figure out if she'd want to leave her life on Earth to be with Loki. There was just so much to sift through, it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack, and she'd forgotten her magnet.
Stopping abruptly, Hogun gestured to a staircase on the right. "You'll find the dungeons at the bottom of these stairs. Loki's cell is in the center of the large chamber." Dropping his warrior demeanor, he further inquired, "Are you most certain you're ready to come face-to-face with Loki?"
"Nope." Admitting the truth, Hermione reached for her satchel, digging around inside until she found exactly what she needed at a time like this. Pulling out the shimmery fabric, she held Harry's cloak for Hogun to see. "That's why Harry let me bring his invisibly cloak. I'm going to observe Loki for a while and see if he truly acts remorseful when he thinks I'm not around. I've been shielding my magical core since before arriving on Asgard, which is probably why no one knew I was here."
"That's quite clever."
"Thanks," she responded with a grin. "And thank you for bringing me down here also."
"It was not a problem, Lady Granger."
"Hogun," she laughed, swatting him playfully on the arm. "Don't you think after everything, you can call me Hermione? After all, I've been calling you Hogun since the beginning."
"I suppose that would not be a problem, Hermione." Then, with a sly grin, Hogun added, "Mayhap, in the future, I shall be so inclined to address you as Lady Laufeyson."
"What!? Absolutely not!" Trying to keep the smile from her face, Hermione shoved Hogun towards the entryway. "Go! Off with you! Go and tease Darcy—from what I hear she rather enjoys it!"
Still chortling, Hogun turned back the way they came a few minutes before, leaving Hermione alone. Shaking her head at the absolute ridiculousness of Hogun's statement, Hermione threw the invisibility cloak over her body before beginning the descent into the dungeons. She muttered a silencing charm for her shoes so no one would be privy to her approach. Besides, she wasn't entirely sure she was allowed to be down here in the first place. It would not do to be discovered prematurely. Her mission was to observe and acquire information to help her come to a conclusion to whether or not she should allow Loki the chance to proclaim his feelings to her, whatever they may be.
Tentatively, she descended the staircase, veering close to the wall in case anyone happened to be venturing up or down as well. It would be quite unfortunate for someone to stumble into an invisible person wandering the dungeons. The fates seemed to be on her side, for she reached to bottom without issue. Taking in her surroundings, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief to find that there were no other guards around, and sure enough, Thor could be seen further ahead towards the center of the space. Taking a deep breath, Hermione double checked that her magical core was hidden and then silently made her way towards Loki's cell.
The two brothers appeared to be in deep conversation, completely unaware of their surroundings. There would be no problem eavesdropping, and Hermione wished she could sigh in relief. Arriving in front of the cell, she bit her lip before peering inside, making sure to avoid coming in contact with the force fields that were in place as walls. Loki was sitting against the wall at the right, his hair a tangled mess and his clothes in tatters. It was quite to shock to see him in such disarray, especially when he always seemed so poised and rightly put together. Well, unless they were having sex, of course. Trying not to think about that right now, Hermione tuned into the conversation Thor and Loki were having.
"I see it has not taken you long to destroy the smattering of furniture I've allowed you for comfort." Gesturing towards the broken furniture around the expansive cell, Thor sounded rather irritated. "Do you intend to sit and sleep on the cold floor for the rest of your life?"
"In essence, it does not matter, brother. I do not care whether or not I am at ease as I suffer through the remainder of my days." Waving off Thor's remarks, Loki sounded truly resigned, as if he anticipated dying much sooner than his augmented lifespan permitted. Hermione found her heart aching the tiniest bit for him as she watched from under the cloak. She hoped she was hiding her emotions from him as well, or he may become privy to her presence.
"Why must you always be so dramatic, Loki? You've been in this cell for a mere forty-eight hours and already the rest of the prisoners down here have requested to move to cells further away from you."
"Those simpering fools? Good riddance. I need not be bothered by neighbors moaning and groaning to be set free. They deserve to be imprisoned here just as I am. Perhaps not as much as I, but they do nonetheless."
"It is safe to surmise that you have no hope in ever leaving these dungeons?" He swept a hand around the sprawling dungeons, eyes sad as he took in the defeated form of the only brother he ever knew.
"Optimism won't help me now. I have made an egregious error in judgement, and will suffer because of it." Pushing to his feet, Loki walked forward, only stopping when he was mere inches from hitting the force field. He leveled his gaze with Thor's as best he could, and sneered, his voice coming out riddled with anger and remorse. "I may have accepted my fate, but I fear I've thrust one most unimaginable unto Hermione. It was never my intention to bind the two of us together, but alas; it has been done. We will suffer such pain and anguish over the remainder of our lives, and I will do my best to bear the brunt of it, but I need you to promise me something, brother. Can you do that for me?"
"I do not see any reason to deny this of you, as long as you do not mean to trick me."
"No tricks, brother. Not this time—not…anymore."
With a sigh, Thor bowed his head briefly. "Then I believe I can agree to you terms."
"Whenever you venture to Midgard, will you check in on her? Will you make sure she is content and not suffering too harshly?"
Thor was quiet for a time, and Hermione found herself waiting with bated breath. Surely Loki would only ask this of Thor if he were well and truly regretful about his actions. His entire demeanor screamed resignation, from the slump in his shoulders to the deadened sadness in his normally bright, green eyes. Hermione found herself wanting to shrug out of the invisibility cloak, but she remained hidden, not wanting to ruin the moment between the two normally quarreling brothers. After a period of pondering, Thor nodded his head once, his face set with determination.
"I promise to keep an eye on Hermione. She is a close friend, and I do not wish to see her suffer from what you've inflicted upon her either."
Running a hand through his tangled hair, Loki let his eyes fall closed. "Thank you, brother. You may leave me now."
He then turned and moved back to where he was sat before, against the wall. He did not wait for Thor to leave before closing his eyes and attempting to rest. Seemingly satisfied with his visit, Thor raked worried eyes over the Jotun one final time before heading towards the staircase. Wanting one last glimpse of Loki, Hermione peered at him through the force field, wishing her decision would be much easier than he was making it for her.
Scurrying after Thor, Hermione knew what she had to do, if not for herself, for Loki anyway. After all, he'd done what he had to in order to protect her and the rest of the universe. Right? As Thor hit the main hallway, Hermione whipped off the invisibility cloak and grabbed hold onto his arm, whirling him about to face her. She was almost unprepared for his aggression, almost, but at the last second, she remembered who she was dealing with and threw up a protection spell, without her wand. She decided to table her surprise for later, because at the moment she had an angry Asgardian breathing down at her wielding Mjolnir.
"Whoa!" She shouted, letting go and backing away carefully. "It's just me!"
"Hermione?" The astonished god peered down at her, his hammer slowly falling at his side once more. "Whatever are you doing here? I thought you remained back on Midgard?"
"I thought I was going to as well, but Harry told me what happened after I'd gone. I need to come and find out for myself, whether or not it was true."
Nodding, Thor rubbed a hand over his facial hair. "So you were down there with us just now? You heard what he asked of me?"
"I did, and I am surprised, to say the least." Tucking Harry's cloak back into her bag, she avoided her friend's intense gaze. "I expected to see something much different than that."
"May I ask what you were expecting to see?" Indicating that they move the conversation elsewhere, Thor began walking towards the Throne Room, so they were less likely to be overheard. Hermione followed behind, nibbling on her bottom lip and trying to put her thoughts into words.
"To be honest, I expected him to be his usual condescending and snide self. It was entirely odd to see him so downtrodden and thoroughly depressed. It was as if he'd completely given up on everything."
"This is not his first stint in the dungeons, Hermione," Thor clarified as they moved into the Throne Room. "I fear he has realized there is no coming back from it this time. Madness or death will take him from there, and he knows it. I am sorry if I am being blunt, but that is the truth about the situation."
Hermione pursed her lips as Thor hesitantly sat down on the large gold throne, looking every bit like the king he would be shortly. She was irritated by his words, if not a bit anxious thinking of Loki perishing in such a manner. He's done some cruel things throughout his life, but no one deserved to die in the dungeons, alone—especially if there were people who loved you just a few floors above. Deciding she would have none of this, as Loki was her bound soulmate whether she liked it or not, Hermione crossed her arms and glared up at Thor where he sat. As if sensing her irritation, a hesitant look growing in his blue eyes as they focused on her.
"As Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department of the Ministry for Magic, I would like to renegotiate the terms of imprisonment for the inmate, Loki Laufeyson."
Smirking so that even Draco would be proud, Hermione glared up at Thor, just hoping he would deny her. It felt good to slip back into her work persona so easily. She would treat this as one of her cases at the Ministry, negotiating for her client's basic rights and privileges. Loki was a criminal, yes; nevertheless, he did not deserve the fate he so desperately anticipated. Thor appeared to be taking in her words, trying to decide whether or not it would be wise to open such a discussion. At long last, she saw the moment Thor caved, a mere twinkle occurring in his eyes before he visibly relaxed on the golden throne. As her smirk turned into a full-out grin, Hermione knew she'd won her case before Thor even opened his mouth.
"Very well, Lady Granger," he replied, falling into his role just as easily as she had. "Let's see if we cannot come to a new arrangement for the mischievous god, shall we?"
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Loki had no idea why he was being led up and out of the dungeons, or why the guards appeared to be taking him towards his old bedchamber. At this point, he neither cared nor was curious about what was to happen to him. He'd royally fucked up his chances at a somewhat normal life with Hermione, or at all for that matter. Hermione was down on Midgard forgetting all about him, and he was stuck here on Asgard without the chance to redeem himself any longer. As the guards continued to direct him towards the hallway with his bedchamber, Loki was unsurprised to see Thor standing outside the doorway, a scowl upon his face.
"Ah, brother—I see I've been relocated. What, pray tell, is the meaning behind this? Have the other prisoners grown that weary of my bouts of anger?" Grinning toothily at Thor, Loki narrowed his eyes, hoping this wasn't some sort of trick before he was exiled, or worse, eliminated entirely.
"As aggravating as you have no doubt been to the other prisoners, they are not the reason for your removal from the dungeons." Opening the doors, Thor gestured to the guards to lead Loki through the entryway and into his new location for his incarceration.
"Who then has allowed for me to have such luxuries as my own bedchamber to live out the rest of my days?" However, Loki was rendered speechless as the guards all but shoved him into his room. As he crossed the threshold, a prickling sensation began from the top of his head and trickled down over his toes. Magic, and strong magic at that. Only one other person in the universe could produce such a powerful set of wards on his personal bedchamber. As the guard released him from his cuffs and retreated from the room, his eyes shot to his brother's, narrowing at the truth hidden in the blue orbs.
"Hermione."
"She was here? When?" Searching the room, he found no clues as the when the witch could have been there, and that was likely because she made it as such. "Does she remain on Asgard as we speak?"
"She remains, but has asked to be left alone for the time being." Once the guards were gone, Thor moved to stand fully in the doorway, his broad frame taking up an impressive amount of space. "Inspired by the scene you demonstrated for Harry, she traveled here to observe you and decide whether or not you were truly worth redemption. From what she saw earlier, she argued in your defense that you be moved to your rooms rather than spend the rest of your lifetime down in the dungeons."
Stumbling backward, Loki was stunned—Hermione had traveled to Asgard and unknowingly been in his presence? How was she capable of hiding herself so thoroughly? Her powers must be much stronger than they were previously, or he'd have been able to feel the smallest hint of her magical core. He supposed she used Potter's cloak of invisibility to shield herself from view. Feeling slightly affronted at being tricked by his beloved, he found an anger growing inside of him.
"I find it quite surprising that you've allowed her to sway you so, brother. From past experiences, I thought you wanted me kept inside the special cells in the dungeon."
"As I'm sure you can tell, Hermione has provided her own magical wards to contain you and your mischievous self. If you so much as try to trim your hair in that room now, the entire city will be on alert."
"Pity," Loki scoffed. "It would have been quite fun to find a way to trick you into setting me free for a second time. You must have grown truly soft for the girl, what would Jane have to say?"
Growling in anger, Thor made to enter Loki's room but was stopped by an invisible grip upon his arm. Before he could reply, Hermione threw off the cloak shielding her from view and thrust the discarded material into Thor's hands. The look up shock upon Loki's pointed face would have been immensely satisfying if Hermione hadn't been so livid with his ungratefulness at being freed from the dungeons. Storming forward so she was standing right before the ward line, she placed both hands at her hips and thrust her chin into the air, narrowing her eyes furiously.
"Enough, Loki," she seethed, making sure to convey exactly how she felt at that moment into those four syllables. "I refuse to stand idly by and allow you to utter such horrible things about your brother in my presence."
"To be fair," he shot back, "I was not privy to your presence, my dear." Loki's voice was full of a nastiness she hadn't heard him use with her before. "You were, after all, hiding under that cloak. I'd also love to learn how you hide your magical core so thoroughly. It's astonishing. Were you planning on revealing yourself to me at all, or were you going to remain unseen until I was locked away in my bedchamber and then scurry back off to Midgard?"
Standing her ground, Hermione fought the urge to retrieve her wand from inside her jumper sleeve. Although his words hurt, she knew Loki was trying to get a rise out of her, and she had no plans of giving him that. Instead, she kept her gaze steady as she glared at the Jotun, contemplating exactly how far she could push him before he'd snap, cave, or both.
"Hiding? Oh no, Loki—more like observing. And, if you must know, your brother was quite accommodating when it came to renegotiating the terms of your imprisonment. If it wasn't for a very lengthy discussion between the two of us, you'd still be sitting among the debris in your cell floors below." Gesturing towards the lavish room behind him, Hermione added, "Perhaps you'd like to trade all of this for the ruined cell downstairs?"
This time it was Loki whose eyes narrowed as he refrained from lashing out. Inching forward until he could practically feel the magic from the ward line making the hairs along the back of his neck stand up, he grinned toothily, the smile virtually menacing. He meant no harm, but she did not know that, and neither did Thor, who stepped up next to Hermione and made to push her aside in case he did something rash. Thor's company was a wakeup call to the both of them, breaking through the animosity that'd begun to create an even greater fissure in their fragile relationship.
"That will be enough, from the both of you," Thor chastised. "Now, Loki, do you not have anything to say to Hermione?"
"Hmmm?" Loki looked between the woman he loved and his brother, knowing exactly what was meant by that statement, but refusing to cave so easily at the moment—not when he was riled up with emotions and just a hint of rage. Blinking down at Hermione as he straightened himself to his full height, he smirked. "How long can we anticipate your stay will be, Lady Granger?"
Shaking her head at the Jotun, Hermione found herself unsurprised yet again that Loki was unwilling to profess his true feelings for her. "You know what, Loki—forget it. Just…forget it." Turning to retrieve Harry's invisibility cloak from Thor's arms, she bit her lip to keep from saying something she'd regret. After backing away from the door and getting far enough from the insufferable git that was the man she loved, Hermione met his eyes before replying. "I return to Midgard in the morning. I do have a funeral to attend after all. Goodnight."
With that said, Hermione turned and stormed down the hallway, dead set on falling face-first into her bed and crying until sleep overtook her. She would keep her emotions hidden from Loki. He didn't deserve to know how much his words hurt her and made her regret even bothering to travel here in the first place. It was as if he wanted nothing to do with her, or the love she so desperately held for him in her heart. She knew he loved her, or at least that's what everyone else kept telling her. Why couldn't he just admit it to her? What was holding him back?
As Thor and Loki watched Hermione's retreat, Loki couldn't help but feel a surge of regret. He'd had the perfect chance to admit to Hermione how he felt, thank her for getting him out of the dungeons, and ask for her forgiveness, and he'd gone and fucked it up. And for what? His reputation? His pride? What pride was there in causing the woman who loved you pain? Running a hand over his face in irritation, Loki turned away from the doorway, walking further into his bedchamber. As if anticipating his next course of action, Thor slammed his fist into the open door. Startled, Loki whirled around, eyes wide as he took in his brother's irate form.
"If you so much as destroy one piece of furniture in this room, so help me Loki, I will pummel you to within an inch of your life."
"It is my room to do with whatever I wish."
"And is that what you think of Hermione as well? Do you think she is just some woman whom you can do whatever you wish to?" Voice booming, Thor gestured down the hall where Hermione disappeared. "She loves you far more than what you deserve, and you are constantly pushing her away. She fought for your freedom, begged for it, and you just throw it back in her face as if it meant nothing! No words of gratitude, nothing! Are you an idiot, Loki? Has all your good sense been vanquished?" When Loki remained silent, Thor ran a hand through his blonde hair, stunned at the person standing before him. "You are not the brother I knew, Loki. The brother I knew would fight for what he wanted, for what he loved. I thought you had changed for the better; I was mistaken. Perhaps, we were all mistaken; Hermione included."
Having said his peace, Thor stepped away from the door, shutting it so hard the doors rattled on the hinges. Loki stared at the closed doors, a sense of uneasiness settling in the pit of his stomach. Hermione would be gone come morning, and once again his chance at redeeming himself would be gone. As it were, Thor also seemed to have given up on him, and that meant endless lonely says were what loomed ahead for him. Unless some divine miracle occurred before sunrise, all would be lost for Loki. With one last fleeting look toward the door, Loki turned away, praying that somehow, Hermione found a way to forgive him without having to be asked.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not knowing what time it was, Hermione continued to toss and turn for the umpteenth time that night. With an agitated sigh, she flopped onto her stomach and glared at the wall. It didn't matter what sleep technique she tried; sleep would not come to her. There were simply too many things running through her mind. Mostly, she found she was angry—at Loki and Draco, but mostly just at herself for even imagining returning to Asgard was the right decision to make. How idiotic of her to assume Loki would welcome her with open arms if she returned and moved mountains to get him out of the dungeons?
Growling in frustration, Hermione threw back the covers and rose from the bed. Shrugging into her red robe, she strolled out onto the balcony to stare up at the night sky. Seeing the stars calmed her nerves, and she took a deep breath, eyes falling closed as the starlight washed over her body. It would have been wiser to leave for Earth immediately following her fight with Loki earlier in the evening, but something had forced her to stay. Something in her very being begged her to remain, but come morning, there would be no putting it off any longer. She had to return home for Draco's funeral. That was an event she wouldn't miss for all the stars across the Asgardian sky.
Deciding no more sleep would be had that night, Hermione figured she might as well take a walk through the palace. After all, she might never see it again after tomorrow. Clearly, there was no further reason for her to be here. Loki wanted nothing to do with her, that much was clear. Crossing her room, Hermione made quick work of the door, shutting it silently behind her as she exited into the hallway. Walking aimlessly, she allowed her thoughts to take over, soon losing all indications of her whereabouts or direction. Somehow, the information Harry had given her regarding Loki's proclamation of feelings for her was wrong. She'd seen exactly how he felt towards her in the way he treated her earlier that evening, from the way he glared to the iciness in his words.
Refusing to cry anymore over the matter, Hermione blinked rapidly in the darkened hallway, suddenly realizing she had no idea where she was. Glancing up one hall and then down the other, she determined she had to be in the upper levels near where Thor and Jane slept, and where he was residing as well. In an attempt to find a way out of her thoughts and get back to her rooms, Hermione let down her shield, revealing her magical core and reopening the connection she shared with Loki. With any luck, he was fast asleep and wouldn't notice the shift, so she could use his magical signature as a guide.
As her eyes drifted closed, Hermione felt her skin prickle with magic as her body readjusted to its presence. With a jolt, she mentally located Loki and knew which way to go to return to her quarters. Her feet began moving of their own accord as she let her body guide her, eyes remaining closed. The floor felt cool underfoot, but her skin felt on fire as her magic surged and churned through her veins, through her very being. All she knew was that she wanted to return to her room and attempt sleep, but her body had other plans, it seemed, for when she finally stopped and opened her eyes, she was facing a familiar door.
Her heart beat rapidly, chest heaving as she took great gulps of air. How she'd ended up in front of Loki's door; she would never know, but she found she couldn't leave. It was like she was rooted in the spot, her feet simply refusing to move another inch. Staring at the door, Hermione wondered if Loki was awake, standing just on the other side like he always was, anticipating her arrival. She needed to leave, to move—she was not welcome here. He'd made that apparent hours before, so why was she standing here, body aching for something she did not understand? Something inside of her yearned for his touch, his kiss, his power. It was a darkness she'd never experienced before, but suddenly found she could not live without.
As she continued to argue with herself mentally, attempting to find a way out of this situation, the doors opened slowly. Revealing himself, Loki stepped into the starlight that filtered in from the open balcony doors. He wore nothing but his favorite black sleep trousers and a frown so severe his face appeared to be carved in stone. Panic made Hermione tremble, her body shaking ever so slightly in her thin red robe. Her mouth went dry as she examined the ribbed planes of his stomach, gaze traveling up his long, long neck until finally meeting his eyes. They glittered like emeralds in the semi-darkness, and Hermione's tongue darted out to wet her parched lips. Unconsciously, her feet padded forward silently until she stood at the ward line.
Loki remained where he stood, his own chest rising and falling in rapid succession as he too struggled from pent-up rage, pain, and longing. The mere sight of his foreboding presence made desire pool in her lower belly, her knickers becoming increasingly damp as the seconds ticked by. Continuing to glare at one another, Hermione knew this would end in one of two ways. Either they would have another dangerous fight where one or both would not come out unscathed, or they'd fall into bed like her body so desperately craved. There were so many horrible implications to either option that she willed her body to back away, but that didn't happen. Instead, Loki spoke, his voice low and full of arousal and underlying ferocity.
"There's a darkness within you, and it's calling out to me—to the darkness that dwells deep within my soul. Even while you stand outside my doors trying to coerce yourself to flee, I can sense you, under my skin, in my very being. There's nothing either of us can do to eliminate this darkness—it is a crucial part of our bound souls." Smirking, Loki's eyes flashed dangerously as he raised his hand outward, beckoning her forward. "Come play in the dark, my pet. Let the darkness consume you."
Holding her breath, Hermione walked forward, her eyes never leaving Loki's smoldering ones. As she crossed the ward line, she shivered, feeling the magic wash over her skin as it recognized her presence. When their fingers intertwined as she placed her hand in his, it was like an electric current ran through their bodies. Using their joined hands, Loki tugged Hermione closer, their chests barely brushing as they continued to breathe heavily. Tentatively, her free hand came up to rest on his bare chest, fingers applying the smallest amount of pressure as if waiting to push him away.
"I shouldn't be here," Hermione whispered, the words barely intelligible over their breathing. As the doors sealed shut behind her, Loki leaned down to purr silkily into her ear.
"You're exactly where you need to be, my pet." His tongue laved over the sensitive area behind her lobe, and she trembled, her knees nearly giving out from the unexpected bout of pleasure that rushed through her body. "You're returned here to me, to us, and we can pick back up where we left off before everything shattered."
As Loki's lips shifted, hovering over her mouth, Hermione managed to wrap her mind around what was happening. Pushing against Loki's chest gently, she stopped him from kissing her, effectively breaking the spell they had on one another for the moment. Panting, she stared heavily up at him, unconsciously rubbing her thighs together to relieve some of the pressure at her core. She had to bite her lip to keep from whimpering aloud, but Loki seemed to understand her need without her uttering a single sound.
"No, Loki. You hurt me, more than once, and despite the way I feel about you right now…I can't trust you anymore." Sighing, she reached up and brushed some of his long, dark hair from his face, enjoying the way his head turned in toward her touch. "I can't give myself to you if I can't trust you, I'm sure that is something you can understand."
Loki's mind flashed back to their battle—to him holding her down in the mud with his scepter. Closing his eyes, he murmured a single word, bringing forth the memories for the both of them. "Troll." When he opened his eyes, she was nodding at him, her eyes sad.
"You broke the trust you'd so carefully earned, Loki. I'm not certain how you can earn that back." Backing away, Hermione felt more tired than ever before, her keyed up emotions draining her so suddenly she wasn't sure she could stand let alone go through another round with the man before her.
As if sensing this, Loki reached out and steadied her with a hand over her robe covered hip. He raked his eyes over her worriedly, checking for any indication that she may run for the exit, but found none. He had an idea of how to earn back her trust, but was uncertain if it would be perceived as the way he wanted it to be. It would be highly uncharacteristic of him, and he worried that she'd believe him to be lying, as he always did. He had to make her see he was truthful, that he was worth trusting.
"I can see, feel, that you have reached the point of exhaustion when it comes to me, but I am asking for one more chance, Hermione. I can think of far better ways for you to waste your energy, if you can bear to still touch me*. Let me demonstrate just how much I can be trusted."
He waited for her response, never letting go of the hold he had on her waist. Watching as she bit her lip, an indentation forming between her brows as she contemplated his words, he hoped she'd give him this last chance. He knew he could prove to her that he was worth the trouble, if only she let him show her. Finally, her face cleared and she nodded, her body relaxing immeasurably. Letting go of her waist, he backed off until he was about three feet away. Then, his eyes never leaving hers, he unfastened his trousers before letting them pool around his feet. Stepping out of them, Loki pushed the material aside with his foot taking a deep breath.
Slowly, and without losing eye contact with his beloved, Loki dropped onto his knees. Settling into a comfortable position, he bowed his head, closing his eyes and allowing his other sense to come alive. He heard Hermione's sharp intake of breath as she realized what he was doing, and felt sweet relief flow through his veins. Planting his hands flat upon the floor with his shoulders slightly bent, Loki submitted himself to Hermione, mind, body, and soul. Without looking up, or moving scant an inch, he spoke softly, albeit clearly, indicating his preparedness.
"I await your instruction, Mistress."
In awe, Hermione stood watching as Loki kneeled before her, relinquishing the control he so desperately relied on. For Loki to submit himself in such a venerable state meant a great deal to Hermione. As a Dominant, Loki thrived off of the power and control he demonstrated in life, as well as in the bedroom. By becoming the submissive, he was granting Hermione that power, that control, over him and whatever was to come. It was the ultimate way in which to prove he was trustworthy. He was showing Hermione he accepted her as an equal, and that she could do unto him whatever she wished, and he would submit to her requests unfalteringly.
It wasn't the proclamation of love in which she'd been anticipating, but it would do for the time being. It was not often that Hermione was granted the gift of Dominance, and she would take full advantage of her willing partner. Besides, if she ever wanted to trust Loki again, she needed a grand gesture such as this one to be firmly certain he wouldn't hurt her. As her eyes roamed over his naked body, Hermione felt her own coming alive with the possibilities that lie before her. Swallowing back her trepidations from earlier, she stepped forward, ready to partake in the gift Loki was freely giving to her.
Leisurely, she moved around his kneeling form, trailing her right hand gently over his bowed shoulders. His skin felt like ice under her fingers, and she suppressed a shiver of desire as she stopped on the other side of him. Sliding her hand up his neck and into his soft, dark hair, Hermione created a fist, tugging at the strands until he was forced to look her in the face. Her heart pounded like that of battle drums at the smoldering look in his emerald eyes. Leaning down so that her lips were mere breaths from his, she smirked.
"When I release you, you're going to disrobe me, and then take me to the bed where I will tie you to the bedposts, do you understand?"
Her voice came out gravelly, like she hadn't had a drop of water in days. Furthering her role, she tightened her grip in his hair, surprised when the only change in his demeanor was the slight dilation of his pupils. It appeared Loki was not only a skilled Dom, but a submissive, as well. Hermione planned on testing that theory, so when he didn't instantly reply, she backhanded him with her freehand. Her grip on his hair held his face in place, and it took everything she had not to wince at the resounding crack her gesture made upon his fair face.
"When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer me immediately. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mistress," Loki hummed, the sound like liquid magic.
"Very good, my pet. Now, disrobe me and do as I said."
"Yes, Mistress."
Once he'd answered, Hermione released the nearly painful grip she held on his hair and stepped backwards, giving him room to move. Like a good submissive, Loki crawled forward on his hands and knees. He kept his eyes averted as he dutifully untied her robe, revealing her naked form as the silky fabric slithered down her body. Through their connection, Hermione felt what could only be described as an animalistic purr, and it sent ripples of pleasure through her body and straight into her aching core. Hermione fleetingly thought that their connection must be nearly complete before Loki was standing and scooping her into his arms. He made quick work of setting her upon the bed before crawling on top himself.
Observing with eager eyes, Hermione waited patiently for him to position himself at the top of the bed, arms open and ready for her to fasten his wrists to the posts. Smiling seductively, she crawled over his body, making sure to avoid touching his skin with her own. She watched in satisfaction as he was forced to sink his teeth into his bottom lip, most likely to avoid groaning aloud at her evasiveness. To further tease her partner, she made sure her breasts hung enticingly in front of his face as she secured his delicate wrists. As she slid down on the bed, she could have sworn his tongue flicked out the tiniest bit to steal a taste of her flesh, but he missed as she pulled up at the last second. Reaching out she grabbed hold of his chin, her fingertips digging into his jaw.
"Did I give you permission to touch my body just yet?"
"No, Mistress," came his mumbled reply as she continued to squeeze his chin.
"That's right. Now, I am going to do whatever I please to your body, and you are to remain silent and still. Do you understand? None of that saucy tongue of yours, and you are not to cum until I say you are allowed." Quirking an eyebrow, she wondered if Loki would attempt to defy her orders. Surprisingly, he nodded only once, his eyes full of longing but obedient regardless.
"Of course, my Mistress."
This time it was Hermione who had to bite her lip to refrain from groaning aloud. The way Loki spoke to her made her want nothing more than to cum right that very second, but she refrained from doing so, knowing they both needed this to last as long as possible. Readying herself, Hermione sat up on her haunches and prepared to give Loki a night he'd never forget.
Over the next few hours, Hermione performed a multitude of sexual endeavors on Loki. She used tongue, teeth, fingers, and nails to taste, touch, and bring him to the brink of orgasm, but just as he promised, he withheld his release. The several times he did moan, gasp, or groan aloud, he was rewarded with a swift slap to the inner thigh or cheek. After one particularly nasty slap, his lip split open, and unconsciously Loki's tongue darted out to taste the broken flesh. As he did so, his eyes glittered dangerously as if he couldn't wait on the tables to be turned so he could have his revenge. Spurred on by the gesture, Hermione decided she'd waited a sufficient amount of time, and put him through enough for one night.
Mounting his hips, she reached forward and took his face in her hands, thumbs brushing softly over his high cheekbones. As her eyes drifted closed, she met his lips in a sensuous kiss, tasting the coppery flavor of his blood and the muskiness of herself from earlier, when she'd allowed him a taste of her dripping core. Her tongue swirled alongside his as he kissed her back fervently, his hips rolling upwards of their own accord. Groaning into his mouth, she pushed downward, her slick cunt sliding deliciously over his hardened cock. She was more than ready for him at this point, her teasing having driven her just as mad as him. Relinquishing his mouth, she sat back, using the hand not holding herself up to position him at her slit.
Her head tipped backward, hair tumbling down her back as she sunk downward, allowing him to fill her to the hilt. Panting wantonly, Hermione flashed Loki a devilish smile as she refused to move, enjoying the way he twitched inside her tight walls. Brown eyes flickered to the fastenings around his wrists, noting just how red and raw the skin was there before she glanced back at his flushed face. Knowing he would not be able to handle much more of her sensuous torture, she decided to make this last bit count as she lifted up, and then back down again. She did this three more times until finally he broke, a frustrated groan rumbling from his parched throat.
In response, she stopped mid-stroke; one eyebrow quirked up as his eyes went wide, realizing what he'd done. Laughing darkly, Hermione pulled back her hand and watched as his face went entirely still, anticipating the blow. The blow would never come though, for Hermione instead used her wandless magic to release him from his bonds. His body caved ever so slightly, sinking into the pillows and quilt. Sweet relief appeared upon his features, allowing a tightness to dissipate in Hermione's chest as she felt it through their connection. Once they'd settled, she dropped her hips, engulfing his cock entirely once more, her hands coming out to steady herself on his sweat dampened chest. She tipped her face forward so that their foreheads touched, her breath ghosting over his lips as she spoke.
"I want you to touch me, Loki. I want to feel you on every inch of my body. No,I want to feel you inside of me…so very deep. I want you to fuck me so hard, so absolutely, that I won't be able to walk normally for days. Do you think you can handle that, my pet?
With a growl, Loki wrapped his leg around her body and, in one swift move, turned them so he was now the one on top. His throbbing cock never left her core, and as her hands fluttered up to grasp hold of his shoulders, he brought his mouth down to her ear.
"Mistress, I am more than ready to service you in this way." With each syllable he spoke, his lips brushed against her earlobe, sending little thrills of pleasure down her spine in anticipation. "You have punished me so thoroughly for my misdeeds that I am ready to illustrate to you just how redeemed I have become." With that last sentence, he pulled out slowly before slamming his hips forward, swift and hard, the force making the bed move and causing Hermione to cry out in both pain and pleasure.
"Ye—yes!"
She cried out, already feeling close to orgasm. They would not last long, not at all, but the pleasure would be unbelievably rewarding. Taking that as instruction to begin, Loki adjusted himself so that he could clench tightly to the headboard. Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms holding his shoulders from behind. Dropping his head to her neck, he licked a trail across the sensitive flesh before biting down hard enough to leave a mark. At her gasp, he began his relentless rhythm, pounding into her with so much force the bed shifted, grating across the marble floor.
Head thrown backward into the pillows, Hermione cried out over and over, and over again as Loki pumped in and out of her seeping core. She'd never been fucked so thoroughly by anyone. It was as if every ounce of regret, aggression, and sadness was dissipating within the both of them with each shout, each thrust, each touch. Her fingers raked across his back as she arched upwards, breasts straining against his chest and her orgasm ever so close to taking her.
"Oh! Loki! Fuck—I am—"
She never got the chance to finish her sentence as she shattered into oblivion, eyesight disappearing as her vision was flooded in white light. She pulsed around his cock, appreciating how he never stopped moving until she'd come back down to reality. Her lips found his blindly, the kiss sloppy and errant. Panting, she opened her eyes to gaze lovingly up into his, only then realizing just how utterly still he was holding.
"Please," he begged, head dropping back down into the crook of her neck. "Please, Mistress. I beg of you—allow me my release."
Shaking hands smoothed over the planes of his back, feeling the way his body trembled from holding back his orgasm so submissively. Not wishing to punish him any further, it was time she showed Loki that she believed him—that he could indeed be trusted, if given the chance. Placing a chaste kiss to his pursed lips, she nodded once, curving her hips upwards, eliciting a grunt from her lover.
"Yes, my love," she whispered against his mouth. "You may have your release."
Kissing her soundly in gratefulness, Loki's eyes slid closed has he began pumping in and out of her sensitive core once more. As the friction grew, Hermione found herself on the brink of a second orgasm. Spurred on by this, she began muttering dirty little whispers in Loki's ear, asking him if she felt good, if he liked fucking his Mistress, and if he wanted her to punish him again. In response, his thrusts became more erratic and he panted wantonly in her ear. Grinding herself upwards one last time to meet his thrust, she knew he was lost.
Loki bit down hard on her shoulder in the same place as before, a guttural moan ripping from his throat as his cock jerked inside of her. The power and movement from his organism forced her over the edge as well, nails drawing blood as they scraped down his pale back. She could feel his cum spurting inside of her, coating her walls until it was forced to seep out around his softening member, combining with her own juices. She felt complete. She felt whole. She felt home. As Loki rolled off and to the side of her, she made sure to curl into his body, relishing the way they fit so perfectly together.
Neither spoke for quite some time, unable to from lack of breath and exhaustion. When their panting finally calmed to heavy breathing, Loki wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, securing her in place and dropping a tender kiss to her damp forehead. She sighed in contentment, knowing there was nothing either could say at this moment that would appropriately describe what they were feeling. They still had much to discuss, but for tonight, or what remained of it, they would be content with this tiny sliver of happiness. As they drifted off to sleep, neither were aware that they'd cemented their connection, that they were now bound together entirely by mind, body, and soul.
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Sunlight was just barely trickling through the open balcony doors when Hermione awoke a few hours later. Still fast asleep, Loki's breath puffed out over his kiss swollen lips causing her hair to flutter ever so slightly. Smiling softly at her lover, she lifted her hand to trace the shape of his mouth before leaning in to give him a warm kiss. He remained asleep, just as she hoped, so she began extricating herself from his embrace, the cool morning air raising goosebumps along her flesh. As she slipped silently from the bed, she was thankful that he still didn't stir from the movement. Keeping her eyes on his sleeping form, she padded softly to her discarded robe and shrugged into the flimsy garment.
With one last fleeting look over her shoulder at the sleeping Jotun, she hurried to the door, wanting to be long gone before he roused. She had to hurry if she wanted to make it back to Earth in time for the funeral, and that would not happen if she and Loki got into another verbal disagreement, or fell back into bed. Smirking at the latter and recalling the night before, she barely heard the shuffling of sheets as her hand reached out for the door handle. She did, however, hear her name as it tumbled from Loki's sleepy mouth.
"Hermione."
Damn, she thought, eyes falling closed at the same time she dropped her hand from the doorknob. Taking deep, even breaths, Hermione prepared herself for the onslaught of questions that were no doubt on their way. She didn't turn around until she heard the creak of the bed and then the quiet scuffling of Loki pulling on his trousers. Taking in the sight of him, uncertainty shimmering in his dazzling green eyes, Hermione hesitated ever so slightly.
"Loki." His name came out soft, and she felt her cheeks tinge pink in embarrassment at being caught.
"Where are you disappearing to so early? The sun has barely risen. Why don't you return to bed, with me?" The questions lingered in the air between them, the burden of having to answer becoming a heavy weight on Hermione's chest.
"I have to return to Midgard this morning." Nervously, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing, looking away as she did so. "If I don't leave soon, I'll miss Draco's funeral."
She was glad she missed the hurt look on Loki's face, but she was unable to hide from the blast of regret that simmered through their connection. Glancing up finally, she noticed Loki had moved closer, the distance between them much smaller than before. He bobbed his head in understanding, another question bubbling to the surface.
"Will you be returning to Asgard?"
To me?
He didn't have to ask it for her to know what he meant, and to be honest, Hermione had no idea what her answer should be to that question. Sighing heavily, she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to fight off the tears that made it difficult to speak—to think even.
"I don't know, Loki. I don't know if there's any real reason for me to come back here, besides finding and defeating Fenrir, of course." Flashing him a wide-eyed expression, she decided she might as well ask the dreaded question, the one she so desperately craved the answer to. "Is there a reason? Is there a definitive reason for me to come back to Asgard, Loki?"
"I—" Floundering, Loki was unable to finish his sentence. He knew the words he wanted to say, but had no idea how to speak them aloud. He wanted more than anything to tell her his true feelings, especially now after everything that'd happened, but where to begin? Taking another step forward, he decided to try again, and hope that she'd understand his meaning. "I think you should return once your business on Midgard is taken care of—it would be in your best interest."
"My best interest?!" Hermione half shouted, throwing her hands into the air. "Is that the best you can come up with? If you want me to return to you, I'm going to need a pretty compelling reason, Loki." Gesturing to the space between them, she added, "I'm sick and tired of misconceiving what the hell this is between us! I don't even know whether or not I can believe anything you're saying to me."
He knew a losing battle when he saw it, and as Hermione turned away from him set upon walking out that door, and his life, Loki realized he had to show her how he felt, make her understand just how much she truly meant to him. Rushing forward, he dropped onto his knees and clasped her hands with his own. Stopping all movements to leave, she gaped down at his kneeling form, memories of his submissive form from the night before resurfacing. His hands felt surprisingly comfortable in her own, and she visibly relaxed, giving Loki her full attention.
"Please," he pleaded. "Return to Asgard. This I ask of you with—with all my heart. Without you, I am not whole, as much as it pains me to admit as much. Willingly showing my weakness is not something I am used to, and you are my weakness. You are also my strength, and I am trusting you with this knowledge. I need you by my side, bond or not…I—I need you here with me."
It was as much as he could give her at this time, but he suspected, by the tears in her eyes, that she understood he meant every word. Letting her hands fall from his own, he wrapped his arms around her, placing his cheek against her stomach. Embracing her softly, he felt her arms flutter about uncertainly for a second before coming up to wrap around his shoulders firmly. Sighing in relief, he knew she'd accepted his words, his testimony to his true feelings for her. Withdrawing from her arms, he stood, reaching around to unclasp the simple chain she wore the Rime Diamond ring upon.
The ring slid easily off the golden chain which he tucked into his trouser pocket. Then, dropping upon his knees once more, he held out the ring to Hermione, watching as her russet colored eyes widened ever so slightly. Morning light made the Rime Diamond shine brilliantly, and Loki met Hermione's gaze with determination. Clearing his throat, he carried on.
"I cannot give you much, as I am currently still a prisoner, but I can give you my promise. Wear this ring, which belonged to my late mother, Farbaute, as proof of my promise. I promise, if you return unto me, that I will protect and cherish you, until the last of my breath leaves my cold body."
Standing there frozen in shock, Hermione felt the strength and truth of Loki's words through their connection so clearly it was like the words were coming from her very own mind, and in hindsight, perhaps they were. He was giving himself to her, that much was clear. Blinking rapidly to keep herself from crying, she watched as fear and something else she couldn't entirely decipher flickered in his green eyes. She loved Loki with every beat of her damaged heart, and he felt some sort of way for her too, whether or not he would openly admit it. They were bound together, soulmates, and in essence, there really was no turning back at this point. So, with nothing to lose, and everything to gain, Hermione bowed her head, accepting his declaration for what it was.
"I accept your promise, Loki."
A delightful smirk lifted the corner of his mouth, happiness surging into her chest from his emotions. He reached out and slid the ring on her finger, and as he did so, a warmth spread up her arm and through her body. The sensations must have been strong enough for Loki to feel as well because he stared up at her curiously, a frown forming on his face. Deciding to shrug it off, for the time being, Hermione shook her head before tugging Loki to his feet. Leaning up onto her tiptoes, she placed a lingering kiss to his lips before dropping back down to her regular height.
"I have to hurry or I'll miss the funeral, but I promise you, Loki; I will return as soon as I can."
With that said, she turned and opened the door, throwing one last look over her shoulder at her love before sealing him inside. The fates bound her to Loki for a reason, and Merlin be damned if she wasn't going to stick out this crazy ride to reveal why. Trying not to think of the Rime Diamond and its bizarre reaction to being placed upon her finger by her soulmate, Hermione hurried out of the palace and apparated where Heimdall awaited to send her back to Earth. After all, she still had Midgardian obligations to tend to.
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End Notes: Wowzer. What a chapter right? Please let me know what you think seeing as there are only two normal chapters and the epilogue left! Talk to me before it's too late! What do you think is going to happen? Any ideas about the future between our lovers? Don't forget, I do have a sequel planned—hint, hint, hint! As always, I love you all and thanks for reading! xxDustNight
*"I can think of far better ways for you to waste your energy, if you can bear to still touch me." This line is a direct quote from the song, "The Beast" by Imogen Heap, which happened to be a song rec for this chapter. I take no credit for this—Imogen is brilliant!