Author's Note: Thanks for reading my story and reviewing! Okay, so here goes the next chapter, now coming to the crux of it, the NIGHT of Thorki. So here is the flashback some of you may have waited for... if not, here is it anyway. Hope you'll enjoy ;)
Loki, for the first time walking around in her female shape in Asgard's public, is chatting with a group of Aesir, everyone stealing glances of the strange beauty as they talk. She knows this all too well and is partly pleased, but mostly ever so annoyed that men are so easily enchanted by the wink of a pretty eye, never making an effort to see past the beautiful exterior. Her emerald eyes fix on Thor occasionally, each contact well punctuated, just on cue to keep his interest alive. She flashes a brief smile at him as he tries yet another time to get to her – and the thunderer responds to every of her gestures with his toothy smile. Yet, when he joins the group she is actually occupied with, she quickly excuses herself and steals away before Thor can get a full glance at her, or talk to her. Loki knows that her brother is a hunter: He loves the chase. And she wants to give him just that – a chase. She taunts him, and Thor, even when they are brothers to one another, always gives in to each taunting word directed his way, the dull oaf he is. When people are dancing, she hides within the crowd, as Thor tries to get to her to ask for a dance. She dances with a few of the men who ask her, and then puts out all her talent to display, but once she is free again, she quickly steals away as Thor makes attempt after attempt to get through to her, very often interrupted by young maidens approaching him for a dance. She giggles as she turns around and away, leaving Thor confused on the dance floor. Loki knows that she is driving him insane with this. Normally, any woman of Asgard would politely stay her place to wait for the Crown Prince to have a private moment with her, feeling as tough on the verge of fainting for the honor swelling in their voluptuous chests. And that is her trick – she does not do what everyone else does, and that is the magic spell needed to set Thor right on her track. She notes with a smile that the God of Thunder does not ask anyone else for a dance, despite the fact that there would be plenty of opportunities for him to join another female beauty. Eventually people retreat to their drinks and food again and start to chat. The Warrior Three and Lady Sif are retelling their great adventures.
Thor still looks around for the mysterious woman whose voice he didn't get to hear yet. Never did he have a woman who actually dared to steal away from him, though he made clear implication for her to wait a moment for him to catch up to her. The God of Thunder wants to talk to her, and get a glance at her, not just a faint one as she passes by. Thor already fears he lost this battle and might not see her again, but that is when he sees her sitting by the fireplace, her lacy tenderly violet dress loosely dangling from her wonderful body. The shadows of the fire dance over her pale skin and the soft light of the flame give it a quality of gold and silk. He smiles broadly as he walks over to her, as confident as ever. Now his chance has come. She can no longer escape him. He wins. She doesn't look at him till he squarely takes his stance in front of her, noting that she is even more beautiful than from a distance. If the rules of Asgard did not forbid it, he would just grab her for a kiss. It's her mystery, her grace that is just so strong that he can hardly keep away from her. Her wonderful emerald eyes fall on him. And they speak of dignity, pride, wit, but a certain kind of softness and kindness deeply rooted within her very being.
"Milady," Thor smiles at her toothily, his voice spilling over with self-confidence.
"Oh, Mylord. It is such an honor," Loki bows gracefully, just to bite her tongue. This just sounds so wrong. She intends to get up to actually curtsy properly, but he motions her not to.
"Now, now, not so formal. We are at a feast, not an official banquet," Thor smirks.
"Oh, you are flattering me, Mylord," she replies. She knows that this is his usual tactic to woo a woman he wants to have. He makes them feel special by giving them the impression they are on the same level, as though this was such a great thing, the greatest honor a maiden could ever wish for. Her brother works that simple. Stupid oaf.
"Call me Thor," he grins.
"Oh, I don't know, Mylord. It does not befit a maiden my rank to call you by your first name," she replies, faking insecurity. She knows that Thor loves those girls.
"I insist. And you should know, what I say is rule," Thor smiles - one of the few things that always surprised Loki about him: how can that man smile for so long and so broadly without his face coming off?! She has to fight really hard not roll her eyes at his comment – only Thor would point that out to a woman and expect that to work in favors of his charm, even if it only makes him ridiculous. Yet, at the same time, she can't hide the small smile on her lips. He is that simple, so simple that it is almost cute again. Just like a child. She always loved that about Thor, this kind of innocence that even survived all the blood and gore of battle. Still such an innocent smile, such innocent eyes.
"Oh, if that is so... Thor," she grins, stressing his name.
"May I ask for your name, then, Milady?" Thor asks.
"Oh, I don't know," Loki sighs playfully. It's about the chase after all.
"Why not?" the thunderer chuckles.
"It can be dangerous for a maiden to reveal too much of herself," she smirks, playing around with one of her locks.
"And your name is a big part of that mystery?" he cocks an eyebrow at her.
"Isn't it always?" she returns.
"A name is just a name," Thor shrugs.
"Is it?" she questions.
"I would just like to have something to call you when we talk," Thor smiles.
"Call me Maya then," Loki offers.
"Maya? That is a foreign name," Thor frowns. If possible, his interest only increased.
"You demanded a name, so I gave you one. I like this name... Maya. Doesn't it sound nice?" she sighs.
"Like slipped from Valhalla down into your mouth," he grins, nodding his head at this great compliment.
"It is so nice of you to say," Loki replies. She finds herself laughing at him being ridiculous... but actually not at him, but with him. Loki has to try hard not to frown at her own reaction. What happened to the plan? Why isn't she already seeking a kiss to transform back? Wasn't that the plan? Why is she actually still giving in to the chase when she should be opening up for Thor, the stupid oaf he is, to seek the opportunity?
"But that is not your real name, is it?" Thor argues.
"That remains a mystery also. You demanded something to call me, so now you have something to call me by," she returns.
"You know that this is not the usual custom?" he cocks an eyebrow at her.
"Just as isn't for a maiden to call the Prince and future King of Asgard by his first name," she argues with a soft smile on her lips. Thor laughs at that. She replies with a wink.
"So... where are you from?" Thor asks. Ah, the small-talk.
"From my home?" she replies.
"Do you live close to the palace?" Thor questions further. Incredibly close, Loki thinks to herself.
"Why are we talking about me, though? You are the Prince. I would rather hear of you than me. It is a rare occasion for me to be in such a place, and an even rarer opportunity to get a blink at the life of a royal, let alone speak of the Crown Prince," Loki smiles so sweetly that she can feel the corners of her mouth itch. Now she is back to the game, take him by his self-consciousness and how much he loves to talk about himself in the brightest light. Stupid, stupid oaf.
"Yet I would like to learn more about you, too," he returns.
"Why?" she frowns.
"I find you... fetching," he smiles. And it is only thanks to Loki's self-control that she doesn't roll her eyes at that.
"Flattering," she replies, instead. Truly, that man is lovable for many things, but not for his choice of words. Thor is the only man in the far realm of Asgard who would say out loud that his interest for a woman solely stems from attraction - and consider it a compliment.
"I am no man of fancy words," he admits. The understatement of the century.
"Such a pity... I love poetry," she exhales.
"You read?" Thor asks.
"A lot. I love it... stories, poems, songs, myths. I find it absolutely compelling," she smiles with a flash of enthusiasm. Why should she claim the opposite?
"Hm, my brother likes it also. He spends most of his day in the library if he can help it," Thor grins. She glances at him intently. There is a flash of pride in his eyes that she didn't expect. Normally, Thor would shake his head at that. He is usually dismissive about Loki reading that much, and not using his time on the battlegrounds. But here he stands, wooing a stranger maiden... and he actually shows affection and a sense of pride for his brother? Loki grabs the hem of her dress for comfort. Why is her chest suddenly feeling so tight?
"Oh, is he?" she brings out.
"I must admit I never quite understand the passion he feels for it, but he has my respect. He is the wittiest person I ever met," he replies. If he only knew...
"Speaking of which... where is Prince Loki? Is he not joining the celebration?" she asks. Well, here he is. Dull oaf.
"No, he was unwell. Even if a part of me believes that he just means to escape. He does not like such festivities much. He rather reads of them than taking part in them," he explains. Again, an insight Loki did not think she would get of her brother. And once more, he holds no judgment, something he usually does when he talks to his friends, but here, at this moment, he talks about Loki, his brother, in bright lights.
"Well, gladly you did not suffer his disease, then," she smiles.
"Truly. Well, returning to the argument. As for me... I do not share this interest in poetry, or generally the written word... I am more a man of action," he grins.
"That I can see," sighing seductively, playing around with the hem of her dress.
"Does it burden your heart that I am no man of words, then?" he asks.
"Of course not, Prince Thor. I may like poetry, but I also like a strong warrior, which you obviously are," she grins.
"That is good to know," he chuckles.
"And how many women did you woo tonight already?" she asks, her smile not failing her. Torturing him is so much fun.
"What?" he gapes. You can clearly see the exasperation in his features. She smiles viciously at him.
"Well, you are a prince... it is only natural for you to get to know all maidens available and then choose the best for company," she winks.
"I am not that kind of person. I am honest to the bottom of my heart," he replies quickly, more like a child in denial than a grown man, let alone be future King of Asgard.
"That does not mean the Prince may not desire more than one damsel in distress," she chuckles.
"Are you a damsel in distress?" Thor smirks at her toothily.
"Am I?" Loki asks playfully. She can already see the tinge of red creeping to his cheeks - and not all from the mead. Why is she enjoying this so much? Why does she smile honestly at his stupid way of trying to woo her? Why does she enjoy it to be wooed by Thor? Thor of all people?!
"Because then I'd have to save you," he replies.
"Save me? From what?" she questions.
"Well, you tell me – why would you be a damsel in distress?" he counters.
"Perhaps because I feel so out-of-place," Loki sighs. And there is a huge part of truth hidden within the statement. Loki always feels out-of-place at such festivities, if not for Thor who snakes an arm around his shoulder as he withdraws too far from the rest to spend some time with his younger brother, drinking with him or simply laughing so hard till Loki has to join him. Yet, for the rest of it, Loki never enjoyed these feasts. They are a painful reminder of how far away he is from all those people, how foreign he is to his own people. Always different. Always an outcast. Only a member for as long as Thor is there.
"Out-of-place?" he frowns.
"I am not used to these festivities. It was my family who urged me here," she explains sweetly. And again, it is truth told: Their parents force them to attend these feasts. And no matter how much he pleads them to let him skip it, they never let him... even if it is perfectly clear that Thor will be the future King – and he should have to go through that alone. But no. Loki has to make a fool out of himself also. The price of equality, is it?
"Oh, now I feel offended," he grins.
"Oh, Mylord, don't get me wrong. It is such an honor to be here. It is just that I am not used to this. I do not know all customs," she lies.
"You act like a princess, Maya. Perhaps you are and you just do not want to share that little secret with me," he chuckles.
"Now I know that you are just flattering me," she shakes her head.
"I speak to you from the bottom of my heart," he says. Again she can't help it but smile. He makes her smile like that, always did, will always. Perhaps it was a wrong idea after all. It was, she knows now. It was a foolish idea. Loki knows she has to get out of this situation, fast, before the situation escalates and she does something that she will regret ever the more. She can't do this to him, can't do that to herself. She suddenly gets up from her chair, her long hair falling over he fragile shoulders.
"Mylord, I think it is time for me to leave some other place. I thank you for the very nice conversation. I very much enjoyed it," she speaks. Loki has to close her eyes briefly. For some reason she is out of breath. The trickster almost jumps away, but Thor holds on to her arm. She turns back, her emerald eyes wide. Stupid oaf.
"Milady, please," Thor says, visibly shocked that she just wants to take off. Loki turns to face him with a blank expression. He cannot see that she is actually sad, he mustn't.
"I wish for you to stay with me," he speaks.
"Is the Prince of Asgard ordering me to his service?" Loki smirks.
"No, I ask you," he shakes his head.
"You?" she cocks her head.
"Thor. Not the Prince, but I," he nods.
"You are the Prince," she returns.
"That is a title, is a function, but I am a person also. And this person wants to spend more time with you," he explains. She looks at him, really looks at him. Thor means it, every word of it. Stupid oaf. Only Thor the Thunderer can fall in love with a girl he doesn't know, only he can fall in love with a stranger, actually love that person before he knows her name or title. And she... she finds herself... liking it. Likes it that he... loves... this. Her?
"I fear I have to get away from here, though?" Loki blurts out. Did she just say that? She wanted to make a snotty comment to leave, but her mind is not working. Is that her heart speaking or is she under a spell?
"Why is that?" Thor questions.
"It is too crowded here. I would rather be some place where it is a little more silent," she smiles. Perhaps that will work. Then she can... or she will...
"I know such a place," Thor grins over both his ears.
"But the Prince of Asgard cannot leave such festivity to lead astray with a stranger," she scolds.
"For I am the Prince of Asgard, I may do as I please," Thor proclaims more dramatically than intended.
"Oh, that is of course quite convenient," she winks.
"So?" he asks. Loki runs ahead to the gate, then, and Thor chases after her. For a moment, she just lets go, of everything surrounding her, of names and titles and roles, of brother and brother, brother and sister, Thor and lover. For a moment it is just him and her. For a moment, she is Maya, and Maya means to run, have him chase her, feel the strong man's breath only inches from her. They rush through the hallways like children, almost, playing catch without touching one another, enjoying the chase, enjoying the laughter, the silence, the heavy footsteps as they echo through the all too great hallways of the palace. They end up in the garden. The night sky is shining in the millions and millions of stars. Loki looks, if possible, even more stunning, now in the translucent light of the moon, painting her naturally pale skin in a shine of tender rose, her features even softer. Thor smiles as she almost dances over the soft grass.
"I like this place," she smiles.
"It is nice here," he nods.
"And most definitely not crowded," Loki winks at him.
"True," he chuckles.
"Do you come here often?" she asks. She knows, of course, but Loki figures it's a natural thing to ask... as a stranger. Maya doesn't know, right?
"Only sometimes. When the weight of the crown is getting too heavy," he explains. Loki grimaces. Maybe she can do it after all? Trick him? Pull off the trick? For he is so self-centered that he thinks the crown is heavy upon his head – now that he is in the lucky position of the Prince, who can do whatever he pleases and faces almost no consequences. Stupid, stupid oaf.
"Such a pity. It's so wonderful here," she exhales playfully.
"With you in it, it is even a better place," he smiles. Why does he have to be so sweet? A moment ago, she wanted to do it, but there he is again... and he... is it the flowers that enchant her? Rob her of her senses? Why is her chest feeling so tight for one moment, but then so warm the next? Useless condition. Stupid oaf. They are both plain fools!
"Oh, so you mean to say that I would make you stay here longer if I would come by more often?" she grins.
"Most certainly so," he chuckles. Loki crouches down to the ground to pick up a cherry blossom that fell off the tree, her fingers cupping the object as though it was of snow, too fragile to the touch.
"The flower is almost as beautiful as you are," Thor grins. Loki smiles at him, holding the blossom between her palms close to her face.
"But just almost," he adds.
"Do you bring all your conquests here, my Prince, or is it only for the ones you actually call a good conquest?" she grins.
"Conquests?" he frowns uncomfortably. He knows he has a reputation, but never did a maiden call him on it.
"The women you wish to woo for a night? I cannot deny that this place bears an enthralling sort of magic that makes it hard for me to even think straight. I fear that this might be your kind of trick to get the damsel into distress, no?" she giggles.
"You are special to me," Thor insists.
"You don't know me, how would I special to you, Prince Thor?" she sighs. He can't know her. And if he did, he wouldn't be enchanted, that is for sure.
"I never met a woman like you," he says.
"Quite obviously so. There is just one me. So you cannot have met a woman just like me before. Or else you'd be accusing me of being interchangeable with any woman," she rolls her eyes.
"Not at all. I never saw a woman your like," Thor tries again. She knows she is torturing him, it's just too much fun.
"And that alone makes me special to you?" she shakes her head.
"You are a sneaky thing, you know to enchant, Maya. I like that," he grins, now with more self-confidence again.
"Sneaky? How?" she smirks back. Only Thor could actually find such a title charming to give to a fair maiden – and expect her to be enchanted by that.
"It is not very usual to give the Prince a chase down the hallways," he retorts playfully.
"Do you mean that I misbehaved? Then I apologize," she smiles.
"No, no, it's just that... well, you...," he stammers.
"Is the Prince of Asgard at a loss of words?" she grins mischievously.
"Perhaps," he admits. Loki straightens as she walks up to the big cherry tree. Thor follows her, coming closer and closer. She smiles at him ever so sweetly. And she prays that for once, she can be Maya. Just be Maya, then it is alright. Be Maya. Maya has no past, but perhaps a future? Like a butterfly that only lives a day, just one night?
"Well, if I bring the Prince to stutter, then perhaps I am no good company for you. It does not befit a future king to be at a loss of words," Loki shakes her head. This is the last chance to walk away. For both of them. If only Thor finally took it. Stupid oaf. She makes a step to actually sneak away, but then Thor is suddenly only inches from her, pinning her frail arms against the trunk of the tree. She looks up to him with a mixture of fright and discomfort, but that is when he catches her lips in a passionate kiss, strong, but gentle enough not to hurt her. The cherry blossoms fall off the tree as both share the tender kiss and inside of her something breaks and is rebuilt again.
"Don't leave," Thor breathes.
"Why?" she asks tentatively. Really, why should she? How can she?
"I want you to stay," he says, his voice suddenly so strong that it almost knocks her off her feet.
"Why?" she questions again.
"You are beautiful," he smirks. Again, so much like him. Stupid oaf after all.
"So it is just my body that interests you?" she smirks.
"No," he shakes his head.
"Then why shall I stay?" Loki questions.
"Methinks I am falling for you," he admits. Loki catches his lips again, not knowing what else to do. It just doesn't matter anymore. To Maya it doesn't. Maya can do this, can't she? Thor moves his hands over her sides as she pulls away to look at him.
"Don't you fear for us to be seen?" she giggles uncomfortably.
"I'm a prince," he shrugs. What does it matter?
"Just my point. A prince with a maiden of no rank... it will cause you trouble, I am sure," she shakes her head. It never ceases to astonish her just how easily Thor can move past rank and name.
"It shall be well worth it," he snickers.
"Worth what?" she smirks. Thor kisses her again. Loki leans into his touch, frail arms resting against his broad chest. They stay in the tight embrace as she suddenly wants to tease him by pulling away, but he catches her, both pummeling to the ground, laughing.
"Rolling over the grass with a stranger maiden... what will the people think?" she huffs. Thor rolls over her, grinning.
"I do not care," he chuckles.
"Do you believe in love at first sight, then? If you think that you love me?" she questions playfully, though she couldn't be more earnest.
"I might start now," Thor smirks. He attempts to kiss her, but Loki holds him back, smiling.
"You think you love me, at first sight. But isn't it a weak kind of love to love what you get a short glance at? Isn't it the love of old that is strong?" she questions. Perhaps it is just so. He loves her, but just for that body, for this moment...
"I love you at second sight ever the more," he smiles.
"You do not know me," Loki insists.
"I can feel your soul. And it is the purest of entire Asgard," he proclaims. If he only knew. Tainted little thing called soul. It is a game she plays with him, out of selfish reasons, because... because she feels for him, did for long... and now... now she takes advantage of his foolery. Tainted little soul. Shriveled little thing.
"How do you tell?" she asks.
"Your eyes speak the truth," he explains. They always speak the lies, she reminds herself. Her eyes know no truth. Everything about her is a lie, she is a lie.
"I don't think...," she mutter, but Thor interrupts her with sudden strength in his voice: "Look me in the eye."
She obeys and glances at him.
"What do you see in my eyes?" he questions, with utmost severity.
"They mirror your feelings," Loki hums. You just have to look him in the eye to know what he feels. That is something Loki always loved about him, already when it was a brother's love. There were no lies between them for as long Loki could see his eyes. When Loki lost himself in trickery and foolery, it were these eyes that brought him back, were his safe anchor.
"What do they say?" Thor questions further.
"That you mean it," she admits.
"Then so believe in the honesty of my heart. When I see your eyes, they speak the truth," he says. Loki dares to come a little closer.
"And the truth is... I feel for you," he continues, now almost humming to some unknown melody. Thor kisses her again. Loki's thoughts disperse into smoke, the touch meaning so much more to her than do the evil thoughts creeping over the rim of the darkness engulfing her. It is only Thor who could ever lighten her up. He does again, and again. And she loves that about him. Loves him for that. Loves him so much more than she can take, more than anyone can take. Does love have to hurt that much, really?
After a while he starts to tuck at her dress, but she keeps his hands from moving up any further.
"Methinks this place is not appropriate for such activity," she giggles, swatting his arms away.
"That might be," Thor chuckles. He gets up, pulling her up with him in the motion, holding her close to his chest. They start to hurry down the hallways once again as Thor guides Loki to his chambers. He closes the door as she still giggles to herself.
"Are you sure we weren't caught?" Loki chuckles.
"It wouldn't burden me, but we weren't. I know," he assures her quickly. Thor walks over to her as she sits down on the bed.
"Was I conquered by the Golden Prince of Asgard, then?" she chuckles, stroking over the soft fabric of the sheets. Thor now towers over her, lowering her on the pillows.
"I may conquer you now," he chuckles.
"Oh, is that betting a fair maiden?" she giggles.
"It fits love at first sight, and the one at second sight," Thor says.
"So you do love me?" Loki asks. Does he? Does he really? How would he? How would he love her? Could love her? After all she's done? After all she is?!
"Yes," he declares.
"Though you don't know me? Is love that blind, really?" she questions. Can it really be that blind as to not see the mischief looming over the edges? How can his eyes mean to say yes to her, say yes to their love... and not know her? How can she let this happen? How can she feel happy at his feelings, though she knows they are just smoke and mirrors? And why doesn't she even care?!
"Love knows no rank. It knows no name," he breathes. Loki has to chuckle at that, "Poetry coming from a man who detests it... I feel honored."
"Only for you," he smirks. Is that his way of showing love? To show that he can change for her? Even though he does not know her? Only the Gods know that Loki loves Thor for just these things, and for so much more. But the Gods are not there now, not for her. She only sees him. Nothing but him, nothing but love between them, a sweet little lie between the silken sheets and the midst of the night. Even if it is just a night, she shall be with him. She shall disappear as morning rises, leave the foreign word 'Maya' on his dry lips as he wakes, but one night of him and this love... perhaps it will be enough to fetch from for eternities. This might be worth the hellfire awaiting her in turn. Eternity living in sin – if this means one night of love and grace.
"Enough of conversation. These lips are meant to be kissed," Thor grunts. He leans down to kiss her. She kisses back, but only briefly. Loki stems her wrists against his broad chest, pushing him back so that they are eye to eye again. Blue falls into emerald. Emerald reaches out for blue. Meet somewhere in between.
"Say it again," she breathes, trying to swallow the desperation in her voice.
"Say again what?" Thor frowns at her. Loki grasps the back of his head to pull his forehead on hers: "That you do love me. Say it, mean it, please."
Under different circumstances, she would feel ashamed for actually pleading for anything. Loki doesn't plead, she makes people plead, but now... it just doesn't matter. All her pride seems to have melted away to the comforting warmth Thor radiates. Yet, uncertainty pulls at her arms, her stomach, reaching deep, deeper with every second passing. What if he doesn't? What if...
"I love you," Thor says. Loki glances at him, searches his eyes. They mirror the truth. If he means it, you can see it in his eyes alone. She studies him. He means it, she can tell. There is no lie in his words, since it isn't in his eyes. No lie at all. He means it. He loves her, truly.
"I love you. I could say that a thousand times. I love you," Thor smiles at the young woman. With that both simply let go and start to kiss, sinking into the sheets as the night claims them. Pure bliss.