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"Simply to speak with you," he said, raising his hands defensively as he took a step forward, "You've been playing this little game of running away and avoiding me so this seemed the only way to do so."

"Cornering me in a closet? Right. Let me out."

"Darling if you would just allow—"

"I'm not listening to you Loki, what you did during our duel was uncalled for, and I don't want anything more to do with you. Let me pass."

He sighed, looking down at me. "Very well, if that's what you wish."

He turned to the door to open it. The doorknob rattled and he fought for a moment, before turning back around to me. He offered an apologetic laugh.

"Seems there's a slight snag."

"Jesus H. I swear if you tell me it's locked—"

"It's locked," he finished.

I groaned, leaning against the back wall.

"Well I suppose since we're here, you might as well hear me out," he said, striding over until he was only a foot across from me.

"I'd rather not," I folded my arms, "There's nothing to hear out, you're awful, you've made it very clear. There's nothing else to discuss."

"The duel was to settle an argument. I merely won, and if you can't handle that, then don't go challenging people if you can't back up your claims."

"You're kidding, right?"

"And as for Bodil," he went on, ignoring me, "I was simply teasing, love. I have eyes for only you."

He got close as he said this, stooping and bringing his lips close to my ear. I shoved him back.

"Keep talking and I'll cave your face in."

"Go for it," he said, spreading his arms, "I'm wide open."

I quirked a brow. All I wanted was to hit him. Instead I shook my head, turning away from him.

"What's the matter? Begun to realize the inferiority of Midgardians? Afraid to take on your superior in a fight?" He taunted, lips directly next to my ear.

I growled, whirling around and slapping him clear across the face. He turned back slowly, rubbing his jaw and chuckling lowly.

Suddenly, his hands shot out and he pinned my wrists against the wall at my back.

"My, you're bold," he said with a smile, "And lovely, and witty, and cold, and perfect. I've eyes only for you. You belong here in Asgard, among your equals. I only want you to see that."

"I don't believe a word from your mouth."

"Don't you?" He said, "Pity. It's all true."

I bit my lip, thankful for the darkness of the closet that hid the fiery blush consuming my face.

"Each time I see you I feel robbed of breath. I am captivated by the way you move, the way you speak, the way you laugh. The things you make me imagine, Alivia—" he shook his head, sighing, "There's one woman, and one woman only to whom my affections belong. Forgive me if I occasionally cannot help but to taunt you. I do love seeing you riled."

"Shut up."

"Is someone flustered?" He asked with a smirk.

"How—" I quickly realized that though he may not have been able to see my blush in the dark, my heated skin would be indication enough.

I really wanted to believe there was truth to the words coming out of that perfect mouth. But knowing Loki, knowing how he would say whatever he could to get what he wanted, knowing the way he was so hot and cold, I couldn't bring myself to believe him. Just like I couldn't bring myself to stop wanting him.

But then I realized something. I was so desperate for this to be meaningful, for him to want me. But what if I looked at it as just a bit of fun, too? Wasn't I entitled to getting to mess around, no strings attached?

I smiled, standing on my tip toes so that my lips brushed against his ear. He shuddered when I spoke.

"I think I'd like to have a little fun with you too," I said daringly, before biting the lobe of his ear.

"Careful what you ask, darling."

He immediately began where he'd left off the night of the banquet, by kissing along my collar as his fingers fumbled with the buttons of my dress.

Eventually, it slid to the floor, leaving me in just my underthings. I let my hands slide up his back, and my nails dug into his skin as his kisses dropped lower. With my one hand, I forced his head up, and with my other, I brushed his loose hair back.

Then, I brought his mouth to mine, slipping my tongue inside to meet his. He sighed against my lips, his mouth turning up in a smile as his hands explored my body. And then I laughed, happy with myself, as I pulled away from him.

He quirked a brow.

"What? I like riling you up too." I smiled and slipped my dress back on, as his face dropped into a deadpan.

"Unkind. Now I don't feel so bad for lying to you."

"About what, exactly?"

He didn't answer, instead turning for the closet door, and opening it effortlessly. He swung an arm, allowing me to exit.

"Jerk." I swatted his shoulder as I exited.

"You love it," he winked, as he waltzed out after me.

"You wish," I responded, heading back down the hallway and towards my room. I was jerked back by Loki's firm grip around my forearm. I turned back to him and raised a brow.

"So, am I forgiven?" he asked, a strangely sincere look on his face.

"Why, because I'm supposed to have believed everything you just said?" I laughed.

"Well you seem significantly less hostile toward me, so I figured I might ask."

"Leaving you wanting was my revenge, although I might have to do it a few more times before I call us even," I smirked.

"Oh, so you expect we'll be doing that again in future?" he tilted his head, a smile playing at his lips. "Well darling, trust that next time we find ourselves in a situation like that, you wont be able to walk away so easily."

I rolled my eyes, pulling out of his grip. His hand only tightened around my arm as he pulled me closer. I looked up at him.

"You haven't answered. Am I forgiven?"

"Haven't decided."

He chuckled, shaking his head and letting me go. "My, you really know how to test me."

"You love it," I used his words, offering him a smug smile before I turned to leave.

"Alivia."

I paused at the sound of his voice, not bothering to turn back and face him. "Yes, Loki?"

"Be dressed for seven. I'll meet you at your room."

"For what exactly?"

"I'm taking you out. You're inclined not to believe what I told you in that closet, so I intend to prove it by treating you properly."

"Treating me properly, huh? And do I have a choice in this outing?" I asked, turning a little so that our eyes locked. His narrowed, and his mouth was curled in a mischievous smile.

"No. Afraid not."

"You're off to a poor start then," I turned and kept walking, biting back the smile on my face until I was far out of sight.

╟╫╢

"Wait, I'm lost," Bersi said, holding up a hand, "So now we don't hate Loki?"

"No he just—Well, he apologized, which is really unlike him. And I get that the duel incident was a really shitty move and I obviously don't forgive him for that but I mean, have you seen him? The man is finer than Asgardian wine, so can you blame me for wanting to have some fun with him?" I tried to explain, looking from Sigrid, to Bersi, to Bodil as I spoke.

We were all gathered in my room, sitting on my bed and talking over the events of that day. I'd asked Sigrid and Bodil to help me to get ready, and Sigrid had arrived with Bersi attached to her arm.

"And that's all it is, right?" Bodil asked, leaning forward, "Just some harmless fun? No strings attached? I don't want him hurting you."

"I'll have words for him if does," Bersi said, puffing his chest up.

Sigrid laughed, swatting him playfully. "Oh, you wouldn't hurt a fly, love. If anything, it will be Bodil to give him hell."

I chuckled.

"It is only harmless fun. I promise. Now, will you help me out or not?" I asked with a smile, a pleading look in my eyes. Even though I had been here for weeks, I still had no clue how to dress myself in their clothes.

"Of course, don't be silly." Sigrid stood, going to the closet to rifle through the selections.

"So..." Bodil started, cozying up to my side, "Anything else happen in the closet besides talking? I know how you two get when you're alone."

I rolled my eyes, shoving her away and joining Sigrid by the closet.

"I'm sure he'll love you in green," Sigrid said, holding up a satin gown in a shade of pale green, "It's his colour."

"Oh, and add this to it," Bodil rushed over, picking a silver corset from the closet, "It will accent the colour nicely."

The two of them shoved me behind the folding screen and I pulled on the pieces they'd selected. The sleeves of the dress began below my shoulders and were scrunched into ruffles. My cleavage showed slightly due to the low cut corset. The skirt of the dress split down the middle around the knees to reveal long grey boots.

Sigrid and Bodil pulled my hair into a knot atop my head, letting some loose strands fall and frame my face. They wove a silver hair piece into the bun, and used a deep brown lipstick. They rimmed my eyes in what looked like eyeliner, and pinched my cheeks to, according to Sigrid 'add colour to them'.

They finished the look with a fine silver necklace and some rings.

"Perfect," Sigird clasped her hands together as Bersi pulled her into him by the waist.

"He'll be eager to have it off you," Bodil said, winking, "That's for certain."

"Honestly Bodil, you have no shame," Sigrid shook her head, before looking at me, "It's true though. I almost don't want Bersi looking at you."

I laughed, looking in the mirror. I really did look good. I definitely wasn't used to dressing so opulently. But it suited me. I smiled, just as a light rap sounded at the door.

"Your prince awaits, my lady," Bodil said dramatically, ambling over to the door and opening it.

Loki looked passed her, scanning the room until his eyes landed on me. In the bright light of the fading evening sun, it almost looked like—

"Do my eyes decieve me, or is the cold and unfeeling prince Loki actually blushing?" Bodil gaped, "Don't blame you, your woman looks beautiful enough to be a queen."

"I'm no one's woman, thank you Bodil," I laughed at her, shaking my head as Loki stepped in and offered me his arm. I took it gingerly, staring up at him and searching his face. It really did look like he might have been blushing. That, or his own servants had insisted on 'pinching colour' into his cheeks too.

"You are a vision in green, dear," he whispered lowly in my ear as he led me from the room.

I felt heat pool in my stomach as I waved goodbye to my friends, and let Loki take me out.

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