Anja sat in front of a large mirror in her room, running her fingers through her hair, fluffing the ends of it ever so slightly as she checked over her makeup. She had honestly spent more time than she cared to admit on her appearance that afternoon, but when she was seeking petty revenge on someone, there were no lengths Anja wouldn't go. Knowing the rogue Avengers were to be joining them that afternoon in the palace for an alliance meeting of sorts was enough to make Anja feel like she needed to use this opportunity to rub her beauty- and more importantly, her new man- in a particular someone's face.

Even if it was likely he wouldn't show up.

Anja knew several of the old team members were still in contact with Clint, and she knew word would get back to him somehow, at the very least. She hoped it did. She wanted him to regret doing her wrong and lying to her about everything. She wanted him to suffer the way she did, and she was going to assure it happened.

She stood, brushing out some creases in her sleek green and gold gown. Anja was unaccustomed to wearing such extravagant clothing, and yet she was determined to wear this Asgardian dress. She needed to get used to the idea. If what Loki said was true, she would eventually be queen, and with that certainly came more elegant outfits than she was used to. Loki had already assured she had an entire wardrobe for her delivered to their room, and honestly she was a bit overwhelmed by it. The tiara resting on her head was a shock enough.

On one hand, she was overjoyed that Loki felt so strongly about her that he was planning a future together. Yet on the other, she was only mortal after all; he'd live thousands of years still while she would be lucky to have another seventy. That was nothing in comparison, and it hurt to think about. Loki assured her that he would find a way to counteract her mortality, and she had no reason to doubt him, but it still troubled her regardless. She couldn't help it.

Her silent pessimism was interrupted when she heard her favorite voice call to her from the doorway and she calmed immediately.

"Anja, min kjære, are you ready?"

Hearing the term of endearment made her heart flutter a little bit, and immediately put a smile on Anja's face. She turned to see Loki leaning against the doorway, clad in his full set of armor- helmet and all. The green of his cape and accents matched her dress perfectly, and it occurred to her it was the first time she had purposely matched someone since her high school prom. Even though she had seen him pretty exclusively in his armor- with a few exceptions- since they had met, it still sent her hormones racing. The look he was giving her certainly wasn't helping matters. He was eyeing her like a predator would its prey, and Anja smirked in response; she was doing the same to him, after all. She crossed the room to join his side, making sure to add a little extra swing to her hips in the process.

"Of course I am, love," she finally replied, glancing up at him with a smug look. With the heels on, her eyes were only a few inches below his for once, and it was nice to be able to look into his eyes without straining her neck.

She felt his arm wrap around her lower back, pressing her tight against him, causing her hands to rest firmly on his shoulders. "What's the occasion? I was under the impression you were to wear your usual Midgardian garb to this meeting," Loki inquired, staring at her with both curiosity and lust, "not this attractive little number."

Anja continued to smirk as she looked up into his green eyes. "Mmm, plans for revenge are always more important than dressing comfortably," she mused. "Plus I figure I should probably start getting used to this style of dressing if I am to one day be queen."

Loki raised a curious eyebrow. "I know we have a mutual hatred of the Avengers and all they stand for, but I fail to see how dressing this temptingly could be considered as revenge," he mused. He was silent for a moment before he spoke again. "Ah, never mind. It's in case Barton shows up."

"Exactly," Anja replied. She loved that she didn't need to explain it further.

Loki took a deep breath. "I am more than happy to assist you in your revenge. I assure you, if Barton shows up, seeing you like this alone will be enough to send him into a rage, not to mention what he'll think when he sees you on my arm."

"He hates no one more than you, so I am sure you are right," she replied, shaking her head. "He was always bitching about how he despised you for manipulating his mind. And now that I know the whole truth, his hatred is unfounded, and I hate him even more for it."

Loki smiled and rested his forehead against hers, the cold metal of his helmet catching her off guard as his hand still rested on her chin. "So protective of me, Anja," he said with a quiet laugh, causing his nose to brush up against hers. "As if I cannot defend myself."

Anja took a deep breath, and felt instantly calmer. Loki tended to have that effect on her, especially when he was actually being sweet. "I would say I am sorry, but I'm not. I take you far too seriously to ever feel sorry about defending you," she answered. "I protect what's mine with my life."

She thought Loki may have smirked, but with their foreheads touching, she couldn't be sure. "Mm, so possessive," he stated. "You keep talking like that and we may never make it to that meeting. It's bad enough I am already imagining freeing you from this dress." He paused for a moment, and then added, "Nonetheless, Barton will certainly see you are mine, and I look forward to seeing the pain it causes him. I will have him regretting the day he ever laid eyes on you, Anja."

Anja was unable to resist a smile. Loki certainly had a way of cheering her up. He was just as petty and vengeful as she was, and it made her so happy to have someone who finally understood that and validated her often terrible thoughts of revenge. Before him, no one had ever just let her be vindictive if she needed to be. She was told she needed to get over it, and to be 'the bigger person.' With Loki, that was no more.

"God I love you," she sighed.

"And I love you," Loki assured before pulling her into a heated kiss. Anja kissed him back with just as much passion, bringing one of her hands to the back of his neck, pulling him closer to him to deepen the kiss. Loki continued to kiss her, but only for a few more seconds before pulling away from her. "Do you think Barton would lose it if we did that in front of him?"

Anja couldn't resist a laugh. "Oh he definitely would," she assured.

"Good, because I'm not done with you," Loki responded, a devilish grin stretching across his face. "I'll be sure to make the point you are my queen to these former friends of yours." He paused, and then seemingly remembered something. "Which reminds me, before we leave, I also have something I want to give you."

Loki reached into his pocket, and pulled out a necklace, holding it up for her to see. The gold chain sparkled in the sunlight, the pendant at the end of it swinging gently. Anja leaned in a little bit to get a better look at the unusual pendant. Two snakes were entwined around each other, forming an 'S' shape as they bit the other snake's tail. Small emeralds made up the snakes' eyes. Anja couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship; she could even see the individual scales on the snakes.

"Oh my...  that's beautiful," she whispered, cradling the pendant gently in her hands.

"Not anywhere near as beautiful as you are," he responded.

Anja's cheeks flushed pink as she smiled shyly at him. She was so distracted by his comment that she almost missed Loki pulling it back from her. He moved around Anja, coming to a stop behind her. He carefully moved her hair to the side before he reached in front of her briefly before clasping the necklace around her neck. Anja looked down as the heavy pendant came to a rest at the swell of her breasts. She reached up, readjusting the pendant slightly. Just before she went to go release it, she hesitated.

"You know, you can quit staring at my chest," she mused, unable to resist a smirk. "We don't have time to deal with the consequences of your actions."

Loki moved swiftly back in front of her, that predatory look back on his face. "Me? Staring? I would never," he mused. "And as for time... we have plenty."

The smirk on Anja's face weakened a bit as a deep blush formed on her face. Loki took a step towards her, causing her to take an involuntary step backwards, placing her only a few inches from the wall. She wasn't sure why; she had no reason to fear him, and she was sure what was about to happen would be most enjoyable. Anja decided she would have to worry about her bad reaction later as Loki closed the distance between them. He grasped her chin in one hand, making her look up at him once again, as his other hand rested firmly at the small of her back. Anja rested her upper arms and hands on his chest, willing herself to remain calm as Loki started to speak lowly and intently, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I know from experience I only need a few moments to have you screaming my name," he continued. Anja was too distracted by his words to notice that his hand had left her chin and that both of his hands were gripping her waist until he lifted her off the ground, pressing her tightly between the wall and him, her legs on either side of his waist. Her dress had bunched up against her stomach, the back of it barely grazing the floor. She shifted her hands to his shoulders just as he began to talk once again. "We can be a few minutes late to the meeting; they won't notice."

Anja took a deep breath, trying to stay rational. Surely the rest of the team could wait a few minutes? Hell, they could start the meeting without them as far as she was concerned. She wanted this. Anja cupped his face in her hands, the cold metal of his helmet burned against the warmth of her hands as she pulled him into a heated kiss. Loki moaned into her mouth as he kissed her back, his hands shifting to her thighs. He had started to trail kisses down her neck when a timid knock came at the door.

"Your Majesty?" a small voice came through, making Loki snarl with rage. "King Thor wished for me to inform you that the meeting will take place in the throne room momentarily."

"Go away!" Loki spat at the door, making Anja snicker into the man's shoulder. They heard a squeak before the sound of feet moved away quickly, making Anja laugh even harder.

"Never change, Loki," she chuckled, pulling the trickster down into a chaste kiss as he gently placed her feet back on the ground. The mood was thoroughly ruined now, but it was probably for the best since they needed to make their way down to the throne room. Anja smoothed out her dress, hoping it looked as pristine as it had before their escapades began.

"I have no plans to," he grumbled, pulling back and adjusting his armor slightly. "I suppose we should head down, since my oaf brother demands our presence."

"Hey now, you're looking forward to doling out revenge too, don't pretend you aren't at least a little excited," Anja replied, smirking. "Besides, we can totally resume this later."

Loki smirked as well, shrugging and holding his hand out. "As always, min kjære, you are correct."

"Well, not always," Anja huffed, twining her fingers with his. "But you could do well to listen once in a while."

Shaking his head, the god didn't deem her comment with a response and led the way out of the room. "Let's go, darling. Let us exact our revenge."

"Oh, I am so game," Anja snickered, closing the door to her room. "Those assholes aren't going to know what hit them."

*****

Hi everyone! Sorry it took so long to get this updated. The last few weeks have been a bit busy between work and my birthday and just general life stuff. I finally got this done last night after watching the finale to WandaVision, so... yay! I think this was the last "fun" chapter, and I think it's all business for a while after this. Hopefully it doesn't take me too long to get the next chapter written, but we'll see. As always, I appreciate your patience with me! I hope all is well with all of you. 'Til next time!

~arty_writes