The glass slams into my forehead and drops to the ground as I draw back, pain radiating through my head. "Ouch," I mutter, lifting my eyes up to the throne at the other end of the room, where the thrower sits.

Thanos sits in Odin's throne like it truly belongs to him, staring down at me. I freeze, glancing up at the being who rules the entire universe now. What is he doing here? He's supposed to be on Titan, far away from us. There's no reason for him to be on Asgard; certainly no reason to be sitting on Odin's throne.

And he wants to see me, apparently.

"I had to make sure you weren't simply another one of your illusions," Thanos rumbles in a low voice, beckoning me to come closer. I resist the urge to simply turn and leave and instead walk down the long approach toward the dais and the throne, keeping my expression composed. When I reach the steps leading up to the throne, I mime coming to attention and dramatically step into place, slamming my boot against my other leg, standing stiff and straight for a moment before I relax my posture. My body wants to remain tense, alert, but I force myself to seem at ease.

"To what do I owe the honor of this visit, Lord Thanos?" I ask, keeping my tone respectful. Thanos isn't just the ruler of the entire universe, he's also Gamora's father and it's that thought that makes me the most uneasy. Hopefully, he's only here in an official respect and not to torment the boy who loves his daughter.

"Loki," Thanos says, gesturing to the dais. "Come, stand beside me."

I walk up the steps and come to a stop beside the throne, keeping my eyes on Thanos. He returns my gaze, his eyes piercing.

"I will know if you lie to me, Loki of Asgard," he says. "And I will have you know I despise lying."

Well. I don't know if he's trying to motivate me to tell the truth, but that statement's not going to do it. "If you know I like to lie, then how will you trust anything I say?"

Thanos regards me for a moment in silence. "Consider it a warning, Odinson. Do not lie to me, and this will go easier. Lie, and you will not like the consequences."

I spread my hands out, giving the ghost of a smile. "All right then. What do you wish to talk about?"

"I wish to talk about you, Loki," Thanos answers. "You and your victory in the Contest of Champions."

I wait. I won't be the one to start this conversation.

"You used your magic to save both your own life and that of Veers of Hala."

It's a statement, but I answer anyway. "Yes."

"Why?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why did you save the girl instead of killing her?"

I furrow my brow. "Veers was my ally."

"Allies have killed each other in the arena before," Thanos points out. "Just earlier in that very same Contest, Veers killed her ally and district partner Yon-Rogg. Remember my warning about lying, child of Asgard. So why save her?" I open my mouth to speak but he waves his hand, cutting me off. "And do not tell me it is because of love."

Yes, I suppose Thanos is right. Saying that would just be a lie, after all.

"I don't know," I answer finally. "I just...I needed to. That's all."

Thanos looks at me for a long time before speaking again. "However, you lied and told the galaxy you love Veers of Starforce."

"I know," I mutter.

"And like me, the galaxy suspects a lie."

I look at the Titan curiously. They do? I thought Veers and I had played the love story bit fairly well, considering neither of us really meant it. Hela had even told me that she had heard many had cried for us, thinking us doomed up until we pulled our little stunt and Christine Everhart announced us both champions. "Really? I wasn't aware."

Thanos' expression remains impassive. So far, he's stayed calm longer than Odin normally does when he has a "talk" with me. The last time we had such a talk, in the hours before I volunteered for Heimdall and sealed my fate in the Contest, he ended it by roaring at me unintelligibly. At least Thanos hasn't roared at me yet.

I wonder idly how much longer he can remain calm and impassive.

"Yes," he says. "Your act veered too closely to the lines of 'avenging' for their taste."

Avenging.

I furrow my brow, glancing up at Thanos. My actions in the Contest had nothing to do with the long defunct Avengers. In the end, I had done what I did because I had sworn an oath to Gamora, to do whatever it took to come home to her – something I do not really wish to tell Thanos – and because I had already lost three allies to the Contest, two who were barely more than children, one whom I had grown up with. I did not wish to lose Veers, too, someone I do respect, even if I do not love her.

Besides, Hela had wanted me to save her.

I don't know why; it's not like my sister has any sense of honor that would have urged for me to spare Veers' life. In fact, it would be more in character for her to have me kill her in the end. But Hela had encouraged our alliance; she had approved our romance; and in the end, she had reminded me that I had to win as the god of mischief.

What are you the god of again?

The question no longer bothered me, as I had answered it and acted on that answer. That, indirectly, had led me to this very moment, standing in the throne room talking with Thanos about the very actions my sister had urged me on in, the illusions I had created to make it look like Veers had killed me, to make it look like I had been influencing her all along. I had "died," and Veers had been announced champion.

When I had dissolved the illusion, the audience had been quite shocked, I understand.

My actions led to both of us being announced champions, both of us surviving when only one had been destined to. I had contradicted Thanos' words and intention.

And now here he was, not very pleased with me.

Well. That was to be expected.

"I was not avenging anything, I swear," I tell Thanos. "I was just saving a friend." I wanted to save more. Not all, but Peter and Cassie, too. And Hogun.

"I believe you," Thanos says. "You couldn't avenge anything if you tried. You would lose. It's in your nature."

"Oh, would I?" The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

"Yes," Thanos tells me. "You lack conviction."

If it's in my nature to lose, how come I won the Contest? But I refrain from speaking my thoughts aloud.

"I want you to show the galaxy that you are no Avenger," Thanos continues. "Show your true nature, your true intentions, Loki Odinson. Show them that nothing looms on the horizon, that you are by no means your sister."

I tilt my head. "How shall I accomplish that?"

"Lie," Thanos says, his eyes smoldering. "Lie, Loki. Be in love with Veers of Starforce and show the galaxy that love."

Be in love with Veers.

Well, I had a feeling the acting wasn't over.

"All right," I say. "Is that all, then?" I wish to recall those last words the moment they hit the air.

"You changed the Balance," Thanos says, his voice dropping, becoming low and dangerous. I am suddenly aware that the Titan is twice my height and size and has the strength to strangle me should he choose. "To correct the Balance the first time, thousands had to die. What do you think it will take to correct it this time?"

"Blood," I say softly. I have a bad feeling I know where this is going.

"That's right," Thanos agrees quietly. "Blood. So listen to me, Asgardian, or you will learn to long for something as sweet as pain."

I cock my head. "I'm listening."

"You will travel to all twelve districts on your Champion Tour," Thanos begins. "As well as Titan. You will show them your devotion to Veers of Hala, and show each district why you changed the Balance, why you used your magic to save this girl. It is all to be put down to love, not a silly wish to follow in your sister's footsteps."

"You want me to lie?" I ask. "I thought you despised lying."

"I do," Thanos says. "But I'm not the one lying, am I? You are. You started this with a lie."

"Very well, then," I say. "I act in love with her. Is that all you wish?"

"No," Thanos answers. "I wish more from you. In every district, you will tell them all to who they should bow."

I'm guessing that's not me.

"All right, I will remind them of their allegiance to you and the Balance," I answer, waiting for him to add something else. But Thanos rises, towering over me, and glances down at me for a moment.

"There will be blood to pay if you fail," he says grimly. "You will pay with blood when you fail. Taneleer Tivan already paid with his blood. You will be next."

I don't answer, just look at him. According to Thanos, my odds don't look very good.

He turns, descending the dais steps, and stops once he reaches the floor. Looking back at me, still standing by the throne, he adds, "And another thing, Loki. Stay away from Gamora."

/**/

Well, this is a really late update. Don't worry; I still intend to update tomorrow, too! What did you think? Of Thanos threatening Loki, of their deal?

Thank you for reading; I hope you enjoyed it! Leave a comment, let me know what you think!

Skylar Wittenborn