The first coherent thought that entered into Sif's head the following morning, was that she'd had the most delectable dream...

Blinking as she opened her eyes; the rays of sunlight streamed in through the window, immediately proving that the previous night hadn't been a dream at all.
However this realisation brought instant confusion; she could not help noticing how she now seemed to have more space in the narrow bed.

Sitting up with a jolt, her eyes scanned the room for Loki but there was no sign of him....or his clothing.

A whole myriad of emotions instantly erupted inside of her; rising panic, concern, followed by humiliation.....had she been abandoned now that he'd had his wicked way with her!?
The very idea made her stomach drop like a lead weight and her cheeks blaze and sting as if they'd been slapped.

Just then she heard approaching footfalls outside the hut, causing her such immense relief when the door swung open, she was overcome with the urge to laugh out loud.

Framed in the doorway, Loki seemed to hesitate momentarily as though shocked. His eyes appeared wide, much like a startled animal.
"Aaah..Good morning..."
He mumbled, sounding as awkward as he looked,
"...I ummm...went in search of food to break fast"

It was then Sif took in the salmon he was clutching, along with a fishing net fashioned out of linen twine.

"That is a welcome sight.."
She exclaimed, smiling nervously,
"...though not as much as you yourself are, I feared the worst when I awoke alone."

Closing the door behind him and setting his catch down on the bench, Loki eyed her steadily,
"The feeling is mutual I assure you. I keep expecting to discover I'm dreaming."

This proclamation pleased Sif, and she seized the opportunity to dispel any awkwardness and tension between them.

"How about now?.."
Smiling mischievously, she dropped the bed sheet she'd been clutching; exposing her nude form once more,
"...do you still think you are dreaming?"

Loki's eyes bulged as they roved over her naked body,
"I must be..."
He retorted, a crooked smile tugging at the corners of his scarred lips,
"....and I hope I don't ever wake up."

In an instant he'd crossed the room and pulled her in to his arms.
"This is too good to be true."
He whispered playfully, between feverish kisses.

And Sif couldn't help but agree, as he eagerly set about removing his armour once more; and she was more than happy to assist him.

*******************

Afterwards Sif lay panting but smiling in his strong arms, his long, lithe legs entwined with hers once more. Resting her head against his smooth chest; both of which were slightly dampened by fresh sweat, she could hear his heart beat beginning to slow back to its regular pace.

"I still can't believe this..."
She mused,
"...I thought I'd lost any chance of this happening"

Loki grinned, his green eyes gleaming,
"This could have happened much sooner if you hadn't raced from my chambers that first night. I was already naked, yet you never even attempted to take advantage of the situation"

Laughing she slapped his hand playfully,
"So you were trying to seduce me?"

"Perhaps a little..."
He chuckled heartily,
"...although I hoped you might surrender to me willingly rather than me having to resort to temptation tactics."

Sif shifted position in order to look up at his face.
"Hmmm...You resorted to jealousy tactics instead."
She exclaimed.

"To some extent.."
He responded quietly. His porcelain complexion colouring slightly and he purposefully avoided eye contact.

"Loki, please you must be honest with me now....why did you conspire with Amora?"

Sighing heavily, he closed his eyes to avoid the intensity of her gaze,
"I was desperate....what more can I say? After having unlocked your memories from when we were adolescents, I'd merely hoped you'd realise I harboured feelings for you..."
He paused momentarily and took a deep breath before continuing,
"....when it appeared that perhaps you'd rediscovered some long forgotten feelings for me, I had to be sure...I did not want to make a fool of myself-"

"So you chose to make one of me instead!"
Sif interjected sharply.

"That was never my intention."
His eyes were now open and he stared at her imploringly.

Sif shook her head,
"Perhaps not, but to be in league with the enchantress....I cannot understand what would drive you to such lengths-"

"Desperation."
He interrupted, and the look on his face now kept her silent.

His beautiful green eyes were filled with sadness, yet his expression appeared hard as though angry.
"Desperation has driven me to extreme lengths on many occasion Sif... conspiring with Amora is just the latest folly in my history of disastrous schemes."

Swallowing hard, she tried to ignore the sudden icy chill she felt sweep over her.
"W-what else are you speaking of Loki? The attack on Midgard?"

"Do you have any idea how it feels to be an outsider? As though being left out in the cold, whilst gazing in on a warm comfortable scene..."
He responded, ominously,
"....loving you was like that, all I could do was look but never touch. You were betrothed to the mighty Thor, he was to be king and your husband whilst I was left with neither the crown or your affection."

"I...never realised you-"

"No you along with everyone else always assumed I was jealous of Thor but oblivious to all of the reasons for my resentment...."
His eyes were now brimming with tears, but she was unsure if this was caused by sheer frustration or anger rather than sadness.
"...you want me to be honest Sif, are you sure? You want to know all of the horrors spawned inside my head? To gaze into my eyes and see where my demons hide?"

In spite of the growing apprehension and immense feeling of dread, Sif held his gaze and responded steadily,
"Yes Loki....I do...no more lies, games or secrets."

"The day of Thor's coronation Odin planned to announce your engagement to him, thus making it official and the wedding would've taken place that very same week."
He announced, his tone fierce like his expression.

Startled by this revelation, Sif sat up, her mouth agape.

As though reading her thoughts, Loki supplied her with the answer to the question she couldn't quite bring herself to ask,
"Yes, I brought the frost giants into Asgard to ruin the coronation but mostly to prevent your wedding from taking place. My mother had warned me of Odin's plans in advance as she suspected I had feelings for you, and wanted me to be prepared for the worst."

"But instead it gave you time to plot and cause Thor's banishment!"
She exclaimed aghast, her head now reeling.

"I thought if I had the opportunity to be King, I could prove to Odin and yourself that I was worthy. And I hoped to win your affections in time. But instead you ran after him, once more."

Unable to find the words to respond, Sif sat with her head in her hands.
These revelations were too much to bear. Feelings of guilt, fear, regret and despair swirled around in the pit of her stomach and made her feel nauseous.

Shakily she got out of the bed, suddenly feeling very exposed and vulnerable.

"What are you doing?"
He demanded, sitting forwards with a jolt.

"I...I just need...a little air.."
She managed to reply weakly, hurriedly gathering up her tattered gown and slipping it on.

"So this is it now is it?"
He snapped, his expression now furious,
"We're over before we've even begun? You said you wanted the truth!"

Still barefooted, Sif strode across the room and out of the door without looking back in his direction.
This caused Loki to erupt and she flinched at the sound of splintering wood as he hurled something at the door.

Outside it was raining now and as she stood on the grass she inhaled deeply to calm her frayed nerves.

He had caused so much pain and destruction, and it grieved her to know that she'd unwittingly been one of the main causes.

Many minutes passed, and she began to shiver as the rain soaked her, but she found the sensation refreshing and almost cleansing somehow, as though it was slowly washing away her grief and fears.

Then the sound of the door opening shattered her thoughts.
Turning slowly to see Loki, now dressed and standing in the doorway, her heart ached at the sight of his red-rimmed eyes.

Approaching him slowly she took in the way his expression was no longer fearsome, and how his handsome face was stained with the tracks of his tears.

"I cannot undo my past deeds Sif..."
He spoke softly, his tone sombre,
"...you wanted honesty and I gave you that. I am sorry that it is horrifying to you...I feared the truth would be too much for you to bear, but I did not want to lie to you"

The realisation that he'd been brave enough to be completely honest with her, despite the risk of him losing her, caused tears to well up in her eyes.

"I don't expect forgiveness, or for you to understand. It felt as though Thor had it all, and I had nothing...no throne, no kingdom, no real family. I'd hoped if I had some of these attributes then perhaps one day you'd want me-"

"But I did want you Loki, none of that mattered to me...why else would I even be here now?"
She stated, her voice cracking with emotion.

"Well now I've lost you haven't I? By telling you these things, and I was a fool to allow myself any hope. I'm a disgraced prince, a wanted man, nothing more than a prisoner on the run now. So I've still got absolutely nothing to offer you..."
Holding his hands out as though to emphasise his point, he stared at them sadly,
"...my hands are empty."

Without another moments thought or hesitation Sif ran towards him and clasped his hands tightly in her own,
"They're not empty now..."
She declared, and couldn't help smiling as he blinked at her wide-eyed in surprise.
"...and they never will be again."
She added with conviction.

"Then I have everything..."
He replied softly,
"...everything I've ever wanted and needed."

Enfolding her in his arms he pulled her close to him, and kissed her tenderly.

And in that perfect moment, all the suffering and pain seemed to vanish, as if the rain really had washed it all away.
Yet neither of them felt cold or wet. Their love was their shelter from the rain.