It had been hours since the shouting had stopped.
The echoes that once dominated the forest, bouncing off its walls, now quieted.
The tranquility of the birds now resuming their songs was like an eerie testament to the danger that they had just survived.
Their songs echoing amongst the forest, as if they were shouting their praise to the Loki devoted duo for once again out-wittng their enemy.
Fear.
Hearts beating, bodies trembling ever so slightly in the cold dark cave.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut dared not move, until even the birds had soon quieted.
It was now silent.
Eerie.
Once they had made sure that not even the rustling of the trees could be heard and the wind had quieted, they released the breath they both held.
With a sigh, Tuffnut turned to look at his twin, clammy hands shakily clasping hers.
He spoke in a hushed whisper.
"We did it Ruff, we did it."
Ruffnut blinked once, then twice.
The reality of their situation once again standing at the forefront of her mind.
With a wide smile, she threw her head back and let out a guttural laugh.
"We really did it Tuff! We're alive!"
Hysterical laughter emitted from both of them, tears streaming down their eyes.
The twins shared only one thought in their minds.
'We did it. We survived.'
After what seemed like forever, Tuffnut stood first.
The mood shifting to bear a more serious tone.
"We should go. Look around, you know."
Ruffnut looked down towards the floor, seemingly focused on nothing.
Her eyebrows furrowed, deep in thought.
She began to chew on her lip.
"R-Right….hey brother…what…what if we don't survive this? What if we–"
Tuffnut interrupted her, his tone harsh, brazen, bold.
"We will."
Ruffnut swiveled her head towards her brother so fast that she began to see stars dancing among her sight.
"But we don't even know if–"
Tuffnut kneeled towards her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder, a small smile forming on his face.
His eyes softened as he looked at her, guilt gnawing at his insides once more.
He spoke in a hushed tone, so quiet that Ruffnut could almost not hear him.
"We will."
He wiped away the tears that she didn't even know had begun to fall.
Her lip trembling as she looked him in the eyes.
She glanced away, chewing on her lip.
Furrowing her brows, contemplating before glancing back up towards him.
'He looked so determined…so certain."
"Okay" she whispered.
"Okay."